Fact: Cardiovascular disease kills more women over 25 than all cancers combined.

Fact: Young women who have heart attacks are twice as likely to die from them as men are.

Fact: You can protect yourself—and you should start right now.

If all this has your heart beating a little faster, well, a little worry might not be such a bad thing—assuming it makes you start taking steps to prevent heart disease. And you can do just that, since many heart attacks in women are caused by factors like hypertension and high cholesterol that could have been treated or prevented altogether.

“It’s important to take care of your heart even before you have any symptoms,” says Arthur Agatston, M.D., a Miami cardiologist and author of the new book The South Beach Heart Program. “Quite simply, the earlier you start, the easier it is to prevent heart disease.”

Find Your Fruit.

Carrying extra weight around can be dangerous, especially if those excess pounds find their way to your belly and not, say, your hips. Recent studies indicate that abdominal fat is metabolically different from the other fat in your body: As you gain padding around your middle, the individual cells swell, and their size is linked to higher triglyceride levels and lower good cholesterol.

The best treatment for belly fat? A mix of diet and exercise. Working out regularly also has a ripple effect on the body: Not only do dangerous pounds come off, but your muscles become more efficient at using blood; your heart gets stronger; and your blood vessels become more limber, so blood flows more easily. “A lot of things don’t make you feel better in the short term,” Dr. Hayes says. “Exercise is the one thing that does.”

Whether walking, running, or swimming, you should aim to work your heart to about 50 to 70 percent of its maximum rate. Even this amount of exercise is powerful enough to combat other high-risk factors: A study out of the Cooper Institute in Dallas found that even moderately fit people had half the death rates of those who were sedentary.

Do some drugs.

If blood tests show your cholesterol is high, a change in diet and exercise might help. But in many cases, it’s too late or your numbers are too high for these basic steps to help. That’s when your doctor may give you a cholesterol-lowering medication, known as a statin, which keeps the liver from producing too much cholesterol.

Some doctors have questioned the wisdom of prescribing these drugs, especially for patients who might lower their cholesterol through lifestyle changes. But recent studies show that statins can diminish LDL by as much as 40 percent, slightly raise the level of HDL, and reduce the risk of heart attacks by about 35 percent.

This is why many experts say these medications are actually underprescribed. “Statins are incredible tools in lowering cholesterol and can keep many people from suffering heart attacks,” Dr. Agatston says. “But there’s no question: They’re meant to work together with proper diet and exercise.” Women taking statins may experience muscle fatigue as a side effect, though, and should get regular blood tests to check liver function.

Get prenatal care.

Around 135,000 women every year get gestational diabetes, high blood sugar that’s likely a result of pregnancy hormones blocking adequate insulin production.

Doctors used to think it came and went with pregnancy. But research now shows that gestational diabetes gives you a 50 percent chance of developing diabetes later in life, which in turn makes you three to seven times more prone to heart disease.

That puts you in line with the 54 million other Americans who have prediabetes. Diabetes, especially type 2, is often attributed to obesity, though many cases result from genetics and/or environment. Cardiologists consider diabetics heart patients as well: Even if they’ve never had an attack, they tend to have high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

“Having diabetes is equivalent to having heart disease,” says Paula Johnson, M.D., chief of the division of women’s health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. She treats diabetics and heart patients with the same regimen of aspirin and statins.

“The best thing is to protect yourself with diet, weight control, and exercise so you never develop diabetes, even if you had it when pregnant.”

Understand how women differ from men.

While some women do experience chest-clutching pain, many others have subtler symptoms. In fact, a recent survey of women recovering from heart attacks found that many had worsening symptoms for weeks leading up to an episode but mistook them for indigestion, fatigue, or muscle strain.

Nieca Goldberg, M.D., a New York City cardiologist and author of The Women’s Healthy Heart Program, says two-thirds of women who die of heart attacks never even make it to the hospital — by the time they recognize what’s happening, it’s already too late.

Symptoms aren’t the only way men and women differ when it comes to heart problems. Only in the last decade have scientists started to explore how heart disease manifests in each sex, and they still don’t have a lot of answers. They do know that it’s about more than the size of our hearts.

Research from the National Institutes of Health shows that doctors may have missed heart disease in some 3 million women who have diffuse plaque, where plaque spreads evenly through the arteries instead of building up to create major blockage. On angiograms (x-rays of the blood vessels) these arteries look clear.

The NIH research also looked at women with microvascular disease, in which small vessels don’t dilate properly during exertion. Their angiograms were often clear too. While they’re not headed for immediate heart attack, women with diffuse plaque and microvascular disease do need to be treated with either lifestyle changes or medication or both. “Doctors should diagnose intuitively,” Dr. Johnson says. “If a woman comes in with symptoms” — shortness of breath, positive cardiac stress test, high cholesterol — “we can assume she needs to be treated even if her angiogram is clear. We can’t just send her home and do nothing.”

