Articles by "health and fitness"
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Despite its rather provocative connotation, which was the basis for its taboo status, sleeping nude doesn’t always have to be about sex (although it can help your relationship).

It’s actually a remarkable way to boost several aspects of your overall health for the mind and body! Whether you love to snuggle into bed wearing your cozy pajamas, or if you prefer to solely don your undies, you’re about to find out why removing all of your clothing before bedtime is the best thing for your health, and love life.

1. Oxytocin Is Released. When you and your partner decide to give this “sleeping naked” thing a try, here’s what you will discover: skin-to-skin contact is the best thing ever. One of the hormones that is released when we sleep naked is oxytocin, the “love hormone.” This hormone is beneficial to our health in many ways- it can lower blood pressure, decrease stress levels, help combat depression, and it makes you a happier person in general. Not to mention, your love life will probably improve drastically. Removing those unnecessary undergarments before bed may just be the thing that gives you the spark you’ve been looking for.

2. Cortisol Levels Are Lowered When your body goes into sleep mode. it has an automatic response to drop its temperature, and sleeping naked helps to regulate this temperature. This act of regulation helps to maintain normal levels of cortisol. When there is too much cortisol in the system, you experience higher levels of stress, anxiety, junk food cravings, and even weight gain.

3. You Will Experience A More Restful Sleep. Speaking of body temperature, when you’re sleeping in pajamas, wrapped in a blanket, you are causing your body to overheat. This prevents the body from reaching its optimal temperature for deep sleep to occur. Tossing, turning, and restlessness can all be prevented by wearing less clothing and keeping your body cool.

4. You Will Look Younger, Longer .There are other hormones that are released when we sleep, and their effectiveness is based on body temperature as well. Melatonin and growth hormones, which contribute to anti-aging and skin health, are successfully released when the body temperature is lowered. To aid in this, it is recommended to keep your bedroom below 70˚F (21˚C). So if you want to keep those wrinkles at bay, take a walk on the wild side and give sleeping naked a whirl.

5. Testicular Health Is Improved. If you’re a guy and you are looking to keep those swimmers of yours as healthy as possible, sleeping naked is the answer to your problems. In fact, researchers from the National Institute of Child Health and Development and Stanford University have discovered wearing boxers during the day, and going commando at night improves overall sperm quality. The researchers studied 500 men, each of whom explained their sleeping habits and underwear choice, for a full year. They discovered men who followed the ‘boxer-by-day/commando-by-night’ routine had a 25 percent lower rate of damaged DNA in their sperm than did men who wore tighter underwear 24/7. “We have known for some time that men who increase the temperature of their testicles, either through the heat exposure at work or by wearing tight underwear, have poorer semen quality compared to men whose testicles are cooler.Yeast grows in warm and moist environments.

7. You Will Gain Confidence.Maybe you need the boost, maybe you don’t. Either way, sleeping naked is a great way to really become comfortable in your own skin. Waking up in the morning and feeling completely refreshed from a good night’s sleep helps to create a happier you. A happier you is a more confident you, and a more confident you is a happier you.

8. It Feels Wonderful Our body’s pores are great at releasing sweat when we overheat, but when we are sleeping their job can be inhibited by the clothes we wear. You’ve been there before- trying to sleep in the sweltering summer night while dressed in PJ’s. The clothes stick to your skin, the blanket makes you feel like you’re in an oven, so you kick it off and turn the A/C on only to discover you are now freezing because of the sweat created from wearing too many clothes. The next 2 hours are spent trying to find a happy medium- one leg and arm exposed from the blanket, socks off, fan on, A/C off, etc. until your body regulates it temperature low enough to give you some rest. This can be avoided by sleeping wearing nothing.

9. It feels great, really. You don’t have to worry about sweating in the middle of the night due to clothing. With all of these things mentioned, you should definitely try sleeping naked. For those of you who are curious but “just don’t think it’s for you” or if you have any qualms about the taboo nature or sexual undertones implicated with sleeping in the nude, I suggest you keep this in mind: it’s just a body. Not everything needs to be sexualized, and some things are just healthier to do without clothing.
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It turns out that having a little "junk in the trunk" is a good thing, health-wise. Not only does having a larger derriere boost overall health, but it's tied to increased intelligence and lower risk of chronic disease, according to researchers at the University of Oxford and Churchill Hospital in the United Kingdom.

Fat distribution is important, say researchers, and if you're going to have some, it's best to have it below the waist, as it helps to serve as a barrier against heart disease, diabetes and other conditions linked to obesity.

