Obesity May Cause Brains to Age 10 Years

Here’s more evidence to support the benefits of maintaining a healthy weight.

The brains of middle-aged overweight people appear 10 years older than those of their normal-weight peers, according to new research. The loss of white matter—tissue that allows for communication between different areas of the brain—is a normal part of aging, say the authors of the new study. But their imaging scans showed that heavier participants experienced widespread loss about a decade earlier than leaner ones.

While the study did not find a connection between participants’ weight and cognitive abilities, the authors do say that their results raise concerns about obesity’s possible role in age-related brain disease.

To compare the brains of different-weight individuals, researchers from the University of Cambridge in the U.K. performed MRIs on 473 study participants between ages 20 and 87. When they divided the results into two categories—lean and overweight or obese—they found a striking difference between the groups.

Overweight people (those with a body mass index of 25 or higher) had significantly less white matter compared to lean people. In fact, the authors noted, the effect looked a lot like what would happen with normal aging, only accelerated. When they calculated the differences across age groups, their observation was confirmed: An overweight 50-year-old, for example, had comparable white matter to a lean 60-year-old.

The differences between groups only appeared in people who were middle-aged and older, suggesting that the brain may be particularly vulnerable to obesity-related damage during this period of life.

The study did not, however, find any difference in cognitive function between the two groups. (In addition to MRIs, participants were given a standard questionnaire similar to an IQ test.) Lead author Lisa Ronan, Ph.D., says this is an important caveat in their results.

“Until we can unpack what is going on, it would be too soon to be alarmist about our findings,” she says. “That being said, it is reasonable to wonder whether an increased BMI may also increase the risk for developing age-related neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.”

And for people who were overweight and had significant loss of white matter, the study wasn’t able to show which came first. “We can only speculate on whether obesity might in some way cause these changes or whether obesity is a consequence of brain changes,” Ronan says.

Based on the results of this study, she adds, there’s no reason for adults (of any weight) to consider getting a brain scan. It does, however, suggest another potential way that extra pounds might be bad for our health—and another reason to aim for or maintain a healthy weight.

The study’s senior author agrees that there’s still a lot to learn in this area. “We’re living in an aging population, with increasing levels of obesity, so it’s essential that we establish how these two factors might interact, since the consequences for health are potentially serious,” Paul Fletcher, Ph.D., said in a press release. “It will also be important to find out whether these changes could be reversible with weight loss, which may well be the case.”

Surprising Beauty Uses for Baking Soda

A $1 box of baking soda can be used for shinier hair, whiter teeth, and more.

Baking soda's beauty benefits

You probably have baking soda in your pantry to use in homemade baked goods, and maybe a box in your refrigerator to absorb odors. It turns out that this $1 kitchen staple can also be used as a cheap DIY alternative to many expensive spa treatments. Arm & Hammer, a household products manufacturer best known for its bright-orange boxes of baking soda, suggests these solutions for smoother hair, brighter skin, whiter teeth, and more.

Hair clarifier

If mousses, serums, sprays, and other products build up in your hair, in can take on a vaguely sticky feeling and limp appearance. Baking soda to the rescue: sprinkle a quarter-size amount of baking soda into a dollop of your regular shampoo. Wash and rinse as usual. Your hair will be shinier and more manageable when you're done.

Dry shampoo alternative

We love dry shampoo for mornings when we've overslept, for quick post-gym touchups, and for hot summer days when we're greasy by 5 p.m. When you need to look presentable in a flash and don't have a can of dry shampoo on hand, sprinkle a few pinches of baking soda onto your roots, tousle your hair, and then run a brush through your mane.

Facial scrub

Love that deep-clean feeling you get from a facial scrub with microbeads? These products may do wonders for your skin, but they're also doing a number on our environment. These tiny plastic beads slip through water filtration systems and are making their way into our streams and oceans, posing risk to fish and other wildlife. A safe alternative: Make your own exfoliating facial scrub using baking soda. Make a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Rub onto your face with gentle, circular strokes, then rinse with warm water.

Body exfoliator

Your skin will look dull and ashy if you allow dry, dead cells to build up on the surface. Speed cell turnover and get an enviable all-over glow by exfoliating once a week. No need to buy an expensive scrub; make your own with baking soda by using the same formula as your face: one part water to three parts baking soda.

Deodorant

If you have sensitive skin, you may be able to use a dusting of baking soda in place of store-bought deodorant. Baking soda neutralizes acids and bases, so it removes odors. It also won't stain your clothes the way many antiperspirants can.

Razor burn soother

A razor burned bikini line can be painful, not to mention unsightly. Soothe your sensitive skin with a solution of 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Allow the solution to dry on your skin (it will take about 5 minutes), and then rinse with cool water. Men can also use this same formula for a pre-shave or after-shave treatment on their face as long as they avoid the eye area.

Nail scrub

Instead of snipping off your cuticles after pushing them back, which can lead to infection, try using a baking soda scrub to exfoliate and smooth. Just dip a nail brush into a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water, run in a circular motion over your hands and fingers, and rinse clean with warm water. Then apply nail polish as usual.

Why Your Random Eating Schedule Is Risky for Your Health

Research suggests the timing of your meals may affect your weight, cholesterol, and insulin levels.

Do you ever postpone dinner because you’re in the middle of a project? Or skip breakfast because you overslept? As long as you avoid binging later on, it’s no big deal, right?

Well, maybe not.

Two new papers published in the Proceedings of the Nutrition Society suggest that it’s not just what you eat, but when you eat that affects your health. Having irregular meals may set you up for obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes—regardless of how many total calories you’re consuming.

One of the reviews examined international eating patterns and found a possible link between obesity and eating more calories in the evening. The other paper concluded that people who consistently ate six meals a day had better cholesterol and insulin levels than those who ate meals with variable frequency—in this case, anywhere from three to nine meals a day.

