Read More at Well+Good Although social media can be a great place for seeking inspiration for a weeknight meal, it also can be a medium that spreads harmful and potentially life-threatening misinformation, like the recent viral “sleepy chicken” TikTok trend. Some information might also instantly set off your internal “that’s sketchy” alarm—especially when it comes to diet culture. Ever find yourself stepping away from a scroll session feeling seriously confused, or worse, ashamed, after encountering questionable health or nutrition advice? Ever promised yourself you’d start mirroring the (ahem, bogus) What I Eat in a Day meal regime your favorite fitness influencer posts religiously? Sadly, while the detrimental impacts of toxic diet culture are nearly impossible to avoid, folks that use social media are far more likely to be exposed to unwarranted, uneducated, and often shame-inducing advice about “healthy” eating. In…
Brain Chemicals That Fuel Your Sex Life
Read More at AskMen [[{“value”:”Some people go to great lengths to consume drugs, but why bother when there are active chemicals just waiting to be released in your body? Yes, having an orgasm is a lot like getting high. When you do, your brain releases a myriad of substances into your bloodstream, literally altering your mind and body functions — at least temporarily. Orgasms are complicated and wonderful experiences that involve a complex interaction between three systems of the body: the vascular system, the nervous system, and the endocrine system. Frankly, they’re so complicated that it’s a miracle that they happen at all — so be sure to properly enjoy it next time you have one. RELATED: 7 Ways to Enhance the Male Orgasm The outcome of all that orgasmic complexity is that sex can make you feel a lot…
Can Prebiotic Sodas Worsen Your IBS Symptoms?
Read More at Well+Good [[{“value”:” Prebiotics, not to be confused with probiotics, are popping up everywhere, including in soda cans. Drinks like OLIPOP contain a whopping nine grams of fiber per serving, about a third of the recommended fiber intake for American adults. While these health benefits sound amazing on paper, emerging anecdotal stories from consumers complaining of some gastrointestinal distress symptoms like gas, bloating, and even pain suggest there are a few more things to consider before popping a tab on a prebiotic soda. Unlike probiotics, which are the bacteria that fortify our gut with new healthy bugs, prebiotics—a fancy word for non-digestible fibers that serve as a food source for beneficial bacteria in the gut—essentially act as fuel for these bacteria, promoting their growth and activity in the gastrointestinal tract. Prebiotics are typically found in certain types of…
From Rush Hour to Rest Hour: Finding Joy in Life’s Pauses
Read More at Sixty and Me [[{“value”:” Here I am, waiting for Spring to arrive and Winter to finally release its grip, and I feel like I am stuck in rush hour traffic. I am idling and unable to move forward until others move first, and I have no power or influence to get them going. The folks behind me are waiting for me to move on so they can get to their destinations, and I feel the pressure of trying to comply. What’s the hold-up? I am a fickle waiter. Depending on my mood, blood sugar levels, available distractors, and what is causing the delay, I can be generous, judgmental, and/or downright snarky. Being placed on hold on the telephone will result in my snarky rising to the top. Waiting for wildlife to cross the road or a beautiful…
13 Easy Ways to Wake Up Your Brain
Read More at Sixty and Me [[{“value”:” The kids and the grandkids are in school, learning new things every day. But what should the rest of us do to keep our brains active and alert? We’ve all heard that we can reduce our chances of suffering from dementia in our golden years by eating right, maintaining our cardiovascular fitness through aerobic activities and weight training, and by exercising our brains. How do we exercise our brains? Well, it’s not just by doing crossword puzzles. Yes, crossword puzzles are good, but according to Dr. Marie Pasinski, a Harvard Medical School neurologist who wrote our book about boosting your brain power, they are more of a routine occupation than a brain exercise. Exercising your brain means doing things that are new and different such as learning to play a musical instrument or…
If Your Flight Anxiety Keeps You on the Ground, You May Be Struggling With Aerophobia
Read More at Well+Good [[{“value”:” Along with sharks, masked intruders, and apocalyptic disasters, the film industry has done a damn good job at making air travel seem more terrifying than it already is. If your first exposure to a Hollywood flight gone wrong—whether it was The Twilight Zone’s The Odyssey of Flight 33 or Tom Hanks’ deserted island epic Cast Away—was enough to make you anxious about planes for life, you’re not alone. For some people, though, that fear is so insurmountable that they can’t even bring themselves to think about flying in a plane, let alone visit an airport to board one. Such is the experience of people with aerophobia, or the clinical diagnosis of a “fear of flying.” Flight anxiety is normal, but if your fear of flying keeps you permanently rooted to the ground, it may be…
Are Your Pills Making You Sick?
