Doctors Warn of Celebrity Health Fads

Celebrities often resort to the weirdest treatments and health / beauty regimes to restore their bodies to the shape they were years before. Celebrities also claim these alternative methods work, which, naturally, makes millions of women (and some men) from all over the world spend huge amounts of money on them. As it happens, there is little proof for their efficiency, doctors warn, as the Daily Mail informs.

According to GPs, many women choose an alternative treatment instead of going to a specialist to find out what their problem is and how it can be solved. In doing so, not only do they deter finding a solution to the problem, but they’re also literally throwing money down the drain. And it’s all because celebrities endorse these methods, health experts say, pointing to cupping, colonics, detox and aromatherapy as among the biggest scams of this type.

“Some of these fads are a waste of time and money and could even be dangerous, according to doctors. Four in five women splash out on alternative treatments used by the rich and famous even though there is little or no evidence that they work, research found. Some could be putting their health at risk by choosing ‘therapies’ favored by celebrities over a visit to their GP. Cupping, a form of acupuncture in which heated cups are placed on the skin to stimulate blood flow and ease stress and pain, tops a list of ‘health hoaxes’ identified by GPs.” the Daily Mail writes.

Next up on the list of hoaxes comes colonic irrigation, a procedure where a tube is inserted into the body. Water goes through it to “cleanse” the bowel. Although it reportedly works, with countless stars testifying to it, evidence that it actually returns said results continues to be inconclusive. Intolerance testing comes at number three for being a procedure that is as inexpensive as it’s inaccurate, the same publication further says. Detoxing, macrobiotic diets, aromatherapy, reflexology, vitamin B12 injections, extreme yoga and overnight health farm stays complete the list.

“Too many women are wasting money following health fads that have little effect. What’s more worrying is that some are opting for treatment trends rather than seeking medical advice – they might not be fashionable but tried and tested health routes are safer and more beneficial.” Dr. Douglas Wright of Aviva’s health arm says for the Mail.