5 Ways You're Hydrating Wrong

Taking in enough fluids seems simple, right? Just drink more water. That will help, sure, but there are probably a few hydration mistakes you're making—without even realizing it. Fix these 5 missteps to make sure you're getting the H2O you need: 

Mistake #1: Drinking Water during Your Workout, but Not Before

Even if you sip on something regularly while you're at the gym, you may be prone to headaches if you haven't hydrated ahead of time, too. You should aim to drink at least 8 ounces of water about half an hour before you exercise, says New York City-based trainer Larysa DiDio, founder of PFX Fitness. 

Drink half an hour before exercise

Mistake #2: Insisting on eight glasses a day

It's time to kick this adage to the curb: The Institute of Medicine actually recommends 11.4 cups per day, although hydration needs vary from person to person. The exact amount of H2O you need is dependent on your size and weight. And since you can also get water from foods like fruits and veggies (an apple, for instance, can provide an entire cup of water), you may not need to guzzle as much if you're eating water-rich meals and snacks. In general, though, if you take your weight and divide it by two, that should give you roughly the number of ounces of water you need in a day, says Keri Gans, RD, author of The Small Change Diet. 

8 Glass of water is just a suggestion

Mistake #3: Avoiding drinks like coffee and tea 

It's a commonly held belief that coffee and tea are dehydrating because of their caffeine content—but that's a myth, says New York City-based nutritionist Lisa Cashman, RD. "While the caffeine in coffee and tea can be a diuretic—which causes fluid loss—the fluid in them typically makes up for it." So your daily Starbucks habit is still better than sipping on nothing.

As long you drink, you will get the water needed

Mistake #4: Hydrating too Infrequently

If you feel thirsty, then yes, you should probably drink water. Same goes for when you're exercising or it's hot outside. But—contrary to common belief—these aren't the only times when you need to rehydrate, says Gans. "You also need to hydrate while you're sitting at your desk at work, not just at the gym," she says. "I even have a sticky note on my computer that says, 'Drink water.' " Gans suggests sipping consistently throughout the day. If you don't, you could set yourself up for conditions like kidney stones and UTIs. 

Sudden intake of large amount of water will cause health problem

Mistake #5: Confusing the Need for Water with The Need for Food

Drink before you eat to make sure your hunger pangs are actually, well, hunger pangs. Many people confuse the need for H20 with the need for food, says Gans. She recommends eating meals and snacks as you normally would—but also getting into the habit of drinking plenty of water with them. She also suggests setting a bottle of water on your nightstand. "First thing in the morning, drink it," says Gans. "If it's the first thing you see, you can set yourself up with hydration for the rest of the day."

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4 Diseases You Had No Idea Could Be Contagious

Wash your hands before you eat, cover your mouth when you sneeze, opt for the fist-bump over the handshake…you know all the ways to protect yourself from commonly contagious sickness. But there are some conditions that antibacterial soap or a tissue can't protect you from. Here, 4 things you never knew you could catch:

Cavities

You can floss, brush, and avoid sweets all you want, but if your mate doesn't follow the same routine, you could fall victim to his or her poor dental hygiene. Researchers from the University of Helsinki, in Finland, found that oral bacteria that cause periodontis, gingivitis, and dental caries (aka cavities) can be passed between adults living in close contact with each other. 

The study, published in the journal Oral Microbiology and Immunology, followed 20 married couples, ages 37 to 70 years old, who had been married for at least 10 years. In four of the couples, both members had bacteria associated with periodontis and gingivitis. Three of those couples also harbored mutans streptococci bacteria (the main cause of cavities). Researchers found that the specific DNA of the bacteria was similar between members of a couple, yet different between unrelated subjects, suggesting transmission of the oral bacteria between spouses.

Kissing can transmit bacteria

Cancer

No, you cannot just catch any cancer from someone suffering from the disease—but you can catch the human papilloma virus (HPV), seriously increasing your risk of developing cancers of the cervix, penis, anus, mouth, and throat. 

