Quackery Exposed: Medical Medium

A new quack has emerged. Medical Medium or Anthony William Coviello, offers medical and health information based on alleged communication with the spirit from the future. He claims that he has had a connection with this spirit since he was four years old. This connection allows him to diagnose other people of various illnesses and disabilities. This connection allows him to suggest treatments. William claims that the “spirit” gives him the gift to “scan” bodies” in a way that can diagnose “all blockages, infections, trouble areas, past problems, and even soul fractures.” He says he does this with knowledge of the future. He said this will be recognized in the scientific community in the future but it is not right now.

Goop

In January 2018, Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop received criticism for posting articles by William. They called him their “trusted expert.” He dispenses junk science. Goop said,” . . . is one of the most unconventional and surprisingly insightful healers of today: As he explains, the voice of a divine force called Spirit guides him to identify the roots of his patients’s hard-to-diagnose illnesses and find the best solutions to restore health . . . Now, William is sharing four of his wonder foods-apples, celery, ginger and honey- with us. Below he breaks down what makes them so powerful . . . which ailments (from anxiety to Lyme disease, adrenal fatigue, and brain fog) to target with each food  . . .”

From His Books

He has written five books and they are New York Times Best Sellers. In the final chapter of his book “Life-Changing Foods,” he describes his belief in the existence of 12 different angels. Two are the “Angel of Abundance” and the Angel of  “Addiction.” He encourages his followers to “invoke the names of special angels” in various circumstances.   He is frequently solicited by the traditional press for comments but infrequently engages with journalists.

Also in this book, he says that fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices and “wild foods” are the “holy four.” “Because they grow from the earth and are showered by the sun and sky, enduring out the elements day after day as they form they intimately connected to the holy forces of nature. They don’t just contain the building-block nutrients we need to function. They contain intelligence from the Earthly Mother and the heavens that we desperately need about how to adapt.”

There are also “unforgiving four.” They are “radiation, toxic heavy metals, the viral explosion and DDT.” He claims that they “ravage our bodies, make us question our own sanity, and push us to the breaking point as a society.”

He claims that there are two different types of “living water.” One is “hydrobioactive water” that is found in all of the “holy foods” He claims that it can hydrate a person more than regular water.  The other kind is undiscovered cofactor water which “contains information to help restore your soul and spirit to support your emotions.”

Also in the book, he describes six foods that he says are “life challenging. He says that dairy “boggs down the liver,” eggs “feed the viral explosion,” corn is no longer nutritious due to genetic modification, wheat “feeds pathogens. ” He also goes on to say that canola oil destroys the lining of the stomach, veins, and heart. He also says that food additives described or labeled as “natural flavors” are actually a neurotoxin called MSG. He claims that it destroys the brain and nerve cells ovet time.

He offers advice on his website. His website contains over 177 revenue-generating affiliate links to Amazon products, such as nutritional supplements.  He does have disclaimers on his website that the has no scientific certifications or medical training. He also states that his suggestions should not be a substitute for medical advice and that people should seek advice from a medical professional before following his advice. His full disclaimer can be found here.

Cancer and Epstein Barr Virus

One illness that William diagnoses the most frequently is the chronic Epstein Barr virus. He claims it can be treated with a blend of b12 that his “spirit” recommends with a high dose of celery juice. He says that the virus is transmitted in utero. Scientific evidence proves it is transmitted via saliva. In his Goop forum, he claims, “98 percent of the time, cancer is caused by a virus and at least one type of toxin.” He says that most cancer is caused by the Epstein Barr virus and claims that the virus is “responsible for breast cancer, liver cancer, almost all lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, women’s’ reproductive cancers, leukemia and many more.” He says that cancer has no genetic components. He says it only started since the Industrial Revolution. He also said the virus causes 95% of thyroid issues. There is no scientific evidence supporting any of his claims. According to the CDC, there is no peer-reviewed scientific evidence support any of his claims.

He self proclaims that he is the originator of the lemon juice in water detox and the celery juice fad. He says they have many health benefits that have never been scientifically proven. He is practicing medicine without a license and has improperly solicited positive Amazon reviews for his books.

Celery Juice

William claims that the idea that the celery juice diet was his. The media has led others to conclude that he is the main source. He claims that the “science behind the healing powers of celery juice is just yet to be discovered.” He claims it’s from the future from his spirt from the future.

It is supposed to be extra hydrating, “inflammation-reducing and microbiome sustaining.” He calls it a “miracle juice” and “one of the greatest healing tonics of all time.” None of these claims are supported by scientific evidence.

He claims it has medicinal uses. He claims that it can “improve energy level,” reduce bloating, increase “clarity of mind,” and improve headaches and anxiety.

The Atlantic had Amanda Mull interview two licensed dieticians. They agreed that celery is a healthy snack and there is some evidence for control of high blood pressure. These benefits were observed when people ate full stalks of celery. One dietician said, “There is no one food that will cure your cancer, inflammatory disease or another ailment, so don’t believe the hype you see or hear on Instagram.”

Most medical professionals agree that the potential harm from adding celery juice to diet is very minimal. There is a possibility of a negative reaction with some medications such as Warfarin. This is because celery contains vitamin K. There is a potential risk of bloating and diarrhea for those who have irritable bowel syndrome.

A dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics warns that it is dangerous to attempt to fight diseases, such as cancer with food alone, as many proponents of celery juice claim to do.

