Health & Beauty Archives - How Life Works

POLL: Americans Think Pandemic Is Worsening, But Few Will Stay Home

Posted on November 23, 2020November 23, 2020 by John Wong

Public opinion of the COVID crisis has reached an interesting impasse.

As COVID-19 cases are surging once again across the United States, a rise long-predicted by experts who feared the convergence of the coronavirus with flu season and winter. However, a new Gallup poll shows that fewer Americans are looking to hunker down at home to curb the spread of the virus.

The poll, released last week, asked participants if they would be willing to remain home for a month if health officials said it was necessary to contain a “serious” outbreak. Almost half, 49% of respondents, said they were “very likely” to do so.

The results represent a sharp decline from April, when Gallup conducted its last such survey. At that time, 67% of respondents said they were very likely to stay home if health officials said it was necessary. That’s represents an 18% drop.

Still, not everyone in Wednesday’s poll was ardently opposed to the possibility of a strict stay-at-home order. 18% of participants said they would be “somewhat likely” to stay home if necessary. Meanwhile, 33% said they were either “somewhat unlikely” or “very unlikely” to heed a monthlong stay-at-home order.

Cases Surge, Vigilance Wavers

covid public opinion map — Image: New York Times

Gallup conducted the poll with about 3,000 adults in late October, at the same time that coronavirus cases began to surge across the country. By the time of the poll’s release, the US had added more than 100,000 new cases every day for a week. Most Americans seem to recognize the virus surge, even if they are relaxing their methods of curbing it.

The same poll found that 61% of respondents believed the pandemic was getting worse in the US. That’s a major increase from the 40% who told Gallup in April that the virus was worsening. Meanwhile, Wednesday’s survey found that only 23% of respondents believed the virus was getting better.

And yet, when asked if they properly “isolated” with people outside their households, only 38% said they “completely” or “mostly” respected social-distancing guidelines. At the same time, about a quarter of those polled claimed they “partially” isolated, and 35% said they isolated a little or not at all.

Pandemic Politics

If so many respondents believe the pandemic is worsening, why are so many also flouting safety protocols? Gallup data suggest that it comes down to politics.

With the pandemic becoming the number-one issue in the recent presidential election, partisans took opposing positions on the best way to respond to the virus. Democratic candidates, led by President-Elect Joe Biden, advocated for serious measures to curb the virus’ spread, and accused the Trump Administration of not taking the danger seriously. Republicans, on the other hand, rallied around President Trump, who frequently made fun of measures like facial masks and criticized many governors who instituted statewide stay-at-home orders.

The dual realities of America’s political tribes contributed to the surprising poll results, says Gallup. “Most of the decline in Americans’ willingness to follow shelter-in-place advice is due to a sharp drop among Republicans – falling 40% in Gallup’s latest polling, from 74% in the spring,” Gallup wrote alongside its survey results. “Democrats’ willingness to stay at home has remained high, at 87% today versus 91% in March and April.”

As of midday November 23, The New York Times reported a total of 12.3 million cases of COVID-19 in the United States since it made landfall in March. The death toll has reached 257,000.

COVID Public Opinion — Sources

New York Times – Numbers
New York Times – Heat Map
Gallup

Food Health & Beauty

Best Foods for Stomach Issues

Posted on November 22, 2020November 20, 2020 by Jen Walker

Sometimes we don’t think about what we put into our bodies until it’s too late, when you’re sitting on the couch feeling bloated as a balloon, or worse, crouched over the toilet just praying it will pass. If you are prone to gastrointestinal issues, these are some of the best foods that will help alleviate stomach issues.

Papaya

Your belly will definitely thank you for giving it some nice, ripe papaya. This fruit contains an enzyme that makes proteins easier to digest, aiding those who suffer from constipation or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Don’t have fresh? Don’t worry — keep some frozen in your freezer for a treat and relief. Mix it into a smoothie by blending some papaya chunks with milk or probiotic yogurt.

Rice or Oatmeal

You might already know that plain rice and chicken are perfect for dogs with diarrhea. The same can be said for humans.

If you’re experiencing soft stool or diarrhea and you’re not sure why, try eating plain rice or oatmeal for a meal or two. These bland foods can help calm down whatever is irritating your intestines and put a stop to the issue. Of course, always see a medical professional for prolonged concerns.

Carbonated Beverages

Did you just eat some greasy food and it’s sitting uncomfortably in your chest? If you’ve just upset your stomach on a big greasy takeout order, get some relief by drinking a bubbly beverage. The carbonation stimulates the pyloric valve, causing your stomach to empty some of its contents into the small intestine. You’ll be much more comfortable once your stomach feels less full.

Berries and Citrus

Certain fruits like apples and pears contain high levels of fructose which cause bloating. This is both uncomfortable and unattractive, especially during bikini season. Try remedying this issue with berries or citrus like orange and grapefruit. Such fruits are lower in fructose and contain extra fiber that will help stimulate peristalsis so you can pass the gas more easily.

Probiotic Beverages (dairy or non-dairy)

While taking an antibiotic can help you get over an infection, it can also do a number on your immune system and your gut microbiome. Side effects of these medications include diarrhea, really stinky gas, bloating, moodiness, constipation, and general discomfort in the lower abdominal area.

Drinking a probiotic beverage can help restore homeostasis to your gut microbiome. This isn’t a long-term magical cure, but studies have shown that short-term use of probiotics can help alleviate antibiotic side effects.

