Amy Capetta

Contributing writer for Yahoo Health

[amycapetta-blog]

Women Form Personal Opinions About Men Based on Facial Hair

This is just one of the beard options women enjoy. (Photo by Kirstin Sinclair/Getty Images)

New research finds that women will form a personal opinion about men based on how much hair he has on his face.

Investigators from the University of Queensland in Australia asked 8,520 women to view computerized, manipulated images of men who displayed various stages of facial hair — clean-shaven, light stubble, heavy stubble, and full beards, with additional differences in brow ridge, cheekbones, and jawline. The females were asked to rate the attractiveness of these men.

The results, which were published in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology, are as follows:

     Stubble was judged as most attractive overall and received the highest marks for a short-term relationship.

     A full beard was more attractive in terms of a committed partner, “as a signal of intrasexual formidability and the potential to provide direct benefits to females.”

     Extremely masculine (images morphed where the men had narrower eyes, thicker and straighter brows, a thicker nasal bridge with narrower nostrils, less pronounced cheekbones, a narrower mouth and a larger, and a squarer jaw and chin) and extremely feminine-looking males (where these characteristics were diminished) were least attractive.

“Sexual selection via female choice has shaped the evolution of male ornamentation in many species,” stated the study authors in a press release.

‘I’m not surprised at all with these findings,” Stacy Kaiser, licensed psychotherapist, relationship expert, and author of How to Be a Grown Up: The Ten Secret Skills Everyone Needs to Know, tells Yahoo Beauty. “They go with my experience as a clinician and as a woman.”

She explains that because females deem a man’s stubble as “masculine, rugged, and sexy,” they will interpret his five o’clock shadow to mean he’s a guy who’s only in search of a fleeting romance.

“When we think of that kind of sexiness and passion, it does not translate into long-term thoughts or feelings,” states Kaiser.

However, extra facial hair is interpreted as extra safe.

“On the flip side, a man with a full beard is viewed as stable and fatherly, which makes us women think more about long-term relationships and greater security,” she added.

And this isn’t the first study to draw these conclusions. Psychology Today reported on two previous papers that found similar results, where one research group asked the men to evaluate their own appearance. The guys considered a full beard to be as appealing as heavy stubble, and reported a greater feeling of masculinity as facial hair increased.

The author, Jeremy Nicholson — who also goes by the name the Attraction Doctor —  concluded by reminding men that not all women think alike.

“There is a contingent of women who do not care for men’s facial hair at all, so for men committed to smooth cheeks, there’s certainly someone out there for you, too,” he wrote. “But fundamentally, as with other mating cures, women’s preferences in men are often linked to the type of relationship and gender dynamic they want. By changing his facial hair, a guy may be more likely to attract the type of relationship partner he seeks.”

Related video:

For more videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS.

Let’s keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

[amycapetta-blog]

Soda Companies Funded Nearly 100 Health Organizations Despite Conflict of Interest, According to Investigation

A study found that at least 96 health organizations were given money from one or both of the country’s largest soda companies. (Photo: Getty Images)

Talk about a conflict of interest: A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals that at least 96 health organizations received funding from either one or both of the country’s largest soda companies between 2011 and 2015. 

According to the findings from investigators at Boston University (BU), The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo sponsored these health organizations during the same five-year period when the soda companies were lobbying against at least 28 public health bills intended to reduce soda consumption or improve nutrition.

“While previous research has provided anecdotal evidence of soda company sponsorship of health and medical organizations, our objective was to conduct a systematic investigation into these sponsorships,” Michael B. Siegel, M.D., co-study author and a professor in the department of community health sciences at the BU School of Public Health, tells Yahoo Beauty.

Two discoveries “surprised” Siegel and his research colleague Daniel Aaron, a medical student at the BU School of Medicine.

“First was the sheer extent of soda company sponsorship of medical and public health organizations in the U.S.,” he states. “Second, we were very surprised to find that several organizations whose direct mission is to fight obesity were taking money from soda companies.”

Siegel questions this major conflict of interest.

“For example, how could the American Diabetes Association possibly take money from a soda company when its primary mission is supposed to be to fight diabetes and we know that 95 percent of Type 2 diabetes is attributable to obesity or overweight?” he says. “Similarly, acceptance of soda company funding by organizations such as the American Dietetic Association, the American Heart Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics were surprising for the same reason.”

He further explains that these health organizations “are shooting themselves in the foot.”

“Corporate sponsorships are a well-recognized strategy for marketing products by helping to create a positive public image and deterring criticism from organizations that would otherwise be promoting policies to reduce the use of these products,” continues Siegel. “Because sponsorship is actually a marketing strategy used by companies to improve their public image and affect their bottom line — increase sales of their products — public health organizations that accept funding from these companies are unwittingly participating as pawns in the marketing efforts of these companies.”

Siegel adds: “In other words, they are essentially acting to promote soda consumption. This is a direct conflict of the mission of these organizations to try to reduce obesity, in part through a reduction in soda consumption.”

Yahoo Beauty reached out to five of the organizations mentioned in this study. The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation is closed today in honor of the national holiday. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) did not respond to our request for a comment.

However, the JDRF did release a written statement obtained by other news outlets, such as The Washington Post, explaining that the “fundraisers in question were individual local initiatives” and not national sponsorships. The foundation also noted “that JDRF supports research for Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease” not caused by “diet or lifestyle choices.”

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) offered a prompt response by directing us to a June 2015 statement, which announced the end of their Consumer Alliance Program agreement with The Coca-Cola Company.

“This partnership provided AAFP members with evidence-based information on sugary beverages, sweeteners and healthy living benefits," Craig Doane, AAFP vice president of journal media and strategic partnerships, told AAFP News.

“We do not expect the food industry to change its practices because sponsorship is a marketing activity and these companies have every right to market their products,” states Siegel. “What needs to change is health groups agreeing to take this money and therefore act as pawns in these corporate marketing practices.”

