No Magical Mystery Tour

Today, the makers of Airborne agreed to pay 23 million to settle a class action law suit for allegedly making false claims. I’ve worked in the dietary supplement industry, with research and education, for over 15 years.

This is what I know:

There is good clinical evidence for some nutrition supplements.

Dietary supplement companies are not permitted to make claims for health conditions (even when there is good evidence in humans).

Consumers respond to claims, that is, they buy products that claim ‘to cure’ (this supports the TV weight loss ads).

Very often, the benefit of a nutritional supplement is in ‘Prevention’. Most consumers do not respond to ‘Prevention’ claims. Most wait until they have a problem, then look for a cure. It often costs much less to prevent a condition, especially if you know you are at-risk. It takes doing something.

Finally, regulators who have the authority to regulate claims have turned an eye for so long, the situation has become difficult to manage.

What are dietary supplement companies to do?

Taking good quality fish oil on a regular basis prevents heart attacks (companies can’t say this). CLA prevents weight gain (people buy products to loose weight, not prevent gain even though preventing gain would reduce the need for weight loss, and likely be more successful). CoQ 10 should be supplemented by people on statin drugs (doctors don’t know this).

It is crazy that people think they can eat fast food 3-4 times a week, then take a natural product to reverse the damage. It is ridiculous for people to think they can smoke for 20 years, then take a supplement to keep them from getting sick.

This is no Magical Mystery Tour. The dietary supplements that work, work with your body to prevent disease and promote health. They don’t replace lifestyle and they don’t save a life of unhealthy habits.

In regard to the Airborne situation, stating that something ‘supports immune function’ will not sell as much product as ‘miracle cure buster’. If it’s true that the makers of Airborne falsified credentials and clinical research, that is absolutely unforgiveable. In my opinion, that deserves reprimand.

For myself, I am on an airplane 2-3 times a month, and before I travel, I take an extra dose of vitamin C. That is for prevention, I want it in my body when I’m exposed to germs and viruses. Prevention works.