Shark Cartilage and Cancer Cure

The following article will give you an insight of the connection between shark cartilage and cancer cure. Continue reading to know whether shark cartilages can really cure cancer, or is it just a myth...

On an average, a hundred million sharks are killed by humans every year. Among the major factors which contribute to this large scale hunting of shark species, the two most prominent ones include its popularity as seafood and the alleged health benefits associated with the various organs of this fish. When we talk about these alleged health benefits, we can't ignore the myth surrounding shark cartilage and cancer cure. Even though there is no scientific evidence to prove that the products made from shark cartilage help in curing cancer, excessive hunting of sharks for these cartilages continues on a rampant scale.

Shaping Your Body with Liposuction

More and more people are turning to liposuction to reduce fatty areas and reshape their body.

Liposuction is a surgical method that removes extra fat deposits and shapes the body. Excess fat is removed from under the skin with the use of an ultrasonic probe that emulsifies the fat and then removes it with suction.

Liposuction can be performed on the buttocks, abdomen, hips, thighs, neck, arms, calves, back, or face. A liposuction treatment may include more than one site, for example, the back, abdomen, and thighs all on the same day.

Liposuction can reduce breast size in men, (gynecomastia) or to remove fat tumors (lipomas). However, it is most commonly used for cosmetic body shaping.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)

Want to know more about Sexually transmitted diseases? Here is some information that you will find useful

Each and everyone of us has heard the dangers of STDs, but how many of us really know everything there is to know about Sexually Transmitted Diseases? Sexually transmitted diseases are those that are transmitted from people to each other during sexual intercourse. These diseases are transmitted during any form of sexual intercourse, be it vaginal, anal or even oral. But remember that an STD can be contracted only when a person indulges in sexual intercourse with another person who already had an STD, but there are some like scabies, which can be passed through contact as well. So the next question you will ask is what is an STI? STI is sexually transmitted infection, which is just another name for sexually transmitted disease. The reason this term is used is because there are cases like those in chlamydia, where a sexually transmitted disease is similar to an infection. But how does one know if they have a sexually transmitted disease? A person may become aware of certain symptoms, or may find out that their partner has a sexually transmitted disease. It is best to get a sexually transmitted disease treated as soon as possible so as to avoid any further complications that may arise out of non-treatment, such as infertility. In some cases an STD can be transmitted from a mother to her unborn child, which can be avoided through proper treatment.

How to Safely and Legally Buy Drugs from Online Pharmacies

Many of us want the option of purchasing our prescription drugs from Internet drug stores because the practice seems convenient and money-saving. But is it legal and safe to purchase drugs from an online pharmacy? Yes, it can be -- if you understand the potential pitfalls and follow some guidelines.

The key is to find an Internet drug source that is legal, safe and meets your needs, such as convenience and pricing. There are good, bona fide businesses out there, but there are also "rogue" sites - online pharmacies (really pretend pharmacies) that are out to scam you.

Is it Legal to Purchase Drugs Online?

Yes, it can be legal as long as certain rules are followed. Whether or not it is legal to purchase your prescription drugs online depends on various factors: your location, the pharmacy's location and whether or not a prescription is required. Make yourself familiar with the requirements that must be met to make a legal purchase of drugs through the Internet.

Is it Safe to Purchase Drugs on the Internet?

If you choose the right pharmacy, then, yes, it can be safe. You'll want to avoid the hundreds (maybe thousands) of rogue websites that claim to be online pharmacies, but really just want your money. They can be dangerous and costly. If you understand the reasons why most online pharmacies are not safe or legal, then you'll better understand how to make a wise choice.

Online Pharmacy or Pharmacy Online?

There's a difference between using the Internet to purchase from a retail pharmacy and purchasing from a pharmacy that only has an Internet presence.

Local drug stores have websites; you may be able to use one to fill or renew a prescription. You will recognize their names: CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid or dozens of others. Unless you have questions about your local pharmacy's reputation, there should be no problem purchasing drugs from their websites. Just be sure you use the correct web address to access their prescription capabilities. (While I don't know of any fake websites set up to mimic real retail pharmacies, it would not surprise me to learn they exist.)

There are also network and mail-order pharmacies that work with health insurance companies to manage larger drug orders and keep pricing down for insurers. Express Scripts, Caremark (which is owned by CVS) and Medco are mail-order pharmacy companies. Purchasing from them, through your insurer, is as safe as using your local pharmacy. These pharmacies can work very well if it's difficult for you to get to your local pharmacy. They're also great if you like the convenience of renewing online or if you like to order many month's worth of a drug you take on a regular basis.

Some pharmacies, however, don't have actual locations where you can walk in and hand over your prescription and your money to make a purchase. They are found only online; not all of them sell drugs legally. They may or may not be safe to purchase from.

Muscle Pains, Kinks, and Stiffness: Float Away Your Muscle Pain

Imagine a warm, watery world where your body floats weightlessly while receiving a healing massage. Welcome to Watsu, a form of aquatic bodywork that can unkink stiff or injured muscles while gently stretching the entire body and offering profound physical and emotional relaxation.

The term Watsu combines the words "water" and "shiatsu," an ancient form of Oriental acupressure. It began developing in 1980, when massage therapist Harold Dull of Harbin Hot Springs in Middletown, Calif., started floating, cradling and massaging his Zen shiatsu students in the warm pool at the springs.

"Watsu is performed in a 4-1/2-foot-deep pool that is heated to 96 degrees (skin temperature), and both practitioner and client wear bathing suits," says Shantam Lanz, a Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association (WABA)-certified aquatic bodywork therapist and instructor at the School of Shiatsu & Massage at Harbin Hot Springs.

Move Less, Ache More: Inactivity Linked to Arthritis

We live in a society of drive-thrus and remote controls. It's no wonder that Americans are some of the least active and most obese people in the world. And researchers from the Toronto Western Research Institute have discovered a higher prevalence of arthritis in the U.S. compared to even the Canadian population. They attribute that to the greater levels of obesity and physical inactivity in Americans, particularly women.

Full findings of this study are published in the March issue of Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology.

Arthritis is the leading cause of physical disability, and one of the most frequently reported chronic conditions in the U.S. and Canada. And Arthritis-Attributable Activity Limitations (AAL) is a common side-effect. Those in mid to late life are particularly vulnerable to these conditions, which are expected to increase in both countries due to the aging baby boomer population. According to a 2005 figure from the National Arthritis Data Workgroup more than 21% of American adults (46 million) have arthritis or another rheumatic condition and over 60% of arthritis patients are women. The 2008 Canadian Community Health Survey reported 15.3% (4.3 million) of Canadians have some form of arthritis, with more women then men affected.

