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LIVE WELL

Woman in white clothes sleeping on a bed.
 by Mayank

Resveralife Live Well: How to Prevent Sleep Wrinkles

We all know that getting our beauty sleep is important. The amount of restful sleep that we get not only impacts how our faces, particularly those pesky under eyes, look and feel the next morning, but good sleep patterns improve mental clarity, increase energy levels and help maintain overall health. Though sometimes when we sleep, which is a good thing for our bodies, our faces and necks are negatively impacted. Sleep wrinkles are totally unfair and, fortunately, preventable. Learn how you can help prevent sleep wrinkles using our super easy tips.

Woman in white clothes sleeping on her back.

How you Sleep Matters
Experts agree that the most beneficial sleeping position for preventing wrinkles is your back. Sleeping on your back is really the only way to completely avoid sleep lines and the resulting wrinkles because when you sleep on your back there is no facial contact with your pillow. On average, you will change your position 20 times during the course of a night’s sleep and statistics indicate that 60% of your night is spent on your side. Sleeping on your back may be uncomfortable at first, but making an attempt to sleep on your back is a great method for reducing sleeping wrinkles. Doctors do warn that sleeping on your back may aggravate certain medical conditions like acid reflux or sleep apnea and in these instances it’s best to talk to your doctor to find out how to avoid wrinkles and sleep soundly.

Woman in mink underwear lying on a pink pillow.

What you Sleep on Matters
Beauty experts have long touted the multiple benefits of using a satin pillow case for sleep. These benefits include less tangled and healthier hair and clearer skin. Now you can add that a pillow case can be helpful in the fight against wrinkles. When you use a satin pillow case, there is less friction between your face and the pillow, which helps stop the fabric from bunching up when you inevitably move around during the night. The less the fabric bunches up, the more likely you are to help prevent sleep wrinkles.

Business woman resting after a tiring day at work.

Prep Your Skin
You know you should remove any and all makeup prior to hitting the sheets, but you may think you can get away with skipping washing your face if you aren’t wearing makeup. Not true. Experts recommend always going to bed with a clean face. While everyone can benefit from this next step, it is especially important for mature or aging skin. A night cream can help prevent sleep wrinkles by rejuvenating your skin and helping to repair skin damage. The reason that this is particularly important for aging skin is that as we age our collagen production slows down, which decreases the skin’s elasticity. Additionally, the older we get the less natural oil our skin produces and dry skin exaggerates wrinkles.

In addition to these tips, experts also recommend avoiding caffeine or alcohol before bed. Both of these substances dry out the skin and make your wrinkles appear more prominent after a night of sleep. We all know that there is no way to keep our skin from aging, but with a bit of extra care we can help delay the signs and severity of aging, such as sleep wrinkles.

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Child painting different colors on a sheet of paper.
 by Mayank

Resveralife Live Well: Can Colors Help You Lose Weight?

Think you’ve tried absolutely everything to lose weight? It might be time to reconsider. You know that the key to sustained weight loss is a sensible, healthy diet and regular exercise. However, perhaps you want a bit of a jump start on your weight loss or you want to lose those stubborn last five pounds. New research indicates that the color of your plate and food may help you reach your weight loss goals. This Resveralife Live Well Guide shows you how colors can help you to lose weight.

Woman enjoying a color therapy session in her bath.

Color Therapy
Color therapy, also known as chromotherapy, has been acknowledged for centuries as a way of healing the body. The National Center for Biotechnology Information provides a cursory view of the hypothesis behind chromotherapy:  “The human body, according to the doctrine of chromotherapy, is basically composed of colors. The body comes into existence from colors, the body is stimulated by colors and colors are responsible for the correct working of various systems that function in the body.” Every organ in the body has a distinct color. In addition to our body being composed of color, the atoms, cells and organs co-exist in the form of energy, and each has its vibrational or frequency energy. Each organ and energy center harmonizes and vibrates with the frequencies of these colors.

Exotic image of a food dish with red tomatoes and greens in the background.

