It seems like everyone’s all about the IUD these days. There are a lot of benefits, but the main one currently brought up is that they’re long-lasting. It’s not just for convenience: The constant threat of losing non-copay birth control thanks to the new administration means that many people wouldn’t be able to afford contraception you’d have to take on a regular basis, like the pill.
But if you’re new to the IUD (that’s intrauterine device), knowing which is best for you can be tricky. That’s why we asked Dr. Kerry Price, an OB-GYN at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California to help walk us through the process.
In order to help her patients choose the best IUD for them, Price has them answer the following questions:
How are your periods normally?
IUDs are more than just birth control and can help people deal with painful and irregular periods too.
If a patient’s periods are particularly heavy or painful, Price recommends the Mirena (progesterone or "hormonal” IUD), which is FDA-approved for reducing heavy periods and easing painful ones. On the other hand, if a patient’s periods are fairly manageable in terms of flow and cramping, she suggests the Paragard (copper or "non-hormonal" IUD). They can actually make heavy or painful periods worse, so she doesn’t recommend it in patients who have heavy or painful periods as their norm.
What other medical conditions do you have?
The good news is that the IUD is the safest form of contraception that we have according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the World Health Organization.
Price explains that this is because they are nonsystemic, which means that they do not interact with any other medication or cause changes in blood pressure, lab values or chronic medical conditions.
The Mirena is good for five years, with new data emerging for possibly up to seven years of protection. The Paragard is good for 10 years.
“Regardless of which option women choose, I always let them know that they can have an IUD removed at any time, whether it's to get pregnant, or to change methods of contraception,” Price says.
Do you have an allergy to copper or the condition Wilson's Disease?
If a patient does, then the Paragard, which is made of copper, would not be a good choice.
Do you have any abnormalities of the uterus or cervix?
Certain anatomic conditions mean that an IUD is not a good option. Price says that your doctor may recommend a pelvic ultrasound or other study prior to IUD insertion if there is any concern.
In addition to answering questions, Price also take the time to bust these IUD myths:
The IUD makes it harder to get pregnant in the future
Wrong! There is good data to show rates of fertility are the same as other methods.
You can't have an IUD unless you've had a baby
This is not true The IUD is safe to use in women who have never given birth, even in patients in their teens.
You can't have an IUD unless you are married or in a long term relationship
Nope, this has no bearing on placement or continuation.
The IUD will give you [insert side effect here]
"Again, this is a myth," Price says. Common side effects are cramping and spotting from time to time, but the IUD is nonsystemic and is not generally associated with any systemic side effects like weight gain, acne, mood changes or other side effects that are commonly associated with birth control.
Lastly, Price always encourages women to ask their doctor about IUD and get the information from a health care professional, not the internet, “because there is a lot of misinformation and downright untrue information about IUDs that can really influence their decision.”
The country, where menstrual cups are manufactured and exported to the U.S., does not allow the selling of menstrual cups within South Korea and in many cases plainly disregards the reality women face once a month.
According to Quartz, the public outcry for a more inclusive society even led to a former South Korean presidential candidate taking a stand on the price and tax of pads and tampons.
“Sanitary pads should be treated as public goods,” said Lee Jae-myung, a city mayor and presidential candidate, according to Quartz. “Our culture sees menstruation as something to be embarrassed about and something that is unclean, preventing the issue of the price of sanitary pads to come under the spotlight.”
Journalism has played a large role in helping dismantle how society views menstruation, going as far as to shine a light on how inaccessible the sanitary items have become for some of South Korea’s neediest girls.
A feature on a 16-year-old South Korean girl who wrapped insole pads in toilet paper to make her own sanitary pads — because the cost of real pads was too high – went viral, with more girls eventually coming forward to share they were doing the same thing.
Since the news went viral, legislation has been brought forward to make alternatives, like the menstrual cup, available for sale in South Korea. In addition, the taboo around periods has slowly begun to diminish, with more crowdfunding campaigns sparking up to address the problems and advocacy groups taking to task the current companies that produce the irrationally expensive pads while also encouraging the government to offer subsidies and support for girls in need of sanitary pads.
A brunch favorite, avocado toast is here to stay. That's lucky for us, because we can't get enough of it. In fact, since we suggest it three times a day (at least), we've rounded up three delish recipes that you'll be craving all summer long. Make it easy on yourself and forgo the dreaded avocado hand (the hand injury that's spiked in recent months). It's a cinch to remove the often-stubborn pit with Avocado Joy Slicer, and its blades slice the avocado with one fell swoop. Get yours for under $10 and start turning your kitchen into avo heaven.
1. Wake Up With Avo
Image: SheKnows Shop
Greet the day with a true power breakfast: Avo Toast with Bacon and Egg. The scrumptious mash-up combines two brekky staples--a scrambled egg and crispy bacon--with the buttery goodness of avocado. So if you can't decide on which morning essential you're craving, you can have both.
2. Snack With Avo
Image: SheKnows Shop
The no-nonsense, original Salted Avocado Toast recipe makes the perfect snack anywhere from the office to your pool-side lounger. Pick out a solid loaf of bread, slice a piece, toast it, and mash the green stuff on. Finish it off with a drizzle of olive oil and add a little extra flavor with some cracked pepper or cumin.
3. Dinner With Avo
Image: SheKnows Shop
Stay energized through the night without getting overly full with Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast. The recipe layers on red onions in addition to slices of smoked salmon. This healthy lunch packs in omega-3 fatty acids thanks to the fish, along with the essential nutrients of the avocado.
Crusty sourdough or fresh baguette slices make a solid pairing with the fruit. Of course, atop toast isn't the only way to enjoy avocado. In case you're looking for a few slices on the side of your omelet or atop a salad, the Avocado Joy Slicer also helps you effortlessly create perfect slices each time. But we don't think the brunch staple is going anywhere anytime soon. So go on, have your avo toast and eat it, too.
Summer is in full swing, and that means it's time to get outside and enjoy the sun.
But what to do if you're feeling stuck in a summer rut? If your barbecue is feeling stale? If your pool party isn't hoppin'? Sometimes summertime favorites just need to be kicked up a notch. Here's how.
1. Pool party
Image: svetikd/Getty Images
Need to amp up your summer pool party? Instead of scheduling a daytime dip, move the party to after dark. Swimming under the stars is enough to take a pool party from played out to played up, but to really up the fun factor, get creative with the lighting. Disco lights, Christmas lights, lasers if you've got 'em — anything will look rad on the water at night. And if you can work a movie screen in there for a little film night action, well, that's perfection.
