A “spermpocalypse”, defined by falling sperm counts in men across the globe, is upon us. And it is one of the key driving factors behind the <keyword id="22186484" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fertility-crisis" source="keywords">fertility crisis</keyword> — something that even Tesla CEO Elon Musk has spoken about at length. While exposure to pesticides, heavy metals and plastics have all been blamed, another possible culprit is <keyword id="20260846" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="obesity" source="keywords">obesity</keyword>.<br /><br />Now, a massive study from China adds to the growing body of evidence that links obesity to drop in <keyword id="20687206" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sperm-count" source="keywords">sperm count</keyword>s. The study, led by Dr. Yingxin Li of Sun Yat-sen University, analyses data from over 71,000 men across 50 previous studies. It found a significant association between excess weight and decreased semen quality, a broad measure of <keyword id="20290995" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="male-fertility" source="keywords">male fertility</keyword> that includes sperm count, volume, and motility (movement).<br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="110327795" title="Plastic testes: Scientists analyse human testicles, find microplastics in every single one of them!" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Men classified as obese had noticeably lower <keyword id="22467926" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="semen-volume" source="keywords">semen volume</keyword>, total sperm count, and <keyword id="22467927" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sperm-motility" source="keywords">sperm motility</keyword> compared to those with a healthy weight. Even men who were simply overweight, but not obese, showed a decline in semen volume and motility.<br /><br />While this study doesn't definitively prove that obesity causes lower <keyword id="20943900" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sperm-quality" source="keywords">sperm quality</keyword>, it strongly suggests a connection. Researchers believe numerous factors may be at play, including hormonal imbalances, toxins stored in fatty tissue, and even elevated body temperature.<br /><br />Unfortunately, pinpointing the exact mechanisms is challenging due to the multitude of factors that can influence sperm health, including environmental pollutants, smoking, age, diet, and more. Isolating each element for study requires long-term research with stricter controls. Some limitations of the current data include reliance on self-reported BMI and single semen sample analysis.<br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="108710829" title="Nearly all countries will struggle to maintain population levels by 2100, thanks to crashing birth rates: IHME" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>However, the research reinforces the interconnectedness of overall health and specific aspects like fertility. Studies have previously shown that <keyword id="19923802" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="weight-loss" source="keywords">weight loss</keyword> through lifestyle changes can improve sperm quality, further supporting this connection.<br /><br />The authors conclude that this research highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy weight to potentially prevent declines in semen quality and improve male fertility. This research serves as a crucial piece of the puzzle for understanding the global decline in sperm counts and offers a potential avenue for future interventions.<br />

Drop in sperm count can be strongly linked to obesity in men, finds Chinese study

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Wearing a mask won't do much to protect you against the monkeypox vaccine.</li><li>Monkeypox is mainly spread via skin-to-skin contact so avoid touching infected people or objects.</li></ul><p>Cases of monkeypox are <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/monkeypox" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increasing rapidly</a>. As of August 22th, there were 15,433 <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/us-map.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US cases</a> and 42,954 <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/world-map.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">global cases</a> of monkeypox. The more people who are infected by a disease, the more quickly it can spread, meaning monkeypox is now at a critical threshold.</p><p>So should we tighten up masking restrictions again? Not so fast, says <a href="https://hospital.uillinois.edu/find-a-doctor/stockton-mayer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr. Stockton Mayer</a>, an infectious disease specialist at <a href="https://hospital.uillinois.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UI Health</a> who works directly with monkeypox patients as the physician lead on UI's outbreak response team.</p><p>Though people interacting with confirmed monkeypox patients <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/clinicians/infection-control-home.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">should wear masks</a> to minimize their exposure, wearing a mask in public probably won't do much to slow the spread of the virus. </p><p>That's because, unlike COVID-19, monkeypox is mainly spread through <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/transmission.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">skin-to-skin contact</a>, which masks don't shield against.</p><p>So how can you best protect yourself?</p><h2>1. Avoid sex with an infected person</h2><p>Monkeypox isn't <a href="https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2022/06/monkeypox-is-not-an-std-in-the-classic-sense/?fj=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a traditional STI</a> in that it doesn't spread through vaginal fluids and semen, says <a href="https://doctors.beaumont.org/provider/Matthew+D+Sims/226475#provider-details-experience" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr. Matthew Sims</a>, an infectious disease specialist at <a href="https://www.beaumont.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beaumont Hospital</a>. </p><p>But because prolonged skin-on-skin contact often occurs during sex, touching an intimate partner's active lesions makes it "pretty likely" you'll catch the disease, Sims says.</p><p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2022/08/who-us-has-biggest-jump-monkeypox-cases" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More than 91%</a> of all current monkeypox cases were likely contracted during sex. Most of these cases are amongst the LGBTQ+ community: though <a href="https://sf.gov/information/monkeypox-faq" target="_blank" rel="noopener">anyone can get monkeypox</a>, <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2022/08/who-us-has-biggest-jump-monkeypox-cases" target="_blank" rel="noopener">97%</a> of global cases have occurred in men who have sex with men.</p><p>There are a few ways you can reduce your risk of <a href="https://www.insider.com/monkeypox-spread-risk-sex-gym-restaurant-concert-rave-public-transport-2022-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contracting monkeypox</a> during sex, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/sexualhealth/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fpoxvirus%2Fmonkeypox%2Fspecific-settings%2Fsocial-gatherings.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">including</a>:</p><ul><li>Check for <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/expert-answers/monkeypox-faq/faq-20533608#:~:text=Avoid%20handling%20clothes%2C%20sheets%2C%20blankets,that%20may%20carry%20the%20virus." target="_blank" rel="noopener">a rash or pustules</a> before sex.</li><li>Have virtual sex instead of physical contact.</li><li>Use condoms to minimize skin-on-skin contact.</li><li>Keep your clothes on during sex.</li><li>Minimize your number of sexual partners.</li></ul><p>But the best way to reduce your risk? <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/monkeypox/risks.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Don't have sex</a> with anyone who may be infected with monkeypox.</p><h2>2. Avoid other skin-to-skin contact</h2><p>Non-sexual skin-on-skin contact can also spread the virus, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/prevention/protect-yourself.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">including</a>:</p><ul><li>Kissing</li><li>Cuddling</li><li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/transmission.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Massaging</a></li><li>Touching someone's rash</li></ul><p>Try to avoid attending <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/faq.html#Spread" target="_blank" rel="noopener">events</a> where you'll have a lot of close skin-on-skin contact with strangers, like dance clubs, Sims says.</p><p>If someone you live with has been diagnosed with monkeypox, avoid contact as much as possible.</p><p>"Once it's in a household, it can be difficult to keep it from spreading from person to person," Sims says. "Until those lesions are all crusted over, you're gonna be contagious, so isolation is the best way."</p><p>To isolate effectively, try to:</p><ul><li>Sleep in <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/monkeypox-spread-through-sex/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">separate beds</a> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/clinicians/infection-control-home.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">or rooms</a> if possible</li><li>Wear clothes that cover your rash</li><li>Stay at least six feet apart at all times</li><li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/clinicians/infection-control-home.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wear gloves and a respirator</a> if you must touch an infected person</li></ul><h2>3. Avoid any contact with contaminated objects</h2><p>Monkeypox can also spread through <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/transmission.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">indirect contact</a>. If a sick person touches a surface – <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/prevention/protect-yourself.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">including bedding</a>, <a href="https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/monkeypox.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">towels</a>, clothing, utensils, appliances, or even carpet – that surface can retain the monkeypox virus for up to <a href="https://sf.gov/information/monkeypox-faq" target="_blank" rel="noopener">15 days</a>. </p><p>If someone in your household has monkeypox, it's important to clean regularly. Whenever possible, you should:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/specific-settings/home-disinfection.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Disinfect surfaces</a> immediately after the infected person uses them.</li><li>Have the infected person wash their own laundry separately from the rest of the household.</li><li>Use hot water or a dishwasher to disinfect plates.</li><li>Clean commonly-shared large items. For example, disinfect refrigerators or other appliances after an infected person uses them, and steam clean upholstered items, like the couch, after use as well.</li><li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/clinicians/infection-control-home.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Use separate bathrooms</a> and bedrooms when possible.</li></ul><h2>4. Wash your hands regularly</h2><p>If you come into contact with the monkeypox virus, you won't automatically contract the disease. </p><p>"It's not going to seep in through your skin — you need to have an open spot as well," says <a href="https://www.uab.edu/soph/home/about/people/faculty/suzanne-judd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Suzanne Judd</a>, an epidemiologist and professor at the <a href="https://www.uab.edu/soph/home/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health</a>. </p><p>But the virus "will likely survive on the skin until the hands are washed, so <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/expert-answers/monkeypox-faq/faq-20533608#:~:text=Avoid%20handling%20clothes%2C%20sheets%2C%20blankets,that%20may%20carry%20the%20virus." target="_blank" rel="noopener">regular hand washing</a> is critical," Judd says.</p><p>To properly wash your hands, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">make</a> <a href="https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/washing_hands.html#:~:text=Use%20soap%20(1%2D3%20mL,thoroughly%20under%20clean%2C%20running%20water." target="_blank" rel="noopener">sure</a> <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/hand-washing/art-20046253" target="_blank" rel="noopener">you</a>:</p><ol><li>Wet your hands with clean water.</li><li>Apply 1-3 ml of soap.</li><li>Lather and scrub for <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/how-long-should-you-wash-your-hands" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at least 20 seconds</a>, making sure you cover the whole hand, including under your fingernails and between your fingers.</li><li>Rinse your hands under water.</li><li>Dry your hands.</li></ol><p>If you can't wash your hands, <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/best-hand-sanitizers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">use hand sanitizer</a> that's <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/does-hand-sanitizer-work" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at least 60% alcohol</a> by volume, and make sure <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/does-hand-sanitizer-expire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">it hasn't expired</a>.</p><h2>5. Get the vaccine when it becomes available</h2><p>Because monkeypox currently has a <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/world-map.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">low mortality rate</a>, severe measures like lockdowns aren't necessarily warranted, Judd says.</p><p>But vaccination efforts — which include the use of <a href="https://www.mass.gov/info-details/monkeypox-vaccination" target="_blank" rel="noopener">smallpox vaccines</a> – should be accelerated. </p><p>While <a href="https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/monkeypox.page" target="_blank" rel="noopener">few doses</a> of monkeypox vaccine are currently available, <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/07/28/hhs-expands-availability-of-monkeypox-vaccine-to-more-than-1-million-doses.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more doses are expected</a> in the coming months.</p><p>Eventually, "I think we'll find what we found with chickenpox," Judd says. It's better to vaccinate people so they're less likely to get sick in the first place. </p><p>If you're in a high-risk group and the vaccine is available to you, you should get vaccinated, Judd says, especially if you have multiple sexual partners.</p><h2>Insider's takeaway</h2><p>Monkeypox is primarily transmitted through close skin-to-skin contact during sex. </p><p>To reduce your risk of contracting the virus, reduce your number of sexual partners and check yourself and your partner for <a href="https://www.insider.com/monkeypox-rash-pictures-when-to-get-checked-2022-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signs of a rash or pustules</a> before engaging in intimate activities.</p><p>"Nobody is asking people to modify their behavior for the rest of their life," Judd says. Instead, "think about modifying your behavior as a pause and know that these activities are going to be fine and perfectly safe in the future when we have access to the vaccine."</p>

