What to Eat for Healthy Hair and Nails

No doubt you know that eating healthy is good for you in a plethora of ways—it can decrease your risk of disease, improve your immune system, increase your energy levels and even affect your sleeping habits. But did you know certain foods can improve the way you look, too? Read on to find out which nutrients will give your hair and nails extra luster, strength and shine.

Biotin/Vitamin H
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Biotin (a.k.a. vitamin H) can improve hair that is splitting or thinning as well as strengthen weakened nails. Taken with zinc and the corticosteroid clobetasol propionate, biotin has even been used to treat alopecia, an autoimmune skin disease marked by the loss of hair. Nina DiBona, RD, dietitian and nutritionist at the Sports Club/LA in Boston, agrees. "A deficiency in biotin may result in brittle hair or even hair loss." An easy way to remember: The H in vitamin H stands for "haar and haut," which means "hair and nails" in German, DiBona notes.
Foods to Try: Bananas, beans, cauliflower, eggs, lentils, peanuts and salmon. Photo: Shutterstock

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

To get shinier hair, introduce more omega-3s into your diet, which "help support scalp health and may give your locks extra luster and shine," according to DiBona. The three active ingredients—alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid—are all essential fatty acids and "are important components of the stratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of the epidermis that contains keratin and has water-holding capabilities. Deficiency in essential fatty acids can result in dry scalp or dandruff," she says.
Foods to Try: Eggs, flaxseed, fish oil, mackerel, salmon, sardines, spinach, tuna and walnuts. Photo:

10 Things to Remember When You Feel Alone

On this planet of more than 7 billion people, many of us still feel so alone from time to time. As paradoxical as that seems, most everyone can relate to these feelings and experiences them at some point in their lives. Are these feelings unnecessary? Not always; every emotion we feel can unearth a hidden lesson and deeper meaning that we might have missed by not paying attention to our feelings.

However, next time you feel a wave of loneliness overcome you, try to remember the following advice to help you sift through those emotions.
10 Things to Remember When Feeling Alone
1. Feeling lonely reflects your relationship with yourself.

How many times have you gone out with new friends, or even old friends, wondering why you feel so alone in a group of people? It happens to the best of us. But, if you dig into those feelings a little deeper, you might find that you actually feel disconnected from yourself, and therefore have trouble relating to others. Spend time nourishing your relationship with yourself, and give yourself the attention you deserve. Many people look for any sort of distraction to avoid themselves, whether it be people, alcohol, drugs, food, or shopping. Learn to enjoy your own company, and you will slowly start to improve your connection to yourself and the world around you.
2. There are always friends or groups with common interests out there.

Connecting with like-minded people can quickly dissolve any feelings of isolation, so consider joining local groups to make new connections. Do you like hiking? Cooking? Painting? Running? Well, in most big cities, and even smaller ones, you can find tons of organizations that have weekly or monthly meetups for a wide variety of interests. Maybe you just need to make some new friends that you have more in common with, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and introduce yourself to new experiences.
3. Most people have been in your shoes at some point.

Almost everyone on this planet experiences loneliness; we all are just trying to figure things out together, so you’re not alone in feeling alone. This life is just an experiment, and no one has all the answers. To reassure yourself, you could even ask someone at the bus stop or at work if they ever feel alone. Most likely, they will answer “yes,” and you might even make a new friend in the process. Don’t mask your feelings; just embrace them and don’t ever doubt that someone out there can relate to how you feel.
4. By allowing yourself to get lost, you will find yourself.

We all have grown up in a molded society that tells us who to be, what to buy, and what to believe. However, when you detach yourself from all the noise and expectations, and create your own path, you get to redefine yourself. Or, invent yourself if you never had the chance to. Don’t fear the unknown; just take a couple steps into new territory and let your curiosity replace any apprehension you may feel.
5. You originate from the same unseen force as everything else.

Every life form on Earth comes from the same place you did, which connects us all automatically. Our separateness is just an illusion, but a very powerful one at that. Next time you feel isolated, go outside into nature and look at the flowers blooming, the birds chasing each other playfully through the forest, or even just the clouds in the sky. Become still within yourself, and you will soon remember that you are an intrinsic part of everything that surrounds you.
6. Learn to go with the flow in life.

Whatever happens, just accept it and keep on walking your path. Everything you encounter, whether good or bad, will guide you on your journey back home and teach you valuable lessons. Oftentimes, we insulate ourselves from life out of fear, or because we have the same old memories playing on a loop in our minds. Don’t let the past dictate your present; just let the universe carry you along effortlessly, and allow your actions to proceed your thoughts. The best things happen when we don’t overthink, and just live.
7. Helping others helps us, too.

