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Researchers at the University of Michigan had 106 college students fill out a personality test filled with questions aimed at gauging how stressed they felt and the size of their ego (for example, rating this statement highly—“If I ruled the world it would be a better place”—likely means you’ve got a sizeable ego.) The researchers also tested the students’ saliva for levels of the stress hormone cortisol. The results? Those who qualified as narcissistic had higher levels of cortisol—especially men....

After analyzing the data of more than 240,000 participants, a history of kidney stones (as known by their medical alias nephrolithiasis) was found to be associated with a significant increase in coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. And here’s the kicker: It was only in women—not men. “Previous studies have indicated that they might be associated with other systemic disorders such as high blood pressure, diabetes or gout,” says lead researcher Pietro Manuel Ferraro, MD, of Columbus-Gemelli Hospital, Rome....

Being able to empathize with someone else is technically known as perspective-taking, a habit that helps couples improve their relationships. But after researchers studied more than 100 psychology students in exclusive relationships through a series of tests, including a self-esteem scale and open-ended responses to questions about their partner, they found that those with low self-esteem were worse at perspective-taking, felt less secure about their partner’s love, and were less satisfied with their relationship overall when trying to see things from their side....

Today, those recipes sit yellowing in a kitchen drawer. Susan hasn’t taken so much as a bite of steak since 1997. The former meat-lover favors meatless meals that get their flavor not from fat but from unique, zesty condiments and seasonings. What brought about Susan’s diet change of heart? A massive heart attack in August 1996, followed by a year of trying to rein in her dangerously high cholesterol, which had climbed to an astounding 400....

Some bottled marinades are essentially liquid salt or sugar with a little garlic thrown in. But others are made from a combination of antioxidant-rich superfoods like citrus juices, olive oil, honey, tomatoes, hot peppers, fresh rosemary, cilantro, and ginger. The ingredients in these wholesome sauces boost your nutrient intake, protect you from harmful bacteria, and lower your cancer risk. Why I’m Mad for Marinades Healthful marinades have a couple of key components....

Incident reports released by the FDA show that over the past three years, five people may have died after drinking Monster Energy, reports the New York Times. The mother of one of the alleged victims, a 14-year-old Maryland girl who died from a heart arrhythmia after reportedly drinking two Monsters, has filed a lawsuit against the energy drink company. Monster, the Times reports, says they’re not to blame for the teen’s death....

The disease, which impacts the body’s central nervous system and triggers diverse symptoms that can include vision loss, limb weakness, and muscle spasms, currently has no cure—and can be incredibly difficult for doctors to diagnose and for patients to manage. That’s why a new campaign, Stick With It!, is endeavoring to educate MS sufferers and their families about the ins and outs of the illness. Leading the charge is country music star Clay Walker, whose MS charity, Band Against MS, launched the new campaign....

In a 2002 Austrian study of 65 people who had herniated disks, researchers found that the combination of music and relaxation imagery significantly reduced lower-back pain. Everyone got standard medical care (painkillers, physical therapy), but half also listened to music and performed relaxation exercises every day. After 10 days, the music group reported less pain while climbing stairs, getting out of bed, and even sleeping. After 21 days, the music group’s overall pain was more than 40% less than the nonmusic group....

The Treatment Alkaline DietWhat is it? A few studies have shown acidity can be damaging to the body, so it’s thought by some that eating mostly alkaline-forming (acid-lowering) foods like fruits and vegetables may slow skin aging.Does it work?There’s no research proving this theory. (Our bodies do a good job of regulating acidity regardless of diet.) But there is anecdotal support: “My clients who eat 80% alkaline-forming foods notice fewer lines and more hydrated skin in weeks,” says nutritionist Kimberly Snyder....

But that’s not the entire story. Not only did the nonorganic milk contain lower levels of the good fat, but it also harbored higher levels of inflammation- and disease-promoting omega-6 fats; the healthy omega-6 to omega-3 ratio was not as favorable as in the organic milk. While we do need some omega-6s in our diets, Americans tend to drastically overeat this type of fat. (It’s the fat found in many junk foods and fried foods....

More from Prevention: Pilates Moves For A Flat Belly With all that said, what makes Pilates so pertinent to the way you live your life today? Well, Pilates is all about breathing and moving more fully—both of which we need to do more often. Over the past 50 years, our lifestyles have become increasingly sedentary, while our bodies, which were built for action, haven’t changed in design. We call sitting still for long periods of time “discipline,” but it can be a kind of tyranny....

But in people with psoriasis, the body makes far too many skin cells, producing them about five times faster than average, which causes the skin to get thick and scaly. Doctors aren’t sure what causes psoriasis, although it appears that the immune system may damage genetic material that tells skin cells how often to divide. [sidebar] Peruse the Produce Aisle There’s some evidence that eating more produce can help control psoriasis....

Things aren’t so different today: Washing before prayer is common among Muslims, Catholics dip their hands in holy water upon entering a church, and Native Americans take vapor baths to purify and pray. More secular people, too, link physical and moral cleansing, believing that we can “wash away” doubts, fears, and regrets and start over “clean,” research finds. MORE: 15 Pampering Gifts You Won’t Want To Part With The ancient physicians also spoke of bathing’s healing properties, and many modern doctors agree....

A new research review published in Osteoporosis International suggests that naturally occurring compounds in fruits and veggies called alkaline potassium salts build strong bones by reducing your rate of bone resorption, or breakdown, and reducing the amount of calcium you excrete through urine. To reach this conclusion, researchers analyzed a total of 14 studies in which participants were given one of two alkaline potassium salts, potassium citrate and potassium carbonate—the equivalent of consuming 7 to 8 servings of fruits and vegetables a day....

Blueberry-Lemon Scones PREP TIME: 20 MINUTESTOTAL TIME: 35 MINUTESYIELD: 12 Scones3 c all-purpose flour½ c granulated sugarZest of 1 lemon1 tsp baking powder1 tsp baking soda¼ c cold butter, cut into small cubes1 c buttermilk¼ c unsweetened applesauce1 c fresh or frozen blueberriesGlaze1½ - 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice¾ c confectioners’ sugar MAKE scones: Heat oven to 400°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Put flour in large bowl. Reserve 1 Tbsp of the flour in small bowl....

This summer, the agencies made their first move in 10 years to update seafood recommendations, suggesting that women who are pregnant, nursing, or trying to become pregnant eat a minimum weekly quota of 8 to 12 ounces of low-mercury seafood. True, seafood has omega-3 fatty acids that benefit a baby’s development—something plant-based sources of omega-3s have not been shown to do. But setting a minimum intake quota is dangerous, says Consumer Reports, because all species of fish contain at least some mercury—and a few missteps toward higher-mercury fish at the seafood restaurant could lead to childbearing women easily ingesting unsafe levels of the toxin without knowing it....

Excuse: “Healthy foods are too expensive.” More than half of the women polled said cost was the reason they don’t eat healthy foods. Busted! Popular to contrary belief, eating fresh produce and other healthy foods actually costs less than foods high in fat, sugar, and salt, finds a new study from the US Department of Agriculture. Comparing the cost of foods by weight or portion size shows that grains, vegetables, fruit, and dairy foods are less expensive than junk foods....

Muscles work in pairs; when one contracts, the other relaxes. To effectively stretch a muscle, you have to relax it first. The traditional extend-reach-hold technique that most of us have learned does the opposite. Picture a runner stretching the back of her thighs (hamstrings). She throws her heel up on a bench, straightens her leg, and pulls her nose toward her knee. In this position, the front of her thigh (quadricep) is totally relaxed....