Translate to your own language

Become a member of ADDY as me with my link and get $25 to kickstart your own investing journey 🏠

February 26, 2013

Playtex 'Fresh + Sexy Wipes' Suggest You Should Be Insecure About Your Intimate Parts

According to a Playtex survey released earlier this month, 35 per cent of Canadians reported having sex just a few times a month while 19 per cent are only doing it once a month or less. With the average between-the-sheets session lasting a mere six minutes, I’m willing to bet that most of us spend more time each day waiting for the bus or standing in line at Starbucks than we do being intimate with our partners.

Married versus dating? 63% of Canadians who are dating are having sex at least a few times per week while married folk are only clocking in at 36%. A whopping 20% of daters are doing it every day. (Rah! Rah! Or is it raw, raw?) This is where we all sigh. It is so fresh in the beginning. Only 2% of those married manage to do it every day. Every day? There is no way those people have kids. Heck, I'd say they don't even have jobs!
  
The survey breaks that wish fulfillment down by sex. 38% of men and 23% of women would like sex every day. 44% of men and 49% of women would it a few times per week. 15% of men and 23% of women would like to stick to a few times per month. The percentage is low but the survey does say a small group would go for once a month or less. Hmmm, somebody needs a refresher course in something other than missionary in bed under the covers with the lights out. A little more aural and oral goes a long way.

What factors would contribute to higher satisfaction in the bedroom?
 33%: Better physique  
14%: If my partner had a better physique
(Hmmm, if we turn out the lights is that proverb true? At night, all cats are grey.)
 
30%: More spontaneity  
28%: More romance  
24%: More experimentation
 21%: If my partner had an increased libido 18%: A deep emotional connection with my partner
 

The survey showed that people have a few turn-offs starting with hygiene. Come on folks, these are easily correctable.
 63%: Bad body odors  
58%: Bad breath 35%: Not feeling fresh or clean  
35%: Poorly groomed private parts  
15%: Perspiration


The original report  can be found below:
http://files.newswire.ca/1073/FreshandSexyReport.pdf



February 22, 2013

More facts about Vitamin D

 This month, anyone who lives north of sunny Atlanta is sunshine starved and therefore Vitamin D deficient. So, unless you have plans to fly south soon, you had better have a backup plan.
Milk (and some brands of milk products, like yogurt) are Vitamin D fortified.
But, the amounts aren’t high enough to ensure you are topped up to a protective level to prevent osteoporosis, cancer and, studies are showing, many other chronic illnesses.Here are some good sources:

  1. Salmon
  2. Cod liver oil
  3. Liver
  4. Eggs
  5. Caviar
  6. Greek caviar dip taramosalata 
Above is reblogged from Metronews

Helth organizations reticently upgraded their daily overall recommended doses of Vitamin D to  1000UI (international units) from different sources (sun,food,supplements). It is reported that for cancer prevention, individuals taking 1,000 IU of oral vitamin D daily had a lower incidence of colon cancer.
See also Low levels of vitamin D in blood double risk of bladder cancer in this blog.

February 21, 2013

Teeth whitening–Is whiter and brighter safe?

Various product for teeth whitening today promise snow white teeth.
Usually you leave them from 5 to 30 minutes on your teeth – strips,gel trays.
They are designed to restore tooth’s enamel by removing debris and dirt.
They all contain hydrogen peroxide,which releasing oxygen molecules in your mouth that react chemically with staining materials and lift them off.
 Different product have different content of hydrogen peroxide.It is topically 15% in drugstore products to upto 40% in the dental office.There is a widely spread myth that hydrogen peroxide can immediately damage the tooth's enamel.According to the dentists there is no evidence of damage in short term.It is not yet know if the extreme or prolonged use can cause harm.Home made whitening formulas such ones made with lemon juice,baking soda or crushed strawberries as they bathe teeth in acid. As a result you may end up with more sensitive teeth and lose some tooth structure.
What to expect when you use hydrogen peroxide strips or gel? The product usually include test picture showing shades of the enamel discoloration. Before you start using the product, you match your teeth color to the one on the picture. At the end of the treatment course, you can see the overall effect. My personal experience is that the improvement is 1-3 steps. The effect of the whitening is not permanent. Smoking and other factors will affect how long it will last.

