Oprah Health Claims Unhealthy?

Advice Dispensed By Talk Show Queen May Be More Harmful Than Helpful, Newsweek Says

(CBS)  It’s no secret that Oprah is a great salesperson.

Over 40 million viewers watch her show each week -- a powerful pool of potential purchasers.

But just because she’s selling, should you be buying?

On The Early Show Wednesday, CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller pointed to an investigative report in this week’s issue of Newsweek magazine, questioning the "Oprah Effect."

The piece looks at whether the some of the medical advice she offers on the show is not only inaccurate, but potentially dangerous, because the broadcast doesn’t present all of the risks involved.

Robert Thompson, professor of television and pop culture at Syracuse University, told CBS News Oprah’s seal of approval has managed to validate health claims that most people would call "real crackpot ideas."

Newsweek notes that Oprah has not only had medical professionals dishing out advice on her show, but celebrities, as well.

"Some of the advice she gives, especially with regard to health and medicine, is not good advice," Weston Kosova, senior editor of Newsweek, told CBS News. " ... Sometimes the advice guests give on the show could actually hurt you."

Some of the claims Newsweek examined were Jenny McCarthy’s theory that vaccines cause autism and Suzanne Somers’ method of staying young through hormone replacement therapy.

After the show on Somers, Cynthia Pearson, executive director of the National Women’s Health Network, said viewers weren't told of the risks.

"Women were left by Oprah in a state not really knowing all the information that they needed to make a safe and effective choice," Pearson said.

In response inquiries from CBS News, Oprah wrote, "For 23 years, my show has presented thousands of topics that reflect the human experience, including doctors’ medical advice and personal health stories that have prompted conversations between our audience members and their health care providers…I trust the viewers, and I know that they are smart and discerning enough to seek out medical opinions to determine what may be best for them."

Pearson did say Oprah "Does a wonderful job of conveying information that is important to people and touching on issues that really speak to them."

[BusyPerson33]

Is Oprah Bad for African-Americans and Bad for America?
http://christwire.org/2009/08/is-oprah-bad-for-african-americans-and-bad-for-america/

I thought everyone should take a second look at Oprah and the fakes she surrounds herself with.

[fabrat1]

Personally I'm not all that crazy about Oprah and in fact have never watched an entire show of hers ever. I have only caught a minute or two here or there. It never seemed to catch my attention.

[strmrnnr]

Every since her show broke up a relationship of mine years ago, i have said that it needs to have a disclaimer involved with it. That woman can stir the pot better than a blender. Some of the things I would have to put up with because I dated a woman who watched her show were unbelievable.

And I am not saying it is Opera's fault. I think 'now' she does more good than harm, but some of the people in the World are like puppets for her. They just hang on every word. These are the people who are likely to get 'confused'.

Her shows are ( I will admit I haven't watched it in 17 years.) like this post. There are many unanswered questions. Some will fly off the handle over it and others will look at it and say, "Maybe. I have to investigate."

[Dgunner]

Take charger of your health care educate yourself on the drugs prescribed you. If you do not understand or are just not capable of understanding what you are reading.? Find someone you trust other than your pharmacist[ in it for the money] How much have you survived and why let the doctors kill you with prescription drug side effects.I am not saying prescription drugs and doctors will kill you . They speak loud enough on thier own.The decision is ultimately yours on what drugs you take. If your doctor questions you questioning his prescribing ? I say fire him or her immediately.

[avigil2]

Oprah? Who's Oprah? :) And who cares what she has to say? Posted by jazy5

Apparently, 40 million people. So bite it!

[wallmartcom]

there is no fact that oprah nor any of is guests health notion deem to harm or mislead the viewers. www.1wallmart.com/women-health.php

[erasmus111]

If Oprah's intentions are so good, why is she SO RICH, and yet there are so many starving poor children in the US?
Posted by TrickynWV at 2:42 PM : Jun 3, 2009

If you knew anything at all about Oprah, you wouldn't have said what you said.

[TrickynWV]

If Oprah's intentions are so good, why is she SO RICH, and yet there are so many starving poor children in the US?

[TrickynWV]

If Oprah's intentions are so good, why is she SO RICH, and yet there are so many starving poor children in the US?
There's a sucker born every minute.

[rrozsa]

Wow, I can't believe CBS would publish an anti-Oprah story! I thought that was as unthinkable as an anti-Obama story!

[jazy5]

Oprah? Who's Oprah? :) And who cares what she has to say?

[erasmus111]

I think will stick with Jer-ry, Jer-ry, Jer-ry, Jer-ry and som good old fashion "White Trash" talk. Or, geeze who is the other guy, Shameka, Jamal is Not the father of your baby, for the fourth time you have tried to blame him.

I am so glad I have a job and don't get to see this or Oprah on a daily basis.
Posted by I_am_me1953 at 12:21 PM : Jun 3, 2009

Sounds like you've been watching Jerry.

And job or no job, all you gotta do is not turn it on. : )

[I_am_me1953]

I think will stick with Jer-ry, Jer-ry, Jer-ry, Jer-ry and som good old fashion "White Trash" talk. Or, geeze who is the other guy, Shameka, Jamal is Not the father of your baby, for the fourth time you have tried to blame him.

I am so glad I have a job and don't get to see this or Oprah on a daily basis.

[erasmus111]

It's unhealthy for people to follow all doctor's, pharmaceutical companies (who advertise and push drugs on tv constantly) and basically mainstream medicine blindly., which is what most people do because it is too costly to get second and third opinions.
Posted by estai777 at 12:02 PM : Jun 3, 2009

The sad thing is, that in the U.S., I don't know if anyone can even trust their own doctor. They are all controlled by the insurance companies.

[erasmus111]

.... surely, we have enough of our own mind to weigh all of the information and make our own decisions.
Posted by realitychec6 at 12:07 PM : Jun 3, 2009

You would think, wouldn't you? But sadly, that doesn't seem to be the case.

[realitychec6]

I don't watch or follow Oprah, but she has the right to present the types of information she presents on her show. Viewers should have enough common sense to seek their own physicians' advice. She also has the right to make public her support for a presidential candidate... just like other media personalities, all of which did so. We have information and opinions coming at us from all over the place.... surely, we have enough of our own mind to weigh all of the information and make our own decisions.

[estai777]

It's unhealthy for people to follow all doctor's, pharmaceutical companies (who advertise and push drugs on tv constantly) and basically mainstream medicine blindly., which is what most people do because it is too costly to get second and third opinions.

[rusenseless]

So following Oprah blindly - you mean like how Republicans followed their leaders over the financial precipice?

[erasmus111]

I like Oprah, but I do think it is unhealthy for people to follow her blindly. And there are some that do follow her blindly. I disagreed with her when she decided to back Obama for that very reason. I wasn't against Obama, but I thought it very irresponsible of her to do that, knowing that people will FOLLOW HER BLINDLY.

As far as medical advice goes, she isn't the only one that gives out medical advice. And anyone that follows ANYTHING they read, see on the TV, or the interent, are stupid. They shouldn't be doing anything without consulting their own physician. It's only common sense.

[mycommentspg]

Oprah is rich because she has a hugh following of blind women who believe anything coming from her show.