CLAIM: Men lose fat faster than women FACT: True. This is due to men’s higher muscle mass, metabolism, and hormonal differences compared to women First Check came across an Instagram reel claiming that men lose fat faster than women. The video contends that men burn fat up to 12 hours after exercise, whereas […]
New Delhi: The World Health Organization (WHO) has initiated a collaboration with the Ministries of Health in Thailand and Sri Lanka to pilot a new tool to counter infodemics—the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation that hinders access to credible health information. Named the ‘Information Environment Assessment’ (IEA), this tool is currently under trial in […]
Geneva/New York/Washington — The United Nations has warned that progress in reducing child mortality is at risk due to global funding cuts. According to new data from the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 4.8 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2023, while 1.9 million stillbirths occurred. “Millions of children […]
Forty-year-old Ranjit Singh stays at the night shelter on Asaf Ali Road in New Delhi where residents were recently screened and tested for tuberculosis (TB), as part of the Union Government’s 100 Day Intensified Campaign on TB Elimination, which started on 7th December, 2024. Singh, one among the 200 residents at the shelter, had been […]
On March 19, 2025, Raja Babu, a 32-year-old resident of Sunrakh village near Vrindavan, Mathura, took a drastic step: he attempted to perform surgery on himself after watching YouTube tutorials. Driven by chronic abdominal pain—possibly linked to an appendectomy 18 years prior—he locked himself in a room, injected a numbing agent, and made a seven-inch […]
Rural communities are closely tied to their environment, with traditions and daily activities shaped by the natural world. As climate change disrupts these environmental patterns, it is causing significant emotional and psychological distress. This distress is often linked to ‘Solastalgia’, a psychological experience triggered by degradation of the environment around oneself. Research examines the emotional […]
CLAIM: Brush your teeth at night and then after you eat breakfast in the morning. FACT: True; doctors First Check spoke to advised that brushing two times, at night before going to bed and after breakfast in the morning is the most ideal practice. Since childhood, we have been repeatedly told that we […]
CLAIM: Rosemary oil helps treat hair fall. FACT: Indeed, Rosemary oil is found to arrest hair fall and stimulate fresh hair growth. Today, hair loss is a widely discussed problem online. With people constantly on the lookout for a solution to address these issues, the latest super cure for hair loss is rosemary, […]
A study from the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) in Sydney has revealed a surprising mechanism that helps cells protect themselves from cancer. The research, published in Nature Communications, highlights the active role of telomeres—protective structures at the ends of chromosomes—in preventing tumor development. Telomeres are often likened to the plastic tips on shoelaces, shielding […]
Apollo Hospitals on Tuesday launched the ‘Apollo Joint Preservation Program’, offering early intervention and personalised treatment for patients with joint pain, arthritis, inflammatory conditions and ligament injuries to help them maintain mobility. “The Joint Preservation Program at Apollo is built around patient comfort and support, designed to benefit individuals of all ages who may not […]
With the FDA approval of Merilog in February, the number of the biosimilar insulins has risen to three. Other two are Semglee and Rezvoglar which were approved by the regulatory agency in July and September 2021 respectively. However, Merilog is the first rapid-acting insulin biosimilar product approved by the FDA. The approval is for both […]
Tech giant Microsoft has launched a new AI product—a voice-activated AI assistant that would assist healthcare workers perform their professional duties more efficiently. The tool has been named Dragon Copilot and is designed to listen to and create notes based on clinical visits. The system has incorporated voice-dictation capabilities from Dragon Medical One, a speech-recognition […]
CLAIM: The trend of switching to pink salt, rock salt, and Himalayan salt without iodine is bringing the iodine deficiency back. FACT: The growing popularity of plant-based diets, which often lack key animal-based iodine sources, combined with the rising consumption of non-iodized salts like Himalayan pink salt, is increasing the risk of iodine deficiency. […]
New Delhi: Snacking plays a significant role in modern diets, but many packaged snacks are loaded with excessive sodium, added sugar, and saturated fats, posing risks to metabolic health. A large scale clinical trial revealed that frequent consumption of ultra-processed snacks such as cookies, candy, and chips is linked to increased visceral fat, elevated blood […]