Infectious disease experts share 5 prevention tips to avoid getting monkeypox

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Ashwagandha's benefits include easing stress, improving sperm count, and boosting cognition. </li><li>Studies suggest that taking 300 mg twice daily for three months can provide you the listed benefits.</li><li>Potential side effects of ashwagandha include nausea, headache, and drowsiness. </li></ul><p>Ashwagandha is an ancient herb <a href="https://examine.com/supplements/ashwagandha/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">traditionally used in Ayurveda,</a> a 3,000-year-old medicine system originating in India. </p><p>Ashwagandha has <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6979308/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">anti-inflammatory properties</a> and is classified as an adaptogen - a group of herbs known to reduce fatigue and stress. </p><p>Extracts from ashwagandha's roots and leaves can be bought as a supplement online or at some specialty grocery and <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health">health</keyword> food stores. Here's what you need to know about this herb's potential benefits.</p><h2>1. Eases anxiety and stress</h2><p>If you're in a stressful or dangerous situation, your body responds by releasing cortisol. This hormone puts you into "fight or flight" mode to help you respond to a crisis.</p><p>But <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037" target="_blank" rel="noopener">overexposure to cortisol</a> in chronically stressed people can increase their risk of health problems like anxiety, depression, and weight gain. </p><p>In a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6979308/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">small 2019 study</a>, stressed people who took either 250 milligrams (mg) or 600 mg of ashwagandha saw significantly reduced levels of cortisol and lower scores on stress tests compared to a control group.  Researchers noted that while both doses were effective in improving sleep quality, 600 mg doses were more effective in treating anxiety. </p><h2>2. Soothes arthritis </h2><p>Ashwagandha <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3252722/#:~:text=Ashwagandha%20is%20an%20analgesic%20that,as%20well%20as%20analgesic%20also." target="_blank" rel="noopener">is an analgesic,</a> a substance that can reduce pain, says <a href="https://www.mountsinai.org/profiles/nicole-m-avena-blanchard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nicole M. Avena</a>, PhD, an assistant professor of neuroscience at <a href="https://icahn.mssm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mount Sinai School of Medicine.</a></p><p>The secret to ashwagandha's pain-relieving properties is that it's a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor. These are <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549795/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">medications</a> that manage and treat chronic pain. </p><p><a href="https://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/0201/p595.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Some studies</a> have found COX inhibitors can reduce rheumatoid arthritis symptoms similarly to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Aspirin and Ibuprofen.  </p><h2>3. Boosts cognitive function </h2><p>"Ashwagandha has traditionally been used to enhance memory and improve cognition," Avena says.</p><p>A <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28471731/#:~:text=Conclusions%3A%20Ashwagandha%20may%20be%20effective,attention%2C%20and%20information%20processing%20speed." target="_blank" rel="noopener">small 2017 study</a> found people who took 300 mg of ashwagandha twice daily saw significant improvements in memory, executive function, focus, and speed at which they could process information when compared to a placebo group. </p><h2>4. May increase muscles mass</h2><p>If you're having trouble gaining muscle, ashwagandha might help. Studies suggest high cortisol levels <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42000-018-0023-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">negatively impact muscle mass</a>. Ashwagandha's ability to reduce cortisol levels and increase testosterone - which <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2917954/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contributes to muscle growth </a>- could be the ticket to greater muscle gains. </p><p>In a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4658772/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">small 2015 study</a>, men between the ages of 18 and 50 who took 300 mg of ashwagandha root twice daily and participated in strength training saw significant increases in muscle strength and size compared to placebo subjects, as well as a greater reduction in exercise-induced muscle damage. </p><h2>5. Increases fertility in men </h2><p>Studies suggest high doses of ashwagandha can treat male infertility linked to low sperm concentration levels.  </p>Related Article Module: 6 ways to increase sperm count and improve male fertility<p>In fact, a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3863556/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">small 2013 study</a> of men who were infertile due to low semen count found 225 mg of ashwagandha taken three times a day for 12 weeks improved fertility by increasing sperm concentration levels, semen volume, and sperm motility - or the ability of sperm to move efficiently.  </p><h2>How to take ashwagandha </h2><p>While there are no formal dosing guidelines for ashwagandha, "many studies show safety and efficacy when 300 mg of ashwagandha is taken twice daily," Avena says. "We don't have long-term data on ashwagandha, so at this point, we only know it's considered 'possibly safe' when taken daily for up to 3 months."</p><p>When buying ashwagandha, Avena recommends looking at the concentration of withanolides, which are compounds in the herb believed to provide its benefits. Stick to 0.3% withanolides for a root powder and at least 1.5% withanolides in a root extract.</p><h2>Ashwagandha side effects </h2><ul><li><a href="http://insider.com/home-remedies-for-nausea" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nausea</a></li><li><a href="http://insider.com/home-remedies-for-headaches" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Headache</a></li><li>Drowsiness</li><li>Stomach irritation</li><li><a href="http://insider.com/what-to-eat-for-diarrhea" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Diarrhea</a></li></ul><h2>Insider's takeaway </h2><p>Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb used to treat or reduce anxiety, stress, fatigue, pain, arthritis, and infertility in men. When shopping for ashwagandha, be sure to look for brands with the proper withanolide content to get the best effects, and stick to no more than 300 mg twice a day. </p><p>Patients who take benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, or barbiturates should avoid ashwagandha because of its possible sedative effects. Also, avoid ashwagandha if pregnant as it could cause miscarriage. It also interferes with treatment in people who have hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, Avena says.</p><p>People with autoimmune disorders, like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease, should speak to their doctor before taking ashwagandha.</p><a data-type="5f6badd91e1b3561b541b067">6 ways to increase sperm count and improve male fertility</a><a data-type="602ff0e186b3790c9b069d3a">11 brain foods that benefit memory, concentration, and mood</a><a data-type="5f624d4f7be3a440b814cd3a">6 ways to relieve stress naturally</a><a data-type="5ebb05d05f726e26221fb8d1">The 5 types of anxiety disorders and how to know if you have one</a>

