Main Page                                                 Archives

BOTTOMLINES

Celebs sacrificing life for looks

     New York: Stunning looks are crucial to the celluloid celebrities and perhaps even more important than their lives as a recent report has revealed that many of the top Hollywood stars are taking fatal injections of a powerful substance, all in an attempt to stay young. According to the National Enquirer, desperate stars have become hooked on a drug , referred to as Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and costing as much as 2,000 dollars a month, which, experts warn can increase the risk of breast, colon and prostate cancer as well as diabetes. According to the paper, some of the top Hollywood stars including Pam Anderson, Janet Jackson, Jessica Simpson, Madonna, Demi Moore, Brad Pitt, Marla Maples, Nick Nolte, Britney Spears, and Jennifer Aniston, reportedly resort to HGH to maintain their young looks. "HGH is the current trend taking Hollywood by storm," celebrity image consultant Daniel DiCriscio, was quoted by the paper, as saying. However, many health experts warn that by reporting to HGH, the celebs are gradually pushing themselves towards death. "HGH can be deadly - and there is no evidence it can rejuvenate people," Dr. Neal Barnard ,a respected public health and nutrition expert at the Washington, based Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, was quoted by the paper as saying.

     HGH is naturally secreted by the human body to promote the normal growth of children and teenagers but that production decreases with age, say experts. "There is a growing body of evidence that HGH can enhance the quality of life in aging individuals, but this is limited to the injectable form of HGH," said Dr. Marc Darrow, a Los Angeles- based pain management physician. However, when a young person with normal hormone levels takes injections of HGH, the effects can be very detrimental, warns Dr. Darrow. "It can be dangerous. We have plenty of examples of bodybuilders who have had organ failures from excess hormone use and abscesses from infected shot sites.A young person who does not need hormone therapy and takes (megadoses) to lose weight and get 'cut' may pay a high price down the road. We don't even know all the risks at this point.Taking these super doses is outside the realm of good medicine," Darrow said.

Post-split, life goes on for Jennifer Aniston (Go To Top)

     New York: Recovering from her recent split with husband Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, is making all efforts to prove that she is a strong woman who can handle crises well. According to the Star magazine, the actress has reportedly enrolled herself for psychotherapy sessions to deal with unresolved childhood issues, plans to give up smoking, getting into top physical shape and proving to her husband that she's a strong woman who can handle a superstar career.

     "Jen is trying to keep busy with friends and is focusing herself on showing Brad her strength and independence. It's important for her to demonstrate that there is life after Friends, and that she has what it takes to be a film star like he is," one of Aniston's close friends was quoted by the magazine as saying. The friend also revealed that Aniston is also determined to work out more, practice meditation and yoga and, most importantly, to quit smoking once and for all. "Jen and Brad have tried many times to stop smoking as a couple but always fell back into the bad habit.Now, as a part of turning over a new leaf, she wants to show Brad she's tough enough to quit," the friend added. The friend also revealed that since it was Brad's idea for the couple to split, Aniston is making all efforts to win him back. "It was basically Brad's idea for him and Jen to split.Brad felt the problems in their marriage had reached a standstill and that the only way to resolve things might be to give each other space. But I think every day away from Brad has been a day of misery for Jen. She' s determined to do whatever she can to win Brad back," the friend told the magazine.

Don't miss breakfast if you want an envious figure (Go To Top)

     London: People skipping breakfasts for a perfect physique must ensure that they never miss them again, as a morning meal containing high-fibre cereal, zero fat milk and fruits, not only helps shedding extra body weight but, also reduces risks of diabetes, heart failure, intestinal polyps and colon cancer. Researchers have found, that breakfast eaters are leaner than those who skip the morning meal, while a different study revealed that missing breakfast on the contrary, results in obesity, reports the February issue of Harvard Men's Health Watch. Cereals that provide at least 6 grams of fiber per serving would be perfect, provided you do not have a sweet tooth and take not more than 10 grams of sugar in one help. But of course bananas, berries, or apple slices along with non-fat milk are allowed to make it scrumptious, says the research.

     Researchers say that one can allways make the first meal of the day more delicious by spattering a bit of trans-fat-free soft margarines or cholestrol-lowering spreads that has stanols while sticking to wholegrain or pumpernickle breads. Eggs are not strictly avoidable but are better if taken during ocassional brunch as another study showed that men with diabetes taking more than one egg a day double up their cardiovascular risk. Moreover, there are no proofs that organic eggs or brands high in omega-3 fats are better. The publication also recommends a little experimentation to find the combination of healthful breakfast foods that will make for an enjoyable and healthful morning meal. It also points out that many typical breakfast foods (hash browns, bacon, croissants) have too much fat or salt while fast-food breakfasts have too much of everything, except the fiber that adds the real punch to breakfast's health benefits.

Jennifer Garner wants to quit Hollywood (Go To Top)

     London: Actress Jennifer Garner has hinted that she wants to bid adieu to acting to pursue other career prospects. The 'Elektra' star said that she would not stay in tinsletown very long, as she is keen to fulfil other career goals. "I want a graduate degree, I want to be a business woman, an investment banker, a writer, a pianist. I really wish I could cook," femalefirst quoted Garner as saying. "I've never had specific goals in life. I don't say, 'I'd like my next step to be this', and then write it down and go after it. Actually, I don't write anything down. I just think things to myself and they actually start to happen. So watch out," she added.