“We found that adults consuming calories during regular meals—at similar times from one day to [the] next—were less obese than people who have irregular meals, despite consuming more calories overall,” says Gerda Pot, PhD, a visiting lecturer in the Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences Division at King’s College London who worked on both papers.

Really? While it doesn't seem to make sense that meal timing could affect your health that much, the studies are part of an emerging field called chrononutrition, in which researchers are exploring the link between metabolism and circadian rhythms.

Many metabolic processes in the body—such as appetite, digestion, and the metabolism of fat, cholesterol, and glucose—follow patterns that repeat every 24 hours, explains Pot. “Eating inconsistently may affect our internal body clock,” she says. And that disruption might lead to weight gain and other health risks.

But just how significant is the effect of varying your meal times?

“This is a really important and valid question which we unfortunately cannot answer yet,” says Pot. “It would be of great interest to fully understand how much impact disruptions in our circadian rhythms could have on [our] obesity risk.”

So for now, it seems like a good idea to eat at the same times every day if you can. But if you can't, there are plenty of other ways to stay healthy, too.

5 Myths About Bikini Line Hair Removal

Ingrowns, bumps, irritation—ugh. Getting rid of hair down there is a chore, but you can make it easier on yourself if you stop believing these common misconceptions.

The razor bumps. The ingrown hairs. The sensitive skin. The tough angles... There are few places on the body more challenging to maintain than the bikini line, as many women have learned struggling to shave, pluck, wax, and laser their way to smooth skin. Even more unfortunate, there are a ton of myths floating around about hair down there. MarisaGarshick, MD, a dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, reveals the myths she hears patients repeat the most in her office. Which did you believe?

Myth: Hair grows back thicker if you shave it

Doctors says that shaving anywhere on your body will not cause the hair to come back in thicker; diameter will always stay the same over time. “After shaving, the ends of the hairs are simply blunted, as opposed to the natural soft tip, which may cause the hair to seem coarse,” Dr. Garshick explains. “But the actual thickness remains unchanged.” After shaving, she suggests using a mild cleanser and a gentle moisturizer to keep your skin feeling soft and smooth, even when hairs are growing back. Try CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash ($11; drugstore.com) and Eucerin Original Healing Rich Lotion ($12; drugstore.com).

Myth: Tweezing is the best treatment for ingrown hairs

Lots of women think tweezing an ingrown hair is the fastest and most effective way to deal with it, according to Dr. Garshick. They're simply wrong. “Tweezing can lead to trauma of the hair follicle, which will just cause more redness and inflammation,” she explains. “Avoid picking or squeezing as this can lead to scarring.” If you have razor bumps or ingrown hairs, Dr. Garshick says to leave them be. “Often, simply letting the hair grow a little will allow the hair to break free from being trapped in the skin,” she says, at which point you can remove it carefully. You can also use a hot compress to help the point break free. If the ingrown hasn't popped out after a week or two, call your derm, who can extract the ingrown for you.

Myth: You should shave down there every day

A lot of women believe the skin on their bikini line will get used to razoring if they do it daily, says Dr. Garshick, but all that does is bring on more irritation and razor bumps. Wait until a few millimeters of hair are visible, or about two days. To reduce your risk of sensitivity, shave in the direction of the hair growth with a clean razor blade that you replace after five to 10 shaves. “Sometimes a prescription for a topical steroid may be needed to treat razor bumps, but you should discuss this with a specialist,” says Dr. Garshick. “And if you're looking for a more long-term option, laser hair removal can help.”

Myth: It's smart to wax between laser hair removal treatments

Laser hair removal treatments from a board-certified dermatologist leave you hair-free in five to eight treatments. The key: five to eight treatments, not one or two. The laser specifically targets growing hairs, which is only a portion of your total hairs, Dr. Garshick explains. “Although you will notice a significant improvement after your laser hair removal sessions, you may still notice some hairs that don't go away right away,” she says. “Do not attempt to remove this hair with waxing, because the laser targets the pigment in the hair. If the hair has been removed, the laser can't do its job.” Dr. Garshick says to leave the hair alone. Don’t wax, pluck, or bleach between laser hair treatments, although it’s okay to shave, which will still allow the hair to be zapped by the laser during your next treatment.

Myth: I have dark skin, so laser hair removal isn't an option for me

With many laser hair removal techniques, the laser targets a darker hair against the lighter backdrop of the skin. Dr. Garshick says that dermatologists will advise people with darker skin against those treatment types, because if the laser can’t tell the difference between the skin and the hair, then it can burn the skin. That said, there are now safe and effective lasers for those with deeper complexions. “But make sure to seek a laser hair removal specialist, and ask about a laser specific for darker skin types to decrease the chance of any problems,” Dr. Garshick explains. Though estheticians can perform laser hair removal, it's safest to go to a dermatologist—no matter the color of your skin.

How to Protect Your Hair From Sun, Chlorine, and Salt Water

Sun. Chlorine. Salt water. The best parts of summer can leave our hair a complete mess come Labor Day. Our locks take a beating during the warmer months, leaving strands dry, color-faded, frizzy, and greasy. Even air conditioning can do a number on hair.

So what gives? Is there any way to keep our hair healthy and still enjoy a dip in the pool? Luckily, there are plenty. We tapped New York City-based hairstylist Nathan Rosenkranz to understand what happens to our hair during the summer, what we can do to fix it, plus a few ways to rehabilitate our hair come fall.

Lock in moisture

Sun exposure, salt water, and sweat can pull moisture from your strands, leaving them dry and prone to breakage. To avoid this, “start with wearing a nice wide brimmed hat to keep the sun off of your hair,” says Rosenkranz. This will help keep the sun’s rays off your hair, thus protecting your hair from dryness and preserving the color (with the added bonus of protecting your skin!). Double up by using a product that both moisturizes and shields your hair from UV rays. Rosenkranz recommends Bamboo Beach Summer Sun Recovery Spray from Alterna Haircare ($22; sephora.com).

