Tabla de contenidos para March 2016 en Shape Singapore

She’s part Romanian and part Chinese. Born in Germany, by the time she’d turned eight, she had lived in Australia and then settled in Singapore. In Germany, kids tried to bully her because she looked too Asian. In Australia, schoolmates ridiculed her for having a German accent. Here in Singapore, her exotic Pan-Asian heritage gets her labelled an outsider or “ang moh”. But while others might be confused about model-emcee-actress Carla Dunareanu’s multi-hyphenate life, the 27-year-old is dead clear about what she wants: to be great at a job she loves. And that includes her role in Rojak, a sitcom premiering on Mediacorp’s Channel 5 next month. It is one of the most challenging roles in her life, says Carla in a candid interview on the sidelines of her Shapecover…

It’s not too late to slash your heart failure risk – even if you’ve been lazy all your life. According to an American Heart Association study, middle-aged people who are already fit or are getting fitter have a reduced risk of heart failure. The study, which involved testing the fitness levels of 9,050 middle-aged men and women eight years apart found that those who did not improve their fitness levels after eight years continued to have a high risk of heart failure. “People who weren’t fit at the start of the study were at higher risk for heart failure after age 65. However, those who improved their fitness reduced their heart failure risk, compared to those who continued to have a low fitness level eight years later,” said Ambarish Pandey,…

In Singapore, breast cancer is the common cancer among women, and it occurs when certain cells in the breast become abnormal and multiply uncontrollably to form a tumour. While this sounds scary, early detection usually results in a high survival rate (80 per cent at 10 years after discovery). This means – you guessed it! – it’s best to go for screening. In Singapore, this is recommended every one to two years for women between the ages of 40 and 49. The idea of having your lady lumps squished between two metal plates is definitely not fun, but a mammogram is the only effective and proven method of breast cancer screening. In general, it is able to detect about 85 per cent of all breast cancers, says Dr Chan Ching…

Power off an hour before bed. “That’s my top piece of advice,” says Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology and author of Generation Me – Revised and Updated: Why Today’s Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled – and More Miserable Than Ever Before. US-based Michigan State University researchers found that using your smartphone for work late at night interferes with shut-eye and leaves you less engaged at the office the next day. Use your phone to wake you up? Switch to a cheap alarm clock instead. Talk, don’t text. If you need to discuss something with another person, sit down with him or her rather than calling or texting. In a study from America’s Brigham Young University, women who tried to work out differences or apologise via text had…

“You have to continually challenge yourself to do one more rep until a buzzer sounds,” says Jesse Jones, Basecamp’s programme director. Crushing your goal becomes the only task that occupies your mind. You made it to the gym. Great! But now, a little real talk: No zoning out! Just going through the motions during a workout could mean you’re cheating both your body and your brain out of the benefits of a good sweat – exactly the detox you need in a manic month. Yet, get your head into your sets and reps – and out of your daily to-dos – and suddenly we’re talking about a true mental cleanse that allows you to really push it and rev your burn, spike your fitness, and budge your muscles to the…

If you’re trying to lose weight, yes! New research, published in the journal Nature Communications, suggests that the fatter we are, the more our body inhibits our ability to burn fat. Researchers from the Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Sciences at the University of Cambridge in the UK, and Japan’s Toho University have shown that sLR11, a protein found in the body, acts to suppress the release of energy from fat cells. Dr Andrew Whittle, joint first author, says, “Our discovery may help explain why overweight individuals find it incredibly hard to lose weight. Their stored fat is actively fighting against their efforts to burn it off at the molecular level.” REPEAT AFTER ME “Success is the sum of small efforts.” DENISE AUSTIN, FITNESS ICON AND CREATOR OF…

Warm up Jog for five minutes. Run 400m for two minutes at the max pace you can maintain. Do Russian swings for one minute. Rest for 30 seconds. Do Russian swings for one minute. Run 400m at your own two-minute max pace. Do single-arm high pulls for 30 seconds on each side. Rest for 30 seconds. Do single-arm high pulls for 30 seconds on each side Run 400m at 300m-800m per hour faster than your starting speed. Do halos clockwise for 30 seconds, then counterclockwise for 30 seconds. Rest for 30 seconds. Do halos clockwise for 30 seconds, then counterclockwise for 30 seconds. Run 400m even faster! Try to increase by 300m-800m per hour once again. Do abs circles clockwise for one minute, then counterclockwise for one minute. Rest for…

