Read More at Sexual Post Archive – Ben’s Natural Health Many people use herbal supplements to improve sexual function. Natural products are slowly becoming mainstream, thanks to their low side effect profile. Recently, horny goat weed gummies and capsules gained momentum. This is mainly for boosting libido and treating erectile dysfunction, pain, fatigue, and other problems. The question is, can people use horny goat weed as a natural Viagra? If so, how effective can it be? We decided to dig a little deeper and see what the research says about the effectiveness, differences, and similarities of horny goat weed vs Viagra. What is horny goat weed? Horny goat weed is a popular herb of the Epimedium species used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for treating ED. This medicinal herb has many uses, as it can help treat erectile dysfunction, reduced libido, pain,…
Targeting the Gut Microbiome to Treat Aging
Read More at Fight Aging! The distribution of microbial populations making up the gut microbiome changes with age in ways that are harmful to health, causing a reduction in production of beneficial metabolites and an increase in chronic inflammation. Animal studies make it clear that some approaches to restoring a more youthful gut microbiome, such as fecal microbiota transplantation from young donors, can produce a sustained rejuvenation of the gut microbiome and consequent improvement in later life health. Given the comparatively simplicity of this approach, and that the state of the gut microbiome can accurately measured via low-cost assays, this seems a cost-effective, near-term approach to the treatment of aging. The link between human health and the gut microbiome is profound and has been speculated upon for thousands of years. In 400 B.C., it was suggested by Hippocrates that “bad…
Fight Aging! Newsletter, October 3rd 2022
Read More at Fight Aging! Fight Aging! publishes news and commentary relevant to the goal of ending all age-related disease, to be achieved by bringing the mechanisms of aging under the control of modern medicine. This weekly newsletter is sent to thousands of interested subscribers. To subscribe or unsubscribe from the newsletter, please visit: https://www.fightaging.org/newsletter/ Longevity Industry Consulting Services Reason, the founder of Fight Aging! and Repair Biotechnologies, offers strategic consulting services to investors, entrepreneurs, and others interested in the longevity industry and its complexities. To find out more: https://www.fightaging.org/services/ Contents A Small Lifespan Study of Combined Interventions Amyloid-β in the View of Alzheimer’s as a Condition Driven by Persistent Infection Prevention and Effective Treatment of Atherosclerosis Should Be a High Priority A Mechanism by Which Herpesvirus May Accelerate Amyloid-β Aggregation Leading to Alzheimer’s Disease Rapamycin in Early Life Delays…
5 Sneaky Ways Your Mind May Be Sabotaging Your Spending (And Keeping You in Debt)
Read More at Well+Good If news of a looming recession has you feeling stressed about your finances, know you’re not alone. Surveys show that most Americans are uneasy about the prospect—and what it may potentially mean for their personal economy. Even before inflation hikes, 50 percent of U.S. adults said they felt stressed when discussing their finances, and 60 percent felt anxious just thinking about money, according to a 2021 study by George Washington University. But looking at, thinking about, and talking about money are some of the best ways to deal with financial stress. Furthermore, financial experts will tell you that, when it comes to preparing for a recession, paying off debts (the average American has $14,241 worth of credit card debt, reports Ramsey Solutions) and saving money for an emergency fund are among the smartest steps you can take.…
The Art of Managing Anxiety in Uncertain Times
Read More at Sixty and Me These are uncertain and anxious times. I can’t help but think more of us are anxious and tense than in previous years: I know my friends and I are. So what to do about that anxiety, especially if it’s multiplied? First, know that anxiety is uncomfortable, but it’s a normal response to stressful times. But it doesn’t have to be debilitating. Here are a few things you can do immediately to begin to handle anxious feelings: Control What You Can Some stressors are within our power to change. If we are putting ourselves in anxious situations, set limits as you can. Remember: “No.” is a complete sentence. Self-care is important in anxious times. Belly Breathing When you breathe deeply, your body gets a message to relax. Belly breathing is one of the most effective…
The 8 Things That Actually Helped Me Get Some Sleep With a Newborn
Read More at Well+Good I was three weeks into being a new mom when I became convinced that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) was conducting an evil experiment on sleep deprivation. Just about all the ways that my daughter naturally wanted to sleep—lying on her stomach, or in our bed, or on me—were forbidden in the AAP guidelines on how to reduce the risk of SIDS. Then the organization came out with new advice to not use weighted swaddles—one of the only things that actually got her to sleep on her back alone in the bassinet. I swear I could feel the dark circles under my eyes growing an even deeper shade of purple. I love sleeping—always have. When I got pregnant, one of my biggest fears was how I’d get by without my typical nine, sometimes 10 hours.…
5 Legitimately Helpful Ways To Support Parents With a Baby in the NICU
