Health

Scientists worldwide have been working to produce an effective COVID-19 vaccine. There is increasing concern surrounding the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine making it a controversial vaccine candidate. The promise of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was developed in partnership with the University of Oxford shortly after the first Canadian and U.S. COVID-19 lockdowns in March 2020. The vaccine contains a weakened version of a common cold virus and essentially teaches the body how to fight the actual COVID-19 virus. According to the BBC, what makes the AstraZeneca vaccine unique is that this pharmaceutical company is making the vaccine…

Magnesium is probably one of the first minerals that comes to mind when you think of fitness. But, hardly anyone knows how essential magnesium truly is and how it can improve your physical performance. We have the facts for you!Magnesium performs numerous functionsMagnesium is a vital mineral: it is present in nearly every cell of your body. Approximately 30% of the magnesium in your body is stored in the muscles. The mineral performs numerous functions: it is needed for aerobic (= with oxygen) and anaerobic (= without oxygen) energy production. Magnesium is also required to form endogenous protein (protein of…

Piercing pain at your temples, a throbbing ache in your forehead – we’ve all suffered the agony of headaches, and there are plenty of causes. Some of us are more likely to get them during or after exercise. Good to know:Headaches are divided into two types: primary and secondary. Primary headaches are triggered by exertion, tension, or not enough sleep. Secondary headaches, however, are a symptom of another more serious underlying condition like high blood pressure, an infection, substance withdrawal, or a stroke. In this article we’ll identify 4 common causes of headaches after exercise and tell you how to treat them…

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The infection is transmitted through respiratory droplets and close contact. The major organs affected by COVID-19 include the lungs, the heart, kidneys, genitals, and liver. Severe cases of COVID-19 include respiratory distress and have a relatively high rate of death. Even healthy individuals can experience severe COVID-19, however, the risk of critical illness and death increases with age. Severe disease is also more common in men compared to women. The risk of severe disease is higher among certain ethnic groups, such as Black and Hispanic individuals in the United States. Additional…

Photo: Dragon Images (Shutterstock)The pandemic has taken dating from a difficult and necessary evil to a basically impossible and dangerous temptation. But with COVID-19 cases waning internationally and vaccination rates increasing daily in the U.S., you’ll likely be able to stumble through an awkward date again, just like the olden days. And when you do, why the hell would you go on another lame, lackluster walk?Going on a walk is fine. And that’s really all it is ... fine. If you want to wow your potential date, especially after spending months upon months in isolation, you can suggest something a…

More than 50% of the human body is water. Are you drinking enough water? On average, you should drink between 1.5 and 2 liters a day. You can find out how much water you need with this calculator:Experts recommend that you drink regularly throughout the day to avoid feeling thirsty. If you feel thirsty, this means that your body is already a little dehydrated. Older people can quickly become dehydrated, because they lose the feeling of being thirsty. Children should also be reminded to drink water regularly.The best thirst quenchers are:tap water(still) mineral waterunsweetened herbal teasThese are the 9 dehydration…

Photo: Brian A Jackson (Shutterstock)Despite the pandemic turning our home and work lives upside-down for the past year, it has also provided us with a perspective that would have been hard to imagine in a pre-COVID-19 world. On my best, most optimistic days, I can see how the pandemic forced my family to slow down its increasingly frenetic schedule. It drove us outside more for bike rides, hikes, and backyard barbecues. It also made clear the things that are vital to our physical and mental health—and the things that made us ache to have to do without.With somewhat of an…

Photo: BGStock72 (Shutterstock)Grandparents who don’t follow parents’ rules are a tradition as old as time, but polarization over pandemic safety guidelines, social unrest, and a contentious election are among the many ways that disagreements between loved ones now have more serious implications. Grandma or grandpa sneaking candy to grandkids whose parents don’t want them to have sweets seems downright pleasant compared to families with relatives explaining to kids how voting machines rigged the election or that COVID-19 vaccines contain Satan’s microchips.Those are obviously extreme examples, but the current climate in the United States has caused varying levels of disagreements and tested…

Photo: Alexanderstock23 (Shutterstock)A confirmed appointment for your first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is the 2021 equivalent of finding a golden ticket in your Wonka bar. (Actually, no—it’s better, because getting some level of immunity to a pandemic-causing virus is far superior to a factory tour where participants are encouraged to lick the wallpaper.)Once you have secured your spot and are getting ready to head over to the vaccination site, you may be so excited to get your first dose (and get out of the house, in general) that you leave home without thinking about what you’re wearing. Or, perhaps…

Photo: Halfpoint (Shutterstock)At this time last year, you may not have given any thought to planting calendars, prepping soil, or growing seasonal vegetables. But a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of at-home gardeners has spiked, and now that we’ve made it back to March, those looking to plant their first spring garden may have a lot of questions. Here’s what to know about how and when to plant a spring garden.When should you plant a spring garden?Spring officially starts later this month, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve missed your opportunity to plant a spring garden. In fact,…

Internet CultureInternet CultureIt's hard to keep up with internet culture, but don't worry: Each week we'll tell you the best of what you need to know.This week, the kids online are pouring hot wax on their faces, being outraged by Disney, disappointed by Nintendo, and learning what happens to all the dead bodies piling up from COVID-19. So everyone is basically out here having a normal one.This week in weird food: The internet’s most disgusting recipesTikTok user @gettishow must be stopped. She must be held accountable for her culinary crimes, including injecting chocolate into an innocent boiled egg, making pasta…

Photo: Grindstone Media Group (Shutterstock)Attention race fans: tomorrow is the 63rd running of the Daytona 500—aka the “Great American Race.” Like everything else this past year, the event will look a little different thanks to COVID-19. For example, it’ll take place in front of just 30,000 fans, instead of the usual 100,000, and those in attendance will have to adhere to social distancing and other public health precautions. If you’re not one of the 30,000 in the stands, here’s how to watch the race from home.How to watch the Daytona 500The 63rd running of the Daytona 500 takes place tomorrow:…