Health food companies selling bogus nutritional aids have come under fire from a noted professor of nutrition, Michael Lean, who lectures on human nutrition at Glasgow University. Professor Lean used his editorial in the British Journal of Medicine to launch a stinging attack on manufacturers, describing their practices as the “commercial exploitation of vulnerable patients with quack medicines”.
His editorial highlights the shady regulations concerning the sale of health foods. Unlike medicines, which must have their efficacy proved and safety tested in clinical trials, the onus on manufacturers of health supplements to prove the effectiveness of their product is far less stringent. Recently, the UK adopted the EU directive obliging companies not to mislead customers over the benefits of their products. This was in order to protect customers against ‘unscrupulous’ companies preying on the vulnerability of their customers.
Lean argues that despite this new regulation, the practice continues of misleadingly selling products with no health benefits. Though food labelling regulations make it illegal to claim foods can treat or prevent disease, Lean believes that companies get around this by making indirect suggestions, particularly regarding obesity. Interviewed by the Guardian, he claimed that many companies knew their products had no health benefits and were unwilling to make the effort to do their research.
In the same interview, Lean stated that the only proven remedy for obesity is a low-calorie diet, exercise and in more extreme cases, orlistat (Xenical) and subutramine (Reductil), with bariatric surgery as a last resort. With the false marketing of food products now illegal, in his editorial he expressed hope that the new regulations would now “be enforced proactively to help direct doctors and consumers towards safe, cost-effective and evidence-based management of diseases”.
Better enforcement of the new laws will certainly be a help to those struggling with their weight. False advertising simply makes it less likely that someone will win the battle against excess weight, for such ‘magic bullets’ can act as a cocoon from the harsher reality. Dieting is a long and difficult process, and nothing can offer an easy solution, not even medication. As well as pushing for the implementation of Lean’s suggestions, there should be encouragement for patients to make an informed decision about their weight loss, so whether you opt for pills, the natural route or even surgery, you are in charge of the process and have realistic expectations of what results you can expect.