Danny Puff

By Details Magazine - Healthy Living

"This means even television programs depicting the suffering of other people..."
By: Ian Landau


Are others stressing you out? A study by researchers at Germany's Max Planck Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig and the Technische Universit t Dresden didn't specifically set out to test if watching tense shows such as 24 or Homeland turns us into quivering masses of stress Jello, but that seems to be the takeaway. More worrisome, perhaps, is that you can "catch" stress just bywatching people confront anxiety-provoking situations onscreen.

Researchers recruited 362 people for the experiment: Everyone was tested in pairs-one sacrificial lamb exposed to a "psychosocial stressor" and one observer. Some of the pairs consisted of intimate couples and some were made up of strangers. While there are an infinite number of sadistic ways to stress people out (toss them into the tiger pit at the Leipzig Zoo? Virtual reality battle with The Mountain from Game of Thrones?), the chosen psychosocial triggers in this case were "difficult mental arithmetic tasks" and a faux job interview. In case people found math and a job interviews relaxing, two people posing as behavior analysts also sat in the room with the subjects (performance anxiety, anyone?).

While one partner did either the math and the interview, the counterpart simply watched the session, either through a one-way mirror or via a video monitor.

Here's what researchers found:

• 95% of the people who did the math and job interview session experienced a rise in levels of the stress hormone cortisol, a physiological indicator that they were, indeed, stressed out.
• Watching through the one-way mirror led to elevated cortisol in 30% of observers.
• Viewing on the video monitor had a slightly less potent effect, with 26% getting vicariously stressed.
• 40% of observers were stressed out by watching their romantic partner endure stress.
• Watching a stranger struggle elicited a cortisol jolt in 10% of observers.
• Finally, researchers found that men and women observers were stressed in equal numbers, so you can't keep telling people that women are hard-wired to be more empathetic than men.

In many ways these results aren't really surprising. We've all yelled at a friend or loved one who was nervously pacing around, "Sit your ass down, you're stressing me out!" We know, intuitively, that being around stressed out people can be stressful, too. But to see it confirmed-"empathic stress" (i.e., "a full-blown physiological stress response that arises solely by observing a target undergo a stressful situation")-is alarming. The researchers were surprised too. "The fact that we could actually measure this empathic stress in the form of a significant hormone release was astonishing," said Veronika Engert, one of the study's lead authors.

Especially surprising was the fact that watching a stressful situation mediated by way of a screen can "contaminate" us with stress. Again, the researchers didn't test subjects as they watched TV shows, but that didn't stop Engert from speculating about how her team's research might apply to that scenario. "This means that even television programs depicting the suffering of other people can transmit that stress to viewers," she said. Let's all start by watching less news

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By Hilary Hagerman - Wide Screen

Chloe Grace Moretz is one of the fastest-rising stars in Hollywood – and she's only 17! The actress was in Toronto on Monday to promote her new film "If I Stay," and she documented her whirlwind day on Yahoo Popped's Instagram. Take a look at what Moretz did during her time in Toronto, and make sure to catch "If I Stay" in theatres on August 22.



Me and the future Madame president Hillary Clinton - @cmoretz #chloegracemoretz #ifistay #toronto


Watch the trailer for "If I Stay" below.

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By Oprah.com - At Home

You've finished dinner and your favorite show is starting soon. Here's how to get everything spotless and put away, so you can be on the couch in time for the opening credits.

By Lynn Andriani


Before you tackle the dishes, deal with the food itself and store the leftovers. That chicken-and-rice casserole has probably been sitting on the table for at least 15 minutes--and at room temperature, bacteria in food can double every 20 minutes. Once you've wrapped and refrigerated tomorrow's lunch, fill extra-greasy pans, or dishes with stuck-on food, with hot, soapy water and set them on the (turned-off) stove to soak. (We'll get back to them in a few minutes, once that soap has had a chance to work on the rice.)

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Clean Mama blogger, Becky Rapinchuk,who is author of The Organically Clean Home loads items in groups to make it easier for her 8-year-old daughter to unload the washer later (e.g., all drinking glasses go in the same row, all kids' plastic cups are together, all large dinner plates are near each other). If you used any utensils that separate from their handles, such as rubber spatulas, pull the pieces apart before loading, or dirty water may collect inside. And just before you turn the machine on, follow this advice from the experts at Mr. Appliance: Run the hot water in the kitchen sink so the cycle will begin with hot water.


The counter, table and stove are the obvious places, but Rapinchuk finds people often forget to hit the faucet or faucets of the sink, which can be some of the dirtiest places in the kitchen (not to mention the sink itself, which, as most of us know, can contain more bacteria than you'd find on the toilets of public bathrooms). Other easily overlooked germ hotspots: the refrigerator door handle, microwave buttons and stove dials.

