January 24, 2019 at 08:08AM by CWC A side effect of donating blood is the self-satisfaction in knowing that you’ve done your duty to help save a life. The whole process only takes about 15 minutes and you’re rewarded with a juice box and free cookies. While giving blood is super important—and always will be—if you really want to go the extra mile, you should consider donating your poop for use in fecal transplants, too. According to a new report published in the journal Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, “super-donors” are those whose microbiomes are swarming with good bacteria—ideal candidates to provide material for fecal transplants. With the help of these super poopers, doctors are working to eradicate irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, type 2 diabetes, asthma, Alzheimer’s disease, and certain cancers. Wondering what makes poop can so powerful? By now you’ve probably heard rumblings that the microbiome—a highly complex ecosystem of microbes living throughout the body—is the key to, well, everything. Too much bad bacteria can result in inflammation, which manifests in a variety of ways. In many cases, where antibiotics have failed, fecal microbiota transplantation has found success. “We know already that changes to the gut microbiome can contribute to disease, based on studies in germ-free mice as well as clinical improvement in human patients following restoration of the gut microbiome by transplanting stool from a healthy donor,” says senior author of the study Justin O’Sullivan, PhD. In fact, a fecal transplant has helped cure recurrent diarrheal infection
Year: 2019
These 3 foods are *the worst* for your metabolism, according to Jillian Michaels
January 24, 2019 at 07:58AM by CWC When you take a look the ingredients that rev up your metabolism, a few stand out. Namely, fiber (particularly from “real” foods like fruits and veggies) and iodine-rich options like seaweed. For every metabolic superhero, though, there’s an alternative eat out there that works the opposite way, sabotaging your body’s calorie-burning prowess. “The two things that are predominantly in control of your metabolism are your endocrine system and your hormone balance,” says Jillian Michaels, creator of the My Fitness app and former trainer on The Biggest Loser. Thus, when you chow down on something that disturbs these things, your metabolism gets thrown for a loop, too. You may have already guessed some of the nutritional villains that Michaels names as the worst for your metabolism—cough, sugar, cough—but below you’ll get the full scoop from the celeb coach herself, with a bit of added insight from nutrition experts. Keep reading to find out which foods you should avoid for a healthy metabolism. Photo: Unsplash/Joanna Kosinska 1. Sugar Not-so-shockingly, Michaels names sugar as one of the greatest culprits of a sluggish metabolism. Why? After savoring a dessert, she explains, your blood sugar spikes. This causes your cortisol and insulin hormone levels to increase, in an effort to level things out—and it can eventually lead to metabolic disruption if left unchecked long-term. “Hormones work in a symphony, and there are tons of them,” explains Michaels. “So ultimately, when we’re looking at metabolism, we want to make sure that we have the right hormones
Don’t flake on finding out the difference between dandruff and dry scalp
January 24, 2019 at 07:55AM by CWC It’s the winter time, which means you get to witness the gorgeous sight of snowflakes dusting the streets, trees, buildings, and your, er, scalp and shoulders. Wait, could that just be dandruff instead? ‘Tis the season for not only flakes to fall from the sky, but from your head as well. To alleviate the mystery of the head flakes, I spoke to a hair pro to find out everything you need to know about flakes, which as it turns out, aren’t always dandruff. Commonly, there are a few types of flakes: those that result because a yeast called malassezia that feeds off greasy hair, those that happen because of a dry scalp, and even those that are due to a condition called seborrheic dermatitis. Here’s how to get to the bottom of what kind of flakes are happening and, beyond that, how to get rid of them. What is dandruff? Basically, those flakes are dead skin cells that fall off of your scalp. “Dander or dead skin cells appear in the hair and flake off in large numbers,” says Dominic Burg, PhD, chief scientist and hair biologist at Evolis Professional. “It’s quite normal to shed skin, as it’s constantly replenishing itself—but when this happens excessively, it can lead to visible flakes on the hair and clothing.” Dandruff itself though is caused by a yeast on the scalp. “There’s an organism that lives ubiquitously on all of our scalps—it’s M. Furfur or P. ovale, and
Dentists say *this* is the most important thing to keep in mind when brushing
January 24, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC I don’t have to tell you how important it is to brush your teeth. It’s something that was likely drilled into your childhood brain by your mom, dentist, and that catchy toothbrushing song from kindergarten and has taken hold in your adult life. But while we’ve always been taught that proper oral hygiene is a necessity for keeping your pearly whites glistening, avoiding cavities, and not scaring away friends and loved ones with bad breath, there’s another reason why you need to be brushing your teeth on the reg: The sake of your gums. I know, I know—it isn’t exactly the sexiest topic, but it is an important one. The American Dental Association recommends giving your mouth a good scrub down with a toothbrush twice a day and a once-over with floss to keep your teeth clean, which will help you avoid the buildup of plaque and tartar. These “wool sweaters” are packed with bacteria, which can cause gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums, which can lead to more serious gum issues ranging from mild to severe periodontitis. And in case painful, swollen gums (and the potential of loose teeth) wasn’t enough to cause you concern, periodontal diseases have been linked to more serious issues like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. While the frequency of your toothbrushing is unquestionably critical (yes, your mom, dentist, and kindergarten teacher were right), there are other factors that also come into play. “Some of the best practices that gets overlooked are how you utilize the toothbrush,” says Lawrence Fung, DDS, founder
The Gum Disease–Alzheimer’s Connection You Need To Know About
January 24, 2019 at 07:00AM New study, published in Science Advances, solidifies the connection between gum disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Continue Reading… Author Gretchen Lidicker | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
