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Saturday, 28 August 2010
Paula Arnold's magical detox wrap
This calming vista is the interior of Beauty Scene, a salon in Nottingham.
The proprietress, one Paula Arnold, has persuaded a neighbouring cafe to stock her flyers. An unwise move, perhaps, because Nottingham is teeming with coffee-drinking sceptical troublemakers!
Among Paula's services are the usual facials, manicures, massages and full-body waxes.
But what's this - "SHAPE CHANGERS DETOX WRAPS"? Tell me more!
"This is an all-natural detox wrap guaranteed to achieve inch reduction, detoxify the body, cleanse the skin and leave you feeling rejuvenated with a smooth and silkier skin..."
And to think that, for all these years, I've been relying on my liver and moderate exercise to keep me healthy. What a fool I've been!
Still, before I give up the swimming and moderate drinking, I'd like to see some actual clinical evidence first.
I wonder if Paula can also substantiate her claims for refloxology, Hopi ear candles and Indian head massage? ASA complaint follows!
"I write to complain about a leaflet promoting the "Beauty Scene" clinic in Nottingham, which was picked up from a cafe adjoining the clinic.
The leaflet makes claims about various complementary therapies which I believe cannot be substantiated.
I suspect that the advert may be in breach of three sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code.
1. The leaflet contains the text:
"SHAPE CHANGERS DETOX WRAPS...This is an all-natural detox wrap guaranteed to achieve inch reduction, detoxify the body, cleanse the skin and leave you feeling rejuvenated with a smooth and silkier skin."
2. Under Sections 3.1. 50.1 and 51.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claims that the detox wraps can:
(i) "...achieve inch reduction" (i.e. weight loss)
(ii) "...detoxify the body"
3. The leaflet continues:
"INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE...This relaxing head massage relaxes tight and uncomfortable muscles, eases stiffness, stimulates blood circulation and drains away toxins which will eliminate headaches and eyestrain..."
4. Under Sections 3.1 and 50.1, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that Indian Head Massage "drains away toxins which will eliminate headaches and eyestrain..."
5. The leaflet continues:
"HOPI EAR CANDLES...This treatment will help clear congestion from the ear and sinus area..."
6. Under Sections 3.1 and 50.1, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that Hopi Ear Candles "clear congestion from the ear and sinus area..."
7. The leaflet continues:
"REFLEXOLOGY...Relieves stress and improves circulation. This ancient healing art works through pressure point massage on your feet to restore the free flow of energy to the whole body and encourage self healing [sic]. Congestion or tension in any part of the foot mirrors congestion and tension in a corresponding body part and so treating the whole foot will relax and help heal the whole body."
8. Under Sections 3.1 and 50.1, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that Reflexology can "encourage self healing [sic]" and "help heal the whole body".
9. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser."
Thursday, 19 August 2010
Dr Liu helps with "Habitual Abortion"
Companies who profit from alternative medicine fall into two distinct categories.
The first group are wealthy enough to bring in the professionals to write their adverts. As a result, on the rare occasions when the regulators get annoyed, it's invariably a deliberate ploy to create publicity.
As for the second group... well, meet Dr Liu!
Dr Liu Chinese Clinic (image from their website) is a London shop which sells "over 300" Chinese herbal medicines and a bewildering array of holistic therapies.
In the picture above you can just about see one of the leaflets which will arrive in the ASA's mailbag tomorrow morning.
Why? Because the leaflet claims that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can help with an astonishing seventy-four named conditions including
"Herpes...Vitiligo...Hay Fever...Halitosis...Arthritis...Repetitive Strain Injuries...Migraines...Facial Palsy...Chronic Fatigue Syndrome...Irritable Bowel Syndrome...Chronic Diarrhoea...Diabetes...Asthma...Flu...[Vaginal] Discharges...Infertitiliy...Impotence...Premature Ejaculation..."
...and the most worrying condition of all - of which, I admit, I was ignorant until today - something Dr Liu calls "Habitual Abortion"!
The problem with all these bizarre claims - the problem, in fact, with all Chinese herbal medicines - is that the clinical research is yet to be done.
The claims might turn out to be true, or they might prove to be undiluted bullshit. It will be decades before we know.
ASA complaint follows. Thanks go to a notable Nottingham-based sceptic who spotted the leaflet and generously passed it to me.
"I write to complain about a leaflet promoting the "Dr Liu Chinese Clinic" of Shepherd's Bush Road, London, picked up from a window display at the advertiser's premises.
I suspect that the advert may be in breach of 3 sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code.
1. The leaflet describes the kind of service the clinc provides:
"Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)...is a comprehensive medical system...It uses a holistic approach to produce a highly sophisticated set of practices focusing both on curing illnesses..."
2. The leaflet continues:
"TCM has remarkable curative effects and few side effects, as the treatment is specifically tailored to address a patient's particular problem using natural herbs and acupuncture..."
3. The leaflet describes the method by which these "natural herbs" are prescribed to "patients":
"TCM makes use of a very wide range of herbs...Our TCM Doctors prescribe a unique formula of herbs for each patient's needs after inspecting and diagnosing. This will involve examining the patient's tongue, feeling their pulse, checking their (western) medical history. As well as the [sic] prescribed herbs should be boiled according to the doctor's instructions and drunk as a herbal tea."
4. Under Sections 3.1 and 50.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can provide documentary evidence to substantiate any of the following claims:
(i) The TCM therapies identified in the leaflet (drinking herbal tea, acupuncture, etc.) are capable of "curing" any "illness" whatsoever
(ii) "TCM has remarkable curative effects"
(iii) "TCM has few side effects"
(iv) The clinic's employees are capable of "presrib[ing] herbs" based on a customer's "(western) medical history"
5. Under Section 7.1, I challenge whether, in the text I quote above, the use of the word "doctor" combined with the use of the words "diagnosing" and "prescribed" is misleading.
6. The leaflet describes some of the therapies offered by the advertiser (some of which are not TCM therapies).
7. Under Sections 3.1 and 50.1, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate any of the following claims:
(i) Acupuncture is "remarkable in its effect on alleviating painful conditions and in combating nerve and stress problems, amongst others..."
