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Reading health claims

Sources

Every numbered claim on the overview and article pages is listed here with the exact passage it rests on. 52 passages were checked word-for-word against the saved copies listed below.

Pharmacist review pending52 verified passagesUpdated 2026-10-26

Current evidence

  1. 1

    A health product is fraudulent if it is promoted to treat a disease without being proven safe and effective for that use.

    “A health product is fraudulent if it is promoted to treat a disease or condition, but not scientifically proven safe and effective for that purpose.”

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — 6 Tip-offs to Rip-offs: Don't Fall for Health Fraud ScamsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  2. 2

    Be suspicious of products that claim to cure a wide range of diseases.

    “Be suspicious of products that claim to cure a wide range of diseases.”

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — 6 Tip-offs to Rip-offs: Don't Fall for Health Fraud ScamsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  3. 3

    Personal success stories are easy to make up and are not scientific evidence; online reviews can be fake.

    “are easy to make up and are not a substitute for scientific evidence.”

    “Reviews found on popular online marketplaces and social media can be fake.”

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — 6 Tip-offs to Rip-offs: Don't Fall for Health Fraud ScamsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  4. 4

    Few diseases can be treated quickly, even with legitimate products.

    “Few diseases or conditions can be treated quickly, even with legitimate products.”

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — 6 Tip-offs to Rip-offs: Don't Fall for Health Fraud ScamsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  5. 5

    The FDA has found many 'all-natural' cures that contain hidden, dangerously high doses of prescription drug ingredients.

    “the FDA has found numerous products promoted as “all-natural” cures or treatments that contain hidden and dangerously high doses of prescription drug ingredients”

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — 6 Tip-offs to Rip-offs: Don't Fall for Health Fraud ScamsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  6. 6

    Words like 'miracle cure', 'new discovery', 'guaranteed results' or 'secret ingredient' are alarm bells.

    “Alarms should go off when you see this claim or others like it such as, “new discovery,” “guaranteed results,” or “secret ingredient.””

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — 6 Tip-offs to Rip-offs: Don't Fall for Health Fraud ScamsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  7. 7

    Claims that 'the government or drug companies are hiding this cure' distract from common-sense questions.

    “are used to distract consumers from the obvious, common-sense questions about the so-called miracle cure.”

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — 6 Tip-offs to Rip-offs: Don't Fall for Health Fraud ScamsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  8. 8

    Fraudulent products waste money, delay life-saving diagnosis and treatment, and can contain hidden harmful drugs.

    “Besides wasting money and delaying potentially life-saving diagnosis and scientifically tested and proven treatments, fraudulent products sometimes contain hidden drug ingredients that can be harmful when unknowingly taken by consumers.”

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — 6 Tip-offs to Rip-offs: Don't Fall for Health Fraud ScamsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  9. 9

    'Natural' does not always mean safer or better.

    ““natural” does not always mean that it’s a safer or better option for your health.”

    NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health — Natural Doesn't Necessarily Mean Safer, or BetterPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  10. 10

    Some supplements have failed to show a benefit when studied.

    “Some dietary and herbal supplements have failed to show a benefit when scientists have studied them.”

    NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health — Natural Doesn't Necessarily Mean Safer, or BetterPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  11. 11

    Animal or laboratory findings may mean little for your health until tested in careful human research.

    “Findings from animal or laboratory research may not be immediately meaningful to your health until rigorous clinical research is conducted examining the result further.”

    NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health — Checklist for Understanding Health News StoriesPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  12. 12

    When a study is small, its results are weaker.

    “When the number of people in a study is small, the results aren’t as strong.”

    NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health — Checklist for Understanding Health News StoriesPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  13. 13

    One study rarely proves anything.

    “One study rarely proves anything.”

    NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health — Checklist for Understanding Health News StoriesPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  14. 14

    Be wary when a study is funded by a group that could profit from the results.

    “Was the study funded by a group that could profit financially from the study findings? If so, you should be wary of the results.”

    NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health — Checklist for Understanding Health News StoriesPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  15. 15

    Fake news sites look real but are advertisements; real news rarely endorses a product or links to a sales site.

    “The site may look real but is actually an advertisement.”

    “Endorses a product. Real news organizations generally don’t do this.”

    “Contains links to a sales site.”

    NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health — Are You Reading News or Advertising?Passage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  16. 16

    Randomized controlled trials give the clearest answer on whether a treatment is effective and safe in people.

    “Clinical trials , especially randomized controlled trials, give the clearest information about whether a treatment is effective and safe in humans.”

    MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — Understanding Medical ResearchPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  17. 17

    Discuss health information with your provider before you rely on it.

    “Discuss the information you find with your health care provider before you rely on it.”

    MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — Evaluating Health InformationPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  18. 18

    If you cannot tell who runs a site, be careful; government agencies and medical schools are good sources.

    “If you can't find information about who runs the website, the site may not be trustworthy”

    “Federal government agencies.”

    “Medical schools.”

    MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — Evaluating Health InformationPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  19. 19

    Good health information gives balanced, research-based facts; beware of dramatic writing and promised cures.

    “Good health information doesn't promote one treatment over another. It gives you balanced facts based on research.”

    “So, beware of dramatic writing, promises of cures, and claims that sound too good to be true.”

    MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — Evaluating Health InformationPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  20. 20

    A supplement's body-function claim must carry a disclaimer that the FDA has not evaluated it, and only a drug may claim to treat or cure disease.

    “it must state in a "disclaimer" that FDA has not evaluated the claim.”

    “is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease," because only a drug can legally make such a claim.”

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — Label Claims for Conventional Foods and Dietary SupplementsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  21. 21

    Structure/function claims, such as 'supports immune health', are not reviewed by the FDA before use.

