The Non-Science of Dr. Mehmet Oz

Dr. Mehmet Oz is a very popular cardiothoracic surgeon. His popularity stems not because of the many lives saved as a result of the surgical procedures he performs, but because of his popular books and TV programs linking diet to various diseases. However, in his zeal to promote healthy eating habits, he has demonstrated a total ignorance of the science involved, and has jumped to ludicrous conclusions based on studies that are so limited in their scope, that they are meaningless. One wonders whether Oz skipped the class on science and statistics in college, or whether in his haste to make a fast buck, he prefers sensationalism and showmanship to science. In a recent series ("The Truth About Food") totalling six viewing hours on "Discovery Health", he tested many food-related theories on small groups of people, and drew conclusions seemingly out of thin air. He claims to have performed "40 groundbreaking experiments with 500 volunteers". Here are a few examples:

He wanted to test whether tasting carbohydrates without swallowing them provided an energy boost, so he organized a race between three teams of suger-cane cutters. One team was allowed to drink water. The second - a tasteless carbohydrate drink that looks like water. And the third - they were allowed to swill the tasteless carbohydrate drink and spit it out without swallowing. The third team won the race, and our doctor concluded that we are so sensitized to carbs that even if our tongue only senses them, it is enough to provide an energy boost.

This sounds like nonsense. Indeed, he never had the teams compete before the test, to see which team would win - maybe team three would have won anyway. Nor did he have an additional trial where the teams had their drinks rotated. Nor did he try this with a larger sample. However chance was on his side, and gullible viewers were impressed!

In another test, women with menstrual symptoms were given a diet high in cheese content, and found that their symptoms were sometimes diminished. Could it be that the attention that was given to these women was also part of the reason for the mitigated symptoms? Could he have tried another "control" group by feeding them soy cheese, or any other food? It could be, but the Wizard of Oz didn't take the trouble to find out.

A third of the many examples was a test in which London cab drivers were fed a diet of oily fish to determine whether their response to stress improved. They has large portions of oily fish four times a week, possibly increasing their levels of toxic mercury intake. Indeed, their response seemed to improve; however, could it again have been due to the fact that they had to stop and consider their stress? Or is there something else in fish that causes stress reduction? Or maybe it was the foods they gave up to make room for the fish? There was no control group, and we just don't know!

There are many more examples in his program, but surely you have got the point!

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Last Modification - September 28, 2007