5 science-backed benefits of ashwagandha and how to take it

Covid-19 can cause male <keyword id="24295" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="infertility">infertility</keyword> by harming the testicular cells which produces sperms thereby making it difficult to make the female pregnant, says a new study done by the scientists of Israel.<br /><br />The study, published in the journal of Fertility and Sterility, claims that the studied men had a reduction of around 50 percent on average of the number of sperm per milliliter, total volume of ejaculate, and motility of sperm. <br /><br />Nobody knows yet how severe this problem is and these effects are reversible or not. Infection is accepted as a possible underlying cause of male infertility. For example mumps may have a long term effect on fertility of male patients and can cause azoospermia, so we know viruses can have such an impact. <br /><br />Dr Shobha Gupta, Medical Director and <keyword id="288193" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="IVF-specialist">IVF Specialist</keyword> from Mother's Lap IVF Centre says: "I wouldn't be surprised if this virus causes a temporary down in sperm production. People who get corona virus are probably quite unwell, they are having low immunity even influenza will cause a decline in sperm count temporarily. The question is how long it will last and whether it is recoverable." <br /><br />"Every time there is a new thing coming up with this virus, we are still learning and if the person has low immunity and is prone to catch the infection in any way the sperm count is affected and can cause male infertility" she added. <br /><br />Dr Shweta Goswami, Sr. Consultant IVF from Jaypee Hospital Noida and IVF Consultant from <keyword id="10143861" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="zeeva-clinic">Zeeva Clinic</keyword> explains: "Any viral infection but just Covid-19 can lead to high grade fever and decrease in sperm count and motility at least temporarily. It's too early to suggest anything for Covid-19 as semen changes can take up to 3-4 months post infection and numbers are too low at present but it could potentially cause harm and any sort of illness fever can reduce sperm count and motility and this may hold for corona virus as well." <br /><br />Mask-wearing can help to protect their fertility during the pandemic, even if one ultimately becomes infected. <br /><br />"Men who have moderate or serious Covid-19 infections could find their fertility impaired for an unknown amount of time. Because mild cases don't seem to affect fertility, I would advise men to wear facemasks. This way, even if they get sick, their immune systems will be dealing with a smaller viral load and consequently they'll have a milder form of the disease and there has to be more studies to confirm how severe this problem is, once the patient recovers semen parameters may improve" said Dr. <keyword id="4400688" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="anubha-singh">Anubha Singh</keyword>, another city based Gynecologist and IVF Specialist from Shantah Fertility Centre. <br /><br />"If people are protected by a mask, and the smaller the load of catching the infection, the better the immune system's chances of beating the virus while still in the mild stage and having minimal impact on sperm" added Dr. Anubha Singh. <br /><br />Choose a healthy life and take precautions, as this virus is very new and nobody knows how to recover from it or how not to catch the infection. So we have to be our on guard till the vaccine comes. Follow these advices as precautions to protect fertility: <br /><br /><ul><li><keyword id="8276760" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="wear-masks">Wear Masks</keyword> and do proper sanitizing</li><li>Avoid being overweight</li><li>Do not smoke and refrain yourself as much as you can from consuming alcohol</li><li>Do not wear tight underwear as it can affect the circulation of blood in the genital region and raise the temperature of the testicles which further decreases the sperm count</li><li>Avoid keeping mobile phones near genital area as it causes radiation also do not place laptops on your lap as it can raise the scrotum temperature</li><li>Eat nutritious food and exercise regularly to maintain healthy immunity </li></ul>SEE ALSO: <br /><a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/covid-19-vaccine-updates-pfizer-begins-clinical-trials-in-japan-moderna-expects-interim-results-in-november/articleshow/78782779.cms">COVID-19 vaccine updates: — Pfizer begins clinical trials in Japan, Moderna expects interim results in November</a>

Coronavirus may cause male infertility by harming the testicular cells, claims study

