March 03, 2020 at 01:00AM by CWC Anyone who’s hosted a dinner party or gone out to eat with friends has probably encountered at least once the struggles of accommodating everyone’s dietary needs. Maybe it’s ensuring that your vegan friend has enough options on a menu without resorting to plain lettuce, or overhauling your Love Is Blind finale party menu because your sister-in-law has celiac. But while things like celiac disease or a soy allergy are fairly simple to grasp (this food = life-threatening for this person!), there are other conditions that are less so—particularly the extremely nebulous condition that is carbohydrate intolerance. It’s a term you likely have seen from Instagram influencers or floating around on Reddit, but what does it mean exactly? We asked experts to break it down. The double meaning of ‘carbohydrate intolerance’ Carbohydrate intolerance occurs when someone’s body does not appropriately metabolize certain forms of carbohydrates (after digestion and absorption) when they’ve eaten more than their body can tolerate. The most common form of it is lactose intolerance, which is when a person doesn’t produce the enzyme needed to digest lactose (the sugar found in milk and other dairy products). This can lead to bloating and an upset stomach when those specific carbs are consumed. FYI, this is very different from celiac disease. “Celiac is a genetic condition where, if present, the immune system activates in response to gluten, a protein found in wheat,” says Will Bulsiewicz, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist and author of the
Month: March 2020
The 5 biggest heart health myths a cardiologist wishes you’d stop believing
March 03, 2020 at 12:00AM by CWC As a cardiologist and professor, Laxmi Mehta, MD, spends a lot of time educating both patients and doctors-in-training about heart health. While she’s sharing her expert intel about cardiovascular health and heart disease facts with patients, she often has to correct some major myths—ones even in-the-know wellness insiders believe. You may know the ins-and-outs of the Mediterranean diet (commonly preached about my cardio docs) and even know how eating eggs on the reg affects your health, but do you believe one of the biggest heart health myths Dr. Mehta hears on a regular basis? Keep reading to see what they are—and to get the right information straight from an MD. The biggest heart health myths, according to an cardiologist 1. there’s nothing I can do to prevent heart disease because it runs in my family There’s a lot more in your control than you may realize, says Dr. Mehta. “Heart disease risks are higher in those with a family history, but aggressive preventative measures may significantly improve one’s risks of developing it,” she says. Follow the American Heart Association’s Life Simple Seven lifestyle changes, all of which can help improve heart health. They include: not smoking, staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, eating healthy foods, reducing blood glucose, controlling blood cholesterol, and managing blood pressure. 2. i’m too young to get heart disease “Heart disease can occur at any age and the plaque that leads to clogged arteries can start developing as early
The 4-minute Tabata workout that an ex-Marine swears by for ‘instant sweat’
March 02, 2020 at 11:00PM by CWC More often than not, trying to fit a workout into a hectic day can kind of feel like you’re playing a game of Tetris. This is why one of our 2020 wellness trends is all about the “Blue Zones” approach to fitness (aka fitting movement naturally into your day), and why shorter workouts are on the rise. And it just so happens that I’ve found the shortest one yet: a four-minute Tabata workout created by a fitness trainer-slash-ex-Marine. Erin Oprea is a trainer, with a client roster that includes stars like Carrie Underwood and Kasey Musgraves, and her fitness M.O. is to make the most of her clients’ time. “Being a Marine taught me structure and discipline, and to celebrate the gift of movement,” she says. The day she stumbled across Tabata, she became an instant devotee. “It’s seriously the best. It’s go-time with minimal rest.” Tabata is a form of high-intensity interval training, and the idea behind it is that you work hard for 20 seconds, then rest for 10, and so on. That means there are millions of different workout combos that you can string together based on the formula, but Oprea is all about doing them in four-minute sessions “because they’re really practical and you can easily fit them in whenever,” she says. It may sound impossible to get a decent workout in under the length of a song, but Oprea stresses that Tabata leaves no room for slacking. “In
Not all hand sanitizers are created equal—here’s what germ experts want you to know