If you long for attention and understanding, chances are that someone else craves these things too. Take your mind off your own needs for a while, and offer your words or hands to someone else. This will help change your perspective, and remind you of all your blessings that others may not even have. Plus, it will help you form a bond with a stranger, and give you a sense of satisfaction knowing you made someone else’s life a little bit better.
8. All is always well.

Sometimes, we all just need to reassure ourselves and be our own rock when we feel depressed. Feeling human emotions should never be a cause for anger or embarrassment; just give into your feelings, and cry or get angry if you need to. Pick yourself back up, and tell yourself that you will always be there for you. You can’t be lonely if you love your own company, and part of that means consoling yourself on bad days. It’s okay to be human.
9. This is an opportunity to evaluate what you can change.

What makes you feel stuck and isolated about your current situation? Can you change it? If so, come up with some solutions instead of dwelling on the problems. If you don’t get enough human interaction on a day-to-day basis, consider doing something small, like going to your local coffee shop a few times a week. You can meet amazing people in any given place or time; you just have to put yourself in situations that allow connections to happen.
10. You can always love yourself.

Don’t wait until you feel bouncing-off-the-walls happy to love yourself. Don’t wait until you have lost thirty pounds, earned more money, gotten a new job, moved to a new place, made friends, or gone on a date to love yourself. Love starts and ends with you, so start loving yourself today. Love the pain and joy you experience, and remember to love your loneliness, too.

Eight tips for healthy eating

 Eating a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of maintaining good health, and can help you feel your best. It doesn't have to be difficult either. Just follow these eight tips to get started.

The key to a healthy diet is to do the following:

    Eat the right amount of calories for how active you are, so that you balance the energy you consume with the energy you use. If you eat or drink too much, you’ll put on weight. If you eat and drink too little, you’ll lose weight. It is recommended that men have around 2,500 calories a day (10,500 kilojoules). Women should have around 2,000 calories a day (8,400 kilojoules). Most adults are eating more calories than they need, and should eat fewer calories.
    Eat a wide range of foods to ensure that you’re getting a balanced diet and that your body is receiving all the nutrients it needs.

Get started

These practical tips cover the basics of healthy eating, and can help you make healthier choices:
Base your meals on starchy foods

Starchy foods should make up around one third of the foods you eat. Starchy foods include potatoes, cereals, pasta, rice and bread. Choose wholegrain varieties (or eat potatoes with their skins on) when you can: they contain more fibre, and can help you feel full.

Most of us should eat more starchy foods: try to include at least one starchy food with each main meal. Some people think starchy foods are fattening, but gram for gram the carbohydrate they contain provides fewer than half the calories of fat.
Eat lots of fruit and veg

It’s recommended that we eat at least five portions of different types of fruit and veg a day. It’s easier than it sounds. A glass of unsweetened 100% fruit juice (150ml) can count as one portion, and vegetables cooked into dishes also count. Why not chop a banana over your breakfast cereal, or swap your usual mid-morning snack for a piece of fresh fruit?
Eat more fish

Fish is a good source of protein and contains many vitamins and minerals. Aim to eat at least two portions of fish a week, including at least one portion of oily fish. Oily fish contains omega-3 fats, which may help to prevent heart disease. You can choose from fresh, frozen and canned: but remember that canned and smoked fish can be high in salt.

Oily fish include salmon, mackerel, trout, herring, fresh tuna, sardines and pilchards. Non-oily fish include haddock, plaice, coley, cod, tinned tuna, skate and hake. If you regularly eat a lot of fish, try to choose as wide a variety as possible.
Cut down on saturated fat and sugar

We all need some fat in our diet. But it’s important to pay attention to the amount and type of fat we’re eating. There are two main types of fat: saturated and unsaturated. Too much saturated fat can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood, which increases your risk of developing heart disease.

Saturated fat is found in many foods, such as hard cheese, cakes, biscuits, sausages, cream, butter, lard and pies. Try to cut down on your saturated fat intake, and choose foods that contain unsaturated fats instead, such as vegetable oils, oily fish and avocados.

For a healthier choice, use just a small amount of vegetable oil or reduced-fat spread instead of butter, lard or ghee. When you're having meat, choose lean cuts and cut off any visible fat.

