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The Healthy
9 Surprising Health Benefits of Sunlight
Sunlight does a body good, right up there with water, sleep and a healthy diet. Come to think of it—we’re basically houseplants. Memes can soften the advice when it comes to serious topics, like health—including the meme that reminds us to drink water and get sunlight, because we’re basically houseplants with complicated emotions. Humans and plants have plenty in common…including the fact that we need sunlight to thrive.
This Old-School Constipation Fix Is Still #1, As Confirmed by Fascinating New Science
Maybe the suggestion came from your doctor, a dietitian—even Grandma!: For ages, prunes for constipation have been a staple recommendation for their purported ability to help when it’s been a few uncomfy days since your last go. But why, exactly, are prunes for constipation considered such an effective fix? According to a recent study, it goes way beyond their fiber content.
When Does Menopause Start—and When Will It Start for You?
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases. Hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, brain fog, mood swings, vaginal dryness…our society spent ages focused on the uncertainties surrounding menopause because so many of the issues were under-researched and not well understood. Today it seems like finally, the conversation is changing because women have louder voices when it comes to our bodies…and, says Christiane Northrup, MD—a board-certified OB/GYN and bestselling author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom who specializes in menopause—not everything about “the change” is bad…especially when you’re educated about what to expect.
Can You Get Vitamin D Through a Window? Doctors Explain
Are you getting enough sunlight? The data suggest maybe not. The Cleveland Clinic reports that vitamin D deficiency is a global problem: One billion people worldwide and approximately 35% of U.S. adults are deficient in this critical vitamin which has many health benefits, including some that save lives. If you...
Nearly 50% of Low-Income Women May Be Skipping Meals To Pay for This Basic Need
Pretty much everything is more expensive than it was a few years ago. But, products that address basic human needs like keeping us clean and healthy are basic rights we should have access to…right? Actually, maybe not. Claire Coder is the founder and CEO of Aunt Flow, an organization...
I Tried Valerian Root To Help Me Sleep for a Week—Here’s What Happened
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases. When you live in the city that never sleeps, it sort of feels like you really never do get a good night’s rest. With so much noise from honking horns, sirens, and late-night New York City energy in general, I sometimes find it difficult to get a quality night of sleep. Sure, I’ve lived in cities for more than 10 years, and I definitely would say I have a tolerance for noise compared to the average person. But as I’ve gotten older, my ability to fall asleep quickly and stay asleep has slowly diminished, so I find myself experimenting with different solutions. I’ve tried melatonin supplements, ear plugs and eye masks and weighted blankets. I even ditch all my screens at least an hour before bed. While some of these practices have helped, today I’m here to report that nothing has quite worked quite as well as valerian root.
Insulin Prices Are Going Down by 70%—Here’s What You Need to Know
Drugmaker Eli Lilly announced some good news for people with diabetes this week. The company is capping insulin prices at $35 per month, cutting its price by 70%, in a move that could save people millions in out-of-pocket expenses each month. “While the current healthcare system provides access to insulin...
Why Katie Couric Says Being a ‘Little More Neurotic’ About Health Is Smart
Colon cancer is on the rise in people younger than 50. This is a particularly alarming fact for someone like Katie Couric, who has been advocating for screening and early detection since losing her husband, Jay Monahan, to colon cancer 25 years ago. In between a host of events Couric...
How to Make a Vinegar Fruit Wash That Really Cleans Your Produce
Chances are, you’re washing your fruits and veggies before eating them. After all, you never know what could be on them—or who touched them. But while that rinse under the faucet is certainly better than nothing, it may not be enough to remove bacteria, pesticides and other things you really don’t want to be eating. Using a vinegar fruit wash, however, can change everything.
Experts Agree This Is Officially the Most Stressful Time of Day
There never feels like enough time to get everything done at the start of the day, which is why morning stressors can be particularly anxiety-inducing. In our fast-paced society, it often feels like stress is persistent. However, if your anxiety intensifies at the start of the day due to morning stressors, you’re in good company. Experts now officially agree that the morning is the most stressful time of the day.
