Fat is Fabulous, Insist Anti-diet Protesters

Backlash against the thin ideal condemns diets and calls for end to discrimination.

The woman in the yellow shirt stood up and told of her life-long struggle against being fat, a fight that she had clearly lost. She was enormous.

'Every time I dieted I ended up larger,' she said as she broke into tears, 'If I were anorexic or bulimic, I would get sympathy. It is so frustrating.' She was applauded by 100 other very fat men and women.

'Here, you are in an island of sanity,' said Professor Paul Campos, author of The Obesity Myth and speaker at this annual meeting of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (Naafa) - activists spurring the backlash against America's obsession with weight.

Fast Weight Gain for Men

Here are important tips on fast weight gain for men, that will help to gain weight in a healthy way. Being underweight, not just affects the way you look, but also can cause health problems.

In today's world everybody is obsessed with weight loss. There are so many superfoods, diet plans, workout routines that promise you weight loss. However, there is a minority of people who are underweight. However, being underweight or skinny is not good just because your friends tell you that they would like to have a body like yours. As being underweight, makes a person look way younger than their age and might not get them the same attention that a person of the same age gets. Also, finding clothes, if you are underweight, is a headache. Apart from the physical appearance, being underweight or highly underweight is not good because it can increase your risk to heart failure and cancer. Fast weight gain for men is possible, all you need to do is eat the right kinds of food, eat more and follow an exercise program. Here are tips on how to gain weight fast for men, that will help you to put on weight.

Fast Food Firms Accused of Using Sport to Attract Children

Health campaigners fear obesity among the young is being fuelled by multimillion pound sponsorships of celebrities and events.

Consumer groups combating the epidemic of child obesity are increasingly concerned that junk food manufacturers are exploiting the popularity of sport to target children and young people.

British sport received more than £40m last year from the fast food, confectionery and soft drinks industries through sponsorship of events, governing bodies and stars such as David Beckham, the England rugby captain Laurence Dallaglio, and Gary Lineker.

Sponsorship by such companies as McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Cadbury, Nestlé and Walkers accounts for about 10% of the UK market, and the sector is the third largest contributor to British sport, after the financial services industry and alcohol manufacturers.

Erectile Dysfunction In Young Men, Causes And Cure

penile dysfunction frequently is affecting men on the age of forty and above however this doesn't mean it can not affect younger men. There have been reports all over the word that men younger than the age of 40 also suffered from this condition. Since most blokes are not comfortable in looking for medical help with this kind of condition, the experts have estimated that over 30,000,000 men suffered from erection dysfunction in the US alone.

What are the causes and cure of erection dysfunction in younger lads and men over age forty?

There are 2 general causes of penile dysfunction : physical causes and psychological causes. In this piece we will target the physical causes of penile dysfunction.

Natural Support for Obesity Prevention

Obesity prevention can go a long way in boosting your defense against a number of major diseases, including heart disease and some forms of cancer. While following a healthy diet and exercising regularly are the most effective ways to achieve and maintain a normal weight, certain alternative therapies may also be beneficial when it comes to obesity prevention.

Obesity Risk Factors

Obesity is defined as having a body mass index of 30 or higher. In general, obesity occurs when you consume more calories than you use. Buy Phentermine at Discounted Price. Although some obesity risk factors (such as genetics and age-related hormonal changes) can't be controlled, it's possible to modify the following risk factors as you strive for obesity prevention:

    unhealthy diet
    lack of physical activity
    insufficient sleep
    poorly managed stress

The Importance of Obesity Prevention

By focusing on obesity prevention, you'll likely reduce your risk for these obesity-related health problems:

    heart disease
    stroke
    type 2 diabetes
    high blood pressure
    arthritis
    gallbladder disease
    breast cancer
    colon cancer
    cancers of the kidney, uterus, esophagus, and gallbladder

Obesity Prevention Strategies

Sticking to a weight-management plan that pairs healthy eating with regular exercise is the best approach to obesity prevention.

In order to create a healthy diet, try these tips from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture:

    eat a wide variety of vegetables and fruits
    choose low-fat dairy products over the full-fat variety
    opt for whole grains (instead of refined-grain products like white bread)
    get your protein from beans, nuts, seeds, and/or lean meats and poultry
    cut back on saturated fat and salt

For your fitness routine, aim for two and a half hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (such as brisk walking) or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous aerobic physical activity (such as jogging or fast cycling) each week. In addition, you should perform strength-training exercises at least twice weekly.

Keeping a food diary, getting eight hours of sleep each night, and keeping your stress in check may also help you reach and maintain a healthy weight.

Sleeping Tablets Addiction

Is there something known as sleeping tablets addiction? Can a person actually become so dependent on these drugs that it would take a rehab therapy to get rid of it? This article will take you through some shocking facts and truth about addiction of sleeping tablets. Read on...

You get up early in the morning, hurry up to make your morning coffee and breakfast, go for a shower, get ready and rush to work with your breakfast in hand. You are late for work, but you still manage to sneak in without drawing much attention on your late punch-in. Everyone is wishing you good morning, you catch up with your colleagues about the early morning gossip and then starts your actual 'work' at office. Your boss expected you to prepare the report in a different manner, you have deadlines to meet and things to finish, there is pressure...loads of pressure, you have good moments and bad moments. At one hand where you have a boss to pester you, you have a few colleagues who are there to make the heavy moments a little light. The time at work is over, your body is out of the workplace, but your mind is still thinking about it. You suddenly get a call from your spouse or lover and there are things unsettled, you have no idea where your relationship is going..., or where your life is leading you!

You reach home late in the evening, the thoughts of your work pressure, your relationship, your life are haunting you all the way. You take a shower, take a glass of wine, and keep on pondering over those thoughts all the more. Then comes the time of the night when you can finally let all these thoughts go away and relax your mind to sleep, only to begin a fresh new day with a fresh new approach. But what happens? You can't sleep! Your mind is still running over the thoughts of today... or even planning for tomorrow! You look at the clock, it was 1 A.M. when you switched off the lights and it's 3 A.M. now. You have to be awake after the next 4 hours. Giving it all up, you pull out the drawer and pop a sleeping pill and have a sound sleep. Does this sound like your routine? Or, is it even close to how you got the sleeping tablets addiction? Buy Ambien at reputable online pharmacy and save hundreds.

Sleeping Pills Addiction

Statistics reveal that almost 50% of Americans suffer from sleep disturbances like insomnia. Which probably includes you, as you are reading on how sleeping pills can turn out to be an addiction! I mean we all are aware of the number of celebrities who have taken medical assistance to get over sleeping pill addiction. Take Eminem for example. And who would forget the death of Heath Ledger due to drug overdose. With things moving so fast around you, and the burden of new responsibilities and expectations, it is normal to feel pressurized. Though you may not notice this pressure in particular, but then the reason why you can't sleep normally, no matter how hard you try shows the fact that there is something wrong. And I actually don't blame you if you take help of sleeping pills to get some sleep and give your thoughts a hold. I mean, it is better to just pop a tablet and sleep rather than being awake and spend the day exhausted! But then there are many dangers of sleeping tablets that can prove to have fatal consequences later on, which includes the following.

Sex Question: Why Do I Feel Burning During Sex Without the Use of Condoms?

Dear Dr. Kate,

My husband and I stopped using condoms because we are trying to get pregnant. But now, every time we have sex I feel burning with every move and thrust. What's happening to me?

Were you using lubricated condoms before? The burning may simply be due to the lack of lubrication that your body was accustomed to during sex. The tricky thing is choosing the right lube to use when you're trying to conceive. Fertility doctors don't recommend using traditional drugstore lubricants, because the chemicals may kill sperm and decrease your chances of getting pregnant. (That said, know that lube is definitely not a reliable method of birth control!) The safest form of lube when you're trying to get pregnant? Plain mineral oil-you can find it in Bed, Bath and Beyond or stores like it, near the wooden salad bowls. Just be aware that the oil will stain your sheets and PJs, so you may want to throw down a towel first, and have a box of tissues handy for clean-up.

Sex Question: I'm Self-Conscious About My Inverted Nipples, Should I Have Surgery to Fix Them?

Dear Dr. Kate,

I have inverted nipples-and it took me two years of being in my last relationship before I let him see me completely naked because I'm so embarrassed about them. Will this ever change, or is there surgery to fix it?

You're not alone-about 10 to 20 percent of all women have flat or inverted nipples. It's normal, in the same way that the color and size of areolae differ from woman to woman. So it's pretty likely that a man you're with has seen inverted nipples before! Your nipples won't change-while they may become erect and protrude when you're aroused, they won't stay that way-but I don't think there's anything to "fix." If you search the web you'll find multiple surgeons offering surgical "correction" of inverted nipples, but there are real risks. You may not ever be able to breastfeed (surgery would likely break up the milk ducts connecting to the nipple). And surgery may cause permanent nerve damage, making your nipples insensitive-so they would no longer be inverted, but wouldn't give you pleasure, either. Doesn't sound like a worthy trade-off to me. My advice would be to consider your nipples one of the many quirks that make you unique-and beautiful.

Sex Question: How Can I Stop Back Pain During Sex?

Dear Dr. H,

Sometimes I have some slight lower back pain during sex. Is it OK to put a pillow under my back?

Read on for Dr. Hilda Hutcherson's response.

A. Absolutely. You are probably arching your back, which can cause straining. Placing a pillow under your back may not only make you more comfortable, but the angle can also help your partner reach some of your sensitive spots.

Readers, do you have this problem? Any other discomfort when you're having sex? Let's talk about it here!

Ouch alert! Try These Wacky Hangovers Cures from Around the Globe

We just learned that beer goggles are real--and might last (gulp) forever. So if you wake up tomorrow suffering from too much New Year's Eve fun, try some of these hangover cures and call me in the morning...

Unfortunately, we've all been there. We know, we know: The best way to head off a hangover is to drink moderately, of course, and chug plenty of water. But sometimes you gotta throw moderation to the wind!

People around the world have been drinking (and getting hangovers) for centuries, and they've devised some clever ways to soothe their throbbing heads and queasy tummies, according to this story from National Geographic. You're sure to be familiar with some, like coffee and (more) beer, but others were brand-new to me. Shrimp? A quick sauna session? That sounds more like a spa day--sign me up!

