Most people have an enzyme within their saliva called amylase, which, like a giant pair of shearing scissors, has the ability to cut apart big and bulky starch molecules into simpler sugars. That’s the first step in making big threads of starch molecules available for the body to use easily as energy. And amylase is really good at cutting up starch. You may or may not have inherited multiple copies of the gene your body uses to make the protein amylase, called AMY1....

Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Andrea Elliott of the New York Times sheds light on the power of resilience, the importance of family, and the cost of inequality in her recent book, Invisible Child. Following eight years in the dramatic life of a girl whose indomitable spirit is tested by homelessness, poverty, and racism in our country, Invisible Child illuminates some of the most critical issues in contemporary America. The excerpt below provides a mere glimpse into the riveting and unforgettable story that puts a spotlight on the homelessness crisis that has exploded in New York City....

Don’t worry—it doesn’t require too much extra maintenance. Here, find derm-backed strategies for the ultimate lip care routine. Make it a weekly commitment, and you’ll be sure to notice a difference in the health of your pout. “The mucosal part of your lip is thinner compared to the rest of your skin, as it is made up of fewer layers and also contains many capillaries or tiny blood vessels,” board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, M....

It’s a sticking point for many people trying to cut back on the sweet stuff, who will happily eschew cake and cookies but throwback three glasses of red during a happy hour. Which raises the question: How sugary is alcohol, really? And why should we care? “Insulin, which is secreted by the pancreas to allow your cells to take in glucose (blood sugar) for energy or storage, prevents fat cells from being broken down,” LeVeque says....

You can’t fall asleep, let alone catch the quality zzz’s that are crucial for your well-being. You’re frustrated, you’re exhausted—but there’s one option that you may not have considered yet to promote a peaceful night of rest: the best CBD gummies for sleep.* Instead, these phytocannabinoids are thought to interact with cannabinoid receptors in unique ways to help promote a steadier mood and better stress management.* As a result, many people think CBD helps you fall asleep—but it’s often just a side effect of your body’s more relaxed state from introducing balancing and calm-promoting phytocannabinoids into the endocannabinoid system....

Your gastrointestinal (GI) tract doesn’t have words to tell you that it is overtaxed, unbalanced, or inflamed, so it sends you symptoms like bloating, belching, and gas instead. When you can read these symptoms as signals, you gain the opportunity to truly nourish and support your unique body without judgment. Clara didn’t need to uproot her life and eat “perfectly” to banish her bloat, she simply needed to listen to her body and compassionately give it what it was asking for: rest, balance, and nutrition....

I’ve had meditation experiences ranging from full-day, in-person meditation retreats, learning from meditation teachers over Zoom, and using other apps like Headspace and Insight Timer. Even for someone like me with quite a bit of experience with meditating, the Calm app helped strengthen my mindfulness toolbox to effectively get me through my week. The Calm app was founded in 2012 by Alex Tew and Michael Acton Smith. According to an Inc....