The lesson? You may need to be your own strongest advocate where your heart’s concerned.

Source: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/heart-disease-facts-3

Pear

Balance out a larger lower half with a boxy jacket.

It may seem counterintuitive, but a small, busy print camouflages lumps and bumps.

A thin sweater covers your butt and thighs without adding bulk.

Hourglass

Wear a long vest to rein in an ample bust and streamline a curvy silhouette.

Pick a liquid legging—the sleek, thick fabric sucks you in and slims you down.

A wide belt worn right at your waist highlights a trim middle

For the most flattering look, choose layering pieces that hit at mid-thigh.

Athletic

A floaty, feminine blouse softens strong shoulders.

Tuck in your top to show off narrow hips.

These super-stretchy “jean” leggings are kinder to muscular legs than denim.

Straight

This tiered bolero gives the illusion of volume on top.

The wide band carves out a defined waist.

To add curves, try throwing a pleated mini over colored leggings.

Source: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty-and-style/tights-leggings?page=4

Most women report that they experience hot flashes during pre- and perimenopause. Hot flashes typically begin to occur when women start to have irregular periods, and usually end one or two years after menstruation has ceased. Sometimes women will experience flushing or warmth in their faces and upper bodies, others might actually have sweating and chills. Hot flashes can occur at any time of day or night. While it is not entirely clear what causes hot flashes, some researchers suggest it might have to do with mixed signals from the hypothalamus, a region in the brain that regulates body temperature and sex hormones. The hypothalamus may be reacting to decreasing levels of estrogen, and this may explain why hot flashes cease when estrogen replacement is given.

There are two tests that your doctor can perform that will determine if a woman is “officially” in menopause. One is to test the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level. This hormone increases significantly after the ovaries shut down. Another procedure is to take a Pap-like smear from the vaginal walls and check for any thinning and drying out of the vagina.

Suggested Lifestyle Changes for Menopause Treatment
Mental attitude has a lot to do with how well a woman adjusts to menopause. If it is seen as a tragic end to youth, fertility and sexuality, it can cause significant disruptions in one’s day-to-day life, and create the temptation to “solve” the problem with unproven therapies that promise eternal youth. If menopause is seen as simply the natural transition to the next phase of life, it can be readily accepted and more easily handled. The risks and benefits of estrogen replacement therapy should be carefully considered, and many women do quite well without any medical intervention for menopause treatment. Following an anti-inflammatory diet, getting adequate aerobic exercise, and relaxation practices can help address the many practical problems that menopause can bring. Menopause is not a disease, and there is no reason for it to decrease interest in or enjoyment of sex. Vaginal dryness can make intercourse more difficult, however, and an over the counter product such as Replens Vaginal Lotion, as well as lubricants such as Astroglide can help. Your doctor can also prescribe a topical estrogen cream which will restore normal vaginal tissue.

Nutrition and Supplements - Herbs for Menopause
Try the following natural remedies and herbs for menopause:

• Soy foods. The isoflavones in soy foods help balance hormone levels and have some estrogenic activity. There is ongoing research about the safety and efficacy of isolated soy isoflavone supplements. While the initial results look promising, we currently recommend using natural soy foods rather than supplements. Choose from tofu, soy milk, roasted soy nuts or tempeh.
• Flaxseed. Substances called lignins in flaxseed are important modulators of hormone metabolism. Grind flaxseed daily in a coffee grinder at home and use 1 to 2 tablespoons a day.
• Dong quai. Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) is known both in China and the West for its ability to support and maintain the natural balance of female hormones. It does not have estrogenic activity. This is one of the herbs for menopause that should not be taken if a woman is experiencing heavy bleeding.
• Black cohosh (Cumicifuga racemosa). One of the best-studied traditional herbs for menopause, black cohosh is used to help alleviate some symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes. Black cohosh seems to work by supporting and maintaining hormonal levels, which may lessen the severity of hot flashes. Many women report that the herb works well but it isn’t effective for everyone. While any therapy that influences hormonal actions should be a concern, black cohosh does not appear to have estrogenic activity and thus may be safe for women with a personal or family history of breast cancer.
• Vitamin E. A daily dose of 400 IUs of natural vitamin E (as mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols) can help alleviate symptoms of hot flashes in some menopausal women.
• B vitamins. This group of water-soluble vitamins may help women deal with the stress of menopausal symptoms.
• Evening primrose oil or black currant oil. These are sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid that can help influence prostaglandin synthesis and help moderate menopausal symptoms.