Read More at Sixty and Me [[{“value”:” According to a study by the American Association of Consultant Pharmacists, the average 60+ person in the United States fills upwards of 15 prescriptions a year. That leaps to 18 or more as we age. Those in facilities are grotesquely overmedicated, often as a way to control behavior. This has led to some $177 billion in medical costs, much of which is pharma-related accidents, overdoses and interactions. An article published in The Wall Street Journal claims that one in four women over 40 is on anti-depressants. We get medicated for everything that ails us, much of which could be better dealt with using traditional medicine: better food choices, more exercise, having a purpose in life and finding happiness and gratitude in our everyday surroundings. Those simple choices, which cost far less than hospitalization,…
This 10-Minute Triceps Workout Strengthens Your Arms So You Can Do Everyday Tasks With Ease
Read More at Well+Good [[{“value”:” Despite being the largest muscles in your arms, your triceps are generally not the first muscles you think of when you think about training this body part. That title goes to the big, bad biceps. However, to get strong arms, your fitness routine should include both. “Triceps are a key muscle for arm and upper-body movements,” says Jordan Fernandez, CPT, a certified personal trainer with Trainer Academy. “You use your triceps constantly because they are responsible for extending your elbows. So anytime you press, reach, or do anything that involves going from a bent-elbow position to a straight-elbow position, you’re using your triceps.” Strong triceps also contributes to better upper-body strength overall, which will help you maintain your ability to do day-to-day movements as you age, Fernandez explains. You use your triceps to push open…
11 Habits That Can Mess With Your Breastmilk Supply (and How to Get Things Flowing Again)
Read More at Well+Good [[{“value”:” Breast or chestfeeding can be a beautiful bonding experience with your baby. But it can also bring up some anxieties for some people—one of them being about keeping up milk supply. Rest assured: Most people make just the right amount of breastmilk to meet their baby’s needs, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). You heard it here; you don’t need a freezer full of milk to successfully breastfeed. Still, your milk supply can be fickle at times. One day you’re overproducing and the next you’re barely getting enough. “This is common and normal,” says Melissa Kotlen, IBCLC, RN, an international board-certified lactation consultant, registered nurse, and care manager at Boram Care, a postnatal care center. “Supply dips at many different times during the breastfeeding/pumping journey.” You may make less milk for reasons beyond…
11 Signs That Someone Is Playing the Victim, and How To Deal With This Sneaky Manipulation Tactic
Read More at Well+Good [[{“value”:” Have you ever talked to someone who seems to think the world is against them? No matter the situation, if there’s a negative outcome for them, they always claim it’s someone else’s fault. Maybe you feel like you’re running out of advice to give them because of their seemingly endless misfortunes. Knowing how to identify when someone is actually getting the short end of the stick versus playing the victim and how to stop this behavior in its tracks is essential for protecting your well-being. As it turns out, those who play the victim are often seeking sympathy or attention in the people whom they subject to their victim mentality. After all, you’re probably more likely to help someone out if you think they’re facing a constant onslaught of bad luck… but for those playing…
Best Cities to Visit in Canada for Women Over 50
Read More at Sixty and Me [[{“value”:” Canada, with its diverse landscapes, vibrant culture, and welcoming communities, offers an array of exciting destinations for women over 50 looking for enriching journeys. Whether you seek historical charm, natural beauty, or cultural experiences, there are cities across the Great White North that cater to the unique interests and preferences of mature travelers. My favorite cities to visit in Canada: Victoria, British Columbia – Situated on Vancouver Island, Victoria is renowned for its laid-back atmosphere, historic architecture, and stunning gardens. Quebec City, Quebec – For those seeking a touch of European flair, Quebec City is a must-visit destination. The charming cobblestone streets of Old Quebec offer a perfect blend of history and culture. Halifax, Nova Scotia – Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, is a perfect mix of maritime heritage and modern charm.…