<img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5e987da88427e96bb94a7d62-2400/ap18319583592706.jpg" alt="Walmart" /><p class="source"><span>AP Photo/David J. Phillip</span></p><p class="caption">Walmart has been forced to stop selling certain items in its stores in some states.</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>Costco, Walmart, Target, and other retailers have been barred from selling certain nonessential goods in parts of the US. </li><li>The rules are meant to reduce crowding amid the coronavirus.</li><li>But Neil Saunders, the managing director of GlobalData Retail, says the restrictions are burdensome and show "a total ignorance of how retail works."</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul><p style="font-weight: 400;">Governments in parts of the US have <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/costco-walmart-target-stop-selling-non-essential-items-select-states-2020-4?r=US&amp;IR=T">ordered retailers</a> including Costco, Walmart, and Target to stop selling certain nonessential goods, such as clothing, furniture, toys, and paint, in stores. </p><p style="font-weight: 400;">The restrictions are meant to reduce shopper traffic in stores, but Neil Saunders, the managing director of GlobalData Retail, says these rules show a "complete lack of understanding" of how retailers operate. </p><p style="font-weight: 400;">Saunders highlighted four problems with banning nonessential goods in stores in an email to Business Insider. He also shared his thoughts on <a href="https://twitter.com/NeilRetail/status/1248828613232693248">Twitter</a>.</p><ul><li><strong>Stores can't handle higher volumes for pickup and delivery of online orders.</strong> "It is fine for authorities to recommend online ordering as a replacement, but most stores are <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-walmart-expand-online-grocery-for-desperate-shoppers-2020-4">already struggling to cope</a> with both pickup and delivery so it is not at all clear how they'd cope with even higher online volumes as a result of nonessential sales restrictions," Saunders wrote.</li><li><strong>The line between essential and nonessential is "very arbitrary" and if the government becomes too restrictive, it could <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/costco-walmart-target-ban-on-nonessential-items-shoppers-revolt-2020-4">lose the support of the public</a>.</strong> "Generally, the public has been supportive of the [coronavirus] restrictions as they see them as prudent and measured," Saunders wrote. "However, if government becomes too dictatorial and unreasonable in their actions that support could start to wane."</li><li><strong>The extra restrictions are burdensome. </strong>"It is hard enough keeping an essential retail business running these days, without adding more regulations for them to follow."</li><li><strong>Some officials have suggested that stores remove nonessential goods from the sales floor, but there's no space to store these goods.</strong> "Even suggesting that retailers can remove all the nonessential stock from the floor shows a total ignorance of how retail works," Saunders wrote. "There is not enough stockroom space for this, especially as there are more essential products coming down the supply chain."</li></ul><p style="font-weight: 400;">David Henkes, a global food and beverage consultant for Technomic, has also highlighted issues with government officials determining what goods or stores are essential.</p><p style="font-weight: 400;">"Anything that has a broad food or beverage designation or sells those types of products is considered essential and [it] becomes almost impunitive at some point to say, 'Well, we're going to exclude beverages [like] alcohol,'" he said, referring to the decisions in some areas to deem liquor stores nonessential. </p><p style="font-weight: 400;">But some government officials say the rules are meant to protect shoppers and employees. </p><p style="font-weight: 400;">"Large 'big box' retailers generate significant shopping traffic by virtue of their size and the variety of goods offered in a single location," Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development Secretary Lindsay Kurrle said in a <a href="https://accd.vermont.gov/press-releases/agency-commerce-and-community-development-directs-%E2%80%9Cbig-box%E2%80%9D-retailers-cease-person">statement</a> on March 31. "This volume of shopping traffic significantly increases the risk of further spread of this dangerous virus to Vermonters and the viability of Vermont's health care system."</p><p style="font-weight: 400;">Vermont has banned the sale of goods including arts and crafts, beauty supplies, carpeting, clothing, electronics, furniture, jewelry, and more in stores that remain open.</p><p class="tagline"><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/intelligence/drones-101?IR=T&amp;itm_source=businessinsider&amp;itm_medium=ctgr_bii&amp;itm_term=ctgr_leadgen&amp;itm_content=walmart&amp;itm_campaign=drones-101"><img src="https://static.businessinsider.com/image/5b199f571ae66246008b4923" alt="Exclusive FREE Report: Drones 101 by Business Insider Intelligence" style="width: 100% !important" /></a></p>            <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/worlds-most-expensive-liquid-thoroughbred-horse-semen-2020-3">Why thoroughbred horse semen is the world's most expensive liquid</a></h3>                    <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/j7wBSBzh-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;"></iframe>            

Analyst slams new rules preventing Costco, Walmart, and Target from selling from selling 'nonessential' items such as toys and clothing in certain parts of the US

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5b505711f3fd991b008b47bf-1138/man wine.jpg" border="0" alt="man wine" data-mce-source="Olena Yakobchuk / Shutterstock" data-link="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/impossible-choose-one-beverage-among-many-528768988" /><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/impossible-choose-one-beverage-among-many-528768988">Olena Yakobchuk / Shutterstock</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul><li><strong>A new study suggests drinking in moderation could boost male fertility.</strong></li><li><strong>Men who drank four to seven units a week had higher sperm counts and semen volume.</strong></li><li><strong>But the study comes with limitations, such as people self reporting their drinking habits.</strong></li><li><strong>More research is needed to really know what the impact is.</strong></li></ul><hr /><p><br />There's no doubt that drinking too much alcohol is pretty bad for you, but it's hard to keep up with whether or not drinking in moderation can have positive benefits.</p><p>For example, past research has appeared to show how having a few drinks a week <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/news/heart-and-lungs/does-moderate-drinking-reduce-heart-failure-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">may improve heart health</a>. But some studies have since been revised, due to poor methodology or the fact that they were <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/news/heart-and-lungs/is-a-pint-of-beer-a-day-good-for-the-heart/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">funded by the alcohol industry</a>.</p><p>Scientists are trying to clear up the confusion, and one study earlier this year did find <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/drinkers-may-outlive-teetotalers-2018-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">people who drink in moderation could actually live longer than teetotalers</a>. And according to a new study, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/andr.12521" target="_blank" rel="noopener">published in the journal Andrology</a>, men who drink around four to seven units of alcohol a week may be more fertile than those who drink less.</p><p>The researchers recruited 323 men, about 10% of whom were teetotal, 30% drank one to three units a week, 30% drank four to seven units a week, and the remaining 30% drank more than eight units a week.</p><p>According to the results, drinking four to seven units a week was linked to higher sperm count and semen volume. In other words, the men who drank moderately were likely to be more fertile.</p><p>The study adds to a convoluted body of research. For instance, <a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/4/9/e005462" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one study from 2014</a> found that sperm concentration and total sperm count were negatively associated with alcohol intake. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16213844" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Another study from 2005</a> suggested semen volume and sperm concentration were lower in alcoholics compared with abstainers.</p><p>"However, in other studies alcohol did not seem to play any role," Elena Ricci et al wrote in the new paper. "The inconsistency between our findings and previous studies may be due to the different way of categorization of alcohol consumption and to the different drinking habits of the populations studied."</p><p>There's also the problem with self reporting, which can skew results. People tend to be dishonest - intentionally or not - when they talk about things like their sex lives, drugs, and alcohol consumption.</p><p>Ricci said in a statement that in Italy alcohol consumption is common, but usually limited to small quantities, and "since the dose makes the poison, they are counselled to limit but not avoid alcohol."</p><p>Drinking excessively is notoriously bad for health, and <a href="https://www.bostonmedicalgroup.com/alcohol-and-low-testosterone-excessive-drinking-can-lower-testosterone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has been shown to lower testosterone and sperm levels</a>. But when it comes to drinking in moderation, more research is needed to conclude what the real benefits and costs are.</p><p>In terms of fertility, recent research has shown how diet can have an impact. Earlier this year, a study found that <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/eating-nuts-boosts-male-fertility-2018-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">eating two handfuls of nuts a day could improve men's sperm counts</a>. Certain vitamins, such as zinc, have also been associated with <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-diet-can-affect-menopause-2018-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">women going into the menopause later</a>.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/what-if-jump-off-international-space-station-2018-6">What would happen if you could skydive off the International Space Station</a></h3>        <div>            <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/Hz2lozP6-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script>        </div>    </div>

