image map-use text links at bottom of page Link to tutorial 1 Link to tutorial 2 Link to tutorial 3
image map-use text links at bottom of page Next step in tutorial Next step in tutorial Next step in tutorial Next step in tutorial Next step in tutorial Next step in tutorial Next step in tutorial Next step in tutorial Next step in tutorial Next step in tutorial blue line graphic


Tutorial 2—It's Your Health

If it seems to good to be true…

Have you heard "miracle" claims like these?
  • Product X is "extremely beneficial in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis ... infections ... prostate problems, ulcers ...cancer, heart trouble, hardening of the arteries, diabetes…" (one product does it all)
  • "My husband has Alzheimer. On September 2, 1998 he began eating 1 teaspoon full of ...[Product X] each day. ... Now (in just 22 days) he mowed the grass, cleaned out the garage, weeded the flower beds, and we take our morning walk again. It hasn't helped his memory much yet, but he is more like himself again!!!" (personal testimonial)
  • "... eliminates skin cancer in days! ..." (quick fix)
  • "One of the many natural ingredients is inolitol hexanicontinate." (meaningless medical jargon)

What do these claims have in common? They're rip-offs—they all prompted warning letters from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which watches for health fraud [http://www.healthinfoiowa.org/tutorials/glossary.html#fraud].


tell me more icon Tell me more about how to spot health fraud.

Graphic of arrowPrevious page

Continue TutorialGraphic of arrow

[Tutorial Mainpage] | [HealthInfoIowa Mainpage]
blue line graphic

Copyright © 2001 Iowa Consumer Health Project
Disclaimer and Privacy Statement

HealthInfoIowa, a consumer health information resource from
the State Library of Iowa,is funded by the National Library of Medicine
under contract NO1-LM-6-3523 with the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Updated: 30 July 2001