Tip: Check with your dentist if they can make you free personal silicon cast which you can fill with the gel and snap on the teeth. It is usually a courtesy service they do for long term patients.

 

February 20, 2013

Van Gogh's masterpiece is slowly turning brown as a result of exposure to LED lighting

They are some of his best-known work and the colour yellow was, for Vincent van Gogh, a symbol of happiness. So the idea that any of his series of vivid masterpieces – Sunflowers – is slowly turning brown would surely have been painful to the Dutch painter.
The renowned canvases are among dozens of great works that are said to be changing colour, and now scientists have revealed that this is due to exposure to energy-efficient lights installed in art galleries and museums across the world.
Scientists have discovered that the bright-yellow pigment featured in several famous artworks becomes unstable under LED lights and, over time, turns a shade of brownish green. A sample of 14 works from the period between 1887 and 1890 were tested for the reaction which affects the oil paint colour known as chrome yellow. It was favoured by 19th-century artists and has been found in important works by Paul CĂ©zanne and Paul Gauguin.
Researchers have now warned galleries and museums to reconsider the use of some LED lighting to prevent the colours in such paintings deteriorating further.
Claus Habfast, from the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France, where some of the artworks were studied, said: "LED lights appear to have many advantages but museums should carefully consider that paintings from the Van Gogh era could be affected by them.
"Paintings that have moderate darkening will find this accelerates in the coming years.
"Of course, it's not advisable to put these paintings in the dark because they are part of the cultural heritage of humankind and the public wants to see them. But museums have to strike the right balance."
LED lighting has become an increasingly popular choice with art institutions in recent years as an energy-efficient alternative to fluorescent light bulbs. It was also thought to provide better protection for pictures by avoiding the harm caused by the effects of natural light and other forms of illumination.
But a series of experiments provoked by art curators' growing fears that a number of their masterpieces were darkening in colour has suggested that some types of LED lights may be to blame for the damage.
A team of scientists in France and Germany used ultra-powerful X-ray technology to analyse the bright-yellow tones in paintings by Van Gogh, CĂ©zanne and Gauguin.
The research focused on three shades of chrome-yellow paint, which is otherwise known as lead chromate. The most regular form of this colouring, middle yellow, was found to be chemically stable. But two other variations – primrose and lemon shades – began to turn brown or olive green when placed under the green-blue rays emitted by some LED lights.
Letizia Monico, who was part of the research group that conducted the experiment, said they found a number of masterpieces had been affected by this reaction.
She said: "We have found the unstable forms of chrome yellow in several well-known paintings, such as Portrait of Gauguin and the famous Vase with Sunflowers at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam."
Find the whole story here: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/sunflowers-wilt-van-goghs-masterpiece-is-slowly-turning-brown-as-a-result-of-exposure-to-led-lighting-8449304.html




February 17, 2013

Surprising effects of green tea on cancer

You might want to consider switching your black tea to green based on two recent human clinical studies into the anti-cancer effects of catechins, antioxidants found in green tea leaves.
Prostate cancer results
A study published in the journal Cancer Research showed that men who supplemented with 600 mg a day of green tea catechins exhibited a preventive effect in the transition from pre-malignant prostate lesions to full blown prostate cancer. Only 3% developed prostate cancer, compared to 30% in the group not taking catechins. The catechins group also had consistently lower PSA levels.

Breast cancer study
In a study reported by the American Association for Cancer Research, a group of women diagnosed with hormone-receptor negative breast cancer were given various doses of green tea catechins (400, 600 or 800 mg, twice daily) or a placebo for a period of six months. The green tea catechins encouraged cancer cell suicide (a good thing!) and inhibited signaling pathways within cancer cells linked to the spread of tumours.

How much?
Although animal studies have shown that high doses of catechins may damage the liver, humans have not shown liver damage at dosages used in the studies above.

Hepatologists suggest not supplementing with more than 10 mg of catechins per kilogram of body weight, daily. For green tea drinkers, 10 cups per day is the recommended limit.
Supplement containing 600 mg of green tea extract could be a typical dose. It also contains chromium and hydroxycitric acid. The synergistic effect of these three ingredients has been shown to help keep blood sugar and triglycerides in the ideal range, burn excess body fat and enhance lean mass when combined with exercise and adequate protein intake
Which type?
  •  White tea is very unprocessed, and likewise there's more beneficial chemicals or compounds associated with it.
  • Green tea is a little bit more processed, it's been steamed a little bit more; oxidation of the chemicals occur.
  • Black tea is the most processed of the tea leaves. The chemicals become more oxidized and there's fewer reported benefits from black tea than green or white tea.

