“My patients love the consistency of it,” Ross explains. “Even the patients who are not big on yogurt or milk products overwhelmingly seem to like Greek yogurt.” Greek yogurt’s thick consistency comes from straining it to remove liquid whey. This process increases the amount of protein per serving and removes some of the carbohydrates, which people with diabetes must watch carefully. “For folks with diabetes, the lower carbs are a plus,” Ross notes....

For the review, the researchers looked at 18 studies investigating the health benefits of natural sound; study participants listened to recordings of outdoor sounds in laboratory settings. Participants reported less stress and improved health outcomes, like decreased pain, after listening to recordings of nature sounds. Water sounds, such as that gurgling brook or a steady waterfall, tended to be the most effective at improving positive affect (the psychological term for a more positive outlook or disposition and the experience of joy and interest), while bird sounds were best for lowering stress....

While previous studies have linked different types of discrimination to a higher risk of mental illness, psychological distress, and drug use, this new study, published November 1 in the journal Pediatrics, is the first to focus on this formative period in a young adult’s life with continued follow-up on the same individuals over a 10-year period. “With 75 percent of all lifetime mental health disorders presenting by age 24, the transition to adulthood is a crucial time to prevent mental and behavioral health problems,” said Yvonne Lei, a medical student at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the study’s corresponding author, in a press release....

Factor in COVID-19 and you may have even more things to consider. Is it safe to get a flu shot and a COVID-19 vaccine or booster at the same time? Influenza cases have been so low during the pandemic, is the flu really worth worrying about on top of everything else? To help clear up some of the confusion, it can help to hear from a straight-talking doctor. Purvi S....

But from a nutritional standpoint, a lot of sandwiches are lacking. Slapping some processed meat and cheese on refined white bread with mayo isn’t the best way to fuel up midday. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to make this lunchbox mainstay better for you, and better tasting, too. Just follow these easy guidelines for building a better sandwich. RELATED: Healthier Spins on Classic Grilled Cheese 5 Dos for a Healthy Sandwich Rethink what goes between the bread with these healthy sandwich ideas....

Multiple sclerosis is the most common disabling neurological disease in young adults, usually striking between ages 20 and 40, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Nearly one million people in the United States are living with MS, per the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), as are more than 2.3 million people worldwide. The good news: Most MS symptoms can usually be managed successfully, says Anthony Reder, MD, a multiple sclerosis specialist and professor of neurology at the University of Chicago....

Such support is especially important while COVID-19 remains prevalent. That’s because diabetes puts you at a higher risk of complications of the disease, as the American Diabetes Association has warned. Also, stress caused by the pandemic may affect your ability to manage your blood sugar. More than 400 people with relatively well controlled type 1 and type 2 diabetes participated in a Netherlands-based study published in January 2021 in BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care, and those who reported having more difficulty controlling their blood sugar during the first two to three months of lockdown in spring 2020 also reported higher stress than the others....

Indeed, whether you’re dealing with a chronic gastrointestinal problem or not, the holidays are famous for stirring up gastrointestinal woes in the form of gas, bloating, and abdominal discomfort. Sugar is known to promote inflammation, and research suggests it may do so by disrupting the healthy balance of gut microbiota — both by increasing the abundance of “bad” bacteria and by decreasing quantities of “good” bacteria. But that doesn’t mean you need to deprive yourself of the wonderful treats available during the festivities....

“Here’s the thing — if you can see the dirt on ’em, clean ’em. Otherwise, there’s no point,” Kutcher said about when they opt to give their kids a bath. As for Kunis herself, she says she doesn’t wash her whole body with soap every day, “but I wash pits and tits and holes and soles,” while her husband joked that he washes his “armpits and my crotch daily, and nothing else ever....

Here’s one factor to consider: Some diets, such as intermittent fasting and the ketogenic diet, are more likely than others to cause dehydration. Given that we need water to survive, health experts suggest making that part of the equation when you weigh the pros and cons of any diet. Water helps all cells, tissues, and organs survive, per the Mayo Clinic, so you don’t want to skimp on hydration. The U....

