5 "Healthy" Things That Can Kill You

September 27, 2022

There are some individuals who humbly take pride in their healthy lifestyle and achievements. There are also a select few who flaunt this lifestyle with an arrogance that insinuates they are better than others for their healthy lifestyle choices. What these people may not know is that their supposed "healthy" habits are doing more damage than they think. It is easy enough to copy a healthy diet that worked for someone else or jump into an exercise routine as seen on YouTube, but without professional guidance, these things might not have the expected result. Everything in life needs a balance, even what is perceived as healthy.

Neti Pot

A commonly used technique to unclog sinuses is to inhale steam, either unscented or by adding eucalyptus leaves for additional relief. This method has been used for centuries and it can be very effective. However, as harmless as it may seem, inhaling water vapor can actually cause a great deal of damage to the body. In recent years, two people in Louisiana died from using tap water in their neti pots without the knowledge that the water contained a deadly, brain-eating ameba. If a person insists on the use of a neti pot to relieve sinus congestion, they should take the necessary precautions and use clean, filtered water only.

Brown Rice

Health enthusiasts are among the first to defend the benefits of brown rice, including it in many of their meals several times a week. However, a Consumer Reports investigation launched on multiple varieties of rice discovered that each brand actually carries a considerable amount of arsenic. When testing these inflictions on the human body, it came to their attention that those who consume rice regularly had forty-four percent more arsenic in their system, compared to those who do not eat rice. Brown rice, specifically, has significantly higher levels of arsenic than white rice, debunking the old idea that it is a more healthy alternative to it's white counterpart.

Yoga Practice

Yoga is a relaxing exercise, by it is by no means easy. The is a lot of stretching, twisting and bending involved, so if it is done without the proper care, it can actually kill you. Twisting muscle in the wrong way can cause back and neck trauma, blood clots, and even brain damage such as stroke. From 2001 and 2002, a large number of people were sent to the emergency room as a result of yoga related injuries. It may seem like an activity which is easy enough to do at home without committing to an instructor, but it is better to play safe and follow the guidance of a professional.

Grilled Food

Credible dieticians almost always tell their readers to avoid fried food, and instead stick to grilling their meat and vegetables. What most people - professionals and non-professionals alike - do not know is that the char marks left on grilled food have been linked to heterocyclic amines, which is a carcinogen that forms when high temperatures are used to cook meat (specifically chicken). One way to minimize the intake of this component is to remove the charred skin from meat prior to eating, cook meat at a low temperature, or use a slow cooker to prepare meals.

Vitamin Supplements

Over the last decade, more and more people are turning to health vitamins and supplements to meet their daily recommended intake of important minerals. Many of these people are under the impression that taking a daily dose of healthy pills is what is best for them, therefore it was shocking to many when a study was released claiming that vitamins A and E have actually been linked to an increased mortality rate. These vitamins have also been connected to cancer and heart failure due to their high levels of antioxidants, which have been proven to weaken the body's immune system. Instead of popping pills, a better way to secure the intake of the necessary vitamins is to eat a regular, balanced diet and expose oneself to a proper amount of natural sunlight.

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