Ah, the summertime staple: Cooling off with a good old fashioned glass of iced tea. There's nothing like an iced cold glass of tea to amp up the nostalgia and make you feel young again — but it is actually possible to take this classic to the next level when you try a new-school flavored tea. We're in love with NESTEA Peach Flavored Tea, a total summer classic.
3. Day at the beach
Image: felixhug/Getty Images
Once upon a time, we were all about laying still to soak up those rays — but now that we've entered the internet age, just posting up on the beach feels a little bit like wasted time. Instead, put that beach towel to good use with a shoreside yoga sesh. The water will provide an extra-calming atmosphere so you can focus on nailing that Half-Moon pose. You'll feel like you're being productive and you'll give your racing brain a break. Two birds, one stone.
4. Weekend camping trip
Image: Mint Images/Getty Images
It's 2017, and it's OK to admit that traditional camping has its downfalls. Yeah, it's calming AF to commune with nature for a weekend. But it's even better to commune with nature from a comfy couch with a drink in hand, right? This summer, give glamping a try. It takes all the good things about camping and mixes them with all the good things about civilization, and the result is a creature comfort-filled escape from the hectic nature of day-to-day life.
5. Backyard games
Image: wundervisuals/Getty Images
If kids are part of your summer plans, there's not much better than playing backyard games like T-ball, volleyball and soccer. On hot days, give backyard games an exciting and heat-beating twist by playing them with water balloons. Trust when we say going in for a spike at the net and having the ball explode makes volleyball so much more lit.
6. Picnic
Image: Hero Images/Getty Images
Picnics are one of the best parts of summer — they give you a chance to enjoy great weather, plus there's food. But when the summer sun gets high in the sky and the heat is a little too much to handle, here's a way to chill out your picnic game. Host a post-sundown dessert picnic. Combine it with some stargazing and you've got yourself a night to remember.
Barbecues might be the No. 1 summer staple, but all that red meat is bound to leave you feeling sluggish in the summer heat. So upgrade your barbecue by going meat-free. Grilled veggies and fruit kabobs are a delicious and healthy alternative to burgers and hot dogs, and they still take on those Instagrammable grill marks, no problem. Win-win, right?
Sure, prepping to answer tough questions is the hardest part of an interview — but trying to figure out what clothing and color you should wear to a job interview freaks us out too. Landing a job interview usually leads to the closet war of all closet wars and totally stresses us out when we should be aiming to feel calm, cool and collected.
You’ve heard the standard advice. Dress for the industry in which you’re interviewing (there’s a big difference between a job at a white-shoe law firm and a tech startup, and your clothes should reflect that). Don’t wear anything too fashion-forward (you want to be the star of the interview, not your handbag), and above all else, don’t you dare wear something sloppy or better suited for a night of cocktails with your friends than a serious job interview. But what about color?
CareerBuilder and Harris Interactive conducted a study, polling hiring managers and human resource professionals across industries and company sizes, asking the simple question, "What’s the best color to wear to a job interview?" Blue was the most recommended color, while orange came in dead last.
Deciding what shade to wear is slightly more complex than just picking blue and forgoing orange, though, as employers reported that various colors send various messages during the interview process. Do you want to come across as organized, for instance? Or creative?
“That first impression on an interview counts so much, and you don’t want to be out of the race before the interview even begins,” said Sherry Maysonave, head of Empowerment Enterprises, an image-consulting firm based in Austin, Texas. “That [impression] happens in less than 30 seconds, and it’s based entirely upon your attire.”
Here's a breakdown of the messages various colors can send during an interview so you can land the job you deserve.
Image: ImaxTree
Blue is the ultimate safe choice
Blue was the most recommended color by hiring professionals surveyed by CareerBuilder, with 23 percent responding they actually preferred the hue. Shades of blue send the message that you’re credible and trustworthy according to experts. Lisa Johnson Mandell of AOL Jobs writes, “Studies show that navy blue is the best color for a suit to wear to a job interview because it inspires confidence.” Be wary, though, of choosing navy for more creative job interviews, where you could come off looking too conservative.
Avoid brown altogether
Brown doesn’t have negative connotations — you’ll send the message of being comforting and reliable — but it can also convey the image that you are simple and old-fashioned, qualities that aren’t exactly positive in job interviews when you want to convey the message of being forward-thinking and modern. So you don’t run the risk of coming off as staid, just avoid brown altogether.
Image: ImaxTree
Black conveys leadership — so save it for interviews for management positions
Besides blue, experts also favor black for job interviews, with 15 percent of respondents from the CareerBuilder survey saying it was their top pick. Still, be careful when selecting black for an interview. Color experts rank black the highest on the authority scale, which means it’s a great color to wear for an interview for a management position, but be wary of the risk of overpowering the person you’re interviewing with if you are applying to be an assistant, for instance.
Kat Griffin of Corporette’s advice on wearing black? Whatever you do, don’t mix and match different blacks. “Please do not try to match different black fabrics to ‘make’ a suit,” she says.
Red sends a message of power, but not in a good way
You’ll definitely convey that you’re both bold and assertive if you wear red to a job interview, but in most cases, hiring professionals think the color can come off as domineering, and even worse, rebellious. There’s an exception to every rule, and red can be a great color in fields like sales and the law, where being aggressive is considered a positive.
Image: ImaxTree
Gray is another safe choice
If you want to send the message to your (hopefully) future employer that you are both logical and analytical, then gray is the way to go. The understated shade works well for interviews in just about every field. Applying for a job where you want to show a bit of your personality? Dress up your gray outfit with colorful accessories like a scarf or a handbag.
Just say no to wearing orange
Orange topped CareerBuilder’s list for the absolute worst color to wear to a job interview, with 25 percent of respondents saying they associated the color with someone who’s unprofessional. What’s that? You’re dying to finally wear that new tangerine blouse? Save it for the weekend.
“Interview day is not the day to get creative or show your prospective employer your ‘fun’ personality,” said Mary Orton of Memorandum.
Image: ImaxTree
White sends the message that you’re organized & detail-oriented
Send the message that you’re organized, impartial and looking to make a clean start wearing white. While wearing a white suit is probably too big a statement for a job interview, opt for a white blazer over a black shift dress, or a white button-down paired with a pencil skirt to get the benefits of wearing the shade.
