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Basically, a mask made out of a component of your very own blood — not anyone else's —  is spread all over your face to rejuvenate your complexion. As terrifyin

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The platelets, in particular, contain pockets called alpha granules, which secrete high levels of growth factors - more than 20, if you want to talk specifics. "They've been shown to be effective for wound healing, as well as improving skin elasticity, volume, and texture," Kim says.

When platelet-rich plasma is reintroduced to skin on its own through a non-invasive procedure, cell turnover is stimulated, and in turn, collagen and elastin production is ramped up for a plumper, tighter, and smoother complexion, Marina Peredo, a board-certified dermatologist and an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, previously shared with Allure.

What is the vampire facial process like?

Now, you're probably wondering how your blood goes from flowing through your veins to spread onto your face. Well, you'll need to get your blood drawn first. Then, the vials of your blood are placed in a centrifuge to isolate the platelets from your red blood cells.

From there, your dermatologist could go a couple of different routes with PRP. Your platelets can be injected directly into your skin like fillers "to stimulate collagen production and achieve rejuvenation," Kim says.

Alternately, you can combine your PRP treatment with other ones, like microneedling (occasionally with radiofrequency), microdermabrasion, or a resurfacing laser, like Fraxel, he adds. These procedures prep your skin for your PRP to be spread all over it. These pairings further stimulate collagen production, reduces fine lines, and accelerates wound healing. In Korea, PRP treatments are also often done in conjunction with Skin Botox, which involves shallow injections just below the skin's surface of a neurotoxic protein, for the ultimate skin elasticity-boosting elixir, Lee says.

Depending on how aggressive the microdermabrasion was, recovery might take a day or two of downtime before you're ready to hit the streets, Shamban says. You're sure to emerge from treatment a bit red, almost like a sunburn. Post-procedure sunscreen is even highly recommended. However, makeup is discouraged.
Who benefits most from PRP treatments?
Those with premature wrinkles, high levels of sun damage, or anyone who desires a fresher, more even-toned complexion are ideal candidates for the vampire facial, Shamban says. However, if you have a history of blood diseases, including clotting or bleeding disorders, you should avoid PRP treatments.

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Why Vampire Facials Are More Popular in Korea Than Ever Before

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Board-certified dermatologists divulge the bloody details behind the popular vampire facial, a skin treatment that involves PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and other procedures, such as microdermabrasion, microneedling, lasers, or Skin Botox. Plus, a dermatologist from Seoul shares why PRP is becoming an alternative to dermal fillers.

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Healthcare gamification is defined as the process of applying game mechanics, gaming principles and design techniques to non-game applications so as to amplify the user engagement and substantial health related awareness. These largely incorporate daily trackers, progress bars and the capability to share results and also enabling users to socialize with peers. Largely, healthcare gamification has significantly influenced apps targeted for self-managed medication, fitness & nutrition, physical therapy as well as emotional health. With increasing smartphone usage and internet affordability, the demand has witnessed a spike in the recent years.

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Today, researchers are striving to develop lighter, smaller, better‐controlled, more lifelike and affordable options. What’s different about the new generation of prosthetic limbs is their union with bionic technology, and the way they combine fields of study as diverse as electronics, biotechnology, hydraulics, computing, medicine, nanotechnology and prosthetics.

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Faster? Stronger? More powerful? Bionic bodies-and what they may be capable of-have captivated the human mind for centuries. From the bumbling Inspector Gadget to the near‐indestructible Terminator, the idea of using technology to build a 'better human' has resulted in continuous technological advances.

The term 'bionics' was first used in the 1960s. It combines the prefix 'bio'-meaning life-with the 'nics' of electronics. Bionics is the study of mechanical systems that function like living organisms or parts of living organisms.

While the world of bionics now encompasses almost all parts of the human body-external and internal-here we will look in detail at bionic limbs and how the technology is progressing. For more information on other bionic advancements, stay tuned for the next chapter in Nova's series on bionics.

Artificial limbs, or prostheses, are used to replace a missing body part which may have been lost due to trauma, disease or congenital defect. The type of prosthesis a person can use is dependent on the individual, including the cause of amputation or limb loss, and the location of the missing extremity.

Basic artificial limbs have been used since 600 BC. Wooden legs, metal arms, hooks for hands-while these primitive replacements gave the wearer back some semblance of movement or function, they were often uncomfortable, difficult to use, had poor functionality and were cosmetically unattractive.

A prosthetic leg from WWI. Image source: Thomas Quine / Flickr.

Today, researchers are striving to develop lighter, smaller, better‐controlled, more lifelike and affordable options. What's different about the new generation of prosthetic limbs is their union with bionic technology, and the way they combine fields of study as diverse as electronics, biotechnology, hydraulics, computing, medicine, nanotechnology and prosthetics. Technically, the field is known as biomechatronics, an applied interdisciplinary science that works to integrate mechanical elements and devices with biological organisms such as human muscles, bones, and the nervous systems.

External prosthetic limbs

Recent progress in both materials science and technology has resulted in significant advancements in prosthetic limbs. While it's tempting to imagine these limbs as giving the wearer some kind of superhuman edge, in reality, researchers at present are simply trying to recreate the functionality and range of motion experienced by a healthy human limb. This is more difficult than it sounds.

Think about it-if your nose is itchy, you scratch it. But take a moment to consider how you actually do this. First, you need to bend your elbow while raising your forearm so that it's in the correct position close to your nose. Then you need to rotate your forearm to the required angle so that your finger can reach your nose, then extend a finger and move it up and down repeatedly on the itch. And you have to do all this while applying the right amount of pressure to stop the itch, but without scratching off any skin. As you can imagine, creating a robotic limb to do all these things seamlessly, easily and quickly is quite a challenge.

Precision and calculation subconsciously underpin many seemingly simple tasks, like scratching your nose. Image source: Search Engine People Blog / Flickr.

So while giving a high five or walking up a flight of stairs might not seem like very complex activities, behind the scenes (or inside your head) your brain is constantly working to help you perform even the simplest gestures. Nerves, muscles, synapses, brain cortices-they all need to be working seamlessly to allow you to perform these tasks.

It is this interaction between thought, action and response that researchers across the world have been trying to replicate in their bionic technologies.

A number of bionic prosthetic limbs are now available which are beginning to mimic some of the functionality of the original lost limbs. Others are still at the research and development stage, but are showing great promise. Let's take a look at some of them.

Myoelectric limbs

Traditionally, upper‐limb prostheses were body powered, using cables and harnesses attached to the individual and relying on body movements to manipulate cables that control the prosthetic limb. This can be physically tiring, cumbersome and unnatural.

Myoelectric limbs are externally powered, using a battery and electronic system to control movement. Each prosthesis is custom made, attaching to the residual limb using suction technology.

Once the device has been securely attached, it uses electronic sensors to detect even the smallest traces of muscle, nerve and electrical activity in the remaining limb. This muscle activity is transmitted to the surface of the skin where it is amplified and sent to microprocessors, which use the information to control the movements of the artificial limb.

Based on the mental and physical stimulus provided by the user, the limb moves and acts much like a natural appendage. By varying the intensity of the movement of their existing functional muscles the user can control aspects such as strength, speed and grip in the bionic limb. If muscle signals cannot be used to control the prosthesis, switches with a rocker, pull-push or touch pad can be used. Improved dexterity is achieved via the addition of sensors and motorised controls, thus enabling users to perform tasks such as using a key to open a door or getting cards out of a wallet.

One of the features of this technology is the 'autograsp' function, which automatically adjusts tension when it detects a change in circumstance (such as holding a glass that is then filled with water). An added bonus of the myoelectric limb is that, like traditional body-powered devices, it can be made to replicate the appearance of a natural limb.

The disadvantages of this technology are that the battery and motor inside it makes it heavy, it's expensive, and there's a slight time delay between the user sending a command and the computer processing that command and turning it into action.

Osseointegration

Another bionic limb breakthrough is known as 'osseointegration' (OI). Derived from the Greek 'osteon', meaning bone, and the Latin 'integrare', which means to make whole, the process involves creating direct contact between living bone and the surface of a synthetic-often titanium‐based-implant.

The procedure was first performed in 1994, and uses a skeletally integrated titanium implant, connected through an opening (stoma) in the residual limb to an external prosthetic limb. The direct connection between the prosthesis and bone has several advantages:

1. It provides greater stability and control, and can reduce the amount of energy expended.

2. It does not require suction for suspension, which makes it easier and more comfortable for the user.

3. The weight‐bearing is brought back to the femur, hip joint, tibia or other bone, reducing the possibility of degeneration and atrophy that can accompany traditional prostheses.

Traditionally, the procedure requires two operations. The first involves the insertion of titanium implants into the bone and, often, extensive soft-tissue revision. The second stage, around six to eight weeks later, includes the refinement of the stoma and the attachment of the hardware that connects the implant to the external prosthetic leg. Gradually, bone and muscle begin to grow around the implanted titanium on the bone end, creating a functional bionic leg. The external prosthesis can be easily attached and removed from the abutment GLOSSARY abutment the portion of an implant that protrudes through the tissues and is designed to support a prosthesis. within a few seconds. Recently, Australia‐based surgeon Associate Professor Munjed Al Muderis has been able to perform the surgery in a single operation.