On the C.L.: Would You Ever Share Prescription Drugs With a Friend? Um...Have You?

When you go into the hair salon and they ask you if you'd like a magazine while you wait, would you ever, ever dream of saying, "No, but do you by any chance have a Xanax?" Me neither, but that's exactly what a stylist friend told me a client recently asked him. "Hello, aren't you supposed to go to a doctor for that stuff?" my friend asked me, freaked out. You are, of course, but lots of people (especially women) are bypassing that step these days. Now I'm curious about what you're doing...and I promise not to be judgmental.

My stylist friend told me the Xanax story because I was prepping to be on the Today show this morning talking about the trend of women sharing one another's prescription drugs. We did a big story about it in the November 2009 issue of Glamour, and studies show that somewhere between 20 and 40 percent of women have swapped pills, often seriously heavy-duty stuff like stimulants, antianxiety drugs and sleep aids. (I've had people sitting next to me on planes offer me Ambien twice. And I swear I'm not one of those annoying airplane talkers either!)

Oh Boy, More Soda News: Could Its Brown Coloring Cause Cancer?

So this has been a big week for bubbly beverages, huh? First, the news that diet soda might be linked with strokes and now this:

The Center for Science in the Public Interest says that the stuff that gives the soda its brownness--the "caramel coloring"--might possibly be carcinogenic,. The group is petitioning the FDA to ban the coloring or at least put warning labels on the cans, saying that 2-methylimidazole and 4-methylimidazole--two chemicals produced during the processing of soda--have been linked with lung, liver and thyroid cancer in lab mice.

There's still a lot of question marks--the FDA is reviewing the claims, and groups such as the American Beverage Association say there's no evidence the chemicals are cancer-causing to humans. A biochemist at Vanderbilt University, Fred Gurengerich, says: "My advice would be just to relax ... I did some simple math. ... If you look at the study in terms of what the mice got, in terms of causing any effect, a human being would have to drink more than 1,000 sodas a day."

New Trend in Childbirth: Women Forgoing Epidurals for Hypnosis

Personal question: Are you an epidural kind of gal or all-naturale? I thought I was the latter until 30+ hours of painful back labor with my first baby nearly did me in. But, I read about a newish trend in childbirth called HypnoBirthing, where a woman uses a form of hypnosis to control the pain of childbirth, and I was so fascinated ...

HypnoBirthing has been around since the 1950s, but celeb moms including Jessica Alba, Giselle Bundschen, and Pamela Anderson who are said to be fans, have a lot of women interested, ABC News reports. (Actress Tiffani Thiessen of "Saved By the Bell" and "90210" has reportedly just signed up for a HypnoBirth.).

New Research: Indoor Tanning Can Become Addictive--Are You An Addict?

We've talked a lot about the dangers of indoor tanning here on the blog, and there's been a lot in the news on the topic in the last year. But, even despite the common knowledge about the health risks, so many people opt to take their chances. And, now, a new study may shed light on why: Tanning, they say, is strangely addicting ...

According to U.S News and World Report, researchers, whose study was recently published in the Archives of Dermatology, surveyed more than 400 college students about their indoor tanning habits, and a shocking 30-40 percent fit the criteria for "tanning addicition," characterized by people who go tanning despite a complete understanding about the health risks, and also people who seek stress relief, relaxation or a mood boost from tanning beds.

Natural Relief for Arthritis Pain: Drunken Raisins

Before there were doctors, hospitals or giant pharmaceutical companies, folks treated their ailments with a variety of homespun remedies. These remedies often work (at least to some extent) and they're usually more fun than a doctor's visit.

In Lafayette, Colorado, 9News reported on one man who has used some modern marketing techniques to take his arthritis folk remedy to the people.

Larry Wright is the owner and proprietor of DrunkenRaisins.com. As the name suggests, his company sells raisins that have been soaked in gin -- along with juniper berries, honey and cinnamon. Wright claims that they're delicious and effective pain relievers.

Natural Herbs Can Relieve Many Painful Disorders

QUESTION: I have painful arthritis (psoriatic) and I heard on the news that my medicine can cause cancer. I am afraid of it being recalled because I need my Enbrel.

ANSWER: Currently, the FDA has not recalled any of the controversial drugs, they have just asked manufacturers to strengthen warnings about the potential dangers. Some studies point to an association with cancer, others do not, so it remains inconclusive.

The blockbuster drugs taking the heat include Humira, Remicade, Cimzia, Simponi and Enbrel. They are prescribed to treat rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease and other inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. When I give lectures, it surprises people to hear that there are natural herbs that work on the same biochemical pathway as these drugs, and that help relieve many painful disorders.

My Teeth Whitening Experience From Hell

Do you get the feeling that our society is a little teeth-whitening-obsessed? I mean, you can hardly buy a tube of toothpaste these days with out "whitening" featured on the label, and doesn't it seem that neon white teeth is a prerequisite for anyone in the public eye (celebs, news anchors, etc.)? I'm all for pearly whites, but after my teeth whitening experience from hell, I've decided that the color of my smile is just fine--the way it is...

I have an infant in the house, so I'm frequently feeding him and reaching for the remote control when I do. My channels of choice: TLC and The Food Network! So, while catching an episode of John and Kate Plus 8 (raise your hand if you love this show!), I watched as John and Kate went to get their teeth whitened at their dentist's office. I cringed when Kate's gum's started to burn from the treatment, because that's exactly what happened to me.

Michael J. Fox: 20 Years With Parkinson’s

Scientists still aren’t sure what causes Parkinson’s. But four people on the set of Leo and Me, Michael J. Fox’s first television series, developed the progressive, incurable disease. The fifth person, of course, was Fox himself, an amiable comic actor who starred in the comedy Family Ties and the Back to the Future movies before he got the illness, around 1990. (Leo and Me aired in 1981.)

Fox won’t speculate about why his coworkers on Leo and Me became ill, though researchers have focused on environmental hazards as a possible cause for Parkinson’s. (They are also looking at a genetic factor.)  Speaking to CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Fox said, “I am not concerned about a few people. I am focused on everyone who has the disease.” His organization, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, has raised more than $200 million to fund efforts toward finding a cure.

Metabolic Factors May Be Linked to Cancer

Metabolic syndrome -- a risk factor for heart disease and diabetes -- may play a role in the risk of post-menopausal breast cancer, U.S. researchers said.

The metabolic syndrome, or insulin resistance syndrome, consists of a series of factors including abdominal obesity, high blood glucose levels, impaired glucose tolerance, abnormal lipid levels and high blood pressure. It is associated with poor diet and lack of physical activity.

Senior epidemiologist Geoffrey C. Kabat at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York and colleagues used existing data from a large, national study designed to assess major causes of chronic disease in women. Participants included post-menopausal women ages 50-79 years at enrollment who had repeated measurements of components of metabolic syndrome over an eight-year period.

Mental Health Stigma Keeps Many from Seeking Help

There may be a significant difference between the number of people suffering from mental health problems and the number that actually seek treatment for their mental distress. The reason for the discrepancy? The stigma that comes with mental health issues.

About 20 percent of residents of California report a need for mental health services, while one in 25 report serious psychological distress, researchers found.

Lead author David Grant, director of the California Health Interview Survey at the University of California, Los Angeles, Center for Health Policy Research, says among adults with a "perceived need" for mental health services, or who report serious psychological distress, only one-third reported visiting a mental health professional for treatment. The reluctance was most likely attributable to fear of stigmatization, as well as lack of insurance coverage.

Menopause Symptoms May Prevent Breast Cancer

How many women enjoy their hot flashes? Chances are pretty near to none. But now there may be a reason to celebrate the heat wave. Researchers are saying that women who have hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms are at fifty percent or less risk of developing breast cancer, according to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.

"We know that hormones are important to breast cancer risk, and we also know that menopausal symptoms occur primarily because of changes in hormones that women experience as they go through menopause," said lead author and breast cancer epidemiologist Dr. Christopher I. Li.

Menopause: A Risk Factor for Heart Disease

What are the risk factors for heart disease? Unfortunately for middle-aged women, menopause is one of them. So women entering menopause need to be aware of the facts on heart disease and women, and how heart attack symptoms differ in women and in men.

Dr. Vera Rigolin of Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago says men often experience chest discomfort while women commonly may have other, more subtle heart attack symptoms -- such as fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, jaw pain or abdominal discomfort.

"In some women, plaque can build in the smallest blood vessels called the microvascular circulation. These blockages do not show up in an angiogram," Rigolin says in a statement. "In these cases, we often use magnetic resonance imaging with medication to visualize blood flow within the small blood vessels when other standard tests do not provide us answers."

Memory Problems, Incontinence Drug Linked

If a family member or a friend is taking oxybutynin chloride to treat incontinence, memory problems could be an unwanted side effect, medical experts say.

Writing in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia say a recent study of volunteers indicated that those taking the drug, sold under the brand name Ditropan, scored low on mental function tests.

Study author Dr. Ira Katzy says the test findings "demonstrate that oxybutynin can cause cognitive impairment and suggest that physicians prescribing it should monitor their patients to facilitate the early recognition of those who experience drug-related cognitive deficits."

Male Menopause: Hormone Change Hits Men, Too

Think menopause is just a "female thing"? Not true! In fact, more than five million men are suffering from  male menopause, research shows. And just like the lowering of female hormones in women can lead to decreased sex drive, weight gain, mood swings and hot flashes, the lowering male hormones in men can have similar results -- affecting their weight, mood and sex drive. Other symptoms in men include tiredness and hair loss.

Experts believe 95 percent of cases of male menopause may be undiagnosed. But that's unfortunate, because just like there are remedies -- both prescription and natural -- for menopause, there are treatments for male menopause, too.

Lifestyle Changes Key to Longevity

Middle-age men who quit smoking, increase their exercise levels and lose weight are boosting their chances of a longer life free of heart disease and diabetes, researchers say.

Writing in the Archives of Internal Medicine, British scientists say moderately active middle-aged men, in a variety of body sizes ranging from very trim to obese, who had never smoked had an 89 percent probability of surviving 15 years free of cardiovascular events and diabetes compared with a 42 percent probability for an average inactive, middle aged smoker around 5'10" in height and weighing 209 pounds.