Source: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00700/menopause-symptoms

Food as Medicine

An analysis by the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service found that the levels of phenolic compounds (which provide antioxidant protection and other health benefits) in red potatoes rivals the levels found in some vegetables that are traditionally regarded as nutrition powerhouses, including broccoli, spinach and Brussels sprouts. Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds red potatoes, organic if possible
1/4 cup Dijon or Dusseldorf mustard
1/4 cup dry white vermouth
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion
2 stalks celery
2 tsp capers
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
Chopped fresh dill to taste
1/2 lb steamed green beans, cut in 1-inch pieces (optional) Instructions 1. Boil potatoes in their skins, covered, just until they can be easily pierced with a sharp knife.

2. Meanwhile, prepare dressing in a jar, combining mustard, vermouth, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper to taste; shake well.

3. Drain potatoes, let cool enough to handle, then peel and cut into thick slices. Place in a large bowl.

4. Pour dressing over the potatoes while they are warm, tossing well.

5. Add chopped onion, sliced celery, capers, finely chopped parsley, dill and, if you like, other chopped vegetables (red bell pepper, radish).

6. Correct seasoning. Chill until served.

7. If desired, you can toss in lightly cooked fresh green beans as a good last-minute addition. ]]> http://healthcare-woman.com/news/2010/01/22/red-potato-salad/feed/ http://healthcare-woman.com/news/2010/01/21/8-anti-aging-solutions-part-ii/ http://healthcare-woman.com/news/2010/01/21/8-anti-aging-solutions-part-ii/#comments Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:00:31 +0000 Healthcare Woman Articles http://healthcare-woman.com/news/2010/01/21/8-anti-aging-solutions-part-ii/ “One of my patients, a tv actress, came into my office the other day pretty upset,” recalls Ava Shamban, M.D., a dermatologist in Santa Monica, California. “She is in her early thirties and has noticed that people have suddenly started casting her as a killer. Her face has changed—the corners of her mouth have started turning down just slightly, and it has given her a much harder look.”

It’s one of life’s crueler jokes. Your thirties are supposed to be your best years: You finally have a handle on your relationships, you’re on track at work, you’ve built a respectable shoe collection. In other words, you’ve gotten your act together. But it’s at this exact moment that life throws you for a beauty loop. “Thirty is often the age when you start to see your looks changing…and not for the better,” Shamban says.

Those first deep wrinkles begin to emerge, turning once-charming crinkles into full-on crow’s-feet. High school-style acne may decide to make a comeback, or crop up for the very first time. Damage from decadesold summer-camp sunburns can begin to emerge as brown spots and saggy skin. A formerly plush ponytail may become a scrawny shadow of its former self. You get the not-so-pretty picture.

Hormones are one of the main culprits for all these maladies. “The majority of hormone changes start around age 30,” explains Beverly Hills endocrinologist Eva Cwynar, M.D. Because we’re engineered to have babies in our teens and twenties, our reproductive hormone levels begin to taper off in our thirties, which can result in hair loss and funky skin conditions. Human growth hormone, or HGH, begins to peter out too, which means cells don’t turn over as quickly. This puts the brakes on collagen production, giving way to dull, slack skin. “When we’re 18, our growth hormone levels may be around 800. By 30, they’ve dropped to 150. It’s normal. It’s just how we age,” assures Cwynar.

And if you spent your twenties on a beach chair with a glass of chardonnay in one hand and a cigarette in the other, those vices will begin to show, quite literally, on your face. “You start to see the cumulative effects of hard living on your skin in your thirties,” says dermatologist Rebecca Giles, M.D., owner of FIX skin clinic in Malibu, California. Everyone is going to see some changes in her thirties due to hormonal shifts, “but for those who have been tanning, drinking, smoking, and eating poorly, the problems are going to be worse.”

To keep you looking gorgeous throughout your thirties and way beyond, we asked dermatologists to identify the major skin and hair issues you’re bound to encounter during this decade and offer ways to keep problems at bay. If you’ve already detected some beauty erosion, don’t fret. There’s still time to undo the damage.

Stray Hairs

It’s a raw deal that when your hair starts to fall out of your head, it starts to pop up in less than- ideal places, like your chin, nipples, and abdomen. The reason: The ratio of androgens (male hormones) to estrogen may change in your thirties, which can turn a soft, fine hair into a (gasp!) whisker

Preemptive Strike
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there’s not much you can do.

Turn Back Time
Traditional hair-removal methods like tweezing, waxing, and electrolysis work, and laser treatments have proved to be highly effective too. “There’s also a prescription cream called Vaniqa that can help prevent hair from regrowing, with varying degrees of success,” Day says.

Acne

You may associate zits with first dates and SATs, “but it’s a myth that acne ends in your teens,” says Heidi Waldorf, M.D., director of laser and cosmetic dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. “In fact, lots of people see it for the first time at 30.” The causes? A natural decline in estrogen levels, switching birth-control pills (which can create a temporary hormonal imbalance), and stress. The adult responsibilities of your thirties (a big-shot job, a kid, or both) may make cortisol levels spike, resulting in a case of adolescent-like acne.