Because the prosthesis is attached directly to the bone, it has a greater range of movement, control and, in some cases, has allowed wearers to distinguish tactile difference between surfaces (such as carpet versus tiles) via osseoperception.

Monetite crystals (CaHPO₄) can be used with titanium to make it more compatible with the body. Image source: Wellcome Images / Flickr.

Gait-training, strengthening and rehabilitation are all important parts of the pre and post‐surgery procedure. Many of the recipients of the new technology have been up and walking independently within weeks of the operation, and have been able to regain much of their quality of life.

A continuing development in the field of OI is the introduction of products that use a porous metal construction, such as titanium foam. Traditional OI designs intended for the femur were not successful when applied to the tibia as the proximal tibial bone structure is highly spongy.However, with the development of titanium foam technology the application of OI has now been expanded to transtibial amputees. Associate Professor Al Muderis has pioneered a 3D-printed foam surface implant which is successfully used in transtibial amputees. These 3D-printed metal foams may promote and contribute to bone infiltration and the formation and growth of vascular systems within the defined area. In this way, the porous, bone‐like metal foam allows osteoblast GLOSSARY osteoblast a cell which secretes the substance of bone. activity to begin.

Recipients of the OI procedure say that it almost feels like the real thing. Drawbacks of this type of prosthesis are that it is costly (generally over A$80,000), and unsuitable for many types of amputee.

Mind‐controlled bionic limbs

The next advance in bionic limb technology is the emergence of mind‐controlled bionic limbs. These are prostheses which can be integrated with body tissues, including the nervous system. They are highly advanced, able to respond to commands from the central nervous system and therefore to more closely replicate normal movement and functionality, while also instantly triggering the desired movement with less 'lag time'. There are several different procedures and technologies currently in the research and development phase.

A mind-controlled prosthetic arm. Image source: US Navy / Flickr.

Targeted muscle reinnervation

A surgery called targeted muscle reinnervation uses nerves remaining after an amputation, and the same impulses from the brain that once controlled flesh and blood, to control an artificial limb. The surgery reattaches nerves that control the joints from the missing part of the limb into muscle tissue in the residual limb to allow a more natural thought process and control the prosthesis the same way as myo-electric control. Effectively, the brain impulses are linked to a computer in the prosthesis that directs motors to move the limb.

In 2014, Les Baugh, a bilateral shoulder disarticulation (through the joint) amputee, was able to use this technology to operate two upper limb prosthesis for the first time. Working with researchers at Johns Hopkins University, he was able to lift cups and perform a variety of tasks with each arm, a result of a procedure which could change the way prosthetic limbs are thought about, developed and used.

The procedure involved numerous steps over many months:

1. Les underwent targeted muscle reinnervation surgery, a procedure which reassigns nerves that once controlled the arm and hand. By reassigning the existing nerves, it became possible for Les to control his prosthetic limbs merely by thinking about the action he wanted it to perform.

2. After recovery, Les was given training on the pattern recognition system that makes up a key part of the technology. Pattern recognition algorithms are used to identify individual muscles, how they are contracting, communicating and working with each other, as well as their amplitude and frequency. This information is then used to create the actual movements of the prosthesis.

3. A brace was custom made for Les's torso and shoulders. This device supports the prosthetic limbs, while also making the neurological connections with the reinnervated muscles.

4. Les undertook further training on the limb system using a virtual integration environment.

5. Finally, the limbs were attached to the brace, and Les was able to begin to put his training into practice, moving various objects.

Researchers were surprised by the speed at which Les was able to control the technology, particularly his ability to control a range of motions across both arms at the same time-a first for simultaneous bimanual control.

I think we are just getting started ... There is just a tremendous amount of potential ahead of us, and we've just started down this road. And I think the next five to 10 years are going to bring phenomenal advancement. Revolutionizing Prosthetics Principal Investigator, Michael McLoughlin

There was also an unexpected effect in some patients undergoing this procedure: not only can they move their new limb, they can feel some sensation with it.

Implanted myoelectric sensor technology

Arms aren't the only part of the body to benefit from improved technologies. Researchers from Iceland have created a mind‐controlled prosthetic leg that uses implanted myoelectric sensor (IMES) technology. This involves sensors implanted directly into the patient's limb muscles but, unlike nerve reinnervation, there is no need to transplant nerve tissue from one part of the body to another. Implanting the IMES technology is relatively easy and simple-requiring only a 15-minute operation where each sensor is placed into the tissue via incisions just 1 centimetre long. Once inserted, the sensors don't need to be replaced unless they become damaged.

Thorvaldur Ingvarsson, the surgeon who completed the operation, described the process: "The technology allows the user's experience with their prosthesis to become more intuitive and integrative ... They no longer need to think about their movements because their unconscious reflexes are automatically converted into myoelectric impulses that control their bionic prosthesis."

A participant in the study, Gudmundur Olafsson, said, 'As soon as I put my foot on, it took me about 10 minutes to get control of it. I could stand up and just walk away ... It was like, I was moving it with my muscles, there was nobody else doing it, the foot was not doing it, I was doing it, so it was really strange and overwhelming.'

The exciting thing about IMES technology is that it can be relatively simple to fit (it does not require complex surgery), functions well in 'real life' scenarios and can work for an extended period of time.

A mind-controlled bionic leg. Image source: Army Medicine / Flickr.

Taking this a step further, in 2015 researchers at the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced that they had given a paralysed man the ability to feel physical sensations via a prosthetic robotic hand that had wires directly connected to his brain. When blindfolded, the man was able to successfully identify when which fingers on his prosthetic hand were being touched, and when.

We've completed the circuit ... Prosthetic limbs that can be controlled by thoughts are showing great promise, but without feedback from signals travelling back to the brain it can be difficult to achieve the level of control needed to perform precise movements. By wiring a sense of touch from a mechanical hand directly into the brain, this work shows the potential for seamless bio‐technological restoration of near‐natural function. DARPA program manager, Justin Sanchez

How does it all work? An array of electrodes were clinically implanted onto the man's sensory cortex-the region of the brain responsible for identifying tactile sensations such as pressure and texture. The team also placed arrays on the volunteer's motor cortex, the part of the brain that directs body movements. Wires from these arrays were connected externally to a mechanical hand, which gave the volunteer the ability to control the hand's movements. Most importantly, however, the hand contained complex torque sensors which were able to detect different levels of pressure, converting those sensations into electrical signals. These signals were then routed back to the arrays on the volunteer's brain, stimulating the sensory neurons in the brain and allowing the sensation and feeling of each finger to be 'felt' by the patient.

The technology is not yet commercially available, but offers great potential for future developments.

Such advances have made these artificial limbs more practical and intuitive, but even the most state‐of‐the-art prostheses cannot yet replicate the full functionality of natural limbs.

Cosmetic improvements

The emergence of 3D printing and computer‐aided design is beginning to help create limbs that are a perfect custom‐fit for the wearer, and should, as time progresses, become more affordable.

While many of the new bionics look like something out of a science‐fiction movie, researchers are also succeeding at creating options that look more realistic than ever before. Prostheses can now be created with anatomically correct shapes that mirror the form of the wearer, and can incorporate details such as accurate skin colour, freckles, birthmarks, hair, veins, tattoos, fingerprints and fingernails. These life-like creations can be made from PVC or a range of silicones and cover the prosthetic limb using a variety of methods, such as adhesive, stretchable skins, suction, form fitting, or a skin sleeve. For many amputees, having a limb that does not attract unwanted attention is very important.

A prosthetic hand (the person's right hand), made to be cosmetically similar to their real (left) hand. Image source: WBUR Boston's NPR News Station / Flickr.

Conclusion

What makes us human? Is it our bodies? Our brains? Our emotions? Or something more intangible? Advances in human bionics may eventually require us to rethink our concepts of what it is to be human, as the lines between human and machine become increasingly blurred.

Yet despite the desire to imagine a future of cybernetic enhancements, at present bionic limbs remain chiefly medical devices, designed to restore function and provide people who have lost limbs with a better quality of life. The bionics may look impressively futuristic, but they are not yet able to fully replicate the complexity, range of movement and functionality of a normal human limb.

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Faster? Stronger? More powerful? Bionic bodies-and what they may be capable of-have captivated the human mind for centuries. From the bumbling Inspector Gadget to the near‐indestructible Terminator, the idea of using technology to build a 'better human' has resulted in continuous technological advances. The term 'bionics' was first used in the 1960s.

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Smart speakers have begun to infiltrate our wellness regimes. The shift from screen reliance to voice commands and audio creates personal-trainer-like workouts and 'home guru'-guided meditations. The adoption of these devices jumped 78% in the US in 2018, and it is estimated that 900 million of them will be in use in the US by 2022, predicts Juniper Research.

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‘environmental conditioning’ will emerge as the 'third pillar of fitness'. This primal form of wellness suggests that humans need ‘good stress’ and/or extreme environmental exposure to fulfill fitness potential and maximise resilience.

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Gyms have often been considered a way to escape pollution-ridden cities, but new research suggests they may not be as pure as we first thought.

