Healthvibes - Quit Smoking (90% success rate!)

I'm not yet convinced that news reports on the telly are quite as reliable as randomised double-blind clinical trials.

(Image credit)

Still, TV seems to be the source of the Healthvibes Clinic's claim that they have a 90% success rate with their 'stop smoking' treatment.

The treatment is called 'Bioresonance Therapy', and before you ask lolwut?, it's all about toxic substances and their tendency to 'alter the body's normal pattern of resonating [sic]'.

Hope that's all clear, then. Look out for the ASA's response in a few weeks or months, if not.

"I write to complain about an advert in "Natural Health" magazine (May 2010, p126).

The advert, for the Healthvibes Clinic, promotes their "Bioresonance & Nutritional Therapy" method of diagnosis and treatment for various medical conditions.

I suspect that the advert may be in breach of one section of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

1. The CAP Code, Section 50.1, states "Medical and scientific claims made about beauty and health-related products should be backed by evidence, where appropriate consisting of trials conducted on people..."

2. Under Section 50.1, I challenge whether the following claim is backed by evidence, where appropriate consisting of clinical trials conducted on people:

(i) "Bioresonance & Nutritional Therapy" can be "used to assess and balance hidden causes of ill health"

3. The advertiser's website[1] clarifies that, at the clinic, the conditions mentioned in the advert's "We specialise in:" section are also treated with Bioresonance and Nutritional Therapy.

4. Under Section 50.1, I challenge whether any of the following claims are backed by evidence, where appropriate consisting of clinical trials conducted on people:

(i) "Bioresonance & Nutritional Therapy" can be used to quit smoking with a 90% success rate

(ii) "Bioresonance & Nutritional Therapy" can be used to treat addictions generally

(iii) "Bioresonance & Nutritional Therapy" is effective against pain, stress, eczema, psoriasis, IBS or candida

5. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser, the magazine, or with the publishing and alternative medicine industries in general. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine.

Footnotes:
[1] http://www.healthvibes.co.uk/home.htm
"

*Synergy Natural - blue-green sludge salesmen

Spirulina is the common name for two species of microscopic algae (Arthrospira maxima and Arthrospira platensis) that are rich in proteins, fatty acids, minerals and (some) vitamins - providing you're prepared to consume them in their natural state.

UPDATE, 30 Jun: ASA write to confirm the advertisers have agreed to remove the claims that were the subject of the complaint. Good for them!

(Image credit)

Studies have demonstrated some positive effects in humans, but unfortunately, desperate salesmen are often prone to overstating the benefits.

Usual ASA complaint follows.

"I write to complain about an advert in “Natural Health" Magazine (April 2010, page 104), which promotes "Spirulina" vitamin supplements.

I suspect that the advert may be in breach of two sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code.

I have submitted a scan of the advert. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

1. The CAP Code, Section 3.1, states "Before distributing or submitting a marketing communication for publication, marketers must hold documentary evidence to prove all claims, whether direct or implied, that are capable of objective substantiation."

2. The CAP Code, Section 50.1, states "Medical and scientific claims made about beauty and health-related products should be backed by evidence, where appropriate consisting of trials conducted on people..."

3. I challenge whether the advertiser holds documentary evidence to prove any of the following claims, and I challenge whether the claims are backed by evidence, where appropriate consisting of trials conducted on people:

(i) The claim that vitamin supplements aren't digested easily because they are made synthentically

(ii) The implied claim that the Spirulina tablets contain as much nutritional value as naturally-occuring spirulina algae (i.e. the species Arthrospira maxima and Arthrospira platensis)

(iii) The implied claim that the Spirulina tablets (as distinct from naturally-occuring spirulina algae) are the "purest, most natural addition you can make to your diet"

(iv) The claim that Spirulina tablets can provide "better weight control", give its users "more energy" and help them "look great"

(v) The implied claim ("A single teaspoonful (or 6 tablets) contains a powerhouse of over 100 vitamins") that Spirulina tablets contain Vitamin B12

(vi) The claim that "in nutritional terms" Spirulina tablets are "equivalent to 3 servings of vegetables"

(vii) The claim that Spirulina tablets are "the purest most potent Spirulina you can get", compared to (for example) naturally-occuring spirulina algae

4. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser, with the magazine, or with the publishing and alternative medicine industries in general. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine.

