FitSugar

Another Reason to Stop After One Glass: Increased Stroke Risk

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:00:00 PST

'Tis the season for drinking. You're bound to enjoy champagne toasts with family, wining and dining with friends, and sipping back an eggnog at your office holiday party. One drink is fine, but a recent study shows that for women, consuming more than two alcoholic drinks a day can lead to heart problems. The condition is known as atrial fibrillation, and it's a type of rhythm disorder that causes a rapid heart rate. This can lead to difficulty breathing, fainting, fatigue, dizziness, and could even lead to a deadly stroke. Drinking more than two drinks a day increases a woman's risk for atrial fibrillation by 60 percent.

So enjoy the holidays with a mulled wine or hot toddy, but don't go overboard, for your heart's sake. And if that is not reason enough to stop after one glass, check out these five reasons to drink in serious moderation.

Source

Impotence Could Be a Sign of Heart Problems

DearSugar — Tue, 20 May 2008 10:00:00 PDT

You may not have known that performance problems in bed are a frustrating side effect for about 80 percent of men with type 2 diabetes, and as if that wasn't bad enough, new research shows that these men also face double the risk of potentially fatal heart problems. Both erectile dysfunction and heart problems occur when specific arteries fail to fully expand in response to stimulus. Since arteries in the penis are smaller than those in the heart, issues below the waist may show up sooner. That means this sexual side effect can act as an indicator of such heart problems as chest pain, heart attack, and stroke. For this reason, as embarrassing as it is to talk about or admit, impotence shouldn't be ignored.

Dear's Advice: If a man with diabetes is having a difficult time achieving or maintaining an erection, then he should see his doctor immediately to get his cardiovascular system checked. If caught early enough, lifestyle changes through diet, exercise, and medication can help reduce the risk of heart problems in the future.

Source

5 Surprising Health Benefits of Being a Sports Fan

Prevention — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:19:15 PST

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

By Cristina Goyanes, Prevention

It’s no wonder your friends aren’t available to hang out on Sundays in the Fall and Winter - according to a 2005 Gallup Poll, 64 percent of Americans claim to be professional football fans, and as of 2010, women make up 44 percent of the NFL fan base.

Being a sports fan doesn’t mean you’re expected to know all the players and stats of your hometown teams and destined for a beer gut - it’s about coming together in the name of good times as part of a community.

“Bonding over sports - the highs and lows of the game - strengthens ties, helps us feel supported, and makes it easier for you to open up about personal things,” says Renee Clauselle, PsyD, who runs a private psychology practice in Long Island, NY.

Seventeen Unexpected Side Effects of Exercise

Rooting for the same team creates an immediate sense of family, says Daniel Wann, PhD, a Murray State University professor who has been studying the psychology of sports fans for over 20 years. “If you identify with a local team, you build an instant connection to others around you,” he says.

Beyond the bonding aspects, watching sports can motivate you to pump up your own workouts - and even burn a few extra calories when you jump, cheer, and clap during the highlights of the game. Find out more ways being a sports fan is a winning situation for your health.

Keep reading to learn how being a sports fan benefits your health.

A Reader Answers: Can Exercise Help With Migraines?

Fit Community — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:52:16 PST

FitSugar reader JessicaSmithTV wanted to know: can exercise help with migraines? She asked an expert and posted the answer in our Fit Community.

Today's post comes to us from special guest contributor and medical expert Paul Rizzoli, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School:

When you’re prone to migraines you’re forced to think through whether or not something you do will invite a headache into your life. Exercise is definitely one of those things. Should you skip a workout because you feel a migraine coming on? Or is it better to push through in the hopes a little sweat will make you feel better?

Most headache specialists recommend exercise and an increase in overall physical activity to their patients. However, to date, there’s skimpy evidence to support the idea that working out actually guards against migraine attacks. A few studies have shown that taking regular exercise can reduce the severity, though not the number of headaches.

Keep reading to see what studies say about exercise and migraine relief after the break!

