FitSugar

Watered Down: Benefits of Eight Glasses a Day?

FitSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:00:00 -0700

I drink lots of water daily and the new report on the health benefits of water being oversold will probably not sway me to stop sipping it hourly. The study found that there really are no health benefits to drinking the often recommended eight glasses of water a day; there is no evidence to the lack of benefits either. Interestingly enough, the researchers could not pin point the origin of the recommendation to drinking 64 ounces of water a day. It seems to be a benign urban health myth.

Here is a short list of things drinking eight glasses of water will not do for you:

It does not help remove toxins from the kidneys.
It doesn't help improve skin tone.
It doesn't ward of headaches.
It will no improve organ function.
Lastly, water doesn't necessarily lead to weight loss. Since water contains no calories, it is more of a weight loss strategy for keeping your mouth busy than for filling you up. Sometimes the body mistakes hunger and thirst cues, so drinking adequate water can help stave off this bodily confusion.

The take home message – drink when you are thirsty. Everyone's need for water differs. If you exercise and sweat you will need to replenish your lost fluids and if you live in a dry, hot climate you will need more water as well. Listen to your body!

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Fact or Fiction: Health Myths

FitSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:50:39 -0700

Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? And do you need all that water? With myths and old wives' tales sounding more like bona fide medical advice, knowing how to take care of yourself can be plain confusing. Do you know which of these accepted words of wisdom make real health sense? Take my quiz to find out.

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Top Ten Nutrition Myths Debunked

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 09:30:00 -0700

I don't know if you feel this way, but it always seems like there is someone standing over my shoulder saying, "You know carbs make you fat." Or my personal favorite, "You drink? I thought you were some kind of health nut." Quite frankly, it's getting a little frustrating that I can't make one move without someone having their say. I was thrilled to find the top ten nutrition myths brought to the table in a recent report from Medical News Today. So without further ado, here they are:

10. Eating carbohydrates makes you fat. Cutting carbs from your diet may have short-term weight loss benefits due to water loss from a decrease in carbohydrate stores, but eating carbs in moderation does not directly lead to weight gain. The body uses carbs for energy, and going too long without them can cause lethargy.

9. Drink eight, 8-oz. glasses of water per day. You should replace water lost through breathing, excrement and sweating each day - but that doesn't necessarily total 64 ounces of water. It's hard to measure the exact amount of water you have consumed daily in food and drink, but if your urine is pale yellow, you're doing a good job. If it's a darker yellow, drink more H2O.

8. Brown grain products are whole grain products. Brown dyes and additives can give foods the deceiving appearance of whole grain. Read labels to be sure a food is whole grain, and try to get three-ounce equivalents of whole grains per day to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

7. Eating eggs will raise your cholesterol. This myth began because egg yolks have the most concentrated amount of cholesterol of any food. However, there's not enough cholesterol there to pose health risks if eggs are eaten in moderation. Studies suggest that eating one egg per day will not raise cholesterol levels and that eggs are actually a great source of nutrients.

6. All alcohol is bad for you. Again, moderation is key. Six ounces of wine and 12 ounces of beer are considered moderate amounts, and should not pose any adverse health effects to the average healthy adult. All alcohol is an anticoagulant and red wine also contains antioxidants, so drinking a small amount daily can be beneficial.

Want to know the top five myths? Then, read more

5. Vitamin supplements are necessary for everyone. If you eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, along with moderate amounts of a variety of low-fat dairy and protein and the right quantity of calories, you don't need to supplement. Most Americans do not, so a multi-vitamin might be good. Special vitamin supplements are also recommended for people who are pregnant or have nutritional disorders.

4. Consuming extra protein is necessary to build muscle mass. Contrary to claims of some protein supplement companies, consuming extra protein does nothing to bulk up muscle unless you are also doing significant weight training at the same time. Even then the increased requirement can easily come from food. A potential problem with supplements is the body has to work overtime to get rid of excess protein, and can become distressed as a result.

3. Eating fiber causes problems if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). There are two kinds of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Insoluble fiber can cause problems in IBS sufferers; soluble fiber, however, is more easily absorbed by the body and helps prevent constipation for those with IBS. Soluble fiber is found in most grains.