Migraines Associated With Lower Risk of Breast Cancer

SEATTLE –- Women who suffer from migraines may take at least some comfort in a recent, first-of-its-kind study that suggests a history of such headaches is associated with a significantly lower risk of breast cancer. Christopher I. Li, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center report these findings in the November issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention.

"We found that, overall, women who had a history of migraines had a 30 percent lower risk of breast cancer compared to women who did not have a history of such headaches," said Li, a breast-cancer epidemiologist and associate member of the Hutchinson Center's Public Health Sciences Division.

Mediterranean Diet: A Heart-Healthy Eating Approach

Quick quiz: Where is heart disease less common ... in the U.S. or in Greece? Yes, it's true. Unfortunately (for us, at least), in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, heart disease is less common than in the United States. Researchers believe that the Mediterranean Diet pyramid -- common to Greece and southern Italy -- is a major reason for this difference.

So what's in Mediterranean diet recipes, anyway? What's the Mediterranean diet food list? Here's what people in that part of the world are doing to maintain their heart health, according to the Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource.

Massages For Depression, Arthritis, Indigestion and More

In the last decade, massages have enjoyed a surge of popularity. Once thought of as a luxury for the pampered, it has become a favorite of stressed out office workers, recreational athletes and those of us who appreciate its ability to cleanse and relax both our bodies and our minds.

Massage’s benefits go way back; it’s an ancient healing art mentioned in Chinese literature as early as 3000 B.C., and Greek and Roman physicians used it to treat their ruler. “Massage has its roots in earliest medicine,” says Richard Why, president of the Texas-based Bodywork Institute. “It’s always been a crucial part of the health systems of most cultures.

Martial Arts Training Helps Seniors Fight Falling Injuries

Have you sharpened your karate chops? Perhaps you should. A new study has found that martial arts training as a form of exercise may be an effective way for osteoporosis patients to learn to reduce the potential for falling injuries.

Researchers in the Netherlands measured hip impact forces during martial arts fall exercises, and they determined these exercises could safely be taught to patients with osteoporosis. Fully aware of the risks of performing these tests on seniors, researchers took their initial measurements from a group of six healthy people, asked to perform martial arts fall training exercises.

Love Jogging With Your Dog? Well, What If You Could Get Him to Pull You on a Scooter?

When I first read about a harness that dogs wear to pull their owners on scooters, I thought "that's crazy, but wait, why does that look insanely fun?!" Then I immediately felt sorry for the dogs and realized that my pooch wouldn't make it around the block pulling moi (she's getting older and a horse and carriage she is not). What do you think of this funny new trend ...

I read about a kind of funny new thing on FitCeleb recently: dog-powered scooters. While a jog with your dog (even a walk!) is great exercise, a newish harness device from DogPoweredScooters.com probably doesn't really count as exercise, since, well, your dog is doing all the work! Fans say it's lots of fun, but at least a few critics have concerns about people and doggie safety with these things.

Let's Talk About Cankles

You know the term "cankles," right? They're described as "chubby ankles" or calves that stretch down to the ankle region without much definition. One major nationwide gym is waging war on cankles, and here's why it kind of bugs me ...

Gold's Gym has designated July as "Cankle Awareness Month." According to their Web site: "The word comes from the combination of 'calf' and 'ankle.' It occurs when the calf merges with an obese or swollen ankle."

Gold's claims that cankles are the "fastest growing aesthetic affliction in the United States"--even more than muffin tops and saddle bags. "Millions of people across the country are currently affected by cankles and millions more are at risk," they write on their "Say No to Cankles" Web site. "In fact, it is estimated that if current trends continue, by the year 2012 Cankles will surpass Love Handles as the number one aesthetic affliction in the world."

Lady Gaga's Secret To Staying Fit? The "Drunk Diet"

So Lady Gaga went on a Sirius radio show the other morning, and let her staying-fit secret out of the Birkin bag...

She said: "I'm on the drunk diet. I like to drink whiskey and stuff while I'm working. But the deal is, I've got to work out every day, and I work out hung over if I'm hung over."

So, you know. It's Lady Gaga, so we're not going expect the most traditional of staying-healthy secrets from her. Also, her boyfriend, Luc Carl, "just signed up to write The Drunk Diet, about how he lost 40 pounds while still 'being a hard-drinking party maker,'" so there could be a convenient tie-in there.

Just Looking At Your Body May Relieve Your Pain, Say Researchers

When you have to get a vaccine or give blood, do you look at the needle or away from it? I'm the type who not only has to look anywhere but my arm when giving blood--I also have to keep up a steady stream of babble so that I keep breathing and don't faint. (This just in: I am ridiculous.) In any case, researchers may have found some evidence that, if you want to control how much that shot (or other pain) hurts, you should look right at it.

A study in the journal Psychological Science revealed the interesting results of several power-of-the-mind-on-pain experiments.

Study participants had "heat probes" placed on their left hands, and the heat was gradually turned up until the participants felt it was too much pain. (Who else is glad they weren't part of this study? Anyway!) While the temperatures were increasing, participants either watched their own hand, or a wooden object. When they were looking at their hand, participants' pain threshold was about 3°C higher.

I Tried It: Reebok's Jukari Fit-To-Fly Workout

It involves a pole, it gets you rather sweaty, and it's been done by Audrina Patridge and Mischa Barton. Get your mind out of the gutter, girls! I'm talking about Reebok's new "Jukari Fit to Fly" class, AKA one of the best workouts I've ever gotten.

You dolls may know me as the Louboutin-loving blogger from Slaves to Fashion, but I also happen to be kind of a hardcore fitness freak. I do yoga at least two or three times a week, and I try to hit the gym, go for a run, or do a spinning class about twice a week, too. But like anyone else who loves to work out, I sometimes find my routine getting a bit boring. So when the team at Reebok invited me to check out their Jukari Fit to Fly class at NYC's Equinox gym, I was in (plus, I scored all kinds of Reebok goodies to wear while I worked out--how could I say no?)

I Tried It: A Dust-Mite Eliminating and Sanitzing Vacuum

A vacuum that is said to kill dust mites, bacteria and sanitize your mattress, carpet and couches? Um, I had to get my hands on one of these bad boys and take it for a test run. Here's what I thought...

For a few months now, I've been eager to try Hammacher Schlemmer's Dust-Mite Eliminating Vacuum. Recently, I got my hands on a machine to give it a try. And, oh, was it fun!

