Tag: Wellness myths

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, limited scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of commercial "detox" programs. This raises a critical question: is it good to detox every day using popular juice cleanses, supplements, or extreme fasting, or does the body have its own robust system for daily detoxification?

While the "8x8" rule is widely known, fluid intake recommendations vary significantly by individual. Many people have adopted the trend of drinking a full gallon, or 128 ounces, of water daily, believing it's a surefire path to optimal health. However, the question remains: is drinking 128 ounces of water a day good for everyone, or could it lead to unforeseen health issues?

Despite goji berries being widely celebrated as a potent superfood for their antioxidant properties, goji wraps are a distinct product made for inhalation, not for dietary consumption. A product's 'natural' origin does not guarantee its safety when combusted, and the health implications of goji wraps diverge significantly from those of eating the raw fruit.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), marketers of 'Vitamin O' were charged with making false health claims. This action shows that, despite its name, there is no such thing as a legitimate vitamin O.

The human body is equipped with its own highly efficient detoxification system, primarily involving the liver and kidneys, to naturally eliminate harmful substances. This built-in system raises the question of whether popular detoxes and cleanses are truly necessary or effective for overall health.

Over the past decade, the global market for dietary supplements and 'detox' products has grown exponentially, often touting foods with antioxidant properties as miraculous cleansers. However, the human body has its own highly efficient and constant detoxification system, primarily carried out by the liver and kidneys. This reality leads to a crucial question: can eating dark chocolate actually detoxify your body?

While salt is an essential mineral for bodily functions, consuming excessive amounts can be harmful to your health. A popular but unproven trend, the saltwater flush, claims to cleanse the body of toxins using a high-sodium mixture, but medical experts and scientific evidence suggest this practice is misguided and potentially dangerous.

A 2023 study published in PubMed found that for vitamin D-sufficient participants, serum vitamin D concentrations only increased significantly with a coconut oil dairy drink and supplement, highlighting the crucial role of fats. Since vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, consuming it with fat, like coconut oil, can enhance its absorption and bioavailability.

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts, a single drop potentially containing the essence of dozens of plants. This raises a common question: do essential oils have calories? While they contain organic compounds, the definitive answer is that they do not contribute meaningful dietary energy, and consuming them is dangerous.

Your body has a sophisticated and highly efficient system for removing toxins, primarily involving the liver, kidneys, and digestive system. Despite this, the detox industry, with its various diets, supplements, and teas, is a multi-billion dollar enterprise promising to purify and rejuvenate your system.