(ii) "Cupping Therapy...helps the body to work more efficiently"
(iii) Reflexology can "stimulate your inner healing ability - gradually improving your health..."
(iv) The advertiser's "Allergy testing services" are capable, "using only a sample of hair", of diagnosing allergies to "over 400 everyday items including every thing [sic] you are likely to eat, drink, breath [sic] or touch in [sic] during the normal every day [sic] run of affairs [sic]"
(v) The allergy test is capable of diagnosing allergies to "all food additives plus vitamins"
8. The leaflet lists helpfully all the conditions which the advertisers claim they can "help".
9. Under Sections 3.1 and 50.1, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that the herbal medicines and holistic therapies they offer can "help" with any of the following conditions:
(i) Acne
(ii) Eczema
(iii) Psoriasis
(iv) Tinea
(v) Herpes / shingles
(vi) Urticaria
(vii) Vitiligo
(viii) Athlete's foot
(ix) Other fungal infections
(x) Other skin problems
(xi) Hay fever
(xii) Sinusitis
(xiii) Tinnitus
(xiv) Otitis
(xv) Pharyngitis
(xvi) Sore throat
(xvii) Halitosis
(xviii) Mouth ulcers
(xix) Other ear, nose and throat (ENT) conditions
(xx) Arthritis
(xxi) Rheumatism
(xxii) Sciatica
(xxiii) Back pain and lumbargo, both acute and chronic
(xxiv) Periarthritis of the shoulder
(xxv) Headaches
(xxvi) Migraines
(xxvii) Trigeminal neuralgia
(xxviii) Facial palsy
(xxix) Cerebrovascular Accidental Sequela
(xxx) Hemiplegia
(xxxi) Cervical Spondylosis
(xxxii) Vaginal tendinis
(xxxiii) Thecitis
(xxxiv) "Carpel [sic] Tunnel Syndrome"
(xxxv) Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME)
(xxxvi) Sports injuries
(xxxvii) Palpitations
(xxxviii) Fatigue
(xxxix) Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
(xl) "Indiagestion [sic]"
(xli) Gastroenteritis
(xlii) Colitis
(xliii) Chronic Diarrhoea
(xliv) "Habitual Constipation"
(xlv) "Hemorrhoids [sic]"
(xlvi) High blood pressure
(xlvii) Diabetes
(xlviii) Asthma
(xlix) Bronchitis
(l) Water retention
(li) Cholecystitis
(lii) Arrhythmia
(liii) Hyperthyroidism
(liv) Dysthyroidism
(lv) Colds
(lvi) Flu
(lvii) Irregular periods
(lviii) Dysmenorrhea
(lix) Menopausal syndrome
(lx) (Vaginal) discharges
(lxi) Infertility in women
(lxii) "Habitual abortion"
(lxiii) Fibroids
(lxiv) Endometrisis
(lxv) Pre-menstrual tension
(lxvi) Problems in inducing labour
(lxvii) Vaginitis
(lxviii) Morning sickness
(lxix) Other "Women's problems"
(lxx) Prostatis
(lxxi) Male impotence
(lxxii) Male "seminal emmission [sic]"
(lxxiii) Premature ejaculation
(lxxiv) Other "Men's problems"
10. I confirm that I have no connections, and am not involved in legal proceedings, with the advertiser."
Saturday, 14 August 2010
Michele Knight, the Queen of Accuracy
This will probably be my last ASA complaint before a new set of advertising codes come into force next month.
I've come to know the current rules like an old friend. So, with some regret, it's goodbye to Section 3.1, farewell to Section 14.3, and so long to Section 51.8.
I've been saving my final complaint for a very deserving person. By an astounding non-coincidence, this special person is someone who might actually benefit from an advert which doesn't fall foul of Section 51.8.
Meet Michele Knight!
If her name is familiar, perhaps it's because you remember my earlier ASA complaint about the "accurate" psychics she allegedly employs.
Unfortunately, it was one of the complaints the ASA dropped in order to concentrate on two "test cases", both of which were upheld in full.
In her subsequent adverts Michele has brazenly continued to advertise that her psychics can deliver "accurate" readings. (See the latest one here, here and here.)
Well, perhaps Michele actually possesses documentary evidence, observed in controlled laboratory conditions, that can substantiate her unlikely claims. But my money is on a defence (from here autobiography, which I paraphrase here) that goes something like this:
"Before I employ a new psychic, I ask them to tell me something that they couldn't possibly know..."
I hardly need describe the potential problems with that approach - suffice to say, if I were being interviewed, and having read a few books on stage magic, I would lay serious money on being offered the job!
ASA complaint follows. Thanks for the memories!
"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Soul and Spirit" magazine (Issue 31, Aug 2010, p72-73).
The advert, for Michele Knight, promotes a telephone psychic reading service.
I suspect that the advert may be in breach of three sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.
1. The advert includes a series of testimonials attesting to the accuracy of the service's psychic readings.
2. The relevant testimonials consist of the text:
(i) "Honest, straight forward, accurate - Michele is true value for money." (Marie Claire Magazine)
(ii) [About 'Sue C'] "She was so accurate in reading my current situation that it took my breath away. I will definitely book another reading with her in the future. Bea"
(iii) [About 'Steve'] "Steve is an awesome psychic. He didn't ask any questions, was spot on with [his] analysis and his predictions were extremely believable. Jane"
3. The ASA Council has recently ruled (complaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".
4. Under Sections 3.1, 14.3 and 50.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate any of the following claims:
(i) Michele's psychic readings (as attested by Marie Claire) are "accurate"
(ii) "Sue C"'s psychic readings are "accurate"
(iii) "Steve"'s psychic readings are "spot on"
(iv) Any of the psychics employed by the service are capable of giving "accurate" readings
5. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."
*Lose those pounds with Human Chorionic Gonadotropin!
It's always a pleasure to bump into an old friend.
An old friend like GoodVitality Ltd, for example!
UPDATE, 6 Oct: The ASA say the advertisers have agreed to "remove the 'weight loss' claim and advertise on a platform-only basis".