One study from the Building and Environment journal found there were unacceptably high levels of carbon dioxide, formaldehyde and particle pollution in indoor fitness centres. The majority of gym buildings recycle used air rather than filtering in air from the outside, which leads to a higher contained level of CO2 emitted from those exercising, and a prominence of particle matter from pounded mats and bags.

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The pandemic triggered a shift in focus on #HealthAndWellness, leading to an uptick in social sports. Cycling clubs and solo riders benefit both physically and mentally from meet-ups and ride-tracking apps that encourage on and off-ride socialising. Global cycling brands such as London-based Romance, Brookyln label Ostroy and Melbourne's MAAP lead the way by donating a portion of profits to charities that help communities in need.

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Studies are demonstrating that pets are even better for our health and well-being than previously thought. Stress reducing hormones are increased and additional biodiversity is beneficial for our microbiome – which can influence mood and even weight.

Millennials are delaying starting families but still seek companionship, and this need is driving a boom in pet ownership. Treating our animals as ‘fur babies’ means we want to strengthen our bonds by including them in our daily activities, including fitness.

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With a recent explosion of products and treatments containing CBD (a non-psychoactive cannabis compound), it is not surprising that a slew of CBD fitness and wellness classes have begun to emerge. LA's Bol Meditation studio combines a cannabis tea ceremony with guided yogic breathing and aromatherapy. Gymbox's new Cannabliss class is recovery-focused with CBD patches to aid with inflammation.

Breathwork will become increasingly important. Our modern lives have lead us to unhealthy shallow breathing, meaning that everything from 'breathing properly' to Holotropic or yogic breathing will gain momentum.

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Basic human nature says, a human being likes to experiment and try out new innovations. This trend in particular was brought into light by the Kardashians where each spectrum of light in the LED mask produces a different colour to target various skin concerns. For instance, red light is designed to increase circulation and stimulate collagen, making it useful for those who are looking to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

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In 2022, let's make sure to focus on our skin. And who better to school us on how to achieve this than the industry's leading K-beauty? From tech futures to fermented tea and to the even more odd red onion, these are the biggest K-beauty trends to bookmark.

Biggest K-Beauty trends of 2022

Healthy glow

The quest for a healthy glow is quite popular - one of the primary trends in Korean beauty is being confident in one's own skin and a focus on healthy skin. Instead of glass skin, go for a basic routine that includes nourishing and brightening ingredients such as propolis and hyaluronic acid.

Shop Tosowoong Propolis Sparkle Ampoule Here

Shop It's Skin Hyaluronic Moisture Serum Here

Plant ingredients

There will be a lot more retinol-based skincare in 2022 and more unexpected discoveries on plant extracts with therapeutic characteristics such as red onion. Furthermore, there will be significant growth in awareness of the sustainable packaging and beauty movement.

Shop Wow Skin Science Red Onion Face Cream Here

Tech futures

Over the last decade, there has been a steady growth in demand for at-home and high-tech beauty gadgets such as full-face LED masks and ultrasonic facial cleansers. COVID has undoubtedly pushed this K-beauty trend, with at-home beauty tech solutions now in high demand throughout the world. The prediction is that your next Korean beauty product will come from a Korean tech giant, such as LG or Samsung, rather than a typical Korean skincare brand.

Shop Winston LED Light Therapy Face Mask here

Multi-use products

There's a strong trend toward simplifying routines. Not that anyone has abandoned multi-step regimens, but multi-use items are really blazing bright and attract people's attention. Any products that pamper the skin while simultaneously saving time at the sink seem to be the current rage.

Shop ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint Spf 40 Here

Fermented ingredients

According to experts, we will continue to witness a shift toward more vegan-friendly products and environmentally friendly packaging. Due to their single-use feature, it appears that the industry is shifting away from sheet masks and toward wash-off masks. According to experts, several brands will release more sensitive skin-friendly formulas as well as mild, unscented formulations. Products containing fermented components that are also known to have anti-ageing benefits, such as fermented tea and kombucha, are becoming increasingly popular.

Shop Daughter Earth Kombucha Essence Here

Slime for a change

What will be the next snail mucin, the gloopy (and moisturising) secretion found in so many Korean sheet masks and serums? Snail mucin, to be precise. But without the snail. "The younger generation of Koreans cares more about animals, and as a result, vegan skincare is in the forefront of their minds," experts say. (Snails aren't killed for their mucin; instead, their mucin is collected and sterilised after they crawl over the mesh.)

"Within the next year, you'll see brands introducing 'phytomining,' a vegan substitute." It's prepared using wild yam, okra, or seaweed. "Seaweed and okra have similar moisturising and firming benefits as snail secretions," experts say, and "wild yams may have antioxidant and moisturising benefits."

Shop The Body Shop Seaweed Moisture Cream

Efficacious skincare

Experts believe that K-beauty would consist of more efficacy-based skincare products that focus ingredients such as vitamin C, retinol, and AHA/BHAs. More and more individuals are seeking for ways to maintain their skin healthy at home. Look for multi-purpose but effective skincare that may address many skin demands such as anti-aging, skin brightening, less breakouts, and skin smoothing.

Buy Minimalist 10% Vitamin C Face Serum

Vitamin A

Because vitamin A is still quite popular, experts predict that more Korean brands will produce retinol/retinal products in 2022. We will also see more maskne-treating skincare products and long-lasting makeup that can be worn while wearing a face mask, such as transfer-proof lip products and cushion foundation that transfers less.

Buy Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Serum
Hero Image: Courtesy Unsplash; Featured Image: Courtesy Instagram/@
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: What exactly is Snail Mucin?

Answer: Simply put, it's the excretion from a snail, which is why it's also known and appears on ingredient labels as snail secretion filtrate, or SSF. This isn't an excretion that comes out as the snail moves, but rather a substance secreted when the snail is stressed.

Question: What are the latest beauty trends in skincare?

Answer: Here are a few latest beauty trends that are popular: Retinol, LED face mask, glass skin, DIY treatments, niacinamide, etc.

Question: What are the best K beauty skincare trends for glowing skin in 2022?

Answer: Here are some of the best K-beauty skincare trends: Unexpected plant ingredients, fermented ingredients, vitamin A, high-tech beauty, etc.

Question: Why is Korean skincare so popular right now?

Answer: Through thousands of generations, Koreans only used natural and harsh-free ingredients to create the clear, glowy, and natural-looking skin that has made K-Beauty products better and more popular today.

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These 8 K-beauty trends will dominate skincare in 2022

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Who better to school us on skincare than the industry's leading K-beauty? Hop on these 6 K-Beauty trends that will be huge in 2022.

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By Alexandra Engler

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But lately, we are seeing a resurgence in one area of well-being that typically gets left out of the modern skin care conversation: bodywork. More and more, beauty folks are looking to practitioners whose modalities are focused south of the neck with the intention of seeing changes in their face.

The body-face connection.

Our bodies are all interconnected-through our fascia, our lymph, our circulatory system, our chi, our hormones, our skeletal structure, our life force. This we know to be true. But for some reason in mainstream skin care culture, we forget this simple fact; instead, the face is treated like its own entirety, divorced from the rest of us.

What you need to know about facial care & bodywork.

In holistic practices, experts often use the skin, and more specifically the facial skin, as a way to see what's happening internally. Our skin and faces can tell us a lot about ourselves. Puffiness can show us our lymph and circulation is stagnant. New asymmetries can show us that the body is out of alignment. Tension and inflammation around the jawbone can be an indication our fascia is tight. Instead of looking at these as flaws, "signs of aging," or inevitable realities of life, you can view them as cues from your own body. And ultimately, by addressing the root cause you can bring balance back to the face.

Take acupuncture. It has always been about the whole-body experience: "just like any acupuncture it's about the circulation of chi and blood," says Kung, "anytime we see skin issues it's because that chi isn't properly nourishing those tissues." But what's fascinating is that people are turning to these practices in place of mainstream "anti-aging" treatments. "Injectables, like botulinum toxin, desensitize things and are about freezing your muscles. That's stagnation," she says. "Acupuncture is about flow."

Given the uptick in injectable treatments, it's giving some researchers and experts pause on how it may affect our emotional health. The research is still inconclusive on what exactly regular botulinum toxin sessions will do to your mood-some studies say it can dampen our ability to feel emotions but only for mild experiences (for stronger emotions, no changes were reported). Other reports say it may affect how we experience empathy. (The thought is that because you weaken the facial muscles' ability to move-and smile, frown, act excited, show sadness-you may be influencing the way you actually experience those emotions.) However, other studies have suggested that botulinum toxins actually help people with signs of depression, as they may stop a negative feedback loop or ease muscle pain in areas like the neck, jaw, upper back, and scalp. Across the board, researchers think that more studies need to be done before any conclusions can be drawn.

The beauty of bodywork & why we want it now.

The face is how we present ourselves to the world and those around us, so it makes sense that we would place more emphasis on it. But after almost two years of forced stagnation and isolation, cycles of grief and joy, and collectively felt trauma, it's bodywork that speaks to some of our most earnest and fundamental wants: to move and flow with ease, to be felt, to find balance, and to mend what hurts.
This is just one of the trends mbg is predicting for 2022. Check out our full list of the latest health & wellness trends.
But make no mistake-bodywork is, well, work. A quick trip to the med-spa this is not. "The face holds tension and trauma. We store issues in our tissues," says Kung. "When we release stuff in the face, it can also affect us emotionally. For some people, who may not be ready for it or have been repressing things, it can be a very profound experience. It can be powerful for people in a great way, but it also can be something that's challenging to handle-a healing crisis."