Writer’s Block and Bumps? It’s Time to Reset and Refresh
Read More at Sixty and Me [[{“value”:” The flow of images and ideas slowed to a trickle, then to a drip – and I feared they would dry up completely. When this happened to me recently, I blamed the usual suspects: not enough sleep, too much work, plenty of distractions. But even when I slept more and finished client projects to ease the pressure, I still struggled with my creative writing. Over the past 40 years – from being a journalist to becoming a nonfiction author, a creative writer, and now a mystery novelist – I’ve endured a few episodes of the dreaded writer’s block when it feels impossible to produce anything new. Writer’s Block or Writer’s Bump? Fortunately, this time I could still crank out the words, but my writing felt stale and lifeless. Rather than full-blown writer’s block,…
5 Reasons You’re Not Seeing Results from Fitness After 60 – and How to Fix Them
Read More at Sixty and Me [[{“value”:” I started working out at age 21, otherwise known as the Dawn of Time. I was present for the birth of aerobics classes and the cult-like following of Atkins. And, I survived Flashdance fashion and Jane Fonda high-rise leotards, and endured a stress fracture from many months of high-impact cardio on unforgiving, cement gym floors. In short, I’ve been an eyewitness to trends, cults, and rises and falls of everything fitness. Through it all, I always belonged to – and later worked at – one gym or another – private gyms, large chain gyms and a few one-on-one boutique type facilities. It wasn’t long before I noticed a few patterns, regardless of the type of gym, class or clientele. Can you guess which one? Every gym has at least one creepy guy who…
Long-Lived RNA that is Never Replaced in Neurons
Read More at Fight Aging! The question of whether there are long-lived molecules in long-lived neurons in the brain is an interesting one. Are there specific molecules in the brain that never get replaced across a lifetime, and thus might be vulnerable to damage in the form of modifications that disrupt function? This remains a somewhat hypothetical concern, in the sense that there is no direct demonstration that this is a significant source of dysfunction in late life. Researchers have found evidence for long-lived nuclear pore proteins, however, and here another group presents evidence for long-lived RNA molecules. Most cells in the human body are regularly renewed, thereby retaining their vitality. However, there are exceptions: the heart, the pancreas, and the brain consist of cells that do not renew throughout the whole lifespan, and yet still have to remain in…
TLR2 Important in the Dysfunction of Hair Follicles
Read More at Fight Aging! Dysfunction in hair follicles and loss of the capacity for hair growth is a perhaps surprisingly complex aspect of aging and disease. For all the the basic mechanisms of hair growth are well-investigated, the hair follicle is a complex structure, and hair growth involves the collaboration of many cell types, activities, and signaling that shifts over time as the follicle progresses through the stages of growth. It has proven to be hard to pin down any one specific mechanism as vital, and it may turn out to be the case that no one specific mechanism is the key to preventing loss of hair with advancing age and other circumstances. Nonetheless, researchers continue to search for that one specific mechanism that may reverse age-related loss of hair follicle function and hair growth. In today’s open access…
9 Benefits Boomer Women Can Find in an Encore Career
Read More at Sixty and Me [[{“value”:” For many elder boomers, like me, the outdated model of retirement isn’t a good fit today. We’re healthier and living longer than prior generations. Most of us don’t want to just sit in a porch rocking chair gazing at the sunset, play golf continuously, eat boring lunches at the Senior Center, or live like we’re on vacation every single day. We want to remain relevant, with meaning and purpose in our later life as we continue to learn and grow. Indeed, many studies have found that people who retire early and do not remain active and engaged, tend to die sooner – including a study from Oregon State University. My Story Years ago, I thought I’d work to my mid-60s and then retire from my successful financial planning business with my husband to…
