TikTok vs. Truth: Debunking Viral Health Myths
- Sophie Ingram
- May 21
- 3 min read
TikTok has become a go-to source for quick health advice, trending wellness hacks, and flashy “miracle cures.” While some tips circulating on the app have roots in legitimate science, many are misleading at best — and harmful at worst. In this post, we’re breaking down some of the most popular TikTok health topics to separate fact from fiction. We’ll explain what works, what doesn’t, and what you should leave on your For You Page. As a holistic health care clinic, we believe health should be evidence-based — not algorithm-driven.
Is cheese addictive?
Tale as old as time. Cheese enthusiasts have often been noted with saying that they love cheese so much! They can’t live without it. They’re ADDICTED! The truth is there is a biological reason behind why people like cheese so much. During the digestion process cheese produces casein which affects opioid and dopamine receptors. Releasing dopamine into the body giving the person a happy feeling. Chocolate does the same thing. By all means cheese should not to be compared to the addictiveness of drugs and alcohol, but may not be the safest vice either.
Are saunas good for me?
Regular sauna use has been linked to the reduced risk for:
Coronary artery disease
Sudden cardiac death
Alzheimer’s disease
Dementia
Stroke
As well as reduced stress levels, alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety,
Other research has explored the effect of sauna on a variety of conditions, offering temporary symptom relief from
Asthma
Chronic bronchitis
Aches and pains
Rheumatic conditions
Will intermediate fasting help me lose weight?
Intermittent fasting is definitely all the rage these days but it’s been along for longer than you think. Scientific studies on the subject can be found as far back as the 1910’s.
Fasting is either a total or partial refrain from foods or prohibited foods for a set period of time. It’s often been associated with improving overall health, increasing longevity and decreasing obesity.
Intermittent fasting has become an avenue of research showing positive outcomes. Now that’s not to say that calorie restriction, dietary restriction, or other fasting regiments are worse or better.
Research has been conducted and found that intermittent fasting can have an effect on:
Lifespan
Possible renal disease
Lower heart rate and blood pressure
Different forms of cancers
Diabetes outcomes
Obesedy
Keep in mind intermittent fasting is not recommended for children or teenagers on account of rapid growth and development during that time needing increased nutritional and calorie consumption.
Is red light therapy good for me?
Red light therapy has become a common practice these days, but what is it used for? Let’s start with what red light therapy is: it’s a non-invasive, painless, and safe therapy used on people, plants, and sometimes animals using red light.
Use of red light on humans has been linked to:
Increased blood flow
Reduced inflammation
Improved skin health
Muscle recovery
Accelerated wound healing
Pain relief
Better Mood
Increased Cognitive function
When looking at the potential benefits of red light therapy, we find our answer: Red light therapy is very good for you! However, we need to keep in mind the difference between red light therapy and cold laser therapy.
What is colloidal silver? Is it safe?
When most people think of silver, we think of the metal used in jewelry. These days it’s used in all kinds of scientific applications like solar cells, ink, jet, printing, and microelectronics.
Since the outbreak of coronavirus the popularity of these products has increased. Often being advertised as antibacterial and antiviral. Colloidal silver is a strong broadspectrum antimicrobial meaning it can be used for a lot of different pathogens, from bacteria to viruses to mold treatment.
Which brings us to the question, is it safe to purchase in such an unregulated field?
In this study, they find that 10 out of 14 products evaluated contain silver in its ionic form and cannot even be labeled colloidal silver. There is extensive research, showing that there are major differences between these different silver particles in terms of mechanisms of action, safety, and efficiency. So, in most cases it is better to pass on this TikTok trend unless you are getting your colloidal silver from your doctor.
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