First, a confession: I love to vacuum. I realize this makes me sound like a nut. But the satisfaction I get from sucking up dog hair, dust, dirt, etc. with my handy-dandy Dyson is something I find oddly therapeutic. (And when friends confess that they hate vacuuming so much that they'd rather clean their bathroom than their carpets, I give them strange looks.)

Is Your Ex Peeking at Your Health Records?

Your health history is between you and your doc, right? Yes, but. If you're Britney Spears, for example, your health records-every pill, scratch, bruise and headache you've ever had-made juicy reading for some employees at the UCLA Medical Center who had no business in her business. While this news broke several months ago, investigators are now saying that it wasn't just a handful of unethical employees involved-it may have been more than 100 of them.

Why is this scary? Because even if you're not a pop princess, this could happen to you, too. What's stopping your disgruntled ex, who happens to work at a medical facility where you've been treated, from pulling up your files and having a look?

Is It Just Me, or Does It Seem Like Every Woman in America Is Getting Breast Implants?

Celebs have been getting breast implants for ages, of course (well, since Baywatch, anyway). But there was a lull in the last decade (or so it seemed) filled by "I'm happy with my natural size" sentiment. And then, suddenly, it seems we've hit another breast implant wave. Case in point: The star I thought would never let a surgeon touch her chest has reportedly caved ...

Lots of breast implant talk in the news these days. There's Heidi Montag, of course, and her unbelievably augmented chest (which, according to reports, she wants to make even bigger!), and then Amy Winehouse was in the hospital complaining of pain from her implants, followed by the--sort of shocking--news that actress Kate Hudson got implants. Kate Hudson! Hollywood Life had the photos and a story detailing how she reportedly had the surgery done after years of feeling insecure about her chest.

How Flexible Are You, on a Scale of 1-10?

Hi my dears. I've been thinking a lot about flexibility lately--maybe because I keep tweaking my back. When it comes to fitness, it's easy to focus on muscle tone and weight loss, but don't forget to actively work to increase your flexibility. Here's what simple, daily stretches can do for your bod...

On a scale of 1-10, as in 1 being stiff and 10 being extremely bendy, I'd say I'm about a 7. I am pretty pliable (what a weird way to describe myself!)--I can do some advanced yoga poses without too much trouble, but on a day-to-day level, I tend to fall victim to the kinds of aches and pains that could be alleviated from some daily stretching.

Health Controversy: U.S. Considering Banning Peanuts on Planes to Protect Allergy Sufferers--Support It?

Approximately 1.8 million Americans sufferers from a peanut allergy (many of which are severe and life-threatening)--my 3 year old is one. The U.S. is now considering a ban on peanuts on airplanes to protect allergic fliers from peanut particles in the air. Some say it's about time, others say "what's flying without peanuts?"

Airplane travel has gotten pretty bad (thank you very much, shoe bomber). And, in a world where we're nickled and dimed and herded like cattle, some really love the one last perk: the free pack of peanuts on airplanes. But, even at the expense of those who are severely allergic to them?

Health Controversy: Should This Alcohol-Caffeine Drink Be Banned?

Last month, nine women were hospitalized after they were found lethargic and very ill at a house party near a college in central Washington state. Investigators initially blamed date-rape drugs and fingered several men as suspects, but now police say something else--something legal--was to blame...

Central Washington University investigators determined that a high-alcohol energy drink called "Four Loko" was to blame for a frightening ordeal that happened October 8 in a small town near the school during a house party. Nine students were hospitalized, some with blood-alcohol levels ranging from 0.12 percent to 0.35 percent. Because of the ratio of men to women, and how many of the women were found to be sick (some in engaging in barely-conscious sex acts, according to some reports), experts initially thought that date rape drugs were at play--so scary!

Health Controversy: Is Your "Doctor" Really a Nurse?

When scheduling a postpartum checkup recently, the scheduler said my doc was booked for weeks out, so she asked me if I'd rather see another doctor in the practice or a nurse. Sorry, but if given the choice, I always choose a doctor. But did you know that some nurses are calling themselves doctors, and its legal? Read on for the confusing details...

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The "doctor of nursing" degree program at the heart of the controversy is now offered at about 80 nursing schools in the nation. Here's the deal: When these nursing students complete the program, they're bestowed the title "doctor" even though they haven't gone through medical school. It's sort of like Ph.D. programs (you called your professors "doctor" so and so, right?), except in medicine--throwing around the title "doctor" can be a little confusing.

Health Controversy: Is This Contraceptive Device Leaving Thousands of Women With Unwanted Pregnancies?

Imagine having your doctor put in a contraceptive device, like an IUD, that promises to keep you pregnancy-free for years, and then ... uh oh, you find out you're pregnant! This is what more than 500 women claim happened to them, and their surprise pregnancies are making other women wonder if these contraceptive devices are doing the job they promise to do ...

Have you ever had a pregnancy scare? Imagine the shock (and horror, even) of thinking you're covered in the birth control department and then, bam, you're pregnant.

Scary, right? That's what nearly 600 women in the UK say happened to them after doctors implanted a device called Implanon, a toothpick-sized implant that delivers the synthetic progesterone etonogestrel. Product manufactures say the device is nearly foolproof, providing reliable contraception for as long as three years. (ABC News reports that nearly 500,000 of the devices have been implanted in women in the U.S. since 2006.)

Health Controversy: Do Doctors See You as One Big Uterus?

The Life With Cancer post today got me thinking about a big pet peeve that I (and maybe you?) have: docs who see women as baby machines. Check out Erin's sister's post, here, about a pediatrician's warning to "have your kids while you're young!" OK, nothing wrong with that, I guess, but do you ever feel that doctors sometimes view you as "pre-pregnant" even if you have no intention of conceiving?

Tara Parker-Pope, the fabulous New York Times health writer who runs the blog "Well," wrote about this topic recently. The issue: recent research that pointed out the fact that many women of childbearing age share prescription drugs. This sparked readers and physicians to jump on the unborn-baby bandwagon. Yes, a very valid concern, but she raised a good question: "Are doctors so obsessed with a woman's reproductive health that they forget to treat the whole patient?"

Healthy Sleep: More Couples Are Sleeping in Separate Beds

Does your partner snore? Toss and turn? Get, gulp, violent in his sleep, (a subject we talked about here recently) here recently? If so, have you ever secretly thought of how nice it might be to be a 1950s TV couple and go the twin-bed route? I know, it is kind of funny, and prudish, but some people--even celebs--say they do this in the name of healthy sleep...

My husband snores, so waking up several times a night to ask him to change positions (it helps the snoring) is kind of my norm. Add to that a baby who wakes up several times too, and you get the idea of how my nights are: sometimes not so fun.