This Zero-Calorie Sweetener Was Just Linked to Heart Attack and Stroke
If you’re a fan of artificial sweeteners, you might want to reconsider using them moving forward. New research suggests that a popular artificial sweetener is linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Read on to find out which one, and what you need to know. What...
4 Best Habits for Stronger Bones at Every Age
Because it's never too early, or too late, to start taking care of your bone health. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion reports that approximately 10 million people in the United States have osteoporosis, and an additional 43 million have low bone mass and are at risk of developing osteoporosis. Of this 53 million, most are women.
11 Natural Cough Suppressants You Might Already Have at Home
Whether it's a dry cough, a burning cough, or whatever's got you down, licensed healthcare clinicians helped us round up the natural cough suppressants that are probably already hiding in your cupboard to help. Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your...
How To Get a Second Opinion
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases. Every day, doctors are on the hook for making serious—sometimes life or death—decisions. Research in 2010 estimated that the average physician makes about 158 decisions a day concerning patient tests, diagnoses, procedures, medications, treatment plans, and more. A newer study, published in 2021, suggested that this decision fatigue takes a toll. Docs are human, too, after all, so medical mistakes happen. For example, a 2022 report from the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare and Quality found that about one in 18 people who go to the emergency room get misdiagnosed. Even Oprah had a thyroid problem that for years went misdiagnosed as a heart condition.
What Is a ‘Slow Morning’? Here’s How To Have One
Waking up on the wrong side of the bed can truly make or break your day, according to research. A 2018 study published in The Journals of Gerontology found that when we start the morning already believing the day is going to be stressful, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy—we often wind up feeling bad all day, even if nothing distressing actually happens. Plus, the researchers found that our morning mindset greatly impacts things like our focus, memory, and creativity throughout the day.
Curious About Ozempic for Weight Loss? An Obesity Doctor Just Weighed In With a Healthy Dose of Reality
Medications like Ozempic (semaglutide) and Wegovy have gotten a lot of media bandwidth for weight loss because:. A.) They work. In one study on semaglutide use in people with excess weight or obesity, those on the medication who also made lifestyle changes lost nearly 15% of their body weight, on average. That’s major.
People Are Raving About Using Rosemary Oil to Promote Hair Growth–But Does it Actually Work?
From fenugreek seeds to collagen, rumored hair growth solutions run rampant on the internet. And it’s no wonder why—according to haircare brand Philip Kingsley, 75% of women fear losing their hair. Plus, with hair loss as a suspected symptom of COVID-19, now more than ever, women are seeking tips to grow stronger, fuller hair.
Padma Lakshmi Reveals Her #1 Self-Care Secret: ‘I Just Treat Myself Like Somebody I Love’
If anyone knows great food, it’s Padma Lakshmi. She’s been the long-time host of Top Chef, which is going into its 20th season this spring. She’s won a James Beard Award, she hosts and executive produces the Hulu series Taste the Nation, and has written five books, including her 2021 children’s book, Tomatoes for Neela.
I Drank Wine Every Day for a Week—Here’s What Happened
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases. It would probably shock college-age me, but honestly? I’m not much of a drinker. If I’m going out with friends or having a movie night with my mom I might have a cocktail or two, but for the most part, alcohol really isn’t a part of my routine. I’ve never been the type to have a drink to unwind, so when I decided to try a week-long experiment of drinking wine every day, I was as curious about the potential benefits as I was the potential pitfalls.
This Is the Fat-Burning Heart Rate, With a Physiologist’s Reliable Formula
Physical activity is beneficial for overall health, cardiovascular wellness, longevity and daily stress management. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines physical activity as anything that gets your body moving…and as Washington D.C.-based trainer Errick McAdams, CPT says: “All movement is good movement and anything beats the couch!”
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