Study: Nature Beats Drugs For Urinary Tract Infections

The first head-to-head study reveals cranberry extract beats a common antibiotic in the treatment of urinary tract infections. Here’s what you need to know – By Colette Bouchez -

As we head into the holidays most folks are concerned with avoiding hangovers, heart burn, and maybe a cold or flu.

But for women – particularly those in mid life – the holidays also increase the risk of another health threat: Urinary tract infections or UTIs.

Indeed, holiday lifestyle factors like stress, lack of sleep, poor nutrition and most importantly too much alcohol and caffeine are all factors that studies show can increase a woman’s risk of UTI. For many the only way to avoid problems is to spend the entire year on low dose antibiotic therapy.

But now that prescription for urinary tract health may soon change thanks to research just published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. Here researchers detail how a cranberry extract works as well – with far fewer side effects – than the antibiotic commonly prescribed to keep these annoying recurring infections at bay.

And it was the first study to make this important comparison.

"Our trial is the first to evaluate cranberry [extract] in the prevention of recurrent UTIs specifically in older women, and the first head-to-head double-blind comparison of cranberry versus antibiotic prophylaxis,” says lead researcher Marion E.T. McMurdo.

Sherry Torkos, RpH, pharmacist and author of The Benefits of Berries, observes that "McMurdo's research is a landmark study …prevention of UTI with antibiotics is effective but undesirable due to side effects such as diarrhea, upset stomach and yeast infection – and in some cases a potentially fatal super infection with the bacteria Clostridium difficile .”

In the new study researchers compared Cran-Max(r) (a proprietary cranberry concentrate found in ActiFruit(tm) cranberry chews) with trimethoprim, an antibiotic frequently prescribed for recurring UTIs in women. The randomized controlled trial took place over a period of six months and involved 137 women, each of whom had experienced two or more antibiotic-treated UTIs within 12 months.

The end result: The time between infections was no greater in the women using the cranberry extract that in those who were taking the antibiotic.

“ Trimethoprim had a very limited advantage over cranberry extract (Cran-Max) in the prevention of recurrent UTIs in older women and had more adverse effects,” says McMurdo.

These findings - though a first – may soon be duplicated as a new European study comes to a close later this month. Here the impact of Cran-Max was compared to a 480mg dose of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole on 560 women for a one-year period. Preliminary results appear to mimic those found in the newly published study.

Researchers theorize that cranberries work well to reduce the risk of infection by making the urinary tract more “slippery” so bacteria won’t stick to walls as easily. And that means less chance for colonization – where bacteria multiply. And if you’re wondering if simply drinking cranberry juice can help …it can, but not if it’s loaded with sugar. Indeed, since excess sugar can increase the risk of a UTI, unless you’re drinking unsweetened juice ( which is extremely bitter tasting) you’re going to eclipse the benefits.

Midlife UTI: Are You At Risk?

In most instances a UTI is caused by a bacteria that makes it's way into a woman’s urinary tract, often the result of improper bathroom hygiene (like wiping back to front.) Intimate relations can increase the risks by pushing bacteria deeper into the body.

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) reports that women in mid-life may be particularly susceptible since a loss of estrogen shrinks the urethra, the already short tube that carries urine from the body. The shorter the urethra, the more easily bacteria can make it’s way into the urinary tract.

NAMS experts also say that as estrogen levels drop the acid level in your V zone goes turns alkaline creating an environment that favors bacteria and encourages growth, further increasing the risk of infection.

While most women experience obvious symptoms - a burning on urination, an urge to “go” all the time, even pain in the lower abdomen, this isn’t always the case. For some, a UTI may cause nothing more than fatigue – and can often be the undiagnosed culprit behind feeling tired all the time.

"Not every woman has obvious symptoms of a UTI - some have no symptoms or mild symptoms that go unnoticed, except for the fatigue," says Nicea Goldberg, MD a woman’s health specialist from NYU – Langone Medical Center in New York City.

The good news, with or without obvious symptoms a UTI is easily diagnosed via a urine sample – and once treated Goldberg says the symptoms, including the fatigue, usually clears within about a week.

If symptoms recur, you may have a chronic form of the infection, in which case the cranberry extract used in the study may help.

To learn more about the CranMax product used in this study, click here. study.

You may also be interested in reading:
Warning: Common Incontinence Treatment Found Risky
Hungry Again? It’s In Your Genes!

For more detailed health and beauty information visit www.RedDressDiary.com : The Source for Fabulous Women Over 40!

Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved.
In addition to US Copyright, the text of this RedDressDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. All formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license, and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.

7 Ways To Avoid Holiday Colds & Flu

As we smack on into the cold and flu season, building your immunity becomes more important than ever. Here are 7 interesting ways experts say you can protect your health during the winter holiday season - By Colette Bouchez

Winter is almost officially here and it’s not just Santa Claus who’s comin’ to town. Cold and flu season is hitching a ride and on it's way too!

In a perfect world, your immune system goes to work as soon as those germs make a landing, producing powerful killer cells to attack that cold or flu and keep you from getting sick.

But many factors in our life and our lifestyle - including our age - can sometimes compromise that immunity, making it harder to fight germs and stay healthy, particularly during the winter season.

While some studies show taking herbs like Echinacea, ginseng, and astragalus can help -and a flu vaccine offers important protection too – there are also a variety of things you can do to boost your immune power during the winter season – and get the optimal protection you need to greet the New Year with good health as well as good cheer!

To help get you started, here 7 fun and unique ways experts say you can boost your immunity and stay healthier throughout the holiday season.

1. Eat more yogurt - Few folks realize that a good deal of our immune protection begins in the gut, where one of the first germ-fighting battles begins. To help give your body the ammunition it needs to fight, add more yogurt to your diet, say Jacob Teitlebaum, MD, Medical Director of the nationwide Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers. Why? Teitlebaum says yogurt is a great source of “probiotics” – the “friendly “ bacteria that help your tummy fend off germs and bacteria – and can help you fight off a cold or flu.

2. Eat less sugar - What’s a holiday season with out sweets, right? A little bit is okay – but eat too much and you could end up not only adding on a few pounds but also increasing your risk of getting sick. Why? According to preventive medicine specialist Mark Moyad, MD, Director of Preventive & Alternative Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center, “The sugar in just one can of soda can decrease immune function by up to 30% for three hours - it mmobilizes immune cells and impacts their ability to surround bacteria and destroy it.”

3. Donate Blood - Not only will you help someone else, but you’ll also get a “feel good “ boost to your immune system which can help you fight off germs. But more important, Moyad says that giving blood reduces your overall iron content – and since bacteria feed on iron reducing levels can help “starve” germs so they can’t multiply as quickly or attack as hard.