It tastes like a combination of mild grapefruit and sweet orange, and is perfect for when you want a hit of citrus, says Wesley True, executive chef at The Optimist, a seafood restaurant in the US. The fragrant vitamin C-packed fruit is delicious in Asian dishes and with sauteed greens as they counter the fruit’s bitterness. Try some with Wesley’s Thai vinaigrette: In a food processor, blend ginger, diced peeled apples, lime juice, fish sauce and pomelo juice. With the machine running, stream in olive oil and blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.…

How does the size of the table we eat at influence how much we eat? Well, plenty, according to a new study published in the Journal of the Association for Consumer Research. For the study, researchers from Cornell University in the US placed regular and small pizza slices on both small and larger tables. They then invited 219 university students to take as many slices as they wanted. Those who dined at the bigger tables were distracted by how big the table next to the small pizza slices, and ate the fewest calories overall. So, lead researcher Brennan Davis recommends, “To eat less food, serve it in small portions and on large tables.”…

We all know that fruit is good for us. So, many of us top yogurt with berries, snack on apples and pears throughout the workday, and drink fresh juice after working out. “The trouble is, packing in too much nature’s candy can backfire,” says Lauren Slayton, a US-based dietitian and owner of Foodtrainers, which conducts private nutrition sessions in New York City. She calls this “over-fruiting” and says a lot of healthy eaters are sabotaged by it. Fresh calories are still calories Adding fruit to our diets doesn’t necessarily lead to weight loss, research suggests. That’s because we tend to tack those servings on top of whatever else we’re eating. “A cookie seems like an indulgence, so you may compensate by eating less later on,” Lauren says. “But with fruit,…

EAT • EDAMAME These boiled or steamed soya beans are high in fibre, protein, vitamins, and minerals. • SOYA MILK A small amount of nutrients may be lost in processing, but most soya milk is fortified with vitamins like B12 and D. And it contains as much protein as cow’s milk. • TOFU Made by curdling soya milk, tofu is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and calcium. Brands that list calcium sulphate as an ingredient have even more of the mineral. • TEMPEH AND MISO These fermented foods contain bacteria that promote digestive health. • SOYA NUTS Dried and roasted soya beans have more protein and fibre than classic mixed nuts. LIMIT • FOODS WITH ADDED SOYA PROTEIN In processing, soya protein is stripped of many nutrients, including…

Get va-va-voom lashes Trying to curl stiff and stubborn Asian lashes can be a challenge. Instead, clamp them from a 45-degree angle and you’ll get a more dramatic lift. Give the curler handles several squeezes, then press down for half a minute to create a more defined curve. Sweep on a coat of mascara, then add a touch more to lashes in the middle so your peepers will look rounder and wider. Add volume to your mane For girls with limp locks, conditioning after you shampoo can make hair seem even flatter and more lifeless. Try conditioning before your shampoo. It’s easier to lather your mane afterwards, and your tresses will be bouncier and less weighed down. Soften your mitts If air-conditioning or cold weather is seriously…

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Spending hours in a cramped plane or car seat means you typically arrive at your destination feeling foggy, achy and out of sorts. To rebound, Michele Olson, a professor of exercise physiology at Auburn University in the US, suggests this whole-body move: Extend your arms out to the side, palms facing up, so they’re parallel to the floor. Slowly circle your arms backwards while marching in place, bringing your knees to waist height. This elongates your spine and boosts blood flow to your brain and muscles, relieving fatigue and stiffness. Three sets of 20 marches later, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running.…

Trainer or fitness class? Class! I get paranoid if I’m the only one and the trainer’s watching me do something wrong. Heels or sneakers? Sneakers, of course. I’ve lost count of how many I own. The storeroom at home is full of my shoes. Champagne or dessert? Dessert – every time! I might have a drink or two at a party, but that’s it. At the gym, makeup or barefaced? I like to work out barefaced. Smoothie or fruit? I prefer the texture of fruit. There’s something to bite. Beach holiday or city adventure? Beach – an easy choice! Swimsuit or bikini? Bikini, baby! I say the lesser fabric, the better. Have you tried suntanning in the nude?…

