Mark Simon is the founder of the Nutritional Oncology Research Institute. He has neither an MD, DO, nor PhD. (He doesn’t even have an ND!) Yet he claims to have discovered a dietary protocol that can cure cancer. Can it? (I think you know the answer to this question.)
Tag: naturopathy
OncANP writes a “statement of principles” for naturopathic oncology quackery
The Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OncANP) writes a "sttaement of principles" guideline for naturopathic oncology. How can you write a statement of principles for quackery? More importantly, why would a real oncology journal publish it?
Naturopaths argue that they are science-based. Hilarity ensues.
Naturopathy is a form of pseudomedicine rooted in vitalism. However, naturopaths delude themselves into thinking they're science-based. Hilarity always ensues when they make that argument.
Antivaccine legislator Sen. Paul Boyer is doing his best to make measles great again in Arizona
Arizona state Senator Paul Boyer introduced a bill that would "make measles great again" under the guise of "informed consent." It is in reality "misinformed consent." Isn't it great to have antivaxers trying to inflict disease on children?
Quoth chiropractor William Cole: “Have your doctor run a bunch of useless functional medicine tests”
“Functional medicine” preaches the “biochemical individuality” of each patient, which is why one of its key features is that its practitioners order reams of useless lab tests and then try to correct every abnormal level without considering (or even knowing) what these abnormalities mean, if anything. So they make up fake diagnoses and profit.
The case of Omer Ahmetovic: Naturopathy, cancer, tragedy, and homicide
Last year, Fikreta Ibrisevic chose a naturopathic quack named Juan Gonzalez to treat her cancer. She had been planning on conventional therapy, but Gonzalez convinced her that "chemo is for losers" and that he could cure her without the toxicity of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. As a result, she died. Her distraught husband Omer Ahmetovic killed the quack. Here's an update on a truly tragic case that shows why cancer patients should never rely on naturopaths.
Naturopath Paul Theriault challenges Orac. It does not go well..for Not-a-Doctor Theriault
In the days before Orac left the blog in order to rest and recharge his Tarial cell, he got into a little..."discussion"... on Twitter with a naturopath named Paul Theriault. It did not go well...for Not-a-Doctor Theriault. Be careful what you wish for, naturopaths, when you encounter Orac. You might get it.
The Integrative Oncology Scholars Program: Indoctrinating oncology professionals into pseudoscience
“Integrative oncology” involves “integrating” pseudoscience, mysticism, and quackery with science-based oncology and co-opting science-based lifestyle modalities as “alternative” in order to provide cover for the quackery. Unfortunately, my alma mater, funded by the National Cancer Institute, is running a course to indoctrinate 100 health care professionals in the ways of “integrative oncology.” The Trojan horse of “lifestyle interventions” and “nonpharmacologic treatments for pain” is at the gates. The quackery will leap out as soon as it’s in the fortress.
Dugald Seely: Cosplaying a real oncologist to test naturopathic oncology snake oil
Dugald Seely, ND (Not-a-Doctor) is a Canadian naturopathic oncologist who's made quite the.name for himself cosplaying a real clinical researcher. What he really studies, unfortunately, is combining naturopathic quackery with real medicine. Basically, he's cosplaying a real clinical researcher, and crappy clinical trials are his props.
What the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan teaches about acupuncture
The Department of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan has embraced integrating quackery with medicine in its "integrative medicine" program. But what is it teaching its trainees? Unfortunately, I've started to find out.