Is Inspired Nutrition Selling Supplements Based on False Claims?

In this day and age, no matter what we’re trying to buy, there are usually a plethora of options. The leading factors we rely on to decide on a purchase include price, recommendations from a trusted source, information on the product’s label, and advertising we may have seen.

But false or misleading advertising for a product can sway us to make a purchase we otherwise would not have if we had all of the correct information about the product.

Consumer advocates are concerned that Inspired Nutrition may be selling supplements in California based on false claims in advertising. The company brags it has “pioneered” the use of a coconut derivative to create superior skin and oral products. However, some Inspired Nutrition may be using false advertising claims to push certain products as having health benefits that have not been proven.

The website Fakespot.com gave Inspired Nutrition a grade of C, noting that reviewer patterns indicate that there is “high deception involved.”

Who is Inspired Nutrition?

Inspired Nutrition is a dietary supplement company based out of Stayton, Ore. According to LinkedIn, Travis Pindell has served as the company’s business manager since January 2015.

The “About Us” section on Inspired Nutrition’s website does not share the names of any staff members or the company’s founders, even though the entire section is written in the first person.

The company proclaims they find it “incredibly rewarding to help people overcome serious illnesses like Lyme disease, MRSA, diabetes, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, artery plaque and such.”

The anonymous author goes on to write about believing in God, becoming a Christian, and a belief in “nutritional healing.”

Which Inspired Nutrition Products Are at Issue?

The main supplements under investigation include Inspired Nutrition Skin Defense, Inspired Nutrition Artery Clear, and Inspired Nutrition Ultimate Monolaurin. These products all boast a large amount of monolaurin, which may be promoted in a way that violates federal and state laws by making false promises of health benefits.

According to the Inspired Nutrition website, “Our body adds glycerol to the lauric acid in coconut and converts about 3% of it into a nutrient called monolaurin.”

The site also says our body converts other coconut acids to monocaprin and monomyristen.

Inspired Nutrition claims that “hundreds of clinical studies on monolaurin” have shown exciting results, but does not expound. The company says its products contain 95 percent monolaurin, but there’s nothing to indicate what the benefits of this may entail.

According to Healthline.com, researchers are looking into the development of a new antibiotic or antiviral medication that could be derived from monolaurin, but the substance itself has not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat any medical issues. Preliminary research shows monolaurin may kill certain bacteria, including staphylococcus aureus, but the studies are very early.

Inspired Nutrition’s Ultimate Monolaurin is sold in pellet form, taken orally by teaspoon measurements. Ultimate Monolaurin reportedly consists of monolaurin from lauric acid (95%), monocaprin from capric acid (2% maximum) and monomyristen from myristic acid (2% maximum). It also contains glycerol and comes with an allergy warning regarding tree nuts due to coconut content.

The company cautions that users should look out for a Herxheimer Reaction, which is a temporary worsening of symptoms that may occur when Lyme disease bacteria or yeast are killed off during antibiotic treatments.

Inspired Nutrition warns that the Herxheimer Reaction may occur and that Ultimate Monolaurin may need to be stopped for a couple of days “to give your body a little extra time to remove the dead pathogens.” Consumer advocates are concerned this statement may lead the reader to believe the supplement will act in a similar fashion to an antibiotic, which would make it a drug and not a supplement.

Inspired Nutrition’s Artery Clear contains guar gum, garlic extract, L-lysine, alpha-lipoic acid, L-proline, pantethine, and choline. The website says a serving size is six capsules, and each serving includes 500 mg of vitamin C, 1,000 mg of grapefruit pectin, and 70,080 SPU of serrapeptase.

The latter is an enzyme most often used to reduce inflammation after dental procedures. Under suggested usage, the directions say it does not need to be taken every day and that “days or weeks can be skipped.” The label says Artery Clear supports artery health.

Inspired Nutrition’s Skin Defense is a spray lotion made of monolaurin, colloidal silver, aloe vera, and essential oils. The product description touts the skin spray as being 82 percent organic with nutrients that “nourish skin and help it recover.”

How Do FDA Regulations Govern Supplements False Claims?

Supplements do not have to be approved by the FDA before being released on the market. Similarly, manufacturers do not have to prove that their supplements are safe or that they perform as marketed.

Even though the FDA does not review or approve dietary supplements for efficacy, it does regulate the types of ingredients that can be used in supplements and the benefits that can be claimed to accompany these ingredients.

However, although the agency is not responsible for approving supplements, the FDA is responsible for monitoring supplement safety after the products are released. This is accomplished by reviewing labeling information and monitoring adverse events reported by consumers and healthcare professionals.

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 states that dietary supplements are “deemed to be a food.” which means the FDA regulates its labeling practices, according to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association.

FDA regulations for food cover the labels on supplements. If a dietary supplement’s label makes any claim regarding health benefits, the label also must include a disclaimer that the claim has not been evaluated by the FDA and that the product is not intended to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.” Generally, if a supplement makes claims that it can cure or treat a disease, the FDA will step in and require labeling changes.

In the event that a supplement is released on the market but is defective or contaminated, the FDA can also take action. Instead of just sending warnings about labeling violations, the FDA can issue a recall of products it deems dangerous.

However, the FDA can only step in if it can substantiate an investigation. This means that the agency relies heavily on consumer reports and other evidence.

There are three types of claims permitted on dietary supplements: health claims, structure/function claims, and nutrient content claims. Each of these claims must be backed up with evidence.

How to File a False Claims Lawsuit

The FDA encourages consumers to be cautious when choosing supplements and to consult with their doctor before adding products into their routine. Overhyped products, “natural” claims, or supplements that seem too good to be true should be treated with suspicion, the agency notes.

However, even when practicing safe decision making, consumers may find themselves deceived by supplement marketing. In these cases, where false claims cause consumers financial or physical injury, they may be able to take legal action against manufacturers. A number of major companies have been hit with false advertising litigation, some of which have resulted in significant payouts for consumers.

If you are a resident of California and have purchased Inspired Nutrition dietary supplements based on the belief that it could treat a disease or medical condition, you could qualify for this class action lawsuit investigation. Filing a lawsuit can help hold companies accountable for their advertising practices as well as compensate the consumer.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

Join a Free California Supplements Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you live in California and purchased a dietary supplement with a label that touted health claims you believe may be false and misleading within the last four years, you may have a legal claim.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.