CNN reported that Dr. Ben Carson has discovered a natural cure for headaches, cholesterol levels and blood pressure symptoms.
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Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson speaks Aug. 4, 2022, at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas. (AP)
This CNN headline about Dr. Ben Carson is fabricated
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This screenshot is altered. CNN did not report this, Dr. Ben Carson did not say it and medical experts say there is no cure for high blood pressure.
If only high blood pressure could disappear forever.
A viral Facebook post claims Dr. Ben Carson has discovered how — with three natural ingredients.
The Jan. 10 post shows a screenshot of what looks like a CNN article with a photo of Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, former Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development secretary. The headline says: "72-years-old Ben Carson: Do not kill the heart with chemistry! If your blood pressure is higher 140/80, drink two tablespoons of … "
The post includes a link to a bogus website hawking porcini oil.
"Dr. Ben Carson discovered 3 completely natural ingredients, and as a result, blood pressure disappeared forever," the post’s caption reads.
This Facebook post was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.)
Featured Fact-check
We searched for this headline and found no articles from CNN or other credible news outlets that contained this information.
The photo of Carson in the post is neither recent, nor related to any comments he made on high blood pressure or porcini oil. A reverse-image search found the photo was taken in March 2016 at a Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
The same image of Carson was used in a scam ad shared on Facebook to sell CBD gummies to treat high blood pressure. PolitiFact rated that post False.
Although high blood pressure can be managed with regular monitoring, doctor-prescribed medications and a healthy diet, it’s so far incurable, according to the American Medical Association.
"There is no cure for high blood pressure, it is important for patients to take steps that matter, such as making effective lifestyle changes and taking (blood pressure)-lowering medications as prescribed by their physicians," according to the group’s website.
We rate the claim that Dr. Ben Carson has discovered new ingredients to cure high blood pressure False.
Our Sources
Facebook post, Jan. 10, 2023
American Medical Association, "Patients can take these steps to lower their high blood pressure." Mar. 6, 2023
PolitiFact, "No, Ben Carson isn’t hawking CBD gummies to treat high blood pressure" Jan. 3, 2024
Getty Images, Photo of Dr. Ben Carson at the 2016 Conservative Political Action Conference, March 4, 2016
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This CNN headline about Dr. Ben Carson is fabricated
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