Best Foods for Stomach Issues — Sources

Healthline
Nutrition on How Life Works

Food Health & Beauty

Morning Coffee vs. Tea — Which Is Better for You?

Posted on November 21, 2020November 20, 2020 by Eric Sanchez

The fight between Team Coffee and Team Tea is older than any vampire/werewolf fight. The debate rages on about which one is better or healthier for you, but what does science say?

While you may be the kind of person who is going to drink what you’re going to drink no matter what you read on this post, we’re here to give you some basic nutritional information on each of these morning beverages. After you have that info, the decision of which one to drink is solely yours to make.

Antioxidants

is coffee or tea better for you — Photo: iStock

If we’re talking nutritional content, specifically antioxidants, then tea is the clear winner. While coffee does contain antioxidants, it can’t compete with green tea. Plus, tea contains Vitamin C, which is an immune system booster and helps with collagen synthesis in your skin.

That said, WebMD notes that coffee has been used medicinally for years to prevent “Parkinson’s Disease, gallstones, type 2 diabetes, gastrointestinal cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer.” The jury is still out, though, when it comes to science and whether coffee actually does prevent these ailments.

Caffeine Content

When it comes to caffeine, both coffee and tea contain this energy-boosting molecule. However, coffee has about 10 times as much caffeine as tea.

If you’re a heavy coffee drinker looking to switch over to tea, make sure you taper down your coffee intake, otherwise, you’ll start to feel the effects of caffeine withdrawal. Yes, you can withdraw from caffeine just like you can any other drug! Side effects include fatigue and a headache that just won’t go away… until it does.

Sugar and Cream

Usually, people drink tea without too many accouterments. Coffee, on the other hand, can get super fancy, with lattes, cafe mochas, frappuccinos, cappuccinos, and all sorts of other -ccinos that they keep inventing. The problem is, all these drinks contain sugar and milk/dairy/milk substitutes that can add more calories to your diet and feed bacteria in your mouth.

Tea, on the other hand, has some antibacterial properties and might prevent bad breath.

The Verdict

The verdict is that tea is the easier, more low-maintenance morning beverage if you’re looking for maximum nutritional benefit. Due to its low caffeine content, it might not perk you up like coffee, but it also won’t make you crash in the afternoon.

Coffee can be nutritious if you drink fresh, high-quality stuff. Just make sure to keep the sugar and cream to a minimum and be mindful that if you drink too much coffee, you’ll end up crashing when the caffeine wears off.

Is Coffee or Tea Better for You? — Sources

Elite Daily
WebMD

Food Health & Beauty

10 Reasons Why You’re Always Hungry

Posted on November 20, 2020November 20, 2020 by Jen Walker

Why am I always hungry?

It’s a common question a lot of people have — and struggle with. They feel as though they’re basically healthy, they eat right, and yet those hunger pangs never cease.

Feeling hungry all the time makes it difficult to concentrate on more important things, like paying attention at meetings, finishing projects, or studying for a test. If you’re feeling excessively hungry all the time, it might be due to reasons other than not eating enough. Let’s take a look at the top 10 reasons why you’re inexplicably hungry all the time.

Not Enough Protein

Unless you’re literally starving to death, it’s nearly impossible to be protein deficient. However, eating meals low in protein can make you feel hungry.

Carbohydrates and fats are easily digested, but proteins aren’t. So if you find yourself feeling unsatisfied by that croissant you had for breakfast, adding an egg or yogurt to your routine may help you feel full for a longer period of time.

Too Much Sugar

When you eat foods that are filled with sugar and nothing but sugar, your body absorbs it and then there’s nothing left. Swap the cookie or candy for a piece of fruit. The fiber and water in the fruit will fill you up more.

A New Workout Routine

If you’ve recently upped your activity level — congratulations! However, your body now needs to replenish its supply of glucose (sugar) in order to function properly.

Remember in biology class you learned about the “mitochondria: the powerhouse of the cell”? Well, this special cell organelle takes sugar and turns it into energy. Always make sure to refuel after exercising. Choose a nutrient and sugar dense option, like fruit, natural juices, and smoothies.

Whatever you do, don’t let yourself go hungry! This will lead to either binge eating or muscle loss in the long run.

Sleep Deprivation

In order to compensate for a lack of sleep, your body increases food intake. This is because sleep and appetite are closely tied within the endocrine system (this is the body system that controls hormones). There is some truth to the sleep diet, after all!

Low-Fat Diets

Fat is not the bad f-word that you’re supposed to avoid. Your cell membranes and nerve cells are all surrounded by fats. It’s also the macromolecule that has evolved to keep us warm and act as an energy reserve in times of trouble.

“Today, after intensive scientific research, we know that not all fat is bad and, in fact, some fats are crucial to a healthy body,” say the experts at SuperFoodsRx. “As we pay more attention to the quality of fats in our daily diets, we need to educate ourselves on the different kinds found in our food.”

When you decrease the amount of fat you’re eating, your body thinks it needs to start storing energy, so your brain turns on the hunger. A well-balanced meal contains enough proteins and good fats — like monounsaturated fat in olive oil and polyunsaturated fat in nuts and seafood — to make you feel satiated and keep you that way for a few hours.

Stress Eating

If you’re like those kids from the movie Mean Girls who eat their emotions, watch out. Eventually, your body becomes conditioned to look for food anytime stressful situations appear.

This makes sense evolutionarily, since stress usually meant famine, back in the day. Our brain doesn’t understand the difference between “it hasn’t rained in a week and the crops are dying” versus “my boss is insane and has piled 10 projects on me”.

