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Research continues to unlock the benefits of eating whole grains, already thought to promote better digestive health, along with being very filling. A review of 12 studies involving nearly 800,000 participants published in the journal Circulation found that eating three to four servings of whole grains every day can lower the death rate from many illnesses, including heart disease and some cancers, compared to people who eat no or few grains. When trying to add to the whole grains in your diet, keep in mind that you have choices beyond whole-wheat bread and brown rice. Many ancient grains are being reintroduced and are available in a variety of products. Like the already super-popular quinoa, amaranth is a grain variation with a high protein content. Because it doesn’t have gluten, it’s a good choice for anyone with celiac disease or a sensitivity. Bulgur is a wheat product similar in appearance to couscous. You may already know it as a key ingredient in the Middle Eastern dish tabbouleh. Farro is a type of wheat that’s sometimes used to make semolina flour for pasta. In whole grain form, it looks and cooks like rice. Spelt is another type of whole wheat grain coming back in favor. Use spelt pasta to replace the refined type in favorite recipes. Because it’s also sold in a refined state, be sure to… read on >

Parents of budding teens can breathe a little easier: A new study says adolescent “sexting” is not an epidemic. On the other hand, it’s not disappearing, either, despite campaigns to curb it. “Sexting is perceived as an epidemic because the news highlights extreme cases that involve tragic outcomes, and because it goes against standards of morality and decency that are historically entrenched,” said study author Sameer Hinduja, a professor of criminology at Florida Atlantic University. But most teens have never sent or received a sex text, the new study found. It focused on about 5,600 students in American middle and high schools, ages 12 to 17. Of those, about 14% had ever sent a sexually or explicit image or had received one. For this study, researchers defined sexting as the exchange of nude or semi-nude photos or videos via text or private messaging on social media. Other researchers have included sexually suggestive or explicit texts. Hinduja said his team didn’t include those, because they can’t lead to sextortion, child pornography charges or related fallout. About 11% of the students said they had sent a sext to a boyfriend or girlfriend — and about 64% did so when asked to, the study found. But only 43% complied with a request from someone who was not a current romantic partner. Boys were much more likely to have… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Exposure therapy is a psychological treatment developed to help people confront their fears, says the American Psychological Association (APA). When people are fearful of things, they tend to avoid what frightens them. With exposure therapy, psychologists create an environment to expose people to the things they fear. Exposure therapy has been shown to help phobias, panic disorders, social anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, generalized anxiety disorders and others, the APA says.

Many older men take testosterone to boost their sex drive, but new research suggests that postmenopausal women who struggle with a sagging libido might want to follow suit. Applied topically, the hormone appears to increase women’s sexual function and satisfaction, according to a new review of 36 clinical trials involving nearly 8,500 women. Women naturally produce testosterone as well as estrogen, said lead researcher Susan Davis, a professor of women’s health at the Monash University School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in Melbourne, Australia. “Testosterone is a female hormone and there is consistent evidence generated over decades that postmenopausal women with loss of sexual desire or arousal may benefit from treatment with testosterone,” Davis said. The hormone appears to act directly upon sex hormone receptors in women’s brains, Davis explained. “Testosterone has also been shown to increase blood flow, including vaginal blood flow, so treatment may enhance orgasm and arousal by increasing blood flow to genital tissues,” Davis added. The idea of using testosterone to boost female sexuality has been around for decades, but has lain fallow since the mid-2000s, experts said. In 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shot down an effort by Procter & Gamble to sell a testosterone patch for women, said Dr. Andrea Dunaif, chief of endocrinology, diabetes and bone disease for the Mount Sinai Health System in… read on >

(HealthDay News) — For those with back pain, even daily activities can be uncomfortable. A common treatment option is chiropractic care, says Duke University. A chiropractor typically will use his or her hands to improve joint mobility, relieve muscle tightness and ease nerve irritation in certain areas. Though chiropractic care can be uncomfortable at first, serious side effects are rare. Typically, patients have slight soreness afterward that eases over time.

If you’re looking for a frozen treat that won’t give your healthy eating plan the cold shoulder, pass on store-bought pops and make your own. Some prepackaged pops might be calorie-friendly, but many have dyes and preservatives. Making your own is easy, and you can use gut-friendly ingredients like kefir (a cultured dairy drink), fresh fruit and dark chocolate. Think of kefir as a cousin of yogurt with a similarly tangy taste. It’s high in protein and loaded with probiotic cultures, up to 11 different strains compared to the one or two found in most yogurts. It’s great in frozen pop recipes because the freezing doesn’t kill the beneficial cultures. Also, its texture is a bit thinner than yogurt, which makes it ideal for freezing with berries and other healthy add-ins, like naturally sugar-free cacao nibs. Nibs are cracked whole cocoa beans. They’re high in antioxidants plus they give you a good dose of fiber and a pleasant crunch. You can usually find them in health food stores or order them online. A bag of nibs will keep for months in your fridge, but you’ll likely use them up in short order. Frozen Kefir Pops 1 cup plain 2% kefir 1 tablespoon honey or sweetener of your choice 1 cup berries or pitted cherries 4 teaspoons cacao nibs Place kefir and honey or sweetener in… read on >

