Celebrity health fads - named and shamed

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GPs have named and shamed the 10 alternative health trends used by celebrities that they believe are a waste of money and have no medical value.

They raised concerns about women using some forms of alternative therapies include the practice of cupping - a form of acupuncture using heated cups - colonic irrigation and extreme detoxes.

The Aviva Health Hoaxes report reveals more than three quarters (79%) of women use alternative health treatments favoured by celebrities - Gwyneth Paltrow, Alesha Dixon and Cheryl Cole have the health-styles they most admire.

Cupping therapy, which is used by actress Gwyneth Paltrow, tops the list of health hoaxes. She has been quoted in the past as saying: ‘Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for a round of antibiotics or surgery when necessary but I have been helped tremendously by the practices [of acupuncture and cupping] that help the body heal itself.'

The list also includes vitamin B12 injections - said to be used by Madonna - extreme yoga, rumoured to be favoured by Sadie Frost, and reflexology and macrobiotic diets. The others in the top ten are: detoxing, aromatherapy, reflexology, and overnight health farm stays.

Aviva also discovered that to try each treatment on the GPs' list could cost women more than £800 on average - with upgrades to practitioners used by the celebs themselves seeing the costs running to thousands.

Dr Douglas Wright, principal clinical consultant at Aviva UK Health, said: ‘At Aviva we understand that people like to deal with their own wellbeing in a number of ways, but too many women are wasting money following ‘health' fads that have little effect - just because it's expensive, or rumoured to be a celebrity favourite, is not an automatic guarantee a treatment will work.

‘What's more worrying is that some women are opting for treatment trends rather than seeking medical advice - they might not be fashionable but tried and tested health routes are far safer and more beneficial.'

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Tuesday 24 November 2009

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