No scientific evidence supporting claims of diatomaceous earth’s “detox” benefits

CLAIM
Diatomaceous earth contains silica, which is important for absorbing minerals, water, and vitamins; it’s also antiparasitic and detoxes the body

SOURCE: Garry Lineham, Human Garage

Published: 18 Oct 2024

VERDICT

Online posts encouraging the use of Vicks VapoRub inside the vagina are unsubstantiated and dangerous

CLAIM
Applying Vicks VapoRub to the vagina “stops bladder leaks”, removes parasites

SOURCE: Social media users, Facebook

Published: 17 Oct 2024

VERDICT

Viral claim using Dr. Sebi image misleads on the effects of cortisol in the body, recommends unproven moringa supplement to lower cortisol levels

CLAIM
Moringa supplements lower cortisol levels, improve overall health

SOURCE: Social media user, Facebook

Published: 15 Oct 2024

VERDICT

Onions don’t cure RSV; limited evidence to suggest that tryptophan improves sleep quality

CLAIM
Onions can help you sleep at night and cure RSV

SOURCE: Esther Candace Brubaker, Facebook

Published: 11 Oct 2024

VERDICT

Claim that flu is “natural healing process” overlooks flu-related hospitalizations and deaths

CLAIM
Flu is the body “healing itself”, the flu vaccine removes that “natural healing process”

SOURCE: Facebook user, Facebook

Published: 11 Oct 2024

VERDICT

Peter McCullough’s claim that COVID-19 vaccines might have caused rise in sudden deaths relies on flawed analysis

CLAIM
COVID-19 vaccine myocarditis is common and linked to sudden death

SOURCE: Peter McCullough, Facebook

Published: 09 Oct 2024

VERDICT

Tattoos do carry some health risks, but there is currently insufficient evidence for the claim that tattoo ink causes cancer

CLAIM
Tattoo ink contains heavy metals that cause cancer; a zeolite cure can remove these heavy metals from the body

SOURCE: Danica Walker, Instagram

Published: 04 Oct 2024

VERDICT

Only certified medical devices should be used to measure blood pressure, not unvalidated apps promoted on social media

CLAIM
Blood pressure tracking apps can replace a cuff

SOURCE: Facebook User, Facebook

Published: 04 Oct 2024

VERDICT

Decline in autism among high-income white households not caused by a decrease in childhood vaccination, vaccines don’t cause autism

CLAIM
Autism and vaccination decreased over the same time period among high-income white households from California, indicating a possible causal relationship

SOURCE: Toby Rogers, Children’s Health Defense

Published: 03 Oct 2024

VERDICT

Studies show flu vaccine reduces risk of flu-related illness and hospitalization; benefits of flu vaccine outweigh its risks

CLAIM
Flu shots don’t work, increase your risk of getting the flu, damage your immunity and nervous system

SOURCE: Raymond Francis, Silicon Valley Health Institute

Published: 26 Sep 2024

VERDICT