Crazy Health Trends

It seems like every day a new health trend pops up. People are always looking for a new way to improve their health, and any trick that helps them is appealing. While some of the health trends you hear about have some merit, others are a little ridiculous. To try and help you figure out which ones you want to try, we have compiled a short list of some of the most outlandish health trends, and whether or not they can actually do as they claim.

Oil Pulling – This is one trend that has really gotten popular as of late. Oil pulling is the act of swishing around about a tablespoon of oil in your mouth. We don’t mean motor oil, but something along the lines of coconut, sesame or sunflower oil. You are to do this for about 20 minutes before you spit it out. What you are left with at the end of it is pretty gross – try not to look at it when you spit it out – but some say the effects are worth it. By swishing around oil in your mouth you are helping to combat things like gingivitis and bad breath. The cells that cause these things stick to the oil as you swish it around, and when you spit it out, they go out with them. Oil pulling has been around for a long time, but has recently started to make a comeback. While some people live by it, others say it isn’t any better than rinsing your mouth out with water or mouthwash.

Water Ionizing – Water ionizing is another trend that is starting to make the rounds again. It first started over in Japan, along with some other Eastern nations, but has since found its way into the United States and Europe. With water ionizing, you are using a process called electrolysis to alter the pH levels of your drinking water. Doing so is said to have such benefits as balancing the pH levels in your body, reducing aging, and providing your body with antioxidants. To ionize your water, you need a home water ionizer. You can compare water ionizers here if you are interested. While the health claims are pretty great, many have questioned their legitimacy. Many believe that water ionization doesn’t do anything at all, so be sure to do your research before buying a water ionization system for your home.

Ear Candling – This alternative medicine practice is said to improve your overall health by removing earwax and toxicants. The process essentially works like this – you light one end of a hollow candle, then stick the other end in your ear canal. Those in support of the process say that the heat creates negative pressure, which then pulls out the wax and other things inside your ear. While this practice was very popular for a time, it has recently fallen out of favor. This is mostly due to research that showed that ear candling was not only ineffective, but could potentially be dangerous.

Not all health trends are equal. Some are very good for you, and should be taken into consideration. Some of them are simply crazy, and should be avoided. Which ones are which can sometimes be hard to tell. The next time you hear about a new health trend, we recommend doing some research before jumping in. If you can do this, you should be able to find the health trends that work for you, and know which ones to stay away from.