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What's the Diff: Omega-3s vs. Omega-6s

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:00:10 -0800

Omegas are all the buzz right now, and it seems like everywhere you turn, new foods are being enhanced with this essential fatty acid, or labeled as an excellent source. What people don't know is that there are different types of omegas, and eating too much of one kind can actually be harmful to your body.

Omega-3s are found in flax seeds, walnuts, cod liver oil, and fatty fish like mackerel, lake trout, albacore tuna, and salmon. Fish are the best sources because they are high in two particular fatty acids that are crucial to good health, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).

Then there are omega-6s. These fats are found in eggs, nuts, chicken, and vegetable oils such as corn, soy, safflower, and sunflower oil. Omega-6s are high in LA (linoleic acid), which is converted by the body into GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), and then further broken down to AA (arachidonic acid).

Do you know which type of omega fatty acid we should be eating more of? To find out, keep reading

Many Probiotics Short on Bacteria

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:09 -0800

With claims that they improve digestion, bolster immunity, and fight acne, it's no wonder that probiotic supplements are big business. Newsweek reports that sales of these supplements have more than quadrupled in the last 10 years. I will admit, I'm a fan these friendly bacteria found in yogurt and miso, but it's the quality of the supplements that's raising eyebrows.

Many popular probiotic supplements were tested by Consumer Lab, an independent agency that monitors vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements not regularly tested by the government. The lab's findings are a bit startling. Some of the products contain as little as 13 percent of the amount of "viable bacteria" claimed on the products' labels, although most products do contain one billion organisms - the amount needed to register some health benefits.

When it comes to misleading marketing with these supplements, much of the problem stems from the fact that the term probiotics has no legal definition and can be used loosely by manufactures. Of the supplements tested, ConsumerLab ranked Advocare Probiotic Restore, GNC Nature Brand Best Super Acidophilus, and Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus as having the highest quality. You can buy a full review from Consumer Lab for $12.

Lil Links: Ali Landry's Top 10 Baby Items

babysugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:00:17 -0800

Ali Landry's top 10 baby items - Mamaista
Get James Broderick's look - Celebrity Baby Blog
New ways to shelve it - Momologie
Teachers speaks out on bullies in the classroom - CafeMom
Reporter dunks on a kid and brings a tear to the eye - ParentDish
Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber at center of an extortion plot - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Swine-flu-shot guilt - MomLogic
Hallelujah! Tantrum-free hair products - Babyccino
Is tough-love approach the best? - The Mommy Files
What you must tell your daughter to help her lower her risks - Health

5 Foods That Fight Stress

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:00:04 -0800

With the holiday season in full swing - presents to buy, meals to prepare, hardly a moment to hit the gym - it's easy to quickly become stressed out. And stress can trigger a load of other health issues, so it's best to keep our stress levels in check. While we're inclined to choose a not-so-healthy snack to put our stress at ease, there's a better solution in the way of food. Just read on to find out which healthy foods Self magazine suggests can help conquer stress and boost your mood.

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A Little Yoga Insight You May Not Learn From Your Instructor

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:00:10 -0800

Sure, practicing yoga is all about health and wellness, but Smart Money knows that it is also booming business. There are some aspects of yoga class that may not be in keeping with the healthy lifestyle you seek - just don't expect your yoga instructor to let you in on them. Here are a few pointers for staying healthy while practicing yoga, and remember that even when taking a fitness class led by an instructor, it's best to think for yourself to figure out what feels right and what practices work best for you.

Your Instructor May Be New to Yoga Too - With all of the various certification programs around, there's a range of skill that's being taught to instructors. "The problem is that there’s no real standard for how much teacher training is required of instructors, so almost anyone can lead a yoga class," writes Smart Money. It's best to try out a class before you commit, and learn where the instructor trained.
Yoga Mats Aren't Just For the Die-Hard Yogi - Bringing your own mat to class doesn't mean you can do full lotus. It's simply good hygiene. Yoga studio owner Ann Merlo told Smart Money, "One of the key elements of yoga is cleanliness." Sure, many studios hose down the mats after a few sessions, but there's no guarantee they do. With all the contagions flying around this flu season, it just might be worth it to spring for your own mat and avoid catching a bug.

