A study published on Wednesday in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) by Canadian researchers shows that more than half of Dr Oz’s medical recommendations are not backed by proper scientific evidence.
Dr Mehmet Oz, also known as “America’s doctor”, was many times criticized for often sacrificing the scientific accuracy of his claims for the sake of the show. However, more than 2 million people watch his show, and many of them trust him more than a GP. In a recent episode, a viewer told him that he hadn’t seen a doctor in eight years since the TV doctor was the only one he could trust.
This summer Dr Oz met the US Congress were he was scolded by Sen. Claire McCaskill for giving Americans false hopes. Additionally, the senator said that his medical pieces of advice were a certain “recipe for disaster”.
Last month, a study about a revolutionary coffee-bean weight loss pill was proven wrong, although Dr Oz had praised it a lot during his TV show.
Also, a study called “Reality Check: There is no such thing as a miracle food” published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s website revealed that red onion, endive and sea brass didn’t lower the risk of ovarian cancer by 75 percent like Dr. Oz had said.
The Canadian study suggests that the public should not trust everything that is said on a medical show since the recommendations there often “lack adequate information.”
Dr Oz replied that he offers people all the options available, and nothing stops them to test out “miracle cures” even if they were never tested on humans. He was referring to raspberry ketone, a fat burning miracle drug.
Facing the Senate, Dr Oz said that he was aware that not all his recommendations were backed by science, but he personally believed in every piece of advice he gave to his public.
But, nevertheless, I give my audience the advice I give my family all the time. I give my family these products, specifically the ones you mentioned. I’m comfortable with that part,”
he also said.
However, the Canadian scientists analyzed 40 episodes from Dr Oz show involving 479 recommendations. They found out that only 46 percent were backed up by scientific evidence, while 15 percent were contradicted by science and 39 had no evidence.
Dr Oz said that much of medicine was outdated and he was trying to give people alternatives. However, Dr Oz confessed that he was just a business man trying to make some cash:
“Cancer is our Angelina Jolie. We could sell that show every day.”
he added.
Image Source: Huffington Post
