A United States-based cardiologist cautioned against following popular wellness fads that circulate on social media, arguing that many of them may pose risks to cardiovascular health rather than providing benefits.
Dr Sanjay Bhojraj, an interventional cardiologist with over twenty years of medical practice, shared his concerns in a recent Instagram post. He wrote: “Longevity comes from rhythm and consistency, not hacks.”
Dr Bhojraj drew attention to the rapid spread of wellness trends and warned that popularity does not guarantee safety. “Wellness trends spread fast,” he observed. “But here’s the truth: not everything that goes viral is safe for your heart.”
He identified three particular practices that he advised people to avoid:
Unconsidered use of biohacking gadgets: Devices such as trackers and test panels, he explained, provided little value unless properly interpreted. “Data is only useful if you know what to do with it,” he cautioned.
Excessive consumption of fibre: While dietary fibre was important, he said that extreme intake — such as large quantities of chia seeds, beans or powders without sufficient balance and hydration — could disrupt digestion. “Your heart won’t benefit from extremes,” he noted.
Detox programmes and cleanses: He argued that such approaches interfered with natural recovery processes and could increase cortisol levels. “Your liver already has a detox system,” he emphasised.
Dr Bhojraj placed these concerns within a broader cultural context, observing that modern lifestyles often relied on unhealthy short-cuts. In another recent post, he remarked that insufficient sleep, reliance on packaged snacks, and treating minimal activity as adequate exercise contributed to cardiovascular strain.
“Our heart isn’t confused,” he said. “It’s exhausted.”
He highlighted how cultural acceptance of reduced sleep schedules — marketed as adequate — along with the growing popularity of supplement regimes costing hundreds of dollars per month, illustrated the extent of the problem.
The cardiologist argued that the path to long-term health lay in prioritising fundamental habits over trends. He advocated quality sleep, balanced nutrition, hydration, consistent physical movement, and effective stress management as the true foundations for longevity.
“Your heart has been working nonstop for you since the moment you were born,” he reminded followers. “It’s time to return the favour.”
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