April 29, 2026
B. S. Wellness Myths Debunked Part 3
With roughly 50% of the US population pursuing “wellness” through various fads and supplements, it’s clear that many people are looking for ways to improve their health. A closer look at clinic demographics shows that over half of patients take at least one supplement, with a significant portion of adults over 55 focused on “heart health.” This surge in health-seeking behavior, unfortunately, has led to a rise in baseless wellness trends—a problem that needs to be addressed by debunking some of the biggest myths.
-> B.S. Wellness Myth #7: To Egg or Not to Egg
The “eggs are bad for your heart” vs “eggs are good for your heart” back and forth comes straight from the medical community. Look, doctors can be wrong too. In the 1960s, the American Heart Association released recommendations to limit intake of eggs based on the fact that eggs are high in cholesterol. High cholesterol is a major driver of heart disease, specifically blockages in heart arteries. If eggs have a lot of cholesterol, and cholesterol builds up in heart arteries, eggs have to be bad, right?
The disconnect? If your guess is, “there are different factors at play,” congratulations. You’ve picked up on the theme: nuance. For decades, the medical community villainized dietary cholesterol, and while some people with high cholesterol levels should still limit intake, we raised pitchforks at an innocent bystander.
Fat intake, particularly saturated and trans fat intake, largely drives high blood cholesterol levels. Your liver, assuming it’s healthy, automatically tones down cholesterol production in response to higher dietary intake, making eggs virtually a non-issue for most people. In fact, in 2020, data from 1.7 million people showed an egg a day doesn’t increase risk of heart disease.
The lesson? Everyone is wrong sometimes, and public health campaigns are powerful and lasting. Let’s leave this part of the ‘60s behind and enjoy eggs, no guilt necessary.
-> B.S. Wellness Myth #8: Superfoods and Silver Bullets
Acai berries. Quinoa. Insert your silver bullet of choice, and let the antioxidants wash away all your health issues. Who doesn’t like one-stop shops. Promise people a Costco for their bodies, and they will come.
The claims range from reversing aging to preventing cancer, things everyone desires. The theme of this series continues. It’s not that simple. “Superfood,” simply put, is a nonsensical term to the extent that the European Union banned the term altogether in 2007 for products without verifiable health claims.
Superfoods are often beneficial in some way. For example, salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids, and blueberries are packed with antioxidants. The problem comes from the “halo effect” superfoods cast. Eat these, and you’re set! A serving of salmon won’t offset a Big Mac, and it certainly isn’t enough to replace an entire diet.
Instead, focus on the overall diet and dietary patterns. Ensure there are colors on your plate (fruits and veggies), trend towards eating healthier meats (like fish) rather than red meat, get your whole grains in, and if there’s a “superfood” or two on your plate, you’ve killed two birds with one stone. Focus on a “super plate,” not individual superfoods.
The world of wellness is often filled with appealing shortcuts and quick fixes. But as we’ve seen, many of these “solutions” are based on myths, not science. The truth is, genuine wellness comes from proven, consistent habits—not trendy fads. So before you jump on the next wellness bandwagon, remember to question the claims, consult your doctor, and focus on what’s truly healthy for you.