Most people in the UK eat and drink too much sugar. Sugary foods and drinks, including alcoholic drinks, are often high in energy (measured in kilojoules or calories), and if eaten too often, can contribute to weight gain. They can also cause tooth decay, especially if eaten between meals.

Cut down on sugary fizzy drinks, alcoholic drinks, sugary breakfast cereals, cakes, biscuits and pastries, which contain added sugars: this is the kind of sugar we should be cutting down on, rather than sugars that are found in things such as fruit and milk.

Food labels can help: use them to check how much sugar foods contain. More than 22.5g of total sugars per 100g means that the food is high in sugar, while 5g of total sugars or less per 100g means that the food is low in sugar.
Eat less salt

Even if you don’t add salt to your food, you may still be eating too much. About three-quarters of the salt we eat is already in the food we buy, such as breakfast cereals, soups, breads and sauces. Eating too much salt can raise your blood pressure. People with high blood pressure are more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke.

Use food labels to help you cut down. More than 1.5g of salt per 100g means the food is high in salt. Adults and children over 11 should eat no more than 6g of salt a day. Younger children should have even less.
Get active and be a healthy weight

Eating a healthy, balanced diet plays an essential role in maintaining a healthy weight, which is an important part of overall good health. Being overweight or obese can lead to health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, heart disease and stroke. Being underweight could also affect your health. Check whether you’re a healthy weight by using our Healthy weight calculator.

Most adults need to lose weight, and need to eat fewer calories to do this. If you're trying to lose weight, aim to eat less and be more active. Eating a healthy, balanced diet will help: aim to cut down on foods that are high in fat and sugar, and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.

Don't forget that alcohol is also high in calories, so cutting down can help you to control your weight.

Physical activity can help you to maintain weight loss or be a healthy weight. Being active doesn’t have to mean hours at the gym: you can find ways to fit more activity into your daily life. For example, try getting off the bus one stop early on the way home from work, and walking. Being physically active may help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. For more ideas, see Get active your way.

After getting active, remember not to reward yourself with a treat that is high in energy. If you feel hungry after activity, choose foods or drinks that are lower in calories, but still filling.

If you’re underweight, see our page on underweight adults. If you're worried about your weight, ask your GP or a dietitian for advice.
Don't get thirsty

We need to drink about 1.6 to 2 liters of fluid every day to stop us getting dehydrated. This is in addition to the fluid we get from the food we eat. All non-alcoholic drinks count, but water and lower-fat milk are healthier choices.

Try to avoid sugary soft and fizzy drinks that are high in added sugars and calories, and are also bad for teeth. Even unsweetened fruit juice is sugary, so try to limit how much you drink to no more than one glass (about 150ml) of fruit juice each day.

When the weather is warm, or when we get active, we may need more fluids.
Don’t skip breakfast

Some people skip breakfast because they think it will help them lose weight. In fact, research shows that eating breakfast can help people control their weight. A healthy breakfast is an important part of a balanced diet, and provides some of the vitamins and minerals we need for good health. A wholegrain, lower-sugar cereal with fruit sliced over the top is a tasty and nutritious breakfast.
Source:www.nhs.uk

What REALLY Causes Stretch Marks

Plus, the best science-backed ways to prevent (and even erase!) the unsightly scars

Plus, the best science-backed ways to prevent (and even erase!) the unsightly scars

If you’re loading up on cocoa butter to ward off pregnancy-related stretch marks, you might want to save your money: As it turns out, genetics can seriously increase your odds of getting stretch marks, according to research published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

For the study, scientists from the personal genetics company 23andMe examined the DNA of 33,930 people, 4,967 of whom were women with severe pregnancy-related stretch marks. They found that mutations in or near four specific genes—ELN, SRPX, HMCN1, and TMEM18—increased the participants’ risk of stretch marks by 40 percent. Of these genes, ELN (aka elastin) was the most strongly tied to stretch marks, especially those developed during pregnancy. Elastin is the major component of elastic fibers, which help tissues stretch and retract.

See, while excess tension on the skin is the short explanation for stretch marks, some people are more prone to developing them than others, says study author Joyce Tung, Ph.D., director of research at 23andMe. For instance, in the study, only 25 percent of the men reported having stretch marks, but 55 percent of the women did.

“Previously, no genetic variants were known to be associated with isolated stretch marks,” says Tung, who hopes the findings will lead to more effective treatments that target elastin production.

