Health and Wellness

Angelina Jolie shocked the world with an op-ed piece in the New York Times where she admitted to having a double mastectomy to lessen her risk of breast cancer. The Oscar-winning actress got tested for the BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene mutations that can cause cancer and doctors found she had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer. Being the mother of six, and the daughter of someone who lost their life to ovarian cancer, Jolie decided to undergo the nine-week procedure to make sure she would be alive as long as possible with her family. Her long-time partner, Brad Pitt, supported her throughout the process and hailed her brave decision—a sentiment that was quickly shared by many in the Hollywood community affected by cancer. TV host Giuliana Rancic was just one celebrity to show her support, tweeting, “Angelina Jolie reveals double mastectomy. Proud of her for using her incredible platform to educate women.” As a result of her surgery, Jolie said her breast cancer risk had dropped to under 5 percent. “On a personal note, I do not feel any less of a woman,” she wrote in her op-ed. “I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity.”

Article by:
Michelle Loeb

Now here’s some news Kate Middleton could’ve used months ago! Bendectin, a drug specifically designed to combat morning sickness, is returning after a 30-year absence. The pill had been pulled off the market after there were concerns about it causing birth defects, but a new FDA study found that the drug is “a safe and effective treatment.” “We know safety-wise, there’s zero question,” Dr. Gary Hankins of the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston told the Associated Press. Now called Diclegis, the drug combines Vitamin B6 and the over-the-counter antihistamine doxylamine with a delayed-release coating “designed to help women take a daily dose before their nausea sets in,” according to the AP. Diclegis is expected to hit store shelves in June.

Article by:
Michelle Loeb

If you’re looking to lose weight ahead of beach season, a new study says you should be just as concerned with counting sheep as you are with counting calories. Researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder have found that participants who got less sleep actually ended up snacking more and packing on more pounds. Sixteen men and women took part in the study, with some of the participants sleeping nine hours per night and some only getting five hours of shut eye. Those getting less sleep generally had smaller breakfasts but they ate much more when it came to after-dinner snacks.
So even though the ones who slept less actually burned five percent more energy, they also ate six percent more calories. Now that’s food for thought!

Article by:
Michelle Loeb

Not only do they share a birthday, their children now do too! 19 year old identical twins Aimee and Ashlee Nelson gave birth in the same hospital, on the same day, just hours apart on New Year’s Eve. Only 15 seconds apart themselves, the twins found out they were both expecting last year just two days apart from one another. Days, hours, seconds…keep up!
Aimee was the first to be admitted into Summa Akron City hospital and the first to deliver, while sister Ashlee was still at home. “My mom told me that she was here and when I got up to go to the bathroom, my water broke so I had to come in too,” said Ashlee. Both babies, Aimee’s 7 lbs 2 oz son Donavyn Bratten and Ashlee’s 8 lb 12 oz daughter Aiden Dilts, were delivered by the same doctor and are in perfect health. This story is especially interesting to me because I also have a twin sister. We’re so different in every way, but sometimes we’ll both decide to order pizza for dinner on the same night, despite being miles apart… Just part of the mystery of being a twin!

Article by:
Daneisha Mobley

Dr. Andrew Maron is a well respected pillar of his community with over 20 years of experience in the dental field. After graduating top of his class from New York University, Dr. Maron was accepted into and successfully completed the Hahnemann Hospital’s Oral Surgery MD program. While settling into the New York/New Jersey area, Dr. Maron worked under the auspices of Dr. Mohan Thomas, the premier authority on T.M.J surgical treatment, at his Park Avenue Practice.
Since then, Dr. Maron has opened nine highly respected facilities throughout the New York/New Jersey area. Each office specializes in all phases of oral surgery, including but not limited to dento-alveolar surgery, implants, orthogenetic surgery, T.M.J surgery, conservative and surgical intervention, I.V. Sedation, soft tissue surgery, and bone and soft tissue reconstruction. Throughout it all, Dr. Maron has continuously proven to be one of the best oral specialists in the area.
Dr. Maron and his wife, Dolores Catania, also contribute to various charities, hospitals, and organizations including St. Joseph’s Hospital, Project Ladybug, and The Christian Rivera Foundation. Catania uses her numerous television appearances to bring awareness to these causes. Dr. Maron and his wife have been pivotal in the quest to end children’s suffering, and have become known as a couple who are passionate about finding a cure for various diseases, and even overextend themselves to make this noble cause a major priority in their lives. We applaud Dr. Maron on remaining one of the most celebrated and successful doctors in his field, while simultaneously taking the time to be so generously involved in causes that so desperately need attention. For more information on the Cristian Rivera Foundation, Dr. Maron and Catania’s most notable charity, please visit http://www.cristianriverafoundation.org.

