Indholdsfortegnelse for October 2018 i Prevention

Not to sound dramatic or anything, but there are stories in this issue that have changed my life. Sometimes in small ways, sure, but that’s what I love about Prevention: I learn so much from the things our reporters uncover, like: 1 MY OFFICE CHAIR WAS TOO HIGH. I’m not quite 5' 2", so I’ve gotten used to perching my feet on the chair base or letting only my toes touch the ground. But after reading “Healthy Up Your Home, Pronto!” (page 52), I dropped the seat an inch or two. It felt funny at first to be so low, especially when people came by to talk to me, but now I’m sold. It’s so nice to have my feet on the ground. Try it, fellow short people! 2 MY…

30 SECONDS TIME YOU SHOULD WAIT BETWEEN PRODUCTS WHEN APPLYING YOUR SKINCARE REGIMEN “Layering too many things all at once can decrease the dose or efficacy of each,” says dermatologist Lauren Eckert Ploch, M.D., of the Georgia Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center in Augusta, GA.…

1 Change your outlook. As soon as you decide you’re too old to lose weight, you cut off the possibility, says Jill, 46. Look for examples in your life of women over 40 who are fit and healthy to inspire you. 2 Plan your plate. Don’t obsess about what you can’t eat. Focus on the good foods (fresh produce, nuts) you can and should eat. 3 Appreciate what’s good. Women often zero in on what they hate about their bodies. Instead, find something you love about yourself. Maybe you’re getting stronger, or perhaps you’re taking more steps each day. Do all three, and you’ll be able to stick to your fitness and nutritional goals, making weight loss possible. Learn more at prevention.com/fitafter40.…

Dr. Weil is founder and director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. Psoriasis is no ordinary rash. The hallmark of plaque psoriasis, the most common type, is the appearance of thick patches of skin—frequently on the elbows, knees, back, or scalp—that may be itchy, painful, and red with silvery scales. People who suffer from it often feel self-conscious, which can do a number on their confidence and well-being. Psoriasis is widely considered an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks normal skin cells, disrupting their usual cycle of growth and shedding; the process occurs much more rapidly than it should, resulting in a buildup of dead cells on the skin’s surface. Symptoms can come and go and range from simply annoying to disabling. Psoriasis can also lead…

Like your skin, your hair goes through an aging process. If you miss your thicker hair or more vibrant color and shine, let these experts explain what’s happening—and then try their best tricks and favorite products. You can restore color, fullness, and shine whatever your age. 1 THE ISSUE: COARSE, DULL STRANDS Your skin naturally gets drier with age—and that includes your scalp. “When oil glands on the scalp slow down production, your hair feels drier and looks less glossy, and it may be prone to frizz and breakage,” says Ted Lain, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Austin who specializes in hair disorders. The Fix: Wash your hair only two or three times a week to help it hold on to its natural oils, and when you do shampoo, use…

Enamel Protectors Cheddar cheese, almonds, tofu, and yogurt pack a combination of calcium, phosphorus, and casein protein, all of which help strengthen tooth enamel and neutralize acidity. Less acidity in your mouth reduces the risk of cavities and enamel erosion. Gum Savers Vitamin C, found in red bell peppers, broccoli, kiwifruit, and peaches, is necessary for the production of collagen—a structural protein that maintains the gums’ tight shape around the teeth. Research shows that low vitamin C is associated with gum disease, a common cause of bad breath and receding gums. Plaque Fighters Bite into foods like celery, apples, carrots, and cucumbers—their fibrous, abrasive texture scrapes away yellowing plaque and bits of food that can get stuck between your teeth. Munching also triggers the production of cleansing saliva, key to…

Oral health can have a far-reaching impact. “Inflammation from gum disease has been implicated in increased rates of heart disease,” says Brett Miles, D.D.S., M.D., of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. Plaque irritates the gums, leading to inflammation known as gingivitis. This can cause pockets to form between the teeth and the gums, a cozy place for bacteria to settle and develop into periodontal disease. Many dentists believe that’s when the bacteria spread to the bloodstream, triggering an inflammation process throughout the body. Red, swollen gums and bleeding are warning signs. “Early gum disease is reversible,” says Wolff. Better gum health can help reduce systemic inflammation and lower the chance of bacterial spread to the bloodstream.…

