FitSugar

Do Yoga, Not Botox

FitSugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:00:00 PDT

Wrinkles are a fact of getting older, but there are several actions we can take to slow down the signs of aging. Living a healthy lifestyle, avoiding cigarettes, and wearing sunscreen will prevent you from aging prematurely, and standing on your head could also help keep your skin looking fresh.

Hear me out. Yoga poses that involve positioning your feet over your head, known as inversions, allow blood to flow to your head and improve circulation. Performing inversions can help relieve headaches and depression, increase upper-body strength, and also naturally reduce your wrinkles if practiced regularly. Don't just take it from me; here's what Countess LuAnn de Lesseps (of The Real Housewives of New York) said about her skincare regimen.

I do a yoga headstand every morning. I don't do Botox. Headstands are great for getting the circulation going and giving tone to your muscles in the face.

If you're new to headstands, check out my video tutorial for conquering this pose. Soon you'll be mastering seven headstands, feeling stronger, and perhaps your skin will be glowing, too.

Source

Another Reason to Eat Chocolate: Increased Blood Flow

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 02:00:00 PST

I never used to like chocolate as a child, but now I can't live without it. Just a small piece is enough to satisfy my sugar cravings. Plus I feel good eating it, knowing that flavenoid-rich dark chocolate has health benefits like lowering blood pressure, and now a new study shows that it can also increase coronary blood flow.

This study involved a two-week trial and monitored 39 adults (average age 29). Study participants either ate 550 mg a day of dark chocolate or white chocolate. The CFVR (coronary flow velocity reserve) of all the participants was monitored. The CFVR indicates the ability of the coronary arteries to dilate and allow more blood flow, which is a good thing.

The study found that in as little as two weeks, those who ate flavenoid-rich dark chocolate had improved heart function and blood flow, as compared to those who just ate white chocolate. I love foods that taste good and are also good for you, so go ahead and indulge, for your heart's sake.

Source

More Than Hot: The Benefits of Cayenne

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 11:00:00 PDT

Cayenne pepper is made from dried chili peppers, and is known for its strong, spicy taste and smell. It's used in many dishes to give them a little "kick," but it can also be used for medicinal purposes.

Capsaicin is the chemical in the chili pepper that gives it its heat. It has been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines to treat many health conditions like poor circulation, headaches, toothaches, chronic pain, sore throats, and heart disease.

When eaten, cayenne stimulates the flow of stomach secretions and saliva, which in turn help with digestion and gas. The peppery heat from the capsaicin can also stimulate secretions that help to clear mucus from your nose and congestion in your lungs.

This powerful spice can also increase blood flow, which when you're sick or hurt, will speed along healing. Cayenne also has a high content of vitamin A, so it has immunity boosting properties as well.

That's not all - it's also a great source of vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese and dietary fiber. Keep some in your kitchen so you can add a pinch to stir-fries, canned beans, soups, and even hot cocoa.

Fit's Tips: When handling cayenne pepper, always be sure to wash your hands thoroughly. You don't want to accidentally touch your eyes. If you do, immediately flush out your eye with water. If the burning feeling gets really painful, call your doctor.

5 Strange Ways Chocolate Keeps You Healthy

Prevention — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:02:26 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

This sweet treat may also boost brainpower, help you relax, and more!
By Mara Betsch, Prevention

Show your heart some love this Valentine’s Day by nibbling a few chocolates - and making them a regular treat throughout the year. A recent study found that those consuming the highest levels of chocolate had a 37 percent reduction in cardiovascular disease and a 29 percent reduction in stroke compared to those with lower chocolate intakes.

Though experts are quick to clarify that we should stick to moderate consumption of high-calorie chocolates, it’s hard to deny the cold, hard facts that chocolate can be a healthy addition to our diets.

Seven Surprising Ways to Sharpen Your Mind

Hundreds of studies have shown that dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants that promote heart health and may prevent many cardiovascular-related conditions, but we’ve dug up five more surprising health benefits. Read on for five new ways to justify your chocolate craving.

1. Chocolate May Help You With Math
Flavonols, compounds in chocolate with antioxidantlike properties, are thought to improve circulation, including blood flow to the brain. A 2009 study asked participants to count backward in groups of three from a number between 800 and 999. After drinking hot cocoa filled with flavonols, the participants were able to do calculations more quickly and accurately and were less likely to feel tired or mentally drained.

Learn a four more things chocolate can do for you after the break.

Video: Garcelle Beauvais, Ne-Yo, and More Stars Share Their Fondest Whitney Houston Memories

Karli Bulnes — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:21:27 PST

Just hours after news of Whitney Houston's death circulated on Saturday, musicians, actors, and music industry executives paused on the red carpet at Clive Davis's annual pre-Grammy party to celebrate the singing legend. Hear Ne-Yo describe his recent encounter with the "happy" Ms. Houston and more in our roundup of stars sharing their personal Whitney stories.

David and Brooklyn Hit the Field While Victoria Focuses on Fashion

Lindsay Miller — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:44:26 PST

David Beckham stopped to watch his oldest son, Brooklyn, at soccer practice yesterday in LA. The father of four was back home after a jaunt to London, where he went clubbing with Prince Harry and made the press rounds to promote his underwear line with H&M. The steamy TV commercial for David's collection made its debut during the Super Bowl last Sunday, and David admitted watching the spot for the first time made him blush!