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Before the buzzer rings, get back to those pots. Rapinchuk balls up a piece of aluminum foil that had been used to cover a dish earlier in the day and uses it as a scrubber, which avoids getting scrub bristles dirty (adding to your list of things to clean). This, she says, is especially effective on reheated leftovers since food that's been warmed twice tends to be harder to remove. Next, the floor. Experts vary in what they like to use, from Swiffers to hand vacuums to brooms, but they all say don't just go under the table and near the stove--sweep the baseboards, too, since crumbs tend to cluster in the little gap between the wall and wood. Finally, tie up the trash, take it out, replace the bag and--ahhh--hit the couch.

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By Health.com - Healthy Living


I have never been a smoker, but many of my clients are current or former smokers. And those who want to kick the habit are often afraid to do so because they're worried about gaining weight. In fact, some purposefully took up smoking as a way to lose weight, so they're convinced that quitting will result in packing on pounds.

A recent study published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice found that 53% of smokers gained weight during previous attempts to quit, with an average weight gain of 8 to 14 pounds within the first year. The researchers also found that those who were highly concerned about weight were less likely to seek out treatment to help them kick the habit.

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It's a major barrier, but you should know two things: first, you'd have to gain 100 or more pounds to offset the health benefits of quitting; and second, you can quit successfully without affecting your weight long-term. In fact, research out this year found that on average, quitters don't experience greater weight gain than never-smokers.

Feeling encouraged? I hope so, because quitting smoking is probably the most important thing you can do for your health, and the benefits are immediate. Just 12 hours after quitting, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal, within two weeks your circulation and lung function improve, and within one year, your risk of heart disease is slashed to half of what it was when you smoked.

To reap all of these rewards and maintain your weight, quit strategically, using the following five tricks.

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Go for volume without overdoing it on calories Smoking dulls taste buds and diminishes your sense of smell. When these rebound after quitting, you'll be tasting food in a whole new way, which can make it difficult to keep your portions petite. But, big portions don't necessarily lead to calorie overkill-if you choose wisely. For example, three and a half cups of oil-popped organic popcorn, about the size of three and a half tennis balls, provides about 140 calories, compared to 160 in just 11 wavy potato chips or 12 tortilla chips.


For high-volume lunch and dinner options, make two cups of field greens (30 calories) the foundation of a meal, dressed with a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar, topped with a serving of lean protein and a small scoop of quinoa. Or, re-proportion meals like a stir-fry or pasta, so most of what's on your plate is veggies. For example, sauté a quarter cup each of onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, and bell pepper in olive oil with garlic and herbs, toss with a half cup of brown rice pasta or quinoa, and top with a serving of lean protein (like a half cup of white beans, shrimp, or cubed chicken). You'll get a generously portioned meal (about 3 cups of food!) for well under 500 calories.

Reach for healthy finger foods One of the reasons people nibble more after quitting is to mimic the hand-to-mouth motion of smoking. But delivering a lot of calories every time you bring your hand to your mouth (like with candy, pretzels, or chips…) can definitely up the risk of weight gain. Instead, reach for water-rich low cal veggies, like cucumber slices (16 cals per cup), radishes (19 cals per cup), or grape tomatoes, broccoli florets, and celery sticks (all 30 cals per cup). Pair your veggies with a single-serve hummus, guacamole, or nut butter. You can find each in pre-portioned packages, which are a great idea if you think you might be tempted to keep dipping into a larger container. Other healthy options you can eat with your hands include popcorn, which I've already mentioned, as well as fresh fruit, like grapes, berries, and cherries. Citrus fruits that require peeling, like an orange or tangerine, will also keep your hands occupied and allow you to nibble a little bit at a time. Bonus: if you do slip, a study from Duke University found that eating more produce worsens the taste of cigarettes.

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Rely on natural appetite suppressants Smoking suppresses appetite, so quitting can cause a sudden hunger upswing. Fortunately, certain foods and habits can counter the effect. For example, "good" fats like nuts, seeds, olives, and avocado boost satiety and slow stomach emptying, to keep you fuller longer, and delay the return of hunger. To take advantage of this benefit, include some healthy fat at every meal. For example, whip coconut oil or nut butter into a smoothie, sauté or roast veggies in olive oil rather than using nonstick spray, add avocado to salads and omelets, add a dollop of guacamole to soup, and sprinkle sliced or chopped nuts onto stir-frys.

Rev up your metabolism naturally Smoking slightly boosts metabolism, so when you quit, maximizing your metabolic rate in healthy, natural ways is a smart strategy for preventing weight gain. Research-backed methods include drinking more water and unsweetened green tea (note: if you can't stand it unsweetened add a splash of 100% fruit juice), firing up meals with hot peppers (like fresh jalapenos or dried and ground cayenne or chili pepper), slightly increasing your protein portions, and seasoning meals with spices like ginger, black pepper, garlic, and organic citrus zest. Each of these strategies has also been shown to boost satiety, and flavoring meals with metabolic-boosters can keep your taste buds happy, while helping you avoid excess salt and sugar.

