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[sidebar]Losing a pet is always difficult for an owner, but it can be equally hard on the household’s canine companions. Dogs in particular feel the loss of a fellow pet, as they are pack animals who enjoy being surrounded by friends. In fact, a study from the ASPCA found that two-thirds of dogs show recognizable signs of grieving, such as a decrease in appetite, clinginess, and lethargy. I’ve also found that some dogs whine and bark more or sleep in unusual places—this type of attention-seeking behavior may happen because the dog has pent-up “play energy” that he’s not able to release with a friend....

A: Most people will get a tension headache at some point, and women are twice as likely as men to suffer from them. For most of us, they’re an occasional nuisance, but about 5% of the population gets them daily (and if you start having them this often, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor). Fortunately, there are a lot of easy and natural ways to treat them, often more effectively than with painkillers....

A: For those living with diabetes, being inactive is far more dangerous to their health than being active. That said, there’s still reason to be cautious when beginning a new exercise routine. I’ve seen plenty of people with diabetes come into my ER with hypoglycemia (extremely low blood sugar), and one way it can happen is by pushing your body too hard during a workout while you’re on medication designed to lower blood sugar....

A: The medical term for ringing in the ears is tinnitus. It’s not a diagnosis but, rather, a common symptom of some underlying conditions, and it may or may not be reversible. I’ll outline some likely culprits behind tinnitus. First, you may just have a buildup of earwax. When too much accumulates, it can irritate the eardrum and cause ringing. Don’t futz around with cotton swabs or ear candling (which can push wax farther into the ear)—your doctor can remove excess wax more safely....

According to a new study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, taking breaks in between practice sessions is more effective than working nonstop. Researchers divided study participants into different groups and asked them to learn a difficult computer task over the course of two days. Those who took a one-hour break between training sessions—as opposed to participants who didn’t take a break at all—displayed the most accuracy on the second day....

The study, by researchers at the National Institutes of Health, found that overweight people who lost 5 to 10% of their body weight (an average of about 15 pounds) over the course of a year had a corresponding decrease in serum T3 levels. T3 is the body’s “active” form of your thyroid hormone and it is what fires up your metabolism. The catch: Most blood tests for thyroid function won’t pick up on a dip in T3....

Here’s what Dr. Raglin recommends to keep you exercising no matter what your state of mind. Got the blues? “Studies have shown that even mild exercise, about 40 percent of your max heart rate, can lift your mood,” says Dr. Raglin. “So, if you’re not up for the usual high-energy stuff, do some leisure activity you enjoy, such as digging in your garden or walking in a park. View it as mental recreation, not exercise....

The research, appearing in the journal Cell, outlines first-of-its-kind lab work involving stem cells. After creating the type of mutated brain cell that past studies have linked with greater Parkinson’s risk, the research team exposed that mutation to the common farm pesticides paraquat and maneb. “Even at very low concentrations, the pesticides killed these nerve cells, which shows how they would cause Parkinson’s,” explains study coauthor Stuart A. Lipton, MD, PhD, of Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute....

In early July, the FDA approved Kerydine, a treatment for onychomycosis (toenail fungus) that’s the first topical version of a new class of antifungals called oxaboroles. These supercharged antifungals are believed to better penetrate the thick nail plate, giving them better access to the actual fungus and upping the odds of eliminating it. And just one month earlier, the FDA gave the all-clear to Jublia, another topical treatment approved for treating toenail fungus that attaches to the keratin in nails, allowing it to travel through the nail plate to the infection below....

Couscous with Plums, Goat Cheese, and Fresh Mint 1½ c water1 c whole wheat couscous3 ripe plums, chopped2 scallions, thinly sliced2 oz aged goat cheese, crumbled¼ c chopped fresh mint3 Tbsp honey3½ Tbsp balsamic vinegar [sidebar]1. Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the couscous, stir, and turn off the heat. Cover the saucepan, and let the couscous rest for 10 minutes. 2. Fluff the couscous with a fork, and transfer it to a medium bowl....

