Your skin is the largest organ in your body. External issues may be a red flag that something is wrong within.
While sheet masks and bottled serums may have a certain soothing and aesthetic allure, a good skincare routine may not be enough to soothe your body’s complex systems.
High levels of cortisol can jumble up the signals your nerves decide to send, leading to anything from fine lines to an outbreak of hives.
While this correlation between skin and stress has been known since ancient times, recent studies showing a deeper connection only date back a few years.
And while your skin care products or diet can cause skin concerns, stress should also be taken into account — especially if a rash develops out of the blue or lasts long after you’ve tried almost everything.
We’ve rounded up eight proven ways that hormonal, physical, and mental stress affect your skin. But, more importantly, we also come up with what you can do about it.
We are sure that you’ve heard nutritionists and fitness experts say that in order to lose weight and inches off of your body, you need to be in a caloric deficit. This means that you need to eat fewer calories than you burn. However, making dietary changes is easier said than done, but nothing is impossible.
Many people believe that diet pills or fad diets will help them achieve their goals faster, but the truth is that these are not sustainable at all. The easiest way to have a healthy weight is to eat foods that will nourish your body with all the nutrients it needs, such as protein, carbs, and fat, and include plenty of exercise in your day.
Speaking of things you should eat to be in the best shape of your life, we’ve come across a few fat-burning foods you should include in your diet if you’re looking to glow up and lose weight.
So if this topic is something that interests you, make sure to click on the next page to see all of these fat-burning foods that will help you shed off those extra pounds.
Warning: In case you’re a mild germaphobe, this article will really gross you out.
You probably know that most of the things you touch are absolutely filled with bacteria. And in this case, we’re not talking about obvious-seeming offenders such as toilet seats, or bathroom floors.
Believe it or not, these examples are oftentimes CLEANER than the culprits we’re about to list. I know, it sounds surprising. But the reality is this: the objects that we use the most are prone to hosting more bacteria than we could ever imagine. Let’s talk about 10 things you never thought would be so dirty:
Sponges and dishcloths
This one might have crossed your mind, it’s true. I mean, the very items that we use to clean everything in the house are obviously among the filthiest objects.
But between them all, kitchen sponges are the absolute worst, as they have 10 million bacteria per square inch. You wanna hear something even more frightening?
It’s about 200,000 times more bacteria than our beloved toilet seat. In this case, dishcloths are just as filthy. In fact, there’s even a study that analyzed 82 dishcloths from 5 big cities in the U.S. and Canada and found E. coli on nearly half of towels, and Salmonella in almost 14% percent of the dishcloths.
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Sinks, faucets, and handles
When it comes to places you usually go to get water, such as basins and handles, next time make sure you give ’em a good old scrub. Surprisingly or not, the kitchen is even worse than the bathroom, but both can be covered in all sorts of gross bacteria.
In fact, there is research conducted by the brave souls of NSF International, that found coliform bacteria, that huge family of bacteria that includes Salmonella and E. coli, in 45% of kitchen sinks.
In comparison, only 9% of bathroom sink handles had the same bacteria present. And if you’re thinking of switching to the shower when it comes to germ-blasting activities, think again.
There’s a 2009 study that shows how you could introduce dangerous pathogens into your shower like Mycobacterium avium, which causes pulmonary diseases.
Toothbrushes, and toothbrush holders
Do you want to hear the painful truth? Your brush, which you use to clean those pearly white teeth of yours, has probably more germs than your dog’s entire mouth.
The reason for this isn’t what hides in your mouth, but rather what surrounds your toothbrush and your toothbrush holder. First things first, let’s exercise our imagination: after cleaning your teeth, do you leave your toothbrush wet?
If the answer is yes, then it’s a perfect place for nasty-sounding bacteria like Serratia marcescens, which can cause, in some cases, meningitis.
Secondly, our toothbrushes are very close to our toilets, and if you flush with the toilet lid up, the water might reach everything within a 5 to a 6-foot radius.
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Refrigerator handles
Next time you’re in the mood for a snack, just remember that the handle to your home refrigerator door might be the host of a great party of could germs.
Plus, don’t forget to add to that list the regular yeast and mold. This is one of the places that might really slip your mind when it comes to bacteria-infected places because when you’re thinking about your fridge, you tend to think of other places rather than the refrigerator handles.
But luckily, you’re reading this article, so now you know more! It’s important to be extra cautious when it comes to the place where we store our foods, so next time make sure you scrub well those handles.
Cutting boards
Cutting boards are probably the ones on this list that you really expected to be filled with bacteria. And truth to be told, they ARE the worst offenders when it comes to dangerous bacteria, mainly because that’s where we put the foods we buy that aren’t cleaned or cooked yet.
The best example, in this case, is, as you guessed, the chicken. The chicken, alongside the pork and any other meats, is the number one suspect when it comes to bacteria.
So much so that it’s recommended to have a special cutting board for these meats. If you want to avoid getting E. coli or Salmonella, which are at fault for causing severe stomach problems, try to keep everything as clean as possible.