CLAIM: A, B and AB blood groups are more prone to blood clotting, raising the risk of heart attacks and early strokes FACT: Misleading. While A, B, and AB blood groups have higher clotting tendencies, their link to heart attacks and strokes is still under investigation, as cardiac risk depends on multiple factors […]
CLAIM: Wearing bras for more than 12 hours a day can significantly increase the risks of developing breast cancer FACT: No association, whatsoever, is found between wearing bras and the extended risk of breast cancer Ask most women, and they will tell you that the constrictive bra can be uncomfortable, frustrating and restrictive. But can […]
CLAIM: Black coffee can treat fatty liver FACT: Misleading. While black coffee may offer some liver-protective benefits, it cannot “dissolve fat” or cure fatty liver disease on its own. First Check came across an Instagram reel claiming black coffee can treat fatty liver. “Do you know how coffee impacts liver?” says the […]
The United States is facing an outbreak of measles, a disease declared eliminated in the country since 2000. Over 250 cases have been reported across multiple states with Texas hardest hit. Two fatalities, a child in Texas and an adult in New Mexico, have also been recorded. “CDC issues Health Alert Network (HAN) Advisory to […]
In an era of growing skin cancer concerns, Vitamin D is drawing some attention for its emerging role in preventing certain cancers. Studies show that vitamin D may trigger the natural death of malignant cells, inhibit the growth of blood vessels feeding tumours, and promote the differentiation of skin cells. But unprotected exposure to sunlight […]
CLAIM: Lack of sleep can cause the brain to “eat itself” FACT: Misleading. While sleep deprivation could lead brain disorder including Alzheimer’s, ‘brain eating itself’ is an oversimplification First Check came across an Instagram post claiming that “lack of sleep causes your brain to eat itself”. “Studies show that sleep deprivation causes your […]
CLAIM: Menstrual products, such as sanitary pads, can cause infections and even lead to potentially fatal toxic shock syndrome. FACT: Sanitary pads are not associated with toxic shock syndrome. Maintaining proper menstrual hygiene is the only guarantee against bacterial infection of the vagina. Holistic living, going back to your roots, and trying […]
CLAIM: Taking certain supplement combinations hinders their absorption and cancels out each other’s effects FACT: Misleading as most supplements are a combination of multiple metals and minerals A Youtube video has claimed that intake of supplement combinations can interfere with their absorption or “cancel out each other’s effects.” “If we take calcium […]
A new study has found a connection between brain changes during pregnancy and postpartum depression. Published in Science Advances, the study examined how structural changes in two key brain regions—the amygdala and the hippocampus—correlate with postpartum depression symptoms. Researchers observed that women who developed moderate to severe postpartum depression exhibited an increase in the volume […]
CLAIM: Chronic stress can cause cancer FACT: Misleading. No proven link exists between stress and cancer, though research is ongoing. At around five minutes into a YouTube video posted by content creator Raj Shamani, Dr. Tarang Krishna, an oncologist, claims that long-term emotional stress can cause cancer. The video has amassed nearly two […]
Women contract Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) up to 30 times more often than do men, a susceptibility attributed to female anatomy: A woman’s Urethra – the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the bod – is shorter than a man’s, so bacteria need lesser time to invade the bladder. Further, […]
Historically, medical research has largely excluded women from clinical trials for drugs and medical devices. As a result, their participation remains disproportionately low in studies on critical health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, psychiatric disorders, and cancer. The gap has led to a lack of gender-specific data, potentially impacting the effectiveness and safety of treatments […]
CLAIM: Exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in everyday plastics, significantly harms female fertility by reducing viable egg count, disrupting hormonal balance, and affecting implantation. FACT: True. BPA exposure can negatively impact female fertility, particularly through oral ingestion and skin contact. First Check came across an Instagram reel posted by @foundmyfitness, […]
Although the average age for heart attack among women is 72 compared to 65 among men, women are more than twice as likely to die after a heart attack than men, studies have found. One such research presented at Heart Failure 2023, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), found that “women […]
CLAIM: Air fryers cause cancer FACT: No, they do not, they are better than frying on a pan using oil or cooking over an open flame A claim that refuses to die down is that air fryers cause cancer. Social media is filled with such videos and posts. A random search on X […]
