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Up all night, stressing out, feeling pressured. Cramming for college finals can bring all that, plus have students reaching for fatty, sugary foods, a new study suggests. “Stress has long been implicated in poor diet. People tend to report overeating and comfort eating foods high in fat, sugar and calories in times of stress,” said study leader Nathalie Michels, from Ghent University, in Belgium. “Our findings looking at the eating habits of students during exam periods confirm this stress-induced dietary deterioration hypothesis,” Michels added. For the study, her team looked at the responses of 232 students at universities in Belgium who completed an anonymous online survey. The participants completed the survey before and after a month-long examination period in 2017. The students were asked about their stress levels and changes in their eating habits. During the exam period, students were less likely to follow a healthy diet, and only one-quarter of them met the World Health Organization-recommended intake of 400 grams of fruit and vegetables a day. The researchers also found that students with higher levels of stress tended to snack more often. The study was presented this week at the European Congress on Obesity in Glasgow, Scotland. Such research should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. “A healthy diet is needed for optimal academic and mental performance. Unfortunately, our findings suggest… read on >

Even if they never use a condom during sex, gay men whose HIV is undetectable due to ongoing antiretroviral treatment cannot infect their male partner, new research reveals. “Whether men who are in monogamous relationships in these circumstances chose to use or not to use condoms is up to them, but there is no need to do so to prevent HIV transmission to the negative partner,” said the new study’s lead author, Dr. Alison Rodger. She’s a professor of infectious diseases with the Institute for Global Health at University College London in England. Rodger said the study provides “conclusive evidence” that the risk of transmission through sex is zero when virus levels are fully suppressed by antiretroviral therapy (ART). An earlier phase of the study proved the same was true for heterosexual couples. The finding — from the largest investigation of its kind — lends support to a public health campaign launched in 2016 by more than 850 HIV organizations in 96 countries. Known as the “U=U Campaign,” it stands for “undetectable equals untransmittable.” The new study, published May 2 in the online edition of The Lancet, spanned 14 countries and eight years. It included nearly 1,000 gay couples, each with one HIV-positive man and one without the virus. On average, HIV-positive partners said they had been on ART for four years prior to the… read on >

Being stopped and questioned by a police officer can be a stressful encounter for anyone, but it is especially hazardous for those with autism. Things can go so wrong that the person with autism winds up in jail because of miscommunications and misunderstandings. Previous research has found that an estimated 1 in 5 teens with autism will be stopped and questioned by police before age 21. And people with disabilities, including autism, are five times more likely to be jailed than those without disabilities. One child development expert laid out the scenarios that can lead to disaster during a police stop. “A simple traffic stop can have tragic consequences for an individual with ASD [autism spectrum disorder],” said Dr. Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, N.Y. “If a police officer does not recognize that the driver has autism, then they may misinterpret the failure to make eye contact, answer questions appropriately, or follow simple commands,” he explained. “If this happens, the police officer may become more wary and feel defied or threatened — which could then lead to escalation of the situation — with greater agitation or withdrawal by an individual with ASD,” Adesman noted. “Adolescents and adults with autism may respond inappropriately to questions or commands from a police officer or get agitated,… read on >

In the ABCs of vitamins, B12 is often overlooked. But it’s essential for the making of nerve and red blood cells, as well as DNA along with many other body processes. Adults and teens need just 2.4 micrograms a day, but you can fall short even on this small amount. You’re at particular risk of a B12 deficiency if you’re a vegetarian because animal foods, like meat and dairy, are the only foods that deliver it. If you have a health problem that affects nutrient absorption, like Crohn’s disease, have had bariatric surgery or take certain medications, you also run the risk. So do people over 50 because of changes in stomach acids. Common medications that can affect your body’s B12 levels: PPIs such as omeprazole (Prilosec) and lansoprazole (Prevacid), used for treating heartburn or GERD. H2 receptor antagonists such as famotidine (Pepcid) and ranitidine (Zantac), also used for treating those and other conditions. Metformin, the diabetes drug. A deficiency can develop slowly over time or come on rather fast. Possible warning signs include emotional or thinking problems, fatigue, weakness, weight loss, constipation, and numbness or tingling in hands and feet. These can also be symptoms of many other conditions, but it takes only a blood test to diagnose a B12 deficiency. If you don’t eat animal-based foods, you can boost B12 with fortified soy… read on >

Living well starts at the grocery store: When you choose the right foods, it’s easy to cook and eat healthfully. As a general rule, shop mostly along the perimeter of the store. This is where you’ll find fresh foods, such as the dairy, meat, fish and fresh produce that should be the foundation of your meals. Some of the most nutritious vegetable staples available year-round are sweet potatoes, broccoli, carrots and spinach. These are versatile choices that are not only great side dishes, but also part of many courses from a variety of cuisines. Most people aren’t aware how much out-of-season produce adds to their food bill, so stick with what’s in season or go with frozen, especially when it comes to berries and exotic fruits such as mango. Seasonal foods also taste better, so consider buying them in bulk when available and freezing portions for future use. Avoid most of the aisles and freezer cases jammed with prepared foods like frozen dinners. They cost more and are usually loaded with sugar and salt. One inner aisle you should visit is the one with grains. That’s where you’ll find whole grains and whole grain flours to boost your fiber intake, and provide other nutrients typically missing from refined flour foods. Also stock up on dried peas and beans. To make shopping efficient, keep a running… read on >

