Author: healthtost
Marcus Waugh of the Toledo, OH, Fire and Rescue is the 2024 The strongest firefighter in the world (WSF). Waugh was one of 120 athletes competing in the annual competition at the 2024 Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, OH, and among 18 finalists in the final four events on Saturday, March 2, 2024. 2023 champion Andrew Burton did not attempt to defend his title as he entered the 2024 Arnold Strongman Amateur competition. Barton finished second overall in his competition and is eligible to compete in the pro strongman ranks, making him the first WSF “graduate”. [Related: 2024 Arnold Strongman…
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new generation of high-throughput DNA aptamers and high-precision drug sensors for cocaine and other opioids. The sensors are drug-specific and can detect traces of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine – even when these drugs are mixed with other drugs or with cutting agents and adulterants such as caffeine, sugar or procaine. The sensors could have far-reaching benefits for healthcare workers and law enforcement agencies. “This work may provide much-needed updates to tests currently in use, both in healthcare and law enforcement,” says Yi Xiao, associate professor of chemistry at NC State and…
As a clinical psychologist, I often have clients say that they have a problem with “looping” thoughts in their head, which they find difficult to manage. While rumination and overthinking are often thought of as the same thing, they are slightly different (though related). Rumination is having thoughts that repeat in our mind. This can lead to overthinking – analyzing those thoughts without coming up with solutions or solving the problem. It’s like a vinyl record that plays the same part of the song over and over again. With a disc, this is usually due to a scratch. Why we…
In a recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Researchers are investigating the health benefits of Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and physical activity interventions in overweight and obese participants by measuring changes in faecal and gut metabolic microbiota. Study: Effect of a one-year lifestyle intervention with a reduced-energy Mediterranean diet and physical activity promotion on gut metabolism and microbiota: A randomized clinical trial. Image credit: Valentyn Volkov / Shutterstock.com The health benefits of the MedDiet Characterized by a high intake of healthy vegetables, legumes, fruits, whole grains and nuts, a moderate intake of seafood, a low intake of…
“style=”;” /> Here’s a shocking revelation: hidden in the seemingly ordinary surface of your armpits, there’s a whole world of tiny magnificence! That’s right – your armpits are home to an ecosystem called the armpit microbiome – a tiny dance party filled with billions “good” and “bad” bacteria. In one corner, we have the infamous “Odour Makers” (the bad boys of bacteria) – Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus. When you sweat, these little stinkers gather for a tasty meal of protein, lipids and amino acids. In the process, they produce junk products like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and short-chain fatty acids, which…
1. Get support with your mental health If you’re not in the right headspace, it can be hard to get excited (or turned on). Like any time in your life, mood swings, stress, anxiety or depression can all affect your desire for sex. Getting support can help. Talking to your partner about how you feel and what’s going on can help them understand and support you. Explaining any physical or emotional effects of menopause and perimenopause can help your partner understand why you’re not in the mood for sex, or if you need adjustments to make sex more comfortable. You…
Pregnancy isn’t always pretty and here are some DIY suggestions for natural yeast infection treatments during pregnancy. Sometimes, those pesky YIs can be downright itchy. In the second and third trimesters, many pregnant women will experience the telltale signs of a yeast infection: odorless “cottage cheese” discharge from the vagina, accompanied by itching around the labia and/or burning during intercourse or urination. According to the American Pregnancy Association, do NOT panic: this is completely normal. While pregnancy can bring so much joy, it can also cause morning sickness, stretch marks and an itchy belly. A yeast infection during pregnancy is…
I was wondering out loud on social media the other day – should you take your kids to Vegas? Bam – my Instagram feed blew up! So… is it worth taking the kids to Vegas? Let’s find out. I had no idea how polarizing this topic would be. I’ve only been to Vegas once, with Charles, no kids. We are not big partiers or gamblers (I spent a whopping $20 gambling over three days) and I filled our days and nights with pool time, a show (which I fell asleep during lol) and discovering some incredible restaurants. It was a…
It’s that time of year again when you hear the sound of leather hitting wood and leather on leather while playing catch. Spring training for baseball players is just around the corner, and after all these years it’s still one of America’s biggest pastimes. Professional baseball, in its current form, has been around for 123 years. 162 plus postseason games, and that’s a lot of games. There is a lot of history, nostalgia and tradition behind the game of baseball, which are some of the reasons why it still prevails in the age of social media and the smartphone. Major…
In a recent systematic review published in the journal Nutrients, Researchers from the United Kingdom (UK) reviewed current evidence on increasing consumption of plant-based diets (vegan and vegetarian) among children in high-income settings, explored their associations with child health outcomes, and provided a roadmap for practice. Study: Plant-based diets in children: global trends, health outcomes and a roadmap for urgent practice recommendations and research—A systematic review. Image credit: Chay_Tee / Shutterstock Record The global shift to a plant-based diet, driven by environmental and health concerns, is impacting children’s health. The increasing adoption of plant-based diets, including vegan and vegetarian diets,…