There are many myths about diet and health that have come to be taken for truths simply because they have been repeated so many times. If you were to ask virtually anyone over the age of 40 what is the major cause of heart disease they would likely say elevated cholesterol. The fact is that excess cholesterol has never caused a single case of heart disease in medical history. Statin drugs, used to lower cholesterol have many side effects. In fact, statin drugs are one of only a few groups of drugs that require routine blood tests because they are so dangerous. Statin drugs should be avoided and used only as a last resort. Elevated cholesterol can be managed by natural means. These can provide the same control by nourishing the liver and lowering elevated cholesterol. Another myth is that the artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, splenda, and saccharin do not cause weight gain. Not only do aspartame, splenda, and saccharin cause weight gain, but these sweeteners can have other side effects as well. Using aspartame, splenda or saccharin in moderation is fine, but excess can cause weight gain. Low fat diets are another myth as we are told that they are the best way to lose weight. Low fat diets are very dangerous as fat, the right fat, is essential. The dangers of low fat diets are many and include dry skin, loss of hair and liver problems. Free radicals have also been ignored as less than important but the fact is that free radical damage to cells of the body is the …