The authors found that cigarette smoking, overweight and physical inactivity singly or in combination constitute major hazards to survival free of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. They conclude: "These findings should provide encouragement for public health promotion directed toward middle-aged men."

Joint Supplements: Just a Pain

You’ve seen them in the health food store. Maybe you’ve even bought them. Osteo Bi-Flex, Elations Healthier Joints, Trimedica MSM with Glucosamine—they all taunt you with the promise of healthier joints, pain-free joints.

Well, I hate to break it you: they don’t work. 

A breakdown of 10 studies found that glucosamine and chondroitin supplements for joint pain are, well, bogus.

Generating $2 billion in 2008, the supplements are most popular with people who suffer arthritic knees or hips. Researchers found that people taking the supplements did not experience differences from those taking a placebo when it came to measures of pain or changes in joint space.

Job Burnout May Increase Diabetes Risk

An Israeli study suggests that workers who suffer from job burnout may be more prone to developing type 2 diabetes.

Lead author Samuel Melamed of Tel Aviv University looked at the experiences of 677 Israeli workers who were followed from 1998 to 2003. Nearly 77 percent of the workers were men, and their average age was about 43 years.

Of the workers, 17 developed type 2 diabetes during the study period. The researchers found that people who experienced job burnout were 1.84 times more likely to become diabetic, even when factors like age, sex and obesity were taken into account, according to the study published in a recent issue of the journal Psychosomatic Medicine.

Jerry Lee Lewis has Shingles, Postpones European Tour

Jerry Lee Lewis, the now 74 year old rock legend, has postponed a European summer tour due to an illness.  The tour's promoter expects the dates to be rescheduled for sometime this November.  

"Jerry is suffering from shingles, very painful and it (also causes) problems with his heart," said a statement issued by tour promoter Diba Inernational Concerts.  According to the statement released, Jerry Lee Lewis underwent a three hour surgical procedure in Memphis last week, "and his doctors have advised him not to do the tour at this moment. They have told him that everything will be fine again in one month." Details about Lewis' surgery were not revealed.

I Tried It: The New "Tea" Coffee Everyone's Talking About

Guys, you know I love my coffee. I live in Seattle for crying out loud. But lately I've just been feeling that my daily (alright, twice-daily) coffee break is leaving my system a little off. I didn't think I could quit, until I discovered this newish "coffee" made from tea...

Someone recently told me about Teecino, a "coffee alternative" that's made from chicory root (and other all-natural ingredients), then I was flipping through the new issue of Marie Claire and saw it there. Time to get my hands on this stuff, I decided.

The selling points that caught my eye: naturally acid-free (so no upset stomach after drinking), naturally caffeine-free, high in heart-healthy potassium, and rich in inulin, a soluble fiber that helps improve digestion and elimination plus increase absorption of calcium and minerals.

I Tried It: Aloe Vera Juice (Yes, The Kind You Drink!)

Most of us love aloe vera for its ability to soothe a sunburn naturally. But would you drink the stuff? I know--I had the same reaction. But when I came across a bottle of aloe vera juice (not to be confused with the gel) at Whole Foods recently, I grabbed some for a taste test and decided to look into its health benefits...

First off, I want to be really clear: The type of aloe you buy in a squeeze tube--the gel--is for topical use only (don't eat it!). But drinkable, food-grade aloe--in juice form--seems to be gaining some popularity among natural foods enthusiasts.

According to this Whole Foods blog entry, aloe vera juice may have some interesting health benefits: "Digestive and immune support as well as increased nutrient absorption are a few of the important ways aloe vera can support health," they write. "...[aloe juice] may be soothing to your throat, stomach, and digestive tract." It was enough to talk me into a taste test.

It’s Never Too Late To Exercise

Most women these days know how important it is to take measures to prevent osteoporosis, even at a young age. The importance of consuming more calcium in your 20s, for instance, is well-known, even though signs of osteoporosis don't usually show up until years later. But what happens if you don't get started early? New research suggests that exercise (among other things, of course) can help forestall osteoporosis, even after menopause.

Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia conducted a study among 36 women between the ages of 20 to 50, measuring their levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and bone mineral density. According to Dr. Joseph Cannon, principal investigator for the National Institute of Aging-funded study, bone density starts declining years before estrogen levels drop in women with osteoporosis, and it is during that time that levels of FSH -- released by the pituitary gland to regulate ovarian function -- actually increase. It's believed that increased FSH levels are responsible for the decrease in bone density.

How to Recover From a Diet Slip Up

Fitness and health are metaphors for life--and like in the rest of your life, when you make a mistake or fall of the wagon, you have to dust yourself off and seize the opportunity to learn from your screw ups. The key to overcoming failure is to use it as an entry point for learning. Here's how to do it.

You will fail sometimes. Period. It is a forgone conclusion if you are really living, really reaching, and really risking. I have yet to meet one person that has had an easy straight one-way journey with weight loss. Often it is five steps forward three steps back, but in the steps back you are getting valuable pieces of information about who you are and how you tick. There is a hidden meaning in all the events of your life, especially the struggles and it is this meaning that can serve your evolution most... if you choose to let it.

High Doses of Antioxidant May Cause, Not Protect Against, Cancer

Nutrition experts have long been advising us to get our antioxidants—cancer-fighting compounds mostly found in fruits and vegetables—from real food not supplements. Now a new study indicates that food may not only be a better source, it may be a safer one.

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles found that high doses of antioxidant supplements, including vitamins C and E, can cause genetic abnormalities in cells. The authors of the study, led by Eduardo Marban, M.D., Ph.D., director of the institute, believe that the cell abnormalities can make supplement-takers more prone to developing cancer.

High Blood Pressure and Pain

For years, we've called high blood pressure (or hypertension) a silent killer because people who have it rarely show any outward signs or symptoms. New research from Ohio University finds this is because people experience a decreased perception of pain called hypoalgesia before the onset of high blood pressure.

Dr. Christopher France, writing in the November issue of Psychophysiology, says hypoalgesia may be a risk marker for potential high blood pressure. He says it also may make it more difficult for physicians to diagnose heart problems before a cardiac event such as a heart attack.

The research data comes from the Framingham Heart Study and shows men and women with hypertension are almost twice as likely to suffer an unrecognized heart attack, possibly because chest pain is suppressed. Simply, the pain that is supposed to come when the blood to the heart is restricted isn't there.

Her Ex Is Out of Control

Dear Dr. Betty,

Can you please explain what male midlife crisis is all about and what becomes of it? My ex of 23 years has totally flipped, runs around with strippers, does drugs, and behaves like a teenager. He is an embarrassment to his adult children and to the rest of his family. Is there an end to this crisis? --D.

Dear D.,

The latest research says midlife crisis rarely occurs -- but I say hogwash! I get so many letters from husbands and wives about their spouses suddenly leaving, having affairs, and engaging in behaviors that are so unlike them. It's not uncommon -- it's common.

Midlife change isn't always a crisis but can run the gamut from being barely noticeable to becoming a full-blown explosion! According to Jed Diamond, author of Surviving Male Menopause: A Guide for Men and Women, for many it's like experiencing their second adolescence, what he calls "puberty in reverse."

Here We Go Again: More Egg Recalls

Eggs for breakfast? Then you may want to know about a new series of egg recalls affecting eggs in several states. Yup, salmonella again. Details ...

Just when we thought the egg headaches were behind us, the FDA is announcing another warning about salmonella contaminated eggs.

Cal-Maine Foods Inc., the nation's biggest egg seller, is recalling 288,000 eggs for suspected salmonella contamination at an Ohio egg farm where the eggs originated. The farm, Ohio Fresh Eggs, is linked to Wright County Egg, the cause of the last massive egg recall.

The tainted Cal-Maine eggs were sold in Arkansas, California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. For product names, numbers and details, check this list.

Herbal Menopause Treatment Fails to Impress Researchers

As women weigh potential risks of traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) versus its benefits as a treatment for the symptoms of menopause, more and more women are turning to alternative therapies. But do the alternative remedies work?

Black cohosh is among a group of plants and herbs known as phyto estrogens, which have been marketed as herbal substitutions to HRT. But while hormone replacement therapy has been proven to help prevent bone density loss, a new study shows that black cohosh does not have the same effect. Moderate exercise however, is an effective way to maintain bone density.

Help for Arthritic Knees

For the 15 million Americans who suffer from osteoarthritis, even the simplest activities can be painful, and sometimes impossible.

Osteoarthritis, often considered to be a "wear-and-tear" condition, is the most common form of arthritis, caused by a breakdown of the cartilage within the joints. While healthy cartilage is a firm, rubbery substance that serves as a cushion and shock absorber for joints, the cartilage in the arthritic joint thins, often becoming ragged or torn.

Over time, the cartilage may completely disintegrate. The result is pain, swelling and reduction in motion of the affected joint.

Heart Disease Risk Can Begin in Childhood

Nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults are unaware that risk factors for heart disease can begin long before adulthood, a survey indicates.

Recent research, published in the journal Circulation, shows the risk of heart disease can appear as early as age 9, European researchers say.

The survey, conducted by StrategyOne for The Quaker Oats Co., also indicates about 48 percent of respondents ages 18-24 agree heart health information is overwhelming and two-thirds say they do not feel equipped to help reduce their risk of heart disease based on their current knowledge about diet, exercise and heart disease facts.

Health Folklore: Do You Believe in the Power of a Full Moon?

Are you suspicious about full moons? I know people who swear that more crimes are committed, more babies are conceived and born, and more people are admitted to hospitals on nights where the moon is full. And when my sister told me her prediction--that my baby would be born on December 12 (next Friday!), when a full moon is predicted, I wondered what research had to say on the topic--and what you thought, too...

Let me preface this by telling you that I am probably the least superstitious person I know. Cemeteries don't even freak me out. But I was a little spooked at what I read about full moons and how they affect human behavior.

Health Controversy: Jenny McCarthy's Prescription for Hot Yoga During Pregnancy

My experience with hot yoga wasn't entirely positive (let's just say, I thought I was going to die right there in the 100 degree studio). Still, I remain intrigued by this intense form of yoga, and hope to get my courage up to try again. Meanwhile, I'm curious what you think of the recent comments from Jenny McCarthy about hot yoga during pregnancy...

