Edited by Heather Hurlock

Test for Hair Loss

A new test can help determine the difference between normal, everyday hair loss and fast-track balding, and all you need is a comb and a stopwatch. Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine had 60 men, ages 20 to 60, comb their hair for one minute over a towel or pillowcase before showering and then count the hairs that fell out. The average across all ages was 10 hairs, and when they tested again six months later, the number remained the same. The research suggests that if you notice dramatic changes in the number of hairs lost in 60 seconds over six months, it's time for Propecia.

Gain Muscle Faster

Making this one simple change to your workout can lead to greater muscle mass: Shuffle the order of your exercises. A study in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that placing an exercise first in your routine will allow you to complete more reps of the move with a given weight. More reps means more muscle. Varying the order of every workout will keep your muscles guessing and ensures greater gains.

Flat-Belly Pilates?

Yes, it's cringe inducing, but Pilates exercises (the ones your wife keeps telling you about) can flatten your stomach better than standard crunches, according to a new study presented at the 55th annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine. Researchers found that two moves, the "hundred" and the "double-leg stretch," engage deeper abdominal muscles to a higher degree than crunches, and the "roll-up" activates the outer rectus abdominis (a.k.a. six-pack muscles) to a greater degree. "Pilates moves are superior to crunches for getting a more ripped, tight stomach," says study author Michele S. Olson, PhD, a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. Go to BestLifeOnline.com/pilates to learn how to do these exercises.

Smooth Out With Soy

Phosphatidylserine (PS), a naturally occurring fatty acid found in eggs and soy, can slow the biological elements responsible for wrinkling. A new study in the Journal of Lipid Research found that topical application of PS prevents UV radiation from reducing collagen production and prevents increases in the levels of enzymes called MMPs that chew up existing collagen. Try soy-packed Kiehl's Facial Fuel Anti-Wrinkle Cream (kiehls.com).

No Pain, Big Gains

Move over, protein shakes. Over-the-counter pain relievers ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can also increase muscle mass, according to physiologists at Ball State University. Researchers found that people who took 500 milligrams of acetaminophen or ibuprofen before their workouts experienced up to 60 percent more muscle gains.

Originally published on September 2008

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