Pseudoscience & Misinformation
There are a plethora of misinformation and health myths circulating on the internet, and some of them can indeed be quite bizarre and dangerous. This reflects the alarming reality of the digital age.
Misinformation can lead individuals to make harmful choices for their health. For example, drinking bleach, as suggested by some false health claims, can result in severe poisoning and even death. Similarly, following extreme diets like a 100% raw meat diet can lead to foodborne illnesses. False claims about miracle cures or alternative therapies can discourage people from seeking proper medical care. This delay in treatment can allow health conditions to progress to a more advanced stage, reducing the chances of successful treatment. Many health myths are used to sell products or services that promise miraculous results. These products can be expensive and provide false hope to vulnerable individuals, draining their finances. Misinformation can create anxiety and fear about health, particularly when it involves conspiracy theories or exaggerated dangers. Misinformation about vaccines, for instance, can lead to lower vaccination rates, potentially causing outbreaks of preventable diseases. Anyone can create a website or blog, and there is no requirement for accurate health information. Some websites prioritize sensationalism and clicks over scientific accuracy. Information spreads rapidly on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Misinformed or biased content can go viral, reaching millions of people. Some “influencers” with large followings promote health advice based on personal anecdotes or misinformation rather than scientific evidence. Individuals or groups spread health conspiracy theories, often alleging that mainstream medicine or the government is hiding cures or deliberately harming the public.
People may believe health misinformation for several reasons. People tend to seek out information that aligns with their existing beliefs or desires (this is called ‘confirmation bias’). If someone is looking for a quick fix to a health problem, they may be more susceptible to miracle cure claims. Alos, understanding scientific research and evaluating health claims can be complex. Misinformation can appear convincing to individuals who lack scientific literacy. Health misinformation often taps into emotions, offering hope or playing on fears, and emotional responses can override rational judgment. Some individuals have a deep-seated distrust of mainstream medical institutions or government agencies, making them more susceptible to alternative health claims. It’s important for all of these reasons to seek out trustworthy sources of information, and be a skeptical and discerning consumer. I have broken down some of the most dangerous claims on the internet below.
1. Drinking Bleach or Household Cleaners:
Some false health claims suggest that drinking bleach or other household cleaners can "detoxify" the body or cure diseases. In reality, these substances are highly toxic and can cause severe harm or even be fatal if ingested. Drinking bleach or other household cleaners is extremely dangerous due to the highly toxic nature of these substances. The primary toxic component in bleach is sodium hypochlorite, while borax contains boron compounds. When ingested, these substances can lead to a range of harmful physiological effects. Sodium hypochlorite in bleach is a powerful oxidizing agent. When it comes into contact with tissues in the gastrointestinal tract, it can cause chemical burns and severe tissue damage. This damage can extend from the mouth and esophagus down to the stomach and beyond. Ingesting bleach or borax can trigger a strong inflammatory response in the gastrointestinal lining. This inflammation can lead to pain, swelling, and even bleeding in the digestive tract. In the presence of stomach acid, bleach can react to produce toxic chlorine gas. Chlorine gas can lead to respiratory distress, coughing, and in severe cases, pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs). This can be life-threatening. Toxic substances like bleach and borax can be absorbed into the bloodstream from the gastrointestinal tract. Once in the bloodstream, they can spread throughout the body, affecting multiple organ systems causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and confusion. Ingesting bleach or borax can disrupt the body's electrolyte balance, potentially causing life-threatening imbalances in sodium and potassium levels. This can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, and even cardiac arrest. Prolonged exposure to these toxic substances can cause severe damage to organs like the liver and kidneys, which are responsible for detoxifying and eliminating harmful substances from the body. Drinking bleach or borax is not an effective "detox" method.