Instead of reaching for food for comfort, try going out for a walk or take a short 15-minute break to listen to music.

Dehydration

You might feel hungry when you’re dehydrated for a few reasons. One, water fills you up by both taking up space in your gastrointestinal tract and helping to maintain blood pressure. Second, people often confuse thirst for hunger. And finally, you might find yourself craving juicy foods such as watermelon, apples, oranges, and other fruits. Before reaching for a snack, try drinking some water first.

Partying Too Hard

When you overindulge on the booze, your body needs to repair the damage done by the ethanol. Between the hangover and elevated liver enzymes, your body will require more proteins and more energy, so you end up eating more.

Anyone who’s ever been deathly hungover knows that the craving for greasy, fatty food is overwhelming. Take it easy on the partying and your cravings may die down a bit too.

Too Many Sugary Drinks

It’s like we said about eating sugar. Once all that sugar from soft drinks has been absorbed, you’ll feel hungry again. Unfortunately, given the high caloric content of these drinks, eating more means increasing your daily calorie intake. This, of course, leads to weight gain.

Swap soda or juice for unsweetened, decaffeinated tea or even flavored water.

Thyroid Issues or Other Medical Conditions

Sometimes, your uncontrollable hunger has nothing to do with will power or lifestyle choice. Hormones drive our urges and cravings. And if you have an undiagnosed thyroid condition, it will make your metabolism go a bit wonky. This includes things like hyperactivity and feeling really hungry all the time. If you think this is the reason for feeling hungry all the time, consult a medical professional.

Why Am I Always Hungry? — Sources

EcoWatch
SuperFoodsRx
More Nutrition articles on How Life Works

Health & Beauty In-Depth

How To Qualify for Medicare

Posted on November 20, 2020November 23, 2020 by How Life Works

Medicare is a health insurance plan that benefits many people as they age, and you don’t have to be 65 to be eligible for Medicare. Here’s some info to see if you qualify at your age.

There are two main parts to Medicare — Part A and Part B. Medicare Part A helps pay for a hospital stay, limited time at a skilled nursing facility, or for hospice care and some home health care. Medicare Part B deals with medical insurance, covering doctor’s visits, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, and some preventive services. There is also supplemental Medicare coverage if you need more than what Parts A and B offer.

Medical Open Enrollment Change Medicare Plans Supplemental Medicare Insurance Medicare Plan costs

Medicare Part A Qualifications

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, you can qualify for free Medicare Part A if:

You are 65 or older.
You or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.
You receive Social Security retirement benefits or benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board.
You are eligible to receive Social Security or Railroad benefits but haven’t filed for them yet.
You or your spouse had Medicare-covered government employment.

If you’re not 65 yet you may still qualify for free Medicare Part A if:

You have been entitled to Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months.
You are a kidney dialysis or kidney transplant patient.

If you qualify for free Medicare Part A, there are no premiums, but there is still a deductible for hospital stays as well as a yearly benefit cap.

People who don’t qualify for free Medicare Part A coverage on their own can still get Medicare benefits once they turn 65, but they have to pay into them. To be eligible for this benefit you need to be 65 or older and a U.S. citizen or have been a legal resident for at least five years. The amount you would have to pay would depend on how long you have worked. The more you’ve worked, the more credits you receive which help to lower your payment.

Medical Open Enrollment Change Medicare Plans Supplemental Medicare Insurance Medicare Plan costs

Medicare Part B Qualifications

While qualifying for free Medicare Part A is pretty standard, you do have to pay a premium if you decide you want Medicare Part B coverage. This monthly premium gets deducted from your Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service Retirement check. If you don’t get any of these benefits, you pay a Medicare Part B premium bill every 3 months.

The premium for Medicare Part B is income-based, with higher earners paying more into their coverage. No one is required to take a Medicare Part B plan because they do have to pay premiums and some people just can’t afford it.

Supplemental Coverage

Medicare Supplement Insurance — often referred to as Medigap Insurance — is health insurance that can help pay some of the health care costs that Medicare doesn’t cover alone. This can include coinsurance, copayments, or deductibles. Some Medigap policies also cover emergency foreign travel expenses.

It’s important to know that neither Medicare Part A nor Part B covers prescription drugs. You can get coverage for medication through a Medicare Part D or Part C plan, but will still have out-of-pocket costs. The costs of prescription drugs are usually lower under these plans.

Medigap policies DON’T cover your costs under other types of health coverage, including Medicare Advantage Plans (like HMOs or PPOs), standalone Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, employer/union group health coverage, Medicaid, or TRICARE.

Private insurance companies sell Medigap policies. However, insurance companies generally can’t sell you a Medigap policy if you have coverage through Medicaid or a Medicare Advantage Plan. So when selecting one of these policies it’s important to know exactly what they do and don’t cover, and if you think you will need that assistance.

Signing Up for Medicare

If you receive Social Security benefits, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B at age 65. You can opt-out of Part B coverage.

The initial enrollment period for Medicare starts three months before you turn 65. You can start signing up then and have three months until after your birthday to do so. If you miss that window, there is an annual general enrollment period that lasts from January 1st to March 31st. You can enroll during this time but your coverage won’t begin until July 1st.

The easiest way to enroll in Medicare coverage is by going online to the Social Security Administration site. You can also call the Social Security office over the phone or visit your local office in person.