In the process of undoing physical and facial tension, you may find that there is more inside you that needs to be freed. "I've noticed with some people who want to come in and get their face worked on, maybe they have those 11s or 'lost love lines,' and they tell me later that they went home and cried-after not having had cried for years prior," she says.

Takatsu agrees: "Our face is part of our body, we can not separate it. Everything that happens in our body or mind can have an impact on our face, the way our face ages, and also our facial symmetry," she says. "When we hold on to stress, it's seen in our face-we're not able to relax anymore, and your facial muscles won't be able to either."

The way your body holds on to pain, stress, and trauma affects every aspect of you. Some people just notice the wrinkles, dullness, or sallowness in the mirror before they notice what's just below the surface. And addressing those superficial signs becomes decidedly unsuperficial in the process. "Yes, we start out on the skin level," says Kung. "But eventually we have to get to the root cause, which can be physical imbalances in the body or for many people can be emotional issues."

In the pursuit of beauty through bodywork, you may find something far more worthwhile: release.

In the case of lymph and fascia, massages and physical manipulation have become much more common and accessible-and right alongside standard spa treatments. It's an element that's already a mainstay in other parts of the world, and now it is becoming mainstream here. At Joanna Vargas in New York City, you can wear lymphatic drainage boots (which work the lymphatic fluid through pressure and release) while an esthetician tends to your face. Holistic esthetician Britta Plug of Studio Britta notes that she addresses lymphatic drainage in every single one of her facial treatments (the extent of which varies from person to person). In Los Angeles, Tonic Wellness Boutique founded by Posetta Koujou offers pressotherapy. And countless practitioners around the country practice lymphatic techniques, if you just know where to look and ask for it.

But you can also do at-home work. That's what's so great about these modalities: There are low-cost ways to do it yourself. What's more is that most practitioners encourage you to practice regularly and on your own, so the overall results progress and flow, rather than being stagnant between sessions. In fact, Bhat recommends adopting a simple self-massage practice. The only requirement of said practice is that it fits into your life with ease and you do it consistently.

"I oftentimes find that people are pretty intuitive when it comes to working on their own face and bodies," she says." For me, I just like to do it at night with clean hands, clean skin, and my face oil. It doesn't have to be 30 minutes or with tools. Some nights I only do it for 20 seconds. But if you do it regularly, it can make the biggest difference."

Well, not all practitioners see it this way. Debbie Kung, DAOM, L.Ac. is known for her facial work-her New York- and Austin-based acupuncturing practice has gained a following thanks to her ability to rejuvenate the skin, naturally and holistically. But Kung says that for some patients who walk through her door, she won't even begin to focus on skin or facial work for upward of five sessions. Instead, she tends to the body.

"When someone comes to me and wants to get their face worked on, and I realize through my consultation that they have work that needs to be done on the body, I have them come in for several sessions of body constitutional acupuncture until they are ready," she says. "Rejuvenating your face is an added bonus of being healthy already because your face reflects your entire body. However, if there's a lot of other stuff happening in the body that hasn't been addressed, facial rejuvenation acupuncture won't be as effective. Your chi can't get to the face if it's more needed in the hips, back, or for mental health."

We see this with other bodywork practices, like those who specialize in the fascia or lymph. Shalini Bhat, D.C., IFMCP, CFMP, explains how fascia is a deeply intertwined, connective tissue that runs through the entirety of our body-it spans in sheets and wraps our muscles, our organs, and just under our skin. "Think of it like a spiderweb, interlinking and crossing in a star shape; if you pull one end, it changes the shape of the entire spiderweb," she says. "You cannot disconnect fascia-it spans the longest channels of the body."

When our fascia is healthy, hydrated, and flexible, it's more resilient to these changes: So if you experience tension-like say around your jawline or scalp, two common areas people hold stress-it's able to recover easier. Whereas when the fascia loses that very important elasticity, you're more likely to experience fine lines and sagging.

Another interesting area is correcting facial asymmetry and uneven aging through alignment. As triple-board certified and integrative dermatologist Mamina Turegano, M.D., FAAD, notes, studies have shown that as we get older our faces become increasingly asymmetrical. "I see patients all the time who are trying to use things like filler or injectables to correct asymmetry as they get older," she says.

This makes sense: If your body alignment is off-kilter, it's going to influence your face as well, says skin care expert Fumiko Takatsu, face yoga instructor and founder of the Face Yoga Method.

"Body alignment refers to how the head, shoulders, spine, hips, knees, and ankles relate and line up with one another. If your body alignment is out of balance, this will have an impact on the entire body-also the face," she explains. "If we have a hip injury for example, and we are in pain for a long period of time, we will develop a specific movement pattern, simply to be able to move pain-free or with as little pain as possible. Of course, this will cause the body to be out of alignment; yes mainly the hip, but as kind of a domino effect, it can also be shown in our face as a facial asymmetry."
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Alexandra Engler is the beauty director at mindbodygreen and host of the beauty podcast Clean Beauty School. Previously, she's held beauty roles at Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, SELF, and Cosmopolitan; her byline has appeared in Esquire, Sports Illustrated, and Allure.com. In her current role, she covers all the latest trends in the clean and natural beauty space, as well as lifestyle topics, such as travel. She received her journalism degree from Marquette University, graduating first in the department. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

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The New Essential To Facial Skin Care Has Nothing To Do With Your Face

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By Alexandra Engler Advertisement But lately, we are seeing a resurgence in one area of well-being that typically gets left out of the modern skin care conversation: bodywork. More and more, beauty folks are looking to practitioners whose modalities are focused south of the neck with the intention of seeing changes in their face.

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Qzense Labs - Transforming Fresh Food Supply Chain With Data

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Qzense Labs - Transforming Fresh Food Supply Chain With Data

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CBD infused garments to clothes for self care: Make way for wellness apparel - Times of India

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Just like food and exercises help with wellness, similarly, some brands have introduced clothes that are infused with ingredients that help in making

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Get- A-Whey: High on protein ice creams that are exceptionally health-friendly - Indiaretailing.com

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At Get-A-Whey, they offer ice creams that are healthy yet outrageously tasty. They are packed with whey protein and no added sugar. Get-A-Whey is currently retailing in Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi NCR, Surat, Jaipur and Ahmedabad. The brand was launched from a kitchen in 2018. In July 20…

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Conserving fruits, milk and potable cool drinking water are basic requirements of all households. However, initial high cost of a refrigerator as well as recurring costs especially in terms of electricity bills prevents poor, and lower middle class people from buying it. Innovator has offered an alternative that fulfils these basic requirements at an affordable cost.

Mitticool is a natural refrigerator made entirely from clay to store vegetables, fruits and also for cooling water. It provides natural coolness to the stored material without requiring any electricity or any other artificial form of energy. Fruits, vegetables and milk can be stored fresh without deteriorating their quality for 2 to 3 days retaining their original taste. It works on the principle of evaporation. Water from the upper chambers drips down the side, and gets evaporated taking away heat from the inside, leaving the chambers cool. The top upper chamber is used to store water. A small lid made from clay is provided on top. A small faucet tap is also provided at the front lower end of chamber to tap out the water for drinking use. In the lower chamber, two shelves are provided to store vegetables, fruits and milk etc.

Instructions for Use: It will take about 12 hrs to get cooling effect when using first time. It is durable in nature and need not to be replaced after using some period (like MATKA). Keep the Mitti Cool in a proper ventilated place to allow better evaporation, which in turn enhances its performance. Clean the outer body of the fridge, at an interval of two three days, to keep the pores of body open.
The performance of the Mitti Cool is totally dependent on external temperature and humidity. It performs well in dry and hot climate. Normally it does not break if used carefully, however, will break on falling from a height as it is made up of baked clay

Innovator has been awarded in NIF's Fifth National Competition for Grassroots Innovations and Traditional Knowledge in 2009.He was also selected by FORBES in 2010 in their list of most powerful seven rural Indian entrepreneurs whose "invention were changing lives" of the people across the country.

Capacity: 20 litre of water, 5 kg fruit/vegetable & 5 litre of milk/any other liquid can be stored

Temperature: 5-8 °C less than the outside Temperature.

Very good option to store drinking water, food, vegetables and even milk

It does not require any electricity or any artificial energy and therefore no recurring cost

Better preserves the original taste of the fruits and vegetables, can be stored fresh without deteriorating the quality for 2 to 3 days.

Very good alternative for the rural people who cannot afford the conventional refrigerator

Eco-friendly

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Mitti Cool Refrigerator | National Innovation Foundation-India

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Conserving fruits, milk and potable cool drinking water are basic requirements of all households. However, initial high cost of a refrigerator as well as recurring costs especially in terms of electricity bills prevents poor, and lower middle class people from buying it. Innovator has offered an alternative that fulfils these basic requirements at an affordable cost.

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highly technical approach to engineering their own bodies while attempting to fix their flaws and make themselves superhuman.

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Biohacking, also known as human augmentation or human enhancement, is do-it-yourself biology aimed at improving performance, health, and wellbeing through strategic interventions.