New Delhi: India is witnessing a sharp rise in swine flu (H1N1) cases, with government data reporting 20,414 infections and 347 deaths as of last December. “The government is keeping a close watch on the rising influenza cases and monitoring the trend through its integrated Disease Surveillance Programme,” an official told the media. Swine flu […]
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a range of conditions caused by fat build-up in the liver. It silently spreads through the organ over a period of time and disrupts its normal functioning. A similar condition in which the fat deposit in the organ is accompanied by inflammation is termed non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH can […]
“Communities and countries and ultimately the world are only as strong as the health of their women.” -Michelle Obama Welcome to another newsletter from First Check– your one-stop shop for all the latest credible, verified, and useful health-related information. This month I wanted to speak to you something that is very close to our hearts […]
CLAIM: High alcohol tolerance is a red flag FACT: True. People with high tolerance tend to drink more to feel the same effects as others who consume less, increasing their risk of addiction and long-term health complications A reel posted by @breakfreewithabhi, a growth and wellness influencer on Instagram, highlights the dangers of alcohol tolerance. […]
In a swanky complex in Gurgaon, Tanav Handoo fiddled with his wheelchair’s control buttons and spun in a full circle, looking both startled and amazed as the door to his apartment opened. He maneuvered his wheelchair with practiced ease, effortlessly controlling his movements. “Go slow!” his parents reminded him. Full of energy and chatter, he […]
The last day of February is celebrated as ‘Rare Disease Day’ the world over to focus attention on rare diseases and highlight it as a public health emergency—but what are rare diseases? Though some countries have their own definitions of what makes a disease ‘rare,’ according to the World Health Organization (WHO), a rare disease […]
An unknown disease outbreak in the northwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo has set alarm bells ringing in the medical community with the speculation that it might be severe malaria, but doctors have not yet been able to draw a definite conclusion. The unknown disease has claimed at least 60 lives as of publishing […]
CLAIM: Women’s bodies need fat stores to maintain healthy hormone production FACT: True. Women need body fat for hormone production, and very low body fat levels can disrupt menstrual cycles and overall health. Maintaining abs can risk hormonal imbalances. Speaking on a podcast, actress Tanishaa Mukerji claimed that women can’t maintain abs for a long […]
Heart disease and stroke claimed more lives in 2022 in the United States than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined, an American Heart Association (AHA) report said. In 2022 alone, 9,41,652 deaths in the US had cardiovascular disease listed as the underlying cause. Cardiovascular disease refers to conditions that affect the […]
The vaccine being introduced by the union government in the next six months to safeguard women against some cancers will also cover cervical cancer, the second most prevalent cancer in India, accounting for nearly one-fourth of the world’s cervical cancer deaths despite being largely preventable. The other two cancers that the vaccine is designed to […]
Pope Francis, the 88-year-old pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church has been suffering from a condition called double pneumonia, also known as bilateral pneumonia. According to the Vatican News, the pope has been hospitalized with a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract on February 14. “A follow-up chest CT scan, to which the Holy Father […]
The cricketer turned politician Navjot Singh Sidhu claimed in a January 29 Facebook post that he had lost 33 kgs within five months through lifestyle changes and dietary modifications. “Before and after … have lost 33 kilograms in less than 5 months since August last year … it was all about willpower, discipline, process and […]
As Maharashtra state continues to see rising cases of Guillain–Barré Syndrome (GBS), the Ministry of Health government of India has started social media awareness about understanding the causes of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), underlining that it is rarely linked to vaccinations.” GBS is a rare but serious autoimmune disorder that can affect peripheral nervous system. The condition […]
Valentine’s Day is touted to be the day of love, with roses, chocolates, gifts and words of affirmation used to symbolise this love. However, there is a darker, many a times unspoken side of love that lurks in the corners of many Indian households- intimate partner violence. Intimate partner violence refers to any behaviour within […]
CLAIM: Drinking your own urine can have multiple health benefits. FACT: There’s no scientific evidence to substantiate these claims. You have all heard the story perhaps- former Prime Minister Morarji Desai used to drink his own urine. The revelation caused such a stir, when as the Prime Minister of the country he spoke of drinking […]