Medical Open Enrollment Change Medicare Plans Supplemental Medicare Insurance Medicare Plan costs

^{SOURCES

www.hhs.gov

www.aarp.org}

Health & Beauty Sponsored

Want a Healthy Heart? Stop Taking Low-Grade Fish Oils

Posted on January 27, 2020November 21, 2020 by How Life Works

Most people know that there are numerous benefits to eating fish and taking fish oil supplements, which are loaded with healthy omega-3 fatty acids. But what if the fish oil you’re taking isn’t clean, pure, or even beneficial?

First, some facts. According to WebMD, research shows that the omega-3 fatty acids found in these supplements may help to:

Lower blood pressure
Reduce triglycerides
Slow the development of plaque in the arteries
Reduce the chance of abnormal heart rhythm
Reduce the likelihood of heart attack and stroke
Lessen the chance of sudden cardiac death in people with heart disease

In short, it’s a vital aid in supporting heart health. Additional research has also shown that it can help with memory issues, joint and muscle aches, reduce inflammation, support eye health and weight loss, and can even benefit a mother and her unborn child during pregnancy.

The trouble? Not all fish oil supplements are created equal. Indeed, many of them are so highly processed and thinned out to make a profit, that they are just plain useless. But Natural Arctic Oil is the exception to that rule. A disruptor in the supplement industry, Natural Arctic Oil is a liquid supplement manufactured in the pristine Norweigen sea, away from highly-polluted warm-water environments. It contains high doses of natural omega-3 DHA and EPA, and is enriched with extra virgin olive oil and Vitamin D3, giving it the power to naturally take on some of life’s greatest health challenges.

Quality Above All Else

Unlike basic Vitamin E and fish oil pills, Natural Arctic Oil is extracted from fish within a few hours after the catch and right onboard the fishing boat. This minimizes exposure to outside air and significantly reduces the risk of oxidation, which negates the supplement’s positive effects. As a result, Natural Arctic Oil’s oxidation levels are between 6 and 8, whereas other products can be as high as 26.

This means that the highly potent Docosaexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in Natural Arctic Oil — the most important long chain Omega-3 fatty acids involved in physiological functions — are incredibly pure.

Now consider this: The CDC states that about 1 in 3 US adults has high blood pressure, which increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, the two leading causes of death in the United States. Increasing your omega-3 intake can reduce high blood pressure, but it’s difficult to get enough omega-3s in foods like fish and nuts. Pure, clean supplements like Natural Arctic Oil are the natural solution.

Fast Absorption, Great Taste, Powerful Benefits

Natural Arctic Oil comes in liquid form, so it’s easy to take and requires less processing for the body to absorb. It’s blended with a high-quality, Gold Award, Extra Virgin Olive Oil that is rich in polyphenols and powerful omega-9s.

And best of all? It doesn’t have that fishy taste of other omega-3 supplements. The olive oil combined with an added Vitamin D3 boost and citrus oils gives it a slight orange flavor that’s pleasant and easy to swallow.

Combined, Natural Arctic Oil’s ingredients have been shown to maintain healthy heart function and blood pressure, reduce feelings of muscle and joint pain, promote anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties, fight oxidative stress, and are important for serotonin synthesis, release, and brain function.

Arctic Health Solutions, the makers of Natural Arctic Oil, are so confident you’ll see fast, dramatic results from this product, that they’re offering How Life Works readers a 30% discount using coupon code HLW30 at checkout. That kind of faith, combined with the company’s high-quality production standards, shows that Natural Arctic Oil really is a one-of-a-kind product.

Click here to learn more about Natural Arctic Oil.

Learn More

Article sponsored by Natural Health Solutions
©How Life Works

The statements and claims made about this product have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (U.S.). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.

Health & Beauty Sponsored

New, Natural Supplement Has Active People Raving

Posted on January 27, 2020March 16, 2020 by How Life Works

Wow… I’m getting old.

It’s a disturbing thought, one that usually hits after an unexpected physical challenge. Maybe you’ve been unable to maintain your usual workout levels, or recovery is taking a lot longer than it used to. It could even be as simple as being more winded, or more muscle aches and pains than usual.

What’s most startling is that you aren’t “old” but, nevertheless, it’s frustrating to not feel as active as you once did.

And the issue? You might not have enough omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. These vital nutrients have been shown to help with muscle recovery, joint and muscle aches, reducing inflammation, and supporting heart health, eye health, and weight loss.

Because the benefits of omega-3s are so widely discussed, the market has been flooded with questionable fish oil supplements. Many are so highly processed and thinned out to make a profit, that they’re just plain useless. But now a group of researchers have developed a new, natural omega-3 supplement that people are flocking to, and it’s disrupting the entire industry.

Called Natural Arctic Oil, this liquid supplement is manufactured in the pristine Norweigen sea, away from highly-polluted warm-water environments. It contains high doses of natural omega-3 DHA and EPA, and is enriched with extra virgin olive oil and Vitamin D3, giving it the power to naturally take on some of life’s greatest health challenges.

High-Quality, Better Health

Unlike basic Vitamin E and fish oil pills, Natural Arctic Oil is extracted from fish within a few hours after the catch and right onboard the fishing boat. This minimizes exposure to outside air and significantly reduces the risk for oxidation, which negates the supplement’s positive effects. As a result, Natural Arctic Oil’s oxidation levels are between 6 and 8, whereas other products can be as high as 26.