Preemptive Strike
Daily cleansing and weekly exfoliation will help keep your pores clear and fend off acne. Waldorf recommends the Neutrogena Wave ($13, at drugstores), a device that uses a salicylic acid cleaning pad to remove dead skin cells. If exfoliating seems tedious or if your skin is very oily, you can simply apply a salicylic acid product daily (try Murad Anti-Aging Acne & Wrinkle Reducer, $58, sephora.com, or Philosophy Oil-Free Acne Treatment Gel, $22, sephora.com). “These exfoliate the skin and penetrate pores to disrupt oil production,” Hirsch says.

Turn Back Time
Wrinkle-fighting retinoids also have a way with pimples. If prescription-strength products are too strong for your sensitive skin (or your wallet), try Olay Total Effects with Pro-Retinol ($23, drugstore.com), which is gentle and nearly as effective. Apply it at night to clean skin.

Ask your dermatologist about in-office peels (a custom blend of peeling agents like salicylic acid or alpha-hydroxy acid that’s left on the skin for several minutes, which may result in peeling a few days later). Both are proven zit erasers.

Red Bumps Around Your Nose and Mouth

Notice a constellation of tiny, painless red bumps on the lower half of your face? Chances are, you’ve got a case of perioral dermatitis, which is most common among women in their thirties.

Preemptive Strike
Quit touching your face! “While the cause of perioral dermatitis is unknown, picking and prodding can trigger it by introducing all sorts of bacteria to your skin,” Giles says.

Turn Back Time
“Nothing is available over the counter to treat this,” Giles says. “If you notice these tiny bumps, and they don’t appear to be acnerelated, see a dermatologist, who will likely prescribe an antibiotic in a pill or lotion form to reduce inflammation.”

Brown Spots on Your Face

Big blotchy patches on the upper lip, cheeks, and forehead are called melasma. While typically considered one of those annoying estrogen-related pregnancy symptoms, they can occur in 30- something women who have never been preggers. “Sometimes oral contraceptives can cause these patches, but sometimes they pop up for no particular reason at all, and even just a few minutes in the sun makes them worse,” Day says.

Preemptive Strike
According to Day, nothing can prevent melasma entirely, but slathering on Neutrogena’s new Spectrum+ Sunblock Lotion SPF 55 ($12, at drugstores), which protects skin from UVA and UVB rays, as well as certain wavelengths of infrared light, can stop patches from getting darker. “The latest research indicates that infrared rays and heat play a role, and traditional sunscreen doesn’t shield the skin from them.”

Turn Back Time
Melasma can be tough to treat, but light chemical peels such as the Vi peel, a combination of ingredients like salicylic acid, retinoic acid, and vitamins, can be effective in lifting the pigment from your skin.

Don’t have the bucks (or the pain threshold) for a peel? “Using a topical lightening cream with kojic acid or hydroquinone can lessen the appearance of melasma,” Kopelson says. Apply SkinCeuticals Pigment Regulator ($85, skinceuticals.com) every other night, building up to every night.

Source: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty-and-style/natural-anti-aging?cat=18091&tip=18046

It’s one of life’s crueler jokes. Your thirties are supposed to be your best years: You finally have a handle on your relationships, you’re on track at work, you’ve built a respectable shoe collection. In other words, you’ve gotten your act together. But it’s at this exact moment that life throws you for a beauty loop. “Thirty is often the age when you start to see your looks changing…and not for the better,” Shamban says.

Those first deep wrinkles begin to emerge, turning once-charming crinkles into full-on crow’s-feet. High school-style acne may decide to make a comeback, or crop up for the very first time. Damage from decadesold summer-camp sunburns can begin to emerge as brown spots and saggy skin. A formerly plush ponytail may become a scrawny shadow of its former self. You get the not-so-pretty picture.

Hormones are one of the main culprits for all these maladies. “The majority of hormone changes start around age 30,” explains Beverly Hills endocrinologist Eva Cwynar, M.D. Because we’re engineered to have babies in our teens and twenties, our reproductive hormone levels begin to taper off in our thirties, which can result in hair loss and funky skin conditions. Human growth hormone, or HGH, begins to peter out too, which means cells don’t turn over as quickly. This puts the brakes on collagen production, giving way to dull, slack skin. “When we’re 18, our growth hormone levels may be around 800. By 30, they’ve dropped to 150. It’s normal. It’s just how we age,” assures Cwynar.

And if you spent your twenties on a beach chair with a glass of chardonnay in one hand and a cigarette in the other, those vices will begin to show, quite literally, on your face. “You start to see the cumulative effects of hard living on your skin in your thirties,” says dermatologist Rebecca Giles, M.D., owner of FIX skin clinic in Malibu, California. Everyone is going to see some changes in her thirties due to hormonal shifts, “but for those who have been tanning, drinking, smoking, and eating poorly, the problems are going to be worse.”

