Sleep deprivation can get you into serious trouble: Study

According to the study, sleep-deprived people are more prone to signing false confessions, leading to wrongful convictions. Makes you think what other kinds of trouble they could get into.

    The odds of signing a false confession were 4.5 times higher for participants who had been awake        for 24 hours than for those who had slept eight hours the night before.

Sleep deprived people are more likely to falsely confess to wrongdoings that never occurred, according to a new groundbreaking study that has important implications for police interrogation practices.

The odds of signing a false confession were 4.5 times higher for participants who had been awake for 24 hours than for those who had slept eight hours the night before, researchers found. “This is the first direct evidence that sleep deprivation increases the likelihood that a person will falsely confess to wrongdoing that never occurred,” said Kimberly M Fenn, associate professor at Michigan State University.

“It’s a crucial first step towards understanding the role of sleep deprivation in false confessions and, in turn, raises complex questions about the use of sleep deprivation in the interrogation of innocent and guilty suspects,” Fenn said. False confessions in the US are thought to account for 15-25 percent

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Eat barley to reduce blood sugar level, risk of cardiovascular disease

You can use barley in salads, soups, stews, or as an alternative to rice or potatoes.

       Barley leads to increase in gut hormones which regulate metabolism and appetite.

Eating a special mixture of dietary fibres found in barley can help reduce appetite and blood sugar levels, finds a new study.
According to researchers, barley can also rapidly improve people’s health by reducing risk for cardiovascular disease.

“It is surprising yet promising that choosing the right blend of dietary fibres can — in a short period of time — generate such remarkable health benefits,” said Anne Nilsson from Lund University in Sweden.

Approximately 11-14 hours after their final meal of the day, participants were examined for risk indicators of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The study was conducted with healthy middle-aged participants who were asked to eat bread largely made out of barley kernels (up to 85 percent) for three days — at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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The Beauty Benefits of Exercise

By Nicole Blades
Working out not only helps your figure, but also improves your complexion. Learn why exercise may be one of the best skin remedies for acne, wrinkles, dull skin and more.

There are plenty of reasons to exercise. For some, it’s because you booked a beach vacation, while others are focused on staying healthy. No matter what your motivation is, we can all agree that the benefits of exercise are obvious. But there’s a stealthier payoff: healthy skin. Read on to learn more about the skin and beauty rewards that come from regularly working up a sweat.

Instant Glow 
When you get your heart pumping from aerobic exercise, you’re supplying your skin with a nice dose of oxygenated blood, says Noëlle S. Sherber, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Baltimore, Maryland. “It gives you that great post-workout glow.”

Wrinkle Reduction 
Working out also helps maintain healthy levels of the stress-related hormone cortisol, Sherber says. “Elevated cortisol levels are linked to increased sebum production, which means more acne breakouts,” she says. Too much cortisol can also cause the collagen in the skin to break down, Sherber says, which can increase wrinkles and sagging. “Exercise actually supports the production of collagen,” says Amy Dixon, a Los Angeles–based exercise physiologist and celebrity trainer. “The boost in this protein helps to keep your skin firm, supple, and elastic.”

Acne Relief 
Regular exercise boosts circulation. “It nourishes your skin, bringing more blood flow and oxygen to it,” says Mauro C. Romita, M.D., a board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Ajune Center for Beauty Synergy in New York City. “This will help draw toxins out of the body.” Plus, all that sweating cleans out the pores of congested skin. “Working out corrects the hormonal imbalance that can cause adult acne,” Romita says.

To reap the beneficial skin effects of working out, a few extra steps are required, Sherber warns. “If you're acne prone, make sure to keep gentle, fragrance-free cleansing wipes in your gym bag.” Be

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Facelifts May Make Women Seem More Likable

But this doesn't mean they'll be happier, expert says.

Lower eye lifts and full facelifts garnered the most positive responses from those involved in the study.

A facelift might make you look younger and friendlier at the same time, a new, small study suggests.

A team of plastic surgeons found that various facial procedures — from full facelifts to eye lifts or chin implants — can significantly boost the way a woman is perceived by strangers.