The 6 Best Home Remedies to Get Rid of Indigestion ASAP
Read More at Well+Good [[{“value”:” Let’s imagine for a moment that you’ve gone out for burgers and beer (or nachos and margs, if you’re like me) with friends and had a blast. You come home to chill, and a couple hours later, your stomach feels all sorts of out-of-whack. It’s not necessarily a “run to the bathroom” kind of feeling, but more like a bloated, burp-y feeling in your upper abdomen and chest. It’s likely you’re dealing with a case of indigestion—which is just another word for an upset stomach. It usually comes with symptoms like intense fullness or pain in your upper abdomen, a burning sensation in your stomach, bloating, burping, nausea, gas, or diarrhea, per Johns Hopkins Medicine. While occasional indigestion isn’t usually cause for concern, it can feel pretty uncomfortable. Is there anything you can do to…
The One Ingredient an Inflammation Expert Wants You To Add to Your Pancakes and Waffles
Read More at Well+Good [[{“value”:” Whipping up a batch of cozy Sunday morning waffles typically entails tossing together your standard baking ingredients—flour, eggs, and milk to make a smooth and creamy batter. However, according to Caroline Margolis, RD, a registered dietitian at Lifeway Foods, you’re missing one key ingredient in the mix: kefir, which she says is the key to making waffles that are fluffier and more gut-friendly. To help us get started, Margolis was kind enough to share her scrumptious from-scratch berry kefir waffles recipe, saying that because it’s doctored up with microbiome-boosting kefir, your gut will reap both prebiotics and probiotics from this tasty brekkie. Nine ingredients is all you need, and no more than 15 minutes of your time to prepare these gut-healthy waffles in a jiffy. (A quick note before we dig in: If you’re feeling…
Why Growers and First Nations Are Singing Seaweed’s Praises — Plus, Recipes to Help You Unlock Its Rich Umami Flavour
Read More at Everything Zoomer [[{“value”:” Seaweed, a versatile, nutritious, planet-loving powerhouse, is poised to be the next must-have ingredient. “We don’t say it’s the new kale. We don’t say it’s a superfood. We talk only about its own virtues,” says Mike Williamson, CEO of… Read More The post Why Growers and First Nations Are Singing Seaweed’s Praises — Plus, Recipes to Help You Unlock Its Rich Umami Flavour first appeared on Everything Zoomer The post Why Growers and First Nations Are Singing Seaweed’s Praises — Plus, Recipes to Help You Unlock Its Rich Umami Flavour appeared first on Everything Zoomer. “}]]
Are Planks or Crunches Better for a Solid Core? Fitness Pros Set the Record Straight
Read More at Well+Good [[{“value”:” When it comes to strengthening your midsection, crunches and planks are considered the holy grail. However, these exercises target your muscles differently, and there are pros and cons to each. Here’s how to properly do both of these exercises, plus what you should consider when incorporating each into your routine. Crunches A traditional go-to for ab workouts, crunches contract your abdomen to effectively build muscle. “This exercise targets the abdominal muscles specifically, allowing for the development of a defined ‘six-pack’ through bodyweight resistance—which can be increased with weights,” says Stan Kravchenko, NASM-CPT, a personal trainer and founder of OneFit.com. How to do it Here’s how to properly perform a crunch, according to Kravchenko: Photo: Stan Kravchenko, CPT Begin by lying on your back with your feet flat on the ground, shoulder-width apart. Place your hands…
Parenting Adult Children Can Be Agony
Read More at Sixty and Me [[{“value”:” Remember when you first held your newborn? The love that flooded your heart in that incredibly intense moment is wordless to describe. It washes over you and fills your whole being. That love sustains me as a parent. Love is the guide through all the childhood decisions, the effort to raise my boys “right,” and the on-going truly enormous amount of self-sacrifice of being a mother. Younger Children My two boys are in their 30s. I look back on their younger days with affection. Hugs, love and laughter warmed our home. Yes, there were difficult times. School, grades, neighborhood bullies, cliques at school, sports, fighting… the list can go on and on. But the home was at the center, and everything had a way of working out. After they left the warm cocoon…