March 02, 2020 at 10:30PM by CWC The latest update from the World Health Organization reports that COVID-19 has infected approximately 90,000 people in 65 countries. In response, hand sanitizer is flying off the shelves (with accusations of price gouging by third-party sellers on Amazon) as the number of stateside cases continues to mount. According to an immunologist and a microbiologist, though, all sanitizers are not created equal; the most effective options all share one thing in common. Immunologist Tania Elliott, MD, an attending physician at NYU Langone Health, says hand sanitizers containing less than 60 percent of alcohol are not effective. “Studies have shown that hand sanitizer’s with 60 to 95 percent alcohol are more effective at killing germs than those that contain less or are not alcohol-based,” says Dr. Elliott. Her personal favorites include good old fashioned Purel and Dr. Bronner’s Lavender Hand Sanitizer, “which is about 62 percent alcohol, but also is infused with lavender oil giving it a nice relaxing scent that also helps to moisturize the hands.” Microbiologist Jason Tetro, author of The Germ Files, says that the way you apply the product matters just as much as what’s in it. “Put a squirt in a cupped hand, then start to move it around the palms first, and then the backs of the hands followed by the fingers including the sides and then the thumb,” says Tetro. “Don’t forget the thumb as in personal observations, people seem to forget that very valuable digit.” In total, your
Getting 10,000 steps is important—just not for the reason you think
March 02, 2020 at 10:00PM by CWC If you wear a fitness tracker, you know the rush that comes with with meeting your step count on a given day. On a FitBit, you’re greeted with a “congratulations” and some confetti; on an Apple Watch, you get the satisfaction of closing your move rings. We all know that getting those steps in is important, but according to new research, it’s not for the reasons we’ve always thought. New research indicates that how many steps you get pales in comparison to the fact that those steps break up large periods of sedentary life. A study out of Brigham Young University that followed 120 college freshman found that the more steps participants took per day, the better their physical activity patterns were. Sedentary time dipped for participants who took 12,500 and 15,000 steps per day, and those who took 15,000 steps reduced their sedentary time by as much as 77 minutes per day. This, the study writes, “may have other emotional and health benefits.” While the idea that people should be taking 10,000 or more steps per day has been largely disproven—experts say 7,500 is likely enough to reap the health benefits—this research presents an entirely new argument for why you should consider setting your goal to a higher number. The more steps you take, the more likely you are to get regular movement throughout the day, which is important for your overall health. “Humans are not meant to be sedentary,” says Chris
Snag the Instant Pot Aura slow cooker for a cool $60 today—that’s 54% off
March 02, 2020 at 09:53PM by CWC We love the Instant Pot for many reasons. Not only can it cook your food super fast, but it also has tons of different programs, allowing it to be much more than a pressure cooker. The Instant Pot Aura ($60) takes that multi-functionality and puts it into a slow cooker—that you can buy today for 54 percent off the regular price. The Instant Pot Aura typically retails for $130. Unlike the beloved Instant Pot Duo ($130), the Aura is a multi-use programmable slow cooker, not a pressure cooker. But, because of its rectangular cooking pot, it’s better for cooking larger dishes, like a whole medium-sized chicken. Both the Duo and the Aura function as a rice cooker, sauté pan, steamer, yogurt maker, and warmer. But, the Aura can also act as a stewing pot, roasting pan, and oven-style baking dish. All of these features can be accessed by pressing the preset buttons. Although the presets are super helpful, not everyone like to cook the same way. You can play with the presets and customize them so your meal comes out just how you like it. The pot can remember your changes for next time. The most delicious part about having a slow cooker is coming home to a delicious meal, like quinoa and black bean stuffed peppers, that’s warm and ready. Remember that your slow cooker is only intended for use on the counter. Don’t place it on or near a hot stove, or in
‘Meat extenders’ can make transitioning to a plant-based diet easier *and* cheaper
March 02, 2020 at 09:00PM by CWC Transitioning to a plant-based or flexitarian diet has been a big priority for many healthy eaters in 2020. But just because there’s a new interest in eating less meat doesn’t make it easy, especially if it’s been a big part of your plate for most of your life. Which is where the OG concept of “meat extenders” comes in. I admit, whoever came up with the term meat extenders isn’t winning any awards for marketing. (Feel free to wince at the image of a cut of beef engaged in some weird, unholy calisthenics.) Still, the concept behind this term is actually a great one for your health, your wallet, and the environment. What is a meat extender? Basically, it is a plant-based protein sources like lentils and beans that can be added to meat in home cooking to “extend” its reach—and reduce cost—in recipes. See? No creepy meat aerobics involved. It’s a practice that dates back to at least World War II, when government agencies encouraged mixing additional ingredients into the precious supply of beef and pork to make them last longer. (There were entire cookbooks published on the subject.) “Cooking for victory” became the rallying cry for winning the war in the kitchen. This has been a “eating cheap and healthy” hack that cooks have relied on for decades. But it’s one that can actually be treated as a way to make eating more plants and eating less meat a bit easier.
