Advertising claims for more dietary supplements “cross the line”

It”s illegal for supplements to be promoted as a “treatment” for a disease. They can “support” health, or “boost” the immune system, or use other vague claims. But before any product can legally state that it can treat a specific disease it must pass US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations for drugs.

The dietary supplements listed below have crossed the line by claiming to treat cancer, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and seizures.

• Ellagimax capsules
• Coral Max capsules
• Coral Max without Iron capsules
• Advanced Arthritis Support capsules

Health Canada states, “these unproven health claims may mislead patients to use the unauthorized products in place of proven, approved treatment.” The FDA has taken them off the market in the US.

Here are other categories where certain supplements have crossed the line recently.

• Diabetes
• Impotence

11/19/06 10:38 JR