Read More at Well+Good Following the physical and emotional journey of giving birth, the moment when a parent can hold their baby for the first time is often nothing short of euphoric. But for the parents whose child is born preterm or with a clinical abnormality or other health issue, that special moment may not happen as planned, as their baby is whisked off to the neonatal intensive care unit (aka NICU) for treatment. Navigating the distress associated with having a child in the NICU, just after becoming parents in the first place, can open folks up to trauma and turmoil. And receiving thoughtful support from loved ones can make a world of difference in how they fare. An estimated 10 to 15 percent of births result in NICU time, with many of the babies who are born premature simply…
6 Types of Narcissists—And the One You Really Need To Avoid, According to Mental Health Experts
Read More at Well+Good The term “narcissist” is much like the term “anti-social”—which is to say, it’s often haphazardly misused. While many people associate narcissism with anyone who regularly talks about themself, narcissism goes beyond situational instances of dominating attention, like, say, your friend who monopolizes dinner conversation to talk about their romantic relationship or awful boss or workout goal. These may be narcissistic tendencies, but both narcissism and the clinical condition narcissistic personality disorder are characterized by a constant inflated sense of self-importance—something that can show up differently in different types of narcissists. To be clear, psychologists differentiate between narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder, with the former showing up in varying degrees and frequencies in a person who likely can understand some of the consequences of their self-absorbed actions, and the latter showing up consistently and severely in a…
Oocyte Mitophagy in Reproductive Aging
Read More at Fight Aging! In many species, aging of the female reproductive system occurs more rapidly than is the case for other parts of the body. This is one of a few biological systems subject to what appears to be premature aging, relative to other organs. Other examples include the thymus, which atrophies well before late life. Researcher here suggest that mitochondrial quality control, the process of mitophagy, is involved in the aging of oocytes to a great enough degree that upregulation of mitophagy may delay female reproductive aging. Women’s reproductive cessation is the earliest sign of human aging and is caused by decreasing oocyte quality. Similarly, C. elegans’ reproduction declines in mid-adulthood and is caused by oocyte quality decline. Aberrant mitochondrial morphology is a hallmark of age-related dysfunction, but the role of mitochondrial morphology and dynamics in reproductive…
Dysorgasmia: Are Painful Orgasms Normal?
Read More at Sexual Post Archive – Ben’s Natural Health Are you constantly getting close to climax, only to feel sharp pain soon or right after reaching it? Then this could be a clear sign of dysorgasmia. Any sexual dysfunction can take a toll on your sex life. But, when dealing with dysorgasmia, it can be difficult to achieve fulfilling and pleasurable intercourse. Those who struggle with it tend to feel hopeless or discouraged from having sex. But, it’s important to recognize the causes to find the right treatment. There could be an underlying condition or a pelvic floor problem that’s causing the issue. Here is a detailed overview of how dysorgasmia can affect the body. What is dysorgasmia? Dysorgasmia (painful orgasm) is a painful condition that can significantly affect the quality of life and sexual health. It is an…
7 Face Exercises To Sculpt Muscles and Strengthen Skin From the Neck Up
Read More at Well+Good Given that all the muscles of the body are designed to move, it makes sense that your face—which also has muscles!—deserves some exercise, too. Enter: Face yoga. “It’s the yogic way to tone the skin,” says Candace Marino, a medical aesthetician at The LA Facialist, who believes the practice can slow down the aging process, relieve tension, and help to tone your face’s underlying muscles. How can I tone up my face? If you’d rather skip invasive treatments like injections and lasers, facial exercises could be the au naturel option for keeping your facial skin firm. As with any exercise, different moves target different muscles—and consistency is key (don’t expect to have chiseled cheeks after just one session). Ready to hit the skin gym? Keep reading for seven expert-recommended face exercises to try. Do facial exercises even…
Cellular Senescence Contributes to Lung Aging
Read More at Fight Aging! Senescent cells accumulate in tissues throughout the body with age, the lung included, as noted here. This accumulation is thought to be largely the result of the progressive failure of the immune system to destroy newly created senescent cells in a timely fashion. These cells secrete a mix of signals that disrupts tissue structure and function, provoking chronic inflammation. Senolytic therapies capable of selectively destroying senescent cells have shown considerable promise in animal studies, reversing many aspects of aging and age-related disease. Senescent cells actively maintain a degraded state of tissue, and getting rid of them allows some degree of regeneration and restoration of lost function – a true rejuvenation therapy. Aging results in systemic changes that leave older adults at much higher risk for adverse outcomes following respiratory infections. Much work has been done…
This Easy, In-Shower Hack Will Make Your Favorite Fragrance Last All. Day. Long.