Create a shield

"In the summer we're more frequently exposing our hair to the chemicals in pools, salt water, and spending more time in the heat, all of which will strip your hair of its beautiful color," says Rosenkranz. Before going for a swim in the pool or ocean, he recommends wetting your hair completely and thoroughly applying a leave-in conditioner. “Your hair will absorb the conditioner instead of the chlorine or salt water,” he says. Try EverPure Damage Protect Leave in Treatment from L'Oreal Paris ($9; amazon.com), which is sulfate-free and also works to restore damage.

Fight frizz

The key to combating frizzy hair is locking out the humidity. “Humidity is like Miracle Gro for flyaways,” says Rosenkranz, “so anyone who is prone to frizzy hair will be suffering extra during the humidity brought on by summer showers.” You can do this with an oil, like Oleo Miracle Replenishing Oil from DESSANGE Paris ($12; target.com). It's loaded with three oils—argan, camelia, and pracaxi, which work together to leave your hair both smooth and soft.

Hide grease

A sweatier body leads to greasier hair. "When it's hot, your scalp sweats, transferring the naturally occurring sebum throughout the hair more, which can cause the hair to look greasy," says Rosenkranz. "Not a good look!" To fix this, he recommends using an absorbent dry shampoo, like Batiste Dry Shampoo ($6; amazon.com).

How to rehab hair after summer

If you haven't spent the summer protecting your mane from the sun and surf, you can repair damaged locks once the weather starts to cool. "First, look for good treatments," says Rosenkranz. He has been recommending Caviar Moisture Intense Oil Crème Pre-Shampoo Treatment ($30; sephora.com) to revitalize your hair. You apply the treatment 15 minutes before shampooing. "In addition to boosting the moisturizing benefits of your existing shampoo and conditioner regimen, it moisturizes to revitalize dehydrated strands, leaving hair supremely smooth, soft, and shiny." The big takeaway here: moisture! 

How to Get a Flat Stomach in 30 Days

Transform your body in just four weeks with exclusive workouts, easy-to-follow recipes and science-backed tips.  

Gather with friends for a glass of wine or a group jog and at some point someone will start in about her middle. "What happened to it?" she’ll ask. Lots of us have asked that question, and we blame childbearing, Ben & Jerry's or taking too few group jogs (and having too many glasses of wine instead). In fact, a 2014 Today show survey revealed that our bellies are, hands down, the body part we worry about most.

All of us want our waists back, but making that happen is tricky—and it's more than just a vanity move. Visceral fat, the kind that gathers in the midsection around your organs, has been linked to serious health problems and diabetes. So trimming our tummies is a smart goal—and one that is totally within our reach!

Eating the right foods and getting into an exercise routine can help us shed those pounds without feeling tortured. That's why Health developed the 30-Day Flat Belly Challenge in partnership with Tracy Anderson.

Signing up for this month-long program provides the tools you need to get the toned tummy you desire:

Exclusive fat-blasting core workouts from Tracy Anderson and Health's other fitness experts
An easy-to-follow flat belly meal plan loaded with healthy and satisfying recipes designed to help you drop pounds
The latest research on gut health from Health contributing medical editor Roshini Rajapaksa, MD
Science-backed nutrition tips from Health contributing nutrition editor Cynthia Sass, RD
A weekly fitness test to measure your progress
Access to the 30-Day Flat Belly Challenge community, where you can share the tips and tricks that are working for you, and learn new healthy hacks from others who are taking the course

These Sleep Disorders May Raise Your Stroke Risk

And they might impede recovery after a stroke, according to new research.



Insomnia and sleep apnea appear to increase stroke risk, finds a review study published online Wednesday in the journal Neurology. Because of this link, researchers say, anyone who’s had a stroke or a transient ischemic attack—also called a mini-stroke or TIA—should be screened for undiagnosed sleep disorders.

The new review looked at several dozen studies that included tens of thousands of patients with sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, excessive daytime sleepiness, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and REM sleep behavior disorder. These conditions are common in stroke patients, the authors wrote, and research suggests that they are both contributing factors and also consequences of stroke.

Overall, the researchers found strong evidence that sleep-disordered breathing conditions (including sleep apnea) increased the risk of stroke and TIA. They also made healing from a stroke more difficult: Some studies found a higher risk of death or another cardiovascular event in recovering patients with sleep breathing problems, while others found higher blood pressure, slower neurologic recovery, and longer hospital stays.

Disorders that affect how much time a person actually spends asleep—such as insomnia, restless leg syndrome, excessive sleep, or excessive daytime sleepiness—may increase stroke risk and harm recovery, as well, the researchers concluded, although the evidence wasn’t as strong for these conditions.

These findings are important, say the study authors, because doctors don’t always make the connection between sleep problems and stroke.

“Although sleep disorders are common after a stroke, very few stroke patients are tested for them,” said co-author Dirk M. Hermann, MD, of University Hospital Essen in Essen, Germany, in a press release. “The results of our review show that should change, as people with sleep disorders may be more likely to have another stroke or other negative outcomes than people without sleep problems, such as having to go to a nursing home after leaving the hospital.”

Getting screened and diagnosed can mean getting proper treatment. For sleep apnea patients, says Hermann, that means being prescribed a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. Evidence shows that using these devices—which are worn at night and force air through the nose and into the airways, keeping the throat from closing up—can help people stay healthier after suffering a stroke.

Losing weight should also help to improve sleep-disordered breathing, the study notes. Being cautious with alcohol use, which can negatively affect breathing during sleep, is also recommended.

The authors weren’t as supportive of using medications, such as hypnotics, sedatives, stimulants, and benzodiazepines, for sleep-wake disorders. “Treatment is relevant for stroke recovery and outcome,” they write, “but should be used thoughtfully considering potential side effects.”

The bottom line? If you’ve been diagnosed with a sleep disorder or suspect that you might have one, talk to your doctor about treatment, and about how you can protect yourself from stroke. And if you or a loved one has had a stroke, make sure you’re screened—and treated, if necessary—for hidden sleep problems that may be affecting your health.

