January 16, 2024 – There are endless reasons to get one. health and lifeadvice from tick tock That's a bad idea.
We have thoroughly researched the site and listed the scary and funny ones. But more importantly, we hope it feeds into important health conversations with loved ones and, more ideally, into TikTok's strange and sometimes dangerous world of health tips. We hope it inspires you to go to your doctor's office to discuss alternative, evidence-based alternatives.
Here, we've ranked the eight worst TikTok health tips of 2023 from least to least potentially dangerous.
8. Castor oil navel removal
Have you ever seen a bottle of castor oil suddenly appear in your child's medicine cabinet or belongings? Obviously, castor oil Place it in or around your belly button to promote digestion. “How it works” is important here. Because influencers claim that the oil is „pulled“ or absorbed from the belly button into the intestines.
Hope or hype? castor oil have existed longer Over 6,000 years. It was used as lamp fuel in ancient Egypt and is now used as an ingredient in skin and beauty products and as a laxative. Rubbing your belly button and the area around it may not be harmful, but as long as there are benefits, it's all a gamble. It's off. „The belly button is like any other body part that is completely occluded or protected by a barrier,“ says Dr. Mark Cai, an internist at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. „Like the rest of your arms and legs and stomach, it's not a keyhole or another entry point or access point into your body. Absorption there is very minimal.“
7. “Medical grade” alkaline water
Water is the new…antacid? If you don't want to walk to the store, expensive home appliances offers a do-it-yourself option to „alkalize“ your water. In other words, it adds minerals like calcium, potassium, and bicarbonate to help neutralize and balance acid levels in your intestines and bloodstream.
Hope or hype? Drinking alkaline water is not dangerous per se, but there is little evidence regarding its benefits. „This trend is based on logic, but the logic is oversimplified,“ said Dr. Marissa Scavuzzo, a postdoctoral fellow at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. „The stomach produces acid to effectively digest food. The amount of water you consume cannot counteract this constant production.“ There is little evidence Our findings suggest that alkaline water may improve hydration and anaerobic performance in trained athletes.
6. Raw potato snack
1 potato, 2 potatoes, 3 potatoes, raw. According to TikTok influencers, snacking on raw potatoes improves digestion and alkalinizes stomach acid, so there's no need to cook them anymore.
Hope or hype? Like other nightshade vegetables, potatoes contain naturally occurring compounds called glycoalkaloids. „Generally speaking, glycoalkaloids are potentially toxic and will cause more intestinal problems for people,“ says Danielle Omar, a registered dietitian and holistic culinary dietitian based in Northern Virginia. The same is true for lectins, which are natural proteins that are resistant to digestive enzymes. When consumed in excess, „it has been reported to cause damage to the intestinal lining and the cells that line the intestines,“ Scavuzzo says.
5. Earwax removal
Does your child collect weird hollow candles? Chances are, they've gotten a lot of bad advice from TikTok influencers.these ear candle Proponents say placing a cloth tube soaked in beeswax outside the ear canal, lighting the other end and holding it in place for about 15 minutes will „suck out“ excess earwax, debris, and bacteria. claims.
Hope or hype? Earwax „reduces the risk of infection and helps prevent viruses, bacteria, debris, and other particles from colonizing the ear canal,“ said Kai, a Baltimore internist. And the heat from the end of the candle does not cause suction, he explained. „The best-case scenario is that you can avoid burning your face from earwax, but in the worst-case scenario, you end up with earwax as a foreign object in your ears,“ he says. Cai noted that inserting more cotton swabs can push earwax further into the ear canal, causing „pain, infection, and even physical damage to the eardrum.“ Most people can keep their surroundings clean by practicing good personal hygiene.
4. Eye mucus fishing
Eye fishing is the habitual removal of eye mucus using cotton swabs or fingers for cosmetic and beauty purposes. Besides appearance, “Slim fishing syndrome” This is a genuine condition and is often a vicious cycle.
Hope or hype? This is a big no-no, says Dr. Brian Boxer-Wachler, an ophthalmologist at the Boxer-Wachler Vision Institute in Beverly Hills, Calif., and author of the following books: influenced, a book that examines the effects of social media on cognition. “Eye mucus is produced to varying degrees, but it is generally benign,” he said. „Mucus is always produced when there is inflammation, so using a rough cotton swab can irritate the surface of the eye, and more irritation means more reaction,“ Boxer-Wakler also says. Using your fingers is equally irritating and increases the risk of transmitting viruses, bacteria, and even influenza and coronavirus germs to your eyes, he explained. Other complications include corneal scarring and decreased vision. The best advice is to avoid fishing altogether. However, if the urge occurs, artificial tears or saline drips are better options.
3. Bed rot
Bed rot is a form of „soft“ self-care, according to TikTokkers who believe that spending hours, days, or even a week or more in bed is beneficial. Bedlotters eat in bed, text in bed, watch videos in bed, sleep, rest, and laugh. And mental health experts are also very concerned about this practice.
Hope or hype? Dr. Bushra Rizwan, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, said, „We're definitely seeing a lot of negative physical and psychological effects from trends like bed rot.“ Ta. Mental health concerns include isolation, a persistent lack of motivation and worsening symptoms of depression, she said. „We also have kids who may not have had a psychiatric diagnosis but were engaging in this.“ So they're dealing with depression, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ) are exposed to risks such as „We have often said that sitting is the new smoking. This is even worse and can cause many long-term chronic health problems,“ Rizwan said.
2. BORG (Blackout Rage Gallon) Challenge
Born on a college campus more than a year ago, the BORG challenge is still going viral. The recipe for disaster is simple, but the consequences are dire. Pour 50% to 75% water into a 1-gallon jug, add a fifth of vodka, flavoring, electrolytes, and caffeine, shake, and you're ready to go. TikTokkers tell us that BORG helps keep you hydrated and alert so you can stay sober longer, prevent the spread of disease, and prevent a drinking binge.
Hope or hype? Generally, the human body can handle one to two drinks, Kai explained. „Above this number, no matter how much water, electrolytes, or caffeine you consume, your liver can only process so much, and your blood alcohol level rises,“ he says. Side effects range from sedation and drowsiness to fainting, vomiting, and choking. It's the worst and potentially dangerous way to consume alcohol.
1. Borax/Baking Soda Drink
According to TikTok, simply mixing a pinch of borax, a pinch of baking soda, and a pinch of salt in water or your favorite beverage can cure yeast infections, boost magnesium and energy levels, fight migraines, and support gut health. It is said that it can be done. Bathing in the same (in large quantities) helps detox the body. If this miracle concoction sounds too good to be true, it's because it is.
Hope or hype? Borax is a natural mineral used in detergents and pest control. Often mistaken for boron, trace minerals Found in many fruits, tubers, and legumes. „Borax is toxic. Even small amounts are toxic,“ Kai said. There is no research or physiological evidence that it helps. And unlike other things that the body can process or eliminate without issue, borax can cause a number of symptoms. side effects Vomiting, fatigue, shock, kidney failure, etc. Furthermore, Kai does not recommend bathing for any reason due to the possibility of dermatitis.