To safeguard human health in the future, researchers envision creation of a “Noah’s Ark” of beneficial human microbes.

The human microbiome includes trillions of microscopic organisms that live in and on our bodies, and benefit our health in a number of ways, according to the authors of the proposal.

But antibiotics, processed-food diets and other modern harms have led to a huge loss of microbial diversity and an accompanying rise in health problems, the researchers said.

“We’re facing a growing global health crisis, which requires that we capture and preserve the diversity of the human microbiota while it still exists,” said study lead author Maria Gloria Dominguez-Bello, of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Scientists would need to gather these microbes from remote populations still unaffected by modern ills, the researchers said.

Currently, the gut flora of most Americans is half as diverse as that of hunter-gatherers in isolated villages in the Amazon, the research team noted. These microbes are essential to aid digestion, strengthen the immune system and protect against invading germs.

“Over a handful of generations, we have seen a staggering loss in microbial diversity linked with a worldwide spike in immune and other disorders,” Dominguez-Bello said in a university news release.

Since the early 1900s, for example, there has been a significant increase in diseases and disorders such as obesity, asthma, allergies and autism. The study team said scientific evidence links this rise with disturbances to the microbiome early in life.

The loss of human microbiome diversity equals climate change in the risk it poses to humanity’s future, according to Dominguez-Bello and her colleagues.

The researchers compared their proposal to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, the world’s largest collection of crop diversity. It was created in case of natural or human-made disasters.

The new report was published in the October 4 issue of Science.

Experts point to a loss of support when leaving the army as a probable cause of increased stress.

Here’s some unsexy news about getting it on: STD rates are at an all-time high. For guys, gonorrhoea is becoming increasingly common. Data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that gonorrhoea rates have doubled in guys from 2016 to 2017.

Thankfully, gonorrhoea is treatable with antibiotics, and will clear up within several days of being treated, according to Dr Gabriel Rebick, clinical assistant professor of infectious diseases and immunology at NYU Langone Health. However, regular STD testing and speedy treatment can help stop the spread, which makes it vital to head to the doctor once you think something is wrong. Although some guys with gonorrhoea won’t exhibit any symptoms, there are certain tell-tale signs, particularly as the infection progresses, says Dr Rebick.

Read more: STD symptoms that affect the rest of your body

Left untreated, gonorrhoea infections could spread to the scrotum, prostate, testes, or more rarely, your blood, he explains. Once it spreads, the infection could cause scarring in the epididymis, a part of the testicle that stores and carries sperm, and possible result in infertility.

Here are four gonorrhoea symptoms you should watch out for.

1. Discharge from your penis

“Discharge is by far the most common sign of the infection,” says Dr Rebick. Discharge may be thin or thick, depending on the guy. According to the CDC, guys may experience discharge within two weeks of being infected. Although colour and consistency vary, no amount of discharge is normal, says Dr Rebick. You should head to the doctor if you experience discharge of any sort.

Read more: These are the 4 STDs you could have without knowing

2. Your butt itches

Gonorrhoea can also affect the rectum, which may cause anal itching and discharge or blood, according to the Mayo Clinic. Dr Rebick says some people may experience diarrhoea and pain when going to the bathroom.

3. A sore throat

“It’s important to know that you can get gonorrhoea from oral sex too,” says Dr Rebick. He says many people who develop gonorrhoea in their throat don’t have symptoms. However, some may experience a sore throat and swollen lymph nodes, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Read more: Are STDs a deal breaker?

4. Pain or swelling

Some guys may not have initial symptoms when they contract gonorrhoea, Dr Rebick says. But once the infection spreads to surrounding areas, like the scrotum and testicle, guys could develop an inflamed epididymis, which would be accompanied by groin pain, writes the Mayo Clinic.

^{This article was originally published on www.mh.co.za}

^{Image credit: iStock} 

Melissa Matthews

Bloating isn’t just an inconvenience that keeps you from being able to zip up your favourite pair of skinny jeans for a night out – it can also be super uncomfortable.

Sometimes, you know exactly what caused your puffiness (like that huge dinner you just had); but other times, the cause of the bloating isn’t so clear (was it something small you ate? Was it how you ate it?)

Turns out, there are lots of reasons why you might feel weighed down all of a sudden, says Natalie Allen, instructor of biomedical sciences at Missouri State University. Here are some of the likeliest culprits in your battle of the bloat.

1. You just drank seltzer.

This one is obvious: The carbonation in seltzer water, soda and champagne is going to fill your stomach up with air bubbles and make you bloated, says Allen. To avoid it, drink tap or bottled water – and if you really love seltzer, don’t drink it too fast, and drink it in moderation.