Women who'd had "work" done were perceived as more likable, attractive and feminine, said the researchers who showed before-and-after photos of 30 patients to 170 people.

"One of the goals of this study was to try and figure out, in a scientifically credible and accurate way, what other people are actually 'seeing' when they see the results [of facial plastic surgery]," said study author Dr. Michael Reilly, an assistant professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

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Can Vibrator Use Prevent Climaxes During Sex?

Dr. Laura Berman
Last night I had sex with someone I've been sleeping with for a while. He was doing everything right, but I could not climax (which is not like me). The only thing I can think of is that lately I've been masturbating a lot with my vibrator. Could that vigorous stimulation have kept me from climaxing with a man? Can using a vibrator have any impact on my sex life?

There is no evidence that vibrator use can desensitize a woman's sexual response. This is a common urban legend that has spread because of fear and ignorance that people have concerning female sexuality and masturbation.


Rest assured, masturbation is a perfectly safe and healthy activity — indeed, it is the only sex that is 100 percent safe! Furthermore, a recent study that I performed, in conjunction with the K-Y brand, at the Berman Center found that women who use vibrators have a happier and more fulfilling sex life with their partners than women who do not use vibrators. That you were unable to achieve orgasm during sex with your partner may be because you did not receive enough foreplay or clitoral stimulation. Remember, only 30 percent of women reach orgasm through intercourse alone — the rest need clitoral stimulation to achieve gratification in the bedroom!


Source : http://www.everydayhealth.com

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5 Reasons Why Skin Cancer Surgery Isn’t So Scary

Get the inside scoop on Mohs surgery, the most popular treatment option for basal and squamous cell carcinomas.

Wear a wide-brimmed hat to minimize your sun exposure.

Veva Vesper has dealt with more than her fair share of skin cancer in the last 25 years. The 69-year-old Ohio resident has had more than 500 squamous cell carcinomas removed since the late 1980s, when the immunosuppressant medication she was taking for a kidney transplant caused her to develop them all over her body — everywhere from the corner of her eye to her legs.

While Vesper’s story is unusual, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. In fact, it’s currently estimated that one in five Americans will get skin cancer in his or her lifetime.

Mike Davis, a 65-year-old retired cop, and like Vesper, a patient at The Skin Cancer Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, has a more familiar story. Earlier this year, he had a basal cell carcinoma removed from his left ear — the side of his face most exposed to UV damage when driving on patrol.


The buildup of sun exposure over your lifetime puts you at greater risk for developing basal and squamous cell skin carcinomas as you age. Both Vesper and Davis had Mohs surgery, the most effective and precise way to remove the two most common types of skin cancer.

“The benefits of Mohs surgery are twofold: One, you’re going to remove just the cells you need to without having to take a lot of unnecessary tissue, and two, Mohs surgery can tout cure rates of 99 percent,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in New York City and the

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How to Actually Get a Good Workout on the Elliptical Machine

By Alison Feller, Greatist
To reap maximum benefits, put away distractions and pick up interval training.

Doing the same workout day after day may be effective at first, but it will eventually lead to a fitness plateau.
Out of all the cardio machines, the elliptical probably gets the most side-eye. People tend to think it's boring and ineffective (research even says so!), and the go-to source for an easy, mindless workout, if even that. But it turns out there are plenty of science-backed benefits to the elliptical, like raising your heart rate even more than the treadmill and improving fitness just as efficiently as the treadmill or Stairmaster.

What's more, there's actually a right and wrong way to use it. With the correct form and plan of attack, you can get a truly killer workout on the machine. To find out how to make the most of every stride, we asked top fitness experts for their best advice, plus an effective 20-minute workout.

Do: Make a plan before hitting “start.”

Before even stepping foot on the machine, set an intention for the workout. “Ask yourself what you want to achieve that day,” says Leanne Weiner, a personal trainer and corrective exercise specialist. “Then monitor your perceived level of exertion — where zero is like going for a leisurely stroll and at 10 you’re completely out of breath — throughout the workout to make sure you’re not just dialing

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10 Ways to Make Your Treadmill Workout Safer

Using a treadmill is a good way to get aerobic exercise, but there a few rules of the road you'll want to follow to use it safely.

