Health

Did Australian science communicator Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki promote a blood vessel cleaning remedy on Facebook? No, that's not true: Kruszelnicki has made clear statements that he is not affiliated with this product or any other. In a post to his account on X, Kruszelnicki wrote, "I never endorse any commercial product." He also thanked people "for reporting these fraudulent 'wellness'…

Is patting the elbow pit, the inside of your elbow, a scientifically proven method to eliminate a stomachache? No, that's not true: There is no evidence supporting this claim, a licensed gastroenterologist told Lead Stories. The page that posted the claim described itself as an "entertainment website." The claim appeared in a reel (archived here) on Facebook on March 28,…

Do baby carrots lack nutritional value and harm the kidneys, as a post on Facebook claimed? No, that's not true: Baby carrots are just regular carrots that have been "cut and peeled," a dietician told Lead Stories. While it is true that baby carrots are lightly rinsed with chlorine, the amount is "typically less than what you have in your…

Did Japan ban COVID vaccinations over "soaring sudden deaths" in the country? No, that's not true: There is no ban. Japan, like many other countries, has actively promoted COVID-19 vaccinations as a tool in combating the spread of the virus and protecting public health. The only change in Japan's vaccination program is that starting in April, residents will need to…

Is a post about the danger of copperhead snakes that can be detected by their cucumber-like scent a legitimate warning to a community? No, that's not true: This post is part of a well-known scam that functions to trick concerned people to share it. After some time passes, the snake post will be edited to become a real estate scam.…

Does stretching the back and arms improve liver and spleen function by stimulating certain "meridians," as a post on Facebook suggested? No, that's not true: A gastroenterologist told Lead Stories that "there is no conclusive scientific evidence that meridians exist" and "no evidence that [stretching] can be used to improve liver and spleen function." The page that posted the claim…

Is it against the law for athletes to endorse milk as a nutritious beverage? No, that's not true: There's nothing inherently illegal about athletes promoting milk as healthy, despite claims by Bobby Price in a YouTube video. Staff from the Federal Trade Commission, which regulates claims in advertising, told Lead Stories that "it's NOT illegal for them to say this."…

Did naturopath Barbara O'Neill endorse a "concoction" containing wheat and other herbs said to treat liver and colon tumors, as a post on Facebook suggested? No, that's not true: O'Neill, who is "permanently prohibited from providing any health services" in New South Wales, Australia, is the subject of a fake post on Facebook designed to look as though it belongs…

Can children 5 years and older consent to vaccination under Obamacare if they can recite the alphabet? No, that's not true: Minors cannot consent to vaccination solely based on their ability to say their ABCs, regardless of the health care system. Vaccination consent typically requires informed consent from a legal guardian or parent, as children of that age are not…

Does a video on social media contain "insider intel" regarding a bioterrorism attack that will be carried out on crowds gathered to watch the April 8, 2024, solar eclipse? No, that's not true: There is no evidence provided in this video of specific insider information about a biological attack or other disaster. The insider information purportedly comes second-hand from an…

Does a paste of dates, walnuts, almonds and raisins steeped in water have scientifically proven deworming properties? No, that's not true: A board-certified medical doctor specializing in infectious diseases and internal medicine told Lead Stories that such a mixture is not proven to be effective. Lead Stories found no evidence supporting the claim. The claim appeared in a reel (archived…

When applied to the "liver area," does castor oil "break up" gallstones and kidney stones, as a video on Facebook claimed? No, that's not true: No substantive evidence exists that topically applied castor oil can treat gallstones or kidney stones. Castor oil is "generally recognized as safe and effective as an over-the-counter laxative product," the Food and Drug Administration confirmed…

Did a study find that electric cars pollute 1,850 times more than fuel-based vehicles, as some online publications reported when posted about the study? No, that's not true: The "study" in question was an analysis published by an independent emissions research group, not a science journal article. The group's spokesperson told Lead Stories that some online publications misrepresented the analysis.…

Does a viral image show the national flag of the United Kingdom, also known as the Union Jack, "flying at half-mast at some Government Buildings" in the UK in March 2024? No, that's not true: The photo was taken in 2022. It captured the lowered flag after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The claim appeared in a post (archived…

Are all disease symptoms the result of the lymphatic system expelling toxins? No, that's not true: Such claims are a "vastly oversimplified concept of how disease in humans occurs," an expert in infectious disease told Lead Stories. Several factors, including exposure to infectious agents, environmental and lifestyle conditions, and genetic predispositions, cause diseases. Though there are some lymphatic system diseases,…

Did vaccines cause an "explosion in autoimmune diseases"? No, that's not true: Only in rare cases has vaccination been associated with autoimmune diseases. Vaccines are rigorously tested for safety before being approved for use, and extensive research has shown that vaccines are not linked to an "explosion of autoimmune diseases." The claim appeared in a post and video (archived here)…

Does a photograph show a daughter of "Dr. Sebi" on trial, purportedly for "revealing TOP SECRET health hacks," as claimed in a Facebook post? No, that's not true: The image of a woman in an orange prison outfit is not a real photograph. One clue that it's an AI-generated or manipulated image is the right arm's appendage, which is a…

Does water with fluoride cause neurological damage in babies? No, that's not true: Fluoridation is approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics with no age restrictions. The Centers states that fluoride "has been proven to protect teeth from decay." The social media post about neurological damage to babies gives no scientific evidence…

Does proof exist that fluoride toothpaste causes brain damage in adults? No, that's not true: The amount of fluoride consumed when brushing teeth, even with a high-fluoride toothpaste, is far below the toxic levels cited by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. A study from that agency that reported the death of rodents exposed to fluoride referred only to…

Does dairy intake cause asthma? No, that's not true: Although someone with both a dairy allergy and asthma may experience heightened asthma symptoms if they consume dairy, dairy is not a root cause of asthma. Asthma may be caused by a variety of other factors, including environment, having a family history of asthma and previous respiratory infections. The claim appeared…