"It is the protective role of lower body, that is [thigh and backside] fat, that is striking. The protective properties of the lower-body fat depot have been confirmed in many studies conducted in subjects with a wide range of age, BMI and co-morbidities," scientists wrote in the Journal of Obesity.

Apple-shaped vs. pear-shaped

Comparing your body shape to that of a fruit can help you identify whether or not you're on the right track. If you're pear-shaped, you're probably in a good place, researchers say. If you're apple-shaped, you may want to embark on a healthier lifestyle.

Individuals with belly fat have more obesity-related problems than those who carry extra weight on their hips, thighs and butt.

"There's a lot of evidence that shows that the fat depots are not the same in the body," said Dr. Robert Kushner, a professor of medicine specializing in obesity at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

Belly fat "is more metabolically active," explains Kushner, meaning it has a greater effect on the brain and overall body, compared to fat stored in the lower half, which tends to be more stable and invokes fewer cytokines or proteins associated with insulin resistance and the onset of diabetes.

"There's a whole range of these hormonal markers that seem to be more preferentially released from the belly," he adds.

Regulating weight gain in the brain

Another factor tied to fat distribution in women is leptin. Leptin levels, crucial for regulating appetite, are correlated with a bigger derriere, too. In individuals who are obese, their brain stops responding to the hormone entirely, causing the person to develop leptin resistance, which is similar to insulin resistance, reports Elite Daily.

"Having a big butt also favors leptin levels in the female body, which is a hormone responsible for regulating the weight, and the dinopectina, a hormone with anti-inflammatory, vascular-protective and anti-diabetic attributes. The adipose tissue of the buttocks traps harmful fatty particles and prevents cardiovascular disease."

Big butt equals big brains

Maintaining a larger behind requires significant amounts of Omega 3 fats, which are proven to boost brain function, memory and cognitive abilities. Research also shows that children born to women with wide hips are more intelligent compared to those conceived by thinner and less curvy mothers.
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Ladies you might want your dream-man to be a bald one after reading this

Many balding men probably think that the shiny pate makes them less sexy. But scientists are assuring that, contrary to popular opinion, bald men are sexier than men with headful of hair!

A recent scientific study found that men with bald heads are perceived to be more masculine, dominant and stronger.

So, if you are bald, don’t worry; embrace it by shaving your hair off and whatever you do, according to the study, do not try hiding your baldness.

Females will in general perceive men with a shaved head as more confident, the researchers assure.

And though an exact explanation as to why, on average, women find men with shaved heads sexier hasn’t been found yet, various theories exists.

One theory states that women looking at a man’s face usually notice the hair first; however, in the absence of hair, women look at the eyes instead and we know that first impressions count the most.

Therefore, men with no hair whatsoever direct a lady’s attention to their eyes instead and if they are able to maintain eye-contact they can create rapport more easily.

In addition to these theories, men with bald hair have been found to be sexy for these additional reasons…

• They are consistent: A bald man can just wash and go — unlike the hairier men, who can look deceptively different in the morning, depending at what angle he’s slept. One thing is for certain with a baldie, they guy you went to bed with is the guy you’re going to wake up with.
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Fitness bunny Sbahle Mpisane shares some of her fitness secrets. Just in time for summer! 

Even though being fit is part of her job, Sbahle still embraces all her natural curves. And we just love her for it.

These moves are not that higher grade and what makes it even better is that you don't even need a gym!

Learn from the best here:



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The potential of a combination vaccine that would provide protection against both hepatitis C and HIV has gotten one step closer to reality.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 25 percent of people living with HIV also have HCV; and liver disease (often traced to hep C)  is the leading cause of non-AIDS-related deaths among those with the co-morbidities. New therapies have been developed that offer a functional cure for hepatitis C, but currently no vaccine exists for either HIV or HCV — making the potential of a combination vaccination all more desirable.

A new study, presented today at The International Liver Congress in Barcelona, Spain indicates that priming the immune system could allow immunologists to trigger the production of both HIV and HVC antibodies.

Last year, scientists from The Scripps Research Institute, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, and The Rockefeller University described a multiple stage process that could lead to a viable HIV vaccine. The approach relied on the idea of stimulating the immune system to make antibodies that will help it fight HIV. This “primes” the immune system so it is ready in advance of any exposure. Several other steps gradually improve the immune system’s ability to target and destroy HIV.