2. Raw Meat Diets:
There are extreme diets that promote the consumption of 100% raw meat, claiming various health benefits. This poses significant risks of foodborne illnesses and is generally not recommended due to safety concerns. Raw meat can be contaminated with a variety of harmful pathogens, including the bacteria Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, as well as parasites like Toxoplasma and Trichinella. These pathogens are commonly found in raw meat and can cause severe food borne illnesses when ingested. Symptoms can range from gastrointestinal distress (vomiting, diarrhea) to more severe complications, such as kidney failure or nerve damage. Cooking meat to a safe internal temperature kills these pathogens and reduces the risk of infection. Nutrient absorption is also a concern. The human digestive system is optimized for the consumption of plant foods. Cooking meat helps to break down its complex proteins and fats, making them easier to digest and absorb in the small intestine. Raw meat is more challenging for the body to process efficiently. Consuming raw meat can lead to incomplete digestion and inadequate nutrient absorption, which can result in nutrient deficiencies over time. Key nutrients such as iron and certain B vitamins, which are crucial for overall health, may not be absorbed as effectively from raw meat. People can develop scurvy if they consume a diet exclusively consisting of meat because meat is devoid of vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
3. Vaccine Misinformation:
False information about vaccines, including claims of links to autism or other health issues, continues to circulate despite being thoroughly refuted by scientific research. Traditional vaccines sometimes contained a form of mercury (ethylmercury) in trace amounts as a preservative, but it was not the same as the harmful methylmercury found in some fish. Furthermore, modern vaccines, including mRNA vaccines like those for COVID-19, have cleaner and less toxic ingredients than their predecessors, and extensive safety testing has consistently demonstrated their safety and effectiveness. The two widely used mRNA vaccines for COVID-19, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna contain the following key ingredients; Messenger RNA (mRNA) which carries instructions to produce a modified spike protein found on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the virus that causes COVID-19). This mRNA does not alter your DNA but tells the body to produce an immune response. Lipids (fats) such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) are used to stabilize and transport the mRNA into your cells. The common salt potassium chloride, and sugar sucrose (table sugar), are used to maintain the stability of the vaccine during storage. A buffer solution, often phosphate, maintains the pH balance of the vaccine. And finally, the vaccines contain water as a diluent to ensure that the components are in the right concentrations for safe and effective use.
4. GMO Fear Mongering:
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been the subject of misinformation campaigns, with claims that they are harmful to health despite the consensus among scientific organizations that they are safe to eat. The safety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) lies in the specific modifications made and how they are used. The genetic modification itself is a tool that can be used for various purposes, some of which are beneficial, while others are concerning. The problem is that food crops have been genetically modified to withstand the herbicide Roundup (glyphosate), which is a dangerous carcinogen. GM Roundup Ready crops such as wheat and corn are sprayed with the chemical, and directly harvested and prepared for animal and human consumption. GM crops engineered to withstand herbicides like Roundup are dangerous to consume because they have been heavily sprayed with this toxic herbicide, which is dangerous not only to the environment and wildlife, but are also carcinogenic in humans. In contrast, crops engineered to contain higher levels of essential nutrients, such as vitamin A-enriched rice (Golden Rice), have the potential to address nutritional deficiencies and improve public health without posing inherent risks. Therefore, it's important to distinguish between the genetic modification process and the specific traits or purposes for which it is employed. Each GMO should be assessed on a case-by-case basis, considering the intended benefits, potential risks, and thorough safety evaluations to make informed decisions about their use and consumption.
5. A few random ideas circulating the web:
Detox foot pads which claim to remove toxins from the body through the feet while sleeping. Scientific evidence does not support these claims. Breatharianism, which is an extreme belief, claims that humans can live without food and, in some cases, without water, solely by consuming sunlight and air. It is biologically impossible and extremely dangerous. Numerous products and supplements claim to offer "miraculous" weight loss without dietary changes or exercise. Many of these products are ineffective, and some may have harmful side effects.
It's crucial to be skeptical of health claims found online and to seek information from reliable sources, such as reputable nutrition experts (like me!).
