With so much conflicting medical and health information online these days, it can be hard to know whom to trust. When you’re in doubt, it’s always a good idea to let your doctor have the final word on any new fads you’re thinking of participating in. To help you make that choice, we’ve compiled 18 health trends that doctors wish would disappear.
Detox Teas and Diets
Many types of teas and natural detox remedies can be harmless enough. However, some people take this trend to the extreme, which can result in dehydration, nutrient deficiencies, and damage to the liver and kidneys over a long period of time.
Extreme Fasting or Crash Diets
Intermittent fasting and healthy dieting can be beneficial ways to improve your health and lose weight. However, extreme fasting and crash diets can often do the opposite, potentially leading to muscle loss, deficiencies, and other health issues. Crash dieting can also result in the yo-yo effect, causing you to gain the weight back once the diet is over.
Excessive Use of Vitamin Supplements
Vitamin supplements can be healthy in moderation, but you should never become completely dependent on them or take them in excess. Too many vitamins can cause toxicity and react badly to medications you may be taking.
Charcoal Detox Products
Despite what many believe, claims about charcoal’s ability to detoxify the body are largely unsupported by science and studies. What’s more, consuming too much charcoal can cause medications to become ineffective and may increase your risk of gastrointestinal issues and constipation.
Essential Oils for Serious Medical Conditions
Essential oils can be safe and effective for some health issues when diluted and used in moderation. But many people use them excessively and as a replacement for important medications and other health treatments, which can lead to negative consequences such as skin irritation, adverse reactions, and other health issues.
Raw Water Consumption
Some people have started engaging in a strange health trend that involves drinking raw, unfiltered water. This can be extremely dangerous, as untreated, unfiltered water often contains harmful parasites, viruses, and bacteria that can lead to serious health issues over time.
Extreme Carb Cutting (Keto, Carnivore Diets)
Cutting some carbs out of your diet can be healthy and help you lose weight. But people who take it to the extreme by engaging in strict carnivore and keto diets often deprive themselves of important vitamins and minerals that are crucial for optimal health.
Waist Trainers for Weight Loss
Contrary to what some weight loss and fitness influencers may tell you, waist trainers are ineffective for long-term fat and weight reduction. They can also lead to needless discomfort, restricted breathing, and digestive issues.
Alkaline Water and Diets
According to WebMD, highly alkaline diets can be good for you because they encourage you to eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables. However, your body does a great job of regulating its pH regardless of what you eat, so extreme alkaline diets are unnecessary and can be rather expensive for no good reason.
CBD Products for All Ailments
CBD products do seem to be effective in treating the symptoms of certain health issues. However, in recent years, many people have exaggerated its health benefits, making claims that are unscientific and unsupported by studies. This can lead to misuse and unwanted side effects.
Social Media Fitness Challenges
Some social media fitness challenges are healthy and can be effective ways to motivate yourself to lose weight or improve your health. However, others can be extreme and unsupported by scientific research, potentially leading to injuries, overexertion, and other negative health consequences.
Cleansing Enemas and Colonic Irrigation
According to Healthline, while enemas may have some health benefits, there is little scientific evidence to support these claims. Furthermore, enemas and colonic irrigation can increase your risk of dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and bowel perforation.
Juice Cleanses and Liquid Diets
In the scientific world, juice cleanses and liquid diets are largely viewed as unnecessary and potentially harmful. There is little evidence to suggest they aid in detoxification, and an over-reliance on liquids can prevent you from getting all the fiber and nutrients you need.
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Without Rest
When done right, HIIT can help you increase your muscle mass, improve your aerobic fitness, and help you lose weight. However, if you don’t give yourself adequate recovery time between sessions, you can put yourself at risk of injury and burnout.
Gluten-Free Diets for Non-Celiac Individuals
For people with celiac disease, gluten allergies, or gluten intolerances, gluten-free diets obviously play an important role in maintaining an optimal state of health and well-being. However, many individuals without these health issues have also started opting to eliminate gluten from their diets, which often causes them to miss out on important nutrients.
Overreliance on Health and Fitness Apps
Health and fitness apps can help motivate you toward your goals when used correctly. However, not all of them are backed by accurate and scientifically sound information, meaning that an overdependence on these apps can contribute to health issues, mistakes, and unnecessary anxieties around diet and exercise.
“No Pain, No Gain” Mentality in Exercise
It can be healthy to push yourself a little bit during exercise or gym sessions. But a “no pain, no gain” mentality can cause people to push through important signals their body is giving them, causing them to injure or overexert themselves.
Sunscreen Avoidance for Vitamin D Synthesis
Some people have taken to avoiding sunscreen in order to improve their absorption of vitamin D. But as noted by the National Library of Medicine, failing to use enough sunscreen is associated with numerous negative health consequences, including an increased risk of skin cancer, skin damage, and premature skin aging.
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