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So-called “conversion therapy” can trigger depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal thoughts and attempts, and it should be banished in the United States, medical experts say in a new report. Conversion therapy is used in an attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, most typically to turn someone who is gay into a “straight” person. Electroshock therapy, chemical drugs, hormone administrations and surgery are among the methods that have been used in conversion therapy, noted a team of experts reporting Aug. 8 in the New England Journal of Medicine. While the use of such extreme methods has declined, other types of conversion therapy can still harm U.S. children, teens and adults, according to the report. Only 18 U.S. states have banned conversion therapy for people younger than 18, and no states have banned conversion therapy for adults. “As a result of the lack of regulation on these ‘therapies,’ many adults and children continue to be defrauded, harmed and traumatized in the U.S. every day,” said report lead author Dr. Carl Streed, Jr. He is a primary care physician at Boston Medical Center (BMC) and an assistant professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine. “In addition to the health problems associated with conversion therapies, these practices also carry serious economic burdens for LGBTQ [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning] people… read on >

If you have migraines, one or two cups of coffee a day may be okay, but three or more could raise your risk of an attack, a new study concludes. “Interestingly, despite some patients with episodic migraine thinking they need to avoid caffeine, we found that drinking one to two servings/day was not associated with higher risk of headache,” said study principal investigator Dr. Suzanne Bertisch, of the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. “More work is needed to confirm these findings, but it is an important first step,” she added in a news release from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. In the study, Bertisch and her colleagues tracked data from 98 adult sufferers of episodic migraines. Each patient had an average of five migraines a month, 66% had one to two servings of caffeinated beverages a day, and 12% had three or more servings a day. For the purposes of the study, one serving of caffeine was defined as eight ounces (one cup) of caffeinated coffee, six ounces of tea, a 12-ounce can of soda or a 2-ounce can of an energy drink. Over the six-week study period, the participants had an average of 8.4 migraines. All reported having caffeinated beverages on at least one day during the study, with an average of 7.9 servings per week.… read on >

(HealthDay News) — The human papillomavirus (HPV) is transmitted through sexual or skin-to-skin contact. Because there may not be symptoms, both men and women can contract HPV without even knowing it, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. To reduce your risk of contracting HPV, the FDA suggests: You can choose not to have sex. If you have sex, limit the number of partners you have. Choose a partner who has had no or few sex partners. The effectiveness of condoms in protecting against HPV isn’t clear, the agency says.

Leeks may look like scallions grown out of control, but they can add subtle flavor to many dishes, from soup to sides. Leeks are part of the onion and garlic family and are a good source of nutrients, including antioxidants. But unlike their cousins, leeks aren’t usually eaten raw. The first step in any leek recipe is to properly clean them. Cut off and discard the very dark green tops or place them in your compost pile. Thinly slice the leeks and place them in a large bowl of cold water. Toss the slices thoroughly to loosen any dirt or sand that might be caught between the layers and then drain them. Dry the leeks before proceeding with this or any recipe, unless noted otherwise. Here’s how to make a rich leek and potato soup that’s perfect hot or cold. Leek and Potato Potage 3 tablespoons olive oil 4 leeks, trimmed, sliced and rinsed 1 teaspoon dried herbs, such as rosemary, thyme and oregano 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 pound baby potatoes, such as Red Bliss or Creamer, quartered 1 quart no-salt-added vegetable or chicken broth Freshly ground black pepper to taste 4 tablespoons chopped chives (optional) Place the oil in a large stockpot and warm over medium heat. Add the leeks, dried herbs and salt. Cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often until the leeks… read on >

Are you craving a seafood bonanza but can’t get to the beach? Here’s how to make a clambake right in your own kitchen. Traditional clambakes serve up more than clams. This special one-pot meal typically includes other seafood, such as lobster and mussels, plus hearty sausage, potatoes and corn. This may look like a decadent meal, but the seafood is very low in calories while high in protein. Plus, the clams and mussels contain high amounts of the important nutrient vitamin B12. Stove-Top Clambake 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 pound chicken sausage, cut into 1-inch thick slices 2 large sweet onions, such as Vidalia, chopped 1/2 pound small potatoes, any variety 2 ears corn, cut in half 1 dozen littleneck clams, scrubbed 1 pound mussels, cleaned 2 lobster tails 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper 1 cup dry white wine 1 cup unsalted vegetable or chicken broth Warm the oil in an 8-quart stockpot over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook 4 to 5 minutes until the slices start to brown. Scatter the onions on top and cook 4 to 5 minutes more until tender. Layer on the remaining ingredients, starting with the potatoes, then the corn, clams, mussels and lobster tails. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Pour in the wine and broth and cover. Increase the heat to… read on >

