I’m a heart surgeon — here are 4 bad habits I absolutely avoid
He wants you to take this advice to heart.
Dr. Jeremy London, a heart surgeon in Savannah, Georgia, is revealing the four bad habits that he avoids to maintain good health.
He said that being a cardiothoracic surgeon for 25 years has taught him not to smoke or vape, use alcohol-based mouthwash, consume processed foods or drink alcohol.
“Your body, your rules, your choice,” London declared in his Tuesday TikTok, which has drawn 1.3 million views.
Smoke or vape
“Smoking directly injures the lining of blood vessels, increases the chance of atherosclerosis [hardening of the arteries] and blockages and causes cancer,” London explained. “It’s probably the single worst thing you can do for yourself.”
An estimated 28 million American adults smoke cigarettes, the leading cause of lung cancer worldwide.
A recent American Cancer Society report blamed smoking for 20% of US cancer cases and nearly 30% of cancer deaths.
Use alcohol-based mouthwash
“Our gut microbiome — or the good bacteria in our gut — begin in the mouth, so if you kill this bacteria, you can actually throw that out of balance,” London shared.
“And, interestingly, the bacteria in the mouth help produce nitric oxide, which helps regulate and control blood pressure,” he continued.
“By killing this bacteria, you can actually cause or worsen hypertension or high blood pressure.”
Our gut microbiome — the collection of bacteria, viruses and fungi in our digestive system — helps with digestion, nutrient absorption and immune system regulation.
A disruption in the delicate balance of gut bacteria can lead to digestive problems, thyroid dysfunction, skin conditions and may increase the risk of chronic disease.
A study published in June out of Belgium found that two species of bacteria that have been linked to gum disease, esophageal and colorectal cancers were significantly more plentiful in the mouth after three months of daily use of alcohol-based mouthwash.
A group of beneficial bacteria that influence blood pressure decreased during that same period.
Still, the researchers stopped short of advising people to stop swishing with alcohol-based mouthwashes, instead calling for further research and encouraging people to talk with their health care professional about usage.
Consume processed foods
“You are what you eat — literally, the protein, fats and carbohydrates that you ingest give the energy and the building blocks to every single cell in your body. Be thoughtful about your nutritional plan,” London recommended.
Ultra-processed foods have long been bad-mouthed by medical experts for being filled with calories, sugar, fat and salt. Consuming too many of them can raise your risk of diabetes, cancer and even early death.
In a TikTok early this week, London showed off a typical grocery haul for his family that included grass-fed beef, chicken, various fruits and vegetables, eggs, avocado oil, chicken broth, nuts and olive oil.
Drink alcohol
“I hate to tell you, but even moderate alcohol use is in question. Why is that? Well, when we drink alcohol, it’s broken down to acetaldehyde and acetate,” London said.
“Acetaldehyde is directly toxic to every single cell in the body and acetate is just empty calories.”
Recent research has claimed that no amount of alcohol is good for you, though some studies have touted the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits of red wine in moderation.
