Health Tips

Overview What workouts, approaches, and health tools reigned supreme in 2016? Take a look at this list of the top six fitness trends of the year to find out. 1. Wearable devices Odds are, if you don’t own a Fitbit, Garmin, or Jawbone, you know someone who does. These fitness trackers, worn on your wrist, allow you to monitor calorie burn, daily activity, steps taken, and quality of sleep by pushing data through to your smartphone. Fitness trackers are thought to have many benefits. In a day and age where more than 2 in 3 adults is considered overweight or obese, being more aware of how active you are each day is a step toward bettering your health. And people have latched on: According to data from the IDC Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker fact sheet, total shipment volume of fitness trackers in the first quarter of 2016 saw an increase of 67.2 percent from the 11.8 million units shipped in the first quarter of 2015. Keep in mind that research on the effectiveness of fitness

We’ve heard it all before: Celebrities have flawless skin because of their “good genes,” and because they “drink a lot of water.” Or, my personal favorite, they “just think good thoughts.” But what most celebs don’t want to admit is that they have a routine. If you want to take good care of your skin but unfortunately can’t afford monthly vampire facials, luckily there’s a less expensive way to achieve that enviable glow. We know you don’t have all the time in the world to try product after product — so we did it for you! Below we’ve collected the latest and greatest drugstore dupes that rival your favorite celebs’ pricey products. (Plus be sure to check out our favorite skincare blogs!) Of course, there are a few basic rules for good skincare no matter who you are. Everybody should cleanse, moisturize, and use sunscreen. (And, yes, diet and exercise sure help.) Whether you’re on the go all day and just looking for bare necessities, or you’re adventurous with the latest skincare trends

What is dermabrasion?  Dermabrasion is an exfoliating technique that uses a rotating instrument to remove the outer layers of skin, usually on the face. This treatment is popular with people who wish to improve the appearance of their skin. Some of the conditions it can treat include fine lines, sun damage, acne scars, and uneven texture. Dermabrasion occurs in a dermatologist’s office. During the procedure, a professional will numb your skin with anesthesia before removing the outermost layers of your skin. This is an outpatient procedure, meaning that you can go home to recover following the treatment. There are several over-the-counter devices that simulate the cleansing and exfoliating process of professional treatments. These typically take longer to produce the desired skin-smoothing effects of professional dermabrasion and usually don’t achieve the full effects. What are the reasons for getting dermabrasion?  Dermabrasion removes damaged outer layers of skin. This exposes new la

Fast facts About: nonsurgical ultrasound technology used to kick-start collagen production and tighten skin uses focused pulsing heat energy to lift and tighten skin on the face, neck, and chest should improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles Safety: cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009 for noninvasive eyebrow lift, noninvasive neck and submental area (under the chin) lift, and to improve lines and wrinkles of the décolletage (chest area) over 526,000 nonsurgical skin tightening procedures like Ultherapy were done in 2016 Convenience: procedure lasts between 30 and 90 minutes no incisions or general anesthesia are needed minimal preparation minimal to no recovery time in most cases Cost: average cost of Ultherapy and similar procedures in 2016 was $1802 Efficacy: according to a clinical study, 65 percent of patients reported some improvement 60 to 180 days after treatment 67 percent of patients were very satisfied or satisfied with the results 90 days afte

Want to stay young forever?  We don't know how to stop the clock, but we can help you fool the cameras and mirrors into thinking you’re a younger you. Here’s some essential tips to get the skin care routine you need. Wash with a gentle cleanser Cleansing is important for removing any skin care product or makeup that you’ve applied during the day, as well as natural skin oils, pollutants, and bacteria that’s accumulated. It also means your skin care products will be able to enter your skin and work more effectively! You’ll want to use a gentle cleanser to preserve your skin barrier and keep it resistant to dehydration and damage. Cleansers with a high pH like natural soaps are very harsh and can leave your skin vulnerable to irritation and infection. Cleansers with a low pH, such as this one by Cosrx ($10.75 on Amazon), work to maintain optimal skin balance. Another ingredient to avoid is sodium lauryl sulfate, as it’s very harsh. You also don’t need to buy cleansers with fancy, act

Overview Apples are a popular and healthy fruit, and a big part of American culture and history. Apples are easy to cultivate and tailor to certain tastes because of their resilient genetic diversity. They also have antioxidant properties that help protect against cancer-inducing oxidative damage, which can lead to various health problems. The saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” has withstood the test of time because of the impressive health profile of apples. But as you bite deep into an apple, you are confronted with something not so sweet in its core: tiny black seeds. Unlike the sweet tang of the fruit, the tiny black seeds are another story. They contain amygdalin, a substance that releases cyanide when it comes into contact with human digestive enzymes. But acute toxicity is rare if you accidentally eat some of the seeds. How cyanide works Cyanide is a chemical known as one of the deadliest poisons. It has been used in chemical warfare and mass suicide. Many compounds t

Pumpkin seeds may be small, but they're packed full of valuable nutrients. Eating only a small amount of them can provide you with a substantial quantity of healthy fats, magnesium and zinc. Because of this, pumpkin seeds have been associated with several health benefits. These include improved heart health, prostate health and protection against certain cancers. What's more, these seeds can be easily incorporated into your diet. Here are the top 11 health benefits of pumpkin seeds that are supported by science. 1. Full of Valuable Nutrients Pumpkin seeds are the edible seeds of a pumpkin. They are also known as "pepita" — a Mexican Spanish term. Unlike the hard white seeds from a carving pumpkin, most pumpkin seeds bought from the supermarket do not have a shell. These shell-free seeds are flat and oval in shape, and have a green color. There are roughly 151 calories in an ounce (28 grams) of shell-free pumpkin seeds, mainly from fat and protein. In addition, a 1-oz

1. Pumpkin is a powerhouse of nutrients Often overlooked for its health benefits, pumpkin and pumpkin seeds are a powerhouse of nutrients, full of fiber, vitamins A and C, potassium, and iron. Coming in at less than 50 calories per cup, this winter squash is a great addition to your diet and can be worked into it in a variety of ways. From soups to smoothies, pumpkin lends a smooth, creamy texture to savory and sweet dishes alike. We can also thank pumpkin’s rich beta carotene content for its bright orange hue. Beta carotene is a precursor to vitamin A in the body, which is known for supporting vision, especially at night. Vitamin A can be found in extremely high amounts in orange vegetables like pumpkin, making them great for extra peeper protection! 2. Pumpkin is a great source of fiber Eating pumpkin is also a great way to add more fiber into your diet. One cup of canned pumpkin pureé has 7 grams of fiber. Stir it into oatmeal, a yogurt bowl, or swap it for pasta sauce. It’ll keep y

Overview Being an adult can be complicated. You need a break from balancing a full workload and running your household. Take time to rekindle your youthful nature and rediscover child-like wonder this summer. Here are some summer break-inspired lessons to reduce your grown-up anxiety. Reconnect with Nature Nature holds endless possibilities for children. Rediscover the joys the outdoor world can bring: backyard shrubs become secret forts and mud puddles become treacherous lakes. As we age, however, we tend to lose this innate sense of adventure. We equate those same shrubs and mud puddles to gardening chores and extra laundry. Go barefoot; the feeling of grass on your will bring you back to simpler times. Dig in the dirt; gardening is a chance to get muddy and leave the dirty laundry for another day. Climb trees or build a tree house or backyard fort. Go for a bike ride; set out in the morning with no route in mind. Collect seashells or sea glass. Use them to make a windchime or jewelr