Fasts and cures instead of chemo: one year firm required against a naturopath for illegal practice of medicine

In total, two years in prison, including one closed, were required this Friday in Paris against a naturopath for illegal practice of medicine and usurpation of the quality of doctor, after the death of two people with cancer who had followed its recommendations.

The two patients saw themselves "deprived, by choosing the practices of Miguel B. rather than conventional medicine, of a chance of survival", declared the prosecutor, denouncing "extremely dangerous practices". "He never questioned himself," said the magistrate, asking that the firm part be purged under an electronic bracelet and that a definitive ban on practice be pronounced.

The case tried before the Paris Criminal Court began with the complaint in February 2019 of the companion of a man who had succumbed two months earlier to testicular cancer which had become widespread.

Diagnosed in 2016, the patient had not gone to see a surgeon but preferred to follow a "health plan" developed by the naturopath, based on fasts and cures, raw food and plants and essential oils.

"Drink infusions"

The family of a Belgian physiotherapist, who died of uterine cancer at the age of 39 and who had also consulted the defendant, joined the case.

"He made my companion believe that by following this protocol, he was not going to need surgery, when even an ablation would have saved him" declared the companion of the deceased, describing with emotion "the grip" of the naturopath.

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To the patient who spoke to him about his fatigue and growing pains, the naturopath replied that he had to "put on a diet", "purge in the evening", "drink infusions".

On the Internet, the name of the accused is associated with the title of "doctor of molecular medicine", specializing in brain cancer.

At the hearing, Miguel B. claimed to have done "14 years of study", including a doctorate and a post-doctorate in the United States. He also assured that he never presented himself as a "doctor" and did not promise to "cure" but "to help the body to cleanse itself". “Naturopathy as I practice it, we don't take care of illnesses,” he said. Defense argument continued into the evening.