Mini Wheats and TV

   The other day I was watching the morning show on one of our local television stations. Their on-location feature that morning took place at a clinic specializing in Naturopathic and Homeopathic "medicine." I noticed a couple of humorous things during the several segments.

1) Absolutely everything they talked about was labelled "high tech," or "cutting edge." In one segment, the practitioner mentioned their "holistic" approach to health care, and their "cutting edge" techniques, and went on to explain to the woman reporter how to go about doing a tradition breast exam. What's cutting edge about that?

2) At one point, they were taking questions that had been e-mailed in by viewers. One wanted to know if the "doctors" there had any recommendations for the treatment and control of psoriasis. The practitioner took a jar of something he called "essential fatty acids" off the shelf, and pronounced it as the absolute best thing available for the treatment of psoriasis. This, in itself, was not necessarily suspect, although I am prone to distrust any health care provider that just happens to sell the product he recommends to treat the condition he has diagnosed. However, the very next question was about Attention Deficit Disorder. The answer? You guessed it: essential fatty acids.
   Now my scam radar is starting to blip. The remedy that he sells is the best thing for both of these randomly suggested ailments? Sure, it's possible, but I'm skeptical. A little bit of googling, and I find articles online that say there is no clinical evidence to suggest any food related or natural remedies are efficacious in the treatment of ADHD. In fact, several providers of natural remedies for ADD and ADHD featuring essential fatty acids have been ordered by the courts to cease and desist from making unsubstantiated claims.
   Now, does that mean that EFAs are useless for all health problems? Of course not. However, it does give me pause when considering whether or not to consult with this person who calls themselves a "medical professional."

3) Several patients of the clinic were interviewed on camera. One woman said she had been complaining of poor sleeping, and chronic stomach aches. When asked, she agreed that she was feeling much better now. And here's the kicker: when the interviewer asked, "what was the problem," she was greeted by a completely blank stare. The woman had absolutely no idea what condition they had treated her for. The "doctor" had to jump in and rescue her with another practised speech on how they treat the whole body instead of just the symptoms.
   Unfortunately, there was no hiding it. The practitioners at the clinic had not given the woman any diagnosis. They prescribed something for her without telling her why. And she took it. Any guesses what it was? I have no idea, but I'll make a stab. I'm thinking Essential Fatty Acids.

4) The interviewer, who admitted to the viewers that she was a regular patient at this clinic, was eating it all up. She was obviously a believer in everything they had to say, and eager to help promote their therapies. A little bit too eager, perhaps.
   At one point they were talking with the naturopathic "doctor" and a patient. When the patient described his or her complaint, the interviewer asked if the practitioner was going to prescribe a homeopathic remedy. The "doctor" totally ignored her, and moved the conversation in a different direction immediately. He didn't even acknowledge the question. Even though the clinic was advertised as being both naturopathic and homeopathic, he clearly did not want to address the concept of homeopathy on the air. And, really, can you blame him?

tags:Skepticism