is automatically dangerous. Many legitimate companies sell products online.
The challenge is distinguishing reputable products from questionable ones.
Certain warning signs should encourage additional scrutiny.
Products deserve particular caution when they make “miracle” claims, promise unusually rapid transformations, fail to provide transparent ingredient information, provide no meaningful information about the manufacturer or rely heavily on aggressive marketing rather than credible evidence.
Anonymous or difficult-to-contact sellers can be another warning sign.
So can countdown timers, “limited supply” messages and other pressure tactics designed to push consumers toward an immediate purchase before
they have time to research the product.
Social media adds another complication.
An advertisement can spread to thousands or millions of people in a very short time. Influencers and ordinary users can also share personal testimonials that make a supplement appear popular and effective.
But popularity is not the same thing as safety.
Before-and-after photographs do not establish what caused a person’s weight change. Comments beneath a viral video are not clinical trials. A celebrity or influencer endorsement does not replace medical evidence.
