Wikipedia - How reliable is Wikipedia? by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

I really enjoy reading the endless pages on Wikipedia and find a great deal of useful information on this site. However, since some of the info is not always correct, I have mixed feelings about wikipedia. If people can put wrong information, or spin information to their advantage, how reliable could this site be? If you are okay with being able to filter through some misinformation, then Wikipedia is a good source for you. If you prefer to have a higher degree of accuracy from and encyclopedia, then you may consider Brittanica or other sources. Overall, though, I love some of the information on Wikipedia and I am really glad this knowledge is posted on the internet.

Ray Sahelian, M.D. has a page on Wikipedia
In March of 2007, I was notified that someone had started a page regarding me on Wikipedia. I must admit this made me quite happy. However, I few days later, a competitor posted slanderous material on the page, but I was glad that it was removed a week later.

Wikipedia emails
Q. In Wikipedia on 'curcumin', 10th paragraph, the article states that Curcumin is harmful to healthy human tissue. Can you correct this grievous error?
   A. I do not find it my role in correcting the info on Wikipedia, otherwise I would spend the rest of my life correcting information on natural supplements on Wikipedia.

Q. I read your web page on 5-HTP after I had a side effect of severe nightmares after taking 100 mg of 5-HTP. I went on Wikipedia to post the fact that your website on 5-HTP mentions nightmares and vivid dreaming to be common side effects of 5-HTP use, however the editors kept removing the reference. Why is it that something that is correct, such as 5-HTP causing nightmares, not be allowed on Wikipedia when it is so true?
   A. I really don't have a good understanding of the editorial policy of Wikipedia. I find most of the information on Wikipedia to be of good quality, but as with any encyclopedia that tries to be an expert on every topic on the planet, it cannot be accurate all the time.

Q. Dear Dr. Sahelian; I am a colleague from New Zealand who recently became aware of an article in Wikipedia where your name is mentioned. I would like to raise your attention to the article on Dr. Stephen Barrett. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Barrett
     In one section, accusations of bias and conspiracy, your comments in a reply to Stephen Barrett's e-mail are noted. Editors have also inserted comments about a recent FDA advisory letter ( some calling it a warning letter ). Some editors have tried to spin it in a way that is negative including comments about your site selling drugs and making misleading claims.: Dr Sahelian operates a website marketing drug products to the public, and has been warned by the FDA about making misleading claims on his website. The phrase has been corrected to : Dr. Sahelian is primarily known as an author of health related books, his expertise on supplements and for selling dietary supplements and books on his website. He recently received an advisory letter from the FDA regarding three products offered on his website as they did not comply with existing FDA regulations. However due to the nature of Wikipedia, editors who are so-called anti-quackery advocates may try to revert the phrase, thus the reason for this e-mail so that you are aware of the situation.
     Dr. Sahelian replies: I truly appreciate your email and thank you for making the changes. I like Wikipedia but it bothers me that every time I read information on this site I start thinking in the back of my mind whether all the info is accurate. In this case, it is not. The FDA should have addressed the letter to the CEO of Physician Formulas, not to me. The products I formulate are sold on several web sites. Therefore, the whole sentence should be removed regarding the FDA part, and we would appreciate it if you could do so.

Q. I looked up information about Dr. Ray Sahelian on Wikipedia and there wasn`t very much info and it also said that if somebody doesn`t build on that page that it will be deleted entirely. Wikipedia is very helpful and many people use it to get quick information on just about everything. It also gives a direct link to your web page and is free. In my opinion, you should add to the wikipedia page so that they maintain it.
   A. We are trying to find people who know how to makes changes or add more material.