You've probably seen the videos. Maybe it was a late-night scroll on Facebook or a jarring ad on YouTube where Oprah Winfrey, looking more radiant than ever, starts talking about a "pink salt trick" that melts fat like magic. It's compelling. It's Oprah, after all. But here is the thing: it is a total fabrication.
The "Oprah Winfrey pink salt trick" is currently one of the most sophisticated AI-driven celebrity endorsement scams of 2026. Scammers are using deepfake technology to hijack Oprah’s voice and likeness, making it seem like she’s abandoned her well-documented health journey for a secret kitchen cupboard hack. People are losing hundreds of dollars on worthless supplements, or worse, following dangerous medical advice from a computer-generated version of a media mogul.
The Viral Myth vs. The Reality
The internet loves a shortcut. The supposed "trick" usually involves drinking a mixture of Himalayan pink salt, warm water, and lemon first thing in the morning. Some versions of the scam go further, claiming Oprah funded a special "pink salt supplement" called LipoMax or Prozenith that mimics the effects of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic for a fraction of the cost.
Oprah Winfrey has never endorsed this.
In fact, she’s been incredibly vocal about the opposite. In a clear statement on Oprah Daily, she warned fans: "Let me say this clearly: If you see an ad with my face on a 'PRODUCT,' it’s fake." She’s spent decades being transparent about her weight struggles, and her recent transformation is no secret—it's the result of medical intervention, heavy-duty hiking, and a disciplined lifestyle. Not a pinch of salt.
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Why the Pink Salt Trick Is Flooding Your Feed
Scammers are getting smarter. They don't just use a blurry photo anymore; they use AI to create videos where Oprah's mouth moves in perfect sync with a script she never wrote.
These ads often feature:
- Fake news interfaces: They mimic the look of CBS News or ABC to gain instant trust.
- High-pressure tactics: "Limited stock" or "Today only" offers that bypass your critical thinking.
- Stolen medical credibility: Doctors like Dr. Mark Hyman or NYU's Dr. Rachel Goldman have also had their likenesses stolen to "verify" the pink salt claims.
One woman in Utah, Lisa Swearingen, fell for a variation of this and spent over $400 on what she thought was a specialized salt blend endorsed by Oprah. When the bottles arrived, she found out the main ingredient was just turmeric. No salt. No secret formula. Just an expensive spice she could have bought for five bucks at the grocery store.
Does Pink Salt Actually Do Anything?
Kinda, but not what the ads claim. Himalayan pink salt contains trace minerals like magnesium, potassium, and calcium. That’s why it’s pink. But the amounts are microscopic. You’d have to eat a lethal amount of salt to get any real nutritional benefit from those minerals.
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The Science (or lack thereof)
- Metabolism: There is zero scientific evidence that salt "boosts" metabolism or burns fat.
- Hydration: A tiny pinch of salt in water can help with electrolyte balance if you're an endurance athlete, but for the average person, it’s just extra sodium.
- The "Flush": Some influencers claim a salt water flush "detoxes" your body. Your liver and kidneys already do that for free. Taking in too much salt actually causes water retention—making you look more bloated, not less.
Dr. Hans Schmidt, a metabolic health expert, recently noted that a small amount of salt won't significantly impact the complex process of metabolism. In fact, for anyone with high blood pressure or kidney issues, this "trick" is actually dangerous.
What Oprah Is Actually Doing in 2026
If you want the real story behind Oprah's 2025-2026 transformation, look at her actual interviews, not the ads. She’s been remarkably open. After years of "blaming and shaming" herself, she admitted to using a GLP-1 medication as a "maintenance tool."
But she didn't stop there. She’s also:
- Hiking like a pro: She frequently goes on 10-mile "straight-up" hikes on weekends.
- Using weighted vests: To increase the intensity of her walks, she wears a 10-lb vest.
- Strict meal timing: She often eats her last meal by 4:00 PM and drinks a gallon of water a day.
- Strength training: She works with trainer Bob Greene, focusing on heavy lifting to maintain muscle mass as she ages.
She’s turned her journey into a book titled Enough: Your Health, Your Weight and What It’s Like to Be Free, co-authored with obesity expert Dr. Ania Jastreboff. That’s where the real advice is—not in a shady Facebook ad.
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How to Protect Yourself from Celebrity Scams
Honestly, if a celebrity is "revealing" a weight loss secret that costs $39.99 and isn't mentioned on their official Instagram or website, it’s a scam.
Check the URL. If the "news" article is on a weird domain like health-news-2026-update.com instead of a legitimate news site, close the tab. Look at the mouth movements in the video; if they look slightly "rubbery" or the audio sounds a bit robotic, it’s a deepfake.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has already logged hundreds of reports about the pink salt trick. Most victims report being billed triple what they expected or finding it impossible to get a refund because the "customer service" email doesn't exist.
Actionable Next Steps
- Stop the spread: If you see an ad for the pink salt trick, report it to the platform (Facebook, YouTube, TikTok) as a scam or "misleading content."
- Check the source: Before buying any supplement, search the celebrity's name + "official website" to see if they actually mention the product.
- Consult a pro: If you're looking to lose weight or improve your health, talk to a registered dietitian or your primary doctor. They can give you advice based on your blood work, not an AI script.
- Monitor your statements: If you did buy something, call your bank immediately. Many of these sites set up recurring charges that are a nightmare to cancel.
Stick to the basics: hydration, movement, and science-backed medical advice. There are no shortcuts, and there certainly aren't any "tricks" hidden in your salt shaker that a billionaire is trying to sell you through a grainy social media ad.