Read More at Well+Good When you spritz on your favorite scent before a night out, that first whiff is intoxicating. But over the course of the evening, it starts to fade until there’s barely any detectable scent left—which is a total bummer, especially when you want to flaunt how amazing a newly-bought fragrance smells on your skin. According to Greta Pagel, the fragrance director at Good Chemistry, there are a few different factors that can cause your fragrance to fade. “Longevity is dependent upon fragrance type, composition, and even shifts in temperature and humidity in our environments and noses,” she says. In other words, certain scents are meant to last longer than others (for example, something with “rich, lasting base notes” like amber, vanilla, and musk will last longer than a light floral; and “eau de parfums” tend to last…
The Best Astrological Sex Position for Each Zodiac Sign
Read More at Well+Good Because your astrological chart can shed light on key elements of your personality, desires, and goals, it has much to reveal about your compatibility with romantic partners—both broadly and in the bedroom. That’s right: Your astrological makeup flavors all areas of your life, including your sex life. And learning the best astrological sex positions and top kinks and turn-ons for your zodiac sign can help you put that sex life on a path toward out-of-this-world pleasure. To understand just how certain zodiac signs are star-sanctioned to enjoy one sex position over another, it’s helpful to think about their core tendencies and temperaments. For example, Aries, a cardinal fire sign with go-get-’em energy is bound to enjoy more active and adventures sex positions, while Cancer, a water sign known for its emotional disposition is more likely to…
What Friendship Experts Want You To Know About ‘Unghosting’ an Ex-Friend
Read More at Well+Good In an ideal world, you’d be about as likely to ghost a friend as you would to literally vanish into thin air. But sometimes, life gets in the way of our best interests or judgment, and we ghost—and not just romantic partners, either. In fact, in a 2018 survey of more than 700 people, 32 percent of respondents reported having ghosted a friend, and 39 percent said they’d been ghosted by a friend. (And chances are, these numbers are even higher now, in the wake of an era marked by social distancing.) The good news? Undoing the emotional damage of ghosting may be possible with, well, unghosting. Just like it sounds, unghosting means consciously reappearing in the life of a friend whom you’d previously ghosted, says psychologist Marisa G. Franco, PhD, professor, speaker, and New York…
Why Pregnant People Can’t Trust Catholic Health Care
Read More at Rewire News Group When Shae was pregnant, she wanted to deliver her baby at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, since the pandemic meant she wasn’t allowed a support person. Because she worked at the hospital, her coworkers could come visit her and the baby after the birth even if her family could not. In November 2020, Shae, whose last name is being withheld for privacy reasons, was working as an occupational therapist at the Catholic hospital when she became pregnant with her first child. At her 20-week ultrasound scan, she learned the fetus had three serious health concerns, including myelomeningocele, a particularly severe form of spina bifida that worsens during pregnancy and can sometimes be halted with fetal surgery; however, the procedure is extremely invasive and risky for the pregnant person. Shae’s doctor did not bring up…
4 Steps for Managing Food Cravings While Eating What You Love
Read More at Sixty and Me Do you often get the urge to eat when you aren’t hungry? Do you find yourself having lots of cravings for certain foods? The inability to manage cravings can be the downfall of the best efforts of many people who want to lose weight. But why is it such a problem? And what can you do to manage your cravings so you don’t routinely overeat and gain weight? There’s nothing wrong with craving and eating something when you’re hungry. The problem arises when you regularly have cravings for certain foods when you aren’t hungry. Why People Have Cravings First, let’s talk about why people have cravings. A major cause is food restriction and dieting. Yes, you read that right. Many studies have shown that for most people, attempting to restrict or deprive yourself of…
Beta-Sitosterol for Erectile Dysfunction: What To Know
Read More at Sexual Post Archive – Ben’s Natural Health Problems with erectile function can be overwhelming because it’s easy to think other men don’t experience these issues. The reality is that most men deal with erectile dysfunction (ED) for one reason or another. The good news is that you can naturally improve ED. Some studies show that beta-sitosterol can help manage erectile dysfunction. How does it work? Read on to learn more. What is beta-sitosterol? Beta-sitosterol is one of the plant sterols, i.e., phytosterols. Phytosterol is a compound similar to cholesterol. There are over 250 phytosterols, and they’re known for improving cardiovascular health. Beta-sitosterol appears as a white, waxy powder with a specific odor. Food sources of beta-sitosterol include wheat germ, rice bran, peanuts, corn oils, and soybean. Various plants and herbs contain beta-sitosterol. Good examples are rye grass…
