Bodybuilding.com Refutes Statements Presented in NBC's Today Show on Weight Loss Supplements
Date: 15-11-2006
Posted by: Anabolic Info TeamUnited States |
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Bodybuilding.com refutes statements presented in NBC's Today show story "Do weight-loss supplements work?" by Meredith Vieira, new co-host on the show, and Today contributor Madelyn Fernstrom, Ph.D., CNS, which aired on Monday, November 13, 2006. Bodybuilding.com states the story contained inaccurate information about DSHEA allowing companies to make false statements and when it comes to dietary supplements "don't believe what you read on the internet."
Boise, ID (PRWEB) November 15, 2006 -- Bodybuilding.com refutes statements presented in NBC's Today show story "Do weight-loss supplements work?" by Meredith Vieira, new co-host on the show, and Today contributor Madelyn Fernstrom, Ph.D., CNS, which aired on Monday, November 13, 2006. Bodybuilding.com states the story contained inaccurate information about DSHEA allowing companies to make false statements and when it comes to dietary supplements "don't believe what you read on the internet."
"To say on national television that dietary supplements are dangerous and are riddled with false claims constitutes general ignorance of the industry and the regulatory efforts within it," said Ryan DeLuca, CEO of Bodybuilding.com. "Like in any industry, there are those who possess ethics and those who do not. There are thousands of success stories where people have altered their lifestyle to align with the principles of a healthy diet, exercise and smart nutritional supplementation."
Madelyn Fernstrom's statement that topicals (soaps, lotions, etc.) provide a greater degree of safety is not substantiated. Many scientific experts and the supplement industry in general give little to no merit to the topical items mentioned by Ms. Fernstrom. The guidelines of DSHEA do not apply to cosmetics or topicals as these items are the jurisdiction of the FDA.
The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) set up a regulatory structure for dietary supplements, giving them a different space for regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are neither foods nor drugs, but a unique area - partially because the FDA has not promulgated specific regulatory guidance. Under the definition of DSHEA, dietary supplements can even be in conventional food form. This has helped increase growth in the market for functional foods. DSHEA does not, however, allow manufacturers or advertisers to make "false promises" or "bogus claims" about the products they sell.
While the Internet is a free-flowing forum for ideas, it does not automatically suggest that every statement made or information provided about dietary supplements on the Internet is false. NBC's recommendation should have been a more prudent one - one that suggests that consumers consider the source and trust only those that come recommended or those that have a proven history in the supplement business.
Bodybuilding.com, which has been in business since 1999, offers thousands of articles that offer lifestyle solutions for healthy weight loss. They offer open forums for people with similar goals to connect and share results, as such Bodybuilding.com has become one of the most trusted internet sites for health conscious consumers looking to further enhance their weight loss effort.
"An increased amount of skepticism in all consumer markets is a side effect of advertising in general. Internet communities have become a powerful tool for consumers to discuss the actual products they've used to successfully achieve their goals", according to health and fitness author Vince Andrich. "This trend will continue to help consumers find real world answers to their weight management questions, because they now have the ability to get information that is not biased by advertising or advertising revenues."