In the meantime, talk to your doctor about these science-approved prescriptions for preventing and erasing stretch marks:

4 Simple Steps To Do Manicure And Pedicure At Home

“Beauty goes beyond a pretty face”: Whoever said so was very wise. There is a big difference between being pretty genetically and being well-groomed. A girl who takes care of herself can be identified instantly. All girls take care of themselves to maintain a pretty face. But, to figure who truly takes proper care of herself, just look at her hands and feet. Being the essential parts of the human body, hands and feet go through the most amount of torture day in and day out. Without proper care, they show early signs of aging and exposure. To take due care, they should be given proper manicure and pedicure, at least once every fortnight.
Everyone has a wrong notion that manicure and pedicures are meant only for those who have the time and money to go to a luxury spa/parlor. But, with a few basic necessities anyone can have well-groomed hands and feet.

Required Things For Manicure And Pedicure:

First, gather all the basic necessities for this purpose. This includes,

    Nail polish remover
    Nail cutter
    Nail File
    Small bowl for manicure and bigger bowl for pedicure
    Warm water
    Mild shampoo
    Towel
    Mild scrub
    Pumice stone
    Hand cream
    Feet cream
    Nail polish- Base coat, nail color, and top coat, (optional: nail decals/stickers)
    Nail toe separator

Here’s a simple step by step tutorial to help you get the best pedicure and manicure at home. Step 1 is common for both manicures and pedicures.

9 Things Only Women Who Have a Twin Understand

Life is a little different when you’re not quite one of a kind.

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a twin? You’re not the only one! Confessing that I'm an identical twin is often met with the same series of questions: Do you have ESP? Not really. Can you feel when the other one is pain? Not at all. Here are nine things about being a twin that are actually true.

1. You're an Expert Among Sharing Experts
From sharing nutrients in the womb to fighting over car keys as teenagers, no one can excel at this elementary skill quite like twins.

2. There's This Twin Thing
Let’s be honest: There are things other siblings, friends, or significant others just won’t understand. Like how sometimes you think you have ESP, or know what the other is thinking with just a look. The simplest explanation will always have your back: Sorry, it’s a twin thing.

3. You Actually Know What It Feels Like to Double Your Wardrobe
Okay, so maybe your mom once made you wear the same outfits but in different colors. Now, you get a whole second wardrobe to raid. Bonus style points for twins with the same shoe size. Cha-ching!

4. Talking About Fertilized Eggs Is Normal
You’ve been explaining the biological differences between identical and fraternal twins since your sixth grade health class. Here’s the gist: Identical twins mean the fertilized egg split—it’s an unpredictable occurrence that has nothing to do with your genes. Fraternal twins occur when a woman produces multiple eggs and two become fertilized—this is a genetic thing.

5. Life Is More Fun When You Have a Partner in Crime
"Remember when" stories are much better when they go way, way back. Like that time you successfully duped your parents or teachers, or when you pulled a prank on another sibling 10, 15, or 25 years ago.

What 8 Women Learned From Breaking Up With Their BFFs

Some friendships weren't meant to be forever.

Everyone knows that breakups in general are the freaking worst, but one of the toughest failed relationships to get over is a friendship. No matter the reason for your split, ending a friendship can make you feel as miserable—if not more miserable—than breaking up with a dude you've been seeing. After all, wasn't she the one who helped you get over all those mediocre guys of the past?

But just like cutting the cord in a toxic romantic relationship can help you see the light, ditching a friend who doesn't bring out your best side can teach you a lot about yourself and what a healthy friendship should actually look like.

So we asked Women's Health readers to spill what things became clear after they decided to call it quits with a girlfriend. Here, the lessons they learned post-breakup:

"Walking away from a friend of 20 years was one of the most difficult things I've had to do. She was there for me after my first serious relationship ended and no one else would listen. But when I met someone new, she got really controlling and jealous. I had to slowly back off until eventually we stopped speaking. I felt guilty at first because I thought I owed her for helping me get through my breakup. But now I realize that I didn't owe her anything. Friends are supposed to be there for each other, not control your life." –Deb B.

"I've had to cut off friends before, and each time, I felt a sense of relief. I needed to stop doing things for people who expected my help and didn't appreciate it. I learned that real friendship is a two-way street." –Luisa P.

Eyebrow Extensions Now Exist

Find out how they work, how long they last, and how they could completely change your look.
Eyelash extensions revolutionized the beauty world, eliminating the need to curl, volumize, and lengthen lashes. Now, eyebrow extensions promise to make similar waves: They mean you could kiss coloring in and applying brow gel goodbye. It sounds like a no brainer, right?

