Monday, March 19, 2012

Letter I Just Sent To Dr. Oz Show - edited


I have been watching your show for the past several weeks. After a number of episodes, I have done extensive research into some of the recommended supplements and have not only found that many do not have supporting evidence but in fact, have evidence to the contrary.

The problem I have with these almost daily pronouncements is that you as a physician are making recommendations that some of my patients are following which are inappropriate for them. This is creating a dangerous situation. Your moral imperative and first rule as a physician should be to do no harm.

Your show's disclaimer is a mere blur which no reasonable person can read and I have even heard you state in reference to your supplement pronouncements to your audience that you have "asked [them] to follow them to the letter." You are potentially liable if something terrible happens.

It is only a matter of time until someone, if it has not already happened, gets seriously injured related to the type of medical advice you are giving. I know many emotions have already been negatively impacted by the false hopes you have allowed to air on the show like allowing hyperbaric oxygen therapy to be proclaimed as a cure for Alzheimer's.

I want the record to reflect that the show, the producers, and you were duly warned of the dangers of recommending unvalidated, potentially dangerous supplements and treatments to an unwary but eager for valid solutions audience.

To prevent this from happening, you should caution the audience whenever there are no valid studies to support the use of a recommended product. A prime example would be Forksolin (aka Coleus forskohlii) for which the only human study supporting its use for weight loss was deemed an advertisement, and a second more reliable study showed no efficacy in weight loss.

A word to the wise should be sufficient.

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