Turns out that the old adage — an apple a day keeps the doctor away — may actually be true. New research suggests that the more plant foods you eat, the lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. People who ate a mostly plant-based diet reduced their risk of diabetes by 23%, the study found. The association was even stronger — a 30% drop in risk of type 2 diabetes — for people who ate healthy plant-based foods, including veggies, fruits, legumes, nuts and whole grains. These foods contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other beneficial ingredients. So, what isn’t an especially healthy plant food? Processed foods and foods with added sugar. Think foods like white bread, white pasta, breakfast cereal, chips or cookies. The researchers also didn’t include starchy vegetables, such as potatoes, in their healthy-choices list. “A plant-based diet is very healthful in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes,” said the review’s senior author, Dr. Qi Sun. He’s an associate professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. And the more healthy plant foods, the better, Sun said. But “you should be picky about what types of foods you count as plant-based,” he added. Sun also explained that a diet doesn’t have to be strictly vegan or vegetarian to be healthy. He said it’s a good idea to… read on >

(HealthDay News) — Athlete’s foot is a contagious fungal infection that commonly occurs in people whose feet become sweaty in tight-fitting shoes. The infection typically begins as a scaly rash between the toes. To treat mild athlete’s foot, Mayo Clinic suggests using an over-the-counter antifungal ointment, lotion, powder or spray. If athlete’s foot does not respond to treatment, your doctor may prescribe a stronger medication.

Love the idea of using more exotic fresh herbs in your cooking, but not sure where to begin? Thai basil and tarragon are two to try. Thai basil and tarragon are richly flavored, leafy green herbs — both have the aroma of anise or licorice — that can add interest to mild-tasting vegetables, fruits and proteins as well as sauces, dressings and other condiments. Often used in Asian cooking, Thai basil pairs well with sweeter flavors like the pineapple in this fruit salsa. Thai Basil Pineapple Salsa 1 cup Thai basil leaves, chopped 1 cup finely chopped pineapple 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced 1 lime, zested and juiced 1/2 teaspoon salt Place all of the ingredients in a large bowl and toss well to combine. Let sit for an hour in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to meld before serving. Yield: About 2 cups Tarragon is one of the herbs most essential to French cooking and is often used to make distinctive sauces, like Bearnaise. A sprinkling of the herb, finely chopped, will enhance simply prepared chicken and seafood. It’s also the star of this tasty variation of traditional pesto. Tarragon Almond Pesto 1/2 cup almonds 1 garlic clove, chopped 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup each tarragon leaves and flat-leaf (Italian) parsley 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil Process… read on >

Due to waning vaccination levels in some areas, measles outbreaks are back with a vengeance. But many globe-trotting Americans may not realize the problem is worldwide. Therefore, making sure your measles vaccination is up to date is paramount before jetting off. In fact, U.S. outbreaks of measles “are usually started by foreign travelers importing the virus to the U.S.,” according to Dr. Len Horovitz. He’s a specialist in pulmonary illnesses at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. “This is exacerbated by lack of vaccination in many foreign countries,” Horovitz said. And according to a regularly updated list of measles “hotspots” from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “this is clearly a global epidemic,” he said. “Asia, Africa and the Middle East lead the list, but in Europe the Ukraine and Romania have had reports of outbreaks,” Horovitz noted. “Also included on the outbreak list are Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, France, Bulgaria and Lithuania.” Besides ruining a dream vacation, measles is very contagious and can be spread quickly to others, experts warn. And even if you think you got the shot in childhood, it’s smart to check and see if your immunity has waned, Horovitz said. That’s especially true for some of the baby boomer generation. “It’s well-known that vaccines between 1963 and 1967 were less effective, and immunity can fade over… read on >

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All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:

Getting in Step With Whole Grains

Sexting May Be Less Common Among Teens Than You Think

Health Tip: Understanding Exposure Therapy

Testosterone May Rejuvenate Older Women’s Sex Drive

Health Tip: Chiropractors and Back Pain

How to Make a Delicious and Healthy Frozen Fruit Pop

Plant-Based Diet Helps Keep Diabetes at Bay

Health Tip: Treating Athlete’s Foot

Spice Up Your Cooking With Licorice-Scented Herbs

Traveling Abroad? Make Sure Your Measles Shot Is Up to Date