But what exactly are brow extensions? And could they ever look natural? We caught up with Charity Engebretsen, owner of Master Lash By Charity, who offers the exclusive service to her clients in Santa Monica, California. Here, the lowdown on this truly innovative process that is just picking up traction in the U.S.
WH: Why did you decide to bring eyebrow extensions to your salon?
Engebretsen: My mother is in the entertainment industry, and when she came back from Asia when she was on a tour there 11 years ago, she said "They’re doing these really amazing things over there. They’re called eyelash extensions." And I was like, "Of course, why not?" We have amazing hair extensions. Why not create a micro-version for the eyes? So if we can do these on the eyes, which are so sensitive in nature—they don’t like being poked or prodded—then we can definitely find a way to do these on the eyebrows. So I’ve been doing it for the past few years. I actually went to Japan for my training.

What It's Like to Make More Than Your Husband

One woman opens up about the reality facing more and more women.

When my now-husband Chris and I first met, I was a poor grad student who waited tables to make ends meet. My rent was ridiculously cheap, and thank goodness, because I had negative dollars to my name.

I eventually got a full-time office job, but the salary was so bad I had to work at a coffee shop on weekends to pay my bills. While I was working my way up the ladder, Chris already had a successful career as a chef—and his salary reflected it. He wasn't rolling in it, but he was definitely making more money than me. He never made a big deal about it, he just chipped in a little more than me sometimes on things like rent and utilities.

Eventually, my career grew. I got promotions and new jobs and the salary boosts that came with it. My salary surpassed Chris's before we got married and continued to grow. His grew, too, but not at the same rate since chefs, unfortunately, make a fraction of what they deserve.

Now, between career advancements and side projects, I make significantly more than he does. For the most part, it's awesome. I've always wanted to make money for my family, and I love being able to make a decent impact on my family's finances. But there are definitely some drawbacks.

For one thing, I feel pressure to make a certain salary in order to maintain our family's status quo. If my career suddenly went to hell, we'd have serious financial issues. If Chris's did, we'd have to tighten our belts, but we'd still be okay. That doesn't mean his job is less important—it's just the reality of the situation. 

For the most part, Chris could care less that I make more, and he's always been supportive of my career. But occasionally he'll say things like "my job is important, too" when we're discussing something like who has to take time off when our son is sick and has to stay home from daycare. It breaks my heart that he would even think he has to say that.

My Mom Told Me Not to Marry My Husband...And Now She Loves Him

How one woman's hubby finally won her mother over

My mom wasn't exactly thrilled when I started dating my now-husband, Chris.

Despite the fact that I was clearly into him, she'd change the subject whenever I mentioned him and encouraged me more than a few times to "see what else is out there." She was subtle about it at first but cranked up the heat once we became more serious.

It was weird: Chris did everything right. He was polite, kind, and, most importantly, treated me well. But she couldn't get past his long hours as a chef, the gauges in his ears, and the fact that he didn't have the same level of higher education that I did.

When Chris and I moved in together after a year of dating, it was on. She refused to set foot in our apartment when she came to visit, even though she lived hours away, and even once asked my brother-in-law to set me up with one of his friends—right in front of me.

Chris was aware of my mom's issues with our relationship but didn't let it faze him. He was incredibly patient with her comments in a way that I'm not sure I would be if roles were reversed. But while he didn't seem to care, I did. And it bothered me more as time went on.

Things finally came to a head at my cousin's wedding, of all places. After my mom made a few loaded comments about Chris over the passed hors d'oeuvres, I pulled her aside and told her she needed to stop. She refused, and I stormed out. It was beyond dramatic, and our relationship was strained for months after that.

Eventually, the criticisms stopped, mostly because my mom realized we weren't going to have a good relationship if they continued. She slowly warmed up to Chris over the years, but I could tell she still wasn't convinced that he was the one for me.

I came home one day to find my mom in my apartment, cooking with Chris. They laughed and chatted, and when she hugged him, I nearly passed out.

What had happened? Earlier that day, Chris had asked my parents if he could ask me to marry him. Apparently seeing that Chris was serious about a future with me was what it took for my mom to finally see how great he is.

My mom's 180 isn't uncommon, according to licensed clinical psychologist Kelly Tonelli, PsyD. She says that parents typically come around on their child's significant other after that person shows a big commitment like a proposal. "The concern might have been that the partner would never commit," she explains. Time can also help resolve any issues they had with an S.O., as well as just create a general acceptance that they're part of the family now, she says.