According to research from Duke University, more than 6 million people in the US become infected with HPV each year (the disease spreads through sexual contact with an infected person). And while most people can clear the infection on their own within 1 to 2 years with little or no symptoms, the infection persists in some people—and the longer the infection persists, the more likely it is to lead to cancer.

Get yourself a vaccination for protection

Autoimmune Disease

As if living with celiac disease isn't miserable enough, those battling the gluten allergy may need to worry about exposing their loved ones. According to research published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, first-degree relatives and spouses of those with celiac disease are at an increased risk of developing nonceliac autoimmune disease, like Crohn's disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or ulcerative colitis. Researchers found that over a 10-year period, 4.3% of celiac relatives and spouses developed nonceliac autoimmune disease, compared with 3.3% of relatives of control subjects (those without celiac disease). Researchers speculate that the susceptibility is a result of sharing gut bacteria. 

Obesity

Call it infectobesity: Turkish researchers recently discovered a virus in the adipose tissue (body fat) of obese adults: human adenovirus-36 (Ad-36). People exposed to Ad-36 are 300 times more likely to be obese than those who haven't been exposed. Worldwide, more than 15,000 people in nine different countries have been tested for antibodies to the virus (usually the body fights off the virus, but the damage is already done), and with remarkable consistency, people who are obese are far more likely to show signs of infection.

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4 Signs Showing You Need To Drink More Water

Ask any fitness expert to list a couple of common workout roadblocks, and dehydration will likely always make the cut. It's a killer! You need water to exercise—you thrive on it—yet so many women spend their days dehydrated. So, what gives? It could be because, when it comes down to it, you may not even know exactly when you're dehydrated. To solve that problem, we asked Greg Justice, an exercise physiologist at AYC Fitness in Kansas City and author of Mind Your Own Fitness, to list the top signs you need to get way more H20 happy:

At least 8 glass of water a day, will make your day

When You Have a Headache

Unless you're chugging water 24/7, your body is constantly losing fluid. That means you're also losing essential salts like sodium and potassium because those are in the fluids you're losing. Now get this: That salt loss actually changes the chemical makeup of your blood. Your brain, in turn, is super sensitive to that change—and it's that sensitivity that triggers a headache. Make sense? The headaches get even worse, too, depending on how much water you lose. "The more water you lose, the more your blood volume drops, which causes less oxygen flow to the brain," says Justice. "That causes your blood vessels to dilate, which can make your headache feel even worse." Moral of the story: Not enough water equals headache central.

When you feel headache, sometime you just need to drink

When Your Pee is Extra Yellow or Concentrated

Eek…kinda gross, right? But it's true. The reason this happens is that your urine is over-concentrated with waste. "When you're fully hydrated, the waste is easily flushed out in a more efficient manner," says Justice. But when there aren't enough fluids in your body, the waste isn't as easily flushed out, so it stays there.

Some other factor may also cause your urine to turn color, ie. Antibiotics

When You're Constipated

Again, kinda gross. But again, totally true. And the reason is somewhat similar. See, water helps move your waste through your colon and out of your body. "But if that water isn't there to begin with, it won't be able to move your food waste onward and outward as efficiently," says Justice. Hence the constipation.

It happens when you eat too much, but drink too less

And the Most Definite Proof: When You Feel Thirsty!! 

What are you waiting for? 

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This Is Your Body On Diet Soda (Infographic)

When taken at face value, diet soda seems like a health-conscious choice. It saves you the 140-plus calories you'd find in a sugary soft drink while still satisfying your urge for something sweet with artificial sweeteners like aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose. But there's more to this chemical cocktail than meets the eye. 

Diet soda comes with its own set of side effects that may harm your health--from kick-starting kidney problems to adding inches to your waistline. Lets Check it out at the following easy understanding picture:

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3 Simple Moves To Ease Your Heel Pain

The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis, the famous inflammation of the band of fibrous tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot. Heal heels faster with these three simple remedies: 

1# Morning Wall Stretch

ILLUSTRATION BY CHRIS PHILPOT

• Stand barefoot in front of a wall, as shown. Press into the wall with both hands and lean forward, feeling stretch along back of left leg and heel. Hold for 30 seconds; switch sides and repeat. 