With the news of SurveyMonkey CEO David Goldberg's accidental death on a treadmill, we are reminded that there are risks to exercise, particularly when using gym equipment. Because a treadmill is powered by a motor, rather than self-propelled, accidents can happen, especially when people lose their balance. Injuries can include bruises, sprains, broken bones, concussions, and sometimes, even death.

While the Consumer Products Safety Commission reported over 24,000 emergency room visits associated with treadmills in the United States in 2014, deaths are rare. That said, it's important for people to know their physical limits and keep safety in mind when using a treadmill.

"On those days when you can't walk or run outside due to heat, cold, or rain, treadmill exercise can offer the same benefits plus the added benefit of being able to add hill-specific workouts and pacing strategies," advises Chris Eschbach, PhD, director of the Human Performance Laboratory at Meredith College in Raleigh, N.C.

Treadmill Training and Safety Tips

Exercise can help you lose weight, make your bones and muscles stronger, relieve depression and stress, and lower your risk for diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure,

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Sex Secrets You Should Know

By Dennis Thompson Jr. | Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH

Men who want to enjoy a good sex life should know their partner can be the best source of sex secrets. From erection to orgasm, communication is key.

Good sex with your partner can get even better. There are many ways men can both enjoy sex more and better please their partners. Just keep in mind that while there are some solid guidelines for improving your sex life, the best kept sex secrets are the ones waiting to be unearthed in your relationship.

"I think each guy is different and each relationship is different," says Paul Joannides, PsyD, a research psychoanalyst in Waldport, Ore., and author of The Guide To Getting It On. "You need to appreciate that what might work for your best friend and his wife might not work for you and your partner."

Start Talking About Sex

Ironically, some of the best sex secrets are those men and women keep from each other, Dr. Joannides says. To have good sex, you need to talk about your likes and dislikes.

"One of the most important things to do is to ask and to listen," says Joannides. "A lot of guys are terrified that some people may think they don't know all the answers. Also, some guys think they do know all the answers."

It can be difficult to broach the subject of sex. But here are tips from Joannides that can clue you in to

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How Jealous and Possessive Are You?

By Laura Berman, PhD

Jealousy is the green-eyed monster that can attack when you least expect it. Sometimes your possessiveness might be set off when you see an attractive stranger checking out your partner, or maybe an "unknown" caller on a cell phone sets off your jealousy. We all know that trust is key for a happy and healthy relationship, but sometimes that can be hard to come by! Take this quiz and find out if you are too jealous and possessive of your partner:

1. When you see your sweetie with another person:
A. You freak out and yell at your partner.
B. You feel a stir of jealously and keep it in.
C. You feel depressed and inadequate.
D. You're not disturbed at all.

2. If your partner starts talking to an attractive person when you are out:
A. You drag him away and start a fight.
B. You feel deeply hurt and use silence as punishment.
C. It depends on the person. Sometimes you might feel put off.
D. I am secure in my love and never worry.

3. Have you ever checked your partner's phone to see who he or she has been talking to?
A. All the time
B. A few times over the years
C. Just once because of strange behaviour
D. Never

4. When your partner goes out with friends, how many times do you call or text?

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How Much Sleep Do You Need?

The number of hours of sleep you need to stay healthy and alert differs according to your age.

Teenagers need between 8 to 10 hours of sleep, while adults should get 7 to 9 hours.

Sure, you’re eating your vegetables and fruits and squeezing in exercise at least 20 minutes a day, but are you getting enough sleep, too? The latest sleep recommendations from the National Sleep Foundation may make you want to think twice about skimping on essential shut-eye. Sleep is key to your physical health and emotional vitality, but just how many hours of sleep you need depends on your age and stage of development.

“Sleep is important for mental function: alertness, memory consolidation, mood regulation, and physical health,” says Phyllis C. Zee, MD, PhD, professor of neurology and director of the Sleep Disorders Center at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

Too few hours of sleep or poor sleep could pave the way to a myriad of emotional and physical problems, from diabetes to obesity, explains Dr. Zee. “In fact, data shows that with sleep loss, there are changes in the way the body handles glucose, which could lead to a state of insulin resistance (pre-diabetes),” says Dr. Zee. “There is also evidence that lack of sleep alters appetite regulation, which may lead to overeating or food choices that can also contribute to overweight and obesity.”