Why Color Matters to Your Waistline
Okay, so our bodies are a veritable rainbow of frequencies and energies, but what does that have to do with losing weight? Researchers suggest that colors create fields of energy or electric currents that activate hormonal and biochemical processes in the human body. Some colors are more likely to increase our appetite while others decrease our appetite. So what colors help your weight loss quest and which ones can be harmful? According to ColorMatters, “blue is an appetite suppressant.” Experts theorize that this is because blue is not a common color of natural foods. With the exception of blueberries and some types of potatoes, there are very little naturally occurring blue foods. Because of this, experts believe that we are less likely to associate blue with hunger. To use the color blue to your advantage experts recommend a few tricks.

  • Add blue food dye to your food to decrease the amount you ingest.
  • Swap the light bulbs in your fridge to blue ones. This will help decrease your desire to snack when you open the doors.
  • Use a blue plate for your meals.

The color most likely to derail your progress is red. Red increases your appetite, so get rid of red dishes or placemats and use the more mellow color of blue. It is worth noting that red also increases metabolism as well as appetite, so it can be useful when used properly. Consider using red water as a tool in your healthy eating routine. The LiveStrong organization suggests making red solarized water by “wrapping a clear glass with red cellophane paper and putting the glass in the sunlight. After a few hours, the water will be energized with the color red and ready to drink.” Using color therapy may just be the trick you need to help you with your weight loss mission.

If you aren’t quite ready to jump into dyeing your food blue, you can still use color to your advantage in the kitchen. Use plates that contrast highly with the food that you are eating to help you be more satisfied with less food. For instance, keep salads away from green plates and spaghetti dishes away from red. Picking a plate that contrasts with your food can be a great start to using color to help you lose weight.

 

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Couple exercising in the park,.
 by Mayank

Benefits of Outdoor Activity

The weather is warming up and the sun is shining brightly on lawns that are once again green and flowers that are in bloom. Unfortunately, most of us aren’t using this weather to our advantage. Many Americans are not participating in regular exercise and some people use the excuse that they aren’t comfortable at an indoor gym. Worry no more because Resveralife found out that taking the exercises outdoors can provide benefits that you just can’t get from an indoor gym.

Works Both Mind and Body
You know that exercise benefits your body and if you keep with a routine you are able to see physical proof that your hard work is paying off. However, you may be unaware of all of the added perks exercising outdoors provides to your mental health. A study published by the National Center for Biotechnology suggests that individuals who run outdoors expend more energy than those using a treadmill indoors. The reason for this is that when you run outdoors, you face elements that a treadmill cannot give you such as resistance from a strong wind. Exercising outdoors gives you more challenges and is more strenuous than workouts at your indoor gym and the more energy you exert, the more calories you burn, the easier it is to get in shape.

As mentioned above, the results of exercise are not limited to your outward appearance. One of the greatest outdoor workout extra is the effect it has on your mental health. Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry conducted a study using 800 participants. The results were incredibly positive. Those that exercised outdoors reported increased vitality and memory and a decreased number of negative feelings. Outdoor exercise was proved to lower feelings of anger, depression and tension while a traditional indoor workout session did not result in the same benefits. Additionally, a study in Quebec, Canada by Isabelle Dione suggests that when people exercise outdoors, they are more likely to work out for a longer period of time than those exercising indoors. The constant change of scenery and the beauty of nature eliminate the monotony of staring at your screen or display on the treadmill.

Added Benefits of Sunshine
Calcium is a necessary nutrient to build, and maintain, strong bones. Vitamin D3 is an important factor for both bone health and metabolic function and you can get plenty of D3 by taking your exercises outdoors as sunshine is great provider of vitamin D3. However, there are more benefits to receiving sunlight than getting vitamins and a possible tan. Exposure to sunlight during the day helps your body sleep better at night, increase endorphins and strengthen your immune functions.

Woman exercising in the gym.

Better Than Your Gym
A gym membership is a great thing to have during the winter when it is too cold to take your exercise outside. But once the weather warms up, working out in the great outdoors saves you money. If possible, invest in a six month gym membership and exercise outdoors whenever you have the opportunity. The only costs you incur from exercise when heading outdoors are items that  are most likely already in your home, such as a pair of well-fitting shoes, exercise gear that can handle outdoor weather, and sunscreen. You can also use your favorite mp3 player and playlist to get you more motivated outdoors.