‘I’m a Hand and Wrist Surgeon, and These Are the Carpal Tunnel Braces I Recommend To Alleviate Wrist Pain’
Read More at Well+Good With an uptick in work-from-home, computer-based jobs, it’s no surprise that more and more people are experiencing pain of all kinds, especially when in comes to the wrist and hands. A major culprit for wrist and hand pain is carpal tunnel syndrome, which occurs when the median nerve is compressed. When this happens, you’ll like experience numbness, a burning sensation, or tingly feeling in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, or ring finer. The best carpal tunnel braces, at a glance Best overall: Hely Weber, 450-LT Orthosis Wrist Titan, $43 Best budget: Mueller, Green Fitted Wrist Brace, $14 Best for sleep: Armstrong Amerika, Carpal Tunnel Wrist Brace, $18 Most breathable: Ossur, Formfit Wrist Brace, $20 Best for activity: Donjoy, Comfortform Wrist Support Brace, $19 Most adjustable: Breg, Apollo Universal Wrist Brace, $20 What causes carpal tunnel?…
For Better or Worse, the Fitness Industry Is Paying Attention to Pregnant People More Than Ever
Read More at Well+Good It’s common courtesy on the subway to give up your seat to someone who is visibly pregnant. Though considerate, the move could have an outdated implication: That they are not physically fit enough to move about the world. While that may have been society’s attitude for a long time, a different perspective is gaining steam—one that appreciates the strength required for childbirth and parenting. Pre- and postnatal workout classes are now common in the fitness industry, with a recent surge thanks to a confluence of scientific and societal shifts. “The truth is that we have to move throughout our daily lives while we are pregnant,” says Amy Hoover, the resident doctor of physical therapy at P.volve, a functional fitness method designed for women. “While it is true that our bodies rapidly change and adjustment is needed,…
Finding Aging-Related Expression Changes in Proteins in Skin Tissue
Read More at Fight Aging! A great deal of time and effort goes into identifying proteins that are expressed to different degrees in young versus old tissues. It is comparatively easy to find such proteins, the question is always what to do with that information. That levels of a given protein change with age is no guarantee that it is meaningfully involved in aging, or that its role is well known, or even that a good catalog of the other protein machinery that it interacts with will help in the production of interventions to treat aging. Exploration of aging at the level of protein expression is, in large part, quite disconnected from understanding of the causes of aging, or of the consequences of aging. This is the challenge of dealing with an enormously complex biological system: a great deal of…
Fight Aging! Newsletter, September 26th 2022
Read More at Fight Aging! Fight Aging! publishes news and commentary relevant to the goal of ending all age-related disease, to be achieved by bringing the mechanisms of aging under the control of modern medicine. This weekly newsletter is sent to thousands of interested subscribers. To subscribe or unsubscribe from the newsletter, please visit: https://www.fightaging.org/newsletter/ Longevity Industry Consulting Services Reason, the founder of Fight Aging! and Repair Biotechnologies, offers strategic consulting services to investors, entrepreneurs, and others interested in the longevity industry and its complexities. To find out more: https://www.fightaging.org/services/ Contents Nintedanib as a Potential Senolytic Drug Towards Reprogramming with Small Molecules Understanding a Natural Mechanism of Lysosomal Repair Antigen Presenting Cells Donate Telomeres to T Cells to Increase their Longevity Continued Hope that Amyloid-β is the Cause of Alzheimer’s Disease, an Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis 2.0 β2-microglobulin in Buccal Cells…
Yikes: It’s Possible for Your Loving Partner To Become Emotionally Unavailable—Here’s What To Know
Read More at Well+Good There often comes a turning point in a romantic relationship when things shift, however subtly or dramatically, from light fun into deeply emotional territory. And a partner’s capacity to respond to this and reciprocate this growth in vulnerability reflects their level of emotional availability. But at the same time, emotional availability isn’t necessarily a static thing revealed only at the beginning of a relationship. Just as someone might grow more emotionally available within a relationship over time, they could also become temporarily emotionally unavailable due to other emotional demands in their life. That’s right: It’s possible for a loving partner who once seemed fully committed to become emotionally unavailable. What does emotional unavailability look like? Often, the extent of someone’s emotional availability is something you’ll run up against early in a relationship. Perhaps you never reached…
Popular Men’s Haircuts Everyone Wants In 2022
