Friday, May 29, 2015

In & Out Story & Pic of the Evening


Not to beat it into the ground or anything but . . .



Your Beard is a Disgusting Bacteria Breeding Ground
BY JAKE WOOL
ON MARCH 13, 2015 AT 3:02 PM

According to Carol Walker, a consultant trichologist from the Birmingham Trichology Centre, your beard may be less a sign of rugged masculinity and more petri dish you happen to wear on your face. See, all that scruff, which features thicker, coarser hairs than anywhere else on your body, can trap bacteria in its web, which in turn can make you or others sick (ew). Also, if you're a real slob, food can get stuck in your beard and go rancid (mega ew). And if you think washing it will rid you of germs, think again—Manuel Barbeito, a microbiologist in the U.S. Army in the 1960s, conducted a study in which he found that beards could potentially spread disease, and that washing did not do a suitable enough job of ridding the hairs of infectious disease. So, hey, we're not saying you've gotta shave it all off, or that you will definitely get sick if you're rocking some big Paul Bunyan situation, but the next time you're looking for someone to blame for that nasty cold, you may want to look in the mirror.

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But it's really just an excuse for this poster . . .




What Coffee Has To Do With Erections




Caffeine intake associated with reduced levels of erectile dysfunction

https://www.uth.edu/media/story.htm?id=922a8120-e0fd-4b9d-bd2d-7ba79615cca4


HOUSTON – (May 20, 2015) – Men who drink the equivalent caffeine level of two to three cups of coffee a day are less likely to have erectile dysfunction (ED), according to researchers from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).

The results of a study published recently in PLOS ONE found that men who consumed between 85 and 170 milligrams of caffeine a day were 42 percent less likely to report ED, while those who drank between 171 and 303 milligrams of caffeine a day were 39 percent less likely to report ED compared to those who drank zero to seven milligrams a day. This trend was also true among overweight, obese and hypertensive men.

“Even though we saw a reduction in the prevalence of ED with men who were obese, overweight and hypertensive, that was not true of men with diabetes. Diabetes is one of the strongest risk factors for ED, so this was not surprising,” said David S. Lopez, Dr.P.H., M.P.H., lead author and assistant professor at UTHealth School of Public Health.

According to the journal article, the suggested biological mechanism is that caffeine triggers a series of pharmacological effects that lead to the relaxation of the penile helicine arteries and the cavernous smooth muscle that lines cavernosal spaces, thus increasing penile blood flow.

In the United States, 18.4 percent of men 20 years and older have ED, suggesting that more than 18 million men are affected. Caffeine is consumed by more than 85 percent of adults, according to previous research.

Data for the study came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and ED was assessed by a single question during a computer-assisted interview. Caffeine sources in the study included coffee, tea, soda and sports drinks.



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Thursday, May 28, 2015

Thursday PM
















What You Need To Know About Sunscreen


Oh fuck . . .

http://www.nationalmemo.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-sunscreen/

THE NATIONAL MEMO
Bridget Hughes
Thursday, May 28, 2015




Summer has arrived, and with it, gorgeous sunny days. As crowds gather outside to welcome the warmer weather, everyone starts slathering on a summer staple: sunscreen.

But not all sunscreens are created equal. According to The Environmental Working Group, a non-profit, non-partisan organization that studies human and environmental health, sunscreen is not nearly as effective as most Americans believe it is — and this is contributing to increasing skin cancer rates.

Sunscreen ingredients and labeling are also not severely regulated in the United States and Europe, which leads to confused customers buying ineffective and possibly harmful sunscreens.

The best thing you can do is get informed. Here are some red flags to look for:

1. High SPF

SPF is short for sun protection factor, and some people just can’t get enough of it. It’s easy to find sunscreens with an SPF of 70, 85, or even 100, but the Food and Drug Administration has attempted to ban SPF values that high, due to increased health risks.

Studies have shown that sunscreens with high SPFs are more prone to misuse and often include ingredients that can damage tissue or trigger allergic reactions. No need to reach that high anyway: an SPF of 50 provides plenty of protection when used correctly.

2. Added Vitamin A

Though additional vitamins may sound like a great thing, common additives used to boost the efficacy of Vitamin A in sunscreens have been shown to actually accelerate the growth of skin cancers. Avoid ingredients such as retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, and retinyl linoleate.

3. Avoid Aerosols

The FDA has cautioned against using spray-on sunscreens for several reasons.

First, aerosol sunscreens are difficult to apply sufficiently, leading to thin coverage and increasing the risk for skin damage.

Spray-on sunscreens are also easily inhaled, exposing the lungs to a variety of chemicals can damage tissue, especially in children.

Plus, aerosols are highly flammable. And the idea, you’ll recall, is to avoid getting burned.

All in all, the best way to protect skin in bright summer weather is to limit sun exposure. Sunglasses, hats, and cover-ups are the most foolproof ways to avoid sun damage and painful burns. Wear plenty of sunscreen with an SPF between 15 and 50, and make sure to reapply every two hours.

For more information, check out these resource pages from theFDA and CDC.

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