To keep you looking gorgeous throughout your thirties and way beyond, we asked dermatologists to identify the major skin and hair issues you’re bound to encounter during this decade and offer ways to keep problems at bay. If you’ve already detected some beauty erosion, don’t fret. There’s still time to undo the damage.

Cellulite

Roughly 85 percent of women have some cellulite, and those first thigh dimples often show up around age 30. A less active lifestyle can lead to a cottage cheese-like appearance. “By their thirties, a lot of people have desk jobs and don’t have as much time to work out,” Shamban says. Adding to the problem: Collagen production starts to taper off at this age, making the skin thinner and cellulite more noticeable.

Preemptive Strike
Add simple weight-training exercises like squats and lunges to your cardio routine three or four times a week to tone up and blast fat, says Wayne Westcott, Ph.D., coauthor of No More Cellulite.

Stop yo-yo dieting. Repetitively gaining and losing weight stretches the tissue that connects skin to muscle. When that tissue is stretched, it can have a tough time holding in fat pockets effectively.

Turn Back Time
There’s no magic cure for cellulite. That said, to increase the effectiveness of cellulite creams, Shamban suggests using them in conjunction with over-the-counter retinoid creams like Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Ultra Lift and Firm Moisture Cream SPF 30 ($68, elizabetharden.com). “Retinoids have been shown to stimulate collagen,” Shamban says.

Some experts say that in office or in-spa treatments for cellulite may offer temporary relief. “New devices like the Smooth Shapes cellulite machine—a laser-plus-light treatment with suction action—can be moderately effective,” Shamban says ($300 per treatment; a series of eight is recommended).

Wrinkles

Thanks to sluggish cell turnover, everyone sees a little wrinkling in their thirties, but for sun worshippers and smokers,” the bell starts tolling earlier and louder,” Giles says.

Preemptive Strike
“Wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 is the best thing you can do for your skin,” says Giles, who recommends using a physical sunblock like titanium dioxide, Which doesn’t wear of as quickly as chemical sunscreens. And you need to slather it on every day. “If you can see outside without a flashlight, you need to wear sunscreen. Period,” says Ranella Hirsch, M.D., dermatologist in Boston.

Layer an antioxidant serum under your sunblock. “Research shows that vitamin C in particular can help make sunscreen more effective,” Giles says. Try Neutrogena Ageless Restoratives Antioxidant Booster Serum ($19, ulta.com).

Cut down on processed foods, don’t drink excessively, and good grief, quit smoking already! “These habits all contribute to the premature signs of aging, ” Hirsch says.

Turn Back Time
Thirty isn’t too young to start using heavy-duty prescription retinoids, especially the superhero of the bunch, tretinoin. It exfoliates cells to reveal smoother skin and also prevents sagging. Apply a pea-size amount to clean skin a couple of nights a week at first (more than that can cause redness and irritation).

If you’ve been a maximum sun offender, a small dose of Botox—yes, even at 30—may be in order. When used in conservative amount, it may keep “dynamic” wrinkles (lines that show up only when you frown or smile) from turning into “static” wrinkles (which hang around no matter what your expression). “I’ll see some 30-year-old patients for Botox two or three times a year,” Giles says. “It doesn’t take much to make a big difference.”

A Chest Full of Freckles

Consider these sun spots souvenirs from all those irresponsible spring breaks spent sitting around the pool sans sunscreen. Like wrinkles, they begin making an appearance when you hit the big 3-0.

Preemptive Strike
Daily dedicated use of broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher prevents sun spots from forming and keeps existing ones from becoming darker.

Turn Back Time
Studies show that retinoids, those all-powerful skin rejuvenators, can zap sun spots. “Your skin regimen for your face can be modified for your chest, which is more sensitive,” says Doris Day, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. “Try applying an OTC retinol product with a moisturizer to clean skin a few nights a week.”

“I’ve had great success removing brown spots with the new AcuTip laser and the Nd:YAG laser,” says Beverly Hills dermatologist Peter Kopelson, M.D. Laser treatments can set you back $500 to $2,000, “but if you address these brown spots now, at age 30, you’re likely to have fewer issues later on if you continue to wear sunscreen and stay out of the sun,” says Kopelson.

Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy can also lift sun-damage spots from the chest or face. It’s an in-office treatment that delivers intense blasts of broadband light therapy deep into the epidermis to kill pigmented cells, which then slough off after a week or two. It’s slightly less expensive than lasers (around $500 per treatment), but several sessions may be required to see maximum results.

