4 healthy habits that can actually have unexpected health consequences

Many people adopt practices promising improved health and well-being without considering potential risks. Some of these seemingly beneficial habits can backfire, leading to unexpected and sometimes disastrous consequences for their health. 

MDLinx spoke with doctors about four common lifestyle habits that, if not approached appropriately, may pose risks to patients’ health. Here’s what they had to say.

Every habit presents risks

“Everything presents risks, even things we require to survive,” says Thomas Pontinen, MD, LCP-C, co-founder of Midwest Anesthesia and Pain Specialists. 

“Water can become contaminated, shelter can collapse, and food can make us sick. Raw greens, for example, can spread illness due to bacteria such as E. coli when not produced, washed, and handled correctly,” Dr. Pontinen tells MDLinx.

David Cutler, MD, board-certified family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, agrees. “Some degree of uncertainty is inherent in all science. [...] A certain antibiotic may not always eradicate infection. Chemotherapy may not always cure cancer. And surgery will sometimes have complications,” he tells MDLinx.

Dr. Pontinen recommends physicians encourage patient communication about their goals, so they don’t face these risks alone.

A (hyper) fixation on healthy foods

Aiming to eat as healthy as possible can be a noble pursuit, but it could also be the start of orthorexia, as well as associated health complications, for some.

“For some people, a hyperfixation on healthy foods and exercise can lead to a condition called orthorexia, which is commonly associated with overexercising and stringent eating habits,”  Jillian Lampert, PhD, MPH, RD, LD, FAED, of The Emily Program, a national provider of personalized in-person and virtual eating disorder care, tells MDLinx. 

Rather than taking a “these are good, these are bad” approach to foods, she recommends encouraging patients to adopt a mindful approach that focuses on themselves, as well as hunger and satiety cues, rather than the food. 

Digesting health (mis)information

Never has there been a time for health misinformation to fly so unchecked than in this age of social media and unlimited access to a billion internet sites, causing too many people to fall victim to false health fads. 

Sharon Nachman, MD, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease at Stony Brook Children's Hospital, recommends that when patients encounter advice purporting to be good for their health, they should first assess the source of the information, evaluate the evidence supporting that advice, and consider the quality of the evidence. This careful evaluation can prevent them from becoming victims of potentially harmful misinformation. 

Dieting in this way

Intermittent fasting has gained popularity in recent years. While much science suggests that fasting can be valuable for the body in various contexts, according to Dr. Pontinen, many people fail to ensure that they’re getting sufficient macronutrients when they eat, and they may underutilize micronutrients while fasting. 

Getting in a good sweat

“There are clear-cut benefits to exercise with increased endurance, strength, flexibility, and sense of well-being,” explains Dr. Cutler. “However, there are risks: falls may occur when running; muscle strains may occur when lifting weights; infections may arise from contact with contaminated surfaces. And the more you exercise, the more opportunities there are for benefits and risks.”

Dr. Pontinen recommends that patients always try to work with experts or medical professionals to help guide them on the safest ways to pursue their exercise goals so they don’t face these risks alone.

“The scientific facts we accept today may be disproven by scientific studies in the future. Understanding and accepting this uncertainty is key to gaining the most benefit with the least risk from engaging in healthy habits,” Dr. Cutler concludes.