Jenny McCarthy revealed on Regis and Kelly this week how Bikram yoga (aka "hot yoga") kept her energy level up and her body fit throughout her pregnancy, which caused some to raise their eyebrows a bit. Hot yoga during pregnancy? Is this safe?

I spoke to Bikram yoga practitioner Jennifer Lobo, the co-owner of Bikram Yoga NYC (who happens to be 8 months pregnant herself and actively yoga-ing--doesn't she look amazing in the photo above?) about Jenny McCarthy's comments:

Health Controversy: Experts Are Worried About the New Alcoholic Whipped Cream Cans

Remember the controversy about Four Loko--the caffeine-spiked alcoholic beverage that's on its way to being banned in many states? Well, there's a new boozy product raising eyebrows over concerns that kids might get a hold of it--alcoholic whipped cream. Should this stuff be outlawed too? Or are we taking things a little too far?

TIME reports that products such as "Cream" and "Whipped Lightning" are appearing on liquor store shelves across the country. They're canisters of whipped dairy (like Reddi-wip) that pack a "30-proof wallop." Known as "whipahol," the stuff is supposed to be used on coffee drinks, hot toddies, etc., but experts worry that kids will get a hold of it and--yup--spray the stuff right into their mouths. Ingesting an entire can could amount to anywhere between 4 and 8 alcoholic beverages, depending on the brand.

Health Controversy: A New Study Says Light Drinking While Pregnant Is No Big Deal--Do You Agree?

I'm 5 months pregnant, and I will admit, I miss my occasional glass of red wine in the evenings (OK, I REALLY miss it!), so my ears perked up when I ran across this hot-off-the-press study which concludes that light drinking during pregnancy poses no risk to developing babes. Fascinating, yes, but here's why I just can't get on board...

Would I love to pour a glass of wine and enjoy it with my guy tonight? Oh yes I would! But, I'm pregnant, and I have concerns, even after a controversial new study was released this week--indicating that women who drank a bit here and there while pregnant posed no real risk to their developing babies.

Healthy Reminder: Here's a Quick Way to Boost Your Spirits--Right at Your Desk!

When I'm working on a big writing deadline, sometimes I can feel overwhelmed, grumpy or sad (especially when I start thinking about how I'm chained to my desk when I'd rather be outside doing sometime fun!). But you know what helps me snap out of my funk and boosts my productivity--every single time? It just takes one click ...

Music!

I know, so simple right? But for me, it's not any music, it's jazz. I flip on my favorite online streaming jazz station (no elevator or smooth jazz here, just the good stuff--come listen with me!), and I instantly feel a little calmer, happier and even more focused. I swear that jazz must have some sort of medicinal properties. But, the point isn't about jazz--it's about music. Listen to your favorite music--whether it's on your computer or iPod or whatever--and just wait for your mood to improve. It will, I promise!

Healthy Relationships: When A Kiss Leaves You Tingly All Over, You Could Be Allergic

Allergic to love? Nah. But a new medical report out warns that it's more common than you think to feel tingly after kissing or sex due to ... an allergic reaction. Details ...

Does he make you feel tingly all over? That's a good thing, right? Well, not if you feel tingling or numbness in your mouth or down south after kissing or after sex. Here's why, say allergists: Experts are seeing more cases of love-induced allergic reactions from kissing and sex.

It's sounds far-fetched, but if you have a diagnosed (or undiagnosed allergy to a certain food or medication), it's very possible that you can have an allergic response even after your guy has brushed his teeth, and sometimes even hours later.

Healthy Recipe: Lower-Calorie Whoopie Pies

They look a bit like very large sandwich cookies filled with cream, but whoopie pies are actually made out of cake batter and filled with frosting or marshmallow fluff. Athena writes in from Boston, Mass., with the request to rehab these traditional New England specialties. She has never actually made them herself, but she admits that the ones sitting on the counter in the stores are difficult to resist even though she knows they are packed with sugar and contain nearly 20 grams of fat.

Most of that fat comes from the filling made out of vegetable shortening. In order to create a healthier recipe, I will lighten up the filling by using non-fat Greek yogurt and Neufchatel cream cheese. I will also lighten the load of sugar by reducing the amount. As for the cake part of the sandwiches, I will replace the shortening here as well, but I will use mashed banana to add nutrition and fiber, and I will also reduce the amount of sugar. In order to boost the fiber content even further, I will replace half of the flour with whole wheat flour.

Have You Ever Swapped One Addiction for Another? I Have.

As difficult as it still is for me to say this publicly...

...I struggle with food addiction. That inability to stop eating certain foods once I start led me to where I was 75 pounds ago. But putting down the food hasn't been easy--for so long, it was what I used to deal with and escape from life. That kind of crutch is difficult to give up without leaning on something else. So I've picked up other habits along the way. At one point I had become a little manic about exercise, though I no longer abuse it or see working out as a means to eat all I want--I work out moderately, not obsessively, these days. Then it was gum. Later, coffee. And now it's sugar-free, Sweet'n Low-sweetened butterscotch hard candy. I started "using" these after dinner, thinking if I kept one in my mouth, I wouldn't leap into the kitchen after dinner looking for things to graze on. It worked for a few days--until I started biting into the hard candy (ouch!) and eating multiples at a time. Last night I had, oh, about half the bag. This morning I had...Pepto-Bismol. Not fun.

Happy First Day of Autumn! What Are Your Health and Fitness Goals for the Season?

Hi my dears! Autumn is here (my favorite season--yay!). As the season changes, I always take stock of what my health and fitness goals are for the months ahead. Here's what's on my list, what's on yours?

My health and fitness to-do list for this season:

*Get a full-body skin check (to check for signs of melanoma) at my dermatologist's office. Check! (Done last week.)

*Find a new primary care doctor (time for a change, I think).

*Get my vitamin D levels checked (D is so important for so many of the body's systems that I want to know where I clock in at and how much D I should be supplementing with).

Good Morning! Let's Have a Vanilla-Date Breakfast Smoothie

Do you fall back on smoothies in the a.m. hours? I sometimes get lazy about pulling my blender out (and then having to wash it), but when I do, I'm always happy with the breakfast concoctions I whip up. Like this one ...

I'm loving this simple vanilla-date breakfast smoothie. Here's the simple how-to:

Blend one cup of nonfat yogurt, one cup of nonfat milk or soymilk, 1 cup (packed) pitted Medjool dates (about 9 ounces), 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and 2 cups ice cubes. Serves 2.

What's your favorite type of smoothie? And, what do you think of dates? Love them? (I do. They're like nature's candy.)

Germy News: Doc Appointment? Avoid Touching This in the Waiting Room

The point of going to see the doctor is to get well, not to get sick, right? That's why health experts in England are starting to ban certain common waiting room items, in the name of keeping people healthy. Meanwhile here in the US, you'll find plenty of these germ-loaded things in waiting rooms. Touch at your own risk, say experts ...

Did you know that potentially harmful germs can live on magazines in waiting room for up to 18 hours? This is why health officials in England are starting to ban magazines and children's toys in the waiting rooms of hospitals and health clinics.

Instead, patients are being encouraged to bring their own reading material, and the germ police have taken it a step further: Cloth chairs are being swapped for plastic ones that are disinfected every few hours.

Fitness Trend: Nordic Walking (Would You Dare?)

I've been seeing a lot of people in my city, Seattle, trekking around town with ski poles, yep, with no snow on the ground. The fitness craze called "Nordic walking" has been around for awhile, but I think it's gained some new converts recently. Would you try it?

If you like to ski, you might like a sport called Nordic walking. Yes, you just walk or hike with specially made poles (similar to ski poles, but made specially for walking). Experts say this type of walking works all the major muscle groups in the body and is almost 50 percent more efficient than normal walking, at least according to the American Nordic Walking Association.

Everyone's Talking About Hula Hooping! Could You Get Into It?

I think we're experiencing a hula hoop revival. Everywhere I look, someone's talking about them! Truth be told, I'm a huge fan. They make me feel like I'm exactly 12 years old, and I can't take a spin without giggling. Fun, yes, and healthy too, say some fitness experts. Do you own one? Should you buy one?

I spent the 4th of July holiday at my grandma's beach house and some of my younger cousins brought out the hula hoops. Of course, I had to pick one up and show off a little (I was once a hula-hooping champ back in the day, you know--well, if you count family competitions on the lawn!).

"Hooping," as Laurel House writes on Shine, "is becoming the exercise of choice for everyone from hipsters to boomers all looking to make their workouts do more in less time and actually enjoy it." She goes on to write about a woman who lost two dress sizes in two months by hooping alone. "Most of all, people are happy when they're hooping. It doesn't even feel like exercise!"

Enzyme Could Battle Obesity, Diabetes

Obesity is a growing problem and can lead to complications with another ailment -- diabetes. Researchers in Canada say they've found a key enzyme in the body that could lead to new drugs to combat both these conditions.

Scientists at the Merck Frosst Center for Therapeutic Research in Quebec say the enzyme is connected with both weight gain and the most common form of diabetes. Mice in which the substance was genetically engineered remained slender on a high-fat, high-calorie diet while normal mice showed signs of developing diabetes.

If drugs can be developed from this research, experts say, it could lead to better methods for keeping weight under control, or event prevent obesity. And it could open the door to new ways to treat the estimated 1.75 million sufferers of non-insulin dependent diabetes.

Eat Fish, Get Happy

Ever wondered why depression is running rampant worldwide? A British expert on brain development says that our fish-diminished diet is partly at fault.

According to Michael Crawford, Ph.D., director of the Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition at the University of North London, we are eating half the amount of oily fish we ate 50 years ago. Crawford says that this lack of fish may be linked to the current global epidemic of depression as well as the global heart disease epidemic.

Scientists have long understood the benefits of oily fish in heart disease prevention and treatment. But oily fish, such as sardines, mackerel, trout, tuna and salmon, which contain omega-3 fatty acids, are essential for a healthy brain and nervous system. In cutting down on fatty foods to help prevent heart disease, people have eliminated oily fish and seafood, theorizes Crawford.