In addition to getting your cardio in outdoors, you can also practice exercises designed to gain strength and build muscle. A park bench is a wonderful and useful item for an outdoor workout. Use it for push-ups, mountain climbers and tricep dips. A little bit of creativity with your outdoor workout not only keeps you challenged, but it provides you with the bonus of increased health from being outside. Lace up your shoes and slather on some sunscreen and enjoy a healthier, stronger way of living.

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Couple exercising in a park.
 by Mayank

Resveralife Live Well: Best Outdoor Exercises

The sun is shining bright, the grass is turning green once again and the birds are chirping happy songs. It’s spring. Most people look forward to heading outdoors as soon as the weather is nice enough. Make your outdoor time do double duty by planning not just to get some fresh air and vitamin D, but a total body workout as well. This Resveralife Live Well Guide highlights the best moves that will work your entire body while you enjoy the refreshing and invigorating spring weather.

Woman jogging in a park.

Walk/Jog/Run
A simple walk around your neighborhood or along a local hiking trail help you to get in shape. You most likely know that walking/jogging/running is great to help shed pounds and burn calories, but you may not be aware that there are significant benefits to your mind as well. During cardiovascular exercise, your heart pumps blood to other organs in your body. One of these organs is the brain. The oxygen and other nutrients can improve your clarity, mood and memory. As little as 30 minutes is all it takes to get enhanced brain power.

Woman performing push-ups on a park bench.

Park Bench Push-Ups
Work the arms, chest and core with a twist on the classic push-up. Begin by placing your hands on the edge of the park bench and walk your feet out. Stop when your legs are fully extended. Bend your arms and lower your chest. Repeat 10 times. Beginners may want to stick with three reps, while those with a bit more strength may complete as many as 10 reps.

Woman using a park bench for tricep dips.

Park Bench Tricep Dips
Tricep dips work the arms, specifically as the name suggests, the triceps. Begin by sitting on the bench and placing your arms firmly behind you shoulder-width apart. When your arms are in place, slide off of the park bench and slide forward. Some prefer to fully extend their legs while completing this exercise while others find it more beneficial to keep the knees bent. Straighten your arms then bend your elbows and entire lower body until the elbows reach a 90 degree angle. Push yourself back up and that counts as one rep. Aim for two to three sets of 15 reps each.

Woman doing mountain climbing exercise on a park bench.

Park Bench Mountain Climbers
Take a twist on regular mountain climbers and use the park bench to support your weight. Begin in the same position you would for a park bench push-up with your palms on the park bench and your legs fully extended. From this position bring your knees to your chest switching legs each rep. You can repeat sets by the number you choose (15 complete climbers is a great place to start) or simply do this as a timed exercise and spending about 30 seconds per set.

Getting outside and into nature helps so much more than your body. Strengthen your body, and mind, by getting out of the gym and into the fresh air. As an added bonus, your daily dose of vitamin D helps you strengthen bones naturally as you strengthen your muscles. If it’s been a while since you last exercised, it is a good idea to consult with your doctor to make sure that you get in shape in a safe and healthy way.

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Woman reading a book in a park.
 by Mayank

National Poetry Month and Our Favorite Authors

Since 1996 the Academy or American Poets has recognized April as National Poetry Month. It is observed by writers of all genres, libraries, students and publishers among others in the literary world. While many of the individuals that celebrate National Poetry Month are in some way related to the literature, you don’t have to be a writer to enjoy and be a part of National Poetry Month. If you want to participate in National Poetry Month, it is as easy to walking to your bookcase or heading to your local library. For a variety of poets to check out, here are some of Resveralife’s absolute favorite poets and authors.

Maya Angelou
This American born poet has made a number of significant contributions to the world of arts. Her talents include writing not only poetry, but also writing songs and screenplays. Maya Angelou is a very well-known civil rights activist. One of her most famous poems, and a great one to read for National Poetry Month, is “I know why the caged bird sings.”

Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman was both an author and a teacher. Walt wrote poems that are difficult to fit into popular poetic measure and they are truly their own unique works. An incredibly well known and referenced poem by Walt Whitman is “O Captain! My Captain!”

Slyvia Plath
Slyvia Plath is one of the most renowned poets in the world. She wrote her entire life and published her first poem at the young age of eight. Her most notable work is generally thought to be her novel, “The Bell Jar,” however, she was indeed an accomplished poet. Plath chronicled her existence and struggles through poems such as “Mad Girl’s Love Song,” “Three Women” and “Southern Sunrise.”

Allen Ginsberg
One of the founders of the “Beat Movement,” Ginsberg fell in love with poetry in high school when his teacher read “Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman. Ginsberg was an active protester of the Vietnam War and wrote poetry that was truly art. He wrote a lengthy autobiographical poem titled “Kaddish.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson
Emerson was one of the original American philosopher and writer and was ordained as a minister in 1829. The works of Emerson are many and are considered to be incredibly important and influential. His poems include “Fate,” “Ode to Beauty” and “Loss and Gain.”

Though these poets are some of the most accomplished and acclaimed American poets, there are endless authors from which to choose from. Poetry can be daunting for some, but National Poetry Month is all about making poetry more accessible. Resveralife recommends you to read until you find what you like. Think of things that caught your attention as a child; maybe you loved “Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein. Maybe you connected with romantic poets like Pablo Neruda. Spend some time in April reading the works of well-known and fledgling poets until you discover literature you love. If you feel extra inspired, write some of your own poetry. Take some time in April to appreciate the beauty that is poetry.

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Woman examines her wrinkles in the mirror.
 by Mayank

Skin Care Science: Can the Aging Process Really be Slowed?

It is a fact that we are living longer than ever before in history. The National Institute on Aging states:  “In 1970, the average life expectancy at birth in the United States was 70.8 years; in 2008, it was 78 years; and by 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau projects life expectancy will reach 79.5 years.” Not only are we living longer, but our quality of life is steadily improving. Chronic illnesses, diseases and disabilities that were once considered an inevitable part of the aging process are becoming less significant and more manageable. The truth is that aging itself is inevitable, but Resveralife tries to show you ways to slow signs and symptoms of the aging process.

Picture of natural antioxidants such as fruits and vegetables.

Antioxidants
One of the most talked about areas of health today is the importance of antioxidants. Antioxidants help to protect the body against damage from environment such as free-radicals. Antioxidants are not only beneficial to physical health, but also to the appearance of skin and body. Fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants and there is research that suggests that increasing the intake of of fresh produce can have a decidedly positive effect on health.

A pen drawing the chemical formula of estrogen.

Hormones
Hormones are an important component of much of our lives. As children hormones help us grow into our teenage years. Hormones are largely responsible for other bodily changes, such as menopause.  When we reach older age, the level of hormones in our bodies begins to decline, though experts are not quite sure why this happens. There is a story regarding hormones:  once hormones are replenished in the body the experience of aging is drastically altered. People who have used hormone therapies say that they experience life as they did when they were young and some go so far as to claim that hormone therapies have slowed their aging. There is little research to support that hormones act as a veritable “fountain of youth.” Because there are multiple theories regarding hormone therapies, experts suggest taking supplements or medications that are prescribed by a physician only.

Woman in white holding a glass of red wine.

Reservatrol
Reservatrol is a compound that can be found in grapes, red wines and nuts. While the idea of drinking some Chianti and grabbing a handful of peanuts to combat aging is desirable, the reality is a little more complex than this. The National Institutes on Health cites a study by a staff member at Harvard Medical School that does indeed point to the fact that reservatrol affects the mitochondria, the portion of the cell responsible for energy. The research demonstrated that reservatrol does activate enzymes known as sirtuins. While red wine in moderation may help to slow aging, it is best to consult a doctor prior to beginning reservatrol supplements. That being said, the ideal way of making the best use of resveratrol is to use for skin products that contain this anti-aging ingredient.