With David back in town to hang out with their boys, Victoria Beckham took their daughter Harper along with her to NYC on Tuesday. Victoria headed to the Big Apple just in time for Fashion Week, where she'll show the Fall/Winter 2012 collection from her eponymous line as well as Victoria by Victoria Beckham. Her designs have been a hit among celebrities and critics alike, and rumors that she might be dressing some A-list celebrities for the Oscars later this month have started to circulate.

House Comes to an End After Eight Seasons

Becky Kirsch — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:19:02 PST

Rumors have been circulating for a while now, but now it's official: Fox is canceling House at the end of the current season. The Hugh Laurie medical drama has run for eight seasons, but has lost steam lately, due in part to Lisa Edelstein's exit from the series. House will wrap up with its final episodes later this Spring; will you be sad to see it go?
Photo courtesy of Fox

Why Did Susan G. Komen For the Cure Cut Off Funding to Planned Parenthood?

Annie Scudder — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:20:58 PST

For years Susan G. Komen for the Cure has provided Planned Parenthood grants for breast cancer screenings. It recently decided to cut off the women's health provider, causing outrage among many supporters of both groups. Petitions to Komen to change its mind have been circulating on Facebook and across the Internet.

After Komen's decision became public, Planned Parenthood told supporters that "after facing pressure from anti-women's health political organizations, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation has announced that it is ending future funding for lifesaving breast cancer screenings and breast health education at Planned Parenthood health centers." Supporters know Planned Parenthood provides crucial services besides abortion, and critics of Komen's choice to stop funding assert the irony of cutting off life-saving cancer screenings to show you're pro-life.

As evidence that the decision was politically motivated, women's health activists could point to a recent backlash against Komen from the Evangelical Christian group LifeWay. LifeWay was selling pink Bibles to benefit Komen, when it discovered the breast cancer group gave money to Planned Parenthood. LifeWay immediately pulled the Bibles, getting the attention of pro-life activists. In addition, Komen's founder and CEO, Nancy G. Brinker, is a longtime Republican with ties to the Bush family, and the foundation's newly hired vice president is a former politician with known pro-life positions. Also, Komen cited a controversial investigation of Planned Parenthood in Congress started by a staunchly pro-life member.

Even so, Susan G. Komen's founder and CEO maintained its decision to not fund organizations under investigation is part of a broad effort to reorganize donations and make them more efficient. See Susan G. Komen for the Cure's Nancy G. Brinker explain the foundation's decision below.

Winter Running Woe: Numb Toes

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:02:06 PST

If you'd rather skip a run than hit the treadmill, then there's no doubt you're continuing with your outdoor runs even through this brisk and snowy Winter weather. That doesn't mean you're not dealing with some discomfort along the way. I've given you some tips on how to beat burning lungs, but if it's your feet that are bothering you, here are some ways to avoid numb toes.

First, consider your socks. You can't get away with wearing the same thin, ankle-length wicking socks you sported in the warmer months. Splurge on some thicker knee-highs; socks made of wool will keep your feet warm and dry. Be sure your socks aren't too tight as that can cut off circulation (go up a size to be sure). You can also try compression socks to improve circulation in your feet and legs.

If you're already wearing thicker socks, you'll probably want to go up half a size in your sneaks to accommodate the extra fabric. If you don't, the snug fit of your shoe might be the sole cause of your tingling feeling. Choose sneakers designed for colder, wetter weather (think waterproof Gore-tex) to protect your toes from the snow. Tie your shoes slightly looser because as you warm up, your feet will swell, and too-tight laces can cause that annoying numb sensation.

Continue reading for more tips on avoiding numb feet.

4 Lazy Moves That Boost Your Health

Prevention — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:05:16 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

You don’t have to go on a deprivation diet or spend hours exercising to ward off disease and be your healthiest self! Instead, try these supersimple tips
By the editors of Prevention

Staying healthy can feel like so much, well, work (think: logging hours at the gym and whipping up nutritious meals from scratch). However, there are plenty of small moves that you can make in your everyday life that will have big health benefits. We’ve rounded up 15 practically zero-effort ways to fight disease, whittle your waist, lower stress, and more. Bonus: many of these good-for-you moves feel good, too. So say sayonara to the old adage “no pain, no gain” and try these tips today.

Lazy Move No. 1: Protect Your Ticker by Snoozing
Need a good excuse to grab your comfiest set of pajamas and hit the sack? Skimping on shut-eye may do more than make you cranky or unproductive - it also boosts your risk of a heart attack. According to one Norwegian study, people who reported that they did not wake up feeling refreshed in the morning had a 27 percent higher risk of a heart attack, those who had trouble staying asleep almost every night in the last month had a 30 percent higher risk, and those who had trouble falling asleep almost every night in the last month had odds that jumped to 45 percent.

Twenty Ways to Sleep Better Every Night

Some researchers speculate that insomnia might trigger your body to release more of the stress hormone cortisol. High levels of cortisol have been linked with high blood pressure and diabetes, which are both risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Plus when you’re exhausted, you may be more likely to make unhealthy choices that up your heart disease risk, such as skipping your workout or reaching for fatty or sugary snacks for a quick energy fix.

Keep reading for three more lazy ways to improve your health.