GoodVitality sell a number of bullshit products like the ones picture above, but this complaint concerns a homeopathic tincture which their advert claims can contribute to weight loss.
I don't dare look up where "Human chorionic gonadotropin" comes from - I just haven't got the balls.
What actually concerns me about this advert is that, in the UK, homeopathic products have to be registered.
I can't find any evidence that GoodVitality have registered theirs, though it's quite possible I'm wrong.
What I am certain about, is that homeopathy cannot cause "weight loss". ASA complaint follows!
"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Nexus" magazine (August-September Issue, Vol 17 No 5, p3)
The advert, for GoodVitality Ltd, promotes a homeopathic tincture.
I suspect that the advert may be in breach of three sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.
1. The advert contains the text:
"hCG Weight Loss - Human chorionic gonadotropin - As a Homeopathic tincture 50ml, 30c potency for just £15 - See our new You Tube video for some great ideas to help weight loss..."
2. I understand that the "homeopathic tincture" advertised is not a registered homeopathic product in the UK.
3. Therefore, under Section 50.19 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether:
(i) The advertised homeopathic medicinal product is registerd in the UK
(ii) The advert contains product information that is not confined to that which appears on the label (a picture of which I enclose [1])
(iii) The advert does not "include a warning to consult a doctor if symptoms persist"
(iv) The advert makes "medicinal or therapeutic claims" for an anauthorised product
4. Under Sections 3.1 and 51.1, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that the homeopathic product can cause "weight loss".
5. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or with the alternative medicine industry in general. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser.
Footnotes:
[1] Source: http://www.goodvitality.com/hcg-human-chorionic-gonadotropin-tincture-50-ml-228-p.asp
"
Wendy Lydall - irresponsible vaccine denialist
Many visitors to this blog complain that I am closed-minded, cowardly, offensive, litigious, vitriolic, or perhaps even mentally unbalanced.
Well, they might be right.
In the meantime, though, I'm going to continue writing letters for the simple reason that quackery kills people.
Wendy Lydall is an Austrlian author whose book is called "Raising A Vaccine Free [sic] Child".
The two children above appear on the book's front cover. I do hope they are models, and not actual future victims of the bizarre anti-vaccination movement.
Wendy helpfully provides an indication of her stance on child vaccination, including such fascinating subject headings like:
VACCINE MYTH NUMBER THREE: "When vaccinated children get the disease that the vaccine was supposed to prevent, they get it less badly"
VACCINE MYTH NUMBER FIVE: "Without vaccination there would be epidemics"
VACCINE MYTH NUMBER SIX: "If enough people are vaccinated, the disease will die out"
VACCINE MYTH NUMBER ELEVEN: "Vaccines are scientifically tested for safety and effectiveness"
"Medical malice - Contamination and the origin of AIDS"
The advert which promotes the book in this month's Nexus Magazine is even more irresponsible. It claims
- The "vaccine industry" has "introduced coercive measures in many countries in order to achieve compliance [in vaccination for children]"
- Vaccination is "an unscientific...procedure"
- The book promoted by the advert is a "scientifically-based guide to the myths, facts, problems and solutions associated with raising a vaccine free [sic] child"
"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Nexus" magazine (August-September 2010, Vol 17 No 5, p63).
The advert, for Wendy Lydall, promotes a book, "RAISING A VACCINE FREE [sic] CHILD".
I suspect that the advert may be in breach of ten sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.
1. The advert contains the text:
"Vaccination is presented to parents as a safe, scientific procedure, which no responsible parent would query. But an increasing number of parents are questioning the validity of this 200 year old [sic] ritual. The vaccine industry has responded to this skepticism [sic] by introducing coercive measures in many countries in order to achieve compliance. Since its inception in 1795 by Edward Jenner, vacccination has been an unscientific, commercially-based procedure, which is aligned with powerful pharmaceutical interests. At the same time, infectious diseases pose a significant threat to the health and well-being of children in all strata of society. Anti-vaccinationists make statements which contradict official pronouncements. Some activists make wild claims for alternative methods of disease prevention. How does a parent find a way through the maze of conflicting information? In this book, Wendy Lydall presents a comprehensive, scientifically-based guide to the myths, facts, problems and solutions associated with raising a vaccine free [sic] child."
2. The advertiser's website [1] gives a good indication of the contents of the book, which contains subjects headings like:
(i) VACCINE MYTH NUMBER THREE: "When vaccinated children get the disease that the vaccine was supposed to prevent, they get it less badly"
(ii) VACCINE MYTH NUMBER FIVE: "Without vaccination there would be epidemics"
(iii) VACCINE MYTH NUMBER SIX: "If enough people are vaccinated, the disease will die out"
(iv) VACCINE MYTH NUMBER ELEVEN: "Vaccines are scientifically tested for safety and effectiveness"
(v) "Medical malice - Contamination and the origin of AIDS"
3. My complaint concerns exclusively the following claims from the text of the advert itself:
(i) The "vaccine industry" has "introduced coercive measures in many countries in order to achieve compliance [in vaccination for children]"
(ii) Vaccination is "an unscientific...procedure"
(iii) The book promoted by the advert is a "scientifically-based guide to the myths, facts, problems and solutions associated with raising a vaccine free [sic] child"
4. Under Sections 3.1 and 50.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate any of these claims.
5. Under Section 3.3, I challenge whether the claims "exaggerate the value, accuracy, scientific validity or practical usefulness" of the book.
6. Under Section 2.1, I challenge whether the claims are "truthful".
7. Under Section 2.2, I challenge whether the advert has been "prepared with a sense of responsibility to consumers and to society."
8. Under Section 6.1, I challenge whether the claims "exploit the credulity, lack of knowledge or inexperience of consumers".
9. Under Section 7.1, I challenge whether the claims are misleading.
10. Under Section 9.1, I challenge whether the advert "cause[s] fear or distress without good reason", and I challenge whether the advert uses "shocking claims...merely to attract attention".
11. Under Section 10.1, I challenge whether the claims encourage unsafe practices (namely, refusing to vaccinate one's children).
12. Under Section 50.3, I challenge whether the advert discourages esssential treatment.
13. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or with the alternative medicine industry in general. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser.