Save purple & yellow for interviews in creative fields
For the most part, experts suggest playing it safe with neutrals for job interviews in most fields, but if you’re interviewing for a job in a creative field, don’t be afraid to wear certain colors. Purple sends the message of being artistic and unique, while yellow projects optimism and creativity.
Giving birth is a miracle, but it's also a common shared human experience — so how come it seems no one ever really tells you what happens with your body after you push out your baby?
Yeah, yeah, we've been hammered with how much delivering an infant hurts, but you rarely hear anyone blabber on about all the intimate details of what goes down after. Breastfeeding, for instance, is something a lot of women opt to do; however, it's not really common knowledge that it's normal to wake up in the middle of the night covered in breast milk — and you probably didn't know that 44 percent of women have challenges breastfeeding according to a survey done by SheKnows.
And what about our vaginas? According to our research, 1 out of 5 women experience vaginal dryness — which only makes the act of intercourse after pregnancy that much harder.
We're all in this together. It's time we start talking about it, don't ya think?
Not so fast, warns Kait Ellen, mother of 3-year-old Colton, who shattered his femur at a trampoline park. (The femur is the biggest, toughest bone in humans, BTW — let that sink in!)
Her son's pediatric orthopedic surgeon told her that no child under the age of 6 should use a trampoline, due to the fragility of growing bones.
"Their fragile bones are not meant to withstand the repetitive pressure from jumping," Ellen wrote in a heartbreaking Facebook post from July 7 that is now being shared widely.
Kait Ellen
Kait Ellen
Honestly, we were shocked at the stats. Emergency room visits for trampoline park injuries hit 6,932 in 2014 (up from only 581 in 2010) according to a study in Pediatrics released just last year.
Many families (including ours!) think nothing of heading to one of the popular bounce spots as a way to spend a summer day — but few are considering the risks: sprains, bone breaks, concussions and spinal cord injuries.
Damage to the head or neck can potentially lead to permanent paralysis or even death according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
And that trampoline in the backyard is no better according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, which cautions parents to keep all children under 6 off the apparatus. The AAP takes an even harder stance — the organization is opposed to trampoline time altogether, stating that the risk of collisions, dangerous landings and bad falls is just too great.
But what about that expensive padding and netting, for protection? We're sorry to say that a rep for AAP, pediatrician Michele LaBotz shot that down.
"Families need to know that many injuries occur on the mat itself," LaBotz said in 2012. "Current data do not appear to demonstrate that netting or padding significantly decrease the risk of injury."
Kait Ellen was horrified by her son's injury and had assumed, like many parents, that trampoline parks are a great way for kids to get out that pent-up energy.
"Our lives have been turned upside down since Colton's accident and every day is a struggle for his sweet 3-year-old self as he adjusts to life in a hip spica cast for the next six weeks," Ellen wrote. "We share this with you today to spread awareness that these facilities are specifically advertising for Toddler Time, when in fact toddlers should be no where near trampolines."
We weren't surprised that her post has been shared over 253,000 times, but we had no clue just how dangerous trampolines could be for kids. So be careful out there this summer... and consider keeping the whole family grounded.
Like most normal folk, I'm spending my summer working the same hours I usually do, with the occasional weekend trip squeezed in between. To quell my wanderlust and lessen the sting of gazing out at gorgeous sunshine-filled days while slaving away on a laptop indoors, I've been living vicariously through my favorite celebs. And let me tell you, they are living the dream.
Here are the celebs living the life I totally wish was mine.
Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union Instagram
Gabrielle Union Instagram
Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade are currently globetrotting for summer. They began in Paris, France, and are now wandering the streets of Italy. And I mean, damn. That should be me posing in a chic, breezy, impossibly crisp outfit in front of a dreamy street filled with colorful umbrellas!
And while Wade is taking a lot of shit in the Instagram comments for his short shorts, I am totally digging them. To hell with male rompers; men need to begin by embracing short shorts like Wade!
Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon
Reese captioned this perfect shot simply, saying "Nights like these ... #VacationVibes #MyHeart #PostcardsFromAfar." And while she hasn't told us where this shot was taken, does it really matter?
This is on my bucket list — taking a tropical vacation with my daughter and letting her see the sunset over the ocean, watching her dig her toes in the sand, exploring a different country and learning a different language. Nothing would make me happier, and it looks like Reese feels the same way.
Willow Smith
Willow Smith vacation
Willow Smith vacation
OK, so we all know that Willow Smith lives an out-of-this-world life. From her famous parents to her unconventional upbringing to the way she and her brother Jaden fearlessly explore the boundaries of race and gender, I'm filled with heart eyes for her life already.
But this? Willow effortlessly bobbing along in the Antipaxos Ionian Sea in Greece? I can't. Look at that water!
Twitter queen Chrissy Teigen is always #FashionGoals, even when she's riding a goddamn camel. Seriously, who looks that effortless riding a camel? Teigen and husband John Legend took their daughter Luna to Morocco recently, and it is giving me all the vacation envy.
I mean, this is what we'd all like to think we'd look like on a camel, when really we'd probably be a sweaty mess, holding on for dear life and possibly being spat on by said camel. Oh well. Do it in style for all of us, Chrissy!
Everyone's favorite hot uncle took some time off to travel around the streets of Bruges, Belgium. I've wanted to visit here ever since the love of my life, Colin Farrell, appeared in a film named for the city, but seeing Stamos walk the quaint streets of Bruges has me itching to pack a bag and go ASAP. Stamos visited the European city on vacation in early June and seemed to fall in love, calling it his favorite place so far.
John Stamos twitter
John Stamos twitter
Chris Hemsworth
Hemsworth's home country of Australia is a vacation destination for many people, but when the hunky actor wants to get away, he goes to Monaco.
Chris Hemsworth
Chris Hemsworth
Officially, Hemsworth was there to appear at the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix, but the Thor star also managed to squeeze in some sightseeing and yacht rides with wife Elsa Pataky in between work engagements.
Tough life, hmm?
Whether you've got a similarly envy-worthy destination on the books for this summer or, like me, you're going to do little more than creep on celeb Instagram accounts and dream of doing so, it's always fascinating to see how the other half lives (and vacations!).
There's no doubt about the fact that the world is going through a phase of intense love for Wonder Woman. It's one of the biggest films of 2017 and it's inspiring women everywhere to be their own superhero. So, it stands to reason that, given all the hype, fans want to know any and all new details about Wonder Woman 2.