4. Drink Matcha Tea – The key here is powerful levels of antioxidants – nutrients that help increase your resistance to infection. According to pharmacist Suzy Cohen RPh, nothing beats the antioxidant power of Matcha tea – a powdered form of ground up green tea leaves sold under many brand names and available online and in most health food stores. Cohen says that just one cup of Matcha tea nets you the antioxidant power found in up to 10 cups of regular green tea – and up to 100 times the antioxidant power of vitamins C and E.

5. Watch The Wine – While wine is good for your heart and your overall health, drink too much and Moyad says you depress your immune system. Too much wine, says Moyad, can reduce the nutritional content in your blood stream, dropping levels of omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin C – both important for fight off germs, he says. Moreover, if you want to prevent those “travel colds “ that seem to pop up after a plane trip, don’t drink in flight. Moyad says this can help reduce your risk of picking up a cold or flu germ present in the plane or at the airport.

6. Smile! - According to studies published by Loma Linda University in California brain chemicals linked to immunity increase when we laugh – or even think about something funny. So rent a funny movie, watch your favorite sit com or just think about people that make you smile – all of it can help you stay healthier through the season!

7. Have more Sex - A study from Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania found that men and women who had one to two sexual encounters per week had a 30% increase in IgA – antigens that are found in saliva and in the mucous membranes and are considered the first line of defense against cold and flu viruses. Exactly how or why sexual activity causes an increase is not well understood but … do you really need a reason? :)

You might also enjoy reading:
Yogurt: The New Old Wonder Food

Food Fight: Don't Rely On Will Power To Lose Weight

And remember to visit www.RedDressDiary.com - Your Health & Beauty Source for Fabulous Women Over 40!

Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved.
In addition to US Copyright, the text of this RedDressDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. All formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license, and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.

Memory Boosters: 10 Natural Ways to Remember More!

Are you doing more and remembering less? Memory loss is a part of aging ...but you can do something to slow it down! Here are 10 natural ways studies show you can boost your brain power and remember more - by Colette Bouchez

· You come out of the mall and not only don’t remember where you parked
the car, you don’t even remember parking the car.

· You need sticky notes to remember the names of your kids.

· You not only forgot your anniversary, you momentarily forgot…your spouses name.

Sound familiar? If you’re over 45 I can almost guarantee at least one of these things happened to you this month. If you’re over 50, at least one happened today!

The problem is memory loss, and researchers say that, to some degree, it’s a natural part of the aging process. For women, remembering also seems rooted to our hormones – with swings both up and down having an effect.

Indeed, during pregnancy, when hormone levels are soaring, many women become forgetful. In menopause, when these same hormones are plummeting, absentmindedness prevails yet again.

And while some memory loss is clearly age and hormone related, you may be surprised to discover that there are many outside factors that can also impact how well, and how much, we remember.

To help put you on the road to making memories that last, here are 10 ways to boost your brainpower and remember more.

1. Watch Soy Intake – Eating a lot of tofu lately? Or maybe you don’t remember just how much! New research out of Oxford University revealed that eating tofu at least once a day increased the risk of memory loss – particularly in folks over age 60.

2. Eat Less White Bread – While the effect isn’t immediate, Dr. Vincent Fortanasce, author of “The Anti-Alzheimer’s Prescription says that carb-heavy diets – like those containing a lot of white bread and cake - cause insulin to spike, prompting the release of an enzyme necessary to neutralize the effects. The problem: It’s the same enzyme that’s used to clear memory-robbing proteins from the brain. If it’s working on your insulin levels 24/7, it won’t be doing its job for your brain – and over time, memory will suffer.

3. Eat More Fish - According to research published earlier this year in the journal Neurology, eating 3 fishmeals each week significantly reduces your risk of stroke – a major cause of memory loss.

4. Drink Alcohol in Moderation - As the holiday season approaches many of us can look forward to a night of champagne dreams being followed by a morning of no recall. While that once a year hangover isn’t going to have any lasting effect on your memory, drink too much alcohol all year long and studies show your memory will begin to suffer.

5. Sip Some Green Tea – A team of British researchers from Newcastle University found that green tea was able to reduce the activity of brain chemicals associated with memory loss. Reporting in the journal Phytotherapy Research, the researchers suggest that green tea has both long term and immediate effects on memory.

6. Take A Nap - Start logging in a few extra hours of sleep each week and watch your memory improve. Researchers from Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that the area of the brain that controls how quickly we access information works more efficiently after a good night’s rest.

7. Quit Smoking – According to a study published earlier this year in the Archives of Internal Medicine, smoking increases the risk of memory loss. The good news: If you quit, there’s a good chance you’ll sharpen back up to speed.

8. Get Your Thyroid Checked – For many women the perimenopause years can bring on more than just hot flashes – it can also cause a decline in thyroid function. Among the most commonly missed symptoms that your thyroid has gone awry: Memory loss. For some gals, this may be the only symptom.

9. Relax More - Stress is a leading memory-thief, and along with depression can make us much more forgetful on a day-to-day basis. Get stress under control via meditation, deep breathing or even yoga, and experts say your memory will benefit.

10. Stop and Smell The Roses – Literally! A group of German researchers found that the scent of roses increased the ability to recall recent events. Spray it your bed sheets and pillow cases so you sniff all night long!

You might also enjoy reading:
Foods That Improve Memory and Reduce Diabetes
New studies confirm super health foods.

Visit RedDressDiary : Beauty, Health and Style for Fabulous Women Over 40!

Babies & Anti-Aging; A Curious New Link

How far are you willing to go to look young? The latest treatment employs collagen derived from circumcised foreskin. Here’s what you need to know.

by Colette Bouchez -

Heard the term “smooth as a baby’s behind “? Well that phrase might soon include another related part of the anatomy – at least if one group of anti-aging scientists have their way.

Indeed, hot on the heels of an FDA committee report questioning the safety of anti-aging wrinkle fillers, comes news of yet another hot new “injectable” wrinkle filling ingredient – this one derived from the foreskin of circumcised baby boys.

Developed by British biomedical firm InterCytex, the new injectable is known as Vavelta. According to the manufacturer the “ magic” in the foreskin is the proliferation of budding collagen cells known as “fibroblasts. These are “collagen sprouts” that ultimately help the body produce collagen – the natural substance that keeps skin looking smooth, firm and wrinkle-free.

The Magic Of Collagen
When we are young, our body produces a continued supply of fibroblasts – so new collagen is always being made. That’s why young skin looks smooth, firm, supple and wrinkle-free.

But as we grow older, the combination of the natural aging process, along with environmental exposures (like too much sun) reduce or damage the number of active fibroblasts able to churn out collagen.

The end result, we have less collagen available to “prop up” skin’s underlying support structure. Without that support, our facial contours begins to slowly droop and the loosened skin on top begins to wrinkle.

For a while, skin experts believed topically applied collagen suspended in creams and lotions was the key to keeping skin looking young. But it wasn’t long before medical science began to prove that the collagen we apply externally simply doesn’t get down deep enough into the layer of skin where our collagen cells reside.

