Don't fall for it

A message came through one of my health chat groups on WhatsApp yesterday, this one from Dr Dicky Ng, the occupational health and lifestyle medicine doctor at Penang Adventist Hospital. He was sounding a warning about some of the devices being sold on various online shopping platforms, particularly those making exaggerated claims. His message was clear: don’t fall for flashy marketing or promises of miraculous results — especially when it comes to health gadgets that claim too much with too little science behind them. 

He had written: "Saw this on a social media platform, I would like to share with you all that any company which claims its blood sugar (test kit), whether prick blood, or wear on skin or just shining thru finger, if it claims such accuracy, you've got to be Highly SUSPICIOUS -  all medical equipment, unlike counting money or engineering measurements, CAN'T reach such Accuracy yet, at least not that I know of.  Please share with your family, friends, and associates." and adding later another message: "Good rating, time limited offer with Buy Now button, are all good ways to pull your emotion to click the...prominent button.  You will gain more health by donating that amount of money to charity. Even current gold standard CGM AKA F Libre, carry a 5 min lagging time.  Real time Blood Glucose Monitor, it is definitely an OVERCLAIM."