“Isoprex Slashes Pain in 5 Days – Naturally!” “Walking without a Cane!” “Clinically Proven!” “Relieves painful swelling in 100% of even the worst cases.” These claims are false or misleading, according to the FTC’s complaint against Isoprex’s distributor, Renaissance Health Publishing, Inc.
Maybe you’ve seen the ads. Renaissance advertises Isoprex primarily through mailings targeting older adults. The ads claim that Isoprex provides relief for all types of pain, helps rebuild joints, and reduces inflammation. The ads also promote Isoprex as a natural pain reliever that’s superior to non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen. But the FTC’s complaint alleges that these claims are false or misleading and that the company can’t back them up with clinical proof.
What’s more, the FTC says that the endorsements of Isoprex are deceptive. Some of the people who claim that Isoprex helped them were actually company employees or relatives of employees. Others got money or supplies in exchange for their glowing testimonials.
How can you better evaluate health claims, like those made about Isoprex?
- Be skeptical about who is writing product reviews. Look for well-known sites that review products rather than sites that sell the products.
- Talk to your health care professional. Before using any new supplement, ask your doctor about its effectiveness, as well as how it might interact with your medications. Remember that dietary supplements are not regulated like drugs – the FDA does not evaluate or review supplements for safety or effectiveness.
- Consult reliable sources of health information. For up-to-date information on arthritis treatments and alternative therapies, call the Arthritis Foundation at 1-800-283-7800 or visit arthritis.org. For other conditions, consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov.
For more tips, read the FTC’s articles about Miracle Health Claims and Comparing Products Online. And please let the FTC know about any health product you believe is falsely advertised.
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