I'm a Doctor and Pray You Never Do These 5 Things
Everyone has bad habits, but there's some behaviors we do that are actually more harmful than we think. Unhealthy habits can have long-term negative consequences and Dr. Charles Tabone N.M.D a Naturopathic Medical Doctor with Pause Studio tells us five things people do on a regular basis that should be stopped immediately. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss Already Had COVID? These Symptoms May "Never Go Away".
Don't Throw Caution to the Wind When Using Headphones
Dr. Tabone says, "For decades there have been concerns around the non-thermal effects of non-ionizing radiation on our biology, like WiFi or Bluetooth. More recently, researchers have pointed to the effect EMFs may have on calcium channels in the cells, identifying a potential mechanism for feared adverse health outcomes. When it comes to the risks around continuously exposing brain tissue to close contact radiation, it would be wise to treat technology as guilty until proven innocent. That's not to say talking on cellphones is any better, and a cautionary approach should be taken for all these devices where making efforts to minimize exposure should be the goal."
Consuming Vegetable Oils
Dr. Tabone states, "Vegetable oils are found everywhere in our modern diets – from processed foods in grocery stores to cooking oil in high end restaurants — and the consumption of these fats has detrimental effects on our health. These oils are high in linoleic acid, a substance when eaten in excess that can compromise mitochondrial function and the body's metabolism. The oxidation and free radical damage caused by ingesting these oils can lead to many disease processes, from vascular damage and heart disease to cancer. It's best to read all labels or avoid processed foods entirely, and for more information Dr. Cate Shanahan is the vegetable oil guru."
Drinking Coffee First Thing Upon Waking
Dr. Tabone explains, "The body has natural cortisol rhythms which, when functioning optimally, are responsible for daily sleep-wake cycles. To promote an optimal circadian rhythm, it's best to engage in activities that support natural fluctuations. Caffeine in moderation can be a wonderful tool, but its influence on a molecule called adenosine can have significant effects on our wakefulness. By delaying coffee intake by an hour or two after waking, the body can better synchronize to normal cortisol rhythms and natural adenosine receptor function can be established to help mitigate the risk of a coffee crash."
Being Overly Reliant on Sunscreen
According to Dr. Tabone, "While everyone should make efforts to avoid sunburns, always wearing sunscreen can have many negative health effects. Aside from the toxins found in many popular brands of sunblock – which is a huge concern – the application of sunscreen has been associated with an increased risk of sunburn and the most dangerous forms of skin cancer. SPF values often only reflect the level of protection against UVB, but excess UVA exposure is what's implicated in negative health outcomes. Direct sunlight is also important for the production of vitamin D, where chronic sunscreen application may result in deficiency. It's more ideal to get direct sunlight exposure at early and late hours in the day, and to focus on small exposures during peak UV hours with frequent shade breaks."
Drinking Tap Water Without Knowing What's in It
Dr. Tabone reminds us, "Access to potable water is a luxury all developing nations take for granted, we are incredibly fortunate when compared to the majority of human civilization. Having said that, tap water is far from clean and has been found to contain various substances like pharmaceuticals or heavy metals. For optimal health it is best to consume spring water tested for low levels of impurities, or when relying on tap water, to use high quality filtration. The Environmental Working Group has a resource to show the subpar quality of municipal waters, if you need motivation to make a change this is a great place to start." And to protect your life and the lives of others, don't visit any of these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.
