FitSugar

Coffee Round Up

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 02:00:00 PDT

Caffeine and my favorite method of loading up with caffeine, coffee, have been in the news a lot recently. So I thought I should review a few reasons why NOT to give up the bean.

I know that eye twitches really work your nerves, so when I saw this headline I knew I had to share it. Drinking coffee may prevent eyelid twitch. Pretty cool to know that drinking a regular cup of joe regularly can prevent the eye twitching condition know in medical circles as "blepharospasm." If you already have chronic eye twitches downing java will not create a cure, coffee is merely a preventative measure. Since this study is Italian, maybe we should all celebrate with an espresso!

A recent French study found that drinking three or more daily cups of coffee or tea may help women preserve their memory. Participants in the study took several tests over the course of four years. The women who stated they drank at least three cups of coffee or tea per day showed less of a drop in test scores during the study, than their non-caffeine drinking counterparts. So let's celebrate with a cafe au lait!

Other coffee news that might perk you up:
Coffee and working out may help prevent skin cancer
Coffee may decrease your chances of developing liver cancer
Coffee may help ease post workout pain

5 Ways to Help Prevent Skin Cancer

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 17:15:00 PDT

I don't know about you, but since skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer in the U.S., I want to do all I can to protect myself. 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, and more than 90% of skin cancers are caused by sun exposure. Here are some ways to help protect yourself.

Avoid sun exposure from at least 11 am to 2 pm, when the sun's UV rays are the strongest. If you can, I would avoid the rays from 10 am to 3 pm.
Wear sunscreen when you go outside - even if it's cloudy or cold out. Getting a sunburn is not only painful, but a person's risk for skin cancer doubles if he or she has had 5 or more sunburns.
Create you own shade with an umbrella, sun hat, and a lightweight long-sleeved shirt and pants.
Do I even need to tell you to avoid tanning salons? Use a self-tanner instead.
Check your moles regularly. If one seems like it's changing shape or color - get it checked out by a dermatologist ASAP.

Source

IUD: Long-Term Birth Control

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 03:30:00 PST

IUD, also known as a coil, stands for intrauterine device. - "intra" meaning within, and "uterine" meaning of the uterus. An IUD is about 1.5 inches long and it's inserted into your uterus to prevent pregnancy. They are 99% effective.

There are 2 types of IUDs, ones made out of metal, and ones that release hormones similar to those found in oral contraceptives (the Pill.) Most of the metal IUDs have a plastic T-shaped frame that is wrapped with copper. The copper is believed to have spermicidal effects, which is one reason why it works. You can wear this one for up to 10 years.

IUD's that release hormones are also T-shaped, but they are made out of plastic. The hormones make your cervical fluid thick and tacky, making it difficult for sperm to swim in, so they never make it to the egg, so therefore they can't fertilize it. You can wear this one for up to 5 years.

Both kinds of IUDs have little plastic strings attached at the bottom that hangs down past the cervix. The string is not visible and it won't cause any problems during intercourse. The string is a safety check so you can check to make sure your IUD is still in place.

An IUD has to be fitted inside and removed from the uterus by a doctor or nurse practitioner. IUDs don't stop you from ovulating, so you still get your period, but your flow may become shorter or lighter, or may even stop altogether. Some women complain that their periods are irregular when using an IUD as birth control.

Want to know how they work? Then

read more When something foreign is inside your uterus, your body produces white blood cells, or leukocytes to defend itself. These white blood cells attack any sperm or eggs that may find their way into your uterus. Even if an egg does get fertilized, the white blood cells will attack it. For this reason, people who are against abortion, believing that life begins at conception, are against the IUD. Fit's Tips: An IUD is great if you are looking for hassle-free birth control. In no way does it prevent against STDs, so that's why it's great to use if you are in a long-term relationship with someone you know is disease-free. That is why they are most often recommended for women who are married and done having children. Ask your doctor to discuss if an IUD may be right for you.

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.

5 Ways to Make Your Home a Safe Haven From Colds and Flu

Michele Foley — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:07:44 PST

A home is supposed to be a safe haven away from the outside world, but it's often the reason we come down with cold or flu viruses. Take back your home and health by doing these five things to ensure you're living in an immunity-boosting environment!

Don't Let These Exercise Worries Put a Damper on Your Workout

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:41:36 PST

One of the best reasons to slip on on sports bra and lace up a pair sneaks is because working out makes us feel good. But worrying about common exercise concerns - many of them specific to women - can turn a sweat session into a stress session. Or even worse, allowing these issues completely preventing a workout. Well, we've got you covered. Here are some common exercise worries women share and ways to move past them so you can enjoy your gym time.

Source: Thinkstock

How to Keep Your Run Pain-Free

Leta Shy — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:54:30 PST

Sometimes, you start your run with the best intentions, only to be thwarted by recurring cramps and a headache that zaps all your energy. If you've experienced these nagging annoyances when you run, here are some tips for preventing pain and coping with it when it happens during your workout.

Headache: Often, a pounding headache that comes on during a run is due to inadequate water intake. Your body loses a lot of fluids while you're sweating it out on the treadmill, so before you even begin, make sure that you've had enough water throughout the day. During your run, sip water slowly, about five to 12 ounces every 20 minutes (or sip a sports drink with electrolytes if you are running for more than an hour), but don't drink so much that you feel all of it sloshing around in your stomach - that can lead to cramps or nausea.

More tips for pain-free running after the break.

Healthy Dose Link Time: Adele Talks Body Image

Susi May — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:38:27 PST

Adele answers her critics and talks body image and cleavage - Blisstree
Before your workout, to eat or not? - Real Simple
Get inspired by celeb before and after weight-loss pics - Shape
Get a leg up! Three steps to stronger thighs - HuffPost Health and Fitness
SFO just got a little more chill: yoga room opens at airport - Newser
A handful of ways to lose weight at Walmart - Prevention
Submit your best asana to be in the pages of the magazine - Yoga Journal
Get the skinny on weight-loss supplements - Health

Hit Me With Your Best Shot: Valentine's Day Camera Phone Tips

Kristy Korcz — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:02:10 PST

Amore is in the air, and if you plan on spending Feb. 14 with your current flame, you'll of course want to capture all the best moments as they happen. The good news is, with camera phones being as handy (and powerful) as they are, you probably don't need to tote around a full-featured digital in order to post an album's worth of mushy kissy-face pics on your various social networks.

Keep up your high photo standards no matter what the situation with these camera phone tips straight from professional photographer Perry Reichanadter. Have any of your own to add? Leave them in the comments or on our Facebook page!

Get close to your subject - Your camera phone probably won't have a macro setting, so be sure to get up close and personal with your beloved so he isn't drowned out by the surrounding action.
Clear the background - There's nothing worse than snapping a great pic of your BF, only to have something in the background distracting from his face. Make sure you steer clear of any street signs, bright lights, or "loud" objects, and keep your honey in focus.

See the rest of the tips after the jump.

Keep Running: Prevent Plantar Fasciitis With These Tips

Susi May — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:06:42 PST

From pounding the pavement running to spending a day in fashionable shoes that lack proper support, feet take a beating. If you're training for a race this Spring and upping your mileage, it pays to show your peds some love. You can do some preventive prehab to avoid coming down with a case of plantar fasciitis. This painful condition, which can be common in new runners and affects women more than men, occurs when the the fibrous band that runs from the heel bone to the base of the toes stretches too far and tears. These micro tears cause inflammation of the fascia and the tissues surrounding it, making every footstep painful and abruptly stalling your training schedule. If you're experiencing some unexplainable heel pain, try these methods to keep plantar fasciitis at bay.