This new combination vaccine would work much the same way but antibodies would be developed for both viruses. As with the HIV-vaccine, the combo would also require a series of vaccinations to prepare the immune system to defend against any future viral intrusion.

"While we have drugs to treat both HIV and HCV, these are out of reach for many and do not prevent reinfection," noted Lucy Dorrell of the University of Oxford, referencing the prohibitively high costs of the new hep C cures.

 Read: Harvard Researchers Find Possible New Approach to HIV

Another researcher on the study, Ellie Barnes (who is leading the development of HCV vaccines at the University of Oxford) added, "knowing that it may be possible to vaccinate a single individual against both diseases opens up huge possibilities for rolling back epidemics of disease and co-infection."

In this Phase I study, 32 healthy volunteers were separated in three groups: one that received potential hep C vaccines at weeks zero and eight, the second group received potential HIV vaccines following the same dosing schedule; and the last group received both HCV and HIV vaccines administered at the same time.

In the groups that received vaccines for a single virus, the initial dose started the priming process, causing the immune system to develop defenses against HCV or HIV. Then the booster shot at week eight intensified the immune responses. All the vaccines were given as an intramuscular injection and were reportedly well tolerated.

The scientists discovered that the group receiving co-administration of HCV and HIV components had similar virus-specific T-cell responses as those receiving the single disease vaccines.  The fact that they don't interfere with each other's level of immune response opens the way for the vaccines to be given at the same time.

European Association for the Study of the Liver Secretary General Laurent Castera lauded the results in a press release, saying, "Finding effective vaccinations against the world's biggest killers is a huge and pressing problem. This study shows for the first time that it is possible to generate simultaneous immune response against diseases HCV and HIV, raising the possibility of a combined vaccination."

Since this was just phase one, two additional phases of study must still occur before the combination vaccine can be approved by the Food and Drug Administration and made accessible to consumers. But being able to prevent HIV and hep C at the same time would certainly be worth the wait.

Source: Hiv Plus Magazine
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Researchers at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute at Boston General Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital believe they have found a new way to approach to blocking HIV from invading the body’s immune system through gene therapy.

Their report was published the journal Cell Stem Cell and states that genome editing could prove to be an efficient way of prevent HIV replication.

Using gene-editing technology CRISPR/Cas, researchers were able to “edit” relevant genes out of the DNA of stem and T-cells that would block HIV from invading the T cell. In theory, the edited cells would be reintroduced to an HIV patient via a bone marrow transplant that would create an immune system resistant to HIV.

The gene therapy targets the cell receptor CCR5, which acts as a doorway to the cell. Once in the cell, HIV replicates and kills the host cell, leaving suffers open to opportunistic infections. By removing the CCR5, researchers believe they can prevent HIV from entering the cell and replicating.

“We showed that you can knock out CCR5 very efficaciously, we showed that the cells are still functional, and we did very, very deep sequencing analysis to show that there were no unwanted mutations, so it appears to be safe,” Chad Cowan, one of the head researchers of the study, said, “there is obviously much more work to do."
The therapy isn’t too different from the treatment Timothy Ray Brown, aka the Berlin Patient, received. Brown was suffering from both HIV and leukemia when doctors gave him a bone marrow transplant from a donor with a genetic defect that left the donor free of CCR5 receptors. Brown remains HIV “free” six years after the transplant.

The next step in testing the therapy will be animal trials and human trials could begin in as little as five years, though researchers remain cautious in their optimism. 

Source: HIV Plug Magazine
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Cure 1: Vigorous Shag

Why? Exercise gets your sluggish lymph system moving, helping to eliminate toxins, plus that post-workout endorphin rush perks you up. But, honestly, who feels like lacing up their takkies while in the throes of babalas? Sex has all the same benefits, but you don’t have to get out of bed, get dressed or be seen by strangers. (Note: This only works when you and your partner are both equally pickled and smelling like the same brewery.)

Cure 2: A Dose Of Milk Thistle

Ideally, you should have popped this natural liver supplement before bed, washed down with a litre of water. But, failing that, take two tablets with water and a bite of whatever you can stand to eat as soon as you half-open your eyes. Then two more every three hours until you’re feeling human again.

Cure 3: Watered-Down Fruit Juice

Half fresh OJ, half ice water – it’s refreshing and hydrating. The orange juice adds a dose of electrolytes and vitamins. Even better – get your hands on fresh veggie juice for a vitamin and antioxidant bomb. Add some ginger to help settle a queasy stomach.
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“Herbal Viagra” has made headlines after former NBA star Lamar Odom reportedly took such supplements before he was found unconscious in a Nevada brothel. Consumers may be curious about what ‘herbal Viagra’ actually is. The short answer? It’s complicated.

