CHATSWORTH, Calif.—Natrol Inc. agreed to modify or discontinue certain claims following a review by the National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Council of Better Business Bureaus of advertising for its Promensil dietary supplement. NAD did find Natrol provided adequate support for certain claims.
At the outset of the NAD inquiry, Natrol explained Promensil is a brand of dietary supplement for the relief of menopausal symptoms. The supplement contains an extract of red clover, standardized to provide four naturally occurring isoflavones, biochanin A, formononetin, genistein and daidzein. Following a review of each of the 22 cited studies, NAD determined there was insufficient evidence to support the message conveyed by the advertiser’s claim that “22 clinical studies can’t be wrong.” NAD determined, as well, that because of conflicting efficacy research, as well as deficiencies in many of the studies, the evidence was not sufficiently reliable to support the advertiser’s unqualified “clinically proven” claims and recommended that such claims be discontinued or modified.
With respect to claims concerning hot flashes, NAD found, based on the current research, Natrol could make qualified claims that more accurately reflect the current state of the science, i.e., that Promensil may help reduce the frequency and/or the severity of hot flashes. Further, NAD found Natrol provided a reasonable basis to make certain limited claims that Promensil can help relieve the frequency and/or severity of hot flashes, increase testosterone which may alleviate certain mood swings, promote breast health, promote heart health, and promote emotional well-being.
In a statement, Natrol responded: “Natrol Inc. thanks the NAD for its consideration and review of the evidence submitted to it by Natrol. Although Natrol respectfully disagrees with the decision reached by the NAD, it voluntarily accepts the NAD’s recommendations and suggestions on the claims in question.”
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