The next idea was to fill the wrinkles with collagen – or another collagen-like material. That gave birth to the popular wrinkle filling injections we have today. The results were great – albeit most often temporary, with little to no stimulation of fibroblast formation.

But now, scientists at InterCytex say they have the best of both worlds with the new collagen injections derived from a baby’s foreskin.

Not only the does injection fill the depressed area ( a wrinkle or a scar) but the fibroblast cells in the injection itself help stimulate the body to begin manufacturing more of it’s own collagen.

The end result: A wrinkle injection that offers both immediate and long term results.

Currently there is some evidence that all wrinkle filling injections can, over time, stimulate some collagen production. There is also another permanent filler on the market that involves the use of micro sized Plexi-glass-like beads which, when injected into the wrinkle causes the body to rush wound-healing peptides and collagen to the area, creating a permanent fill.

That said, the science behind Vavelta suggests that because the stimulation provided by the fibroblast activity of the foreskin cells is closest to what the body does naturally when we are young - it could prove to be the most effective minimally invasive anti aging injection treatment to date.

The New Wrinkle Injections: A Caution
But before you go scouring the local birth registry looking for the fountain of youth, you should know that, while the company is aggressively seeking FDA approval for use in the US, at the moment, only a select group of British physicians are using Vavelta – and clinical trials are ongoing.

Moreover, so far, the main drawback to the treatment is not so much one of safety, but one of cost. Although mothers must approve the use of their baby’s foreskin for clinical treatment – and many do - it’s still said to be in short supply. And that, of course, pushes the cost of the injections far past those of other wrinkle fillers and probably closer to the cost of traditional plastic surgery.

On the flip side, if the results are, as the company claims, permanent, so one injection could go a long way in helping you look young for a long time. And do it without the risks associated with traditional plastic surgery.

What’s important to recognize, however, is that while the Vavelta “fill” for any one particular wrinkle may be permanent, the procedure itself does nothing to keep other wrinkles from forming. So unless you have special access to Peter Pan’s colony of Lost Boys, you could go bankrupt long before you achieve the look of eternal youth.

You might also be interested in reading:
Hope or Hype? Can You Really Look Younger ?
The Return of the Face Lift & Other Ways To Avoid Growing Old!

For more health and beauty news visit RedDressDiary.com - The Source for Fabulous Women Over 40!

Victoria's Real Secret: Bras May Be Toxic

As reports begin surfacing nationwide concerning toxic skin reactions to a popular line of sexy lingerie, women need to be on the lookout for symptoms that could be more than just annoying. Here's what you need to know. -- by Colette Bouchez --

If you're thinking of boosting your sex appeal with a racy Victoria Secret bra there's something you should know: You just might end up with more attention than you bargained for.

The reason: Some women are reporting swollen, itchy, red, blistering breasts after wearing some styles from this popular lingerie line.

At least one of those women - 37 year old Ohio resident Victoria Ritter - is suing the sexy lingerie manufacturer for what she has described as " Welts...very red, hot to the touch, extremely inflamed, blistery", which she says itched profusely.

Yesterday Ritter told WABC TV News reporter Tappy Phillips she developed the rash after wearing the Angels Secret Embrace and Very Sexy Extreme Me Push-Up bras - two popular styles sold in Victoria Secret stores nationwide, in their mail order catalog, and at their website online.

But if you think Ritter's experience was an isolated one, guess again. The Internet is slowly filling up with similar claims from other Victoria Secret lingerie wearers nationwide - many of their stories detailed on the website MedHelp.com. All seem to describe a similar reaction - and similar symptoms - an issue which Ritter said she hopes will become the basis of a class action suit.

In fact, WABC News is reporting that the class action suit has already been filed, and it's waiting on a judge's decision, which is not expected until next May.


The Mysterious Toxic Lingerie Brew
While no one is certain what's causing the problem with the sexy bras, the Ohio law firm representing Ritter told WABC News they did their own testing and pinpointed the source of trouble as formaldehyde - a highly toxic chemical they say was found embedded in the cloth of the lingerie.

Ritter says her doctor diagnosed her rash as a type of allergy and that it could have been caused by exposure to this chemical.

While Victoria's Secret issued a statement saying they are investigating the problem and are sorry that " a small number of women" are having problems, they also deny in the statement any presence of formaldehyde in their bras.

That said, even if there was, it's not the eye-popping "gasp" you might think. Indeed, this nasty chemical initially developed to preserve lab specimens ( remember all those frogs you cut up in biology class - they were floating in formaldehyde) has been used as a preservative in some cosmetic and skin care products as well as being a component of many nail polishes.

Formaldehyde has also been used in the manufacture of certain permanent press fabrics, including some sheets and pillow cases - one reason why many companies suggest consumers wash bedding before sleeping on it.

Formaldehyde off-gassing is also a particularly nasty byproduct of some brands of MDF
(medium density fiberboard) - a building material frequently used in low-end "wood look" furniture, and is often a mainstay on popular do-it-yourself and home makeover shows. Tests show that formaldehyde fumes can emanate from some MDF products for up to three years - and that those fumes may be linked to an increase in asthma and other respiratory disorders, and possibly play a role in cancer.

I once bought a "fake wood" bookcase and ended up with burning eyes and skin just from being in the same room with the furniture for a few hours.

That said, I wouldn't be so quick to implicate formaldehyde as the main cause of the sexy bra rashes.

The reason? Medical literature is filled with similar sounding symptoms stemming from allergies caused by other chemicals used in the making of cloth - including cheap dyes. While I don't know if these particular bras were made outside of the United States, but if they were it's important to note that some countries don't have the kind of strict regulations regarding what can be used to color a fabric as we do here in the US.

There are also much less stringent guidelines regarding rinsing the fabrics after they are dyed- and some countries tend to skip this step altogether, leaving many items with a potentially toxic residue if worn without being washed first.

In fact, several years ago a good friend of mine developed a similar itchy, red rash body-wide that her doctor just couldn't seem to pin down. While we were chatting she mentioned she had recently purchased a brightly colored comforter cover made outside the US. I suggested it could be the cause of the rash- and when she ran it by her doctor, the mystery was solved.

Now whether or not formaldehyde, fabric dye or some other factor entirely turns out to be the culprit in the sexy lingerie caper, no one can say just yet.

At the same time, a rash is a rash is a rash - and an itch that you just can't scratch is anything but sexy, no matter how much your lingerie makes you look like Giselle or Lena or Heidi.

So what's a girl to do in the meantime? Well you could turn back the clock to our feminist days of the 1970's and simply go bra-less. ( Over 40? I wouldn't suggest it! )

Better idea: Switch over to good old Playtex for a while. It might not be worn by a gorgeous super model ...but trust me, your "girls" will never know the difference. And you won't itch.

You might also enjoy reading:
Sex, Menopause and Red Lace Bras
Old & Original Vs. New and Improved.