What is ‘herbal Viagra’?
That’s not a simple question to answer, because “Herbal Viagra” isn’t a product category. While Viagra is an FDA-approved drug to treat erectile dysfunction, there are also over-the-counter supplements for sexual enhancement that claim to be “all-natural” or “herbal,” but are not approved by the FDA, and do not undergo safety testing. As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said in the past, these supplements can have undisclosed ingredients. So it can be difficult to know what exactly is in them.
Are these products safe?
It depends, but the FDA released a consumer alert in early October expressing concerns about many of the products. Lab tests by the FDA had recently shown that nearly 300 of these sexual enhancement products actually contain undisclosed drug ingredients. “These can include the same active ingredients found in prescription drugs that are FDA-approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED), such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra,” the FDA said. Dosing and ingredient mixtures could interact poorly if a person is taking other medication.

What should consumers look out for?
The FDA says consumers should be wary of alternative erectile dysfunction products that claim to provide results in 30 to 40 minutes, are advertised as FDA approved drugs, are sold in single servings, are advertised in spam emails, have labels mainly written in a foreign language, or have warnings or directions that imitate those featured on FDA approved products.

“We’re finding an alarming number of these products sold online and in retail stores,” Gary Coody, the FDA’s national health fraud coordinator, said in a statement accompanying the FDA consumer update. “They’re often sold in single-serving sizes in gas stations or vending machines. We’ve seen pills, coffees, chewing gum and dissolvable oral strips that contain hidden drug ingredients or untested chemicals.”


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While many experts consider alcohol to be an aphrodisiac (when consumed in moderation), certain properties found in beer make it especially beneficial in the bedroom.
1. It makes you last longer. The phytoestrogens in beer can help delay premature ejaculation. As women often take longer to arrive at the party, this isn't just great news for men, who often show up early. Sierra Nevada is both delicious and a good source of on-tap phytoestrogens.

2. Dark brews can help get you in the mood. You know about mood lighting— now discover the glorious benefits of mood beer. Apparently, darker beers contain more iron than pale ones, increasing both red blood cells and overall circulation. These are two vital building blocks to easier and more frequent erections.

3. Beer increases stamina. Research at at Italy’s Fondazione di Ricerca e Cura showed that men who downed a pint a day were 31 percent less likely to suffer from heart issues, giving credence to the belief that beer is good for heart health. Combined with exercise, it could be your ticket to better cardio endurance. 

4. Guinness is great for stomach issues. Don't judge a beer by its cover. Guinness is surprisingly low in calories and alcohol content, but that's not the only reason to indulge in the dark Irish stout. Dr. Kirk says that Guinness is rich in vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin B and probiotics. “This means it can help fortify your overall health and be better on your stomach so you won’t feel sluggish during sex," she says.

5. There's even a beer specifically engineered to enhance performance. 50 Shades of Green is basically like green juice and Viagra combined. It "uses ginseng, ginkgo biloba and damiana to achieve increased sexual desire, blood flow and nerve stimulation,” Dr. Kat says.

So there you have it— print it out, show it to your girl, and never again have to blame your colleagues for making you linger one extra round at happy hour.
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“Guy walks into a doctor’s office…” That’s not the start of a joke – that is the joke.


Article Source: Men's Health

Men don’t go to doctors unless they’re in serious pain or really spooked about something. We have our reasons, as squishy as they may be. In a 2007 American academy of Family Physicians survey, 58% of men cited specific factors, such as lack of time, lack of insurance and lack of extreme symptoms, as reasons for avoiding physicians. But another six percent actually gave the grown-up equivalent of “the dog ate my homework”, saying “something else” always prevents them from going.

The head-in-the-sand approach isn’t much of a health-maintenance strategy. Sure, a number of miscellaneous ailments resolve themselves without medical attention. But denial can also leave you dead. A smarter move: regularly assess your health with a few morning inspections that are easy and accurate. They aren’t replacements for routine doctor visits – our legal department wants that made clear – and you can check out other symptoms which should have you dialling
an emergency number on p145. But these DIY check-ups can help you sort the trivial from the troubling.

