Prevention March 2023

THE BIGGEST March holiday in our home is one that doesn’t appear on too many calendars: Pi Day on March 14 (3.14, get it?). My son is a math lover who goes to P.S. 314, so you can bet we make a pie every year! It turns out baking is good for you (page 20), so if you don’t already observe this important day, we think you should. My son would also like to suggest to any of you who enjoy Brain Games (page 96) that memorizing as much of pi as possible would be good for your memory (he’d like me to mention that he’s got it out to 13 digits). He’s 10, though, so if you’re a little older and looking for something different to do with your…

Prep for Spring Allergies The new allergy season is fast approaching—and did you know that it’s starting earlier and earlier and will continue to do so thanks to climate change? Here’s one thing you can do to be more ready for the season: Start taking your medication right around now. For best results, it’s a good idea to begin taking allergy meds about two to four weeks before pollen levels peak—in most of the country, spring allergy season starts in March, says Purvi Parikh, M.D., an allergist and immunologist at Allergy & Asthma Network. “The type of allergy medicine really depends on your symptoms. Some people can get away with over-the-counter allergy pills and nasal sprays, but others may need prescription medications like eye drops or inhalers,” says Dr. Parikh.…

For many diseases, including brain-related ones such as Alzheimer’s, there are diagnostic tests that may aid in diagnosis. Parkinson’s disease isn’t yet one of them, though; currently it is diagnosed based on symptoms and sometimes brain scans to rule out other neurological conditions. But new research offers hope that this could change. Patients with Parkinson’s disease had proteins that were different in shape than those in healthy individuals without the neurodegenerative condition, found a new study in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology. Researchers plan additional studies in hopes of better understanding how these findings might translate to earlier Parkinson’s diagnosis down the line, as well as whether the protein differences might help predict the course of the disease in patients diagnosed with it.…

A great update of churros, the fried-dough favorite: Churro Strips from family-owned brand Siete. They’re crunchy and flavorful, with just the right amount of sweetness—each serving has only 5 g of added sugar. They’re made from cassava flour and starch; coated in a mixture including pumpkin powder, cinnamon, and vanilla powder; and crisped in avocado oil. ($5 at retailers like Whole Foods) Getting Paid to Get Healthier? Yes, Please! Would you be more apt to meet health goals if it got you cold, hard cash? Science says yes. Obese individuals from low-income neighborhoods were likelier to meet weight-loss goals when offered a financial incentive vs. tools such as activity trackers and diet books, found an NYU research team. They say their findings suggest that incentivization could be a way to…

Taking climate action is easier when you join forces with others. Volunteer groups to check out: CLIMATE CHANGEMAKERS At a weekly virtual “hour of action,” volunteers call lawmakers, write editorials, and more. Some 65% of volunteers are newbies. (climate changemakers.org) 350 This international group is named for the safe upper limit of atmospheric carbon dioxide (the current level: 415 parts per million). It empowers people to work together locally toward a clean energy future. (350.org) SCIENCE MOMS Short videos from climate scientists who are mothers encourage women to make the planet better for kids via a to-do list—e.g., swap gas cars or stoves for electric, share climate info on social media, speak up to lawmakers. (sciencemoms.com)…

March is National Nutrition Month—in honor of this, we asked nutritionists we work with year round for their fave ways to be nourished, healthy, and happy each day. MAKE THIS YOUR MINDSET: ADD, DON’TSUBTRACT. “Instead of focusing on restriction, see how you can add more color, fiber, or joy to mealtimes. These mindset shifts go a long way when it comes to behavioral change.” —Tamar Samuels, R.D., cofounder of Culina Health DON’T MAKE MEAL PREP A PRODUCTION “Eating well during the week doesn’t have to mean being in the kitchen all day on Sunday. Prep grab-and-go yogurt cups or make a big batch of rice or roasted veggies to complete meals through the week.” —Marisa Moore, R.D.N., culinary and integrative dietitian at marisamoore.com CREATE “BROTHBOMBS.” Fill ice cube trays with…