For more health and beauty news visit RedDressDiary.com - The source for fabulous women over 40!

Studies: Reduce Blood Pressure-Cholesterol Naturally

With the cost of prescription medicines on the rise – and more people losing their health insurance – comes the good news that inexpensive natural treatments may help lower blood pressure and reduce the inflammation linked to heart disease. Here are the latest findings.
--By Colette Bouchez--

If you’re one of millions of Americans fighting high blood pressure and trying to stave off the threat of heart disease, the news this week is very encouraging.

According to two separate studies published this week, both green tea and grapes may offer significant help in reducing not only blood pressure but also cholesterol - as well as controlling some of the inflammation linked to heart attack and even Alzheimer's disease.

In the case of green tea the “medical magic” is being attributed to polyphenols – natural compounds that appear to reduce inflammation in blood vessels which, if left unchecked, can not only raise blood pressure but also cause cholesterol to rise.

While green tea can contain up to 40% polyphenols, black tea usually contains between 3 and 10 percent.

The key compound in the grapes, say researchers, are flavonoids a type of antioxidant that also helps reduce inflammation.

“The things that we think are having an effect against the hypertension may be the flavonoids – either by direct antioxidant effects, by indirect effects on cell function, or both, “said researcher Steven Bolling from the University of Michigan where the grape research was conducted.

Although the study used concentrated grape powder, Bolling says the protective flavonoids can found in the fresh fruit as well, adding it is “ rich in all parts of the grape - skin, flesh and seed.”

Perhaps most interesting was that the grape compounds appeared to be most effective against high blood pressure in those who are salt sensitive.

Although this particular research was conducted on rodents, the researchers say there was clear evidence that a diet rich in the natural compounds found in grapes can reduce blood pressure associated with a high salt intake, helping to not only lower blood pressure, but improve heart health, reduce heart muscle damage and reduce inflammation that leads to hear disease. The research was published in the Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences.

Green Tea and Your Health

Similar to the Michigan study, the green tea study- just published in the journal Nutrition, also used a powdered supplement - this one made from natural extracts of green tea (Camellia sinensis). Here, a total of 125 men and women were randomly assigned to take a combination of two green tea supplements, or a placebo, once daily for 3 weeks.

At the end of the study, both total and LDL cholesterol decreased in all subjects by up to 10mg/dL, while blood pressure dropped on average of 5 points – all in just a matter of a few weeks.

Perhaps even more important, researchers documented a reduction in markers for oxidative stress - which some believe may be the early stages of heart disease - as well as a reduction of up to 42% of amyloid-alpha, another marker of chronic inflammation which may not only play a role in high blood pressure, but also brain degeneration including Alzheimer’s disease.

“Camellia sinensis compounds may be an option for people who have mild to moderate high blood pressure, elevated LDL cholesterol, elevated markers of inflammation, or a combination of these three CVD risk factors,” say the researchers who hailed from the University of Florida, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, and the Nutritional Science Research Institute in Boston.

As such, they also suggest that before turning to prescription drugs, a trial of diet and exercise, including drinking green tea or using green tea supplements, may be enough to keep blood pressure and resulting inflammation under control.

What This Means To You:
While drinking green tea or adding grapes to your diet may not be all the help you need in reducing your high blood pressure and protecting your heart, adding them to your daily diet may help give your medication a boost – and help you build an arsenal of protection against the ravages of inflammation that can increase the risk of many diseases associated with advancing age.

If you have just begun to see to first stirrings of high blood pressure or high cholesterol – for example a pressure reading of between 120 and 135 or a slight rise in cholesterol , then don’t fool yourself into believing they won’t get any worse. They can and they probably will – unless you take some kind intervention to halt the process.

In that case, these two small dietary changes might be just what the doctor ordered!

You may also enjoy reading:
Yogurt is The New-Old Wonder Food
New Super Foods Reduce Diabetes - Improve Memory

Visit RedDressDiary.com : The Health and Beauty Destination for Fabulous Women Over 40!

Time for a Reality Check

As our economic climate worsens, some experts predict minority owned business - including those owned by women - may take some of the worst hits. Here ares some tips on how you can survive.

-by Colette Bouchez -

While most of you know that RedDressDiary is a blog concerned with mostly personal health and self care. So you might think that a post on economics has little to do with either one.

Truth is, the "health" of our economy - and your personal economic situation - has as much to do with the health of your body mind and spirit as anything else.

Which is why I want to tell you all about "Reality Check - The Irreverant Guide To Outsmarting, Outmanaging, and Outmarketing Your Competition " by Guy Kawasaki. It's a brand new book - just out today - and it's something every woman who's looking to survive these tough economic times has got to read.

Whether you are a business woman who's heading up the Fortune 500 ladder, or a stay-at-home Mom working in your PJs from your home computer, this is a book that will absolutely guide you through these terrible economic times and give you the oxygen you need to take a breath and hang on.

Among the valuable lessons you can learn: How To Raise Venture Capitol ( and who doesn't need some of that now!) ; How to Market Your Business ( even during a time when no one is buying anything); How to Sell ( when no one is buying anything!) and perhaps most important, how to adjust your business communication skills at a time when talk is cheap and action is everything.

You'll discover the most effective ways to blog, speak, schmooze, suck up- and when to suck down , and basically get a crash course in everything right you should be doing now to protect yourself, your money, your business, now and in the future.

My absolute favorite part: The Lessons on How To Do Good. At a time when we are all so tempted to swing to the evil side just to get by, Reality Check shows you how and why temptation may be your worst business enemy now ... and in the future.

All totaled it's a virtual survival manual for any woman looking to get through these tough times without so much as breaking a heel on her stilettos.

I don't often wax poetic or rave irrationally about a book - or even a jar of anti aging cream.

But when something works - it just works. And trust me on this one - Reality Check by Guy Kawasaki works.

Click here to learn more about the book ... you will be amazed. Really.

Warning: Common Incontinence Treatment Found Risky - Plus Safer Alternatives

FDA warns about dangers linked to a common surgical procedure used to treat women with stress incontinence. Here’s what you need to know – plus a safer, alternative treatment option - by Colette Bouchez


If you’re one of millions of women considering surgical treatment for urinary stress incontinence listen up: One of the most common surgical solutions is under fire from the FDA – and now the target of multi-state litigation – both citing the risk of serious injuries including the erosion of vaginal tissue, chronic pain, and more

At the heart of the controversy: A type of synthetic mesh used in conjunction with a surgical procedure known as the “vaginal sling”. Here doctors use the mesh to reinforce a woman’s internal organs, lifting them in a way that reduces the risk of involuntary urine release during times of physical stress- such as sneezing, coughing or lifting a heavy object.

According to a recent statement published by the FDA, the agency has received over 1,000 medical complaints related to injuries suffered by women treated with the synthetic mesh, which is manufactured by nine different companies.