Some common biohacking techniques, like meditation and intermittent fasting, have been around since ancient times.

What's Biohacking? All You Need To Know About The Latest Health Craze
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Other biohackers use a highly technical approach to engineering their own bodies while attempting to fix their flaws and make themselves superhuman.

And as technology for technical biohacking becomes more available on the market, do-it-yourself health opportunities get more and more extreme.

Why do people want to hack their bodies? Some do it because they don't feel well and want to go beyond traditional medicine to address health concerns. Others want to use engineering to explore unconventional ideas and have full control over their own bodies. Still others do it because they want to try to halt the aging process and attempt to live forever.

If you've heard stories about people implanting chips into their appendages, using devices to shift their brainwaves to get better sleep, or putting butter in their morning coffee, that's biohacking in action.
Healthier Living Through Biohacking
Twitter's CEO Jack Dorsey, one of the world's most famous and influential biohackers, endorses intermittent fasting, reportedly eating only one meal a day and fasting completely every week. Intermittent fasting is a common type of low-tech biohacking intended to regulate blood sugar and maintain a healthy weight.

Other biohackers look to their genes for ways to optimize their diet-a practice called nutrigenomics. There are nutrigenomics companies that can process your spit sample, evaluate your DNA for certain genetic markers, and send you back a personalized diet plan.

Using cold to burn fat is another common biohacking technique. Many biohackers believe that exposing the body to cold can help burn fat faster when you're trying to drop weight, and they recommend ice baths, cold showers, or even cryotherapy (a technique that uses nitrogen to cool the body).
More Extreme Biohacking
Some biohackers go beyond taking supplements, adjusting their eating habits, and taking cold showers. They actually modify their own bodies with technology, a process known as human augmentation.

A subset of biohackers known as grinders turn themselves into cyborgs by embedding magnets, chips, or computers under their skin. For example, a person with an embedded chip in their hand might be able to open office doors or even pay for their daily latte using only a swipe of the wrist.

Ever wonder what it might be like to have a smartphone you don't have to carry in your pocket? Embeddable devices that allow our brains to communicate directly with computers are also on the horizon. Think Google Glass, but without the glasses.

Then there are the biohackers who push medical procedures to the limit in their quest for health and longevity. Dave Asprey, founder of the multimillion-dollar Bulletproof brand, had a doctor harvest stem cells from his bone marrow and inject those cells into every joint in his body as part of his highly-publicized quest to live to 180 years old. He also regularly hangs out in a hyperbaric chamber, depriving his cells of oxygen to improve the function of his brain and muscle tissue and repair the damage of the normal aging process.

On the most extreme end of the biohacking spectrum, there are people trying out young blood transfusions (yes, it's really a thing) and even inject themselves with genes they've edited with CRISPR technology.
Is Biohacking Bad?
Some of the most controversial biohacking practices are indeed getting a bad rap, but some do-it-yourself biology can actually be empowering. If you're interested in biohacking, do your research and choose the technology and the personal practices that will help you reach your goals while minimizing risk and avoiding harm. The tech race to help biohackers continue to optimize their own bodies is not stopping anytime soon.

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What's Biohacking? All You Need To Know About The Latest Health Craze

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Biohacking, also known as human augmentation or human enhancement, is do-it-yourself biology aimed at improving performance, health, and wellbeing through strategic interventions. Some common biohacking techniques, like meditation and intermittent fasting, have been around since ancient times. Other biohackers use a highly technical approach to engineering their own bodies while attempting to fix their flaws and make themselves superhuman.

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Could the Embrace of Psychedelics Lead to a Mental-Health Revolution?

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As certain drugs receive “breakthrough” status from the FDA for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and addiction, the medical community—and the wellness industry—are rallying around their promise.

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Sophisticated consumers are always looking for new ways to take their wellness rituals to the next level. In Asia, there is a growing number of new spas, recreational centres and programmes that promote wellness, with concepts that are designed to stimulate the five senses, enhancing overall wellbeing with a holistic approach.

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As sleep continues to be a wellness focus, spas are introducing treatments to cater for consumers with insomnia. The Om Supti Night Spa at the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru in the Maldives is a two-and-a-half-hour-long ritual that is said to leave guests in a “deep meditative state”.

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Taking inspiration from mediation or yoga, intentional treatments are coming into the spotlight, with spas creating meaningful and mindful experiences. Designed to enhance a deeper connection between the body, mind and spirit, beauty treatments begin by setting an 'intention'. The Sun Dance Ritual at the Viceroy Snowmass in Aspen starts with a hydro-aromatherapy bath designed to “wash away heavy intentions”.

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Spas are integrating vibrational therapy or sound bath techniques into treatments to help relax the muscles in the body and release energy blockages, as well as creating a trancelike state to calm the mind.

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Marijuana massages are emerging on the mainstream spa scene as cannabis becomes a hot ingredient in the beauty arena. Cannabis-infused beauty treatments use CBD, a non-psychoactive extract of cannabinoid from the marijuana plant, and come in an oil or lotion form. Known for its natural anti-inflammatory and calming benefits, CBD is being used in body massages to help ease muscle tension and reduce pain and inflammation.

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Spas are infusing crystals into treatments to help rebalance the flow of energy, promote lymphatic drainage, restore and balance skin. In the Isles of Scilly, Tresco Island Spa’s Ila Crystal Healing Face Therapy uses Tibetan crystal techniques, a garnet face scrub and a jade mask to rejuvenate the skin.

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Exclusive Ayurveda centres attract celebrities and the elite from India and across the world

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Akshay Kumar, Mohanlal, Ajith and Jayaram are some the stars who shut out the world to begin a conversation with health and wellness courtesy premium Ayurveda retreats

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Saunas are not entirely new, but recently they have been garnering mainstream appeal as the benefits become more recognised. In particular, infrared saunas, which uses a heatwave to increase the body’s temperature, are a key wellness trend in the US.

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Spa treatments focus on using the earth’s natural energy sources paired with traditional healing practices to improve circulation, relieve aches and pains, remove energy blockages and ease muscle tension.

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Hay bathing is emerging as a new wellness treatment. An ancient tradition in Austria dating back more than 200 years, hay bathing came to light as locals noticed the benefit of hay as a source of pain relief and energiser for the body, as experienced by farmers who slept in it. Treatments use fermented alpine hay combined with healing herbs such as arnica, heather and thyme, which are full of essential oils and protein.

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BBC Four - Handmade in Japan, Series 1, Kimono, Mud Dyeing the Silk

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Yukihito Kanai explains the importance of mud dyeing the silks

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The pandemic has significantly changed how people work. Numerous companies around the world have turned to the WFH regime and no doubt, this has in turn been a 

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The famous victoria secret model Bella Hadid recently shared with Teen Vogue that she turns to meditation music 'which makes me have a deeper sleep, even if I just have four hours.'

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Traditional clay cookware makes a comeback in Indian kitchens - Times of India

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People are increasingly opting for lessons on making clay vessels to change the way they cook...

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Around the world, half a billion people, including close to 85 million in the United States, avoid allergens when shopping for food and beverages. The number of American children who experience food allergies has been growing about four times faster than the population has for at least 20 years. They aren't alone: evidence suggests that food allergies are on the rise, especially among younger children, around the world-in both developed and developing countries.

Our new research shows that whether shoppers are allergic to certain ingredients or are shopping for someone who is, trying to avoid allergens makes them feel stressed in the grocery aisle. Many spend significant time reading labels, and some avoid entire categories of products. Many pay extra for the highest-quality ingredients, and while they tend to trust smaller and allergy-friendly brands more than larger brands, they often look for new products to try. In the United States, where we conducted our research, shoppers looking to avoid allergens in food spend more than average on groceries-and around $19 billion a year avoiding categories or substituting products-and that number is likely to keep rising.

Food manufacturers, particularly large companies, can serve those careful shoppers better and improve the lives of millions. Industry leaders could agree on clearer, more consistent labeling, for example, and improve consumer education and engagement. We expect the outperformers in the years ahead to include manufacturers that invest more in M&A and in-house innovation to introduce new, allergy-friendly products.

In this article, we share what we have learned about this large and growing consumer segment. We also describe the steps that food manufacturers can take to meet their needs and win their loyalty while improving their shopping and dining experiences-and their safety.

Understanding the allergen-avoidant consumer

People are allergic to more than 160 ingredients in food, but nine account for the vast majority of reactions and incidence in the United States: milk, eggs, wheat, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, and sesame. The number of children with food allergies in the United States has grown around 4 percent annually since 1997. In the past decade, the number of US emergency-department visits for food-induced anaphylaxis have more than tripled.

In addition to the 23 million Americans with histories of severe reactions to food allergens, nine million are allergic to at least one allergen outside the top nine. US immunologists focus mainly on those 32 million people, but food manufacturers can take a much broader view. Millions of people not medically classified as being allergic to certain food and beverage ingredients have a physically negative reaction to them. Our research shows that regardless of whether consumers are ingredient allergic or intolerant, their attitudes and purchasing behaviors are more than 95 percent correlated.

It's so scary when your child has an allergy because it's literally a life-or-death situation-you can't substitute something else.

