How to Treat Celebrities that Champion and Muddy Science?

Last summer I was at a party where the guests included a bunch of successful heart surgeons. I spoke at length with one of them (I'll refer to him as Dr. X) who has known and sometimes worked with Dr. Oz at New York-Presbyterian hospital in Manhattan. Dr. X is in his 40s. He told me Oz had been a mentor to him. I mentioned Oz's popular TV show and how Oz, an accomplished, highly respected surgeon, had become increasingly known (and criticized) for promoting unscientific ideas and unproven health remedies. Dr. X nodded his head in lament. He agreed with Oz's critics but he said that on balance, he thought Oz was a force for good because he got many people to care about their health. It's an interesting calculation. The next time I see Dr. X I might ask him if he still believes that Oz is a net plus, given this recent finding.