Well, you're in luck, my friends, because I finally have some fun news to share with you. According to a new report at ScreenRant, Wonder Woman 2 may be set in the 1980s. Picture it: Diana with some puffy hair and crispy bangs, Duran Duran playing in the background, and some seriously cool neon in the background. Okay well, maybe Diana won't have the bangs, but you get it — this is a serious time jump for our favorite Amazonian warrior.
While the studio has remained tight-lipped about confirming the plot details, ScreenRant's report includes details they obtained themselves about the nature of the Wonder Woman2 plot. It "will be another historical adventure prior to the modern day DCEU [the DC Comics Extended Universe, which includes Batman and Superman, etc.]. Set during the 1980s, the film will send Diana against the forces of Soviet Union in the closing days of the Cold War." Wonder Woman fighting the Soviets? Count me in, but also, I might be watching through my fingers because this sounds intense.
ScreenRant also notes the very odd rumor that Steve Trevor will return for Wonder Woman 2 but (spoiler alert), considering he sacrifices himself in the third act of Wonder Woman, this may be easier said and done. There's also a strong possibility that Patty Jenkins will return to direct the film, but she is definitely working on the story. Jenkins absolutely should come back to direct, considering she is a major part of the first film's success, but knowing that her voice will influence the script is great news, too.
It's definitely exciting to see some new details emerge about Wonder Woman 2, even if they are mostly unconfirmed by the studio. If anything, it will be interesting to see Diana fighting and working in a new era and surrounded by a whole new host of characters. Are you ready for more Wonder Woman?
Taco Tuesday comes but once a week — but when you have some super-spicy and delicious taco meat left over, the day is truly a gift that keeps on giving. Let's be real; we could eat tacos every night of the week, so it seems silly to limit it to one measly meal.
And if you have something against leftovers, we swear you're still going to devour these recipes. They aren't just a copy of what you had on Night 1, but instead turn that taco meat into something totally new. You will not be feeling sick of tacos (as if that could ever happen).
I started with this delicious recipe for soft tacos with ground beef, but you can re-create your taco night leftovers by adding different spices and toppings.
Although ground turkey is used here, I think these taco lettuce wraps are just as tasty with ground beef. Remind you of P.F. Chang's famous lettuce wraps, don't they?
Another way to re-create your taco leftovers is by turning up the heat and making some sloppy Joe tacos. What's better than a true marriage of flavors?
Maybe you're throwing a party this weekend. Or maybe you're just dying for an excuse to eat a whole bag of tortilla chips. Just say hello to this creamy Mexican dip! No judgments.
Our love affair with tater tots will never die. And what's better than having your tots along with your leftovers? Loaded tater tots are just what we've all been waiting for.
Although this recipe is technically vegetarian, I say skip a can of beans, and load this cheesy taco casserole with some of that leftover ground beef instead. Yum!
If you're really looking to impress some guests this weekend or simply love stuffed zucchini (and who doesn't?), these taco-stuffed zucchini are simply irresistible.
Carnitas, schmarnitas! I'm loving this taco tamale pie much better with the addition of my ground beef leftovers. I can't resist an excuse to make an easy dinner.
Macaroni and cheese. Need I say more? OK, fine. This cheesy chili mac and cheese uses all the ingredients to make a chili, but it'll go great with your taco leftovers too.
You've got two options here: Take your taco meat, and turn it into these adorable cheesy lasagna cupcakes, or go wild, and use the recipe for quinoa enchilada cupcakes, but sub the quinoa for meat. Voilà!
I am unabashedly a huge pizza lover. As a New Yorker, I basically have to be. So when I saw this recipe for a taco pizza, I basically turned into one of those cartoon characters with hearts in my eyes. True story.
Another appetizer winner is these taco crescents. I simply love the idea of using simple croissant dough to re-create leftovers in a truly unique way. Plus, they make a fantastic snack!
Sometimes in life, the answer to anything is lasagna. Whenever I'm thinking of cooking on Sundays, I always think of making this hearty dish. And why not spice things up with a taco lasagna this time?
Although this recipe technically calls for leftover chili, I think it's just as lovely with leftover taco meat. After all, it wouldn't be a taco salad without some taco flavor, right?
Who says leftovers can't turn into a fantastic breakfast? That's the idea behind this Tex-Mex Egg McMuffin. It's simple and delicious, the only things breakfast should ever be.
Last, but definitely not least, is the magic that comes from transforming your taco leftovers into truly delicious and easy chili. All you need is some extra seasoning, and you're set!
Everybody loves a little lap dog — but when it comes to canines, big ol' fuzzy dog breeds are where it's at. There's just so many more things big dogs can do and places they can go. Plus, Their size inherently makes them better cuddlers.
Yeah, big dogs do usually require a ton of care when it comes to grooming and exercise, but they make up for it with their larger-than-life personalities — not to mention the affection they're more than willing to dispense at the drop of a hat. Plus, do you think a Yorkie is going to help you train for a marathon? Nope, but a Lab or a German shepherd sure will.
Here are 10 adorable dog breeds that prove size does matter.
10. Bernese mountain dog
Image: Stanze/Flickr
We can thank the Swiss for many great things: fine chocolate, luxury watches... and the Bernese mountain dog. This dog has become extremely popular throughout the years, recognizable because of its affectionate personality and keen intelligence.
Regal looking with its long, silky, tri-colored fur, the Bernese mountain dog is a true outdoors dog that, as its name might imply, fares well in cold weather. Ever patient and loyal, this large dog breed would make a great addition to any family with children, despite having a potential height of 23 to 28 inches and a weight of up to 110 pounds. Just note that due to their propensity to develop cancer, their life expectancy is only about 6 to 8 years, and they should be regularly screened by a qualified vet.
Originally published October 2010. Updated July 2017.
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9. Collie
Image: Chris Leung/Flickr
It'd be very difficult to not mention Lassie when talking about collies, so there. Now that that's out of the way, collies are a very popular breed of large dog, not only for their obvious ties to classic literature and film, but for their sharp minds and friendly natures. These loyal dogs rarely show signs of aggression unless their owners are in need of protection. Equally fearless and gentle, the collie is good with kids and can be the ideal addition to a happy family.
They can get as tall as 2 feet and weigh 50 to 70 pounds, making them slightly smaller than the Bernese.
