Following some of the bizarre practices adopted by celebrities can cause some serious side effects, health experts say.
By Kimberly RodriguesSep 20, 2022
Outrageous celebrity health trends have always fascinated us – from leech therapy and vampire facials to drinking wee-wee, charcoal, and basically everything, including voluntarily getting stung by bees, celebrities seem to have tried it all.
For the sake of their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, celebs are open to trying just about anything. Though these fads may be outlandish, they are all undeniably fascinating.
But having said that, all of the health fads adopted and promoted by celebrities have been rubbished and dismissed as utter nonsense by health experts.
Let’s check out some of the weirdest celebrity health and beauty trends here.
Getting a load of bees to sting you: Apitherapy
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow is literally buzzing about this therapy which she feels is incredible. She reportedly told The New York Times, "It's a thousand of years old treatment … People use it to get rid of inflammation and scarring."
However, Megan Ayala, a health expert and nutrition, and fitness expert on diet and weight loss website, Patricia and Carolyn reportedly told bestlifeonline.com that apitherapy is not a good idea at all.
She is quoted as saying, "Bee sting therapy is literal death for honeybees.” She adds, "It is a cruel act towards the insects.”
Plus, Megan warns that the venom from bees induces a histamine response from the body - "This causes anything from irritation like swollen, reddened skin, to severe allergic reactions that can be life-threatening."
A facial with your own blood: Vampire Facial
This process is known as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy or, more commonly a 'vampire facial' which is very painful said Kim Kardashian, who had smeared and injected her face with her own blood.
Megan reportedly said that the theory is that the 'vampire facial' is supposed to restore your youthful skin cells. However, there is zero scientific basis for this.
She is quoted as saying, "Getting your blood injected back in the skin can cause burning, redness, prolonged swelling, and bruises on the face. Certified dermatologists are hard to find, and they charge high fees, prompting people to go cheap, which is hazardous to their skin."
Helping to boost your immune system: Vitamin IV drips
Celebrities such as Rihanna have dabbled in various such infusions, which are said to help boost the immune system and replenish the body’s lost vitamins and electrolytes.
Jonathann Kuo, an anaesthesiologist in New York, told Vogue that vitamin IV drips are not really necessary.
He reportedly said, "There are some vitamins and substances that react with each other" and it can result in a bad reaction.
Also, according to BuzzFeed News, "Aside from possible infections from improper needle use (which can happen in both hospital and home settings), vitamin toxicity can occur. For example, if you take too much vitamin B6, which is associated with brain health and mood improvement, you can damage your nerves in a way that can lead to permanent numbness in your limbs."
Putting coffee in an alternative orifice: Coffee Enemas
Four years ago, Gwyneth Paltrow again, proclaimed via her lifestyle website Goop the health benefits of a DIY flush of room temperature coffee into the rectum, which could be delivered by something called the Implant O' Rama.
This bizarre practice has reportedly caused some serious side effects including rectal burns, bowel perforation, infection, and even death, Healthline informs.
David M. Poppers, MD, Ph.D., reportedly told Men's Health, "At-home enemas like the one Goop is promoting have also been associated with severe infections and sepsis and severe 'degradation' of the colon wall and perforations."
According to Megan, "An incorrectly administered enema can damage tissue in your rectum, cause bowel perforation, and, if the device is not sterile, infections."
Exposing your private parts to the sun: Vaginal bathing
Shailene Woodley, the American actress once reportedly told Into the Gloss she liked to give her vagina a little vitamin D... She is quoted as saying, “spread your legs and get some sunshine."
Calling the concept ‘absurd’ Megan is reported to have said, "Yes, getting vitamin D is essential, but directly exposing your private parts to the sun is taking it too far."
She warns, "It's even riskier for people who have high-risk strains of HPV.
“Sunning the genital area would essentially increase the risk of HPV-related cancer."
Drinking your own wee
The pop star, Madonna has reportedly said she likes to take an ice bath before drinking her own wee. British adventurer, Bear Grylls is also supposedly a fan of the latter.
Besides calling it ‘disgusting’ Megan is quoted as saying, "Consuming urine can cause bacteria and toxins to be directly immersed in your body and it can lead to kidney and multiple diseases."
AN ASIAN writer has explained how his new book makes Britain’s imperial past “accessible, engaging and thought-provoking” for a younger audience.