Healthy Reminder: Take a Fall Walk Today!

Can you manage to carve out 15-20 minutes for yourself today? Thought so! Strap on your comfy shoes (who cares how they look with your skirt--yes, I am that woman), and get walking. It's the most beautiful time of the year (in my opinion) for a walk, and here's why 15 minutes of walking (even 10 minutes!) is sooooo good for you...

Not only is it a beautiful time of the year to get some fresh air (the leaves in my city are turning shades of orange and red that make me want to squeal--I love fall!), but a brisk walk--even a little one--can have big benefits. No, it may not get you Michelle Obama's arms or Jessica Biel's legs, but even small amounts of exercise, report researchers at the University of Florida can boost your body image in big ways.

Healthy Reminder: Always Ask Your Pharmacist This Question (Every Single Time!)

Dropping off a new prescription at the pharmacy today or sometime soon? Whenever you visit the pharmacy, always--always!!--ask the clerk this question when she takes your prescription. It could save your life!

Everyone jokes about doctors' handwriting, and for good reason! While some doctors print legibly, yes, many don't. And my doctor's penmanship looks sort of like a third grade boys'! Anywho, so what should we all ask our pharmacist when we fill our next prescription?

Here's your script:

You: "You can read what that says, right?"

Your pharmacist/clerk, scrutinizing the handwriting: "Yes, does it say [INSERT NAME OF PRESCRIPTION HERE]?

Healthy Inspiration: 5 Doable Things to Make Your Year Fit, Happy and Healthy

Thinking about New Year's resolutions? If you're looking for a few doable ways to be healthier in 2011, look no further. Here's a list of easy things to inspire you to have the healthy, happy and fit year you deserve!

1. Slim down with ... water! Whether you want to maintain your weight, or maybe lose 10 pounds this year, put good-old H2O to work, say researchers. A recent study found that people who drank two glasses of water before sitting down for a meal took in more calories than those who dove right in. Make it your new eating habit!

2. Buy a healthy cookbook or healthy living book: Your assignment: Head to your local bookstore and hit the healthy living/diet/cooking section. Find a book that resonates with you--whether it's about exercise or vegetarian cooking--and read it in January to pick up some new healthy living tips.

Have You Heard of the Lying Down Game? (It's Quite Possibly The Stupidest Thing Ever)

Have you heard of the weird new "game" that's circulating the world? Here's how it works: You lie down on the ground--in weird places like in the street, at the mall, or on top of a (parked) car--then submit a photo of yourself in such precarious positions. Who is doing this? Apparently a lot of people. Wait until you hear who got suspended recently for playing the "game."

You like to think of the doctors, nurses and techs that treat you at the hospital to be professionals, right? Well, according to reports, a group of hospital workers in England were suspended for taking photos of themselves playing the "Lying Down Game" at work. Apparently this "game" is that simple: You go lie down in weird places then upload photos of yourself and giggle. Photos surfaced of the UK hospital workers lying on floors and just about everywhere else in the hospital floor where they worked.

Hatchoo! The Top 5 Worst U.S. Cities for Fall Allergies

Pollen, trees, weeds and mold--they're a problem in the fall, too, and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has compiled a list of the worst, and the best, cities for fall allergies. Does yours make the list?

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America based it's rankings on a analysis of three factors: airborne pollen counts from grass, trees, weeds, and mold spores; the number of allergy medications used per patient; and the number of allergy specialists per capita in each area, according to WebMD.

The top five worst cities for allergies in 2010:

Dayton, Ohio (eeks--poor Ohio! They were featured multiple times on the bedbug list, too!)

Halloween's Over, But the Candy's Still Around: Which Kind Tempts You Most?

I hardly ever eat candy, so I'm not someone who's hard on myself for splurging a little on Halloween. You too? But have you found that you go a little over board when it comes to a certain fave candy or chocolate bar? Oh my goodness, I think someone needs to lock up these bars--I'm powerless to resist them ...

My Halloween candy weakness? The mini Nestle Crunch Bars. Normally I'm more of a gourmet chocolate kind of gal, but the Halloween aftermath has me ga-ga for these bars (so much for that great trick we talked about). I think I need my husband to hide them from me. P.S. I also have a crush on Kit-Kats around this time of the year.

Got a Minute? 10 Healthy Things You Can Do for Yourself Right Now!

My dears, how are you doing today? Are you stuck at the office? If you have a minute (and by that I mean 60 seconds--tops!), here's a list of things you can do to improve your health this very moment ...

1. Take a vitamin D supplement. Most Americans don't get enough (including me--my levels were shockingly low!), and vitamin D has so many known, and unknown, health benefits that it's not worth being deficient.

2. Give someone a hug. It will boost their mood and increase the production of serotonin (the feel-good hormone) in your bod.

3. Stand up and stretch. Stretching is an instant energizer because it gets blood pumping throughout your bod.

Found! A New Calming, Stress-Reducing Fragrance

I like to wear perfume, but recently I've had some fragrance flops. One gave me a headache. Another, which smelled great in the store, suddenly smelled synthetic and artificial at home. I almost gave up the hope of finding a soothing, natural, healthy fragrance, until I spritzed this one on...

Are you a fan of Aveda? I am--I think their stuff smells exactly like the spa. Ahhhhhhh. I also love that it's free of artificial chemicals and additives that tend to give me a headache. I recently splurged on a new perfume from Aveda. It's called Ancient Attar, and I swear, this stuff has a detectable calming effect on me. OK, so the complimentary hand massage the Aveda sales clerk gave me before I bought it helped, too.

Fitness Poll: How Flexible Are You? Have You Ever Been Able to Do the ... Splits?

I think there's a time in every gal's life when she can do the splits--like when she's 10! I used to be uber-flexible, but now? Not so much (and the baby in my belly doesn't help much with that!). But, whether you can do the splits or not, flexibility is so key to fitness and injury-prevention. One of my goals this year is to up my flexibility. How flexible are you?

I was inspired by this photo of a FitSugar blogger in a yoga-splits pose. I wondered, will I ever be able to get down into this position again? I hope so!

How flexible are you?survey software

Can you do the splits? How flexible are you on a scale of 1 to 10?

Fitness: Do You Work Out Harder When You're Angry? Would A Photo of Mel Gibson Motivate You?

I'll be honest, when I'm fuming about something, I run faster and longer than I usually do. That's one good thing about anger, I guess: It can be motivating. But I had to laugh when I read that one gym is plastering shamed actor Mel Gibson's face on its workout machines, in hopes that it motivates folks. Would that work for you?