Injuries include not only vaginal issue erosion and chronic pain, but also infections, abscesses, bloody discharge, and impaired sexual functionality, with some of the women forced to undergo multiple surgeries to correct the problems created by the “mesh” surgery.

"Sling manufacturers represented this device to the FDA and physicians as effective and fit for use with patients. The FDA's recent alert supports what we have become fully aware of in the course of talking with numerous plaintiffs seriously injured by vaginal slings -- that there has been a great need for both physicians and patients to understand the symptoms and potential injuries from implantation of this type of device," explains Attorney Henry Garrard III of the Athens, Georgia law firm Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, who currently represent the largest number of women harmed by vaginal sling injuries.

The Vaginal Sling Controversy: Who Is At Risk
Pelvic organ prolapse – the repositioning of key reproductive organs involved in bladder control - affects as many as 50% of women who have given birth one or more times, reports the National Association For Continence, (NAFC). More than half of women over age 55 complain of continence problems serious enough to warrant surgery.

Certainly not all who do have it encounter complications. But according to the FDA what increases risks is the specific type of mesh material used, the size and shape of that mesh, the surgical technique used to place the mesh inside a woman’s body and any additional procedures performed at the time – including a hysterectomy. Estrogen status at the time of surgery might also make a difference.

A Safer Alternative?
So far the FDA is just investigating the use of synthetic surgical mesh in this procedure but they have ssued a stern warning to both doctors and consumers about the potential for complications. It remains to be seen whether or not the mesh will be removed from the market.

But even if it is – or you want to try the surgery before any conclusions about safety are reached - there is another, some believe safer alternative to synthetic surgical mesh. It’s a biologically based material known as Sugisis Biodesign and it offers the same symptom relief – without the risk of associated problems.

According to Dr. William Porter, a uro-gynecologist at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, the biologic materials actually work to communicate with the body thereby reducing the need for multiple surgeries and provide lasting relief for women.

Made from purified pig intestines studies also show that in doing so it also signals surrounding tissue to grow across the “sling”, thus giving the body the opportunity to repair itself.

According to the Cook Medical, who manufactures Surgisis Biodesign, over time, the graft also becomes part of the human tissue, thus allowing your own natural defense mechanisms to respond to any threat of infection – which is what appears to reduce the risk of complications.

In one recent study published in a Scandinavian journal of obstetrics and gynecology doctors form Danderyd Hospital, in Stockholm Sweden found that mesh made from porcine fibers was not associated with any adverse inflammatory responses, and appears to be a safe alternative. Similar findings were echoed in a thesis on prolapse repair published by the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.

Based on research led by Leslie Geddes, a Purdue University’s Showalter Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Bioengineering, the new biologic surgical graft material has, in fact, led to the development of an entirely new category of tissue repair and wound management options.

The Vaginal Sling Controversy: What To Do Right Now

If you have had a vaginal sling surgery and you’re feeling fine, relax. You’re probably among the many women who found success with the use of synthetic surgical mesh.

If, on the other hand, you are experiencing symptoms - including pain on intercourse, pelvic pain, recurring infection, or any sign of infection such as a bloody discharge, see your doctor immediately – do not wait. And follow the link below to report your symptoms to the FDA.

If you are considering having a vaginal sling procedure for complications related to pelvic organ prolapse, talk to a uro-gynecologist about whether or not a biological graft may be the right option for you.

To learn more about the new biodesign material, to read the FDA warning on synthetic surgical mesh, or to file a report about your experience with the mesh , try these links:

• Vaginal Sling: FDA Warning Letter
• FDA Information on Surgical Mesh Implants
• To Report Problems with Vaginal Sling Surgery Online
• To Download Mail-In Forms Reporting Vaginal Sling Surgery Complications
• To Learn More About Biological Implant Alternatives

And remember to visit RedDressDiary.com - The Destination for fabulous women over 40.

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Study: Yogurt: Is The New - OId Wonder Food

It’s been touted for its probiotics benefits and the ability to improve digestive health. Now researchers say yogurt may also help reduce the risk of an important cancer. But there are a some warnings you also need to know.

By Colette Bouchez
You can hardly turn on the TV without seeing Jamie Lee Curtis talking to an endless string of women about constipation – and if she’s right, how a certain yogurt might help ease the situation.

Well move over Jamie, there’s a new claim in town! If a group of Swedish researchers are right, yogurt may not only cure your constipation, it just might prevent you from getting bladder cancer to boot!

Indeed, researchers from Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden contend that eating just two servings of yogurt a day – and, those yummy yogurt drinks count as well – reduces the risk of bladder cancer by nearly half for some folks, when compared to those who eat little or no yogurt.

While doctors aren’t sure exactly how the yogurt offers protection, they don’t think it’s the much touted probiotics component responsible for helping digesting. Instead, they believe it’s the culturing aspect of producing yogurt – and the formation of lactic acid bacteria that occurs in the process – that matters most.

Writing in the latest edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition researchers say "Cultured milk products, such as yogurt, contain lactic acid bacteria, which have been shown to suppress bladder cancer in rats. Our research suggests a high intake may reduce the risk."
More importantly, the new research was not conducted on rats, but on humans – more precisely some 82,000 men and women who were followed over the course of nine years.

The result: Women who ate 2 servings of yogurt a day saw a 45% reduction in bladder cancer while men garnered a 36% reduction.

Now if you’re thinking you’re likely to get at least some similar benefits from other dairy products, guess again. Researchers say since lactic acid bacteria is key to protection the only dairy sources are sour milk or yogurt.

“Total dairy intake was not significantly associated with risk of bladder cancer. However, a statistically significant inverse association was observed for the intake of cultured milk (sour milk and yogurt,)”, write the researchers.

Bladder Cancer On The Rise
The good news about yogurt comes at a great time since the American Cancer society now reports that bladder cancer is on the rise. They say that 2008 alone there will nearly 69,000 people diagnosed with this disease – and some 14,000 deaths will be attributed to bladder cancer.

According to ACS the major symptoms of bladder cancer include recurring blood in the urine, as well as increased urination, or feeling the need to urinate and not able to do so. It’s important to note, however, that these same symptoms are also present in many non-cancerous bladder conditions, including simple urinary infections.

Extra Benefits of Yogurt - & A Warning
If you’re looking to cut your risks even further, try dipping a few cruciferous veggies in your yogurt. In studies published earlier this year in the journal, Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, researchers found that consuming raw vegetables such as broccoli can cut the risk of bladder cancer by up to 36%.

Of course I probably don’t have to remind you that, if you’re over 40, low fat yogurt is also a wonderful source of bone-building calcium, which may help reduce your risk of osteopenia (weak bones) and osteoporosis.

That said, you may not be aware that unless you are also getting an adequate supply of vitamin D – from the sun or from supplements - your bones may not utilize all, or even a significant portion of the calcium found in yogurt.

