New research shows living in stilettos can cause more than just blisters. US experts discovered that as heels got higher, pressure on the inside of the knee increased. Over time, this could lead to joint degeneration and knee osteoarthritis. Wearing heels also alters body posture, which can cause lower back strain.
New research shows living in stilettos can cause more than just blisters. US experts discovered that as heels got higher, pressure on the inside of the knee increased. Over time, this could lead to joint degeneration and knee osteoarthritis. Wearing heels also alters body posture, which can cause lower back strain.
Put your feet first with these tips:
1. Practise moderation. The higher the heel, the less you should wear it. Stilettos shouldn’t be worn for more than a few hours at a time.
2. Mix things up. Try alternating heels with flats – as long as you’re wearing comfortable flats more than heels you should be able to avoid any long-term problems.
3. Stretch out. To relieve stiletto-strain, stand on a step and lower heels over the edge one at a time, holding each for 15 seconds.
Did You Know?
You may be able to teach your taste buds to help you lose weight. New research shows eating a high-fat diet can desensitise your ability to taste fat in foods, which may lead to overeating and weight gain. But just four weeks on a low-fat diet can reprogramme your taste buds so they become more sensitive to the fat content in food, which may prevent overeating, say nutrition experts at Deakin University.
That’s how many of us who take prescription medicines incorrectly – not finishing the course, taking meds with alcohol or past their expiry date. If in doubt, check with your GP.
Think before you drink
When it comes to your daily coffee fix, small add-ons equal big calories…
Small skim latte 71 kcal 0.1 g fat
Small full cream latte 113 kcal 5.8 g fat
Small skim vanilla latte 97 kcal 0.1 g fat
Large full cream latte 176 kcal 9.2 g fat
Super Spice
It’s a well-known tonic for nausea, but ginger may also ward off colon cancer. People who ate the warming spice daily for a month had fewer markers of colon inflammation, thought to be a precursor to colon cancer, finds a US study. Try adding half a teaspoon of dried ginger to homemade muffins or grated fresh ginger root to stir-fries and curries.
