blood pressure

5 Heart Disease Myths BUSTED!

Being a doctor is only part of my job… I like to consider myself a “medical myth buster.”

When patients come to me for the first time, lots of them have head their heads filled with bad information for years. 

This bogus health advice comes from the drug companies… the mainstream medical establishment… the news media… and even our own government. 

And that’s especially true when it comes to heart health. 

But I’m going to reveal the 5 WORST lies that are destroying your heart health.

And I’ll show you how EASY it can be to keep your heart healthy your whole life. 

Here is my list of the top 5 heart-health myths:  

Myth #1: Fat is Bad for You

Most people believe that fat will cause a hart attack, but it's not true. Many good scientific studies show that vegetable oils (sunflower, canola, corn oil etc.) and trans fats (found in processed foods or margarine) are the real culprits because they increase inflammation. Fats from butter and saturated fats (found in meats) are more stable and do not increase heart disease. 

Myth #2: Don’t Eat Eggs

I think most people have gotten the news that eggs aren't as bad as we used to think they were. Study after study show people who eat eggs once or twice a day have lowered risk for heart disease and stroke compared to those who never ate eggs.

Myth #3: Stay Away From Red Meat

I still see headlines saying red meat is bad for you, but they are simply untrue. Red meat can be an essential part of a healthy diet, and provides us important nutrients many of us are missing – including magnesium and B vitamins.

Myth #4: Skip the Salt

For years the salt shaker has been off our tables due to concerns that salt increases blood pressure. But the reason salt was demonized is because more than 70%-80% of the salt most people eat shows up in processed, prepackaged, and restaurant food. 

That means there are plenty of other chemicals taking a ride along with salt that can cause heart problems (the real culprits are trans fats and sugars). I recommend people eat all the salt they want – as long as it is a non-processed type of salt.

Myth #5: Take It Easy On Exercise

Many people who have heart disease or a family history of heart disease are fearful of exercise, but that is definitely not heart smart. Physical activity will strengthen your heart and improve your overall health.  I generally recommend you exercise in some form every day. 

Let’s take the next step and make sure your heart stays strong for your entire life.  

Dr. Scott’s Heart Disease Program: 

  • Get Enough Exercise: As I said, you need exercise. Exercise not only reduces inflammation, but is great for the heart (and the brain). You don’t have to be too crazy, just get out and move your body around every day. 
  • Eat Colorful Foods: This means getting enough vegetables in your diet. If you can’t stand veggies, you can “cheat” by getting your veggies and other superfoods in a powered form. I take one every day by mixing it into yogurt and some berries. 
  • Avoid Vegetable Oils: Vegetable oils, especially trans fatty acids, are like setting off tiny bombs in your blood stream which increase inflammation.  
  • Use Fish oil: One of the most powerful anti-inflammatories is fish oil. It works inside your body to keep inflammatory proteins low. 
  • Take Curcumin: This extract from turmeric is great at helping the body control inflammation. Unless you get a ton of turmeric in your food, you should think about supplementing. 

Health and Happiness,

Scott Olson

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More Free Articles

Just Diagnosed with Hypertension? —6 Things to Do Next

You’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure—now what? First, take a breath. You’re not alone—over 30 percent of adults worldwide have hypertension. That makes it one of the most common health issues… and a top cause of preventable deaths. The good news is that, unlike some conditions that can leave you feeling helpless, high blood...

Read This

Brain Games Are USELESS—Do These 5 Things Instead

I’ve seen a lot of lists lately claiming to have the secrets that keep your brain from turning into mush as you age. They typically advise activities such as doing crosswords, learning Spanish, or taking up the accordion. Challenging your mind with new learning experiences is definitely a great way to keep your brain engaged...

Read This

This $5 Fix REVERSES Cellular Aging in Just 6 Months

You take your vitamins, eat your vegetables, and feel healthy—so your nutrition is covered… right? Well, new research suggests that even health-conscious older adults may be missing crucial nutrients that keep their cells functioning like those of younger people. The trouble is that as we age, our bodies become less efficient at absorbing nutrients from...

Read This

Mailbag: Doctors Get Bone Health WRONG—Here's What Really Works

“Thank you so much for answering this. With millions of women who are seniors over 70 facing a diagnosis of osteoporosis, this is my question. What can we do naturally to help improve our bone density, especially in the spine lumber 1 and 2? Also, how do we help improve bone density in the femur...

Read This

Critical Brain Nutrient Missing In 9 Out of 10 American Diets

You’ve probably heard plenty about brain-boosting omega-3s, antioxidants, and B vitamins. But there’s another nutrient that’s just as critical for your cognitive health. However, it’s been flying under the radar… until now. Mounting evidence suggests this overlooked compound could be key to protecting your brain and enhancing memory. It may even reduce your risk of...

Read This

"Miracle Berry" Supercharges Your Microbiome

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and granddads who’ve shared their wisdom, strength, and love through the years. Thank you for teaching us that the best medicine is laughter, love, and a father’s caring heart. Want to upgrade your health but don’t want complicated diets or expensive supplements? Science just revealed a delicious way...

Read This

This "Healthy" Sweetener is Sabotaging Your Weight Loss

Everyone knows that a balanced diet and regular exercise are crucial for maintaining a healthy weight. But what if the “diet” products you’re using to cut calories make you hungrier, so you eat more? Well, a shocking new study suggests that a popular artificial sweetener is secretly sabotaging your weight loss efforts. Let’s dig into...

Read This

“Banned in Europe” Food Additive Triggers Hormone Chaos

If you’ve ever enjoyed the bright white frosting on a cookie or vibrantly colored candy, you’ve likely consumed titanium dioxide. This common food additive, used to make products look more appealing, is now at the center of a growing health debate. Titanium dioxide is essentially makeup for food—a white powder that enhances colors and makes...

Read This

Your Phone Is DESTROYING Your Brain—Here's How to Fight Back

Ever notice how—after a day of bouncing between your phone, computer, and TV—your brain feels like it’s been stuffed with cotton? You may struggle to remember what you need at the store, fumble for words, or stare blankly at your crossword puzzle. It’s not because you’re getting older—it’s what your devices are doing to your...

Read This

The Coffee "Prescription" That Fights Aging

Hold onto your coffee mug… because I’ve got news that’ll make your favorite morning ritual even better. New research reveals that your daily coffee habit isn’t just keeping you alert—it could also be keeping you from becoming frail as you age. And if you’re a superfan, the news is even better. The study found that...

Read This