Seven longstanding health tips we can now do without

 

Over the decades, many health tips have become obsolete and no longer seem to be relevant. Here are seven most common health tips for all to know: 

 

 

Only a couple of decades ago the whole thing about eating healthy and focusing on the intake, balanced diet and nutritional requirements had suddenly become a part of almost everyone’s life. There was a heightened emphasis on what one is consuming and how to balance out the extra calories or junk if it had been consumed.

 

 

Little did one realise that this enhanced awareness of one’s nutritional requirements and diet could actually lead to what is now being termed as orthorexia nervosa. More of an eating disorder, this compulsive behaviour pattern often leads people to go on weekend or crash diets, many form it an obsession and may even lead to depression and low self esteem. 

 

With the increase in people suffering from orthorexia nervosa, doctors advise its better to eat as one does normally and as the heart desires, instead of ending up with compulsive eating disorders. 

 

 

Since grandma’s years we have been hearing that the sun is good for health. Mothers had been massaging their babies and laying them out in the sun to strengthen their bones with that extra boost of vitamin D. What’s more, even science seconded the belief and advised at least half an hour in the sun everyday to keep osteoporosis, rickets, bone deformities and many other diseases at bay.

 

 

With numerous climatic changes and the ill effects of global warming, the same old science now has an absolutely opposite view point as far as sunlight goes. It has been proven and stamped for good that sunlight is as strong a carcinogen as tobacco and asbestos. With the threat of skin cancer always looming on the head, one really can not afford to spend even 15 minutes for a suntan. The same goes for tanning beds and booths. The UV rays have made the sun pretty unsafe. 

 

 

Doctors have since years advocated against running as an exercise for the fear that it may lead to runner’s knees and eventually damage them permanently.

 

 

Based on research, today doctors believe that contrary to the previous beliefs, running actually helps keep knees healthy and in shape. Study of many long distance runners have proven that runners have zero percent bad knees over the years and the damage if any might be due to some external injury which may affect the knees and eventually get worse with running. 

 

 

The synthetic substitute to butter has always been under the scanner with varying verdicts passed either in favour or against it. However, the main reason why it was finally accepted as a healthier option for butter was the fact that it is made in labs, it lacked the ill effects of cholesterol and was thus, good for the heart.

 

However, recent studies have shown that margarine contains trans-fats which increase the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood and at the same time reduce the levels of good cholesterol. It is thus advised to consume butter or oils like olive oil etc but in restricted portions. 

 

Yesterday’s health tip: Aspirins are good for daily intake

Known to be a health boosting pill, aspirin has always enjoyed the reputation of a pill that can prevent heart attacks by preventing blood clotting. Many doctors even suggested a daily dose of aspirin to many patients to keep heart trouble away.
 

 

Recent studies have shown that while aspirin might prevent blood clotting, it actually might prove harmful in case of an accident where clotting of blood might save the person’s life. By taking aspirin a healthy person might lower the risk of heart ailments but at the same time may increase the threat of hemorrhagic stroke or internal bleeding. It is therefore best to exercise regularly and keep the heart and body fit. 

 

Only a decade old is the belief that people consuming more than one egg a day increased their chances of death due to health causes by 22 percent. The belief stemmed from an American study, led to a world-wide shockwave that managed to restrict egg consumption considerably.

 

 

Recent studies have shown that although eggs contain high levels of cholesterol, they are not as harmful as butter or oils. Also eggs are a rich source of vitamins, proteins and many other nutrients.  They are also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and thus are an essential part of our daily diet, not to be ignored at all. 

 

 

20th century introduced mankind to the goodness of vitamins and the health benefits which one got from incorporating them as part of the daily diet. Not only did people become conscious of vitamin rich foods but they also began taking them as supplements.

 

 

Research today says that there are no such established facts that a daily intake of vitamin supplements actually is beneficial. Instead overdose of vitamins has been shown to have many ill-effects. It is therefore advisable to take them only under medical supervision. Also many doctors advise not to stop taking vitamins if you have already started however, its better to consider starting them in the first place. 

 

With life and science changing at a fast pace today, one really finds many such similar beliefs and medical tips fast losing ground. The best option in such a case is to stay in touch and know the latest. Knowledge is the best way to ensure good health.