Health and Beauty Articles for Women

 By: JAMA 
Menopause and depressive symptoms
Women with no history of depression may be at an increased risk of new onset depressive symptoms and disorders as they transition to menopause, according to two studies in the April issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

As background information in the articles, the authors write that although the transition to menopause has long been considered a time of increased risk for developing depressive symptoms, there is little scientific evidence to connect the change in reproductive hormones, menopausal status and mental health.
(more…)

By: American Council on Exercise 

Symptoms of Menopause
Menopause or “the change” is a turning point in every woman’s life that brings uncomfortable and sometimes lasting effects on a woman’s body.

The American Council on Exercise (ACE), America’s nonprofit fitness authority, recognizes “National Menopause Awareness Month” in September and shares good news that regular physical activity and a balanced diet can help manage many symptoms and health concerns associated with menopause.
(more…)

By: SAGE Publications 
Domestic Violence Danger
Women are more likely to be killed by an intimate partner than to die at the hands of a stranger according to “Intimate Partner Violence and Firearms,” a new set of studies published in the June issue of SAGE Publications’ Evaluation Review.

“Violent partners armed with firearms are especially dangerous,” writes Susan B. Sorenson, Professor at the UCLA School of Public Health and editor of the special issue. (more…)

By: northshorelij.com 
Chances of Having Twins

An obstetrician well known for his care of and research into multiple-birth pregnancies has found that dietary changes can affect a woman’s chances of having twins, and that her overall chance is determined by a combination of diet and heredity.

By comparing the twinning rate of vegan women, who consume no animal products, with that of women who do eat animal products, Gary Steinman, MD, PhD, an attending physician at Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center in New Hyde Park, NY, found that the women who consume animal products, specifically dairy, are five times more likely to have twins. The study is published in the May 2006 issue of the Journal of Reproductive Medicine, available May 20.
(more…)

By: BMJ Specialty Journals 

Healthy women

Holding down a job and being a mum in a steady relationship helps keep women healthy and in good shape over the long term, suggests research in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

A career as a homemaker seems to increase the chances of becoming obese, indicates the research.
(more…)

By: American College of Physicians 

Many menstrual irregularities can be traced to medical problems that, if left unresolved, can profoundly affect women’s health. Moreover, many menstrual disorders can and should be managed by primary care physicians.

To help internists and other primary care providers treat the medical causes and implications of menstrual disorders, ACP this spring released the latest title in its acclaimed Women’s Health book series, “Menstrual Disorders.”
(more…)

By: Saint Louis University 
Looking for yet another reason to stay svelte? Labor can be longer for obese pregnant women, a new Saint Louis University study finds.

The research, presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in May, finds that it takes obese pregnant women who are given medication to induce labor longer to deliver their babies than women of normal body weight.
(more…)

By: American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 

A UCLA research study published in the June issue of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found that people may be able to improve their cognitive function and brain efficiency by making simple lifestyle changes such as incorporating memory exercises, healthy eating, physical fitness and stress reduction into their daily lives.

“We’ve known for several years that diet and exercise can help people maintain their physical health and live longer, but maintaining mental health is just as important,” said lead investigator, Dr. Gary Small, professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA.
(more…)

By: Weber Shandwick Worldwide 

Skin care and cocoa

Cocoa butter has long been used topically in many skin creams and cosmetics because it is thought to be good for the skin. Now, new research just published in the Journal of Nutrition reveals the potential benefits of consuming flavanol-rich cocoa and how it might actually benefit skin from the inside out.

Researchers found that certain components in cocoa may actually help improve the appearance of women’s skin - increasing hydration, decreasing skin roughness and scaling, and helping to support the skin’s defense against UV damage.
(more…)

By Kate M. D’Imperio

With skimpy swimsuits and trips to the beach in mind, toning various body parts and dropping a few pounds in time for summer has become a priority for many. Coupled with regular cardiovascular exercise, healthy eating habits can severely impact one’s weight as well as one’s overall body image.

When it comes to shaping up and slimming down, several factors impact a person’s body and general healthiness. Different diets and eating routines work for different people. (more…)