Marketing claim, mechanism and evidence: the Qenph framework
A statement can be biologically plausible while greatly exaggerating what studies allow us to conclude. This page provides a simple method for reading supplement claims without rejecting everything or accepting everything.
Level 1: biological function
Example: L-carnitine helps transport fatty acids into mitochondria. This sentence describes a real biological mechanism. It does not yet tell us whether adding L-carnitine causes weight loss.
Level 2: acute or intermediate effect
A study may show a temporary change in energy expenditure, a digestive hormone or blood glucose. This is more informative than a mechanism alone, but it still does not necessarily prove lasting weight loss.
Level 3: clinical outcome
For a weight-management claim, important outcomes include body weight, fat mass, waist circumference, duration of effect and adverse events.
Level 4: the complete commercial formula
Even if an ingredient has positive trials, the full product should ideally be studied at the dose actually sold. Otherwise, efficacy remains an extrapolation.
Questions to ask when you see a spectacular number
- How many people took part?
- Did the result come from the product or from one ingredient?
- How long did the study last?
- Was there a placebo?
- Was the diet controlled?
- Is the study published and accessible?
- Who funded it?
See the method in action
The fact sheets InnoSlim, Capsimax and L-carnitine show how Qenph moves from a marketing claim to the available human evidence.