Myth: Low-fat foods help you lose weight
Fact: Foods that are low in fat could be high in sugars or refined carbohydrates, both of which are detrimental to the pursuit of weight-loss.
Myth: Crash dieting or fasting makes you lose weight
Fact: Weight lost through crash diets though very rapid is water weight, not fat. Though effective in the short-term, the weight will return with a vengeance. Crash diets also abuse the body and can lead to long-term complications.
Myth: All stress is normal and my body is built to handle it.
Fact: Some stress is a natural part of life. We need stress to make life interesting and to learn from life's challenges, but stress can be difficult to understand. The emotional chaos it causes can make our daily lives miserable. It can also decrease our physical health, sometimes drastically. Strangely, we are not always aware that we are under stress. The habits, attitudes, and signs that can alert us to problems may be hard to recognise because they have become so familiar.
Myth: All natural health products are safe.
Fact: Some natural health products are toxic if you take too much, and can cause side effects or allergic reactions. Natural health products may also be harmful to people with certain health conditions, such as heart disease, pregnancy and lactation. The interaction of natural health products with other medications is an important consideration, even non-prescription drugs such as aspirin.
Myth: Using antibacterial soap is the best way to kill germs and prevent infections.
Fact: There is no need to use antibacterial soap. Antibacterial soap kills both good and bad bacteria (the good bacteria protect our skin from disease-causing germs). Regular soap is good enough to get rid of bad germs. Antibacterial soap may also promote antibiotic resistance.
Myth: Condoms are always effective at preventing HIV/AIDS.
Fact: Condoms won't protect you unless you use them correctly and store them properly. Lubricants and lubricated condoms containing a spermicide called nonoxinol-9 do not protect against HIV because it can break down latex and decrease the barrier provided by condoms.
