Study Drop: Ditch the Vitamins, Doctors Say

by Marjorie Korn 

Is taking a multivitamin in the morning as routine for you as brushing your teeth? This is one healthy habit that some doctors are urging you to ditch. In an editorial in the Annals of Internal Medicine published this week, the authors are blunt: "stop wasting money on vitamin and mineral supplements." There's no good evidence that vitamin supplements offer health benefits, they say. What's more, there's some evidence that high doses of certain supplements -- beta-carotene, and vitamins E and A -- could potentially be harmful.

Healthy Obesity: Is It a Myth?

By Lisa Collier Cool

A new research review, published online in the Annals of Internal Medicine, seems to dispel the myth that it’s possible to be both obese and healthy if an individual has normal metabolic markers, like low cholesterol and low blood pressure.

The review, conducted at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital, analyzed eight previous studies from the past decade. Researchers concluded that obesity consistently carries a higher risk of cardiovascular issues and premature death.

8 Things Men Wish Women Knew About Sex

By Diana Kelly
Chances are you would never tell your best friend’s boyfriend what she’s spilled to you about their sack sessions—and for good reason (um, awkward!). Sex therapists, however, are more loose-lipped, at least when it comes to sharing guys’ secrets that will strengthen your relationship and make for even hotter sex. Learn what he’s dishing out behind that closed door and how you can use that knowledge to make both of you happier, in and out of bed.

Sex and Sports: A Better Combo Than You Think

By Laura Schwecherl for Greatist.com

Muhammad Ali always abstained before hitting the ring. Even Plato said Olympic athletes should avoid sex before competition. But science suggests doing the deed won’t actually zap all that energy or be a distraction during the kick-off. In fact, an orgasm may help combat muscle pain for ladies, while a testosterone boost could even help build strength for men. (As if the act itself wasn’t reason to take part!)

The 12 Easiest Healthy Eating Tips--Ever!

by SHAPE editors

12 A-list experts share their top effortless advice for eating clean, staying energized, and losing weight. And yes, dessert is included! 

1. Make room for dessert. "Ditch the all-or-nothing mentality. Instead of being either perfect or off the rails, aim for a realistic balance. For example, if you're craving something carb-rich, like a brownie for dessert, omit the starch from your dinner, but keep the veggies and lean protein. Making room for treats while still eating healthfully overall makes a whole lot more sense than yo-yoing between strict dieting and overindulging." -Cynthia Sass, R.D., author of S.A.S.S. Yourself Slim: Conquer Cravings, Drop Pounds and Lose Inches

Could Viagra Relieve Menstrual Cramps?

By Sabrina Bachai

The little blue pill that many men turn to for relief from their erectile dysfunction might also help to alleviate menstrual cramps. A new study conducted by Pennsylvania State University found that sildenafil citrate, which is sold under the brand name Viagra, might help to relieve primary dysmenorrhea (PD) when administered vaginally.

"If future studies confirm these findings, sildenafil may become a treatment option for patients with PD," said Richard Legro, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and public health sciences at Penn State College of Medicine.

The research team led by Legro recruited women 18 to 35 years old who suffered from moderate to severe PD. Twenty five of the women were randomized to receive either sildenafil or a placebo drug vaginally. For the next four consecutive hours patients rated their pain and those who took the sildenafil felt relief without any side effects.

4 Reasons Running is Best for Weight Loss

By From the editors of Runner's World | Healthy Living 

Any exercise is good exercise, but when it comes to losing weight, it's hard to beat running. After all, running is one of the most efficient ways to burn calories and get fit without having to restrict your diet. If you're already a runner, keep on keepin' on. If you're not a runner yet but interested in losing weight, here are four reasons running can be the best exercise for weight loss. 

1. Running works even when you're at rest. High-intensity exercise like running stimulates more "afterburn" than low-intensity exercise. That is, even when comparing running with walking the same distance, studies find that running will lead to greater weight loss, most likely because your resting energy expenditure stays elevated after you run. In a long-term comparison study of runners and walkers, calories burned through running led to 90% more weight loss than calories burned through walking.

Jolie 'eats collagen mallows'

Angelina Jolie reportedly eats collagen marshmallows to look youthful.

The 38-year-old actress is said to be a fan of Japanese brand Eat Yourself Beautiful's sweet treats.

In a packet, consumers will find marshmallows that taste of cherry, yoghurt and grapefruit and they have already been flying off the shelves in Asia and Australia.

Being less invasive than injections and including up to 3000mg of collagen peptides per packet, Angelina reportedly tucks into them every day.