What We’re Reading This Week


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Facebook For Organs
Since Facebook announced last week that users can add “Organ Donor” as a life event on their timeline, more than 100,000 users have updated their profiles. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said he hopes this change will help increase the number of organ donors across the world. It looks like it’s working so far! Via Huffington Post

Long Live The Jog
The benefits of jogging are seemingly endless, and if you haven’t yet added it into your fitness regime, now’s the time. A recent study found that women who regularly hit the pavement lived 5.6 years longer than women who didn’t. Relieve stress, slim down and live longer? Sounds like a no-brainer. Via MSNBC

Nonexistent Normal
What exactly does normal mean when it comes to your down-there health? According to a new study, there’s no such thing. Researchers examined the bacteria levels in different women over extended periods of time and found that no two vaginas are the same. Via Healthland

Get A Body Like B
After giving birth to Blue Ivy four short months ago, Beyonce looks GOOD. Her live-in trainer spoke out about how she got her groove back. She combines cardio and plyometric moves, eats six small meals a day, loads up on protein and nixed processed foods. Via Fit Perez

Genetic Meat-Lovers
If you can’t stand pork, the reason could be found in your genes. A new study suggestions the possibility of a crazy genetic predisposition against meat. Researchers found that certain people have two copies of a gene that allows them to detect a smelly odor that might make meat seem a lot less appealing. Via The Wall Street Journal

Liar, Liar
Honesty is always the best policy–or so we thought. Research shows that being a good liar increases your ability to detect when others are lying by 20 percent. Want to detect a fibber? Look for these five signs: Inconsistent behavior, an overly-steady gave, written tells, mouth-muffling, and a quick smile. Via Prevention

javahut healthy feed

What We’re Reading This Week

Schmidt Spins

Schmidt Spins
If you’re as obsessed with the hit show New Girl as we are, then you won’t want to miss this HILARIOUS video of Schmidt “teaching” a spin class. Awesome one-liners, a perfect pump-up song, and hey, he’s got great form. Via Vulture And now Racked reports that Max Greenfield is actually going to lead a charity ride at a West Hollywood SoulCycle on May 6. Dreams do come true!

Found: G-Spot
We’ve heard all of the controversy that surrounds the G-spot (Where is it? How do you get to it? Does it even exist?). But a study published Wednesday claims that it not only exists, but it has an exact location. Via ABC

A Dangerous High
Teens have found a scary new way to get a buzz. Multiple young people in LA were treated for alcohol poisoning after drinking hand sanitizer. Some went as far as distilling the sanitizing product, which creates an alcohol that’s 50 percent stronger than vodka or tequila. Needless to say, consuming this product is extremely dangerous.  Via MSNBC

Edible Landscaping
Think your vegetable garden needs to be confined to the back corner of your yard? Think again. Incorporating plants you can eat, such as fruits and veggies, into your stellar landscape is a new delicious trend. The vibrant colors will complement your flowers perfectly. Via The Wall Street Journal

Hangover Heaven
Partied too hard in Vegas? Let a mobile doc nurse your hangover. A Nevada doctor has opened a clinic on a bus that lets approved patients receive treatment via an IV to relieve the headache and body aches associated with excessive drinking and dehydration. It sounds extreme, but several doctors admit that it’s relatively safe. Via Healthland

javahut healthy feed

What We’re Reading This Week


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Vegan For Kids
A controversial new children’s book that encourages a vegan lifestyle is making headlines. Even though maintaining a nutritious, vegan diet can be challenging for children, some docs are saying this could be a great way to target a much younger audience and promote healthy eating early in life. Via ABC

No Regrets
We’re told to live life with no regrets. And although having regret when you’re young can encourage change, a new study found that regret in old age could lead to unhappiness and even depression. Via Booster Shots

Extreme Crash Diet
This new trend takes dieting to a scary new level. It has been reported that some women (many of them brides-to-be) are opting for weight-loss treatments that involve feeding tubes that limit consumption to only 800 calories per day. This invasive and dangerous medical procedure can cost patients around $ 1,500 and the long-term effects are not yet known. Via Healthland

