August 29, 2019 at 09:23PM by CWC When it comes to maintaining overall health and wellness, nothing’s hotter right now than the gut. The idea that if we regulate our microbiome—the ecosystem of good and bad bacteria in our gastrointestinal system—we can fully optimize our body’s health is nearly gospel in the wellness world. But in order to take advantage of all of the awesome potential health benefits of a healthy digestive tract, we may have to start rethinking our relationship with sugar. “Imagine our gut as being a garden with flowers, grass and weeds,” says Jacob Wilson, PhD, CSCS, author of The Ketogenic Bible and member of The Vitamin Shoppe Wellness Council. “The gut microbiome contains a garden with good bacteria that helps our body, and bad bacteria that cause inflammation and hunger,” he says. “Sugar selectively feeds the bad bacteria. This means you end up having more weeds than flowers.” (Weeds, in this analogy, meaning bad bacteria.) ad_intervals[‘419300_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘419300_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); We all know that sugar is enemy number one of the health world, but how freaked should we be about its effect on our gut? Experts share what you need to know. What we know about sugar and gut health Your gut microbiome is constantly at work to maintain good digestive health—or, you know, keep the grass green and flowers blooming. “Good bacteria in our gut lower inflammation, make us happy, lean, and give us longevity,” he says.
Category: You and your body
If you sit all day long, leg flossing will help take the edge off of tight desk hips
August 29, 2019 at 08:00PM by CWC My legs are always sore and tight, thanks to all the boot camps, running, and dog walking I task them with. I try everything I can to loosen them up, from taking a Theragun to my quads to stretching in every single position—but I’ve never quite been able to shake the feeling of cement-heavy legs post-workout. In the middle of an at-home yoga sesh, though, Los Angeles-based yoga guru Kyle Miller, co-founder of Love Yoga—who just released her own at-home yoga videos—started flowing through what I can only describe as leg flossing. “This is my absolute favorite thing to do—I do it in just about every class, and I’m sure my students are sick of it,” Miller jokes as she walks me through the feels-so-good movement. “It’s such a great position for opening up the joints of the lower body.” If you’ve ever done shoulder flossing—another yoga-based move that I fell in love with recently—you’ll know that anything dubbed “flossing” really brings fluidity to your body (not to mention, it just feels divine). Miller explains to me that her practice is based off of Taoism, which views the body as its own little universe. “We have our own networks of circulation, land masses—organs and muscles—delicate ecosystems, and homeostasis,” she says. “Joints are like bends in the river, places where garbage collects. We want everything to flow, nothing to get caught and create stagnation.” This is exactly why she’s partial to cleaning out, articulating, moving,
A top psychiatrist reveals the brain-boosting nutrient that’s majorly overlooked in our diets
August 29, 2019 at 07:23PM by CWC When it comes to eating for brain health, the focus lands on omega-3s. While it’s true that the fatty acids are 100 percent linked to boosting cognitive health, Well+Good Wellness Council member and Columbia University psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, MD, says a lot of people are forgetting another nutrient that’s majorly good for your brain: vitamin E. “This is one of my absolute favorite nutrients,” Dr. Ramsey shared on Instagram. “Vitamin E is a firefighter. Every second, thousands of ‘fires’ erupt on the surface of your cells, and the dedicated job of vitamin E is to put those fires out,” he explains. “Your brain is particularly vulnerable to fires because it contains high concentrations of omega-3 fats, and these fats are very easy to oxidize.” According to Dr. Ramsey, a whopping 96 percent of people don’t eat enough foods with vitamin E to reach a recommended 15 milligrams daily. Not getting enough can not only lead to impaired cognitive function, but it is also linked to depression. The good news is, there are a lot choices full of the nutrient. ad_intervals[‘419318_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘419318_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); What are the top foods with vitamin E? 1. Avocado Of course, right? Avocado packs a one-two punch when it comes to eating for brain health because it has healthy fats *and* vitamin E. One cup of sliced avocado has 21 percent of the vitamin E daily requirements. There’s a reason
One of the best things anyone can do for their body? Push a sled.
