Medical Myths: Fuel for Fitness
One good thing about fad diets—as a spectator, you learn what not to do. But since the popularity of high-protein diets continues to rise and fall, it is essential to eliminate misconceptions.

Medical Myths: Carbs, Red Wine and Smoking
High-protein, low-carbohydrate diets lead us to believe that carbohydrates are what make us fat. The truth, however, is that excess calories consumed from any food group will result in weight gain.

Medical Myths: Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery is a broad field encompassing procedures for men and women from the top of their heads to their ankles. In recent years, popular television shows and innumerable magazine articles have prompted a massive surge in interest in what cosmetic surgery can possibly change.

Medical Myths: Mammography
Every October since 1985, Americans have been reminded about issues related to breast cancer, especially the importance of early detection. However, despite the best efforts of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign, the disease still kills more than 40,000 women in this country every year and the incidence of breast cancer continues to rise (more than 200,000 new cases annually). Now the good news: the increase is due in part to early detection; and the death rate from breast cancer has declined each year since 1990. (1)

Medical Myths: Hydration
One question we are asked everyday is ''how much fluid should I drink and what kinds work best.'' The ads on television for sports drinks make you think water is good but a sports drink is better.

Medical Myths: Low Fat vs. Low Calorie
A couple of years ago my wife, Sheila, bought me an espresso maker for Valentine’s Day. The first thing I wanted to make with it was a latte. I waited until the little green light came on and steamed the milk for what was to be the first of hundreds of lattes. However, I was disappointed at how badly the milk frothed. We were using 2% milk at that time because we were trying to cut down on fat and calories. After some time on the internet, I discovered that the less fat in the milk the better it frothed. Changing to fat-free milk made all the difference.

Medical Myths: Nutrition Labels and RDA
In response to recent questions the CWC has received about nutrition as well as requests for us to investigate food myths, I began this series last month with an article on awareness. This month, I’m taking it a step further with a discussion about the labels on packaged food and the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA). The logic being, if you understand the RDA standards and know how to read the nutrition labels on food, you can make some decisions on your own.

Medical Myths: Awareness
We receive many questions here at the Wellness Coalition concerning nutrition and medical myths. Most questions about nutrition ask about what is right or wrong to eat or how much is too much to eat. The medical myth questions are often about what is good or bad for us. ''I eat a lot of carrots and my eyesight is still poor, but my skin is a lovely shade of orange. What is going on?''

Medical Myths: Acne
Have you ever heard these myths about acne: 1. Chocolate makes acne worse. 2. Eating greasy, fried foods gives you acne. 3. Cleaning your face or other areas with acne will improve your acne. 4. Scrubbing your face is better than mild washing. 5. There is no relationship between stress and acne.