Spring Danger: First Exposure to Sun

I’m definitely feeling Spring fever now that the snow around me is melting and the temperatures are reaching in the 50s. It’s inspiring me to exercise outdoors and take walks on my lunch break. If Spring is calling you outside as well, I need to act like a mom here for a sec and tell you to be careful of the sun’s rays. In the Winter months, most of us have our skin covered by coats and mittens, and our face is probably the only thing exposed. Hopefully, you’ve already been wearing a daily moisturizer that contains SPF protection, but when you step out into the Spring sunshine for the first time in less clothing, your skin isn’t used to the sun’s strong rays. That can spell danger for anyone, especially those with pale or sensitive skin. Sunburn isn’t the only thing you need to worry about, so keep reading

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Spring Danger: First Exposure to Sun

Good News For Oreo and Velveeta Lovers: Kraft Cutting Sodium

All you Oreo, Velveeta, Philadelphia cream cheese, and Oscar Mayer bologna lovers out there will be pleased to know that Kraft, the maker of all those foods, plans to cut sodium levels in its North American brands by about 10 percent. The reduction will take place over the next two years , which isn’t exactly soon, but at least a change is in the air. It’s the latest company trying to address health concerns since high blood pressure and other conditions associated with a high sodium diet are so prevalent now. Kraft’s president of health and wellness said, “A growing number of consumers are concerned about their sodium intake and we want to help them translate their intentions into actions.” I know many of these products might not be on your weekly grocery list , but tell me, will the decrease in sodium make you think about buying them?

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Good News For Oreo and Velveeta Lovers: Kraft Cutting Sodium

Get the Bod: Joan Jett

I love the idea that a new audience gets to see the awesome-ness of Joan Jett - via Kristen Stewart - in The Runaways , which opens this Friday. The woman seriously rocks, both literally and figuratively. She was off my radar for a bit, but her recent press appearances have reminded me of her amazing body: rock-hard abs and some smokin’ guns to boot. Not too shabby for a 51-year-old rocker. Curious at how she manages to look ageless, I did a little digging to see what I could find. From what I gather, there is no celebrity trainer or detox cleanses; Joan seems like a poster child for healthy living. As she told the New York Times a few years ago, “most days I feel like 25″ - she stays active by always being on the go. Like many musicians, a demanding tour schedule leaves little time to sit around, but she does find time to exercise when home in Long Island. She’s been known to go biking and knock out 50 push-ups during commercial breaks . Challenging rock star preconceptions, Joan doesn’t smoke or drink, and does her best to stay out of the sun’s harmful rays. See Joan in action and find out about her vegetarian diet when you read more. Joan also keeps her health in check with a healthy diet, and has been a vegetarian for over 20 years. She told Go Veg that she turned to a vegetarian diet while touring. I was on the road eight months a year, and meat was too heavy to eat late at night, so I ate other things. I slowly lost my taste for meat, and at the same time, I experienced a slowly dawning awareness that it is unnecessary to eat animals in order to live in this world. No alcohol, smoking, or red meat sounds like a surefire recipe for health! Next time you’re at the gym, try working out to “Do You Wanna Touch Me” performed by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - it’s the kind of song that makes you want to be stronger.

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Get the Bod: Joan Jett

Stats on the Health of the Union

The National Center For Health Statistics , a branch of the Centers For Disease Control, released its latest batch of numbers on the behavior of American adults, and in my opinion, the numbers don’t paint a pretty picture. After surveying over 79,000 Americans age 18 or older, the center compiled some interesting stats on the state of our healthy and not-so-healthy habits. Six out of 10 adults drink alcohol, while nearly 25 percent responded that they were lifetime abstainers. Men are more likely to list themselves as current drinkers than women. Around 20 percent of US adults answered that they smoke, and 42 percent of them tried to quit unsuccessfully in the past year. Under 20 percent of the current smokers average 17 cigarettes a day. Only around 30 percent of adults responded that they exercise regularly, but close to 60 percent say they engage in at least some physical activity during their leisure time. Forty percent of adults maintain a healthy weight, but 60 percent are considered overweight or obese. The information for this report was gathered between 2005 and 2007. Do any of the numbers surprise you?

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Stats on the Health of the Union

Stats on the Health of the Union

The National Center For Health Statistics , a branch of the Centers For Disease Control, released its latest batch of numbers on the behavior of American adults, and in my opinion, the numbers don’t paint a pretty picture. After surveying over 79,000 Americans age 18 or older, the center compiled some interesting stats on the state of our healthy and not-so-healthy habits. Six out of 10 adults drink alcohol, while nearly 25 percent responded that they were lifetime abstainers. Men are more likely to list themselves as current drinkers than women. Around 20 percent of US adults answered that they smoke, and 42 percent of them tried to quit unsuccessfully in the past year. Under 20 percent of the current smokers average 17 cigarettes a day. Only around 30 percent of adults responded that they exercise regularly, but close to 60 percent say they engage in at least some physical activity during their leisure time. Forty percent of adults maintain a healthy weight, but 60 percent are considered overweight or obese. The information for this report was gathered between 2005 and 2007. Do any of the numbers surprise you?

