PNI Substantiates Sytrinol Cholesterol Claims

NAD found that the advertiser provided a reasonable basis for claims that Sytrinol is “safe," but recommended that the advertiser discontinue claims that Sytrinol has been “proven to be safe."

Jan 3 2012 --- Proprietary Nutritionals Inc. (PNI) satisfied the National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus Claims (NAD) by supporting advertising claims for the company’s Sytrinol product. However, NAD still recommended the company discontinue certain claims, including comparisons to statin drug therapy.

NAD questioned PNI's general and quantified cholesterol-reduction claims, antioxidant claims, anti-inflammatory claims, and claims that the product is safe. NAD also expressed its concern about statements at the advertiser’s website that, in NAD’s view, compared the product with prescription statin therapy. NAD reviewed performance claims that included: “30% improvement in Cholesterol in just 30 Days," “Clinically Studied," “Lowers Total Cholesterol," “Lowers LDL," “Lowers Triglycerides," “SYTRINOL is a powerful antioxidant," “Antioxidant Benefits," “Anti-Inflammatory Benefits," “proven to be safe," and “safe"

In response, PNI offered a randomized and double blind study on Sytrinol as evidence. The study included 120 male and female participants between the ages of 19 to 65 with elevated cholesterol levels. Following its review of the evidence in the record, NAD concluded that the clinical study provided a reasonable basis for claims that the product lowers and improves cholesterol, including the claims, “30% improvement in Cholesterol in just 30 Days," “Clinically Studied," “Lowers Total Cholesterol," “Lowers LDL," and “Lowers Triglycerides."

NAD further found that research on the Sytrinol’s ingredients provided a reasonable basis for the claims that the product provides “Antioxidant Benefits" and “Anti-Inflammatory Benefits." However, NAD recommended that the advertiser discontinue its claim that Sytrinol is a “powerful antioxidant."

NAD found that the advertiser provided a reasonable basis for claims that Sytrinol is “safe," but recommended that the advertiser discontinue claims that Sytrinol has been “proven to be safe."

Finally, NAD recommended PNI discontinue certain comparisons to statin drug therapy.

PNI, in its advertiser’s statement, said the company “accepts NAD’s recommendations and will discontinue the remaining claims discussed in the decision."

Sytrinol is a patented, proprietary formulation derived from natural citrus and palm fruit extracts, combining polymethoxylated citrus flavonoids (270 mg) with tocotrienols (30 mg). It is manufactured by KGK Synergize and distributed by PNI.