2# Freeze and Roll

ILLUSTRATION BY CHRIS PHILPOT

• Freeze a small water bottle. Cover it with a towel and place the arch of your foot on top of it. Slowly roll bottle beneath arch of foot for about 5 minutes at a time. Switch sides and repeat. 

3# Rub It Out

ILLUSTRATION BY CHRIS PHILPOT

• Use both thumbs to apply deep pressure along arch of the feet, heel, and calf muscles, moving slowly and evenly. Continue for 1 minute. Switch sides and repeat.

If your foot pain isn't improving or worsens after 2 weeks, a podiatrist or orthopedist can prescribe additional therapies to alleviate discomfort and prevent recurrence.

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5 Things Your Wrinkles Say About Your Health

You can try to erase wrinkles with cosmetic procedures, or you can accept them as a badge of aging—a sign that you've lived your life long and well. 

You probably know that some creases can indicate a quick smile and a genial nature; others, a lifetime of lounging in the sun. What you may not realize is that your wrinkles can also reveal potential health concerns. Take a look at the following 5:

1. You're At Risk for Osteoporosis.

Your skin may actually be a window to your bones, according to a 2011 Yale study. Researchers looked at more than 100 women in their late 40s and early 50s who were in the first three years of menopause and found that those with the most and deepest wrinkles actually had the lowest bone density. (None of the women were on hormone therapy.) "Both bone and skin share common building blocks, a group of proteins known as collagens, which decrease in both as we age," explains study author Lubna Pal, MD, director of the Program for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome & Menopause at Yale University School of Medicine.

2. You Probably Have Early Stage Heart Disease.

A diagonal wrinkle in your ear lobe may be an early warning sign of ticker trouble. In fact, folks with this ear crease (known as "Frank's sign," after the researcher, Sanders T. Frank, who discovered it in 1973) were much more likely to show signs of heart disease during a CT scan than people who didn't have the crease, according to a 2012 study done at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. One theory is that the wrinkles are caused by the collapse of tiny blood vessels to the ear lobe, and this is a reflection of the changes in blood vessels around the heart, explains Debra Jaliman, MD, a dermatologist at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

3. You May Have High Blood Pressure.

Women who look younger than their years—meaning they have less facial sagging—tend to have lower blood pressure, according to a 2013 study done at Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands. The study also found that both men and women from families with longevity were less likely to have skin wrinkling on their upper arms than other people the same age.

4. You're Under A Ton of Stress.

Doctors say worrying can give you wrinkles. "I can often tell how anxious a new patient is by the lines on her face," says NYC dermatologist Janet Prystowsky, MD, PhD. When you're stressed, you tend to furrow your brow, which over time can lead to permanent forehead wrinkles. But you'll see them elsewhere on your face as well: When you're constantly anxious, your body pumps out large amounts of the stress hormone cortisol, which degrades collagen in your skin.

5. You're Eating Too Much Sugar.

When you consume the sweet stuff, the sugar attaches to proteins in your body to form AGEs—a fitting acronym for advanced glycation end products. AGEs break down collagen and elastin, and that can lead to even more fine lines and wrinkles, says Holly Kanavy, MD, director of Pharmacology at Montefiore Health System and assistant professor of Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. If you've got a sweet tooth, try to quench it with fruit: Research shows that most fruit (but especially pomegranates and mangos) have anti-glycating properties, which means they can reverse the damage done to your skin.

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Cause of Depression in Women

Women are about twice as likely as men to suffer from depression. This two-to-one difference persists across racial, ethnic, and economic divides. In fact, this gender difference in rates of depression is found in most countries around the world. There are a number of theories that attempt to explain the higher incidence of depression in women. Many factors have been implicated, including biological, psychological, and social factors.

Biological and Hormonal Causes of Depression in Women 

• Premenstrual problems – Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can cause the familiar symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as bloating, irritability, fatigue, and emotional reactivity. For many women, PMS is mild. But for some women, symptoms are severe enough to disrupt their lives and a diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is made. 