Siegel’s hope is that health organizations will refuse to accept funds from soda companies in the future (like the University of Colorado did in 2015), “at least until these companies end their vigorous lobbying against public health measures intended to reduce obesity,” he says.

He also advises concerned citizens to write or call these health organizations and “demand that they stop taking money from companies that are undermining the public’s health by lobbying against public health policies.”

Let’s keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

[amycapetta-blog]

Caffeine May Boost Brain Health in Women

One more reason to enjoy your morning cup of joe: A new study shows it may reduce women’s risk of dementia. (Photo: Getty Images)

Good news, ladies — more research has discovered yet another perk of drinking coffee.

A recent study published in The Journals of Gerontology concluded that caffeine consumption of more than 261 milligrams per day — about two or three 8-ounce cups of coffee or five or six 8-ounce cups of black tea —was linked to a 36 percent reduction risk of dementia among older women.

Investigators collected data from 6,467 postmenopausal women who were at least 65 years of age and who reported various amounts of regular caffeine intake. After annual assessments of cognitive function over the following 10 years, 388 of the women were diagnosed with either probable dementia or with some form of cognitive impairment.

However, the women who consumed more than the average amount of caffeine on a daily basis (the average being 261 milligrams per day) were diagnosed at a lower rate compared with the females who ingested an average of 64 milligrams of caffeine every 24 hours.

“We were not really surprised by our findings since the epidemiological evidence has been mounting in the same direction as our findings,” Ira Driscoll, Ph.D., lead study author and a professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, tells Yahoo Beauty.

In fact, previous research concluded that coffee consumption has been linked to various health benefits, such as reduced risk factors for developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes, as well as lowering the risk of mortality from both of these conditions, along with neurological diseases and suicide.

“I think the findings are intriguing and certainly in line with past literature on the positive effects of caffeine on longevity,” Michael A. Yassa, Ph.D., an associate professor in the department of neurobiology and behavior and director of the Yassa Translational Neurobiology Lab at the University of California, Irvine, tells Yahoo Beauty.

In 2014, Yassa and his then colleagues from Johns Hopkins University also studied the brain and caffeine connection and found that this stimulant has the ability to enhance certain memories at least up to 24 hours after it is consumed.

While not all science is in favor of caffeine consumption, Driscoll adds that negative reports often involve smaller samples of the population “and may be underpowered or have other methodological limitations,” she says. “This is exactly why large studies, such as ours, are much needed.”

Driscoll’s hope is that future research will focus on “the potential biological mechanisms underlying the relationship between caffeine and cognitive impairment.”

Adds Yassa: “It would be good to understand whether the relationship is causative.” For now, keep enjoying that cup of joe.

Let’s keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

[amycapetta-blog]

Scientists Have Figured Out the Longest You Could Possibly Live

Yes, we’re living longer than previous generations, but researchers have concluded that we won’t be breaking any of the “oldest people alive” records to date.

According to a new study published in the journal Nature, the total number of birthdays we can hope to celebrate are 115 — and this milestone was achieved back in the 1990s.

Longevity investigators analyzed the mortality and population data from more than 40 countries. While it’s estimated that babies born today can live to age 79 (a huge increase from the year 1900, where Americans were expected to check out at the age of 47) and that our maximum duration of life — meaning the absolute oldest age we can reach — has gone up, our maximal lifespan has hit a plateau.

“We were not surprised by these findings,” senior study author Jan Vijg, PhD,  the Lola and Saul Kramer chair in molecular genetics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, tells Yahoo Beauty.

He explains that scientific consensus on maximum human lifespan had been somewhere around 100 —“based on some sort of average of a top percentile of oldest humans”— to 122 years old —“the age of Jeanne Calment when she died [in 1997], as the oldest human individual who ever lived,” says Vijg. “Our average maximum lifespan fits in with this.”

So being that that he and his colleagues have determined our topmost age, Vijg is hoping that future research will focus on how to enhance our limited time on this earth.

“Perhaps resources now being spent to increase lifespan should instead go to lengthening healthspan — the duration of old age spent in good health,” he says. “New developments may suggest that we can fight aging itself, which would fight all age-related diseases simultaneously. This would promote health in old age.”

Vijg refers to the FDA approved drugs metformin (for Type 2 diabetes) and rapamycin (an immunosuppressant), which “are being studied to determine if they can extend our healthspan,” he says. “These treatments may increase our average life expectancy and how long we remain healthy during that time, but I do not think they would change our maximum lifespan.”

Let’s keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

[amycapetta-blog]

Election Stress Is a Real Thing. Here’s How You Can Deal.

Are you suffering from election stress disorder? (Photo: Stocksy)

There’s an elephant — or donkey — in the room that needs to be addressed.

This just might be the most erratic, unpredictable, and volatile election of our time. Between the name calling, the negative commercials, and the 24-hour news cycle, not to mention the ongoing arguments on social media — between the candidates themselves, as well as between your friends and co-workers — there just doesn’t seem to be an escape from politics.

In fact, a prominent psychologist has recently coined the term “election stress disorder,” which he is experiencing himself, both as a therapist and as an individual.

“I’m seeing the stress everywhere, even with all of my patients,” Joe Taravella, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in marital and family therapy at NYU Langone Medical Center’s Rusk Rehabilitation in New York City, tells Yahoo Beauty. “I don’t remember in my lifetime where people have been so passionate about a presidential election, with such opposing viewpoints and choices for candidates.”

He mentions the newly named “syndrome” and concurs that numerous people are feeling extremely anxious over what may or may not happen on Nov. 8. “Maybe not to the extent of a disorder, which tends to be clinical and very significant, but certainly these conversations are invading their home, their work, their time in restaurants, in Starbucks, and on social media as well,” says Taravella.

And as the clock ticks and the accusations continue to be hurled across party lines, dinner tables, and cubicles, the pressure continues to mount.

