University of Iowa Health Science Relations and
John Lowe, MPH, PhD
Professor of Community & Behavioral Health/Communication Studies
First Published: 2004
Last Revised: August 2004
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed

Every day it seems there's a new piece of health advice telling you how to maintain or reclaim your health.

Last year's or last month's or last week's "fact" becomes a "fad" as this week's information punches a hole in the previous theory. Are you baffled, and possibly annoyed, when one group of scientists debunks what another group has supported? You're not alone. Thousands of people are confused by the plethora of available health information.

Many health care leaders recognize that this overload of information can be just as dangerous as ignorance. If you have questions, your family physician is a good place to start looking for answers.

John Lowe, Dr.P.H., head of Community and Behavioral Health in the University of Iowa College of Public Health, suggests that instead of being concerned with the small stuff, you should practice an overall healthy lifestyle.

"Use nutrition recommendations and other lifestyle fads as simple fixes that don't contribute to an overall healthy lifestyle. Moderation in nutrition, alcohol, and even physical activity should be your approach."

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 also can 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.