Drug Fights Menopause Woes

Clinical trials of Rimostil, a plant-based estrogen made from isoflavones, indicate it helps prevent osteoporosis and heart disease in menopausal women.

The results, outlined at the recent North American Menopause Society's annual conference, show Rimostil was able to increase bone density and HDL or "good" cholesterol without any adverse side effects in women tested.

Rimostil, developed by the Connecticut-based Novogen Inc., is set for release next year and differs from regular estrogen in its mixture of different plant isoflavones. Studies show it can increase cortical bone density -- the bone involved in hip fractures -- by 4 percent over six months, well beyond what regular estrogen therapy has recorded.

Is "Sex Addiction" Real or Ridiculous? The Great Debate

Recently I caught a few minutes of a Dr. Phil Show rerun (you know when you're channel surfing and really tired and sort of spaced out about what you're watching--that was me). On the episode, Dr. Phil was doing his trademark in-your-face thing, questioning a man about whether "sexual addiction" was a legitimate "diagnosis" for his infidelity. With David Duchovny leaving rehab this week for his "sex addiction" a lot of people are wondering whether this behavior is real or just medical speak for "I want to fool around."

Opinion among medical experts seems to be divided. Some say sex addiction is a mental disease, others claim it's just a "narcissistic indulgence." Still more believe that it might be linked to other things, such as depression or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Drug, Allergic Reaction Linked

The popular alternative drug echinacea can cause allergic reactions, particularly in folks who have a hereditary bent toward allergic disease. A study by researchers at the John James Medical Centre in Canberra, Australia, links 23 cases of allergic reactions to echinacea.

The study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in San Diego, says a further study of 100 individuals who had never taken echinacea shows 20 percent had positive skin allergy tests to it. The researchers suggest physicians take a more active role in talking about alternative medications to patients who are prone to allergic diseases.

Drink Fluids To Fight a Cold?

You’ve heard it a million times.  Drink lots of fluids when you’re sick.  How true is it, though?

According to a recent study by a team of Australian scientists, drinking extra fluids during a cold may not do much good at all in terms of healing.

Huh.

So have our docs and moms been giving us bad medical advice all along?

Not necessarily.  While the scientists admit that keeping hydrated while sick is important, they believe the “drink more fluids” line needs to be studied more closely to determine its validity.

And there you have it.  Another piece of health advice debunked!

What methods to you use to try to beat the common cold?

Jessica Alba's New Get-Fit Secret

Doesn't Jessica Alba look great these days? It never ceases to amaze me how celebs snap back to their pre-baby bodies in mere seconds after giving birth (Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry, Angelina, just to name a few), then again, let's remember that they have the motivation (the spotlight) and the means (lots of cash) to hire the help they need to look great. Besides all that, want to know what seems to be working for Jessica Alba?

According to reports, Jess is loving her new Expresso Fitness exercise bike, which she recently added to her at-home gym (oh, and that's another thing that celebs have: their own personal gyms--down the hall). The new bike isn't like the run-of-the-mill stationary bikes we're used to, though. The Expresso (no, it doesn't brew coffee for you--rats!) is more like virtual reality riding with its LCD screen and pivoting handle bars. The goal: to give you a great workout, engage your mind (and trick it into thinking you're cycling along a nature trail or maybe in the Tour de France or something) and make fitness more fun.

Kissing: Good or Bad for Your Health (the Answer May Surprise You)

With Valentine's Day on the horizon, maybe you're planning some kind of romantic rendezvous for you and your sweetheart. If kissing is on the agenda (how dorky does that sound? This is why Joanna writes about love, not me!), read up on kissing and your health. Good or bad for you? Take a guess...

NYC Celebrity dentist, Dr. Jeff Golub-Evans, Dr. Emanuel Layliev of the New York Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, and Dr. Mickey Bernstein, President of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, have some mixed reviews on kissing (speaking of oral health, read about my teeth-whitening experience from hell):

Drinking Yourself to Dehydration?

A consumer survey says many Americans may be "drinking themselves to dehydration" by consuming too little water -- and too many beverages that rob the body of water.

The survey of more than 3,000 consumers sponsored by the International Bottled Water Association says Americans' average intake of hydrating beverages such as water, milk and juice is undermined by the nearly five servings of caffeine-based or alcohol-containing beverages respondents report drinking each day.

Scientific research shows caffeine and alcohol act as diuretics, causing the body to lose water through increased urination. While two out of three survey respondents say they know that health and nutrition experts recommend drinking eight, 8-ounce servings of water a day, one in two admits to not getting enough.

Let's Talk About Germs--Specifically, How to Kill Them

You may have seen Erin's post this morning about Purell (she's not a fan) and the bad news that she's dealing with MRSA again (we're thinking of you today Erin!!). Read her post for the specifics, but here on Vitamin G, I wanted to discuss germs, and the best way to keep them at bay--on our hands and in our bodies. Here's what you need to know.

First off, did you see this new ad campaign from Purell? It's pretty clever (and gross) and uses illustrations of hand to show just exactly what kinds of germs we carry around on them throughout the day.

OK, on to germ talk. Here's your cheat sheet:

Are hand sanitizers effective? Yes. Hand sanitizers kill most harmful bacteria and viruses. But here's a weird thing: Yours might be impotent if it doesn't contain at least 60 percent alcohol concentration. If it's any less, you're wasting your time with the stuff.

Drinking Water Can Raise Blood Pressure In Some Cases

Scientists have zeroed in on receptors in the liver that govern blood pressure rates in certain kinds of people, especially ill people and elderly people in general, even if they’re healthy.

These receptors, or regulators, are triggered by the simple act of drinking water; in response, the regulator raises the blood pressure by up to 50 points. The amount of water that triggers the response is a half liter, or 17 ounces, consumed at once.

Other people affected by the regulator include drug users and people of any age with nervous-system disorders.

After discovering these receptors, researchers at the Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine, in Berlin, and two other research centers in Germany, were also able to determine, through animal studies, how the receptor could be stopped from working – i.e. prevented from raising blood pressure.

Mental Health Minute: Do You Comfort Yourself With Candy?

We all have our favorite comfort foods. When I was recovering from surgery I had zero appetite (hence the weight loss), but I did turn to my go-to comfort food (toast and jam). According to some, the bad economy--and stress in general--is turning many people to sugar...

To me, tea, toast and jam is like a big hug. (And, weird but true: Jam has health benefits.) I've been adoring the new strawberry-rhubarb-rosemary jam from Breadbar, a swanky bakery/cafe in California. Mmmm.

According to this New York Times article, hard economic times are turning more people to candy. The theory: "For many, sugar lifts spirits dragged low by the languishing economy. For others, candy also provides a nostalgic reminder of better times. And not insignificantly, it is relatively cheap."

Do You Wear Sun Hats? Help Me Choose One That's Chic, Not Grandmotherly

Are you a fan of sun hats? I must admit, while I always reach for sunscreen when it's sunny, I'm not really in the habit of grabbing a hat. They've always seemed so corny (on me at least), but not anymore--I'm seeing so many cute ones everywhere. Let's go shopping...

I don't think I've really worn a hat since ... the days when my sister and I wore Little House on the Prairie-style bonnets (we loved them!). Oh, and how could I forget the huge straw hat (with a purple sash!) I bought on a family road trip in Yellowstone National Park when I was in elementary school? The thing was legendary.

Nowadays, I haven't been feeling the hat love. Maybe it's because I feel goofy in them. Maybe it's because I don't know how to wear them. Maybe it's the whole hat-head thing. Whatever. Given all a hat can do to protect our precious skin from the sun's harmful rays, I think it's time to turn over a new leaf. Plus, I spotted a pal out shopping recently with the cutest hat on and I decided if she can pull it off--so can I!

Do You Love Coffee? The Top 15 Most Caffeinated Professions

I have a friend who pours herself a cup of coffee at home and then drinks another at 9, 11, 1, 3, and 5. Yeah, basically she's caffeinating all day. While experts have recently linked coffee with all kinds of health benefits, over-caffeinating is not healthy. But, your job could be to blame. Some professions are more coffee-inducing than others, according to a new survey ...

The top coffee-drinking professions, according to a new survey from CareerBuilders and Dunkin Donuts:

1. Nurses

2. Physicians

3. Hotel workers

4. Designers/architects

5. Financial/Insurance sales representatives

6. Food preparers

Morning, Sunshine! Feeling Blue? Why Getting More B Vitamins Can Help

Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed today? (It is Tuesday, after all, the day experts say our happiness tanks!) I had an off-day yesterday. I swear I had a dark rain cloud over my head all day long. But if you're consistently feeling down, you may consider getting more B vitamins. Experts say many of us may not be getting nearly enough, which can do terrible things to happiness ...

I read a fascinating article in the magazine Experience Life recently about B vitamins. Why do you need your B's?

*They may protect your heart.

*They may protect against cancer.

*They may help balance your mood.

Do You Have a Sister? The Amazing Thing She Can Do for Your Health

Yay for sisters! They're there for your when friends flake, partners in crime, confidants, and mega health boosters, at least according to a new study. Do you have a sis?

My sister, Jessica, is 19 months younger than me, and I can't imagine life without her. We experienced everything together growing up, and even though we're very different in many ways, we count each other as best friends. Bros are great, but nothing beats the loving support and friendship of a sister.

That's why researchers from Brigham Young University say that the bond between siblings, particularly sisters, is so powerful that it may be able to combat depression.

Need to Lose Weight Fast? Try These Healthy "Crash" Diets

Apple cider vinegar, cabbage soup, magic pills--we all know that when it comes to weight loss, there's really no quick fix. Or is there? Read about the "crash diets" that health experts turn to when they need to lose weight fast...

Even health experts fall victim to cruise-ship buffets and late-night chocolate cravings. (P.S. If you've packed on a few, sign up for Glamour's new (free, of course) program, Exactly What to Eat to Lose Weight.) So, when a top doc wants to lose some pounds--quickly--what do they do?

I loved this Prevention article with some surprising weight loss advice from experts like Oz Garcia and Madelyn Fernstrom. Here are my favorite pound-dropping ideas:

Oh Great: Birth-Control-Related Weight Gain Could Be Permanent?

Have you ever suspected that the pill--or other contraceptive products--may have made you gain weight? Happened to me! Now, one new study asserts that some of this weight gain, in certain cases, could be permanent. The details ...