Would that face cause you to burn more calories on the Elliptical? FitSugar pointed out a funny photo of a gym advertising that they're putting photos of Mel Gibson on their machines to motivate calorie-burning. They even have a so-called "Mel Gibson membership special"--just $40 a month.

Finally, a Celeb Who's Setting Realistic Weight Loss Expectations After Having a Baby

You gals know I'm not a fan of the crazy pressure women put on themselves--especially in Hollywood--to snap back to their old bods after pregnancy and childbirth, so I want to praise one celeb and new mom who says to hell with those crazy expectations ...

Yay for Tiffani Theissen (you remember, the cutie from "Saved By the Bell," who's also starring in "White Collar"), who just had a new baby in June and is sending out the message that her body isn't back to where it was pre-baby, and that she's OK with that.

"I'd love to be my size again but my body is just not that way," Thiessen, 36, told PEOPLE. "It doesn't work that way for me and I'm okay with that."

Estrogen Has Protective 'Brain Effect'

U.S. researchers and Chinese researchers say rat studies show losing estrogen can lead to diminished brain function.

The study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, found areas of the brain -- such as CA3 -- that tend to be stroke resistant and important in learning and memory, became vulnerable to stroke in rats that went without estrogen for long periods. It appears estrogen helps suppress free radical production that can become deadly to cells at higher levels.

"Estrogen must be doing something that is very critical for the protection of CA3 and we think it's suppressing NADPH oxidase production," Dr. Darrell W. Brann, chief of Medical College of Georgia who was the study's corresponding author, said in a statement.

Embarrassing Question: Have You Ever Forgotten to Take a Tampon Out?

Don't ask how a conversation with friends veered into the territory of tampons (cringe), but out of the group of women I was chatting with recently, several admitted to a tampon oops, which, as you know, can result in a frightening health issue that we all know as Toxic Shock Syndrome. Have you ever had a tampon oops?

I was curious, after reading a post over on MomLogic about the facts about Toxic Shock Syndrome (or TSS), which, as you know, has been linked to incidents of tampons being left in place too long. Let's have a little refresher, shall we?

"TSS is essentially an infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus--or staph--bacteria," the MomLogic bloggers write. "Symptoms include high fever and confusion, which then can rapidly progress to coma and eventually organ shutdown and even death. It also shows up as a rash, similar to a sunburn, and can be anywhere on the body, including the feet, lips, mouth, eyes, and hands."

Educators Tout the Benefits of Eating More Seafood

Just like the old joke, everyone's tried the "See-food Diet": you see food, and you eat it. But is there enough actual seafood on your family's plates?

Experts at the University of Idaho took a look at the data, in Idaho and across the nation, and they say no. On average, Americans eat just one serving of seafood a week, while nutritionists recommend at least two.

"It's culture; we're just not a seafood-eating nation," said Gary Fornshell, multi-county aquaculture educator for the university.

With Extension Educator Rhea Lanting, Fornshell has put together a four-part class to address misconceptions, fear of cooking seafood, health benefits and risks, and fundamentally what seafood is. The class is now available as a curriculum for nutrition educators, as well as being offered to the public.

Do You Need a Vacay From Your Diet?

Think of a world without sleep, without lunch breaks, without vacation days. Scary, huh? The fact is--we need to rest and recharge. Life depends on it. And, some say that if you're not giving yourself an occasional rest from your diet and fitness goals, you might be doing yourself a disservice. More after the jump ...

According to the writers over at the Diet Blog, taking a day off from dieting once per week can have many positive benefits, including this one: "If you let yourself eat whatever you like once a week, you won't end up feeling deprived," they write. "It's much easier to resist that slab of cake when you know you can have one in a couple of days' time."

Do You Live In One Of The Fast-Foodiest Cities In America?

As a general rule, I'm not much for fast food (except for on a road trip, where the occasional bag o' fries can feel like it has its own tiny place. You know, kind of like car sickness and Dramamine--would it be a road trip without either?). Forget the fat-sugar-salt-calorie overload of fast food--I'm an energy black hole afterward. But, should I ever need a fix, my city is apparently the 31st "fast food capital" in the country, according to a new report. So what's first on the list?

According to a study compiled by The Daily Beast, the number-one American city with the most fast-food eateries is: Orlando, FL.

Does This Relationship Make My Butt Look Big?

Think back to when you were in the best shape of your life (and maybe it's now!). Were you in a relationship at the time? Lots of people have their own theories about how a relationship affects health. But now, a new survey conducted by British researchers throws out some interesting findings about what love does to your thighs ...

The research, sponsored by a UK diet pill maker, which polled 3,000 women, found that our weight takes a rollercoaster ride when it comes to love. The findings:

In the early days: At the beginning of a relationship, women are more likely to be 5 pounds lighter.

When we start feeling comfortable: As the relationship progresses, women, on average, gain about 10 pounds.

Dinner Tonight: Roasted Tomatoes and Garlic Baked Chicken

Looking for something loaded with flavor (with a huge comfort factor) without the guilt? The easy, yummy--low-cal!--recipe to throw together tonight...

The bloggers over at Hangry Pants share their method for making a chicken dish that sounds so perfect for a cold late-fall night like tonight! This dish calls for the flavor holy trinity, tomatoes, garlic and basil, and you won't even miss the fat--promise. Here's the recipe, though you can throw it together in three easy steps:

*Roast up some tomatoes and garlic in the oven.

*Smother on top of two chicken breasts (or one, if you're just cooking for you!).

Did You Love Or Hate The Last Movie You Saw? You May Be Able to Thank (or Blame) This Person

What was the last movie you really hated? Which did you absolutely love? Now think back to who was sitting next to you. According to new research, that person could have had a leading role in how well you liked the film...

Research that appears in Applied Cognitive Psychology suggests that we don't like movies for two reasons: 1) we think the actual movie is a stinker, and/or 2) we're concerned with what the person next to you thinks about the movie.

Researchers asked 400 participants what kinds of movie content they didn't enjoy and if the negative reactions of co-viewers increases the unpleasantness. Then they presented participants with movie scenarios (a violent movie, a sexually explicit movie, "Brokeback Mountain," "The Notebook" and "American History X"), and five types of co-viewers (parents, significant other, a group of same-sex friends, a gay friend and a first date).

Crazy or Cool: Diane von Furstenberg's New High Fashion Hospital Gowns

I told you about the new trend (most popular internationally) for hospitals to rival 5-star hotels with spa-like amenities. And now, it seems that one Ohio hospital is getting in on the trend, but from a fashion standpoint. Top designer Diane von Furstenberg (famous for her wrap dresses) is designing a new line of hospital gowns for the hospital. Would this make you feel better about having surgery?

