Category Archives: Health Facts

Beauty Sleep Not Just Fantasy, Say Researchers

A new study conducted at the University of Michigan is the first to actually use advanced, objective measuring systems to determine that “beauty sleep” is more than just a figure of speech. The study, conducted using an innovative measuring system known as photogrammetry, indicated that getting several continuous months of high-quality sleep in appropriate quantities increases your apparent youthfulness and attractiveness. In order for sleep to qualify as true “beauty rest,” it must be untainted by irregular breathing, snoring and sleep apnea. The study included 20 individuals who were treated for sleep apnea. To arrive at their conclusions, the researchers judged photographs taken using a photogrammetry system before and after sleep apnea treatment. For most study subjects, the judges ranked their post-treatment pictures more highly.

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Posted in Health, Health Facts, Mental Health, News, Skin and Beauty, Studies | 14,755 Comments

Hangover Severity Depends on Age

A new study based in Denmark suggests that the older you get, the less severe your hangovers after a night of drinking alcohol become. The findings run counter to what most people believe about the link between aging and hangovers. Over 50,000 people between the ages of 18 and 94 were surveyed as part of the study, and reported their drinking habits as well as the frequency and severity of their hangover symptoms, including vomiting, racing heartbeat, headache and nausea. Within the context of the new study, binge drinking was classified as drinking at least five alcoholic beverages in a single session. The study data was collected as part of the Danish Health Examination Study. Hangovers are believed to be caused by irritated stomach lining, increased urination causing dehydration, and low blood sugar.

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Posted in Food, Health, Health Facts, Mental Health, News, Studies | 3,841 Comments

Fad Diet Alert: No, Mushrooms Don’t Cause Magical Weight Loss

Celebrities ranging from Katy Perry to Kelly Osbourne are touting the supposed benefits of the “M Plan,” a new fad diet whose proponents claim causes weight loss in exactly the places where women usually want to see it most – the thighs, hips and waist. Like most fad diets, the eating plan is specific and rather silly: replace one meal per day with just mushrooms, continue this every day for two weeks, and watch the pounds melt away. However, also as with the vast majority of fad diets, health and nutrition experts are skeptical of the claims. Adding to the skepticism, no one company, individual, or health professional seems to be taking credit for the development of the diet. A diet plan not created by a dietician or health expert should always be approached with an air of caution.

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Posted in Diet, Food, Health, Health Facts, News, Nutrition, Weight Loss | 243 Comments

Early Exercise Prevents Later Epilepsy

Young people who exercise end up with strong muscles and bones, decreased likelihood of obesity, lower blood pressure, reduced possibility of getting type 2 diabetes, and better sleep. Adding to these benefits, a new Swedish study found that engaging in regular, vigorous exercise as a young person, may reduce your chance of developing epilepsy when you get older. Over 1.17 million Swedish men, all of whom completed cardiovascular fitness tests upon enlisting for the military at 18 years of age, were included in the study. The age of the men varied greatly, as they were born between the years of 1950 and 1987. Just under 6,800 men received an epilepsy diagnosis over the course of the 40-year study, according to researchers.

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Posted in Exercise, Health, Health Facts, Medical, Men, Mental Health, News, Studies, Weight Loss, Weight Training | 656 Comments

Yelling Worsens Teen Behavior

Although a previous study indicates that at least 90% of parents admit to yelling or using harsh verbal discipline on their teenage children, a new study suggests that these tactics actually backfire and worsen their behavior. In the recent study, researchers found that children who were harshly verbally disciplined at 13 exhibited more behavioral problems and increased signs of depression at this same age and at 14. Behavioral problems and depression symptoms were worst in children who were yelled at most frequently, according to the study. The researchers suggested that this could create a vicious cycle in which children are yelled at more as their behavior worsens, which only makes their behavior worse and leads to more yelling. Many family experts suggest disengaging from a negative situation to cool down before succumbing to yelling.

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Posted in Health, Health Facts, Mental Health, News, Parenting, Studies | 148 Comments