August 29, 2019 at 06:32PM by CWC I has always thought that sled workouts were reserved for professional football players and fitness-dedicated celebrities (like Lucy Hale) until fitness trainer Chase Weber had me try it when I visited his gym in Los Angeles. He took me out to the garage and told me to push a weighted sled all the way across the astro turf, then pull it all the way back. And let me tell you: It is as hard as it looks. The so-called “sled” looks kind of like an upside down, halfway-built desk, with two pillars to hold onto and a base that you can load with weight. The fairly low-tech piece of equipment has been around for a long time, but seems to have been pretty underrated until recently. Sleds are infiltrating more gyms and fitness studios (since my stint with Weber, I’ve also done it at New York’s Dogpound, and it’s a circuit staple at Performix House) and for good reason. Thanks to the combo of pushing and pulling movements with a cardio burst, it’s a way to get creative with full-body strength and power work at the same time. ad_intervals[‘419045_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘419045_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); “The sled is a multi-purpose and body composition exercise machine,” says Weber, who has his clients use it all the time. “There are a ton of benefits for athletes all the way down to the general population, and it’s generally used for
The cult-fave RMS concealer just dropped as a foundation, and OMG it’s good
August 29, 2019 at 05:00PM by CWC I remember when I fell in love with the first skin-care-makeup hybrid that I ever came across. It was RMS Beauty’s “Un” Cover Up ($36), which is a coconut oil-based concealer, that’s renowned for its ability to at once erase under-eye dark circles and blur every little imperfection on your skin, while also feeding your skin with good-for-you ingredients. If you’re as heart-eyed as I, I have good news. This week, the cult-favorite product has gained a sister: RMS Beauty “Un” Cover Up Cream Foundation ($52), comes in 16 shades and provides fuller-coverage—but it still has the same skin-boosting benefits, thanks to a blend of nourishing oils (think coconut, jojoba, meadowfoam) and beautifying herbs like turmeric and horsetail extract. “The [‘Un’ Cover Up] has been a top seller across the board,” says founder Rose-Marie Swift. “But we had so many requests for a larger ‘Un’ Cover Up for the whole face that we needed to start paying attention to the response for that product.” And so off she went on the quest to recreate the smash success of her original. ad_intervals[‘418758_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘418758_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Photo: RMS Beauty What Swift noticed, though, was that so many foundations—especially with long-wear claims—tend to include drying agents like alcohols in their formulas, which can irritate skin. “I wanted to put an end to that and create products that provide balance and improve radiance for stressed and dull skin,” she says,
The secret to developing passions (rather than searching for them, like needles in a haystack)
August 29, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC Even if you have the coolest job in the world, when someone asks what you like to do for fun, it can come across as a bit deflating if all you’re able to answer with is in-depth details about your nine-to-five. That said, our jobs keep us busy—so busy, in fact, that few of us even maximizing our vacation days. In effect this can feel like there’s simply not time for hobbies. As such, many don’t have a handy-dandy list of activities to speak of, like they might have had in high school with the likes of sports teams, clubs, and musical instruments filling up their schedule. Back then, it was probably hobbies, not a job or job-related time constraints, that largely kept people so busy, so there was likely no need to wonder under later on how to discover your passion. And, to be clear, having multifaceted interests that genuinely engage, interest, and keep you curious is great for you. One study found that engaging in a hobby for two hours a week can improve mental well-being, and hobbies have been found to help you feel less lonely (which is how more than half of Americans report feeling). But finding a hobby that fills you with purpose and happiness isn’t as simple as picking up a paintbrush, or knitting needles, or chef’s hat—in fact, figuring out how to discover your passion can feel like straight-up work. And who needs another job? ad_intervals[‘418491_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]
75% of people skip this skin-care step and derms say it’s the most important one
August 29, 2019 at 12:02PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLlrv7VBPPU] Welcome to ‘Dear Derm,’ our brand-new series in which dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD shares serious skin-care realness. In each episode, she’ll answer your most burning beauty questions and give you all the tools you need to take your glow game to the next level. If you put on sunscreen every day, congratulations. You are among the 25 percent of people who are actually following the advice that every dermatologist would give to you, according to data from an online skin-care survey. As for everyone else, well, we need to have a talk. In the latest episode of Well+Good’s Dear Derm, Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist explains why it’s critically important that we’re all wearing sunscreen every single day of our lives: Over 95 percent of the signs of aging in skin come from the sun. And as she lets us know loud and clear, there is absolutely no reason to skip this critical step, because there’s a perfect product out there for everyone. ad_intervals[‘418866_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘418866_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); If deciding which sunscreen you should slather on every day is what’s holding you back from regular use, Dr. Gohara’s got you covered. According to her, there are two types of SPF on the market—chemical, which absorbs into the skin and blocks out UV rays, and mineral, which forms a physical barrier on the skin and bounces off the sun’s rays. And hot tip: If you have acne,