If you want to really make a difference in your energy levels, you need to start at the source: your mitochondria, the tiny dynamos that live in every cell of the body. These powerhouses convert food into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which becomes your body’s main source of fuel. “Mitochondria are so important because they regulate the way the body generates energy,” explains Dr Ann Marie Chiasson, assistant director of the Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona in the US. And that process directly affects how quickly you burn fat, how well you recover from exercise, and your capacity to fight off disease, as well as your ability to focus. As you approach your 40s, however, your mitochondria become more sluggish and eventually die, thus draining your energy,…

ASK FOR THE RIGHT RX Doctors tend to prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics because they require fewer daily doses. Before yours writes you a prescription, ask if there’s a medication that specifically targets your condition. You may have to take more pills, but the antibiotic will kill fewer strains of good bacteria in your gut, says Lauri Hicks, medical director of the Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work programme at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US. DON’T SKIMP ON RECOVERY TIME Resist the temptation to rush back to work after your first or second day on antibiotics. It will place added stress on your microbiome and body in general. PAIR ANTIBIOTICS AND PROBIOTICS Several studies have shown that probiotic supplements protect intestinal microbes against antibiotics, reducing side effects…

• Coney Island Trail Run 2016 Join in the first-ever trail running event of Singapore’s latest nature attraction. Choose between a 5km fun run and a 10km competitive one. Starting and ending at Gallop Stable, fringe activities include horse and pony trail rides, games booths, and eating at food kiosks. WHEN April 16, 8am-12pm WHERE Gallop Stable @ Punggol Ranch HOW MUCH From $45 for adults; from $35 for children MORE INFO www.coneyislandrun.com • Bounce Off Discover the kid in you when you head for what is billed as Asia’s largest inflatable race. There will be 11 giant inflatable obstacles (as tall as 13m and as long as 57m) scattered across all three beaches in Sentosa. There will also be a food bazaar and fun inflatables such as a giant…

SHAWARMA SEASONING Warm and savoury with cinnamon, clove, allspice, lemon juice powder, cayenne pepper, parsley, and more, this Middle Eastern mix is commonly usedfor kebabs. Blend it with olive oil or yogurt to marinate meat (lamb, chicken, turkey, beef, veal, or mixed meats) that’s going on a spit, or as a dip for pita and veggies. BERBERE This Ethiopian blend has a bit of a bite. It usually includes coriander and fenugreek seeds, peppercorns, chillies, allspice, cardamoms, and ground nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon, as well as paprika. Berbere is used to season everything from vegetables to meats and stews. JAPANESE SEVEN SPICE BLEND Shichimi togarashi – a hot, savoury, gingery and citrusy powder that contains coarsely ground red chillies and sansho (Japanese peppers), sesame seeds, roasted orange peel, nori, and…

Researchers from Japan’s Kyoto University have found that fish oil transforms fat-storage cells into fat-burning cells. This may reduce middle-age weight gain. The team explains in Scientific Reportsthat fish oil induces storage cells (“white” cells) to metabolise fat (a function traditionally tied to “beige” cells, which decrease in numbers as we age). “People have long said that food from Japan and the Mediterranean contribute to longevity, but why these cuisines are beneficial has often been up for debate,” says senior author Tenuo Kawada. “Now we have better insight into why that may be.”…

Crunchy Vegetable & Beef Salad SERVES: 4 ACTIVE TIME: 20 MINUTES TOTAL TIME: 35 MINUTES • 1 cup plus 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar• 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice• 2 tsp Dijon mustard• 1 tbsp plus 2 tsp honey• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger• 2 tsp Sriracha hot sauce• 6 tbsp toasted sesame oil, plus more for the grill• 2½ tsp kosher salt, plus more for seasoning• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning• 450g skirt steak (pounded to tenderise it)• 1 cup thinly sliced radishes (about 6 radishes)• ½ cup thinly sliced red onion• 2-3 cups broccoli or cauliflower florets, or a mix of both, chopped• 2-3 cups thinly shredded Napa or purple cabbage, or a mix of both 1.In small bowl, whisk together two tablespoons rice wine vinegar, lime juice, mustard, two teaspoons honey, ginger, Sriracha, sesame oil,…

• STRAWBERRIES (1 cup, whole) 46 calories 7g sugar 3g fibre • WATERMELON (1 cup, diced) 46 calories 9g sugar 1g fibre • ORANGE (1 navel) 69 calories 12g sugar 3g fibre • BANANA (1 medium) 105 calories 14g sugar 3g fibre • PINEAPPLE (1 cup, chunks) 82 calories 16g sugar 2g fibre • PEAR (1 medium) 101 calories 17g sugar 6g fibre • APPLE (1 medium) 95 calories 19g sugar 4g fibre • GRAPES (1 cup) 104 calories 23g sugar 1g fibre…