    “Unlike health claims, dietary guidance statements and structure/function claims are not subject to premarket review and authorization by FDA.”

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — Label Claims for Conventional Foods and Dietary SupplementsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  22. 22

    Small studies are more likely to show results by chance.

    “Small sample sizes are more likely to produce results due to chance.”

    NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health — How To Make Sense of a Scientific Journal Article: Size of the StudyPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  23. 23

    In a double-blind study, neither participants nor researchers know who gets the treatment.

    “Neither the participants nor the researchers know who is in the experimental or the control group.”

    NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health — How To Make Sense of a Scientific Journal Article: Design of the StudyPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  24. 24

    FDA labs have found hundreds of 'supplement' weight-loss products containing a hidden prescription drug.

    “FDA laboratories have found hundreds of weight-loss products, illegally marketed as dietary supplements, that contained sibutramine”

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — 6 Tip-offs to Rip-offs: Don't Fall for Health Fraud ScamsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  25. 25

    Chest pain, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face or throat after a new product — call 911.

    “Contact 911 or the local emergency number for medical assistance right away if:”

    “The person is having a severe allergic reaction. Do not wait to see if the reaction is getting worse.”

    MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — Allergic reactionsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  26. 26

    Chest pain, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face or throat after a new product — call 911.

    “Difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, or high-pitched breathing sounds”

    “Swelling of the face, eyes, or tongue”

    MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — AnaphylaxisPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  27. 27

    Chest pain, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face or throat after a new product — call 911.

    “Call 911 or the local emergency number if:”

    “You have sudden crushing, squeezing, tightening, or pressure in your chest.”

    MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — Chest painPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  28. 28

    A racing heart or severe anxiety after a weight-loss or 'energy' product — stop it and contact your provider right away; call 911 if you also have chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness.

    “Many of the patients are young adults having heart problems from weight-loss or energy products”

    NCCIH (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — Using Dietary Supplements WiselyPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  29. 29

    A racing heart or severe anxiety after a weight-loss or 'energy' product — stop it and contact your provider right away; call 911 if you also have chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness.

    “If you have side effects, stop taking the supplement and contact your health care provider.”

    NCCIH (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — Using Dietary Supplements WiselyPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  30. 30

    A racing heart or severe anxiety after a weight-loss or 'energy' product — stop it and contact your provider right away; call 911 if you also have chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness.

    “Contact your provider right away if:”

    “You have new or different heart palpitations.”

    “Call 911 or the local emergency number if you have:”

    “Chest pain”

    MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — Heart palpitationsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  31. 31

    You stopped a prescribed medicine because of an online claim — contact your prescriber.

    “People should not stop taking a prescribed medication, even if they are feeling better, without the help of a health care provider.”

    NIMH (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — Mental Health MedicationsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  32. 32

    You stopped a prescribed medicine because of an online claim — contact your prescriber.

    “If consumers are tempted to buy an unproven product or one with questionable claims, they should check with their doctor or other health care professional first.”

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — 6 Tip-offs to Rip-offs: Don't Fall for Health Fraud ScamsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  33. 33

    A product promises to cure cancer, diabetes or an infection — do not use it in place of treatment; ask a pharmacist.

    ““Miracle cure.” Alarms should go off when you see this claim or others like it such as, “new discovery,” “guaranteed results,” or “secret ingredient.””

    “If consumers are tempted to buy an unproven product or one with questionable claims, they should check with their doctor or other health care professional first.”

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — 6 Tip-offs to Rip-offs: Don't Fall for Health Fraud ScamsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  34. 34

    A product promises to cure cancer, diabetes or an infection — do not use it in place of treatment; ask a pharmacist.

    “Do not replace scientifically proven treatments with unproven products or practices.”

    NCCIH (U.S. National Institutes of Health) — 6 Things To Know About ProbioticsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  35. 35

    A seller says you must “act now,” or tells you to avoid talking to others about a treatment — be wary, and ask your doctor first.

    “If consumers are tempted to buy an unproven product or one with questionable claims, they should check with their doctor or other health care professional first.”

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — 6 Tip-offs to Rip-offs: Don't Fall for Health Fraud ScamsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  36. 36

    A seller says you must “act now,” or tells you to avoid talking to others about a treatment — be wary, and ask your doctor first.

    “Dishonest companies say you have to “act now.” You don’t.”

    “Ask your doctor first.”

    FTC (U.S. Federal Trade Commission) — Common Health ScamsPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

  37. 37

    A seller says you must “act now,” or tells you to avoid talking to others about a treatment — be wary, and ask your doctor first.

    “Be wary of treatments offered by people who tell you to avoid talking to others because "it's a secret treatment or cure."”

    FDA — How to Spot Health FraudPassage verified word-for-word in saved copy

Source documents

Historical perspective: Dr. Majid Ali archive

Historical perspective drawn from the authorized writings of Dr. Majid Ali, preserved in the Clarkson archive. Shown for context; it is not current medical guidance.

Claims we deliberately did not carry

  • His claim that disrupted oxygen signaling, insulin signaling and gut ecology are the three primary mechanisms of injury in all chronic diseases.
    A single explanation for every chronic disease is the kind of wide claim the FDA tells readers to question.2 Not carried.
  • His claim that no treatment plan for any chronic disease is complete unless all three are restored to normal.
    Not supported by the sources used here; treatment effects are shown by controlled trials in people.16 Not carried.

Safety wording awaiting sign-off

The 'When to get help now' list is ProperHealth safety wording. Each line cites the official guidance it follows, and those passages are listed above with the other claims. The wording still needs pharmacist sign-off before public use.