Science Advocacy
Science Advocacy
Welcome to Ask a Scientist, where we answer questions from our readers on a wide range of scientific topics. Got a scientific question? Drop us an line.
My friend from high school messaged me about Asea. He’s a personal trainer and into all of this herbal/supplement/health stuff. My friend said it can help with a bunch of things including executive functioning, and other diagnosis. I’m kinda sketchy about stuff like this. Let me know what you think. – JT, Calabasas, CA
Thanks for the question! This would also have made a great “bad science on the internet”. Here are the facts from your good friends at UseYourBrain!.
A company called Asea sells the creatively-named supplement “Asea.” They claim it contains “redox signaling molecules” which can promote cellular heath and can be used to improve immune function, improve athletic performance and improve general energy and health. Some have suggested it as a treatment for the symptoms associated with autism.
I watched a few of there YouTube videos and… wow. It’s hard to know where to start. The company claims that a”medical atomic physicist” figured out how to generate and stabilize these “redox signaling molecules”, which they claim are the key to “cellular health.” First of all, there’s really no such thing as a “medical atomic physicist.” I’ve never heard anyone describe themselves this way before and you cannot get a degree in “medical atomic physics.”
Welcome to Ask a Scientist, where we answer questions from our readers on a wide range of scientific topics. Got a scientific question? Drop us an line.
I read on the internet that there are dangerous levels of a toxic weed killer in many common vaccines. Is this true? Should I be worried? – Rebecca T., Wilton, CT.
Great question to start off our Ask a Scientist series, Rebecca. Here are the facts:
This claim was posted online by a group called Mom’s Across America (or MAA, which is the guttural noise of frustration that I make after reading their website). I’m not linking to their site because it contains biased anti-GMO, anti-chemical info while also conveniently selling their own line of homeopathic health supplements. They sell a product for “mineral health”, which is not a thing, and it contains “72 essential trance minerals.” Mind you they don’t say what these essential minerals are, nor do they address the fact that there are less then 20 scientifically accepted essential minerals. I think you get the point.
