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Consumer Health Digest #15-19
May 17, 2015
Consumer Health Digest is a free weekly e-mail newsletter edited by Stephen Barrett, M.D., with help from William M. London, Ed.D. It summarizes scientific reports; legislative developments; enforcement actions; news reports; Web site evaluations; recommended and nonrecommended books; and other information relevant to consumer protection and consumer decision-making. If you enjoy this newsletter, please recommend it to your friends.
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Delicensed doctor still marketing stem cell treatmentThe Los Angeles Times has reported that William C. Rader, M.D., whose California medical license was revoked last year, has continued to operate, advertise and arrange injections that cost $30,000 apiece and are administered in Mexico, which is outside the reach of U. S. law-enforcement agencies. According to the report, Rader said his sales representatives explain to prospective patients that he lost his license for standing up to the medical establishment and that the board's action has had little effect on his business.
[Zarembo A. Doctor with revoked license continues to sell unproven stem cell treatments
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-stem-cell-injections-20150517-story.html#page=1Los Angeles Times, May 16, 2015]
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Pyroluria debunkedBill Sukula has posted a comprehensive article about "pyroluria" an alleged condition claimed to be as a genetically-determined chemical imbalance associated with the synthesis of hemoglobin (the molecule that carries oxygen in human blood). Promoters claim that pyroluria can produce more than 50 common symptoms and conditions, can be diagnosed with a test that measures kryptopyrroles ("mauve factor") in the urine, and is treatable with dietary supplements.
[Sukula B. Pyroluria is a common disease . . . and also a myth
http://www.drbillsukala.com.au/nutrition/pyroluria-disease-myth/Dr. Bill Sukula Blog, Feb 25, 2015]
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More tips for activists postedQuackwatch has posted tips for scientific activists who wish to combat misinformation on the Internet.
[Romanowski P. Scientific activism for cosmetic chemists (and others),
http://www.quackwatch.org/02ConsumerProtection/activism.html Quackwatch, May 17, 2011]
The strategies include: learning what's true, knowing your competition, maintaining a blog, linking to good information, participating in social media, correcting Wikipedia, using rbutr
http://www.rbutr.com/to rebut bad information, staying informed, and knowing when not to waste your time and energy. The article was written primarily for cosmetic chemists but includes strategies that anyone can use. It also links to a Rachel Ray episode
http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/tips/10236_The_Brains_Behind_the_Beauty_Industry/in which the author speaks frankly about shampoos and related products. Romanowski also maintains a consumer Web site called The Beauty Brains
http://thebeautybrains.com/###
Continuing request for help from Dr. Barrett
In June 2010, Doctor's Data, Inc. sued Dr. Barrett because it didn't like what he wrote about them on Quackwatch and in this newsletter. The events leading up to the suit are described at
http://www.quackwatch.org/14Legal/dd_suit.html In November, 2011, about half of the allegations were dismissed, but discovery was permitted for more than a year. The rest of the suit is ripe for dismissal (the court is now considering another motion to dismiss), but the proceedings have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Even small donations, if sent by enough subscribers to this newsletter, will be very helpful. Contributions to reduce the cost can be made by mail or through
http://www.quackwatch.org/00AboutQuackwatch/donations.html###
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Stephen Barrett, M.D.
Consumer Advocate
Chatham Crossing, Suite 107/208
11312 U.S. 15 501 North
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Telephone: (919) 533-6009
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