Using special computer software, a total of 54 Caucasian participants of both sexes were asked to manipulate the skin color of male and female Caucasian faces to make them look as healthy as possible. They chose to increase the rosiness, yellowness and brightness of the skin.

Most previous work on faces has focused on the shape of the face or the texture of the skin, but one of the most variable characteristics of the face is skin color. “We knew from our previous work that people who have more blood and more oxygen color in their skins looked healthy, and so we decided to see what other colors affect health perceptions. This has given us some clues as to what other skin pigments may relate to a healthy appearance.” explained the researchers.

Skin that is slightly flushed with blood and full of oxygen suggests a strong heart and lungs, supporting the study’s findings that rosier skin appeared healthy. Smokers and people with diabetes or heart disease have fewer blood vessels in their skin, and so skin would appear less rosy.

The preference for more golden or yellow-toned skin as healthier might be explained by the “carotenoid pigments” that we get from the fruit and vegetables in our diet. These plant pigments are powerful antioxidants that soak up dangerous compounds produced when the body combats disease. They are also important for our immune and reproductive systems and may help prevent cancer.

Interestingly, they are the same dietary pigments that brightly colored birds and fish use to show off their healthiness and attract mates, and the researchers think that similar biological mechanisms may be at work in humans.

“In the West we often think that sun tanning is the best way to improve the color of your skin, but our study suggests that living a healthy lifestyle with a good diet might actually be better.” said the head of the Perception Lab at the University of St. Andrews, where the research took place.

Melanin, the pigment that causes the tan color when skin is exposed to the sun makes the skin darker and more yellow, but participants in the study chose to make skin lighter and more yellow to make it look healthier.

What we eat and not just how much we eat appears to be important for a healthy appearance. The only natural way in which we can make our skin lighter and more yellow is to eat a more healthy diet high in fruit and vegetables.

Reference: Facial skin coloration affects perceived health of human faces. International Journal of Primatology

Here’s what we were able to dig up on this subject: You can lower heart attack risk with high fiber intake. However, it’s best to consult your doctor because not everyone can eat high-fiber diets — especially if you have a certain health condition.

It is well-established that high fiber diets cut the risk of colon cancer. Now, new research from France suggests that it also reduces the risk of heart disease. Men and women with the highest fiber intake had lower risks of obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Consuming fiber from a variety of sources is important. Whole grain fiber, for example, was linked to reduced body fat (lower Body Mass Index), blood pressure and blood homocysteine levels – a chemical linked to blood vessel inflammation. High fruit fiber diets were linked to lower blood pressure and abdominal fat. High vegetable fiber diets were related to lower blood pressure and homocysteine levels.

Leading health organizations recommend that people consume at least 25 grams of fiber per day. The results of this study suggest that even higher fiber intakes are beneficial. Each five-gram increment of fiber intake provided additional health benefits. In the United States, the average adult consumption is inadequate, typically only 15 grams of fiber per day. Nutrition experts recommend increasing the fiber content of your diet gradually to prevent digestive symptoms such as bloating and cramping.

SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 83:124-131,2006

I was wondering if you had any information about any herbal medications I can take to ease symptoms of menopause. Are there any herbal supplements I can take for menopause?

Well, I don’t know if this research has been replicated anywhere yet, but researchers in Germany studied the effects of certain herbal supplements and their effects on menopause symptoms.

German researchers found a combination of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) and Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) was able to help alleviate psychological and physical complaints associated with menopause.

In the double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study, 301 women with menopausal complaints and psychological symptoms were treated with St. John’s Wort extract and Black Cohosh extract, or placebo, for 16 weeks.

After the treatment period, the mean Menopause Rating Scale score decreased 50 percent in the treatment group and only 19.6 percent in the placebo group. Similarly, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale total score decreased 41.8 percent in the treatment group and only 12.7 percent in the placebo group. There were no major differences between groups regarding adverse events, laboratory values or tolerance.

The researchers concluded the combination of St. John’s Wort and Black Cohosh was superior to placebo in alleviating both the emotional and physical complaints associated with menopause. Their results were published in Obstetrics & Gynecology (107:247- 55,2006).

What most people are concerned about:
Millions of men and women have impaired circulation, which can reduce the ability to have erections and diminish sexual sensation. Chronic stress diminishes libido and blocks sexual performance. Insomnia and low energy levels can make people too tired to fully enjoy sex.

Specific herbs and other natural nutritionals target these problems and have been used safely and successfully for hundreds of years. Natural nutrient- based remedies, supplemented in combination, can improve sexual energy and performance. They promote better blood flow, increase libido and make erections stronger.