“This political process has been going on for the better part of one and a half to two years, so we’ve really become accustomed to hearing about it and dealing with it,” continues Taravella. “And now we’re really in the homestretch, so it’s getting even more difficult for people to separate from it.”

Stress Erases the Benefits of Eating Healthy Fats, Study Says

So before you send off a nasty email, here are five strategies on how to keep your nerves calm and from becoming unhinged:

Limit your exposure to the noise. “My No. 1 recommendation is that you have to disengage part time from this process,” emphasizes Taravella. In other words, turn off the cable news stations and stop checking what the candidates, their campaign members, and your politically minded uncle are tweeting every hour. “It’s just too much — it’s constant overload — and you’re getting more anxious about what you’re hearing,” he says. “So you have to separate and fill up that time with other things.”

And if you have such strong feelings about this election, consider spending your nights more wisely than having a texting war with a friend. “I tell people to make phone calls, volunteer, donate money — do whatever it is that you feel is going to help the country.”

Burn off — or melt away — your stress. “All the time, I tell everyone to exercise — and I know you hear that a lot, but it really does help with your mood and your energy level throughout the day,” says Taravella. “You might not reach that level nine or 10 of emotion, because it does calm you down and level you out a bit.”

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America agrees and states on its website that “exercise and other physical activity produce endorphins — chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers — and also improve the ability to sleep, which in turn reduces stress.”

Taravella adds that “science has shown both aerobic exercises and yoga to be very effective,” which is why he suggests each person choose the workout that suits his or her needs. “For example, I’m a runner, so I love to run, but some people absolutely love yoga and it is a wonderful stress release for them.”

And if you’re looking for a Zen moment, he suggests taking a quick meditation break.

“Take five minutes a day to meditate and just zone in — to be in the present and not think about anything else,” he states. “It can bring down that physiological response several levels, which can be very helpful.”

You Need to Read This Brilliant List of “101 Ways to Cope With Stress”

Adjust your tone. “If you want to have a healthy debate about the election, change the intent of your conversation,” advises Taravella. “Elevate what you’re going to say, use more of a positive tone with a positive voice, and refrain from being so critical and judgmental.”

In other words, do not act like a child who needs to get in the last word. “It should be about sharing information rather than going into a conversation like an adolescent does — only seeing your viewpoint, and it being the only viewpoint and the right viewpoint. Remember, not everything is black and white — you have to look at that middle ground continuously, especially during the most heated times.”

Also, put the blame game to rest. “That’s what we see a lot of the political figures doing, and you’re just jumping into the pool with them.”

Look inward. If discussing Hillary’s health or Donald’s taxes sends you into a rage, Taravella suggests taking a step back to analyze your intense reaction. “A good dose of self-reflection and introspection may shed some light on your own personal issues,” he states. “I have patients who are so angry, and I’ll ask them, ‘Are you angry about the opponent? Are you angry at the people voting for that person? Or is all of your anger coming out and it’s a good place to displace it on this election?’ This may give you a new perspective on how to handle it better.”

Keep in mind that your reaction may actually be a positive personal breakthrough.

“The election has actually been a good topic to interject into the therapeutic session because I tend to see a lot of emotion from people who might otherwise be a little middle of the road or not so emotional about things,” adds Taravella.

Take a moment to be in “agreement.” “One of the four agreements from Don Miguel Ruiz [author of The Four Agreements] — and I love this — is ‘Don’t take anything personally,’” says Taravella. “It’s one of the most challenging things for all of us, and it can be really, really hard, especially when we have a close relative or a friend who might completely disagree with you. But as the agreement says, try not to take anything personally.”

After all, we are who we are. “I tell people all the time — before you get into the conversation of politics and religion, keep in mind they’re not gong to change your mind, so you aren’t going to change theirs.”

Let’s keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

[amycapetta-blog]

Body’s Natural Defenses Could Help Cure Eczema

There’s new hope for the millions of people who suffer from a painful form of eczema.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom have discovered a peptide, or portions of amino acids, that can encourage skin cells to produce a naturally occurring protective compound — a substance that those living with eczema are usually lacking.

People who have been diagnosed with this skin condition are at a greater risk of carrying a bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus on their skin, which can infect skin lesions and cause damage to the natural skin barrier. Also, these individuals rarely produce the peptide human beta-defensin 2 (hBD2), a compound that is known to kill bacteria and is vital to preventing skin damage.

The study authors found that applying a topical form of hBD2 to skin cells grown in a lab had the ability to help the skin remain intact, with the cells showing strengthened protection against bacterial damage. As a result, the investigators are optimistic about future remedies for this disease, since conventional methods, such as steroid creams, can become less effective with continued use.

Related: 5 Mistakes That Are Making Your Skin Super-Dry

“This is a great chance to work with something that the body makes naturally to develop new therapies for atopic eczema, which affects so many people’s lives,” stated Donald J. Davidson, PhD, from the University of Edinburgh’s Medical Research Council Center for Inflammation Research, in a press release.

Atopic dermatitis (also referred to as AD) is the most common type of eczema and affects approximately 17.8 million Americans, according to the National Eczema Association. It’s estimated that 10 percent of people worldwide will be affected by this condition — an unbearable itch, usually on the cheeks, arms, and legs, which becomes red and inflamed — at some point.

“The use of beta-defensin 2 as a topical treatment of eczema and atopic dermatitis is novel!” Kaleroy Papantoniou, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and a clinical instructor at Mount Sinai Health Center in New York City, tells Yahoo Beauty. “We know that in these conditions, the cells are often not able to produce beta-defensin 2 in response to inflammation or infection, and this molecule is part of the essential cellular immunity necessary to fight infection and promote healing.”

Related: 7 Body Moisturizers to Tackle Dry Skin

Overall, she considers this latest research “promising.”

“Further studies will be needed, but this could open up a new approach to treating skin conditions by utilizing the body’s own tools,” continues Papantoniou. “This would potentially reduce the production of drug-resistant organisms and the unwanted side effects of chronic steroid use.”

