Is gelatin’s a scam
Executive summary
Scam alerts and watchdog reporting show that the viral “gelatin trick” as pushed in slick social ads—often featuring deepfaked or AI-generated endorsements from figures like Dr. Mark Hyman and celebrities—is a marketing scam used to sell supplements and harvest payments [1] [2]. Independent watchdogs and complaint pages document repeated patterns: fake testimonials, hidden subscription charges, and products like “Harmo Slim,” “BurnPeak,” “LipoRise” or “Gelatide” tied to the gelatin narrative [1] [3] [4] [5] [2].
1. The scheme: how the scam is packaged and spread
Fraudsters create long-form, convincing ad videos—sometimes AI-generated deepfakes—showing supposed experts or celebrities endorsing a “gelatin trick,” then funnel viewers to slick sales pages that sell supplements or recurring shipments; Dr. Mark Hyman and Rebel Wilson have been singled out as victims of these fabricated endorsements [1] [2] [6]. The ads frequently promise fast, effortless weight loss and then push products such as “Harmo Slim,” “BurnPeak,” “LipoRise,” “Gelatide,” “Lipo Gummy” or other branded drops and gummies [1] [4] [7] [2].
2. The evidence consumers report: chargebacks, missing refunds, and never-seen “recipes”
Multiple consumer complaint pages and reviews describe people buying small trial orders that turned into multiple shipments or recurring billing, difficulty getting refunds, and product deliveries that differ from the ad’s promise [3] [4]. Reviewers explicitly note the ads show a gelatin “cube” or recipe but never give a clear, free formula—rather they redirect to paid products and subscriptions [3].
3. The role of AI and deepfakes in making the scam persuasive
Journalists and watchdog posts document AI-generated video and voice manipulation used to create the illusion of real doctor or celebrity endorsements; these deepfakes are central to the scam’s plausibility and reach [1] [2]. Providers like Dr. Hyman’s own site have posted warnings that the specific ad linking him to a “gelatin trick” is fake and a scam [1].
4. What the reporting says about the underlying claim — does gelatin itself work?
Available sources show two concurrent narratives: some wellness writers describe gelatin as a simple, inexpensive source of protein that may increase satiety and could plausibly help with appetite control when used sensibly [8] [6]. At the same time, scam-focused coverage stresses that the miraculous weight-loss claims in these ads—melting fat overnight, dramatic multi‑week celebrity transformations tied to a gelatin cube—are fabricated marketing, not science-backed results [9] [5] [2].
5. Contrasting viewpoints in the reporting
Health-oriented pieces acknowledge gelatin’s physiological properties (collagen-derived protein that can affect fullness) and present it as a modest appetite-control tool rather than a miracle cure [8] [6]. Scam and cybersecurity reporting treats the entire ad campaign and associated product network as fraudulent operations designed to mislead and steal money, highlighting deepfakes, fake testimonials, and the lack of credible scientific studies backing the dramatic claims [9] [5] [2].
6. Practical takeaways and consumer safeguards
Reporting recommends skepticism toward any social ad that uses celebrity faces or “doctor” endorsements without verifiable statements from the named person, and to check for red flags: newly created domains, pressure to buy immediately, unclear refund policies, and unexpected charges on credit cards [2] [3]. Victims of recurring charges or nondelivery are advised to report to the platform and their card issuer; sources note these scams often involve hidden subscriptions and poor refund responses [3] [4].
7. Limits of current reporting and unanswered questions
Available sources document the scam mechanics, consumer complaints, and examples of sites and product names involved, but they do not supply rigorous clinical trials proving whether modest gelatin consumption produces measurable long-term weight loss; specific safety profiles and dose recommendations are not consistently reported across the cited pieces [8] [6]. For definitive medical guidance, the available sources do not mention peer‑reviewed studies proving the dramatic claims used in ads (p1_s2; [10] are promotional and conflicted in tone).
Bottom line: the viral “gelatin trick” ad campaigns are, in reporting, largely a scam mechanism—deepfaked endorsements and fake testimonials funnel consumers into paid products and subscriptions—while plain gelatin as a humble protein used for satiety is a separate, modest idea discussed by health writers [1] [2] [8].