Dr. Oz, the quack - US government takes notice
 

We've said it for a while, Dr. Oz peddles some new miracle product every week and has a large following. Apparently, he was called to a US Senate hearing to answer for the many dubious, unscientific claims he has made.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/17/health...-grills-dr-oz/

I wanted to add that I think there may be a few outcomes which could be positive all around.

1) He may be stripped of his medical license. I'm not sure how likely this would be.
2) More likely, we may see stronger warnings on tv programs and maybe? websites. I know his tv show puts in a tiny disclaimer that it isn't medical advice and is for entertainment purposes only but who follows that? There are websites out there like naturalnews.com and mercola.com that also dispense unscientific information as medical/health information. These tv shows, websites, etc, should come with strong/visible dislcaimers.

I look forward to seeing how this turns out. I feel bad for him and understand the pressure of contracts, etc. His writers/network should bear some responsibility.

I don't feel sorry for him at all! He has made millions at the expense of a naive, unsuspecting and gullible public that believes a pill will cure all their ills. Sad to say, he epitomizes what a lot of doctors have become: legal pill pushers too afraid to say "no" to patients demanding this or that pill because the equally-greedy pharmaceutical company says they "need" it. I think he's a quack and an embarrassment to his profession.

Quackity quack quack. He's a nutty, I can't believe the influence he wields. Sad.

I agree with the last two posters. Pushing pills and remedies which he knows do not work. He is also an odd fellow. I have seen a few clips of his shows and he seems obsessed with poop and bad smells. He actually stood outside a women's bathroom at a mall and asked the women if they pooped and what it looked like! I mean WOW!!! Even if it's for something medical, why in the heck would he do that???? Like who would engage in a conversation with a weirdo asking what shape is your poop?? He is married too??!!! Wow again!!!!!

I think he did wrong! He made millions of dollars on poor people who trusted him! He lied to them and should be punished;-)

I don't know, I think people that fell for it all need to take some responsibility for themselves. I never watched or read him but couldn't help but pick up some of his spiel (if it walks like a duck...). I don't understand how everyone just jumped on the bandwagon and the pills and patches and magic. If it seems too good to be true....
I just don't think he should bear the brunt alone. We all are guilty of wanting quick fixes but we all know there is no "magic pill". Although he is a doctor at a certain point you have to take a step back and say wait a sec, that doesn't make sense. I had a doctor tell me to starve if I wanted to lose weight and another doctor tell me to feel better to just stop taking all of my medicines one of which I depend on for my life another pill which others lives depend on (heaven help them if I go off my mood stabilizers, lol).
I guess everyone should eat a slice of the responsibility pie to me.

I don't watch much tv so don't much about Dr. Oz. that said, the bunk that our governments, many scientists, mainstream nutritionists put out in food guides as though there were good science supporting the guidelines....it's a scandal of enormous proportion that's led us to an obesity epidemic in North America.

See the film Cereal Killers aBout Dr. Tim Noakes from South Africa, Dr. Briffa from England and an Australian cricket team.

CerealKillersMovie.com

Facebook.com/CerealKillersMovie

If you guys think he is doing this for the money you need to do a little more research into Dr Oz. His wife, in particular, is bat sh#t crazy. Form your own opinion. Mine?

I think Dr Oz actually believes the crap he is peddling.

Mainstream 'nutritionists' didn't cause obesity in America. America has caused obesity in America.

As for Dr. Oz, the only reason I know of what he peddles is we get a question nearly every other day here about a product he has been peddling and the research never backs the products up. They range from mainly harmless (but useless) to potentially dangerous. Entire (scammy) companies have been erected to peddle whatever junk he is selling this week.

A long, long time ago, Dr. Oz busted diet pill myths. Then he got his own show :shrug:

He once featured a product on his site that had actually been shown to help weight loss in post-menopausal diabetic women, although the amount lost was minimal. However, he never once mentioned that it was only shown to work in post-menopausal diabetic women and no other group that was tested experienced weight loss. He promoted it as a weight loss miracle for everyone. Naturally, product sales soared and no one lost weight.