More 1-Year-Olds Get Eye Burns Than Any Other Age

Most babies and toddlers suffer eye damage from household cleaning supplies, which are kept under a sink or in a low closet. 

More babies get permanent eye damage from chemicals than people at any other age, says new research.

The results are surprising; previously it was believed that young working adults were at higher risk of damaging eye splashes, because of the environments they work in. But 1-year-olds are twice as likely to suffer eye burns as 24-year-olds, who have the highest rate among adults. They are 13 times more likely to get hurt this way than 7-year-olds.

The new study, which was led by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, analyzed data gathered from 2010 to 2013 by the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample. That data encompasses roughly 30 million annual E.R. visits at more than 900 U.S. hospitals. In that time, there were more than 144,000 E.R. visits related to chemical eye burns.

Doctors say that these are among the worst type of eye injury. The longer an alkaline agent, for example, is in the eye, the more damage it does and the eye’s internal structures can often be harmed beyond repair.

Most babies and toddlers suffer eye damage from household cleaning supplies, which are kept under a sink or in a low closet. The spray bottle is a big culprit here, with its fascinating and easy-to-operate trigger action. Injuries usually occurred at home, in families on the lower half of the income scale and more often in the South.

“These are terrible injuries; they occur most frequently in the smallest of children and they are entirely preventable,” said study leader R. Sterling Haring in a statement. “These children do not deal with chemicals on the job. They are injured largely because they get into chemicals such as household cleaners that are improperly stored.”

The good news this is a simple fix. Buy a simple lock for the cleaning supplies closet. Or keep the supplies on a high shelf. Teach your kids to stay away from these chemicals as soon as they are able to comprehend or if they’re young chemists, teach them the value of safety goggles. Businesses could help too, by designing spray bottles which automatically locked after they’d been used.

“Chemical eye burns are a sizeable problem in the United States,” said Haring. “Our research shows that age-specific prevention strategies need to be put in place to keep people of all ages safe from what can be devastating injuries.”

4 Ways to Beat the Sunday Night Blues

Stop letting Monday ruin your Sunday. With these expert-backed strategies, you'll end your weekend feeling happy and stress-free. 

Sunday night: it’s the wet blanket of the weekend—and if you’ve ever felt your TGIFs morph into OMGs as Sunday comes to a close, you’re not alone. According to a 2015 poll by Monster.com, 76% of Americans report "really bad" Sunday night blues.

One reason Sundays seem to end on such a low note: we might be unconsciously stuck in the emotions of childhood. “Many children experience a sort of separation anxiety when it comes to leaving their parents and home and getting back to school on Monday,” explains Gail Saltz MD, associate professor of psychiatry at the New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell School of Medicine and Health's contributing psychology editor. “That Sunday-night anxiety can become the mind’s habit, even if you’re years or decades out of school.”

The typical Monday-to-Friday workweek structure also plays a role. “Getting back to a regular schedule can trigger your mind to start creating all sorts of predictions and reflections,” explains Simon Rego, PsyD, director of psychology training at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. “And that tends to go two ways: you start to feel some form of anxious or sad.”

Closing out the weekend with a slump doesn't have to be the norm. The thoughts we have on Sunday night can be tamed, so we’re less anxious, less sad, and actually still savoring the last few hours of the weekend. Here’s how to overcome the sucky Sundays and stay in chill mode—at least until Monday morning.

THOUGHT: I’m totally screwed for work on Monday.

WHAT IT IS: Anxiety

Even if you love your job, Mondays are tough—especially when you have an overflowing inbox or a pile of unfinished assignments staring you down. To keep you from worrying on Sunday about what the workweek will bring, it’s important to try to take a step back and put your stress into perspective. “A lot of times with anxiety, we’re not always dealing with realistic thoughts,” explains Rego. “We can create worst-case scenarios in our head that we then believe are true, even though they are not.”


The solution is to stop the cycle of what-if. “Don’t give these anxious thoughts a free ride,” Rego continues. “Every time you catch yourself thinking them, stop yourself and think, ‘Is this something that would really happen or has ever really happened in the past?’ Remind yourself that it’s going to be ok and you’ve actually managed quite well in the past.”

If you have time, Rego encourages clients to take “productive action” where they can. Read your work email for 10 minutes (but only 10 minutes—set a timer!) or practice that presentation. “It can be helpful to do a little work and it can alleviate some of those worries about feeling underprepared if you can knock some tasks off,” says Rego.

THOUGHT: I never cleaned out my closet this weekend—again.  

WHAT IT IS: Guilt

It's easy to lose sight of all you accomplished on Saturday and Sunday when you remember the things you didn’t do: you forgot to call Grandma, your bathtub's still dirty, you never dropped off the dry cleaning. Guilt sets in, putting a dark mark on your otherwise productive weekend.

“Guilt is an emotion that we experience when we think we have violated our own moral code or ethical rules for living,” explains Rego. “People who feel guilty often tend to have very high standards for themselves, sometimes ones that aren’t realistic.”

To shake it, first make amends with the fact that yes, you may have ditched your plans, but that’s not a reflection of who you are as person. “People sometimes forget that things like our relationships or our approach to exercise aren’t based off one big event that we do—they’re a sum of small, everyday behaviors,” says Rego.

Rego adds that it’s helpful to approach the situation with compassion. “Think about what you would say to a friend if they told you they skipped the gym or didn’t take the kids to the zoo—you probably wouldn’t be so critical and would tell them that it’s no big deal. You deserve to speak to yourself the same way.”

THOUGHT: Everyone’s weekend was better than mine.

WHAT IT IS: Comparison

You were perfectly happy with your low-key weekend at home—until you spotted your friend's amazing concert photos on Instagram. “Comparison is an instinctive way to gauge how we’re doing, but there’s rarely any benefit to it," says Rego. "Often you just end up making yourself feel worse,” says Rego.


