China says to implement drug distribution reforms

BEIJING (Reuters) - China said on Saturday it would implement drug distribution reforms including centralization measures designed to cut prices and reduce corruption.

Fat To Fit: Hunter Labrada's Definitive Guide To Weight Loss

For far too many people, losing weight has involved struggling and suffering to meet totally arbitrary caloric standards. This plan will help you get lean based on your body, background, and experience level!

Actavis hormonal contraceptive device wins FDA approval

(Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a hormonal contraceptive device on Friday that gives American women another reversible contraceptive choice as effective as sterilization.

Watch out for nasty global flu surprises, WHO warns

LONDON (Reuters) - The world remains highly vulnerable to a possible severe flu pandemic and governments should increase surveillance, vigilance and preparedness, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.

Sanofi diabetes drug awaits imminent EU green light

LONDON (Reuters) - Sanofi's new Toujeo diabetes drug is on track to receive a potential green light from European regulators this week, building on a U.S. regulatory approval awarded on Wednesday.

South Carolina court orders Johnson & Johnson to pay $136 million in Risperdal case

(Reuters) - South Carolina's Supreme Court ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay a penalty of $136 million, upholding a jury's finding that the drugmaker's Janssen unit had improperly marketed its anti-psychotic drug Risperdal and concealed its risks.

Is There Anything You Can Do to Stop a Cold Before It Starts?

Because sneezing and coughing are <i>not</i> how you want to spend your day

The typical adult averages two to three colds a year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. And whether you’ve already topped that number or you've somehow stayed congestion-free this season, you'd probably try pretty much anything that promises to stop a cold in its tracks before it gets into your respiratory system. But the truth is, once a cold virus enters your system, nothing will truly prevent it from running its course. That's right: So-called cold fighters such as vitamin C, zinc, and herbs like garlic just aren't supported by science, says Holly Phillips, M.D., a women's health specialist in New York City. And while OTC meds can ease symptoms, they're no cure for the congestion, runny nose, and body aches that confine you to the couch for three to 10 days, surrounded by tissues and comforted by a Real Housewives marathon.

RELATED: You Have a Cold—Now What?!

That said, you're not totally defenseless. If you can keep your immune system strong, you'll be more likely to fight off a cold virus invasion, says Phillips. Consider these immune system boosters your anti-cold arsenal.

Score quality sleep. We know, easier said than done. But the fact is, inadequate sleep makes a dent in your immune system. "The exact mechanism of how sleep deprivation does this isn't entirely clear," says Phillips, "but some studies have shown that it derails T-cell functioning and increases inflammatory cytokines, both of which lessen our ability to fight colds and the flu."

Load up on plant food. Fruits, veggies, and whole grains pack high quantities of antioxidants, which are critical for cell repair and give your immune system a lift, says Phillips. "They minimize stress on the immune system so it can better fight off infections." Bring this list of antioxidant-rich foods with you next time you go grocery shopping.

Eat more mushrooms. They have immune-upping powers—and no, not the Harold and Kumar kind. We're talking about shitake mushrooms, which have a special place in ancient Chinese medicine. "They likely enhance cell lines involved in fighting infections, like interleukins and interferon," says Phillips. Make them a regular part of your meal plans by tossing them into stir-fries or salads.

RELATED: The Best Ways to Fight Off the Flu

Cut stress. You've heard it a million times, but it's important, so it bears repeating. "Like sleep deprivation, long-term stress releases a cascade of stress hormones into your system, which ultimately lowers production of white blood cells, which are critical for fending off infections," says Phillips.

Stay hydrated. We're talking hot soup, tea, and other steamy liquids, which help loosen mucus and make a sore throat feel better. Even room-temperature liquid can work. "Adequate hydration helps the body fight infection," says Phillips.

RELATED: 8 Genius Ways to Boost Your Immunity

How to Fix a Botched Brow Job

Go from sparse and patchy to statement arches in no time.

Whether you went a little tweezer-happy at home (oops!) or booked an appointment with a new waxer that ended in a too-thin job (ugh!), when it comes to growing your eyebrows, the struggle is real. And going on dates and to important work meetings with a botched brow job makes you as self-conscious as walking around with noticeable new strays. Here’s how to minimize your growing pains.

It might seem like everyone is staring at those tiny little hairs sprouting all over the place, but they can't see them unless they get close... really close. So stop analyzing your brows with a zoom, or you’ll end up over-tweezing again and delaying the rehab process, says Anastasia Soare, brow expert and founder of Anastasia Beverly Hills.

While you let your brows fill in, you don't want to touch any hairs coming in right below them. If the growth is looking very patchy, use a dab of skin-tone highlighter or creamy concealer to camouflage the stubble, says Soare. Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer ($8, ulta.com) and Josie Maran Creamy Concealer Crayon ($20, sephora.com) are two of our favorites.

Leaving your arches unkempt will only bring attention to their unevenness. Use a pencil or powder in a shade that matches your hair to draw wispy strokes in sparse areas. NYX Auto Eyebrow Pencil ($5, ulta.com) and E.L.F. Studio Eyebrow Kit ($3, eyeslipsface.com) come in a wide range of shades. Comb a spoolie brush over your eyebrows to blend the color for a more natural look, and finish by setting the hair in place with a clear brow gel, says Soare.

Just like your scalp needs to be healthy for your mop to grow, the skin around your eyebrows needs to be moisturized and well-cared-for so new strands are strong. A serum with peptides, vitamins, and botanical extracts encourages regrowth, so your wait time for full brows is shorter, says Soare. She recommends her own Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Enhancing Serum Advanced ($38, sephora.com). However, "Keep in mind that serums can only encourage growth based on whether or not your follicles actively produce hair," says Soare. "If the follicle doesn’t [grow hair] by nature or is too damaged, no serum will make hair appear."

To keep your eyebrows polished and in shape, you still need to wax or tweeze them regularly. "Think of this as a building block experience," says Soare. "While you may have over-tweezed or your waxer may have taken off too much, you still need to maintain your shape and get waxed [or] tweezed every two to three weeks to take care of the surrounding areas in which you are not trying to regrow hair." So make an appointment with a brow expert to clean up surrounding areas and trim long hairs. Brave enough to DIY? Use a brow stencil, like Ardell Brow Perfection Stencils ($4, sallybeauty.com), as a guide.

More from Women's Health:
Eyebrow Extensions Now Exist
An Expert Weighs in on Bachelorette Andi Dorfman's Eyebrow Transformation
8 Makeup Brushes Every Woman Should Own

Jamie Eason's Post-Pregnancy Fitness Trainer: Months 1-3

This training system starts wherever you are today. Follow Jamie Eason as she leads you through the flexible, approachable workout plan for your first three months after your child is born!

Conjoined twins separated at Texas hospital after marathon surgery

HOUSTON (Reuters) - In surgery lasting more than 24 hours, a Texas hospital medical team has separated nearly 1-year-old twins who were joined at the abdomen and shared a liver, diaphragm, pelvis, intestines and the lining of the heart, officials said on Monday.