Senate Candidate’s Podcast Controversy
In Washington, Democratic Senate hopeful Dr. Abdul El-Sayed has a track record of endorsing dubious health products through his podcast, while simultaneously criticizing others in the field for doing similar things.
Currently ahead in Michigan’s primary against state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and Rep. Haley Stevens, polls show El-Sayed took shots at Dr. Mehmet Oz during the 2022 Senate race, alleging he was exploiting people. “He’s not telling it like it is; he’s telling it like some company is paying him to say it,” El-Sayed remarked on the podcast “Bad Faith” back in 2021.
He added, “He’s part of that medical-industrial complex that pushes unnecessary products without scientific backing.” El-Sayed, a trained epidemiologist and former director of Wayne County’s health department, hosted “America Dissected,” a podcast blending health and politics that attracted at least 35 sponsors over more than 300 episodes.
A few months after his criticism of Oz, in March 2022, El-Sayed faced backlash online for promoting Magic Spoon cereal, a heavily advertised brand. He reacted by stating, “I completely reject advertising of products that make health claims.” He argued that the cereal is just a high-protein, low-carb option without any exaggerated benefits.
Despite his stated stance against promoting health-related products, El-Sayed promoted the Lumen Metabolism Coach device in subsequent episodes, which claims to indicate whether users burn fat or carbohydrates during exercise. He asserted, “I really wanted to know what fuel my body uses…” However, skepticism arose, with some health experts deeming it more of a marketing tool than a scientific one.
One researcher commented that there’s little need for specialized equipment to measure metabolic rates effectively. El-Sayed also advertised Thrive Market, an organic food distributor, as a source for health essentials, endorsing various products like Moon Juice Brain Dust and Royal Jelly Brain Fuel—supplements that, according to critics, lack solid evidence for their cognitive claims.
Health authorities argue there’s insufficient proof that these supplements enhance brain function or prevent memory loss. Thrive Market, facing its own legal troubles, recently settled a lawsuit over misleading subscription practices.
El-Sayed began his health podcast in 2019, recently announcing plans to transition it into his personal venture by 2025. Financial disclosures suggest he earned over $100,000 from his production company, mostly from sponsorships.
Interestingly, El-Sayed’s main rival Stevens has accused him of succumbing to corporate pressures, even as he has his own past promoting controversial health products. His campaign has not yet responded to multiple requests for comment.
