Verified Forskolin

Verified Forskolin is a weight-loss supplement that also claims to treat a variety of ailments from allergies to glaucoma to cancer.

But when it came time to, ahem, “verify” these statements — that is to say, when the National Advertising Division (The National Advertising Division (NAD) is the advertising industry’s self-regulatory body administered by the Council of Better Business Bureaus.) requested substantiation as part of an inquiry into the health claims — the operator of the website on which they appear and where the supplement is sold failed to respond.

That led NAD to refer the claims to the FTC. In a press release announcing the referral, NAD revealed four of the statements that the FTC should review. They include this bit of broken English that still appears on the site:

Through making use of Forskolin you will be really privileged where you can just consume the supplement containing Forskolin for you to get rid of the allergies.

Equally puzzling and red flaggy, TINA.org found, are statements on the website that the product is “proudly manufactured in Colorada, U.S.A.,” which is not a place, and that the supplement “does not have adverse side effects on the body” because it is “natural.” On the topic of supplements, the National Institutes of Health warns: “The term ‘natural’ doesn’t always mean safe.”

Remember, folks, marketing supplements as having the ability to treat, cure, alleviate the symptoms of, or prevent developing diseases and disorders is simply not permitted by law. If a supplement really could do all that, then it would be a drug subject to rigorous study and testing to gain FDA approval.

Find more of our coverage on supplements here.