Category: Supplement

Jessica Nelson, RDN, CPT, shares a handy guide to your abdominal muscles, including her personal-trainer-approved total ab workout.

Strengthening ab muscles is an important part of any exercise program. Continue reading to discover why core strength is essential for your body, daily movement, and overall health. Then learn about the different types of abdominal muscles, followed by a total ab workout to tone and strengthen your core.

The Importance of Core Strength

Simply put, the importance of core strength can’t be underestimated.

A strong core is vital for protecting internal organs and supporting balance, posture, and breathing. Strong, stable abdominal muscles can also help prevent lower back pain.

Along with your back muscles, your ab muscles act as the main power generator for all movement, such as when sitting, standing, bending over, picking things up, reaching, carrying, and exercising.

Basically, your core muscles are an essential part of … Read the rest

Gaby Vaca-Flores, RDN, CLE, shares what to eat for healthy sperm to boost male fertility and support men’s overall health.

While many know that a nutritious diet is essential for a healthy lifestyle, few know about the relationship between nutrition and healthy sperm.

Science tells us that the foods men eat may influence sperm quality. In this article, we’ll look at the key signs of healthy sperm, followed by exactly what to eat for healthy sperm.

What Does healthy Sperm Look Like?

Healthy male testicles can create a couple million sperm each day, averaging about 1,500 sperm per second.

Three main parameters define a healthy sperm: count, motility, and shape.

1. Sperm volume/count

According the US National Library of Medicine, normal sperm volume can range from 1.5 to five milliliters per ejaculation. This number differs from actual sperm count, which should vary from 20 to 150 million sperm per … Read the rest

A hair restoration specialist shares whether hats cause hair loss and thinning. Plus: a comprehensive look at hat habits and how to successfully combat hair loss.

From baseball caps, boaters, and bowlers to beanies and berets, hats are an accessory of choice for many of us—yours truly included. But you might be wondering: Is wearing a hat bad for your hair? Can wearing one every day lead to hair loss and thinning?

To discover the truth behind hats and hair loss, we spoke with Dr. Justin Hueston, a certified trichologist and barber in Westlake Village, California.

So, do hats cause hair loss?

Rest assured, fellow cap lovers: We don’t need to ditch our toppers after all.

“Generally, wearing a hat doesn’t cause hair loss,” Dr. Hueston assures us. Instead, there are a myriad of other reasons why hair loss happens.

“The most common is genetic hair loss (aka female … Read the rest

Tech and mental health experts reveal the stress-reducing, sanity-saving benefits of the inbox zero method. Plus: a complete guide on how to achieve a consistently clear inbox.

Have you ever opened up your email only to immediately feel a sense of dread wash over you? Same—every day, in fact. That’s the reality of living in the digital world, a place where you’re expected to be just an email away at any given moment, regardless of time differences, day of the week, and other pressing priorities on your to-do list. And, if not addressed, constantly chasing after your inbox can lead to lead to burnout.

Enter: the inbox zero method.

First, What’s Wrong with a Crowded Inbox?

To begin, know that you’re not alone if the sheer volume of your emails overwhelms you. Many people find crowded inboxes to be incredibly stressful, not to mention majorly time-consuming.

And we’re not … Read the rest

Sure, you’ve heard of food for thought. But Chelsey Amer, MS, RDN, CDN, goes beyond the popular idiom by sharing a list of the best foods for brain health.

When it comes to brain health, we’ll take any advantage we can get, right? After all, your brain is arguably the important organ in your body!

Not only does your brain control your thoughts, feelings, memory, and intelligence, but also physical movements, including your beating heart and breathing through your lungs. For these reasons and more, keeping your brain healthy is essential, to say the least.

But unfortunately, there’s no amount of brain teaser puzzles you can complete to overcome a nutrient-deficient diet. That’s where your food choices come in.

9 Best Foods to Boost Brain Health

To support brain health through nutrition, add some of these brain-healthy foods to your diet.

1. Salmon + Fatty Fish

Your brain is … Read the rest

Do you think of your smartphone as another limb? Can’t ever seem to log offline? Discover how the internet is changing your brain with every search, scroll, swipe, scan, click, pull, tap, and like.

Happy autumn, astrohackers! In the spirit of the October 1 full moon, aka the harvest moon, let me channel Neil Young when I invite you to “come a little bit closer, hear what I have to say” about your October 2020 wellness horoscopes.

Celestially speaking, this month is a real doozy. A few nice-to-knows before diving in:

• We have two full moons, lighting up the skies on the first and last days of the month
• Mars (action) is still retrograde till mid-November
• Mercury (communication) retrogrades from October 14 through November 3

What does it all mean for you? Read your sun and rising signs for astro-savvy tips and navigation know-how so October 2020 is yours for the taking.

October 2020 Wellness Horoscopes

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19)

Think back to six months ago in contrast to today. Chances are you’ve personally developed by leaps and bounds. Take pride in that … Read the rest

Men wearing nail polish isn’t just a growing trend; it’s a statement of self-expression. Here’s why guys with nail polish—and those into in beauty and grooming—should do as they please.

Let’s consider the economy. Men have the potential to add multi-billions to the beauty and self-care industries. Yet at the moment, these markets largely neglect to tap into this demographic.

That said, male-targeted skincare sales have bumped up seven percent in the last year alone, according to the NPD Group’s iGen Beauty Consumer report.

As the men’s grooming market continues to broaden, one trend we love to see more is men wearing nail polish.

Nail Polish as Self-Expression

When we start to break down the concept of nail polish—or any cosmetic product for that matter—it starts to lose its binary bond. When products are made to enhance the human body, feel fun and colorful, and allow for personal expression, … Read the rest

Still consider female body hair a taboo? Think again. Here’s a look at real women’s journeys toward embracing body hair.

We have good news: The definition of body positivity is expanding. In addition to encompassing all genders, shapes, and sizes, growing out body hair is now part of the equation. And we have three words: It’s about time.

Female Body Hair Positivity

Body hair is normal for all, including women and genderqueer folks. Yet it’s often a subject of critique for anyone who’s not a man, due to an outdated belief that body hair isn’t compatible with femme beauty. But thankfully, there are folks on Instagram—like Nude Nora and Shari Siadat—who use their platforms to challenge that notion. No matter where it grows, the message is clear: Body hair is nothing to be ashamed of.

While we love a socially prevalent trend, we’re suckers for seeing how it plays … Read the rest

Carrie Gabriel, MS, RDN, explains what bio-individuality is and why learning more about your own is essential for lasting health and wellness.

For decades, we’ve been bombarded with processed foods, misinformation, and marketing from food giants. It seems we’ve lost touch with what our bodies need and what feeling good is actually like.

However, the best source for knowing what truly works for your body and health is your own self. When you listen to your own internal cues, you’re accessing your bio-individuality.

What is bio-individuality?

Bio-individuality is the idea that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to health and nutrition. Instead, we’re all unique in our biological makeup and requirements. Each person has their own specific nutritive and health needs, as well as routines, practices, and preferences that work for them.

For example, the foods that sustain me throughout the day, the exercises that work for my body, and the … Read the rest