Copyright 2005 Joey AtlasI rarely start an article with
conclusion at beginning. But, for this specific topic I couldn’t write it any other way. So, here it is.
No magic pill, patented drink mix, sublingual tincture, trans-dermal patch, man made food bar, proprietary mineral blend, or secret capsule is capable of producing results, or anything remotely close, that can be achieved through proper strength and conditioning program combined with a smart, a realistic nutrition program and adequate rest.
As father of an eight year old baseball, soccer and football player, I am often asked by other parents, “What products would you recommend for my son/daughter to help improve their sports performance?” The paragraph above is my answer, always.
It is no wonder why so many people believe that enhanced sports performance can come from a bottle at your local nutrition store. The advertising freedom that nutritional supplement marketers are given is an absolute joke. The flexibility they have allows them to prey on peoples weaknesses and exploit fact that most people want to believe what they see and hear through advertisements.
The problem lies within fact that even when following “the rules” nutritional supplement marketers can still cleverly craft unbelievably deceptive advertising campaigns and get away with it
Some supplement companies have attorneys on staff that specialize in making sure that company they represent is not breaking any laws in its advertising campaigns. Some companies who cannot afford full time attorneys hire them as outside consultants to perform same function. Their main job is to compare proposed advertising campaign, whether it is a radio ad, a television ad, internet ad or print ad and make sure it complies with all rules and regulations put forth by Federal Trade Commission and/or Federal Communications Commission. Keep in mind these hired pros work for company who pays them and not for you, consumer.
Ponder this, Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act does not require manufacturers to report adverse reactions or side effects. Additionally, sale of any supplement can only be prevented if Food and Drug Administration can prove that supplement is harmful. Amazing, isn’t it?
Despite fact that supplement companies are restricted from making unproven or exaggerated claims, many are still able to get away with extremely deceptive advertising campaigns. Some companies are even so greedy that they completely disregard any of industry rules and use outright lies in their marketing campaigns knowing that regulatory agencies are overloaded and cannot catch every unscrupulous company. Even when caught, some of these companies have to pay a fine which usually only amounts to a small percentage of profits it has taken in from its fraudulent marketing techniques. They are then ordered to clean up their marketing campaigns so they are in compliance with industry rules and are then allowed to continue selling their products.