I'd like to say that's typical for his show, but in that instance there was a slight amount of potential for a specific group of people. Most of the products he features have never been proven to assist humans with weight loss.

Yea i actually tried a couple of them. MEH

Dr. Oz Worshippers - What you guys have to say now?
 

Dr. Oz worshippers - got anything to say about this??? Found an article on people.com Dr. Oz became the target of some harsh words from Sen. Claire McCaskill, chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, who accused the daytime host of giving viewers "false hope" in products. See what Dr. Oz says in the hearing...

I'm thinking, when you become very popular, first thing you would think of is money!!! You would be thinking on how to use the popularity to generate money...right? Would you care for other people suffering if you were showered with money? I'm speculating here!!!

Anyway, here's the link http://carrance.com/peopledotcom-dro...of-harsh-words
Hope the moderator won't mind I'm posting link here...

I've watched his show before, and even been mildly entertained. However, I never once took leave of reality and believed in the nonsense he peddles. So, while he bears SOME responsibility, probably most of it indeed, the people who bought into him have some culpability too.

Yes, everyone bears some responsibility for their own actions, regardless of whose suggestions they are following, but I don't believe that is the issue here at all.


I would argue that Dr. Oz bears 100% responsibility for what comes out of his own mouth.

If you follow Dr. Oz's advice without checking with you're own doctor, you bear a great deal of the responsibility for the consequences. However you're not responsible for the fact that Dr. Oz made irresponsible and unsubstantiated claims and endorsements.


Dr. Oz is a smart guy. Too smart not to realize that the poorest and least educated, most ignorant people are the most vulnerable to inflated and exagerated claims - and also the least able to afford the false hope.

I believe the hippocratic oath still includes the phrase to "first do no harm."

Obviously Dr. Oz believes that audience members are not his patients so the oath doesn't apply. Personally, I disagree.

Many people believe(d), respect(ed) and trust(ed) Dr. Oz, and those people bear some of the responsibility for doing so. However, that trust, respect, and belief really isn't the main issue here.

Whether or not ANYONE trusts, respects, or believes Dr. Oz, he should still be held accountable for what he is presenting as medical advise.

I'm actually surprised that his license to practice medicine hasn't been revoked. At the very least I'd expect him to be fined and reprimanded.

What good is it to license physicians if the license means nothing.

It's sad how much people just eat up the Dr. Oz bullsh!t So many people will just do every single thing that man recommends. I think at one time he was even probably a credible doctor and now he just peddles garbage. His show may as well be on at 3 am with the ab-athons, and slap chops. (The slap chop is likely more valuable than many of the things the Oz is pushing) And it's too bad, Dr. Oz had a great opportunity to do something good with Oprah's seal of approval and contributed to the betterment of society.

Unfortunately, he wouldn't have any of the followers, or ratings, or money that he's gotten by selling out.

Watched him a few times and decided he's nuts along with Dr. Phil who got his psych degree from a vending machine.

I remember watching an episode that he claimed a certain food was the best possible and good for your health, then the next day he said the same food could give you cancer. That's when I stopped watching. I mean what the heck? it's good or not? make up your mind. I think that it's good entertainment to watch, there are some good advices but not when it comes to products. You sort of have to really do research into anything to make sure it's right, and also use your common sense. If it's too good to be true, that's 'cause it usually is....

"First, Do No Harm".

I think Dr. Oz is probably brilliant. He's a practicing heart surgeon that still does surgeries every week. And he has used his show for good.

However, he has (in my opinion) violated the Hippocratic oath by peddling a bunch of this BS product and giving it a forum on his show. The sad reality is that a large portion of our public are people who trust tv for their information and don't do the research. Yes, shame on them, but in my opinion Dr. Oz has a responsibility not to put that stuff on his show. He could have dug in his heels and said no. Maybe he'd be out of a job on tv, but at least he'd have his scruples.

