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

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."

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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.