2. Eating immediately after a workout will improve recovery. Endurance athletes need to take in carbohydrates immediately after a workout to replace glycogen stores, and a small amount of protein with the drink enhances the effect. Drinking low-fat chocolate milk or a carbohydrate drink, like Gatorade, is better for the body, as they replace glycogen stores lost during exercise. Protein is not going to help build muscle, so strength athletes do not need to eat immediately following their workout.

1. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by eating foods low on the glycemic index. High levels of glucose are not what "cause" diabetes; the disease is caused by the body's resistance to insulin. Foods high on the glycemic index can cause glucose levels to spike, but this is just an indicator of the presence of diabetes, not the root cause.

True or False: Drinking Water Before Working Out Causes Cramps

FitSugar — Thu, 24 May 2007 11:00:00 -0700

True or False: Drinking water before (and during) exercise will lead to cramps.

To find out the answer, read more

FALSE! The truth is that cramps can be a symptom of dehydration and drinking water will help ensure that you are not dehydrated, which will ultimately reduce your risk of getting cramps. Most people wait until they are thirsty to drink water, but that is not the best idea, especially when exercising. So here are some tips on keeping hydrated while working out:

Drink 8 oz of water 20 to 30 minutes prior to exercising.
Drink 4-8 oz of water every 10 to 15 minutes during exercise.
Drink an additional 8 oz of water within 30 minutes after exercising.
Drink 16 oz (2 cups) of water for every pound of body weight lost after exercise.

How much water should you be drinking on a daily basis? Check out my Fit Calculator to find out.

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Hump Day: Should I Use Lube?

TresSugar — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 06:00:17 -0800

Welcome to Hump Day, TrèsSugar's sex advice column. If you have questions about sex, send them to TrèsSugar, and our friend Dr. Charlie Glickman from Good Vibrations will offer his sound advice!

Today's question:

"Sometimes sex is not comfortable. My friend told me I should use lube, but I'm curious about which kind is the best. I'm also a little worried about how to bring it up with my boyfriend without hurting his feelings. Any advice would be great!"

To see Dr. Glickman's answer, read more.

There are a lot of reasons why sex might not be comfortable, so I’m hesitant to say that lube will definitely fix it. But it can help a lot of people and it’s not hard to try.

It’s unfortunate that a lot of people buy into the myth that a woman who’s turned on shouldn’t need a lubricant. Anything that causes a change in hormone levels, such as medications, birth control pills, pregnancy, or menopause can affect how much vaginal lubrication your body makes. Some women even find that their body’s lubrication changes at different points in their menstrual cycle.

There are three basic types of lubricants that I suggest. They’re all safe to use with condoms - be sure to never use an oil with condoms because they’ll make them break in less than a minute. Glycerin-based lubricants tend to last a long time, but they eventually get sticky. If you find that once you get started, your vaginal lubrication kicks in, you may find that these work better. If things do get sticky, a drop or two of water refreshes everything nicely. One warning: glycerin can make yeast infections worse (although it doesn’t cause them), so if you’re prone to yeast infections or if you have sensitivities to products, avoid these ones.

Non-glycerin lubricants may not last quite as long, but they don’t get sticky. They tend to soak in, kind of like hand creams. Creamy ones, such as Liquid Silk and Please Cream last longer, but they have a somewhat bitter taste so if that’ll be an issue, go with the clear formulas such as Please Liquid or Pleasureglide. All of these are also water-based, so clean-up is a snap.

Silicone lubricants last forever, so you only need a few drops. They have no taste or scent and they’re hypoallergenic, so they’re a great choice if you’re sensitive to products. They’re also waterproof, so you can use them in the shower, but you also need soap and water to clean them up.

Thinner lubricants tend to work better for vaginal sex and thicker ones are usually better for anal sex. And a pump bottle makes it easier to add a little more when you need it.

As far as talking to your boyfriend goes, if he’s internalized the belief that an aroused woman doesn’t need lubricants, he might have a negative reaction to the idea. You can let him know that vaginal lubrication doesn’t necessarily connect to how turned on you are. You can also present it as a way to make sex more fun. Think of the difference between having someone rub your shoulders with dry hands versus with massage oil. It’s much the same thing. It may also be easier if you tell him that you think that this is something that will make sex feel more pleasurable to you both.

You may have to experiment a bit to find the right lubricant. Some manufacturers make single-use packets so you can try them out without getting stuck with a bottle that you won’t use. And some people find that their favorite lube stops working so well after a few years, kind of like shampoo or skin lotion. If you find that it’s no longer doing the trick, it may be because your body has changed, so try a new brand and see if that fixes it.