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that time is running out to finalize a global pandemic agreement, urging world leaders to act decisively. Addressing the Thirteenth Intergovernmental Negotiating Body meeting on Monday, he called it a “now or never” moment, emphasizing the urgent need to prepare for future pandemics. The high-stakes negotiations, set […]
CLAIM: Consuming fish and milk together or one after other can lead to vitiligo. FACT: This is a myth; there is no scientific evidence supporting this idea, as vitiligo is primarily caused by autoimmune factors, not dietary combinations. ‘Don’t have milk and fish together!’ This is a common warning that many of our elders have […]
Indian industrialist Harsh Goenka has sparked debate over a widely touted weight loss remedy, once again drawing attention to the scientific validity of drinking lemon juice and honey for weight management — a practice that has gained significant traction on social media platforms. “I was told that if you drink lemon juice with honey every morning for […]
Since his Bharat Jodo Yatra a couple of years back, Rahul Gandhi’s choice of ‘winter clothes’ has been a matter of great discussion. This year too, we saw the Indian National Congress leader all over our Television screens and on social media in just a white T-shirt during the Delhi election campaign and parliament sessions […]
On January 25, 2025, a day before the country celebrated Republic Day, Dr Jose Chacko Periappuram, one of India’s pioneering cardiac surgeons, received a phone call from a Secretary in the Home Ministry. It was a phone call that he probably would not forget any time soon—he had won the Padma Bhushan for ‘revolutionising surgical […]
CLAIM: Drinking beer is good for bone health, and can prevent osteoporosis. FACT: Medical experts have criticized the PETA advertisement calling it a dangerous misrepresentation of scientific research that could mislead consumers. In fact, alcohol consumption is a risk factor for osteoporosis. Medical experts are strongly criticizing a PETA advertisement that claims beer consumption […]
Last week, multiple media organisations reported on the death of a local Samajwadi Party leader in Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat district, claiming that the leader passed away after he took a weight-loss drug he ordered online—highlighting the real-world consequences of health-related misinformation found online. According to regional and national media reports, Furkan Pahalwan, the 35-year-old local […]
In health-care services, spaces should be allocated for private conversations and listening can be incentivised with more time for consultations and patient feedback on whether they felt heard, argues a researcher in her latest article in the Lancet. Laying stress on listening to patients, the author argues that primary care should be allowed to more […]
US President Donald Trump has been in office just a over two weeks now, and he has already passed multiple executive orders and made announcements that would have profound impact on global and domestic health policies, healthcare institutions and humanitarian aid organisations. Many of these roll back key health care and global health policies established during the […]
CLAIM: Cut down oil intake by 10 percent to improve health. FACT: True, doctors First Check spoke to agreed with the suggestion, and stated to us that if adopted this would help improve the health of people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his inaugural speech for the 38th National Games in Dehradun, Uttarakhand advised people […]
You might ask, what is the relationship between alcohol consumption and cancer? The truth is, even one drink a day can increase the risk, and the US Surgeon General has issued an advisory highlighting this link between cancer and alcohol consumption. Data on alcohol and health in humans show a strong link between alcohol consumption […]
There is a silent ‘pandemic’ that is taking over the world, including India, and costing lives—obesity. World Obesity Atlas report from the World Obesity Federation, predicted that 51% of the global population will be living with overweight or obesity by 2035 if current lifestyle trends continue. In recent years, developing countries are experiencing a more dramatic rise in the […]
At the beginning of February, Karishma Mehta, the Founder and CEO of the popular Humans of Bombay Instagram page, shared that she chose to freeze her eggs the previous month. She shared the news in a post on Instagram where she shared the important events in her life in the first month of 2025, sparking a conversation about […]
CLAIM: Inserting fingers into the mouth can treat tonsillitis. FACT: This practice is unsafe and can introduce new infections; proper medical treatment is necessary First Check came across a viral video on Facebook in which a man claims to cure tonsillitis by inserting fingers into mouth. “I treat tonsils and jaundice free of cost here,” […]