Moderate drinking could increase male fertility, according to a new study

<ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>To increase your <keyword id="6359009" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="sperm">sperm</keyword> count start exercising and eat a healthy diet full of vitamins. </strong></li><li>You can also increase your sperm count if you quit smoking and avoid consuming more than two drinks a day. </li><li>Those with <keyword id="6414006" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fertility">fertility</keyword> problems may want to consider taking a D-AA supplement to increase their sperm count. </li><li><strong>This article was reviewed by <a href="https://health.tamu.edu/experts/jason-mcknight.html">Jason R. McKnight</a>, MD, MS, a family-medicine physician and clinical assistant professor at <a href="https://medicine.tamu.edu/">Texas A&amp;M College of Medicine</a>. </strong></li></ul><p>Sperm count refers to the amount of sperm per milliliter of semen. Measuring sperm count is usually part of a sperm analysis that also examines the shape of sperm and their motility. All these factors can play a role in a man's fertility.</p><p>It only takes one sperm to fertilize an egg, but the higher your sperm count, the better your chances are of impregnating your partner, says <a href="https://www.newhopefertility.com/about-us/fertility-doctor/zaher-merhi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zaher Merhi</a>, MD, OB-GYN and fertility expert at New Hope Fertility Center. </p><p>Millions of sperm are in one ejaculation, but only a few hundred will make it to the egg. Many sperm die in the <a href="https://crh.ucsf.edu/fertility/conception" target="_blank" rel="noopener">acidic environment of the vagina</a> before they migrate up to the uterus and into the fallopian tubes. </p><p>A normal sperm count is between <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-sperm-count/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374591" target="_blank" rel="noopener">15 million and 200 million</a> sperm per milliliter of semen. A sperm count less than that could result in difficulties conceiving.</p><p>What you eat, how often you exercise, and your overall lifestyle can have an impact on your sperm count. Here are six ways to increase your sperm count and boost your chances of conceiving. </p><h2>1. Lose weight </h2><p>Overweight men <a href="https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(07)03775-2/pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tend to have lower sperm counts</a> than those in the normal weight range, Merhi says. This could be due to overheating, which <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-long-can-sperm-live-outside-the-body#:~:text=Outside%20the%20body%2C%20sperm%20can,conditions%2C%20it%20could%20live%20indefinitely." target="_blank" rel="noopener">can kill sperm</a>. Excess body fat around the testicles could insulate them, causing them to get warmer. </p><p>Hormonal changes in overweight men can also negatively affect sperm production. Overweight men are more likely to have lower testosterone levels and higher estradiol levels, which can <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3521747/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">negatively impact sperm production</a>.</p><p>If you have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher, losing even a small amount of weight can increase your sperm count. A <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27085565/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2016 study</a> published in the Journal of Urology — an Iranian publication — examined the effects of weight loss on sperm count in 200 men with BMIs over 25. After a six-month intensive exercise program, the researchers observed significant increases in semen volume and sperm concentration among those in the weight loss group compared to the control group. </p><h2>2. Start Exercising </h2><p>The function of the reproductive system depends on the general <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health">health</keyword> of the body, so when a man exercises regularly, the testicles function better and sperm count improves, Merhi says. </p><p>A <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4191451/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2014 study</a> published in Human Reproduction examined 231 men seeking fertility treatment and their levels of physical activity.  The researchers found that weight lifting, running, and jogging, were associated with higher sperm concentrations than other types of exercise like walking and aerobics. </p><p>While this study found that some types of exercise are better at improving sperm count than others, any exercise is better than none, says <a href="https://springfertility.com/team/coming-soon-dr-temeka-zore/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Temeka Zore</a>, MD, OB-GYN, and reproductive endocrinologist at Spring Fertility. Because exercise reduces inflammation, which can improve sperm function.</p><p>Some <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5675222/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">studies</a> have shown that certain types of exercise, like bicycling, could be associated with a reduction in sperm count, but more research is needed to draw definitive conclusions about what types of exercise are best, Zore says. </p><p>"Studies are limited and inconclusive on the exact type or amount of exercise that may improve sperm counts," Zore says. "There are no high-quality studies that conclusively state one exercise is better than another." </p><h2>3. Quit smoking </h2><p>Smoking can <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4709430/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">negatively impact sperm count</a>, so quitting can improve your sperm health. According to a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16966350/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2007 analysis</a> published in Human Reproduction, men who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day experience a 19% reduction in sperm concentration compared to nonsmokers. </p><p>The exact reason why smoking reduces sperm count isn't entirely known, but a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4709430/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2015 review</a> published in the World Journal of Men's Health found that smoking can lead to DNA damage in the sperm, which reduces fertility.</p><p>Even if you've smoked for years, stopping will make your sperm healthier, Merhi says. It takes about three months for the testicles to produce fresh sperm, so men who quit at least three months before conception will have healthier sperm and a better chance at fertilizing an egg. </p><h2>4. Avoid substance abuse </h2><p>Moderate alcohol consumption, which is about <a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/moderate-binge-drinking" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two drinks a day for men</a>, doesn't appear to have an adverse effect on sperm count, Merhi says. However, some studies suggest that <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15229-drugs-and-male-fertility" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heavy drinking</a>, defined as <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15229-drugs-and-male-fertility" target="_blank" rel="noopener">14 drinks</a> or more a week, can reduce sperm quality and lower testosterone production. </p><p>Other drugs like opioids or marijuana can also <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15229-drugs-and-male-fertility" target="_blank" rel="noopener">negatively impact fertility</a>. More research is needed to see if stopping substance abuse <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/tre.414" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reverses the adverse effect it has on sperm health</a>. But, in general, abstaining from substance use and developing healthy habits can improve your sperm count and fertility.</p><p>"If you are trying to conceive, we always recommend being the healthiest version of yourself, which means avoiding smoking and drugs and drinking alcohol in moderation if you choose to drink," Zore says. </p><h2>5. Take a D-aspartic acid supplement </h2><p>D-aspartic acid (D-AA) is an amino acid that aids in the formation of proteins in the body. It is found in high concentrations in the endocrine glands, such as the ovary and testes. Because sperm, like any cell in the body, contains protein, D-AA is important for sperm function, Merhi says. </p><p>Low concentrations of D-AA can contribute to lower sperm count and motility, so taking a D-AA supplement might help, Merhi says. A <a href="https://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?paperID=24016" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2012 study</a> published in Advances in Sexual Medicine examined 60 men with fertility problems and found that taking D-AA supplements for three months substantially increased their sperm counts and sperm motility. </p><p>It is important to note that those in the study were not healthy individuals as they already had sperm disorders. Therefore, there is no conclusive evidence that D-AA supplements would increase sperm count in healthy individuals. </p><p>D-AA supplements can be purchased online and the dose is usually 2,000 to 3,000 mg taken daily, but you should consult with your doctor before taking any supplements, Merhi says. D-AA can cause irritability and headaches if you take the wrong dose, and its long term effects are not yet known. </p><h2>6. Eat a healthy diet</h2><p>What you eat also affects your sperm count and overall health. <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-are-antioxidants-good-for#:~:text=Antioxidants%20protect%20your%20cells%20against%20free%20radicals&amp;text=They're%20essential%20to%20your,lactic%20acid%20when%20you%20exercise.ise." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Antioxidants</a> in particular may improve fertility, Merhi says. <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-is-vitamin-e-good-for#:~:text=Vitamin%20E%20is%20good%20for,cell%20damage%20from%20free%20radicals." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vitamin E</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-does-vitamin-c-do" target="_blank" rel="noopener">C</a> have been shown to be <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5203687/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">good antioxidants for sperm function</a>. </p><p>A <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17004914/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2006 study</a> published in the Journal of Medicinal food examined 13 men with fertility problems between the ages of 25 and 35. The men received 1,000mg of vitamin C supplements twice a day for two months. Their sperm count increased by more than 100% and their sperm mobility by 92%. </p><p>Foods rich in Vitamin C include:</p><div type="image" title="Vitamins 05" height="3715" width="4953" msid="78286110" hostid="261"></div><p>Omega-3 fatty acids have also been <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3720081/#:~:text=Omega%2D3%20fatty%20acids%20found,sperm%20motility%2C%20and%20sperm%20morphology." target="_blank" rel="noopener">shown to improve sperm function</a>, Zore says. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids our bodies cannot produce on their own, so we must consume them in our diets. Fatty acids are part of the sperm <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6222795/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cell membrane</a>, so adequate consumption of omega-3 fatty acids may improve sperm count and motility. </p><p>Foods rich in <a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">omega-3 fatty acids</a> include:</p><ul><li>Fish</li><li>Beans</li><li>Flaxseed</li><li>Walnuts</li><li>Soybeans</li><li>Chia seeds</li><li>Avocados </li></ul><h2>The bottom line </h2><p>Many factors can affect sperm count. Luckily, there are steps you can take that may increase your sperm count and boost your chances of conceiving. Exercising, eating well, and quitting smoking are all lifestyle changes you can make to improve your fertility and your overall health.</p><h2>Related stories from <a href="https://www.insider.com/health-reference" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Health Reference</a>:</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/can-men-get-yeast-infections" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Men can get yeast infections, too — how to recognize and treat penile yeast infections </a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-increase-fertility" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to increase fertility and boost your chances of getting pregnant faster</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-long-can-sperm-live-outside-the-body" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How long can sperm live outside the body? About 15 minutes</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-check-for-testicular-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to check for testicular cancer</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-get-pregnant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to get pregnant: A guide to increasing your chances</a></strong></li></ul>

