Time to separate fact from fiction

Re: “Step Right Up, Folks!” [Dec. 11]: Most of us have been smitten by the potential allure of these products.

I was interested in stimulation of growth hormone by supplementation. As a physician I had the knowledge to pursue it with various lab tests (on myself) and after a year determined all these claims were strictly bogus.

There are some products that probably do have some value, but in my opinion probably over 90% is pure chicanery.

So many people are still throwing away their hard-earned money on these worthless products. Thanks for your timely article.

ARNOLD M. EPSTEIN

Malibu

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Periodic articles such as this one on “new cures” are excellent. Success comes with almost anything one does, since it has been known for years that there is a 40% positive response due to the placebo effect.

For example, it has been known for 30 years that cutting the skin and not doing heart surgery gives such a benefit.

HARVEY ALPERN, MD

Santa Monica

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This article barks headlines but is all fluff. Anybody who has read your paper in the last few weeks knows that the Food and Drug Administration is in bed with the pharmaceutical industry.

Thankfully, the last 20 years has seen people taking responsibility for their health by eating smart and exercising more. Who the heck takes DNA Colloidal Boost? Come on.

Oh well. This cotton candy journalism will probably get what it was designed for: a full page ad from a leading pharmaceutical company.

ROBERT MYERS

Santa Monica