I totally agree

This link is to youtube.com. John Oliver goes over the issue of dietary supplements. Note, he's a comedy show, but I looked into a few of his facts and they are legit (the ones I looked Up). He mentions how dietary supplements are not regulated, how that's possible, and what that has done. Dr. Oz is mentioned of course. He also mentions that a lot of these pills cause a lot of issues, deaths, and even then they can remain on the shelves. It's sort of nerve racking. I unfortunately tried 2 of the ones he mentioned out of desperation. One pill gave me shakes, made my head spin and I considered going to the hospital. The other did nothing, I followed its rules and did diet and exercise, I lost 2 lbs in the month I took it, it promised a lot more and that's what I can lose on my own. Waste of money, and now I learn it was dangerous even.

John Oliver is also pretty funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA0wKeokWUU#t=631

This link is also one of the things I looked into, one thing that is upsetting is that "Dietary supplements are considered safe, until proven unsafe." The opposite of drugs. That's NOT a good thing.
http://www.cancer.org/treatment/trea...da-regulations

I really think that Dr. Oz may have been a good doctor once. He is still a competent surgeon. It is really sad that the show has so much potential to spread positive change. Yet, the boring truth does not sell well. I think he knows most of the stuff he promotes is a sham.

My opinion of DR Oz was formed when he said to take Black Cohosh for hot flashes. For years there have been warnings against it.

I think some of the information about healthy foods is good, but I hate the stupid skits he goes through to demonstrate things!

I think these companies pay a lot of money to have him push their products. I think he should be satisfied to be a good cardiologist, or change his show to promote healthy lifestyles instead of supplements.

I think the fact that he used to be so credible is part of the problem. It took longer for people to believe he's full of nonsense because he used to be a skeptic.

I'm not home to see his show most of the time, but I really liked it at first. Then it got more and more ridiculous. All of his props, etc. are really insulting. I am very interested in learning more about the body, yet I can no longer stand his show because he makes me feel like a kindergartner.

I agree. I also don't believe that his disclaimer at the end of the show absolves him of the responsibility to avoid misleading viewers.

The disclaimer also I believe (it was always hard to read it all, because the words scrolled by so quickly) included phrases like "for entertainment purposes only" (which is a big red flag that essentially reads "do not trust anything you heard) and "not medical advice consult your physician."

The disclaimer shouts "do not trust anything I said or showed you today," but only to educated people with excellent vision (or a HUGE tv screen) who can speed read (or who tape the show and can rewind and replay the scrolling message several times to read it through).


Dr. Oz isn't directly responsible for anyone following his recommendations (or implied recommendations), but he is responsible for what he says, shows, and implies, and the fine print disclaimer that whizzes by at the end shouldn't absolve him of the responsibility to "first do no harm."

I don't think he should face criminal charges, unless he is breaking the law, but doctors have lost their medical licenses and have been fined for much less.

Sadly, the most vulnerable viewers are the poor, the un- or under-educated, and those with little or no medical coverage.

I have a master's degree in psychology which required a fair amount of human biology and anatomy coursework. I've also read extensively on health and wellness subjects such as weight loss, obesity, bariatric procedures, diabetes and insulin resistance, copd, asthma, ibs, arthritis (osteo, rheumatoid, and psoriatic), fibromyalgia, high blood sugar, metabolic syndrome, and autoimmune disease.


I enjoyed Dr. Oz's show, in it's first year, very much. Most of what he presented was good, sound medical information, sometimes oversimplified to the point it might confuse uneducated viewers, but overall a good source of information, especially since he emphasized the need to see your own doctor before trying any of his recommendations.