Photo by Opat Suvi from Shutterstock
Remote controls
I’m about to break the heart of some channel surfers, I know. But at the same time, it’s worth knowing, because it’s a matter that concerns your health.
Most of our remote controls are filled with germs, like Coliform bacteria, mold, and even the infection-causing Staphylococcus aureus. In fact, NSF International found 14% of household remotes have some sort of bacteria on them.
But to make you feel better and worse at the same time, I’m going to tell you that the remote controls in your house are NOTHING compared to the ones in the hotel rooms. There, scientists discovered 13 times the maximum acceptable level that’s recommended for hospitals.
Phones
Healthy Reads latest DM: Your smartphone is FILLED with countless types of bacteria, including the ones that if you’ll hear you’d probably freak out in a moment.
Let’s just say that some of the worst include the good old Staphylococcus aureus, which is at fault for causing skin infections, pneumonia, and food poisoning, among other conditions.
This doesn’t mean that you should give your smartphone a good shower, but make sure you remember to wash your hands before using your phone. After all, we’re at fault for infecting it with all sorts of bacteria, as we grab it the minute we have a free hand.
Photo by Ilona Kozhevnikova from Shutterstock
Purses
Ladies, don’t panic, but when is the last time you actually cleaned your purse? If the answer is yesterday or last week, congratulations! But if you’re about to answer “not recently enough”, then you should read this.
There’s a 2012 swab test that found A LOT of bacteria in handbags, with germs that were lurking everywhere, including the handles to the items inside.
And to make matters worse, do you know where they find the most bacteria? In the makeup products that you’re using when you go to the toilet. That’s because no one would ever consider their purse when it comes to holding bacteria.
Grocery carts
If you’ve ever noticed those wipes that most groceries have sitting out by the carts, great! Next time, make sure you use them. Research shows that most of the supermarket carts definitely have E. coli, given the fact that they’re in constant food contamination.
In fact, reusable grocery bags aren’t much better. There’s a 2010 study that found frequent traces of E. coli bacteria on totes, as well. In fact, the representatives for this study went as far as to call them “a serious threat to public health”, especially for young children.
The only solution, in this case, is to make sure you wash your grocery bags as often as possible.
Keyboards
And the last but not least, if you’re spending quite some time in front of your laptop or computer, watch out! In the crannies of your favorite keyboard, hides some of the tastiest treats, such as Staph, Coliform, yeast, and mold.
If you’re interested in keeping the QWERTY keyboard as clean as possible, there are a couple of sprays and cleaning tricks. Just google them and you’ll find quite a few options.
Also, try to make a habit out of washing your hands every couple of hours, especially if you’re used to touching your face a lot. This way, you’ll keep everything as clean as possible!
If you didn’t know already, omega-3 fatty acids are wildly important. They have so many powerful and healthy benefits for our bodies and brains, and even more, they’re an essential piece in the structure of our cell wall.
They represent a natural energy source and enhance the good functioning of our heart, lungs, blood vessels, and immune system. There are two crucial ones — EPA and DHA, which can be primarily found in certain fish.
On the other hand, the well-known ALA, or alpha-linolenic acid, can be found in plant sources such as nuts and seeds. There are only a couple of nutrients studied as omega-3 fatty acids. Since we know so much about them, let’s discuss some science-based health benefits of these nutrients:
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Omega-3s are an ally against depression and anxiety
Only recently did we start accepting depression as one of the most damaging mental illnesses in the world. Some of its most known symptoms are sadness, lethargy, and a general loss of interest in life. It’s easy to mistake it with anxiety, which is also another common disorder, which is characterized by constant worry and nervousness.
Luckily, there are studies that show how people who consume omega-3s on a daily basis are less likely to feel depressed. And for those people who already suffer from these disorders, their symptoms improved significantly after starting to take omega-3 supplements. Out of the three types of omega-3 fatty acids, EPA is supposedly the best against these diseases.
Omega-3s improve eye health
DHA is a type of omega-3, but ALSO a major structural component of the retina in your eye. When you don’t have enough DHA, you might start having problems with your vision. The link between these two is extremely interesting, as getting enough omega-3 nutrients actually reduces the risk of macular degeneration, which is one of the world’s major causes of permanent eye damage and blindness.
One study proved that people that had the highest level of omega-3 fatty acids were 30% less likely to develop any macular degeneration, compared to their peers. Also, omega-3 fatty acids were proved to be extremely helpful against high eye pressure, which is oftentimes the main cause of glaucoma.
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Omega-3s promote brain health during pregnancy and even early life
Omega-3s are crucial for brain growth and development in infants. DHA accounts for 40% of the polyunsaturated fatty acids in the brain and 60% in the retina of the eye. So the fact that infants that are fed with a DHA-fortified formula have better eyesight than those who are fed with a regular formula won’t come as a surprise for anyone.