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Up your activity In addition to burning calories, exercise also helps curb cigarette cravings and relieve withdrawal symptoms. The trick is finding fun ways to move. A recent study found that when exercise feels like "work" we tend to compensate by seeking out rewards, like adding "I earned it" treats or eating more, which can cancel out the weight loss benefits of working out. To avoid this effect, choose activities that get your heart rate up, but don't feel like a chore or punishment. Take a dance class, plan a half day hike, or a long bike ride with a friend, try something you've never done but have always wanted to do, like rollerblading, indoor rock climbing, or stand-up paddle boarding, or join a volleyball or dodgeball league. Being active in enjoyable ways can help you connect to a whole new smoke-free you, and strengthen the chances that you'll leave smoking behind forever.

Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, is Health's contributing nutrition editor. She is frequently seen on national TV and privately counsels clients in New York, Los Angeles, and long distance. Cynthia is currently the sports nutrition consultant to the New York Rangers NHL team and the Tampa Bay Rays MLB team, and is board certified as a specialist in sports dietetics. Her latest New York Times best seller is S.A.S.S! Yourself Slim: Conquer Cravings, Drop Pounds and Lose Inches.

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By Derrik J. Lang, The Associated Press - The Canadian Press

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Game makers at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo went for the jugular.

That's not just a metaphor about the competitive spirit of the video game industry at its annual trade show this past week. There were also actual depictions of throats being ripped out — as well as spleens, spines, hearts and testicles — in some of the goriest scenes ever shown off at E3.

Developers of such titles as "Bloodborne," "Let It Die," "Mortal Kombat X," "Dead Island 2" and "Dying Light" weren't shy about harnessing the high-powered graphical capabilities of the latest generation of consoles to portray more realistic decapitations, dismemberments and other grisliness.

Why the apparent boost in high-definition gross-outs?

"I think in the early years of a console launch, you have the so-called early adopters and hardcore fan base," said Shawn Layden, CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, which launched the PlayStation 4 last November. "I think they look for the latest gaming experience that takes them to another level from where they've been before, and a lot of our publishing partners are pursuing the new, most impactful experience for gamers."

The parade of carnage kicked off Monday at Microsoft's presentation when the creators of "Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare" demonstrated a level in which a character's arm is ripped off while attempting to sabotage an enemy aircraft in South Korea. Michael Condrey, co-founder of "Advanced Warfare" developer Sledgehammer Games, later maintained the amputation wasn't only intended to shock.

"We know that war is terrifying," said Condrey. "The military advisers that we work with talk about the horrors of war. 'Call of Duty' isn't just about gratuitous violence. The scene that you saw in Seoul at the Microsoft press conference, that's an impactful story moment. The loss of the arm is really part of the narrative. We showed that for a particular storytelling reason."

Other slaughter on display at E3 included a first-person perspective of a decapitation in a demo of the French Revolution-set "Assassin's Creed: Unity" and several bone-crushing new moves in "Mortal Kombat X," like extreme close-ups of characters snapping their opponents' spines and manhandling their genitals.

"It seems, as time goes on, video games continue to become more violent, realistic and graphic," said Brad J. Bushman, a communication and psychology professor at Ohio State University. "This is a disturbing trend. Unfortunately, I see no signs that it will stop. The research evidence clearly indicates that violent video games increase aggression in players, and can make them numb to the pain and suffering of others."

But it wasn't merely blood and guts on display at E3 this year. The virtual horse that players will mount in the open-world action sequel "Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain" has been programmed to spontaneously defecate. And in a creepy abandoned mental institution from the Victorian-era thriller "The Order: 1886," there's not just blood smeared across the walls.

Game makers defend that gore aids the narrative, yet many believe a little goes a long way.

"For us, it's more impactful if it's done tastefully," said "The Order" game director Dana Jan. "If you just throw blood all over the place, it's meaningless. ... We have to look at what we think is disturbing or scary and figure out how to do that masterfully without going too over the top."

E3 wasn't completely consumed with bloodshed. This year's show featured a plethora of non-bloody, artsy games that attracted an unprecedented amount of attention. Still, the biggest games at E3 are usually the most hardcore

While violence has long been part of gaming history, and these gory titles are destined to be restricted to adult buyers by the industry's rating board, such footage received visceral reactions from even the most seasoned gamers this year.