I have a lot of friends who have struggled with the same issue, and apparently we all failed on one major factor: We tried too hard to bring our parents around. Tonelli stresses that it's important to not force things, which I definitely did. I would often slip little factoids about why Chris was so great into conversations with my mom and set up opportunities for them to be alone, even though she clearly wasn't feeling it. "You cannot make your parents like someone," says Tonelli.

Thankfully, it did. The proposal definitely helped, but now that we're married, my mom treats him like her own son. She makes big gestures, like going to events at his restaurant and talking up his accomplishments to everyone she sees. But I really notice the little things she does for him now, like how she stocks her fridge with Chris's favorite beer when we come to visit, invites him to swing by for coffee on his way to work, and calls him to chat when I'm not home. Little gestures like that are what my mom always does for my sister and me, and it means so much that she does them for Chris now, too.

How Getting Really Sick Can Impact Your Marriage

As if the illness itself weren't bad enough...

Better bolster your immune system, ladies. According to a study published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, when a wife becomes seriously sick, her marriage is more likely to end in divorce.


 Using raw data from the University of Michigan’s Health and Retirement Study, researchers at Iowa State University and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis examined 2,701 couples over the age of 50 and found that chronic illness in the wife meant divorce was six percent more likely. When the husband got sick, though, there was no greater risk of the marriage ending.

Unfortunately, the general causes of resulting marital discord are predictable: Caring for a sick spouse is super stressful, and the income lost when one half of a couple is out of commission—or if both have to forego work—can take its toll. In short: Marriage quality plummets with the female spouse’s health.


But that doesn’t explain why marriages in which the husband falls ill seem to weather the storm better. Although the data doesn’t illustrate which spouse filed the divorce papers, researchers think that women might be generally disappointed with their husbands as caregivers. It’s also been found that women seem to experience chronic illness with more pain and depressive symptoms than their male counterparts.

There are limitations to the research: The analysis looked at just four chronic diseases: cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and stroke, so not all illnesses were considered. The couples examined were all in a later stage of life, and of course certain qualities of their union up until that time couldn’t be measured (and even factors that were measured were self-reported, which isn't the most reliable form of data collection). Also worth noting is that since the couples were all over 50, they were probably more likely to adhere to gender norms than younger couples may have been.

Thankfully, women are less likely to contract a serious illness than men, and research shows that marriage may help make you healthier. But if you do become sick, don't hesitate to ask your husband to step up and take care of more things than normal—including you.

How Much Sex Should You Have When You’re Trying to Get Pregnant?

Find out the sweet spot.
Kim Kardashian has been pretty open these past several months about how she and husband Kanye are hard at work trying to create a second bundle of joy. She even told sister Khloe that she’s having sex 500 times a day in a promo for the new season of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, which starts on March 15.

That’s obviously an exaggeration, but her comment made us wonder: Will getting it on several times a day increase your odds of conceiving?

The answer, surprisingly, is not exactly. “The general guideline for couples with no known fertility issues who are ready to become parents is to have frequent sex, which is defined as sex every day or every other day,” says Elizabeth Fino, M.D., assistant professor of ob-gyn and reproductive specialist at the NYU Fertility Center in New York City.

Knocking boots at this rate means that a guy’s sperm will be fresh and healthy, ideal for fertilization. “More frequent than that puts a lot of pressure on couples to get busy, and we don’t want to make it too stressful,” says Fino.

The advice changes, however, if a couple sees a fertility specialist and the guy is diagnosed with issues (which is the case with approximately 40 percent of fertility-challenged couples). “If there’s a problem with a man’s sperm count or his ejaculate, it’s advised that the couple only have sex once every two or three days, which gives a man the opportunity to build up the best quality and quantity of sperm,” says Fino.

On the other hand, going without action for more than eight days can backfire; at that point, a man’s ejaculate will contain a higher percentage of older or even dead sperm—which are useless when it comes to conceiving. We don’t know what Kimye’s doctors are advising, but even five times a day is clearly too much of a good thing when it comes to making babies.

Finally, a Scientific Answer to Why Guys Love Round Butts

This explains a lot.
This article was written by Markham Heid and provided by our partners.
It's no secret that many men love a full tush—but why? It may be because women with curvy behinds made better nomadic child-bearers back in the day, according a new study from the University of Texas.

You’ve probably never thought about "lumbar curvature" or "vertebral wedging." But the study authors have. And their research shows men tend to go gaga over a woman with the type of spine curvature that makes her butt seem to pop out or protrude.

