Health Myths and Realitys Everyone Should Know About

There are so many myths people pass around. People are always repeating these, does this make them true then? Here are many of the myths and their real reality.

Myth: An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Reality: They won't keep the doctor away literally, but they are very healthy. They have antioxidants and are one of the best sources of fiber.

This saying keeps getting repeated because it will remind everyone that fruit is good for you. One serving won't really help, but five to nine servings a day will. Pick a variety of fruits and vegetables, this way you won't become bored, and you will be eating healthy at the same time.

Myth: Sitting too close to the TV will wreck your eyes.
Reality: Even though it is really annoying having people crowd around the TV, it won't hurt your eyes.

This saying keeps getting repeated because so many parents think this is how they got into their weakened eye sight. But the reason, is just age. Don't worry about reading in the dark either, besides getting a headache from squinting nothing else will happen.

Myth: Feed a cold; starve a fever.
Reality: This is a little bit true. Sometimes it may help to starve your fever, but most of the time you don't feel like eating anyways.

Don't change how you are eating when you feel sick because of this saying. Eat when you feel like it, and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Soon you'll feel better.

Myth: Pluck one gray hair and two will grow back in it's place.
Reality: This is not true at all. If you pull one hair it won't determine the color of the next one. When you get older the pigment in the cells either dies or loses the ability to transfer the color to your hair shafts. The time when it turns gray is a genetic thing, they think.

So don't worry about pulling your hair out it won't cause more to grow. But a better way to deal with it would be to get your hair colored.

Myth: Going out with your hair wet in the winter will give you a cold.
Reality: May be it's true a bit. When you get cold you develop limited circulation which decreases your immune system and this some thing could happen having wet hair. But it hasn't been proven solidly.

This saying gets repeated because colds are around more in the winter. This is because everybody spends more time inside with each other. To stop the spread of the virus be sure to wash your hands often and get your flu shot.

Myth: Fish is good for your brain.
Reality: This is quite true. People with high DHA (a fatty acid found in fish) levels in their blood had a 50 percent less chance in developing dementia and Alzheimer's. It is recommended to have two servings of fish a week.

Make sure you add low-mercury fish like shrimp, canned light tuna, or wild salmon to your diet. Or if you can't stand fish think about adding supplements to your diet.

Myth: For strong muscles, eat spinach.
Reality: This is only partly true. Iron is good for energy but protein is better.

Be sure to add both iron and protein to your diet. There are other advantages of eating spinach (antioxidants and Vitamin C) so just think about that when you eat it.

Myth: Knuckle cracking will give you arthritis.
Reality: This is false. The most common form of arthritis is caused by other factors like genetics and obesity....not cracking knuckles.

This saying keeps on being repeated because the sound makes people think that it must lead to some damage. When you pull on your fingers you are creating a bubble in the joint. When the bubble bursts it makes the popping sound.

So next time don't worry about getting arthritis from knuckle cracking worry about getting achy hands.

Myth: Spicy foods will give you an ulcer if you eat them.
Reality: This isn't true. You could eat a whole bowl of jalapenos, and have no damage to your stomach lining.

This saying keeps getting repeated because spicy food can irritate an ulcer that is already there, so people just think that it happens to everyone.

Enjoy your spicy food. If spicy food keeps on bugging you visit your doctor to see if you have an ulcer.