In this issue: Health benefits of kindness, ear candling risks, carb-loading diet details and more

HOUSECALL Mayo Clinic is ranked #1 in the nation. Vol. 19, Issue 24 | March 22, 2018   THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES     How sharing kindness can make you healthier and happier Did you know that you can rewire your brain to be more present and kinder to others, giving your mood a daily boost? These three simple practices will help get you started.     Carbohydrate-loading diet   Endurance athletes — such as marathon runners, swimmers and cyclists — may turn to this eating plan to better fuel their muscles for exercise. Here are the facts.           EXPERT ANSWERS   Ear candling: Is it safe? This technique to remove earwax can actually be dangerous, causing serious injury. Find out why. Sensitive teeth: What treatments are available? Is brushing your teeth or eating certain foods a pain? See which toothpastes and dental procedures your dentist may recommend.   PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS ... Tuberculosis Down syndrome Torn meniscus Awake brain surgery Seborrheic keratosis     TRUSTED HEALTH TOOLS   Use our Symptom Checker to explore possible causes of your symptoms based upon Mayo Clinic's patient care experience.   Use these simple calculators and self-assessments for personalized health tips.   Mayo Clinic healthy weight pyramid BMI calculator     MAYO CLINIC PRODUCTS & SERVICES   Mayo Clinic Handbook for Happiness Build resilience in the face of stress and difficulty, and find happiness by following this four-step plan. Learn more.     Take ownership of your health Health news you can trust is just a click away! Get the latest medical research results and news from Mayo Clinic health professionals. Mayo Clinic Health Letter is a monthly newsletter loaded with full-color medical illustrations and health tips. Act now and we will send you a risk-free trial issue, plus a complimentary special report. It's your No. 1 source for medical news. Learn more.     HEALTHY RECIPES   Avocado deviled eggs Honey sage carrots Basil pesto stuffed mushrooms   HEALTH TIP   Health-boosting nutrients Antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, and carotenoids, may help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Other naturally occurring antioxidants include flavonoids, tannins, phenols and lignans. Plant-based foods are the best sources. These include fruits, vegetables and their juices, whole-grain products, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices, and even cocoa.   Need practical advice on diet and exercise? Want creative solutions for stress and other lifestyle issues? Discover even more healthy lifestyle topics at MayoClinic.org.   Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy    |    Opportunities     Help us find the answers Support Mayo Clinic; donate now. Your support changes lives.     Connect with Mayo Clinic For more of our reliable health information and tools, visit us at MayoClinic.org. Or add us to your social network!   Like us on Facebook Follow on Twitter Discover your Network   Watch on YouTube Patient Stories View More Newsletters     © 2018 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905. All rights reserved.