I noticed that as his claims got wilder, he spoke less and less about consulting a physician before experimenting (sure it remained in the end-of-show disclaimer, but that whizzes by so fast I wonder how many can actually read it. I am an extraordinarily speedy reader (I can read most 350 page novels in 3-4 hours) and I couldn't read it all before it scrolled out of my sight.

If he were simply an actor or some random guy off the street, then I would agree to use the term scapegoat, but a scapegoat is entirely innocent, and Dr. Oz is far from that.

Dr. Oz's credentials and his reputation as a "highly respected doctor, surgeon, and lifestyle coach to the rich and famous" gave him instant credibility to the masses, especially those with little or no knowledge of science and medicine.

He had to know that from the beginning. And if you're going to act as a teacher/guru, then you need to take responsibility for what you're teaching

I know I haven't posted in a long time, but I am jumping back into being responsible for my health again and found this site once again. I seen this post and ironically didn't know anything about this because I don't watch the show because of my schedule. So after reading all of the post I thought I would add my 2cents into the mix...

Although I agree that Dr. Oz is promoting some controversial logic, there are some truths to what he promotes. For example, the episode where he went to the mall asking women what their poop looked like may seem unorthodox to a non-medical professional, it actually gives very important clues to your digestive health. I won't go into specifics here as you can do your own research or ask your own physicians.

I also believe that Dr. Oz believes in most of the alternative/homeopathic remedies that he promotes on his show. I wouldn't exactly call him a scapegoat, but like most physicians out there, they tend to be pressured by big pharma companies to push their pills. I think this is what happened to Dr. Oz as the entertainer, these big supplement companies started putting pressure on him, the network was pressuring him to raise ratings, so "for entertainment purposes only" he started featuring these "miracle pills" on his show. He may not agree or promote them personally as is stated in his disclaimer, but because it helped boost ratings and I am sure he received a nice chunk of change as well.

I do believe that he should be held responsible for what he says, just as you or I equally should be, but keep in mind he is just the middle man in this situation. It is easy to put the blame on him because he holds the medical license, which is almost always the case, however, there are greater forces at work here...ones that will slide on through the cracks unnoticed because Dr. Oz will take the heat and they will move on to the next middle man to throw under the bus...all the while they get insanely rich selling their nonsense pills.

I don't trust many doctors out there. I have worked along side them for many years now and they are no different than you or I. They have to look stuff up or research stuff the same as a layman does. The only difference is that their medical education helps them to understand the pathophysiology of the disease process better. Which isn't something you can't learn yourself.

On the flip side of this though, is I believe that American's have become way to dependent on our government to decide what is good or bad for us. We have also become way too sue happy, ready to sue the first person who said the wrong thing and we listened. Where has personal responsibility gone? Remember the lady who sued a fast food chain because she burned herself on the hot coffee and the courts ruled in her favor? Where is this woman's common sense and where is our judicial system's common sense?

Back on topic, I believe that the disclaimer that Dr. Oz has at the end of his show will protect him from any litigation in civil suits that will more than likely start surfacing once it is well known that he is being investigated. Will it protect him from governmental agencies or medical review boards should it come to that? I don't know. I wish him the best and hope that this will be a lesson learned to all Americans to not believe everything you see on TV and to do your research before you try anything at home. I will leave you with this...Just because a store sells a gun, pill, supplement, or the very bad for you energy drinks, doesn't mean you have to buy it and drink/use it. You are responsible for what you put in or on your body or what you choose to use...not the person or entity that created, endorsed or sells it. Personal responsibility and accountability!

I've not really watched Dr.Oz of my own volition; I'd see his show when I visit my mother. My mother thinks her own doctors are highly suspect, but she takes the words of quacks like Dr.Oz and Dr.Phil as gospel.

My opinion of Dr.Oz was formed watching my mother, a diabetic who nearly died because she refused to go to the hospital, gag down several tablespoons of cinnamon because Dr.Oz says it brings your blood sugar down. This might not be so bad except she was doing it in response to a blood sugar level that should have been addressed by taking insulin, not as a method of supplementing metformin or insulin daily.

