Efalex

[Guest guest]

This is from the Federal Trade Commission website:

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2000/05/efamol.htm

Marketers of Various Dietary Supplements Settle FTC Charges That They

Made Unsubstantiated Claims That Their Products Could Cure ADHD

Efamol Nutraceuticals, Inc., and J & R Research, Inc., two companies

that market and sell dietary supplements that claim to mitigate or cure

the effects of Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit

Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), have agreed to settle Federal Trade

Commission charges that the claims for their products were

unsubstantiated. The products are: Efalex and Efalex Focus, marketed by

Efamol, and Pycnogenol, sold by J & R. In separate agreements, each

company would be prohibited from making certain efficacy claims about

their products unless they have scientific evidence to support those

claims.

These are the FTC's third and fourth cases involving products marketed

to treat ADHD, a behaviorial disorder which affects up to 2.5 million

school-aged children in the United States. ADHD's symptoms include

inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity. Although these behaviors

are common in nearly all children at some time, in children with ADHD,

the behaviors are chronic and age inappropriate. The most commonly

prescribed medications for treatment of ADHD are stimulants, such as

Ritalin. The advertisements at issue prey on a vulnerable population of

parents who seek a " natural " alternative to prescription medications.

" We're very concerned about how some dietary supplements for kids are

being portrayed in ads, " said Jodie Bernstein, director of the FTC's

Bureau of Consumer Protection. " Many of the products have not been

proven to provide the benefits they claim. Our fear is that parents who

fall for the claims may ignore proven, and perhaps essential, treatments

for their child's disorder. That's why parents should exercise caution

in giving supplements to their kids. "

Efamol Nutraceuticals, Inc.

Efamol Nutraceuticals, Inc., based in Boston, Massachusetts, markets and

sells " Efalex " and " Efalex Focus, " dietary supplement products that

contain essential fatty acids. The FTC's complaint alleges that Efamol

did not have substantiation for claims that Efalex and Efalex Focus can

mitigate or cure the effects of ADHD, and are effective in reducing

attention and behavioral problems. One of the ads at issue features a

photograph of a young boy and includes the following statements: " FREAK

Why would anyone say such a thing? He's a beautiful kid. But sometimes

beautiful kids suffer from really ugly attention and behavior problems.

Luckily, EfalexTM is here. " Another ad touting Efalex is titled:

" Long-term Side Effects May Include: Hugging Your Mom. " The ad also

states: " When your child is bouncing off the walls, hyper and

aggressive, do you go crazy wishing he'd just let you love him? "

The proposed consent agreement with Efamol would prohibit the company

from making claims that any food, drug or dietary supplement can cure,

prevent, treat or mitigate ADHD or its symptoms; or that such product is

effective in reducing attention and behavioral problems, unless it has

competent and reliable scientific evidence to substantiate the claims.

The proposed settlement would further prohibit Efamol from making any

claim about the health benefits, efficacy or safety of any food, drug or

dietary supplement that contains essential fatty acids, unless it has

scientific evidence to support the claim. The proposed settlement would

allow Efamol to make representations specifically permitted by the Food

and Drug Administration.

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[Guest guest]

Hi listmates,

I bought some efalex at the health food store. has SID, severe

language disorder. Is this what he needs? How do I know how much to

give him? He is 11 and weights 87 pounds.

Thank you,

Pam

[Guest guest]

Dear Pam,

I think it is well worth you trying Efalex for your 11 years old son

with severe speech and language disorder. We do not have research

findings on this disorder yet, but as you have probably heard many

children with speech disorders are finding LCP (EFA) supplements

helpful.

You should use the amount suggested on the pack--eight capsules a day

for three months and then 4 capsules per day.

Please let me know how he gets on. It does take time to see the

benfits so be patient.

With best wishes

Dr Jackie Stordy

> Hi listmates,

> I bought some efalex at the health food store. has SID,

severe

> language disorder. Is this what he needs? How do I know how much to

> give him? He is 11 and weights 87 pounds.

> Thank you,

> Pam

[Guest guest]

I bought efelex a couple of years ago at Shop Rite but you can get it at GNC

or the internet at a GNC site. I believe that GNC now owns the rights to

efelex.

We did things the opposite way-we tried efelex first for about a year with no

improvements in speech but it did stop the teeth grinding, and then we

switched to proefa and did have sudden improvements.

Everything works differently with each child. I wish you the best. Carolyn