Footnotes:
[1] http://www.vaccinefreechild.com/contents.html
"
Amega Global's "exciting new technology"
Amega Global is one of those multi-level-marketing companies you wish your mother had warned you about.
They offer a range of bullshit "energy" products which seem to defy the laws of physics - but not the laws of capitalism, apparently, since the company seems to be quite successful.
If you've run across them, it's probably because of the efforts of one of their "affiliates" (salespeople). One of them is "Valerye", who put this advert in Nexus Magazine:
"ZERO POINT ENERGY products. Exciting new technology. Increased well-being for yourself, family, friends and animals. Can also be used to energise plants, food and liquids..."
Can either Amega, or "Valerye", substantiate these amazing claims? Let's find out! ASA complaint follows.
"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Nexus" magazine (August-September 2010, Vol 17 No 5, p76).
The advert, for Amega Global, promotes an "exciting new technology".
I suspect that the advert may be in breach of seven sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.
1. The advert includes the text:
"ZERO POINT ENERGY products. Exciting new technology. Increased well-being for yourself, family friends and animals. Can also be used to energise plants, food and liquids. www.wandtheworld.com/?go=amega-miracle valerye@virginmedia.com 01276 857243"
2. (i) Physicists use the term "Zero Point Energy" to describe the theoretical lowest energy state of a quantum mechanical system [1]. A multitude of companies offer products that claim to exploit "Zero Point Energy", and the advertisers, Amega Global, are prominent among them.
(ii) I have been unable to find any scientific evidence supporting the claims made for any "Zero Point Energy" device.
3. Under Sections 3.1 and 50.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate any of the following claims:
(i) "ZERO POINT ENERGY products" can cause "Increased well-being for yourself, family, friends and animals"
(ii) "ZERO POINT ENERGY products...Can also be used to energise plants, food and liquids"
4. According to The Royal College of Veterinary Science:
"The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (Section 19) provides, subject to a number of exceptions, that only registered members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons may practise veterinary surgery. 'Veterinary surgery' is defined within the Act as encompassing the 'art and science of veterinary surgery and medicine' which includes the diagnosis of diseases and injuries in animals, tests performed on animals for diagnostic purposes, advice based upon a diagnosis and surgical operations which may not necessarily form part of a treatment. These restrictions are in the interests of ensuring that animals are treated only by people qualified to do so." [2]
5. (i) Under Section 4.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers have complied with their "primary responsibility for ensuring that their marketing communications are legal" in relation to their products which, they claim, can be used to treat animals.
(ii) Under Section 4.1, I challenge whether the advert may incite anyone to break the law.
(iii) Under Section 4.2 I challenge whether the advertisers have stated their products can legally be sold for use with animals, if they cannot.
(iv) Under Section 2.2, I challenge whether the advert has been "prepared with a sense of responsibility to consumers and to society".
(v) Under Section 6.1, I challenge whether the advert exploits the "credulity, lack of knowledge or inexperience of consumers" by not mentioning that, under the Act, only registered veterinarians can treat animals.
(vi) Under Section 7.1, I challenge whether the advert is likely to mislead by omission of any mention of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.
6. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or with the alternative medicine industry in general. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser.
Footnotes:
Footnotes:
[1] Matt Visser, "What is the 'zero-point energy' (or 'vacuum energy') in quantum physics?", Scientific American Magazine, August 18, 1997 (http://homepages.mcs.vuw.ac.nz/~visser/general.shtml#what-zpe)
[2] http://www.rcvs.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=92572&int2ndParentNodeID=89737&int1stParentNodeID=89642#students
"
Marguerite Talmage - quacks in bloom
Marguerite Talmage (what an impossibly gorgeous name!) is a frequent guest on the BBC for her many successes in the "Britain in Bloom" contest.
According to this advert in Nexus Magazine, though, there's another "Marguerite Talmage" - with the same email address - who is a shameless quack!
The advert suggests that some minor irritations like, err, "depression" and a "depleted immune system" are all down to something called "geopathic stress".
But fear not! Marguerite can "cure" these conditions by cleaning the "sick spaces" you live in - and what's more, she can do it "remotely"!
Can Marguerite substantiate her claims? I do hope so. I've taken rather a liking to the old gal. ASA complaint follows!
"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Nexus" magazine (August-September 2010, Vol 17 No 5, p76).
The advert, for Marguerite Talmage, promotes a distance healing service.
I suspect that the advert may be in breach of two sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.
1. The advert includes the text:
"DEPLETED IMMUNE SYSTEM? Headaches? Depressed? Moody? Unhappy home / office? Geopathic Stress could be to blame. Sick spaces cleaned remotely. No cure - no fee..."
2. Under Sections 3.1 and 50.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim to "remotely...cure" any of the following conditions
(i) Headaches
(ii) Depression
(iii) A "Depleted Immune System"
3. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."
Friday, 13 August 2010
Bill Sohan the kind-hearted animal healer
I had an early success in my sceptical letter writing career with Bill Sohan, a distance healer.
Of course, at that time, I didn't know about the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 which prohibits anyone besides vets (and a few related groups) from treating animals.
Perhaps Bill didn't know either, so in order to prevent him from potentially committing an offence, here's another ASA complaint about his latest advert.
"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Nexus" magazine (August-September 2010, Vol 17 No 5, p76).
The advert, for Bill Sohan, promotes an animal healing service.
I suspect that the advert may be in breach of four sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the adverts by post, if required.
1. The advert includes the text:
"SPIRITUAL HEALING. Humans / Animals. No fees..."
2. The advertised website[1] lists[2] the Bill Sohan's qualifications. It does not appear that he is a veterinarian.
3. According to The Royal College of Veterinary Science [3]:
"The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (Section 19) provides, subject to a number of exceptions, that only registered members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons may practise veterinary surgery. 'Veterinary surgery' is defined within the Act as encompassing the 'art and science of veterinary surgery and medicine' which includes the diagnosis of diseases and injuries in animals, tests performed on animals for diagnostic purposes, advice based upon a diagnosis and surgical operations which may not necessarily form part of a treatment. These restrictions are in the interests of ensuring that animals are treated only by people qualified to do so."