First Check received a WhatsApp tipline request from a reader regarding a video circulating on WhatsApp. In the video, a person claims that winter causes a rise in blood pressure and urges elderly not to get out of the bed before 8 AM lest it lead to paralysis or heart attack. “We see more cases […]
The WHO has sounded the alarm over a sharp rise in wild poliovirus (WPV1) cases in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the world’s last endemic reservoirs, warning that geopolitical, infrastructural, and security challenges are fueling its spread. With cases surging by 283% in Afghanistan and 550% in Pakistan compared to 2023, the WHO has launched emergency measures […]
CLAIM: Paracetamol is the most harmful medicine in the world and should be avoided FACT: Paracetamol is safe when used as directed by medical professionals; risks arise only from overdose or misuse A podcast shared by @vatsalasingh in a tweet on December 3, 2024 describes paracetamol as the world’s most harmful medicine. The account has […]
It was a balmy August afternoon when I found myself in a plush New Delhi hospital, waiting for my biopsy report. The sterile white walls and the faint smell of antiseptic evoked a rush of surreal memories – rushed doctors, hushed whispers, intimidating operation theaters, and an endless cycle of blood tests. I had never […]
CLAIM: Ivermectin has 15 powerful anti-cancer mechanisms and can effectively treat various types of cancer. FACT: While laboratory research shows promising results, medical experts emphasize that Ivermectin has not undergone clinical trials for cancer, and its use as a treatment remains unproven. A post on the popular social media platform X, formerly Twitter by @bensmithlive […]
Indian Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, presented the Union Budget 2025-26 on February 1, 2025, which featured a big push for the health sector. The budget allocated Rs 99,858.56 crore for health, which is almost 10 per cent more than what the government had allocated the previous financial year. Adding 75,000 new medical seats over the […]
Pune is currently experiencing a surge in Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases, a rare but severe neurological condition affecting the peripheral nervous system. On Sunday, the Maharashtra health department confirmed that the number of GBS cases in Pune surpassed 100, with one suspected death reported in Solapur. The Director General Indian Council of Medical Research Dr […]
Does a patient’s blood pressure rise when visiting a doctor? A YouTube video claims it does, referring to the condition as White Coat Syndrome. “The more qualified the doctor, the higher the rise; the more prestigious the hospital, the more expensive the treatment,” says Dr Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury, a popular online figure who reportedly has […]
In what is being called a major leap forward for cancer care, researchers have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system capable of predicting the course and severity of aggressive skin cancers like Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). Named “DeepMerkel”, this AI tool can help doctors tailor treatments to individual patients, ensuring they receive the most effective […]
Cancer is among the leading causes of death worldwide, with approximately 1 crore lives lost in 2022. By 2040, annual new cancer cases are projected to increase to 2.9 crore, while cancer-related deaths are expected to reach 1.5 crore. Diseases like cancer need fact based diagnoses and evidence backed therapies and treatment protocols prescribed by […]
New Delhi: Despite a global decline in smoking rates, lung cancer cases among non-smokers—particularly women and Southeast Asian populations—are rising, a new study has found. Lung adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that originates in the glands producing fluids like mucus, has emerged as the most common form of cancer in non-smokers, accounting for over half […]
CLAIM: Ivermectin reduces the ability to conceive and grow babies, causing infertility FACT: Misleading. Ivermectin’s safety during pregnancy remains inconclusive An Instagram channel @simone.gisondi with a following of 275,000 has recently posted a video of a British anti-vaccine activist and an ex-Pfizer scientist Dr Mike Yeadon where he terms Ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug, as “one of the most violent fertility toxins.” “Ivermectin is […]
Tesla CEO and key Trump administration adviser Elon Musk has termed the shutdown of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as necessary, calling the agency a “criminal organization” that is “beyond repair.” Speaking in a live session on X Spaces, Musk said he had discussed USAID in detail with the president, who agreed that […]
World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day is celebrated on January 30 every year and this year the World Health Organization (WHO) urged governments, leaders, communities and individuals to unite, act and eliminate these diseases through “bold, sustainable investments.” Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of 21 infectious diseases that primarily impact over a billion […]
