In a recent episode, I talked to Dr. Danielle Belardo, MD, a preventive cardiologist in Los Angeles, who helps patients optimize their weight and cardiovascular health through her practice Precision Preventive Cardiology. Dr. Belardo uses her unique, evidence-based approach to partner with her patients, blending the latest cutting-edge, medical care with comprehensive lifestyle changes, emphasizing nutrition, exercise, and stress management, to help her patients achieve optimal health. In this episode, she debunks numerous wellness myths and trends, many of which are thought to be true. She discusses the supplement industry, GLPI weight loss medications such as Ozempic, the most dangerous diets for heart health, and so much more. So, here are five wellness myths that might surprise you:

You have to diet for chronic disease prevention

This might not be as sexy as all those fad diets out there, but the truth is, there is no one diet fits all. As long as you’re eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean protein, and fatty fish, then you’re on the right track. You can even tailor your diet to fit your personal preferences that fit within these recommended guidelines, and still have a healthy well balanced diet.

GLPI weight loss medications such as Ozempic are unhealthy

While GLPI weight loss medications like Ozempic are becoming increasingly popular, especially in LA (it seems like everyone in on Ozempic these days) it was actually created as a diabetes medication. So, while Dr. Belardo doesn’t recommend it for everyone, she says it’s a highly effective treatment for diabetes. Weight management can be incredibly challenging and GLPI changes a patient’s appetite in a unique way. It helps to regulate the hunger and satiety hormone which is incredible for patients suffering from diabetes or obesity.

A high carb diet will make you gain weight

If you’re scared of carbs, then it’s time to rethink that. Carbs are our body’s preferred source of energy, so cutting them out completely is unsustainable when it comes to weight loss. Now, not all carbs are created equal. Eating nutrient dense carbohydrates such as whole gains, oats, brown rice, fruits and vegetables will actually supply your body with a lot of essential vitamins and minerals.

You need supplements for optimal health

For the most part, the supplement industry is highly unregulated. In fact, there are no supplements that have been proven to help you live longer, reduce cardiovascular disease, etc. If you are deficient in something, you should try to solve the underlying issue, rather than treat it with supplements. In fact, some supplements like fish oil can actually cause other issues like atrial fibrillation.

Coconut oil is the gold standard when it comes to oil

According to Dr. Belardo, the seed oil industry in general get a bad rap. If you look at the evidence, a lot of different seed oils can be beneficial for your health. She’s a huge proponent of olive oil, avocado oil, and even canola oil, as long as they’re consumed in moderation. However, when it comes to coconut oil, she’s not a huge fan due to the fact that it’s high in saturated fat and can raise your LDL cholesterol.

Listen to the full episode here for more wellness myths and nutrition fads that aren’t as great as they sound.