In the ever-expanding world of social media wellness content, influencers promote a variety of treatments and products, claiming to aid weight loss, boost energy, or improve overall health.
While some of these recommendations may have merit, many are based on trends with little scientific backing, experts warn.
Some influencers urge their followers to avoid certain foods, such as seed oils, while others promote restrictive diets, like the meat-heavy carnivore diet. Social media is flooded with endorsements for berberine—dubbed “nature’s Ozempic”—and non-medical IV vitamin therapy, marketed as a cure for hangovers or fatigue.
The Rise of Dubious Health Claims
Alternative health remedies have existed long before the internet, but the sheer volume of online advice today has raised concerns about misinformation, even as some ideas gain mainstream traction.
For instance, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had his Instagram account suspended in 2021 for spreading misinformation about vaccine safety and COVID-19. Yet, his views still have a significant following. Dr. Mehmet Oz, a former talk show host criticized for making misleading health claims, is now former President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
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Netflix recently released a documentary on Belle Gibson, an Australian wellness influencer who falsely claimed to have cured her terminal brain cancer with diet and alternative medicine. In 2015, she admitted to fabricating her illness, and an Australian court later fined her for failing to donate money she had pledged from her cookbook and app sales.
With personal wellness remaining a trending topic, experts suggest the following strategies to evaluate online health advice:
1. Be Wary of Product Promotions
Most influencers have financial ties to companies, earning money by promoting products through sponsored posts or affiliate links. While this doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t believe in what they’re selling, it does create a conflict of interest.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association last month analyzed around 980 Instagram and TikTok posts about five popular medical tests. Researchers found that many posts were misleading and failed to mention risks, such as overdiagnosis from full-body MRIs or early cancer screenings. Moreover, most of these posts came from users with financial incentives to promote the tests.
Timothy Caulfield, a health policy and law professor at the University of Alberta, said supplement promotion is a major source of misinformation, fueling a multibillion-dollar industry. “If someone is selling a supplement, it’s a red flag,” he warned.
2. Check for Expertise
Not all health influencers have medical credentials. Some may use bold claims to boost engagement, even if their advice lacks scientific backing.
“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” said Cedric Bryant, CEO of the American Council on Exercise.
Before following health advice, check the influencer’s qualifications. In fitness, for example, accredited certification can be verified through the U.S. Registry of Exercise Professionals. The American Medical Association and the American Board of Medical Specialties also offer searchable databases for verifying doctors’ credentials.
Even if a qualified expert is promoting a product, consider whether financial ties may influence their recommendations. While Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines require influencers to disclose sponsorships, many fail to do so.
In 2023, the FTC warned several influencers, including registered dietitians, for not properly disclosing paid promotions of sugar-containing products and the artificial sweetener aspartame.
3. Compare Claims to Medical Consensus
If an influencer cites scientific studies, verify whether their claims align with the broader medical consensus.
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“Just because someone has an ‘M.D.’ after their name doesn’t make them entirely trustworthy,” said Stanford psychiatrist Elias Aboujaoude, who studies psychology and technology.
He recommends cross-checking claims with reputable sources like major academic institutions or government health agencies. Also, examine whether cited studies are published in peer-reviewed journals.
Katherine Zeratsky, a registered dietitian at the Mayo Clinic, cautioned that some health trends emerge from preliminary studies that have not yet been replicated. “One study might show a benefit, but that doesn’t mean it’s been proven effective,” she said.
Final Thought
With so much health advice circulating online, skepticism is key. While some wellness trends may hold promise, many lack scientific validation. Before making health decisions based on social media posts, verify claims with credible sources and watch for hidden financial motives.
Source: With input from agency