8 Hygiene Mistakes MOST Young Men Make
Read More at Grooming – Alpha M What is the number one hygiene mistake that you see men making? Is it a clean mouth? Stinky balls? I want to discuss grooming routines and ensure you have a proper one. Hygiene is the missing component that many guys neglect, but I want to ensure your grooming game is super strong. I will review 10 of men’s most common hygiene mistakes and how to fix them! Hygiene mistakes and how to fix them Not trimming or shaving pubes and balls. By reducing the length of the hair, Big Al will look as big as possible. Reducing hair will also reduce trapping odor. Not powdering or wet-wiping. (a) Powdering your balls will reduce wetness which will help to keep you dryer and smell better. You need to also run a little powder up…
An Update on Reversal of Atherosclerosis at Repair Biotechnologies
Read More at Fight Aging! As some of you know, Repair Biotechnologies is the company I co-founded with Bill Cherman back in 2018. We’ve been working on an approach to reverse atherosclerosis for much of that time, and matters have progressed through the stage of great data in mice to present preparations for a pre-IND meeting with the FDA. While excess cholesterol has long been understood to be important to the development of atherosclerosis, it turns out that circulating cholesterol bound to LDL particles is less important than the amount of localized excess cholesterol in the liver and blood vessel walls. Any localized excess of cholesterol can overwhelm the ability of cells to reduce uptake or store cholesterol in either the cell membrane or in esterified droplets. The resulting free cholesterol inside cells is toxic. The gene therapies developed by…
Birth Trauma Can Have Surprising Effects on Your Mental *and* Physical Health
Read More at Well+Good [[{“value”:” I hated being pregnant. With endless food aversions, a heightened sense of smell that made everything and everyone stink, an unremitting metallic taste in my mouth, 24/7 nausea, and relentless acid reflux (just to name a few symptoms), I was living in a perpetual hell for close to nine months. While my pregnancy journey wasn’t what I’d hoped for, I set my sights on the birth, hoping it would be a redemptive experience. Don’t get me wrong, I knew birth could be unpredictable—I’d taken childbirth education classes and researched birth outcomes ad nauseam (I’m a health journalist, after all)—but still, I was optimistic. I’d assembled an amazing medical team—a caring, affirming midwife practice and a compassionate doula—so I felt confident that my birth preferences would be honored and respected. My ideal scenario was an unmedicated…
Exploring the Causes and Consequences of Emotional Eating
Read More at Sixty and Me [[{“value”:” Emotional eating is a complex behavior that involves using food as a means to cope with emotional distress or seek comfort. It can have profound effects on both our physical and emotional well-being. Understanding the causes and consequences of emotional eating is crucial for developing effective strategies to address this behavior. In this article, we will delve into the numerous factors that contribute to emotional eating and explore the potential outcomes it can have on individuals’ lives. Causes of Emotional Eating Emotional Triggers Emotional eating often arises as a response to emotional triggers such as stress, anxiety, sadness, or boredom. Food becomes a source of comfort, providing temporary relief from negative emotions or serving as a distraction from underlying psychological distress. Learned Behavior Emotional eating can be learned through childhood experiences and social…
SENS Research Foundation and Lifespan.io to Merge