If you've ever seen a mastiff, you'll agree that there is one word that can properly size up its appearance: powerful. No kidding, this dog is huge — not as tall as a Great Dane but probably twice as thick at between 2 and 3 feet tall with a weight of between 130 and 220 pounds.
Fittingly, these dogs make excellent guard dogs. Though the mastiff seems beast-like, it is surprisingly affectionate, gentle and extremely loyal. Their devotion to their owners and patience with children have secured their popularity for years, though they must be properly socialized to get along well with children and other pets, and it's best if you don't have them around very small children or adults who are frail as they can easily knock them over, causing serious injuries. Their life span is generally between 6 and 10 years, but some have lived as long as 18 years.
Great Danes are gentle giants, calm and friendly despite their intimidating size. If you want to make sure you don't get one of the really huge ones, opt for a female — males can get up to 200 pounds, but females generally top out at 115 pounds. They do require love, attention and plenty of space to exercise those long limbs, though, so they're ideal if you have a big backyard. They're great with kids, but beware that you're probably investing in a 100 to 200 pound lapdog.
The German short-haired pointer requires lots of exercise and attention. If properly trained, the GSP makes the ideal companion for owners with an active lifestyle and a love for the outdoors. Otherwise, this headstrong breed may prove to be too much of a challenge for a first-time owner.
If you do love the outdoors, the GSP is good with kids, though it may just be a bit too feisty for very little ones, although at only about 2-feet tall and up to 70 pounds, this fur baby is a bit smaller for the large breed fan who's not willing to commit to one of the previous adorable monsters.
Despite the negative attention received due to its portrayal as a mean dog in television and film, the rottweiler remains a highly popular breed.
Here's why: Historically a herding dog, the rottweiler's natural obedience makes it adaptable to several roles — just as capable of being a guard dog as assisting as a service dog. Extremely intelligent and good-natured, the rottweiler is naturally attentive and very loyal to its family.
That said, rotties are best in homes with older kids who know how to interact with dogs. Since they are herding dogs, small children can easily get knocked over when the pup tries to herd them with leans and nudges.
These dogs are stout, generally around 2-feet tall but weighing as much as 130 pounds, and live between 8 and 11 years.
It's no wonder the standard poodle is often a contributing factor to some cocktails of "designer mutts." Superiorly intelligent, training the standard poodle is a breeze. It is naturally inclined to be a crowd-pleaser — you'll be hard-pressed to find an unsatisfied owner of a standard poodle. Just be prepared to devote oodles of attention and playtime to your pet if you ever choose to become the proud owner of a poodle.
Usually only about 2-feet tall, they still only weigh in between 40 and 75 pounds. Better yet, they have one of the longer life spans of larger dogs, often living as long as some smaller dogs, at about 15 years. Even better, they're generally good with kids, though they may need some extra help accepting a new animal in the house if they're used to being the only four-legged friend.
Though named as such for their distinctively silky, gold-colored tresses, golden retrievers could have easily earned their name for having a heart of gold.
Friendly to both owners and strangers alike, these dogs are renowned for their compatibility with children. Golden retrievers are primarily indoor pets but do require a daily dose of exercise running around the yard. About 2-feet tall, they aren't as weighty as some of the dogs on this list, generally capping out at about 75 pounds. They also live a long life for a dog at around 11 years or so.
Keenly intelligent and eager to serve, it's no wonder these dogs are commonly seen in service roles and working alongside policemen.
One of the most well-rounded pets out there, the German shepherd is highly versatile and can make for a loving family member as well as a trusted guardian. Generally trustworthy with children, they still need to be well-socialized with them, and small children should always be supervised around dogs of this size.
What can be said about the Labrador retriever that hasn't been said? The fact that the Lab placed No. 1 in the American Kennel Club's registration lists for 18 consecutive years speaks a lot for itself.
Equally excellent at being a working or companion dog, the Lab's intelligence and lovable personality make this breed the most popular dog in the world, regardless of size. They're usually about 2-feet tall, weigh 55 to 80 pounds and live a pretty long time, about 11 years.
These are one of the best dog breeds if you have kids. They aren't just accepting of kids — they seem to enjoy the chaos and often willingly submit to whatever humiliation kids dole out (like wearing crazy hats). They can also be great with other pets if properly socialized.
Welcome to Survivor, in which author Catherine Newman tries to answer your questions about adolescents and why they’re like that — and how to love them despite everything.
My 16-year-old wants to get a teeny-tiny tattoo (literally three dots in bi-pride colors on her wrist). Very subtle and easy to hide should she want to interview at Goldman Sachs some day. Also not some fleeting pop culture reference that will look dated before the ink even dries. She can legally get it with my written permission and in my presence. I'm leaning towards yes for the above reasons and because she'll be in college in just over a year at which point she's going to do what she wants anyway. I'm really glad she asked me instead of trying to go around me (and I've already told her this), but part of me wonders whether I'm thinking of saying yes just to seem like a cool mom. Obviously, I would thoroughly research the place/artist and do all that adult stuff before taking her. She'd also be paying for it herself. I would love to hear your thoughts.
Answer:
[Please note: In addition to my own 14 and 17 this week, we’ve got special summer guests Nephew 14 and Nephew 17. Teen bonanza!]
Your question — or, I should more properly say, your awesomeattitude — was met with great enthusiasm by all the teenagers. A sampling:
Nephew 14: "She gave all the reasons why it’s a great idea — and it sounds like a great idea!"
14: "I love how there’s no suggestion that the daughter’s sexuality is just a phase. That’s really great."
Nephew 17, laughing: "She could always wear a wristband! But seriously, it’s clear that she cares about your opinion, so you saying yes is going to mean a lot to her."
17: "It’s smart to let her. You don’t want to be the parent who stands in the way of their kid’s political thing."
Everyone agreed that it felt like a pretty low-stakes tattoo that could at best provide a lifetime of pleasure and pride or, at worst, be lasered off without a lot of fuss. Nephew 17 liked that “it’s something meaningful that she’s thought out. It’s not like she’s getting a big wave up her face.” Then there was much laughing about the tattoo she’s not getting. The one that says No Regerts, for example. (Doh!) Or the one we just saw in the movie Baby Driver — an adaptation of HATE, with the E covered up. (“Who doesn’t like hats?”)