When I started taking a new brand of birth control years ago, I noticed that I gained a few pounds, and I was not happy about that. I quickly talked to my doctor and switched prescriptions. Have you ever been there?

A study published in the medical journal Obstetrics & Gynecology reports that women who gain weight quickly (in the first six months) after starting birth-control injections tend to experience "lasting" weight gain--gaining, on average, 22 pounds over three years. (Important note: This study did not look at birth control pills; just injected birth control.)

Do You Curse? Weirdly, It May Help Reduce Pain

What's the first word out of your mouth when you stub your toe? If it's the f-bomb, it could be medicinal! Crazy health news today: Swearing might help you cope with pain.

Do you have the mouth of a truck driver? As much as I'd sometimes like to be able to swear like a sailor when the time calls for it, every time I do throw in an expletive, I just end up spouting something really embarrassing and incoherent. I can't swear. I just sound like I'm about 10 when I do.

But, researchers in England have good news for the potty-mouths among us. Dropping the f-bomb and other four-letter words when we're experiencing pain could actually make us feel better.

Do Your Workout Clothes Affect Your Workout?

Here's my confession. The number-one reason I'm late for a workout isn't because I've overslept, or that I'm running behind in that day's to-do list, or even because the baby needed a nap later than usual. The real reason is actually sort of embarrassing...

...it's usually because I've put my favorite workout clothing someplace it shouldn't be and I have to tear through everything in the house to find it. Because I won't--can't!--work out in anything else.

I have exacting standards for my workout clothes. They must not be too tight (nor too loose), not too short (this applies to shirts, pants and shorts), not too threadbare. No shirts with high crewnecks. They must be comfortable, but not in a sloppy gray-sweatpants-you-sleep-in sort of way. And, by god, they must be cute. If I don't feel happy in my clothes, I will not have a happy workout.

Weird Health News: "Brown Fat" Could Help Make You Thin

Brown fat? I know, it sounds kind of, well, gross (why does grisly turkey meat come to mind?) But in all seriousness, researchers are now saying that the brown-tinged fat that many of us have in our bodies could be the key to weight loss...

Have you heard all the buzz about brown fat lately? A collection of recent studies, though preliminary, seem to point to some exciting news for people trying to lose weight. Brown fat, which was thought to be only found in infants (it helps keep them warm), is now thought to be found in adult bodies, too.

Why is this good (don't we have enough fat to worry about?)? Researchers now believe that this special fat, if stimulated, could help you lose more weight--maybe even an extra 9 or more pounds of "white" fat per year, without having to eat less or exercise more. Um, sign me up! (Check out this "muffin-top" workout.)

Doctors Are Ordering Tests To Avoid Being Sued

Nearly twenty percent of diagnostic tests like MRIs and X-rays are ordered to protect physicians against possible lawsuits, according to a new survey.

The survey compiled responses from orthopedists in Pennsylvania, and the results were presented at the annual convention of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Such defensive testing drives up already hefty health-care costs.

When broken down by specific procedures, 41 percent of CT scans, 56 percent of bone scans and 65 percent of ultrasounds were ordered defensively. Less than 10 percent of X-rays were ordered defensively.

 Among those most likely to order tests were surgeons who had been sued in the last five years and surgeons who had been practicing for more than 15 years.

Oprah's Making Her Employees Sign a No-Phone-While-Driving Pledge--Too Harsh, or Good Idea?

I'm a recovering Blackberry-in-the-car (well, everywhere) addict, so when I heard that Oprah is on a crusade to save her employees lives by asking them to sign a pledge promising to not text or talk on their phones while driving, I thought it was pretty smart, if not a bit bold. Here's why I think Lady O is wise to do this (and why you should make a similar no-phone-in-the-car pledge) ...

Before I continue writing, I will confess, I relapsed this week and answered a call in the car (while driving) and also texted at a stoplight. I felt horrible about this, because I know how dangerous it is to be a distracted driver--with kids in the backseat. Shame on me.

Diabetics Can Lower Heart Attack Risk

A meta-analysis found people who have diabetes but maintain low-blood sugar levels are at less risk for heart attacks, researchers in Britain say.

Dr. Kausik Ray of the University of Cambridge and colleagues said the meta-analysis pooled information from five large trials.

The study, published in The Lancet, determined there was a 17 percent reduction in heart attacks and a 15 percent reduction in coronary heart disease. The study also found a more modest trend toward reduction of strokes with intensive control of glucose levels compared with standard care.

The researchers, in contrast to smaller studies that suggested possible harm from better blood sugar control, found no adverse impact on the risk of death from any cause.

Reader Health Dilemma: "I Just Heard a Rumor That The New Guy I'm Seeing Has Genital Herpes--Now What?"

Imagine falling hard for a guy that seems perfect, only to hear through the grapevine that he's got genital herpes--a serious STI that you do not want to get. That's the dilemma of Amanda,* a Vitamin G reader in Iowa who writes for advice ...

Amanda (name changed to protect privacy), a Vitamin G reader who lives in Iowa writes with this dilemma:

"I've been going out with a guy who I really like. He's funny and good looking and treats me better than any other guy I've been with. But recently one of my friends told me that she heard from an ex girlfriend of his that he has genital herpes. I was really upset when I heard it and confronted him about it, but he just denied it. We haven't had sex yet, but we've come really close. Honestly, I'm just afraid that he's not being truthful. I don't want to get herpes! Help! What can I do?"

Diabetes Sugar Control with Diet and Exercise

Who isn’t tempted to eat sugary treats during the holiday season?  My mouth waters just thinking about the array of cookies, candies and cakes, not to mention the dishes high in calories and fat served at a Thanksgiving feast. And let’s not forget the toasts to celebrate the holiday! But these kinds of temptations are double trouble for people who suffer with diabetes. It’s challenging enough for many folks with diabetes to keep their blood sugar levels stable – but even more difficult this time of year.

The good news is that diabetes experts say there are ways to keep blood sugar levels on target even through the holiday season. How? Through a double strategy: a combination of prevention and simple lifestyle changes. First, choose a healthy diet with a low-glycemic index and then combine it with a regular, stress-reducing exercise program.

Remember Mr. Bubble?

I have a very clear picture in my mind of that pink bottle of bubbles that our parents used to pour into the bath tub when my little sister and I would take baths together. Didn't every child of the 70s, 80s, and maybe even the 90s, grow up with this stuff? But wait, could Mr. Bubble be the cause of thousands of childhood UTIs--mine included?

I read a post from Tracie over at Jezebel recently about the health problems of the "Mr. Bubble Generation," or so it's called. Here's what she had to say: "As a child, I repeatedly experienced burning and irritation when I urinated, along with a constant urge to pee, way before I ever knew what a UTI was... or that it even had a name. I'm not sure that I even complained about it to my mother, thinking it was just a way of life. I was big into bubble baths, and was partial to the pretty pink packaging of Mr. Bubble."

Device May Treat High Blood Pressure

U.S. researchers say an implantable device may be a cost-effective way to treat high blood pressure and its effects.

The device, called Rheos, is being tested at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York on drug-resistant hypertension patients.

The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Hypertension, are based on data from two large population-based studies that compare the incidence of adverse health events -- such as stroke and heart attack -- for groups of individuals with and without the device.

The researchers also projected the healthcare costs associated with those events over a patient's lifetime and concluded if Rheos continues to perform as it has in ongoing clinical trials, the device is a cost-effective way to control hypertension.

Sex Question: Can a Man Get Pimples After Giving Oral Sex?

Dear Dr. H,

Can a man get little pimples on his lower lip after giving oral sex?

Read on for Dr. Hilda Hutcherson's response.

A. While it is possible to transmit sexually transmitted infections (STI) through oral sex, the small pimples on the lower lip you describe are not the usual symptoms. Herpes appears as sores, much like cold sores, and symptoms of gonorrhea and chlamydia are often a sore throat (and sometimes there are no symptoms at all). This may just be a case of acne, but to be safe, I'd suggest that your partner consult his dermatologist or primary care physician, especially if you have an STI.

Developing Healthy Eating Habits

Getting the minimum five daily servings of fruits and vegetables is neither as difficult nor as time-consuming as you might think.

In this video, howcast.com gives you eight tips and strategies on how to easily incorporate fruits and vegetables into your daily diet to develop healthy eating habits.

Some of our favorites include:

Adding pureed vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots and celery to store-bought pasta sauce, mashed potatoes, or canned soup.

Using Romaine lettuce or other greens in place of a tortilla wrap.

Serving one-pot dishes, such as baked pasta, chili or soup in hollowed out bell peppers or squash halves.

Sex Question: Could Dirty Toilets Have Caused My Infection?

Dear Dr. H,

I live in school dorms and the toilets are really filthy. I have been getting infections--feeling itchy and having sores outside of my vagina, not inside. Could the toilets have anything to do with this?

Read on for Dr. Hilda Hutcherson's response.

A. Dirty toilets do not cause sores on your vulva or vagina. It sounds like you may have a genital herpes infection. I would suggest that you see your gynecologist for an exam and cultures--and it's important that your doctor see you when the sores are present. In the meantime, you should use condoms during intercourse and avoid sex when you have an outbreak. About those dirty toilets: Your ob-gyn can't help, but I'd definitely recommend having a talk with the folks on your floor about a bathroom cleaning schedule and protocol. You can also wipe the toilet seat and cover it with tissue before taking a seat--or using the good ol' squat technique.

Sex Question: How Can I Spice Up My Love Life?

Dear Dr. H,

My boyfriend and I have been together for five years and we don't have sex as often as we used to. He claims he's not seeing anyone else. Is there anything we can try--besides Viagra--to get him aroused and interested in sex again?

Read on for Dr. Hilda Hutcherson's response.

