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You can experience many different side effects during this menopausal period. Most of us know about the mood swings and sleep disturbances, but you may also face1 digestive issues, joint pain, dry and itchy skin, random weight gain, loss of insulin sensitivity, very low energy, hot flashes, night sweats…and more. We are also all at a greater risk for metabolic health challenges2, cardiovascular disease3, as well as bone health issues4 after menopause....

The benefits of caffeine aren’t limited to energy, though. Ahead, learn about its effects on the body and mind—plus how to tell you’ve had too much. In the body, caffeine stimulates your CNS (i.e., your brain and spinal cord) primarily by blocking adenosine receptors2, according to Isa Kujawski, MPH, RDN, registered dietitian nutritionist and founder of Mea Nutrition.* A quick explainer: Adenosine is a neurotransmitter, aka a chemical messenger secreted by nerve cells (neurons)....

So how exactly does it work? The ECS seems to have two main components that interact with each other to exert its effects: While scientists are still trying to understand the specific mechanisms by which the ECS modulates each of these different effects, it has to do with the fact that the ECS modulates neurotransmission3 (i.e., nerve signaling), according to integrative medicine physician Robert Rountree, M.D. “The most common contributors to ECS deficiency are the usual suspects when it comes to poor health,” says Knox....

Whether you’re doing a traditional keto diet or a plant-based one, though, there are a few supplements that will help stabilize your health and maximize the benefits of the diet you’re already experiencing. Here’s what I recommend: You’ll want to find a probiotic that contains at least 10 billion CFUs as well as the bacterial strains Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which have been shown to also help lower inflammation2. Vitamin A is most abundantly found in animal sources; however, for those following a plant-based ketogenic diet, this can quickly become a deficiency if ignored....

Early studies are showing that the health benefits come from the relationship between our bodies and the electrons in the earth1. The planet has its own natural charge, and we seem to do better when we’re in direct contact with it. Another study found that earthing changed the electrical activity in the brain2, as measured by electroencephalograms. Still other research found that grounding benefitted skin conductivity, moderated heart rate variability, improved glucose regulation, reduced stress and supported immune function3....

To work through these feelings, mental health experts suggest focusing on self-empowering activities like journaling, exercising, and practicing mindfulness. One tool that has helped me stay sane has been repeating mantras—specific words or affirmations that can be used to aid in meditation—aloud every day. Here are some of my go-to mantras from my Find Your Happy Daily Mantras deck to help you gracefully ease any fear of the unknown: She’s been named top 100 Women to Watch in wellness by mindbodygreen, alongside Cameron Diaz, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kris Carr and Gabriel Bernstein, and was listed as of the freshest voices in mental health and wellness by Chicken Soup for The Women’s Soul....

It should come as no surprise that this issue is far from black and white, as there are a multitude of factors involved. With that said, the truth is that you can, in fact, drink alcohol without derailing your fitness goals. You also may be wondering why some of your friends can drink like Keith Richards and still remain thin. That’s because alcohol has a higher metabolic rate than food, meaning you actually burn more calories processing it than you do anything else....

Though most of us cannot see auras with our eyes alone, there are ways to figure out their color compositions, like having an aura portrait taken, for example, or taking a quick aura quiz to get an idea. Here, we break down what having a white aura is all about, plus what it means for love, professional success, and more. “Anything alive has an aura,” explains Kathryn Grace, founder of Aura Shop, an aura reading shop in Santa Monica, California....

To put it very basically, Candida is a type of yeast. There are many varieties—about 20 shown to cause problems in humans. While some Candida is naturally present on the skin and in mucus membranes (like the mouth, intestines, and vagina), it can become a problem when you experience an overgrowth. When that happens, it can convert into a fungus and cause an infection1—candidiasis. This can be in one particular region of the body (as in thrush in the mouth or throat or a yeast infection) or systemic....

