Netflix's new series Apple Cider Vinegar critiques wellness influencers and also takes a critical look at the Western medical system. The show is a dramatized version of Belle Gibson's story a convicted Australian scammer who claimed to have terminal brain cancer. Kaitlyn Dever plays Belle Gibson and the series showcases the impact of her books and app that promoted clean eating as a cure.
Apple Cider Vinegar also features a fictional person named Lucy who represents those affected by Gibson . In the show Lucy's character stops cancer treatments hoping Gibson's methods offer a more caring approach than hospitals. Show creator Samantha Strauss explained that Lucy's character is important to show the feelings of many people battling illness. These individuals often feel unheard out of control and not seen as whole people.
Strauss stated in an email "So it makes sense we want to put our faith in the hands of someone (likely beautiful) on the internet. We know they’re selling us something but when you’re terrified that you’re sick and dying or that someone you love is sick and dying you can’t put a price on hope."
The problems shown in Apple Cider Vinegar are not just fictional. Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian a cardiologist and director at Tufts University's Food is Medicine Institute notes a real need for broader preventative and lifestyle care in the US medical system. He said "There are many patients who are suffering from auto immune diseases chronic pain diseases other chronic diseases where their regular medical system has failed them. It’s basically just doing kind of Band-Aid fixes to get them past their symptoms."
Dr. Mozaffarian added "It’s entirely understandable that people are starving … for information around healthy eating." He pointed out that diseases linked to diet like diabetes heart disease depression and gut problems are widespread. Research on how diet relates to other health issues is underfunded. This means doctors often lack current information on the impact of food and behaviors on patient concerns.
Dr. Mozaffarian summarized "You have this perfect storm of widespread disease widespread confusion and widespread desperation for information. And while that craving for better nutrition information can be a good thing it also leaves people open to people with half-true or completely false health claims to step in."
Dr. Summer Allen a family medicine physician at the Mayo Clinic also mentions patients may hesitate to discuss wellness practices with doctors. She said "They don’t feel like they’re going to have someone give them an open mind or try to understand what’s drawn them to a certain behavior or to a certain lifestyle or health."
Dr. Allen explains that traditional medicine has been paternalistic where doctors dictate treatment. "That’s just not where we’re at from a society standpoint given just the abundance of knowledge and information we have now and also because people really are experts about their body and what they’re experiencing" she noted.
Ideally Dr. Allen suggests everyone should have a collaborative healthcare team to guide behavioral changes for better health. However this is not always feasible. Professionals advocate for a more comprehensive patient approach. Resources are available to incorporate prevention behavior and alternative methods into healthcare. Dr. Jonathan Bonnet lifestyle medicine-certified physician at Stanford University School of Medicine recommends the American College of Lifestyle Medicine's database to find certified doctors. Nutritionists can also help navigate nutrition information.
Dr. Bonnet states that the most crucial health factors are often simple lifestyle choices not purchasable products. He advised "If anyone is telling you hey this is going to change our world and cure everything that would be more suspect. The larger the claim the more suspicious I would be." Prioritizing sleep whole foods physical activity stress reduction and strong relationships is key for everyone he emphasized whether ill or healthy.
When considering new wellness trends Dr. Mozaffarian advises using a "triangle of trust". This involves verifying information with three trusted sources like government university sites reliable doctors or medical journal studies. He also suggests combining traditional and alternative medicine. Dr. Mozaffarian acknowledges that some functional medicine doctors are insightful but others may lack expertise. Practices like acupuncture and meditation have demonstrated real scientific benefits in trials sometimes even outperforming medication for certain conditions.
Dr. Allen stresses the importance of informing doctors about any alternative practices or supplements. This ensures doctors can prevent harmful interactions with prescribed treatments. Apple Cider Vinegar concludes with Lucy undergoing chemotherapy alongside yoga ice baths and meditation showing the importance of balance according to Strauss.
What Apple Cider Vinegar's Medical System Critique Means
The Series Reflects Real Patient Experiences And System Shortcomings
Apple Cider Vinegar presents a fictional story rooted in real frustrations with the medical system. The series highlights patient desires for compassionate care preventative approaches and personalized advice often missing in conventional treatment. Lucy's choice to explore wellness methods mirrors actual patient journeys seeking alternatives when feeling unheard or underserved by traditional medicine.
The inclusion of expert opinions from Dr. Mozaffarian and Dr. Allen adds weight to the show's critique. Their comments validate the need for a more integrated approach that addresses lifestyle factors and patient experiences. The series suggests that the appeal of wellness influencers like Belle Gibson stems from unmet needs within the current healthcare model a system that sometimes focuses on symptom management rather than whole-person well-being.
Our Take On Apple Cider Vinegar's Perspective
Balance And Informed Choices Are Key Takeaways From The Show
Apple Cider Vinegar while dramatizing a cautionary tale offers a relevant commentary on contemporary healthcare and wellness culture. The series does not dismiss traditional medicine but underscores the importance of addressing patient needs for holistic and preventative care. The ending showing Lucy integrating both chemotherapy and wellness practices suggests that the solution is not rejecting conventional treatment entirely but finding a balanced informed approach.
The show encourages viewers to be critical consumers of wellness information especially from unverified online sources. However it also prompts reflection on how the medical system can better serve patients by adopting a more patient-centered comprehensive model. Apple Cider Vinegar ultimately advocates for informed choices combining the best of conventional and alternative approaches while prioritizing evidence-based practices and reliable sources.
Sources: CNN Netflix Tudum The Guardian Business Insider