Pile those vegetables and fruits high when you sit down to eat, and your heart will thank you. A diet rich in plant-based foods translated into fewer heart problems in a new study. For the study, the researchers analyzed data collected from more than 10,000 middle-aged U.S. adults who were followed from 1987 through 2016. None had heart disease at the start of that period. The participants’ eating habits were analyzed and their eating patterns were grouped according to the proportion of plant-based foods they ate versus the proportion of animal-based foods. Compared to those who ate mostly animal-based foods, those who ate mostly plant-based foods had a: 16% lower risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and other heart problems; a 32% lower risk of death from heart disease; and a 25% lower risk of death from any cause during the study period. The study was published online Aug. 7 in the Journal of the American Heart Association. “While you don’t have to give up foods derived from animals completely, our study does suggest that eating a larger proportion of plant-based foods and a smaller proportion of animal-based foods may help reduce your risk of having a heart attack, stroke or other type of cardiovascular disease,” said researcher Casey Rebholz. She’s an assistant professor of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health,… read on >

Preemies often lag behind full-term babies in getting routine vaccinations — and the difference remains at age 3, a new study finds. Misguided parental “hesitancy” over the safety of vaccines for preemies might be to blame, researchers said. The study found that preterm babies were less likely to be up-to-date on seven recommended vaccines by 19 months of age. More than half were “under-vaccinated,” and by age 3, one-third still were. Experts said the findings are concerning because preemies are more likely to become seriously ill if they contract the infections that vaccines prevent. The reasons for the results are not clear — but parents’ wariness could be a factor. “Parents of preemies sometimes feel that they are dealing with a fragile child,” said Dr. Rahul Gupta, chief medical and health officer for the March of Dimes. “Even if they’re not vaccine-hesitant as a philosophy, they may worry about the safety of vaccination for their child.” Plus, Gupta said, there is a lot going on in those first days to weeks of life in the neonatal intensive care unit — with doctors, nurses and parents focused on various medical needs. Conversations about vaccinations may fall by the wayside. But, Gupta stressed, it’s vital for preterm infants to get timely immunizations, since their risk of complications from infections is higher than average. “All of the available… read on >

(HealthDay News) — The ancient practice of yoga can provide a retreat from the chaos of life, says Harvard Medical School. Yoga’s goal is to challenge yourself physically without feeling overwhelmed. The practice has been noted to provide both mental and physical benefits. These benefits include: A better body image. Mindful eating habits. Reduced tension, stress and anxiety. Increased physical fitness. If you have any health concerns about your ability to practice yoga, check with your doctor before starting a program.

You’ve made the decision to improve your eating habits, but where should you begin? It can seem overwhelming at first. One way to approach new lifestyle habits is to map out the improvements you’d like to make and tackle them one at a time, over a week or two, before making the next change. Here are three steps to schedule on your calendar: Start by making better food choices at meals. Do you forgo breakfast at home and automatically go to your favorite drive-thru or opt for a donut in the break room at work? Your first change might be to have a healthy whole-grain cereal or a plain yogurt with fruit for your morning meal. Pack it in your tote if you aren’t hungry before you leave the house. Next, upgrade your supermarket choices. Is your cart typically loaded with convenience foods? The next time you shop, buy the fresh foods needed to replace at least one meal a day with a from-scratch recipe. When you need convenience items, think of precut fixings for a vegetable salad and a roasted chicken or cooked shrimp for nutritious proteins. Finally, revamp your cooking style. If your favorite recipes are breaded and fried, or loaded with butter and cheese, cut back on some of these high-calorie techniques. It can be as simple as switching from cream-based sauces… read on >

In the quest for more plant-based protein sources, yellow peas have been getting a lot of good press. And the number of packaged foods enhanced with this “pea protein” has tripled in the last few years. But dried split peas, whether yellow or green in color, were an excellent food choice long before they achieved their overnight superstar status. A mere quarter-cup, measured dry (uncooked), will yield 11 to 12 grams of protein, 13 to 16 grams of fiber and just 180 calories. Tip: Read labels on bags of dried peas since these counts vary slightly. Peas are common legumes or “pulses.” While not a complete protein, like meat or chicken, peas have important amino acids including isoleucine, leucine and valine, needed for building muscle. Keep in mind that foods with just the pea protein extract are missing yellow peas’ fiber, B vitamins and a wide variety of essential minerals and phytochemicals. So rather than paying up for products with added pea protein, especially if it’s the only healthy ingredient in the box, consider adding whole split peas to your diet with meals you make at home. Dried peas are perfect for do-ahead meals. Take a few minutes to cook up a batch, and then use them in recipes throughout the week. They form the base of many Indian dishes and hearty soups. They can… read on >

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All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:

Doctors Come Out Against Gay Conversion Therapy

How Much Coffee Is Too Much for Migraine Sufferers?

Health Tip: Reducing Your Risk of HPV

Get to Know Luscious Leeks

Dig Into a Stove-Top Clambake

Plants on Your Plate Will Protect Your Heart

Vulnerable Preemie Babies Often Behind On Vaccines

Health Tip: Benefits of Yoga

3 Ways to Improve Your Eating Habits

Try Yellow Peas for Protein Punch