If you're like the average man, you're especially attracted to a woman with a spine that curves roughly 45 degrees above the top of her butt, the research shows. "This degree of curvature would have enabled ancestral women to shift their center of mass back over their hips during pregnancy," says study coauthor David M.G. Lewis, Ph.D.

Back in hunter-gatherer times, human beings were constantly on the move. Staying still was a death sentence. So women who could keep walking long distances even while very pregnant had an advantage in terms of reproduction and survival.

Lewis says a 45-degree lumbar curvature allows a woman to carry the weight of her unborn baby in a way that makes her less vulnerable to spinal injuries than women with more or less curvature. Thousands of years ago, this would have helped her to keep moving and foraging during the later stages of pregnancy—a huge plus, says Lewis.

Apparently, modern man hasn't lost his taste for curvaceous, baby-bearing derrieres—at least according to this research.

Dead Sea Mud Mask- How To Prepare It And What Are Its Benefits?

Did you know that a Dead Sea Mud Mask can help you get rid of acne and soothe skin ailments? Well, it’s true! The mud found around Dead Sea, one of the biggest salt lakes in the world, is especially therapeutic, and it has many uses in soap and other cosmetic products around the world.

So, would you like to know how to use this mask to get glowing and flawless skin? Continue with your read!
Benefits Of Dead Sea Mud Mask:

Dead Sea mud has many amazing health benefits, which help refresh and revitalize your skin. Dead Sea mud reduces wrinkles, has emollient and anti-acne properties, and it is also used to ameliorate conventional medical therapy.

Apart from these amazing healths benefits, Dead Sea mud has some essential properties that help reduce and treat conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and acne. Soaps made with Dead Sea mud help cure itching, while they also cleanse the skin and remove dead skin.

Usually, you can add any essential oil to the Dead Sea mud face mask, but this recipe will use lavender, chamomile, and peppermint essential oils. Let’s look at why these ingredients are the best possible additions to this face mask.

Other ingredients that make up Dead Sea Mud face masks include:
Lavender Essential Oil:

Lavender essential oil has a calm and soothing effect. It has been used in many cultures as a sleep aid. The especially alluring scent of lavender essential oil enchants most people. It is used widely by chemists and beauticians as an ingredient in lotions, gels and other body and face packs. Lavender oil not only helps reduce and relieve tension, but it also disinfects your skin. Lavender essential oil has been known to treat respiratory problems.

10 Natural Depression Treatments

Being depressed can make you feel helpless. You're not. Along with therapy and sometimes medication, there's a lot you can do on your own to fight back. Changing your behavior -- your physical activity, lifestyle, and even your way of thinking -- are all natural depression treatments.

These tips can help you feel better -- starting right now.

1. Get in a routine. If you’re depressed, you need a routine, says Ian Cook, MD. He's a psychiatrist and director of the Depression Research and Clinic Program at UCLA.

Depression can strip away the structure from your life. One day melts into the next. Setting a gentle daily schedule can help you get back on track.

2. Set goals. When you're depressed, you may feel like you can't accomplish anything. That makes you feel worse about yourself. To push back, set daily goals for yourself.

"Start very small," Cook says. "Make your goal something that you can succeed at, like doing the dishes every other day."

As you start to feel better, you can add more challenging daily goals.

8 Signs It’s Definitely Time to Break Up

For those times when nothing big and horrible happened—but nothing is feeling right either

Sometimes relationships end after a huge shouting match. Sometimes one person cheated. Sometimes one partner is moving or is ready to get married or wants to have kids. And sometimes, a relationship just runs its course. That last scenario, though, can be hard to interpret: How do you know when it’s time to call it quits, versus when you’re just going through a rough patch? We spoke with relationship experts to get a list of eight crucial signs to look out for. If several of these apply to you, and if you’ve worked on them to no avail or if it just feels too late, it could be time to cut the cord.

You’re Fighting Over EVERTHING

Fact: Fights happen. And some couples just naturally fight more than others. But if your argument pattern is changing and you’re starting to pick fights over the littlest, most insignificant things, that could be an indication that something’s awry, says relationship therapist Rachel Sussman, LCSW, author of The Breakup Bible.

You’re Staying Later and Later at the Office

“The whole essence of being in love is that you always want more,” says Jane Greer, Ph.D., New York-based relationship expert and author of What About Me? Stop Selfishness From Ruining Your Relationship. If you’re not feeling any desire to hurry home after a long day at work, ask yourself why.

Benefits of Wine: 8 Reasons Wine Is the Best Thing Ever

Feeling guilty about your nightly glass of vino? We give you full permission to drink up—for your health. Cheers to these many awesome (surprising!) benefits of wine.

