Prevention January 2023

I’M NOT NORMALLY LOUD—I’m more of a “Hmm, interesting…” person than a “WHAT??!” person—but the longer I work at Prevention, the more I learn about things that deserve a little shouting about. For more than 70 years, Prevention has believed that people have the power to change the course of their health. We’ve always operated based on the idea that your health is in your hands. Except sometimes it isn’t. Often there are outside factors working against us. Maybe you have a symptom that has perplexed a series of doctors; maybe doctors know exactly what you have, but there is no treatment because no one has funded research on your condition; or maybe there is a treatment, but you can’t get it because it’s not available at a hospital near you.…

DO YOU HAVE A HEALTH CONDITION THAT OTHER PEOPLE DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT? ◯ YES ◯ NO WHAT IS THE CONDITION? _____________________ _____________________ WHAT DON’TPEOPLE UNDERSTAND ABOUT IT? If we covered it, what would you want people to know? _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ HAVE YOU EVER FELT AS IF YOUR SYMPTOMS WEREN’T TAKEN SERIOUSLY? ◯ YES ◯ NO IF YES, WHO DIDN’T TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY? ◯ Medical professional ◯ Partner ◯ Other family member ◯ Friends ◯ Other____________ WHY DO YOU THINK THAT WAS? _____________________ _____________________ Which of these health issues would you like to know more about this year? (Check all that you care about.) ◯ Cancer ◯ Mental health ◯ Alzheimer’s and dementia ◯ Autoimmune disorders ◯ Pain ◯ Menopause ◯ Addiction ◯ Diabetes ◯ Sexual health ◯ Other_____________ What about these health care topics—which of…

This winter staple is a serious superfood, especially when it comes to immunity—which is important to support year-round, but particularly during cold and flu season. Beets of all shades are loaded with vitamin C, zinc, and other nutrients known for bolstering the immune system, and they’re high in anthocyanins and beta-carotene, pigment-lending compounds with powerful antioxidant properties. And don’t discard those stems and leaves: They are a bonus source of nourishment and are particularly rich in vitamins A and K as well as calcium and potassium. Prevention BRAIN HEALTH A New Dementia Risk Having a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia could make someone two and a half times as likely to develop dementia down the line compared with a person without one, says a meta-analysis in Psychological Medicine. The largest…

Scientists are clear: Climate change is real, human-caused, and happening. It’s producing higher temps, stronger storms, bigger wildfires, and more. A majority of us know this, Yale researchers say, but they’ve found that we almost never chat about climate with family or friends. That’s got to change if we hope to inspire one another to make Earth-friendly choices. Talking about the issue is one important thing each of us can do to start making a difference, says climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe, Ph.D., author of Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World. If you avoid the topic because you feel shaky on the facts, visit the Climate Reality Project’s Climate 101 website or take a free virtual class from Miami’s CLEO Institute. And since only…

TRY MORNING MINDFULNESS “One of my favorite things to do is wake up and reflect on three things I’m grateful for, small or large,” says Judy Ho, Ph.D., a clinical neuropsychologist and the author of Stop Self-Sabotage: Six Steps to Unlock Your True Motivation. “If you get into the practice of doing that every single day, you’ll see a shift in your outlook and how you view life.” CELEBRATE YOU “The empowerment you receive when you’re proud of yourself is a form of gratitude and self-love, and these go hand in hand,” says Cheyenne Bryant, Ph.D., a psychology expert and a renowned life coach in California. “You plant seeds in yourself that are weeds or wheat—weeds may be negative selftalk, and wheat is embracing who you are. Assess what’s growing,…

■ Ginger, a common spice, is becoming trendy in the haircare world thanks to claims that it can improve scalp health and spur hair growth. While experts say ginger is unlikely to help you grow long locks, it may benefit overall scalp and hair health by “invigorating the scalp” and reducing inflammation, explains Karan Lal, D.O., a double board-certified adult and pediatric dermatologist with Affliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ. However, it can cause irritation if you’re not careful, Dr. Lal warns: “Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s safe.” To avoid potential side effects like burning and itching, skip the DIY approach of using plain ginger from the grocery store; instead, grab a product that is safely formulated with ginger. EDITORS’ CHOICES: Garnier Whole Blends Ginger Recovery Strengthening Shampoo and…