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One of the biggest questions popping up lately is whether or not coffee affects the body’s inflammatory response. Turns out, it can, but it can also provide anti-inflammatory properties, depending on who you are and how much you drink. One clinical research study3 looked at a large pool of data and found that these polyphenols could specifically help a handful of inflammatory markers, including cytokines, chemokines, and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2)....

Luckily, there are many ways we can utilize nutritional strategies to improve our heart health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease—including staying physically active, not smoking, getting adequate quality sleep, and eating nutrient-dense foods that help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, enhance blood flow, and bolster blood vessel health. In the RCTs investigated, 27 different single-ingredient supplements (vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, antioxidants, polyphenols, and amino acids) were tested to determine their impact on the following CVD risk factors, as well as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes events: That said, only three of these supplements demonstrated the ability to reduce cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes events in RCTs: Many other supplement ingredients (e....

And interestingly, one recently published study in mice1 found that paying attention to your gut health might make exercise motivation a bit easier to muster. They found that mice with certain beneficial gut bacteria (in this case, Eubacterium rectale and Coprococcus eutactus) seemed to have better running performance. The researchers were even able to explain the mechanism behind this connection. To start, these good bacteria produce small molecules known as fatty acid amides (FAAs)....

In my mid-20s, I was working as a marketing director at one of the biggest banks in Australia. I would spend all day working tirelessly at my job, then stay out late partying, rarely giving my body any kind of rest. I was fairly good at what I did, but I don’t think I ever loved it. Then, about three years into my career, one question kept popping into my head: “Is there more to life than this?...

Regardless of motive (or hair type, might we add), a clarifying cleanse can transform your dull strands into the soft, shiny locks you adore. Although, finding the best clarifying shampoo for your hair can feel like a grind; you know you’ll need potent cleansing agents to effectively clean your scalp, yet you don’t want to strip the skin bone-dry (which can lead to even more oil and grease, it turns out)....

While the energy of a full moon lasts for about three days before and after the lunation, the moon is technically only full for a moment—when the sun and the moon are directly opposite each other in the sky (and on the zodiac wheel!). While the new moon is a time to set intentions for the future and launch new projects, the full moon is a time of culmination and fruition....

These days, more and more people are stepping out of the binary and taking hold of more fitting terms to express themselves, including in ways sometimes described as gender nonconforming (GNC). Gender nonconforming is also sometimes considered an umbrella term that can apply to anyone that is not cisgender, says sexologist Carol Queen, Ph.D. For reference, someone who is cisgender is someone whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth....

It’s always been up to us to actually do something about it—to come up with stress management techniques for that increased heart rate or bedtime routines for that low sleep score. The insights can be fascinating, but all too often we’re left with the frustration of too much data, not enough solutions. What we need is a wearable that actually improves the numbers behind our sleep and stress levels—and now, we officially have one....

The word alone is enough to instill procrastination in even the most motivated gym-goer. Yet even in the face of plenty of excuses, the treadmill and its cohorts usually come out victorious, roping us in for yet another long bout of steady movement in the name of “burning calories.” Luckily, research has given us a multitude of legitimate excuses to finally escape the clutches of steady-state cardio. Read on to discover why dropping this form of cardio might just be one of the best decisions you can make for your waistline and hormonal health....

I used blue on two walls, keeping the other two walls fresh and white as I wanted a cool and airy feel. The plants I’ve chosen for the master bedroom are ones that have great air-purifying qualities, and I’ve grouped them together to create a sanctuary feeling. I also have a diffuser with relaxing essential oils, such as lavender, that adds to a good night’s rest! The first change was to the garden: I created an outdoor “living area”—a space that we could enjoy as a family during the day and where my husband and I could go to chill out during the evenings....

I even took my love affair across the pond when I studied abroad in France during college. A solid month of cheese, bread, and cream-filled goodies. Let’s put it this way: I left the country after getting measured for a bridesmaid’s dress. When I returned, the dress wouldn’t zip. All of that was enough to convince me to give it shot. Plus, I’m a great student and I also like people-pleasing....

Understanding how you digest your food can make it easier to comprehend why the body reacts as it does, and fueling yourself with certain ingredients can leave you lacking in energy much more quickly than other meals. From your first bite to the trip to the bathroom, we got to the bottom of everything you need to know (and likely more) about the inner workings of your digestive system. Once you’ve taken your first bite, the saliva in your mouth both moistens and helps digest food, for example amylase for carbohydrates and starches....

Protein is personal. Certain protein sources (e.g., grain-fed beef, grains, legumes) can overstimulate the immune system and create inflammation in some people. While we do not yet understand the effect of all forms of protein on different hormones, let’s explore what we do know about the impact of certain protein sources on three key hormones: estrogen, thyroid, and insulin. As a doctor, I’ve observed an unusual phenomenon. When women eat grain-fed, hormone-injected, superbug-infected meat, it can negatively impact digestion and may cause bloating or constipation....

And just generally, stress causes your skin to look tired. Here’s why: The onset of stress triggers the fight-or-flight response. As more circulation is diverted to other organs, such as the heart, brain, and lungs, blood flow is taken away from your skin1. When this happens, your skin cannot produce collagen as effectively—resulting in less plump, bright-looking skin. “Less collagen is produced in high-stress states since more of the body’s resources are used to combat stress and the inflammation it produces,” says board-certified dermatologist Gary Goldenberg, M....

This year especially has taught me the importance of creating an aesthetically pleasing and comfortable space you’re truly content in from morning to night. I notice such a difference in my mood when our home is organized and everything has its place. Well, as picked up as things can be with two toddlers under 4! I’m also tuned in to the mood boost that a seasonal refresh can bring, whether it’s pops of new color or a fresh arrangement of flowers in the kitchen....

OK, so oily skin just might be in your family tree (sigh), but you can change the quality of the oil itself. What do we mean? Allow us. It’s the overproduction of oil that frequently becomes an issue, where the buildup of sebum actually transforms in quality. “With the overproduction of sebum, that sebum is a little bit different in composition,” celebrity esthetician Alicia Yoon, founder of Peach & Lily, tells mbg....

The busy woman may be thinking “yeah, right…” But a body care routine has more to offer than we realize. As Americans, we tend to dismiss body care as indulgence. In other parts of the world, whole-body care is a way of life, connecting women to themselves, nature, and the planet. And no brand represents that like NativaSPA, a Brazilian beauty company with products centered around one surprising ingredient: quinoa oil....

Definitely! Put boundaries around this ability too. When feeling with people is draining or overwhelming, pull back into observing. If you have problems sharing because you fear your emotions will create uncomfortable emotions in your partner that you have to feel secondhand—like telling your partner something needs to change in the relationship for you to stay and then feeling your partner’s anxiety about what you revealed—speak to a counselor or get any support you need to shift this pattern so you can share more....

We consulted personal trainers and fitness experts to help answer these questions before your next workout. “When we talk about your core, think of it as a group of muscles that stabilize your spine,” says fitness trainer BB Arrington, NASM-CPT. This includes the back, abs, glutes, pelvic floor muscles, and even the diaphragm (muscle of respiration). More specifically, your “multifidus, erector spinae, rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, obliques, and pelvic floor” play a large role, she says, “and to a lesser degree, your latissimus dorsi, trapezius, and glutes....

Daunting as it might be, it’s still possible to find the job you love or at least be on the path toward a more fulfilling career. As springtime transforms the earth from barren grays and browns into tapestries of green and carpets of wildflowers, we are reminded that life is about renewal and reinvention. It’s in the cycle of the seasons and our DNA as human beings. We are constantly evolving to find new ways....