Fishy Labels
Check your spicy tuna roll. A new study by Oceana revealed that 55% of fish sold is mislabeled, so you don’t always get what you ask for. Aside from being misleading and aggravating, there can be serious health hazards from eating incorrectly labeled (and potentially un-inspected) fish. Via Prevention

Something Salty
It’s official: America is suffering from sodium overload. In a study that compared fast food chains in countries across the world, the levels of sodium in the U.S. food were sky high compared to the UK and France. Via Medical News Today


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Women’s Health News Blog: Latest Health Headlines and Tips to Stay Healthy

Be Beautiful This Fall With Aloe Vera

Healthy Beauty Blog

aloe Vera Plant
iStockphoto/ThinkStock

Forget about relieving sunburns (which you better not have gotten over the summer!), aloe’s great all year ’round.

The plant’s rich in amino acids, vitamins A, C, F, B, niacin, and has traces of vitamin
B12, equaling awesome anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, healing, and soothing benefits for your skin, says Hyatt Regency Aruba Spa Director, Arianne van Esta Tjallingii.

Here are some of her favorite ways to incorporate aloe’s benefits in her beauty routine:

ALOE VERA SKIN SCRUB
Want to brighten your skin, tighten your pores, and remove acne? Then you definitely want to try this aloe scrub. Massage it gently in circular motions onto your skin for one to two minutes, depending on your skin’s sensitivity. Rinse with lukewarm water. Use once a week.

Ingredients
2 tbsp. aloe vera
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. lemon juice

ALOE VERA FACIAL MASK
Make your skin look younger, clean, and refreshed with this gentle mask. The cucumber and yogurt cleanses your skin while the aloe vera gives it a healthy and soft feel. Apply to face and neck and leave for about 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse
with lukewarm water, then with cold water to close the pores. Use once a week.

Ingredients
4 tbsp. aloe vera
2 tbsp. plain yogurt
6 tbsp. fresh cucumber juice

ALOE VERA BODY SPRAY
Whenever your skin’s in need of some refreshing, spritz yourself with this soothing body spray. Mix it in a spray bottle and keep in the refrigerator.

Ingredients
2 parts aloe vera
1 part distilled water

While you can buy a plant (they
actually look pretty cool), pure aloe vera gel works great in any of these at-home skin treatments and can be bought in most drugstores and natural food stores.

WH Blogs

What We’re Reading This Week

 

A very pregnant Jessica Simspon took it all off and posed Demi Moore-style for the April issue of ELLE magazine. The day it came out, Jess tweeted that she’s “never felt more beautiful or empowered.” She told the mag that she fears the new little girl will live in sports bras and Nikes, just like her athletic dad. We can’t complain about that! Via People

Stress Overload
One scary thing about stress is that you can be stressed so often, you consider it normal. A new study found that nearly 50 percent of American women admit to not having enough free time, and the side effects of stress can lead to serious illness. High levels of cortisol (a hormone linked with stress) can cause diabetes, heart disease, depression, weight gain, and more. Via ABC

Blue Ivy, Yogi
Pals Beyonce and Gwyneth Paltrow are taking a super luxe trip to Tuscany, Italy where they’ll get their yoga on daily with the kids. Yes, including two-month-old Blue Ivy! Wait, what? Apparently Beyonce has been taking baby Blue to yoga classes for a while now, per Gwyneth’s recommendation. Via Perezitos

Beard Be Gone
If you’re wondering when Brad Pitt is going to shave off that mountain-man beard and show off his lovable baby face again, you’re not alone. A new experiment found that women don’t exactly find beards more physically attractive. A beard does, however, indicate success, aggression and social status. Via Booster Shots

Rock Out
Next time you feel stressed or upset, crank up the tunes! A new study found that listening to music not only evokes positive emotions, but also lowers stress. Since everyone responds to music differently, it’s important to listen to something you actually like (duh). Via Medical News Today

Easy On The Eyes
With the release of the iPad 3, optometrists are putting out warnings of computer vision syndrome. If you spend more than two hours a day looking at screens, you could be at risk. Docs recommend a “20-20-20” rule, that says for every 20 minutes you spend looking at a screen, you should look away for 20 seconds at something that’s 20 feet away. Via CBS Health Pop