To learn more about how to make the most of your yoga time, read more.

It's OK If You Don't Want to Be Touched - Yoga tends to cultivate a very intimate atmosphere in the studio, and many members of the class may feel totally at ease with the instructor helping them into a pose (which is fairly common), but that doesn't mean that you do. "A thoughtful teacher should always tell you that he’s going to touch you," writes Smart Money, and all adjustments should be done with professionalism. However, if you'd prefer not to be touched at all, don't be shy about speaking up and making your preference clear.
The Advanced Class May Not Be For You - While yoga instructors may ask some general questions about your level of experience before a class begins, no one is likely to turn you away from a session that may be too advanced for you. Yoga requires serious strength and flexibility. The article suggests calling the studio beforehand to find a class appropriate for your ability.

To find out exactly what else your yoga instructor may not be telling you, get up to speed with all of SmartMoney's tips, and be sure to check out our Yoga Stretch and Tell Group to connect with fellow yogis and share your questions, stories, and advice.

People's Choice Nominee Taylor Gets Physical in Men's Health

PopSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:30:11 -0800

Taylor Lautner kept his shirt on for the cover of December's Men's Health, but his muscles were still a hot topic. Inside the magazine, Taylor's trainer Jordan Yuam opened up about their exercise regimen that created the New Moon star's amazing abs. Taylor and his costars are currently off doing press for their film in Paris, but back home in the US the Twilight gang led the pack at the People's Choice Awards nominations that came out today. He earned a spot in the Best Breakout Actor category as well as best ensemble - check out the whole list here!

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To see behind the scenes video from Taylor's Men's Health shoot just read more.

Looking to Move? Try Burlington, VT

FitSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:00:13 -0700

After looking at the 100 largest metropolitan areas in America, Burlington, VT, came out on top as Self magazine's "fittest, healthiest, and happiest" city to live in for women. The magazine studied almost 8,000 different pieces of data in 50 categories and consulted a panel of experts to come up with its rankings. Information factored into the creation of this list includes rates of diseases, air quality, unemployment statistics, and health habits such as exercise and smoking.

The New England city boasts some of the lowest rates of cervical and ovarian cancer deaths in the country, and healthy habits prevail: women walk to work regularly and don't smoke. Where Burlington really shines is in nutrition and food - the city has six times as many food co-ops than the national average, and its farmers markets accept food stamps.

What to see how your hometown fared? Check out the entire ranking here.

Top Fiber Filled Breads

FitSugar — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:15:00 -0700

Picking bread from the bread aisle at your local grocery store can be a very daunting task. There are literally hundreds to chose from, all claiming significant health benefits. Being that we're all a little tight on time, we pick one that looks good, glance at the nutritional label to make sure it's not 300 calories per slice and has a decent amount of fiber, and move on.

Steven G. Pratt, MD, and Kathy Matthews, authors of the book SuperFoods HealthStyle, have outlined their top choices for breads that are high in fiber and nutrients, yet calorically moderate (i.e. they're the best for you).

Here are the top four:

Manna from Heaven (Julian Bakery), 8 grams fiber, 85 calories per slice
Healthseed Spelt (French Meadow Bakery), 4 grams fiber, 81 calories per slice
Vogel's Soy & Flaxseed Bread (Schwebel's), 3 grams fiber, 100 calories per slice
The Original Bran for Life Bread (Food for Life Baking Company), 5 grams fiber, 80 calories per slice

I don't know about you, but I'm definitely printing this list out and bringing it with me next time I am getting bread at the grocery store.
Source

Best and Worst Drivers in the Country

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:15:00 -0700

Have you ever been to another city and thought, "these people suck at driving!" It happens to all of us, but before you start pointing fingers Men's Health has compiled a list of the best and worst drivers in the country. To calculate their rankings, they used the rate of fatal accidents, as well as the deaths caused specifically by speeding, both from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Also, they pulled city statistics on accident frequency from Allstate Insurance. And then we used statewide numbers on speeding from the Governors Highway Safety Association, plus NHTSA state data on seatbelt use.