It is highly recommended for pregnant women to get enough omega-3s fatty acids during their pregnancy, as it has various benefits for the child, such as:
higher intelligence
better communication and social skills
fewer behavioral problems
decreased risk of developmental delay
decreased risk of ADHD
Omega-3s improve risk factors for heart disease
As you well know, heart attacks and strokes are frequent causes of death throughout the world. Only in the 20th century, researchers started to notice that fish-eating communities had lower rates of these diseases, which raised a couple of questions.
How did these communities manage to live better than the rest of us? Well, they later found out the answer: they were eating more omega-3s. Since then, omega-3 fatty acids have been directly linked to numerous benefits for heart health, such as:
a major reduction in triglycerides
reduced blood pressure
a better level of HDL cholesterol
fewer blood clots
prevents the plaque that can restrict and harden your arteries
reduced inflammation
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Omega-3s reduce symptoms of ADHD in children
ADHD, also known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a behavioral disorder that’s characterized by the inability to be focused, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. There are many studies that noticed how children with ADHD have lower blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids than their healthier peers.
Even more, there are many studies that showed how omega-3 supplements can significantly reduce the symptoms of ADHD. So, we can safely say that omega-3s can improve inattention and task completion.
Also, they’re known to decrease hyperactivity, impulsiveness, restlessness, and aggression. In fact, so far, fish oil supplements have been proved to be one of the most promising treatments against ADHD.
Omega-3s reduce symptoms of metabolic syndrome
If it’s the first time you’ve ever heard about this, metabolic syndrome is not a disease, but more like a collection of conditions. First of all, it includes central obesity, which is also known as belly fat, alongside high blood pressure, insulin resistance, high triglycerides, and low “good” HDL cholesterol levels.
While it is a major public concern, it’s oftentimes ignored or kept out of the spotlight, given the fact that it represents the result of everything that is wrong with the food industry nowadays. The thing is, suffering from metabolic syndrome increases the risk of other illnesses, such as heart disease and diabetes.
Luckily, omega-3 fatty acids have been proven to be good against all the elements of metabolic syndrome’s spectrum: insulin resistance, inflammation, and heart disease risk factors.
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Omega-3s fight inflammation
Inflammation is the natural response to infections and damage to our bodies. In conclusion, it’s vital for your health. Even so, inflammation can sometimes stay in the body more than it initially had to, and sometimes it doesn’t even need an infection or injury to be present.
When this happens, it’s called chronic or long-term inflammation. Long-term inflammation is known to contribute to most chronic Western illnesses, like heart disease and cancer. The fact that omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the production of molecules and substances linked to them in such great amounts is absolutely astonishing.
In fact, there are several studies that proved the connection between higher omega-3 intake and reduced inflammation.
Omega-3s fight autoimmune diseases
When it comes to autoimmune diseases, your immune system basically attacks healthy cells as if they would be foreign cells, because it can’t tell the difference between the two anymore. Type 1 diabetes is a good example because, in this case, the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas.
Omega-3s can represent a great ally against some of these diseases. Even more, omega-3s consumption in early life has been proved to be essential in this matter. There are studies that focused on the consumption of omega-3s in the first year of your life, and the results were amazing: there’s a reduced risk of most autoimmune diseases, like type 1 diabetes, autoimmune diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.
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Omega-3s fight age-related mental decline and Alzheimer’s disease
A decline in brain function is probably one of the least desired consequences of aging. Luckily, there are studies that linked higher omega-3 intake to decreased mental decline and even a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease!
In fact, there’s one review that shows how omega-3 supplements are beneficial at disease onset when the symptoms of AD are still incipient. Even though these studies and reviews are extremely promising and encouraging, there are still several tests that need to be done before we can all conclude that omega-3s are essential in maintaining proper brain health.
Omega-3s help prevent cancer
Nowadays, cancer is definitely one of the biggest threats to our lives. Even more, it is one of the leading causes of death in Western society. Fortunately, omega-3 fatty acids have been proved to be extremely helpful in reducing the risk of certain cancers.
There are interesting studies that show how people who consume omega-3s on a daily basis have up to a 55% lower risk of developing colon cancer. Even more, omega-3 consumption is believed to help reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men, and breast cancer in women.
Unfortunately, not all studies had the same results. But the future might be brighter with these nutrients when it comes to cancer.
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Omega-3s fatty acids are great for our sleep
Good sleep is absolutely essential to good health. Studies tend to link sleep deprivation to many diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and depression. And because we’re talking about a chain reaction, if sleep deprivation is linked to the development of these diseases, low levels of omega-3 fatty acids are linked to sleeping problems in kids, and obstructive sleep apnea in adults.
Plus, low levels of DHA are connected to lower levels of the hormone “melatonin”, which is responsible for helping you fall asleep. If you have problems with falling asleep or you suffer from insomnia, try adding supplements of omega-3 fatty acids to your daily diet.
What do you think about all the benefits we get from consuming Omega-3 fatty acids? Do you regularly include this amazing nutrient in YOUR diet? Let us know what you think in the comments section down below!