1 KENNEL COUGH Bordetella bacteria are the most common culprit in this contagious upper-respiratory infection. “Adult dogs usually get over it in five to 10 days, but in puppies it can turn into pneumonia due to their compromised immune systems, so for them this shot is a must,” says Deirdre Frey, V.M.D., founder of Vet at Your Door in Portland, ME. Groomers and kennels may require it for all dogs, and your vet may recommend it if yours spends a lot of time at a dog park. 2 DOG FLU Canine influenza was identified only in 2004, and the first vaccine for it was released in 2009. It’s highly contagious, and unlike human flu, it has no season—it can be contracted at any time. “For up to 10% of dogs,…

Q In the August issue, you recommended antiperspirant to prevent chafing. Are there any harmful effects of using antiperspirant under your breast or on your inner thigh? —Christine Sexson, Rio Rancho, NM A Scary rumors that antiperspirant causes breast cancer have swirled for years, but “there is no scientific evidence to support that,” says Laura Makaroff, D.O., senior director of cancer control intervention at the American Cancer Society. “The concentration of hygiene-product compounds absorbed into the body beyond the skin is thought to be very, very low.” That goes for under the arms or elsewhere. There is a risk of skin irritation if you’re sensitive to certain antiperspirants. In that case, apply petroleum jelly or shea butter instead to prevent chafing. Our beauty team recommends Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant ($5,…

STRAPS Strap width and breast size should be directly proportional. “Large-chested women need thicker straps to properly lift and support. This takes pressure off the back, which can relieve associated back pain,” says Dr. Hazen. If your breasts aren’t large enough to cause discomfort, straps of any width will do; just be sure they’re not too tight, as that can irritate skin or trigger muscle pain or soreness. UNDERWIRE… OR NOT? Small-breasted ladies, rejoice—your girls will do just fine without underwire. But if your breasts are larger or a bit saggy, it’s a necessary evil. “Underwire isn’t the most comfortable, but large-chested women need it for lift,” says Dr. Hazen. Unsupported breasts can rub against torso skin, causing rashes, infection, or discoloration from friction, she adds. PADDING This is more…

Dr. Streicher is an associate clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. Before Angelina Jolie’s 2015 announcement that she’d had her healthy ovaries removed because of her genetic risk of cancer, most people had never heard of a BRCA mutation. But within hours of Jolie’s news, my phone was ringing off the hook with patients asking about genetic testing, including those I’d been encouraging for years. Oh, the power of celebrity! Today, many women who want to know their risk are turning to at-home genetic tests from providers such as 23andMe and color.com. But unlike testing at a certified medical laboratory (which requires a doctor’s order), recent reports suggest, genetic tests from direct-to-consumer companies are not always accurate. That’s why the American College of…

ACTIVE 20 MIN. TOTAL 40 MIN. MAKES 12 MUFFINS Nonstick cooking spray2½ cups old-fashioned oats½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg½ tsp ground cinnamon½ tsp kosher salt½ tsp baking powder1 cup pecans, roughly chopped¼ cup olive oil⅓ cup honey, warmed2 large eggs1 tsp pure vanilla extract¾ cup unsweetened almond milk2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and finely diced (2 cups total) 1. Heat oven to 375°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners and lightly coat with cooking spray. 2. Pulse 1 cup oats in a food processor until very fine (should resemble coarsely milled flour); place in a large bowl. Whisk in nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder. Stir in half of pecans. 3. In a medium bowl, whisk together oil and honey, then whisk in eggs, vanilla, and almond milk.…

KITCHEN REPLACE YOUR DISHTOWEL 1 MINUTE Almost half of kitchen towels contain yucky bacterial growth like E. coli, which can lead to food poisoning. Swap in a fresh one every few days, and wash dirty ones in hot water. Replace your sponge often too (research says weekly is best). “A sponge used just once or twice on a sink of dirty dishes already has tens of thousands of bacteria in it,” says Elaine Lardon, Ph.D., professor of epidemiology at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. GIVE THE ROOM A QUICKIE SHAPE-UP 5 MINUTES A disorderly kitchen isn’t just hard on the eyes; it could actually sabotage healthy-eating plans. A study in the journal Environment and Behavior found that people ate twice as many cookies standing in a messy kitchen…

You have a persistent toothache When bacteria and debris settle into a tooth’s nerve, it can become infected and ache like crazy. If the problem is serious, you may need a root canal, but sometimes the tooth itself is so severely decayed that it’s better to extract it and replace it with an implant—a multistep process that can take up to six months. But a dentist will do everything she can to save the tooth first, says Timothy Wright, D.D.S., professor of dentistry at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry. You break a tooth Major painful chips or cracks warrant an immediate visit to the dentist. Smaller chips or cracks that cause pain only when you bite down are usually less urgent, but shouldn’t be ignored. Fractures that…