"E3 2014, taken as a whole, doesn't feel as obsessed with violence as past shows," wrote Chris Plante, co-founder at the gaming site Polygon. That was before he cut the show's most graphic violence into a one-minute video. "The supercut is dense with blood, organs and unrecognizable viscera," Plante wrote. "It's strange how these things can wash over you but make an impact when taken together. These conferences can be a bit desensitizing."

AP Entertainment Writer Ryan Pearson contributed to this report.
Follow AP Entertainment Writer Derrik J. Lang on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/derrikjlang.

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By Anne T. Donahue - Celebrity News

Father's Day is upon us once again, and because holidays are nothing without being tied to television, we've used it as an excuse to rank dads. But not just any dads -- TV dads. The dads that gave us hope and instilled fear and even introduced us to types of resentment. (Here's looking at you, Danny Tanner, who literally defined "micromanagement.")

So without further adieu, here is the definitive ranking of TV dads, from worst to best. Happy Father's Day!

Walter White ("Breaking Bad")
Walter White (Bryan Cranston) may have started his meth empire to ensure his family had money after he died from cancer, but he was a liar (a damned liar). He did it for himself, and he said so himself. (And by "did it," we of course mean "mentally and emotionally abuse his family.")

Ward Cleaver ("Leave it to Beaver")
Honestly, any father who talks down to his kids and his wife as much as Ward (Hugh Beaumont) would be the type most of us would give dirty looks to in the grocery store. What makes you so special, Ward?

Tywin Lannister ("Game of Thrones")
Not only does Tywin (Charles Dance) love his incestuous twins Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and Cersei (Lena Headey) more than son Tyrion (Peter Dinklage), he actively blames Tyrion for the death of his wife -- who died in childbirth. You would, you horrible dad. (Plus, even though Tywin accepts Jaime and Cersei, he still exercises far too much control over their lives.)

Dexter Morgan ("Dexter")
Dexter (Michael C. Hall) was a man who neglected his son so he could kill people. Next.

Don Draper ("Mad Men")
Don (Jon Hamm) tries, and he's damaged, sure. But even though he and Sally (Kiernan Shipka) have a beautiful bond, she also saw her father having sex with his neighbour. On the flip side, Don did buy Sally a puppy in season 1 -- but it was because he bailed on her birthday and left Betty serving a frozen Sara Lee. (Shameful.)

Mitch Leery ("Dawson's Creek")
Mitch Leery (John Wesley Shipp) died in a car accident after trying to pick an ice cream cone up from the car floor, presumably to eat it. He may have been the greatest dad in the world, but guess what: nobody cares now.

Fitzgerald Grant ("Scandal")
President Fitzgerald Grant (Tony Goldwyn) had a baby with a wife he doesn't love to maintain his political popularity. Yeah, what a winner.

Danny Tanner ("Full House")
He was obsessed with cleanliness which inevitably led to complexes in his children as they got older. (Also: too many "life lesson" speeches. Relax, guy.)

Al Bundy ("Married With Children")
Right smack in the middle. Why? Because Al Bundy (Ed O'Neill) is just an average guy trying his best. Kind of. Eh, he's fine.

Tim Taylor ("Home Improvement")
Yes, he was present with his kids (and actually seemed to like them), but Tim Taylor (Tim Allen) needed a lesson or two in feminism and/or the myth of male masculinity. Sports and tools don't make a man -- you can totally take your kids to a musical with your wife, dude.

Martin Crane ("Frasier")
The fact that Martin (John Mahoney) not only puts up with his terrible sons, but also regularly puts them in his place makes him Father of the Year. Give the man a second recliner.

Phil Dunphy ("Modern Family")
He embarrasses his children while trying to be cool because he loves them. On the flip side, he embarrasses his children while trying to be cool (maybe because he secretly hates them, we don't know).

George Jefferson ("The Jeffersons")
The man built a dynasty upon dry cleaning stores, and despite his sometimes-surliness, George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) obviously cared. Because here's the thing: anyone with that much drive and family dedication is entitled to being a little tuckered out from time to time. Especially when trying to parent a teenage son.

Bob Belcher ("Bob's Burgers")
He makes delicious burgers and supports his children's dreams. The only downside is his lack of support for Louise's clever burger nicknames. (Just go with them, Bob.)

Louis CK ("Louie")
Louis might actually be one of the most underrated dads on television: trying his best religiously, he gives a realistic glimpse into what raising two daughters is like. It's difficult, rewarding, but more importantly, very entertaining for anyone not involved.

Dan Conner ("Roseanne")
Pro: Dan Conner (John Goodman) was a tolerate, patient, kind dad. Con: the "Roseanne" finale made us question everything we knew, meaning there was a chance he wasn't actually like that at all. Because life is unfair.