5 moisturizers that double as primers for makeup
March 02, 2020 at 08:00PM by CWC The two-in-one shampoo and conditioner in my boyfriend’s shower always makes me a little jealous. Imagine having a routine so simple that washing your hair is a one-step job. My eight-step morning skincare routine could never, but there is one way to cut down on time that’s actually worth it: using a moisturizer that doubles as a primer. “Primers are a targeted fix; moisturizer is a necessity,” says makeup artist Mary Irwin. “If I need the makeup to last a long time, or if someone has large pores, or gets very shiny or oily then I definitely prime.” Irwin says she considers primer a part of the skin preparation before applying makeup. You have to asses your skin, and see what needs, and find a primer that fits. If you’re dry, she says you’ll want a hydrating primer. If you’re oily, an oil-controlling primer or even a balancing moisturizer will help your makeup stay put. When your moisturizer doubles as a primer, you can make your routine a little bit faster. Shop our favorite moisturizing primers below. The best moisturizing primers for a flawless finish 1. DR. JART+ V7 PRIMING MOISTURIZER, $48 This vitamin-infused moisturizer blurs the look of pores and imperfections, brightens and evens out your complexion, resulting in healthier looking skin. It also includes tomato leaf cell extract to protect against pollution. 2. Heir Atelier face Primer, $42 “Heir Atelier is a beautiful, demi-matte formula, that increases hydration as well,”
The one body part you’re not foam rolling but should, according to a physical therapist
March 02, 2020 at 06:52PM by CWC Foam rolling effectively soothes sore muscles, helps with lymphatic drainage, and banishes pain in your hips. Most people typically stick to the back side of their body when using a foam roller, focusing on areas like shoulders, calves, and glutes for that sweet, sweet relief. But according to Vinh Pham, physical therapist and co-founder of Myodetox Clinics, you should’t ignore the front side—most notably your stomach. “Everyone understands that they need to stretch their back, but rarely do people stretch the front of their body—in particular their stomach area—and that’s a big mistake,” he says. “Your stomach tissue often gets tight and compressed over time due to long periods of sitting or endless set of crunches.” When you have a compressed midsection, Pham says it will limit the ability for your ribcage to stay upright. This, in turn, pushes your neck forward. “It gives you a hunchback appearance—the dreaded forward head posture,” he says. The good news is foam rolling your stomach can counteract this from happening, and then some. “Opening up your stomach tissue will not only help you feel more relaxed overall, but it might also relieve some of your chronic neck and shoulder stiffness that you feel from working at the office all day.” Because your ribcage will be more mobile, Pham says foam rolling your stomach can even help you breathe easier by allowing you to take deeper breaths. Something that not only benefits you in your day-to-day life,
Dermatologists say everyone in their 30s should be using *this* skin-care product
March 02, 2020 at 04:00PM by CWC Plenty of ingredients are glow-inducing multitaskers that give your skin more than one benefit (think: vitamin C, which brightens while fending off future damage from free radicals or glycolic acid, which resurfaces while plumping up skin by creating new collagen). But there is only one beauty product that dermatologists will recommend, whether you want to zap redness, plump up fine lines, or even out skin texture—and that ingredient is retinol. “Retinol is the best multitasker that exists,” says Loretta Ciraldo, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta Skincare. “It’s excellent for acne, for anti-aging, and for pigmentation.” She points out that retinol is one of the two most studied ingredients (the other is vitamin C) in skin care that have been written about in peer-reviewed literature, “so we know it’s not a marketing gimmick—it really works.” And though you can use it preventatively in your 20s, she says you definitely want have a tube by the time you’re in your 30s to keep your complexion healthy. As collagen production slows late in our 20s, often we need to supplement skin to help it make more. Retinol does just this, which in turn, helps with the aging process.”You actually get a molecular response where your skin starts to make collagen,” says Dr. Ciraldo. This reaction occurs because retinol is a bioavailable ingredient to our skin. That means that once we slather it on, skin knows exactly how to utilize it to promote