Tom Brady’s ‘Immunity’ Vitamins Are Unethical And Misleading, Medical Experts Say

Tom Brady announced this week he’s selling a new vitamin supplement that enhances the immune system. But medical experts are skeptical of the product’s benefit, and concerned Brady may be taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to sell his latest TB12 product.

In an Instagram video, Brady introduced his “Protect” vitamins, saying the supplements are vital for health and well-being. The product, which is non-FDA approved, is designed to “help your immune system recover from the effects of stress, optimize its response, and keep you feeling your best,” according to the TB12 website. Each “Protect” tablet includes a medley of five listed ingredients: Vitamin C, Zinc, Elderberry, Larch Tree Extract and Beta Glucan. One bottle of 60 tablets sells for $45.

“Over the years, I’ve learned how important it is to be proactive in taking care of my own body,” Brady says. “So eating healthy, staying hydrated and being active, along with the right supplements, have helped me stay at my very best. And certainly, a strong immune system is important for all of us.”

Though Brady doesn’t mention the coronavirus, emergency physician and medical toxicologist Ryan Marino says he finds the timing of the product’s release to be curious. “I have a number of concerns,” Marino said in a phone call. “The biggest one is, the timing of this, and releasing something with specific mention and marketing about the immune system and antiviral properties in a global viral pandemic. It’s definitely suspect to me.”

A listed media contact for TB12 Sports did not reply to two email requests for comment as of publication.

A disclaimer for the product mentions it is not approved by the FDA, and explicitly says it is intended to “to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.” Instead, the “Protect” product page touts its apparent ability to improve immunity and recovery.

“From supporting natural killer cells to replenishing antibodies post-exercise, Protect helps activate your immune system and counter stress-induced immune suppression so you can stay active, resilient, and ready for whatever comes your way,” it reads.

Marino says it is common for supplements to be marketed with generic phrasing, since they aren’t allowed to be marketed as cures for specific conditions. But most of the listed substances have been studied as possible ways to prevent or treat the coronavirus, including high-doses of Vitamin C, which the Shanghai Medical Association endorsed as a treatment for hospitalized people with COVID-19. A powerful antioxidant, Vitamin C helps the immune system by decreasing inflammation and keeping skin healthy. Studies show it could reduce the severity and duration of the common cold.

But there’s no evidence taking doses of Vitamin C can prevent somebody from contracting COVID-19. It is also water-soluble, meaning excess amounts leave the body through our urine. “You’re basically pissing your money away,” Marino said.

Also, if somebody is eating a balanced diet, they should already be receiving their recommended daily amount of Vitamin C, says registered dietitian and owner of Taylor Nutrition, Lalitha Taylor.

“The first thing that pops into my mind is, who would really need a supplement like this?,” she said on the phone. “We get a lot of those things — Zinc, Vitamin C, other antioxidants — from our diet.”

The recommended Vitamin C dietary allowance for men is 90 mg, and for women it is 75 mg. To put that in perspective, a cup of chopped red pepper contains 190 mg of Vitamin C — far exceeding the recommended allowance.

Elderberry and larch tree extract are commonly used as holistic treatments for the common cold and flu. The former was found in two products the FDA flagged as fraudulent coronavirus treatments.

It’s apparent Brady believes in his TB12 Method. In the book, “TB12 Method,” the six-time Super Bowl champ says he dealt with chronic pain prior to meeting his guru and now-business partner, Alex Guerrero. Since they started training in 2004, Brady says he hasn’t experienced any shoulder or elbow problems, and outside of suffering from a torn ACL in 2008, hasn’t missed any games due to injury.

Brady has spoken extensively about his desire to play football until he’s 45 years old, and credits his unorthodox training and dietary regimen as the key to his sustained excellence. At its core, the TB12 Method is centered around tissue and pliability work, and maintaining a plant-based diet. In recent years, Brady has started selling his own TB12-branded products, such as $265 resistance band kits and $15 electrolyte bottles.

While few doubt Brady’s general approach to health and fitness, Taylor says it is problematic when he makes scientifically vague and grandiose claims, like saying his “Protect” vitamins can “activate” someone’s immunity.

“For me, there is really nothing you can take to boost your immune system,” she said. “There are things we can do to support our immune system, and nutrition is part of that equation. I would also argue sleep supports your immune system. So does activity and stress management. Telling people this supplement is the key to enhancing immunity and performance is misleading.”

All three of the experts with whom I spoke agree there isn’t enough evidence to support the vitamin’s stated benefits, especially given it’s hefty $45 price tag. With the coronavirus pandemic raging, consumers could be tempted to pay big bucks for a medically dubious product.

TB12 CEO John Burns defended the timing of the release to Yahoo! Sports. “Now more than ever, it’s important to have daily support for a healthy immune response as our bodies are subject to constant stressors that deplete its resources,” he said.

But to registered dietetic technician Olivia Fitzgerald, who works at a New York-based nursing and rehabilitation facility, releasing unproven immunity supplements during a pandemic comes across as predatory. “Some of the things I thought were a little worrisome about this were the convenient timing with COVID-19, and I hope people can see the timing is very convenient,” she said on the phone. “It’s a high price point during an economic crisis. He’s kind of preying a little bit, in my eyes.”

TB12 has not said how “Protect” has been in development. But to Marino, the marketing is unethical.

“I don’t think a lot of the marketing that goes into supplements is ethical, but especially in this case,” he said. “It’s very clear this was timed to be released during this pandemic. The way it’s been marketed highlights a lot of people’s fears.”


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