Children don't shop for groceries, of course, which is why manufacturers need a deep understanding of the shoppers who are indirectly affected-those who avoid buying foods and beverages that contain allergens that may affect someone of their household. In sum, around 85 million American shoppers avoid a top nine food allergen in most or all of their purchasing decisions (Exhibit 1).

Valuable consumers, highly engaged in purchasing decisions

Since food safety is vitally important to allergen-avoidant consumers, about two-thirds are loyal to certain products that they trust. Finding a safe product can be time consuming and stressful, so once those shoppers have found one, they tend to buy it repeatedly (Exhibit 2). However, nearly a third of surveyed consumers say they regularly look for new products that are safe, perhaps indicating that many are not satisfied with the products on the shelves today.

That openness to new options may present important opportunities for new brands and products to enter the market and win the loyalty of a large share of such consumers. And the loyalty of those shoppers could be especially valuable because they spend about 5 percent more on groceries each month than the average shopper does. About one in three say they are willing to spend more on the highest-quality ingredients.

The survey results also suggest that allergen-avoidant shoppers consider more than ingredients: after taste and price, trust is the most important factor in a purchase decision. They tend to trust smaller and allergy-friendly brands more than large brands (Exhibit 3). Therefore, large manufacturers that can educate and engage those shoppers and gain their trust have an opportunity to serve them better.

Two main paths to revenue growth

As manufacturers look to appeal to consumers with food allergies (and those who shop for them), we believe that they should consider opportunities in two main categories of spending. The first is the $10 billion in incremental purchases of those who avoid entire categories of foods, such as bread, snacks, and frozen foods, that may contain allergens. The second is the $9 billion allergen-alternative market.

Our research suggests that around 6 percent of ingredient-allergic and -intolerant households avoid entire categories. If they were to enter the category at the spend of average consumers, they would generate a total of around $10 billion in sales across a wide range of categories.

Allergen alternatives are direct substitutes for products that typically contain allergens. Although the allergen-alternative market is dominated by dairy and gluten alternatives, alternative products for other top nine allergens have grown at around 27 percent annually for the past four years, with most of the gains going to small and allergy-friendly brands.

Satisfying underserved allergen-avoidant consumers

Consumers with food allergies say they want better labeling about allergens, more product information, and a wider array of allergy-friendly products. More than half say they spend at least a few minutes reading labels to understand if a product is safe, and labeling is a significant problem that interferes with their daily lives. Many feel constrained by allergies and wish they had more choices in grocery stores.

Working together, food manufacturers could standardize labeling and do more to educate shoppers and boost engagement. With larger investments, companies could launch more allergy-friendly products.

Standardizing labeling

Working separately or together, food manufacturers could standardize labeling for top allergens to help consumers quickly understand which products are safe for them. We foresee a five-step process:

1. Evaluate existing labels. If companies review allergy-related labels across their portfolios, they could identify inconsistencies and areas of "overlabeling" that make shopping difficult or confusing.

2. Define hierarchy options. Companies could use existing labeling research or conduct their own to propose a labeling regime.

3. Determine a coordination approach. Companies could choose to act as "first movers" or build a coalition with other manufacturers, retailers, and regulators.

4. Test with consumers. Companies could engage with allergen-avoidant consumers to gain insights on labeling structure, language, and design.

5. Educate shoppers. Working with trade associations, public-health organizations, and advocacy groups, companies could educate consumers with food allergies on new labeling structure. The process could follow the path the industry took to institute standard sell-by and use-by labeling.

Improve consumer education and engagement, particularly around manufacturing safety

Food manufacturers, especially large companies, could greatly improve consumer education and engagement on the safety precautions that they take to reduce the risk of cross-contact. Millions of consumers don't yet understand that the biggest companies go to great lengths to ensure product safety. We believe that companies can win the trust they deserve with plain, direct language about their allergen-safety programs. Again, we foresee a five-step process:

1. Gain a deeper understanding of consumers. Companies can work with advocacy groups that can connect with the highly engaged people in their patient registries to understand better how to win consumer trust.

2. Assess the languages consumers use to discuss allergens. Whenever a company discusses food allergies, in areas from websites to advertising, they can use plain language and visual cues to share food-allergy information that's easy to understand and remember. They can take cues from MadeGood and other allergy-friendly brands that use plain language to describe who their foods are safe for, reducing confusion and building transparency and trust with the allergen-avoidant community.

3. Highlight safety procedures. Many companies can better publicize their stringent safety protocols in manufacturing, such as where products are made and how lines are cleaned.

4. Improve digital engagement. Social media and other modern communication tools give large companies new ways to reach and engage specific consumers-and even emulate the intimacy of smaller brands.

5. Work with retailers. Manufacturers can partner with retailers and restaurants to reinforce messaging and safety in stores, on shelves, in kitchens, and on menus.

Innovate to create new, allergy-friendly products

Many consumers with food allergies say they are excited to try new brands, suggesting opportunities for manufacturers to attract and retain shoppers. Given those consumers' tendency to stay loyal to products they like and trust, the companies that get to market fastest may see outsize rewards.

M&A is usually the shortest route to innovation. The most successful M&A begins with identifying and acquiring complementary, strategically aligned assets in high-growth areas to build out an existing portfolio-for example, one that is allergy friendly. Once the new assets are on board, a quick and thorough integration is usually required to meet sales and margin targets; we would expect acquirers in the allergy-friendly field to invest in consumer education and engagement. Some larger food manufacturers have acquired or partnered with smaller allergen-free-food producers in recent years, but most of those arrangements are still in their earliest stages. So far, no one has built an allergen-free-food business at scale.

In our experience, the most effective organic innovation begins with consumer research. In the allergy-friendly marketplace, we would look for a deep understanding of specific product opportunities by allergen and category (such as peanut alternatives and snacks), tailoring product offerings to high-growth or underserved areas. We would recommend involving allergen-avoidant consumers at every step of the innovation process, using allergen alternatives when possible. R&D efforts might include evaluating new allergen-alternative ingredients that could be used across many products in a portfolio.

Next steps

The consequences of food allergies seem likely to continue to mount across the United States and around the world. They range from inconvenience and anxiety in the grocery aisle to the unhappiness of being unable to eat a favorite food and from the sudden need to use an EpiPen to the death of a child. Food manufacturers can do much more to minimize those consequences by understanding and serving the community with food allergies community better-while driving profitable growth in a marketplace that is changing faster than ever. Those that move quickly in the right direction will earn lasting and outsize rewards.

McKinsey collaborated with Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) to research the demographics of consumers with food allergies (research can be found on foodallergy.org). Additional data sources included a panel survey of 1,552 consumers, the World Allergy Organization Journal, and the Northwestern University Center for Food Allergy & Asthma Research, among others.

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Consumers with food allergies: A growing market remains underserved

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Around the world, half a billion people, including close to 85 million in the United States, avoid allergens when shopping for food and beverages. The number of American children who experience food allergies has been growing about four times faster than the population has for at least 20 years.

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The gummy industry has boomed over the last few years, and it isn't forecasted to slow down any time soon. More consumers are opting for gummy products than ever before. This change in consumer behavior has become apparent in a variety of industries from health & fitness to nutraceutical & apoptogenic treatments. If you want to stay ahead in this industry, it is imperative that you stay in tune with the current trends & consumer expectations. But what exactly are the current gummy formulation trends?

Wellness Gummies

The health & wellness industry was one of the first to experience growing demand for gummy supplements. As the years have passed, gummy vitamin products have evolved from simple kids' multi-vitamins to collagen, melatonin, and multi-supplement options. However, just like any constantly evolving industry, there is always something new around the corner.

There has been a major shift in demand for the way we consume protein. Gone are the days of eating protein bars and chicken breasts. People are beginning to crave a quick fix to their protein needs, and the gummy industry is answering. We have already seen an uptick in the demand for protein gummy formulas, and it's one that will continue to gain popularity. Another major player developing in the gummy industry is PMS gummy supplements. Let's face it, nobody likes PMS, but adding a gummy into the mix can help it suck a little less. It is imperative to develop a formula that not only tastes great, but also offers a myriad of benefits to combat period related symptoms. There is currently some competition in the period gummy market, but it is set to increase as this trend grows in 2022. It's best to get your custom wellness gummy formula started sooner rather than later.

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Gummy Formula Trends for 2022 - Endose Molds [Current]

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The gummy industry has boomed over the last few years, and it isn't forecasted to slow down any time soon. More consumers are opting for gummy products than ever before. This change in consumer behavior has become apparent in a variety of industries from health & fitness to nutraceutical & apoptogenic treatments.

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In today's world of artificial flavors and ingredients you can't pronounce, some people are taking a more natural approach to food. And what could be more natural than eating everything raw? This is the basis of the raw food diet.

The raw food diet has some benefits, but it's not perfect - and it can be risky. Registered dietitian Maxine Smith, RD, LD, explains the pros and cons.

What is the raw food diet?

A raw food diet includes uncooked, unprocessed foods. You can use a few preparation methods, including:

Blending.

Drying up to 118 F, though the exact temperature depends on the plan you choose.

Juicing.

Soaking.

Sprouting.

The goal is to eat foods in their natural state, without any kind of processing or heating that can change their structure.

