Some health advice many of us believe to be true are actually myths. The media can also contribute to health myths by circulating conflicting and misleading health information. Finding out the truth can be difficult with all the hype. To help you find answers, here's the truth about the most common health myths.
Myth: Cracking knuckles will cause arthritis.
Knuckle cracking will not cause arthritis, although constant cracking might slightly weaken the fingers and grip. Even though the loud crack of knuckles cracking can sound like bones snapping, it's only an air bubble popping in the fluid of the joints. Up to a quarter of the US population chronically crack their knuckles.
Myth: Eating chocolate can cause acne.
Although this is a popular belief, especially among teenagers, eating chocolate has nothing to do with acne lesions. Acne is most common during adolescence, due to an increase in the male sex hormone, testosterone. High levels of testosterone increases the production of sebum, which can block the pores and cause acne. Other causes of acne include stress, hormonal changes, certain drugs (birth control pills, steroids), and the use of greasy cosmetics or creams.
Myth: A low salt diet helps reduce heart disease risk.
It's commonly believed that a low salt diet can prevent high blood pressure and the risk of heart disease. However, experts are questioning the role of salt-restricted diets in blood pressure regulation and protection against heart disease. New studies suggest that reducing salt intake may not lower the risk of heart disease. Recent research shows that high blood pressure is effectively regulated by the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, which recommends increasing the intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products in the diet.
Myth: Exposure to cold and wintry weather can give you a cold.
Colds are not spread from cold air or wintry weather. Cold viruses are spread by inhaling viral air droplets sneezed or coughed by a cold infected person, or by picking up the virus with your hands by touching a surface that an infected person has touched. The cold can be spread by touching your mouth or nose with your infected hands. Frequent hand washing is the best way to prevent infection with a cold.
REFERENCES:
1. Lawrence J, Medical Myths Debunked, WebMD, March 2006:
http://www.webmd.com/content/Article/93/102495.htm
2. Fletcher AM, The Real Truth About Health Myths, Better Homes & Gardens, January 1998.
3. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease, What is Acne?, March 2005: http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/acne/ffacne.htm
4. Pizzorno J and Murray M. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, New York: Prima, 1998: 101-192.
5. McCarron DA. The dietary guideline for sodium: should we shake it up? Yes! Am J Clin Nutr 2000 May;71(5):1013-9.
6. Cohen HW et al. Sodium intake and mortality in the NHANES II follow-up study. Am J Med 2006 Mar;119(3):275.e7-14.
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on July 26, 2006 02:03 PM