6 ways to increase sperm count and improve male fertility

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5c86ab5d2628983db4399222-1066/dangers of putting on makeup .jpg" border="0" alt="dangers of putting on makeup " data-mce-source="Marco Bertorello/AFP/Getty Images" data-mce-caption="A makeup artist applies nail polish on a model's toes backstage during the Women's Spring/Summer 2019 fashion shows in Milan, September 21, 2018." /></div></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li>The US Food and Drug Administration <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/toxic-chemicals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">barely regulates the cosmetics industry</a>: just 11 ingredients are forbidden in cosmetic products in the US. In Europe, more than 1,300 compounds are barred. </li><li>The retail chain Claire's came under fire last week after asbestos, a known <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-causes-cancer-food-products-that-increase-your-cancer-risk-2018-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cancer causer</a>, was found in eye shadow and foundation sold there. </li><li>But experts say the Claire's discovery is part a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/endocrine-disruptors-dangerous-chemicals-2019-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">larger issue</a>: the US beauty industry is not subject to many rules, and some of the ingredients makeup-makers use could make people sick. </li></ul><p>Dr. Shruthi Mahalingaiah used to love shopping at Sephora. She bought so much makeup, she said, that she even got "little random gifts" with her purchases.</p><p>"I had drawers full of makeup, all sorts of makeup," Mahalingaiah told Business Insider.</p><p>But today, she no longer sets foot in the store. Ever since she started studying the health effects that chemicals in cosmetics can have on people, Mahalingaiah - a<span> gynecologist at Boston Medical Center - </span>has paired her former beauty routine way down. </p><p><span>"Cosmetic molecules used in the shine or luminescence are often derivatives of PFAS and PFOAs," Mahalingaiah said. </span></p><p><span>These chemicals are endocrine disruptors, which mans they can subtly change how our bodies work by shifting the way our hormones operate. Such h</span><span>ormone disruptors have been linked to metabolism issues, low <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/endocrine-disruptors-dangerous-chemicals-2019-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sperm counts</a> in men, and <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/96/6/1747/2834301" target="_blank" rel="noopener">early menopause</a> in women. They can also do long-term damage to a developing fetus, subtly reducing a baby's brain power and upping the odds of a premature birth.</span></p><p><span>PFAS chemicals are not the only problematic ingredients in makeup: </span>Asbestos, a known cancer-causer, was <a href="https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm632736.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found in Claire's eye shadows and face powder</a> last week.</p><p>"It wasn't surprising to me, because there's no regulation," <span>Mahalingaiah said. </span></p><p><span>The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to use the three Claire's products that tested positive for asbestos, but the agency has said it "does not have authority to mandate a recall."</span></p><p><span>On Tuesday, however, outgoing FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb announced that Claire's is complying with the FDA's voluntary recall request. </span></p><p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5c87c1f32628981f1966c219-1009/claires voluntary recall .png" border="0" alt="claire's voluntary recall " data-mce-source="FDA" data-link="https://twitter.com/SGottliebFDA/status/1105472394607632386" /></div></div></div></span></p><p><span>But Leo Trasande, a public-health expert from NYU's Langone Health network, thinks the FDA could do a lot more to communicate the health risks of cosmetics to the public and test for dangerous compounds in makeup products.</span></p><p><span>"This is quite late in the game for FDA to rush out and insist that this is a problem," Trasande, who recently <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42202336-sicker-fatter-poorer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote a book</a> on endocrine-disrupting chemicals, told Business Insider.  </span><span>"They've known that this is a problem for some time. </span><span>There is no level of asbestos that is safe." </span></p><h2><span>The US hasn't enacted new cosmetics regulation in over 80 years</span></h2><p><span>The US law that regulates cosmetics - the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act - hasn't changed since it was enacted in 1938. While Europe has banned over 1,300 chemicals from the products for sale there, the US <a href="https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/guidanceregulation/lawsregulations/ucm127406.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">forbids just 11</a>. </span><span>Congress wrote drafts of new cosmetic rules in <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/2359/all-actions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2011</a> and <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/6903/all-actions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2018</a>, but neither set was enacted. </span><span></span></p><p><span>Today, lawmakers on Capitol Hill are once again discussing the potential health risks from products we're putting on our lips, eyes, and bodies. </span></p><p><span>"Cosmetics have largely fallen into a regulatory black hole," Scott Faber, the senior vice president of government affairs at the Environmental Working Group, said in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoBEfjsFmZg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sworn testimony</a> before the House <a href="https://oversight.house.gov/legislation/hearings/examining-the-public-health-risks-of-carcinogens-in-consumer-products" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy</a> on Tuesday. "Cosmetics manufacturers do not have to register with FDA, do not have to report ingredients, do not have to report adverse events."</span></p><p><span>This is different from how the FDA treats drugs, medical devices, and food. </span></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5c86ab112628983d5d530002-1200/beauty products dangerous chemicals.jpg" border="0" alt="beauty products dangerous chemicals" style="color: #000000;" data-mce-source="Joe Maher/BFC/Getty Images" data-mce-caption="A model has makeup applied backstage during London Fashion Week at Mary Ward House on February 17, 2018 in London, England." /></div></div></div></p><p><span>The lack of regulation essentially means that manufacturers of makeup, shampoo, lotion, and other personal-care products in the US can put almost anything they want into those items, including compounds known to raise cancer risk, like <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/coal-tar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">coal tar</a>, <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/formaldehyde/formaldehyde-fact-sheet#r2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">formaldehyde</a>, and <a href="https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/productsingredients/potentialcontaminants/ucm388820.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lead</a>. </span></p><p><span>To make matters murkier, producers are permitted to label their products with ingredients like "fragrance" or "parfum" instead of disclosing the specific chemicals that make up those elements of a product, since those formulations are considered trade secrets. So fragranced beauty products could easily contain a toxic compound without consumers ever knowing. </span></p><h2>How much toxin is too much?</h2><p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5c86ab1126289878bc0f6575-1200/chemicals in makeup.jpg" border="0" alt="chemicals in makeup" data-mce-source="Juan Mabromata/AFP/Getty Images" data-mce-caption="A woman applies lipstick on International Women's day in Buenos Aires, March 8, 2019." /></div></div></div></span></p><p>Because cosmetics are designed to make people attractive to others, they often mimic one of nature's best-known phenomena: the glow women get when pregnant.