Creative Craft Idea: Kid's Polaroid Wall

LilSugar — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:52:48 PST

Create a miniphotographer in the family! If you're looking for a fresh arts and crafts idea, encourage your kids to get creative by making their own Polaroid wall. Not only will they get the chance to dabble in photography, but they'll also have a hand in decorating their own bedroom. The project can be as simple or as complicated as they'd like, depending on how many pictures they choose to take. Here are a few tips and suggestions to make sure things go smoothly:

Brainstorm special subjects. If your child isn't sure what to photograph, ask them about their favorite places, people, or objects. You'll gain insight into what they care about and at the end of the project, they'll have a collage of the things that mean most to them.
Organize a game plan to make it easier. To keep things simple, encourage your kids to take pictures of different colors, then help them create a color-coordinated masterpiece. Another idea? Pick a theme, like flowers, and go from there.
Think about display options. The Polaroids don't need to cover an entire wall. Instead, suggest that your kids display the pictures in a unique shape, like a heart or the first letter of their name.
Go the gift route. A personalized photo collage could make a great gift - maybe for grandma or a best friend? - so encourage your child to think outside the box for different possibilities.

Don't own a Polaroid camera? Not a problem. Use any printed photographs for the craft, even those printed at home on special photo paper. For a small, affordable Polaroid option, try the 300 Instant Camera ($90) and 300 Instant Film ($13).

Photo courtesy of Apartment Therapy

How to Make Money Off Your Breakup

LearnVest — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:15:30 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

When you break up with someone, should you return any gifts?

Not according to Never Liked It Anyway, where those unlucky in love can sell mementos of failed relationships and divulge the dirt behind the gift.

And it’s not just teddy bears and uneaten chocolates - disenchanted lovers are selling wedding dresses, rings, weekend wedding packages, and anything else adding to their baggage (including the baggage itself). All for a substantial discount.

Someone Loved It Once

Part store and part advice column, the site calls itself “the place where once-loved gifts from once-loved partners get a second chance.” Instead of just facilitating a sale, it also provides a space for the seller’s story.

Never Liked It Anyway was founded by a woman who made it through a major breakup herself and recognized the benefit of cleaning out her closet . . . and profiting in the process.

For us (admittedly not in the throes of a violent parting of ways), the site raises two questions:

Is It Hilarious or Sad?

We’re happy to see the sellers get revenge (or at least revenue) after their heartbreak. But so many of the confessions in the Tell It section (in which users spill but don’t sell) are stories of men doing horrible things and women in horrible situations. The headline “NICE BOOTS BAD GUY” made us laugh . . . but the person who got dumped while her mother was dying broke our hearts.

Is It Cost-Effective or Cursed?

From a consumer's view, it’s a great deal! Over $1,000 off a Tiffany wedding band? It sounds too good to be true. And maybe it is. If you believe in karma, acquiring trinkets from failed relationships just might doom you to the same fate. Then again, wedding dresses for 40 percent off!

Just in case you’re gearing up for your own nuptials and aren’t concerned about the whole karma thing, we’ve put together a wedding plan, using only items from the site.

The Keys

The seller puts the problem with this ring pretty clearly in the title: "Key Ring, Not an Engagement Ring."

Real World Price: $125
Breakup Price: $60

Read on for more items.

Sundance Snapshot: Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg Are Adorable in Celeste and Jesse Forever

Becky Kirsch — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:22:56 PST

Celeste and Jesse Forever was one of the first films I checked out at Sundance this year, and I'm so glad I did. The cast, which features Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg as the titular characters, was enough to pique my interest, but the smart, relatable, script is what won me over. Here's more on what I thought of the film.

Who's behind it? The film stars Andy Samberg, Rashida Jones (who also cowrote the screenplay), Ari Graynor, Elijah Wood, and Emma Roberts. It was directed by Lee Toland Krieger.
What's it about? Jones and Samberg are Celeste and Jesse, high school sweethearts who have recently decided to separate. The only problem is that they're still BFF: he's living in her guest house, they're still spending all of their time together, and are still living in their own little world (much to the confusion of their circle of friends). Though it's clear that they're not ready to fully let go of each other, an unexpected circumstance forces them both to confront their feelings and make a final decision about their relationship.
What did I think? This movie made me laugh and broke my heart, thanks to Jones and Samberg's chemistry and performances. There are plenty of amazing jokes and one-liners, but more than that, there's a very real story and commentary about how hard it is to let go of someone you love. Jesse and Celeste are so easy to root for, but the film is careful to keep the story real rather than veering into romantic comedy territory. It's also a breakout role for Samberg, who we've mostly only seen doing straight comedy. He's still a lovable goofball here, but he also proves that he's got the chops to handle more serious material. The film was bought by Sony Pictures Classics, so keep an eye out for it in theaters in the next year.