Read more: How to ‘shrink’ your tummy in just 24 hours

2. You sipped through a straw.

You swallow more air when drinking through a straw, says Allen, and that air will go straight into your stomach. Take the top off your iced coffee or smoothie and drink directly from the cup.

3. You had a kale salad for lunch.

“Kale has a lot of nutrition and is a great food option, but it’s in the cruciferous vegetable family so it may cause bloating,” says Allen.

The leafy green vegetable also contains a lot of fibre and a sugar called raffinose, which your stomach may struggle to break down. According to Allen, a good rule of thumb for high-fibre foods is to drink lots of water to aid the digestion process and avoid bloat.

Read more: 9 fruits you didn’t know could cause your tummy to bloat

4. You went overboard on the baked brie.

Cheese is a dairy product, which means it’s high in lactose (milk sugar). Allen warns that people who are lactose intolerant – even mildly – may regret going hog wild over soft cheeses like brie because they’re likely to induce uncomfortable gas and bloating. Hard cheese, on the other hand, might be easier for some to stomach, as it may contain less lactose.

5. You ordered a side of fries.

“Greasy, high-fat foods like fries can cause bloating by taking longer to digest,” says Allen. The sodium in fries, which might make you retain water, won’t do you any favours, either. Allen recommends skipping the fries when you’re eating out and baking them at home instead, so you can control the amount of fat and salt included.

Read more: Here’s why your workout might be making you bloated

6. You chewed gum.

Just like drinking from a straw, chewing gum can cause you to swallow more air, says Allen. Guess where all that air winds up? Yup, in your stomach. Plus, gum contains sugar alcohols (like xylitol and sorbitol) that can make you feel puffy, too.

7. You snacked on an apple.

If you’re not used to consuming lots of fibre, explains Allen, your otherwise healthy Granny Smith might leave you groaning. Not telling you not to eat apples here – they’re a smart (and delicious!) snack option. But eating more fibre on a regular basis should help ease the amount of bloating over time. Meanwhile, you can bake your apples for a sweet treat – cooking fibre-rich foods makes them a little easier on your tummy.

Read more: “I’m a nutritionist and this is the eating secret I swear by for clear skin and less bloating”

8. You chowed down on bean dip.

The bad news: The high amount of fibre in beans makes them a prime cause for bloating and gas. But the good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way. “By eating a serving of beans daily, the body will adapt and learn to digest them,” says Allen. Plus, beans are chock full of protein, so there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t be eating them every day.

9. You ate too fast.

I know – you only get 30 minutes for lunch (on a good day), and you’ve got to make a few personal phone calls and hit the pharmacy before your break ends. Eating a leisurely lunch isn’t a priority. But rushing through it will make you inhale way more air and hamper your digestion, too, says Allen. “Chew your food well and take at least 20 minutes to eat,” she recommends.

10. You ordered barley soup.

You really wanted that creamy broccoli cheddar soup for lunch, but you went for the heart-healthy barley soup instead – and now you’re stuck with a swollen tummy. Why? Barley is a complex carbohydrate, which means it takes longer for your stomach to digest, says Allen – especially if you don’t eat a ton of it already. If you love the stuff, work it into your diet slowly, or opt for something gentler like quinoa.

11. You ate before working out.

Stomach issues after a workout are often related to what you ate prior to hitting the gym. “Blood flow moves from the digestive tract to the muscles during exercise, which could impair digestion,” says Allen. Keep your pre-workout noshes light and simple – like half a banana or a mini protein bar – so your stomach doesn’t have to work overtime during your spin class.

12. You overindulged in sugar-free candies.

You rewarded yourself for ignoring the sweets in the office kitchen with a few sugar-free candies back at your desk, but you still feel uncomfortably bloated. What gives? Well, just like most chewing gum, sugar-free candy contains sugar alcohols, which Allen says are not well-digested by our bodies. Next time, maybe just let yourself have the mini Snickers bar instead.

^{This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com}

^{Image credit: iStock} 

But a substantial number of children are failing to meet thresholds for treatment, a report says.

Trials are taking place where as many as 15 patients are being seen by the same GP at a time.

A Mediterranean-style diet might significantly reduce your risk of a major cause of blindness, a new study suggests.

Poor diet is emerging as an important factor in the development of a degenerative eye disease called age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It’s a leading cause of vision loss among older Americans.

“You are what you eat,” said Dr Emily Chew, spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and an adviser to the research group that conducted the study.

“Chronic diseases, such as AMD, dementia, obesity and diabetes, all have roots in poor dietary habits. It’s time to take quitting a poor diet as seriously as quitting smoking,” Chew said in an academy news release.

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from nearly 5 000 people, aged 55 and older, in the Netherlands. Those who closely followed a Mediterranean diet were 41% less likely to develop late-stage AMD than those who did not follow the diet.