February 13, 2013

R.I.P. Incandescent Light Bulbs: 1879-2013

 
Have you replaced all your incandescent light bulbs with CFLs yet?  I haven’t, but I have made a start replacing the bulbs as they have burned out.  My guess is that I have about one half of my lighting by CFLs now with more to come.  My conclusion is that CFLs serve the purpose but they flat do not put out the same amount of light even though I am saving energy.  They are terrible for reading, at least in my opinion.  A good old 150 or 200 watt incandescent cannot be beat.
As of the first of the year, the manufacture and sale of 75-watt incandescents is against the law.  That ban happened to 100-watt bulbs last year.  Next year, 60 and 40-watt bulbs go on the no-no list.  All of that is due to the controversial Energy Independence and Security Act (ESIA) of 2007.  The Act does not ban the actual use or purchase of these bulbs, just their manufacture and sale.  As a result, it is hard to find a 100 watt bulb these days.  The same for 75 and 60 watters.  In fact most incandescents are in short supply.  Several key light bulb factories in the U.S. have closed as a result.  The whole idea is to force us all to save energy buy using more expensive CFL and LED bulbs.  Watch out for the light bulb police.
I had a couple of recessed kitchen floods go out recently.  I really had to shop around for some of these.  It took three stops before I found what I needed in a Home Depot.  I paid just under $10 for a package of three 65-watt floods.  The LED equivalents were $27 a pop.  That make me wonder if light bulb manufacturers are cutting down on all bulbs, banned or not.  I wonder when the light bulb smuggling and black market will begin?
One thing I did notice during bulb shopping was the increase in the number of halogen bulbs.  These are incandescents but with the halogen gas they put out more lumens per watt than your basic incandescent.  These are the legal incandescents.  For example, the legal 72-watt halogen puts out the same lumens as an old style 100 watter.  This is a good interim choice if you are still an incandescent lover.
I think the big question for the home owner is: Am I really saving money?  Probably not.  According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration and the Department of Energy, residential lighting represents only 9 to 13% of total electrical power usage.  Most electrical energy goes to refrigerators, air conditioning, water heaters, and other appliances.  So if you replace all your bulbs with CFLs or LEDs you are only saving a fraction of your total electrical bill.  Offset that with the higher cost of these high tech bulbs and you may break even.  Since the newer bulbs last much longer, you may eventually come out ahead financially, but you won’t actually feel any difference in the meantime.  Is this saving energy?  Yes, but is a small percentage per home.  But it does add up if others are doing the same.
Find more here: http://demo.electronicdesign.com/blog/communiqu





10 Steps to Remove BPA from Your Body in Less Than a Week BPA is Everywhere.

It’s in everything we touch, everything we eat, everything we buy: it’s hidden in grocery store receipts and beauty products, in coffee cups and soda cans, in the very food and water we need to live. So, what’s the big deal? We’ve survived so far. Or… have we? Cancer and autoimmune disease rates continue to rise steadily. In 2009, EWG tests found estrogen-disrupting  levels of BPA in 9 of 10 umbilical cord blood samples. We all have BPA in our bodies. There’s nothing we can do about it. Right?
 

You can Remove BPA from Your Body.

And you can do it in less than a week. BPA is metabolized by the body very quickly. A recent study found that participants were able to reduce the levels of BPA in their body by 65% in three days just by avoiding packaged foods. By eliminating additional hidden sources of BPA in your environment you can increase that number, as well as reducing many other toxic chemicals that are found in plastics like phthalates, and polyethylene. Here’s how.