Let’s keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

[amycapetta-blog]

Sorry, Your Bath Towels Are Probably Pretty Gross

Are you rubbing germs all over your body? (Photo: Getty Images)

While everyone knows it’s important to throw their bath towels into the washing machine (you know this, right?), many people are most likely not laundering their towels (or tossing them into the hamper) as frequently as they should.

Believe it or not, a clean, dry towel gets pretty dirty the moment you wrap it around your dripping-wet body after stepping out of the shower.

“There are always germs on us, that’s for sure,” Marilyn C. Roberts, a professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the University of Washington School of Public Health, tells Yahoo Beauty. “And there are absolutely bacteria on a wet towel immediately after drying off.”

The biggest issue with any bath towel is the dampness. “It’s the same problem as with the loofah sponge. If it remains wet, bacteria will grow,” Roberts says. “Bacteria love moisture, but they do not love areas that have been desiccated. And bathrooms tend to be a humid place, so unless you live in a desert, your towel isn’t going to be dried from morning until evening.”

Related: Here’s All the Disgusting Stuff That Grows Under Your Nails When You Don’t Wash Your Hands

She quickly points out that the majority of the bacteria on our skin is protective, “so it’s not going to cause a problem,” says Roberts. “However, there are bacteria from the water that can also be on the towel because they were just on your skin.”

Environmental bacteria, such as nontuberculous mycobacteria (which can be found in shower heads and may cause lung infection) and possibly Legionella (which can multiply in a building’s water system and lead to a respiratory condition) may be lingering on our towels.

“Most of these bacteria are not pathogens [an organism that can cause an illness or disease], but there are people who can be at risk.”

Individuals with open wounds or any type of skin condition — “like if you have eczema, an MRSA infection [which is brought on by a staph infection], a strep infection [streptococcus bacteria, a strain of bacteria that affects the skin and throat]”— and those with a weakened immune system “because you’re living with a chronic illness, like diabetes, or you’ve just had a viral infection,” as well as the “very young and the very old,” need to be extra careful.

“These people should probably use clean towels each time [they shower] because they could be spreading it [the bacteria] from one spot to another,” advises Roberts.

Related: 6 Mistakes You’re Probably Making in the Shower

And then there’s the added risk of sharing towels, such as a hand towel.

“You have to realize that if anyone in your home is sick, the bathroom is a great place to transfer infections, whether it’s a skin infection, a cold, or a fecal-oral infection [where fecal matter is passed from one person to another],” she states. “And a lot of people don’t wash their hands properly.”

For noninfectious adults who shower twice a day, Roberts suggests having two bath towels on your rack at all times — one to dry off in the morning, the other to use at night, in order to give each towel 24 hours to be moisture-free. And whether healthier adults shower once or twice a day, their used towels should be exchanged for clean ones about every four to five days.

In order to dry your damp towel as quickly as possible, either turn on a fan, open a window, or crank up the heat in the bathroom. You might even want to consider hanging your damp towel in a less humid environment, such as the bedroom.

“As always, common sense is critically important,” adds Roberts. “If the towel smells or is really stiff, get another one!”

Let’s keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

[amycapetta-blog]

Is Your Hormonal Birth Control Making You Depressed?

Photo: Getty Images

If your choice of contraceptive contains hormones, a possible side effect may be a mental health disorder.

A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry states that women who used a hormonal form of birth control were more likely to be diagnosed with depression and use antidepressants compared with females who did not use the drugs.

Danish researchers tracked more than 1 million women between the ages of 15 and 34 over the course of 10 years. The oral options analyzed were a progestin-only contraception (which mimics the hormone progesterone) and combination contraceptives (which mix progestin with estrogen).

According to the findings, the dual-hormone oral forms of birth control — a popular choice among American women — increased a woman’s chances of taking antidepressants by 23 percent.

Yet the statistics among the younger population — the 15- to 19-year-olds — were even more startling. Those taking the oral combination pills were diagnosed with depression at a 70 percent higher rate than nonusers. And the rate of depression nearly tripled among the teen girls who were using the patch or vaginal rings.

Donald Trump’s Birth Control Plan Is a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, Women’s Health Experts Say

“Until now, there hasn’t been any solid data that concluded birth control is associated with depression,” Draion Burch, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, tells Yahoo Beauty.

However, he points out that the rates of depression dropped as the woman continued to use a hormonal contraceptive. “Also, women who began birth control at an older age experienced reduced rates of depression,” Burch adds. “Different types of birth control carried different rates of depression.”

As for the extraordinarily high statistics among the teenage population, he questions if “unstable teen relationships may have led to depression [on their own].”

“I don't find this study surprising at all,” Sara Gottfried, MD, a gynecologist and author of The Hormone Reset Diet: Heal Your Metabolism to Lose Up to 15 Pounds in 21 Days, tells Yahoo Beauty. “We know that synthetic progesterone in oral contraceptives is associated with mood problems in women.”

She explains that half of people with depression have a problem with cortisol, “meaning a problem upstream with the stress response system,” continues Gottfried. “We know that oral contraceptives make the stress response system less flexible. In other words, you’re less adaptive, you can’t roll with the punches like a ‘normal,’ healthy women, and so you are likely at a greater risk of depression.”

Which Birth Control Gives You Better Skin, and Which Makes It Worse

Gottfried encourages any woman who may be showing signs of depression (common symptoms include decreased energy, difficulty concentrating, inability to make decisions, loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities, outbursts of anger, and/or feelings of guilt and worthlessness) to consult with her health care provider.

“While this study looked at use of antidepressants after oral contraceptives, there are many other women who suffer in silence and don’t seek help from their doctor,” she states. “Instead, they think something is wrong with them, [wondering] why can’t they snap out of it and why can’t they pull themselves up from their bootstraps. The truth is that mood is usually dictated by hormones.”