A Mediterranean diet favors vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, olive oil and fish over meat. The study found that, on their own, none of those individual components reduced the risk of late-stage AMD. Rather, it was the overall diet that significantly reduced the risk.

However, the study cannot prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

AMD causes loss of central vision, which is crucial in everyday activities such as driving, reading and writing. It affects 1.8 million Americans, and that number is expected to rise to nearly 3 million by 2020, the researchers said.

The study findings were published online recently in the journal Ophthalmology.

Getting yourself off tonight? Well done! Showing yourself some love is a great way to unwind, tune into your body, and have fun. But while you’re going downtown with a wandering hand (or toy!) tonight, you may think to yourself: “Wait, I’m breathing hard… is this burning kilojoules?”

Obstetrician, gynaecologist and sexual health expert Dr Jessica Shepherd, fields questions like this all the time.

Seriously though, how many kilojoules does masturbation burn?

The exact number isn’t known because… well… there haven’t been any studies on it. But, if you look at the research on how many kilojoules sex burns, you can get a pretty good idea. Women burn 288 kilojoules on average – about 12 kilojoules per minute – during penetrative sex (for men it’s 422 kilojoules), according to a study published in PLOS One.

“If you think about masturbation, the kilojoule burn is going to be far less than that,” says Dr Shepherd. For one, sex requires more whole-body movement, she says. During solo time, you’re probably just lying around using your hand or a vibrator – not bouncing from position to position, vigorously thrusting, or hopping from the bed to the floor and back.

The reality is that masturbation really isn’t an Olympic-caliber sport, especially if you’re particularly adept at getting yourself off. “In order to expend kilojoules, you need to get your heart rate up for an extended period of time,” says Dr Shepherd. “Climaxing won’t get your heart rate up to a level that we consider fat-burning or one that counts as a cardio workout.”

Still, “that doesn’t take away that it can be very healthy for a woman,” says Dr Shepherd.

Read more: 5 remote control vibrators to buy now… because why not?

Okay, so if it’s not going to burn kilojoules, what can it do for me?

Keep at it, sister. Ultimately, there are so many health benefits to masturbation that who cares how many kilojoules it burns?

Masturbation triggers a release of endorphins (a feel-good hormone that acts as a natural relaxants and pain reliever), prompts oxytocin production (to help you get better sleep) and increases your circulation, says Dr Shepherd.

Not bad, right?

^{This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com}

^{Image credit: iStock} 

Jessica Migala

It might not be something you’re comfortable bringing up at happy hour, but I’m sure you agree: Being constipated is pretty sh*tty.

Constipation is defined as pooping fewer than three times a week. And, unfair as it is, constipation is more common in men than women, especially during pregnancy or postpartum.

Thankfully, if you’re feeling backed up, eating the right foods can really help. “One of the best things you can do to get your bowels moving is to eat plenty of fibre,” says Amy Gorin, owner of Amy Gorin Nutrition in the New York City area, specifically from food sources (and not, like, a powder or supplement).

The USDA recommends 25g of fibre per day for women.

The next time you’re having trouble squeezing one out, here are 12 of the best foods for constipation to add to your diet:

1. Beans

You know what they say: Beans, beans the magical fruit… So it makes sense that they can also help with bowel movements. “Beans provide a winning combination of soluble and insoluble fibre,” says Gorin – the former softens your poo, and the latter bulks it up, making it easier to pass through your digestive tract. “This fibre is very helpful for stimulating digestion, as well as for feeding gut bacteria. Additionally, eating a diet high in fibre will help bulk up the weight and size of your stool – and this makes it easier to pass!”

Per ½-cup (canned, drained) serving black beans: 456 kilojoules, 0g fat (0g saturated), 20g carbs, 0g sugar, 166mg sodium, 8g fibre, 7g protein

2. Broccoli

Broccoli comes up in just about every discussion of good-for-you foods. That’s because the green stuff is an amazing source of essential vitamins, protein, and yup, fibre. Eating plenty of vegetables is essential to good digestive health, says Dr Gina Sam, director of the Mount Sinai Gastrointestinal Motility Center. Add a cup of cooked broccoli to any lunch or dinner for an additional 5.5g of fibre.

Per 1-cup (raw) serving: 129 kilojoules, 0g fat (0g saturated), 6g carbs, 2g sugar, 30mg sodium, 2g fibre, 3g protein

3. Oatmeal (and other whole grains)

Yet another reason to sneak in those whole grains. Oats are full of both soluble and insoluble fibre – a dream combo when you’re plugged up. Palmer recommends including three servings of whole grains in your diet every day, especially “intact grains” like oats and brown rice.

