Social Media Health Advice Faces Trust Issues, Experts Warn

Social media wellness influencers are promoting a range of treatments and products, from avoiding seed oils to endorsing the carnivore diet and berberine, often lacking strong scientific evidence for their claims, according to medical experts. The surge of online health advice has raised concerns about misinformation, especially given that figures like U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has a history of spreading false health claims, still maintain significant followings. Critics have pointed out misleading assertions made by Dr. Mehmet Oz, who is now nominated to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The case of Belle Gibson, an influencer who falsely claimed to have cured her cancer through diet, highlights the potential dangers of unverified health claims. As personal wellness remains a hot topic, experts advise caution in evaluating health advice shared online. Calls for regulatory safeguards are increasing as the popularity of alternative health practices continues to grow.