Graham Chase ("My So-Called Life")
ABC "But Mr. Chase (Tom Irwin) was an amazing dad!" you argue. "Why wouldn't you place him higher on the list?" Easy: because, if "My So-Called Life" hadn't been prematurely cancelled, it was set up that he might cheat on his wife. And not to judge, but that's Don Draperville, U.S.A.

Cliff Huxtable ("The Cosby Show")
. In one episode, Cliff Huxtable (Bill Cosby) offered a reality check to his children that rivals even the best-written AMC monologue: "This isn't Burger King. You can't have it your way." Ladies and gentlemen, the original mic drop.

Uncle Phil ("Fresh Prince of Bel-Air")
When Will (Will Smith) arrived from West Philadelphia, Uncle Phil (James Avery) stepped up: he was more of a dad than Will's biological father ever was, incorporating Will into a life he wouldn't have known if the then-teen had stayed on the playground, (where he spent most of his days). We miss you, James Avery.

Eric Taylor ("Friday Night Lights")
Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) defines "there." As in "being there." And "there for you." And "there there, stop crying, it's just a TV show, Eric Taylor isn't real." But we sure wish he was.

Homer Simpson ("The Simpsons")
Sure, he's clueless sometimes, but remember the episode where Homer bonded with Bart over the soapbox cars? Or when he tried to attend the opera to impress Lisa? He tries! He's an every-dad! And, according to the post about his nuclear reactor station, he even keeps his horrible job for Maggie. ("Do it for her." Tears.)

Keith Mars ("Veronica Mars")
A single father whose mandate is to do the right thing, Keith Mars (Enrico Colantoni) not only believes and believes in Veronica (Kristen Bell), he puts her needs above his own -- without being a doormat, or being taken advantage of. A dad for all of us. A dad for the books. A dad who's currently trying to support Veronica's choice to follow in his P.I. footsteps. (If you watched the "Veronica Mars" movie, which is a great Father's Day choice.)

Who do you think is the best (or worst) dad on TV? Sound off in the comments below, and Happy Father's Day!

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Seek out and eliminate these quiet health destroyers.
By Leah Zerbe, Rodalenews.com

Attack on Your Immunity Viruses and bacteria aren't the only bad actors that test your immune system. Your T cells are being tested 24/7, and by some surprising culprits, ranging from modern-day convenience items in your home to deep-rooted emotions. We scoured the data to bring you common immune-system wreckers so you can eliminate them from your life.

Microwavable Popcorn
Immune System Assassin: Microwavable popcorn bags are commonly coated in nonstick chemicals called perflurorinated compounds (PFCs) so grease doesn't penetrate the bag. A recent study in Environmental Health found levels the government considers "safe" are 100 to 1,000 times too high for children. These chemicals have been shown to mess up your immune system; vaccines given to people with higher levels of PFCs in their bodies were much less effective.

Immunity Boost: Make popcorn on the stovetop or use this DIY microwave popcorn trick. These same chemicals hide out in many stain-repellent carpets and furniture treatments and greaseproof fast-food containers and wraps, so be sure to cut down on these exposures, too.

Pots and Pans
Immune System Assassin: Some of the same nonstick chemicals added to popcorn bags also hide out in many nonstick pots and pans. A recent study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found women with higher levels of hormone-disrupting perfluorinated compounds like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in their blood were more likely to have the autoimmune disease osteoarthritis.

Immunity Boost: Don't panic if you have nonstick pans, but when you start noticing scratches and chips, replace them with glass, made-in-the-USA cast iron, or stainless steel to avoid nonstick chemicals.

Loneliness
Immune System Assassin: Your immune cells are social, and they want you to be, too. T cells scan your body for disease and then share information like honeybees, according to a recent scientific breakthrough. But if you're not so social, it could impact your ability to fight disease. Ohio State researchers recently found worrying about close relationships acts like a chronic stressor that suppresses your immunity. Previous research found we're more likely to get sick--and die earlier--when we have fewer social connections.

Immunity Boost: If you just can't seem to click with new people, try volunteering where you'll find generous and grateful folk, such as at a soup kitchen. You're not necessarily looking to make new friends there--though it's great if you do. But you may find it easier to lower your guard in an atmosphere of altruism and gratitude.

Lack of Sleep
Immune System Assassin: Slacking in the sleep department can lower the number of killer cells your body needs to wipe out infections. A University of Chicago study found that sleeping just four hours a night for a week cut the number of flu-fighting antibodies in study participants' systems in half.

Immunity Boost: Stay away from looking at screens for at least two hours before going to bed. The light from electronics' screens can trick your brain from easing into sleep mode. Aim for seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep.

Antibiotics
Immune System Assassin: Taking antibiotics can slash your levels of cytokines, the hormonal messengers your immune system relies on during sickness.

