The movie “Cholesterol: The Great Bluff” claims that we have been lied to: cholesterol doesn’t cause heart disease and statins are harmful. It is biased and misleading. The people interviewed in the movie are denialists who don’t accept the clear evidence for the role of blood cholesterol levels and the… read more "The Movie “Cholesterol: The Great Bluff” Is an Exercise in Denialism"
“New vaccine replaces statins?” Not so fast!
News reports suggest new drugs may replace statins. PSCK9 inhibitors are useful, but only along with statins in high risk patients not controlled on statins alone, or for patients who can’t tolerate statins. They’re not about to replace statins. PyMOL rendering of the structure of the PCSK9 protein. Are statins obsolete? Are… read more "“New vaccine replaces statins?” Not so fast!"
ZYTO: An Electrodermal Diagnostic Device Is Tested and Fails Miserably
ZYTO is a bogus, illegal electrodermal diagnostic device that claims to evaluate organ function and make dietary recommendations. Repeat testing produced results that were wildly inconsistent. The device produces noise, not meaningful information. Dr. Stephen Barrett, the founder of Quackwatch, had abundant reason to believe the ZYTO electrodermal testing device… read more "ZYTO: An Electrodermal Diagnostic Device Is Tested and Fails Miserably"
Viotren and Other Dietary Supplements
Viotren and other dietary supplements are being illegally marketed to treat erectile dysfunction. Some of them work, but only because they are adulterated with prescription drugs like Viagra (at up to 31 times the prescription dose). Using them can be risky. Never tested on animals. Never tested on humans, either!… read more "Viotren and Other Dietary Supplements"
The Hormone Myth
“Mary is really bitchy today; she must be on the rag.” Comments like this are all too common, and are misguided. In her new book, Robyn Stein DeLuca dispels the myths about how hormones affect women’s moods and mental health, myths that have contributed to unequal treatment of women. Junk… read more "The Hormone Myth"
Doc Doc Zeus: A Glimpse Behind the Scenes of Medical Boards
A novel about a doctor who raped a minor and is being investigated by his state medical board provides behind-the-scene insights into the workings of medical boards. It helps explain why these boards are so often ineffective, why medical malfeasance so often leads to a token disciplinary action rather than… read more "Doc Doc Zeus: A Glimpse Behind the Scenes of Medical Boards"
The Antithesis of Science-Based Medicine: The Medical Medium’s Fantasy-Based Health Advice
Anthony William, the Medical Medium, hears voices that give him advanced scientific information from the spirit world. He offers reams of health advice based on nothing but fantasy. He even tells readers to call on 12 angels out loud by their name. I call bull. Anthony William calls himself the… read more "The Antithesis of Science-Based Medicine: The Medical Medium’s Fantasy-Based Health Advice"
AllerVarx: A Questionable Remedy for Allergic Rhinitis
AllerVarx, a new dietary supplement, claims to relieve nasal allergy symptoms, but the only “evidence” is a single disreputable clinical trial with no control group. There is no reason to try this unproven remedy when there are so many effective remedies offered by mainstream medicine. Allergic rhinitis can be treated… read more "AllerVarx: A Questionable Remedy for Allergic Rhinitis"
Most Patients Get No Benefit from Most Drugs
Some people are reluctant to take statins because they don’t benefit the majority of patients who take them. Actually, most drugs don’t benefit most of the patients who take them. Since we have no way of identifying those who will benefit, we are stuck treating the many to benefit the… read more "Most Patients Get No Benefit from Most Drugs"
What the Health: A Movie with an Agenda
The documentary “What the Health” espouses the fairy tale that all major diseases (heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and many others) can be prevented and cured by eliminating meat and dairy from the diet. It is a blatant polemic for veganism, biased and misleading, and is not a reliable source of… read more "What the Health: A Movie with an Agenda"