Pistachio and Squash Galette CHEF: Anna Jones, who’s also a food stylist and author of A Modern Way to Eat: Over 200 Satisfying, Everyday Vegetarian Recipes (That Will Make You Feel Amazing SERVES: 6 ACTIVE TIME: 25 MINUTES TOTAL TIME: 40 MINUTES • ½ small butternut squash, seeded and sliced crosswise into 0.5cm slices• 2 tbsp plus 2 tsp olive oil• Sea salt• Freshly ground black pepper• ¾ cup shelled pistachios• ¾ cup sunflower or pumpkin seeds• 115g chestnuts• 1 tbsp maple syrup• Zest and juice of 1 lemon• 1 small bunch thyme, stems removed• 1 red onion, thinly sliced• ½ cup cashews, soaked in water overnight• 1 avocado, halved and pitted• 3 cups spinach• 1 red chilli, sliced 1.Preheat oven to 205 deg C. In medium bowl, toss squash with one teaspoon olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Place squash…

When it comes to lipstick shades, you have a spectrum of intensities to choose from. On one end of the scale are the sheers that are so hydrating, so juicy, and so easy to use. Reach for these lighter textures when your lips need a little extra hydration or when you want to make them look fuller, says Marcus Monson, a celebrity makeup artist for Guerlain. As you introduce a deeper colour, you’re swopping moisture for staying power. “Formulas with more pigment will last longer and stay brighter.”…

“Avoid seafood if you have a wound.” This might have some basis in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). According to Wong Wen Jun, a registered physician at Eu Yan Sang TCM Wellness Clinics, some seafood can hamper healing. Those described as stimulating or “fa wu”, like cured fish and shellfish, may cause inflammation, says Wen Jun. In fact, shellfish like clams, scallops and oysters are filter feeders that tend to harbour more bacteria than other seafood, adds Jaclyn Reutens, a clinical dietitian at Aptima Nutrition & Sports Consultants. On the other hand, protein-rich seafood is well documented in Western medicine to help prevent scars, so it’s unlikely that your surgeon will limit your seafood intake post-op. To play it safe, consider eating those approved by our experts. Wen Jun suggests fresh…

The number of friends you have is just as important as exercise and eating well. A recent study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the US has found that those who have many social relationships tend to be healthier. According to the study, social isolation was found to be more detrimental to health than diabetes in old age. Additionally, adolescents who felt ostracised also had an increased risk of inflammation. “It should be as important to encourage adolescents and young adults to build broad social relationships and social skills for interacting with others as it is to eat healthy and be physically active,” said Kathleen Mullan Harris, a James Haar Distinguished Professor of Sociology at the university.…

If you haven’t tried it, there’s good reason to. Couples who enjoy sending each other racy texts are happier with their sex lives – and their relationships in general – than those who don’t send messages. Researchers aren’t sure which comes first, the sexting or the great sex, but they say it’s possible that swopping steamy messages helps couples communicate what they want in the bedroom, which leads to hotter between-the-sheets action.…

Always grumpy? You may just need more sleep. New study findings from Israel’s Tel Aviv University reveal that sleep deprivation can affect our ability to control our emotions. In the study, 18 participants were made to do various tasks that tested their judgment on whether a set of images were positive (a cat), negative (a mutilated body) or neutral (a spoon). After just one night without sleep, the volunteers had difficulty identifying which images were provocative, and which were not. “It turns out we lose our neutrality. The ability of the brain to tell what’s important is compromised,” says lead researcher Talma Hendler. “This can lead to biased cognitive processing and poor judgment as well as anxiety.”…

RESISTANT STARCHES such as green peas, lentils and white beans. Your gut bacteria ferment these filling complex carbs, producing nourishing short-chain fatty acids, Dr Chutkan says. INULIN-RICH FOODS such as leeks, garlic, onions, artichokes, Jerusalem artichokes, and chicory root. Inulin is a natural sugar that is like fuel for your intestinal microbes. FIBRE-DENSE VEGETABLES such as broccoli, asparagus and dark, leafy greens. They deliver a decent dose of both soluble and insoluble fibre, a combination healthy bugs will feast on.…

