In this issue: Sugar alternatives, colon cancer tests, tips for better naps, Parkinson's and more.

Know the pros and cons of sugar substitutes. Manage my newsletter.   HOUSECALL Vol. 15, Issue 51 | July 31, 2014   THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES     Artificial sweeteners and other sugar substitutes Are you trying to reduce the sugar and calories in your diet? Find out if artificial sweeteners and other sugar substitutes are good choices.     Colon cancer screening: Weighing the options   If you need a colon cancer screening, you might have the option to choose which kind to have. Discover pros and cons of the different tests.           EXPERT ANSWERS   Does family history put my toddler at risk of eosinophilic esophagitis? Family history increases the chance of developing eosinophilic esophagitis, but there are other risk factors. Low blood sodium in older adults: A concern? For older adults, low blood sodium (hyponatremia) can be fatal if left untreated.   PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS ... Head trauma: First aid Napping: Do's and don'ts for healthy adults Parkinson's disease Slide show: 5 healthy recipes for fresh fruit     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.   LDL cholesterol calculator BMI calculator     NOW BLOGGING   Stress: Life isn't a fairy tale but you can find a happy ending Life isn't like the story books. It's often unpredictable and unfair. But you can still make your dreams a reality.     MAYO CLINIC PRODUCTS & SERVICES   Complete approach to good health With this easy-to-follow guide, discover what to do at home for more than 120 of today's most common health problems. Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies provides useful facts and practical tips for staying healthy — even a list of medicine-cabinet staples to always have on hand so that you're prepared for an accident or illness. You'll find this book an excellent resource that you and your family will use time and time again. Order your copy today!     HEALTHY RECIPES   Baked macaroni with red sauce Mixed bean salad Marinated portobello mushrooms with provolone Mixed berry whole-grain coffeecake   HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK   Top 5 foods to lower your cholesterol A few tweaks to your diet may be enough to lower your cholesterol to a healthy level and help you stay off medications. Consider adding these cholesterol-lowering foods to your diet: 1. Oatmeal and oat bran. 2. Walnuts, almonds and other nuts. 3. Fish, especially mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon. 4. Olive oil. 5. Foods fortified with plant sterols or stanols, such as margarines, orange juice and yogurt drinks.   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     Give to Mayo Clinic A gift to research at Mayo Clinic is a gift of life. Donate now.     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, sononui.cancer@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.