I wondered only about your hesitation — why you’d consider whether the default should be no. I know you’re just checking. You’re the one that made a dozen good cases for the tattoo, so it’s clear you don’t believe you should deny this request. But sometimes I worry that we’re all stuck following these parenting scripts (“Don’t let your child get a tattoo”), where we’re supposed to react in some particular way or rather than tune into our actual kids and who they are, what they need in any given moment. “Go with your gut,” 14 said, which is always good advice. Michael wondered if you had a little of the residual sense from when we were teenagers ourselves that a tattoo marginalizes you, marks you as a crazy rebel, even though they’ve actually become so mainstream. Nephew 17 referred to this as "residual social stigma" because he goes to an international school and has an IQ of 10 million.
But Michael was also sympathetic to your hesitation in a way that made sense to me. "It’s the permanence that’s triggering," he said. "A lot of our job as parents is making sure we’re keeping our kids from doing irrevocable harm to themselves. A tattoo is irrevocable. It just happens not to be harmful." That’s right. Also, as my own mom said when I got a tattoo at 21, "But. But. You were perfect the way I made you!" That’s right — and maybe a tattoo represents a reclaiming of one’s own young body, apart from the parents who made it. "This is mine," she’s saying about herself.
Maybe next she’ll get a heart that says, "Mom," on it.
Rauch doesn't pull any punches about her conflicted emotions. “Here is the only statement regarding my pregnancy that doesn’t make me feel like a complete fraud: ‘Melissa is expecting her first child. She is extremely overjoyed, but if she’s being honest, due to the fact that she had a miscarriage the last time she was pregnant, she’s pretty much terrified at the moment that it will happen again,’” she wrote.
Melissa Rauch
Melissa Rauch
Rauch and her husband, Winston Beigel, are expecting their first child in the fall of 2017. Her words about pregnancy loss and infertility knocked us out with their power and candor. "...[E]very joyful, expectant baby announcement felt like a tiny stab in the heart... It’s not that I wasn’t happy for these people, but I would think, ‘Why are these shiny, carefree, fertile women so easily able to do what I cannot?’”
We're especially moved by Rauch's reason for revealing her miscarriage as well as her current pregnancy. “[W]hen I thought about having to share the news about expecting this baby, all I could think about was another woman mourning over her loss as I did, worried she would never get pregnant again, and reading about my little bundle on the way. It felt a bit disingenuous to not also share the struggle it took for me to get here,” Rauch said.
The miscarriage crushed Rauch, who described the moment she discovered she had lost her baby as "one of the most profound sorrows I have ever felt in my life.“ She added that seeing the ultrasound image, with no heart beating, "kickstarted a primal depression that lingered."
Rauch hopes that her words will help fight the stigma of pregnancy loss and the necessary grieving that happens in its wake.
“[T]his kind of loss is not openly talked about nearly as much as it should be, there really is no template for how to process these emotions,” she said. “You’re not necessarily going to a funeral or taking time off from work to mourn, but that doesn’t change the fact that something precious has been unexpectedly taken from your life.”
Rauch loathes the word "miscarriage" and derides it as "one of the worst, most blame-inducing medical terms ever" — as if the woman is to blame for not being able to carry a child to term. (Amen to that, we say.)
Rauch encourages women who have endured pregnancy loss to allow themselves their grief and to be kind to themselves. “Our pain is something to be worked through until it isn’t anymore. So on my better days, rather than being a big jerk to myself, I just started saying: It is okay to not be okay right now," she said.
“Ideally, the more we talk about this issue, the more we can chip away at the unnecessary stigma around it," she added, "with the end result being that those of us struggling with loss and infertility will feel less alone."
In case you're wondering what the odds are on three family members having the same birthday in four generations, it's pretty amazing: approximately 33,374 to 1 or a .0029 chance of occurrence.
The other July 1 relatives? Beauden's dad, Connor James Eppard (July 1, 1990) and Beauden's great-grandpa, James Morrisette (July 1, 1931). Beauden's grandpa, Rik Eppard, was the one who had to go and screw it up by being born on Dec. 9, 1963. Darn it, Rik!
Beauden's mom, Jordyn, underwent an emergency C-section because her labor was not progressing and Beauden's head was stuck in the birth canal. But Mom and Baby are doing fine, and the whole family is enjoying the latest July 1 arrival.
Beauden's father quipped, "We had to keep up the tradition. He’s named after his father and great grandfather. Having him come on my birthday and my grandfather’s birthday, it’s a pretty amazing thing.”
Great-grandpa James was especially thrilled by his new birthday twin — and the addition of the name James.
“I called my grandpa and said ‘Hey, grandpa grab a seat for this one,’” Connor told ABC News. “He kind of laughed and I think he could hear Beau crying in the background. Next thing you know, he was in the car driving down to the hospital.”
Connor continued, “It was a last-minute decision [to add 'James']. We had the name picked out as Beauden Mathew, but when he was born on the 1st we knew we had to keep with tradition and throw a James in there."
Nice work, Eppards! At the very least, you should get honorary Canadian passports, we think.
Someone (and by someone, I mean everyone) please tell James Woods to take a seat, even though nobody could do it as well as Neil Patrick Harris just did. But do it anyway. The guy needs it.
This week, Woods targeted a couple that just wanted to support their young son and celebrate LBGTQ pride. The family posted a photo with their son, who was decked out in rainbows and colorful garb for a pride event. Mom and Dad stood proudly at either side of him, holding signs that read, "I [heart] my gender creative son," and "My son wears dresses and makeup... get over it!" respectively.
Woods, who is no stranger to making inflammatory remarks, tweeted out a copy of the photo. With it, he popped in this ever-so-charming caption: "This is sweet. Wait until this poor kid grows up, realizes what you've done, and stuffs both of you dismembered into a freezer in the garage."
Neil Patrick Harris and James Woods fight over pride 2
Neil Patrick Harris and James Woods fight over pride 2
Yeah. He really said that.
Harris was quick to step in, though. Apparently, he's close to the family in the photo, and a remark like that wasn't going to fly. "Utterly ignorant and classless, Mr. Woods," he wrote. "I'm friends with this family. You know not of what you speak, and should be ashamed of yourself."
Neil Patrick Harris and James Woods fight over pride 1
Neil Patrick Harris and James Woods fight over pride 1
The boy's mother, Lori Duron, wrote in a blog post about how proud she is of her son. "My sweet, fabulous, rainbow boy has never received so many compliments," she wrote. "He’s used to getting stares and whispers when we’re out in public. He’s not used to getting the smiles, hugs and encouragement he received at Pride."