Unlike milk, which provides about 25% of your daily intake of vitamin D per serving, yogurt contains none. And since recent studies show that nearly all Americans are vitamin D deficient -particularly those who live in the north, have dark skin or are over the age of 60 - to get the full bone-building potential of yogurt, it’s important to talk to your doctor about whether or not vitamin D supplementation may be necessary.

Also be aware that yogurt can be fattening! So always choose the low fat or no- fat variety for the biggest nutritional bang for your buck. And if you can, skip the tooty-fruity-flavored varieties. They are so loaded with corn syrup and sugars, the associated health risks almost begin to outweigh the benefits of eating yogurt.

For some delicious recipes using yogurt, click here

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Study: Menopause Increases Risk of Depression

Surprising new research suggests that both perimenopause and menopause can increase the risk of depression - even in women with no prior history of this condition. Here's what you need you need to know –

by Colette Bouchez

There’s no question that the symptoms we experience during perimenopause, and for some of us even after menopause, are no day at the beach.

From hot flashes and night sweats, to mood swings, forgetfulness, joint aches and pains - even fatigue - coping with symptoms of the “change” is enough to keep any woman in a bad mood for a decade or longer.

But now research shows your mood during this time of life may be more than just "menopause madness". One new observation study has found that women going through perimenopause and menopause have an increased risk of developing true clinical depression.

“ The majority of women do not devel­op depression during the menopause transition nonetheless, four commu­nity-based studies have documented that some women are at an increased risk” says Veronica Harsh, MD, lead author of the new research published in the latest issue of the journal Menopause Medicine.

The finding of the new study was basd on data taken from The Harvard Study of Moods and Cycles, The Penn Ovar­ian Aging Study, and The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Each was a community based study that found women who have major depression during midlife do not necessarily have a prior history of this condition.

Experts say these observations are definitely contrary to long held beliefs – and somewhat of a surprise.

“Many of us expected the latest observational studies to show that women with prior hormone-related depression would com­prise the chief risk pool for perimenopausal and menopausal depression. Instead, observational studies suggest a complex picture [indicating] that many of the women who have major depression do not have a prior history,” says Nanette Santoro, MD, Director, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, and editor of the journal where the new research was published.

That said, Harsh emphasizes that some past health and lifestyle histories still matter. Among the criteria the study found as increasing the risk for midlife depression include a longer duration of cycle irregularity, a past history of premenstrual depression ( PMD) or post partum depression (PPD), stressful life circumstances, a history of smoking, disturbed sleep, reduce fertility, and being without a partner.

Midlife Depression: Checking For The Signs.
While it’s one thing to say a woman may be at higher risk for depression during midlife, it’s quite another to weed out who is really affected. One reason is that so many of the symptoms overlap with those of menopause.

In fact, experts say that it can be all too easy for both doctors and women to write off how they feel as “menopause madness” – without even considering the possibility that something else may be going on.

In fact, Santoro writes that doctors need to look past the usual complaints women talk about in midlife, to see if indeed, there are other clinical issues that need attention. Women, ,meanwhile can also benefit by becoming aware of the signs of depression, and how to seperate them from what occurs naturally in the years leading up to menopause.

According to the new research, signs women need to watch for include:

· Feelings of sadness that last most of the day.
· Diminished interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
· Significant weight loss or weight gain without changes in diet or exercise
· Insomnia- or sleep too much .
· Significant fatigue and loss of energy.
· Diminished ability to concentrate
· Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt.
· Recurrent thoughts of death or considering suicide as an alternative.


The Danger of Over Diagnosis
Certainly, if you are having any of these symptoms, it’s important to bring them to your doctor’s attention. And if your doctor agrees that your symptoms may be linked to depression, it’s important to consider treatment options – particularly since easing your depression may make the true symptoms of menopause seem less troublesome.

That’s said, my personal opinion is that too often women are victimized by what I call “anti depressant mania” – the over prescribing of anti-depressant medications in situations where they might not be necessary. Indeed, there are some doctors who right now are prescribing anti depressants as a way of coping with menopause symptoms – even when depression is not part of the clinical picture.

Clearly, there are some women who will benefit from these drugs. But it’s also important to remember that many will also benefit from changes in diet and an increase in physical activity – with studies to show that for some, these interventions will work as well or even better than drugs.

The point is, that first both you and your doctor should be aware that depression might be behind some of what you are feeling in your middle years. But more importantlly if this does turn out to be the case, then be sure to sure to discuss all your treatment options – which include not only anti depressant medication, diet, and exercise, but also talk therapy.

Because the truth is, sometimes just having someone to complain to about those hot flashes and night sweats, can make all the difference in the menopause world! :)

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Study: Supplement That Curbs Carb/Sweet Tooth Naturally!

New research shows a common nutrient may be the key to reducing cravings for carbs, sweets and fats - and help you shed those extra pounds - By Colette Bouchez

Do you find it almost impossible to walk by a fast food restaurant without grabbing at least one bag of something greasy, yeasty or chocolaty-sweet? Do you crave it, even when there isn’t a Golden Arches or a Dunkin Donuts in sight?

If so, there’s good news: Researchers reporting in the journal Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics say a daily dose of a specific nutrient could not only help women control cravings, but actually control appetite and get you to lose weight without even trying! Or, at least without feeling the pain.

What’s the magic nutrient? It’s called chromium picolinate and some are now suggesting it could fast become a dieter’s best friend.

“Participants receiving [chromium picolinate] reported decreased cravings for carbohydrates, fast foods, high-fat foods, and sweets over time,” said lead author Stephen Anton.

Moreover, says Anton, they also lost weight – and reported feeling less hungry between meals.

All this is particularly good news for middle-aged women, since the hormone shifts that occur beginning in your 40’s can impact your metabolism in a way that causes you to put on those extra pounds even if you’re not necessarily eating more calories.

If you’ve also battled a sweet/carb tooth all your life, there is some evidence that mid life shifts in reproductive hormones may increase those cravings – much the way they can for younger women in the premenstrual time of each cycle. And that can mean a greater desire for those foods that quickly put on the pounds.

Natural Appetite Control: How They Did It
The new study involved 42 overweight women, with an average BMI of 31, and a self-confessed “craving” for carbohydrates. The women were randomly assigned to receive a daily chromium picolinate supplement or a placebo for a period of 8 weeks – and were told to eat as they normally would.

The doctors measured the women’s daily food intake at the start of the study, after one week and again after 8 weeks.

The result: At the end of the 8-week study period the women taking the chromium picolinate supplement reduced their food intake by 25%, compared to just 8 % in the placebo group. Moreover, the women taking the supplement lost a .5 kg of weight, while the placebo group gained .5kg of weight.

Perhaps most important, the women in the chromium group reported fewer cravings for carbs, sweets and high fat foods - and said it was simply easier to eat less.

“To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine whether chromium picolinate affects food intake in humans,” says Anton.