The most effective way to slow aging is to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. A diet full of whole grains, fresh produce and lean meats and dairy products will provide the necessary vitamins and nutrients needed for a healthy, strong body. A proper skin care routine will protect your skin from accelerated aging and free radical damage. Moderate exercise for 20 to 30 minutes five times a week also keeps the muscles strong. While the aging process can be slowed, it is going to happen. Aging gracefully always includes a healthy diet, proper skin care, strong body and sense of humor.

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Beautiful woman sleeping peacefully on a pillow
 by Mayank

Resveralife Live Well: Find the Perfect Pillow for Your Best Rest

You know how important it is to your health that you get a quality sleep each night. However, you might be surprised to learn that there are more factors at play than your bedtime and the amount of caffeine you’ve consumed during the day. You probably are aware that a good mattress is helpful, but you may not know that the pillow you choose is just as important as the mattress you sleep on. The perfect pillow for you helps to increase your sleep quality and comfort while a bad pillow can worsen headaches, neck and shoulder pain and general discomfort in addition to detracting from the amount of rest you receive.

The perfect pillow is different for everyone, but your perfect pillow should provide comfortable support for your head and neck. Additionally, the right pillow for you should enhance the position in which you choose to sleep without losing fluffiness or shape too quickly. Resveralife reviews a few guidelines to consider when choosing the perfect pillow for you.

Consider Sleep Position
Next, consider what position or positions you sleep in most frequently. If you sleep on your back, you will want to look for a pillow with exceptional head and neck support. Most back sleepers also find that they need thinner pillows than those that sleep on their sides. If you are a side sleeper, you will want a more firm pillow that fills in the distance between your ear and shoulder. If you sleep on your stomach, experts say you may not even need a pillow behind your head, though one under your stomach can help lessen back pain.

Age Matters
The first thing to consider is how old your current pillows are. You may have kept the same pillows for years, but sleep and health experts suggest replacing your pillows every 12 to 18 months. As a pillow ages, the amount of skin cells, mold, mildew, fungus and dust mites dramatically increases. In fact, in old pillows, these things can amount to half of the pillow’s weight. No wonder you aren’t getting good sleep.

Pillow Fill Matters
Experts say that pillow fill is where selecting the perfect pillow can get a bit tricky. This is because what feels comfortable one night may not feel comfortable the next. Sleep experts recommend having at least two varieties of pillows available so you can use the pillow that is most comfortable for that night. The most commonly used fill in pillows include down feathers, foam and synthetic fibers. Many experts say that the extra cost of pillows filled with down feathers is worth it and that down filled pillows provide the most comfort for a great night’s sleep.

The perfect pillow is an individual choice so be sure to spend time shopping around and learning about your options. Also, as previously mentioned, it may be worth it to invest in two or three different pillows so you can always sleep according to your exact needs that evening. Find the perfect pillow and experience the health and mood benefits of an amazing night’s sleep.

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Woman cleaning the floor and having a nice time.
 by Mayank

Spring Cleaning Tips

The weather is getting a bit warmer, the sunshine is lasting a bit longer each day and the feeling of renewed freshness is in the air. Yes, spring is just nearly upon us. Most of us are excited to welcome the change from winter to spring and relish pulling out our lighter jackets, flirty florals and colorful wardrobe. However, for most of us the beginning of spring is not just about switching our wardrobes from winter to spring and getting outside more often. Many of us take up the annual task of spring cleaning. Whether this is done in one marathon day or broken into several days, the resulting clean, de-cluttered home is well worth the effort. But getting from idea to action can be a bit overwhelming. Resveralife has compiled five of the best spring cleaning tips to help get you motivated and sane during the great cleanup.

Start with Smaller Tasks
Even for the cleanest of homes, the idea of doing a complete spring cleaning can be a bit stressful. Cleaning and organization experts suggest that starting small can help. Before delving deeply into any one room, grab a laundry basket (or other container) and head into each room. Spend five to 10 minutes in each room locating items that do not belong there. A roller skate in the bathroom or water glasses filling a bedside table are examples of items that need to be relocated. Once you’ve collected everything into the basket, spend time putting the items where they really belong. You’ll be surprised at how much better you feel after just this task.

