health news

Fit Links: Slim Your Stomach and Whip Up Perfect (Low-Cal) Pretzels

November 11, 2011 at 3:46 pm
By Karla Walsh

This week’s fit links from around the web:

• Don’t love your love handles? Here are four steps to follow to blast belly fat. — Fit Sugar
• Order up! Finally, a food truck that caters to the health-minded masses. — Diets in Review
• Get some fitspiration from this trailblazing female athlete. — FitBottomed Girls
• Your mix-and-match meal plan to plot a trimmer Thanksgiving dinner. — University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Have fun in the kitchen this weekend with this healthy soft pretzel recipe! — Daily Spark
• Does your pre-teen have high cholesterol? Docs might start screening soon. — HealthDay

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On a Hot Streak? It’s Not in Your Head

November 2, 2011 at 9:06 am
By Colleen Moody

Feel like you just can’t be stopped lately? Whether it’s your after-work softball league, long training runs, or just nailing your everyday workout, you’re not imagining it. The online journal PLoS ONE recently released a study that analyzed five years of NBA free throws to conclude that a hot streak of positive outcomes is likely to continue on an upward trend.

Scientists who visited cases like this in the past came to the conclusion that winning streaks were caused purely by chance, while die-hard sports fans believed the opposite. Evidence from the new study supports the fan’s point of view, making the hot streak phenomenon more psychological than originally predicted. So keep up the good work, you’re on fire!

Now tell us: Have you ever experienced a workout hot streak? How long has it lasted?

More from FITNESS: 6 Gym Alternatives and Local Co-Rec Sports Leagues

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Fit Links: Why Tyra’s Hair is Falling Out and the Worst Jet Lag Culprit

October 21, 2011 at 4:22 pm
By Karla Walsh

This week’s fit links from around the web:

• Tyra Banks opens up about the negative effect her stressful lifestyle has had on her looks. — BodyOdd
• Is it too late to change our flight? Why booking a red-eye may defeat the purpose of your vacation. — Q by Equinox
• Good thing all those squats have helped us master the over-the-toilet-seat hover! — Vitals
• Eat up! These three seasonal foods pack a feast of nutrients your skin will love. — Ladies’ Lounge
• Some schools are finding unique ways to infuse activity back into their students’ days. — The New York Times
• Where you live might just have a huge impact on how you live and how healthy you are! — TIME Healthland

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Drink Up with a Nestlé Pink Pack for BCA Month

October 19, 2011 at 12:08 pm
By Colleen Moody

Hollywood got quite the shock this week when E! News host Giuliana Rancic announced that she was in the early stages of battling breast cancer, stressing the importance of early detection and BCA month that much more.

To help with the cause, Nestlé Pure Life bottled water is partnering with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation for the second year to help fund researchers who are trying to identify a drug that will prevent the development of cancer in those with the mutations in the BRCA gene (the breast cancer susceptibility gene) before it occurs as a detectable lump. This drug would have the potential to save women from having to undergo a bilateral mastectomy, the only other known preventative step for those with the inherited genetic mutation.

To support the cause, ten cents from every package of Nestlé Pure Life containing the special “Pink Pack” packaging will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Nestlé Pure Life was able to donate $500,000 last year through the campaign’s efforts and is hoping to increase funds this year. So before you stock up on bottled water this weekend, check the label to make sure you’re helping out where you can!

For more information, visit nestle-purelife.us.

More from FITNESS:

How to Do a Breast Self-Exam

Your Guide to Healthy Breasts: What Those Lumps and Bumps Really Mean

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Support Your Dynamic Duo (And a Great Cause)

October 17, 2011 at 4:09 pm
By FITNESS Intern

Written by Alyssa Belanger, editorial intern

All month long, we’ve been highlighting ways to help support breast cancer awareness. And when we saw Giuliana Rancic, young and vibrant, announce this morning on The Today Show that she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, it was a striking reminder that there’s still a lot of work to do to prevent the disease from affecting more women.

The apparel company 15Love has teamed up with Equinox fitness clubs nationwide and Pure Yoga studios of New York City to offer special pink sports bras during October. Ten percent of sales of 15Love’s special line of sports bras, seen at left, will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

Since the founding of BCRF in 1992, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation has grown tremendously. Thanks to the support of fundraisers like 15Love, the foundation has been able to increase its annual funding by more than 200 times over and is currently financing 186 scientists in 12 countries worldwide! Scientists funded by BCRF have led the way in discovering more about genetic links to breast cancer, preventative measures and treatments for breast cancer.

These sports bras are a fitting way to donate to BCRF because they may give you that extra push you need to hit the gym (cute new gym wear always makes us want to get out and show it off!). And according to recent studies, just four hours of physical activity each week can help boost your body’s immune system while lowering estrogen levels and your risk of developing breast cancer.

You can get your 15Love bra, available in pink with interchangeable striped or cheetah print straps, for $53 at any Equinox location or a Pure Yoga Studio in New York City.

More from FITNESS: Know what’s normal (and what’s not) with our guide to healthy breasts.

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Diet Tips to Cure Your Cold Before It Starts

October 17, 2011 at 9:10 am
By Colleen Moody

It’s not even November yet and we’ve already had the first round of sniffles, coughs, and colds here at the FITNESS offices. Chances are, if you haven’t had any cold or flu symptoms yet, you know someone who has, making you that much more vulnerable to getting sick.

We chatted with Gail Rampersaud, a registered dietitian in Florida for some ways to guard yourself against a cold this season. Below, her healthy eating tips for keeping your immune system in tact:

• Consume at least five servings of fruits and veggies a day to get enough vitamins and antioxidants to keep you from catching a cold.

• Lean meats, such as skinless chicken or beef contain iron and zinc, two minerals that will boost your immune system all winter long.

