Truvision Health, now known as Truvy, markets health and nutrition supplements through a multi-level marketing (MLM) model, promising an improved lifestyle and a "better you." This article aims to dissect these claims, examine the available evidence, and provide a comprehensive overview of Truvy's products and practices. It's crucial to understand that this review is an opinion piece based on available information.
Lack of Scientific Research
One of the most significant concerns surrounding Truvy products is the absence of robust scientific research to support their claims. While many companies tout the benefits of their products, Truvy's website and marketing materials lack concrete studies demonstrating the efficacy of their supplements. If Truvision had research to prove to people how great the product was, they’d be posting it everywhere. This absence of evidence raises questions about the validity of the company's promises.
It's important to note that many testimonials, often used to promote products, can be unreliable. From Yelp to Amazon, the authenticity of these accounts is questionable, making it difficult to ascertain the true effectiveness of Truvy's offerings based on anecdotal evidence alone.
Product Analysis
Truvy offers a range of products, each with specific claims. Here's a closer look at some of their key offerings:
ReNU
Truvision frequently uses the word ‘natural’ to describe its products. One such product, ReNU, is marketed as a detoxifying supplement that removes ‘toxins’. However, Truvy doesn’t name one of those ‘toxins’, and outline how ReNU eliminates said toxin. This lack of specificity raises concerns about the product's actual mechanism of action and its purported benefits.
Read also: Potential Risks of Truvy Diet Pills
TruFIX
TruFIX contains a proprietary blend of ingredients, the amounts of which are not disclosed. This lack of transparency is a common issue with proprietary blends. Why would you take something with unproven ingredients in unknown amounts?
TruKETO
TruKETO claims to ‘boost ketones’. Meaning, you can’t just take a (very evil tasting) drink to put yourself into ketosis; your body doesn’t work that way.
TruCONTROL
TruCONTROL, with its tagline "Control your weight, energy," implies that individuals who struggle with weight management have "out-of-control lives." This type of messaging can be harmful and perpetuate negative stereotypes. Stimulant products like TruCONTROL are common in the diet industry, promising to "revive your metabolism." Still people fall for that ‘revive your metabolism’ BS because it sounds great. However, there is nothing proven, magical, or even special about any of the ingredients in the products.
Regulatory Scrutiny
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted an inspection of Truvision Health’s facility and revealed serious violations of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations for dietary supplements.
Adulteration
The FDA found that Truvision's products were deemed adulterated under Section 402(g)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [21 U.S.C. § 342(g)(1)] because they were prepared, packed, or held under conditions that do not meet CGMP requirements for dietary supplements.
Read also: Truvy Ingredients and Side Effects
Unapproved New Drugs
The FDA determined that Truvision's products were unapproved new drugs under Section 201(g)(1)(B) of the Act [21 U.S.C. § 321(g)(1)(B)] because they are intended for use in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. The FDA cited claims made about specific ingredients, such as:
- B-12: “…known to lessen muscle pain . . . and combat mild levels of depression .
- Benzylamine HCL:
- Niacinamide: “… used to combat high cholesterol . . . reduce migraine headaches . . . help control blood sugar . . .
- Methylcobalamin: “… is also known to . . . lessen muscle pain . . .
- PYCNOGENOL: "PYCNOGENOL is one of nature’s most powerful anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants neutralize free-radicals in the body. Free radical damage has been linked to almost every debilitating and degenerative disease and condition known to man. These include: Alzheimer’s, cancer, M.S., dementia, coronary failure, stroke, and pulmonary disease to name a very view.
Violations
The FDA also cited violations related to quality control, including the failure to approve or reject packaged and labeled dietary supplements and the lack of written documentation for quality control reviews. Additionally, the FDA noted that Truvision had no quality control procedures in place at the time of the inspection.
Truvision's response to the FDA's findings included new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for quality control. However, the FDA stated that the information provided failed to demonstrate that Truvision was conducting the required quality control procedures for approving or rejecting dietary supplements for distribution.
As a distributor that contracts with a manufacturer to produce its products, Truvision has an obligation to know how manufacturing, packaging, and labeling activities are performed. This knowledge is essential for making informed decisions about whether the products conform to established specifications and whether to approve them for distribution.
