Beauty Products Containing Excessive Amount of Mercury Found

MANILA, Philippines --- A consumer watchdog is urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban supposed harmful skin whitening products sold in the Philippines after it found 13 of them containing excessive amounts of mercury. Ecowaste Coalition said 13 of the 14 skin whitening products it purchased in stores in Manila and Makati Cities contained excessive levels of mercury from 550 parts per million (ppm) to 60,800 ppm in violation of the 1 ppm allowable limit under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Cosmetics Directive.  It said mercury can damage the kidneys and nervous system, and adversely affect the normal development of the brain in fetuses and young children. In 2010 and 2011, the FDA banned 50...

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Fitness Plan for Brides-To-Be

There is a lot of pressure on brides to look their best on their wedding day. But don’t be tempted by crash diets and faddy exercises – stick to this healthy fitness plan from AJ Perera, exercise guru at Fitness First, to be fit and healthy for your big day – and happily ever after! Monday Workout: Head outside for a run or jog. Walk for five minutes to warm up then jog at a steady pace for 20 minutes. Walk for a further five minutes for a cool down. Lifestyle Tip: Swap your processed foods and starchy carbohydrates for lean meat and fish. Tuesday Workout: Body weight circuit: Squat x 20 reps (Bend through your knees until your hip joint is lower than your knee joint, then slowly rise up again.) Alternating lunges x...

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World's Highly Paid Models (According to Forbes)

Gisele Bündchen has been named the highest paid model in the world 2012. The Victoria's Secret star has topped a list compiled by Forbes.com, which takes in estimated earnings for the 12 months after May 1 2011.  It is the second year running the Brazilian star has come in at number one, making $45 million this time around. "As the world's most powerful supermodel, she racks up modelling gigs, spokesperson deals, and independent licensing ventures at every turn," the site reports. Victoria's Secret models dominated the top ten list, with Miranda Kerr, Candice Swanepoel and Alessandra Ambrosio also appearing. Ed Razek of the lingerie provider's parent company Limited Brands discussed why the women who work for the firm are so special. Gisele...

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Hair Care for Post Treated Hair

If the only thing keeping you from trying the latest trends in hair color or chemical styling is fear of irreparable damage to your locks, worry not. Hair care brands know how fun it is to play with your tresses (it is after all your crowning glory), and they've made sure to pack plenty of protective and restorative properties in their products. Here's a cheat sheet on what to do to keep hair healthy and shielded from potential damage from salon chemical treatments: The treatment: Chemical hair straightening What it is: "A chemical applied to hair 'loosens a spring' from the hair shaft causing it to stretch and straighten," explains Center for Aesthetic Studies hairstyling instructor Tony Dusich. These chemicals combined with...

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Tips on How to Have Clear Skin

1. Ditch the chemicals  It can be tempting to reach for chemical peels and ingredients such as salicylic acid to help clear up problem skin. However, many chemical-based skin products not only contain potentially harmful ingredients, they can also excessively dry out skin and exacerbate skin problems. For a gentler approach to fighting acne, opt for natural spot-fighting ingredients such as tea tree oil or manuka honey.  Manuka honey not only has antimicrobial and antiseptic properties to fight spots, it also has the benefit of being able to reduce the scarring and marks left by spots. 2. Use spot-fighting makeup We all know what it’s like to have a bad skin day when you just want to hide away under layers of makeup. However,...

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Sleeping Benefits You Need To Know

We all hear about the benefits of a good night's sleep-better memory, attention, concentration and a reduced risk of heart attack and stroke. Sleep improves our mood; it makes us feel like we can do more in the day and gives us a better outlook on life.  In addition to helping us live productive lives, sleep is key to feeling and looking youthful. 1. You look more attractive to others. In a 2010 study published in the British Medical Journal, a group of Swedish investigators looked at whether sleep-deprived people were perceived as less healthy, less attractive and more tired than after a normal night's sleep. Twenty-three healthy adults were photographed after a normal night's sleep (about eight hours) and again after a night...

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Foods for Flatter Abs

It's summer--and that means your summer vacation is probably just around the corner. If you're looking to slim down before you slip into that bathing suit (and who isn't?!), you're in luck. Cutting calories and exercising are, of course, must-dos--and you can try this 7-day weight-loss meal plan to lose up to 2 pounds this week. But new research shows that some foods may have waist-shrinking properties.  Here are five tummy-tamers to add to your diet. Canola Oil. Already dubbed a heart-healthy cooking oil, canola now touts another boon: when Brazilian researchers fed rats a diet containing either canola or soybean oil for two months, the soybean-oil eaters gained nearly 20 percent more fat in and around the organs of the belly...

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Common Mistakes in Applying Sunscreen

We all know that regularly using sunscreen is one of the best ways to prevent skin cancer. Unfortunately, many people make mistakes when it comes to wearing sunscreen. Properly applying sunscreen and following manufacturer instructions are key to maximum protection. Common Sunscreen Mistakes 1. Applying sunscreen AFTER going outdoors.  Sunscreen needs to be applied 15 to 30 minutes BEFORE going outside to give it time to be absorbed into the skin. Follow manufacturer's instructions for absorption time, which is typically up to 30 minutes before heading outside. 2. Not applying enough sunscreen. Experts recommend that an adult should use about 1 ounce of sunscreen for adequate coverage. Remember that all body parts that...

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Healthy Herbs and Spices to Use

Herbs and spices do more than add flavor to a dish -- a growing body of evidence highlights real health benefits, too. From black pepper and turmeric to chives and cinnamon, here are 10 seasonings that can help fight cancer and heart disease, and keep other trouble at bay.  Black Pepper That pepper mill may not just be a weapon against bland food. It could stop cancer cells from growing and dividing. In the lab, the zingy pepper ingredient called piperine inactivated cells with early signs of cancer trouble and left healthy cells alone. Chives These pungent green shoots may help neutralize the effects of carcinogens and muzzle tumor growth in a host of different cancers. Chives are part of the allium family of herbs,...

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