Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You to Know About
Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You to Know About is a book authored by controversial infomercial product salesman Kevin Trudeau.[1] It is advertised on television infomercials as a book that claims to reveal information about drug companies as well as a variety of natural cures for serious illnesses. Some skeptics accuse Trudeau of exploiting consumers, often citing his larceny conviction as a reason not to trust him. He now claims to be on the straight and narrow, considering his book an act of consumer advocacy.
Premise
In the book, Trudeau attempts to prove that there are all-natural cures for serious illnesses such as cancer, herpes, arthritis, AIDS, acid reflux disease, various phobias, obesity, multiple sclerosis, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, attention deficit disorder, muscular dystrophy, and others that are being deliberately hidden from the public by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission. Trudeau's beliefs are that these cures are being suppressed because the government cannot regulate and control all-natural cures. Trudeau cites a pattern of payoffs, conflicts of interest, and bribery, as well as commissioners from the FDA going to work directly for drug companies upon leaving the FDA and use their clout to protect their companies' interests. Trudeau also argues that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is also involved, shutting down alternative health care providers like Trudeau and others who advocate all-natural cures in order to protect the drug companies' profits.
The book has been the focus of much controversy since its publication, and it has sold more than 3 million copies and remained on The New York Times best-seller list for over nine weeks.
Versions of the book
The original book contained 271 pages. An "Updated Edition" was sold shortly thereafter, containing 563 pages. The Updated Edition adds a new introduction, a frequently asked questions chapter and a chapter on website information. It also adds three appendices, containing newsletter articles, "No-Hunger Bread: A True FDA Horror Story," and locations of several health care practitioners. The FDA article, originally a short letter and summary of the case in the original book, is included in its entirety in the updated edition. One omission in the updated edition is a Glossary section containing several New Age techniques.
The chapter "The Cures For All Diseases" was censored by the FTC in the original book, but the chapter is included as "Natural Cures for Specific Diseases" in the updated edition due to making headway in court.[citation needed] The 2004 Stipulated Final Order also does not ban Trudeau from distributing publications but rather bans him from the promotion or sale of products and services.
Criticism
Trudeau began selling his book after he had been legally barred from marketing any other product. The FTC has banned him from appearing in, producing, or disseminating future infomercials that advertise any type of product, service, or program to the public, except for truthful infomercials for informational publications. In addition, Trudeau cannot make disease or health benefits claims for any type of product, service, or program in any advertising, including print, radio, Internet, television, and direct mail solicitations, regardless of the format and duration.[1] This ban stems from dubious claims about past products.
The FDA has the ability to block individuals from selling drugs or medical devices that are not safe or effective, and the FTC has the ability to stop individuals from engaging in false or misleading advertising about a product. But neither agency can stop an individual from writing and promoting written works that do not advertise a particular product because of First Amendment protection of an individual's right to author and promote written works.
The book contains multiple references to Trudeau's websites: www.thewhistleblower.com, www.kevinfightsback.com, and www.naturalcures.com, as well as promoting a CD audio version and a similar book, Lose 30 Pounds in 30 Days: The Weight Loss Secrets They Don't Want You To Know About.
One of his theories cites an electromagnetic field around the body, evidenced by Kirlian Photography. He believes that food irradiation and cooking with microwave ovens creates an energy field that is toxic to humans. Another claim is supported by the "Acid-Alkaline" theory. Some of his statements are unquestionably correct advice (drink more water per day, quit smoking).
While the book contains references to studies and news articles, they are generally vague and often fail to mention the author, title or publication in which they originally appeared. Excerpts from these studies or news articles generally are not contained within quotation marks. Most are reprinted without the use of bold or italicized text. There has been no apparent effort to distinguish them from additional remarks offered by Kevin Trudeau. As such, some readers may find it difficult to determine where the excerpt ends and Trudeau's own opinion begins.
Trudeau has declared that he will lead a crusade against the FDA and the FTC, and will make an effort to sue companies who promote false claims in advertising such as leading pharmaceutical companies. On February 28 2005, Trudeau filed a complaint against the FTC in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, seeking declaratory and injunctive relief. Trudeau also filed a motion for preliminary injunction, which the court denied. The United States District Court for the District of Columbia granted the FTC's motion to dismiss. Trudeau later filed an appeal which resulted in the unsuccessful attempt to reverse the previous court's ruling.[2]
The chief criticism of the book is that Trudeau is pushing an alternative theory with little apparent proof. He makes allegedly unproven claims such as that the FDA has purchased many drug companies in order to keep drugs coming to consumers so they do not look for other cures. He also claims that the FDA selectively targets small and medium sized companies. The book also claims that not only does the FDA push drugs, but that drugs cause such conditions as AIDS, headaches, bloating, indigestion, heartburn, nausea, allergies, asthma, fibromyalgia, arthritis, diabetes, constipation, yeast infections, dandruff, acne, halitosis, fatigue, depression, stress, and inability to lose weight. The book claims that AZT, in particular, can be linked to causing AIDS.
Some of his stated goals include using his publisher, Alliance Publishing Group, to promote natural cures. His website contains a number of references and articles, notably "FDA Horror Stories" such as "No-Hunger Bread," which describe past instances of the FDA suppressing natural cures. Another article addresses 714X, an alleged cancer treatment developed in Canada. For example, in the book the "No-Hunger" Bread recipe he says can be had on his website and is only available to those who pay a monthly subscription fee of ten dollars for access to the site.
In the chapter "How to Never Get Sick Again", recommendation number 36 is to "Do dianetics/scientology". His opinion is that the simplest, most complete and effective system of eliminating psychosomatic illness, traumas, and emotional issues is the procedure of Dianetics and Scientology auditing.
Reference
- ^ "Kevin Trudeau Banned from Infomercials", September 10, 2004
- ^ Trudeau v. FTC (Appeal) URL Accessed August 7, 2006.
Further reading
- Trudeau, Kevin, Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You To Know About, Alliance Publishing, 2005. ISBN 0-9755995-1-8
- Candice Choi, Associated Press, No Sure Cure, The Detroit News, page 3b, 25 Sep 2005, in court records. [2]