Estrogen and the Male Waistline

The other day my roommate's boyfriend asked me to figure out how he can ensure he doesn't get the infamous male pot belly with age.  While my first thoughts were eat healthy, exercise, live a balanced life style and drink less beer, turns out that how fat he gets may actually depend on ESTROGEN?

Listen up Tom, this one's for you.

As men age, their bodies change (Sorry boys! But as a woman I've been facing this fact since I graduated high school - stuff your face now, because that gym-free six-pack isn't going to stick around forever).  It is well established that testosterone levels decrease as the years go by.  This causes changes in lean muscle mass, fat mass, and sexual function.  However, a study recently publish in the New England Journal of Medicine found that estrogen plays a fundamental role in these changes as well.

Estrogen is made from testosterone by the body in both men and women.  This can make it difficult to distinguish between the two metabolites in experimental studies. This study teased out differences and found that while testosterone changes impact lean muscle mass quantity and strength, the fat accumulation men see with age is actually attributable to changes in estrogen.

Turns out estrogen is not just a concern for women.  Estrogen levels have previously been ignored in studies investigating body changes in men.  Understanding that low estrogen explains increased fat accumulation in men and also may explain increased risk for osteoporosis may help scientist and doctors develop new treatments.

Tom, this doesn't mean you can still eat all of the chips, salsa, and cookies you want while drinking gallons of beer to wash it down, but it does mean that there may be more going on than we previously thought.  From hot flashes to mood swings and now pot bellies, silly estrogen is at it again!

Say Goodbye to Those Nasty Under-Eye Bags

It's hump day.  Middle of the week.  Exhaustion is starting to set in, but there is still so much to do!  Looking in the mirror this morning, my under-eye bags look darker than ever.  Now that my "tan" (let's be honest, I spent most of the summer in a research lab, so "tan" is pushing it) has started to fade, those nasty eye bags are just screaming for attention.  Concealer always helps, but how can we kick those eye bags for good?

Picture Credit: Huffington Post

Upon investigation, I found that there are many reasons for dark under-eye circles.  Some are have quick-fixes, while others pose a bigger challenge.

1. Fluid Build Up: If you have under-eye circles in the morning, but they are gone by noon, its likely that they are caused by fluid build up. Sleeping on your side or stomach can encourage fluid build up under your eyes as you sleep (thanks gravity).  Try sleeping on your back instead and use an extra pillow.
2. Allergies, a cold, sinus congestion: Fluid build up under your eye can increase puffiness and stretch the thin skin under your eyes worsening dark under-eye circles.  Relieving your sinus cavities of fluid can help reduce under-eye swelling and darkness.  
3. Genetics:  If your parents have dark under-eye circles, chances are so do you. (Now I understand what people really mean when they say I have my father's eyes...).  There's not much you can do about this one. Although certain creams have been shown to be somewhat effective.  See below.
4. Lack of Sleep:  Not getting adequate sleep causes skin paleness which makes dark circles more visible.  Go get some zzzz's!
5. Diet: Lack of iron and high sodium both are associated with dark under eye circles.   Diets high in sodium result in fluid build up (see #1).    
6. Age: As we age, dark circles increase with age. So don't wait to address the issue, it'll only get worse!

Quick-Fixes!

• Change Your Diet! Increase intake of iron-rich foods such as spinach, lean red-meat, and egg yolks.  Or take a supplement.  Vitamin K can also help reduce dark under-eye circles.  Eat more eggs, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and milk.  
• Sleep More
• Change Your Sleep Position - Sleep on your back
• Reduce Sodium Intake
• Sunscreen - UV rays weaken collagen and cause premature wrinkling and sagging.  Use a moisturizer with SPF to protect the skin under your eyes.

Other Solutions: 

UNDER-EYE CREAMS - Do they really work?

Diet and sleep position are things that I can make an effort to change, but genetics and my lack of sleep aren't going to change.  So what about those creams?!  Do they really work?

According to a study conducted in Japan, creams that contain 2% phytonadione (vitamin K), 0.1% retinol, and 0.1% vitamin C and E are moderately effective at reducing under eye circles. 

Presently I use EyeHope by Philosophy.  It contains none of the ingredients found to be effective in the Japanese study, but I feel that it has been somewhat effective in reducing the darkness of my under-eye circles.  Looking into the reasoning behind this, I found that one ingredient, coffee extract, has also been shown to reduce under-eye circle darkness and puffiness.  Also, it is a hydrating cream. The skin around our eyes is think and fragile.  Hydration of this area can help reduce aging and help brighten the skin.

Another highly rated under eye cream is Clinque Even Better Eyes, which has been clinically shown to reduce under eye circles by 30%.  I was unable to find this study online, but the active ingredient is mulberry root, which is full of oxyresveratrol, an antioxidant that slows down the accumulation of melanin.  It also contains caffeine and green tea extract and whey protein which reportedly strengthens and tightens the skin in that area.   

Don't want to spend $40+ on an under eye cream? Grab a Potato!

Yes, you read that correctly.  Potatoes contain catecholase, which has been shown to act as a skin lightener.  I couldn't find any peer-reviewed scientific studies supporting this, but there are plenty of online bloggers who also support this idea.  Slice a raw potato, soak slices in cool water, and try it for yourself!

The Better Bottled Water

The Better Bottled Water

Hydration is important.  It helps maintain fluid balance, control calorie intake, keeps your skin looking healthy, and keeps those bowels regular.

So ditch that bottle of diet soda and grab yourself a bottle of water!....Right!?  Well, based on the findings from a recent study conducted in Germany, there is evidence that you might not want to buy either bottled drink.

The study found an endocrine-disrupting compound (EDC) is commercially bottled water.  EDC's have been associated with increased risk for breast cancer.

The group reviewed 18 different types of bottled water products.  13 of the 18 types of bottled water products were found to have antiestrogenicity (an antiestrogen is a compound that blocks the production or utilization of estrogens - in other words these compounds will block or inhibit the effects of the hormones that promote certain sex characteristics).  16 of the 18 compounds had 90% effective antiandrogenic activity (meaning that they were very effective at blocking certain biological activity).  Their study found that a compound DEHF to play a role in these effects, but suspect that there are other EDC's in water that they have not yet identified.

There is currently no strong evidence on whether or not DEHF specifically is harmful to people, but it is clear that the plastic packaging poses a risk for consumers.  

This is especially concerning because it seems that most people prefer bottled water to tap water.  But, just keep in mind that the bottled water may not be any more pure that tap water.  In fact, there may be chemicals in it that have adverse effects we don't even completely understand yet!

So next time you're out, skip the bottled water.  Go get yourself a Brita filter, a cool BPA-free or metal water bottle (i'm obessed with this one - it keeps your water cold for up to 24-hours!!), and turn on that tap! Ultimately you'll reduce your risk of health problems from chemicals that disrupt hormone functions in your body and your save $$$ too (honestly at $2 a bottle, why do we drink so much bottled water!)


HAPPY MONDAY!  Now go drink some tap water!