The belief that celebrities endorse alternative health therapies could see the ordinary public taking health risks,

Four out of five women are willing to spend money on a health treatment they believe is being used by celebrities without evidence it is working, the study that polled 200 doctors found.

Douglas Wright, of the surveying firm, Aviva, said: “Too many women are wasting money following health fads that have little effect. What’s more worrying is that some are opting for treatment trends rather than seeking medical advice – they might not be fashionable but tried and tested health routes are safer and more beneficial.”

Some of the treatments include colonic irrigation and cupping – a form of acupuncture used by Gwyneth Paltrow where heated cups are placed on the skin and on which the jury is out. The procedure topped a list put together by doctors of health hoaxes.

Paltrow has long endorsed yoga and alternative health approaches. Her friend, Madonna, is said to use B-12 injections, while former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell tried costly food intolerance tests.

Colonic irrigation, second on the list, sounds like a good idea with a simple enough procedure: a water-filled tube is placed in the bowel to irrigate the gut. But no real evidence exists as to its value or on how it works, according to the NHS Choices website.

Because its use is believed to be widespread, the ordinary public may be tricked into thinking it is safe. Other procedures in the top 10 include in order of ranking [4] detoxing; [5] macrobiotic diets; [6] aromatherapy; [7] reflexology; [8] vitamin B-12 injections; [9] extreme yoga; and [10] overnight health farm stays.

Katie Price’s perfume Stunning has been revealed as the worst-selling celebrity perfume by a beauty website.

The latest blow comes just days after her split from hubby Peter Andre was revealed and she was dropped from the management company she shared with Peter, 36.

It is claimed sales of her Stunning perfume only claimed 0.37 per cent of all the celebrity sales on website feelunique.com.

Sales of Mariah Carey’s perfume didn’t come much higher and took just 0.43 per cent of sales.

However, pop star Britney Spears came top and received 34 per cent of sales, outselling all other competitors.

Siobhan McDermott, the website’s beauty manager, said: “It’s interesting to see Britney is currently enjoying the sweet smell of success.”

Keira Knightley said she hates the internet and social networking sites such as Facebook.

The 24-year-old actress admitted: “I hate the internet. I find it dehumanising to constantly check emails or social sites which have become so fashionable.”

But Keira, who starred in the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, said she doesn’t like to be treated like a celebrity.

She added, according to British newspaper The Sun: “I’m not a celebrity. I don’t go home or out with friends saying I’m a celebrity and I don’t ask to be treated like a queen. Mum and Dad wouldn’t like that.”

Source: Splash News