The 5 most dangerous lies on TikTok - A doctor sets the record straight 

In an age when anyone can be a health "expert" on social media, misinformation can be especially dangerous. Dr. Evan Levine, a certified cardiologist with more than 30 years of experience, refutes the five biggest lies that are being spread on TikTok – and calls on all of us to beware of the charlatans who are mainly looking to make money on the backs of users.

Myth #1: Celtic salt is healthier than regular salt

Many TikTokers recommend switching to Celtic salt, claiming that it is healthier because it is less processed and contains minerals. But according to Dr. Levin, published in the New York Post, this is one of the biggest lies in the field: "At the end of the day, it's sodium chloride – just like your regular salt," he says.

True, Celtic salt contains trace amounts of calcium and potassium, but these are not enough to justify the price or improve your health. And if you have heart disease, the situation can be even more dangerous: "Adding salt to the water can raise blood pressure and lead to heart failure," warns Dr. Levin.

Myth #2: More expensive olive oil is healthier

Olive oil is indeed healthy, especially due to its unsaturated fatty acids, which may lower the level of bad cholesterol (LDL).

But is it worth paying $47.95 for oil sold by a doctor on TikTok? Not at all. "You don't have to waste money on branded oil sold on a charlatan's website," says Levin.

He argues that even simple olive oil can be a better choice. And what about the trend of sipping olive oil before bed to improve digestion? "There is no benefit in this," the cardiologist states.

Myth #3: No need for statins

Statins are medications that lower LDL levels in the blood, thereby reducing the risk of heart attacks. Despite the fear of side effects, Dr. Levin claims that for most people, these are safe and effective drugs: "Statins save lives and cost pennies. They were tested on millions of people," he says. In fact, only extremely low-risk patients may not benefit from them – and the same is true for many other drugs.

Myth #4: Allen test detects blockages in arteries

The Allen test checks the blood flow in the palm of the hand by pressing on the radial and ulnar arteries. TikTok claims that a negative test result can indicate blockages in the arteries, but Dr. Levin dismisses the idea: "The charlatans out there are promoting this test as a way to diagnose blockages in the arteries – complete nonsense," he warns.

In fact, the main use of the Allen test is to check if there is an ulnar artery at all before heart surgery. "Allen's test has nothing to do with any other medical problem," he concludes.

Myth #5: High blood pressure - not so bad

Although the dangers of high blood pressure seem clear, Dr. Levin says that there are still charlatans who claim that this is a normal condition. The root of the confusion is in the concept of "essential hypertension", which was created about 100 years ago when doctors noticed that many of the elderly were suffering from high blood pressure and assumed that it was a natural part of aging. "But it's not essential - it's dangerous," Levin clarifies. "High blood pressure increases the risk of stroke, heart attack and kidney failure," he adds.