Here is the list, starting with the best drivers:

**Best Drivers**
Rank	City	Score
10	San Jose, CA	A-
9	Grand Rapids, MI	A-
8	Buffalo, NY	A
7	Minneapolis, MN	A
6	St. Paul, MN	A
5	San Francisco, CA	A
4	Yonkers, NY	A
3	New York, NY	A+
2	Jersey City, NJ	A+
1	Des Moines, IA	A+

To see the where the worst drivers in the country are, read more

**Worst Drivers**
Rank	City	Score
10	Corpus Christi, TX	D-
9	Nashville, TN	D-
8	Charlotte, NC	F
7	Orlando, FL	F
6	Kansas City, MO	F
5	Cheyenne, WY	F
4	Jackson, MS	F
3	Greensboro, NC	F
2	St. Louis, MO	F
1	Columbia, SC	F

Fit's Tip: For your own safety, always wear your seatbelt and be cautious while driving (or crossing the street) no matter which city you are in.

Hump Day: I Have Little Desire to Have Sex Anymore

TresSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:00:00 -0800

Welcome to Hump Day, TrèsSugar's sex advice column. Are you confused about sex? Do you have trouble having an orgasm? Is there something you'd like to try but you're worried it's too weird? Send your questions to TrèsSugar, and our friend Dr. Charlie Glickman from Good Vibrations will offer his sound advice!

Today's Question:

“When my husband and I first got married, I was so in love with him that we had sex what (for me) seemed like a lot (a few times a week). But now, three years into it, I feel like my baseline libido, which never was much in the first place, has flatlined. I simply have no interest in sex mentally or physically. My husband keeps asking me if there’s someone else, but in reality, I don’t want sex at all - with anyone. I’m worried he’s going to leave me, this is causing so many problems between us. Any advice?”

To see the answer, read more

It’s pretty common for sexual frequency for couples to lessen after a couple of years. It’s not always just the stereotypical “things are becoming routine” situation. Shifts in hormones can occur as time goes by and those shifts can affect sexual desire. Lots of people have a low interest in sex for any of a number of reasons. It’s not necessarily a sign of any kind of problem and if that has been your pattern for a long time; that may be simply how your sexuality is.

Do you consider your lack of interest in sex a problem? If you do, you might want to see if there are any medical issues causing it. You could have low testosterone for example. While we generally only think of it as a male hormone, women also have some testosterone in their systems and it’s often related to interest in sex. Sexual desire is quite complex and sometimes, the answers aren’t as easy as that, but it could be worth exploring.

Whether you think that your low desire is a problem or not, it sounds like your concerns center on how you and your husband talk about it and what his and your expectations are. Differences in desire can be one of the more tricky relationship challenges and almost all couples face it at some point or another. When you consider how much we (as a culture) equate sexual desire with relationship health, it’s no wonder that many of us feel a lot of pressure around it.

While I would NEVER suggest to anyone that they engage in sex that they don’t want, the two of you might want to explore other ways to connect physically. After all, it doesn’t have to be sex or intercourse. For example, would it work if you gave him backrubs? What if he masturbated while you help him or ran your hands across him? And are there ways that you would like to receive physical contact? As another possibility, are there ways in which the two of you could make room for him to get his sexual needs met, such as giving him solo time at home for some self-pleasure?

Whether you find your low desire a problem or not, you could also find a sex-positive therapist. One of the most helpful things that a therapist can offer is tools for talking about tricky topics and a safe space to do it in. Plus, sometimes an outside perspective can be really helpful. There are plenty of great people who know about sexuality issues and lots of them can be found on the website for the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists. Anyone in their directory has passed a rigorous certification process, which gives them the foundation to be as helpful with sexuality topics as possible.

Ultimately, the best advice I can offer you is to be honest with each other about what’s going on for you and how you each feel about it. With that as the foundation, the two of you can start looking for new ways to be together that work for both of you.