Immunity Boost: Cold and flu and most middle ear and sinus infections are caused by viruses, so taking antibiotics will do nothing for your ailment and will wipe out immune-supporting bacteria in your gut. Find out when you actually need antibiotics, here. When you are on antibiotics, be sure to take doses on time and finish the entire course. Eat low-sugar yogurt and fermented foods to repopulate your gut flora.

Canned Food
Immune System Assassin: Bisphenol A, or BPA, coats the inside lining of most canned foods. In 2010, University of Michigan School of Public Health researchers found that adults with higher levels of BPA also had higher cytomegalovirus antibody levels, suggesting that their cell-mediated immune system is malfunctioning.

Immunity Boost: To avoid BPA, opt for fresh or frozen foods, versus canned, or reach for soups and broths in Tetra Pak boxes.

Sugar
Immune System Assassin: Eating 100 grams of sugar (think a bottle of soda, fruit yogurt, and a candy bar) significantly lowered the ability of white blood cells to kill bacteria for up to five hours, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Immunity Boost: Avoid foods with added sugar as much as possible, especially during cold and flu season. It's in obvious places, such as juices, sodas, and desserts, but significant amounts also hide out in many low-fat yogurts, bread, condiments, and salad dressings.

Dehydration
Immune System Assassin: Fluids help flush your body of immune-damaging toxins and carry nutrients to any infection sites. Little-known fact? Many of us walk around mildly dehydrated most of the time without even knowing it.

Immunity Boost: If your pee is dark yellow in the morning, drink more water before bed--you're aiming for pale yellow for a visible sign of proper hydration.

Antibacterial Soap
Immune System Assassin: Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center found children exposed to antibacterial chemicals are prone to food and environmental allergies. Children with higher levels of antibacterials in their urine experienced higher IgE blood antibody levels. High antibody counts signal a response to an allergen; the researchers believe the antibacterial chemicals alter healthy immune system development.

Immunity Boost: Children with more triclosan, a popular antibacterial soap chemical, in their blood high the highest allergy risk. Washing with regular soap and water works just as well, without the added risks.

Air Pollution
Immune System Assassin: Cutting-edge research is unearthing a connection between air pollution--specifically polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)--and damaged immune systems. PAHs pour from exhaust pipes and flake off of driveways, playgrounds, and parking lots treated with coal-tar sealant.

Immunity Boost: Check local pollution levels and avoid exercising outdoors on high pollution days. Push for a coal-tar sealant ban in your city, state, or municipality to reduce PAH exposure from blacktop surfaces. (Safer alternatives without coal tar are readily available at most hardware stores.)

Insecticides
Immune System Assassin: Using toxic insecticides to kill household and lawn pests could increase your risk of developing an autoimmune disease, according to data recently presented at an American College of Rheumatology meeting. Women who sprayed insecticides at least six times a year were about 2½ times more likely to develop lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Those who hired a professional lawn service to apply insecticides to their yard had a two times greater risk.

Immunity Boost: Use nontoxic pest control measures and use these organic lawn-care tips to keep your house pest free without chemicals. Plant native plants in your garden to attract beneficial insects that prey on pests, too.

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There are definitely one or two things he only does because it makes you happy.

By Frank Kobola,
cosmopolitan.com

1. He finds your best friend / sister / mom attractive. If you think she's pretty, he probably does too. He also wants to avoid a fight about it not mattering how *~cHiLL~* you are because it really does mean nothing to him. But yes, she's pretty.

2. He's scared of spiders. He's going to suck it up and kill that giant spider that got into the room even though it freaks him out. What is that thing? A Brown Recluse? Definitely gonna be your fault if he gets paralyzed from the venom.

3. He's scared of the future. Making a five-year plan is scarier than spiders, but only marginally scarier.

4. He has no idea what he's doing. Is the furnace broken? Yeah, he'll go down there and bang around on the pipes with a wrench in one hand while he Googles "how to fix a furnace" on his phone. There! Fixed.

5. If you've gained weight. He will never touch this one. No matter how many ways you phrase, "I think I need to lose weight," he will change the subject. He will start a house fire just to avoid the subject.

6. If he's not that into your hobbies. You two probably have a lot in common, but there are definitely one or two things he does just because it makes you happy. He will sit there and get excited about Scandal with you, and he will take his hatred for it to his grave.

7. He loves some of the things you hate. Sure, he was all about taking a stand and boycotting McDonald's with you for the sake of solidarity after you watched Super Size Me. He also sometimes sneaks a Big Mac at work. It tastes like two all-beef patties, special sauce, cheese, pickles, onions, and tears.

8. How he really feels about your family. If he doesn't like something about your family, you'll never know it. Unless your mom tried to stab him because he wouldn't take off his gang colors in her house or something.

9. How much porn he watches. He watches a lot of porn, OK? Just, a lot. The amount of porn he watches will make you sad. Don't ask this question.

