Young and middle-age women whose diet included high levels of anthocyanins -- the flavonoids present in red and blue fruits such as strawberries and blueberries -- had a significantly reduced risk for myocardial infarction (MI), a large prospective study found. Women whose anthocyanin intake was in the highest quintile had a 32% decrease in risk of MI during 18 years of follow-up, according to Eric B. Rimm, ScD, of Harvard University, and colleagues. And in a food-based analysis, women who consumed more than three servings of strawberries or blueberries each week showed a trend towards a lower MI risk, with a 34% decrease compared with women who rarely included these fruits in their diet, the researchers reported online in Circulation.
"Growing evidence supports the beneficial effects of dietary flavonoids on endothelial function and blood pressure, suggesting that flavonoids might be more likely than other dietary factors to lower the risk of [coronary heart disease] in predominantly young women," they observed. A number of preclinical experiments have demonstrated cardioprotective effects of anthocyanins, including anti-inflammatory effects, plaque stabilization, and inhibition of the expression of growth factors. While studies have suggested that MI risk is increased in young and middle-age women who smoke or use oral contraceptives, little is known about the influence of diet in this population, whose risk may differ from that in older women. The younger women may have a greater likelihood of endothelial dysfunction and coronary vasospasm and less obstructive disease. Because dietary flavonoids -- found in vegetables, fruits, wine, and tea -- are recognized as benefiting endothelial function, the researchers looked at outcomes for 93,600 women enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study II who reported their consumption of various foods and their lifestyle factors every 4 years.
The truth is, finding accurate information about reproductive health is hard! Indeed, as Ruth Miller, retired sexual health educator, describes it, "women don't understand their fertility," and know that they have periods but don't know about what happens between their periods. For instance, women have a clear, watery discharge before their period--this is called cervical mucus, but few reproductive health books and professionals tend to talk to women about it.
Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, still continue to be a serious problem, especially in women. According to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (2003) 90 percent of individuals with eating disorders are women between the ages of 12 and 25. Eating disorders are closely correlated with depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders, so it is important to diagnose and treat early.
When patients undergo an acute myocardial infarction, lifestyle changes are necessary to reduce the risk of relapse. Yet research shows that women and minority patients have a more difficult time with risk factor modification efforts. A 2013 study published in the 
Everyone wrinkles at the same rate and there’s not really much we can do to prevent it, right? Wrong. There are certain habits that can help you avoid premature wrinkles, making your skin look younger (and healthier) longer. Tanning is one of the leading causes of premature wrinkles. When you go tanning, ultraviolet rays are penetrating deep layers of the skin, weakening the skin’s support structure. Wearing lotion with SPF 15 or higher will help protect your skin, and should become part of your routine. Smoking also accelerates the skin’s aging process, and early wrinkling has been found in smokers as young as 20! The smoke from tobacco also turns the skin an unhealthy color and texture, so the best thing you can do for your skin and your body is to quit smoking!
You may have heard the buzz this summer about the little pink flibanserin pill, an experimental drug that has been created to boost female libido. This pill, made by Sprout Pharmaceuticals, is the first drug that has claimed to boost female sexual desire and has sparked intense and emotional debates about whether or not the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should approve it. The debate has garnered a lot of media attention and public response, all of which can be confusing and misleading depending on the source. We’re here to synthesize the information.
By Rachel Lombard
“Remember to wipe front to back.” “Always pee after having sex.” “Drink lots of cranberry juice!” You’ve probably heard all of these tips before. But what are people trying to help you prevent? The answer is simple: urinary tract infections (UTIs).