Outspoken Gynecologist Calls BS on Gwyneth Paltrow's Health Claims
A gynecologist, who has challenged Gwyneth Paltrow’s views on everything from breast cancer to tampons and nutrition, is blasting the actress again for reportedly spreading false medical information.
Jen Gunter, an OB-GYN and pain medicine physician, penned a blog post on Monday, responding to a comment Paltrow made on May 16 at Fast Company magazine’s “A Meeting of the Most Creative Minds” event in Los Angeles.
Responding to critics of her health and wellness website Goop, which is often labeled privileged and out of touch, Paltrow said, “I’m interested in criticism based on fact, not on projections,” and “If you want to f**k with me, bring your A game.”
In the blog post titled “Dear Gwyneth Paltrow We’re Not F**king With You We’re Correcting You, XOXO Science,” Gunter expresses “the growing exasperation from medical professionals and journalists alike at the almost constant debunking of the health ‘advice’ and all around medical bullsh*t that you and your pals at Goop promote and sell. No, we don’t have adrenal fatigue we have goopitis.”
Gunter dismisses Goop’s advice for ridding the body of so-called toxins, and she takes aim at a portion of Paltrow’s latest book, Goop Clean Beauty, which includes a chapter on Botox, the popular anti-aging procedure that involves injecting the face with the bacterial toxin botulin, which paralyzes muscles and fights wrinkles.
“Do you really think everything in the world is a toxin except alcohol and botulinum toxin?” wrote Gunter. “You worry so much about toxins that you constantly need to ‘cleanse,’ but if someone were to get inTOXICated at your worried wellness GOOP cash grab in June you’ve got them covered with an intravenous.”
Gunter also addresses Goop’s claim that there’s a connection between the underwire in a bra and breast cancer by referencing a “debunked” 1995 book and misconstruing data on the link between breast cancer and women with bigger breasts.
“Ever had a breast cancer survivor cry in your office worried that she caused her cancer by wearing bras for 20 years? Probably not,” Gunter wrote. “I have. When you give your platform to crackpot theories about bras and breast cancer you are literally f**king with breast cancer survivors. Is this fun for you? Is this your ‘A game’?”
She continued: “This kind of fear mongering causes so much distress that researchers have to do special studies even though the idea is biologically implausible and not supported by the myriad of research already available. I can think of better ways to spend those breast cancer research dollars.”
Calling Paltrow’s website a “scare factory” that “makes up” medical info or references so-called facts with “little to no supporting data,” Gunter addresses Goop’s claim that tampons are toxic, vegetables containing lectins (a plant protein) are dangerous, and Paltrow’s infamous tip on vaginal steaming, a spa treatment that involves crouching over a pot and allowing steam to “cleanse your uterus.”
Gunter adds, “You have the gall to tell people like me that we better bring our A game when you bring ghosts and magic to the table. Literally.” Then she dismisses Paltow’s previous advice that women use vaginal jade eggs to increase muscle tone and orgasm potential.
Yahoo Beauty could not reach Gunter for comment; however, the physician and mother, who gave birth to premature babies, first became interested in debunking erroneous medical claims when Internet searches about her children’s conditions left her feeling “appalled.” As a doctor, Gunter could quickly pinpoint false medical information, but wanted to inform others how to separate fact from fiction.
In a September statement to Business Insider, a Goop spokesperson said, “Goop regularly shares perspectives and insights from a range of experts in health, wellness, and other fields. The thoughts shared … stimulate discussion and conversation on a variety of topics for the consideration of our readers.” The person added that people should visit their physician before “making any changes in [their] medical routine.”
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