4. (i) Under Section 4.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers have complied with their "primary responsibility for ensuring that their marketing communications are legal" in relation to their animal healing service.
(ii) Under Section 2.2, I challenge whether the advert has been "prepared with a sense of responsibility to consumers and to society".
(iii) Under Section 6.1, I challenge whether the advert exploits the "credulity, lack of knowledge or inexperience of consumers" by not mentioning that, under the Act, only registered veterinarians can treat animals.
(iv) Under Section 7.1, I challenge whether the advert is likely to mislead by omission of any mention of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.
5. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine.
Footnotes:
[1] http://www.billlynneharry.co.uk/
[2] http://www.billlynneharry.co.uk/faqs/how-qualifiedexperienced-are-you-to-do-this-kind-of-work-i-am-quite-sceptic-as-i-know-there-are-charlatans-in-this-field
[3] http://www.rcvs.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=92572&int2ndParentNodeID=89737&int1stParentNodeID=89642#students
"
Pearlcium - a "most unique calcium supplement"
Have you been searching high and low for something that "Does not cause calcification [like] most calcium supplements"?
Then, you've found it!
New Dawn Nutrition - who have already had a brush with the ASA - are offering Pearlcium, a "most unique calcium supplement" which apparently causes "bone mass increase".
Their advert in Nexus Magazine contains a rather pitiful attempt to support the claim with some decidedly unscienfitic evidence. It won't be enough.
My second ASA complaint follows, in which I also whinge about the company's bullshit weight-loss product, "Mandura Trim".
"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Nexus" magazine (August-Septemeber issue, Vol 17 No 5, p65).
The advert, for New Dawn Nutrition, promotes a weight-loss product and a food supplement.
I suspect that the advert may be in breach of seven sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.
1. (i) The advert contains the text:
"PEARLCIUM Now available in the UK and EU - A most unique calcium supplement...Has been tested via EAV biofeedback, tests consistently positive on people. Contains signal proteins, trace elements, polysaccharides, and of course calcium in a very bio available [sic] form. Does not cause calcification unlike most calcium food supplements..."
(ii) "EAV biofeedback" refers to a pseudoscientific [1] device, "Electroacupuncture according to Voll (EAV)", which is for the most part illegal in the USA [2].
(iii) Under Section 7.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the claim "PEARLCIUM...Has been tested via EAV biofeedback, tests consistently positive on people" is misleading, under Section 6.1 I challenge whether the claim exploits the "lack of knowledge" of consumers, and under Sections 3.1 and 50.1 I challenge whether the claim can be substantiated by documentary evidence, if appropriate consisting of trials conducted on people.
(iv) Under Sections 3.1 and 50.1, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that Pearlcium does "not cause calcification unlike most calcium food supplements..."
2. (i) The advert continues:
"[Pearlcium:] Reports of bone mass increase have been sent to the Pearlcium Company and many other benefits from satisfied users. We make no such claims of course!"
(ii) Under Sections 3.1, 14.1 and 50.1, I challenge whether the claim that Pearlcium increase bone mass can be substantiated.
(iii) Under Section 14.3, I challenge whether the advertisers hold signed and dated proof for these testimonials.
(iii) Notwithstanding the disclaimer "We make no such claims of course", under Section 7.1 I challenge whether the claim is misleading, and under Section 6.1 I challenge whether it exploits the "lack of knowledge of consumers".
3. (i) The advert continues:
"MANDURA TRIM!...An effective, natural weight support product. Safe, steady weight loss combined with sensible eating...It works!"
(ii) Under Sections 3.1 and 51.1, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate the claim that Mandura Trim is an "effective, natural weight support product", the claim that users will experience "steady weight loss combined [when combined] with sensible eating", and the claim that "It works!"
4. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine.
Footnotes:
[1] http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/electro.html
[2] http://www.quackwatch.org/02ConsumerProtection/eav.html
"
Inbaal and her "accurate" psychic chums
A lot of psychics try to trade on their celebrity connections, or even claim to be celebrities in their own right.
In the case of Inbaal (pictured above), the claim is arguably true. She has been on the telly quite a bit over the years, and she's a regular feature in all the superstition-promoting magazines I read.
Inbaal claims to be accurate - as do eight other psychics. Today I've contacted the ASA about all of them. Let's see if any of the claims they make are actually true!
I've grouped the nine complaints here, in a single blogpost, so they don't clutter up the sidebar. The complaints are mostly similar, so you might not need to read them all.
Inbaal (advert)
"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "High Spirit" magazine (August issue, p77).
The advert, for "Inbaal", promotes a psychic reading service available face-to-face, on the telephone or by SMS.
I suspect that the advert may be in breach of three sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.
1. The advert contains the text:
"INBAAL - Celebrity Psychic - Inbaal has proved the accuracy of her readings many times on TV, Radio and magazines, (including this one [High Spirit Magazine] !)..."
2. The ASA Council has recently ruled (complaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".
3. Under Section 3.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that "Inbaal"'s psychic readings are accurate.
4. (i) "Inbaal"'s website, www.inbaal.com, gives a complete list of her appearances on TV, radio and in print.
(ii) I have not been able to find any demonstrations, on her site or elsewhere, of "Inbaal"'s psychic abilities which have taken place in controlled, laboratory conditions in which all potential sources of bias, either deliberate or unintentional, have been removed.
5. Therefore, under Section 3.1, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that "Inbaal"'s "accuracy" has been "proved...many times on TV, Radio and magazines"
6. Given that most consumers - very few of whom are trained magicians - are generally ignorant of the controlled experimental conditions required to prove a psychic ability:
(i) Under Section 7.1, I challenge whether the claim is misleading
(ii) Under Section 6.1, I challenge whether the claim "exploit[s] the credulity, lack of knowledge or inexperience of consumers"
7. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."
Alison's Straight Talk Psychic Services (advert)
"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Soul and Spirit" magazine (Issue 31, Aug 2010, p91).
The advert, for "Alison's Straight Talk Psychic Services", promotes a telephone psychic reading service.
I suspect that the advert may be in breach of one section of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.
