Women’s Health | Health & Wellness

Study: The Pill Isn’t for Everyone

popular birth control 300x300 Study: The Pill Isnt for Everyone Birth control has come a long way since the fourth century B.C. when Aristotle recommended that women “anoint that part of the womb on which the seed fall” with olive oil to prevent pregnancy. With so many different forms of contraception on the market today, are you sure you’re taking the right one?

New research shows that “the pill,” the most common form of birth control, may not be the best option for overweight or obese women. Scientists reviewed seven studies including a total of 39,531 women on how hormonal contraceptives affected them and four of the studies suggested that heavy women have the highest risk of still getting pregnant while using them.

Non-hormonal birth control methods include options such as cervical barriers, condoms and IUD’s and are often thought of after thinking of hormonal options -– yet, they work just as well and for some, even better. Next time you pay a visit to your gynecologist talk to him or her about your current method of birth control and don’t be afraid to explore options including the ones that might be best for you.

Study: Plants Are Best Source of Calcium

veggielicious 400 204x300 Study: Plants Are Best Source of Calcium We all know that we needed calcium when we were younger to help our bones reach their optimal density, but as we age, it becomes almost more important to help prevent the break down of bones and osteoporosis. So drink your milk… or check this out: according to researchers at the Harvard Medical School and University of Connecticut a plant source of calcium has been proven to be more effective in building human bone cells than the most commonly taken supplements – up to 400 times more effective.

“In the past, researchers believed that all calciums performed similarly with the exception of some differences in absorption,” commented Dr. Marcus Laux, a spokesperson for AlgaeCal Inc. “It is not well known that 90 percent of calcium supplements are made from milling limestone or marble.”

Not only should you make sure you’re getting your daily does of calcium – about 1000 to 1500 milligrams per day – but you also need to pay attention to where it’s coming from. AlgaeCal, is a supplement that uses plant calcium, but you can actually find calcium in non-dairy foods like broccoli, orange juice, tofu and seaweed.

Study: Fish Oil Reduces Risk of Breast Cancer

fish oil 1 300x206 Study: Fish Oil Reduces Risk of Breast Cancer More than one in four cancers in women are breast cancer and about one in every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime — those are the scary statistics each woman should know. With that knowledge, women also need to know how to combat their risk of breast cancer –the latest being fish oil.

Known for their omega-3 fatty acids that benefit our heart, reduce inflammation, arthritis and also have anti-aging properties, fish oil may also reduce the risk of breast cancer by almost one-third. Researchers from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center studied over 35,000 postmenopausal women who took 15 different supplements including fish oil for six years. During that time 880 of them were diagnosed with breast cancer. Out of all of the women, the ones who had fish oil in their diet were less likely to develop breast cancer.

So — make sure to add fish oils — both in supplement form and from eating salmon and other fish high in omega-3s to your diet. In addition to the internal health benefits, it’ll also promote youthful skin!

Relaxation Drinks On the Rise

Noticed 1 articleInline Relaxation Drinks On the Rise A new nighttime trend is on the rise that’s predicted to generate $500 million in sales revenue this year – relaxation drinks. With the increased popularity and success of energy drinks like RedBull, the demand for the opposite type of beverage seems to be just as popular.

According to the New York Times, there are more than 350 types of relaxation drinks on the market currently. With names like iChill, UnWind and Dream Water, they claim to relieve anxiety, irritability, improve concentration and even prevent jet lag.

Before you go running to your local grocery store to get your relaxation fixation, be aware that like their energy-boosting counterparts, these drinks aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). So before you reach for a can of manufactured relaxation, try unwinding by unplugging and not watching TV, not logging on your computer or and not getting on the phone for at least half an hour before you’re ready to hit the pillow. If that doesn’t work, try drinking a glass of warm milk – an oldie but goodie!

Worried About Your Weight? Measure Your Neck

woman on scales tape measure.inline Worried About Your Weight? Measure Your Neck For years, doctors have been using our BMI (body mass index) as the benchmark for measuring or health based on our height / weight ratio. Now questions are arising about whether or not BMI is the most effective indicator in determining obesity or weight issues.

A recent study published in Pediatrics this week suggests that measuring our neck’s circumference can better determine if a person is overweight or obese.

Using a flexible tape measure at the center part of your neck is easy, effective and inexpensive. Not only can it help diagnose weight problems, but it can also catch other health problems like sleep apnea.

BMI doesn’t take muscle into account so when an athlete is measured they may be determined as overweight, when in reality, they’re fit. Measuring neck circumferences are much more accurate and soon may become a regular routine during childrens’ physicals and in the future, adult physicals as well.

Save Yourself from Your Stilettos

stilettos 199x300 Save Yourself from Your Stilettos Like Carrie Bradshaw, I’m a huge fan of stilettos. I believe the only difference between me and her is the fact that my closet isn’t filled with Manolos….but one day! There’s something so sexy about slipping into high heels — not only do they make your legs look hot, but they also make you feel empowered and ready to take on the world.

Even though there are serious benefits to wearing these sexy stompers – they can do some serious damage to your legs and back. How often do you complain that your feet hurt about a half hour after walking around in your heels?

Heels over 2.5 inches tall can throw off your posture and affect the joints from your feet all the way up through your neck. You may not feel discomfort right away –- but as time goes on you can experience severe ankle, knee and back problems -– all thanks to those killer shoes.

Not ready to give up rocking your high heels? I don’t blame you. Instead of wearing them all the time, wear flats until you reach your destination and slip on your stilettos when you get there. By carrying flats in your bag you can take the strain off of your feet as you commute or to slip into after a night out.

Women Gain 20 Pounds Every 16 Years

power walking Women Gain 20 Pounds Every 16 Years Get this: If you’re 30 years-old now and 140 pounds – by the time you’re 46 you’re going to weigh about 160. But you don’t have to.

According to a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine, twenty pounds is the average weight gain for a woman over a 16 year period. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston analyzed ongoing research of over 18,000 pre-menopausal women that’s been going on since 1989.

Most of the women who gained the 20 pounds weren’t very active. ”Research shows that both brisk walking and biking can help prevent weight gain,” researcher Anne Lusk of Harvard School of Public Health told USA Today.

Consistent biking or walking quickly can even result in weight loss over the years, so make a point to get active. Even if it’s just for a vigorous walk — it’ll do wonders for your figure later in life and will set a good habit too!

Indoor Tanning Tax Starts Today

tan 299x300 Indoor Tanning Tax Starts Today I will admit that when I was younger, I pretty much lived in tanning beds. Once I began my journalism career and was writing in the beauty department of Cosmopolitan magazine I was forbidden to go tanning by my job description — we practiced what we preached: safe sun. As I learned the truth about sun damage, I didn’t want to go.

Starting today, there will be a 10% tax added to your bill for indoor tanning. Part of the health-care reform bill that President Obama signed in March, by 2019, the “tanning tax” is expected to generate $2.7 billion according to the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation.

I cannot believe that with all the health news about the dangers of tanning — combined with advancements in spray tans and faux tanning products, people are still using indoor tanning beds! Not only are spray tans and tanning lotions not being taxed excessively, but they’re safe and give a great glow.

A shocking 30 million Americans (10% of the population) still use indoor tanning beds. If you’re one of them, you better start saving your money, or better yet, opt for safe sun!