Hello! We have some great news for our readers; you can now read selected stories by First Check on THE WEEK as well! THE WEEK, published by the 137-year-old Malayala Manorama group, is India’s bestselling news magazine in English and is known for over 40 years of award-winning journalism. First Check will be providing exclusive […]
CLAIM: A viral video suggests drinking from plastic bottles leads to ingesting a credit card’s worth of plastic weekly. FACT: False. While an earlier 2019 study did claim so, more recent research from 2022 shows that the actual microplastic intake is about one millionth of that amount, and comes from various sources, not just plastic […]
CLAIM: Repeated and chronic experiences of déjà vu are a sign of neurological or psychological illness, such as temporal lobe epilepsy or psychiatric conditions FACT: True. Déjà vu is harmless in healthy individuals. But if experienced repeatedly along with seizures, it could indicate temporal lobe epilepsy or other neurological disorders A reel posted by @docpriyankasehrawat […]
New Delhi: As the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) gears up for a possible fourth term in office, the party released their manifesto for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections on Monday, featuring 15 key “Kejriwal ki guarantee.” The promises or ‘guarantees,’ as the party calls it, ranged from employment for youth to 24/7 clean drinking water […]
CLAIM: CT coronary scans can detect heart blockages quickly, non-invasively, and with precise detail, eliminating the need for traditional angiograms. FACT: This claim is misleading. While CT coronary angiograms (CTCA) are a valuable diagnostic tool, they do not replace traditional angiograms in all scenarios. Both procedures serve distinct purposes and are applied based on the […]
A YouTube short posted by @ReadersBooksClub claims that eating pomegranate, watermelon, and guava seeds improves gut health. “People say don’t eat pomegranate seeds because it is believed that they aren’t digested, but that’s exactly why they’re good. These seeds provide food for gut bacteria, which would otherwise starve,” says the expert in the video. He […]
The unexpectedly powerful Chinese AI model DeepSeek has shaken up the artificial intelligence industry, with experts online predicting it will profoundly impact even the healthcare sector. According to analysts, DeepSeek’s advanced capabilities could enable smaller hospitals and research groups to run sophisticated models on their own hardware, eliminating the need for large-scale infrastructure. This shift could reshape […]
In one of his first orders after assuming office last week, President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the World Health Organisation (WHO), citing the international body’s mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic, lack of political independence, and the disproportionate contributions the US makes to the organisation financially. The executive order said, “The United States noticed […]
Educational films can help parents reduce child violence and improve parenting, especially in low-income areas, according to a new one-of-a-kind study publsihed in the well regarded journal, The Lancet. “Universal parenting interventions using a film-based entertainment-education approach can effectively reduce physical violence against children and increase positive parenting, with potential for scalability in low-resource settings,” […]
CLAIM: Benzoyl Peroxide is effective for acne, particularly inflammatory acne. FACT: Benzoyl Peroxide should only be used under a dermatologist’s guidance, as improper use or concentration may cause irritation, burns, or allergic reactions. A video posted on Instagram by skincare and lifestyle influencer @banya_biswas.00 recommends using Benzoyl Peroxide for treatment of acne has drawn drawn.3,000 […]
In a viral Instagram reel posted by @behind_of_truth.ing, Acharya Manish, an ayurvedic expert and influencer, claims that commonly used fever medications like paracetamol, Dolo, Calpol, and Brufen are harmful. The video, which has garnered about 10 lakh likes and about 3 crore views, features him making statements such as, “If you have fever, never take […]
While the national average caesarean delivery rate in India is 21.5 per cent, a report published in the peer-reviewed medical journal ‘The Lancet’ shows there are stark disparities based on regions, wealth and sector. Regionally, Nagaland had the lowest rates of caesarean deliveries, 5.2 per cent while Telangana topped the charts with 60.7 per cent. […]
CLAIM: IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti claims cow urine has medicinal properties including the ability to cure fever in 15 minutes and help with digestive issues like Irritable Bowel Syndrome, citing an anecdote about a monk who used it. FACT: Medical experts, including gastroenterologists who First Check contacted, state there is no scientific evidence or […]