1. The advert contains the text:
"Honest, direct, no nonsense readings. 30 years experience. Complete confidentiality. Excellent accuracy."
2. The ASA Council has recently ruled (complaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".
3. Under Section 3.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that the psychic readings provided by the service have "excellent accuracy".
4. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."
Angel Wishing Moon (advert)
"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Soul and Spirit" magazine (Issue 31, Aug 2010, p90).
The advert, for Angel Wishing Moon Psychics, promotes a telephone psychic reading service.
I suspect that the advert may be in breach of one section of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.
1. The advert contains the text:
"Phenomenally Accurate Clairvoyant Psychics blessed with the gift, guided by spirit and dedicated to helping you with a true psychic reading."
2. The ASA Council has recently ruled (complaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".
3. Under Section 3.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that the psychics and clairvoyants employed by the service are "phenomenally accurate".
4. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."
"Crystal" (advert)
"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "High Spirit" magazine (August issue, p80).
The advert, for "Crystal", promotes a telephone psychic reading service.
I suspect that the advert may be in breach of two sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.
1. The advert contains the text:
"Crystal Genuine International Clairvoyant Medium. I work with Angels, Extremely accurate and in detail...Free healing with every reading...Absent healing available..."
2. The ASA Council has recently ruled (complaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".
3. Under Section 3.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that the psychic readings provided by the service are "Extremely accurate".
4. Under Sections 3.1 and 50.1, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate any of the following claims:
(i) "Crystal" can provide a "healing with every reading" over the telephone
(ii) "Crystal" can provide "Absent healing" over the telephone
5. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."
Gifted Psychics London (advert)
"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Soul and Spirit" magazine (Isuee 31, Aug 2010, p91).
The advert, for Gifted Psychics London, promotes a telephone psychic reading service.
I suspect that the advert may be in breach of one section of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.
1. The advert contains the text:
"GIFTED PSYCHICS...We specialise in providing the best psychic service to our clients. Call now for your helpful and accurate psychic reading."
2. The ASA Council has recently ruled (complaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".
3. Under Section 3.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that the service provides "accurate psychic readings".
4. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."
Jessica Griffiths (advert)
"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "High Spirit" magazine (August issue, p80).
The advert, for Jessica Griffiths/"Jessica's Psychic World", promotes a telephone psychic reading service.
I suspect that the advert may be in breach of two sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.
1. The advert contains the text:
"Jessica's Psychic World - International Psychic Medium Clairvoyant Councillor [sic]...LOVE RELATIONSHIPS - PSYCHIC WISDOM - TO MANY CELEBRITIES - Amazingly Accuate - From £29 for 20 mins..."
2. The ASA Council has recently ruled (complaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".
3. Under Section 3.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that the service's psychic readings are "Amazingly Accurate".
4. (i) I have searched for evidence that the psychic featured in the advert, "Jessica", has worked with celebrities. I have found no reports suggesting it might be true (there are, for example, no mentions of the word "celebrities", or any named celebrities, on the service's website.)
(ii) Therefore, under Section 3.1, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that "Jessica" has given readings "TO MANY CELEBRITIES", and under Section 7.1 I challenge whether the phrase "PSYCHIC WISDOM TO MANY CELEBRITIES" is misleading.
5. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."
Kim Arnold (advert)
"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Soul and Spirit" magazine (Issue 31, Aug 2010, p93).
The advert, for Pronto/Kim Arnold, promotes a telephone psychic reading service.
I suspect that the advert may be in breach of one section of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.
1. The advert contains the text:
"KIM ARNOLD'S ORACLE LINE... Kim Arnold - renowned Tarot expert and founder of the annual UK tarot Conference has launched the Oracle Line to give the best in accurate psychic readings using some of the best psychics around..."
2. The ASA Council has recently ruled (complaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".
3. Under Section 3.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claim that the service provides "accurate psychic readings".
4. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."
psychicrealm.co.uk (advert)
"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Soul and Spirit" magazine (Issue 31, Aug 2010, p94).
The advert, for PsychicRealm.co.uk, promotes a telephone psychic reading service.
I suspect that the advert may be in breach of three sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.
1. The advert contains a testimonial, in quotes, as follows:
"Her team of readers are astonishingly accurate - they all give such specific information, i [sic] feel they know me better than I know myself! I'm delighted at what can be achieved"
2. The ASA Council has recently ruled (complaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".
3. Under Section 14.3 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate the testimonial claim that the psychic readings provided by the service are "astonishingly accurate".
4. Under Section 14.1, I challenge whether the advertisers hold signed and dated proof, including a contact address, for the testimonial.
5. Under Section 14.4, I challenge whether the testimonial is fictional, "presented as though [it is] genuine".
6. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."
Psychic Sense (advert)
"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Soul and Spirit" magazine (Issue 31, Aug 2010, p95).
The advert, for PsychicSense, promotes a telephone psychic reading service.
I suspect that the advert may be in breach of one section of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.
1. The advert contains a testimonial claim, in quotes, as follows:
' "A lovely, very fluent, very supportive, and very accurate reader. 10/10"* Heather (Scotland), September 2009'
2. (i) The asterisk refers to more text at the bottom of the advert, which reads
"*See the full testimonial at psychicsense.org"
(ii) In fact, the testimonial available on the advertiser's website is identical to the one in the advert; the text seems to mean "See the full [list of] testimonial[s] at psychicsense.org"
3. The ASA Council has recently ruled (complaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".
4. Under Section 14.3 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate the testimonial claim that at least one of the readers employed by the service is a "very accurate reader".
5. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."
Thursday, 12 August 2010
"Colin" the "Vortex Healer"
Do you remember the complaint about Vortex Healing I submitted just yesterday? No?
Well, the details aren't important.
I came across a similar advert today that promises to teach us all how to
"Channel divine energy and consciousness for healing yourself and others...Balance your meridians...Energise your body...Heal at a distance...& much more..."
I shudder to think what "much more" might be, given the impressive Nobel-prize winning achievements detailed elsewhere in the advert. ASA complaint, as usual, follows.
"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "High Spirit" magazine, August issue, p28.