10. He knows exactly how long his penis is. To the second decimal place, off the top of his head.

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By Elizabeth Bernstein, The Wall Street Journal


"How can I tell if someone is lying to me online, or in a text or an email?"

Readers have been asking me about this issue a lot lately. In an age of online dating and constant emails, texts and social media, people write to tell me about communications that feel incomplete, disconnected or just a little off. Their gut is telling them something is wrong.

With so much room for ambiguity and misinterpretation, it's hard to tell what is fact and what is fiction. This can happen when we are flirting with a stranger on an online dating site, as well as when we are messaging with a work manager or planning a family party with a sibling.

Experts say the vast majority of our interpersonal communication involves body language—gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice. Take these intangibles away, as we do with digital messages, and we are left with far fewer clues as to what is really going on.

In the office and elsewhere, many relationships begin on email and remain that way for years. So it's critical to have tools to help evaluate whether the person on the other end of a digital communication might be lying.

Research shows people tend to be suspicious of information they receive online but override their suspicions and trust the information anyway. Experts call this our "truth bias."

We often have powerful emotional reasons to believe what someone is telling us. We really want to believe the message from the cutie on the dating site is real. Ditto the text saying our spouse is working late.

A few years ago, Brian Bohne, of Lauderdale by the Sea, Fla., was contacted through an online dating site by an attractive woman in Russia. Almost immediately, she asked to communicate via email.

From the start, Mr. Bohne had suspicions—her messages appeared to be written with the help of translation software—but he decided to play along.

He says he found her story of longing to get out of her small town believable. He was surprised that she wrote for months, professing her love without asking for money.

"Waking up in the morning to an email love letter can be exciting and flattering," says Mr. Bohne, a 51-year-old retired Army veteran. He found himself thinking, "What if?"

After four months, the woman said she wanted to visit and was going to apply for a passport. Then she contacted him to say if he didn't wire her $1,000, she was going to be in "big trouble." Mr. Bohne googled the email address she had provided—and found it on websites warning about so-called bride scams. He didn't wire the money.

It is possible to catch people lying because they often are bad at it, says Tyler Cohen Wood, an intelligence officer and cyber branch chief at the Defense Intelligence Agency's Science and Technology Directorate, and author of a 2014 book titled "Catching the Catfishers: Disarm the Online Pretenders, Predators and Perpetrators Who Are Out to Ruin Your Life." (Her views on the subject are her own and not those of her employer, she emphasizes.)

"The majority of people prefer to tell the truth," says Ms. Cohen Wood. "That's why when they are lying, the truth is going to leak out."

There will be clues. To identify them, Ms. Cohen Woods suggests using a modified version of a law-enforcement technique known as statement analysis, which is a way to look for deception by analyzing a person's words.

To begin with, pay attention to a person's use of emphatic language. It doesn't necessarily mean he or she is lying, but rather that he or she really wants you to believe what is being said. This is also the case when a person keeps saying the same thing over and over in slightly different ways. "They wouldn't repeat it if it wasn't important to them," Ms. Cohen Wood says.

Look for language that distances the writer from the intended reader. In person, someone may unconsciously distance himself by crossing his arms in front of him. In writing, he can achieve this same effect by omitting personal pronouns and references to himself from a story.

Say he receives a text that says, "Hey I had a great time last night, did you?" He might reply, "Last night was fun."

Another technique to watch out for is the unanswered question. You ask, and the other person hedges or changes the subject. Most likely, the person doesn't like saying no, or doesn't want to hurt your feelings. But he or she also may also be keeping something from you.

"This is all very subtle," says Ms. Cohen Wood. "And it depends on the context." It helps to know a person's baseline behavior—certain words, phrases and punctuation he or she uses often, and the amount of time he or she tends to take when replying. Pay attention when any of this deviates from the norm. Did someone who is usually chatty and full of details suddenly become curt or vague? Did a quiet person turn into a chatter box?

Noncommittal statements are red flags—"pretty sure," "probably," "must have" and, my least favorite, "maybe." ("Did you let the client know, Jim?" "We covered a lot of ground. I must have mentioned it.") "These words leave the person an out," Ms. Cohen Wood says.

Qualifying statements, what I call "tee-ups," are another potential tell. Ms. Cohen Wood says these expressions—"to be honest," "there is nothing to worry about," "I hate to tell you this"—often signal that the person is uncomfortable with his or her next statement.

Another sign of lying is "tense hopping." Someone describing an event that happened in the past usually uses the past tense. But if midway through the story the person starts fabricating, that material plays out in his or her head and leads to a switch to the present tense.

Ms. Cohen Wood advises people who meet someone online to consider a few protective steps. They can apply in other situations, too.

