Your health: Brush your body to better health

Brush your body for better health

What if you could improve your health in just a few minutes a day for very little money? Some experts say dry-brushing has numerous health benefits. What is dry-brushing? It's simply brushing your skin in sweeping motions toward your heart. One third of our toxins are excreted through our skin. When it our pores become clogged, those toxins can't escape. Dry bushing, with a natural-bristle brush for just a couple of minutes before you shower can help unclog those pores and stimulate your lymphatic system.

Can science turn skin into to sperm?

Scientists have produced rudimentary mouse sperm from stem cells in the laboratory, a step that may lead to a treatment for infertile men. If the technique pans out in people, doctors might someday be able to turn skin cells from a man into sperm that can pass along his DNA to his offspring. But experts warned that the technology would have to overcome some hurdles first. The mouse work is reported by Chinese scientists in the journal Cell Stem Cell. The technique is now being tested in monkeys, a senior author said.

Retirement may speed your demise

One of the most troubling findings about aging has to do with what happens to your health after you retire. Although some people find that their bodies and minds thrive in the absence of the stress of work, about 10 to 25 percent experience a significant drop in their health and well-being. In trying to explain the different health trajectories of retirees, scientists are increasingly focusing on social factors. The theory is that social engagement or isolation can affect a person's cognitive functioning and happiness, which in turn can affect their overall health. The study found that people with a good quality of life before retirement were more likely to have a similar quality of life after retirement.