The FDA emphasized that contracting out manufacturing operations does not absolve a firm of its responsibility to ensure that its dietary supplements are not adulterated for failure to comply with CGMP requirements. Truvision must establish a system of production and process controls to ensure the quality of its dietary supplements and that they are packaged and labeled as specified in the master manufacturing record.
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The FDA also found issues with Truvision's finished product specifications, stating that conducting quality control to ensure that these specifications are met is insufficient to ensure the quality of the dietary supplement.
Labeling Violations
The FDA identified several labeling violations, including:
- Incorrect serving sizes: The serving sizes declared on the labels were incorrect, violating 21 CFR 101.9(b) and 21 CFR 101.12(b) Table 2.
- Missing "Supplement Facts" label: The labels failed to bear nutrition labeling in the form of a "Supplement Facts" label that is not in accordance with 21 CFR 101.36.
- Improper use of "Percent Daily Values" statement: The labels improperly used the statement "Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000-calorie diet."
- Failure to list common or usual names of ingredients: The labels failed to bear the common or usual names of each ingredient used in the product, as required by 21 CFR 101.4. For example, the product label lists “cyracos” and “Gaba Calm”.
- Failure to identify the products as "dietary supplements": The label fails to identify the products using the term “dietary supplement” in accordance with 21 CFR 101.3(g).
Ingredients of Concern
The FDA has raised concerns about certain ingredients found in Truvision products, including:
- AMP (1,3-Dimethylbutylamine or DMBA): The FDA stated that DMBA is not allowed in supplements and there is no evidence that it is safe. The FDA issued warnings to over a dozen manufacturers of DMBA-laced supplements.
- Bitter orange (C. aurantium): While bitter orange has a history of use as a dietary supplement, highly-concentrated extracts (synephrine 30%) are not natural and could be dangerous.
- Caffeine: Tru Weight & Energy also contains caffeine. The FDA is concerned that the potent mixture of ingredients could significantly increase heart rate, blood pressure, and the risk of cardiovascular problems.
- Octodrine or DMHA (1,5-Dimethylhexylamine): Octodrine is a banned supplement in many sporting agencies, which indicates not enough research has been done on this product.
Legal Action
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements.
TruVy Boost: A Closer Look
TruVy Boost is marketed as a weight management combo, with one orange and purple capsule taken twice a day. The pills are said to boost metabolism and help you to lose weight fast by converting blood sugar to energy allowing you to eat whatever you want.
Key Ingredients in Vy Boost
- Alpha-lipoic acid: Research has shown that alpha-lipoic acid may affect weight loss in several ways. However, the research was only on animal studies, not human studies.
- Magnesium: Magnesium regulates the sugar in the blood and insulin production.
- Raspberry Ketone: Raspberry ketone is one of several naturally occurring chemicals in red raspberries that contribute to their aroma. However, There is no evidence that raspberry ketone is safe or effective as a dietary supplement ingredient for weight loss.
- Cinnamon Bark extract: There is some research on cinnamon which may have a minor positive effect on body composition but it will not supercharge your metabolism into a calorie burning furnace that sheds pounds.
- Green coffee bean extract: Research suggests that Coffee Bean Extract can facilitate weight loss while Green Tea Extract has many benefits for many health conditions and metabolic disorders.
Recalls
Recalled TruVision products were packaged as capsules in blister packs and cardboard cartons or as stick packs in 30 count bags with the TruVision Health or Truvy brand name. Products were sold online and distributed throughout the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland and England.
Consumers who have purchased these products should stop using them immediately and they are urged to return them to TruVision Health LLC for a full refund (return shipping is paid by the consumer), an exchange, or they may discard the product.
Alternatives to Truvy
Instead of relying on supplements, consider these proven strategies for weight loss and overall health:
- Calorie Deficit: Consuming fewer calories than you burn leads to weight loss.
- Healthy Eating Habits: Focus on nutrient-dense foods and balanced meals.
- Regular Physical Activity: Exercise increases calorie expenditure and improves overall health.
- Improved Mental Health: Addressing emotional and psychological factors related to eating can support sustainable weight management.
A registered dietitian can provide personalized guidance on creating a healthy eating plan, managing portion sizes, and developing a positive relationship with food.