Now consider this: The CDC states that about 1 in 3 US adults has high blood pressure, which increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, the two leading causes of death in the United States. Increasing your omega-3 intake can reduce high blood pressure, and consumers are discovering that pure, clean supplements like Natural Arctic Oil are the natural solution.

Fast Absorption, Great Taste, Powerful Benefits

While we can’t reverse the aging process, there are ways to feed the body and help it perform at optimum levels. Natural Arctic Oil is one solution to get you on that path. Click here to learn more.

Learn More

Article sponsored by Natural Health Solutions
©How Life Works

The statements and claims made about this product have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (U.S.). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.

Health & Beauty Sponsored

Rare Undersea Discovery Improves Mood, Memory, Muscles, and Stamina

Posted on November 23, 2019November 21, 2020 by How Life Works

Humans have made incredible health strides and are living longer than ever. Many of the maladies that struck down our ancestors have been mostly eliminated – everything from tuberculosis and polio to malaria.

Today, the biggest killers stem from our very lives — high stress levels, processed foods, and environmental elements. Some of the worst ailments are memory issues, joint and muscle aches, heart disease, and specifically high blood pressure. These are slow, but efficient killers that rob many people of what should be the last 10, 20 or 30 years of living.

Experts often suggest massive lifestyle changes — new diets and serious exercise routines — to get back on track. That’s especially difficult for busy, stressed-out Americans. And, unfortunately, people don’t often realize the true dangers until it’s too late.

Now, however, there may be a scientific breakthrough that could have an incredible, positive impact on high blood pressure and other common maladies.

Natural Arctic Oil is a liquid supplement manufactured in the pristine Norwegian sea, away from highly-polluted warm-water environments. It contains high doses of natural omega-3 DHA and EPA, and is enriched with extra virgin olive oil and Vitamin D3, giving it the power to naturally take on some of life’s greatest health challenges.

How It Works

Unlike basic Vitamin E and fish oil pills, Natural Arctic Oil is extracted from fish within a few hours after the catch and right onboard the fishing boat. This minimizes exposure to outside air and significantly reduces the risk for oxidation. In fact, Natural Arctic Oil’s oxidation levels are between 6 and 8, whereas other products can be as high as 26, negating their positive effects.

Why is that important? A growing body of evidence points to DHA as the most important omega-3 acid for growth and maintenance of good health. It plays a crucial role in our brain, eyes and central nervous system, facilitates our cells membranes to take in vital nutrition and dispose of toxins, and helps our body function at optimal levels. Likewise, the CDC states that about 1 in 3 US adults has high blood pressure, which increases the risk for heart disease and stroke, the two leading causes of death in the United States. Increasing your omega-3 intake can reduce high blood pressure, and because it’s difficult to get enough omega-3s in foods like fish and nuts, many people turn to supplements.

But that’s not the end of the story. Natural Arctic Oil is also blended with a high-quality, Gold Award, Extra Virgin Olive Oil that is rich in polyphenols and powerful omega-9s. It also contains an added Vitamin D3 boost. Together, these ingredients are known to contain anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties, fight oxidative stress, and are important for serotonin synthesis, release, and brain function.

In short, the ingredients in Natural Arctic Oil have been shown to maintain healthy heart function and blood pressure, reduce feelings of muscle and joint pain, help regulate mood and feelings of well being, and improve your body’s natural ability to remove toxins and function at optimum levels.

Click here to learn more about Natural Arctic Oil.

Learn More

Article sponsored by Natural Health Solutions
©How Life Works

Health & Beauty Sponsored

What Is the Best Non-Prescription Eyelash Enhancer?

Posted on November 14, 2019March 16, 2020 by How Life Works

Eyelash enhancers are the latest beauty trend, giving almost anyone the kind of long, beautiful lashes you only see on supermodels. Unlike false eyelashes that are laid on the eyelid, this increasingly popular method allows you to topically apply a serum to the base of your lower and upper lashes. This formula encourages the growth of longer, fuller, and darker-looking lashes without the fuss of mascara, and can even be used on sparse, thin eyebrows.

The downside? Prescription eyelash enhancers are often expensive and formulated with prostaglandin, a hormone that can cause side effects such as darkened irises (potentially irreversible) and blurred vision. No one wants to risk that, so more and more companies are developing safer, non-prescription alternatives that deliver impressive results.

NuOrganics Eyelash Serum from NuOrganics is by far the most popular of this variety. Responsibly sourced and free of harmful chemicals like parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oils, and SLS, this natural formulation helps thicken, lengthen, darken and condition eyelashes.

And best of all? Fans report seeing results in as little as 14 days without any side effects.

How It Works

NuOrganics is an innovative cosmetics company focused on finding natural beauty solutions. For eyelash enhancement, they created a plant-based stem cell serum that achieves great results without using the risky chemical compounds found in other products.

Among the active ingredients in NuOrganics Eyelash Serum is a Swiss apple stem cell culture extract. This is rich in phytonutrients and proteins, encouraging your hair to grow thicker and longer as well as cultivating healthy hair follicles. There’s also super peptide Myristoyl Pentapeptide-16 and Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, which clinical trials have shown to increase lash thickness and length by 25% in two weeks, and produce an impressive 66% increase in lash length and density in just 28 days.

Add in Biotinyl-GHK, a conditioning agent to protect and repair hair as well as help keep the hair rooted in the follicle, and an Ayurveda therapy to reduce inflammation, free radicals and glycation, and you’ve got one of the most powerful eyelash enhancers on the market today.