There’s a sneaky type of anxiety that lurks beneath your consciousness – undetected for the most part but certainly not inert. This isn’t that obvious angst we feel when we’re under recognisable duress, but rather a vague mental and physical state that experts call iceberg stress, so named because the teeny tip that is apparent on the surface is nothing compared with what’s looming below. “Iceberg stress can be triggered by habits so ingrained that we may not always be aware of them, such as perfectionism or negative self-talk,” explains David Lewis, a psychologist and fellow of the International Stress Management Association. For instance, you look at your neighbour’s house and lament that yours will never be as chic; at work, you worry that your boss is frustrated with you.…

“After becoming a mum, I found that instincts almost always prevail logic, so I’ve resolved to trust my gut feelings more in every part of life!” ESTELLE LOW, WRITER “I will let go of what I think life is supposed to be and accept it for everything it is.” LANA NGUYEN, DESIGNER “I choose to be happy in any and every circumstance – not because I’m in denial when negative things happen, but because, in spite of them, there’s still so much to be thankful for.” DAWN CHEN, WRITER “I’ll have more confidence in my choices and quit worrying about what people think.” YUEN YI YING, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR…

Cardio, and especially high-intensity interval training (HIIT), may get all the buzz for its fat-melting magic, but research suggests that strength training alone can trim flab and also net you lean muscle. A study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that exercisers who stuck with a toning plan lost fat and firmed up, while those who solely did cardio shed fat but didn’t gain muscle. Like HIIT, strength workouts help rev fat oxidation – the process that breaks down fat for fuel – says study author Clemens Drenowatz. “But while some people may not be able to sustain the cardio intensity required to change their body composition, they may be able to reach or beat the necessary resistance-exercise intensity.”…

BEFORE ROXANNE GAN Age 26 Height 158cm Weight lost 8kg in 18 months AFTER Slimmer and happier “I learnt how to allow my body to rest so each workout would be more efficient.” ROXANNE’S CHALLENGE I was never clinically obese, but I was what people would describe as “big”. By the time I was in my early 20s, I was exercising regularly – running in the gym, going for spinning classes and swimming. I was also teaching yoga part-time. But I just didn’t look slim, and people often asked why that was so even though I exercised. Things became worse in 2014, when I co-founded a yoga studio but quickly realised I didn’t enjoy running a business. I also had disagreements with my partners, which made me very unhappy and…

It’s time to take your runs back inside – and we’ve got the heart-pumping, muscle-sculpting mash-up that will actually make you look forward to heading to the treadmill again. “This combo is the perfect full-body routine,” says Debora Warner, founder of the Mile High Run Club, a fitness studio in the US whose group treadmill-to-strength-training classes are a hit with runners and regular gym-goers alike. And since you need to run only 400m at a time, anyone can ace it – and even increase your endurance after a few weeks of doing this routine. How it works: You do 400m at close-to-sprint speed, then hop off the treadmill for a quick set or two of kettlebell moves. “The treadmill quarters strengthen your lower body because they’re at a fast pace,”…

If you have blah tomatoes on hand, thank the veggie gods for chef Amanda Freitag, author of The Chef Next Door: A Pro Chef’s Recipes for Fun, Fearless Home Cooking, who has a trick for making them succulent again. Halve each tomato, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper and thyme. Roast on a foil-lined baking sheet for one and a half to two hours at 150 deg C. The heat concentrates their nutrients, so they’re healthier, too. Then enjoy with eggs, in pasta or on sandwiches.…

MASHED Slice open the Stokes variety – red-purple on the outside – to reveal a purple centre that becomes even deeper when cooked. Just picture the splash it would make as a mash. FRIED The Hannah (light brown skin) and Japanese (red) types are white inside with a dry texture but a sweet taste. Try them in a hash or as oven-baked fries, says Chris. BAKED Jewels and Garnets may seem alike in shape and shade (and antioxidant content), but that’s where the similarities end. For a nuttier, butternut squash-like flavour that’s very sweet, go for the Garnet with its slightly darker skin, suggests Chris Romano, a global produce coordinator for Whole Foods Market in the US. For a buttery bite, choose the Jewel, which has pumpkin-coloured flesh.…