A. I can't tell you how many times my patients find themselves in the same predicament you're in. First know this: it's common for desire to hit high points and lows in a relationship. One woman walked into my office devastated because she and her boyfriend, who once had sex at least twice a day for the first two years of their relationship hadn't had it in two months. "Well," I said to her, "when was the last time you initiated sex?" And she couldn't even remember--that's how long it had been. I told her to take charge! The next time I saw her for a visit, she wasn't complaining. Once she started initiating sex, something wonderful happened: her partner's desire started to increase. He was turned on by feeling wanted, and by knowing that he could still arouse his girlfriend. And there are fun (and cheap) ways to bring a little excitement into the bedroom if you've been together for a while. You can stop at the grocery store, buy a jar of peanut butter, and put it in the middle of the bed. He's bound to ask you what the heck the PB is doing there--and then you two can use your imagination to figure it out! It's definitely an aphrodisiac to feel like someone intensely desires you--so show him that you do!

Choc Full of Goodness

Dark and bitter or milky and sweet ... there's nothing quite like chocolate to make a bad day better.

Luckily there are loads of reasons to enjoy the stuff, especially as this is National Chocolate Week.

Swedish scientists say people eating chocolate after a heart attack may be less likely to have another one.

And the fact that chocolate boosts brain power and lifts depression can only be a positive thing.

So, chocolate really is good for your health ... but only if it's dark.

Black Magic fans bombarded makers of the classic dark chocolate with letters pleading for its return. After two years of being off the shelves, Nestle brought the range back this year.

Sex Question: I Didn't Used to Need Lube, But Now I Do-Why the Change?

Dear Dr. Kate,

My boyfriend and I spent about a month and a half apart during Christmas. After we came back to college for spring semester, we had to buy lube for the first time because sex became so uncomfortable for me due to too much friction. Two changes coincide with the onset: I'm working out almost everyday, so I may have lost some weight. Also, I increased my bupropion antidepressant from 300ml to 450ml. Please help, I love my bf and he still turns me on but I feel different down there.

While antidepressants are known for causing sexual problems, bupropion is luckily one that doesn't. And weight loss shouldn't affect your comfort level this significantly, either. But a prolonged sex break can definitely lead to discomfort with sex-if you're having less foreplay than before, your body may not be ready for intercourse yet. The truth is, you may just need to let your body catch up with where your heart is: Be sure to give yourself plenty of time-20 to 30 minutes on average-to become fully aroused, and definitely keep using the lube.

Chocolate Chock-Full of Health Benefits

Do you have an irresistible craving for chocolate, one that you feel compelled to satisfy on a daily basis? If so, you're not alone, for chocolate seems to be a universally loved food. But what are the risks or benefits of indulging that craving?

In new research from Pennsylvania State University, Dr. Kris-Etherton set out to discover how chocolate impacts our health. For two months, the study's 23 participants ate an enviable, but carefully controlled diet that included chocolate pudding, chocolate cookies, brownies and chocolate milk, for a total of 22 grams of cocoa powder and 16 grams of dark chocolate a day.

Sex Question: What's the Cause of Nipple Discharge if You're Not Pregnant?

Dear Dr. Kate,

My sister, who is 28 years old, has experienced some discharge from her nipples for the past few years. She isn't and never has been pregnant. What do you think could be the cause of this?

There's a long list of things that can cause nipple discharge, and the majority of the time it's nothing serious. If the discharge is from both breasts, and only occurs when she (or someone else) is stimulating her nipples, it could be due to inflammation of the ducts, and usually stops on its own when she's completely hands-off-the-boobs. If the discharge is more spontaneous-not a result of stimulation-it could be from a hormonal imbalance and her doctor can check for thyroid and pituitary dysfunction. Sometimes, certain medications can also cause nipple leakage as a side effect. If the discharge is bloody or green, it could be from a tiny papilloma in one of the milk ducts (a little growth in breast tissue that sometimes punctures a duct). But any discharge that lasts longer than a few menstrual cycles should be evaluated by a doctor.

Chocolate and Depression: The Chicken and Egg Syndrome?

It's no secret that when people are feeling depressed, they often turn to chocolate. In fact, people who screen for depression appear to eat more chocolate than those who don't screen positively for depression, U.S. researchers found. But the question remains: Do people who are depressed eat lots of chocolate? Or does lots of chocolate affect your mood and lead to depression?

Dr. Natalie Rose of University of California, Davis, and the University of California, San Diego, and colleagues examined chocolate and mood among 931 women and men not on antidepressants. Participants reported how much chocolate they ate and filled out food frequency questionnaires, while their moods were assessed using a depression scale.

Cherries Have the Health Edge

Life, it seems, can be just a bowl of cherries -- and the more sour the better. Scientists say a bowl of them a day can help prevent heart disease and ease the pain of arthritis and gout.

Researchers at Michigan State University have found that cherries contain anthocyanin, a strong antioxidant that also functions as an anti-inflammatory pain-killer. The analgesic effect, in fact, appears to be more powerful than aspirin and comparable to ibuprofen, the key ingredient in many popular over-the-counter drugs.

The difficulty is first, that the cherries have to be of the sour variety, such as those produced in New York, Michigan and Pennsylvania, and people would have to eat about 20 of them at a sitting to get the recommended 12 to 25 milligrams of anthocyanin that would constitute a beneficial dose.

Sleep Challenge 2011: The 5 Things Every Woman Should Know About Sleep

This is it, the last post of Sleep Challenge 2011, my joint project with comrade-in-PJs Arianna Huffington to urge American women to stop walking around sleep-deprived and be good to themselves for once. So, what have I learned, other than that the world won't fall apart if I don't watch Letterman? Lots of things-and I think every woman should know them too. Some key bits of wisdom from my 31 good nights of sleep:

First of all, it's not just you: Most women are sleep-deprived. As soon as we announced the Sleep Challenge, women I barely knew started bee-lining across crowded rooms to tell me how zonked they were, and to share their sometimes-hilarious sleep-deprivation stories. Among the places glamour.com and HuffPo commenters have fallen asleep: "during a professional makeup application"; "movies, lectures, bars, dinners, yoga classes - you name it"; "on the elliptical at the gym"; and, horrifyingly, "on the back of a moped in Laos." (She was OK, phew.) The prize for most-highbrow confession goes to the writer Jane Smiley, who admitted that "I once dozed off on stage at a Kafka conference sitting next to Werner Herzog." And the scariest story came from a female medical resident, who dozed off in the OR (not while holding a scalpel): "Picture this, people," she posted on HuffPost. "I was standing up, decked out in sterile OR attire, doing the embarrassing head bob thing. I mean, who falls asleep during surgery?"

Slim By Summer: Get to Know Your New Favorite--Slimming--Desserts

Do you love dessert? I soooo do. I have a secret dream of becoming a pastry chef, in fact (it will never happen, but a girl can dream, right?). Nothing wrong with a slice of cake or a piece of pie now and then, but gals, in the interest of getting slim by summer time to give your sweet tooth a healthy makeover. Here's your new dessert plan...

Fruit!

I know, I know. This sounds totally boring. It is. You have to jazz up the fruit to make it feel like a bonafide dessert. So, here's what we're going to do:

Step one: Pick a fruit (strawberries, bananas, honeydew melons, raspberries, whatever).

Step two: Pick a topping (low-fat vanilla yogurt, chocolate sauce, honey or agave nectar).

Cheers for Cauliflower, Broccoli

Most of us have been told all our lives to eat our vegetables because it will make us healthy. Now dietitians have found yet another reason why we should stuff ourselves with broccoli, cauliflower and the like -- and it goes by the name "phytonutrients."

Experts at the British Dietetic Association describe these as the "disease-fighting dynamos," such as dialyl disulphides and ellagic acid, that are found in all plants. Unlike vitamins and minerals, phytonutrients are not vital to the diet -- but they do appear to offer potential medical benefits.

"Some of the many thousands of active compounds present in fruits, vegetables and other plants have now been identified and shown to have various disease-preventing actions in the laboratory," says Professor Antony Diplock of the International Antioxidant Research at Guy's Hospital in London. Meanwhile, the dietetic association has started a campaign to double the intake of fruits and vegetables to five servings a day.

Checking Your Diet at the Till

For weight watchers, experts are experimenting with a new way to keep tabs on what you eat by what you spend on food. The scheme uses your grocery shopping bills to deliver a message about the fat content of what you have just bought.

The project, funded by the Medical Research Council, uses supermarket receipts. With them, head researcher Joan Ramsey says "it is possible to calculate precisely the diet of the family."

One British supermarket chain, Tesco, is working on a way to take the idea a step further by printing the percentage of fat and number of calories in each order at the bottom of the bill. "Till receipts have been shown to be a very useful tool for helping people measure their diet," a Tesco spokesman says.

What Do You Fear About Getting Older? Here's 4 Ways It Might Be Getting Easier

We hear a lot--a lot!--about the things we should fear when it comes to getting older. Memory loss. Osteoporosis. Sagging skin. But, since we can't exactly just stop getting older, maybe we can take a look at some of the new research being done to help ease the process...

* Vitamin B12 might play a role in helping protect seniors against Alzheimer's. Researchers aren't exactly sure how yet--they do know it involves more than just taking a B12 supplement--but this could be good news for neurodegenerative diseases.

* Strawberries, blueberries, acai berries (and other dark-colored berries) contain polyphenolics, which help protect the brain against age-related mental decline.

Stinky Feet, Dry Skin? What Body Issues Do You Stress About?

Recently, when I asked you about how you felt about no-shoe policies in others' homes (such interesting responses!), one commenter honestly admitted the reason why she's uncomfortable taking hers off: stinky feet. (Hi psuajblue!) Read what she said, and tell me what about your body causes you similar anxiety...

Vitamin G reader psuajblue had this to say about her feet: "Getting a little personal, but...I have smelly feet in certain shoes! I would be sooo embarrassed to have to take them off!" More on how to tame smelly feet, from one of my past posts, here.

Love her honesty! Because, let's face it, most all of us have a part of our body that gives us a little anxiety--whether it's the hair on our upper lip, a nose that we're less than thrilled about, or flabby arms. So, don't think you're alone in this department--not for a second.

Breakfast at Your Desk: Start Your Day Cleansed and Refreshed With This Unusual Beverage

Everywhere I turn, it seems, I'm hearing about people who have given up coffee, tea, milk and juice in the morning (the usual stuff), in favor of this odd beverage that they claim makes them feel hydrated, refreshed, energized, and generally amazing. Want to try it?

I'm pretty bonded with my morning coffee, but I have to admit, after hearing about two friends--and countless celebrities (including beauty Molly Sims)--who have made the switch to hot lemon water in the mornings, I'm thinking about giving it a try.