CLAIM: Ketamine can help manage symptoms of depression FACT: Ketamine is an anaesthetic with growing evidence supporting its potential for treating Treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but the drug is not yet FDA approved for psychiatric applications. Its off-label use requires medical supervision due to potential risks and side effects. With Tesla CEO and […]
CLAIM: Wine, beer, and rum can help your skin by balancing its natural acidity, fighting bacteria, and keeping it youthful by restoring collagen FACT: Studies suggest limited skincare benefits from wine extracts, but alcohol’s overall adverse health effects outweigh these benefits Can your favorite alcoholic drink double as a beauty booster? A […]
CLAIM: Refined flour (maida) is not unhealthy if consumed with fruits, vegetables, and protein. FACT: Expert opinions and studies agree that maida is nutritionally inferior and linked to health risks like blood sugar spikes, nutrient deficiencies, and increased risk of cardiovascular issues. Small quantities, however, may not cause significant harm, so limiting […]
An Instagram reel posted by @dr_richa_tiwari provides guidance on the ideal timing for getting a tetanus shot. The video, which has amassed over 1.7 million views and 45,000 likes, features Dr. Richa Tiwari recounting an incident where she advised tetanus vaccination to a neighbour following a minor injury. “A lady in my neighborhood got pricked […]
Mark Zuckerberg’s recent decision to scale back or even shut down the fact-checking operations on Facebook and other Meta platforms is a move that has far-reaching consequences for the integrity of information shared across social media. This decision has ignited a debate over the responsibility that platforms like Facebook hold in curbing the spread […]
Days after the World Health Organization (WHO) sought US$ 1.5 billion to provide life-saving health care to millions of people in emergencies across the World, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the US from the WHO, while calling it a “big one.” After returning to the White […]
CLAIM: HIV is part of the composition of COVID-19 vaccines FACT: False. An experimental vaccine developed by Professor Keith Chappell, a molecular virologist, in 2020 incorporated a small HIV protein segment but posed no risk of HIV transmission. The vaccine never progressed beyond initial Phase 1 trials and was never distributed publicly. Reports about […]
Noida, Uttar Pradesh: Thirty-two-year-old Besaniya works as a domestic worker in Noida, and lives in a slum called Chaura Basti near the Delhi-Noida border with her two kids. Her husband Ram Deen, who worked as a daily-wage labourer, has been sick with respiratory issues for the past few years. People in her neighbourhood jhuggis also […]
Mark Zuckerberg recently announced that instead of relying on fact-checkers, Meta’s social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, will leave it to people to fact-check information on their own. While fact-checkers around the world have raised alarms about the move, as a physician, I am afraid that public health may be one of the […]
CLAIM: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the leading cause of sudden deaths among young gym-goers during exercise FACT: Further studies are required to determine the true incidence of HCM-related sudden cardiac deaths and its risk factors, with no comprehensive data on HCM prevalence in India An Instagram reel posted by @dr.arshad01 attributes the sudden death […]
A viral reel by @GalattaIndiaOffl shows the renowned Bollywood actress Vidya Balan candidly sharing her lifelong struggle with weight loss and the distinction between body fat and inflammation. “All my life, I have struggled to be thin. All my life, I have dieted like crazy, I have exercised like crazy, sometimes I would lose […]
CLAIM: A majority of Keralites are lactose intolerant, while 70% of West and North Indians can easily digest milk. FACT: Studies show that while Indians in general are lactose intolerant, more South Indians were prone to the condition than those from Northern parts of the country. A popular reel on Instagram claims that a majority […]
The Jammu and Kashmir government today announced that the recent deaths in Rajouri are not linked to any communicable disease- bacterial or viral. Instead, toxins detected in the biological samples taken are believed to be the cause of the 14 unexplained deaths in the district. “Clinical reports, lab investigations, and environmental samples indicate that the […]
The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday described recent deaths in the Rajouri district as “mysterious,” saying that investigations are ongoing and no definitive conclusions have been reached. Health Minister Sakina Masood Itoo said that the deaths began in December 2024 but subsided by the first week of January. During a function in Badhaal village […]
CLAIM: Disprin, clopidogrel and atorvastatin tablets should be chewed in case of a heart attack FACT: This claim lacks context and can be misleading for some viewers. First Check reviewed an Instagram reel posted by @healthwithreels which talks about first aid that should be given to people if they suffer a heart attack. The video, […]