The advert, for "Colin", promotes "Vortex Healing" workshops.
I suspect that the advert may be in breach of two sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.
1. (i) On the 11th of August I submitted a complaint about an advert, for the "Vortex Healing Institute", which made similar claims.
(ii) I understand the advert which is the subject of this complaint promotes the services of an affiliate of the organisation, not the organisation itself. In any case, I will not repeat any of the claims from my previous complaint.
2. Under Sections 3.1 and 50.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate any of the following claims made about people who complete the promoted "Basic Training":
(i) "You can...Channel diving energy and consciousness, for healing yourself and others..."
(ii) "You can...energise your body"
(iii) "You can...heal at a distance"
3. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser."
Russell Grant's fat (pay cheque)
Even my younger readers might know who the portly chap below is.
Russell Grant (for it is he) was something of an eighties TV icon, breathlessly delivering horoscopes to the nation from his popular slot on morning television.
Russell's star has faded somewhat (Geddit?!??), although he still appears on TV from time to time. His newspaper and magazine adverts, needless to say, are everywhere.
With all those business affairs to run, you'd think Russell had a knack for getting things done. It must be a rare oversight, then, that caused his website to be improperly registered to a non-trading individual!
An advert in this month's Soul & Spirit magazine promotes his telephone psychic reading service.
Several of the employees are claimed to be "accurate". The ASA aren't going to like that!
"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Soul and Spirit" magazine (Issue 31, Aug 2010, p54).
The advert, for RGA Ltd/Russell Grant, promotes a telephone psychic reading service.
I suspect that the advert may be in breach of three sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.
1. The advert's claims consist of a series of profiles on the psychic readers employed by the service, and a set of testimonials from apparently satisfied customers.
2. The ASA Council has recently ruled (comlaint ref. 122556 and 122562) against adverts for psychics whose readings are claimed to be "accurate".
3. Under Sections 3.1, 50.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate any of the following claims:
(i) Tanya's readings are "accurate"
(ii) Aristos's readings are accurate, and specifically he is "renowned for his accuracy"
(iii) Pooja "offers intuitive, accurate and precise readings"
(iv) Theos's readings consist of "accurate, pinpointed clear information"
4. Under Sections 3.1, 14.3 and 50.1, I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate any of the following testimonials:
(i) "Jo...has proven to me she's the real deal...very accurate"
(ii) "Aristos...you were 100% accurate"
5. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or the magazine. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser or the magazine."
Tiina Lindholm's secret powers of nature
Tiina Lindholm is one of those people who once had a vaguely respectable nursing job, but threw it all away to pursue a career in quackery.
In her Soul & Spirit magazine advert, she promotes a range of "natural products from Lapland", some of which can apparently help with "all illnesses".
This is my second ASA complaint against the Helsinki-born Tiina (the first one is here). Watch in awe as I fearlessly correct her Finnish grammar!
"I write to complain about an advert appearing in "Soul and Spirit" magazine (Issue 31, Aug 2010, p30).
The advert, for Tiina Lindholm, promotes "natural prodcuts from Lapland". I draw your attention to paragraphs 1. (iii) and 1. (vi), in which claims are made for products that supposedly treat "all illnesses".
I suspect that the advert may be in breach of five sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can provide an original copy of the advert by post, if required.
1. Under Sections 3.1 and 50.1, I challenge whether the advertiser holds documentary evidence to prove any of the following claims, and I challenge whether the claims are backed by evidence, where appropriate consisting of trials conducted on people:
(i) The "Birch Ash" and "Birch Ash Water" products "[keep] your body in balance and [help] your body to get the minerals it needs"
(ii) The "Bark Extract" product "stimulates your memory"
(iii) The "Basil Extract" product "helps with all illnesses and for those who want to maintain their Bio Energy [sic]"
(iv) The "Basic Extract" product is suitable for animals
(v) The "Juniper Extract" product "stimulates [the] pancreas"
(vi) The "Kalevala's [sic] Power Extract" product "helps with all illnesses"
(vii) The "Lapland's Power Extract" product "keeps your minerals and trace elements in balance"
(viii) The "Reindeer Lichen Extract" product "helps in neurogenous illnesses"
(ix) The "Tar Honey" product "helps with exhaustion and keeps up good fitness"
2. Under Section 50.3, I challenge whether the claims that the "Kalevala's [sic] Power Extract" and "Basil Extract" products help with "all illnesses" may discourage essential treatment, under Section 7.1 I challenge whether these two claims are misleading, and under Section 6.1 I challenge whether these two claims "exploit the credulity, lack of knowledge or inexperience of consumers".
3. Under Section 7.1, I challenge whether the claim "Tiina Lindholm...is a Master of Public Health" misleadingly implies that the advertiser is employed by local or national government.
4. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or with the alternative medicine industry in general. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser."
Dr & Herbs (part 4) - IBS and depression
These two complaints are the eighth and ninth occasions on which I've complained to the ASA about Dr & Herbs, a Chinese medicine store in my town.
I'm still waiting for something to be done.
I've already complained about their leaflet promoting acupuncture and herbs for depression - you can read the update below, if you like - but first, here is my complaint about their flyer which promotes a bullshit treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
"I write to complain about a flyer I picked up outside the Luton branch of "Dr & Herbs" earlier this week.
The flyer promotes a various TCM treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
I suspect that the flyer may be in breach of three sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can send an original copy of the flyer by post, if required.
1. On numerous occasions in the past I have complained about flyers from this advertiser. I have not complained about the IBS flyer before.