Time Yourself
Business experts suggest that employees work steadily for 50 minutes out of each hour and then take 10 to recharge. For some, this rule can be beneficial during spring cleaning. Knowing that you only have 20 more minutes left can help you push through when you feel like quitting. If you prefer to work straight through with no breaks, cleaning experts say that the act of timing tasks can help make you feel less resentful. Many spring cleaning chores can be achieved in 10 minute or less bursts of cleaning, and knowing this makes the idea of getting to the whole house a bit less overwhelming.

Stop Messes Before they Start
Using a broom to clean the dirt..
It can be easy to talk ourselves into the mindset that “it’s only going to get messed up again so why bother?” Don’t let this trap you. Tackling the mess and clutter while spring cleaning can help inspire ways to keep things a bit more organized. First, designate two containers in the home for a lost and found. Small items go into a smaller container, while large items head into large ones. This is particularly useful for kid items such as gloves, building blocks or toy accessories that are commonly lost. If you don’t have a mudroom or other organizational items near the front of your home, mounting a few items can help keep clutter from the floor. Keep a shoe rack near the door for those family members that always lose one shoe at the last minute. Mount a cute magazine rack to collect mail that you aren’t sure whether to keep or toss and keep another lost and found tub here for things that may have missed the other lost and found boxes in the home.

Clean in Order
When it comes to cleaning, experts recommend always conquering tasks that are higher up than those close to the ground. The reasoning behind it is pretty sound. If you clean high, then anything that hits the floor will still get cleaned without you having to repeat your work. This piece of advice works for any room in the house that requires dusting or sweeping (pretty much every room). When you head to the bedroom, start by simply making the bed. Experts suggest that doing this act every single day helps keep your bedroom looking better. Each person has his or her preferred method of which room to attack and when, so pick the room you’re most excited to clean and start there.

Cleaning out the Closet
Woman cleaning her wardrobe for spring.
One of the most daunting chores when spring cleaning is the task of going through the closets. Here are some handy tips to help you tackle this task:

  • Gather items that are in the same category (sweaters and cardigans, blouses, work pants or jeans, etc…) and go through them by category. This helps you to see how much stuff you actually do have, which makes parting with some of it easier.
  • Remove any items for your closet, or your the closets of your kids, that haven’t been worn in a year. These items go immediately to donation bins without a second thought.
  • Get rid of things that no longer fit or that are beyond repair.
  • Resolve to put laundry away at least weekly. This not only helps keep your house cleaner, but it also makes getting ready in the morning quicker. When you know where everything is, you don’t have to spend time clawing through piles of laundry.

Make spring cleaning a welcome task. Think of it as renewing and awakening your home to the possibilities of spring. With a little upkeep each day, the next time you have to do a deep clean, you won’t be so overwhelmed and your home will enjoy a flawless finish.

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Group of women having fun and drinking wine
 by Mayank

Celebrating International Women's Day

Annually on March 8th, the achievements and advancement of women is celebrated through International Women’s Day. Each year there is a specific theme for International Women’s Day that defines the event. The International Women’s Day theme for 2015 is “Make it Happen.” Though the theme changes from year to year, the aims of International Women’s Day are the same. United Nations Women Watch states of International Women’s Day:  “It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women.”

International Women’s Day has been an event for women’s equality since it’s inception in 1911. However, the roots of the movement go back to 1908. Across much of North America and Europe, the turn of the twentieth century saw labor movements engaging in activities such as strikes to improve working conditions. One such event was the garment workers strike in New York in 1908. In an act of solidarity, the Socialist Party of America designated the 28th of February 1909 as National Woman’s Day. The following year, in 1910, the Socialist International “established a Women’s Day, international in character, to honor the movement for women‘s rights and to build support for achieving universal suffrage for women.” It was not until 1975 that International Women’s Day was celebrated by the United Nations on March 8th.

