5 Things: Cayenne Pepper


Updated 05/13/11 11:06 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 4 comments

5 Things: Cayenne Pepper

Oooohh . . . It is getting hot in here. Red hot. Red hot pepper that is. I am talking about cayenne pepper. This spice is hot right now for so many reasons — here are just five. Cayenne is made from ground dried pods of chili peppers. It has hardly any aroma, but makes up for its lack of smell with a powerfully hot taste. The active ingredient in cayenne is capsaicin and it this Read more

3 Tips For Germ-Free Travel


Updated 05/08/12 10:25 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Tips For Germ-Free Travel

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Fitness Magazine here on FitSugar! Whether you're going by boat, plane, train, or automobile, travel bugs are bound to greet you. Here, some cringe-worthy stats on germs and traveling — and tips on how you can take a trip unscathed. Stay Hydrated According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the air inside planes has anywhere from 10 Read more

Adventures in Ingredients: Aloe Vera


Updated 04/19/12 3:36 PM · Posted by · 4 comments

Cooking With Aloe Vera

For weeks, I'd been eying these spiky succulent leaves at Berkeley Bowl. I always knew that aloe vera came from this common plant, but never thought I would actually need or want the opportunity to work with it myself. And then there's the whole issue of cooking with it and how to harvest it. It's popular in coconut water these days, but other than that, ingesting it is somewhat uncommon. But Read more

Why You Should Hydrate Up During Winter Months


Updated 12/08/11 2:45 PM · Posted by · 0 comments

Why Should You Hydrate During Winter

Colder Winter months can sometimes make you neglect your daily water intake. You might assume you need less water than you do during Summer because you don't feel parched and aren't sweating like you do in warmer weather. Not true! Here are three reasons to keep your water cup filled during Winter. Hydrate Despite the Chill You need to drink the same amount of water year round — and maybe Read more

Know Your A, B, Cs: Vitamin A


Updated 03/04/11 10:00 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 2 comments

Know Your A, B, Cs:  Vitamin A

Vitamin A — What doesn't it do? It helps with your vision, bone growth, cell growth and repair, and cell division. It helps regulate the immune system, and makes white blood cells, which help to fight off infections. Vitamin A also helps the skin and mucous membranes function as a barrier to bacteria and viruses. It also speeds up healing when you get cut, and prevents your skin from Read more

Herbal Primer From Goddess Body: Red Raspberry Leaf


Updated 10/14/11 11:51 AM · Posted by · 2 comments

Herb Red Raspberry Leaf Helps With Menstrual Issues and More

The OnSugar blog Goddess Body shares why you should put some red raspberry leaf into your diet. Red Raspberry leaf is used as a basic herbal foundation for all female organs and problems. Shoshanna from www.bulkherbstore.com shows you some ways to use red raspberry leaf. Here's more info from www.bulkherbstore.com: Strengthens wall of uterus and entire female reproductive system. Decreases Read more

DrSugar Answers: Nausea and Dizziness During Workout?


Updated 10/14/11 11:50 AM · Posted by DrSugar · 2 comments

Passing Out and Nausea During Exercise Could Be Overexertion or Hyoglycemia

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions. We've been getting many questions from readers regarding odd symptoms experienced during and immediately after exercise. One reader experienced nausea, vomiting, and dizziness while exercising, which made her feel like she was going to black out, and another reader went running in 90 degree temperatures and developed Read more

DrSugar Answers: Pelvic Cysts and Cancer Worry


Updated 04/09/12 2:04 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 1 comment

Pelvic Cysts Explained: Ovarian, Cervical, and Uterine (aka Fibroid)

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions. Dear DrSugar, I'm 35 years old and have always had normal pap smears. The other day I went to my doctor for my annual pelvic exam. When my doctor was done she informed me that she had found a couple of cysts while performing my pelvic exam. My question is should I be worried about cancer and what kind of treatment is Read more

DrSugar Answers: Acne Meds and Pregnancy?


Updated 10/14/11 11:50 AM · Posted by DrSugar · 3 comments

A Doctor Answers Question About Acne Medication While Pregnant

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions. Dear DrSugar, I have acne and after several years of tinkering, I've found the right combination of several prescription products daily to control it — benzoyl peroxide 6%, Solodyn, dapsone, Retin-A, clindamycin, and the list goes on. While I'm not pregnant now, I'd like to try and conceive in the next three years or so Read more

For Health Benefits, Sip Your Wine Slowly


Updated 10/14/11 11:49 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 5 comments

For Health Benefits, Sip Your Wine Slowly

Thomas Jefferson wrote, "Wine from long habit has become an indispensable for my health." Let's hope he savored each sip, because new research indicates that the health benefits of wine are absorbed in the mouth, and I am not talking about taste. Resveratrol, the powerful antioxidant found in red wine, is not absorbed in the lower digestive tract like many nutrients, but by the mucous membranes Read more