CHECK FOR…

Gums of horror

What’s the big deal? Any redness, inflammation or bleeding of your gums might be due to gingivitis, a condition that can progress to periodontal disease. This, in turn, is linked to heart disease – one of the top killers of men. How? The bacteria from periodontal disease enter your bloodstream, potentially causing inflammation elsewhere in your body, including your heart. The result: atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
What’s more, periodontal disease can signal diabetes. “Blood vessels deliver oxygen and nourishment to body tissues and carry away the tissues’ waste products,” says gum specialist Dr Robert Pick. “Diabetes causes blood vessels to thicken, which slows the flow of nutrients and the removal of harmful wastes. This can weaken the gum tissue’s resistance to infection.”
Gums that are salmon-pink in light-skinned people, or a bit darker in dark-skinned people, indicate that your mouth is healthy and bacteria are in check, says Pick. But if your gums are red and swollen, and they bleed after brushing, you may have gum disease – or worse. Begin daily flossing, and see your dentist for an intense, below-the-gumline cleaning and application of antibiotics.

check again in: 1 week

CHECK FOR…

Clogged nasal passages

What’s the big deal? Take a deep breath. Did you inhale through your nose, or through your mouth? If it was your mouth, then your nasal passages may be obstructed , probably due to allergic rhinitis, the symptoms of which can include sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose and general stuffiness. Or if those symptoms accompany coughing and wheezing, you might have asthma.
“Asthma can permanently reduce lung function if it’s not treated quickly,” says rhinologist Dr Bradley Marple. Clogged nasal passages can also contribute to sleep apnoea, a condition that’s usually also accompanied by snoring and about 10kg of extra body weight. Consult a physician right away if you have all three symptoms.To flush out the allergens, pollutants and mucus that either cause or worsen congestion, try a nasal lavage before bed. Mix a quarter of a teaspoon of salt into two cups of warm water, and fill a bulb syringe with the solution. Bend over a sink, cock your head to one side and insert the tip of the syringe no more than a centimetre into one of your nostrils. Sueeze the bulb until all the saline solution has run out through the other nostril. Repeat on the other side. (Otherwise try an over-the-counter saline solution with a built-in applicator.)

Check again in: 1 week

CHECK FOR…

Runaway heart rate

What’s the big deal? Your resting heart rate (RHR) indicates how hard your heart is working to pump blood. It’s not only a good indicator of your overall fitness, but it can also signal diabetes or heart disease if it’s high. In fact, Italian researchers found that having a resting heart rate (RHR) above 70 beats per minute (bpm) increases your risk of dying of heart disease by at least 78%. To check your RHR, pee first; a full bladder may elevate your heart rate. Then sit for a minute or two before taking your pulse at either your neck or your wrist. Count the number of times your heart beats in 15 seconds, and then multiply that number by four for your bpm. As a rule, 40 to 60bpm indicates a high level of cardiovascular fitness, notes exercise physiologist Adam St Pierre. “A regular cardio exercise programme should knock a beat or two off.”

Check again in: 1 week

CHECK FOR…

The wrong kind of belly

What’s the big deal? Men gain weight around their middles, and studies have shown that deeply seated abdominal fat (called visceral fat) bumps up your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some types of cancer. Unlike the fat that resides just under the skin, visceral fat collects deep within your abdomen, filling the spaces between your organs and increasing the risk of inflammation throughout your body.
Worse, it can lead to insulin resistance, which forces your pancreas to boost insulin production in order to clear your bloodstream of glucose, says Dr Michael Jensen. (Insulin resistance is a precursor to diabetes.)Your belly is bulging from visceral fat if you can’t pinch or grab a fold. Have some belly to burn off? Step 1: Watch what you eat. Then make sure you’re burning about 8 000kJ a week through exercise. In a Duke University study, that amount of activity reduced visceral fat stores by seven percent.

Check again in: 1 week

CHECK FOR…

Moles behaving badly

What’s the big deal? Most men diagnosed with melanoma – usually after age 40 – have had it for some time and either ignored the signs or simply didn’t notice them. Melanoma in a guy is typically found on his head, neck or upper back, so it’s tough to spot and catch early. It pays to be vigilant.
“After your shower, scan your skin for anything that looks unusual,” says Dr Linda K Franks, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University. Specifically, check for the ABCDEs of mole surveillance: asymmetry, borders (blurry or jagged edges), colour (black or multihued), diameter (larger than a pencil’s eraser in size) and evolving (changing size or shape). If you note any alarming marks, have your dermatologist – who you should be seeing annually – eyeball them and perform a biopsy if necessary. Of course, the best way to beat melanoma is to prevent it , so use sunblock with a high SPF factor, which you remember to reapply.

Check again in: 1 month
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