Healthy Chocolate Truffl es MAKES: 12 ACTIVE TIME: 15 MINUTES TOTAL TIME: 15 MINUTES • 2 cups pitted dates (preferably medjool)• ¼ cup raw cacao powder• 1 tbsp coconut oil, plus more to coat your hands• 1 tsp vanilla extract• 1/8 tsp salt• ½ cup ground cacao nibs, crushed freeze-dried raspberries, matcha powder, or coconut flakes, or a mix of two or more, for coating 1.Add dates, cacao powder, coconut oil, vanilla, and salt to food processor. Blend for three to five minutes or until dough is smooth. (If using blender, scrape down sides with spatula and blend again, repeating until ingredients are combined.) If necessary, add one tablespoon water while processing to help dough come together. 2.Lightly coat hands with coconut oil. Break off bite-size pieces of dough and roll between palms into balls. Repeat…

These days, it seems we’re all afraid to eat soya. It’s forbidden in popular eating plans like paleo. It has been blamed for fatigue, stomach disorders, weight gain, hormone problems, and even cancer. No wonder food manufacturers are labelling their products “soya-free”. It has become the new gluten. But hold on! Don’t get scared by the rumours; it does have real health and nutrition benefits, top experts say. Here’s the latest science. Truth #1 Soya doesn’t cause breast cancer. There’s a common misperception that soya contains oestrogen and leads to breast cancer, says Anna Taylor, a dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic in the US. This false notion started because two isoflavones in soya, genistein and daidzein, are chemically similar to oestrogen. That raised concerns among experts that soya might accelerate…

The idea of more shine and less frizz – two major benefits of a hair oil – sounds great, but know this: Pure oils are highly concentrated, so they aren’t practical for everyday use, says stylist Kattia Solano, founder of Butterfly Studio Salon in the US. Save yours for a weekly pre-shampoo deep treatment instead. “A blend of oils is absorbed into hair more easily and won’t weigh it down,” says Mara Roszak, L’Oreal Paris celeb hairstylist. Think of it as a multitasker designed for your texture and styling needs. Our pick: L’Oreal Paris Eversleek Precious Oil Treatment ($21.90, leading pharmacies).…

Customise a facial treatment at home with the Skin Inc Optimizer Voyage Tri-Light ($398). This handheld device uses LED light technology and low-frequency vibrations to tackle multiple skin concerns and boost the absorption of active ingredients in your products. The blue light soothes breakouts and controls oil production, yellow brightens and fades scars, and red boosts collagen production and elasticity. For maximum benefits, use twice daily for 10 minutes each time.…

Bright eyes. A radiant complexion. Cushiony lips. Get them all with strobing, a highlighting technique that uses strategic placements of shimmer to act like a spotlight on your face. “You can compare it with how you look in a photo taken with a flash: The light completely brightens your skin and makes your features pop,” says Daniel Martin, a celebrity makeup artist for Dior. “It’s a perfect pick-me-up if your skin looks dull.” And now it’s easier than ever to achieve your new luminous look: Simply choose your preferred level of wattage to create a beautiful glow – #nofilter required. Subtle sheen For a slight gleam under natural lighting, you’ll want to stick with just a few products. Prep your skin with a sheer illuminating base for an all-over soft-focus…

If your complexion is suddenly greasy and breaking out, red and blotchy, or dry and flaky, there are, of course, the usual suspects to blame: your period (high androgen levels can cause pimples), stress (anxiety stokes inflammation, causing acne), or a night of not enough zzz’s (which ups stress and interrupts skin repair). But there are more mysterious things that can lead your skin to suddenly rebel – things the pros look for and now you will, too. For instance, when his patients who travel routinely return complaining of skin issues, Dr Dennis Gross, a dermatologist in the US, began questioning whether the different tap water could be at play. Sure enough, he discovered that what comes out of your faucet can dictate the state of your complexion (more on…

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Hollywood lore is built on stories about men who succeed against all odds. Like his eponymous character in 2014’s Hercules, Dwayne is no exception. Initially, he was bent on becoming a world-class American football player, but his dreams were dashed when he sustained an injury playing college football for the Miami Hurricanes, and was replaced. This tragedy would eventually lead to a career as a professional wrestler with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and then his becoming one of the highest grossing movie stars of all time . “I’ve always been very ambitious and had a lot of self-belief. But it took a lot of soul-searching and going through a lot of personal pain and turmoil to get to the point where I was ready to move forward and make something…