FDA exposes deceptive advertising of dietary supplements claiming to cure cancer.

The U.S. FDA has warned 14 companies to stop advertising herbal products and other treatments marketed to treat or prevent cancer.

Exploiting patients' fears

Nicole Kornspan, a consumer safety expert, argues that companies are exploiting fearful cancer patients and their families, and that this is generating huge profits. Americans spend $30 billion a year on alternative therapies.

"Anyone who has cancer, or has a loved one with cancer, understands the fear and despair that the disease brings. People may turn to anything that seems to offer a chance of a cure."

They particularly exploit the tendency to believe that "natural" treatments are better than those offered by commercial pharmaceutical companies. But these products are not only a waste of money but may also contain harmful ingredients.

For example, "Everything Herbs" advertises apricot kernels, which contain the deadly poison cyanide. Apricot kernels have been the basis for the development of laetrile, an unproven "alternative" cancer therapy that has been widely sold online in clinics overseas since the 1970s despite ample evidence that it is worthless.

The website "Everything Herbs" claims: "If you eat 6-12 apricot kernels every day, you'll never have to worry about cancer. These kernels contain a small amount of nitriloside amygdalin, which directly targets cancer cells, injecting and destroying them."

The website was taken down for "fixes" when NBC News investigated, and calls to the company's phone number resulted in a voicemail message stating that the entire company was on vacation.

Another site, DoctorVicks.com, sells a range of herbal remedies and supplements, including Silymarin, also known as milk thistle.

"Silimarin, the main component of milk thistle, has been shown to support the liver in miraculous ways and may help repair liver damage caused by alcohol or Tylenol, and protect the liver from future damage," the website states.

There is a substance that may help counteract the damage caused by Tylenol – N-acetylcysteine ​​(NAC) – but it must be taken immediately and as directed by a doctor. Some studies suggest silymarin may be helpful, but it is not yet approved and the dosage has not been determined.

Dr. Vicks did not respond to NBC News' request for comment.

Sophisticated advertising tactics

The FDA has warned 14 companies for falsely advertising products that claim to "cure" cancer.

Those claims are untrue, according to the FDA. The agency has warned 14 companies to stop advertising herbal products and other treatments marketed to treat or prevent cancer. These products do not work as advertised, and some may be dangerous.

"These companies used clever advertising, videos, and other sophisticated marketing techniques, including reviews touting miraculous results," FDA experts wrote.

"Often, a product is advertised as a treatment or cure for multiple diseases in humans and animals."

The FDA has listed 14 companies on its website and detailed the misleading advertisements they put out for their products, including herbs, liquid medicines, dietary supplements, teas, and topical medications. These advertisements range from curing cancer to "detoxifying" the liver.

Making such claims without proving their truth and without going through the FDA's verification process is a violation of the law. Placing a small print at the bottom of an advertisement stating that the FDA has not validated the claim does not diminish the violation.

To circumvent the law, some companies have put out false advertisements and included a small note stating that the product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

"Making clear statements and then saying they aren't might seem clever, but it violates federal laws designed to protect public health."

The FDA has given companies 15 days to submit a plan to implement its request. The agency can prosecute and fine the companies, and even impose jail time.

"The message for consumers is: These products have not been tested, and some contain ingredients that may pose a direct health risk to users."

These ingredients can dangerously interact with conventional treatments. They are not a substitute for appropriate treatment. Using these products can be a waste of money, and more importantly, endanger your health,” the FDA statement said.

Below is a list of 14 companies and foods that the FDA has warned against.

According to Dantri