The four main heavy metals that can cause health issues are mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration1 monitors levels of these “big four” heavy metals in food and drinking water, but some sources inevitably fall through the cracks. (Take the high levels of lead in the water in Flint, Michigan, for example.) Here are four sources of heavy metals to look out for and avoid consuming in high doses....
February’s full moon is called the Snow Moon in the Old Farmer’s Almanac for obvious reasons since there’s likely to be powder on the ground in the northern hemisphere at this time of year. But chilly outdoor air can’t tamp down the blazing heat of this fire sign. The zodiac’s lion is passionate, playful, and theatrical. With the Leo full moon turning everyone into scene-stealers and spotlight hounds, the drama could amplify....
Here’s everything you need to know about yellow auras in particular, including what they mean, how people with yellow auras fare in love and their career, and more. According to Eileen Lee, founder of the aura portrait practice AURA AURA, those with yellow auras are confident, inspiring, and of course, happy. Beyond that, there are a few shades of yellow auras—each with its own meaning: Understanding how the shade of yellow in your aura relates to the solar plexus chakra can give a good indication of whether the chakra is flowing freely or blocked by low self-esteem or general negativity....
When we think about cotton—a classic tee or cotton swabs may come to mind. But the reality is that cotton is everywhere. And we’re better for it: Compared to man-made fabrics and synthetics, cotton is totally natural and becoming more sustainable. It’s grown from the earth using renewable resources: rainfall and sunlight. Modern farming techniques allow the whole cotton plant to be used, not just the white, fluffy part. Which is part of the reason cotton is a surprising ingredient in unexpected things like U....
We’re not as burdened under the weight of our mothballed sweaters from five seasons ago as we are by the fear and stress brought on by a chaotic world that lets us control some things and not others. It is often our “control misfires” that lead us to a disordered relationship with our things. Instead, it’s better to focus on confronting your relationship with things you own. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a minimalist or a maximalist....
According to a recent New York Times investigation, research shows2 that burning a candle at home is unlikely to emit enough particulate matter to harm health. However, Adler points out that indoor air pollution is always more of a concern during the winter months, “when we tend to keep our windows closed throughout the day.” So if you notice that you have an irritated, itchy throat, watery eyes, or headache after lighting up a scented candle, it’s a sign to blow it out and switch to an unscented option....
As a “co” enzyme, this vitamin-like quinone enhances the function of other enzymes (i.e., specialized proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions in every cell) in the body. In addition to playing a critical role in cellular energy production, CoQ10 also functions as a versatile, lipid-soluble antioxidant, supporting cellular health throughout the body, including those involved in skin health. For example, “three months of daily CoQ10 supplementation (at 50 and 150 mg doses) has been shown in clinical research to smooth skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles1,”* shares Ferira....
Our team has worked hard to weed through the options, reviewing dozens of beds that meet our criteria for quality, safety, and sustainability. Whether you’re looking for a hybrid, memory foam, or adjustable mattress, we have a suggestion that’ll help you get the quality zzz’s you need. And now you can use this guide to evaluate cost effectively. A mattress made with quality materials will likely give you more mileage, so that’s something to consider when looking at the price tag....
Since we can’t rely on food to get our vitamin D to where it needs to be, and trying to score enough of the sunshine vitamin from the actual sun is—ironically—a complicated, caveat-riddled can of worms in and of itself (and a topic for another day), that leaves us with one tried-and-true route to healthy vitamin D status: supplements.* Vitamin D also plays a crucial role in thyroid function and supports a healthy pregnancy....
The move also does a great job of stretching your hips, your chest, all parts of your back, along with your shoulders and neck. And again, this stretch is super versatile, so you could repeat it for longer than 30 seconds if you wanted, sprinkle it into your warmup, or include it in your workout itself. Convinced yet? Give the World’s Greatest Stretch a try. When you do it properly, you’ll strengthen and stretch all the areas you want limber and strong....
Here, we tapped top hairstylists to get the scoop on slicked-back ponytails, including how to master them and how to add your own spin on this easy-to-create style. Don’t be surprised if it becomes your new favorite ‘do. “The best brush to use to achieve this hairstyle would be a nylon and boar bristle brush, which actually smooths strands,” Fitzsimons says. “The mix of bristles will help get rid of any static and give you that sleek effect you’re looking for....
Once the school bell rings (and the workday ends), it should be all about fresh air and sunshine to balance out the hours lost to sterile workspaces and artificial light. So we’re bringing you the facts and inspo you need to plan more family fun under the sun. But before anyone heads outside, make sure to lather up using Bare Republic’s adventure-proof, worry-free sunscreen. It’s our go-to for healthy sun protection that contains healthy ingredients safe for parents, kids, and the environment....
But there’s something to be said about using those stones at home, especially if your cracked, dry feet are screaming for a little TLC. Here’s what you need to know about pumice stones, plus a step-by-step guide to using them at home. It’s time to take soft, supple skin into your own hands (and feet). Today, you might use one to manually exfoliate dead skin and callused areas; however, you don’t want to rub the stone on the delicate skin on your face....
While everyone is different, I believe yoga is extremely effective when it comes to lasting weight loss. Less than one year after practicing yoga six to seven days per week, I lost those 85 pounds. Here’s how it happened. I also began to take pleasure in what actually felt good. This insight led to better decision-making as a whole, leading to positive lifestyle changes and healthier food choices, and resulting in weight loss....
The key? “Pay attention to your lips,” he says on the mindbodygreen podcast. Here’s the lip-coffee connection, according to Dr. B. And that morning check-in is key: When you’re sleeping, you’re not drinking any water for eight or some hours (not to mention, you lose water through your skin while you sleep). When you wake up, instead of hydrating first thing in the morning—with two full glasses of water, as Bulsiewicz recommends—you might sleepily pour yourself a strong cup of coffee, which may give you a much-needed jolt of energy, sure, but your body may pay the price: “When you’re dehydrated and the first thing you grab is coffee, that dehydrates you even further,” Bulsiewicz says....
It’s also gained a reputation for being a near-exact dupe to La Mer’s Creme de la Mer, another cream that’s earned cult status—and comes at a hefty price tag of north of $500 for a 3.4-ounce jar. (Yes, really.) For that reason, even nonnatural enthusiasts find their way into the Weleda fan club since it’s a pretty close replica for a very reasonable price. I slathered it on and worried for a moment about my pores....
Read on for the pros and cons of dairy in your diet. Below, we’ll explore different types of dairy, factors to look for in order to add the most benefits to your diet, and helpful tools to learn if dairy is right for you. You’re not alone. Approximately 65% of adults are genetically lactose intolerant, rising to 70-100% for folks of east asian descent. Lactose intolerance can also develop after damage to the small intestine, such as Crohn’s disease or Celiac disease....
Many of us have been there, and if you haven’t, a friend certainly has. The feelings associated are usually quite a whirlwind: satisfaction (this felt good), familiarity (this felt right), confusion (what does this mean?), embarrassment (how could I let this happen?), guilt (wow, this was a bad idea), and depending on the exact circumstances, either a little bit of extra misery (why can’t we be together?) or a cautious bit of optimism (maybe we can)....
Here, we break down everything you need to know about the nutrients, cooking methods, and health benefits of lentils. Prebiotics, which may be just as important for your gut as probiotics, are what our friendly gut bacteria feed on. This type of fiber, also found in foods like beans, garlic, onions, jicama, and more, promotes the proliferation and survival of this good bacteria and keeps your microbiome happy. Maintaining good gut health can positively affect everything from your bowel movements to appetite regulation to mood....