Types of raw food diets

Some people follow a strict raw food diet, eating nothing but raw foods at every meal. Others focus on raw foods for the bulk of their diet but also include some cooked or processed foods.

The raw food diet has three main types:

Raw vegan diet: This is the most common type. It limits your food choices to foods that are both raw and vegan (not animal-based).

Raw vegetarian diet: Like other vegetarian diets, this type excludes meat, fish and poultry but allows eggs and dairy products. All foods are raw and unprocessed.

Raw omnivorous diet: On this diet, you can eat all types of plant and animal-based foods, including meat, but they have to be raw and unprocessed.

Raw vegan diet: Pros and cons

A raw vegan diet is generally rich in fruits and vegetables, which gives it some serious health points. But it's not a cure-all diet solution - and not for the faint of heart.

Benefits of the raw vegan diet

Eating lots of fresh, raw produce means you'll get plenty of:

Vitamins and minerals.

Phytochemicals, plant compounds that may fight cancer and other diseases.

Fiber, which improves digestion.

A raw vegan diet can help with weight loss because you:

Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, which are low in calories.

Consume plenty of fiber, which helps you feel fuller, longer.

Avoid high-calorie processed foods like chips, cookies and fast foods.

"Everyone can benefit from eating more fruits and veggies," Smith says. "The average American eats too many processed foods and too much flour, sugar and salt."

Risks of going raw vegan

If you're going hard-core raw vegan, you're excluding a lot of foods - and that comes with health risks. "The raw vegan diet, in its pure form, is very restrictive and can lead to nutrient deficiencies," Smith explains.

When you avoid dairy, eggs and meat, you may not get enough:

"The raw vegan diet can be a short-term way to clean up your diet," says Smith. "But it's too restrictive to be a lifelong diet plan."

Raw vegetarian and raw omnivorous: Risky business

The raw vegetarian and raw omnivorous diets, which include raw animal-based foods, can be dangerous. "The risks outweigh the benefits with eating raw dairy, eggs and meat," Smith says.

Steer clear of raw milk

The milk you buy in grocery stores is pasteurized, which is a heating process that kills bacteria. "Raw milk is not pasteurized, and it can harbor dangerous germs like E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria," says Smith.

Stick with pasteurized milk, cheese and other dairy products so you can avoid the nasty illnesses that come with bacteria in raw dairy.

Choose pasteurized eggs or cook them

Raw, unpasteurized eggs aren't worth the risk. Even eggs that appear normal can contain Salmonella and make you sick.

But maybe you make your own Caesar salad dressing with raw eggs. Or you love your yolks on the runny side. Luckily, you have a safe option: Buy pasteurized eggs. If they're not pasteurized (or you're not sure), cook them until the whites and yolks are firm.

Raw meats, poultry and fish: Don't do it

Eating raw meats, poultry and fish can be dangerous to your health. When you eat these foods, cook them to the safe minimum cooking temperatures recommended by the government's food safety experts.

Are raw fruits and vegetables healthier than cooked?

Cooking can decrease certain nutrients in food, especially water-soluble vitamins like the B vitamins and vitamin C. But you can tweak your cooking methods to preserve most of these nutrients.

"High-heat cooking like frying, charring, grilling or boiling can destroy some nutrients and create toxins in the food," says Smith. "To avoid this, cook foods at a lower heat for the shortest amount of time."

Cooking methods that may preserve nutrients include:

In some cases, cooking can increase the availability of nutrients. For example, cooked tomatoes, asparagus and squash give you more antioxidants than raw ones.

Focus on whole foods, not restrictive diets

Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has proven health benefits, whether the foods are raw or not. But if you're cutting out entire food groups or eating raw animal products, you could be risking your health.

And you don't have to go to diet extremes to lose weight or improve your health. "Eliminating processed foods is great," says Smith. "Excluding entire food groups or eating raw meat and dairy is not. A healthy diet is one you can follow for the rest of your life. The raw food diet doesn't qualify."

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In today's world of artificial flavors and ingredients you can't pronounce, some people are taking a more natural approach to food. And what could be more natural than eating everything raw? This is the basis of the raw food diet. The raw food diet has some benefits, but it's not perfect - and it can be risky.

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What Are Functional Shots?

Functional shots-or wellness shots-are functional beverages in a small, fun format consisting of just a few ounces. While energy shots may be the best-known type, these RTD shots have been expanding to offer a much wider variety of benefits. Wellness shots blur the lines between beverage categories as they may use juice, coffee, and other beverage types as a base.

RTD shots are on the rise in the US, with new product launches growing from 17 in 2019 to 31 in 2020. ¹ They are also doing well globally, with the $369.3 million global functional shots market expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.4% from 2020 to 2027. 2 Functional beverages have become especially important to consumers during the pandemic as consumers try to stay healthy and seek out specific benefits like energy or focus.

How Wellness Shots Help Consumers

Functional shots help support consumers' health goals at a time when health is top of mind for many. As consumers focus on managing their health during the pandemic, some approaches they're taking are getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, eating well-balanced diets, and taking vitamins, minerals, and supplements.3 Products that are health-focused and convenient like wellness shots are especially appealing right now.

The top health and functional benefits featured in today's functional shots include:

General wellness/vitality

Energy

Protein

Workout fuel

Gut health

Focus

Antioxidant/anti-inflammatory

Hangover cure

Wellness shots that rely on natural ingredients to deliver their functional benefits are trending and often resonate with consumers as being healthier. These can range from superfruit ingredients to plant-based proteins to adaptogenic herbs and mushrooms.

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Functional Shots Highlight Holistic Wellness Trend

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Functional shots-or wellness shots-are functional beverages in a small, fun format consisting of just a few ounces. While energy shots may be the best-known type, these RTD shots have been expanding to offer a much wider variety of benefits. Wellness shots blur the lines between beverage categories as they may use juice, coffee, and other beverage types as a base.

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The touchless spa experience is emerging as a tech-fueled bridge between traditional spa treatments and remote services.

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Touchless But Impactful: Spa Service Evolutions

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As an intuitively intimate and touch-led experience, the spa industry faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic, taking substantial losses in revenue due to lockdown. According to the 2021 ISPA U.S. Spa Industry Study, the number of spa establishments declined by 3.9% in the past year, and…

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Robotic surgery is a method to perform surgery using very small tools attached to a robotic arm. The surgeon controls the robotic arm with a computer.
It can be performed through smaller cuts than open surgery. The small, precise movements that are possible with this type of surgery give it some advantages over standard endoscopic techniques.

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Robotic surgery is a method to perform surgery using very small tools attached to a robotic arm. The surgeon controls the robotic arm with a computer.

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Although undeniably doctors or a human touch can't be replaced so easily but this new technology is an aid to doctors.  In some cases its been noticed that overdose of medicine does more harm to a patient in a hospital than left untreated. Here, this virtual machine comes into play which could study a patient's historical data and give out treatment options based on so. In easier words, it would provide a doctor with the optimum customised treatment for each patient.

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AI is changing the way that medical researchers and medical device manufacturers approach healthcare. The tech is accelerating existing processes and even making some new approaches to healthcare possible for the first time.

Here are 10 ways AI is being used for health and wellness

1. Providing Clinical Support

For doctors with time, there is a wealth of medical literature out there that they can use to inform treatment. However, doctors don't usually have this opportunity, which can impact their ability to treat patients with unique conditions. For example, dermatology patients often have complex medical histories resulting in multiple symptoms. Treatment for these symptoms needs to be managed carefully. One unique strength of AI is its ability to quickly scan and parse information in plain written language - like the information found in clinical literature. New AI-powered clinical support models take advantage of this strength and can provide clinical support by scanning through massive volumes of articles and studies.

2. Drug Repurposing

New drugs are difficult to develop. Typically, it takes more than 10 years and $2 billion to move a drug from development to federal approval. As a result, many pharmaceutical companies focus their R&D efforts on repurposing already-approved drugs. The search for new applications of existing drugs is also slow, however. By comparing the structure and effects of unused drugs to existing treatments, an AI algorithm can effectively identify candidates for drug repurposing. This allows researchers to focus on drugs that are more likely to be effective treatments.

3. Virtual Nurses

Hospitals often find themselves under a range of intense pressures, like time and money. This means patients may sometimes be left in the dark about their condition simply because the staff around them are too busy to answer questions in depth. Virtual AI nurses being pioneered by medtech companies can provide 24/7 bedside support and even build a personalized relationship with a patient. These nurses use information from a patient's medical records to provide recommendations for treatment options and inform patients about their health.

4. Developing New Vaccines

Some modern flu vaccines include adjuvants, which are compounds that help the immune system fight off disease. Discovering new adjuvants can make these vaccines even more valuable. However, like discovering new drugs, it is a time-consuming process. AI is helping here as well. A team of Australian researchers used AI to analyze a massive database of unused compounds and discover a new adjuvant that is even more effective than those currently on the market. Right now, the vaccine - the first designed by an AI - is on its way to trial.

5. Extracting Data From Medical Records

Electronic health records (EHRs) are dense and often unwieldy documents that cover a patient's medical history and treatment plan. These EHRs offer advantages over hand-written notes but are notoriously difficult to scan through quickly. This means critical information, like blood test history and allergies, can get lost. New AI tech helps doctors and hospitals by parsing these EHRs for them. These AI models are capable of "reading" through records and extracting the most important information. The model can then present the data in an easy-to-read format.