To dismantle the cycle of compare-and-despair, skip the Sunday evening social media trolling—nothing good comes out of it. Then, if you’re going to compare yourself to others, do it objectively. “We generally only compare up, meaning we hardly even consider what the people who have less accessibility than us or are less fortunate than us are doing,” says Rego. “Do you ever think about how the homeless spend their weekend?” (Probably not.) As cliché as it sounds, he suggests counting your blessings—you’ll quickly come to realize that you have much more in your life than your social media account lets on. If you're truly disappointed with how your weekend went, make plans for the next one.

THOUGHT: I'm so bummed that the weekend is over.

WHAT IT IS: Sadness

It's true: Monday morning spreadsheets are not nearly as fun as Sunday brunch, a backyard barbecue, or even binge-watching Stranger Things on Netflix. Still, spending Sunday evening moping about that won't do you any good. This sadness often washes over people when they're hanging out at home and not doing much, says Dr. Saltz. “If you tend to be more of the sad type on Sundays, it’s actually good to add some activities to the end of your day that can give you a sense of accomplishment,” she says. Invite friends or family over for dinner, head to the gym, or pick up a book you've been meaning to read. By staying occupied, you'll end the weekend feeling happier and more relaxed.  

The 27 Best Anti-Aging Tips of All Time

Prevent fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, dark spots, and other visible signs of aging with these proven strategies.

How to look younger than your years

Sure, the arsenal of anti-aging lotions, serums, and creams you've got stashed in your medicine cabinet can slow down the aging process and make your skin glow (in fact, we swear by many of them).

But when it comes to preventing and fading the fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots that tack years onto your appearance, making smart lifestyle changes is what will really erase years from your face.


These 27 anti-aging tips really work, according to research, dermatologists, and beauty experts.

Skip the straw

Using a straw seems like an innocent enough habit, but over time, you may notice wrinkles around your mouth.

“Sipping through a straw accentuates those facial muscles where fine lines can occur,” says Angela Lamb, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The more you use those muscles, the more noticeable the lines there will become, she explains.

Seriously, don't smoke

Add this to the already-long list of reasons to quit. While less serious than reducing your chances of getting lung cancer or heart disease, smoking also damages your looks. The habit takes a major toll on your appearance, contributing to premature skin aging, wrinkles, stained teeth, and even increased psoriasis risk.

“Smoking increases wrinkles due to facial motion, and it also has a vasoconstricting effect, which means it chokes off blood vessel circulation,” says dermatologist David Stoll, MD, author of A Woman’s Skin.

Eat your antioxidants

While a healthy diet does wonders for your entire body, fruits and veggies that contain antioxidants like vitamins B and E are particularly great for skin.

“Antioxidants help protect skin against free radicals in the environment, which are damaging to skin cells,” says dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum, MD, chief medical spokesperson for Sebamed. “They work to prevent free radicals from breaking down the skin’s elastin and collagen, resulting in more youthful, healthier skin.”

For vitamins B6 and B12, fill your plate with fish and poultry. Vegetarians can get vitamin B6 through chickpeas, which contain 55% of your DV in just one cup. And wheat germ oil (100% DV), sunflower seeds (37% DV), and almonds (34% DV) are all terrific sources of vitamin E.

Fill up on fermented foods

You probably already know that foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, tempeh, and other probiotic-rich foods are good for your gut. Turns out they may also combat premature aging.

“Fermented foods have excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties,” says Craig Kraffert, MD, a board certified dermatologist and president of Amarte.

Beauty products that are made with fermented extracts may also make a difference. Dr. Kraffert recommends products that contain ingredients like fermented gingko biloba nut or mushroom extract. “The most commonly cited benefits of fermented extracts within skincare products are skin calming and brightening,” he says.

Pack on the protein

Most women should eat 46 grams of protein a day (more if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or a competitive athlete). Hitting that target will help control cravings, in turn helping you lose weight or simply maintain your youthfully slim figure.

“Protein helps to build and maintain muscle mass, which we tend to lose as we age,” says Keri Gans, RD, a New York City-based nutrition consultant and author of The Small Change Diet.

Additionally, eating enough protein is essential for healthy-looking hair—the nutrient is a building block for strong strands.

Cut back on sugar

As if the risk for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease wasn’t enough, sugar may take a toll on your skin, too. In a 2010 study, researchers found a link between dietary sugars like glucose and greater production of advanced glycation end products (AGES).

But if you have a sweet tooth, don’t panic just yet. “The supportive scientific and clinical data, while growing, remains limited,” says Dr. Kraffert. So enjoy sugar in small amounts, and focus more on  leading an active lifestyle and eating an overall balanced diet.

Sleep on a silk pillowcase

Cotton and polyester tug at the delicate skin on your face, but silk and satin pillowcases are gentler, and can prevent you from waking up with creased cheeks. “With a silk pillowcase, your skin slides on the pillow,” New York City-based dermatologist Debra Jaliman, MD previously told Health. It’s possible that less friction on your skin can slow the formation of fine lines over time. Bonus: sleeping on silk also helps prevent frizzy hair.

Sleep on your back

Always sleep on your side? The habit could be causing lines to form on the cheek that’s constantly pressed against the pillow. “Sleeping on one side can definitely cause wrinkles on that side alone,” says Dr. Stoll. “I’ve seen this many times.”

Side-sleepers may want to switch to their backs—and not just to prevent wrinkles. Back-sleeping eases neck and back pain, fights acid reflux, and even helps prevent saggy breasts.

Fill up on healthy fats

There are lots of reasons to love omega-3 fatty acids: They keep you full, help your body absorb essential vitamins, and have been linked to reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Another perk? Super-healthy skin: “Omega-3 fatty acids promote smoother, younger-looking skin by reducing inflammatory skin conditions like acne and psoriasis,” explains Gans.

