(StatePoint) There may be some credence to the old saying that “beauty comes from within.” Scientific research shows that the appearance of your largest, most visible organ -- your skin -- can be directly affected by the vitamins, nutrients and minerals you feed your body.

(BPT) - Many women know that getting a Pap test regularly from their health care provider is a good way to check for signs of cervical cancer, the second most common cancer in women worldwide. What they might not know is that a “normal” Pap result does not necessarily mean they are cancer-free.

(NAPSI)—Your four-footed friends could benefit from your taking four important steps to keep your pets in peak condition.

Much has been written about inflammation, and whether you suffer from chronic inflammation or not, science has come up with some foods that may help or hinder our inflammatory response.

(BPT) - If you’ve ever felt sick or battled a bug, you may have asked your doctor for an antibiotic. Ever since the advent of these wonder drugs, these medications have one common goal: fight bacteria in the body to help maintain a healthy immune system. As new medical breakthroughs emerge, the role of antibiotics has also evolved and helped patients dealing with anything from ear infections to serious lung infections like pneumonia.

(NAPSI)Cancer is one of the most widespread diseases and the leading cause of death worldwide. Nearly one in 24 Americans are living with some form of cancer, so chances are you know someone with the disease.

Dear Pharmacist: Your post on rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune disease intrigued me. I didn’t realize eating beans, peanuts, peas, lentils, soy or tofu was an issue. I eat these foods frequently, and I still hurt. Can you tell me more? — D.B., Houston, Texas

(NAPSI)—For decades, debate has raged over whether fibromyalgia is a real medical disease. Despite the fact that fibromyalgia affects more than 12.3 million people in the United States—comparable to the number of people affected by cancer—some clinicians believe fibromyalgia is nothing more than a “syndrome.” When patients complain of chronic pain, diffuse muscle and joint tenderness, depression, mental fog, digestive troubles, severe fatigue, insomnia and other unbearable symptoms, they’ve often been told the problem is “in their heads.”

(BPT) - Immunizations have had an enormous impact in helping to improve the health of children in the United States, according the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While vaccination has helped to reduce many childhood diseases, some of these diseases still exist and could reappear if vaccination coverage wanes.

Dear Pharmacist: I live in chronic pain. No one is sure why. I take hydrocodone and ibuprofen daily but I’m still in pain. Can you recommend any vitamins to help me? — M.C., Dallas

(NAPSI)—For many years, pet owners have given omega-3 fatty acids to their dogs to change a dull, dry coat into a more glossy one.

(BPT) - Stress affects everyone and can cause problems at work, home and with health. Researchers have found that stress is a leading cause of illness, affecting as much as 20 percent of the population. Economic factors, such as a recession, have also been shown to significantly increase population-wide stress levels.

(NAPSI)—Today, getting older isn’t about looking back. It’s about moving forward and embracing healthy habits to prepare for what lies ahead. But, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk of chronic disease increases significantly with age. In fact, adults 50 and older have a 70 percent chance of developing at least one chronic condition.1

(NAPSI)—Once the leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States, cervical cancer is now the most preventable female cancer. Yet it affects women of color more than it does white women.

Dear Pharmacist: I’ve had a couple of years of bad insomnia. I’ve tried medications, but I want something natural. Suggestions? — P.T., Denver

How do you get people to be honest with themselves and others? Here are some thoughts from a retired psychotherapist. Let's take a marriage-counseling scenario as an example.

(NAPSI)—Many families may be relieved to learn about a new opportunity to try to stem the tide of autism.

(NewsUSA) - For some travelers, planning a trip is almost as fun as experiencing it. For others, planning a trip leads to worry about logistics, itineraries, finances or just not knowing what to expect.

Dear Pharmacist: What is licorice root? I heard you talk about it at a lecture  and say something like it could take the place of lots of different drugs, and that it helped with chronic fatigue. — W.W. Dallas, Texas

(NAPSI)—Most of us feel alert when it’s light outside and want to sleep when it’s dark. Light is the cue that helps our internal body clock—or “master body clock”—synchronize to the 24-hour day. In people with a circadian rhythm disorder, however, the timing of this clock is disrupted, causing our rhythms to get out of sync.

Dear Pharmacist: I’ve got a cold, and I’ve sneezed about a hundred times today! Should I start taking echinacea, and will it help me with the sneezing? — A.T., Sanibel, Fla.

Dear Pharmacist: I’m not a fan of fungus, but I’ve heard that shiitake mushrooms are good for cancer. What do you think? — C.E., Boston

(BPT) - It’s impossible to stroll the aisles in your local supermarket without seeing package after package labeled “gluten-free.” But who really needs a gluten-free diet, and how can you still enjoy grains, even if you are eating gluten-free?