Myth #15: All Natural Is All Good

We see them everywhere -- "all-natural" labels that come with a subconscious promise of good health, long life, and a cancer-free existence. They are such an effective marketing strategy, in fact, that few people even bother to check the actual content of their favorite canned dessert that is literally bursting with "natural" preservatives.

Let's not allow complacency, or should I say just plain laziness, to lull us into entrusting our health to food manufacturers, reputable or otherwise. What makes a certain food good to eat is a lot more complicated than its being organically grown, hand-picked or sun-dried.

In the same sense, not all products that are artificially engineered to provide optimal quantities or sizes are bad for you, though you should be more wary of these. The next time you go to the supermarket, spend a little more time reading the label, and I mean the one that contains the calories per serving. The percentage of the recommended daily allowance, or RDA, of each additive should be there in plain sight.

Remember, salt, fats, and sugar are all-natural ingredients, too. Don't be fooled by the cover. Stay tuned.

Myth #14: Cholesterol Is Bad For You

Here is a classic example of how oversimplification tends to make matters worse. And in this case, mass disinformation is often exploited by food manufacturers to sell what they want us to think is "safe food."

There are actually several forms of lipids or fats in the human body, and their ability to influence wellness or disease depends on maintaining an optimal balance among them. Cholesterol for example, can be divided into low-density lipoproteins (LDL), very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL).

It is the LDL cholesterol that coats and hardens the linings of our arteries, progressively causing blockade and impeding the blood supply to critical organs such as the brain, kidneys, and heart; hence the term "bad" cholesterol. Among other things, the LDL cholesterol level is what your doctor frequently looks at to determine your likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease.

On the other hand, HDL cholesterol lowers your risk of having a stroke or heart attack by countering the effects of the LDL variety. Exercising regularly and consuming greater amounts of niacin and cold-water fish like salmon have been shown to increase our HDL levels to various degrees, while a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet, obesity, and smoking all deplete this "good" cholesterol.

In short, do not believe everything they say on the labels. Low-cholesterol foods are not always the healthy alternative. Stay tuned.

Myth #13: Cancer Is Treatable But Not Preventable

Some people say cancer is just a stroke of bad luck; others say it's all in the genes and there is nothing you can do about it. That is simply not true. Although cancer does have a genetic component, and those with a family history are more prone to developing the disease than the general population, even the most at-risk individuals can lead normal, healthy lives if they learn to control risk factors in and around them.

In particular, exposure to environmental stress, ultraviolet radiation, and certain toxic substances in food builds up free radicals and superoxides that lead to activation of specific cancer genes in humans. But trust me, there are things you can do to stop this process. It's not a one-way street; even with today's technology, preventing cancer is much easier than treating it.

The first and most important thing you can do is to stop smoking. Cigarette smoke contains more than 60 carcinogens, any of which can easily push you over the edge. The next thing to do is to avoid preserved food as much as possible, and the third is to use sun block and try to stay away from direct sun exposure.

You can also boost your body's defenses with proper diet and exercise. For example, simply taking fruits, vegetables, and antioxidant preparations that contain beta carotene, vitamins C and E, and copper helps your body neutralize cancer-promoting chemicals before they start causing irreversible damage to your DNA. Minimizing fat intake is just as important.

Remember, having cancer genes does not have to be a death sentence. We can fight it with the right attitude and healthy habits. Stay tuned.

Myth #12: Let The Fever Run Its Course

I've seen a great number of patients who run to the ER with acute respiratory tract infection or UTI. On interview, they admit that they have had a temperature for several days and basically shrugged it off.

Fever is often the first symptom of many types of illnesses including infections and autoimmune diseases. While it is true that many causes of hyperthermia are relatively benign and eventually resolve on their own, fever should never be taken for granted.

A thorough investigation is sometimes needed to determine whether the symptom is trivial or indicative of something more serious. Therefore, a doctor's consult is highly advisable.

You also shouldn't have to suffer the discomfort caused by an elevated temperature, so take an over-the-counter antipyretic drug like acetaminophen / paracetamol unless you have a known allergy to it. Taking a bath also helps to bring down your temperature.

In this day and age, fever is not something to be ignored. Even a simple flu, if it is caused by a new virus strain such as H1N1, can kill. Stay tuned.