Pirate Rock! Disney's Sharky and Bones Open Up About Pirate Culture, Jake, and Peter Pan

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:37:27 PST

Can you talk like a pirate? If your lil one is between 2 and 5 years old, chances are he'll know exactly what we're talking about!

Since its launch last February, Disney's Jake and the Neverland Pirates has become the top-ranking series among kids in that age group. The animated show - about a new crew of pirates who work together to outwit Captain Hook and Smee around Pirate Island - is about to embark on its second season with a prime-time special Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Peter Pan Returns (airing Feb. 13), where the little boy who won't grow up enlists the minipirates to help him find his lost shadow. As with the daily show, the special will feature original pirate rock songs written and sung by Sharky and Bones of The Never Land Pirate Band. I spoke with Loren Hoskins and Kevin Hendrickson, the men behind Sharky and Bones and the stars of the live-action music videos featured at the end of each episode, about the popularity of pirate culture and what it can teach tots today.

LilSugar: Obviously you two are well versed in little kids' obsessions with pirates. How did it start for you two?
Kevin Hendrickson (Bones): It started before our kids. Loren and I met maybe 12 years ago, and we both just had a love of pirates and the old Disney records we grew up listening to. We decided to make a pirate album for kids, even though we didn't have kids.
Loren Hoskins (Sharky): We were pirates before pirate was cool. We had an affinity for pirate and pirate culture and the old Disneyland rides - you know the old Pirates of the Caribbean attraction - and we combined all those into a rock album for kids of all ages. We say "for buccaneers of all ages" because we had a lot of fans that were not kids and a lot of fans that were kids and then families that were fans. We just decided to not be a children's band, but a band for all buccaneers!

LilSugar: It's been almost 60 years since Disney released Peter Pan, and unlike other Disney flicks, it hasn't received a rerelease or a 3D upgrade. Why do you think the pirate obsession remains so strong today?
Loren Hoskins (Sharky): I have always maintained that what pirates represent for play is all the best things about play. That's imagination, adventure, being bold-hearted, silly voices, and fun dress-up costumes. You put all that together and you get classic kid play. It's like pirates and dinosaurs. Dinosaurs were huge for a while, and I think for the same reason – you can just go "roaar," and play all these great games, and they were bold and adventurous and from exotic locations. Pirates are the same thing. They're one of those classic play building blocks

Keep reading for more of our talk about pirate rock and the show's educational value.

From the Community: Exercises to Avoid Later in Pregnancy

OnSugar — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 01:31:42 PST

Recently, OnSugar blogger Coach Lark Says offered advice on how to work out while you're pregnant and in your first trimester. Here's a follow-up post with more advice on exercises to avoid in your second and third trimesters.

In my last post, I went over the benefits to exercising while pregnant and listed some basic guidelines.

In the second and third trimester, you should limit or avoid altogether:

Supine (back lying) exercises, especially exercises where the legs are not moving. These can cause some circulatory problems with blood returning back to your heart from your uterus.

Two more exercises to limit in your second and third trimesters after the break.

Too Much Iodine or Not Enough?

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:41:39 PST

Maybe you buy iodized salt, but that's probably the only thought you give to iodine in your diet. Actually, iodine deficiency is a huge problem across the globe, and not getting enough in utero or during early development is the leading cause of brain impairments. But a recent study shows that getting too much iodine can cause health issues as well. Almost half of the participants in a recent Chinese study who were given higher doses of iodine (800 to 2,000 micrograms a day for four weeks) began developing what's called subclinical hypothyroidism. This condition has no obvious symptoms, but over time, it's linked to heart disease.

Iodine is found in iodized salt, seafood, eggs, dairy products, and some breads. Since most of us get enough from our diets, there's no need for iodine supplements. Americans should aim to get 150 micrograms of iodine each day, pregnant women should get 220 micrograms (low levels of iodine increase the risk of miscarriage), and breastfeeding moms are told to get 290 micrograms. If you're vegan, you might not get enough from your fish- and dairy-free diet, so you probably want to talk with your doctor about taking a supplement. To find out if your diet offers enough iodine or too much, check out the chart after the break.