Is Medical Medium Celery Juice a Diet Scam?
Medical Medium wants your money. Medical Medium Celery Juice is one of the most popular weight loss scams pushing useless supplements and “spiritual advice” with the claim that it will guarantee weight-loss and health benefits. American consumers spend tens of billions of dollars annually on diet plans that claim you can eat all you want and still lose weight.
The dietary supplement marketplace is not as safe as it should be. Diet supplement manufacturers and weight loss plans use by Medical Medium, Anthony William, routinely, and legally, sell their products without first having to demonstrate that they are safe and effective. China, which has repeatedly been caught exporting contaminated products, is a major supplier of raw supplement ingredients. The FDA has yet to inspect a single factory there.
The Medical Medium claims that celery juice has manifold medical uses included reducing bloating, increasing clarity of mind, and boosting energy levels. He also feels the juice is remarkably hydrating and could possibly inhibit inflammation. None of these claims has scientific backing.
Critics claim that William is practicing unlicensed medicine. He has also been accused of improperly soliciting positive reviews for his books on Amazon.
If you pay attention long enough you’ll realize that every year new year resolution diet and weight loss scams surface to exploit the consumers. One of the largest markets of these scams is Medical Medium. People often set a weight loss goal to get in shape or to simply shed pounds to look good each year.
However, most don’t put in the work and simply get a gym membership they rarely use. They pay the subscription, but they never go. However, what’s even worse is the market for diet and weight loss scams through dietary supplements like Medical Medium.
They are worse that workout gadgets and 40 day challenges. Instead of losing weight and making you healthier, these supplements are usually frauds. Their effects fade, if they have any in the first place. Also, they don’t meet the burden of proof when held up to scientific inquiry.
Hence, they’re a foolish investment. However, the worst part is that some of these diet pills and supplements may have horrible consequences. This is where the diet and weight loss scams become dangerous for the people that are consuming them. That is why we advise to stay away from Medical Medium.
Diet and Weight Loss Scams Reel You In with Free Trials
The reason that these weight loss schemes and diet pills have a high rate of success is due to the enticing free trials. Medical Medium and other companies give out free samples just by requesting your name, address, and credit card number. Sometimes you only have to pay for shipping.
However, by handing over your data, Medical Medium can relentlessly market to you and this traps you in a vicious cycle. The idea is that these scams weigh you down slowly but surely. Eventually, when you want to start losing weight, they seem like the best, and easiest option. That’s why they’re called diet and weight loss scams rather than legitimate products or services.
Medical Medium and other companies that run these scams bank on you choosing the path of least resistance. Even though there’s ample evidence that the pills and supplements don’t work; people are mostly ill-informed. And so, the cycle goes on.
Registered Complaints Against Diet and Weight Loss Scams
In 2018, a BBB study reported that it registered 37000 complaints against deceptive free trials scams. In its report, the BBB showed that millions had been misled with free trials scams and misleading ads. These included fake celebrity endorsements as well. The average loss to the consumer was estimated to be $186.
In 2019, BBB received more than 6600 complaints and reports from Canadian and American consumers. These were all about free trial offers. The celebrity endorsements for all these scams were fake and at times, the fine print even admitted that they were fake.
A lot of lawsuits were issued against these companies which used celebrity imagery, and their names to endorse dubious products. One notable example was Shark Tank investor Lori Greiner. She warned the public of a Keto Pill Scam that used her credibility to sell dietary supplements.
What is the Science on Diet Pills and Supplements?
According to the science of all this, the diet and weight loss scams are just that, scams. A researcher at Oregon State University (OSU) did a review of evidence surrounding weight loss supplements. It concluded pretty much what the science already said. There is no clear evidence to suggest that diet pills or supplements work in any way.
So the fact that there is a $2.4 billion supplement industry in the US alone is disconcerting. There is no evidence that supports any single product resulting in significant weight loss. In fact, some even have detrimental health hazards.
Melinda Manore, a professor of nutrition and exercise sciences at OSU looked at supplements which claimed to:
- Block absorption of fat and carbohydrates
- Increase metabolism
- Change body composition through the reduction of body fat
- Suppress your appetite
These diet and weight loss scams were found to be lacking any randomized clinical trials to back up their effectiveness. Most products which showed a weight loss advantage of less than two pounds when compared to placebo groups. That’s not exactly what you’d call groundbreaking or revolutionary. Those two words are frequently used in dietary supplement ads to fool gullible consumers.
In comparison to natural products like green tea, fiber, and low fat dairy supplements, they didn’t fare well either. For those products, the weight loss advantage was at best 3-4 pounds. However, it’s important to know that the supplements were tested as part of a reduced calorie diet.
Manore stated that for most people, altering their diet and regular exercise was the only option. No supplement would have a big impact. It would certainly not work if exercise was eliminated from the equation. Hence, again, these are diet and weight loss scams and nothing more.
How to Identify the Diet and Weight Loss Scams?
There are a couple of things you could do to identify weight loss and diet scams when you see them.
Research the company that you want to try out before signing up. Remember, they want your information so they can send you more marketing material and ads. Many of these companies, like Medical Medium, have abysmal ratings with the BBB. Hence, check to see their reviews and call or visit their website. If there are many complaints, don’t trust them. If they are rated badly by the BBB, stay away completely.
Research the celebrity endorsements that are presented in the ads. Research if the celebrity endorsing the supplements has actually endorsed them. Most scams, like Medical Medium, use images without any credit and repurpose them.
Call your credit card company for a refund if you think you’ve been the victim of fraud. Speak with them and they may help you get your money back.
Also, report fake ads and call your BBB to report suspicious activity. You may end up alerting them to a new player in the game. Consumers can also report the ads to the FTC and get the company banned. Make sure that you’re never a victim of these diet and weight loss scams. Always research and think for yourself. Also, know that a healthy diet and exercise are the only two ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Memphis Associates and Tate Advisors