Why does walking work so well? It appears to help reduce deep belly fat (called visceral fat) first, explains Tim Church, MD, MPH, PhD, of Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University. “If you exercise enough to lose 10% of your body fat, you may actually reduce visceral fat by 30%,” says Church. All walking burns belly fat, but for best results, crank up your weekly MET (metabolic equivalent) hours–the number of calories you burn....

Take Stretching Seriously Quixotic performers stretch a lot, which is one of the reasons their limbs look so long and lean. “I’m stretching right now, actually,” laughs Megan Stockman, a principal aerialist and dancer. “Every day I’ll stretch for about an hour, making sure to hit every muscle group.” Jenny Prohaska, director and instructor of the Quixotic School of Performing Arts, agrees. “You lose flexibility when you gain muscle quickly, so our training program stresses that you should be stretching constantly,” says Prohaska....

These determined women triumphed over ailments that plague millions of Americans: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Instead of giving in to a lifetime on prescription drugs, they took control of their health by adopting diets that have been proven to fight disease. The eating plans (plus moderate exercise for two of the regimens) demanded commitment. But the results were so fast and dramatic, they inspired the women to stick with the changes....

Fashion made easy Raise your hand if you’ve ever peered into your cloest and thought, “nope.” Is your hand raised? Ours certainly are, which is why we love style expert Jacqui Stafford’s new book, The WOW Factor. Stafford offers insider tips and tricks for looking and feeling your best—no matter your age, size, or shape. Altzheimers 101 New research from the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging in Chicago revealed this week that by the year 2050, the number of people aged 65 and older who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease is expected to nearly triple....

Telling people to change unhealthy behaviors doesn’t work. Otherwise, we’d all be slim, fit, nonsmokers. So what will it take for us to make better choices? According to a new study in the journal Science, the key is making bad choices inconvenient. For example, simply programming elevator doors to close really slowly actually motivates more people to climb stairs. And then there’s the salad bar trick: Put healthier options closer than other choices and more people pick them....

At first, this stat might sound a little depressing (we’re all so busy and disconnected!). But instead of seeing solo meals as sad or lonely (and usually involving whatever cereal you happen to have on hand), we say they’re an opportunity to relish in a brief moment of quiet that focuses entirely on making yourself happy. “For some people—especially mothers—it’s liberating. They don’t have to talk to anyone about [dinner], and they can eat in the bathtub if they want to,” says Deborah Madison, author of What We Eat When We Eat Alone....

MORE: 8 Things Food Safety Experts Say Never To Eat Later this week, a spiralizer she designed herself with special features will also hit the market ($49.95, inspiralized.com). Want to transform your weight—and your life? Here are 5 of Maffucci’s favorite recipes for weight loss. They all contain spiralized zucchini to cut calories and carbs while loading you up with filling fiber. Chicken and Tomato Basil Pomodoro Zucchini Pasta “When I was on my own personal weight-loss journey, I made this dish once or twice a week,” says Maffucci....

MORE: The Hidden Allergen In Your Gluten-Free Foods To reach this conclusion, researchers analyzed 4,340 popular packaged foods, including baked goods, snacks, and frozen foods, and then compared the list of actual ingredients to the nutrition label. The scientists found that a whopping 84% of packaged foods labeled as trans-fat free contained some trans fat. How? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows companies to sell a food as having 0 grams on its nutrition label if it contains less than 0....

Distract her with compliments. “I couldn’t eat another bite because I’m so full from your yummy crab dip. You have to give me the recipe.” Ask for hearty helpings. But only of the healthy, low-cal stuff such as fruit, shrimp cocktail, salad, and lean meats (without the gravy), so there’s no room on your plate for anything else. Serve the pecan pie. You know you won’t get out the door without a taste of the holiday desserts, so cut yourself and those watching their waistlines (read: most adults) the smallest piece possible....