Make exercise a priority

As if keeping your weight in check and preventing chronic health conditions weren't enough, regular workouts can help you look and feel younger than your years, according to research. A recent study of older adults published in The Journal of Physiology discovered that the more active participants functioned physiologically similar to younger adults.

Your face will benefit from those sweat sessions, too: Research from McMaster University in Canada found that exercise could help slow signs of skin aging.

Manage your stress

Stressful situations take a toll on more than just your mental health. “Stress and stress-associated hormones have aging effects,” explains Dr. Lamb.

Research suggests that these negative effects start at the cellular level. In a 2013 Dutch study, for example, researchers found that the cells of people who had depression aged more quickly than those who hadn’t suffered from the disease. “[P]sychological distress … has a large, detrimental impact on the wear and tear of a person’s body, resulting in accelerated biological aging,” one of the study’s authors explained in a news release.

To prevent premature aging, Dr. Lamb recommends taking steps to de-stress your life—whether that means getting more sleep, practicing yoga, or learning to meditate.

Exfoliate the right way

Exfoliating using beads or chemical peels is a go-to skincare strategy for sloughing off dead skin and revealing a smoother complexion underneath—but it’s important to make sure you’re not aggravating your face in the process. “Too much exfoliation is counterproductive,” says Dr. Stoll. He recommends talking to your dermatologist about the best exfoliation method for your skin type.

Get on the retinoid bandwagon

If you only have one anti-aging product in your medicine cabinet, make it a retinoid. Dermatologists love this powerful skincare ingredient (a derivative of vitamin A) for its ability to accelerate cell renewal.

“Retinoids turn over skin cells and boost collagen production, which leads to more youthful-looking skin,” says Dr. Lamb.

New to retinoids? The ingredient can be drying, so start off slowly by working products with a lower percentage into your regimen, and then working your way up.

Scale back on salt

You already know that eating high-sodium foods make your body retain water, leaving you feeling heavy and bloated. So it should come as no surprise that super-salty fare triggers a similar response in your face, giving you a puffier appearance (under your eyes, for example). To cut back gradually, start cooking with salt-free flavor boosters such as chili peppers, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. Not only will you look less bloated, but a low-sodium diet will also reduce your risk of high blood pressure and stroke.

Drink plenty of H2O

“Not drinking enough water will take a toll on aging skin,” says Dr. Nussbaum. She recommends aiming to drink half your weight in ounces of water per day (in other words, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should drink about 75 ounces of water, or about nine glasses). And besides sipping H2O, you can trick yourself into getting more water in your daily diet by adding certain fruits, vegetables and beverages to your routine.

Go easy on the booze

Speaking of drinking: Alcohol dehydrates the body, so think twice before having that second glass of wine. “Dehydrated skin is more likely to appear dry, sallow, dull, and crepey,” Dr. Nussbaum says. Be especially careful of white wine: the acid in white wine can damage your enamel and make your teeth more susceptible to long-lasting stains.

Take care of your hands

You probably give the skin on your face plenty of TLC, but what about your hands? “Without a targeted regimen to slow down the onset of dark spots and textural changes, the hands can age a person faster than the face,” Joshua Zeichner, MD previously told Health.

Sun exposure is mainly responsible for dark spots and crepey skin. Rub SPF on the backs of hands every morning to protect the delicate skin there from harmful UV rays. And at night, use your regular anti-aging face lotion on your hands to hydrate and ward off age-related dry patches.

Take time off your chest

Another often-forgotten patch of skin: your chest. Too much sun exposure when you're young may leave you with blotchy, freckled skin in the short term, and down the line, you may notice wrinkles, loose skin, and white spots.

“Your best bet is to stop daily damage before it gets serious,” says Dr. Kraffert. To keep your décolletage from deteriorating, wear sunscreen on days you're not wearing clothing that covers your chest.

And if you already have sun damage, moisturize the area before bed with an over-the-counter retinol or with a cream that contains melanin production inhibitors to brighten skin. “Adding other skin-brightening ingredients such as sulfur and botanical extracts will help, too,” says Dr. Kraffert.

Wash your face before bed

You know you’re supposed to do it, but sometimes you just… don’t. We get it. But experts stress that failing to wash your face at the end of the day is a major missed opportunity for skin to regenerate while you sleep (not to mention, it ups your chances of waking up with clogged pores).

“Skin renews itself overnight, so if you want to change the way your skin functions, the most important ingredients should be applied before bed,” Olga Lorencin-Northrup, founder and lead aesthetician of Kinara Spa in Los Angeles previously told Health.

Get serious about sunscreen

You’ve heard it before, but it can’t be said enough: “Wearing SPF is the best anti-aging thing you can do for your skin,” says Dr. Lamb.

A 2013 study in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that people who wore sunscreen three to four days a week were less likely to experience skin aging after four and a half years than those who didn’t. In addition to wrinkles, sun exposure also contributes to discoloration, which shows up in the form of dark spots on your face and hands.

And that bottle of SPF isn’t just for trips to the beach. “Even passive daily UV rays cause damage to the skin that make it age faster,” Dr. Lamb says.

Sleep it off

You should think of sleep as being another essential step in your skincare routine. “Sleep is super important in allowing the body to regenerate, and the skin is no different,” says Dr. Nussbaum. Not only will plenty of shut-eye let skin cells regenerate overnight, but it will also help prevent dark under-eye circles, she says. Certain foods can also help you sleep so stock your fridge with these sleep inducers if you're having shut eye issues.

Visit a dermatologist

Booking regular appointments with your dermatologist will ensure that you’re up-to-date on the latest anti-aging skincare developments. Your doctor may recommend treatments for more dramatic results than you’d get from home remedies or even from a trip to the spa.

For example, Dr. Stoll says he might suggest an exfoliating peel that contains glycolic or trichloracetic acid for patients. “Aestheticians can legally use up to 20%, but doctors can use stronger strengths, like 70% glycolic acid,” he explains.

