Steven Bartlett, the host of the popular podcast Diary of a CEO, is facing backlash from leading health experts over claims made on his show that could put cancer patients at risk.
Bartlett’s podcast, which garners 15 million monthly views, has featured guests who suggest unproven health treatments, including using a keto diet to fight cancer and asserting that the Covid vaccine had a “net negative for society.”
Critics argue that Bartlett has failed to challenge these misleading statements, allowing them to spread unchecked.
Dangerous Advice for Cancer Patients
Professor David Grimes, an Associate Professor of public health and cancer researcher at Trinity College Dublin, warned that following such advice could lead to severe consequences for cancer patients.
He stressed that embracing these unverified recommendations could cause patients to experience “worse outcomes” and even become “very, very sick.”
His concerns highlight the risks of turning to non-evidence-based treatments instead of proven medical practices.
Undermining Trust in Conventional Medicine
Professor Heidi Larson, an expert in public confidence in healthcare, accused the podcast of steering people away from evidence-based medicine.
According to Larson, patients influenced by such views might stop following treatments that have been shown to save lives, simply because they carry potential side effects.
This could have life-threatening implications for those who need scientifically backed treatments.
BBC Investigation Reveals the Scope of Misinformation
A recent investigation by the BBC World Service uncovered troubling findings regarding the health information shared on Diary of a CEO.
The analysis of 23 health-related episodes revealed that 15 of them included an average of 14 harmful claims contradicting established scientific evidence.
What’s more, Bartlett failed to challenge these claims during the discussions, further amplifying their reach.
Legal Loopholes and Controversial Guests
The lack of regulation for podcasts in the UK means that Bartlett is not violating any broadcasting rules despite the spread of misinformation.
One particularly controversial episode aired in July, where Dr. Aseem Malhotra, known for his anti-Covid vaccine stance, claimed the Covid jab had a “net negative for society.”
Bartlett defended his decision to air Malhotra’s views, stating he wanted to “present some of the other side,” arguing that “the truth is usually somewhere in the middle.”
Keto Diet and Cancer Treatment: A Dangerous Claim
Another episode that drew criticism featured Dr. Thomas Seyfried, an American biologist and proponent of the ketogenic diet.
Dr. Seyfried suggested that the high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet could treat and prevent cancer, and even dismissed chemotherapy and radiotherapy as ineffective, claiming these treatments only added one to two months to a patient’s lifespan.
This claim was also debunked by experts, with Professor Larson pointing out that such statements dangerously overstep the bounds of scientific fact.
Ongoing Controversy and Health Concerns
This isn’t the first time Steven Bartlett has come under fire for promoting questionable health advice.
As misinformation continues to spread through his podcast, health professionals worry about the lasting impact it could have on public health, particularly for vulnerable individuals seeking alternative treatments.
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