2. Under Sections 3.1 and 50.1 of the CAP Code, I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate the following claims:
(i) "IBS can be [the] result of either the imbalance between [the] stomach meridian, spleen meridian and liver meridian or the weakness of internal Meridians such as [the] spleen and stomach meridian[s]"
(ii) "The imbalance[d] liver and spleen meridians could be the main reason of [sic] IBS"
(iii) The claim that "Acupuncture" and "herbal medicine" are "natural treatments"
(iv) The claim that the listed therapies can treat IBS ("Dr & Herbs can help patients free [sic] from IBS with a wide range of natural treatments, such as Acupuncture, herbal medicine, Massage and so on")
(v) The claim that the advertisers' employees are capable of creating an effective "treatment" for IBS by "checking [a] patient's pulse, tongue and asking some questions", so that "a group of herbs is combined together to specifically address a person's unique constitution"
3. Under Sections 3.1 and 50.1, I challenge whether the advertiser can substantiate any of the claimed "BENEFITS you can get from the [sic] Chinese Medicine and acupuncture at Dr & Herbs", namely:
(i) "It helps relax your abdominal muscles, which may lead to more normal bowel activity. Acupuncture can relax muscle spasms and improve bowel function, calm the person and promote emotional well-being"
(ii) "Reduce stress and anxiety"
(iii) "Down-regulate [sic] the neural activities of the intestine"
(iv) "Reduce muscle spasms of the intestine and relax the smooth muscle"
(v) "Reduce physiological stress in the body"
(vi) "Reduce abdominal cramping, rumbling and promote 'normal' digestive functions"
4. (i) The flyer refers to "an Australian study" which it claims "lends strong scientific support to treating IBS with Chinese Herbs".
(ii) The study is almost certainly "Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with Chinese herbal medicine: a randomized controlled trial", Bensoussan et al (1998) [1]. The study's abstract states:
"CONCLUSION: Chinese herbal formulations appear to offer improvement in symptoms for some patients with IBS."
5. (i) The 2007 study, "A systematic review of randomised clinical trials of individualised herbal medicine in any indication" [2], states:
"Results: Three randomised clinical trials of individualised herbal medicine were identified."
(ii) One of the three identified studies is the 1998 Bensoussan study.
(iii) Discussing the Bensoussan study, the 2007 systematic review states:
"The abstract reports statistically significant findings favouring herbal treatment over placebo, but this refers to data derived from standardised and individualised herbal treatment combined together....only four of the five showed significant intergroup differences favouring individualised herbal treatment over placebo. The gastroenterologist’s assessments for the main outcome measure...were not significantly better than placebo in the individualised group. Overall, changes from baseline and responder rates were larger in the standardised than in the individualised group in all measures. Patient-assessed BSS at a follow up 14 weeks after the end of the trial favoured individualised over standardised treatment, but this difference was not statistically significant."
(iv) The review continues:
"Overall, the results of the three studies included in this review do not provide support for the use of individualised herbal medicine in any indication... While Bensoussan observed that individualised treatment was better than placebo in four of five outcome measures in the treatment of IBS, it was inferior to standardised treatment in all five outcomes and standardised treatment therefore appears to be preferable for reasons of cost and safety... These data indicate that almost all individualised herbal medicine is practised without the support of any rigorous evidence about effectiveness whatsoever.
6. Taking into account the two studies, under Section 7.1, I challenge whether the flyer's claim that "An Australian study lends strong scientific support to treating IBS with Chinese herbs" is misleading, and I challenge whether it exaggerates the the clinical evidence supporting "treating IBS with Chinese herbs."
Footnotes:
[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9820260
[2] http://pmj.bmj.com/content/83/984/633.full
"
Here's my second complaint about their bullshit depression cure. Can you sense my indignation?
"I write to complain about a flyer I picked up outside the Luton branch of "Dr & Herbs", a "Traditional Chinese Medicine" (TCM) retail outlet, earlier this week.
The flyer promotes various TCM treatments for depression.
I suspect that the flyer may be in breach of four sections of the British Code of Advertising, Sales Promotion and Direct Marketing (CAP) code. I can send an original copy of the flyer by post, if required.
1. This is the ninth occasion in which I have complained about flyers from this advertiser.
2. In April this year, I wrote to you to complain about an identical flyer I had picked up.
3. Later that month, you wrote to advise me:
"Given that we have an established position on ads that refer to serious medical conditions such as depression in this way I've passed the case to our Compliance team, which will follow it up."
4. I protest that, despite any action the Compliance Team has taken, the flyer continues to be distributed at advertier's stores.
5. Therefore, once again, under Section 7.1 I challenge whether the flyer misleadingly compares "modern [Western] medicine" and "Chinese medicine [TCM]" by failing to note that only the former is an evidence-based practice.
6. Under Section 7.1, I challenge whether the following statements are misleading, and under Section 6.1 I challenge whether the statements "exploit the credulity, lack of knowledge or inexperience of consumers":
(i) "Protracted or excessive emotional depression could consume the heart Qi and undermine the blood so that the heart fails to be nourished and is thus unable to house the mind, so the mind becomes out of order."
(ii) "Excessive thinking and worrying could over-exert the heart and spleen, leading to the insufficiency of both Qi and blood, so the heart is malnourished and the mind is disturbed, resulting in the waning of heart Qi and declining of courageousness."
(iii) "Consitutional Yin deficiency or prolonged liver-Qi stagnation turns to fire, which takes from the Yin-fluid in the body, so the insufficient Yin leads to the flaring up of fire and the floating of the imbalanced Yang."
7. Under Sections 3.1 and 50.1, I challenge whether the advertiser holds documentary evidence to prove the following claim, and I challenge whether the claim is backed by evidence, where appropriate consisting of trials conducted on people:
(i) The advertiser's employees are capable of selecting "a group of raw herbs...to form a prescription, which is tailor-made for the patient [who has depression]"
8. In my previous complaint about this flyer, I submitted evidence from a Cochrane Review study [1] which stated:
"We found insufficient evidence to recommend the use of acupuncture for people with depression. The results are limited by the high risk of bias in the majority of trials meeting inclusion criteria."
9. Under Section 3.1, I challenge whether the advertiser holds documentary evidence to prove the following claim; under section 50.1, I challenge whether the claim is backed by evidence, where appropriate consisting of trials conducted on people; under Section 7.1, I challenge whether the claim is misleading:
(i) "Acupuncture: Chinese acupuncture treatment can ease depression. Some studies found it superior to anti-depressant drugs and with less side-effects"
10. I confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or with the alternative medicine industry in general. I confirm that I am not involved in legal proceedings with the advertiser.
Footnotes:
[1] http://mrw.interscience.wiley.com/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD004046/frame.html
"
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