Glenn Braswell, who was already under another consent decree stemming from alleged violations of the FTC Act, will pay $1 million and turn over assets worth $3.5 million to settle the FTC's charges, the commission said in a statement.

According to the FTC, Braswell's operation was one of the largest US direct mail marketers of health-related products during the time he was running the companies.

The FTC also announced a $15,000 settlement with one of the 'expert' endorsers for Braswell's dietary supplement products, Hans Kugler.

"We charged Braswell with peddling empty promises to consumers battling serious illnesses," said Lydia Parnes, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection.

"This settlement will prevent him from profiting from these sorts of deceptive claims in the future, and deter others who may think they can get away with similar practices."

Braswell sold dietary supplements, mostly through direct mail advertising, including the Journal of Longevity, a direct mail ad that purported to be a health-information magazine.

The FTC alleged these ads, aimed at elderly consumers, used false and misleading claims of medical or scientific 'breakthroughs', expert endorsements, and misrepresented the results and applicability of scientific studies.

The products were supposed to cure, prevent, or treat a number of illnesses, such as Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and emphysema.