7 medical myths and facts you should know

The key to healthy living is adapting a lifestyle that is encouraged by medical professionals. However, many times medical truths get confused with outdated beliefs. Here are seven commonly believed medical statements and the expert answers you should know.

False.

• Doctors once believed that eating a lot of "roughage" kept the colon free of cancer-causing toxins. Several large studies found, however, that neither high-fibre diets nor fibre supplements prevented colon cancer.

False.

• There is no scientific basis for this common recommendation. According recent research, a man needs about 3.7 litres (15 to 16 cups) of water daily, while a woman requires 2.6 litres (about 11 cups). That amount is easily gotten from a normal diet, since all beverages and many foods contain water. To stay well hydrated, simply drink when you're thirsty.

True.

• Doctors have shown that people who experience severe emotional trauma, such as losing a loved one, sometimes develop a condition known as stress cardiomyopathy, also called broken-heart syndrome. The condition causes a ventricle, or cavity, in the heart to expand, though it is rarely fatal.

False.

• Infections caused by bacteria called Helicobacter pylori cause 80 to 90 percent of stomach and intestinal ulcers. Treatment with antibiotics is usually successful. Most other ulcers are caused by sensitivity to aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers, such as ibuprofen.

False.

• Washing your hands frequently is always a great idea, especially during cold season; the rhinovirus, which causes the common cold, can live on your skin for up to three hours. However, since antibacterial soaps don't destroy viruses, they offer no advantage over other soaps.

False.

• Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in all animal foods. Studies show, however, that eating modest servings of high-cholesterol foods does not raise blood levels of cholesterol. Saturated fat in meat and dairy foods, as well as the trans fats found in many commercial baked goods, are much greater threats to your arteries.

True.

• Many population studies have suggested that people who regularly engage in activities that require the brain to process information — whether reading, going to museums or playing checkers — are less likely to develop Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases that lead to loss of mental clarity.

Keep this guide in mind and live healthier with these expert tips.