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Can juice cleanses really eliminate toxins? Experts don't seem to think so.

Juice cleanses (or juicing), and other detox diets, have been touted for their ability to eliminate "toxins," control weight, and improve the workings of your digestive health.

Although fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a good overall diet, health experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) caution that fad diets generally don't work long-term and may not be as healthy as they seem. And, in some cases, they might even be risky, according to a review of studies examining the effectiveness of detox diets published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics in December 2014.

There is no credible scientific evidence that a detox diet or juicing is actually effective, the study states. According to the review, the few studies that suggested these diets may have some benefit were small and flawed.

What We Know About Juicing and Health

The first step in juicing extracting juices from raw vegetables and fruits. To do this, you use a juice extractor that grinds up and then spins down the food, separating the juice from the pulp.

The idea behind the juicing movement is that raw fruit and vegetable juice can cleanse or detoxify your body and help you lose weight, according to the National Center for Health Research (NCHR). Some people also believe that juicing can help ward off disease and certain problems associated with

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Are you being poisoned by your Teflon pan?

Did you know that nonstick cookware is made with highly reactive and toxic fluoride chemicals that can turn to toxic gas at everyday cooking temperatures?

Although numerous chemicals are used to produce nonstick coatings, all of them are in the family known a perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs). These toxins have been linked to a wide array of health problems, including thyroid dysfunction, lowered infant birth weight, liver inflammation, high cholesterol and weakened immune function. They build up in the body and are nearly impossible to flush out or destroy. They have been found in the bodies of nearly every U.S. resident tested.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), PFCs – including those released by your Teflon cookware – exhibit "persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity properties to an extraordinary degree."

Canary in a coal mine

So how exactly do PFCs get from your nonstick pan and into your body? Particularly when, according to DuPont, Teflon is made from a chemical known as PTFE which is biologically inert?

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4 Healthy Ways to Make Sex Feel Better Tonight

By Amy Levine, MA, CSE, Special to Health


Three simple letters that elicit myriad thoughts and feelings. Sex has the potential to involve all of the senses, turn us on, happen solo or with a partner, allow us the opportunity to give and to receive, and be incredibly pleasurable. But for many people, sex isn’t the connected and fulfilling experience we know is possible. Sometimes pain or discomfort is to blame. Other times it’s sabotaged by common issues like body-bashing thoughts, anxiety, or stress. Often with subtle adjustments, sex can feel and be a lot better.

As a sex coach, I often play detective with my clients to figure out what they need to elevate their sexual experiences. Here are some of the solutions I share with them that I think will help you have a more pleasurable sex life too.

1. Sex Shouldn’t Require Mind-Reading
Here’s a four-letter word that will make sex better: T-A-L-K.

We can’t expect our partners to read our minds. It’s essential we know what we need, want, and desire. Communication is directly related to our pleasure potential.

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CDC Adds New Zika Warning for Pregnant Women and Their Sex Partners

The CDC said the precaution is in place "until we know more" about the dangers of sexual transmission of the mosquito-borne virus, which is linked to thousands of cases of microcephaly in newborns in Brazil.

"The potential hazard to the fetus is so substantial and so tragic that this looks like a very prudent recommendation until we learn more," Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist from Vanderbilt University Medical School, told The New York Times.

In the same advisory, the CDC added two new countries, Jamaica and Tonga, to its travel alert list of nations that pregnant women should avoid due to ongoing Zika virus transmission.

While the Zika epidemic first surfaced in Brazil last spring, Zika virus has since spread to 30 countries and territories in South and Central America and the Caribbean. Though a cause-and-effect link has not been proven, many public health experts fear the virus can cause microcephaly, a condition that causes babies to be born with permanent brain damage and very small heads.

On Tuesday, local health officials in Texas confirmed a case of Zika virus infection that was transmitted by sex, and not by the bite of a mosquito.

The Dallas County Health and Human Services Department said that an unidentified patient had become infected with the Zika virus after having sex with an individual who had returned from

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