This year on International Women’s Day, we are all urged to celebrate women’s achievements while calling for gender equality. With the theme #MakeItHappen, International Women’s Day 2015 is a time for all of us to reflect upon all of the progress that has been made for women’s rights and gender equality, and to look to the future by calling for changes in the present and future that will close the gender gap.

There are multiple ways to show support for International Women’s Day. One of the easiest ways to celebrate the acts of courage by ordinary women that had extraordinary roles in the history of women is to wear purple on March 8th. The #PaintItPurple campaign dates once again to 1908. The Women’s Social and Political Union in Great Britain adopted the colors purple, green and white to symbolize the cause of the Suffragettes. Purple was used specifically for it’s symbolism of justice and dignity, two things central to the women’s equality movement.

In addition to wearing purple, consider using social media to further spread the word and celebrate women. Change profile pictures, post photos or images in purple and use the hashtag #PaintItPurple to bring awareness to International Women’s Day. Show support by blogging, tweeting or Instagramming the message of gender equality and celebration of women. Other ways to celebrate include hosting International Women’s Day events locally, uploading content such as videos that educate people on gender equality and the plight of women or making a donation to a women’s charity. However it is celebrated, International Women’s Day is a day designated to celebrating all of the past achievements and struggles faced by women while looking forward to the immense potential of a future that treats women as equals.

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Peanuts, grapes and dark chocolate
 by Mayank

Red Wine & Peanuts Help Prevent Memory Loss

Often we treat our favorite indulgences, a glass of wine or a handful of nuts, as a treat. However, recent scientific advances suggest that those of us who enjoy a luxurious glass of red wine or a handful of savory peanuts may be indulging more than our food and drink cravings. New studies conducted by Dr. Ashok Shetty, professor in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine at Texas A&M University and the Director of Neurosciences at the Institute for Regenerative Medicine, indicate that compounds found in red wine and peanuts may help slow our memory loss due to aging.

The Compound
The red wine drinkers among us, and many others, are familiar with the compound reservatrol. Reservatrol has been the subject of much research and debate for it’s various health benefits. Reservatrol is an antioxidant commonly found in the grapes used to produce red wine, peanuts and some berries. Previous research and studies involving reservatrol indicate that this antioxidant is particularly beneficial when it comes to heart health. Dr. Shetty’s research reveals that the antioxidant reservatrol may have more significant health benefits, specifically where aging is concerned.

The Study
As we age, our spatial learning abilities, our cognitive function, and our ability to create new memories decrease. The same is also true for animals as they age. Dr. Shetty hypothesized that reservatrol would have a positive effect on memory, learning and mood due to the fact that reservatrol affects the hippocampus area of the brain. The hippocampus is the area in the brain responsible for much of our cognitive functioning. The study, published January 28th, used elderly rats, both a control group and a group that was given reservatrol. The control group of rats demonstrated that cognitive and spacial abilities held steady. However, these rats were not able to create new spacial memories and cognitive functioning decreased dramatically around months 22 through 25 of the study. By contrast, the rats that were given reservatrol showed an increase in their abilities to create new memories and an improvement in spacial learning abilities for the duration of the study. Additionally, Dr. Shetty noted that neurogenesis, the growth and development of neurons, nearly doubled among the rats given reservatrol. The rats given reservatrol also showed an improvement of blood flow throughout the body and a lower amount of inflammation in the hippocampus.

The Impact
There are a number of neurodegenetrive diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, that have the potential to affect our quality of life as we age. The research conducted at Texas A&M University proves that there is hope in improving memory, mood and cognitive functioning for the elderly. Dementia and Alzheimer’s are chronic conditions that affect as many as one in six elderly individuals. This study gives hope that there is the opportunity to increase mood and cognitive ability, though there is no definitive evidence to show what the effect reservatrol would have on dementia in the long-run.

The benefits of reservatrol can be achieved with just one glass of red wine each day. Reservatrol continues to illustrate it’s ability to improve our health and well-being. Go ahead and indulge in a luxurious glass of red wine or a handful of peanuts and enjoy the tastes as well as all the potential health benefits.

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