Many individuals believe they follow a simple diet and exercise regularly, yet their routine health check-up results consistently raise red flags. Radiation Oncologist Lai Yih-Hsuan from China points out that the core issue is not a lack of concern for health, but rather the application of incorrect methods.
Adopting harmful misconceptions as a guiding principle not only wastes money but can also expose the body to chronic inflammation and tumor formation.
On his personal page, "Doctor. Lai", and his YouTube channel, Doctor Lai Yih-Hsuan has compiled and analyzed the 10 most prevalent health pitfalls observed in clinical practice today:
**1. Skipping dinner, eating only a large plate of fruit**
Eliminating carbohydrates at dinner and replacing them with fruit is a common habit. However, glucose, derived from carbohydrates, can be utilized by both the brain and muscles, whereas fructose (fruit sugar) can only be metabolized by the liver.
At night, the body enters a resting state. When a large amount of fructose is consumed, the liver, unable to process it quickly enough, is forced to convert it into stored fat. Over time, this process risks triggering a dangerous chain reaction: fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
The doctor advises that daily fruit intake should not exceed the size of two fists and should be consumed entirely during the day. Dinner should prioritize green vegetables and high-quality protein.
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Replacing dinner carbohydrates with fruit is a habit for many. *Photo: Bui Thuy*
**2. Avoiding carbohydrates and sugar to "starve" cancer cells**
Doctor Lai Yih-Hsuan states that the harsh reality of this belief is: before cancer cells are starved, the patient's healthy muscle mass and immune system will collapse due to malnutrition. Once the "food supply" is cut, cancer cells will seize fat and muscle from healthy tissues, rendering the immune system incapable of fighting.
He emphasizes that medical recommendations focus on minimizing "refined sugars" (such as soft drinks and pastries) that cause inflammation, not the high-quality carbohydrates vital for life, like brown rice and sweet potatoes. Fighting cancer is an energy-intensive battle; patients must maintain sufficient nutrition to win.
**3. Treating folk "detox" remedies and unverified herbal medicines as tonics**
When feeling tired or unwell, many people's first reaction is to assume "the body has too many toxins." They then self-prescribe supplements with unknown ingredients or traditional herbal remedies.
The doctor points out that the most effective detoxification method is to stop eating indiscriminately. Physical regulation should be entrusted to professional Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors who understand syndrome differentiation, rather than blindly trusting advertisements and self-medicating.
**4. Intuitive healthcare, only seeking medical attention when symptoms appear**
The liver and lungs lack internal pain-sensing nerves. A tumor growing from 1 cm to 3 to 5 cm may cause no symptoms. By the time pain appears, the "golden window" for treatment is often missed. Therefore, regular health check-ups and cancer screenings are the only way to accurately assess one's body condition.
**5. Blindly worshipping "purely natural" herbal remedies**
Many patients' families, concerned about the side effects of Western medicine, independently switch to high-concentration plant extracts as alternatives. Doctor Lai Yih-Hsuan explains that these herbs can interact with conventional anti-cancer drugs. Mild cases may worsen chemotherapy side effects, while severe cases can neutralize the effectiveness of Western medical treatment protocols. Any supplement must be confirmed with the treating doctor before use.
**6. Believing the "acid-alkaline body" theory, thinking alkaline foods fight cancer**
The doctor clarifies that the pH of human blood cannot be altered through diet. The acidic environment around cancer cells is a result of them secreting large amounts of lactic acid, not the cause of cancer. Drinking too much alkaline water only dilutes stomach acid and harms the digestive system.
**7. Supplementing calcium but overlooking the role of vitamin K2**
Effective bone protection requires the harmonious cooperation of a trio: calcium, vitamin D3, and vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 can be absorbed from Japanese natto, hard cheese, or animal liver. Additionally, people must combine this with appropriate weight-bearing exercises to provide physical stimulation, activating bone-forming cells.
**8. Completely avoiding oil, fat, and salt (a completely boiled diet)**
Long-term deficiency of high-quality fats leads to chronic inflammation and endocrine disorders. Conversely, prolonged salt deprivation can cause hyponatremia, disrupting brain water balance and significantly increasing the risk of headaches, lethargy, and falls leading to fractures in the elderly.
The doctor emphasizes that the real "hidden killer" in diet is hidden sodium and poor-quality fats in processed foods, not good cooking oils and properly seasoned salt in home cooking. For boiled meals, remember to add a little good cooking oil and season appropriately.
**9. A lifestyle of "sedentary weekdays, intense weekend workouts" to compensate**
Joints and tendons lacking long-term movement become like elastic bands losing elasticity. Suddenly engaging in intense basketball or badminton matches on weekends easily causes permanent injuries, such as ligament tears.
More seriously, this situation can lead to acute rhabdomyolysis, risking the need for hemodialysis. Exercise must be gradual, and light activity should be maintained even on weekdays.
**10. Treating fever reducers as a "panacea"**
Fever signals the immune system fighting pathogens. Rushing to take fever reducers at the first sign of fever means cutting the battery of the body's fire alarm, inadvertently prolonging natural recovery time.
Typically, for a mild fever due to a cold, you only need to drink plenty of water and get adequate rest for the immune system to complete its defense.
My Y (According to Yahoo TW)