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Stats on the Health of the Union

How Bad Is That Diet Coke?

Confession: I have a handful of dirty little secrets when it comes to my health and fitness. One of them is that I harbor a serious Diet Coke addiction. I’ve been known to have a regular two cans on a weekday, partially for the caffeine jolt, and partially because I like the taste (I know, I know). Recent studies have shown that even diet versions of popular sodas aren’t good for you, and can lead to obesity. I’ve even heard them described as “chemical water with a little caffeine.” I recently noticed that after drinking more than one Diet Coke during the day, I’ve started getting dull headaches. After one too many DC-induced headaches, I switched my second soda of the day to a caffeine-free Diet 7-Up hoping that would stop the problem, but it did just the opposite - the headaches got worse. To see what I think is causing them and what other problems my Diet Coke habit may be causing, read more. I remembered reading about the artificial sweetener aspartame and potential side effects in the past; turns out the sweetener - better known as Nutra-Sweet - is found in most diet sodas, including Diet 7-Up. While the FDA’s acceptable intake of aspartame is the amount found in about four cans of soda (yikes!), a sensitivity to the sweetener can cause other side effects : headaches, dizziness, mood changes, and even skin reactions. In addition, soda consumption has been linked to lower bone density , since it can block your bones’ absorption of calcium. Plus, if you’re drinking a soda, you’re choosing not to drink something else - a glass of water, juice, or anything with actual health benefits. While the satisfying sound of a fresh can of Diet Coke popping open will probably always cause a reaction, I’m better off switching to an afternoon iced coffee. Besides being a great caffeine fix, it’s full of benefits , from antioxidants that lower disease risk to helping to ease post-workout muscle pain. Source: Flickr User Svadilfari

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How Bad Is That Diet Coke?

Gabourey Sidibe: Latest Celebrity Target for Weight Loss Products

When an overweight person rises to notoriety, a flood of offers from weight loss companies to help them shed the pounds often follows. Afterall, celebrities are goldmines for weight loss companies, and what better time to capitalize on the sudden fame of “Precious” star Gabourey Sidibe. The first (or at least the most publicized) of the circling vultures is acaisupply.com, who claimed in a letter that they were worried about her health, and that she ought to consider weight loss for that reason alone, not her image. Continue reading…

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Gabourey Sidibe: Latest Celebrity Target for Weight Loss Products

5 Ways to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

As he aged, my grandfather developed type 2 diabetes, and since the disease can be hereditary , I’ve become especially aware of ways I can prevent it. The condition occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin , or if your body doesn’t recognize insulin and is unable to use it properly. If you’re worried about developing type 2 diabetes, here are five things you can do to help prevent it. Since obesity plays a big role in developing type 2 diabetes, maintain a healthy weight by eating appropriate portion sizes. Get moving. Exercise not only prevents obesity, but it also improves your body’s use of insulin . Go for whole grains. Research shows that a diet rich in whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa , and oatmeal can reduce a person’s risk for type 2 diabetes. For the last two prevention techniques, keep on reading.

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5 Ways to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

It’s Good to Be Green: Tea Quiz

If you’re passing on heart-healthy Guinness this St. Patrick’s Day, get into the Irish spirit with some green tea. While it doesn’t have the same kick as an Irish whiskey, your body will appreciate it much more. These days, it’s widely accepted that tea - especially green tea - is good for you. But do you know why? Take my quiz to find out . . . Take the quiz

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It’s Good to Be Green: Tea Quiz

Kara DioGuardi Covers Women’s Health

Since suffering from an eating disorder in her 20s, Kara DioGuardi has come a long way. With Paula Abdul gone, she is the current Queen Bee on American Idol ; she also has an accomplished career as a songwriter and music producer. And at 38, she looks damn good - something she shared with the world during the series finale of American Idol last year. Kara stripped down to a black bikini to battle it out with a contestant known as “Bikini Girl,” a move that she tells Women’s Health this month defined her: “It probably saved my job. It was a defining moment. Like, ‘She’s serious and industry, but also as kooky as everyone else on this panel.’ ”   Here are more highlights from the interview. Battling an eating disorder . “I’d pretty much clean out the refrigerator. Food was my drug of choice. It anesthetized me so I wouldn’t have to feel whatever I was feeling. I’d stuff myself full of sugar and fall asleep.” On eating healthy . “The more roughage you eat, the more it fills you up.” On the importance of water . “Two huge bottles a day, minimum. I have them around - one upstairs, one in the car - to force me to remember.” Her exercise routine . “Two miles of running or 25 minutes of cardio - boxing, treadmill, step-ups, walking lunges, sprints. I mix it up. And weight training is important as you get older. You build muscle which burns fat when you’re at rest.” To see the rest of the interview, pick up a copy of Women’s Health , on newsstands tomorrow. Photo courtesy of Fox

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Kara DioGuardi Covers Women’s Health

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