</p><p>"Thick eyelashes, thick eyebrows, flushed cheeks, big lips, all of this happens under the effects of estrogen," <span>Mahalingaiah said, adding, </span>"it might be the effect a person putting on the makeup might want, but through a pathway that's maybe not the healthiest." </p><p><span>Scientists know that exposure to asbestos raises a person's cancer risk, but the effects of the hormone-disrupting chemicals that can be found in makeup aren't as clear. </span>Researchers are still trying to figure out, for example, how compounds in anti-aging products bind to the estrogen receptors in our bodies. But there are signs that women who use more cosmetics may see <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27545020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">health consequences like early menopause,</a> more <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1600-0757.2011.00407.x" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hot flashes</a>, painful cases of <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/es204415a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">endometriosis</a>, and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651313002273" target="_blank" rel="noopener">long-term damage to their DNA</a>, which can <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-causes-cancer-food-products-that-increase-your-cancer-risk-2018-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lead to cancer</a>. </p><p><span>"Why do we always need to look fertile and pregnant?" Mahalingaiah asked. </span></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5c8696d226289806b3067cba-1286/ap17195358229786.jpg" border="0" alt="Beyonce Pregnant" data-mce-source="Matt Sayles/AP Images" /></div></div></div></p><p><span>Research on endocrine disruptors also suggests that the chemicals could subtly <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/endocrine-disruptors-dangerous-chemicals-2019-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">slow down people's metabolisms and contribute to chronic health issues like obesity and infertility</a>, even in small doses. This is true for people of all ages and sexes, including unborn babies.</span><span></span></p><p>Take phthalates, for example: the ingredients that keep products like shampoo fresh.</p><p>"Phthalates disrupt the function of the male sex hormone," <span>Mahalingaiah</span> said.</p><p><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25743932" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Studies</a> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26087406" target="_blank" rel="noopener">show</a> that men exposed to high concentrations of those chemicals in the womb can have lower testicular volume, less semen, and lower semen quality than other men. </p><h2>The best solution may be to simply use fewer products</h2><p><span>Mahalingaiah said she recently performed an at-home urine test on herself, and found elevated concentrations of parabens (one of the most common <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/By_the_way_doctor_Are_parabens_dangerous" target="_blank" rel="noopener">estrogen-influencing</a> ingredients in beauty products) in her body. She also found the sunscreen ingredient <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/Benzophenone-3_FactSheet.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">benzophenone-3 (BP-3)</a>, which can mess with the way hormones typically function.  </span></p><p><span>To the dismay of her three young daughters, Mahalingaiah said she threw away her 100-shade eyeshadow palettes, since</span><span> <a href="https://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2018/EM/c8em00368h#!divAbstract">PFAS chemicals</a> are often used to make those cosmetics shimmer.</span></p><p><span>Mahalingaiah now recommends that any step in a person's beauty routine that isn't obviously beneficial to their health (like putting on sunscreen) should probably be re-examined. </span></p><p><span>"My piece of advice would be thinking about why [people] think they need a lot of makeup," she said. </span><span>"People are using makeup primers, and then base coats, and then these other coats, and then the spray that locks it all in.</span><span>"</span></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5c86ac5c2628980a585af4c3-1200/sparkily makeup chemicals are dangers to health.jpg" border="0" alt="sparkily makeup chemicals are dangers to health" style="color: #000000;" data-mce-source="Sergei Bobylev/TASS via Getty Images" data-mce-caption="A model gets her makeup done backstage before a catwalk show during Russian Fashion Week in Moscow, October 16, 2018." /></div></div></div></p><p><span>Each additional product a person uses could raise the risk that their endocrine system gets disrupted, she said. Even so-called "natural" beauty products, which purport to have fewer fragrances and plasticizers than others, can still masquerade as a healthier alternative with largely the same ingredients.</span></p><p><span>"How much <keyword id="41551" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="science">science</keyword> do you need, when there are known carcinogens or toxicants, to make a choice to reduce exposure?" Mahalingaiah asked. "How much data do you need?" </span></p><p><span>Still, she admits that she still falls for the shimmering, radiant formulations chemists have come up on occasion.</span></p><p><span>"I haven't thrown everything out," Mahalingaiah said. </span><span>"I just reduce the frequency of use." </span></p><p><span>Trasande said he, too, has made changes in his home because of his research findings - he has thrown out etched and scratched kitchen plastics, and he tries to circulate more fresh air through his home to clear out toxins. </span></p><p><span>Trasande suggests consumers vet their own personal care products through a database like <a href="https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EWG's Skin Deep</a></span><span>. </span></p><p><span>Once you stop using endocrine-disrupting chemicals, studies suggest concentrations of them in your body can diminish quickly. A</span><span> <a href="https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/ehp.1510514" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2016 study</a> of 100 14- to 18-year-old girls showed that when they stopped using personal-care products with ingredients like phthalates, parabens, triclosan, and BP-3, their urine concentrations of those chemicals dropped 27-45% in just three days. </span></p><p><span>Mahalingaiah said it's important for consumers to think about how to reduce their exposure: "What do you really need? Can you do with less?" she asked.</span><span></span></p><p><span>Making do with fewer products, of course, will also save you some cash.</span></p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-causes-cancer-food-products-that-increase-your-cancer-risk-2018-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-read-more-link="" data-e2e-name="read-more-link">32 of the most dangerous things science has strongly linked to cancer</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/endocrine-disruptors-dangerous-chemicals-2019-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-read-more-link="" data-e2e-name="read-more-link">A toxic-chemicals expert is sounding the alarm about 4 cancer-linked chemicals that could be making us sicker and fatter</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-much-vitamin-d-do-you-need-suntanning-isnt-necessary-2018-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-read-more-link="" data-e2e-name="read-more-link">A Yale skin cancer expert says the popular notion that you need to soak up Vitamin D from the sun is a myth</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/does-baby-powder-cause-cancer-johnson-and-johnson-lawsuit-2018-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-read-more-link="" data-e2e-name="read-more-link">Johnson &amp; Johnson is being investigated by the SEC over fears its baby powder may cause cancer - here's how worried you should be</a></li></ul>

Asbestos has been found in Claire's eye shadow, highlighting a disturbing 'black hole' in beauty-product safety

