A Tasty Cough Cure
A chemical component of chocolate, called theobromine, could be used to develop better treatments for persistent coughs. Researchers found it to be nearly a third more effective than codeine, currently considered the best cough medicine. And unlike existing remedies, it doesn't cause drowsiness.
Healing Touch
The most common nontraditional therapy offered in U.S. hospitals is...and the envelope please? It's massage, and it's used to treat everyone from cancer patients to expecting mothers. Studies show that massage can help reduce chronic pain, diminish anxiety and depression and enhance the functioning of the immune system.
How Do They Do It?
An analysis of 5,000 people who lost an average of 73 pounds-and kept off at least 30 pounds for more than six years-shows what makes dieters successful. Winners in the battle of the bulge consistently limit their daily intake to about 1,800 calories and walk about four miles a day. They also weigh themselves regularly, eat breakfast each morning and keep track of what they eat.