Have fun!

Sugar Shout Out: Victoria's Secret Top 10 Finalists Revealed!

PopSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:55:00 -0800

Hump Day: Why Do I Get Dry Sometimes?

TresSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Welcome to Hump Day, TrèsSugar's sex advice column. Are you confused about sex? Do you have trouble having an orgasm? Is there something you'd like to try but you're worried it's too weird? Send your questions to TrèsSugar, and our friend Dr. Charlie Glickman from Good Vibrations will offer his sound advice!

Today's Question:

"I get really dry sometimes when my boyfriend and I are having sex. I know all about lubricants, but I'm having trouble guessing when I might need help." To read Dr. Glickman's response, read more

There are a lot of reasons why women experience fluctuations in how much they lubricate. For some, it’s just part of the menstrual cycle. Some women lubricate more at ovulation, while others say that’s when they’re driest. Lots of women also report that their vaginal lubrication changed when they got pregnant and again, some say that they became much wetter and others say that they got drier. So while we know that changes in hormones can influence it, there’s a lot of variation in how much and in what direction. It’s also worth mentioning that menopause generally reduces how much lubrication your body will produce.

Lots of medications and drugs also affect vaginal lubrication, even if it’s rarely listed on the bottle or box. For example, allergy medications are formulated to dry the mucous membranes in your sinuses, but they can do the same to the vagina. Anti-depressants, antihistamines, anxiety medications, smoking cigarettes or marijuana, and drinking alcohol can do the same. In general, if a medication or drug makes your mouth or sinuses dry, it could also reduce vaginal lubrication. Unfortunately, most doctors are unaware of these effects or they don’t feel comfortable talking to their patients about it.

I think it’s really unfortunate that we have this cultural myth that vaginal lubrication is proportional to arousal. Many women find that they can be totally turned on while being pretty dry and others might be quite wet while barely aroused. The best thing we can do is learn to separate the two things in our minds.

You say that you know about lubricants, but for the folks who don’t, here’s a little info.

There are pros and cons to the lubricants on the market, and it can take a little experimenting to find one that will work for you. You might also find that a lube that worked great for a long time isn’t working so well anymore. It’s kind of like shampoo or skin lotion - after a while, you might need to change brands as your individual chemistry changes.

Water-based lubricants can be thin and slippery, or they can be thicker gels. They rinse away really easily, making cleanup a snap, but they do dry out after a while. The glycerin-based lubes last a bit longer, but they tend to get sticky when they dry out. You can add a little water or saliva to freshen them up. While glycerin doesn’t cause yeast infections, it can make one worse if you get one for some other reason, so if you’re prone to yeast infections, avoid these lubes. The glycerin-free lubricants don’t get sticky, but they usually don’t quite last as long. They soak in like hand lotion, so adding water doesn’t work; you need to add some more.

Silicone lubricants don’t dry out (so if you spill some on the kitchen floor, be sure to wipe it up) and are hypoallergenic. They’re also waterproof, which is a plus if you want to have sex in the shower but it can make them a bit trickier to clean up and they sometimes stain sheets. They’re also hypoallergenic and have no taste or scent.

Some people like to use oils as sexual lubricants. If you want to give them a try, use something organic and vegetable-based, such as coconut or almond oils. Mineral oils like baby oil or Vaseline actually dry the skin since the body can’t absorb them or break them down. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, so it doesn’t go rancid. Keep almond oil in the fridge. And never use oils with latex condoms, diaphragms or cervical caps. Oils will make them dissolve: a condom will break in about 30 seconds if it comes into contact with oil.

A few tips for using lubricants. First, keep the bottle near the bed. You’ll want to be able to grab it when you need it. Second, pump bottles make it a lot easier to add more without fumbling to get the bottle open. Third, if you accidentally get too much lube out of the bottle, don’t put the extra back in. You don’t want to contaminate the bottle with anything that might be on your hand. And lastly, many lube makers offer single-use packets or small bottles. While they cost more per ounce than larger bottles, you can stick them in a pocket or purse pretty easily, not to mention your carry-on bag.

So I think that the best thing for you to do is to keep lube handy and use it when you need it. It takes about 5 seconds to apply and it’ll make sex a lot more fun. And don’t stress about whether it means anything that you sometimes need a little extra slipperiness.

