Complaint Accuses Bodybuilding Supplement of Skipping Ingredients

A bodybuilding supplement manufacturer based in New Jersey was hit with a lawsuit in California recently accusing the company of marketing its products as having certain amino acids that may be completely absent.

The defendant sells a one-month supply of the products based on the preceding false advertising claims.

The ingredient in question, the amino acid derivative L-Arginine AKG, is allegedly touted by the company as a muscle-builder that aids the body’s natural supplies and increases blood flow to muscles during exercise. Laboratory tests on three separate products sold by Maximum Health Performance Inc., however, reveal that the amino acid is lacking from the products, according to the complaint. Lead plaintiff Kyle Janovick filed the proposed class action accusing the company of fraudulently deceiving customers into believing the bodybuilding supplements had “characteristics, ingredients and benefits” that they do not. The complaint also notes that the “defendant sells a one-month supply of the products for approximately $40.00 to $70.00 each based on the preceding false advertising claims.” As such the company may have made millions of dollars by defrauding customers.

The company, however, seems confident to stand behind its product, saying in a statement that it would be meeting the accusations in court and intended to prove them false.

The amino acid derivative L-Arginine AKG is a somewhat controversial supplement allegedly used in the company’s Dark Rage products, which are intended to be taken before workouts. The supplement is thought to aid in blood dilution when converted into nitric oxide, although some studies have questioned its effectiveness. Regardless of this, Janovick’s suit maintains that Dark Rage does not contain any L-Arginine AKG despite advertising that it does.

He also claims that the company makes other products said to include a derivative of the amino acid but found in laboratory tests to lack the substance. The products in question are Anadrox and Trac-Extreme. Janovick hopes to establish a nationwide class made up of all those who bought Maximum Health Performance Inc. products that violated California law since 2009.