In order to improve emotional well-being, she advises women to reexamine their choice of birth control, along with making some lifestyle adjustments. For example, consume a nutritionally balanced diet “to fill nutrient gaps, exercise strategically, meditate, and take supplements to prevent and even reverse mood problems,” adds Gottfried.

“But remember, birth control prevents unintended pregnancies and regulates periods,” concludes Burch, “which for some patients is more important than a possible risk of depression.”

Let’s keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

[amycapetta-blog]

Poverty May Contribute to Premature Aging

A new study shows that economic challenges negatively affect cognitive function, even in young people. (Photo: Gallery Stock)

Young people living with perceived financial hardships are aging before their time, according to findings collected over 25 years and published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

The researchers examined the data for approximately 3,400 adults, focusing on their income levels and cognitive function, at six intervals between 1985 and 2010. The male and female participants were 18 to 30 years old at the beginning of the study. Sustained poverty was defined as the percentage of time the participants’ household income fell below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

At the end of the research period, the volunteers — who were 50 years old, on average — were instructed to take part in three tests that are commonly used in order to detect cognitive aging: the Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (which measures verbal memory and the ability to memorize words), the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (which measures speed), and the Stroop test (which measures the additional amount of processing needed to respond to one stimulus while suppressing another). 

The authors discovered “strong and graded associations” between ongoing economic challenges and impaired cognitive function, mostly when it came to processing speed. These adults also scored “significantly” lower compared to those who were not in poverty.

“Income is dynamic, and individuals are likely to experience income changes and mobility, especially between young adulthood and midlife,” said lead investigator Adina Zeki al Hazzouri, of the division of epidemiology in the department of public health sciences at the University of Miami, in a press release. “Monitoring changes in income and financial difficulty over an extended period of time, and how these influence cognitive health, is of great public health interest.”

“I’m not entirely surprised by these results, because we know that poverty and socioeconomic difficulties can contribute to a lot of different things in someone’s life,” Jennifer Caudle, a family physician and assistant professor at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, tells Yahoo Beauty. “This is what we call multifactorial, meaning there are many contributing factors or causes.”

Caudle stresses the significance of seeking help in order to deal with the psychological ramifications of living under severe financial constraints.

“Finding a physician or a place to go to get health care where someone could talk with you, not just about blood pressure and cholesterol, but how you feel emotionally, is very important,” she says. “That’s because I think of stress as a medical condition — it’s like how I think of hypertension.”

Overall, Caudle believes this study serves as a powerful reminder for society as a whole. “It opens the door to further studies on this topic,” she says, “since I think this is something everyone should be aware of.”

Let’s keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

[amycapetta-blog]

Should New Moms Be Running Less Than 2 Weeks After Giving Birth?

Some new moms feel ready to jump back into their running routine mere weeks after giving birth, but in general, it’s best to wait until at least six weeks postpartum, experts say. (Photo: Gallery Stock)

Yesterday Hilaria Baldwin announced on Instagram that she’s back to hitting the pavement — just nine days after giving birth to her third child, Leonardo. The 32-year-old yoga instructor and wife of Alec Baldwin stated that her original intention was to jog for only five to 10 minutes, yet her first postbaby workout lasted 23 minutes instead.

“I am not telling women to begin working out as quickly as I am after having a baby,” she wrote. “That is between you and your doctor...as it is between me and mine. This post is for those of you who want to begin a workout (man, woman, kids, no kids...) and it seems daunting.”

A photo posted by Hilaria Thomas Baldwin (@hilariabaldwin) on Sep 21, 2016 at 9:59am PDT

But Mrs. Baldwin’s recent post begs the question: Generally speaking, is a woman’s body ready for exercise a week (or so) after going through a “typical” vaginal birth?

“After giving birth, the ligaments of the body are loose, which allows the pelvis to open and make room for the baby to come through the birth canal,” Sara Gottfried, MD, a gynecologist and author of The Hormone Reset Diet: Heal Your Metabolism to Lose Up to 15 Pounds in 21 Days, tells Yahoo Beauty. “The ligaments stay loose for several weeks afterward, probably four to six weeks, making your pelvis unstable.”

Therefore, Gottfried is not in favor of a woman engaging in any type of strenuous activity during this time “because injury is more likely when ligaments aren't pulling your bones together.”

However, she understands the motive behind Baldwin’s decision. “After my first baby, I went running one week after giving birth because I felt so fat and frumpy,” confesses Gottfried. “I could literally feel my pelvic bones sloshing around — it wasn't good! I had to stop and resort to brisk walking.” 

Along with opting for a power walk, the Harvard-trained physician also recommends chi walking or Yin yoga for the new moms who may have a little extra time to burn. “But nothing that requires you to suck in your abdomen — so no barre or core work.”

As a general rule, Gottfried feels that the majority of women who deliver a baby via a vaginal birth should be physically capable of reintroducing high-impact exercises into their routine about six weeks after their newborn arrives.

“Yet some women — especially [those who underwent] a cesarean section — need longer,” she says, “more like eight to 12 weeks.”

Let’s keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

[amycapetta-blog]

Sorry, but Your Loofah Is Probably Really Nasty

Probably completely disgusting. (Photo: Gallery Stock)

While your skin may feel silky smooth after lathering up in the shower with your brightly colored loofah, there’s a chance that this scrubber isn’t cleaning your body at all — because the multilayered sponge might be laced with spreadable, even contagious germs.

The Sun, a daily tabloid published in the U.K. and Ireland, revisited an old study published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, which found that infectious bacteria could grow on this mesh shower ball literally overnight. It even quoted a dermatologist who stated that these puffs “can do more harm than good.”

So are these body sponges really that bad?

“The jury is still out, but some dermatologists say not to use them at all, and some say use them with caution,” Marilyn C. Roberts, PhD, a professor of environmental and occupational health sciences in the University of Washington School of Public Health, tells Yahoo Beauty.