Ahead of the 2017 ESPY Awards tonight, we started thinking about the qualities that make a true champion. Someone with skill, sure, but most important, someone who is a team player. For that reason, we decided to round up a few male athletes who are MVP-worthy in our books for the way they are actual champions of gender equality.
It goes without saying that gender doesn't and shouldn't have anything to do with a person's ability or talents on or off the court. However, with women in most of the world still fighting for fundamental rights and with women in America facing blatant sexism and misogyny on the daily, gender equality isn't a reality yet.
Male athletes have a tremendous platform to campaign for the equality of their female counterparts — much more so than female athletes, sadly. As such, it's always refreshing to see when these sporty guys take a much-needed stand for women.
Here are 15 athletes who we hope can set an example for male athletes everywhere.
LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Victor Cruz
Athlete Equality 1
Athlete Equality 1
James, Durant and Cruz all stood front and center of Nike's new 2017 Equality campaign, which underscores that "Equality should have no boundaries. The bond between players should exist between people. Opportunity should be indiscriminate."
Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, Kyle Dowry, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade
Athlete Equality 2
Athlete Equality 2
James — along with fellow NBA'ers Curry, Westbrook, Dowry, Bosh and Wade — also played a major part in Sheryl Sandberg's partnership with the NBA and WNBA last year for the #LeanIn campaign. The special partnership encouraged men to contribute more around the home and to stand up for women's rights.
The male athletes at Phillips Academy Andover
Hey, perhaps more celebrity athletes should take a cue from the youth of America. In 2013, led by then-senior Tyler Olkowski, the male athletes at this elite boarding school penned an unprecedented Letter to the Editor of the school newspaper, the Phillipian. In it, the young men tackled the sexist issues plaguing the sports culture on their campus.
"Male athlete culture plays a leading role in Andover’s imbalanced hook-up culture, classroom dynamics and even in defining the gender roles of females on campus that younger students emulate and eventually internalize," they wrote. "As we look back on our times on varsity sports here at Andover, it is easy to find highlight reels of our best moments, whether it was a winning goal or touchdown. Despite these athletic feats, our collective character has been tainted by the objectification and sexism that pervade athlete culture.”
The young men then proposed ways to fix the pervasive sports culture in a way that would be more representative of a gender-balanced society. More of this, please!
Anthony Davis, DeMar DeRozan, Karl-Anthony Towns and Paul George
Athlete Equality 3
Athlete Equality 3
As a continuation of the Equality campaign, Nike brought its message to the 2017 NBA All-Star game in New Orleans, Louisiana. Female athletes worked alongside male athletes like Davis, DeRozan, Towns and George to spread the sentiment of equality on and off the court. In doing so, and in working with eager aspiring athletes, they're shaping the next generation of forward-thinking sports stars.
Draymond Green
Athlete Equality 4
Athlete Equality 4
In a Sports Illustrated interview last year, Green, a forward for the Golden State Warriors, openly and of his own accord carved out a few minutes to gush about WNBA basketball and, most pointedly, the skill level of its players. "In the NBA, there's always a guy who is only around because he can jump," Green said. "He doesn't have a clue about the fundamentals. I learn more from the WNBA. They know how to dribble, how to pivot, how to use the shot fake." While it shouldn't take an NBA star to shine a spotlight on the incredible talent of these female athletes, Green's comment did create conversation around the ladies' league. WNBA players didn't waste any time expressing their appreciation for the kind words.
Donald McPherson
Image: NCAA Photos/Getty Images
When it comes to male athletes striving to support and empower women, you can't get much more badass than McPherson. The former NFL player and proud self-professed feminist has spent his nearly three decades in the limelight fighting for a variety of social causes, especially gender equality.
In a searingly honest op-ed for CNN, he spoke out against violence against women (with a correlation to male athletes and violence against women), saying, "Men do not just need to stop being violent. The vast majority of men are not violent. But men do need to stop being silent. Calling violence against women, whether street harassment or sexual harassment or rape or murder, a 'women’s issue' allows men to ignore it as if we have no responsibility for it or stake in ending it. We all have grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters and female friends and colleagues. Our lives are inextricably interwoven; women's issues of safety and equality directly affect our lives as men. Beyond that, women are humans, with the same rights to safety and freedom as men. It is therefore our moral responsibility to not remain silent or passively on the sidelines, but to be actively engaged in confronting this problem in every corner of homes, communities, and societies."
I usually go to Starbucks for the coffee, but during the stifling dog days of summer, nothing hits the spot like their shaken iced teas. Now, just in time for the midsummer heat wave, Starbucks is launching three new iced teas that will take a permanent place on their menu.
There are three flavors of the new Teavana Shaken Iced Tea Infusions. Each is infused with an herbal tea made from botanicals and fruit, not the artificial flavorings, sweeteners, or syrups you might expect. You can choose from pineapple black tea, peach-citrus white tea and strawberry green tea (or try getting a half tea, half lemonade blend for added refreshment).
If you're still not sold on the new flavors, you can even sample them on Free Tea Friday, July 14. Just go to a participating Starbucks between 1 and 2 p.m. to get a free tall (12-ounce) Teavana Shaken Iced Tea Infusion.
It's not often that Starbucks adds new items to their permanent menu, but when they do, it's usually a good sign. And honestly, who says no to free iced tea?
There seems to be some kind of unwritten rule that says every life event that happens for a Bachelor franchise couple must be televised — or it didn't happen. Look at JoJo Fletcher and Jordan Rodgers. They're (against all predictions) still together, and they seem more than ready for their relationship to stay out of the spotlight — and that includes their wedding.
Rodgers sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to talk about his and Fletcher's future plans, including having a wedding that won't be televised, but not until they're truly ready.
"We're enjoying this time of being engaged, continuing to date and court each other, and getting to know each other even more. And then when the time is right, we're absolutely going to sit down and start planning that, but we're definitely taking our time," Rodgers explained. "We want everything to be right and make sure we're in the right place. We still don't know if it's going to be Dallas forever, but it's a great place and there's a lot of moving parts as we figure things out together."
He also said that he and Fletcher are glad that interest in their personal lives has waned in the last six months and that their relationship is flourishing now that the constant scrutiny has ended. "You always feel like you have to be 'on.' We're very relaxed and we love enjoying our downtime together and being in sweats, and you feel like you're always on guard, to some degree," he said.
Then again, even if he and Fletcher wanted a TV wedding, it might not be an option. Rodgers admitted that ABC has not reached out to the couple about filming their big day and that he has "no idea how that process works."
