NAD recommends Maximum Human Performance tone down its advertising for MYO-X Myostatin Inhibitor
NEW YORK — The National Advertising Division last week recommended that Maximum Human Performance, which markets the dietary supplement MYO-X Myostatin Inhibitor, discontinue the advertising claims and testimonials at issue in NAD’s review.
As part of NAD’s routine monitoring efforts, and in conjunction with an initiative with the Council for Responsible Nutrition designed to expand NAD’s review of advertising claims for dietary supplements, NAD requested substantiation for claims that appeared in print advertising, on product packaging and on the advertiser’s website, including: “Research has shown that a reduction in serum myostatin levels is likely to result in clinically significant muscle gains. In my work with elite athletics I have seen firsthand the muscle enhancement impact of MYO-X when used in conjunction with intense weight training. These athletes have made vast improvements in muscle size, strength, performance and improved recovery.”
The advertiser explained that MYO-X is a beverage mix dietary supplement formulated to reduce the levels of a biological molecule called myostatin, which inhibits muscle differentiation and growth.
As support for its advertising claims, NAD noted, the company relied on scientific literature and studies that did not address whether ingesting the product did in fact reduce myostatin levels in a manner that resulted in “clinically significant” muscle gains or muscle performance benefits.
NAD noted that while the evidence in the record “shows promising results in support of the theory that ingestion of MYO-X will reduce human myostatin levels and result in a muscle enhancement impact, the evidence fails to establish the causal link necessary to support the claims at issue.”
Following its review, NAD recommended that the advertiser discontinue express claims and testimonials at issue.
The company, in its advertiser’s statement, said it “appreciated the opportunity to participate in the self-regulatory process, however, the company and the leading researcher on the benefits of Myostatin suppression disagrees with the NAD’s assessment of the underlying science and initial studies behind MYO T-12.”
However, the company said, it “will modify its claims to conform to NAD’s decision and will develop claims based on the outcome of future clinical studies.”