Ages 3-6 PROBLEM: Behavioral insomnia affects about one in four little kids: It means a child can only fall asleep under specific circumstances—say, you snuggling with her until she drifts off. When she wakes in the night and you’re not there, it brings tears and trouble falling asleep again. SOLUTION: If you don’t already have a healthy bedtime routine, start one that doesn’t end with you—or a screen—in bed too. Include a soothing bath, a quiet book, and a little time together. Wean her from things gradually, says Karen Bonuck, Ph.D., professor of family and social medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. Start by sitting next to her on the bed until she nods off; the next week, sit near her but on the floor,…

1 KINSHIP PUZZLES Who is your father’s mother’s daughter? Who is your husband’s mother’s daughter? Who is your only sister’s son’s sister’s aunt? 2 FIND THE SEQUENCE Look for the pattern and figure out the next number in the set. 3 COUNT THE TRIANGLES Take a look at the design below. How many triangles can you find in all? 4 CRYPTOGRAM Crack the code to find some advice from Eleanor Roosevelt. Answers: 1. Your aunt, your sister-in-law, you. 2. 44(sum of the prior three numbers). 3. 11. 4. You must do the thing you think you cannot do. PUZZLES 1, 2, AND 3 ADAPTED FROM THE TOTAL BRAIN WORKOUT BY MARCEL DANESI, PH.…

77% OF AMERICANS REGULARLY EXPERIENCE PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS CAUSED BY STRESS. Penn State researchers found that tension in the a.m. may affect your brainpower later on. In an observational study, adults who felt stressed about the day ahead of them upon waking didn’t do as well as others on a memory test completed five times during the day—perhaps because the early stress worsened working memory, which helps people learn, remember, and focus their attention. Poor working memory can lead to difficulty focusing, upping the odds of errors such as taking the wrong medication or making a wrong turn while driving, says study author Martin Sliwinski, director of Penn State’s Center for Healthy Aging. Mindful meditation, exercise, and spending time outdoors help boost working memory and keep stress at bay, he adds.…

It’s finally time for sweater weather, but for many, that welcome relief from the heat means the onset of allergies (cue sniffles and watery eyes). Eating the right foods, however, may allow you to pick pumpkins and leaf-peep to your heart’s content. “What you eat has the potential to not only soothe allergy symptoms, but also prevent allergic reactions from happening in the first place,” says Jennifer McDaniel, a registered dietitian nutritionist based in St. Louis. Add these delicious picks to your allergy-treatment plan and start enjoying the outdoors again. RED ONIONS When you get a whiff of an allergen like ragweed pollen, your immune system releases histamines, inflammatory compounds that trigger allergic reactions such as itching and swelling. Raw onions, particularly the red variety, are high in quercetin, a…

Your teeth may get closer together Teeth naturally move toward the midline with age, says Mark S. Wolff, D.D.S., Ph.D., Morton Amsterdam Dean at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. The crowding can trap food in the crevices between your teeth. THE FIX: If you don’t like the way your teeth look or feel, braces such as Invisalign can help shift them back. To help keep bacteria at bay, flossing is your best bet. Your mouth might feel dry. This is a common side effect of prescription meds. A lack of saliva puts you at greater risk for cavities and can lead to funky breath. THE FIX: Brush and rinse with a fluoride mouthwash, and ask your dentist if you need more frequent checkups, Wolff says. Your gums…

Only a third of the population flosses daily, research shows. If you’re one who doesn’t, snag a Waterpik ($55 for the Cordless Plus, right) or a pack of tiny proxy brushes you can pop between your teeth. Interdental cleaning has been linked with lower rates of gum disease and tooth decay—the more you do it, the better. The best method is the one you’ll actually use, Wright says. Spa-icize Your Dental Visit If even the thought of that chair makes you anxious, wear headphones and play soothing music to drown out the drill, says Susan Maples, D.D.S., author of Blabber Mouth: 77 Secrets Only Your Mouth Can Tell You. Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, can also help take the edge off—ask your dentist if it’s an option. And don’t forget…

IN THE U.S., MASS SHOOTINGS have become so common-place that they’re alarmingly unsurprising. At the same time, the firearm deaths and injuries that grab headlines involve only a small proportion of the total number of people hurt by guns each day. Ninety-six people a day times 365… that’s more than 35,000 Americans killed by guns every year. More than double that number, about 81,000, are injured by guns annually. When medical professionals face an epidemic—think Zika, Ebola, even the flu—their mandate is to save lives. So in 2016, the American Medical Association (AMA) declared gun violence a public health crisis, with the hope of doing more than stitching up victims and delivering devastating news to victims’ families. To get out in front of the problem, eight major medical groups issued…