A doctor has expressed his dismay after viewing Netflix's new six-part series, Apple Cider Vinegar. The show stars Kaitlyn Dever and is based on the life of former wellness influencer Belle Gibson. Gibson claimed to have cured her Stage 4 brain tumour through a healthy diet and lifestyle, amassing a large following and creating a successful app, The Whole Pantry, along with a cookbook detailing her health journey and recipes.
Her approach earned her global acclaim, and she even claimed to have donated substantial portions of her income and company profits to various charities. However, it was later revealed that not only had she not made these donations, but she also never had cancer. Journalists exposed the truth in 2015 - Gibson's empire was built on deception. She was convicted of misleading the public into believing that natural remedies could cure terminal cancer by the Federal Court of Australia in 2017. Netflix's new series, adapted from the true crime book The Woman Who Fooled the World by journalists Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano, traces Gibson's rise and fall.
It also shares the stories of cancer patients who were inspired by her claims, as well as another wellness influencer who tragically believed her own cancer could be cured through diet and alternative medicine. The show features a character disclaimer at the start of each episode, confirming that Belle Gibson wasn't financially compensated for the on-screen retelling of her story, while some character names were altered or created for creative purposes. In response to the show, Dr Michael, a doctor with almost 500,000 TikTok followers who focuses on "debunking bad medical advice", aired his candid thoughts.
Addressing the camera directly, he declared: "If this [show] doesn't make you realise the wellness industry is a complete scam, then nothing will convince you. And, oh my god, this was so triggering to watch as a medical professional. "I used to work in a cancer hospital myself and I regularly do palliative care on patients with cancer in the hospital I work in, and this made me so angry and so sad at the same time because, ultimately, it's up to doctors and nurses to deal with this stuff once the s*** hits the fan - and it usually does.".
Dr. Michael urged caution, saying "don't be fooled by anybody", and touched on the wellness industry's lucrative nature. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the industry has already reached a staggering $6.3 trillion (£5.1 trillion) valuation and is predicted to balloon to $9 trillion (£7.24 trillion) by 2028. Dr Michael emphasised that "food is not medicine" and expressed his concern about individuals like Belle, who he believes are exploiting a highly vulnerable audience. He pointed out that many cancer patients are "so desperate to look for anything" that could potentially extend their lives.
Dr Michael stated: "If there was a natural method to cure cancer, Big Pharma would be all over it already, hate to tell you.". He discussed the potential dangers of prioritising wellness advice over conventional medical treatment, explaining that even a slight delay in receiving proper medical intervention can have devastating consequences. He said: "I've seen people refuse conventional treatment for six months, and then come back when the alternative stuff hasn't worked and by that time, it's spread into the lymph nodes, it's spread into lungs, it's spread into the liver, it's spread to the brain, and we literally cannot do anything.".
He clarified: "I'm not saying, 'don't use alternative treatments on top of conventional medicine', I've always said that wellness influencers online are purely there to make money.". He warned against falling for the products often promoted by wellness influencers, such as supplements and books. If you suspect you may have symptoms of cancer, it's crucial to consult with a GP as soon as possible. More information about cancer symptoms can be found on the Cancer Research website.