Here are a few that you may consider…

GINKGO BILOBA

• FUNCTION: Dilates blood vessels and improves circulation to the penis or vagina and clitoris. Impaired circulation is the most common cause of ED (erectile dysfunction) in men. In women, reduced blood flow can result in diminished sexual sensation and responsiveness. Ginkgo Biloba is a very effective vasodilator, which functions to open (dilates) blood vessels. In one study, more than 70% of men with ED who took Ginkgo improved their ability to have erections.
  People who are prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant, such as Prozac, should consider taking Ginkgo. It offsets the libido-dampening side effect that often occurs in people taking these drugs.
• CAUTION: Ginkgo reduces the ability of blood to clot. Do not use Ginkgo if you are taking coumadin (Warfarin) or other blood-thinning drugs. Patients taking daily aspirin, which also inhibits clotting, should be sure to talk to their doctors before using Ginkgo supplements.
  Combine Ginkgo Biloba (which enhances blood flow) with Ginseng (which improves overall energy). Always check with your medical doctor, health practitioner before taking any supplement.

GINSENG

• FUNCTION: Supports the adrenal glands, which produce hormones that affect genital circulation and the ability to have erections. It helps modulate emotional stress . . . increases overall energy and libido. Ginseng safely increases levels of testosterone, the hormone that stimulates sexual response in men and women. People who take Ginseng usually notice an increase in energy after about one week.
• CAUTION: Ginseng is a mild stimulant that can increase blood pressure. Don’t take if you have been diagnosed with hypertension or heart disease.

ARGININE (Amino Acid)

• FUNCTION: Increases pelvic circulation . . . improves erections . . . boosts libido and clitoral sensation. Arginine is an amino acid that is used by the body to produce nitric oxide, a chemical that relaxes blood vessels and promotes better circulation.
• CAUTION: Patients with heart problems who are taking nitroglycerin should not take Arginine. The combination could result in excessive vasodilation. Also, don’t take Arginine if you get cold sores from the herpes virus or have genital herpes. Arginine promotes viral replication and can increase flare-ups.

DHEA

• FUNCTION: Increases sexual arousal in women . . . improves erections in men.
  Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a naturally occurring hormoe that is converted to testosterone in the body. Testosterone and other adrogens stimulate libido and sexual performance in men and women. The body’s production of DHEA declines by about 1% annually after age 30, which can result in diminished sexual desire, performance and satisfaction.
• CAUTION: Patients should take DHEA only if blood tests show that they have lower-than-normal levels. An excessive amount increases risk of side effects, such as acne, facial hair growth in women and sometimes heart palpitations. It also increases risk of tumors in the prostate gland. Men with a history of prostate cancer should not take DHEA.

WATER

• FUNCTION: Increases blood volume . . . improves erections in men and sexual responsiveness in women. How can good old water be an aphrodisiac? Because millions of Americans are chronically dehydrated – they don’t drink enough water or they consume excessive amounts of caffeine, a diuretic that removes water from the body. Dehydration can result in diminished blood flow to the pelvis and genitals. Adequate hydration improves blood flow and makes it easier for men to have erections. Women who stay hydrated experience greater sexual comfort and satisfaction. Water is definitely a life essential!

Hope this info helped a bit. Please, please, please consult your health provider before doing anything. I know you’re looking for sexual enhancement, but you need to do it safely too!

My fitness instructor was talking about BMI during one of our workout sessions. What is it, and why should I be concerned about BMI?

Are you concerned about your weight? If so, the BMI can be a useful tool in determining your health. BMI stands for Body Mass Index. The National Institutes of Health has established a useful classification system for overweight and obesity based on Body Mass Index (B.M.I.). The formula takes into account your weight relative to your height.

• A healthy BMI ranges from 18.5 to 24.
• A BMI from 25 to 29 indicates a person is overweight.
• A BMI of 30 to 34 indicates obesity.
• A person with a BMI of 35 or higher is considered severely obese.

Here’s how to calculate your BMI. Follow these easy steps, using the example as a guideline:

Step One: Multiply your weight in pounds by 0.45. For example, if you weigh 140 pounds, you would multiply 140 by 0.45 to get 63.

Step Two: Multiply your height (in total inches) by 0.025. For example, if you are 5 feet 6 inches tall (66 inches), multiply 66 by 0.025 to get 1.65.

Step Three: Square the answer from step two. For example, 1.65 times 1.65 equals 2.72.

Step Four: Divide the answer from step one by the answer from step three. This number is your BMI. For example, 63 divided by 2.72 equals 23.16 which is a healthy level.