Related: Here’s Why You Definitely Want to Wash Your Water Bottle More

She explains that researchers focused on the bacteria pseudomonas aeruginosa, “which is a potential pathogen that can actually grow quite nicely on these devices.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that skin rashes, as well as ear infections, can occur with this type of bacteria “especially after exposure to water.”

There’s also the possibility that yeast, like Candida, lingers on your pouf sponge — “Candida cause yeast infections in women, but they can also cause infections in the mouth and on the skin” — along with staphylococcus and streptococcus, “the two big ones [bacteria] that can cause skin infections,” continues Roberts.

Also, your mesh puff could be holding on to environmental bacteria that found its way into your bathtub, including the organisms nontuberculous mycobacteria, “which are very commonly found in water and showerheads.”

Then the disgustingness multiplies when you add heat to the mix.

“Bacteria and yeast love moisture, and if you have anything that is left wet and it’s placed in [an environment that is] room temperature or warmer — it’s going to have things grow,” says Roberts.

Related: Your Gym Equipment Is Probably Even Grosser Than a Toilet Seat — a Lot Grosser

She states that one dermatologist recommended drying the sponge completely after each use (perhaps with a hair dryer) and storing it in a cool, dry place (meaning a room without a shower). “That’s because most organisms don’t survive if they’re totally dried out,” explains Roberts.

Another suggestion — tossing the synthetic balls into the dishwasher or washing machine as part of your weekly routine, “which would sterilize them.”

Overall, Roberts doesn’t believe bathing with a loofah — “one that is cleaned periodically and discarded on a regimented basis, like every three to four weeks” — will harm the average healthy adult. “However, if you have cuts or abrasions, if you’re immunocompromised, or if you share these items with others, that could be a real issue.”

Also, those who are young (children), elderly, or dealing with any type of skin condition (e.g., acne, eczema, rosacea) may want to use plain soap and water without the aid of a mesh ball. “It’s very individualistic, so if someone is seeing a dermatologist, they should ask their doctor.”

And above all, use a little common sense.

“If it’s smelling or if it looks like something is growing on it, throw it out!”

Let’s keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

[amycapetta-blog]

Stress Erases the Benefits of Eating Healthy Fats, Study Says

A new study finds that stress may negate the benefits of eating healthy fats, like this avocado. (Photo: Getty Images)

Yes, we know there’s a difference between good fats and bad fats. But now investigators are saying that even when you opt for the healthy fats, a stressful day can wipe away all of their health benefits.

Researchers from Ohio State University recruited 58 women (38 of them were breast cancer survivors) who were asked to consume one of two breakfasts on two different mornings. The women were served eggs and turkey sausage, along with biscuits and gravy. One breakfast was high in less-healthy saturated fat from palm oil, while the other was high in healthy unsaturated fat from a type of sunflower oil that’s rich in oleic acid.

The study subjects were then asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding their stress levels based on their previous day’s experiences. Blood samples were also taken multiple times during their visits, and study authors took note of four markers: two that are connected with inflammation (C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A) and two that can predict the likelihood of plaque forming in the arteries.

The results: As expected, all four harmful markers were higher in the women who consumed the saturated fat meal rather than the sunflower oil meal. However, for women who ate the more healthful meal and also reported feeling stressed, the benefit had disappeared. 

In other words, when you’re stressed out, “eating a breakfast with ‘bad fat’ was just the same as eating one with ‘good fat,’” as stated in the press release.

“This provides another major reason why combating stress and implementing stress-reducing behaviors, such as regular exercise and deep breathing, are vital to improving health,” Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, author of Flat Belly Cookbook for Dummies, tells Yahoo Beauty.

While Palinski-Wade finds the results “very interesting,” she also thinks the topic could use additional research.

“Could the food choices on the stressful previous day have also impacted the blood markers?” questions Palinski-Wade. “Perhaps the individuals made less healthy food choices at lunch or dinner on the stressful days, which played a role in the next day's blood work.” 

Lori Zanini, RD, author of the upcoming book Eat What You Love Diabetes Cookbook, concurs. “This study does serve as a reminder that a healthy lifestyle is indeed multifactorial and that a holistic approach is important,” she tells Yahoo Beauty. “[However], this study has quite a small sample size and short study duration, so it would be challenging to draw too many conclusions that should be provided to educate others.” 

Zanini adds that stress can certainly make an impact on inflammatory markers, “but to say that it completely negates a healthy diet would be inaccurate,” she continues. “We know that the sum of our diet — not just one meal, like this study measured — is more important in promoting overall health.”

Palinski-Wade agrees and stresses that focusing on healthy dietary choices — especially when you’re stressed out and more likely to be craving comfort foods — is still important.

“Although this may not have an immediate benefit, as shown in this research, nutrients — such as vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids — have been shown to reduce circulating stress hormones, which may offer protective benefits.”

Let’s keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

[amycapetta-blog]

Can Social Media Detoxes Help With Creativity?

Taking a time-out from technology, including your smartphone, may help the creative juices flow. (Photo: Tommy Ton/Trunk Archive)

Could you say goodbye to your high-tech gadgets?

Earlier this week Kanye West announced on Twitter that he was getting rid of his smartphone so he "can have air to create.”

Let’s face it — the notion of going on a digital detox sounds freeing. In fact, CBS New York recently reported on a 29-year-old mother from New Jersey who pledged to go without social media for one year when she realized she’d missed her baby’s first steps because she was too busy playing on her phone — something her 7-year-old pointed out.

But is there any validity to Kanye’s theory that his phone could be blocking the inspiration juices from flowing?

“Absolutely, because part of creativity is letting your mind be open to new possibilities,” Elizabeth R. Lombardo, a psychologist and author of Better Than Perfect: 7 Strategies to Crush Your Inner Critic and Create a Life You Love, tells Yahoo Beauty. “When our mind is so cluttered with social media, texts, calls, and checking out one more video on YouTube, it prevents us from being creative.”