Patti Cox, PhD, CGP, in private practice in New York and president of the Eastern Group Psychotherapy Society, a regional affiliate of the American Group Psychotherapy Association, says anyone can benefit from group therapy “What’s important is to be in the right group at the right time,” she says. “An acute crisis is not the best time to start group therapy because your needs are so great.” Groups generally meet once or twice a week for 90 minutes to two hours....

“Marathons, like all sports, are kind of rich in rituals,” says Jonathan Cane, a marathon trainer and the founder of City Coach, a company that trains beginners and athletes in running, swimming, and cycling in New York City. And like all good rituals, there can be a lot of debate over which ones to observe. Should I load up on carbs the night before? How much water should I drink before, during, and after?...

But despite its prevalence, there are many misconceptions about who gets HPV, how they get it, and what a diagnosis means. Here are some of the most common myths — and the corresponding facts — about HPV. Myth 1: Only Women Get HPV Fact Men can get HPV through intimate contact with an infected partner — and since many people with HPV experience no symptoms, that could be almost anyone....

In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu causes more than 20 million illnesses annually in the United States alone. Flu symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, and body aches, can be mild or severe. Prevention is key. Getting an annual flu shot in October, before flu season is in full swing, can go a long way toward protecting yourself and your family from getting sick....

Blame a perfect storm of weather conditions for the season’s awful allergies, including a snowy, rainy winter in some parts of the country that led to an abundance of tree and grass pollen; a sudden shift from wintry to warm weather that encouraged the pollen’s release; and windy conditions that sent particles airborne, where they enter our noses, throats, and eyes and trigger symptoms that range from congestion, sneezing, and itchy eyes to headaches, diarrhea, and even depression....

A number of factors can affect how likely you are to sweat, including the type of hyperhidrosis you have, your emotional state, and the temperature and humidity of the environment you’re in. All these considerations play a role in whether your sweating tends to change, or mostly stay the same, from season to season. “I would say that most people tend to sweat less when it’s colder outside,” says Temitayo Ogunleye, MD, an assistant professor of clinical dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia....

One is that researchers still have a lot to learn about what exactly goes wrong in progressive MS. After all, keep in mind that the diagnosis of any form of MS is still a clinical diagnosis, meaning the doctor (or “clinician”) must rely on signs and symptoms, bolstered by imaging or lab tests, to make a diagnosis. Another is that researchers are still working on establishing what biomarkers — or observable signs — indicate that a potential treatment has benefits....

Whether you choose African dance, TikTok dance parties, Latin fusion, or another dance style, you’ll score a fun aerobic workout, with most tending to be a full-body activity. Plus, you can pick one that’s suitable for your age, ability, and fitness level. Ready to get your groove on? Here’s everything you need to know about turning dance into a workout. Judson MacDonald, a Durham, North Carolina–based personal trainer and group fitness instructor certified by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and a learning and development specialist for Les Mills International, says to simply try the dance workouts that appeal to you most....

Late last week, we spent time in close contact with two friends who have been as cautious as (and perhaps even more cautious than) we have been. On Monday, we received a message that they had both tested positive for COVID-19, and while he was asymptomatic, she was having a right go of it. We have, of course, rallied the troops to help them however they might need, canceled our social engagements (slight as they were), and begun testing regularly....

“Alcohol, for some people, can temporarily relieve anxiety. It can also be a distraction — something to fill time,” says Aimee Chiligiris, PsyD, an assistant professor of medical psychology (in psychiatry) at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City who specializes in alcohol use disorder. But alcohol can trigger a cycle of increased use that feeds on itself. For some, routine alcohol use may be a means of masking deeper emotional, mental, and life challenges, and this coping mechanism can turn into an addiction, according to American Addiction Centers....