Story of Harvard student discovering weight-loss mineral isn’t from Paste BN | Fact check
The claim: Paste BN reported on ‘secret mineral’ that helps with weight loss
A Nov. 7 article on a web page with the Paste BN logo reports that a Harvard Medical School student discovered a “life-changing” secret mineral for fast weight loss.
“Have you ever thought why the celebrities (sic) could lose weight so quickly and easily?" the article reads. "It’s called the K3 Spark Mineral."
The article includes supposed before-and-after weight loss pictures of a woman named Emily Senstrom and celebrities who purportedly used the product, including Melissa McCarthy and Kelly Clarkson.
It was shared on Facebook more than 200 times in one day, according to the social media analytics tool CrowdTangle.
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Our rating: False
Paste BN did not report or publish this story. There are no credible news reports of a Harvard student who discovered a mineral that aids in weight loss.
Woman pictured in article says images are stolen, story is hoax
Paste BN did not report or publish the article despite the logo.
“The article circulating on Facebook using the Paste BN logo and branding is fake,” a Paste BN spokesperson said.
There are likewise no credible news reports of a Harvard student discovering any miracle substance called K3 Spark Mineral.
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The woman the article claims is Senstrom is actually Kiah Twisselman Burchett, a former cattle rancher from California who became a motivational speaker, life coach and podcaster, according to her official website. But she has nothing to do with anything called K3 Spark Mineral.
"They've been stealing my images and creating this false story for over two years now and it's incredibly frustrating and disheartening, especially as someone with a personal brand in which I promote body acceptance and help women escape harmful diet culture like what's being wrongfully promoted," Burchett told Paste BN in an email.
Burchett, who lost over 100 pounds in less than a year, has been profiled by numerous news outlets, including People Magazine, Good Morning America, VICE and Women's Health. None of those stories mention a mineral called K3 Spark.
The website that shared the article could not be reached for comment.
Lead Stories also debunked the claim.
Our fact-check sources:
- Kiah Twisselman Burchett, Nov. 8, Email interview with Paste BN
- Coach Kiah.com, accessed Nov. 8, Home Page
- Good Morning America, May 27, 2020, This 27-year-old lost 120 pounds in 1 year by making small life changes
- People Magazine, May 27, 2020, This Cattle Rancher Lost 122 Lbs. — and Her Weight Loss Method Is Perfect for Life in Quarantine
- Women's Health, June 21, 2020, ‘I Lost 125 Lbs. With Rachel Hollis’ Last 90 Days Challenge And Intuitive Eating’
- VICE, Aug. 26, 2021, Influencer Says She Lost 122 Pounds While Eating Meat. She Worked for Big Beef.
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