National Advertising Division In Brief
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Firm complies with FTC testimonial guidance: Health King Enterprise & Balanceuticals Group Inc. discontinues a testimonial of atypical results for JointFlexer, even though it included a disclaimer, because Federal Trade Commission guidance dictates ads must express typical results, according to a May 20 release from the National Advertising Division (1"The Tan Sheet" Oct. 12, 2009). The Council of Better Business Bureaus division also recommended that Health King distinguish when claims apply to the overall supplement or to specific ingredients. NAD suggested the Chicago firm clarify claims - such as "promotes absorption of calcium and effectively inhibits joint degeneration" - are based on ingredient studies because "there is no research on the product," only on the individual ingredients. Similarly, NAD recommended the firm clarify the claim "used for centuries, proven by clinical trials and research in China" applies to herbal ingredients in JointFlexer and not the product or other ingredients. NAD also recommended the firm increase the dose of glucosamine from 1,125 mg daily to at least the minimum effective daily dose of 1,200 mg or discontinue claims linked to the ingredient
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National Advertising Division In Brief
NAD flexes criticism of MuscleMeds' claims: The National Advertising Division tells MuscleMeds that in vitro or animal tests do not support claims for a product marketed to humans, and advises the firm to drop or change some advertising for its Methyl Armatest nutritional supplement. The Council of Better Business Bureaus division, reviewing MuscleMeds claims as part of its Council for Responsible Nutrition-funded initiative, also determined the Little Falls, N.J.-based firm should state more clearly that clinical tests support one of the two supplements that comprise the product and not both. NAD said the firm substantiates some claims, including Methyl Arimatest increases testosterone "to over 10,000 pg/mL," with a 2008 study on the "Formula 1" part of the product, a proprietary blend of saw palmetto and astaxanthin. Studies cited to support claims for "Formula 2," 7-methoxyflavone, were either in vitro or on animals and are not appropriate evidence, according to the case report released July 27. NAD said the firm did not prove the separate portions of the product "work together in any significant or synergistic manner." Similarly, the claim ""Breakthrough Dual Action 'Testosterone Looping and Pooling' Effects" describes the action of Formula 1, not the whole product. MuscleMeds said it "appreciates NAD's fair and balanced review process," and will consider the recommendations for future ads
National Advertising Division In Brief
NAD flexes criticism of MuscleMeds' claims: The National Advertising Division tells MuscleMeds that in vitro or animal tests do not support claims for a product marketed to humans, and advises the firm to drop or change some advertising for its Methyl Armatest nutritional supplement. The Council of Better Business Bureaus division, reviewing MuscleMeds claims as part of its Council for Responsible Nutrition-funded initiative, also determined the Little Falls, N.J.-based firm should state more clearly that clinical tests support one of the two supplements that comprise the product and not both. NAD said the firm substantiates some claims, including Methyl Arimatest increases testosterone "to over 10,000 pg/mL," with a 2008 study on the "Formula 1" part of the product, a proprietary blend of saw palmetto and astaxanthin. Studies cited to support claims for "Formula 2," 7-methoxyflavone, were either in vitro or on animals and are not appropriate evidence, according to the case report released July 27. NAD said the firm did not prove the separate portions of the product "work together in any significant or synergistic manner." Similarly, the claim ""Breakthrough Dual Action 'Testosterone Looping and Pooling' Effects" describes the action of Formula 1, not the whole product. MuscleMeds said it "appreciates NAD's fair and balanced review process," and will consider the recommendations for future ads
National Advertising Division In Brief
NAD flexes criticism of MuscleMeds' claims: The National Advertising Division tells MuscleMeds that in vitro or animal tests do not support claims for a product marketed to humans, and advises the firm to drop or change some advertising for its Methyl Armatest nutritional supplement. The Council of Better Business Bureaus division, reviewing MuscleMeds claims as part of its Council for Responsible Nutrition-funded initiative, also determined the Little Falls, N.J.-based firm should state more clearly that clinical tests support one of the two supplements that comprise the product and not both. NAD said the firm substantiates some claims, including Methyl Arimatest increases testosterone "to over 10,000 pg/mL," with a 2008 study on the "Formula 1" part of the product, a proprietary blend of saw palmetto and astaxanthin. Studies cited to support claims for "Formula 2," 7-methoxyflavone, were either in vitro or on animals and are not appropriate evidence, according to the case report released July 27. NAD said the firm did not prove the separate portions of the product "work together in any significant or synergistic manner." Similarly, the claim ""Breakthrough Dual Action 'Testosterone Looping and Pooling' Effects" describes the action of Formula 1, not the whole product. MuscleMeds said it "appreciates NAD's fair and balanced review process," and will consider the recommendations for future ads