The coronavirus pandemic has dominated the headlines, and our daily lives, for most of this year. Medical News Today have covered this fast-moving, complex story with live updates on the latest news, interviews with experts, and an ongoing investigation into the deep racial disparities that COVID-19 has unmasked.
However, this has not stopped us from publishing hundreds of fascinating stories on a myriad of other topics.
Here are 10 recent stories that people may have missed amid all the COVID-19 fervor.
1. How much weight can you lose in a month? Safety and tips
Though only published on Monday this week, our new article on losing weight safely has already emerged as our most popular this month. How much weight a person can lose depends on their level of physical activity and dietary habits, but a safe amount is between 4 and 8 pounds in a month. The article looks at what to eat, how to exercise, and when rapid weight loss is concerning.
2. Swelling: Is it serious? Symptoms, causes, and treatment
Our next most popular article over the past week was our deep dive into swelling. We look at the symptoms at locations around the body, the tests your doctor may use to diagnose the cause of swelling, and what treatments are available. We also advise on when unexplained, long-lasting, or treatment-resistant swelling means you should seek medical help.
3. 5 foods to avoid with arthritis to reduce pain
Our guide to changing diet to alleviate arthritis symptoms also proved very popular this week. Certain fats may increase inflammation across the body, and people should limit them. We also identify vegetables from the nightshade family, including potatoes and tomatoes, that may trigger pain in some people with arthritis.
As well as advising readers on what not to eat, this article also recommends a range of healthful, anti-inflammatory foods and lifestyle changes that may help someone manage their arthritis symptoms.
4. Gut bacteria could help diagnose diabetes
MNT recently presented a wide range of articles for World Microbiome Day, and scientists are reporting discoveries almost daily.
This week, we reported on a new study that found gut bacteria populations fluctuate throughout the day and that this occurs to a lesser extent in people with type 2 diabetes. The researchers found that 13 types of bacteria did not follow the normal day-night rhythm in people with diabetes. Doctors could potentially use these patterns as a novel way to predict and diagnose the condition.
5. How to take apple cider vinegar: Dose, methods, and side effects
Image credit: Ben McCanna/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images.
Research suggests that apple cider vinegar (ACV) may have potential health benefits when people consume it medicinally. But how much is safe, and what are the possible side effects of consuming too much or too often?
These questions are clearly on our readers’ minds as thousands of people visited MNT this week to learn about the science behind the claimed benefits for weight loss, blood glucose control, and other conditions. We look at how to take ACV, the possible side effects, drug interactions, and recommend a safe daily dosage.
6. Probiotics may reduce symptoms of depression
Nutrition stories feature strongly in this week’s round up. We reported on a new review of existing evidence that suggests that probiotic bacteria on their own or in combination with prebiotics, may relieve symptoms of depression. Yet more evidence on the relationship between the gut and the brain is likely to prove valuable.
Interestingly, prebiotics did not have a significant effect on depression on their own, and neither probiotics nor prebiotics improved anxiety symptoms, either on their own or in combination.
7. Mesomorph body type: Definition, diet, and working out
This popular article focuses on the strong, athletic mesomorph body type. It also offers background on the ectomorph and endomorph body types and how to identify them. Mesomorphs tend to gain weight easily, so we discuss the best diet and exercise routines for their fitness goals.