Read the Reviews

You can read reviews on NuOrganics Eyelash Serum and see what real customers are saying about it on the NuOrganics website. In as little as two to eight weeks, you can be seeing the supermodel results you’ve dreamed of.

And, for a limited time, How Life Works readers can save 20% off their purchase of NuOrganics Eyelash Serum with the code HLW20. Click here to try it for yourself.

Learn More

Article sponsored by NuOrganics
©How Life Works

Health & Beauty Shopping Sponsored

How CBD Is Helping Cats and Dogs

Posted on October 28, 2019March 16, 2020 by How Life Works

Whether you love dogs or cats or both, our four-legged friends can bring great joy into our lives. But they can also cause owners a lot of stress and anxiety — no matter how cute and apologetic they look after their bad behavior.

From a cuddly kitty clawing up the furniture (and guests), or a precocious puppy chewing (and peeing) on everything in sight, these little ones can try your patience. Even worse is when your furry friend is in pain — either from aging or injury — and you can’t really do anything to comfort them. It can leave an owner feeling helpless… until now.

PuppyCalm and KittyCalm are two new concentrated liquid herbal extracts (known as “tinctures”) containing cannabidiol, a.k.a. CBD. As you may know, CBD is extracted from cannabis and hemp plants. However, CBD does not contain the psychoactive ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which means it won’t make your pet high.

In humans, CBD is currently advertised as a digestive aid, analgesic, anxiety relief option, cancer inhibitor, and antipsychotic, among other things. While there are active studies underway examining its effects, there is a great deal of anecdotal evidence supporting these benefits.

Studies have shown that CBD helps dogs and cats the same way it does humans. How can this can be? Dogs and cats possess nearly identical endocannabinoid systems as human beings and reap numerous benefits from active hemp compounds such as CBD.

While there have not been extensive studies on CBDs and pets, a few drops of PuppyCalm or KittyCalm have been shown to help:

Reduce inflammation
Ease joint and muscle pain
Promote relaxation & ease anxiety
Give the immune system a boost

Made with organic hemp seed oil and hemp extract, these tinctures are non-psychoactive and contain less than 0.3% THC. Plus, they’re vegan, non-GMO, and cruelty-free.

The KittyCalm and PuppyCalm websites list dosages based on your pet’s weight. They also feature numerous testimonials from happy customers. Check them out to see if these products are right for your pet.

Health & Beauty

Facelifts: How to Get Similar Results Without Surgery

Posted on August 1, 2019November 25, 2019 by How Life Works

Movie stars get it done. Fashion models get it done. Television personalities get it done.

Many famous and fashionable people turn to facelifts in order to appear younger. While it’s true that a facelift can tighten loose skin and reduce fine wrinkles, there are many detrimental side effects and risks associated with getting a facelift. These include:

Pain. You may experience pain after getting facelift surgery.
Numbness. You may feel numb after the facelift procedure.
Swelling. Your skin may swell up after plastic surgery.
Bruising. You may have some bruising after the procedure.
Surgery Risks These include infection, adverse reaction to the anesthesia and failure to properly heal.

In addition, a facelift can be quite expensive. Recently, the average cost for a facelift (including the cost of the plastic surgeons fee, operating room, and anesthesia) was found to be between five and eight thousand dollars. That is not exactly friendly to your wallet!

When you consider all of the risks and possible side effects, getting a facelift can be a daunting and somewhat frightening proposition.

Therefore, it’s not surprising that skin care companies are working hard to develop alternatives to face lift surgery, and some are starting to have remarkable results

One such alternative the 24-Hour Age-Defying Face Therapy from IQDerma. Consisting of two products, Skintensive xCel and RestorEyes, the 24-Hour system fights all the major symptoms that create the illusion of aging: lines, wrinkles, age spots, discoloration and creases on the skin. It also fights dark circles, crow’s feet, and puffiness under the eyes.

IQDerma has a long history of scientific anti-aging innovation and this product incorporates the latest and best. Hyaluronic acid, marine collagen, and powerful peptides come together to create a powerful weapon against aging.

Best of all, IQDerma also delivers results fast. Its extensive clinical trials show the product works in just minutes. In a six-week independent study on the effectiveness of the system, 84% of participants saw plumping of facial lines and wrinkles within 15 minutes of use and 79% saw a lifting effect in facial skin within 15 minutes.

More than 85% of study participants saw a reduction in the appearance of crow’s feet and black circles. Results like these are very hard to come by without expensive procedures and injections.

Surgery-like results from a topical skin care kit – too good to be true? IQDerma is so sure the product will deliver that they are currently offering a free trial so that people can see the effectiveness before having to pay for the product.

Learn more at IqDerma.com

Health & Beauty

How to Avoid Migraines Before They Hit

Posted on April 25, 2019November 21, 2020 by How Life Works

By Dr. Scott Saunders

Anyone who has suffered from a migraine knows it isn’t just an intense headache; it’s a debilitating health issue that affects over 10 percent of the world’s population. And anyone who suffers from chronic migraines knows the struggles of preventing and treating each migraine that hits.

But what if you could treat and prevent migraines through a few simple life changes? What if, instead of treating migraines with medicines that knock you out or overload your body with caffeine, you had safe, healthy, and effective alternatives?

It is possible. The first step is understanding the complexity of migraines and the limits of the treatments available to you. Then, you must learn about the simple life changes you can make and how their benefits to your body and mind far surpass those of “modern” remedies.

