Hormone replacement therapy in menopause is safer and more effective than we have been led to believe. A new book examines the evidence and sets the record straight. Estrogen replacement stops hot flashes cold and is a veritable Fountain of Youth. Estrogen replacement is dangerous: it kills women. It prevents… read more "Estrogen Matters"
Gender Dysphoria in Children
Gender transitions are becoming more and more common. Adults can make informed decisions about hormone treatments and gender reassignment surgeries, but what about children? In 1952, front page headlines trumpeted “Ex-GI Becomes Blonde Beauty.” George Jorgensen was an American army veteran who had sex reassignment surgery in Denmark and returned… read more "Gender Dysphoria in Children"
Smoking Cessation
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death. There are effective pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods to help people stop smoking. Conventional medicine is often accused of ignoring prevention, just letting preventable diseases develop, and then only treating symptoms. And the Science-Based Medicine blog is often accused of ignoring… read more "Smoking Cessation"
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"
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"