Fans of hot lemon water (and that's as simple as it sounds: hot water with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice), say it improves digestion, energy, vitality, skin radiance, and the list goes on. Of course, none of these claims are backed up by science, but I do know nutritionists and other health experts who personally subscribe to the hot-lemon-water thinking.

Breakfast at Your Desk: Something New (and Healthy) to Sweeten Your Morning Coffee

How do you take your coffee? I'm a half-and-half kind of girl. But, I'm kind of digging these new, all-natural sweeteners ...

I was recently sent a few bottles of Wholesome Sweeteners new line of flavored blue agave syrups. It's sort of a fun spin on agave, which many of us (me included) are fans of. The cinnamon and vanilla flavors are divine--I repeat, divine--in coffee or drizzled very lightly on fresh strawberries (not that they needed any extra sweetness, but the carton I bought yesterday was filled with tart strawberries--pucker!).

I like agave because it's less processed than table sugar and it's also 25 percent sweeter, which means you can use less. Bonus: it has a lower glycemic index than sugar, too, which means less chance you'll experience a sugar high followed by a sugar low.

Surprising News: A Healthy Diet May Work Like SPF, Protecting You From Skin Cancer

If I could talk every one of you into one thing this week, it would be to slowly start adopting the so-called "Mediterranean diet," (which isn't a diet at all, of course--just eating like the folks in the Mediterranean do ... lots of fish, veggies, nuts, olive oil, and healthy dairy, like Greek yogurt!). It's good for your heart, of course, may help you live longer, and has also been recently linked with a lower prevalence of skin cancer ...

Want healthier, cancer-free skin? Then be sure you're eating right.

Skin cancer is such a huge concern for all of us these days, as the rates of skin cancer are on the rise (scary), that I wanted to share this interesting news with you: By simply eating a "Mediterranean" diet, you may be effectively protecting your skin from skin cancer.

The 10 Most Embarrassing Things to Buy at a Drugstore

Buying tampons from a male drugstore clerk used to embarrass me, but not so much anymore. Tampons are a fact of life. But, somehow, buying any of the following very personal and revealing items, could be a tad cringe-worthy...

1. Maxi pads (especially the super-duper, almost-a-diaper variety you have to wear after having a baby)

2. Anything "anti-fungal"

3. Wart medicine

4. Condoms and lubricant

5. Yeast infection medicine

6. Pregnancy tests (you know the clerk is looking at you like, "is she, or isn't she?")

7. Personal wipes (because you're announcing to the world that "toilet paper isn't enough to clean this business.")

Breakfast At Your Desk: Persimmon Coffee Cake

I am so fascinated with persimmons! My husband grew up eating them when he visited his grandparent's amazing San Jose nursery where they had a big tree in the back yard. They're delicious fresh or dried--and in this coffee cake application (yum!)...

Doesn't a warm slice of coffee cake spiked with persimmons sound so yummy? Persimmons are such an exotic and nutrient-spiked fall fruit. I'm absolutely smitten and planning on giving this recipe, from the darling blog Jessica's Dinner Party, a try!

Persimmon Coffee Cake

Recipe courtesy of Jessica's Dinner Party

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cup whole-wheat or all purpose flour

The Best Sports Bra for Your Body

Time for a new sports bra to match your 2010 fitness goals? Here are three cute and comfy picks from Vital Juice ...

When it comes to workout bras, we've got a to-don't list a mile long. Don't smush, don't bounce and don't give us uni-boob. Luckily, a new batch of bras have hit the market to make workouts more comfortable.

Best for A's: Handful bras ($40) feature pretty details like a gathered front and criss-cross straps. We're tempted to wear the eye-popping pink version (photo above) under tank tops outside the gym. Find it at a store near you or order it here.

Best for B's and C's: Activity-specific bras from new brand Kalyx ($40 and up) don't start shipping until December 1, but we got a sneak peek and were impressed. Choose from styles for runners, golfers, b-ball players and yogis.

Breakfast At Your Desk: Padma Lakshmi's Breakfast Pick

Looking for something unusually good to enliven a holiday breakfast? Try this yummy suggestion from Top Chef's Padma Lakshmi ...

The Top Chef beauty and multi-talented cook and author (her new book is Tangy, Tart, Hot, and Sweet) shared a fun little breakfast idea with Marie Claire recently:

"One orange or grapefruit sliced into thick rings drizzled with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon--"this makes a great breakfast or an elegantly light dessert. I first ate Seville oranges served this way under the hot Moroccan sun during tea time with sweet mint tea. Very refreshing."

Sounds so yummy! But I think I'd have mine with a little plain yogurt on the side.

The Easy Yoga Move That Will Transform Your Thighs

Yesterday we tackled the butt. Today? The thighs! Gals, here's a move that will help sculpt your thighs ...

Now, I'm convinced that there's nothing like running to sculpt your legs into submission (it's starting to work for me). But, when you can't get on the treadmill or out for a run, you can tone your thighs with the simple yoga pose called "chair pose," according to Health's Sara Ivenhoe.

"The best upper-leg-sculpting secret I know is Chair Pose," writes Sara. "By squeezing your legs together and then lowering your hips to almost knee level, you can quickly strengthen and firm your thighs, front and back. Do this quick pose at least 4 times a week (every day is even better), and you should see results in about 3 weeks.

Breakfast at Your Desk: Organic Valley's Drinkable Yogurt

Check out this new organic drinkable yogurt. I tried it and was pretty impressed ...

I recently tried the new drinkable yogurt from Organic Valley. It's made with agave nectar (a slightly lower glycemic index than sugar) and fortified with billions of probiotic cultures. Plus, it's clinically proven, they say, to boost digestive and immune system health. (Then again, you can get the same benefits from regular 'ol yogurt.)

But, here's why I really like this stuff: It's a satisfying morning beverage, and if you're tired of eating yogurt with a spoon, drinkable yogurt is a fun alternative--and a great way to be sure you're getting plenty of calcium. Plus, if you use your imagination, it kind of makes you think you're slurping down a delicious vanilla milkshake.

Breakfast at Your Desk: Loving This Cozy, Comforting B-Fast

There's a chance of snow where I live, which is making me want to throw some logs in the fireplace and curl up with a book and a warm blanket (but I have babies and deadlines--so, yeah, so much for that). But, a bowl of this breakfast looks just as comforting ...

I was reading this blog Crumpets and Cakes and saw a totally delicious-looking idea for breakfast: oat bran cereal topped with dried fruit and sliced bananas, plus maybe a little drizzle of honey. Almond milk or a little regular milk on top would make it really dazzle, too. I love the idea of switching up hot cereals with things other than plain ol' oats, so this one really jumped out at me.

The Humble Little Vitamin C Supplement: The Major Thing It Can Do for Your Health

Do you take a vitamin C supplement? You might consider it after hearing about the surprising thing this little orange pill can do for your health ...

According to Mark Hyman, M.D., who blogs for the Huffington Post, more Americans have higher-than-normal lead levels in their bodies than they think. That's a heavy metal you don't want lurking about. Lead in the body can cause everything from insomnia to depression to headaches and low sex drive--and worse.

But, he suggested several ways to reduce your lead exposure and absorption (it's in the environment, so everyone is susceptible), and one that stuck out to me was his recommendation to take a vitamin C supplement (something I do as a matter of course):

Breakfast At Your Desk: Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes, Smothered in Berries

I'm still obsessed with my make and freeze banana pancakes, but I'm thinking about cheating on them with this new recipe. Don't lemon poppy seed pancakes sound divine? Better yet, smother them in antioxidant-rich, end-of-summer berries! The recipes, and a photo that will make you drool...

Before I go any further, I feel compelled to tell you that when I initially typed the headline above, I typed "poopy" instead of "poppy." So glad I caught that one.

Anywho. I found this recipe over at the beautiful blog Picky Cook (lots of tasty inspiration here--check it out!):

Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes

Makes 12 pancakes (enjoy one, freeze the rest)

The Shocking "Health Tip" From One of the World's Oldest People

Guess the health tip that one of the world's oldest people credits for his longevity (It's kind of shocking and a little inspiring)...

Walter Breuning of Great Falls, Montana, just celebrated his 113th birthday, becoming the world's oldest man. Yowza!

Here's why he says he's had such a long, healthy life: He skips dinner.

What?

According to reports, he enjoys two big, healthy meals--breakfast and lunch--and that's it.

While his "skip your dinner" advice is a little controversial (sorry Walter, no can do), I do think he has some good things to say here:

"I think you should push back from the table when you're still hungry," he told USA Today. "You get in the habit of not eating at night, and you realize how good you feel. If you could just tell people not to eat so darn much."

The Surprising Reason Why You're Not Having Sex

Gals, there are many reasons a dry spell may be in progress. But did you know that this surprising thing could be sabotaging a healthy sex life?

Hatchoooo!

A new study out this week reports that people with allergies--seasonal or otherwise--also have trouble in the bedroom. In fact, 83 percent of sneezy individuals say their love life has tanked due to their allergies.

"If you can't breathe, and your nose is running, and your eyes are itchy, and you're sneezing, and you feel awful and you feel tired, you don't feel very sexy," said the study's lead author, Dr. Michael S. Benninger, chairman of the Head and Neck Institute at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, to CNN recently.

Breakfast at Your Desk: I'm Crazy for This New Cinnamon Yogurt

Gals, I recently had a chance to taste test a brand new yogurt variety. Granted, it's a little decadent, but a half cup mixed in with an apple happens to--in my opinion--make the most delicious little summer breakfast ...

I've got a serious crush on the new cinnamon yogurt from Straus Family Creamery. They shuttled over a few of their new flavors for me to try recently, and I had not idea what to expect--especially from the new cinnamon yogurt.

Let me just say, it was love at first bite. Sweet, spicy, incredibly cinnamony (so much so that it was light brown in color!)--yum!

I know, it is whole milk yogurt (not the non-fat stuff we usually talk about on this blog), but if you've been reading this blog long enough you know that I'm a fan of occasional splurges, as long as those splurges are natural, whole foods and not loaded with artificial chemicals and sweeteners. Plus, a half-cup with a diced apple is only going to set you back 3 grams of fat and about 115 calories.