Debunk Desk

The Claim

Bovine colostrum supplements are widely marketed as a cure-all for gut health, immune function, anti-aging, longevity, and cognitive enhancement. The science tells a more nuanced story — some claims are well-supported, others significantly outpace the evidence.

The Claim

Viome claims its AI-powered gut microbiome and RNA sequencing tests can decode your unique biology, provide personalized dietary and supplement recommendations, reverse chronic disease, slow aging, promote glowing skin, and detect early-stage oral and throat cancer — all from a mail-in stool, saliva, and blood sample.

The Claim

Wellness influencers are promoting methylene blue as a powerful nootropic and anti-aging compound that boosts mitochondrial energy, enhances memory, slows aging, improves mood, and prevents Alzheimer's — suggesting it's safe for daily self-supplementation.

The Claim

Paul Saladino ("CarnivoreMD") claims seed oils are toxic, saturated animal fat is anti-inflammatory, fruits and vegetables are dangerous, sugar causes cancer, tofu should be replaced by animal protein, and food dyes are poisonous — all while selling a supplement line with zero clinical evidence of efficacy.

The Claim

Chiropractic vendors use impressive-looking technology to "detect" spinal subluxations in virtually everyone they screen — a perfect sales funnel dressed up as diagnostics. Here's how I exposed one in real time.

The Claim

Chiropractic is a legitimate medical science with roots in sound clinical discovery. In reality, it was founded by an minimally educated magnetic healer who claimed his knowledge came from a deceased ghost.

The Claim

Chiropractors routinely claim their treatments are effective for a broad range of conditions. The scientific evidence tells a far more limited story — and raises serious questions about whether perceived benefits exceed what a placebo would produce.

The Claim

Chiropractic neck adjustments are routinely presented as safe and natural. Medical literature documents a real, if low-probability, risk of serious vascular injury — including strokes — that many patients are never told about.

The Claim

During an extended interview with Dr. Mike (Dr. Mikhail Varshavski), Dr. Steven Gundry made statements implying that cigarette smokers may have better health outcomes than non-smokers — then used carefully crafted language to maintain plausible deniability. When Dr. Mike publicly challenged the claim, Gundry's legal team threatened him with a defamation lawsuit demanding a retraction.

The Claim

Organic foods are widely promoted as healthier, more nutritious, and safer than conventionally grown foods — free from harmful pesticides and better for the environment. The science tells a very different story.

The Claim

If you can't pronounce an ingredient, it's a sign the food is toxic or dangerous and should be avoided.

The Claim

Jessie Inchauspé claims post-meal blood sugar spikes are a root cause of chronic disease, fatigue, cravings, and hormonal imbalance in healthy people — and that her diet hacks and Anti-Spike supplement can prevent this harm.

The Claim

Dr. Steven Gundry claims lectins are 'dangerous plant proteins designed to poison you,' and urges people to completely avoid beans, legumes, tomatoes, squash, grains, and most fruit — foods consistently shown by mainstream science to be among the healthiest on earth.

The Claim

Dave Asprey claims that seed oils (soybean, sunflower, canola, etc.) are toxic and inflammatory, and that cooking with saturated fats like butter and animal fats is far healthier. He promotes avoiding seed oils as a cornerstone of his 'Bulletproof' lifestyle — and sells his own line of animal-fat-based cooking products.