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Some can cause serious harm, agency warns By Robert Preidt
WEDNESDAY, March 6 (HealthDay News) -- Fraudulent health products are commonplace and can cause serious injury or even death, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns. These products prey on people's desires for easy solutions to difficult health problems and often make claims related to weight loss, sexual performance, memory loss and serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and Alzheimer's disease. Besides wasting your money, use of these products can cause serious harm or even death. "Using unproven treatments can delay getting a potentially life-saving diagnosis and medication that actually works," Gary Coody, the FDA's national health fraud coordinator, said in an agency news release. "Also, fraudulent products sometimes contain hidden drug ingredients that can be harmful when unknowingly taken by consumers." "Health fraud is a pervasive problem, especially when scammers sell online," Coody said. "It's difficult to track down the responsible parties. When we do find them and tell them their products are illegal, some will shut down their website. Unfortunately, however, these same products may reappear later on a different website, and sometimes may reappear with a different name." The FDA offered the following things to be on the lookout for when identifying fraudulent health products:
Even with these tips, it may be difficult to spot a fraudulent health product. If you have any doubts about an unproven product or one with questionable claims, check with your doctor or other health care professional first, the FDA recommended. More information The American Academy of Family Physicians offers advice about herbal health products and supplements. SOURCE: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, news release, March 4, 2013 Health News Copyright © 2013 HealthDay. All rights reserved. URL:http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=674100
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