by Matt Weik, BS, CSCS, CPT, CSN
There’s no sugar-coating things… GLP-1 has put a target on the backs of every supplement company out there with a weight management product. Supplement weight management claims are now opening the door to lawsuits, and guess who profits from this? You guessed it! BIG PHARMA!
You can’t deny that weight loss is one of the hottest topics in the health and wellness space. With the explosion of GLP-1 agonist drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, consumers are paying very close attention to anything that promises help on their weight management journey.
But along with this interest comes scrutiny. Supplement weight management claims are being carefully watched by regulators, retailers, and even the courts. Companies that stretch the truth (or step into drug territory) are finding themselves in trouble.
In this article, we are going to dive deeper into this slippery slope where supplement weight management claims are putting a target on the backs of your favorite brands.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used to treat or diagnose any condition. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before starting any exercise program, making changes to your nutrition plan, or adding any new supplements into your current regimen.
The Rise of Oversight for Supplement Weight Management Claims
For years, the supplement industry has faced questions about products promising rapid weight loss. Amazon even listed the weight management sector as one of the first categories for its third-party testing and certification program.
The reason?
A long history of undeclared ingredients, questionable safety practices, and unapproved health claims.
The FDA and FTC are also on high alert. The FDA views obesity as a chronic disease, which means weight loss claims fall under strict regulation.
At the same time, the FTC has made it clear that over-the-top promises (like losing more than two pounds per week without diet or exercise) are unacceptable. Before-and-after photos and “fat-blocking” statements are other red flags.
As a supplement copywriter, I’ve had to change the way I’ve been writing copy for weight loss products completely due to the way things are headed so that I can protect my clients.
Asa Waldstein of Supplement Advisory Group says the best defense for companies is to have a solid substantiation dossier. Without credible evidence, supplement weight management claims are easy targets for enforcement or lawsuits.
Where Brands Can Safely Position Products
Even though many claims are off-limits, companies do have some room to market responsibly. Waldstein points to several areas that are generally considered safer, such as:
- Supporting satiety
- Promoting healthy energy levels
- Helping maintain balanced blood sugar within a normal range
- Supporting mood and cognition
- Helping people feel their best
- Supporting lean muscle mass
- Being part of a healthy weight management journey
These types of claims avoid promising dramatic results and instead highlight supportive roles. Still, they must be backed by science, or the same punishments and risks apply.
GLP-1 Support Supplements Enter the Market
The popularity of GLP-1 drugs created a new niche for supplements. Brands now market products like fiber, probiotics, and herbal extracts to help users handle side effects from these medications. Some promote digestive support, while others claim to reduce nutrient gaps or maintain muscle during rapid weight loss.
Retailers have jumped in as well. GNC was the first major chain to launch a GLP-1 support program, and The Vitamin Shoppe went further by combining telehealth with supplement support. GNC even studied GLP-1 users and found they were falling short on calories and protein, further fueling demand for supportive products.
The Legal Risks Around Supplement Weight Management Claims
Not all companies are staying in safe territory. A lawsuit against Lemme, for example, shows that there are real risks to supplement brands. The complaint argues that simply boosting natural GLP-1 levels with a supplement doesn’t lead to sustainable weight loss because the hormone has such a short half-life (just two minutes).
Other brands have also faced regulatory heat. The FDA issued a warning letter to Veronvy for marketing products as if they were equivalent to prescription drugs. Claims that their drops could help people lose over 50 pounds in three months, or that they were FDA-approved, crossed the line and categorized the products as unapproved drugs.
According to experts, companies face the greatest risk when they use language like “clinically proven,” compare themselves to prescription GLP-1 drugs, or suggest they can treat conditions like diabetes or obesity. These statements shift the product from supplement to drug in the eyes of regulators.
The Role of Scientific Evidence
Even when companies word their claims carefully, the ultimate test is scientific evidence. Claudia Lewis, a partner at Venable, says regulators want competent and reliable scientific evidence (known as CARSE) to back up any claims.
That means randomized, placebo-controlled clinical studies on relevant populations, using the exact ingredient amounts found in the product. The results need to be both statistically and clinically significant. Without that kind of proof, supplement weight management claims are absolutely vulnerable.
Lewis also expects lawsuits and investigations to grow, especially as new forms of GLP-1 drugs hit the market. With so much consumer interest and money at stake, supplements making bold promises and claims are likely to keep attracting attention from regulators and law firms.
You’re At Real Risk with Any Supplement Weight Management Claims
The GLP-1 era has completely changed the conversation around weight loss. For supplement companies, this means more opportunity (but also more risk). Consumers want help managing side effects and filling nutritional gaps, but they also want results that sound too good to be true.
The lesson here seems to be pretty clear: supplement weight management claims must be truthful, responsible, and backed by solid science. Anything less could put a company directly in the crosshairs of regulators, retailers, and/or the courts.
