How to Spot a Fake Supplement Ad Before It Costs You Money $$$ - 141
YouTube In October of 2025, a video started circulating that looked exactly like Oprah Winfrey talking about a pink salt trick for weight loss. She never made it. Somebody built her face and voice out of code. The product in that video costs over three hundred dollars and is pitched as a cheaper alternative to Mounjaro.
(Have you ever bought a supplement because a celebrity's face was attached to it? Start a real 72-hour reset instead at thecalltorise.com/lose3lbsin3days.)
This is the second episode in a two-part series, following episode 139 on fake workout ads. Coach Brian walks through real cases, including a Better Business Bureau alert on over 170 consumer reports tied to a deepfake weight-loss video and a separate deepfake campaign that used Steve Harvey's face to sell an eye supplement. He also covers Noom's 56 million dollar settlement over hidden subscription terms and Hydroxycut, the supplement many men remember from gym shelves in the 2000s. The episode gets into the real FDA recall tied to that one too.
By the end you'll know the three questions that catch a fake supplement ad before you pay for it, whether the pitch comes from a familiar face or a brand new one.
Main topics in this episode:
- AI deepfake videos using Oprah Winfrey's face and voice to sell a fake weight-loss supplement
- The Better Business Bureau's scam alert on over 170 consumer reports tied to the same product
- A separate deepfake campaign using Steve Harvey's face to sell a fake eye supplement
- Noom's 56 million dollar settlement over hidden subscription and cancellation terms
- Fitspresso's buried autoship clause and refund complaints
- Hydroxycut's FTC settlement and the 2009 FDA recall tied to liver damage
- The 2012 FTC case that shows fake celebrity endorsements existed years before AI
- Three questions to run before buying any supplement advertised online
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Common questions about this episode:
- Did Oprah Winfrey endorse a weight loss supplement?
No. A viral video appeared to show Oprah endorsing a pink salt weight-loss supplement, but it was an AI deepfake she never recorded. The product traced back to a return address at a car repair shop in Florida, with no real company behind it.
- Is Fitspresso a scam?
Fitspresso buries an auto-billing clause in its terms that signs buyers up for monthly shipments without a clear yes at checkout. Its Better Business Bureau file shows 23 complaints in three years, and its refund window shrank from 180 days to 60.
- Why was Hydroxycut recalled?
The FDA pulled Hydroxycut off shelves in 2009 after receiving 23 reports of serious liver injury, including one death. The FTC later settled with its maker for 5.5 million dollars over false claims across several products.
- What should you check before buying a supplement advertised online?
Look for a real company name and address instead of a landing page with a countdown clock. Check for reviews somewhere other than the seller's own website, and confirm the cancellation terms in writing before your card gets charged.
- What was Noom's class action lawsuit about?
Noom paid 56 million dollars in a 2022 settlement over concealing trial and auto-enrollment terms. The lawsuit also centered on restricting cancellation to a chat with a virtual coach and charging non-refundable lump sums up to eight months in advance.
Want help applying this to your own health, weight, energy, or lab numbers?
Coach Brian Parana offers Health Hot Seat coaching segments for men who want a clear next step with nutrition, fitness, weight loss, blood pressure, cholesterol, A1C, or daily consistency.
Learn more about The Call To Rise, a 100-day coaching program for driven men over 40 who want to lose weight, improve their health, and rebuild confidence:
To connect with Coach Brian:
brian@brianparana.com
Disclaimer: This podcast is for education and coaching support only. It is not medical advice. Always work with your physician before changing medication, treatment, or medical care.
