Edzard Ernst is arguably the world’s foremost expert on the claims and the evidence (or lack thereof) for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). Now he has teamed up with a medical ethicist, Kevin Smith, to co-author a new book, More Harm than Good? The Moral Maze of Complementary and Alternative… read more "The Case That CAM Is Unethical"
For Peat’s Sake! Naturopath Promotes Peat Bras and Tampons
This ND recommends peat therapy, including peat baths, peat tampons, and peat bras, for a variety of conditions including infertility and HPV infections. The evidence is lacking. Last week I reviewed the major naturopathy textbook. It mentioned a therapy I was not familiar with: peat therapy. I wanted to know… read more "For Peat’s Sake! Naturopath Promotes Peat Bras and Tampons"
Naturopathy Textbook
The Textbook of Natural Medicine reveals what students of naturopathy are taught. It claims to be a scientific presentation, but it reveals just how unscientific naturopathy is. It mixes good science with bad science, pseudoscience, outright errors of fact, vitalism, philosophy, ancient history, superstition, gullibility, misrepresentations, metaphysics, religion, hearsay, opinion,… read more "Naturopathy Textbook"
The Trans Fat 51-Hour Half-Life Myth
Various websites repeat the myth that trans fats are slowly metabolized, with a 51-day half-life. There is no evidence for that claim. There is good reason to limit trans fats in the diet, good enough reason that many countries have passed legislation to restrict trans fats in products and… read more "The Trans Fat 51-Hour Half-Life Myth"
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle on Vaccination
I recently came across Round the Red Lamp, a delightful volume of medical-themed short stories and other medical writings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a medical doctor and the creator of Sherlock Holmes. Among its many treasures are two of his letters that were printed in newspapers in 1887 on… read more "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle on Vaccination"
Cowabunga! Can Cow Therapy Cure Cancer?
A hospital in India offers to cure cancer in 11 days with Ayurveda and cow therapy, giving patients a drink of desi cow milk, yogurt, ghee, urine, and dung. It’s very unlikely that cow therapy can cure cancer; but in another sense, the author of the book Holy Cancer says… read more "Cowabunga! Can Cow Therapy Cure Cancer?"
NES Health: Tooth Fairy Marketing
NES Health claims to scan the human biofield, detect imbalances, and correct them with infoceuticals. It’s not science, it’s clever marketing based on fantasy. NES Health offers scans of the body’s “bioenergy field” and sells products to fix the problems detected by the scans. Tooth Fairy science is when researchers attempt… read more "NES Health: Tooth Fairy Marketing"
Aloe Vera
I had heard of aloe vera. I’ve seen it grown in flowerpots in the home and broken open to apply its juices to irritated or injured skin. I’ve encountered it many times in crossword puzzles. I know a woman who has taken it orally. But recently it seems to have… read more "Aloe Vera"
How Naturopaths Treat Heart Disease
Naturopaths claim to excel at preventing and treating cardiovascular disease. Their claims don’t stand up to scrutiny. They co-opt from mainstream medicine, add non-evidence-based treatments, and fail to use effective drugs. The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians website explains what naturopathy is and has a webpage with FAQs. Number 15… read more "How Naturopaths Treat Heart Disease"
Shermer Tackles the Big Questions
A review of Heavens on Earth: The Scientific Search for the Afterlife, Immortality, and Utopia, By Michael Shermer, Henry Holt and Co., 2018. $30.00. 320 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1-62779-857-0. In 1997, Michael Shermer wrote one of the classics of skepticism, Why People Believe Weird Things. He has continued to produce skeptical books… read more "Shermer Tackles the Big Questions"