Not A Fan of Dr. Oz

I decided to watch Dr. Oz a few weeks ago because the previews (seen during the evening news) made it seem like he was going to be talking about Celiac disease! The previews showed Elizabeth Hasselbeck talking about what gave her more energy. I was very excited to see something as near and dear to my heart as Celiac disease being shown on a popular daytime show. I was let down, sadly.

The show (or at least the first half) WAS, indeed, about Celiac disease and gluten-intolerance! I did learn some interesting things, such as Garnier Fructis is gluten-free (I've been looking for a good hairspray that won't cause me harm)! However, I was HIGHLY disappointed in Dr. Oz for promoting a gluten-free diet without seeing a doctor first. 

Now, I do understand that many Americans cannot afford doctor visits. However, most of those that cannot afford the visits probably wouldn't want to spend the extra money to go gluten-free unless they had to! It is a simple blood test! 

What I want people to understand is this: IF you go on a gluten-free diet BEFORE you get tested, you will get a negative result. There will be NO antibodies in your system because you are not feeding it anything in which to react! If your doctor is wise, they will make you go back on a gluten-loaded diet for upwards of three months before rechecking! I once read that you should eat a slice of bread a day in addition to your normal intake of gluten for a month before the test! I know that I did NOT want to eat gluten once going on a gluten-free diet. Most people wouldn't because they feel so much better without it! But in order to get that positive and be sent through the next step (endoscopy for intestinal biopsy), you have to ingest gluten!

This was not what Dr. Oz recommended. He'd angered many in the gluten-free world on two prior occasions for being negative toward the gluten-free diet because it was not a 'healthy' alternative for losing weight (2009, 2011). Now he has made a statement that most doctors would never endorse - try the diet then go to the doctor! I really wish he would devote ONE show to Celiac disease, gluten-intolerance, and allergies. Maybe he could have Dr. Fasano (University of Maryland) or Dr. Guandalini (University of Chicago) explain their research! But I doubt that will happen...

So, why am I writing about this now? Well, I've had this written in a draft for awhile, but didn't want to publish it until today! On his episode today, he was talking with Montel Williams about health and energy. First, why interview him as an authoritative figure on health and energy? He's a TV celebrity - that's it. Just because he's found what works in his life, it doesn't make him an authority that ANYONE should listen to! 

On the show today, he was touting the benefits of B12 injections. While they are relatively safe (B vitamins are water-soluble - what you don't need, you excrete), most doctors will NOT prescribe them unless you are deficient. I could not figure out if he was saying to take it daily or monthly, but he wants people to inject 1 mL subcutaneously. That's what I take. Yes, I do it monthly and it helps me tremendously! However, if you test my blood halfway through a cycle, I have a middle-of-the-road number in my system. If I test at the end of a cycle, I am DEFICIENT! Most people are NOT deficient. And if they are mildly deficient, they can take supplements. My small intestines no longer absorb B12, but most people's do. Just take it in pill form. Because of people like that, it is a hassle to get my insurance company to pay for B12 shots!

I'm sorry. That's my rant for the day! I am not a happy camper. I think Dr. Oz pushes lots of vitamins on people that are unnecessary. I also believe that too much can be just as dangerous as not enough. Think before you reach for what he tells you to take!