To address patient complaints about hospital gowns, the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio tapped designer Diane von Furstenberg to create a more stylish gown. The new garb features a bold print, the clinic's logo, and side ties (similar to her wrap dresses) which eliminates the sometimes-embarrassing peek-a-boo back ties.

Crazy But True: She Got Pregnant From ... Oral Sex

It's crazy, unbelievable, shocking--but the amazing story of a woman who got pregnant from (gasp) oral sex is true, say health experts. Details ...

ABC News is reporting a story of a teen in Africa, who in 1988 was 15 years old and gave birth to a baby boy. Here's the thing: She didn't know she was pregnant, and she didn't have a vagina, due to a rare birth defect called Mullerian agenesis.

The article goes on to explain that her medical records show that she had been in the hospital 278 days earlier (the average pregnancy lasts 280 days) to be treated for stab wounds to the stomach (an ex-boyfriend had spotted her in the act, performing oral sex on a new boyfriend, and he stabbed her).

Crazy But True: Doctors Estimate That Many Women May Be Allergic to Sperm

You've heard about the so-called "sperm allergy," right? It sounds like one of those really rare things, but health experts say that it actually might be more common than you think...

According to a report by The New York Daily News, between 20,000 and 40,000 women in the United States suffer allergic reactions to their spouse's seminal fluid.

Dr. Andrew Goldstein of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center says that women with a sperm allergy may develop hives, swollen eyes, diarrhea and even breathing problems. The condition is called seminal plasma hypersensitivity.

"The body recognizes semen as a foreign protein just as it would recognize a peanut allergy or pollen," said Goldstein. "So you have swelling, you have itching, you have inflammation of the nerve endings."

Common Hair Loss Culprits for Women

Q: "I am a 55-year-old female suffering from hair loss. Are there foods I should include and exclude in my diet to reduce hair loss and to stimulate hair growth?"

A: Hair loss can be caused by a number of factors. Here are some things to consider:

Are you taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs, or both? Read the package inserts and talk with your pharmacist to see if side effects could include hair loss.

At perimenopause and menopause, a reduction in your body's estrogen level may result in hair loss. Do you have other symptoms of menopause such as trouble sleeping, hot flashes and/or mood swings? Discuss with your gynecologist if you suspect you may be going through “the change.

Common Drugs Can Cause Cognitive Impairment

Do you ever take sleeping pills? How about medications to treat bladder leakage? If so, then you may be at risk for cognitive impairment. Yes, you heard right. Seemingly-harmless drugs from Benadryl to Sominex have been linked to losses in cognition, U.S. researchers say. Especially at risk are African-Americans.

Researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine, the Regenstrief Institute and Wishard Health Services say the medications -- known as anti-cholinergics, which block acetylcholine, a nervous system neurotransmitter -- are sold under various brand names such as Benadryl, Dramamine, Excedrin PM, Nytol, Sominex, Tylenol PM, Unisom, Paxil, Detrol and Demerol. The drugs are commonly used by older adults to aid sleep and to relieve bladder leakage.

Coming to a Market Near You: Genetically Engineered Salmon?

Long-touted in magazines and journals for its health benefits (Omega-3 Fatty Acids, anyone?), salmon is garnering a whole type of press.

Today has started 2 days of hearings for the Food and Drug Administration on whether genetically engineered salmon will get the okay to be sold by your local grocer.  If the outcome is yes, the fish could be the first genetically engineered animal approved for human consumption.

The FDA released a preliminary report earlier this month saying that the salmon, which grows twice as fast as “normal” salmon and consumes 25 percent less feed, “is as safe as food from conventional Atlantic salmon” and not likely to cause environmental harm.

Colonoscopy Alert: A Less Stressful Test Is on the Way

Anyone who’s ever had a colonoscopy knows that the tough part isn’t the test itself, but the lengthy, unpleasant preparation for it. Now, though, researchers have developed a $300 test that may put an end to all that—at least for people who aren’t at high risk.

The discovery is significant because of the number of deaths from colorectal cancer, and the enormous cost of treating it. In the United States, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men and women, according to the American Cancer Society. The New York Times reported that there are 50,000 deaths annually from the illness and that it costs about $14 billion to treat.

Cold Weather, Stiff Joints

Falling snow and Christmas lights aren't a welcome sight for everyone.

Cold weather, holiday stress and seasonal changes aggravate inflammation for arthritis patients. And although there is no changing the weather, arthritis-specific exercises and therapies can help relieve the pain.

Some senior centers and fitness clubs offer arthritis-specific classes for sufferers, like the one held Nov. 20 at Twin Falls, Idaho's city pool. Participant Fran Kittridge of Twin Falls said the water aerobics helps her with arthritis as well as peripheral neuropathy and balance issues related to diabetes.

Cold Hands? Ask the Doctor!

We asked emergency room physician Barbara Lock why we always need our mittens.

Q. As soon as the weather changes I have to start wearing gloves because my hands get so cold.  Is this a sign of poor circulation?

A. Many people notice that their hands and feet get colder in cool weather. When the cool hands and feet become troubling, requiring wearing gloves and warm socks when everyone else is still wearing sandals, if your cold hands are also painful or pale, if you are tired all the time, or if you are losing weight unintentionally, it's high time that you consider medical causes of your symptoms with your doctor.

Coffee Talk: Cup o' Joe May Fight Heart Disease

Coffee is not usually thought of as health food, but a number of recent studies suggest that it can be a highly beneficial drink.

Researchers have found strong evidence that coffee reduces the risk of several serious ailments, including diabetes, heart disease and cirrhosis of the liver.

Among them is a systematic review of studies published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, which concluded that habitual coffee consumption was consistently associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Exactly why is not known, but the authors offered several explanations.

Coffee contains antioxidants that help control the cell damage that can contribute to the development of the disease. It is also a source of chlorogenic acid, which has been shown in animal experiments to reduce glucose concentrations.

Clinical Depression In Stroke Victims

Shouldn’t a stroke victim expect to be depressed? Yes, of course, but there’s a rub. Just because it seems normal for a person who has just had a stroke to feel depressed, doctors sometimes don’t treat the depression. However, researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have found that brain injury during stroke may cause not only paralysis but depression as well – and unless the depression is treated, it may not go away.

While doctors have long known that depressions, some lasting for many months, may follow brain injury, there has been little effort up to now to treat them. One reason is that it’s been taken for granted that disabilities as a result of a stroke would make anybody feel depressed Another reason is that there has been little direct neurological evidence to indicate some particular abnormality that could be corrected.