Read More at Advice On Haircuts, Skincare, Botox & Cologne For Men In the same way that fashion is cyclical, what is on trend in the world of men’s haircuts can change at a rapid pace. Predominantly inspired by whatever haircut our favourite celebrities are rocking at the time, getting yourself the latest popular haircut is a task that requires commitment. Each passing year presents a prime opportunity to try out a number of new hairstyles, and following the spate of home haircuts caused by the 2020 pandemic, 2022 is an ideal time to get your hair under control. We’re already seeing a wave of popular men’s haircuts atop the heads of some of the most stylish guys around, with everything from medium length hairstyles, to hairstyles for men with long hair and of course, the usual array of undercut…
6 Lessons My Mother Taught Me About (Not) Aging Well
Read More at Sixty and Me Sometimes we learn what to do from someone who did it all wrong. I found myself realizing that I learned a lot about aging well from my mother. Sadly, the lessons are not ones I want to repeat. My mother was the same age as I am now when her health began to change drastically. Yes, she had some pre-existing health conditions, but they could have been managed. Her decline began after my dad died. The downward spiral from socially active and mobile to disabled occurred over a very short period of time and was caused by a number of factors: Lack of physical activity and exercise – a loss of strength, endurance, balance, and flexibility. Social isolationPoor mental healthInadequate nutritionLack of interests and hobbiesComplications from a fall Soon it was a cycle of poor…
Summarizing the State of Aging Research
Read More at Fight Aging! Providing a summary of the present state of aging research is a tall order, given the rapid growth in the field, and great breadth of work in both academia and industry, but the authors of this lengthy review paper take a swing at it. They look at areas of interest, new and well-established, apply a loose taxonomy to diverse initiatives, and attempt to draw it all together into a cohesive whole. The thrust of the field nowadays is towards intervention, attempting to slow or reverse aging in order to treat and prevent age-related disease. The important debates are over which strategies are more likely versus less likely to succeed in this goal, and thus over whether important areas of fundamental and preclinical research are underfunded or overfunded, and whether large-scale funding for clinical development is…
Can Berberine Increase Testosterone?
Read More at Sexual Post Archive – Ben’s Natural Health Various herbs and supplements have been promoted for their effects on testosterone. But does berberine increase testosterone levels in men? Berberine is an ingredient found in many natural supplements and has been shown to have potential health benefits. Some studies have suggested that it may decrease testosterone levels in men. However, more recent evidence points out the opposite, which increases testosterone in some people. What causes the discrepancy? In this blog post, we will explore what berberine is, what it’s used for, and whether or not it can raise testosterone levels in men. What is berberine? Berberine is an alkaloid you can find in several plants, including barberry, goldenseal, and Oregon grape. It is also available as a supplement in tablets or capsule form, as a powder, and as a…
Antigen Presenting Cells Donate Telomeres to T Cells to Increase their Longevity
Read More at Fight Aging! T cells replicate aggressively in response to infection and other threats, yet these cells must also persist in the body for years in order to maintain immunological memory. Telomeres, repeated DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes, shorten with each cell division. This mechanism forms a part of the Hayflick limit on somatic cell replication. When telomeres become too short, cells become senescent and self-destruct, or are destroyed by immune cells. T cells can employ telomerase to lengthen telomeres, but not to any great degree. So how do they manage such long lives in an environment of repeated threats by pathogens, and thus repeated bursts of telomere-shortening replication? In today’s open access paper, the authors outline a fascinating mechanism by which antigen-presenting B cells, which interact with T cells to coordinate the immune response, donate…
How To Stay Mentally Sharp As You Age, According to a Psychiatrist and a Neurologist
Read More at Well+Good It was once long believed—by the average person and by brain health experts—that each person had a finite number of brain cells, which decreased over time. Lose enough and it can lead to neurological damage or diseases, including dementia. It’s a school of thought that could cause someone to obsess over every soccer ball they’d ever head-butted or night they had one too many alcoholic drinks. But this line of thinking isn’t exactly true based on what researchers have learned about brain health over the past decade. A wealth of scientific studies are connecting certain food and lifestyle habits with neurogenesis, the process by which new neurons grow in the brain. It’s a topic psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, MD talks about in his book, Eat to Beat Depression and Anxiety ($22), and means that we can actively…