Infertility

He claims that infertility is treatable with “creative visualization, walking meditations, and breathing exercises.” He says this will “draw the white light into the reproductive organs.”

Non-Organic Amazon Reviews

According to Jonathon Jarry or the Mcgill Office for Science and Society, some of Williams’s accolades are not naturally achieved. Jarry says that he offered entry into a private contest in exchange for positive reviews. These contest prizes were autographed books private consultations and live show tickets.

Rae Paoletta of  Inverse found that Williams publisher, Hay House ran a lottery to give prizes to whoever wrote the “most inspiring” Amazon review for his 2015 book called “Medical Medium.”

When Inverse asked Amazon about the accusations of the positive book reviews for compensation, a spokesperson confirmed the e-commerce site would be investigating the claims.”

No License for Practicing Medicine

Jarry also says that he is practicing without a medical license. He is in Sarasota, Florida. In Florida, the definition of practicing medicine is “the diagnosis, treatment, operation or prescription of any human disease, pain, injury, deformity or other physical or mental condition.”

On William’s radio show, he has fans call in and describe their symptoms. He performs a scan with an “angel guide” and offers advice to the caller. He has suggested things like B12 or a celery juice cleanse.

Autism

He recently said on Facebook that autism is heavy metals getting in the brain causing autism. By removing them with a fruit or plant smoothie “Medical medium-heavy metal detox smoothie,” the autistic can be detoxed of heavy metals.  In order for the smoothie to work, a special diet must be followed. It consists of avoiding: soy, gluten, eggs, canola oil, dairy, and corn.

Jennifer Gunter, an OB/GYN from San Francisco has criticized Goop in the past. She said, “Promoting the Medical Medium is no different than promoting anti-vaccine views or cleanses or coffee enemas. The minimum is that people waste money, but there is great potential for harm with many of the therapies that are recommended and delays in diagnosis.”

Harriet Hall says, “William’s belief system has no grounded in reality or science.” She also says that there is no evidence to back up his divine guidance.

Sources:

1.  Jarry, Jonathan (16 January 2019). “Is the Medical Medium Practicing Medicine? (CS25)” (25). McGill Office for Science and Society. Cracked Science. Retrieved 3 February2019.
2. ^ Jump up to:^a b c d Gavura, Scott (4 May 2017). “”The Medical Medium’s Thyroid Pseudoscience””. sciencebasedmedicine.org. Science Based Medicine. Archived from the original on 18 March 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
3. ^ Jump up to:^{a b c d e f g h i j} Paoletta, Rae (10 January 2018). “Goop’s “Trusted Expert” Anthony William Dispenses Junk Science, Say Critics”. Inverse.com. Inverse. Archived from the original on 3 February 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
4. ^ Jump up to:^{a b c d e f} Mull, Amanda (4 November 2018). “Actually, You Can Just Drink Some Water”. theatlantic.com. The Atlantic. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February2019.
5. ^ Jump up to:^{a b c d e} Dennett, Carrie (4 March 2019). “Claim that celery juice will work miracles is not backed by research”. thespec.com. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 20 March 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
6. ^ Jump up to:^{a b c d e f} Austen, Ashleigh (12 January 2019). “Everyone from Kim Kardashian West to your next-door neighbour is going crazy for the latest juice trend, celery juice. But is it actually as beneficial as everyone claims?”. news.com/au. news.com.au. Archived from the original on 20 March 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
7. ^ Jump up to:^{a b c d e f g h i j} Clark, Amy (27 November 2018). “Why people are drinking ‘celery juice’ every morning, and whether you should do it too”. mamamia.com/au. MamaMia. Archived from the original on 20 March 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
8. ^ Jump up to:^{a b c d e f g h} Fitzmaurice, Rosie (17 February 2019). “We speak to the man behind the celery juice craze that’s all over the ‘gram”. standard.co.uk. Standard. Archived from the originalon 16 March 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
9. ^ Jump up to:^{a b c d e f g h i} Hall, Harriet (1 August 2017). “The Antithesis of Science-Based Medicine: The Medical Medium’s Fantasy-Based Health Advice”. sciencebasedmedicine.org. Science Based Medicine. Archived from the original on 3 February 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
10. ^ William, Anthony. “The Medical Medium’s Opinion on the Origins of Thyroid Cancer”. Goop.
11. ^ Jump up to:^a b Zimmerman, Edith (5 November 2018). “Are We Really Still Juicing?”. thecut.com. The Cut. Archived from the original on 16 March 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
12. ^ Paoletta, Rae (10 January 2018). “Goop’s “Trusted Expert” Anthony William Dispenses Junk Science, Say Critics”. Inverse.com. Inverse. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
13. ^ “Spirit Says: Healing Foods”. goop.com/. Goop. 2016-10-27. Archived from the original on 30 April 2018. Retrieved 30 April2018.
14. ^ “Medical Medium”. hayhouse.com. Hay House. Archived from the original on 11 March 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
15. ^ “Medical Medium Life-Changing Foods”. hayhouse.com. Hay House. Archived from the original on 11 March 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
16. ^ “Medical Medium Thyroid Healing”. hayhouse.com. Hay House. Archived from the original on 11 March 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
17. ^ “Medical Medium Liver Rescue”. hayhouse.com. Hay House. Archived from the original on 11 March 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
18. ^ “Medical Medium Celery Juice”. hayhouse.com. Hay House. Archived from the original on 21 July 2019. Retrieved 21 July2019.