Standard Dose navigates the confusing world of CBD products so you don’t have to
January 24, 2019 at 05:30AM by CWC For many of us, making the decision to try cannabidol (CBD) is easy. A natural substance that can supposedly reduce anxiety, improve sleep, soothe sore muscles, and illuminate skin—with basically no known side effects? Cool, take my credit card. The challenge, traditionally, has been getting our hands on the stuff. Since the CBD industry is still largely unregulated, most well-known retailers have shied away from stocking it. (Although that is changing thanks to the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill; retail giant Neiman Marcus recently added CBD beauty products to its shelves.) Plus, it’s hard to know if the product you’re getting is legitimate since so many aren’t. Budding e-commerce startups, like Miss Grass, Svn Space, Fleur Marché, and Poplar, have paved the way toward solving these problems, creating platforms that combine CBD products with educational content. And now, there’s a new entrant to the market that seeks to do the same—both online and off. Launching Thursday, Standard Dose is primed to do for CBD what Carbon38 did for the activewear industry. In other words, it’s a 360-degree platform that encompasses a trifecta of digital retail, brick-and-mortar stores, and product development. Founder Anthony Saniger, who also heads up his own creative agency, conceived of Standard Dose while working on a branding project for a new line of cannabidol-infused tonic waters. “I started digging around and doing an analysis of the space, and I realized everything’s very fragmented,” he says. “Products are scattered around everywhere, and there’s a
Pop in your earbuds, single ladies: We rounded up the 7 best podcasts for you
January 24, 2019 at 05:30AM by CWC While everyone has different goals and ideas about their ideal romantic situation, mine is not to be single forever. I’ve been regarding it as a fleeting, temporary status—like having braces. Basically I feel that being single will (like braces) ultimately benefit me, and though it’s not my favorite thing ever, it’s also not something to lose my head over. As of late though, I’m actually into it. Still, the status isn’t without its emotional hardships, and us unattached ladies need a life raft here and there. When we’ve worn out our friends, it’s time to turn to some choice podcasts, so ahead find a roundup of perfect listening material for a singles gal’s ear. Some are hilarious, others are informative, but all of them are insanely entertaining. After all, being single can also be a blast. Check out 7 podcasts every single gal should know about. 1. How Cum At 28 years old, comedian Remy Kassimir had never had an orgasm. So she kicked off this podcast to try and figure out why. She interviews people about their first times coming, and even has her boyfriend on to discuss their sex lives. (Spoiler: Remy has successfully had an orgasm since the podcast’s debut. Hooray!) 2. Why Won’t You Date Me? Comedian Nicole Byer (who you may know as the host of Nailed It! on Netflix) wants to know one thing: Why you won’t date her. Each week, she sits down with a different guest and
7 recipes for buckwheat waffles because weekends deserve to be savored
January 24, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC Maybe your ideal morning looks like waking up early, going to yoga, and then coming home and making breakfast. Or maybe your ritual is to eat your breakfast in bed, coffee and newspaper next to you on the nightstand, before getting up and getting stuff done. Whatever that ideal looks like, there’s a high chance that waffles can make it that much better. The brunch staple has a rep for being about as healthy as a frosting-covered piece of cake. It’s not unwarranted—usually made with flour, and coated in maple syrup, it can seem more suited for dessert than breakfast. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Waffles can be downright good for you if you sub the primarily ingredient, flour, with buckwheat. Despite its misleading name, buckwheat isn’t wheat at all; the pseudograin—which, like quinoa, is actually a seed—is completely gluten-free. It’s been linked to lowering cholesterol and stabilizing blood sugar levels, which means unlike your typical brunch entree, it won’t make you need a nap later. Rounded up here are seven buckwheat waffles recipes, all resulting in the perfect light-yet-crispy breakfast you’ll crave all week. Is it the weekend yet? Photo: Unconventional Baker 1. Coconut-vanilla buckwheat waffles Instead of getting its sweetness from syrup, this recipe from Unconventional Baker works a few smart ingredients right into the batter: coconut water, creamy almond butter, cinnamon, and vanilla bean. Top it off with berries and voilà—brunch is served. Photo: The Healthy Maven
Make an A+ decision on what vitamin C serum to buy with this skin-saving checklist
January 24, 2019 at 03:09AM by CWC Along with popularity and the cult-fave status, comes some mystery—vitamin C serums, famous for their brightening and free-radical-fighting benefits, are recommended by skin pros and dermatologists alike, and yet, there are still plenty of questions that arise when you’re face-to-face with them on the skin-care shelves. “Vitamin C is well-loved for brightening and firming your skin, in addition to boosting collagen, strengthening elasticity, and providing a surge of antioxidant power,” raves Jenna Walsh, skin therapist at Heyday LA. “It’s shown to help with free radical damage from pollution and sun-drenched summer days, and results in noticeably smoother, brighter skin for those who use this ingredient consistently.” But boy, does it mean business. In part, superstar ingredients, like vitamin C, require some testing to figure out what works. The ingredient comes in different concentrations, in different textures, and in different bottles that are meant to help it from oxidizing and going bad. To know how to make the most out of vitamin C and make it work harder for your skin, here’s the unfiltered 411 on what to look for. The vitamin C checklist for brighter skin 1. Know the concentration: As far as the concentration goes, it really depends on your skin type. “It’s important to know if you have sensitive, dry, or oily skin when choosing a concentration of vitamin C,” says Purvisha Patel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare. “Start low with 10 percent and then work your way up over
This Just In: Unilever, P&G, And PepsiCo Are Changing Their Packaging To Help Out The Planet
January 24, 2019 at 01:00AM Read up on the new program eliminating the idea of waste. Continue Reading… Author Emma Loewe | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue