NHS boss warns against Gwyneth Paltrow's long Covid advice and the dangers of 'misinformation'

Professor Steven Powis said that celebrities had a "duty of responsibility" and that these are "not the solutions we'd recommend"

Gwyneth Paltrow attends The 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2019 in New York City
(Image credit: Theo Wargo / Staff via Getty Images)

The NHS's Medical Director has spoken out against Gwyneth Paltrow's recent recommendations for dealing with long Covid.

Revealing that she had Covid-19 "early on" in the pandemic, Gwyneth wrote on her blog that a "functional medical practitioner" had recommended intermittent fasting as part of a healing regime. 

However, medical experts have warned against taking the actor's advice and that some diets, like keto, are not suitable or safe for everyone. 

"Like the virus, misinformation carries across borders and it mutates and it evolves," Powis told BBC News. "So I think YouTube and other social media platforms have a real responsibility and opportunity here."

More from woman&home:

The British Medical Journal notes that around 10% of coronavirus patients are suffering from longer term effects, colloquially known as "long Covid".

"In the last few days I see Gwyneth Paltrow is unfortunately suffering from the effects of Covid," Powis continued. "We wish her well, but some of the solutions she's recommending are really not the solutions we'd recommend in the NHS.

"We need to take long Covid seriously and apply serious science. All influencers who use social media have a duty of responsibility and a duty of care around that."

This is not the first time that NHS representatives have spoken against Gwyneth's work; just last year its chief executive criticized her wellness brand, Goop.

For personal medical advice, always consult your doctor.

Lucy Abbersteen

Lucy is a UK-based beauty journalist who has written for the likes of Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, OK!, Women's Health and more, as well as contributing to woman&home. Her work covers everything from expert skin and haircare tips to the latest product launches and the show-stopping beauty looks spotted backstage at London Fashion Week. During her career she's interviewed some seriously famous faces, from Little Mix to Drag Race royalty The Vivienne, as well as chatting to the industry's leading hairdressers, dermatologists and make-up artists.