Put a Sock in it, Dr. Oz.

Dr. Oz is being sued. Not for dispensing silly advice about "natural" weight loss supplements. Not for shamelessly promoting "Dr.Oz's homeopathic kit." Not for having nutcase Joe Mercola on his show. Not for having guests who claim to talk to the dead. But for giving advice about improving sleep by wearing socks filled with hot uncooked rice. Apparently Oz opined that wearing rice-filled socks that had been microwaved for twenty minutes is better than counting sheep. He did warn that care has to be taken that the rice doesn't get too hot. But it seems a New Jersey man wasn't careful enough and got third degree burns. He sued. Sounds crazy. What sort of man keeps fiery socks on his feet? Well, it seems one that suffers from diabetic neuropathy and has poor sensation in his legs! The victim claims that Dr. Oz should have warned that this heated rice footsie was not appropriate for diabetics. Shouldn't someone who knows he suffers from such decreased sensations be extra careful before applying any hot substance to his feet? Here's another question. Where is the published study that shows improved sleep with heated socks? I can't find it. Anecdotal evidence from naturopaths? Plenty of that. They promote all sorts of sock therapies. No peer-reviewed studies though. Here's some advice for Dr. Oz. Put a sock in it. Joe Schwarcz