Clear the Clutter!

Want an easy way to simply your life and clear your head? Clear the clutter.

I learned this trick recently when I put my house up for sale. My agent told me to store at least a third of my possessions to make the house look less cluttered to buyers.

So, I emptied closets and bookshelves and put furniture into storage. And guess what? I didn't miss a thing (except the tea kettle).

When you acquire fewer possessions, you not only save money on purchases, but you also reduce maintenance and storage costs (not to mention the inevitable moving costs).

You don't need a remodeled kitchen with more cabinet space if you have fewer gadgets. Who needs a popcorn popper or a crepe pan? A skillet with a lid will handle most cooking tasks. What about more than one set of dishes or table linens? White dishes are timeless.

Classic Cereal's Good for Health

Good old-fashioned cereal -- like corn flakes and shredded wheat -- lives up to its healthy reputation. Doctors say a single bowl of cereal a day can sharply reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

The key ingredient in cereal, according to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, is folic acid. The right levels of this substance, he said, could save more than 50,000 American lives every year.

The reason for the good news, Dr. Manilow said, is that the folic acid in cereals reduces homocysteine in the body. Homocysteine is an amino acid which clogs the arteries and causes heart disease.

Circadian Rhythms Cycle

There’s more truth than you may think to the old saying “there’s a time for everything, and everything in its time.” Researchers have found that the body has a host of rhythms affecting its chemistry. These determine how you feel and how well you function. Called circadian rhythms (from Latin meaning “about a day”), these “clocks” regulate such diverse body indicators as blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respiration, blood sugar, hormones and heartbeat. Because body functions can vary as much as 80 percent depending on the times of day, an early morning blood pressure reading can be deceptive on its own.

Celeb Fit Tip: Here's How Heidi Klum and Cameron Diaz "Sculpt" Their Bodies

Can you think of two leaner, fitter celebs than Heidi Klum (the supermodel mama who never ceases to amaze me with her upbeat attitude and healthy lifestyle) and super-gorgeous Cameron Diaz? Other than good genes, here's how they keep their bods toned, and how you can too...

According to People magazine, Heidi and Cameron are fans of Exhale, a "mind-body" spa in New York and Los Angeles--especially its Core Fusion classes, which mix pilates, yoga and core conditioning to "sculpt" their bodies.

Celeb fitness programs always seem so out of reach for the rest of us, don't they. Either because of the location or the money factor (hey, we all could look great with personal trainers and enough money to hang out at spas all the time! So I was pretty thrilled to see that Exhale has a fitness DVD out. "Exhale: Core Fusion Body Sculpt DVD" ($14.99), taught by founders Elisabeth Halfpapp and Fred DeVito, delivers five 10-minute exercises that promise to "target and tighten" your muscles.

Can You Think Yourself Slim? Maybe, Say Experts

Gals, on a scale of 1 to 10, what's your body confidence level today? What your answer may say about your future weight gain, or loss ...

I was reading on Oprah.com recently about a fascinating concept: The idea that we can "think" ourselves slim. No, no, I don't mean that you can do this without diet and exercise, but the latest evidence seems to suggest that how we feel about our bodies can affect how we look.

For example, in the book The Body Has a Mind of Its Own, the author talks about how often, for many women, the secret for lasting weight loss success is owning their new bodies. So if you've dropped some weight, and yet still see yourself as overweight, you're more likely to regain the pounds.

Can Calcium - and a Chair - Strengthen Our Bones?

Absolutely, even for post-menopausal women whose bones have become so fragile they can fracture easily. Until recently, bone weakening caused by osteoporosis was assumed to be 1) irreversible without medication 2) a part of the aging process, and 3) a condition that only affected very old people. But all three assumptions are false.

Bone fragility can be reversed – and without medication. In a remarkable study, women in their eighties actually increased bone-mineral content significantly by sitting in chairs and doing simple exercises thirty minutes a day, three times a week. The exercises increased the flow of blood and filled the bones with fresh supplies of calcium.

Can Being Cold Actually Cause A Cold?

Glamour is up in Vancouver this week (well, one of us is) to watch some of our favorite U.S. women snowboarders grab their medals (go Gretchen, Hannah, Kelly and Lindsey!). The weather is mild and rainy in the city of Vancouver--but it's a chilly 32 degrees, wet and snowy in Whistler, the mountain where we're watching one of the downhill men's events today. The prospect of being really wet and cold made me think of a question we've heard from a lot of readers in the past: Can simply being out in the cold actually give you one?

The answer is no, not really. But, according to women's health expert Pamela Peeke, M.D., whom I've interviewed on this subject before, suddenly switching from hot to cold then back again could stress your immune system, making you eventually more likely to succumb to a virus that wiggles into your nose, mouth or eyes. (Yep, your eyes--viruses can get in via any mucus membrane-y area.) One more little note: If it's supercold and dry, my doctor--and my mom--recommend wrapping a scarf around your mouth and nose and breathing through the material. Otherwise the frigid, dry air can irritate your airways, making you feel congested. Stay warm!

Bye Bye Vicodin and Percocet? The Government May Ban Them

Have you ever taken Vicodin or Percocet--or their generic equivalents? I have, though both tend to make me a little woozy (I don't handle narcotics well). Even despite that, these drugs were the best at zapping my post-baby and post-operative pain. But, are they soon to be outlawed?

A world without Vicodin or Percocet? It may be coming soon, say experts. Yesterday, a Food and Drug Administration panel voted 20-17 to yank prescription drugs that mix acetaminophen with "other painkilling ingredients" off the market.

The reason? Many health experts are worried about the risk of liver damage that is often associated with acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol), which the FDA says is the leading cause of liver failure in this country.

Breakfast At Your Desk: Would You Ever Eat This Odd, But Healthy, Thing for Breakfast?

I know someone who doesn't have cereal, oatmeal, toast, or any of the usual things people have in the morning. Nope. She eats this ...

Soup!

She loves soup in the morning--minestrone, roasted red pepper and tomato, clam chowder, you name it--and has it with her morning coffee. What do you think of this? Are you a brothy girl in the a.m. hours?

Would you ever eat soup for breakfast?(polls)

Me? I will admit, soup is the last thing I think of in the morning, but you know what? If I could train myself to crave vegetable soup at a.m., it wouldn't be half bad. Why not start the day with fiber-rich veggies and a nice warm broth (soothing)? And, people who start their meals with broth-based soups, according to research, eat less at each meal. Why not try this at breakfast? Hmmm. (P.S. Starting each meal with a salad has the same healthy weight effects, but somehow salad in the morning just doesn't do it for me. You?)

