Robert Barefoot
Encyclopedia
Robert R. Barefoot is a controversial alternative medicine
proponent who advocates the use of coral calcium
through his books, lectures, audiotapes and infomercials.
, Robert Barefoot graduated with Honors from Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
with a certificate in chemical research technology. Even though he is sometimes referred to as "Dr. Robert Barefoot", he does not possess any doctoral degree. He now lives in Wickenburg, Arizona
.
Barefoot has researched enhanced hydrocarbon
and metal extraction in the mining industry for which he obtained several international patents. He has also published six research papers on mineral diagenesis
and analytical chemistry
. Barefoot's research with Dr. Carl Reich on terminal cancer patients led Barefoot to write one of his best-selling books, "The Calcium Factor." The book has been ranked in Amazon's top 500 sales listings.
Until 2004, he presented his products in an infomercial
hosted by Kevin Trudeau
.
brought a case against the marketers of T-Up, an unproven cancer
and AIDS
treatment, Barefoot was called upon to be an expert witness on the use of caesium chloride on humans in conjunction with high pH therapy but was dismissed based on his lack of professional training and research in this particular area.
magazine article by Leon Jaroff, "The monthly cost of the recommended dose of Barefoot's calcium tablets is some 15 times greater than that of the ordinary drug store variety." Jaroff called Barefoot's marketing of coral calcium "one of the more successful scams of our age" and "sheer nonsense," and labeled him a "huckster". He ended his article with a call for intervention by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
Upon further analysis, it is apparent that Coral Calcium is nothing more than calcium carbonate and magnesium (there are other elements and minerals present in trace amounts) which can be bought at the local home improvement store as limestone and costs about $1.00 per bag.
Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....
proponent who advocates the use of coral calcium
Coral calcium
Coral calcium is a salt of calcium derived from fossilized coral reefs.- Chemistry :Coral calcium is composed primarily of calcium carbonate , with small amounts of magnesium and other trace minerals...
through his books, lectures, audiotapes and infomercials.
Background
Born in Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Robert Barefoot graduated with Honors from Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology is located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and provides technical training and applied education designed to meet the demands of Alberta's industries...
with a certificate in chemical research technology. Even though he is sometimes referred to as "Dr. Robert Barefoot", he does not possess any doctoral degree. He now lives in Wickenburg, Arizona
Wickenburg, Arizona
Wickenburg is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town is 6,423.-Geography:Wickenburg is located at ....
.
Barefoot has researched enhanced hydrocarbon
Hydrocarbon
In organic chemistry, a hydrocarbon is an organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon. Hydrocarbons from which one hydrogen atom has been removed are functional groups, called hydrocarbyls....
and metal extraction in the mining industry for which he obtained several international patents. He has also published six research papers on mineral diagenesis
Diagenesis
In geology and oceanography, diagenesis is any chemical, physical, or biological change undergone by a sediment after its initial deposition and during and after its lithification, exclusive of surface alteration and metamorphism. These changes happen at relatively low temperatures and pressures...
and analytical chemistry
Analytical chemistry
Analytical chemistry is the study of the separation, identification, and quantification of the chemical components of natural and artificial materials. Qualitative analysis gives an indication of the identity of the chemical species in the sample and quantitative analysis determines the amount of...
. Barefoot's research with Dr. Carl Reich on terminal cancer patients led Barefoot to write one of his best-selling books, "The Calcium Factor." The book has been ranked in Amazon's top 500 sales listings.
Until 2004, he presented his products in an infomercial
Infomercial
Infomercials are direct response television commercials which generally include a phone number or website. There are long-form infomercials, which are typically between 15 and 30 minutes in length, and short-form infomercials, which are typically 30 seconds to 120 seconds in length. Infomercials...
hosted by Kevin Trudeau
Kevin Trudeau
Kevin Mark Trudeau is an American author, radio personality, and infomercial salesman best known for promoting alternative medicine. A number of his television infomercials and several of his books, including Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You to Know About, allege that both the U.S...
.
Litigation
When the Attorney General of MarylandAttorney General of Maryland
The Attorney General of Maryland is the chief legal officer of the State of Maryland in the United States and is elected by the people every four years with no term limits...
brought a case against the marketers of T-Up, an unproven cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
and AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
treatment, Barefoot was called upon to be an expert witness on the use of caesium chloride on humans in conjunction with high pH therapy but was dismissed based on his lack of professional training and research in this particular area.
Criticism
According to a critical TimeTime (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
magazine article by Leon Jaroff, "The monthly cost of the recommended dose of Barefoot's calcium tablets is some 15 times greater than that of the ordinary drug store variety." Jaroff called Barefoot's marketing of coral calcium "one of the more successful scams of our age" and "sheer nonsense," and labeled him a "huckster". He ended his article with a call for intervention by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
Upon further analysis, it is apparent that Coral Calcium is nothing more than calcium carbonate and magnesium (there are other elements and minerals present in trace amounts) which can be bought at the local home improvement store as limestone and costs about $1.00 per bag.