1. Just Say No to BPA-loaded Receipts
Did you know that some receipts contain 250 to 1,000 times the amount of BPA typically found in a can of food?  If that isn’t scary enough, BPA transfers readily from the receipt to skin and cannot be washed off. Different types of receipts contain varying levels of BPA. If you aren’t sure whether or not a merchant uses BPA in their receipts, either ask directly or let them know early in the transaction that you will not need your receipt. Gas station receipts are particularly notorious for containing huge amounts of BPA.
2. Avoid Packaged Food
True, you might have to give up potato chips. But, maybe that’s not such a bad thing. So, what will you possibly eat? There are many safe options available to replace the packaged staples in your kitchen. You can buy fresh bread from the bakery in paper, milk in glass bottles, bring a glass container for cheese and meat from the deli, buy cereal in bulk, get beans and grains from the bulk bin in your own cloth or paper bag. Forgo the packaged salad greens for unpackaged – use cloth or paper bags in the produce aisle.
3. Switch to a Safe BPA-free Water Bottle
You know that funny taste that your plastic water bottle gets when you leave it in the sun? That’s the taste of chemicals leaching into your water. Doesn’t sound very refreshing, does it? There are many safe stainless steel and glass alternatives to plastic bottles. My favourites are those made with 100% safe glass, with stainless steel or silicone in place of a plastic top. If you choose a stainless steel option, make sure to get one that is not lined with plastic. While you’re at it, skip the water cooler for fill-ups. Those big plastic jugs are loaded with BPA too. Tap is safer.
4. Store Food in Glass
Did you know that even “safe” plastics can leach toxic chemicals³ once they are washed in a dishwasher or scrubbed with detergent and a sponge? Why take the chance? Ditch those plastic tubs in place of safe all-glass alternatives. For on the go or smaller items, forgo plastic wrap and plastic sandwich bags in place of small glass containers, wax paper bags, or parchment paper.
5. Avoid Canned Foods
92% of all canned food is lined with BPA coating. Look for alternatives in glass jars (most will have BPA lined lids but overall contamination is much less) or stick to these safe BPA-free brands: Eden Foods (except tomatoes), Wild Planet tuna, Vital Choice tuna, Native Forest  and Native Factor canned goods.
6. Give up Soda

Believe it or not, even aluminum soda cans are lined with BPA. If you can’t give up soda, you can always buy a brand that comes in a glass bottle.

7. Eat at Home
Most  food  in restaurants originates from highly packaged sources or is stored in plastic. As a result, almost all restaurant food is loaded with BPA. Eating at home and bringing your lunch to work more often will help reduce the BPA in your body.

8. Make your Own Coffee
Unless you’re lucky enough to have a local coffee shop that brews in glass, a cup of  to-go coffee comes in contact with BPA during each stage of the brewing process. From the plastic bag the beans are stored in, to the hot plastic coffee maker it’s brewed in, the thermos it’s kept hot in, and the plastic – lined cup it’s served in. For a BPA- free brew, buy beans from bulk, store in glass, and drip brew with paper filters, a stainless steel filter and glass carafe, or stainless steel French press. Pour into a ceramic cup and, voila! BPA-free coffee to go.

9. Buy Personal-care Products in Glass, Paper or Metal.
BPA, phthalates, and other toxic chemicals can leach into beauty products from a plastic container and absorb into your skin. Work to eventually phase out these items by replacing them with safe-packaged alternatives as they run out. If you are on a budget, most beauty products can be made from simple ingredients.
10. Replace Plastic Items with Safer Alternatives
Because BPA, phthalates and other plasticizers are not chemically bound to the plastics they’re added to, they are continuously released into our air and transferred to our skin when touched. Begin to replace plastic items in your household as you are able. Children are especially vulnerable to plastic chemical exposure. Gradually replace children’s toys and tableware with safer, non-plastic options. Even choosing natural fibres over synthetic clothing (did you know spandex is made of plastic?) can reduce the amount of plastic chemicals stored in your body.
 

Of course, we can never completely eliminate plastic from our lives

But, the more plastic we avoid, the less BPA in our bodies. Have I eliminated synthetic clothing? Um, no. And I do eat a bag of potato chips now and then. Although it can be done in 3 days, gradual changes will result in a slow and steady reduction of BPA too. It’s all about knowing how BPA gets into our bodies and cultivating an awareness of plastic so we can consider opportunities to avoid it. It’s about empowering ourselves with the knowledge to make healthy choices.


