“Racist Propaganda”: 45 People Call Out Laughable Health Myths That Are Still Widely Believed

I’m a doctor, so….most of them. The ones that drive me super crazy though, are the ones that are actively dangerous. You want to sell cancer patients some supplements with their chemo? Sure, as long as their oncologist and pharmacist know about them and have confirmed no interactions, and the patient has the money to easily afford them, fine go nuts. You want to tell people black pepper will cure their easily treatable cancer so they shouldn’t do chemo, and then ghost them when they show up with metastatic breast cancer lumps pushing through their skin? Frick you, you pathological psychopath. There’s blood on your hands.

And don’t even get me started on the antivaxxers. They somehow believe all of us are in the pocket of big pharmacy, to the point that we vaccinate our own infants and families?? (Doctor families have amongst the highest rates of child vaccination) F. You. I care about my children more than I care about any money. I vaccinate my kids because I know it can save their lives. You absolute jerk.

That anybody needs a "detox." If you have a liver, you're good.

I’m not eating/drinking that. It’s got chemicals in it.

No s**t! Find me something that doesn’t contain chemicals.

That vaccines cause autism.

Chiropractic practices are legitimate.

My mother complaining that the doctor won’t prescribe antibiotics for the common cold. Every. Freaking. Time.

“MSG is bad for you!” No it isn’t, this was basically racist propaganda. And it has sadly stuck around. “But it makes me really thirsty!” No, really? The ‘sodium’ in the name didn’t give it away? It’s just salt. Not cancer causing, and like *anything* in large quantities it would be harmful. But by itself no, it is not harmful.

Natural means safe.

Processed means unhealthy.

That having a corporate middle-man between you and your doctor who funnels a large part of your payments to shareholders sitting on yachts is good for everyone.

There's a "natural" gum advertising on TikTok that claims to "repair and regrow" tooth enamel.

No. No it doesn't.

Salt is bad for you.


Too much salt is bad for you, but there's a minimum you need to live and not having enough causes a lot of issues.


Feeling dizzy? That could be low salt levels.

I work in a whole foods. So maybe it's just my area or something.

But I have a lot of customers come in and think that organic means healthy.

And I don't mean healthy as in, it's good for you.

Healthy as in it can cure/improve medical issues.

The amount of times I been asked "I have x cancer. Which of the organic chickens is better for that?"* is insane.

That breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It was actually a marketing plan for the Kellog cereal.

Oh man- that eating certain foods or drinks can 'alkalinize' your blood. Your body runs such a tight ship to maintain your blood pH and you DO NOT WANT IT ANY DIFFERENT.

Gluten is poison. My SIL will only feed her kids gluten free food. They are not celiac or have any food sensitivities, she just believes gluten is bad.

Chiropractors aren't doctors, or even healthcare professionals. I used to work in an ER, and I have seen multiple instances of near paralysis or worse.

Bipolar mania seems fun

Source: I have bipolar 1, and it is decidedly *not* fun to deal with.

That non-fat means it's healthier.

Derm here: that letting a wound "air out" or dry out helps it heal.
The Vaseline-slathered, moist (but clean!) wounds heal best. Less scar, quicker healing.

That ingredients you can’t pronounce are automatically bad for that reason.

That sounds like a skill issue.