Glutathione marketer agrees to drop treatment claims following NAD ruling

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The manufacturer of a glutathione supplement has agreed to cease certain health and performance claims associated with the product after a ruling by the National Advertising Division.

According to an NAD press release from BBB National Programs, Nanoceutical Solutions Inc. agreed to comply with the findings on its Nano Glutathione dietary supplement.  The claims being made on the product were challenged by the Council for Responsible Nutrition.

Injection statement implied disease treatment linkage, NAD rules

The NAD press release said the company, which is based in San Antonio, TX, failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the claims made on the product.

In particular, the proceeding challenged claims being made by the company connected to the following statement: “The problem is that glutathione was only effectively available through injections . . . until now – thanks to our Nanotechnology.”

NAD ruled that the context mattered in this instance.

“[T]he context conveys a strong message regarding Nano Glutathione’s efficacy as a treatment and preventative therapy. After reviewing the studies relied on by the advertiser as support, NAD was concerned that such evidence was preliminary in nature and not a good fit for the message conveyed. Therefore, NAD determined that the advertiser had failed to provide a reasonable basis, in the form of competent and reliable evidence, for the claim and recommended that it be discontinued,” the organization stated.

Nano Glutathione is a liquid dietary supplement containing 200 mg of glutathione per 1 ml serving. Glutathione is an antioxidant produced in the cells, composed largely of three amino acids: glutamine, glycine, and cysteine. Nanoceutical Solutions markets other ‘nano’ liquid dietary supplements as well, including kava, curcumin, melatonin, vitamin B3 and vitamin B12 products.  The company recommends consumers hold the products under the tongue before swallowing.

Claims still appear on website

Its advertiser’s statement given to NAD, Nanoceutical Solutions stated that it “will comply with NAD’s recommendations.” Although the advertiser expressed its disagreement with the “logic and findings of the decision” Nanoceutical Solutions further stated: “we believe in self-regulation and will not appeal or ignore NAD’s recommendations.”

But while the ruling was announced last week, the company appears to not yet have complied with the results.  The injection statement still appears on the website, and is paired with the following statement: “Glutathione has been a celebrity secret to help prevent aging, obesity, cancer, heart disease, dementia, joint pain, and more. It is necessary to treat everything from Fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s disease, Immune Disorders, Heart Disease, Diabetes, and even Cancer.”

In addition, in a section of the website pertaining to glutathione’s purported immune support benefits, the company uses this wording: “Glutathione is critical in helping your immune system do its job of fighting infections. Studies show that Glutathione can help in the treatment of AIDS and even help to prevent cancer.”

Also, some statements contained in the testimonials portion of the website pertain to the use of the product to treat conditions such as autism and fibromyalgia.

Nanoceutical Solutions corporate management was contacted for comment but was unable to respond in time for publication.