Our Community in Fairfax County, Virginia

The lure of losing weight immediately without dieting or exercising but by merely taking a magic pill is irresistible to some consumers.  Medical science has yet to create such a pill.  Weight loss promotions that offer the magic cure will only thin your bank account and not your figure.  The operating principle is always "be skeptical."

TIPS FOR CONSUMERS

Look For The Magic Words.  Be concerned when the advertisements use words such as "breakthrough discovery," "secret," "exclusive," or "miraculous." These words have no scientific meaning, but are words to grab your attention.

Be Wary of Claims that Sound-Too-Good-To-Be-True.  There is no pill that allows you to lose weight permanently without dieting and exercise.  There is no pill that makes "pounds simply melt away." Often these "magic pills" are strong laxatives or diuretics that can cause serious health problems.

Be Careful of Glowing Testimonials.  Often they are impossible to verify.  (Try finding "Mary S. from New York City").  Fancy sounding clinics of European or Asian origin are often phony and do not exist.

Check With Your Doctor Before Purchasing a Weight Control Product.  Before you purchase any weight loss product or program, consult with a physician, a licensed nutritionist or a registered dietitian.

Check for Consumer Complaints.  To see if there are any prior complaints or lawsuits pending, check with the local Better Business Bureau and governmental agencies like the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, at (800) 435-7352, the Office of the Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission and the Food and Drug Administration.  For an out-of-state company, you may wish to call the appropriate agencies and authorities in the state where the company maintains its headquarters.