He added, "[Televising our wedding is] something we would have to discuss together, but very honestly, my first reaction would be that I would probably rather not. There's a distinct intimacy and privacy and it's a very special moment with family and friends, and I wouldn't want anything to tarnish that or to take away from that. It's a time that I want to be able to honor my fiancée and soon-to-be wife and her family, and I want it to be ours. I want us to run the show and make sure it's always what we imagined. If there's a way to do that and include fans, great. But that wouldn't be my first wish."
I have to say, I haven't always been Rodgers' biggest fan. But these views make sense and are worth supporting. Whatever it takes to keep the happy couple happy.
Job interviews are kind of the worst. It’s like a first date, only with someone you’ll have to spend all day every day with for the foreseeable future and who controls your source of income. Plus, you’re expected to answer questions about your “greatest weakness” and come up some sort of drivel on how sometimes you “care too much” or “work too hard.” That’s all stressful enough without making prospective employees pee on a stick.
I know that sounds ridiculous, but it was reality for prospective employees of Iberia, a Spanish airline that required job candidates to take a pregnancy test before they were hired, The New York Times reported.
Initially, the airline defended its policy, citing the safety of its employees, as pregnant people are advised not to fly during their final trimester. But that went against gender discrimination laws in Spain, and the company was fined around $28,000. Following the ruling, Iberia said in a statement that it would not appeal and would no longer require the pregnancy tests.
“There is no reason to justify it,” the Unión General de Trabajadores, one of Spain’s two main labor unions, said in a statement, adding that if a company did ask for a pregnancy test as part of a job interview process, “we would evidently be faced with a clear case of discrimination.”
The good news is that this practice was shut down and recognized as inappropriate. The bad news is that this is one of the more overt ways corporations attempt to base hiring decisions on potential employees’ reproductive plans. Hiring women of childbearing age is still — in 2017 — seen as a liability rather than, say, making sure that everyone has access to birth control or that family leave policies are more equitable, it’s just easier to exclude women who may potentially at one stage give birth. Tough luck, ladies — it’s just part of your lot in life!
Here’s another option: If the airline absolutely insisted on ensuring that none of their newly hired employees were with child, they could have done something totally out there and asked the applicants. Chances are, they know whether or not they’re pregnant (yes, there are rare exceptions to this, but that shouldn’t set the standard for the rest of us). But that would involve actually trusting women, and clearly we’re not there yet.
It seems like everywhere you turn on Instagram nowadays, a reality star is slangin’ one beauty supplement or another. They all make the products seem so enticing, but here’s the big question: Do any of these hair, skin and nails vitamins actually work?
With a slew of them on the market touting benefits from detoxifying skin to straight-up erasing wrinkles, sometimes it leaves us wondering if just applying our vitamin serum at night isn’t enough — must we ingest it too? We spoke with Dr. Marina Peredo, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital and Josephine Tutrani, a clinical nutritionist who specializes in customizing diets for antiaging, weight loss, hair loss, acne and other skin conditions, to get the lowdown on what’s on the market, what works and what’s just a bunch of hokum.
“I recommend supplements to patients who are looking to address certain skin, nail or hair issues,” says Dr. Peredo. In particular, she suggests three supplements that have proven to be extremely effective in addressing certain skin issues.
Biotin
“Biotin encourages the production of protein for nail growth when absorbed in the core of the nail bed, where the cells are generated,” says Peredo. “In addition, it also stimulates new hair growth and promotes healthier texture by protecting against dryness, scalp flaking and increasing elasticity of the hair’s cortex to prevent breakage. I recommend it to my patients who have any concerns with thinning hair or brittle nails.”
“I usually advise my patients who have acne to take a vitamin B complex to help clear them up,” says Peredo. “Vitamin B acts as an antioxidant for the skin, which can assist in removing bacteria. It helps to balance one’s testosterone levels, which keeps acne at bay. Vitamin B deficiency is also a major cause of acne, so making sure your body receives enough will help prevent and treat the condition. And if that’s not enough, vitamin B also helps to reduce stress and address the adrenal glands, so it’s beneficial to those who break out when stressed.”
“When ingested, marine fatty acids such as omega-3 work to combat dry and damaged hair, hair loss and a flaky scalp. The DHA and EPA found in omega-3 adds luster, elasticity and shine to dull strands, promoting the restart of hair growth,” says Peredo. “Furthermore, the dietary fat found in omega-3 fatty acids helps protect and repair skin cells, moisturizing the skin from the inside out. Omega-3 can even protect skin from burning and overexposure to UV rays, so I suggest to my patients to have at least one to two capsules of the supplement a day.”
What about the rest of them? They’re not harmful, says Peredo, but to see dramatic skin benefits, one would have to ingest megadoses of the vitamins, much more than what is actually in the supplements. Though one shouldn’t expect dramatic results, clinical nutritionist Josephine Tutrani says that getting enough of vitamins A, C and E is very important for healthy skin — and surprise, surprise — many beauty supplements on the market usually feature a combination of those ingredients.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A helps keep skin smooth and rejuvenated, says Tutrani, and is especially recommended for preventative purposes and those with acne-prone skin. However, to see dramatic skin results, one would have to take a synthetic derivative of vitamin A, such as Accutane. The good old natural vitamin pills won’t hurt, but also won’t cause significant changes.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is important for the formation of collagen; however, it would really require a very high dosage to see results, advises Peredo. And since this vitamin is water soluble, taking more of it orally would just result in it being dispelled through urination. So make sure you have enough in your diet, but don’t expect it to perform miracles as a supplement.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a great antioxidant and natural anti-inflammatory. In patients with eczema or psoriasis, Peredo has seen vitamin E supplements help soothe inflammation in some cases, but there is not enough medical evidence to state conclusively that it will always work.
The final verdict? Nothing wrong in popping these pills, we say, but be realistic about their product claims and don’t expect to see dramatic results.
Recently, we’ve also come across new supplements that increase human growth hormones — and with it, promise to get rid of wrinkles and make you look years younger. According to Peredo, this is one category you can skip. While human growth hormone therapy is helpful if you have pituitary gland concerns, there is no proof that it will do anything for antiaging.
One last thing to remember: Although most beauty supplements and vitamins on the market are harmless, it’s important to consult with your doctor or nutritionist before starting on any kind of regimen, especially if you’re taking other medications, as some additives in supplements can interact adversely.
