I’m a Cardiologist — 5 of the Biggest Healthcare Lies on TikTok
Myth: Celtic Sea Salt is Better than Regular Salt
Celtic sea salt was originally hand-harvested from coastal France, although it now comes from several locations around the world. It’s been touted on TikTok as being “healthier” because it’s less processed and contains tiny amounts of minerals, but Levine calls this advice “the biggest quack out there.”
“Guess what? It’s sodium chloride like your salt,” he said. “It has trace — little itsy bitsy — amounts of calcium, potassium … and that’s it.” He also warned that you should avoid putting salt in your water if you have heart disease, as doing so can raise your blood pressure and make you go into heart failure.
Myth: Pricey Olive Oil Sold by MDs is Better
Levine acknowledges that, yes, olive oil is good for you, mostly because it’s very rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which can help lower bad cholesterol. Studies have shown that consuming 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil per day may lower your risk of heart disease, although Levine notes that you can’t discount the possibility that these people eating olive oil also just have healthier lifestyle habits.
However, these days, there are plenty of doctors selling olive oil online on the promise that theirs has special health benefits, and some of them carry a price tag as high as $47.95, which Levine considers pretty bogus. “Don’t waste your money buying some brand from some quack selling on his site. Costco extra virgin olive oil is likely a better source,” he said.
Myth: No One Should Take Statins
Statins are a group of medications that can help lower the level of LDL cholesterol — the “bad one” — in the blood. While they are considered safe and effective for most people, some believe you shouldn’t take them because they could have potentially negative side effects.
Dr. Levine’s verdict? “Not true. Statins reduce heart attacks and save lives. They cost pennies. They’ve been studied in millions of people. Slight truth: low-risk patients do have little or no benefit. Same thing for lots of medicines.”
Myth: You Can Detect Blockages with a Quick Test
The Allen test is a screening exam in which a medical practitioner locates the two arteries that provide blood flow to your hand — the radial and the ulnar — and compresses them, causing the hand to turn white. The patient then squeezes the hand into a fist several times, after which the examiner will release one artery to see how quickly color returns to the hand, then repeats the process with the other one. If color does not return within 15 seconds, that is considered a negative Allen test, which may indicate poor blood circulation.
There is some debate within the medical community as to whether the test is fully effective in general, but, according to Levine, you shouldn’t believe anyone who tells you it can help you detect blockages. “The quacks are out there promoting a negative Allen test as a way to show you having blockages in your arteries,” he said. “Total BS.”
Myth: High Blood Pressure is No Big Deal
This one seems sort of obvious, but Allen asserts that there are “quacks quacking away out there” saying having high blood pressure is just fine because of misconceptions about the term “essential hypertension.” According to him, this term originated about a hundred years ago, when doctors taking blood pressure saw “lots of old folks with high blood pressure and they labeled it as ‘essential hypertension.'”
However, “it isn’t essential. It’s a danger that increases the risk of stroke, heart attack [and] kidney failure.”
Conclusion:
As a cardiologist, Dr. Levine wants to set the record straight on these common health myths that are circulating on TikTok. It’s essential to be aware of the facts and not fall prey to misinformation. Remember, it’s always best to consult with a qualified medical professional before making any decisions about your health.
FAQs:
Q: Is Celtic sea salt really better for you than regular salt?
A: No, according to Dr. Levine, Celtic sea salt is not better for you than regular salt. It’s just sodium chloride with trace amounts of minerals.
Q: Should I take statins?
A: Yes, if you have high cholesterol or a history of heart disease, statins can help lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Q: Can I detect blockages with a quick test?
A: No, according to Dr. Levine, the Allen test is not a reliable way to detect blockages in your arteries. It’s just a screening exam that can indicate poor blood circulation.
Q: Is high blood pressure no big deal?
A: No, according to Dr. Levine, high blood pressure is a danger that increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure. It’s essential to monitor and manage your blood pressure to reduce these risks.
