I got an e-mail from a woman who had read my article on ASEA, a multilevel marketing diet supplement that I characterized as an expensive way to buy water. She had not tried ASEA products but was applying for a position as an accountant with the company, and she chastised me… read more "ASEA, ORMUS, and Alchemy"
“Hands On Learning Solutions”: Untested Solutions for Problems That May Not Even Exist
Hands On Learning Solutions, a business in Gig Harbor, Washington, evaluates and treats children for learning disabilities and claims to identify the underlying causes and help eliminate the symptoms. Much of what they do is questionable, and at least one of their methods is clearly bogus. Their program is reminiscent… read more "“Hands On Learning Solutions”: Untested Solutions for Problems That May Not Even Exist"
How To Listen to Chi
You will need flat shoes and a bottle of vitamins, herbal formula, or prescription medicine. Step 1: Hold the bottle with both hands, touching your chest Step 2: Stand up straight and get your balance Step 3: Close your eyes and feel what is happening to your body. Results: If… read more "How To Listen to Chi"
Un testimonio decepcionante sobre la crioterapia de cuerpo entero
[This article is also available in English. Thanks to Pensar for the Spanish translation] Como suscriptora del Reader’s Digest desde hace mucho tiempo, me encantan los chistes y disfruto de las historias, pero no confío en sus incursiones en la ciencia. Me molestó particularmente la sección “Lo probé” sobre crioterapia de cuerpo… read more "Un testimonio decepcionante sobre la crioterapia de cuerpo entero"
Cryotherapy: A Layman’s Attempt to Understand the Science
[Este artículo está disponible en español. La traducción al español apareció por primera vez en la revista Pensar.] NOTE: I get a lot of emails asking me whether treatment X is evidence-based or a scam. This one was different. Zachary Hoffman had done his homework and had already answered the… read more "Cryotherapy: A Layman’s Attempt to Understand the Science"
Answering Cancer Quackery: The Sophisticated Approach to True Believers
I got an e-mail with a link to a video featuring “Dr.” Leonard Coldwell, a naturopath who has been characterized on RationalWiki as a scammer and all-round mountebank. Here are just a few examples of his claims in that video: Every cancer can be cured in 2-16 weeks. The second you are alkaline, the… read more "Answering Cancer Quackery: The Sophisticated Approach to True Believers"
Functional Disc Rehydration for Chronic Back Pain
A chiropractor in Illinois named Jeff Winternheimer claims to have discovered an effective way to heal herniated discs by rehydrating them. He calls it Functional Disc Rehydration and he offers it through a network of four offices in the Chicago area called the Illinois Back Clinic. He has lots of testimonials and… read more "Functional Disc Rehydration for Chronic Back Pain"
Aging and Longevity: Science for Spring Chickens
We’re all going to die, but we don’t like to think about it. I’ll reach the proverbial threescore years and ten next month, so I’ve been thinking more about it, wishing I knew some reliable way to ensure that I would live many more years and remain fully functional until… read more "Aging and Longevity: Science for Spring Chickens"
Green Tea: Panacea or Poison?
In the news: a woman in Fort Wayne, Indiana is suing the Arbonne International company in Allen Superior Court, claiming that its product contained toxic levels of green tea extracts, causing her to develop acute liver failure. Green tea accounts for 20% of tea consumption worldwide. It has become more and more… read more "Green Tea: Panacea or Poison?"
The Rosedale Diet: Here We Go Again
Ron Rosedale, MD has devised a “powerful program based on the new science of leptin.” “Finally — the ultimate diet for fast, safe weight loss, lifelong health, and longer life…” He suggests it will prevent or improve high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, and a host of other… read more "The Rosedale Diet: Here We Go Again"