In this issue: All about aging, pet therapy, echinacea and colds, olive oil benefits and more.

Learn the natural changes that come with aging. Manage my newsletter.   HOUSECALL Vol. 15, Issue 15 | March 27, 2014   THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES     Aging: What to expect Wonder what's considered a normal part of the aging process? Here's what to expect as you get older — and what to do about it.     Pet therapy: Man's best friend as healer   Is medicine going to the dogs? Yes, but in a good way. Pet therapy is gaining fans in health care and beyond. Find out what's behind this growing trend.           EXPERT ANSWERS   Olive oil: What are the health benefits? Olive oil contains MUFAs, a type of healthy fat that can protect against heart disease and other serious conditions. Echinacea: Is it effective for the common cold? Echinacea may slightly reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms, but the effect may be too minor to notice.   PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS ... Slide show: A guide to spices and herbs Preventing anaphylaxis if you have food allergies Broken ribs Exercise: When to check with your doctor first     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 Heart disease risk calculator     NOW BLOGGING   Stress: Embrace the new season and the opportunities it offers Take a cue from baseball; let go of the mistakes you made in the past. Focus instead on the opportunities ahead of you.     MAYO CLINIC PRODUCTS & SERVICES   Get 2 FREE Special Reports Get instant access to tips and information from Mayo Clinic health professionals each month on the topics most important to you. With Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Online Edition, you'll also gain access to an extensive archive of past issues, special reports and other premium features. Subscribe today and get two FREE special reports on arthritis and weight control. Get started now!     HEALTHY RECIPES   Philly steak sandwich Roasted red pepper with feta salad Sloppy joes Apple-fennel slaw   HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK   Prevent night leg cramps Nighttime leg cramps often strike just as you're falling asleep or waking up. To prevent these involuntary contractions of your leg muscles, usually in the back of your lower leg, stretch your legs before you climb under the covers. Wear shoes with proper support. Untuck the covers at the foot of your bed. And drink plenty of fluids during the day.   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 is a not-for-profit organization. Proceeds from website advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any non-Mayo products and services. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy    |    Opportunities     Did you know? Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution dedicated to patient care, education and medical research. Proceeds from advertising and the sale of Mayo Clinic books and newsletters support Mayo Clinic's mission. Share our passion for science and health. Please consider a gift to Mayo Clinic. Click here to donate.     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 Follow on Pinterest   Watch on YouTube Patient Stories View More Newsletters       Thanks for joining our mailing list, wahdaz.5stepquitsmoking@blogger.com, for Mayo Clinic HOUSECALL.   REMOVE me from this list | Add me to this list | Customer service   © 2014 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905. All rights reserved.