Chromium is an essential trace mineral that occurs naturally in foods like brewers yeast, lean meats, cheese, and whole grain breads and cereals. While it is known to play a key role in the metabolism of carbs, fats and protein, the human body does not absorb this mineral well. And that means we often don’t get the benefits of even chromium-rich foods.

Chromium picolinate is a specific form of this mineral that previous studies have shown is better tolerate and absorbed by humans. Currently it is only available in supplement form.

The researchers, which hailed from Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University, and the University of Florida, suggest that if their findings are validated by other studies, chromium picolinate may become an important weight loss tool and a way to control appetite naturally.

In studies published elsewhere researchers from the University of Cincinnati found that supplements of chromium picolinate also helped increase brain activity and improve memory. In a second study presented at the American Diabetes Association's 68th Annual Scientific Session earlier this year researchers suggested chromium supplements may decrease inflammation associated with diabetes and reduce the risk of heart disease.

To learn more about the study, including the exact type of supplements used and the specific dosages, click here.

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Study: To Control Weight- Diabetes Play By The Rules

New research shows that controlling weight and blood sugar may require nothing more than learning how to play by the rules . Here's what you need to know. By Colette Bouchez


Let’s face it …doctors are generally not the most engaging conversationalists. At least not when they’re behind that desk droning on and on about how you need to eat more broccoli, fewer donuts, do more push ups, watch less TV, an in general do and eat more of what you hate and less of what you love.

Which is one reason why so many people report they “zone out” when talking to their doctor – and don’t really take to heart, or even remember, much of what is said.

That, combined with the fact that most of us don’t really believe that one more custard filled donut or one more tub of fried chicken is really going to kill us, means many of us walk away from that doctor’s appointment barely changing a thing about our daily lives.

The end result: Our weight continues to climb, our blood sugars rage out of control, and our risk for even greater health problems – like heart disease and even cancer – continues to rise.

So what’s the answer? Well one new study shows it could be as simple as learning to play by the rules.

In short, actually pay attention to not only your doctor - but the organizations she is basing her recommendations on, like the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association. Indeed, as simple as it sounds, a new study shows that doing so can make a huge difference in not only controlling your weight and your blood sugar, but maybe even saving your life.

Playing By The Rules
The new research was conducted at North Carolina’s Structure House, the nation’s only in-patient facility for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. In this instance, some 70 patients, all of whom were overweight and on medication for type II diabetes, signed on for a 4 week residency program that is, well, a lot like having your doctor as a roommate 24/7.

More specifically, the 70 men and women spent the 4 weeks immersed in learning about – and practicing - good nutrition, daily exercise, and discovering how to deal with the impact of stress and emotion on blood sugar and weight. They also saw diabetes educators, nurses, and doctors for daily and weekly visits to help follow their progress and reinforce what they learned - and put into practice.

The end result: All 70 patients came away with significant improvements in their health – in just four weeks.

“On average, individuals lost nearly 16 pounds and reduced their blood glucose level by 11% and their hemoglobin A1c level from 7.5% down to 6.9%, below the American Diabetes Association’s recommended level,” said lead researcher Dr. Anna Stout.

Some of the patients, says Stout were even able to get off their type II diabetes medications, or reduce the amount they were taking. Indeed, 41 % of the individuals eliminated at least one diabetes medication and 29% reduced the dosage of one or more drugs. And remember, this didn't take a year, or even six months. It took just 4 weeks.

Experts say there is also no question that if the patients stay on track, they will continue to reduce their risks of other health concerns as well, including heart disease and even cancer.

The Take Home Message
While no one is saying that accomplishing any of this is easy - or even fun. But what matters is that it's tolerable and doable. Even without that pricey stay in a in-patient facility.

Where do you begin?

The next time your doctor hands over that sheet of paper with the foods you should and should not eat – pay attention, and change your diet. Ditto when she tells you to get more sleep, exercise 20 minutes a day, and take some serous steps to reduce stress in your life, or at least your reaction to that stress.

In short, live and play by the good health golden “rules” – and you too just might see a remarkable change in your health, and in your future - before your next hair-tearing mortgage payment is due. And you won’t have to bunk in with your doctor to do it!

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High Heels & Mid Life Crisis: Why Your Feet Hurt

As we age our feet change – and some of those changes can make wearing stilettos a lot more uncomfortable. Here’s what happens – and what you can do to comfortably cope. – By Colette Bouchez

Perhaps no has ever worn stilettos better than the four fun-loving gals on Sex and The City. And none better than actress Kim Cattrall who portrayed the sexy, 50-something Samantha Jones on the show.

But in real life Cattrall has often been photographed with her designer stilettos dangling from her fingers, as she stumbles along the pavement on red, achy swollen tootsies.

And in fact, Sarah Jessica Parker recently remarked that part of the reason behind making the Sex and City movie now – as opposed to two years from now - had as much to do with the limited number of time they had left to successfully teeter around on those pricey Manolo Blahniks, as anything else.

And if you’re 40 or older, boy do you know how true that is! Indeed, the high heels you wore in your 20’s and 30’s somehow felt way more comfortable than anything you could wear today.

But before you wax too nostalgic for the shoes of your youth, there’s something you should know: Those same stylish slippers that let you dance the night away in 1980 would probably kill your feet today.

The reason: Experts say feet change with age, and at least some of those changes can turn even the most comfy high heels into killer foot wear.

"As you age, you lose some of the fatty deposits that normally protect the ball of the foot – and some of it also slides forward towards the toes, " says Morris Morin, DPM, director of podiatric medicine at the Hackensack University Medical Center.

The end result: As we slip our tootsies into those strappy stiletto sandals and step down, Morin says our weight is thrown precisely on the spot where we have the least protection.

"In extreme cases you actually have the bony ends of the foot grating down into the sole of the shoe with almost no protection at all," he says. Ouch!

Podiatrist Stuart Mogul, DPM says that by restricting the foot in a pointy toe high heel makes the problem worse. Indeed, putting weight on that restricted area then increases the risk of developing achy, painful bunions as well as corns and calluses.

“ Both the heel height and the point of the shoe can play a role, " says Mogul.

Moreover, our feet also get bigger as we age – and that can sometimes limit the type of shoes you can comfortably wear.

Indeed, if those narrow, high-heeled strappy sandals were a mainstay of your 20-something wardrobe, it’s likely this same style won’t feel the same on your chubby, wider 40-something foot.

“You have to remember to check your shoe size periodically – and dump the shoes that no longer fit,’” says Morin.

You may also have to look for shoes in a slightly different style, concentrating on shapes that reflect the current outline of your foot.

When High Heels Can Help
While most podiatrists are quick to dismiss high heels, claiming they’re bad news for women's feet, a recent study found they have at least one surprising benefit of particular interest to the 40-something gal: They might actually help tone your pelvic muscles and that in turn might help control some of the incontinence problems that occur with increasing age.