We hear the term wellness tossed around all the time. People tell you to try yoga, meditation, a glass of wine and a book before bed, all in an attempt to keep your head above water. The truth of the matter is, stress comes from being overwhelmed and this usually happens when a person has too much going on. So where in the middle of your busy schedule are you supposed to find time to join a yoga club or the money it to pay for it? There’s not always time for a morning jog and honestly, in this weather, there’s not always the inspiration for it either. Taking care of yourself is not something that should just be done when the holiday stress creeps in, or when stress creeps in at all. If yoga or running is your thing, make it an all around hobby to maintain that balance, not a quick fix for every now and then.
Wellness practices should be life practices in order for them to be fully effective in combating stress when times get hectic. So we are going to discuss some stress release tactics that you can start this holiday season and carry on through the next.

 Know Thyself: If you know what stresses you, you can learn how to avoid it. Certain stressors are inescapable (like the in-laws or that annoying aunt during the holidays) but once you can list these things out, you can make a plan to conquer the things that cannot be avoided.
 Prepare for the Worst, Expect the Best: Preparation is Key for everything. During these months, schedules tend to get hectic with work events, kids’ Christmas plays, family gatherings and the crazy shopping season. All that is happening as you try to make sure you scratch everything off the list and keep your house in order for the amount of guests that will be passing through in search of a nice meal and good company. Somewhere in between all these things you have to find peace for yourself. Peace and satisfaction comes when you know that you have done everything that is in your power to be done aka Preparation. From here you can relax, indulge in your holiday favorites and expect the best from this holiday season.
 Don’t Burnout: In the midst of all of this hustle and bustle (and preparation), understand that this is vacation time as well and act accordingly. Certain things can wait until you are back in the office.
 Listen to Mama: Don’t forget what your mom taught you. No matter how old you get, it’s still important to eat your veggies, get enough sleep, and refrain from taking in too much caffeine or alcohol. These are all things that can help you stay cheerful and alert during holiday season. Remember, the first step is taking care of your body and mind.

Article By:
Naa-Shorme Aidoo

Last week the federal food and drug administration detained imported mango from Mexican packinghouse after their product was link to salmonella illness in 15 states. The FDA announced the alerts on Friday, September 14, against Agricola Daniella, a mango supplier with many plantations in Sinola, Mexico which means that the United States wont accepted any more imports until the company can show through testing that the mangos are safe.
 

The majority of the reported illness came from California which leads to importers recalling the Daniella branded mangoes. The mangoes were sold at various U.S. retailers from July 12 to August 29. So far no deaths have been reported but the illness count is now at 121 stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
 

The most common symptoms of Salmonella are diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within eight hours to 72 hours of eating contaminated foods and it can be life threatening with someone whom has a weak immune system.

Article by:
Bryan Vallejo

From First Lady, Michelle Obama to Dr. Oz, the American public has been hammered for years on that buying organic foods is the way to go. But a new study shows that it might not be the case, research done at Stanford university found that organic foods isn’t any healthier than the more conventional produce. Further study has shown that organic foods carry fewer pesticides, the levels detected in the conventionally grown produce were well within federally established safety guidelines, the study says.
 

There isn’t really much of a difference between organic and conventional foods if you an adult and making a decision based solely on your health, said in a university statement by Senior author Dr. Dena Bravata of Stanford’s Center for Health Policy.
 

There is always a study that either says something is good for you like eating eggs is good for you then turn around to purpose that eating egg is on the same par as smoking; so don’t worry if you don’t agree with this findings. There have been other contradictory healths studies that makes us question what we eat.

Article by:
Bryan Vallejo

An appeals court just dismissed a ruling that another appeals court upheld earlier this year. The Supreme Court might have to step in and make a final decision in this fight against cigarettes. The law says that cigarette companies would have to use graphic imagery in their health warnings about the dangers of cigarettes. Because smoking is more and more prevalent among the nation’s youth, the FDA has recommend that graphic images of rotting teeth and tar filled lungs might help dissuade teens from smoking. We think anything that stops tobacco companies from advertising is great. We need to protect our youth because they’re our future!