First and foremost, if an email or text exchange feels off, ask the person if he or she would mind switching immediately to phone or Skype. A slightly more skeptical request is to ask for a real-time photo stamped with the time and date.

Ask questions. Pay attention to vague answers, slip-ups and inconsistencies. Don't brush it off if a person tells you he or she is an only child and then mentions a sibling.

One red flag may be a misunderstanding or an honest mistake, Ms. Cohen Wood says. "But if they meet multiple things on the checklist, then you have a problem," she says.

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Make sure your anesthesiologist won't be checking Facebook during your surgery!

By Susan E. Matthews, Everyday Health

You're ready to go in for surgery. You've read everything you can about your condition and how the surgery will help you. You've even used our tip sheet to schedule your surgery for the right time, with the right doctor. Just to make sure you're as prepared as you can be, here's what your doctor may not tell you about anesthesia, which will help you get through the procedure with as little pain and awareness as possible.

1. You could be awake during the procedure.
For most major surgeries (think open-heart), you'll be put completely under so that you're both blissfully unaware of what's happening, and so you won't move and disrupt the work of the doctors. But for certain surgeries, you might just get localized anesthesia, meaning that you won't be able to feel where the doctors are operating, but you are aware of your surroundings. This might happen if the procedure is minor, like dental surgery, or if it's important that the person is aware of what's happening and responding, as can be the case for certain brain surgeries.

2. It could make you more forgetful.
Undergoing anesthesia has been shown to affect memory in some people, sometimes for weeks or months after the surgery. Patients with postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) report that their memory is impaired following surgery for days, weeks, or even months, but there's little evidence to show long-term impairment. Researchers have found that anesthesia kills brain cells involved in memory and learning in mice.

3. Your age might affect your recovery time.
Cognitive issues following surgery seem to be especially pronounced for older adults. Problems with concentration and attention have been reported in 25 percent of patients over 60 in the week following surgery, but they do tend to subside over time. There's currently a medical debate as to whether anesthesia increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease in the elderly, with some research showing it does, and other studies show it has no effect.

4. You're not just "asleep."
You're actually unconscious - which is helpful, because it means you won't respond to pain. But it also means that someone will have to monitor your vital signs, like your pulse and your breathing, at all times.

5. Your insurance may not cover your anesthesiologist.
Even if your procedure is covered. If someone's going to be monitoring your vitals throughout the entire surgery (and making sure you're getting the proper amount of anesthesia medication to keep you under), it's going to cost you. Anesthesiology yields the sixth-highest earnings compared to other physician specialties, according to a 2013 report. Unfortunately, that cost may not be covered by your insurance, even if your procedure is. Women who have needed an epidural while giving birth have found this out the hard way. The same is true of other more minor procedures, such as a colonoscopy. Ask if your anesthesiologist is in-network, and ask what the service will cost before-hand.

6. You might wake up during the surgery.
This is called anesthesia awareness, and it's estimated to happen 20,000-40,000 times a year in the United States. That means it occurs in one or two for every 1,000 surgeries performed. The scary part is that while you might wake up, the drugs may prohibit you from talking, moving, or signaling that you're awake. It's more likely to happen if the anesthesia drugs are delivered only intravenously, rather than inhaled, so talk to your doctor about your options if this is something you're nervous about. If you do wake up during the surgery, your anesthesiologist should realize it and correct the problem.

7. You need to disclose a drug or alcohol addiction.
If your body is used to processing large quantities of alcohol or other drugs, your liver may process these sorts of drugs more quickly than the average person. This is important because it will also mean your liver is more effective at processing anesthesia drugs. Be sure to disclose any sort of addiction to your doctor, so you receive the correct level of anesthesia.

8. You might wake up with a sore throat.
You may be intubated with a breathing tube to be sure your body is getting enough oxygen during the surgery. While you'll have muscle relaxants to ensure that your windpipe doesn't interact with the tube, it's still likely that you'll wake up with a sore throat. Other side effects of anesthesia include dry mouth, hoarseness, sleepiness, shivering, nausea, and vomiting.

9. The risk of dying is relatively low, but it exists.
Death rates from surgery in which general anesthesia was used have improved dramatically in just the last 50 years. While in the 1970s, 357 patients for every million patients died, by the 1990s and early 2000s that had dropped to just 34 patients for every million, a 2012 analysis found. The risk of dying simply from anesthesia is just 1 in 250,000, lower than the mortality rate for household injuries.

10. Your anesthesiologist may be on Facebook during your surgery.
Still, you'll want to make sure your anesthesiologist is up to snuff. Take, for example, Christopher Spillers, an anesthesiologist who is being sued for checking and posting to Facebook while supposedly monitoring a patient during surgery. Check out your hospital's quality score here, first. You can also check the status of your doctor's licence with your state's Board of Medicine.

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