Read More at Fight Aging! Merging the non-profits SENS Research Foundation and Lifespan.io is one of those ideas that makes a lot of sense in hindsight. SENS Research Foundation is research focused and very much interested in expanding into patient advocacy, as it depends on philanthropic funding. Lifespan.io is a patient advocacy organization that is very much interested into expanding into helping to advance the science of aging and clinical trials for therapies of aging. They complement one another, and may well produce greater gains as one organization than as two. Lifespan.io, renowned for its unwavering advocacy for longevity and responsible journalism, is joining hands with SENS Research Foundation, a trailblazer in longevity-focused research and a pioneer of the damage-repair approach to combating aging. Together, these organizations bring a formidable quarter-century of combined expertise to the table. Their collaborative efforts…
Sumo Squats Deserve a Spot in Your Sweat Sessions. Here’s Which Muscles You’ll Work
Read More at Well+Good [[{“value”:” The sumo squat is an excellent exercise for strengthening and toning your glutes and inner thighs, while also improving hip mobility. By slightly modifying the traditional squat, the sumo squat works your muscles in a unique way. Incorporating this squat variation into your workout routine can be seriously beneficial. This sumo squat got its name because it requires you to stand in a traditional sumo wrestler stance. “This variation differs from the traditional squat by adopting a wider stance with the feet turned outward,” says Joey Thurman, CPT, certified personal trainer, author, and founder of Fun Fitness Bros. “The sumo squat is an exceptional exercise for those looking to enhance their lower-body strength.” Whether you’re a new or seasoned squatter—or anywhere in between—there are several variations of the sumo squat to challenge your body. “It’s…
Does Anything Really Change in Your Body if You Cut out Artificial Sweetener?
Read More at Well+Good [[{“value”:” Ever since experts have realized the many negative health consequences of consistently consuming excessive added sugars (increased inflammation, altered gut microbiome health, overall increased chronic disease risk, etc.), we have had artificial sweeteners to help us have our (sugar-free) cake and eat it, too. These substances, which include aspartame, sucralose (Splenda), monk fruit, and stevia, provide a similar sweetness to sugar with little to no calories, and are found in a wide variety of packaged foods from diet sodas to protein powders. But is the artificial stuff really better than plain ol’ sugar? That’s where things get a little sticky. According to Maya Feller, RD, CDN, Brooklyn-based registered dietitian and author of Eating from Our Roots, the data on artificial sweeteners is bittersweet. “We could all benefit from more research on artificial sweeteners,” Feller says.…
The 11 Best Gluteus Medius Exercises for Healthy Hips and Strong Buns
Read More at Well+Good [[{“value”:” When we think about our butt muscles, the gluteus maximus usually gets all the glory. The largest and strongest of the bunch, this baby takes most of the responsibility for creating a powerhouse backside (and that perky peach shape). But the muscle that most of us actually need to pay more attention to is the gluteus medius. Located along the sides of the hips, sitting just under the gluteus maximus, it may not be as big as its neighbor with the more impressive name. Yet neglecting gluteus medius exercises can come back to bite you in the, well, butt. “It’s stabilizing all of your [lower-body] joints,” says personal trainer Holly Roser, CPT. “The first thing we look at with injury prevention is strengthening your glute medius.” Why you want strong gluteus medius muscles The glutes…
Age-Related Changes in the Immune Response to Bone Injury
Read More at Fight Aging! The aged immune system becomes consistently biased towards inflammation, existing in a state of constant low-grade unresolved inflammatory signaling. This changes cell behavior for the worse, and is disruptive to processes that require transient inflammation and participation of immune cells, such as regeneration following injury, or clearance of infectious pathogens. Here researchers discuss some of the details relating to the participation of the immune system in regeneration following bone injury. It is interesting to note the sizable differences between sexes, in addition to those introduced by aging. Inflammation is thought to be dysregulated with age leading to impaired bone fracture healing. However, broad analyses of inflammatory processes during homeostatic bone aging and during repair are lacking. Here, we assessed changes in inflammatory cell and cytokine profiles in circulation and in bone tissue to identify age-…