An interesting item came across my desk this morning. A co-worker, while on the treadmill at the gym saw an add for "nanoSLIM" the "enormously powerful, impossibly small" dietary weight-loss supplement. It is billed as a once per day supplement that is smaller than anything else available. However, after purchasing a package of nanoSLIM, I noticed a couple of curious things.
First, nanoSLIM claims to use nanotechnology in its manufacturing process and features the trademarked and patent pending "Nano-Diffuse" technology. While nanoSLIM does not define Nano Diffuse technology, other products that use this proprietary method describe it as, "Nano-Diffuse is a high tech process of micro-pulverizing the amino acid particles to a range of 2 to 50 microns in size using ultrasonic pneumatic machinery." Other products that use Nano-Diffuse include Muscle Tech Nitro-Tech and SleepMD.
Second, on the nanoSLIM box, the manufactures state, "the key ingredients in nanoSLIM are pulverized into micron-sized particles." And prominently featured at the words "Nanotechnology at Work."
However, I would caution readers to something you have probably already seen: nano and micro are not the same. This brings to light a growing problem in the nano world–the use of "nano" as a marketing tool when nano really isn’t involved (does everyone remember Magic Nano?). Because these kinds of supplements are not tightly regulated by the Food & Drug Administration, just about anything goes. While I’m not familiar with the technology being put to use, it sure feels like there is no nanotechnology here and the "nano" is used to draw attention to the product (which seems to be working given I purchased the second to last box on the shelf).
Oh, one other thing. The warning on the box reads in part: "Not intended for use by persons under 18. Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Consult a medical doctor before use if you have been treated for, or diagnosed with, or have a family history of, any medical condition including (but not limited to) diabetes, or if you are using any prescription or over-the-counter drug."
Caveat emptor, indeed.
