Myth #3 If you exercise regularly that makes you healthy. Implementing a regular exercise routine is usually one of the first things people think of when they focus on their health. Movement is incredibly important when it comes to optimizing health but it’s actually not the most important thing. We often see incredibly fit people who can’t sleep without drugs, are riddled with stress and anxiety, suffer from crippling perfectionism and who’s over all mental health is in shambles.
It doesn’t matter if you can run a 10K in record time or you have 10% body fat, if you are not eating enough nutrient dense food to fuel your body, sleeping soundly 7-10 hours per night and managing your stress then it’s likely you are not healthy. Sleep is actually the first thing we focus on for most patients including those that need to lose weight.
Sleep well first, then add nutrient dense foods to your diet, learn to manage stress properly and THEN implement an appropriate exercise routine. Exercising is not enough in order for you to live your best life.
Myth #4 PMS is just part of being a woman. PMS is possibly the most common health problem reported by reproductive age women. Approximately 20% of reproductive age women report having moderate to severe PMS. Pre-menstrual syndrome is a health problem that we like to say is common but not normal. It’s likely you will feel some mild symptoms before your period, possibly breast tenderness, and some bloating but if you are experiencing cramps, significant mood swings and are just generally miserable during your time of the month that is not normal! Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can virtually eliminate PMS in most woman by making sure your body is functioning properly.
Myth #5 Health is genetic. Every week I hear new patients explain their current health condition by saying that “it runs in my family.” Their (inset health complaint here) is genetic; their mom has is, their brother has it and their grandparents or aunt/uncle has it. The reality is that less than 10% of disease is genetic. The vast majority of disease is due to a number of non-genetic factors, including those that can turn on and off certain genes, also known as gene expression. Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institute of Health, famously said “genes load the gun but environment pulls the trigger”. These non-genetic factors are known collectively as your exposome and they have a far greater impact on your health than your genetics in most people. In many cases, even if you have a specific predisposition to a condition due to your genes, those genes will not be expressed without the presence of certain environmental factors.
These 5 myths are just a few of many that we hear all the time. Figuring out what true or what works best for you can be difficult which is why it’s so important to have a knowledgeable and trustworthy health care provider in your corner.
Ann&Emily