5. I confirm that I am happy to be identified as the complainant."

*Vitalzym - help for enzyme-deficient humans

UPDATE: ASA: Complaint passed to compliance team; "we feel the [advert contains] clear breaches of the CAP code"

Vitalzym is described as a "systemic enzyme therapy". And a good thing, too, because apparently humans are "universally enzyme deficient".

(Image credit)

I have no idea what any of that means, but I hope the ASA will appreciate how much work I put in to learning how to count to 25 in Roman numerals.

"I write to complain about an advert published in Nexus Magazine, Vol. 17, No. 2 (February-March 2010).

The advert, for New Dawn Nutrition, is entitled "WWW.VITALZYMUK.COM - The key to a healthy lymphatic system!".

I have submitted a scan of the advert. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.

I believe the advert is in breach of one section of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code.

1. Nexus Magazine is published in the UK "under licence by Nexus Magazine (UK) Ltd". It is available in high street shops like WH Smiths.

2. The February-March 2010 issue (Vol. 17, No. 2, page 59) carried an advert entitled "WWW.VITALZYMUK.COM - The key to a healthy lymphatic system!".

3. The advert promoted two products: "Vitalzym", tablets which are a "Systemic Enzyme Formula"; and "Ethos Revital Eyes [sic] Drops", an "anti-oxidant eye support".

4. The CAP Code, Section 3.1, states "Before distributing or submitting a marketing communication for publication, marketers must hold documentary evidence to prove all claims, whether direct or implied, that are capable of objective substantiation."

5. I challenge whether New Dawn Nutrition hold documentary evidence to prove any of the following claims:

(i) Vitalzym can make a difference to your health;

(ii) humans are universally enzyme deficient;

(iii) Vitalzym can clean up the lymphatic system;

(iv) Vitalzym can clean up the blood system (presumably including the lymphatic system);

(v) Vitalzym can cause nutrients to reach cells more efficiently;

(vi) Vitalzym can cause "toxins" to be released more efficiently;

(vii) Vitalzym can be used for pain relief;

(viii) Vitalzym can eat up excess fibrin in the human body;

(ix) Vitalzym can dissolve blood clots;

(x) Vitalzym can dissolve scar tissue;

(xi) Vitalzym can be used for sports injuries;

(xii) Vitalzym can modulate the immune system;

(xiii) Vitalzym can energise the body;

(xiv) Vitalzym can be used for chronic fatigue;

(xv) Vitalzym can dissolve the protein coating on viruses;

(xvi) Vitalzym can benefit many more conditions besides those mentioned above;

(xvii) Ethos Revital Eye Drops are an anti-oxidant;

(xviii) The anti-oxidant properties of Ethos Revital Eye Drops can actually be obtained by using them;

(xix) Ethos Revital Eye Drops can support the eyes;

(xx) Many people have avoided cataract operations by using Ethos Revital Eye Drops;

(xxi) Ethos Revital Eye Drops contain the key nutrient required for eye health;

(xxii) The key nutrient required for eye health can be transferred into a person's eyes by using Ethos Revital Eye Drops;

(xxiii) Ethos Revital Eye Drops are proven to be safe for use with contact lenses;

(xxiv) Ethos Revital Eye Drops are ideal if you use the computer daily;

(xxv) Ethos Revital Eye Drops can be given to pets.

6. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser, Nexus Magazine, or with the publishing industry in general. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or Nexus Magazine.

7. I confirm that I am happy to be identified as the complainant."