Claim reviews
Oral birth control doesn’t cause PCOS or uterine fibroids; wild yam and castor oil are unproven treatments
CLAIM
Oral contraceptive pills are “the number one” cause of polycystic ovary syndrome; a combination of wild yam and castor oil can cure polycystic ovary syndrome and uterine fibroids
SOURCE: Barbara O’Neill, Instagram, YouTube
Published: 15 Aug 2024
VERDICT
Removing wisdom teeth reduces risk of oral infections, doesn’t cause heart issues
CLAIM
Wisdom teeth are meridian lines connected to the heart; removing them causes heart issues
SOURCE: Matt Roeske, Instagram, Facebook
Published: 14 Aug 2024
VERDICT
A cancerous tumor is a mass of cancer cells, not “toxins”; biopsies and mammograms don’t cause cancer
CLAIM
A tumor is a “bubble” of toxins from the body; "cancer is basically your friend"; biopsies and mammograms cause cancer
SOURCE: Leonard Coldwell, Facebook, iHealthTube, YouTube
Published: 09 Aug 2024
VERDICT
Calcium is an essential component of bones and helps prevent osteoporosis, contrary to claim by Barbara O’Neill
CLAIM
Bones “are not made of calcium”; wild yam is a treatment for osteoporosis
SOURCE: Barbara O’Neill, Facebook
Published: 05 Aug 2024
VERDICT
Studies show vaccines don’t cause sudden infant death syndrome
CLAIM
Vaccines cause SIDS
SOURCE: Social media users, Instagram
Published: 01 Aug 2024
VERDICT
Hashimoto’s disease is a thyroid disorder that can be treated by hormone replacement therapy, contrary to claim by influencer Gary Brecka
CLAIM
There is nothing wrong with the thyroid in patients with Hashimoto’s disease; vitamin B is a cure for Hashimoto’s disease
SOURCE: Gary Brecka, Facebook
Published: 30 Jul 2024
VERDICT
No evidence that “Dr. Sebi” could cure AIDS and other diseases using natural remedies or change in diet
CLAIM
Dr. Sebi could cure a wide range of diseases using natural remedies or change in diet.
SOURCE: Social media users, Facebook
Published: 26 Jul 2024
VERDICT
Peanut oil isn’t an ingredient in vaccines; doesn’t cause peanut allergies
CLAIM
Peanut allergies are caused by the peanut oil in vaccines
SOURCE: Matt Roeske, Cultivate Elevate
Published: 26 Jul 2024
VERDICT
Edible food coating Apeel doesn’t contain toxic ingredients; its ingredients are recognized as safe for use in foods
CLAIM
Apeel contains harmful ingredients
SOURCE: Alison Steinberg, Social media users, One America News Network, Facebook, TikTok
Published: 25 Jul 2024
VERDICT
No current evidence to support social media fad of “blood type diet”
CLAIM
Eating specific foods based on your blood type can optimize your health
SOURCE: Social media users, Instagram
Published: 24 Jul 2024
VERDICT