On March 15, 2026, Dr Amir Khan, a well-known medical expert featured on ITV, took to his Instagram account to address the proliferation of medical myths circulating on the internet. In a video, he emphasized the importance of debunking these misconceptions to protect public health.
Dr Khan identified five specific myths that he believes require urgent clarification. The first myth he discussed was the concept of “cortisol face,” which suggests that facial puffiness is caused by elevated cortisol levels. He clarified that true cortisol excess, known as Cushing’s syndrome, is a rare condition.
Next, he tackled the idea of parasite cleanses, which are often marketed as effective treatments. Dr Khan pointed out that these cleanses are typically just herbal laxatives and do not effectively eliminate actual parasites from the body.
Another prevalent myth involves detox teas. Dr Khan explained that most of these products contain laxatives and do not provide any real detoxification benefits for the body.
He also addressed the misconceptions surrounding hormone balancing supplements. According to Dr Khan, hormones are regulated by complex feedback loops, making it unlikely that generic supplements can effectively balance them.
Lastly, he discussed seed cycling, a trend suggesting that eating specific seeds during different menstrual phases can help balance hormones. Dr Khan noted that this practice lacks clinical support.
Dr Khan emphasized the need for skepticism regarding health claims that oversimplify complex physiological processes. He stated, “There is a lot of very confident nonsense about health on the internet right now,” urging viewers to question such assertions.
He further advised, “So, the internet is great, it’s great. But when something claims to fix complex physiology with a very simple trick, just question it.” This statement highlights the importance of critical thinking in health-related matters.
Dr Amir Khan’s insights serve as a reminder for individuals to consult their general practitioners for health concerns rather than relying solely on online information. His call to action aims to foster a more informed public, capable of discerning fact from fiction in the realm of health.