Recent investigations conducted under the auspices of the National Advertising Review Council and the Consumer Affairs Division of the Public Safety Department in Palm Beach County, Florida have raised substantial concerns regarding Cylapril, a popular weight-loss pill billed as “the new age solution for weight loss.” In particular, these investigations call into question Cylapril’s ability to induce weight loss and raise questions relating to the marketing and billing practices of The Adrenal Fatigue Institute, Inc. (“AFI”), the producer of this trendy supplement.
AFI advertises Cylapril as an “Adrenal Weight Loss System,” and claims that by taking just three tablets a day, Cylapril will “increase weight loss.” In June, 2009, the Electronic Retailing Self-Regulatory Program (“ERSP”), a regulatory body affiliated with the National Advertising Review Council and Council of Better Business Bureaus, conducted an investigation into AFI’s claim that Cylapril induces weight loss. ERSP concluded that the evidence submitted by AFI “was insufficient to support the claim that ‘Cylapril induces weight loss,’” and recommended that AFI “discontinue claims that use of Cylapril will result in meaningful weight loss for consumers” in its advertising. AFI, however, has refused to adopt this recommendation.
AFI also claims that Cylapril eradicates “adrenal fatigue,” a purported medical condition involving the adrenal glands that allegedly can be caused by lifestyle-related issues. Adrenal glands are tiny glands located near the kidneys that secrete hormones such as adrenaline (epinephrine) that help control heart rate, blood pressure and sweating. AFI asserts that “adrenal fatigue occurs when the adrenal glands become overworked due to the cumulative effects of stress factors.” However, according to doctors from the renowned Mayo Clinic with expertise in matters involving the adrenal glands, adrenal fatigue “isn’t an accepted medical diagnosis . . . [and some] remedies for so-called ‘adrenal fatigue’ may leave you feeling sicker, while the real cause – such as depression or fibromyalgia – continues to take its toll.” Notably, although AFI informed ESRP that it would voluntarily discontinue its claim that Cylapril is “The ONLY product of it’s [sic] kind to combat Adrenal Fatigue Burnout,” this representation still prominently appears on Cylapril’s website.
On November 18, 2009, the Palm Beach County Public Safety Department, Consumer Affairs Division (“Division”) published a report concerning 18 cases of consumer disputes brought against AFI, including 12 cases brought in the last 4 months. (This report may be viewed by clicking here and then searching on the company “The Adrenal Fatigue Institute, Inc.”) In its report, the Division noted most of these complaints were brought by consumers for alleged unauthorized charges or debits to account, alleged failures to provide refunds, or other alleged billing disputes. The Division’s report noted that while 11 cases against AFI went to a mediation that resulted in an adjustment, refund, or repair, 6 cases against AFI still remain open. Furthermore, websites such as consumeraffairs.com and ripoffreport.com contain posts from literally scores of alleged Cylapril customers around the country, also complaining about unauthorized charges and problems obtaining refunds.
If you or someone you know is a purchaser of Cylapril and have concerns regarding this product, or if you have a dispute in connection with charges for this product, please contact us to discuss your legal options.