Understanding Migraines
Migraines are not ordinary headaches. Migraines affect the autonomic nervous system, which regulates most of the other systems in your body and controls things like your blood pressure and temperature. A migraine often occurs when the blood vessels that feed your brain constrict, causing things to stop working as they should. This results in symptoms like intense pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, vision changes, light and sound sensitivity, and other neurological symptoms.

Migraines can be triggered by many different things, but common triggers include chemical stimulants — like caffeine, chocolate, coffee, energy drinks, teas, sugar, or any food to which one is sensitive — excessive stress, overstimulation from too much exercise, insomnia, excessive noise, alcohol, drugs (legal and illegal), and infections from illnesses. Triggers can be difficult to pinpoint, as they usually differ from person to person.

“Modern” Migraine Treatments
Ironically, many common migraine treatments include some of the very things that trigger migraines, like caffeine. Caffeine has been used as a migraine treatment for years, and it’s an active ingredient in name-brand migraine pain relievers. Some sufferers find relief using different sedatives, which cause the migraine sufferer to sleep off his or her pain. Another “modern” treatment is ergot alkaloids, which are very toxic and affect the body’s nervous system.

Additional medications are then used to try to prevent migraines before their onset, which include blood pressure medication, seizure medication — to bring stability to the autonomic nervous system — and tranquilizers. In the end, migraine sufferers are faced with the cost of taking multiple medications, as well as dealing with side effects, such as drowsiness and weight gain, which are the result of many common treatments.

Migraine Solutions That Can Also Work
Certain lifestyle changes are shown to be as — or more — effective in treating and preventing migraines. These changes are completely within your control, do not require a doctor visit or prescription medication (thereby saving you time and money), and can improve your overall health as well. Here are four changes you can begin implementing today:

1) Supplements

A popular herbal formula containing magnesium, feverfew, and vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is found to oftentimes be better at preventing migraines than the prescription medications currently available. Introducing these supplements in your daily routine could help keep even chronic migraines at bay.

2) Exercise

One study looked at 26 migraine sufferers, who participated in cycling exercises during a 12-week trial period. During that time, there was only one migraine occurrence. Overall, the participants showed an improvement in fitness and suffered fewer migraines.

3) Stress Reduction

Stress reduction techniques are found to be as effective as exercise and medication in decreasing migraines. In one of the most thorough studies on migraine treatment and prevention, researchers in Sweden randomly split 91 migraine sufferers into three groups. The first group exercised for 40 minutes, three times per week. The second group was given a drug to help prevent migraines. The third group used relaxation techniques to reduce their stress and prevent the onset of migraines. All three groups showed an equal decrease in migraines by the end of the trial period.

4) Diet

Avoiding triggers is an effective and fairly easy way to prevent migraines. Eliminating common triggers like sugar, soda, caffeinated beverages, and MSG is a great starting point. Those who don’t get excellent results by avoiding these stimulants should try an “elimination diet,” which involves eliminating all potential triggers. Then, after being migraine-free for a week, slowly reintroducing each food or drink, one at a time. The individual’s true triggers will cause migraines to return.

Migraines may be a complex and debilitating issue for many people, but they don’t have to control your life. You need not live in fear of the next onset or worry that your medication may not be effective against your migraine’s powerful symptoms. Simply changing a few aspects of your lifestyle — like diet, exercise, stress reduction, and supplementation — can allow you to regain control over migraines and win the battle over pain.

Dr. Scott Saunders is the Health and Nutrition Advisor of Barton Publishing, a company that promotes natural health through teaching people how to cure themselves using alternative home remedies instead of expensive and harmful prescription drugs. Saunders is the director of The Integrative Medicine Center of Santa Barbara, which balances conventional medicine with alternative healing modalities to achieve optimal wellness.

Health & Beauty Travel

How to Conquer a Fear of Flying

Posted on April 24, 2019November 21, 2020 by How Life Works

For millions of Americans the idea of getting on a plane and flying is one of the most scary imaginable. People all over the world struggle with this fear, which recent studies ranked number three on the list of the top ten phobias.

Statistically speaking, flying is 29 times safer than traveling in a car. Thousands of flights safely and routinely take off and land at airports around the globe every day. Yet fear of flying still strikes millions.

There are many homemade remedies that frightened travelers have concocted to help them survive a flight.

Most include either alcohol or over the counter sleep aids that allow the traveler to sleep their way through the anxiety of a trip. There is a better way to conquer your fear of flying. Psychologists have identified the four most common thought patterns in people who fear flying, and provided some techniques to combat them:

Rumination: This is when you obsess about how bad the situation is, dwelling on your fears. Psychologists say the best way to combat this type of thinking is to find something positive about the experience, no matter how small, and refocus your thinking on that thing. It could be the nice view out your window or the movie being shown. Whatever it is, moving your thoughts outside the situation can help calm your anxiety.

Self-blame: This is when the person focuses on their failures and allows them to feed into their fear. In this case, it might involve chastising one’s self for being afraid of flying. The best way to combat self-blame? Remind yourself that you are achieving an incredible breakthrough by taking the trip, and that progress is a slow and steady process.

Resignation: This is when a person allows themselves to feel hopelessly out of control of the environment around them. This creates a mindset where the person can feel paralyzed with fear, unable to relax. The best way to combat this type of fear is to re-affirm that you do have control of the situation. You can control things like your breathing and use muscular relaxation techniques to relieve stress.