Lombardo says that even though technology is designed to make our lives easier, in reality it can bring on extra stress, “and creativity is hampered by stress.” For starters, smartphones can encourage multitasking. “When you’re on your phone texting or social media-ing, that’s multitasking, and we know from the research that we think it’s helpful, but it really isn’t,” states Lombardo.

Then there’s the stress from dealing with FOMO (fear of missing out) — a term that was added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary in April. “We know that the longer people stay on Facebook, the more likely they are to be depressed,” continues Lombardo. And while she believes, psychologically speaking, FOMO has always been present, “we didn’t talk about it as much in the past, but now it’s so prevalent because of social media.”

Lombardo adds that news junkies can also be depleting their creativity by continuously checking the breaking news apps, since “news in and of itself can be stressful and depressing because it tends to be negative.”

Also, technology has brought us into a world where we’re expected to be available 24/7. “When too much is vying for your attention, it can be very stressful,” she states.

While Lombardo understands why Kanye and the mom from New Jersey have made this conscious decision, she says that anyone can boost their creativity and productivity by building better boundaries. For example, set smartphone limits for yourself, like not checking your email and social media pages when you’re spending time with family and friends.

“There’s nothing wrong with social media per se, and it doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing thing,” says Lombardo. “But when you’re focused on everything else that’s going on and not focused on what’s happening here and now, you’re not being mindful — and we know that mindfulness is a way to bring more happiness into our lives. So this is one way to get some control back and get some extra time to allow your mind to open.”

Let’s keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

[amycapetta-blog]

Taking and Sharing Selfies Can Make You Happier

Taking a smiling selfie can help boost your mood and even combat feelings of loneliness and stress. (Photo: Getty Images)

If you’re looking for a quick pick-me-up, grab your smartphone, flash your pearly whites, and click.

According to new research published in the journal Psychology of Well-Being, investigators found that daily snapshots of certain images have the ability to boost mood and combat feelings of stress and loneliness.

In the small, four-week study that consisted of 41 college students, the participants were randomly assigned to capture one of three images each day: a smiling selfie, a photo of something that made them happy, or a photo of something that would make someone else happy (and sending that image to the person). The volunteers were also asked to assess their mood three times a day using a survey app on their phone.

All three images evoked good feelings among the study subjects. The selfie group became more “confident and comfortable” with their grin; the second group became “more reflective and appreciative;” and the group that took photos for others felt calmer, thanks to the connection with family and friends. 

“You see a lot of reports in the media about the negative impacts of technology use, and we look very carefully at these issues here at [the University of California, Irvine],” said senior author Gloria Mark, a professor of informatics, in a press release. “But there have been expanded efforts over the past decade to study what’s become known as ‘positive computing,’ and I think this study shows that sometimes our gadgets can offer benefits to users.”

“We are not entirely surprised by the study because previous studies suggest that manipulating a smiling facial expression has a positive impact on people's mood,” Yu Chen, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral scholar in UCI’s department of informatics, tells Yahoo Beauty.

Chen further explains that she and her colleagues began this study by “implementing the happiness-boosting exercises leveraging the increasingly popular selfie practices in a positive way and help[ing] people become happier.”

However, she understands there have been negative reports regarding selfies, as well as the images people view on social media. “In the epidemic of ‘beauty sickness,’ where people are overly picky about their own facial and body images, people tend to seek the standard of beauty in social and cultural contexts,” says Chen.

Yet in her research, the volunteers were instructed to take selfies in order to “record their smiles and kept the selfies to themselves,” Chen says. As a result, some of the participants observed pleasant changes in their grins. 

“When asked to compare taking smiling selfies for themselves and for the purpose of sharing on social media, participants felt more comfortable and secure taking selfies for themselves,” continues Chen. “They reported not having to worry about how others may look at them or manage their images in the public.”

She points out that a selfie itself is neither positive nor negative — it’s all about how you use it.

“Many negative opinions come from how people evaluate their beauty and images in other people’s eyes and by the cultural standard,” says Chen. “It is essential to look within themselves and accept their own beauty — for example, their smiles.”

Chen adds: “In short, just smile, take a selfie for yourself, and appreciate your smiles in the photo. That is your unique beauty.”

Let’s keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

[amycapetta-blog]

Study Says Men Feel Shamed Into Going to the Gym

A new study shows that men who work out on a whim may do so because they’re worried about their body fat and are likely to be motivated by shame and guilt. (Photo: Getty Images)

Women aren’t the only ones with body image issues.

A recent study published in the September issue of the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that men who go through periods of working out on a whim may be doing so because of hidden fears about body fat.

Psychology investigators from the United Kingdom and Australia asked 100 men to complete two exams — with one being an automatic assessment designed to evaluate their nonconscious (implicit) motivations for heading to the gym. Each of the male volunteers had a slightly elevated BMI (body mass index) and reportedly exercised for roughly hourlong sessions two to three times a week.

As a result, the authors discovered that the guys who worried about their perceptions of body fat were more likely to become spontaneous gym rats. Plus, these unplanned, impulsive visits to a fitness center are more likely to be motivated by feelings of guilt, shame, or pressure, as opposed to a desire to build muscle and improve overall health.  

“Anyone can be affected by what they see online, the social cues images can give, and the popular conceptions of an ‘ideal body image,’” says study co-author David Keatley from the U.K.’s University of Lincoln, in a press release. “With the recent growth of ‘selfies’ and the return of musclebound Hollywood icons such as Vin Diesel and Hugh Jackman, there’s a real risk that males may be more influenced to attend the gym more regularly and work out to a point where it becomes dangerous or detracts from their well-being.”

“This study doesn't surprise me at all,” Robi Ludwig, a psychotherapist and author of Your Best Age Is Now, tells Yahoo Beauty. “Men are also affected by the visual images they are exposed to and surrounded by.”

