Ben Goldacre’s Bad Science column today offers a biting critique of the ‘science’ behind the QLink pendants advertised in Holford’s Health Products for Life catalogue. The QLink is sold as protecting against EMR – if you’re worried about EMR, read what Le Canard Noir has to say about it. Focusing on the QLink, though, Goldacre finds that they don’t do anything useful: they don’t emit any interesting ‘frequencies’, and they contain a “coil connected to nothing. And a zero-ohm resistor, which costs half a penny, and is connected to nothing.” This was advertised for £69.99; well, some people think they look nice…
On top of advertising QLink in the Health Products for Life catalogue, Holford gives a glowing testimonial [1] for the pendant:
There are many gadgets out there promising to protect you from electromagnetic radiation and give your energy a boost. I’ve investigated many and didn’t find any stacked up. The one exception is QLink. The scientific proof is deeply impressive.
OK, so Holford finds the ‘scientific proof’ that a ‘coil connected to nothing…And a zero-ohm resistor” can boost energy and protect against EMR ‘deeply impressive’. Oh well. What I’ve quoted above might be embarrassing – but the testimonial from Holford gets more toe-curling as it goes on:
After researching all the products available that claim to combat EMR, I’ve finally found one where the science stacks up: QLink. This revolutionary pendant provides continuous support against EMR via a microchip which resonates at the same frequencies as the body’s own energetic field. This so-called Sympathetic Resonance Technology works along the same principles as acupuncture – but
without the needles!
Firstly, Goldacre found that the QLink does not contain a microchip. Apparently, finding “deeply impressive…scientific proof” for a product’s efficacy doesn’t include making that the product contains what you say it does. And I’m not sure how having a copper coil and disconnected 0ohm resistor hanging from your neck works on the same principle as having needles stuck in you during a course of acupuncture. I’d like to know, though! – I’m due to give blood sometime soon, and strapping a copper coil to my wrist sounds much more fun than having a needle inserted in to drain the blood out [2].
Anyway, I really ought to think of a witty way to end this post, but I don’t think I can be bothered. It’s late, and I’m knackered; now if only I could find something to resonate sufficiently sympathetically…
[1] UPDATE: I’ve linked to the google cache of this page because, within minutes of me posting this, the original page was no longer available. Almost enough to make you paranoid…
[2] Seriously, though, if you haven’t given blood before, don’t let me whining about a little needle put you off. It really isn’t particularly painful, and I’m a wimp…
great blog, keep the good work going :)
Hi Jon, couldn’t see where to comment on the Guardian letter article so thought I’d put this here.
Is there a typo in paragraph 8? mbg are used as a unit. Or did I misunderstand something?
Good stuff anyway.
thanks coracle – that’s a key part of my article on folic acid. Conventional medicine sells folic acid in mcg; however, at Holford Watch I’m pleased to be able to offer a special 100mbg dose of *quantum* folic acid, which works just like folic acid supplements, so long as you wear it close to your heart. Yours for only 50 times the price of conventional folic acid supplements.
OK. Tempting as it is to go for the big money, actually I must admit that there was a typo in the piece on folic acid. I’ve corrected that – and enabled comments now. Sorry about comments being turned off on my last post – not deliberate, but the blogger software’s been playing up on me all day :(
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interesting article… i think that all those pendants, jewelry or any other mystical that claim to have any mystical powers… works on who that believe in them.
Depends what you mean by ‘work’, I guess. Placebos can have interesting effects.
Obviously the company is paying Holford to advertise this device,they couldn’t get anyone to buy it, so why not use Holford as a marketing tool? After all, some people really think that what he is saying is true. His job is to advertise products and convince people to buy vitamins and many of his “incredible” insights into good health books.