I can only imagine what will happen one day when someone isn't there to say " Hey, just humor me and please take your insulin. "

Yes, she should know better than to blindly follow the advice of a TV doctor, but the fact is that some people don't and that's why the government protects those who can't or won't protect themselves. And I'm glad they do.

Dr Oz's advice makes me think of when I was a young girl clinging to the hope that there was some miracle cure out there for my being overweight. As if I lacked some exotic fruit in my diet that would both curb my appetite and speed up my metabolism. I know some friends tried some things he recommended and each time I'd google them I noticed the sites singing their praises either referenced back his advice OR sold the item.

Wow! I think this is a bit unfair. I have worked for three pharmaceutical companies in my career. Once at a major and well known company in the company headquarters. I have seen the tactics used to convince doctors to use drugs. I am fairly sure I do not imagine that those tactics are any different at big natural health companies.

All people are nieve, gullible people who believe a pill will heal their ill. If they knew anything about pills they would know they were systemic poisons for the most part and would reject the notion of putting them in their mouths. Is there a difference if that pill comes from a mega corporation or a vitamin producer. Prevention is the cure when it comes to many of these diseases. Certain vitamin pills do more in the long run for your health than the symptom maskers that these "real" doctors use.

Healthy living, clean diet, exercise, and stress relievers are better for health than triple bypasses and toxic chemicals. Many natural cures work better than toxic medicine. In fact many doctors and nurses prefer it if a patient uses less toxic means to work towards health. Weight loss for instance will most likely lower chances of a list of horrible diseases. Is weight loss "quackery?" Often losing a small amount (depending on how much you weigh) will allow you to eliminate the need for many drugs. That is not "magical" thinking, that is a fact.

The medical profession needs people to become sick, stay sick, and never get well. It's job security for a lot of highly paid individuals. So why do people come at someone giving alternative therapies like a crowd of peasants with pitch forks. Do you know these things do not work? If your doctor told you, you would get better by drinking water and walking for a half hour day, is that doctor a quack because he has not given you a toxic chemical? What is going on?

And I do not know why many here seem to be on the side of the Medical industrial complex. The third major cause of death in the United States is " preventable medical errors." I would believe a naturopath or a dietician before I would take the pills from a medical doctor. Doesn't this make all of them Quacks? (They are very good with acute injuries like broken legs and cuts, but they seem to know nothing about chronic illness).

I can't say that I agree with him 100% but he's out there saying , "Hey, there are alternatives!"

I'm not on the side of the 'medical industrial complex'. I'm on the side of science. Someone with a medical degree should understand the scientific method and understand what it means. Dr. Oz, given dubious studies with no repeatable evidence, recommended diet pills and not only recommended them but marketed them. It is also job security for those that throw doubt at medical treatments. Dr. Mercola is a good example of someone who has made a ton of money from casting doubt based on little to no evidence.

And really if Dr. Oz wanted to help people lose weight, he'd look into things that have been shown to help. He'd emphasize traditional exercise for many reasons and he'd emphasize increasing the consumption of certain foods and maybe reducing consumption of others. None of that isn't a pill, none of that isn't from a pharmaceutical company but it also isn't glamorous and isn't what sells.

Not too long ago, I read about the beginnings of the American Medical Association. At the time, there were tons of medical schools and tons of 'doctors'. There was no standard for getting a degree and what the various medical schools promoted was not always backed in science. In the end, a lot of people were dying of these dubious treatments by people who had gone to these various schools. At the time, people were also dubious of some 'traditional' doctors and fell for the claims of those who promised miracles. In the end, some standardization had to be put in place and emphasis on science. I see we are going the same path now where people are backing away and going with those that promise miracles with 'natural' medicine. A lot of our traditional medicine comes from natural substances, things like penicillin, aspirin and others are all naturally occurring. Even vaccines came from a non-traditional method and grew into what they are today.