Hope this information has helped you in some way!

I am a new mother and I’m looking for information about naptime for babies. Got anything on this topic?

If you baby is not napping well during her first few months of life, you may want to try to cut back on the time she is awake by 15 minute increments. If she is getting overstimulated, then she will fight sleep and be difficult to get to nap. The way to prevent this is to watch her “sleepy” cues to make sure that you put her down when she is beginning to get sleepy.

Some parents believe that letting their child cry will harm him or her. Fifteen or twenty minutes of crying will not harm your child physically or mentally. Babies will learn to self-soothe and fall asleep by themselves, but only if you let her. It is very important that babies learn to fall asleep by themselves so that they can self-soothe if they awake in the middle of the night. Otherwise, you may have a child that will not sleep through the night for years.

Regular sleep patterns are intermeshed with regular eating patterns, so let us look at the stages of a baby’s life.

• Newborn: Your newborn will sleep anywhere from 16 to 20 hours a day, including the naps that he takes between feedings. When your baby has been fed, let him stay awake for a short while and then put him down before he becomes overstimulated
• Two months: At two months and older, your child should be allowed to try to self-soothe during their naptimes and bedtime. Crying is normal when you put your baby down, but it is okay. If he cries for longer than 10-15 minutes, then go in and check on him. Don’t get him up, but pat his bottom or lightly rub his back until he calms down
• 3-6 months: At around 3-6 months, your baby will stop taking one of his naps. Usually it is the third nap or late afternoon nap that they do not need as much. He may be a little fussy and may want to take a little nap, but you need to try to keep him up if you want him to go to bed at a decent time and sleep soundly through the night
• 16+ months: When your child is between 16-20 months, they usually quit taking the morning nap in favor of a longer nap in the afternoons. Babies this age usually sleep between 10-12 hours a night and take a 2-3 hour afternoon nap.

Ground Rules about Naps

• 1. You decide when the nap starts and ends, not the baby.
• 2. When your baby is older than 4 months old, she will wake up crying if she hasn’t slept enough. She might have a dirty diaper, be in a position that is not comfortable, or cold/hot. Fix the problem and encourage her to go back to sleep. Babies that have enough rest wake up happy, talking, and in a good mood.

Consumption of polyphenol-rich dark chocolate may protect DNA from oxidative damage, preventing artery hardening and heart disease, says this study.

Writing in the British Journal of Nutrition, Italian researchers report that consumption of dark chocolate containing 860 milligrams of polyphenols, and 58 milligrams of epicatechin, led to a 20 per cent reduction in DNA damage two hours after consumption.

The study adds to an ever growing body of science supporting the cardiovascular benefits of polyphenol-rich chocolate.

Led by researchers from the University of Milan, the scientists assigned 20 healthy subjects (average age of 24.2) to consume a balanced diet for four weeks. After two weeks the group was split in two, with one group receiving additional dark chocolate, while the other receiving white chocolate.

Measurements taken at regular intervals after consumption showed that the benefits were observed relatively quickly, with increases in blood levels of the polyphenol known as catechin observed two hours after consumption of the dark chocolate, with coincidental decreases in DNA damage in mononuclear blood cells.

“Similar epicatechin plasma levels at two hours following consumption of dark chocolate on the first and last occasions are not associated with a long-term increase in epicatechin plasma concentrations, and suggest that flavonoid plasma levels are dependent upon intake from recent food sources,” explained the researchers.

“The present results are clinically encouraging especially in the field of the diet therapy of obesity, pathology related to greater incidence of cardiovascular disease and cancer,” they wrote.

“In fact, dark chocolate, habitually excluded by hypoenergetic diets for its high-fat and energy content, is a sweet food that should be reconsidered: if included in controlled amounts, in a weight loss programme it could have healthy effects, and could improve the compliance of patients to diet therapy,” added the research team.

Source: British Journal of Nutrition Published online – “Effect of dark chocolate on plasma epicatechin levels DNA resistance to oxidative stress and total antioxidant activity in healthy subjects“

Not getting enough fresh fruit and vitamin C in your daily diet can up the risk of developing asthma, a new British study finds. Conducted by researchers at Cambridge’s Medical Research Council, the study was published in a recent issue of the journal Thorax. Researchers monitored more than 500 adults over the course of a year, finding that those with the lowest fresh fruit consumption and overall vitamin C intake were twice as likely to develop asthma as the patients who consumed the most fruit and vitamin C. The relationship between low fruit and vitamin C consumption and asthma risk held even among those patients who otherwise engaged in healthy habits such as exercise and caloric moderation.