Author: healthtost
Reading: 4 minutes You may have seen it printed on a bottle of cleaner. You may have heard dermatologists mention it. And maybe (more than once or twice) you’ve overlooked it. It’s a small number that doesn’t require much attention — but it’s worth it. Because your skin’s pH levels affect how your skin behaves, ages, and responds to everything you apply. Between a pH of 5 and 10, there is not just a numerical difference. There is skin that feels balanced and supple or skin that feels tight, reactive and stressed. Understanding your skin’s pH is understanding your skin…
Kegel exercises, also known as pelvic floor muscle training, are essential for pregnancy. In your PregActive APP you will find an entire section dedicated to Kegal exercises. These pelvic floor exercises strengthen the muscles that support your bladder, uterus and bowels, helping to prevent urinary incontinence, making labor easier and faster postpartum recovery. Research benefits Research shows regularly, right Kegels during pregnancy reducing urine leakage and improving pelvic floor function. However, many women struggle – studies show that up to 50% perform them incorrectly without guidance, leading to little benefit or even worsening symptoms such as pain or tightness. If…
A Hormonally Smart Approach to Intermittent Fasting in Perimenopause and BeyondAuthor: Megan BarefootIf there’s one topic that comes up more and more frequently with my clients, it’s intermittent fasting. It has become one of the most talked about tools for weight loss, metabolic health and longevity. But here’s the truth: women are not little men. I see this more and more in my interactions with my clients, even with men, individual modifications may be needed for higher stress times and other lifestyle reasons. While fasting can offer powerful benefits such as improved insulin sensitivity, reduced inflammation, and metabolic flexibility, it…
Starting primary school is an important milestone, but it can be a difficult transition as children may experience separation anxiety or struggle to adjust to the rules and structure of school. However, a team led by Penn State researchers found that consistent routines at home can reduce the likelihood that children will struggle with the school transition. In a publication at Developmental Psychologyresearchers found that when low-income rural families had stronger routines—such as regular bedtimes and shared meals—parents reported lower levels of behavior problems and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms than their children. However, higher levels of harsh or aggressive…
By Daniela Garzon for the degree You know that split second of hesitation before you raise your arms – just hoping you don’t catch a whiff of something… far away? Smelly armpits can sneak up on you, even when you use your regular deodorant. One minute you’re fresh. The next day you do a quick underarm check and wonder, “Wait, is that me?” So what’s going on? And more importantly, how do you stop it? Degree breaks down why body odor happens – and how to choose a deodorant that can help you manage it. Why are my armpits…
To protect your face from Holi colors, focus on the barrier layer before play and gentle removal after. Apply a thick moisturizer and SPF 30+ sunscreen 30–45 minutes before going outside to reduce pigment penetration. After Holi, dissolve the colors using oil first and then clean gently. Be Bodywise’s 1% Salicylic Acid Face Wash can help lift debris if skin isn’t irritated. Follow with a barrier-repairing moisturizer and avoid strong actives for 48 hours.Facial skin is thinner and more reactive than body skin. The cheek area, the folds of the nose, the lips and the area under the eyes are…
Caffeine has earned a place in everything from under-eye creams to firming serums, and for good reason. But with all the noise, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype. So what are the real benefits of caffeine on the skin, and which claims are just clever marketing? This article cuts through the noise to debunk 6 common myths about caffeine in skin care, using real science (not marketing jargon) to separate fact from fiction. Myth #1: Caffeine permanently removes bags under the eyes The Reality: Caffeine can help reduce the appearance of bags under the eyes, but the…
Your brain starts out as a single cell. When all is said and done, it will house an incredibly complex and powerful network of some 170 billion cells. How is it organized along the way? Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory neuroscientists have come up with a surprisingly simple answer that could have far-reaching implications for biology and artificial intelligence. Stan Kerstjens, a postdoc in Professor Anthony Zador’s lab, frames the question in terms of positional information. “The only thing a cell ‘sees’ is itself and its neighbors,” he explains. “But its fate depends on where it sits. A cell in the…
If you’ve moved beyond the machines on your strength training journey and are standing under a heavy bar to do squats, cleans or presses, you may have wondered if you should get yourself a pair of weightlifting shoes.If you’ve started working out with significant weight, you really should.Here’s why weightlifting shoes matter and what they do.Weightlifting shoes do three jobsA weightlifting shoe does three things, and all three can greatly improve your lifting experience:It supports your foot. “Lifters” surround your feet in a tight casing so nothing moves when you’re moving heavy loads. Everything is nice and secure, which is…
If you’re experiencing bloating, digestive distress – think diarrhea or constipation, food sensitivities or intolerances, fatigue, skin problems, or symptoms that seem to flare up for no apparent reason, you’re not imagining it. Many people who struggle with chronic symptoms have underlying gut inflammation and an imbalanced gut microbiome. Treating gut inflammation is an increasingly important focus in both research and clinical practice – it’s a huge passion of mine as a registered dietitian nutritionist. The gut is not only responsible for digestion. It plays a central role in immune function, regulating inflammation, absorbing nutrients, and communicating with the brain…