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The study, published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, found that those who slept on copper-fiber pillowcases woke up with fresher skin. Why copper? The durable metal, which can be absorbed through the skin, regulates the secretion of skin proteins and stabilizes them, the study says. The concept generated buzz a few years ago, launching a slew of copper pillow lines (just Google “copper pillowcases” for proof). But there was little evidence that they worked—until now....

Researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis set out to see if a calorie-restricted diet would make a difference in longevity, something previous studies have shown in mice. So they assigned 22 people, with an average age of 51, a calorie-restricted diet of around 1,800 calories a day, and had had another group eat about 2,500 daily calories. Study participants were then tracked for seven years....

It’s also convenient. You don’t need any heavy, expensive equipment, and you can do Pilates anywhere, anytime. Some of the routines take less than 10 minutes, making Pilates the perfect form of exercise for anyone who finds there’s not enough time in the day for exercise. You have 10 minutes to strengthen your abs and back, don’t you? You’ll start to see and feel results in as few as 10 sessions....

They’re inherently setting you up to fail and gain even more weight than you had in the beginning. In my experience working with hundreds of women—and in my own struggle with my body and my weight—I’ve come to realize that any official “diet” that’s super restrictive will cause you to gain weight. (In fact, it wasn’t until I stopped dieting that I lost 40 pounds.) Most diets require you to cut out a large amount of calories because they want you to see quick results....

Compared to people without clinical depression, those diagnosed with the mental illness are more than twice as likely to eventually develop Parkinson’s, the study shows. And the more severe your depression, the stronger the link to Parkinson’s becomes, the study data show. It’s possible that major depression causes damage to the brain that contributes to Parkinson’s, says study coauthor Peter Nordström, PhD, a professor of geriatric and community medicine at Sweden’s Umeå University....

[sidebar]1. BATHE RIGHTCats are fastidious groomers that rarely need to be bathed, but it’s a necessity for dogs. Once every 2 to 3 months should suffice, but if your pup has naturally greasy skin or loves a good roll in the dirt, he may need it more often. With your dog in the tub, point the showerhead away from him first before gently moving it to his fur; it’s a good idea to reward him with treats during your cleaning, especially when he’s being good....

Compared to those donning green or white, women who wear red shirts are seen by other women as being more interested in sex, says a new study published in the Personality and Psychology Bulletin. And if the other women are in committed relationships, the presence of crimson-clad women can cause them to be more protective of their partners. OK, you might be rolling your eyes right now. It would take way more to shake your confidence than something as silly as the color of someone’s clothes…right?...

Huh, you might think, being the conscientious consumer. I guess this means the other brands contain aluminum. Time to switch, right? Wrong. The truth is, all baking soda contains exactly the same amount of aluminum: none. Zero percent. Baking soda is 100% sodium bicarbonate, a fine white powder made from salt, water, and limestone. Unless you’ve been taking your baking soda home, opening it up, and adding aluminum (which is your business, I guess), there simply isn’t any in there....

Here’s what you’ll need: Photos by Mitch Mandel Here’s how to put them together:Heat oven to 450°F. Put pizza crust on pizza pan or large baking sheet. Lightly brush crust with about ¼ cup of barbecue sauce. Scatter a generous ½ cup of pulled pork on top. Brush another 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce over the meat. Sprinkle with about 1 cup of cheese. Bake until heated through and cheese melts, 8 to 10 minutes....

While you’re maximizing your menu for health, consider adding these foods and drinks, which also have surprising benefits. Shiitake Mushrooms fights STDs. Photo by Martin_jacobs/Getty Images Not only are these mushrooms full of fiber and vitamin B6, but a compound they contain may help eradicate stubborn HPV virus from infected tissues, according to a new study from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston Medical School. The results are preliminary, but it can’t hurt to add these tasty fungi to your dinner in the meantime....

As the mother of a ‘tween, Erika Katz knows just how difficult those formative years can be for a young girl—and her mom. But Erika built her brand (and her relationship with her own daughter) on bridging the gap between mother and daughter with one thing: beauty. Through her popular book and Web site, Bonding Over Beauty, Erika helps mothers of teens and ‘tweens achieve an open and trusting relationship with their daughters through her easy, sweet-smelling beauty recipes....

“I trick myself into tough workouts” Exercise superstar Sarah Reinertsen, 30, first female above-the-knee amputee to complete an Ironman (a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run). Workout woe Getting started. “You forget how much it hurts to begin a training regimen,” says Reinertsen. And whether you’re a weekend warrior or an Ironman athlete, you must battle the law of inertia: “When I’m unmotivated, my body wants to stay on the couch....

If you’re on a plan to shape up for summer, make sure you do it the right way. You don’t want to end up sidelined with injuries just when the weather starts making the outdoors inviting, or waste your time on exercises that aren’t giving you results! Here are a few ways to keep your bikini shape-up plan safe and effective. 10 Ways to Get More Out of Your Gym TimeStart off slow: Enthusiasm goes a long way when you want to start getting ready for bikini season, but your desire to get fast results can lead to overworking or straining yourself....

Trainer Bruce Mack showed us this move to loosen up ankles in a snap. It’s called the Rocking Squat, and it really couldn’t be easier—or more effective. Do this move as part of your warm-up, or anytime you like. You’ll see the benefits in your walk, run, or strength workout almost immediately. ​ ​

[sidebar]One of the best, simplest exercises to target this forgotten muscle is the calf raise. You don’t need any equipment or space to do it. In fact, you do the move standing in place. Just don’t be fooled by its simplicity—even though you’re only moving a few inches, you’ll feel the burn after a few reps! Watch as fitness expert Larysa DiDio shows you how to do the calf raise with perfect form....

Researchers from the University of Athens Medical School found a connection between the good cardiovascular health of Ikarians and the boiled Greek coffee they drink daily. Among 673 Ikarians over age 65, those who mainly drank the local brew had better endothelial function than those who consumed other types of coffee—a health benefit that even extended to the coffee drinkers who had high blood pressure. So what exactly is Greek coffee?...

Sitting in a tent in the Peruvian Andes, my 9-year-old son looked like an elf, mostly because his little face was exuding fairykingdom joy. “I’m so happy,” he said, clutching his knees to his chest. “I don’t know why, but I’m just so happy.” His pronouncement made me realize how happy I was, too. Like perfect-moment happy. We had walked 3 days on the Inca Trail and would, the next morning, arrive at Machu Picchu....