Prevention June 2013

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE Tasneem Bhatia, MD, medical director and founder, the Atlanta Center for Holistic & Integrative Medicine James A. Duke, PhD, author of The Green Pharmacy: The Ultimate Compendium of Natural Remedies from the World’s Foremost Authority on Healing Herbs Tieraona Low Dog, MD, director of the fellowship, the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Arizona Andrew Weil, MD, director, the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine; clinical professor of medicine, University of Arizona DERMATOLOGY Mary P. Lupo, MD, clinical professor of dermatology, Tulane University School of Medicine FAMILY MEDICINE Rob Danoff, DO, director of the combined Family Medicine/Emergency Medicine Residency Programs at Aria Health Network, Philadelphia FITNESS Pam M. Peeke, MD, MPH, president, the Peeke Performance Center for Healthy Living; assistant clinical professor of medicine, University of Maryland Wayne…

I am happy being in my 40s and even looking forward to getting closer to the goals that I’ve set for myself for 50. But I don’t always enjoy the jiggle—that thing that happens when I stretch my arm out really fast and the back of it keeps on moving. I cannot bring myself to call it a bat wing, but I have heard the phrase. My kids noticed it one day when I was practicing yoga in the living room, doing Warrior Two, a powerful pose with arms fully outstretched on either side, legs firmly planted. I was feeling my fierceness, legs burning and arms reaching out, when I heard, “Hey, Mom, look—part of your arm keeps moving! Do it again!” They found my arm jiggle very funny, and…

Follow the Sun “Choose to be optimistic,” said the Dalai Lama. “It feels better.” New science from the Harvard School of Public Health suggests he’s right. Researchers say that cheerful people have fewer heart attacks and strokes, higher levels of “good” HDL cholesterol, and lower levels of triglycerides than gloomier people. Bonus: The more upbeat you are, the more cancer fighting carotenoids you have in your bloodstream. There’s no magic involved, the researchers note: Optimistic people tend to eat right, exercise, and take good care of themselves. The sunnier life seems, the more you’re motivated to stick around to enjoy it.…

HAPPIEST Commuters who bike, walk, or drive in groups UNHAPPIEST Solo motorists Americans average 50 minutes a day commuting, so why not make it a happy time? When a Portland State University researcher surveyed 828 commuters in 2012 about how they get to work, the results mirrored a tongue-in cheek pro-bike bumper sticker: “If you were riding, you’d be happy now.” Bicyclists and walkers were 17 and 15% happier with their commutes than those who drove alone, while public transit riders and carpoolers were more positive about their travel time overall. The lesson: Find ways to bring bliss to your commute. Park around the corner and walk the rest of the way, arrange a car pool, or just start early and take the scenic route. HAPPIEST Bronze medalists (and gold…

The average caveman probably didn’t have a pearly white smile, but his teeth and gums may have been healthier than yours. That’s because our ancestors had far more good bacteria to fight the bad ones that cause tooth decay, gum disease, and funky breath, says a new study in Nature Genetics that analyzed the plaque of 34 ancient skeletons. Here’s how you can shift the balance of bacteria in your favor. —Stephanie Eckelkamp Eat Like a Caveman One reason ancient humans had better teeth: Processed foods didn’t exist. The researchers found that bacterial diversity plummeted with the shift from hunting and gathering to farming, and then again with the advent of processed sugar and flour. Make more primal picks by opting for fresh produce, nuts, whole grains, and quality meats.…

Your lazy beach days and woodland hikes can come with real risks—and not just a little swimsuit-induced chafing. Here’s how you can avoid heatstroke, treat stings at the shore, and locate disease-carrying critters. —SE 1 Know How to Hydrate For tough, 45-to 60-minute workouts in the heat or prolonged exercise, such as a hike, water won’t cut it. You may need to replenish your body’s electrolytes to avoid heat exhaustion, according to the American Council on Exercise. 2 Soothe Jellyfish Stings Toss a bottle of vinegar in your beach tote—this kitchen staple helps deactivate the venomous nematocysts that many jellyfish release when they sting, says the American Red Cross. 3 Spot Disease-Carrying Ticks Look for tiny deer ticks, which transmit Lyme disease, in the crooks of knees, armpits, and anywhere…