By Nicole Catanese, Designed by Ammiel Mendoza, Refinery29

By now, you may have heard some of the health buzz surrounding your thyroid gland and the ways that it can potentially affect your health. This small gland - really, just the size and shape of a (little) butterfly - found in the base of your neck, plays a big role in your health, as well as how you feel on a daily basis. Here's how it works: your thyroid converts iodine (a substance found in foods items ranging from potatoes to dairy products) into two hormones: T3, which is triiodothyronine, and T4, known as thyroxine.

So, why should you care? "The thyroid secretes these hormones, and then they go directly into the blood, which then affects the entire the body because [the hormones travel all over your system and work into every single cell," says Betul Hatipoglu, MD, an endocrinologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. That's right - the thyroid affects everything in your body, head to toe.

The problem: the

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by Lexi Patronis, Glamour

If you made New Year's goals to exercise more (lots of us! Me too!) and get healthier in general, then be sure to include a super-important body part in your workout regimen: your brain.

Ha. But seriously--how often do you exercise your brain? The experts behind Lumosity--a brain-training site--say it's important to give your brain regular workouts. Not just because it helps keep your brain healthy and happy, but also because it will help the rest of you get in shape! Take a look at their tips for keeping your brain shipshape (I love these):

See more: 60 Winter Nail Polish Ideas

Eat right. You do it for your body--why not your brain? Fruits and vegetables with antioxidants help prevent cell damage, and omega-3 fatty acids are important building blocks in the brain.



Go to the gym. Regular exercise can help keep your brain fit with increased levels of brain chemicals and more efficient blood circulation. Studies have even shown that

I'm sure by now you know it is flu season. This year it is making headlines and is one to watch out for. And whether or not you got a flu shot, you will want to take care of yourself this season by boosting your immunity through the foods you eat. These recipes are filled with antioxidants and plant-based super foods to keep you feeling ahead of the game. And while there is no food or nutrient that will make you immune to the flu, these tasty, vibrant recipes just may help! - By Kathy Patalsky

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Kids, Diets, and Vogue: A Q&A with Dara-Lynn WeissWhen Dara-Lynn Weiss wrote about her daughter's struggles with weight last April for Vogue, I found that I was in the minority of public opinion. People deemed her the worst mother in the world, who was sure to have a child with an eating disorder. Perhaps the example that most riled the masses was this one:
"I dressed down a Starbucks barista when he professed ignorance of the nutrition content of the kids' hot chocolate whose calories are listed as "120-210″ on the menu board: Well, which is it? When he couldn't provide an answer, I dramatically grabbed the drink out of my daughter's hands, poured it into the garbage, and stormed out."

As a formerly overweight child who went on her first diet at age 9, I completely feel for both Dara-Lynn and her daughter Bea. My mom also went public about her decision to put me on a diet as a child but didn't incite the negativity that Dara did, probably because we are so far removed from that situation today. Had my mom detailed our

Michael David Adams/Fitness MagazineBy Lauren Tumas Schumacher

It may surprise you that one of the worst health crimes you're committing is as small as forgetting to take your contacts out at night. Here, tips to bounce back fast from long days in high heels, fast food, and more.

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Falling Asleep with Your Makeup On
What's the big deal? If you're lucky, sleeping in a face full of makeup will only leave behind a pimple or two. But make it an all-the-time thing and you're asking for clogged pores and a breeding ground for bacteria to run wild on. The worst culprit? Foundation, according to Elissa Lunder, MD, FITNESS advisory board member and owner of Dermatology Partners, Inc. in Massachusetts. In some cases, Dr. Lunder has even seen people develop milia -- small, hard bumps that form on the skin. And while she says sleeping in eye makeup won't cause your lashes to fall out or give you pinkeye (whew!), dozing in mascara can cause eye swelling. But don't stop the suds at your

by Cristina Goyanes

Skip these ingredients!You think the FDA has your back? Sure, they recently proposed two new regulations to up food safety measures, specifically how food processors and farmers can work better to keep their fresh products free of dangerous bacteria (remember that killer cantaloupe outbreak from 2011?). But while it may seem like the government is out to protect us from bad-even fatal-food-borne illnesses, which cause some 3,000 deaths a year, they don't completely have our best interest-or health-in mind.

"For numerous suspicious and disturbing reasons, the U.S. has allowed foods that are banned in many other developed countries into our food supply," says nutritionist Mira Calton who, together with her husband Jayson Calton, Ph.D., wrote the new book Rich Food, Poor Food due out this February.

During a six-year expedition that took them to 100 countries on seven continents, the Caltons studied more than 150 ingredients and put together a comprehensive list of the top 13

By Brandi Koskie for DietsInReview.com

Does packing lunch ever conjure memories of that droneful "time to make the doughnuts" guy? It can start to feel monotonous, especially if you're trying to healthify the lunches, meet the demands of young picky eaters, and add enough variety to prevent anyone from getting bored. The turkey sandwich and PBJs might be hard to break away from, but the snacks are where you can really have some fun!

After all, that's what everyone wants to eat anyway.

We, of course, don't condone the inclusion of cookies, cheese puffs, and candy, but we do know of a few treats that will keep mom, dad, and the kids interested and satisfied. There's some pretty cool stuff coming out as more and more people demand better quality food. So take a look and add these to your next brown bag.

Why You Should Never Buy Girl Scout Cookies

KIND Bars. We love thFeel better about the mid-day fuel you're packing in lunchboxes.ese things and find them far more impressive than any standard "granola bar." There are fruit and yogurt bars, chocolate

Try sushi with brown rice next time.Just because food looks healthy, doesn't mean it is. Registered dietician Rachel Beller, MS, who served as a nutritional expert on NBC's The Biggest Loser, performs her patented "food autopsies" in her new book Eat To Lose, Eat To Win-and offers up healthy alternatives. From sushi to salad, Rachel debunks five major diet food myths.

By Michelle Ruiz

Skip: Wraps
Wraps are touted as a better bread alternative-but some tortillas are just colored white bread, hiding three times the carbs and calories of a slice of bread!

Instead Try: An Open-Faced Sandwich
Beat the wrap with an open-faced "value-full" sandwich of real greens and grilled chicken on whole grain toast.

Related: 9 Foods That Make You Happy

Skip: Green Tea
A green tea energy drink sounds good for you, right? Wrong: One sweet 20-ounce bottle packs the same calories of 37 lollipops!

Instead Try: Water With Lemon
H20 is always the way to go. Punch it up with lemon or other fruit to please