Who said seaweed was just for sushi? Here’s why the ingredient is about to blow up
August 29, 2019 at 04:30AM by CWC Ever have a flashback to when kale wasn’t cool (#tbt)? Well, there’s a new crew of superfoods about to hit your plates and IG feeds. We teamed up with Ocean Spray to clue you in on the trends. Learn about all six craze-worthy foods here, and keep reading to find out why the benefits of seaweed make it legit. Not to diss your sushi roll of choice, but seaweed is more than just an edible device that holds your takeout order together. The insanely versatile vegetable (okay, technically, marine algae), has moved beyond the delivery container to pop up everywhere. The ingredient was peeped all over the healthy snacks our editors checked out at Natural Products Expo West, which gives a preview of what’s coming down the pipeline—and can now be found in the snack aisle at local New York City bodegas, the shelves of Trader Joe’s, and Amazon’s five-star snack reviews. ad_intervals[‘413261_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘413261_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); So why is something you normally see at the beach suddenly having such a moment in the food sphere? Find out how the good-for-you benefits and buzz are pushing seaweed to the next level below. Keep scrolling for a look at the benefits of seaweed and how you can start snacking on it ASAP. Benefits of seaweed Besides getting stuck to your leg when you’ve been chilling in the ocean for awhile (don’t you hate when that happens?),
Move over quinoa—Buckwheat is the new it-grain taking over menus everywhere
August 29, 2019 at 04:30AM by CWC Ever have a flashback to when kale wasn’t cool (#tbt)? Well, there’s a new crew of superfoods about to hit your plates and IG feeds. We teamed up with Ocean Spray to clue you in on the trends. Learn about all six craze-worthy foods here, and keep reading to find out why the health benefits of buckwheat earned it a spot. “Overnight buckwheaties” may not sound as catchy as overnight oats, but take this into consideration: Buckwheat is loaded with nutrition benefits, it’s super easy to prepare, and it’s the rising star of the grain-but-not-actually-a-grain world. (It’s technically a seed, or “pseudo-cereal,” like quinoa.) And, like quinoa, the nutty-flavored groats are becoming a go-to healthy buddha bowl base (thanks in part to their knockout protein content) and giving the OG supergrain a run for its money. ad_intervals[‘414685_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘414685_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Plus, despite its moniker, buckwheat doesn’t actually contain any actual wheat, making it a safe choice for Celiacs or people choosing to follow a gluten-free lifestyle. Here’s why you’ll want to consider scouring the #buckwheat feed on Instagram and adding the superfood to your grocery list. Keep scrolling to discover the health benefits of buckwheat, plus all the ways you can start eating it. Benefits You’re likely to find buckwheat taking one of two forms: Buckwheat groats are the hulled seeds from the plant, while buckwheat flour is ground from the seed hulls. In both forms, it’s anti-inflammatory and high
Wait, you’re not putting cranberries on everything? Here’s why you’re about to see this super fruit everywhere
August 29, 2019 at 04:30AM by CWC Ever have a flashback to when kale wasn’t cool (#tbt)? Well, there’s a new crew of superfoods about to hit your plates and IG feeds. We teamed up with Ocean Spray to clue you in on the trends. Learn about all six craze-worthy foods here, and keep reading to find out why the health benefits of cranberries earned it a spot. Nope, cranberries officially aren’t just for Thanksgiving anymore. If you haven’t heard, the bright berry has been buzzing all year long, and we’re calling it as the superfruit taking over the wellness scene. Besides being so satisfyingly tart (they pair well with both your sweet and salty faves), cranberries have a ton of health-boosting potential—so we asked Eliza Savage, RD at Middleberg Nutrition, and Barbara Mendez, nutritionist and pharmacist, to explain why, exactly, we should be adding them to our plates. ad_intervals[‘413612_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘413612_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); “I like to think of superfoods as a great garnish to any meal,” Savage says. “It’s a great way to increase the flavor and nutritional profile—without a ton of work. Your digestive system will thank you!” Scroll down for the lowdown on all the health benefits of cranberries, plus omg-delish ideas for how to start adding them to your diet. Benefits of cranberries So what makes cranberries so super compared to all the other fruits in the produce aisle? According to Mendez and Savage, their benefits are legit,