Moisturize before skin dries

Moisturizing takes more effort than just slapping some lotion on your face. All those pricey anti-aging products you’ve invested in will work more effectively if you use them on clean, moist skin, says Dr. Kraffert. When you get out of the shower, he suggests applying lotion within three minutes—before water on skin has a chance to fully evaporate. “Not only will you get the benefits of the moisturizer itself, but you’ll help seal in the hydration from the water,” he explains. “If you wait too long and that water evaporates from your skin, it can take some of your body’s natural moisture with it.”

Load up on vitamin C

Experts are divided on whether or not a diet that includes lots of vitamin C superfoods such as citrus, peppers, and kale can ward off signs of aging. But it certainly can't hurt to add more of these foods to your plate. In a 2007 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers found that people who ate vitamin C-rich foods had fewer wrinkles and less age-related dry skin than those who did not.

A vitamin C serum may offer more noticeable benefits. “Topical vitamin C is much more important for preventing wrinkles than oral vitamin C,” says Dr. Stoll.

Brighten your smile

Stained, yellowed teeth can add years to your face. To feel more confident about your smile, remove stains with whitening toothpaste, strips, or trays. You can also prevent discoloration by getting regular dental cleanings and brushing your teeth after drinking red wine, coffee, and soda, or eating foods with sticky sauces such as barbecue or soy—some of the worst culprits.

Watch the way you text

Like sipping through a straw, the repetitive motion of looking down at your smartphone can eventually cause rings to show up on your neck. “Fine lines and wrinkles can form over decades’ time through repeat motions,” says Dr. Nussbaum.

While there’s no fast fix, maintaining good posture and holding your smartphone at eye level can help. Dr. Nussbaum also recommends applying a firming lotion daily. “I favor lotions that are formulated with antioxidants and ingredients like shea butter and argan oil,” she says.

Let up on the heat styling

Can't imagine going a day without straightening your hair? Laying off the flatiron even just two days a week can restore your hair's bounce and shine—and make you look younger in the process. Master the wet bun, learn to love dry shampoo, or embrace your natural texture and allow your mane to air dry.

The Secrets Military Diet

If you want to lose weight quickly, you may think about the Military Diet (which has no real link to the branches of the military). Before you do, learn more about this diet.

No research has proven that it can help you lose weight. The diet may make you feel hungry, tired, and grumpy because it’s a low-calorie plan.

The Promise

The plan claims that you may lose up to 10 pounds in a week if you follow it. It’s a very strict, low-calorie diet with some foods that seem healthy and others that don’t. There are set foods to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but that’s it. There are no snacks, and there’s no wiggle room about food choices based on your tastes.

The diet itself only lasts for 3 days. After that, switch to a normal, healthy diet for at least 4 days. If you’d like to lose more weight, you can repeat the program as often as you’d like, as long as you take 4-day breaks every time after you do it.

Never follow the diet longer than 3 days in a row.

What You Can Eat and What You Can’t

Every morsel you’ll eat on this diet has been chosen for you ahead of time. You’ll need to follow the plan completely to get the best results.

It doesn’t include superfoods like salmon, almonds, or quinoa. Instead, you’ll find normal choices, like canned tuna, hard-boiled eggs, and cheddar cheese. Some meals have breads, but they aren’t the healthy whole grains you’d expect. At least one meal includes saltine crackers.

There’s a 3-day menu to follow, with a total of nine different meals. For example:

 1. One breakfast menu requires you to eat:

• 1/2 grapefruit
• 1 slice toast
• 2 Tbsp. peanut butter
• 1 cup coffee or tea (no cream or sugar)

1. 1. 
      
   2. One dinner menu includes:

• Two hot dogs without buns
• 1 cup of broccoli
• 1/2 cup of carrots
• 1/2 banana
• 1/2 cup of vanilla ice cream

You can drink water and black coffee or tea, but no soda, milk, juice, or alcohol. Stick to the menu as much as you can. You’re allowed to switch out some foods if you have food allergies or other dietary needs. But only make swaps that the diet approves. For example, you can have sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter or a tofu dog instead of a hot dog. But don’t switch the grapefruit to an orange or the vanilla ice cream to a scoop of mint chip or cookie dough

Giant Weed Can Cause Blisters, Even Blindness

Officials urge people to steer clear of the giant hogweed.

Call it the import that nobody wants.

Experts are urging residents of several states to beware of the "giant hogweed," a tall plant native to Central Asia with umbrella-size flowers containing toxic sap that can cause burns, blisters and, in some cases, even blindness.

"Avoid it at all cost," Jodi Holt, a professor of plant physiology at University of California, Riverside, told ABC News.

"The sap causes something called phytophotodermatitis when it touches humans," causing scars and potentially blindness if it comes into contact with the eyes, Holt said. Some cases of blindness occurred after children used the hollow stalks as telescopes.
Heracleum Mantegazzianum, as hogweed is botanically known, is already a concern in the Northeast and spreading fast. Patches of giant hogweed have also been sighted in the Pacific Northwest.

With white blossoms a foot or larger in diameter, giant hogweed towers up to 15 feet tall and thrives in wet, cool places. It is often spotted near homes, roadways, railroad beds and streams, ABC News said.

Crews in several states, including New York, have been charged with seeking out and destroying the invasive species. New York has also set up a giant hogweed hotline — 845-256-3111 — for people to identify sightings.

Typically, large quantities of herbicides are needed to vanquish the plant when found in large patches. Smaller patches can be controlled by hand-cutting the roots, according to published reports.

Giant hogweed has been found and destroyed in three counties of Vermont — Bennington, Washington and Windsor, state plant pathologists reported. And officials in Washington, D.C., are asking residents to be on the lookout for giant hogweed so they can weed out the botanical terrorist, according to news reports.

According to the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation, reactions can occur within 15 minutes when skin contact occurs in conjunction with sunlight. The sap contains a photosensitizing chemical that accelerates sun damage and can result in a serious sunburn. Perspiration can increase the reaction, officials said.