6. Improving Pathology

Pathology is a key practice in the diagnosis of cancer, but the methods haven't changed much in the 150 years pathology has been around. Clinical pathologists still spend much of their time looking at tissue samples that don't yield much useful information. With AI, it's possible to significantly speed up this analysis process. New AI models are capable of flagging only tissue samples that show signs of malignant growth or other irregularities. These samples can then be passed on to pathologists, greatly streamlining analysis.

7. Screening for Lung Cancer

The standard screening method for lung cancer requires a CT scan of the patient's lungs. This scanning method is effective, but it takes time and exposes patients to serious levels of radiation. Recently, researchers developed an AI that can speed up the scanning process and clean up the results of completed scans. The AI allows doctors to use low-dose CT scans rather than more extensive scanning. As a result, doctors can reduce both the amount of time needed for scanning and the radiation each patient receives.

8. Uncovering Other Types of Cancer

Similar tech is also being applied to other types of cancer. For example, one new AI that detects signs of breast cancer in mammography proved more accurate than radiologists in diagnosing the disease. Soon, this tech could be used to streamline the diagnosing process and improve accuracy while freeing up doctors' time.

Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes complication and the leading cause of blindness among American adults. Caught early, however, the condition can be treated and may even go away with simple changes to the diet. IDx-DR is an FDA-approved, AI-powered screening technology that is able to screen for diabetic retinopathy using pictures of a patient's eyes. If the tool detects signs of what may be retinopathy, it refers the patient to a specialist - potentially saving their sight.

10. Predicting Adverse Reactions to Drugs

Adverse drug events (ADEs) are injuries caused by or related to a medication. Typically, hospital staff should catch potential ADEs when reviewing a patient's medical history - but mistakes still happen. ADEs typically extend hospital stays by two to three days and are fairly frequent, costing hospitals an estimated $4 billion annually. With new AI tech, it's possible to automatically flag a treatment plan if it may conflict with another drug a patient is on, or some aspect of their medical history. Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas, was able to prevent more than 2,000 ADEs over two years by adopting a customized AI model built to catch these events.

We're watching AI tech reshape how doctors and researchers approach healthcare. These AI models are already accelerating diagnostic processes and making it easier for doctors to access information. This technology is likely to become even more important in the near future as the body of available medical data continues to grow.

Interested in reading more leading AI content from RE*WORK and our community of AI experts? See our most-read blogs below:
Top AI Resources - Directory for Remote Learning
10 Must-Read AI Books in 2020
13 'Must-Read' Papers from AI Experts
Top AI & Data Science Podcasts
30 Influential Women Advancing AI in 2019
'Must-Read' AI Papers Suggested by Experts - Pt 2
30 Influential AI Presentations from 2019
AI Across the World: Top 10 Cities in AI 2020
Female Pioneers in Computer Science You May Not Know
10 Must-Read AI Books in 2020 - Part 2
Top Women in AI 2020 - Texas Edition
2020 University/College Rankings - Computer Science, Engineering & Technology
How Netflix uses AI to Predict Your Next Series Binge - 2020
Top 5 Technical AI Presentation Videos from January 2020
20 Free AI Courses & eBooks
5 Applications of GANs - Video Presentations You Need To See
250+ Directory of Influential Women Advancing AI in 2020
The Isolation Insight - Top 50 AI Articles, Papers & Videos from Q1
Reinforcement Learning 101 - Experts Explain
The 5 Most in Demand Programming Languages in 2020

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10 Ways AI is Changing Health and Wellness

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AI is being used across the board to simplify, streamline and aid in the advancement of many industries. The health and wellness industries are great examples of this, both of which are set to see dramatic change in the coming years.

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Using telemedicine as an alternative to in-person visits has a host of benefits for patients and providers alike.

Patients enjoy:

Less time away from work

No travel expenses or time

Less interference with child or elder care responsibilities

Privacy

No exposure to other potentially contagious patients

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Sound will no longer be something that consumers just passively listen to but something their own metrics can influence.

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Author:

Updated on December 6, 2021

mbg editorial

The mindbodygreen editorial team worked together on the creation of this article, combining their deep expertise honed by years of reporting on health and well-being. It has been thoroughly researched, written, fact-checked, and reviewed by our editors.

Last updated on December 6, 2021

2021 was a year of growth and reckoning. We emerged from the tribulations of 2020 with a bit more understanding, focus, and an eagerness to move forward. And with a new year on the horizon, we're not letting that momentum wane.

In 2022, when it comes to well-being, we're simultaneously going deeper and considering the big picture. We're looking inward, and finding new ways to heal-from embracing the power of sound to the importance of nourishing our full-body biome. After many months of mounting loneliness, we're finding communities through social media and beyond, which speak to our mental and spiritual well-being. We're also looking outside of ourselves and understanding our personal health means nothing if our planet and populations are suffering. We're continuing to chip away at stigmas and make well-being more accessible to the masses.

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In essence, 2022 is the year that asks: How will we emerge on the other side? How will we synthesize what we've learned to rebuild a healthier, stronger, science-informed future for all?

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The mindbodygreen editorial team worked together on the creation of this article, combining their deep expertise honed by years of reporting on health and well-being. It has been thoroughly researched, written, fact-checked, and reviewed by our editors.

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10 Health & Wellness Trends To Watch In 2021

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Author: Updated on December 6, 2021 mbg editorial The mindbodygreen editorial team worked together on the creation of this article, combining their deep expertise honed by years of reporting on health and well-being. It has been thoroughly researched, written, fact-checked, and reviewed by our editors.

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The tradition of cooking in earthenware is making a comeback from near oblivion.

The tradition of cooking in earthenware is making a comeback from near oblivion. The reason: all the health benefits one gets from doing so. "One of the plus points of cooking in clay pots is that everything is slow-cooked, but the same reason also pushed people towards metal utensils. Unlike metal cookware, clay pots are much safer as there are no chances of any harmful chemical reaction during cooking or storage," said Chef Reetu Uday Kugaji, culinary expert and chef consultant.
Food blogger Poorna Banerjee loves the whole organic feel to clay pot cooking. "It also adds a bit of earthiness and a layer of smokiness to the food which enhances the overall taste," she said.

One of the biggest advantages of clay pot cooking is that the process requires much less oil, which makes the food less oily and healthier. "The clay adds to the food minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium and much more - all of which are immensely beneficial for our health. Moreover, food doesn't get burnt as the clay pot's porous nature allows the heat and moisture to circulate within the pot. This also keeps the food's nutritional value intact, making it full of flavours and tender to eat, especially in case of meats," Reetu said.

Sustainable and pocket-friendly

Nowadays, many catering services use clay pot food warmers in buffets. Even some restaurants cook many dishes in clay pots. Explaining the reason, Chef Rongon Neogi from a catering service, told us, "Clay pots are alkaline, which enables it to interact with the acids in the food while cooking and that balances its pH factor. It makes the food healthier and retains the aroma too."
Moreover, according to Reetu, it's a sustainable and pocket-friendly option. "It's easy on your pocket as these pots are inexpensive and quite low maintenance. Let's also applaud clay-pot cooking because it is sustainable and eco-friendly," she said.

Tips to cook in earthenware
Cook food on low heat
Do not add cold water to a hot clay pot, as this will make it crack or break
Do not use chemical detergents, soaps and excessive scrubbing to clean the pots
Clay pots are fragile, so maintaining a moderate temperature while cooking is
essential to prevent cracking or breaking

Why you should set mishti doi in clay pots

The clay absorbs the water and this makes the curd rich and creamy. Moreover, for the curd to set properly, the temperature must be just right. The smallest temperature fluctuation can affect its texture and taste. A clay pot acts as a good insulator and helps maintain the right heat for the curd to set. The clay infuses minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus and other micronutrients in the curd, making it more nutritious. As clay is alkaline, it balances the acidity in the curd and makes it inherently sweet and tastier. Even sour curd set in a clay pot has a certain degree of sweetness because of this. The pot also gives the curd an unique earthy flavour that adds to its taste.

Popular traditional clay pot dishes
usually Hyderabadi murgh dum biryani is cooked in a heavy-bottomed handi / clay pot. The pot gives an earthy flavour to the biryani and keeps the meat moist, tender and flavourful.

Varutharacha Meen Curry (Kerala fish curry)
is cooked in a clay /earthen pot uplifting the flavour of fish curry to perfection.

, derived from Gujarati word

, is a veg one-pot dish, slow-cooked in a sealed earthen pot hung upside down over a fire. It's loaded with nutrition.

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Here's why cooking in clay pots is making a comeback | Kolkata News - Times of India

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The tradition of cooking in earthenware is making a comeback from near oblivion. The tradition of cooking in earthenware is making a comeback from near oblivion. The reason: all the health benefits one gets from doing so. "One of the plus points of cooking in clay pots is that everything is slow-cooked, but the same reason also pushed people towards metal utensils.

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Devices and apps that track menstrual cycles are gaining mainstream appeal. Launching in September 2018, Moody-U is an app that empowers women to understand their hormonal and emotional selves by measuring their monthly moods and cycles.