• Drink up! One 8 oz. glass of 100 percent orange juice provides at least 100 percent of the daily value for vitamin C.

Rampersaud also shared this recipe for spiced orange green tea, so you can arm yourself with the proper nutrients before cold season officially starts.

Spiced Orange Green Tea

Ingredients

• 4 oz. Florida Orange Juice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 oz. green tea

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a pot and heat until heavily steaming. Strain and serve hot.

Now tell us: How do you prep for cold season?

More from FITNESS:

• 5 Foods That Fight Colds and Flu
• Proven Ways to Stay Sniffle-and Cough-Free

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3 Tips to Keep in Mind for Marathon Season

October 12, 2011 at 2:53 pm
By FITNESS Intern

Written by Alyssa Belanger, editorial intern

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, right? Staying healthy and strong may not be quite that simple, but dietary supplement specialist Lori Bestervelt of NSF International has some simple tips for staying on top your fitness game as marathon season approaches and the weather gets colder.

1. Stay consistent. If you’re planning on starting a new supplement, switching up your diet or even trying a new sports drink, be sure that you give your body time to adjust. “Trying something new on race day can literally be the kiss of death,” according to Bestervelt. It’s important to incorporate anything that you plan to do on race day into your regular training schedule well in advance that you won’t be surprised by the way your body reacts to these changes.

2. Start popping a pill. Whether you’re training for the next big race or frequenting the gym for a spinning class, you need your vitamins! Bestervelt recommends getting a good daily multivitamin to maintain good health. Check your multi’s label at fda.gov  to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients your body needs.

3. Rise and shine, rain or shine. “Practice for every kind of weather, because you have no idea what you’re going to get on race day,” says Bestervelt. It may be hard to get out of bed on a rainy day when you’ve been spoiled by summer’s sunshine, but training for different weather conditions will ensure that your body is ready for whatever comes your way on race day. Be sure to stock up on waterproof gear to keep you warm and dry, too!

Bonus Tip: Studies have shown that people with low levels of vitamin D have increased respiratory infections. If you are training in rainy or cooler conditions, be sure to stock up on vitamin D, which helps strengthen your body’s immune function. Bestervelt suggests taking 2000-5000 IUs (international units) for those who exercise heavily.

Tell us: What do you do to prep your body and mind before a big race?

More from FITNESS:

• QUIZ: What’s Your Vitamin IQ?
• How to Pick the Right Supplement

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Combating the Silent Disease That Kills More Than Breast Cancer and Diabetes Combined

October 12, 2011 at 9:32 am
By Karla Walsh

A few sobering facts: About 24 million Americans may have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and half of them don’t know it. It’s the fourth leading cause of death, and the only leading cause of death that’s actually getting more common. How common, you ask? COPD is responsible for more deaths each year than breast cancer and diabetes combined.

But despite all this startling information, we don’t hear much about the lung disease that hampers one’s ability to breathe. (The ribbon for this cause is gold, if you were curious!) That’s why artist and sculptor Michael Kalish created the 24M: The DRIVE4COPD Monument that will be on tour around the country this year. It’s an art display created to inspire people to take notice of this important health issue and take control of their health.

The monument involves 24 pinwheels—in honor of the 24 million Americans who may have COPD—placed on a state-shaped base to form a map. Kalish used license plates (his artwork’s signature building block) to form the pinwheels, and the number of plates used from a particular state reflects the percentage of the state’s population struggling with COPD. The pinwheels symbolize a healthy ability to breathe—you can’t make a pinwheel spin if you can’t take a deep breath!

Some news you can use about COPD, how it impacts you and how you can take action:

• There are two types of COPD: Chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
• Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness and wheezing. Those who suffer may feel like they’re breathing through a thin straw.
• The causes include smoking (those who do so are 10 times more likely to die of COPD than those who abstain!), genetics and air pollution.
• Many don’t catch their COPD until they’ve lost half of their lung function or require emergency care. Symptoms are manageable with a doctor’s guidance, and the earlier the disease is diagnosed, the better the prognosis for the patient.
• You can take a five questions quiz to learn if you are at risk for COPD at DRIVE4COPD.com, and discuss the results with your doctor at your next exam if you rank high on the risk scale. Score yourself today or join others by participating in the “Great American Screen Off” on November 4.

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8 Warning Signs to Look After Your Breasts

October 7, 2011 at 11:00 am
By Colleen Moody

Visit komen.org to get information all month on breast cancer prevention, events, and more. Plus, read this step-by-step guide on how to give yourself a self-exam.

More from FITNESS:

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Paula Radcliffe’s World Record Time Changed — Is it Fair?

October 5, 2011 at 4:08 pm
By Colleen Moody

Avid runners and marathon enthusiasts everywhere are very familiar with Paula Radcliffe. The Britain runner has run countless races, and even set a world record in 2003 when she finished the London Marathon in 2:15:25—the fastest time ever run by a woman in a marathon.

But now Radcliffe will be stripped from her title, with the record being wiped away as of January 1, according to this San Francisco Chronicle article. In a new rule, the International Association of Athletics Federations have decided that females who run with male pacers (non-competing runners who complete small portions of the race to push the competing runners and help them finish in a set time) makes them run unnaturally faster than if they had ran it alone or with a female pacer. This new ruling means that a woman will never be able to set a world record unless she is being paced strictly by a woman.

Radcliffe’s world record will now be classified as “world’s best.” She will have to pass down her world record title to the next fastest finishing time, which ironically is herself at the 2005 London Marathon with a time of 2:17:42. No other woman besides Radcliffe has ever finished a marathon within three minutes of her 2003 time.

Now tell us: What do you think of the IAAF’s new rule?

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