Medicine Without the Myths

Miscellaneous Myths

• If you cut or shave hair, it will grow back more quickly and thickly. (Nope!)
• You cannot get pregnant while breastfeeding. Breastfeeding exclusively offers pretty good protection for a few weeks after you deliver; however, after this time period, one cannot assume that breastfeeding an infant will prevent another pregnancy.
• Stretching before physical activity will reduce your risk of injury. Warming up is good, but stretching can be counter-productive.
• Humans only use 10% of their brain.
• You can eat something if it dropped on the floor for just a few seconds. The “5-second rule” has been researched by several investigators.  All foods will pick up some germs if they fall on the floor – even if it is for a brief moment.  Moist foods, like a slice of bologna, will pick up more germs than foods with hard non-sticky surfaces, such as a sucking candy that has not yet been in your mouth.

Old Wives’ Tales?

Interestingly, although the term “old wives’ tale” suggests that grandmotherly advice is generally wrong, it turns out grandma was correct when it comes to chicken soup. Several studies have shown that chicken soup does indeed help alleviate cold symptoms.  Who knows … the next time you have a cold, maybe you should go to your kitchen pantry before you go to your medicine cabinet!