Bravo for the Broad Bean

The oft-maligned broad bean could be a life saver. Scientists say research indicates the vegetable that many of us unhesitatingly push to the side of the plate has definite health-enhancing properties.

Researchers at London's Hammersmith Hospital and the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine say substances called lectins found in broad beans can lead to actual changes in the makeup of cancer cells. According to the medical journal Gut, lectins help malignant cells act more like normal cells.

"It is well known that diets high in fruits and vegetables protect against many types of cancer, including bowel cancer," says Prof. John Calam, who headed the research team. "The lectin effect may be one of the reasons why."

Another Red Wine Plus Against Heart Disease

The claim that red wine helps in the battle against heart disease has received another scientific boost. But as with most everything else, moderation is the key.

A research team at Cambridge's Papworth Hospital in England devised a study on the premise that red wine contains a high proportion of polyphenols, which inhibit the deposit of fat in blood vessels. These are found in grape skins, which are discarded in the manufacture of white wine.

The study involved giving 30 healthy, nonsmoking men either a half-bottle of the red, Cabernet Sauvignon, a white French table wine with polyphenols dissolved in it, or polyphenol capsules alone every day for two weeks. Another group received a drink made with 10-percent vodka.

Dental Questions With A Professional

e has offices in Manhattan and Dubai, a patient list that reads like a Who’s Who in Hollywood, and, well, he’s kind of adorable.  Dr. Michael Apa, DDS, sat down with ThirdAge to discuss proper dental hygiene and why our teeth are the untapped fountain of youth.
Q:  What are the things that we should do every day not only for nice teeth now, but for nice teeth in the future?
A:  Hygiene is number one.  You’d be surprised how many people don’t know proper hygiene protocol.  If I was going to give percentages, I would say that 80% of the population doesn’t know how to brush properly – and that’s being nice.  We’re all scrubbers.  Using an electric toothbrush (twice a day) is important, followed by floss and a high-fluoride rinse.  Say, brushing takes away 50% of bacteria, flossing takes away another 20%, a rinse takes away a good 30%.  You really should hit all three.
Also, regular hygiene visits with a dental office at least twice a year.
Q:  What products do you use/recommend?
There’s something new that’s big in research in dental schools right now:  MI-Paste.  I recommend it to my patients who have flossing cavities – the little cavities between your teeth from food getting stuck.  The food collects bacteria, bacteria creates acid, acid breaks through the tooth causing those little tiny cavities.  The only way to not get them is to put a piece of floss on them to break up the acid on the tooth.  If you rub MI-Paste on your teeth after you brush, floss and use fluoride, it re-calcifies up all those tiny cavities.  If you use it long enough it will arrest the development of the decay and you’ll never have to drill them.
I also recommend a high-flouride mouthwash, never anything with alcohol.  I stick with the old-school Act fluoride rinse.  Also, brush with something like PreviDent, which is again high-flouride.
As far as bleaching products, I recommend anything with potassium nitrate.  Potassium nitrate is what’s in Sensodyne toothpaste.  Flouride and potassium nitrate are much gentler on your teeth than straight bleach.  I recommend Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips.  The seal on these stays on your teeth much better than the older Whitestrips.
Q:  Receding gums can be really aging on a person.  Is there anything we can do about them?
Don’t scrub your gums – that takes gum tissue away.  Use proper brushing technique, and always use an electric toothbrush with soft bristles.  The other thing is grinding your teeth – it causes abfraction lesions.  A night guard can help with that.
Q:  You’re known as the “master of the scalpel free facelift.”  What’s the one procedure you perform that guarantees a youthful smile?
A:  The mark of a good aesthetic dentist is to understand why a person looks the way they do.  Some of it is growth and development; some of it is aging.  There’s things that can be done about both.  Diagnosis is key in creating something that looks great.  Over time people grind and put pressure on their teeth.  The first thing to go is the lower front six; they start to crowd.  The second is the sides; they collapse.  The third thing is your bite falls down on itself.  You want to decrowd, expand and raise the bite.  Imagine what that does to your skin?  It puts fullness back in your face.  Think about what people look like when they take their dentures out:  all the support collapses.
 I do something called Facial Aesthetic Design.  It takes into account growth and development, environmental factors, understanding the diagnosis of why they are the way they are and trying to artistically recreate what I think they should be.  It’s about how your nose relates to your mouth and how it relates to your chin.  Depending on where those parts are, there’s a normal range of where your teeth should be and that’s what I’m trying to do.
Q:  How does Facial Aesthetic Design differ from the old-school Chiclet-like veneers?
A:  That’s diagnosing tooth problems on a tooth basis and recreating new teeth, which doesn’t necessarily address the patient.  There used to be this proportion formula for the length of a front tooth.  They said,  “This is how long the front tooth is supposed to be,” and then there were formulas based on that to build the rest of the teeth.  I’m saying that, that doesn’t really give you a 3-dimensional positioning of where those teeth are supposed to be as according to how you really want the teeth for that patient.  It’s more understanding—that’s what it comes down to in the end.
Q:  How much do they cost?
A:  It depends.  We charge on average between $25-60,000, depending on what needs to be done.  The full kit and kaboodle is between $50-60,00.  A cosmetic case where we’re just changing the top 10 teeth is between $25-30,000.
There are other people in other parts in the country who definitely charge less.
But tally your botox up for 10 years and tell me what’s more expensive.  You fix your teeth once and it’s like resetting the clock for your face—there’s no added fees, you get them done and you take care of them as if they were their own teeth.  That’s that.
Q:  I read somewhere that you feel that “good dental work can render cosmetic surgery unnecessary?”  How can dentistry fix things like smile lines, thin upper lip and thin hollowed cheeks?
 A:  When creating a new smile, the dentist must understand how the soft tissue, (lips and cheeks) rest on the teeth.  The position of the upper front teeth will contribute to most of the support of the upper lip.  That means, if you want to roll the lip out, or plump it, you can push the two upper teeth out.  Conversely, if the patient has something called lip incompetence, inability to close the lips at a resting position, you can bring the upper teeth in.
Smile lines can be erased by broadening the smile to give support to the corners of the mouth.  Thin, hollowed cheeks can appear fuller by building the smile out wider.  This works simply due to the fact that over time the sides of the mouth collapse, hollowing the cheeks out (along with losing cheek fat).  Although we can’t add cheek fat dentally, we can bring the teeth to the position they were originally before collapse, and thus will give fullness to the cheeks.
Q:  Who has your favorite smile of Baby Boomer women?
A:  Diane Lane.  She has a great natural smile.