Times

Times Takes on Supplement Studies, Cytodyne FilesSuit

NEW YORKClinical studies on nutraceutical ingredients areincreasing; however, a story in The New York Times stated the industry isquashing unfavorable research and supporting less rigorous studies in an attemptto get positive results. In particular, the Times looked at severalstudies on ephedra that were funded by dietary supplement companies, includingCytodyne and Muscletech, as well as lawsuits against those companies allegingimproper and exaggerated claims based on the findings.

Documents from the lawsuits ... provide an inside look at how, for thesupplement makers, the demands of marketing have sometimes compromised those ofscience, wrote reporter Ford Fessenden in the June 23 Times article (www.nytimes.com).The article specifically looked at the finding by a judge in San Diego thatCytodyne had exaggerated results of clinical studies on its Xenadrine product,as well as a case in Oklahoma concerning Muscletechs claims for Hydroxycut.

Steven Dentali, Ph.D., vice president of scientific and technical affairs atthe American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) (www.ahpa.org),was quoted in the article, arguing the science being done on supplements is noworse than that being done on pharmaceuticals. Theres an interest inmaking sure you do good science and representing it properly because theres aspotlight on the industry, he told the Times.

In a follow-up discussion with INSIDER, Dentali said he wasunsurprised by the articles spin. It could have been worse, he said.The bottom line is science is complicated. If youre doing scientificresearch and come in with the desire to see a particular result, you must bevery careful to guard against bias. The supplement industry is no worse than thepharmaceutical industry in this. We obviously want good results.

Days after the article appeared, Cytodyne took action against the Times,filing a federal lawsuit June 26 charging the Times and Fessenden withproduct disparagement, corporate defamation, injurious falsehood and relatedcharges. Cytodyne is seeking unspecified monetary damages. A Cytodyne spokesmansaid, We are confident that the truth regarding the false and misleadingnature of the story featured in the Times will be exposed and that thereputation of our company will be restored.

In response to the lawsuit, the Times released an official statement,saying, "We are confident of the thoroughness and accuracy of the article,which was based on court records and judicial decisions."