Vacations can rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. They can relieve stress and give your body a rest. They also give you the time to slow down, stop, and smell the roses. And everyone needs to do that. Stress at work Stress at work can affect your physical health. According to the American Psychological Association, three fourths of those responding to a poll reported physical symptoms from workplace stress....

The Caveman Diet says to eat more protein to maintain your weight and better your health. So do Atkins, South Beach and countless other regimes. Then there’s Dr. Dean Ornish, who wants us to lose weight and regain our health by eating less protein. Who’s right? First, let’s start with what everyone agrees on: Protein is the major structural component of all the cells in the body. It builds...

Gum is giving scientists plenty to chew on. In a recent study, psychologists at St. Lawrence University found that students who chewed gum five minutes before taking a test did better on it than students who did not. The small study included 159 students. Half were randomly given gum to chew and the other half were given nothing. The students then completed a variety of difficult cognitive tests and puzzles....

Kidneys are like pint-sized processing plants. About as big as your fist, these organs remove waste, filter blood, control red blood cell production and help regulate blood pressure. They return about 200 quarts of fluid to the bloodstream each day. Humans are usually born with two kidneys. About one in 750 people are born with a single kidney. This is more common in males. Other people may have just one kidney...

About 1 in 10 adults in the U.S. suffers from chronic kidney disease. This condition is often a silent enemy. By the time it causes symptoms, it may be too late to prevent kidney failure and avoid dialysis or transplant. Having kidney disease also increases the risk of heart disease. However, there are ways for you to slow kidney disease. That’s why it’s important to find out if you’re at risk....