If you spot giant hogweed, don't try to remove it yourself, experts said. Instead, report the sighting to your state or local department of invasive species control.

"The importance of learning what the plant looks like cannot be overstated," Holt told ABC News.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has put the giant hogweed near the top of its Federal Noxious Weed list. The agency said the plant has been reported in Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington and Vermont.

The Facebook Effect: Good or Bad for Your Health?

News-grabbing headlines like "Facebook Linked to Depression" get all the attention, but other research shows that social networking can actually make you healthier. Read this report before you "like," "poke," or "friend" again.

Is it us, or are news headlines about Facebook’s impact on our health popping up more and more these days? Considering that 51 percent of Americans over age 12 now have profiles on the social networking site compared to 8 percent just three years ago, according to new data from Edison Research, it’s no wonder there are entire scientific journals devoted to the psychology of social networking, and piles of studies analyzing such sites’ effects on our moods, body image, friendships, and marriages.


Negative conditions such as “Facebook depression” or Facebook-fueled divorces bear the brunt of the media blitz, but much of the body of research actually points to positive perks from Facebook use. Here, a deeper look at how all those “likes,” “pokes,” and status updates are really affecting you and your family’s well-being, and how you can outsmart some of the potentially negative side effects.

Health Benefits of Facebook

Research shows that Facebook can:

• Fuel self-esteem. In a Cornell University study, students felt better about themselves after they updated their Facebook profiles; a control group of students who didn’t log onto the site didn’t experience such a mood lift. The very act of posting something about yourself — regardless of what you write — can boost your self-confidence because you control the image you present to your network of friends, according to researchers.Similarly, according to a Michigan State University study, students with low self-esteem and happiness levels who used Facebook more frequently felt more connected to friends and campus life than those who logged on less often.

• Strengthen friendship bonds. In a small study of heavy Facebook-using young British adults between ages 21 and 29, Lancaster University researchers found that the site helped cement positive interactions among friends. Both private messages and wall posts allowed Facebook users to confide in their friends, surf down memory lane, and laugh out loud, promoting happy feelings.

• Stamp out shyness and loneliness. In a soon-to-be-published Carnegie Mellon study, researchers who surveyed more than 1,100 avid Facebook-using adults found that receiving messages from friends and consuming info from friends’ news feeds boosted feelings of connectedness, especially in people with self-described “low social skills.” Authors say that for shy people, gleaning information from news feeds and profiles can help start conversations they otherwise might not be comfortable enough to strike up. “People who are uncomfortable chatting face to face gain more through their use of the site,” says study co-author Moira Burke, a PhD candidate in the university’s Human-Computer Interaction Institute.

Similar benefits hold true for tweens and teens: Australian researchers who studied more than 600 students between age 10 and 16 found that communicating online helped improve communication skills for lonely adolescents, giving them an outlet to talk more comfortably about personal topics.

Health Risks of Facebook

Research also shows that Facebook can:

• Cause depression. A recently published American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) paper made a major splash when it described Facebook depression — a condition said to result when tweens and teens spend too much time on social media, leading them to turn to “substance abuse, unsafe sexual practices, or aggressive or self-destructive behaviors.”However, the phenomenon is more anecdotal than based on solid science, and some experts suggest that it’s more of a correlation — that people who are depressed may simply be more likely to use Facebook. “People who are already feeling down or depressed might go online to talk to their friends, and try and be cheered up,” wrote John M. Grohol, PsyD, founder and editor-in-chief of PsychCentral.com on his blog. “This in no way suggests that by using more and more of Facebook, a person is going to get more depressed.”In one of the papers cited by the AAP report, researchers found that the more time first-time Internet users spent online, the more likely they were to experience loneliness and depression but a follow-up study showed such effects disappeared a year later, according to Dr. Grohol. “It may simply be something related to greater familiarity with the Internet,” he wrote. In another paper referenced by the AAP report, the depression-Facebook link only held true among people with “low-quality” friendships; people with good pals did not experience depression with increasing Facebook use.

• Trigger eating disorders. The more time adolescent girls spent on the social networking site, the more likely they were to develop eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and extreme dieting, Israeli researchers recently found. Exposure to online fashion and music content, as well as watching TV shows like Gossip Girl, were also associated with an increased risk for eating disorders.But researchers aren’t saying that social networking sites necessarily cause eating disorders; as with Facebook depression, it may be that people prone to eating disorders spend more time online. What’s more, the researchers found that parents can help protect their daughters from harmful effects of media: The children of parents who were aware of what their daughters were viewing online — and talked to them about what they saw and how much time they spent — were less prone to develop eating disorders, according to study authors.

• Split up marriages. Facebook was referenced in 20 percent of divorce petitions processed in 2009 by Divorce-Online, a British law firm. Time magazine reported that feuding spouses use their Facebook pages to air dirty laundry, while their lawyers use posts as evidence in divorce proceedings. Sexual health expert Ian Kerner, PhD, recently blogged on CNN that he’s seen many relationships destroyed by “Facebook bombs” — people reconnecting with high school sweethearts or other blasts from the past that can lead to emotional, if not actual, cheating.“The mistake I often see is when someone gets friended or messaged by an ex and doesn’t tell their partner,” Kerner told Everyday Health. “It’s a slippery slope from the moment you don’t disclose information.”He warns that it’s easy to over-romanticize the past, which can cause people to check out of their current relationship. Kerner advises couples to not keep secrets about whom they’re chatting with on Facebook. And while the site certainly makes it easy to reconnect with old flames and flirt behind the façade of your computer, the potential damage it can do depends on the stability of your relationship in the first place. “It all depends on your level of trust in your spouse,” says Kerner. “Have a dialogue, set some rules. The key is transparency.”

Bottom line: For most people, how or whether Facebook affects your mood, your health, or your marriage probably depends far more on your off-line well-being, activities, and influences than what you do when you log on.