 Benefits of Wine: It Makes You More Attractive

Drinking just one glass of wine makes you more attractive to others, according to a study published in Alcohol and Alcoholism. Researchers think low doses of alcohol (more does not help) may give you a healthy glow and subtle smile—who doesn't want that?

 Benefits of Wine: It's Good for Your Heart

While researchers have found an association between wine and heart health, many past studies only looked at white populations. But a new Nutrition and Aging study looked at almost 3,000 ethnically diverse women, and found some good news: Moderate wine consumption may reduce your risk of heart disease, possibly because of the polyphenol content.

 Benefits of Wine: It May Help Maintain Muscle

French researchers set out to discover whether resveratrol, a component of wine (which has been linked to lower levels of bad cholesterol and protecting the lining of blood heart vessels) could help preserve muscle mass in astronauts. Why? Astronauts experience lots of health issues from the zero gravity inactivity. To replicate the weightless state, researches hung rats by their back legs. Half received a dose of resveratrol and the other half didn't. Those that didn't experienced reduced muscle mass, strength, and bone density while the resveratrol group was spared.

The Crazy-Simple Way to Eat Less

Smart eating isn't always about choosing vegetables over fried food and skipping dessert. Sometimes, the smallest, easiest habits can make a big difference, especially when it comes to this super-simple strategy that helps you cut calories without switching up your food.

No, it's not by skipping a meal. We've got a strategy that is much easier and less likely to make you hangry: Chew your food more thoroughly. Sounds obvious, but science shows it works.

On two different days, researchers at Iowa State University in Ames fed a pizza breakfast to volunteers, instructing them to chew each mouthful 15 times on one day and 40 times on the other. When subjects chewed 40 times instead of just 15, they had lower levels of ghrelin, the hormone that triggers your brain to tell you it's time to eat. They also had higher levels of cholecystokinin, a fullness hormone found in the gut. In real life, this translated to less hunger all the way up to lunchtime, three hours later.

While there's nothing magical about chewing your food exactly 40 times, noshing more thoroughly is a simple way to keep your appetite in check. Three ways to eat more mindfully: Put down your fork between bites, don't eat in front of the TV or at a desk, and turn on some relaxing tunes while you dine.

How To Get Younger-Looking Hands

Moisturizing isn't the only skin-care routine you need.

This article was written by Aly Walansky and repurposed with permission from Daily Makeover.

True story: Hands show a person’s age more than any other part of the body, due largely to the fact that people frequently wash and strip them of natural oils, says Revision Skincare expert Emily Velez. Hands also end up with more sun damage due to constant exposure, and washing them throughout the day makes consistent protection difficult. Finally, the hands tend to lose fat and volume as you age, which leads them to have a bony and veiny appearance. Treat them to some TLC for a healthy, younger-looking complexion.

Always Wear Sunscreen
Hands get extra sun exposure from their position on the steering wheel when you’re driving your car—the backs of your hands get all the sun’s damaging rays right through the windshield, says board-certified dermatologist David Bank, M.D. Use a higher SPF sunscreen on the backs of your hands when you know they’ll be exposed for long periods of time, just as you would on the rest of your body.

The Top Complaints Men Have About Marriage

Marriage therapists open up about the gripes they hear most often.

You promise to stay with your hubby in sickness and in heath, but nowhere in the wedding vows of most modern-day couples does it say they promise not to complain about each another from time to time. It's a natural urge. And while many complaints are individual to each couple, there are some that men seem to bring up over and over again. Moshe Ratson, a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Manhattan, and Lori Weinreich, a licensed clinical social worker and couples therapist, dish on what married guys most frequently vent about:


"The Nagging Never Stops"

One of the more cringe-worthy stereotypes about married women is that they can be very, um, demanding of their husbands. But what you think of as a helpful (and obviously necessary) reminder, he might hear as straight-up criticism. "Men often feel that no matter what they do, it's never good enough," says Weinreich. "When they feel like they're being attacked, their basic instincts kick in: fight, flight, or freeze." To keep your husband from going all caveman on you, it's important to get to the deeper emotions underneath the anger that bubbles to the surface. So instead of saying, "You're not taking out the garbage often enough," try something more along the lines of, "I'm feeling so overwhelmed with work right now. I know it might not seem like a big deal, but it would really mean a lot to me if you could take care of the garbage on Tuesdays and Fridays so there's one less thing on my plate." And be sure he knows that you appreciate the effort he is putting in.