Thinning Hair

It can be downright freaky when you start seeing clumps of hair swimming around your shower drain and some thinning (thinning!) around your temples. This is largely due to the 30-something hormonal shift, which is genetically determined, but big-time thinning can be triggered by stress, a vitamin deficiency, an excess of mercury, or giving birth (moms experience temporary hair loss about two months after popping out a baby as their hormones readjust). More serious causes include hypothyroidism, which often manifests itself in your thirties, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which is most often seen in women ages 30 to 40.

Preemptive Strike
Eat a well-balanced diet that’s rich in B vitamins, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids, and keep mercury levels in check by sticking to low-mercury fish like tilapia and herring, and eating it just twice a week.

Take a daily multivitamin with hair-and nail-strengthening biotin and zinc, Day says.

Turn Back Time
If the root cause of hair loss is a thyroid condition, a regular dose of synthetic hormones like Synthroid, prescribed by an endocrinologist, can put your body back on track.

For PCOS sufferers, switching to a low-glycemic (low sugar, low carbohydrate) diet can reduce overall body fat and reset your blood insulin levels. If it doesn’t, your doctor may prescribe Metformin, a drug for diabetics that controls blood-sugar levels.

If your doctor rules out a thyroid condition and PCOS, she may recommend a prescription drug called Aldactone (the generic name is spironolactone). “It’s a testosterone inhibitor that works like a key in a lock; it takes up space that extra testosterone would,” Cwynar says.

Source: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty-and-style/natural-anti-aging?cat=18091&tip=18042

Maureen Callahan, R.D.

If nibbling on a California roll is the extent of your Japanese food experience, it’s time to take a bigger bite out of this longevity-boosting cuisine. According to the World Health Organization, the life expectancy of Japanese women is 86 years–the highest in the world (beating American women by six years). The Japanese diet beats bulge too–only 4 percent of the country’s population is obese, compared with 32 percent of Americans. One likely reason is that Japanese meals feature a variety of foods served in small portions. ”

A traditional gohan, or meal, includes rice along with mostly plant-based foods of five colors: green, red, yellow, black, and white,” says Elizabeth Andoh, author of Washoku: Recipes from the Japanese Home Kitchen. “Modern science has revealed that colors correspond to different nutrients, so this is a naturally healthy way of thinking about food.”

To start building a body that ages better than a Honda, add these easy, colorful Japanese recipes to your weekly repertoire.

Toxin tamer

Rising levels of mercury in fish have everyone from sushi fans to tuna-melt lovers second-guessing each bite. “Fish absorb a form of mercury known as methylmercury; once this heavy metal is in your body, it can take a year before levels drop significantly in the bloodstream,” says WH nutrition expert Lisa Drayer, R.D.

Too much of it can cause health problems ranging from discolored skin and excess sweating to heart ailments and birth defects. But wakame and hijiki, two types of brown algae frequently used in Japanese cooking, may provide protection. “Brown algae contains a large-chain carbohydrate called alginic acid, which binds with any heavy metals in the intestine to prevent them from being absorbed,” says John Belleme, co-author of Japanese Foods That Heal and a co-founder of atasteofhealth.org.

Japanese research also suggests that brown algae may draw out toxins that have already been absorbed. Belleme recommends having miso soup made with wakame as a daily detox or whenever you eat fish.

Check out these recipes:

Sesame Soba Noodle Salad

Miso Soup

Miso Salmon

Tender Ginger Tofu

Chicken & Egg Donburi

Get the goods

Can’t find a grocery store that stocks Japanese ingredients? Click around these sites to order the healthy eats online:

goldminenaturalfoods.com

edenfoods.com

great-eastern-sun.com

kushistore.com

Source: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/japanese-food-recipes

Tame Jealousies

My husband seems frustrated that my career is more successful than his, although he denies it. What should I say?
—Submitted by Anna S., Pasadena, CA

He said: If my wife tried to talk to me about this, it wouldn’t matter what she said. I’d hear this: “I know you try, dear, but please don’t worry about my superstardom and your mediocrity.” Even if your husband won’t admit it, he probably is bothered because your success magnifies his lack of it–and because testosterone makes him more competitive than a hooked marlin. Your best play: Don’t give career advice (too condescending) and don’t tell him you understand how he feels (too pitying). Just drop it. Give the impression it’s no big deal and eventually he’ll get that it isn’t.

She said: Don’t console him about his lackluster career or compare it with your own. But don’t you dare downplay your excitement about new projects or promotions. Pop the champagne, thank him for his support, and ask him to celebrate with you. Be sure to let him know you’re proud of him for countless other reasons. Brag to friends about the incredible job he did renovating the kitchen or what an amazing Little League coach he is. Even better: Tell him he’s the best lover you could ever hope for. The one thing more closely linked to a man’s ego than his paycheck is his penis.