Award-winning author and journalist Sathnam Sanghera’s new book, Journeys of Empire, explores empire through 10 journeys he described as being “extraordinary”. Sanghera said his book, published last month by Puffin UK, is “a way of helping children understand how Britain’s biggest story still shapes the world today.”
“We’re not taught this history very well,” he told Eastern Eye.
“The empire is morally complex – sometimes we were good, sometimes bad – so, how do you even begin talking about it? It’s also contentious. There are millions of us whose families were colonised, and millions whose families were the colonisers.”
Teachers cannot teach what they themselves were never taught, Sanghera pointed out.
“There are multiple layers to why British people are so bad at talking about this history. It touches on race, misogyny and geopolitics. It’s easier just not to talk about it.”
And , the cover of his book
Following the success of his bestselling children’s title Stolen History, Sanghera’s this latest work continues Sanghera’s mission to write for readers aged nine and above. With a focus on human experiences, Sanghera said he wanted show that history is not just a list of dates or conquests – it’s a tapestry of stories that connect people.
Born in Wolverhampton to Punjabi immigrant parents, he began school unable to speak English. Later he graduated with first-class honours in English language and literature from Christ’s College, Cambridge.
He has since built a career as a writer and journalist.
His memoir, The Boy with the Topknot, and his novel, Marriage Material, were both shortlisted for the Costa Book Awards. Empireland, Sanghera’s exploration of Britain’s colonial legacy, was longlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non- Fiction, named a Book of the Year at the 2022 National Book Awards, and inspired the Channel 4 documentary series Empire State of Mind.
His first children’s book, Stolen History, introduced young readers to the complex and often overlooked realities of empire. With Journeys of Empire, Sanghera aims to go further. “When I finally learned about the British empire, it changed how I saw myself, how I saw Britain, and how I saw India,” he said.
“It seemed obvious that you’d want to give this gift to young people – because your 40s is a bit late to be learning all this.”
Sanghera said the 10 journeys in the book take readers across continents and centuries, revealing both the ambition and the brutality of empire.
“The British empire covered a quarter of the world’s surface and a large portion of its population. It was seven times the size of the Roman empire,” he said.
Aiming to ensure diversity in both perspective and geography, Sanghera said he chose stories from various countries and different phases of the 400-year history.
Alongside India and Mahatma Gandhi, readers will learn about Guyana’s indentured labour system, Gertrude Bell’s adventures in Iraq, and the British invasion of Tibet led by Francis Younghusband.
“I wanted to highlight areas often left out of mainstream narratives,” the writer said. The stories are written with an accessible and honest tone, and with humour.
“Violence is a tricky area,” Sanghera said. “You can’t go into graphic detail, but you also shouldn’t whitewash it. The violence and racism of colonialism were intrinsic. “I tried to strike a balance - acknowledging the brutality without overwhelming young readers.”
Writing for children isn’t much different from writing for adults, Sanghera said.
“You still need engaging stories and to hold attention. The main thing is to avoid big words that might put them off.”
He pointed out how storytelling can counter the allure of digital screens.
“Kids are addicted to screens, and reading rates are falling globally. That’s disastrous for mental health, intellectual development, and politics,” he said.
“When you get news from screens, you’re in an echo chamber – you’re not being challenged or taught to think in a nuanced way.”
Sanghera’s hope is that stories of Journeys of Empire – from pirates to princes and explorers to rebels – will draw in young readers to a world of curiosity and reflection. He said, “The British empire is a complex story. Even the ‘good guys’ had flaws. That’s what makes it worth understanding.”
At the heart of his book is a message about complexity and contradiction. “The empire involved slavery and the abolition of slavery. It caused environmental destruction and inspired environmentalism. We live in a world that struggles with nuance, but that’s what makes us human,” Sanghera said.
“My hope is that readers – kids and adults – learn that opposite things can be true at the same time.”
After six years of writing about empire, Sanghera said he’s ready for a change. His next book will focus on the late pop star George Michael, due out in June next year.
“I thought George Michael would be a nice break from empire. But then I learned that his father came from Cyprus - which was under British rule. The reason he left Cyprus was because of the British. So, even George Michael’s story connects back to empire. You can’t escape it, wherever you go.”
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