February 12, 2013

Why C-section my not be good for the baby later in life

Caesarean section births may put babies at higher risk for lifelong health problems by altering the amount of “good” bacteria in an infant’s gut, Canadian researchers are reporting.
Appearing this week in Canada’s top medical journal, the finding could explain why babies delivered via C-sections are at increased risk of asthma, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, diabetes and other illnesses.
The study is based on sophisticated DNA testing of 24 babies born in Winnipeg. After analyzing the babies’ fecal samples, researchers found that infants born by C-section lacked a specific group of bacteria found in babies delivered vaginally.
Babies that were exclusively formula fed also had significant differences in their gut bacteria compared with breastfed babies.
“The infant gut microbiota plays a crucial role in lifelong health,” the researchers write in the Canadian Medical Association Journal Among other things, bacteria prime a baby’s immune system, providing protection against disease-causing organisms.
“We want parents (and physicians) to realize that their decisions regarding C-section and breastfeeding can impact their infant’s gut microbiome and this can have potentially lifelong effects on the child’s health,” first author Meghan Azad, of the University of Alberta, said in a statement released with the study.
In Canada, nearly 27 per cent of all babies are delivered via C-section. Doctors say most surgical births are performed for medically valid reasons. But there are concerns too many C-sections are being ordered because labour isn’t progressing quickly enough, and that to many “routine” but unnecessary interventions are now being done that increase the odds of a woman needing a surgical delivery.
Babies, like all mammals, “are naturally inoculated as they pass through the birth canal,” researchers from the University of Colorado and New York University School of Medicine write in a related commentary.
Yet C-sections are rising globally. In the U.S., more than 30 per cent of babies are now born by caesarean. In China and Brazil, nearly half of babies are born by C-section.
“The human body harbours trillions of microbes, known collectively as the ‘human microbiome,’ ” the Canadian team writes in the CMAJ.
“Some people call it the forgotten organ, because it protects us from pathogens and also helps in the absorption of nutrients,” said Dr. Anita Kozyrskyj, research chair and associate professor of the University of Alberta.
“Increasingly we’re learning that these good bacteria are quite important to the development of the immune system in the infant,” she said. “They train the immune cells not to overreact.”
The gut microbiome is laid down or developed during the first year of life after birth. “We start off with almost a clean slate,” Kozyrskyj said. “During (vaginal) delivery, babies acquire mum’s microbes from her vagina and her GI (gastrointestinal) tract.”
Using DNA sequencing technology, the team found that C-section babies had undetectable amounts of Bacteroides, an important gut bacteria involved in priming the immune system.
Compared with breastfed babies, formula-fed infants had higher amounts of C. difficile, which has been linked to allergies and asthma later in life.
The study was based on only a small number of babies (the researchers are now testing 200 more infants). It’s also not clear exactly what makes up the “ideal” infant gut microbiome.
However, “There’s certainly lots of evidence to promote breastfeeding and vaginal delivery,” said Kozyrskyj. Much of the focus on the rising number of C-sections has been on the risks to the mother, she said, but not babies.
“This evidence provides information on the harmful effects of caesarean section delivery on the infant.”

February 08, 2013

Genetic screening improves lung cancer treatment

CT scan of lungs
An international group of scientists has identified three genetic regions that predispose Asian women who have never smoked to lung cancer. The finding provides further evidence that risk of lung cancer among never-smokers, especially Asian women, may be associated with certain unique inherited genetic characteristics that distinguishes it from lung cancer in smokers.  
Lung cancer in never-smokers is the seventh leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, and the majority of lung cancers diagnosed historically among women in Eastern Asia have been in women who never smoked. The specific genetic variations found in this study had not been associated with lung cancer risk in other populations.
Although environmental factors, such as secondhand smoke (also known as environmental tobacco smoke) or exhaust from indoor cooking are likely account for some cases of lung cancer among Asian women who have never smoked, they explain only a small proportion of the disease. 
About 10 to 20 per cent of all lung cancer patients carry a mutated epidermal growth factor receptor gene that speeds tumor growth. That number rises to about 40 per cent among all East Asians with non-small-cell lung cancer, the most common type. Among non-smoking East Asian women from China, Japan, Taiwan and Korea, it rises to between 60 and 80 per cent.The mutated gene drives tumor growth and yet also responds to a line of drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors, or TKIs.Previously, TKI medication was given to all cancer patients in the hopes of slowing its spread, but targeting patients through genetic testing is proving to be more effective.The treatment won’t eradicate cancer, but can prolong lives