<img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5e96329ed5873a13436454c3-2400/ap19273592978875.jpg" alt="Grubhub Seamless ordering sign at restaurant" /><p class="source"><span>Mark Lennihan/AP Images</span></p><p class="caption">Third-party delivery services are often seen by restaurant owners as a necessary evil.</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>Third-party delivery platforms like Grubhub and Doordash claim to be helping restaurants through the pandemic, but restaurant owners say they're doing the opposite.</li><li>Most delivery platforms charge restaurants a roughly 30% commission on every order, and restaurant owners say platforms have been slow to offer support and even pay what they owe.</li><li>On Monday, Doordash announced it would slash fees by 50% through the end of May, but Grubhub is fighting a similar order in San Francisco.</li><li>Business Insider spoke to restaurant data and marketing entrepreneur Abhinav Kapur, who said, "If there was ever a time to prove that you were a partner to the industry, now it would be the time to do it."</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul><p>Third-party delivery platforms like Grubhub and Doordash present themselves as allies of the restaurant industry, claiming to support small businesses by <a href="https://www.openfordelivery.com/">encouraging delivery</a>. </p><p>But restaurant owners and advocates say that third-party delivery services have done just the opposite.</p><p>On Monday, a proposed class-action lawsuit was <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-food-delivery-laws/grubhub-doordash-postmates-uber-eats-are-sued-over-restaurant-prices-amid-pandemic-idUSKCN21V2C1">filed</a> against Grubhub, Doordash, Postmates, and Uber Eats for overcharging restaurants to process delivery orders. The lawsuit, filed by three consumers, claimed that by giving customers discounts and forcing restaurants to pay the cost, third-party services have driven up menu prices.</p><p>Spokespeople for Doordash and Grubhub declined to comment on the lawsuit. A spokesperson for Uber Eats did not immediately return Business Insider's request for comment.</p><p>Grubhub in particular has <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2020/04/05/its-time-to-stop-using-grubhub-seamless-forever/">come under fire</a> recently for its "Supper for Support" promotion, which offers discounts to customers in the purported interest of supporting restaurants. However, in order for a restaurant to participate in the promotion, it must first sign a <a href="https://lp.grubhub.com/supper-for-support-terms-conditions-4-15-f/">contract</a> stating the restaurant will pay the total cost for the discount, and pay Grubhub a pre-discount processing fee for orders.</p><p>Grubhub has also asked its customers to <a href="https://sf.eater.com/2020/4/10/21216546/san-francisco-delivery-cap-doordash-grubhub-uber-eats-postmates-caviar">oppose</a> an order by San Francisco mayor London Breed that mandates delivery services to slash their fees in half. The email Grubhub sent out to consumers is titled "Do your part to save local restaurants." But restaurants have been begging for reduced fees from Grubhub and its competitors long before the pandemic began.</p><p>A Grubhub spokesperson told Business Insider, "We're committed to helping restaurants, drivers, and diners through this challenging time and investing in programs that directly drive more business to our restaurant partners. There was some initial confusion about Supper for Support, an entirely optional initiative to drive more business to restaurants, and we made changes to the promotion more than a week ago to fund $30 million - $250 per restaurant - that we expect will stimulate $100M in food sales for restaurants."</p><p>The restaurant industry has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/1-in-5-restaurants-could-close-due-to-coronavirus-ubs-2020-4">experts predict</a> that one in five restaurants might not make it through to the other side. And sky-high processing fees for businesses that already operate on razor-thin profit margins are just another nail in the coffin.</p><p>"It's one thing when you're paying the 20 to 30% on a delivery order to Grubhub or Doordash when delivery is only 30% of your business," Abhinav Kapur, the co-founder and CEO of Bikky, a data-driven marketing startup for restaurants, told Business Insider. "But when everybody's forced to stay home and delivery becomes 100% of your business and you're paying somebody 20 to 30% on pretty much every dollar you make, most of your revenue has disappeared overnight."</p><p>For restaurants that had no in-house delivery service prior to the pandemic, third-party delivery platforms have been a necessary evil. Since third-party platforms have such a command on the delivery market, it's almost mandatory for restaurants to sign up for their services if they want to be visible to consumers.</p><h1>"You can't have food delivery without the food"</h1><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5e9634d4dcd88c1f3e532417-2222/jade garden-23.jpg" alt="Jade Garden 23" /><p class="source"><span>Irene Jiang/Business Insider</span></p><p class="caption">Jade Garden owner Eric Chan packages up a to-go container of dim sum.</p><p>Smokin J's is a Poway, California barbeque restaurant that opened in December 2019, just three months before the shutdowns began. The owners, brothers Josh and Jeremy George, said that signing up for delivery services enabled them to continue making a profit.</p><p>"Before they even shut the restaurants down, we kind of saw that we needed to convert quickly," Jeremy told Business Insider. The brothers scrambled to sign up for every delivery service imaginable and set up their own online ordering system through their website. As a result, business is decent, and Smokin J's has even been able to hire new employees during the crisis.</p><p>Even though the brothers still manage to turn a profit, the services they're working with haven't been making it easy.</p><p>"They're taking roughly 30% off of all of our sales," said Jeremy. "Some of them take a little more than 30%, and then we also average about 10 to 15% tips, which we don't get when we use those ordering systems. So it's almost as if we lose 45% in each of those transactions."</p><p>Jeremy said that the services also haven't paid the brothers on time. "We're trying to get Grubhub to pay us. They owe us for an entire month that they haven't paid us for. And we still can't get a hold of anyone to get our direct payments set up with them."</p><p>Grubhub still owes Smokin J's about a thousand dollars, Jeremy said. "Most restaurants don't like selling food for free," said Jeremy. "I try to give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they don't deserve it, but I know they are scrambling a little bit too with the influx of new customers."</p><p>A spokesperson for Grubhub said that a check for the owed amount was sent to the restaurant earlier this month. The George brothers say that they still have not received anything, but they finally got in touch with a Grubhub service representative.</p><p>Eric Chan, the owner of Seattle dim sum mainstay Jade Garden, says he's grateful for what Doordash has done to accommodate his restaurant's situation.</p><p>"They take a lot from us but we're selling in high volumes and quantity so that kind of offsets a little bit," said Chan. "But we're pretty thankful for Doordash. They've been making it easy on us, but customer support is kind of hard. Their hours are shorter and so reaching them when we have technical difficulties or customers have technical difficulties has kind of stalled."</p><p>A Doordash spokesperson told Business Insider that when the pandemic hit, the company experienced a shortage of support agents due to shelter-in-place restrictions. The company temporarily rescinded their call center support but continued to offer in-app merchant support, the spokesperson said, and phone support was turned back on over a week ago.</p><p>Doordash and its subsidiary, Caviar, announced on Monday it would <a href="https://www.inquirer.com/food/doordash-caviar-cut-delivery-fees-restaurant-food-coronavirus-20200410.html">slash fees</a> for restaurants by 50% through the end of May. But while Kapur thinks that Doordash's move is a step in the right direction, he said it's too little, too late. "The tough thing to stomach is that it's happening a month into the crisis and not a few days into the crisis."</p><p>"If there was ever a time to prove that you were a partner to the industry, now it would be the time to do it," said Kapur. "You can't have food delivery without the food. And they have built their business models and shareholder value on the backs of this industry."</p>            <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/worlds-most-expensive-liquid-thoroughbred-horse-semen-2020-3">Why thoroughbred horse semen is the world's most expensive liquid</a></h3>                    <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/j7wBSBzh-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;"></iframe>            

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