Ready to bust some nutrition myths? Click the linked words below to discover the facts, not the fiction.
- Flax seeds are healthy and everyone can benefit by eating them.
- It’s healthy to drink 8 glasses of water per day.
- Cholesterol-rich foods should be avoided.
- Butter is bad for you.
- Lard is bad for you.
- Saturated fat is the “bad fat” and should be avoided.
- Nuts and seeds are a good source of omega-3.
- Red meat is bad for us, and bad for the earth.
- Calcium supplements make strong bones.
- Fiber foods and supplements encourage regularity.
- Heartburn results from excessive stomach acid production.
- Protein powders are a helpful nutrition supplement.
- Soy milk makes a healthy alternative to milk.
- Raw milk presents dangerous risks.
- A vegan diet is the healthiest diet.
- Vegetable oils like canola oil make good cooking oil options.
- Diabetics (and everyone else, while we’re at it) should eat whole grains and low fat foods.
- Don’t salt your food.
- Carrots are a good source of vitamin A.
- Health is an equation of calories in and calories out.
Any other nutrition myths you’d add to the list?
Thank you for info about the LDL!
About flaxseed. Very interesting subject. Flaxseed are not healthy also because they are goitrogens (cause hypothyroidism). Soy and cabbage are too, BTW.
Concerning phytoestrogens, IMHO, it’s not that simple. Yes, they are unhealthy for children. However, there is a certain amount of estrogens that have to be present in a woman’s body. If some women have estrogen dominance, there are still women out there who are deficient in estrogens. With my PMS history I tried all sorts of things. Tried anti-estrogenic diet. Result – it got worse. Contrary to a modern concept about phytoestrogens being evil, to my biggest surprise, phytoestrogens have eliminated my PMS symptoms, improved my skin, and my memory is so much better.
From what I read, estrogens do pose a risk for those who are estrogen dominant and during pregnancy. For those who are deficient in estrogen, phytoestrogens are a blessing. For example, Dong Quai root has been revered for thousands of years in Asia…. Black cohosh root is a popular women’s medicinal herb in Germany. Phytoestrogens are very different from xenoestrogens – dangerous chemicals in cosmetics, shampoo, etc.
thank you!
Black Cohosh is supposed to be taken only for short term (one year). I found this out after my homeopath put me in it and was already taking it for nearly 2 years.
Hello,
I have extremely low cholesterol. The doctors seem to think that is great. My total cholesterol is 74. My LDL was 24 I do not take statins or anything. I am a 33 year old woman. I am not depressed, I don’t have heart disease or any of those things. I do have autoimmune disease. I know you are Not a Doctor. Any idea how one can raise their cholesterol? I eat plenty of healthy fats, grass fed butter, lard, eggs, etc. I appreciate any feed back.
Thanks, Jamie
You do seem to be getting a good amount of cholesterol, maybe instead try to cut back on things like oats, flax that help the body rid itself of it (Maybe Google those foods that cut cholesterol). I know avocado is supposed to contribute to reducing cholesterol, but that’s too beneficial to cut, I feel.
Please try Transfer Factor. Classic you will feel on hundred percent better ..
I have been taking flaxseed oil. I cannot replace with fish oil due to allergy, is there anything else I could consider.
Maybe incorporate more avocado or Avocado oil (found at Costco, $10/Liter). I use it when I bake or make pancakes or French toast. Super neutral flavor, plus contains Omega 3s!
Since I started eating flax seeds regularly (a tablespoon or so in my oatmeal most mornings), I’ve actually noticed an improvement in my PMS symptoms. I suppose this could be due to other factors, but I can’t say I’ve had any adverse side effects… I think that many people have different nutritional needs. It’s all about balance, and perhaps I was just on the other side of the see saw.
Either way, I’m a fan of your posts, and I completely agree with the cholesterol portion! I scoff anytime I hear people say that eggs are unhealthy because of the cholesterol content. They’re such an inexpensive and easy source of nutrients, plus for around 70 calories each, they’re very filling.
Cheers.