Don't forget to send your questions to TrèsSugar, and our friend Dr. Charlie Glickman will offer his sound advice!

Your Skin Might Not Be Getting the H2O It Needs

BellaSugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:00:24 -0700

When it comes to cooking, I love to get my nom-nom-nom on. In fact, the Food Network pretty much runs at a constant loop in the Bella household. Are you a fan, too? Recently, I caught an episode of Food Detectives, a show hosted by Ted Allen of Queer Eye For the Straight Guy fame. The premise? The crew performs studies on food items, debunking facts and myths through use of science.

One particular episode stood out. Does drinking sufficient amounts of water daily really improve the appearance of skin? After giving one identical twin the appropriate levels of water for a week and the other twin half the serving, not surprisingly, the one who drank more had radiant skin. As for me, I'm headed straight to the water cooler. In the meantime, check out some fun facts from the episode when you read more.

Glug, glug: Our skin is made up of two to three gallons of water.
Find your number: Figure out your daily intake by using the formula: weight/2 = how many ounces of water to drink each day.
Are you dehydrated?: According to Dr. Jeanine Downie, who appeared in the episode, Caucasian skin tends to show dehydration with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while darker-toned skin appears blotchy.
No worries: If your skin is looking lackluster and your water consumption is low, don't fret. Start drinking the acceptable levels now and you'll notice an improvement. Plus, it's a fast, cheap, and easy way to get luminous results - without investing in $200 serums.

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Burning Question: Does Cold Water Boil Faster Than Hot?

YumSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:15:31 -0700

No - that's a myth. The myth may have arisen from the fact that cold water does absorb heat faster than hot water. However, once the water gets to a hotter (not yet boiling) temperature, it absorbs heat at a slower rate, and from that point it takes just as long to bring the water to a boil as it would if the water were hot to begin with. And because it takes cold water some time to reach the temperature of hot water, cold water actually takes longer to boil than hot water does.

It makes sense: The hotter the water, the closer it is to boiling, therefore, the hotter the water, the faster it boils!

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Myths About the Pill: First Five

DearSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 07:00:00 -0700

Just about every woman I know is on, or has been on, the pill. And even if it's not your preferred method of birth control, we can all agree on two things: it prevents us from getting pregnant, and it can regulate our periods. I'm sure you've heard other "facts" about the pill too, but not all of them are true. So here's a list of the top five myths about birth control pills:

The pill makes you gain weight: Some women may put on a few when taking the pill, but research shows that the pill isn't directly the cause. The estrogen contained in the pill can cause a bloated feeling, but not an actual weight gain. The progestin in the pill may increase a woman's appetite, so she'll eat more and gain weight, but it's because she's increasing her calorie consumption. The pill may also cause water retention, but switching to a lower dose pill often helps.
You should take a break from the pill once in a while: While it seems like a good idea to give your body a rest from the pill, it isn't necessary. Birth control pills are considered safe and they even offer you health benefits, such as a decreased risk of ovarian cancer if you've been on them for a while. In fact, occasional breaks can actually cause problems. Remember all the side effects you had when you first started the pill? Well, they're likely to show up again as soon as you go back on the pill - hardly sounds worth it to me.

To see the other three, read more.

The pill is not safe and it causes birth defects: Birth control pills are one of the most researched prescription drugs on the market. While it's true that there are health risks involved (just as there are with all drugs), overall, the pill is safe. There's no need to worry about it causing birth defects, even if you accidentally take the pill while being pregnant.
Long term pill use can affect fertility: The pill will prevent pregnancy while you're on it, but there is no connection between the pill affecting your future fertility. Once you do decide to stop taking the pill to have a baby, it may take your body some time to get back on its normal cycle. If a woman experiences problems conceiving after going off the pill, she may have always had a fertility problem but was unaware of it because she wasn't trying to get pregnant.
All birth control pills are basically the same: While it's true that all birth control pills have the same goal - to prevent pregnancy - there are hundreds of different kinds. Not only do they contain different combinations of medications, but some are estrogen-free, and some contain lower doses. Some will even prevent you from getting your period all together, and some can decrease PMS symptoms. A woman may have to try out a few types of pills in order to find the one that works best for her body.

Tune in tomorrow to see five more myths about the pill.

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