Top 8 indications of nutritional fraud:

#1. Distributors of the product who try to get clients to sell the product to others to build up a structured financial program (sales pyramids, etc.)

2. Credentials of the author/salesperson aren’t recognized in the scientific community (who do they work for?).

3. No reports are published in scientific, peer reviewed journals, but mass media is used for marketinig (only by researchers paid by that company).

4. Ingredients are general in nature, with non-tested drugs or preparations manufactured according to a secret formula (e.g. blue green algae)

5. Excessive claims that pr0mise a dramatic. miraculous outcome, including prolonging life or preventing disease.

6. Emotional images rather than facts are used to support claims (gaining 10 pounds in 2 weeks, etc.)

7. Supplementation that  calls for support from good nutritional habits in order for it to work properly.

8. Effects on supplement based on  testimonials from friends. salesperson, or others that usually rely upon magical qualities or “personal feelings”.

The physician and sports medicine vol 18, No. 6, June 1990.