Phytoestrogens and xenoestrogens are completely different things. Phytoestrogens can be highly beneficial to someone with estrogen dominance; it’s irresponsible to suggest that women with estrogen dominance avoid phytoestrogens. Many phytoestrogens, like those found in flax, will bind to estrogen receptors but not stimulate them. Thus the overabundance of estrogen in the body can be blocked and hormonal balance regained.
I would ask what your sources of information are for saying that phytoestrogens should be avoided? Flax seeds have only been shown to be beneficial to women with hormonal imbalances.
Lignans are a type of fiber found in flax that are “phytoestrogens” and have been found to be highly beneficial.
Lignans have been found to inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells (which are usually estrogen-dependent)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22037685
Flax lignans have been found to help increase breast cancer survival rates:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21915130
Dietary lignans have been associated with lower breast cancer risk:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22113872
Flax seed lignans have been found to increase fertility in women:
http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/77/5/1215.abstract
Compounds in flax seeds have been found to be potent antioxidants:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10705999
Additionally, flax lignans have been shown to help the body rid itself of certain forms of estrogen:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10368815
In light of all of this, I would urge you to reconsider your claims, or else back them up with some kind of source. 🙂
I appreciate your thoughtful comment 🙂 I am aware of the studies supporting the use of phytoestrogens for hormonal issues, especially menopause. I think that estrogen is highly problematic in high amounts and I stand behind my statements that flaxseeds and other dietary sources of phytoestrogens should be avoided when possible. I believe that removing the excess estrogen and balancing our hormone system from the roots offers the most ideal approach for optimal wellness, fertility, and cancer prevention. I believe it is a mixed bag regarding dietary phytoestrogens – they can help the body absorb less estrogen but they can also increase the estrogenic load, depending on the individual. I prefer an approach without the phytoestrogens that supports the body’s ability to detox estrogen via liver/biliary function and synthesize adequate progesterone. My opinion is heavily influenced by the work of Dr. Ray Peat. He cites some interesting findings in this article: http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/natural-estrogens.shtml
I had a harrowing experience with flax seeds buns (which I often at 2-3 times per day). I started having weird seizures and my arms would go limp. I honestly thought I was having a stroke. Apparently, the enormous amount of flax seeds I had consumed made me clinically dehydrated. I was almost admitted to the hospital. I wish I had read this two weeks ago. I had several nights of discomfort and unusual sensations. My husband was ready to drive me to the hospital. Needless to say, I cut out the flax seeds and increased my water consumption. I haven’t had an episode since. Thank you for this blog post. As I said, I wish I knew this when I started eating flax seed buns in place of my cauliflower buns. But everything is 20/20 in hindsight, I guess.
Thanks for this interesting article! I was a little confused on your cholesterol point. You say, according to Dr. Campbell-McBridge, that “another area of confusion is the labeling of LDL as “bad cholesterol” and HDL as “good cholesterol.”” But then right after that, you explain that there are two forms of LDL and that the small, dense form of LDL is actually. So wouldn’t the first statement actually be incorrect? There *is* an LDL that is bad cholesterol… that is, only the small, dense form?
This was so interesting Lauren! I had NO idea flax contained phytoestrogens! I avoid soy like the plague, now flax. I’m struggling bad with hormone balancing. Thank you so much for this info!
Red meat is bad for us, and bad for the earth.
Seriously? Did you honestly just write that?! Have you not seen the research and FACTS surrounding how awful that industry is for our environment??
The statement “red meat is bad for us, and bad for the earth” is definitely a popular opinion, made more popular by a couple documentaries, but it is not factual ad doesn’t allow room for the many nuances of healing ourselves and our ecosystem.
I discuss some of those critical aspects here:
http://empoweredsustenance.com/is-vegan-healthy/
http://empoweredsustenance.com/benefits-of-grassfed-beef/
Nutrition myth busting is one of my favorite things to do! People don’t understand when I try to explain that saturated fat is not bad for us, and a vegan diet is not the healthiest diet on the planet. It’s nice to know I’m not alone! I would just like to add for point 18, that you should make sure you are using the right kind of salt. Table salt isn’t good, but an unrefined sea salt is excellent for health.