Challenged Ideas

Here are some widely held beliefs that have been challenged. Don't consider this new information etched in stone. As medical knowledge continues to grow, ideas--new and old--will likely see revision.

Can you eat eggs?
The egg was an early casualty of the cholesterol war. Research now shows that dietary cholesterol has a small effect on blood cholesterol. The consumption of up to one egg per day has shown no detectable increase in the risk of heart disease and may be acceptable for many healthy people, but not for everyone.

The American Heart Association dropped its recommendation for strict limitations on egg intake.

Does exercise really help?
You don't have to pump iron, but you should be active daily. The American Heart Association suggests regular, moderate daily exercise can help lower your risk of heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and heart attacks. Exercise can also help you handle stress, sleep better, feel more upbeat, control your weight, feel stronger and more energetic, and strengthen your heart and lungs.

Does an aspirin work?
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force found that aspirin decreases the incidence of coronary heart disease in adults at increased risk for heart disease and advises that low-dose aspirin can help certain populations reduce the risk of heart disease. Check with your doctor to see if aspirin could help you. The American Heart Association says too few Americans with heart disease take aspirin to help prevent a recurrent heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

How much water should you drink?
Accepted theory has been to drink eight cups of water a day. There is no evidence, according to the American Council on Science and Health, to support the idea that, under normal circumstances, you need to drink that much water per day. The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies recently said the majority of healthy people meet their daily fluid needs by letting thirst be their guide.

Fact or Fiction

1. It takes seven years for chewing gum to pass through your digestive system.
2. Cracking your knuckles will cause arthritis.
3. Being out in the cold and wind will give you a cold.
4. Drinking warm milk can put you to sleep.
5. Worry and stress can turn your hair gray.

Answers

1. False--Gum is pretty indigestible, but passes through your system without "sticking" to you insides.
2. False--It may sound disgusting, but there is no evidence that it inflames the joints and leads to arthritis. When you crack your knuckles, you cause the bones of the joint to pull apart, causing a gas bubble to form in the joint. The cracking sound is the adhesive seal in the joint breaking.
3. False--Viruses are the culprits. Staying inside because of cold weather may even make it easier to spread germs. The best protection against colds is to wash your hands often.
4. True--Milk contains tryptophan that helps the body produce niacin that helps the body produce serotonin that acts as a calming agent in the brain and plays a role in sleep.
5. False--Pigment-producing cells called melanocytes are genetically programmed to stop producing hair pigment at a certain age regardless of how much stress in your life.

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