Finding it hard to give up chocolate? Try walking. Research has shown that walking just fifteen minutes at a time can reduce chocolate cravings.

Following three days without chocolate, 25 regular chocolate eaters were asked to either complete a 15-minute brisk walk or rest. They then engaged in tasks that would normally induce chocolate cravings, including a mental challenge and opening a chocolate bar.

After exercise, participants reported lower cravings than after rest. Cravings were not only reduced during the walk, but for at least ten minutes afterwards. The exercise also limited increases in cravings in response to the two tasks.

The benefits of exercise in helping people manage dependencies, such as for nicotine and other drugs, have long been recognized.

A recent study has shown that deficiency of vitamin D may be a factor among men who are unable to impregnate their partners. The discovery surprised the researchers, who were investigating the incidence of DNA fragmentation of sperm.

Fertility specialist Dr. Anne Clark screened the blood of almost 800 men with fertility problems, and found that almost a third had lower than normal levels of vitamin D.

Sunlight is a major source of vitamin D and levels can also be boosted by supplementation