Is a dry oil something that will work for your skin and needs? Well, like many things in beauty, it all comes down to your personal taste—and we’re here to help you make that decision. And the concept has been around for ages: Many herbalists, aromatherapists, and product formulators refer to dry oils as lightweight and quick-absorbing oils used in skin and hair care. Like many descriptors in the beauty industry, there is no hard-and-fast classification for which oils are defined as dry, but there is general consensus among beauty experts that they are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, namely linoleic, and encompass vegetable, seed, and herbal oils....

Ahead, we dive into the benefits of hair plopping, plus exactly how to do it for perfect, frizz-free curls. Enter, hair plopping: A technique using none other than a T-shirt to gently absorb any excess water. Essentially, it’s all in the name—you simply plop your hair on the top of your head for it to dry inside the tee. It also simultaneously scrunches your strands, so you can achieve voluminous, defined curls, sans frizz....

For example, one person may feel most appreciated when their partner says the words “I love you” (the words of affirmation love language), whereas another may feel most appreciated when their partner gives them a lot of affectionate touch like kisses and holding hands (the physical touch love language). “Love languages are a deceptively simple concept, and understanding them can be transformative if you put in the practical work,” trauma-informed relationship coach Julie Nguyen writes at mbg....

While it’s pretty easy to make your own oat milk at home (more on that below), a number of brands also offer oat milk and oat milk products. A few that have hit the shelves over the last few years include Oatly, Califia, Elmhurst, Planet Oat, and Silk Oat Yeah!, to name a few. Oat milk nutrition varies depending on the brand, and whether or not the product is sweetened or flavored....

As a doctor of biomedical sciences and an expert in the functional nutrition of spices, I favor sumac for its health benefits, flavor profile, and ease of use. Here’s everything you need to know about this underrated, anti-inflammatory spice. Za’atar is another good alternative since the spice blend contains sumac. While the overall flavor leans more savory, the aftertaste is still bright due to the sumac. If it’s the vibrant red hue you’re aiming for, then consider subbing in paprika, which is also relatively mild in flavor....

Actually, no. Here are a few things every lesbian should know about their health: The medical community should take the lead by learning sensitive ways of asking necessary medical questions and building trust with all patients. It’s essential for everyone to find a health care provider with whom you feel completely comfortable. Not just the health care provider, but the entire office staff should be welcoming and receptive. From a medical standpoint, if a doctor knows whether a patient is gay, straight, or another sexual orientation, the doctor can be more sensitive and thorough with follow-up questions....

For a quick recap, the ancient medicine of ayurveda uses three doshas, or constitutions, to explain how nature exists within us. Understanding your dosha will help shed light on your strengths and weaknesses, offer guidance when making choices that can affect your well-being, and lend insight into what health imbalances you are most likely to experience. Each dosha is made of two elements: vata (ether and air), pitta (fire and water), and kapha (water and earth)....

The good news is that the combination of bad skin, thinning hair, and a bloated belly often has one unifying cause, and treating it may improve all three conditions. Rosacea has also been linked to inflammation and bacterial imbalance in the gut2, and it’s one of the most common skin conditions I see in my bloated patients. This imbalance doesn’t just lead to digestive problems; it can also show up on the skin and scalp, where it can profoundly affect your appearance....

Ask any makeup artist: In addition to knowing your undertones, understanding your own eye shape can really help you achieve your end goal, whatever it is. Here, we tapped two pro makeup artists for their best tips, so you can successfully tailor your eye makeup products. These tips, of course, aren’t set rules—think of them more as touchstones to flatter your specific eye structure and make those orbs pop. But again, let us be clear: Any eye “type” can try any makeup look and have fun with it....

One major problem—that I see my patients struggle with all the time—is that so many healthy eating programs rarely address the healthier habits that need to accompany healthier food choices. Both aspects are important and work synergistically to not only help you lose weight and feel healthier but to also help you stick with it long-term. Most healthier, lighter foods don’t have this effect and their intake is easier to control....