Ludwig adds that it’s imperative to understand that men are also diagnosed with eating disorders and body dysmorphia (also known as body dysmorphic disorder).

In fact, the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) states that 10 million men will suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder at some point in their lives, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, or OSFED (other specified feeding or eating disorder). NEDA also reports that men with eating disorders often suffer from co-morbid conditions, such as depression, excessive exercise, substance disorders, and anxiety.

And then there’s muscle dysmorphia — which NEDA refers to as “an emerging condition”— a disorder in which men obsess about what they perceive as inadequate muscle tone and feed this compulsion by spending many hours in the gym, squandering excessive amounts of money on supplements, or engaging in abnormal eating patterns. 

“We tend to not think about men as being affected by these types of issues, but they are,” states Ludwig. “And the numbers are increasing.”

Let’s keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

[amycapetta-blog]

Leprosy Likely in 2 California Kids: Years Ago That Meant Quarantine — Does it Today?

Is the leprosy news something you should worry about?  (Photo: Trunk Archives)

It’s been reported that two children who attend the same elementary school in California may have leprosy. Barbara Cole, director of disease control for the Riverside County Department of Public Health, told the Los Angeles Times that these two cases have not been confirmed, and that an official diagnosis will take several weeks.

The word leprosy generates feelings of fear in most people. After all, at one time the disease was considered to be so highly contagious that patients were ostracized by society and quarantined to a remote location (aka a leper colony).

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases defines this condition, also known as Hansen’s disease, as a chronic infectious disease that primarily affects the peripheral nerves, skin, upper respiratory tract, eyes, and the lining of the nose. It is caused by a bacillus bacterium known as Mycobacterium leprae.

Jennifer Esposito Says Celiac Disease Symptoms Led Her to a Psychiatric Evaluation

Yet this slow-growing bacteria may take up to 10 years to surface, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As a result, the disease can bring about numerous ailments, including skin lesions, growths in the skin, severe pain, muscle weakness or paralysis, and enlarged nerves, usually around the elbows and knees.

However, leprosy is very rare in the U.S., and it’s believed that 95 percent of people around the world are unable to get this disease, even if they’re exposed to the bacteria via droplets in the air (via coughing or sneezing, for instance). The National Hansen’s Disease Program (a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which receives federal funding to run 11 clinics in the U.S. and Puerto Rico) reports there are approximately 6,500 cases in the country today, where armadillos may be a source of infection in the Southern states.

While treatment can be lengthy — anywhere between six months and two years — it’s “easily treatable” with standard antibiotics, states the CDC. Patients become noninfectious after only a few doses of medication and are able to resume their typical activities during treatment.

Why Are Women’s Periods So Scary?

And yes, mandatory isolation was enforced until 1969 — there are still a handful of patients who choose to reside on a former colony in Hawaii — but exiling someone with leprosy is very much a thing of the past.

“Feared as a highly contagious and devastating disease, it is well established that Hansen's disease (leprosy) is not highly transmissible, is very treatable, and, with early diagnosis and treatment, is not disabling.” states the National Hansen’s Disease Program. “Yet Hansen's disease [leprosy] remains a misunderstood human infectious disease. The stigma long associated with the disease still exists in most of the world, and the psychological and social effects may be more difficult to deal with than the actual physical illness.”

[amycapetta-blog]

Jennifer Esposito Says Celiac Disease Symptoms Led Her to a Psychiatric Evaluation

Actress Jennifer Esposito experienced some shocking symptoms, including having her hair and nails fall out, brought on by celiac disease. (Photo: Getty Images)

In an upcoming episode of OWN’s Oprah: Where Are They Now?, actress Jennifer Esposito reveals that chronic symptoms from celiac disease landed her in a mental facility.

Esposito said she pleaded with her doctor to help her, saying she was “jumping out of her skin.” “I thought I was going to be checked in to the hospital, and they checked me in to the psych ward,” said the 43-year-old, as reported by People. “And I’m thinking, How did I get here? This is a problem with my system; this is not a problem with my brain. I was almost dead — my hair was falling out, my eyelashes fell off, my fingernails were falling off. I was bad.”

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF), there are more than 200 symptoms associated with this condition, a genetic disorder in which ingesting gluten leads to damage to the small intestine.

“We now know that celiac disease is truly a systemic autoimmune disease and it can affect any tissue and organ in the body,” Maureen Leonard, MD, clinical director of the Center for Celiac Research and Treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children and instructor at Harvard Medical School, tells Yahoo Beauty.

These symptoms are referred to as gastrointestinal manifestations and extraintestinal manifestations, “meaning all of the things we see that are outside of the GI [gastrointestinal] tract.” For example, a skin rash known as dermatitis herpetiformis may develop, along with numerous nondescript signs, such as fatigue, headache, joint pain, and unexplained infertility.

And then there are the rare yet severe cases that include psychiatric symptoms, such as the one published earlier this year in the New England Journal of Medicine (which was presented by Leonard and her colleagues from Massachusetts General Hospital). “A woman was placed in a psychiatric hospital for delusions related to untreated celiac disease,” she says. 

Leonard further explains that the longer someone goes undiagnosed, the more complicated the condition becomes. “You may have these extraintestinal symptoms, and that’s happening while the damage to the small intestines is ongoing,” she says.

As a result, this continuous cycle could lead to malabsorption (the inability to absorb nutrients), and these micronutrient deficiencies can bring on additional symptoms, including weight loss, diarrhea, anxiety, and memory loss, as well as hair and fingernail loss, as Esposito experienced.

“This is why we feel so strongly about education,” stresses Leonard. “One in 100 people have celiac disease, and the majority of them are not going to have the so-called classic symptoms.” In fact, the CDF notes that 2.5 million Americans are undiagnosed and are at risk for long-term health complications. “We need our primary-care physicians, hematologists, ob-gyns, and psychiatrists to think about celiac disease as an autoimmune disease and [causing] malabsorption,” she says.

Let’s keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.