Want a quick brain boost? A morning session of exercise and short walks throughout the day provide a number of brain benefits for older adults, a new study says. The findings show that people should avoid uninterrupted sitting to maintain good mental function throughout the day. The study also indicates that moderate-intensity exercise such as brisk walking should be encouraged to maintain brain health, according to researcher Michael Wheeler. “Relatively simple changes to your daily routine could have a significant benefit to your cognitive health. [The study] also reveals that one day we may be able to do specific types of exercise to enhance specific cognitive skills such as memory or learning,” Wheeler added. He’s a doctoral student at the University of Western Australia’s Heart and Diabetes Institute. The study included more than 65 men and women, aged 55 to 80, in Australia. The researchers examined how moderate-intensity exercise on a treadmill in the morning with and without 3-minute walking breaks during an 8-hour day of extended sitting affected different kinds of mental function. Decision-making throughout the day was improved when the participants did the morning exercise session, compared with uninterrupted sitting, according to the study. It also found that the morning bout of exercise combined with a number of short light-intensity walking breaks throughout the day led to improvements in short-term memory, compared with… read on >

A gene therapy that tweaks the immune system might offer hope to people with blood cancer that has resisted standard treatments, a new preliminary trial suggests. The cancer, called multiple myeloma, arises in certain white blood cells. It is currently incurable, but there are treatments that can help people live with the disease for years. However, most people eventually progress, and some fail to respond to the available therapies at all. The new study involved 33 patients just like that: They’d typically had seven to eight rounds of various treatments and were out of options. So researchers tried a recently developed approach that harnesses the immune system’s cancer-killing potential: CAR T-cell therapy. It involves removing immune system T-cells from a patient, then genetically altering them to be armed with chimeric antigen receptors, or CARs. That allows the T-cells to recognize and attack cancer cells once they are infused back into the blood, said senior researcher Dr. James Kochenderfer. CAR T-cell therapy is already approved for certain cases of leukemia and lymphoma — two other types of blood cancer. But the approach is not one-size-fits-all. CARs have to target a protein specific to the cancer, explained Kochenderfer, a scientist with the U.S. National Cancer Institute. In this study, his team used CARs that recognize a protein on multiple myeloma cells, called BCMA. The investigators found that… read on >

(HealthDay News) — A chemical peel can reduce signs of aging and treat a variety of skin conditions, says the American Academy of Dermatology. Acne, discoloration, freckles and sun-damaged skin are some of the many conditions commonly treated with a peel. After treatment, patients often see smoother skin, a brighter complexion, a more-even skin tone and fewer wrinkles. However, before considering treatment, it is important to remember that chemical peels are considered cosmetic treatments, so insurance may not cover the cost.

When you want to create a festive celebration without a fat and calorie overload, a seafood-based salad is the perfect choice. To step up the extravagance, make it with crabmeat. Crab is high in vitamin B12 and is a delicious, lean protein to pair with fresh greens. If you’re buying pre-packaged crabmeat, check it for any bits of shell, then give it a rinse under cold running water and set it aside to drain before using. You can also buy king crab legs at your fish counter and easily pick the meat out of the shells yourself after steaming them. Another special ingredient in this salad is low-calorie hearts of palm, the tender center of a plant typically found in Costa Rica. It gives this salad an exotic spin and a zesty flavor. You can find hearts of palm in cans or glass jars at most markets. Both parts of this recipe can be made in advance. Drizzle on the dressing just before serving to avoid making the greens soggy. Citrusy Crab Salad For the salad: 4 cups baby spinach, rinsed and drained 4 hearts of palm stalks, rinsed, drained and sliced into discs 6 ounces crabmeat, picked over, rinsed and drained 1 avocado, thinly sliced For the dressing: 1 navel orange 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4… read on >

“No sex for six weeks” used to be the standard advice following childbirth and, according to many doctors, it is still a good practice to allow healing. But it’s not a hard-and-fast rule. Although a woman is at the highest risk for infection during the first two weeks postpartum (a period that could be longer if she had vaginal tears or a cesarean section delivery), the current approach is to let how a woman feels guide her. Still, for many women, the return to intimacy doesn’t always follow a schedule. Problems like vaginal dryness, painful sex and a lack of desire can stand in the way, often for months after childbirth. A study of 832 new moms published in the journal BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth found that after six months 46% reported a lack of interest in sex, nearly as many experienced vaginal dryness and for 37% sex was painful. These problems weren’t always connected to having had an episiotomy or vaginal tears. A lack of natural lubrication and even breastfeeding, which has been associated with a negative body image, were other underlying reasons. Another study of new moms, this one published in Obstetrics & Gynecology, found that other problems, not directly involving sexual function but affecting sexual desire, can start as early as one month postpartum and continue for six or more months. They… read on >

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All Sauce from Weekly Gravy:

As Finals Draw Near, College Kids’ Diets Worsen

HIV Meds Cut Transmission Risk to Zero, Even Without Condoms: Study

For People With Autism, Encounters With Police Can Turn Dangerous

Could You Be Short on Vitamin B12?

An Expert’s Guide to Healthier Grocery Shopping

Morning Exercise Kick-Starts Seniors’ Brains

Gene Therapy May Help Fight Tough-to-Treat Blood Cancer

Health Tip: Chemical Peel

A Celebration Salad Fit for a Queen or King

Returning to Intimacy After Childbirth