February 07, 2013

Harmful Effects of Excess Sugar

The complex carbohydrates found in vegetables, grains, and fruits are good for you; the simple sugars found in sodas, candies, icings, and packaged treats can do harm, at least when eaten in excess. It's as simple as that. Here's why:
Excess sugar depresses immunity. Studies have shown that downing 75 to 100 grams of a sugar solution (about 20 teaspoons of sugar, or the amount that is contained in two average 12-ounce sodas) can suppress the body's immune responses. Simple sugars, including glucose, table sugar, fructose, and honey caused a fifty- percent drop in the ability of white blood cells to engulf bacteria. In contrast, ingesting a complex carbohydrate solution (starch) did not lower the ability of these white blood cells to engulf bacteria. The immune suppression was most noticeable two hours post-ingestion, but the effect was still evident five hours after ingestion. This research has practical implications, especially for teens and college students who tend to overdose on sodas containing caffeine and sugar while studying for exams or during periods of stress. Stress also suppresses immunity, so these sugar-users are setting themselves up to get sick at a time when they need to be well.
For example:Eating or drinking 100 grams (8 tbsp.) of sugar, the equivalent of two- and-a-half 12-ounce cans of soda, can reduce the ability of white blood cells to kill germs by 40 percent. The immune-suppressing effect of sugar starts less than thirty minutes after ingestion and may last for five hours. In contrast, the ingestion of complex carbohydrates, or starches, has no effect on the immune system.
Sugar sours behavior, attention, and learning. Studies of the effects of sugar on children's behavior are as wildly contradictory as a sugar-crazed four-year-old after a birthday party, but the general consensus is that some children and adults are sugar-sensitive, meaning their behavior, attention span, and learning ability deteriorate in proportion to the amount of junk sugar they consume.
Sugar promotes sugar highs. Some persons are more sugar sensitive than others, and children may be more sensitive than adults A study comparing the sugar response in children and adults showed that the adrenaline levels in children remained ten times higher than normal for up to five hours after a test dose of sugar. Studies have also shown that some children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) react to glucose intolerance tests with a dip to low blood sugar levels. High adrenaline levels or low blood sugar levels produce abnormal behavior.Find more here: http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/family-nutrition/sugar/harmful-effects-excess-sugar

The Scary New Butt Beauty Trend (Anal bleaching)



Wadley 




One of the most genius moments in Bridesmaids was when Kristin Wiig’s character very creatively disses fellow bridesmaid, uptight Helen, by accusing her of getting anal bleaching, insinuating that paying for a perfectly white bunghole was a sign of being prissy and just plain ridiculous. Then Maya Rudolph’s character Lillian turns that diss back around and said that yep, Helen had bleached her bum and she knew that because they’d gone together and they love their new, spotless anuses.
Well, it turns out Helen and Lillian aren’t alone in their decision to lighten up their rears; it’s a growing trend. But MDs say it’s not as simple and risk-free as spas make it sound. Read on to find out the deal with painting your backdoor white.
What Is Anal Bleaching Anyway?
It’s exactly what it sounds like and what is sounds like is frankly some sort of torture technique. An acid is applied to your freshly waxed anus and rubbed in, according to the spas we contacted that provide the service. Most places offer the initial application at the spa for about $100-150, then sell you a set of the bleaching lotion or gel to use at home. The whole in-spa process takes about 20 minutes, one Sacramento technician told us. Depending on how dark your skin is, you may need to reapply a number of times to see results. One Los Angeles spa even said that for some people they recommend applying it twice a week for up to eight weeks. And almost all of the spas we called were quick to let us know that customers could also opt for a package that includes both anal bleaching and vulva lightening, in which the bleach is applied to the opening of the vagina.
A Trend, Inspired by Stars
Porn stars, that is. There’s a widely believed rumor that a very famous former adult film star turned TV actress, who shall remain unnamed, got a full front-to-back wax one day and, upon seeing her totally bare nethers, asked the waxer if there was anything she could do to get rid of her anus’s dark hue. And so, anal bleaching was invented—though it was really only done by porn stars at first.
As Brazilians grew in popularity, more and more women began noticing that their anuses were darker than the rest of their skin. (This is totally common and normal, by the way, explains women’s health expert, Jennifer Wider, MD.) An employee at one Colorado spa said, “[Our technicians] do a lot of Brazilian waxes and sometimes the clients are surprised to see dark skin underneath. They are more self-conscious about the skin discoloration, so they want [it] lightened.”
In addition, porn became more ubiquitous, meaning more men and women were, well, exposed to bleached rear entrances, giving some of them a new idea of what a beautiful bum should look like. Add that to the fact that, according to information from the Center for Disease Control, anal sex is on the rise among women, and it’s no surprise that females were suddenly concerned with what they looked like from behind. Now, spas offering the bleaching say the product sells so quickly, they can hardly keep it on shelves. And many of the technicians affirmed they’ve noticed a definite spike in appointments booked in the past few years.

