Ever found yourself fed up with diets that promise weight loss but left you feeling disappointed? It’s frustrating, right?
Many of us are on the lookout for that magic fix to get rid of the extra weight and feel healthier. With all the diets out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. One diet that’s been getting a lot of attention lately is GOLO.
But recently, there have been some legal issues surrounding the diet.
In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at what the GOLO diet is all about and why it’s facing GOLO lawsuits. If you’ve been considering trying the GOLO diet or planning to sue GOLO, this information might help you make a more informed decision.
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What is GOLO Diet?
The GOLO diet is a weight loss program centered on the idea of balancing hormones to facilitate fat loss. Developed by a team of medical professionals, it targets insulin resistance as it is a key factor in weight gain.
The program includes a balanced meal plan, supplements, and support for lifestyle changes like exercise and stress management. By stabilizing blood sugar levels and optimizing metabolism, GOLO diet aims to achieve sustainable weight loss.
It’s gained popularity for its focus on whole foods and avoidance of processed foods, offering a practical approach to achieving real and lasting results without extreme measures or subscriptions.
GOLO Diet Supplement Release
Developed by GOLO LLC in 2009, the program highlights the use of a supplement called Release, comprised of three minerals and seven plant extracts, designed to aid in weight loss and improve insulin regulation. Below, you can see the supplement details:
Is GOLO safe? While the GOLO diet allows flexibility in food choices, it does require the consumption of the Release Supplement with each meal. This combination of dietary changes and supplementation aims to enhance weight loss and promote overall health.
However, concerns have been raised regarding the safety and efficacy of the Release supplement, as it hasn’t undergone comprehensive studies.
The GOLO diet promotes the consumption of whole, unprocessed foods alongside the Release supplement to optimize weight loss results. Although specific meal plans are not provided on the website, purchasers of the supplement receive a complimentary pamphlet containing meal guidance.
While the GOLO Release diet offers the promise of healthy and sustainable weight loss, critics caution against its reliance on a proprietary supplement that lacks extensive research. The long-term viability and safety of the GOLO diet remain unclear.
Does GOLO work? Some GOLO reviews highlight that it was not as effective as other diets. However, some experts support GOLO and say it helps with weight loss. Headaches, nausea, digestive issues, and vertigo were among the GOLO side effects that several individuals encountered.
Is GOLO FDA Approved?
The GOLO Diet has not received the FDA approval. Supplements and programs for weight loss do not need the approval of the FDA.
Nonetheless, dietary supplements are subject to FDA regulation and must meet safety standards before being consumed. It’s crucial to remember that a supplement’s safety rating from the FDA does not imply that it will help you lose weight.
The GOLO website includes a disclaimer mandated by the FDA stating that “GOLO is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and has not been evaluated by the FDA.” The main issue with the GOLO diet is the lack of solid, independent evidence supporting its effectiveness, as all related studies are funded by GOLO.
However, the website also contains statements suggesting that GOLO can address metabolic dysfunction, manage insulin, repair metabolism, and balance hormones. This discrepancy may confuse consumers, as the statements imply health benefits despite the FDA disclaimer.
Lawsuit Filed against GOLO
The Delaware-based Corporation GOLO, LLC, is accused of deceptive and misleading advertising in the GOLO lawsuit, which was filed in 2021.
The first GOLO class action lawsuit was filed by Vincenzza Bubak, a resident of Valley Springs, California, who purchased GOLO’s products in December 2020 through the website of GOLO. Dissatisfied with the results, she sought a GOLO refund but was required to pay shipping and handling fees.
Defendant GOLO, LLC, headquartered in Newark, Delaware, distributes its Release Supplement widely, including in California, through various channels like its website and advertisements.
The plaintiff filed a GOLO lawsuit against the company for selling their Release Supplement with false and misleading labeling and advertising. The lawsuit claimed that GOLO intentionally deceived consumers about the product’s effectiveness. The lawsuit aims to stop GOLO’s deceptive practices and compensate those who were harmed by them.
What is the Lawsuit against GOLO?
The allegations outlined in the GOLO complaints include:
- Claims Implying Health Benefits
The lawsuit states that the company suggested their product could address insulin resistance, a condition linked to metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and other diseases like heart disease and Alzheimer’s.
This implies that their product can mitigate or prevent these health issues, which is not allowed for dietary supplements under FDA regulations.
- Inadequate Directions for Use
According to the lawsuit against GOLO, the defendant’s product is considered misbranded under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) because its labeling lacks adequate directions for use, violating FDA regulations.
- Misleading “Clinically Proven” Claim
The GOLO lawsuit alleges, “To further boost its sales and separate itself from the competition, the defendant misrepresented the product as “Clinically Proven.” The lawsuit claims, “GOLO admits that the studies they rely on are only ‘pilot studies,’ commissioned by the defendant.” “These studies are not included in reputable scientific publications and have not undergone tsshe rigorous process of peer review.”
Plaintiffs and class members were misled by these deceptive practices, resulting in harm. If they had known the truth about the product’s labeling and advertising, they would not have purchased it or would have paid less.
GOLO Lawsuit for Violating Consumer Protection Laws
According to the GOLO weight loss lawsuit, the defendant’s conduct violates various laws, including
- The Consumer Legal Remedies Act
- The False Advertising Law
- The Unfair Competition Law in California
The lawsuit asserts that the defendant’s actions were unfair because they caused substantial harm to consumers and did not outweigh any benefits. Additionally, they claim that the defendant’s conduct was fraudulent because it misled or deceived the public.
Plaintiff seeks to represent two classes in this lawsuit: the National Class, consisting of individuals across the United States who purchased the defendant’s product for personal use, and the California State Subclass, comprising individuals in California who made similar purchases.
Excluded from these classes are certain entities and individuals, including the defendant and its representatives, the presiding judge and their family, and the class counsel.
Plaintiff brings a claim under California’s Unfair Competition Law (UCL) on behalf of the California Subclass. The lawsuit alleges that the defendant’s actions, including labeling, advertising, and selling the product, constitute unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent business practices under the UCL.
GOLO Lawsuit Update 2024
On January 2024, Judge Dale A. Drozd of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, dismissed a class action complaint against GOLO, LLC. This case is important because It was the first time the ninth circuit precedent on preemption was applied to a dietary supplement.
Requirements for Pursuing a GOLO Lawsuit
If you purchased GOLO and it did not work as advertised, you are eligible to file a GOLO lawsuit. Some people suffered side effects from the GOLO supplements. To pursue the claim for side effects, plaintiffs must demonstrate that the supplement is the direct cause of their problem.
Plaintiffs need to provide evidence showing how they were harmed or misled by GOLO’s actions. This could include proof of financial loss, health complications, or other damages resulting from their use of GOLO products.
It’s advisable for plaintiffs to seek legal representation from experienced attorneys specializing in consumer protection, product liability, or class action lawsuits to navigate the complexities of the legal process and maximize their chances of success.
Plaintiffs should gather relevant documents, such as purchase receipts, product labels, advertising materials, medical records, and any correspondence with GOLO, to support their claims and strengthen their case in court.
To wrap up,
The GOLO lawsuit highlights the importance of transparency and accuracy in marketing claims, especially within the health and wellness industry. It emphasizes the importance of consumers being fully informed about how diet plans work, potential side effects, and any associated legal issues.
By adopting a holistic approach to weight management centered on healthy behaviors and informed decision-making, individuals can pave the way for sustainable improvements in their health and well-being.
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