3 ms·

I wish quacks like Dr. Oz would stop promoting this 'detox' fantasy.

• nilkn 12y ago
  I think the public is going to have to learn the hard lesson that even if the person on TV is a real doctor they may not be trustworthy and may not really have your best interest in mind. 'Detoxing' is just the latest in a long line of thoroughly debunked scams that Dr. Oz has promoted.
• dragonwriter 12y ago
  As long as it continues to be profitable for quacks to promote fantasies, quacks will promote fantasies.
• bequanna 12y ago
  This is mentioned in the article as well, but I believe the real issue is the automatic credibility given to people that possess credentials. Many people seem perfectly happy to put their health and life in the hands of a medical professional and do a minimal amount of work/research for themselves. For example, given the popularity of the below drugs, few seem to ask: 'Do I really need to kill my liver cells to lower my cholesterol?' (statins) 'If we don't know how these antidepressants work, and some studies show they don't work, why am I taking them?'
  • meepmorp 12y ago
    > 'Do I really need to kill my liver cells to lower my cholesterol?' (statins) A small number of people taking statin drugs (<1% for atorvastatin, the most popular drug in the class) experience abnormal liver enzyme levels, and the drugs are contraindicated in the case that a patient has existing liver disease. But that's hardly destroying one's liver cells in the majority of people.
    • bequanna 12y ago
      Maybe I should have been more general: 'Why am I taking {drug} for {condition} with [serious possible side effects] when I could simply change my diet and activity level?' MOST of the health issues we are prescribing drugs for are treatable/curable with lifestyle changes.