Ads For Trigosamine, Apatrim And Similar Products

This blogger is regularly exposed to quackery in the morning newspaper. Two recent examples are Trigosamine (for pain relief) and Apartrim (for weight loss), in this case in one full-page ad for both from the same company. Such ads usually have all or most the following in common and should be "red flags":

• Full page newspaper ad structured to look like a news story
• Deceptive statements regarding "clinical studies" and testimonials supporting the product
• "Small print" statements pointing to an "authority" working under the company producing the product
• Advise to call a "hot line" to order the product (usually within 48 hours), alluding to or explicitly stating that supplies are limited and/or giving you the "opportunity" to purchase large quantities at a discount .
• A small disclaimer hidden within the ad stating the following (which is required of all such ads): "These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drugs Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease"

Another thing to look for in investigating such ads is the response you get when performing an internet search on the product. The vast majority of "hits" for several pages are thinly-disguised websites promoting either the product in question, or criticism of that product and promotion of a similarly bogus product (example of an exception here).

Folks, there is no "magic bullet" for the most ubiquitous chronic health problems of our time (i.e. pain, obesity and back problems). If the promoters of such products are stating in their ads that it is "not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease", BELIEVE THEM!!