Synch Your Clocks

I go to bed earlier than my boyfriend, who turns in at 3 a.m. I think it gets in the way of quiet, intimate time, but he disagrees. Who’s right?
—Submitted by Laura P., Parsons, KS

He said: Is that what you’re really upset about? Or is it that you suspect he’s clicking away at somebodyelsesboobs.com? If it’s purely an issue of circadian rhythms, I gotta side with the insomniac. My wife goes to bed a few hours later than me. What am I supposed to do? Say, Moopsy Woopsy, I can’t shleepy weepy wiffout you? Of course not. It’s not my place to ask her to come to bed earlier, any more than it is hers to tell me to stay up later. If you try to force your boyfriend to hit the sack when you do, he’s going to toss and turn–about your relationship.

She said: Fer chrissakes! Can’t you see this is all about sex? By “quiet, intimate time,” she means she wants to get it on. And while you might ask why she doesn’t just jog into the living room in a pink, frilly thong, it’s not that simple. Women love to warm up with the kind of cuddling that seldom happens outside of bed. Laura, flat out ask your man to slip between the sheets for a half hour of kissing, bumping, and grinding. He can get back to the Cartoon Network when you’re done.

See Eye-to-Eye

My husband is always questioning my judgment–whether it’s about hiring an electrician or what to feed our son. It’s eating at my self-esteem. What should I do?
—Submitted by Acy T., Memphis, TN

He said: No doubt your instinct is to start volleying criticisms back at him– you merge like an octogenarian, why haven’t you patched the drywall? But someone would probably end up with a 100-mph insult up their snout. I don’t think his intent is off; but what he doesn’t realize is what you need to tell him–that you’re not his child, intern, or hooligan on the kiddie soccer team he coaches. And if he wants to occasionally yap about what he thinks you’re doing wrong, he better start serving up a few words about everything you’re doing right.

She said: You need to remind your husband that you’re his equal. But instead of merely telling him, which could easily spiral into a fight no matter how politely you phrase it, I recommend writing a heartfelt letter explaining how you feel. As you deliver it, calmly inform him that you’ll be leaving the house for a few hours. You’re not storming out, just having a break. Then do something good for you, like take a long yoga class or visit a friend. Your absence will drive home the point that you don’t just deserve to be treated better, you demand it.

Get Him to Speak Up

My boyfriend and I have a really great sex life, but he’s super-quiet in bed. How can I get him to talk more/make some noise?
—Submitted by Ana T., Franconia, NH

She said: That’s easy. If he isn’t willing to talk, just make him beg. Start by smiling lasciviously and instructing him to take his clothes off and lie completely still. Then massage his feet, working your way slowly up his calves and inching toward his inner thighs. Now stop. Next, kiss from the palms of his hands to the crooks of his elbows to the nape of his neck. Stop. Kiss his nips, lick a slow, lingering trail down his chest to his navel. Stop again. Now that he’s no doubt excited, inform him that if he wants you to do anything else, he’s going to have to ask for it.

He said: So let me get this straight. We’re nothing more than dogs now? Dangle a biscuit in front of our eyes and well sit, speak, heel, lie down, roll over, and perform any number of assorted tricks on demand? You think that simply because you hold a mega-size chunk of sexual power over us with your seductiveness and beauty that a man is just going to cave into acting like someone he’s not? You think that kisses, licks, and teases will do it? You think you can make a guy change just like that? Sheesh. Well, you thought right. Exactly right.

Ditch an Ex

I’m good friends with a few of my exes, which makes my fiancé uncomfortable. Do I have to give them up now that we’re serious?
—Submitted By trice J., Chicago, IL

She said: You’re not obliged to kick former flames to the curb. But do they add something special to your life, or are they just the human equivalents of scrapbooks? If all you do is wax nostalgic over drinks, these relationships may have run their course–so let them go. Otherwise, restrict one-on-one encounters to lunch. That’ll erase any doubts from your guy’s mind and keep you an honest woman.

He said: Are you cool with him doing that with his ex? While the logical side of your guy’s brain knows nothing will happen, the vulnerable side (yes, he has one) cringes at the thought of you reminiscing over spicy tuna rolls. Lunch means conversation, and conversation means laughing, and laughing means you’re four hand-touches and one fond memory away from the futon he still has from college. If you keep these dates as infrequent as talent on American Idol, he’ll find a way to live with it.

Stop a DIY Dude

My husband loves to fix things around the house, but he takes forever to complete projects–and sometimes he tries to do stuff only a pro should tackle, like rewire the basement. Help!
—Submitted by Vina K., Ventnor, NJ

He said: Tinkering lets your husband focus on a mission and conquer it without the stress and pressure that come with work projects. Though it may improve his mood more than the house, let him take time to figure out what widget goes where. Otherwise he’ll feel like you don’t trust him. Now, if it’s stuff that can cause fires or floods, that’s trickier. I say give him a chance. Then, before he starts, give him something else: a deadline. If he can’t fix it by the date you both agree upon, then it’s fair game for you to roto his rooter.