Women’s Health News Blog: Latest Health Headlines and Tips to Stay Healthy

What We’re Reading This Week

What We Are Reading This Week
Eyecandy Images/Thinkstock
In With The New
Say buh-bye to the annual Pap test. The United States Preventive Services Task Force announced new guidelines that say women only need a Pap test once every three years and don’t need to be screened before age 21. Since cervical cancer was found to be fairly slow-growing, the new guidelines will still keep women healthy. One year, three years, the important thing is that you’re getting tested! Via Reuters

Work Out With Miranda
Want a body like Victoria’s Secret model Miranda Kerr? Now you can work out with her! If at least 500 people upload their own “I will if you will” challenge to YouTube, Miranda will host a free yoga class online. The campaign was created to raise awareness for Earth Hour. Via New York Daily News

Dangerous Meat
Here’s another reason to cut back on red meat consumption: eating it daily might raise the risk of early death and cancer. Many people who eat red meat were found to have other unhealthy habits too, like smoking, drinking or being physically inactive. What to do? Find healthier sources of protein, like poultry, fish and beans. Via ABC

Sleep Your Way Slim
Sleep is obviously important to weight loss, but a new study tells us why. Those who are more sleep deprived consume around 539 more calories and use less energy, aka they gain more weight. Rather than opting for an afternoon nap, get your sleep at night so you have energy to hit the gym later. Via Fit Perez

Risky Spa Business
Next time to you hit up the spa for a Brazilian blowout, spray tan, or gel manicure you should know the risks behind these common procedures. Formaldehyde in a Brazilian, DHA and synthetic dyes in a spray tan, and UV light in a gel manicure are all things to watch out for. Don’t worry, there are alternatives. Via Prevention

In-Your-Face Ads
In efforts to encourage more Americans to quit smoking, the CDC launched a graphic, 12-week ad campaign called “Tips From Former Smokers.” The campaign kicks off Monday and we’ll start seeing billboards, print, TV, radio and online ads all over the place. Ads include a man who lost his legs, another who has a whole in his neck, and other shocking images. Via Healthland

Women’s Health News Blog: Latest Health Headlines and Tips to Stay Healthy

Why Your Allergies Started Early This Year

 

Got a stuffy nose, itchy eyes and a cough that just won’t quit?

Yep, spring allergy season—in all her congested glory—has come early this year.

According to Dr. Stanley Fineman, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the mild winter is to blame. “Typically the pollen season continues through springtime, so we’re anticipating a longer season—which can also mean more severe symptoms for allergy patients,” says Fineman.

Depending on where you live, you’ll feel the effects of seasonal allergies to varying degrees. You can check the pollen counts in your area at the web site of the National Allergy Bureau (or, check the Top 10 Worst Cities for Allergy Sufferers below).

Determining whether you’ve got a full-fledged cold or whether you have allergies can be tricky; the symptoms are pretty similar, says Dr. Fineman. As a general rule of thumb, if your symptoms last longer than a week, and you’ve got clear (healthy) mucus in your tissues, it’s probably allergies. If mucus is yellow or green, you may have a sinus infection. If your symptoms include fever and body aches, you could have a cold or the flu.

Suspect you might be allergic to pollen?  See an allergist to get tested.  If you already know you’re allergic, here are some ways to minimize exposure and protect yourself:

  • Keep windows closed
  • Wear sunglasses outside (even if it’s not sunny)
  • Shower, or at least change your clothes, right when you get home so that any pesky pollen you’ve picked up outdoors won’t get spread around in your house
  • Consider getting an air humidifier or an air purifier

If things get really rough, you can pop an antihistamine, or even talk to your allergist about getting allergy shots.

The 10 Worst Cities For Allergy Sufferers
(according to a study released today by Waterpik and The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)

1. Knoxville, TN
2. McAllen, TX
3. Louisville, KY
4. Jackson, MS
5. Wichita, KS
6. Oklahoma City, OK
7. Chattanooga, TN
8. Memphis, TN
9. San Antonio, TX
10. Dayton, OH

More from WH on surviving allergy season:
Get Rid of Allergy Symptoms

All About Allergies

The Best Seasonal Allergy Medicine

Women’s Health News Blog: Latest Health Headlines and Tips to Stay Healthy