Claims by a California company that its dietary supplements can treat diabetes and insulin resistance are false and misleading, according to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Claims by Wellness Support Network that its products can reduce blood glucose levels by 31.9 per cent are false and misleading, according to the Federal Trade Commission. (iStock)The FTC has filed suit against Wellness Support Network and its principals, Robert and Robyn Held, calling on a judge to halt the claims and force the company to refund consumers and give up all ill-gotten gains.

WSN products are promoted on a number of websites including its own realfoodnutrients.com. It continues to claim Nobel Prize-winning technology and more than 60 independent American University studies backing its Diabetes Support Pack.

The Diabetes Support Pack contains three products, which consist primarily of vitamins, minerals and plant extracts. The Insulin Resistance Pack consists of the same three products. They each sell for $76.70 for a 30-day supply.

Among the claims the FTC says are false or not supported by evidence:

• The Diabetes Support Pack is proven as an effective treatment for diabetes, reduces or eliminates the need for insulin or other diabetes medications, and is proven to cause an average 31.9 per cent drop in blood glucose levels.
• The Insulin Resistance Pack reverses and manages insulin resistance, is proven to be an effective treatment for insulin resistance, prevents diabetes, and is proven to cause an average 31.0 per cent drop in glucose levels.

This is not the first time WSN has run afoul of regulators.

Four years ago the company was sent a warning letter by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration stating its website violated the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act by making therapeutic claims.

The warning letter also stated: "Your products are not generally recognized as safe and effective for the above referenced conditions."

As of Friday afternoon, it appeared the company had not taken action on either complaint.