Scroll for long enough on social media and you’ll see it: a confident voice, a simple explanation, and a promise that this one thing explains your symptoms.
Recently, I saw a reel on instagram claiming that belly fat is caused by a ‘toxic’ or ‘sluggish’ liver — and that it can be fixed with bitter foods, flaxseed, or by ‘heating’ the liver. It’s a perfect example of social media hokum.
Health reels work because they:
Our brains love this. Unfortunately, biology is rarely that tidy.
Take belly fat as an example.
Abdominal fat is influenced by:
The liver is involved in metabolism - but it doesn’t become ‘blocked’ or ‘toxic’ in the way social media often suggests. When people have conditions like non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease, belly fat and liver changes tend to develop together, driven by the same underlying metabolic factors. One does not magically cause the other.
If your liver genuinely wasn’t functioning properly, you wouldn’t just have stubborn belly fat - you’d be very unwell.
I love a good conspiracy theory, especially when slating big pharma. But not when it is running contrary to physiological facts. The danger isn’t just misinformation - it’s distraction. When we look for simple explanations and chase quick fixes, we’re pulled away from the things that actually improve health.
This is worth stating clearly: your liver already detoxifies your body extremely well. Unless you have diagnosed liver disease, your liver does not need cleanses, teas, rituals, or resets. Framing normal body functions as broken creates unnecessary anxiety — and sells solutions you don’t need.
Before sharing or acting on a reel, it’s worth asking:
Confidence is not the same as competence.
The unglamorous truth:
These don’t fit neatly into a 30‑second reel — but they’re supported by evidence.
Social media can be a brilliant tool for sharing health information, but it’s also an environment where certainty is rewarded more than accuracy. Your body is not broken. Most health issues are nuanced, multi‑factorial, and individual - and anyone claiming otherwise deserves a healthy dose of scepticism. Critical thinking isn’t being negative. It’s being protective. If you’re unsure about something you’ve seen online, talk it through with a qualified health professional who’s willing to say “it’s complicated” - because real health usually is.
Here at C3 Cathedral Chiro, Truro we will take the time to consider health concerns that you might have. We do question you about your diagnoses as well as your prescriptions as these often relate to your musculoskeletal health. If we think that there is any cause for concern we will advise that you talk to your GP or pharmacist.
