Prevention June 2016

One Month Away from a Brand-New Prevention Starting with our July issue, we’re doing something bold: We’re going ad-free! Prevention will be packed with nothing but cutting-edge, trustworthy content about living your healthiest, happiest life. We’re expanding our advisory board of top health experts, diving deeper into the most newsworthy stories, and adding a few new surprises to our pages. What that means for you: Every single page will be filled with even more information and inspiration you won’t find anywhere else. ANOTHER REASON TO EAT CHOCOLATE Want an extra push the next time you exercise? Reach for dark chocolate. A new study from the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that cyclists who ate 40 g of dark chocolate each day were able to ride 17%…

In today’s nonstop world, it can be challenging to find time for friends. But not sustaining regular social connections and making new ones as we age can limit happiness—and shorten life span. Research shows that maintaining strong friendships and staying socially active increase survival odds by up to 50%. How else can your BFFs boost your health? See “8 Weeks to a Younger You” on p. 88 for our research-backed plan for feeling and looking years younger, regardless of your age.…

Having more than 100 moles puts you at high risk of melanoma, the most serious skin cancer. But who on earth would count ’em all? Luckily, counting just those on your right arm will give a good estimate. Women with 11 or more are nine times as likely to have 100+ all over, compared with women who have fewer than 11. Give yours a scan, then discuss the number (and any concerns) with your derm.…

Basil Perks: Antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties fight heart disease and arthritis. Grow it: Transplant a Sweet Italian or Genovese seedling into a small pot. Water the soil, not the leaves, which can be susceptible to disease. Broccoli Sprouts Perks: Concentrated stores of the compound sulforaphane may mobilize the body’s cancer-fighting resources. Grow it: Add 1⁄2 cup of seeds and 2 cups of room-temp water to a sprouting jar. Soak for 8 hours, drain, rinse, and repeat for several days. Red Cabbage Microgreens Perks: With more vitamins E and K than mature cabbage, this baby version helps fight blood clots and build bone. Grow it: Sprinkle seeds in 2 inches of soil in a baking dish, then top with soil. Water, place on a windowsill, and mist with a spray…

It’s not a given, but it’s common. Menopause’s famed drop in estrogen makes lower genital tract muscles, including the bladder, a little weaker. A vaginal estrogen cream can help fortify that tissue and limit leaks, depending on your type of incontinence. Some women have an overpowering urge to pee, while others leak a little when they cough, laugh, sneeze, or exercise—and others have both types. Certain oral meds might help, as can Kegel exercises and emptying your bladder more frequently. DR. JENNIFER ASHTON is cohost of The Doctors, senior medical contributor for ABC News’ Good Morning America, and a practicing ob-gyn in New Jersey. ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION [,or-th - sta-tik hī-pō- ten(t)-sh n] A form of low blood pressure that leads to seeing black spots and feeling dizzy when you stand…

Start Here! GOOD POSTURE Straighter is greater. Slouching can exacerbate the sizzling, burning, or aching that’s often associated with sciatica. When you sit, choose a chair that supports the small of your back or use a small pillow or rolled towel to keep your spine aligned. Remember to flex your knees and elbows at 90-degree angles and keep feet flat on the floor. 80–90% Proportion of people whose sciatica gets better without surgery, usually within a few weeks COLD AND HEAT Savor soothing sensations. Applying an ice pack to painful areas can reduce discomfort, while a heating pad loosens tight muscles. Most docs advise starting with cold for 24 to 48 hours, then switching to heat, but do whatever feels best. Wrap hot or cold packs in a towel to…