Per ½-cup (dry) serving: 627 kilojoules, 3g fat (0g saturated), 27g carbs, 1g sugar, 0mg sodium, 4g fibre, 5g protein

4. Spinach

Want to add some green to your pasta? Throw in a cup of spinach. It’s full of fibre (one cup of cooked spinach has 4g) and contains magnesium, a mineral that can aid in moving stool, says Dr Sam. Magnesium is often found in laxatives, but incorporating it into your diet is a less extreme option for most people.

Per 1-cup (raw) serving: 29 kilojoules, 0g fat (0g saturated), 1g carbs, 0g sugar, 24mg sodium, 1g fibre, 1g protein

5. Nuts

Palmer recommends including a handful of nuts like pistachios, peanuts, almonds or walnuts in your diet every day. Toss them into your yoghurt, salad or just munch on them as a midday snack for a fibre boost. While they’re a great source of protein and healthy fats, just a quarter cup of whole almonds also serves up 5g of fibre.

Per ¼-cup serving almonds: 866 kilojoules, 18g fat (1g saturated), 8g carbs, 2g sugar, 0mg sodium, 5g fibre, 8g protein

6. Chia seeds or flaxseeds

Chia seeds and flaxseeds are an easy way to add more fibre into your diet, says Dr Sam. Sprinkling a spoonful of each into your smoothie, oatmeal or yoghurt, or using it as a salad topping, can give a low-fibre meal the extra poop-producing power it needs.

Per 28g serving chia seeds: 577 kilojoules, 9g fat (1g saturated), 12g carbs, 0g sugar, 5mg sodium, 10g fibre, 5g protein

Per 28g serving flaxseeds: 635 kilojoules, 12g fat (1 g saturated), 8g carbs, 0g sugar, 9mg sodium, 8g fibre, 5g protein

7. Berries

Berries are always in the superfood spotlight due to their abundance of antioxidants, but they’re also rich in other essential nutrients. “You are eating tiny seeds in each bite, so it increases your fibre,” says Palmer. Half a cup of both blackberries and raspberries pack in about 4g of fibre each. Half a cup of sliced strawberries offers about half the amount.

Per ½ cup serving raspberries: 221 kilojoules, 0g fat (0g saturated), 7g carbs, 3g sugar, 1mg sodium, 4g fibre, 1g protein

8. Pears

Pears don’t get enough credit, especially because they’re bursting with antioxidants and vitamins. They’re also one of the most fibrous fruits, so adding them into your diet is another way to ease any discomfort you may be experiencing in the bathroom.

Per 1 medium pear: 623 kilojoules, 0g fat (0g saturated), 27g carbs, 17g sugar, 2mg sodium, 6g fibre, 1g protein

9. Apples

In this case, “an apple a day” is still golden advice, especially when it comes to avoiding constipation. The peels of many fruits (including apples) contain insoluble fibre, which acts as a natural laxative.

Per 1 medium apple: 397 kilojoules, 0g fat (0g saturated), 25g carbs, 19g sugar, 2mg sodium, 4g fibre, 0g protein

10. Okra

Love it or hate it, that slimy center inside okra is actually mucilaginous fibre – soluble fibre that’s been mixed with water and thus turns all gooey, which is what happens to all soluble fibre in your digestive tract. “Okra is my go-to to relieve constipation,” says Kendra Tolbert, registered dietician. “All that mucilaginous fibre softens stool, which can relieve constipation.”

Per 1-cup (raw) serving: 138 kilojoules, 2g fat (0g saturated), 7g carbs, 1g sugar, 7mg sodium, 3g fibre, 2g protein

11. Prunes (or other dried fruit)

Okay, your grandma totally swears by this – for good reason. “Prunes are a natural source of sorbitol, which helps stimulate digestion by helping to move water into your large intestine,” says Gorin. They’re also high in fibre, with about 6g per half-cup. Not into prunes? Try figs or apricots instead.

Per ½-cup serving prunes: 874 kilojoules, 0g fat (0g saturated), 55g carbs, 33g sugar, 2mg sodium, 6g fibre, 2g protein

12. Coffee

While there’s no fibre in coffee, some research shows that it can stimulate bowel movement. “You may not think of coffee as something that helps get things moving,” says Gorin, “but it does for about 30% of people. Some people even notice the effect from decaf coffee.”

Per 1-cup serving: 20 kilojoules, 0g fat (0g saturated), 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 2mg sodium, 0g fibre, 1g protein

If you change your diet and you’re still, ahem, stuck…

It’s time to see a doctor, says Dr Sam – especially if you’re also having bleeding and abdominal pain. “These are things that should be evaluated by a doctor or a gastroenterologist,” says Dr Sam.

^{This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com}

^{Image credit: iStock} 

Alisa Hrustic and Christine Byrne

It had emerged that the waste from hospitals had not been disposed of in a timely fashion.