• Pregnancy and infertility – The many hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can contribute to depression, particularly in women already at high risk. Other issues relating to pregnancy such as miscarriage, unwanted pregnancy, and infertility can also play a role in depression. 

• Postpartum depression – Many new mothers experience the “baby blues.” This is a normal reaction that tends to subside within a few weeks. However, some women experience severe, lasting depression. This condition is known as postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is believed to be influenced, at least in part, by hormonal fluctuations. 

• Perimenopause and menopause – Women may be at increased risk for depression during perimenopause, the stage leading to menopause when reproductive hormones rapidly fluctuate. Women with past histories of depression are at an increased risk of depression during menopause as well. 

• Health problems – Chronic illness, injury, or disability can lead to depression in women, as can crash dieting or quitting smoking. 

Psychological Causes of Depression in Women 

• Focusing On and Rehashing Negative Feelings – Women are more likely to ruminate when they are depressed. This includes crying to relieve emotional tension, trying to figure out why you’re depressed, and talking to your friends about your depression. However, rumination has been found to maintain depression and even make it worse. Men, on the other hand, tend to distract themselves when they are depressed. Unlike rumination, distraction can reduce depression. 

• Overwhelming Stress at Work, School, or Home – Some studies show that women are more likely than men to develop depression from stress. Furthermore, the female physiological response to stress is different. Women produce more stress hormones than men do, and the female sex hormone progesterone prevents the stress hormone system from turning itself off as it does in men.

• Body Image Issues – The gender difference in depression begins in adolescence. The emergence of sex differences during puberty likely plays a role. Some researchers point to body dissatisfaction, which increases in girls during the sexual development of puberty. 

Social causes of depression in women

As with men, social factors can also play a part in causing depression in women, along with lifestyle choices, relationships, and coping skills. These may include: 

• Marital or relationship problems; balancing the pressures of career and home life 
• Family responsibilities such as caring for children, spouse, or aging parents 
• Experiencing discrimination at work or not reaching important goals, losing or changing a job, retirement, or embarking on military service 
• Persistent money problems 
• Death of a loved one or other stressful life event that leaves you feeling useless, helpless, alone, or profoundly sad

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About Consuming Organic Food

We all know the saying “Health comes through the mouth” which is especially true for organic food produced in environmentally clean, unpolluted soil which is not chemically treated. Only organic food can provides us everything we need for normal body function. Most organic products contain more nutrients, vitamins and minerals than conventionally produced food.

Natural, environmentally friendly, organic and microbial fertilizers are used in organic production and animals are fed exclusively with natural, ecological food. Organic products look the same as products not labeled as “organic products”, but the first difference you will notice is intense smell and taste.

Why Organic?

– Better taste – Organic fruit and vegetables grow slowly and have up to 30% more dry materia level which contributes to a better taste.

– Positive effect on our health – Organic food contains more vitamin C and essential minerals including as calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium, as well as antioxidants that reduce the risk of cancer. Organic milk has naturally more omega 3, vitamin A and vitamin E, and other antioxidants.

– No harmful additives – Only 32 out of 290 food additives used in the EU and USA, are allowed in organic food production. Hydrogenated fat and sodium dangerous glutamine (MSG) are some of the banned additives associated with many health problems.

– No pesticides – Banned pesticides are also known as causes of many diseases.

– No genetic modification (GMO) – Organic food can not be genetically modified.

– No antibiotics – Antibiotics are normally added to the standard diet of domestic animals, so, thus accelerating growth, this leads to antibiotic resistance in people or similar.

– There are no “hidden” pollutants – Environmental pollutants, become part of the organic food that manages to depreciation.

– High standards – Organic farming and food are inspected at least once a year.

– Animal care – In organic agriculture, animals enjoy life conditions similar to their natural life conditions– free and comfortable movement.

– Environment care– Organic farming contributes to biological diversity of life on the farm.

In one research project experts made a comparison and got these numbers: organic food contains 27% more vitamin C, 21% more iron, 29% more magnesium and 13% more phosphorus. So it is recommended to include more organic food in your diet. Very soon you will notice the positive impact on your health. Organic food is significantly approved as part of your

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