read the whole article here: http://www.cosmopolitan.com/advice/health/anal-bleaching-trend

February 04, 2013

Low levels of vitamin D in blood double risk of bladder cancer

Low levels of vitamin D in the blood double the risk of developing bladder cancer, Spanish researchers reported recently. The low levels increase the risk of the most aggressive form of the disease almost six-fold, the researchers reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Spain has about 11,000 new cases of bladder cancer per year, one of the highest rates in the world. The United States has about 73,500 new cases per year, with nearly 15,000 deaths. It is primarily a disease of the elderly, with nine out of 10 victims over the age of 55.
Low levels of vitamin D have previously been linked to increased risk of breast and colon cancer, but no one has studied the potential association with bladder cancer, according to Dr. Nuria Malats, a geneticist at the Spanish National Cancer Research Center.
The team collected blood samples from 1,125 patients with bladder cancer in 18 Spanish hospitals and from 1,028 individuals with no sign of the disease. They measured levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3, the most stable form of the vitamin. The team found that those with the lowest levels of the vitamin were 1.83 times as likely to have bladder cancer as those with the highest levels. When the team separated out patients with the most aggressive form of invasive bladder cancer, they found that those with the lowest vitamin levels were 5.94 times as likely to develop the disease.
Molecular studies also showed that vitamin D regulates the production of a protein, FGFR3, that plays a role in bladder cancer. the risk of developing invasive bladder cancer was highest in patients with the lowest levels of the protein and the lowest levels of vitamin D.
"These results indicate that high levels of the vitamin are associated with protection from the illness or, similarly, that low levels are associated with a higher risk of suffering from it," Malats said.

February 02, 2013

Vegetarians 'cut heart risk by 32%'

Vegetables
 
Ditching meat and fish in favor of a vegetarian diet can have a dramatic effect on the health of your heart, research suggests.
A study of 44,500 people in England and Scotland showed vegetarians were 32% less likely to die or need hospital treatment as a result of heart disease.Differences in cholesterol levels, blood pressure and body weight are thought to be behind the health boost.
The findings were published in  American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Heart disease is a major blight in Western countries. It kills 94,000 people in the UK each year, more than any other disease, and 2.6 million people live with the condition.
The heart's own blood supply becomes blocked up by fatty deposits in the arteries that nourish the heart muscle. It can cause angina or even lead to a heart attack if the blood vessels become completely blocked.Scientists at the University of Oxford analyzed data from 15,100 vegetarians and 29,400 people who ate meat and fish.Over the course of 11 years, 169 people in the study died from heart disease and 1,066 needed hospital treatment - and they were more likely to have been meat and fish eaters than vegetarians.
Dr Francesca Crowe says: "The main message is that diet is an important determinant of heart health. "I'm not advocating that everyone eats a vegetarian diet. The diets are quite different. Vegetarians probably have a lower intake of saturated fat so it makes senses there is a lower risk of heart disease."The results showed the vegetarians had lower blood pressure, lower levels of "bad" cholesterol and were more likely to have a healthy weight.
Tracy Parker, from the British Heart Foundation, said: "This research reminds us that we should try to eat a balanced and varied diet - whether this includes meat or not.
"But remember, choosing the veggie option on the menu is not a shortcut to a healthy heart. After all, there are still plenty of foods suitable for vegetarians that are high in saturated fat and salt."If you're thinking of switching to a vegetarian diet, make sure you plan your meals carefully so that you replace any lost vitamins and minerals, such as iron, that you would normally get from meat."

Search This Blog