Article by:
Gregorio Polanco

Yoga in the park.
Yoga on the rooftop.
Yoga on the pier.
Outdoor yoga has been practiced for ages now and New Yorkers have made it their business to reintroduce it and make it a trendy activity.
Want to know where you can do outdoor yoga for FREE in NYC? Before the summer is over stop by one of these places & try it out:

Bryant Park Yoga and Prospect Park Yoga

FREE
Make use of those $98 Lululemon yoga pants you just bought with these free vinyasa classes organized by the funky yoga-apparel line. Mats are provided at the Bryant Park sessions (42nd St at Sixth Ave; 212-768-4242, bryantpark.org. Tue 10am–11am, Thu 6–7pm; free. Through Sept 27.), which are taught by more than 15 instructors from various studios including Pure Yoga, YogaWorks and Sonic Yoga. Hundreds of people take part in the hour-long practices, so arrive early to stake out your favorite spot on the park’s picturesque westward-facing lawn. Lululemon has also partnered with Bend & Bloom Yoga to organize the weekly classes in Prospect Park’s expansive Long Meadow (enter at 9th St and Prospect Park West, Park Slope, Brooklyn; 347-987-3162, bendandbloom.com. Thu 7–8pm; free. Through Sept 6.), which draw 60 to 80 participants to each session as well as instructors from studios such as Yoga Sole, Park Slope Yoga and Abhaya Yoga. Though the sessions are considered open-level, beginners might have a tough time keeping up—it’s no walk in the park!

Bryant Park and Prospect Park
Sunset Yoga in Fort Tryon Park

FREE
Salute the setting sun at these open-level twilight classes on Abby’s Lawn. The free sessions are led by seven rotating instructors from studios including MindBodySoul Yoga and Beloved Yogi Harlem, so expect a variety of styles and practices. BYO mat or towel, and follow @nancercize on Twitter to keep abreast of weather-related cancellations. (212-795-1388, forttryonparktrust.org).

Wed 6:45–8pm. June 6–Aug 29
Cabrini Blvd, (at Fort Washington Ave)
Yoga in Socrates Sculpture Park

FREE
With programming that includes capoeira, film screenings and Shakespeare performances, Socrates Sculpture Park has come a long way since its days as a landfill. Show up to the earlier 9:30am class for a smaller, more intimate group (and a better chance of hearing the instructor) than you’ll find at the 11am session. Monique Schubert, who taught the same series last year, leads the group through a gentle flow and always takes time to demonstrate the poses; she focuses on the Kripalu system of hatha yoga, which incorporates postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation. (718-956-1819, socratessculpturepark.org).

Sat 9:30–10:30am, 11am–noon. Through Sept 30
32-01 Vernon Blvd at Broadway, Long Island City, Queens
Yoga in Community Gardens

FREE
The New York Restoration Project, which has successfully beautified 52 community gardens across the five boroughs, offers intimate open-air workouts every Saturday in two locations. Instructors hailing from Harlem Yoga Studio and Brooklyn Holistic like to incorporate the bucolic setting; Harlem Yoga Studio’s Erica Barth says that they “call students’ attention not only to the union between body and breath, but also to the union with nature, incorporating the feel of the sun and breeze on their skin, and the earth beneath them.” Target East Harlem Community Garden, 415-417 117th St between First and Pleasant Aves • Garden of Hope, 392 Hancock St between Sumner and Throop Aves, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. (212-333-2552, nyrp.org).

Sat 11am–noon. Through Sept 29
Target East Harlem Community Garden and Garden of Hope
Laughing Lotus beneath the High Line

FREE
On Saturdays, Laughing Lotus Yoga Center leads a family-friendly version of its signature Lotus Flow vinyasa class in the Meatpacking District’s unsung 14th Street Park, situated beneath the High Line. Bring the whole family and your own mats (or just stretch out directly on the grass) to enjoy the upbeat, music-accompanied teaching style of LLYC’s staff, all of whom have youth training experience. Seasoned practitioners should not expect to be challenged; instead, consider it a chance to introduce your passion to the uninitiated yogis in your life. (212-414-2903, laughinglotus.com).

Sat 9–10am. Jun 9–Aug 25
14th Street Park, 14th St at Tenth Ave

Article by:
Samantha Johnson