My primary concern is people being offered miracles at the cost of their wallets with no repercussions for those that push the unscientific 'miracles'.

I am also on the side of science. FYI - I have a bachelor's degree in dietetics, which is enough to be a Registered Dietitian, if that was still what I wanted to do. I know, hypocritical, but I still know my physiology. &I know quackery when I see it. &Dr. Oz is a perfect example of a doctor who is selling himself and his medical credentials out. There are herbal treatments with good evidence backing their claims (examples: Ginger, St. John's Wort, Kava [however it also has dangerous side effects). Just because you stick the "Natural" label on something does not make it healthy. Anyone can say something is natural, because pretty much everything is except for man-made elements. There is no standardization. However, our pharmaceuticals are developed from naturally occurring sources. Our medical system and pharmaceutical businesses are far from perfect, but at least there is some oversight about the quality and effectiveness of those products. Supplements can say whatever they want as long as they put the standard "Not evaluated by the FDA" label on it. They can put pretty much anything in it. I cannot over emphasize how unregulated that industry is. A medical doctor has responsibility to first do no harm. Dr. Oz cannot say with any certainty that the products he pushes on his show won't cause harm. That is why we use evidence based science.

My husband tends to be gullible when it comes to the DR Oz show. He will call me in to the TV to watch something he has on when talking about weight loss, heart disease or diabetes, all which effect me. I will go online and google the item and show my husband the warnings and side effects of said items. I even do that when my doctor prescribes something. I am one who actually reads the inserts that come with my meds. LOL I have had the same doc for 15 years. I can talk to him honestly and tell him why I don't want to take a certain med and ask if there is something else I can do for my ailment. I don't just listen to the doctor's orders. They have to make sense to me long term.

The diet industry is one of the best fields to get into, because so many people are looking for a way to lose weight. Easy money, on books, supplements, etc. Improving your nutrition,cutting back on food and exercising doesn't sound like fun. There has to be some miracle that will cause the fat to fall off.

I can get very good weight and fitness advice right her on 3FC, from people who have had success and give me pointers and encouragement. And it's free! If someone is trying to make a dollar to give me advice, they do not have my best interest at heart.

I agree with you, Wannabehealthy! I didn't want to be a part of that market and sell something that I don't believe in. That is why I am not a dietitian!

He reminded me of that creepy guy from 7th heaven they look all angelic but in reality there wolfs in sheep clothing. I never bought into Dr. Oz diet plan tips because he sounded like salespeople and I know because I used to be a top sales person and one thing you learn in sales is ( You are there friend ) I quit due to the stress and drama making top sales every year . I was so smooth that I got myself out many bad situations and looking at the Oz video his flirting with the board lady trying use some of what we call 😈 charm.

i think he's very likeable and what he peddles is cheap supplements he makes no money on. (though there are PLENTY of people who rip his image off and try to sell things with his name on it he has no affiliation with.) People should do their own research before buying anything for their own individual needs. Its nice to see a dr open to natural healing rather than pushing narcotics and dangerous drugs. And it IS a tv show and he has to push through things or else he gets fired.

But the thing is that 'natural healing' can be dangerous. The pills he peddles could be dangerous especially since those pills are unregulated. He is irresponsible and should be taken off TV or at least not allowed to use the Dr title. Him and Dr Mercola both. He makes money off of what he peddles through viewership so he is making money by promising people things through unregulated pills. Is our answer to health really in a pill? No, not really.

Just saw this article about Dr. Oz today (can't post links yet, oops)

Apparently the company that supplied the Garcinia Cambogia that he was promoting is having to pay $9 million in settlements since the pills didn't work. When will people realize there is no magic pill?

So many people are so desperate for a little hope that they're aware and don't even care that it's in all likelihood false hope until it fails them.

How many times have we all heard (or even said), "it probably won't help, but it's worth a shot."