She said: Your man’s DIY jones is more than just a hobby. When he’s up on the roof with a nail gun in one hand and a monkey wrench in the other, he’s taking a ride on the great space coaster of manliness. And every time he successfully patches a pipe or levels a doorframe, his ego shoots over the moon. As hard as it may be to watch the catastrophes come and go without comment, do your best to withhold criticism. He needs to be the “fixer” the way you need 20 pairs of jeans–and there’s no sensible explanation for either.

Take a Baby Break

Ever since my two best friends have become pregnant, my husband and I have little in common with them. Should we take a break from these duos to spend time with couples who aren’t baby-crazed?
—Submitted by Annie H., Mequon, WI

He said: Actually, you have about as much choice in this as you have in what time their waters break. Your friends’ sleepless nights, 24/7 responsibilities, and potentially strained budgets probably mean they’re going to take a break from you, whether they mean to or not. Of course, you’ve got to branch out with people who can share a bottle of wine rather than a bottle of formula, and you should hang with couples who have similar interests, responsibilities, and free time–just to keep your own sanity. But don’t forget that staying close to these new moms will go a long way in helping them keep theirs.

She said: Take a break? These women are your best friends! As mind numbing as it may be for you and your guy to endure placenta talk over dinner and spend afternoons browsing high chairs, you’ve gotta do it–at least once a week, anyway. They need you to safeguard their sanity. As for recruiting new buddies, there’s nothing wrong with that. Just be careful not to spread yourself so thin that all of your friendships grow shallow.

Don’t Walk Down Memory Lane

My fiancé talks about his ex-wife a lot–what she thought of his habits, how she planned the wedding, etc. How do I deal?
—Submitted by Ra T., Waterloo, IA

He said: Most guys would be more comfortable discussing duvet covers than talking to a current lover about a former one. But I don’t think he’s intentionally trying to razz you. He’s probably insecure about the failure of his last marriage, so he’s trying to prove he knows something about relationships. Shut it down. You know his romantic résumé, but you don’t need to hear more about it–especially if he wants to get (and keep) the job.

She said: I was once on vacation in Italy with someone who wouldn’t shut up about how it reminded her of France. Eventually I screamed, “Let’s talk about f-ing Italy!” Remind your fiancé that you agreed to marry him–not his ex–which means her opinions and behaviors are of no interest to you. He may not be able to stop the knee-jerk memories, but he can stop giving them airtime. And the sooner he quits talking about her, the sooner he’ll stop thinking about her. Continuing to listen will only drag out the process.

Check His Profile

I met a guy through an online dating site and we’ve been dating exclusively for 7 months, but his profile is still posted as an active record on the site. I’m mystified. How do I handle this?
—Submitted by Na C., Pawtucket, RI

He said: Is this any different than if he were at a bar and chatting up the bouncy server? You have to feel out whether his cyber flirting is harmless. My gut? What’s best about the Web–infinite possibilities–is also the worst. We look for better prices, smarter blogs, higher-res spring break photos. Your beau is sending a clear message to a wide web of women–and to you–that he’s searching for something.

She said: Whoa! If this guy makes you happy, he deserves the benefit of the doubt. Like leaving the milk out on the kitchen counter, maybe he just forgot to take down his profile. Or maybe he likes getting the occasional ego-boosting e-mail that he gloats over for a minute and then deletes. Is that so bad? There’s no point in getting pissed before you know what’s going on. Why not ask him lightheartedly if he could still be looking for love online when he has someone as fabulous as you in the flesh? You have to start to trust this guy. If you can’t, maybe you’re the one who needs an active profile.

Get Some Space

“I love my live-in boyfriend’s company but feel starved for other kinds of socializing (sometimes without him). How do I ask for space without hurting his feelings?”
—Submitted by Tra J., Albany, NY

He said: Ask him? Tell the man. Between sports bars, golf outings, and a few minutes in the shower, guys know very well the value of spending some time away from women–and that doing it can strengthen a relationship. If he’s angry that you want to get drinks, dinner, or pedicures with your girlfriends, be angry right back. But if he’s just mildly insecure or jealous, then some affectionate reassurance can go a long way. The danger comes when he feels like you’re hanging without him a lot more than with him. In your boyfriend’s mind, it’s not a far leap from getting some space to keeping your distance.

She said: Sounds like your man might suffer from love-induced social laziness. It happens to a lot of guys when they get into serious relationships. Once upon a time they would’ve called a buddy if they felt lonely, but now you’re there, so why bother? Help him dust off his social skills. Throw a dinner party for a few of his long-lost pals or encourage your girlfriends’ significant others to invite him to guys’ night. Give him a kick start and he’ll quickly remember that living together is a lot more fun when you’re both bringing something fresh to the table.

Source: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-relationships/love-and-relationship-advice?page=9