In a study published earlier this year in the journal European Urology, Italian researcher Dr. Maria Angela Cerruto found that high heels tilt a woman’s pelvis in a way that ultimately helps tone muscles in the abdomen and pelvis – in much the same way as the familiar Kegel exercise.

The study, which involved 66 women, revealed that standing with your feet at a 15 degree angle to the floor (about the same angle as a 3 inch heel) can reduce electrical activity in pelvic muscles – which says Cerruto indicates these muscles are more relaxed. This she says improves their strength and their ability to contract – and it is that ability that helps control mild incontinence in a way similar to what the Kegel can do.

But Cerruto, a urologist, says there is a limit to what size heels can help you. Going too far over the 3-inch mark could have the opposite result, tilting your pelvis too far back and causing stresses that strain the muscles and might increase incontinence.

High Heel SOS: 6 Tips To Feel Better Fast
With or without the pelvic benefits, if you love your high heels like I do, no amount of discomfort is going to convince you to give em up. At the same time, what good is that great pair of red patent leather stilettos if all you can do is sit and admire them?

So to help your feet look and feel better in high heels the experts I talked to offer this advice.

1. Buy shoes that fit. Sounds obvious, I know. But if you’re anything like me you have at least a half dozen pair of shoes in your closet right now that cause your feet to slide forward so far it leaves a thumb size gap of space behind your heel. Experts say this is indicative of an incorrect fit. Look for shoes with a narrow heel and a wider toe box to increase the chance of a better fit and take pressure off toes and the ball of the foot.

2. Invest in a good pair of insoles. If a full-length insert makes shoes too tight, try for a silicone pad for the ball of the foot, where the most pressure occurs.

3. Take advantage of the new thicker heels and oxford stilettos – the advantage being better stability and balance. This in turn will help keep pressure evenly distributed throughout your foot and take the painful focus off the ball of your foot.

4. Pay attention to the "slope" or "pitch" of the heel. The higher the heel, the more your foot is apt to slip forward, crushing your tootsies into the toe box. But what can also matter is the slope or “pitch” of your heel – the degree of the drop from the top of the heel to the flat part of the shoe. The more gradual the slope, say experts, the less your foot will slide forward. To check, turn the shoe sideways and just look at it- you’ll notice right away if the slope is a roller coaster pitch down, or a gentle sloping hillside.

5. Remember, feet get larger as you get older so if you’re having problems finding a shoe that’s comfortable, consider going up a half or even a whole size, or trying for a wider width. Ideally the ball of your foot should land in the widest part of the high heel. If it doesn’t – particularly if it’s pushed forward to where the shoe is narrower then try a smaller size, or a wider width.

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Tracking Down The Scent of Youth

Research shows that as we age our body gives off a different scent then when we are young. Here’s how to smell like the fountain of youth - By Colette Bouchez

There is anti-aging make-up, anti-aging skin care, and anti-aging treatments too numerous to count. But the latest buzz to hit the Boomer circuit: Anti- aging fragrances.

Indeed, if you want that new face lift or Botox injection to be really convincing, some perfumers are telling women you’ve got to start smelling as young as you look. And there’s actually some science to back up the concept.

It seems that as we age, both men and women produce more of a body chemical known as “noneal” – which occurs as a result of breakdowns of fatty acids in the skin.

According to Wataru Takekoshi a scientist working for Japanese skin care company Shiseido that breakdown results in a type of unsaturated aldehyde which has an unpleasant ‘ greasy ‘ odor with grassy undertones. And that, say experts is the natural body scent of aging.

Takekoshi also says this particular body odor is rarely found in those their 20’s or 30’s – but can be very prominent beginning around age 40.

And in fact in one study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology researchers found that women over 40 have more than twice the levels of 2-Nonenal in their skin than younger women. The same study found women over 40 also have higher levels of Omega 7 and certain other lipids which, when broken down in the skin may contribute to a kind of "odor" commonly associated with older people – both women and men.

The end result: Aging does have an associated smell , which some say can be perceived on both a conscious and unconscious level, making us "seem" older than we might look.

Men Can Smell A Woman’s Age

But it isn’t only the “natural” scent of aging that can give away how many candles should be on your birthday cake. In one study conducted by a team of Rutgers scientists, it was learned that men appear to subconsciously “age” a woman based on her choice of fragrance.

In their research 15 men aged 20 to 60 were asked to smell various fragrances and associate it with the age of the women who would wear them. Among the scents tested were vanilla, lavender and rose, together with scents from fruits like apple, and vegetables including broccoli.

The result: Almost universally the men associated the scent of roses with an “old” woman, while associating the scent of apples with young women.

This almost mimics the findings of a study done in 2005 by the Smell and Taste Research Foundation. Here it was learned that the scent of grapefruit was most often associated with the perception of youth while roses signaled that retirement is closing in.

Covering Up The Smell of Age
While some say any good perfume can tuck away the secret of your age, not everyone agrees. Perfumer Harvey Prince says it takes a specific combination of essential oils and fragrances to not just cover up the scent of age, but actually neutralize all those smelly lipid odors.

Not coincidentally, Prince just released his first anti-aging fragrance, a perfume called Ageless Fantasy, which he says not only does away with that “old lady” smell, it can knock ten years off your perceived age. At least to those close enough to take a good whiff!

While Prince says the formulation of Ageless Fantasy is a proprietary secret, I can tell you that the main essences found in the fragrance are tropical notes of pineapple, mango and leafy greens which the company says promotes memories of a happy childhood (but maybe only if you grew up in Hawaii and not Brooklyn!). The fragrance also contains oils of Lily of the Valley and peony, which are thought to promote feelings of well being and happiness. In combination Prince says it's the magic formula that makes a woman smell younger than springtime.

As unique a promise as this is, Ageless Fantasy is not the originator of the concept. Following the discovery of noneal back in 2000 Shiseido produced a line of products called Care Garden designed specifically to neutralize the odors of fatty acid breakdowns in 40 plus skin. They report Care Garden became one of the fastest selling lines in the history of the company.

Smell Younger – For Less!
Whether or not Ageless Fantasy will leave you smelling younger is anybody's guess - but it’s going to cost you to find out. A 3 ounce bottle retails for $120.

But if you’re not quite ready to trade a tank of gas for one last whiff of youth, you should also know that simply paying closer attention to skin hygiene may, in fact help distill some of the scent of aging. Indeed, studies show that while noneal is produced equally in the skin of older men and older women, experts say the odor is more identifiable in men simply because they generally pay less attention to skin hygiene.

So if you want to try sending a few years down the drain - and still leave enough in the piggy bank for one more wrinkle injection – there are any number of drugstore shower gels or body lotions that might do the trick; just lather up daily. And if you don’t smell younger, at least you’ll smell cleaner. :)

For the most inexpensive top ten scents that can make you smell younger visit www.RedDressDiary.com

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