Catastrophizing: This term refers to fear that causes a person to envision how bad the situation is or could become. Those who are afraid to fly often say this is the most common type of thought, imagining a disaster that is statistically almost impossible. The best way to combat this type of fear is acknowledge your fear and challenge it. Remind yourself of another time where you faced up to something that scared you or stood tall in the face of a problem. Challenge yourself to conquer this fear just as you did another before it.

Flying is statistically the safest means of travel, so don’t let your fears stand in the way of your life and getting where you want to go.

Health & Beauty

Exercise “As Good As Medicines” In Treating Heart Disease

Posted on April 14, 2019November 21, 2020 by How Life Works

By Kate Kelland

LONDON (Reuters) – Exercise may be just as good as medication to treat heart disease and should be included as a comparison when new drugs are being developed and tested, scientists said on Wednesday.

In a large review published in the British Medical Journal, researchers from Britain’s London School of Economics and Harvard and Stanforduniversities in the United States found no statistically detectable differences between exercise and drugs for patients with coronary heart disease or prediabetes, when a person shows symptoms that may develop into full-blown diabetes.

For patients recovering from stroke, the review – which analyzed the results of 305 studies covering almost 340,000 participants – found that exercise was more effective than drug treatment.

Cardiovascular disease is the world’s number one killer, leading to at least 17 million deaths a year.

“In cases where drug options provide only modest benefit, patients deserve to understand the relative impact that physical activity might have on their condition,” the researchers wrote.

The review also said the amount of trial evidence on the health benefits of exercise is considerably smaller than that on drugs, which the scientists said may have had an impact on their results.

They argued that this “blind spot” over exercise in scientific evidence “prevents prescribers and their patients from understanding the clinical circumstances where drugs might provide only modest improvement but exercise could yield more profound or sustainable gains”.

The review adds to a large body of evidence showing that regular exercise is key to human health.

According to the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO), physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality, causing an estimated 3.2 million deaths around the world each year.

The WHO says regular moderate intensity physical activity – such as walking, cycling or participating in sports – can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, colon and breast cancer, and depression, as well as cutting the risk of bone fractures and helping to control body weight.

In the United States, where health experts estimate half of adults will be obese by 2030 unless lifestyle habits change, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says less than 48 percent of adults exercise enough to improve their health.

(Editing by Elizabeth Piper)

HLW Note: Supplements can also help reduce blood pressure and heart disease.

Health & Beauty

How To Lose an Unwanted Tattoo

Posted on April 10, 2019November 21, 2020 by How Life Works

Many people love their tattoos and are proud to show them off. Others, due to new relationships, family situations or career aspirations or other reasons, find themselves regretting the decision to get one or more tattoos.

If you're one of these people, you're not alone. The American Academy of Dermatologists estimates that 20% of adults with tattoos would like to get one or more of them removed. Other estimates are as high as 50%.

Until recently there were several methods for removing tattoos, none of them particularly appealing. Some of the more unpleasant approaches included sand abrasion – literally sandpapering the skin, and incisions – surgically removing the tattooed portion of the skin. Fortunately, over the recent past, laser and light pulse removal technologies have evolved in their effectiveness to a point where they have replaced most other methods.

Tattoos are meant to be permanent – so it's no wonder that they are difficult to remove. Even the most effective laser removal methods will leave a slight scar or discoloration of the skin where the Tattoo once appeared, although in most cases this will become invisible after a year or so.

What you need to know:

Laser and light removal systems use a focused laser or light pulse directed at the color pigment of the tattoo which lies below the surface of the skin. Different laser frequencies will be used for different colors. Once the pigment is broken up this way, the body then re-absorbs the ink particles and they are expelled harmlessly.

Tattoo laser removal can be costly. A large, colorful tattoo can cost several thousand dollars to remove. Smaller tattoos are less and many dermatologists offer financing to help with the cost.

Depending on the size and colors of the tattoo, up to 10 sessions may be required to complete the removal process. The process is broken up in order to allow the skin to heal between sessions.

Laser removal can be painful; however, your dermatologist can provide skin anesthetic to alleviate the discomfort.

Fading Crèmes:

Several companies also advertise tattoo removal crèmes and balms that can be applied at home. The benefit of these is that they don't require multiple visits to the dermatologist and their cost is significantly lower that laser and light treatments.

The downside is that there is little scientific evidence for their effectiveness, and even when they do achieve some reported fading of the tattoo, it generally takes many months. If you opt to try one of these fading crèmes, our recommendation is to ensure that the product has a money back guarantee in the event you are not satisfied with the results.

Health & Beauty In-Depth

How To Qualify for Medicare

Posted on November 17, 2018November 23, 2020 by How Life Works

Medicare is a health insurance plan that benefits many people as they age, and you don’t have to be 65 to be eligible for Medicare. Here’s some info to see if you qualify at your age.

Medical Open Enrollment Change Medicare Plans Supplemental Medicare Insurance Medicare Plan costs

Medicare Part A Qualifications

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, you can qualify for free Medicare Part A if:

You are 65 or older.
You or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.
You receive Social Security retirement benefits or benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board.
You are eligible to receive Social Security or Railroad benefits but haven’t filed for them yet.
You or your spouse had Medicare-covered government employment.

If you’re not 65 yet you may still qualify for free Medicare Part A if:

You have been entitled to Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months.
You are a kidney dialysis or kidney transplant patient.

If you qualify for free Medicare Part A, there are no premiums, but there is still a deductible for hospital stays as well as a yearly benefit cap.