Innehållsförteckning för December 2017 från Prevention

STRESS CAN make you stronger? Come on! When this story (p. 80) hit my desk, I was dubious. In fact, it stressed me out. Stress is surging in this country, causing headaches and heart trouble, and we’re only on the cusp of holiday madness. Would I be asking our readers to deny their anxiety in a fruitless effort to rise above their feelings? Once I read the story, though, I got the idea. It says that everyday stress—traffic, deadlines, other ordinary hassles—can be managed and even appreciated if we refocus our approach. Stress can actually inspire us to reach out to others, which is just one of its benefits. This kind of rethinking can be powerful. In “Learning How to Pivot” (p. 64), Meridith Hankenson is forced to reckon with…

FOR SLEEP TROUBLE Inventors are taking note of Americans’ lack of slumber. One company asks poor sleepers questions about their sleep habits and measures their spinal alignment to match them to a mattress. Another mattress monitors sleep patterns to help people maintain a regular schedule. FOR HEART DISEASE An MIT start-up company has developed a bra that uses Bluetooth technology to monitor heart rate, breathing, and other cardiovascular functions to prevent heart disease. Available in 2018, the bra syncs to a smartphone app, which analyzes the data and provides insights for improving heart health. FOR HAND TREMORS Microsoft inventor Haiyan Zhang has created a vibrating watch that eases hand tremors, a common symptom of Parkinson’s disease. The vibrations seem to disrupt neural signals that cause shaking. In the first test,…

OUT EXTREME DIETING Strict eating plans like the carb-banishing ketogenic diet and the meat- and dairyfree vegan diet exclude crucial food groups. JUICE DETOXES These diets have been revealed as phony fixes for “toxic” overload, and they don’t promote sustainable weight loss, either. ARTISANAL SAUERKRAUT Adopted quickly by mainstream foodies, the gut-healthy barbecue staple is no longer novel. COCONUT OIL The American Heart Association issued an advisory on coconut oil in 2017, due to its enormous levels of saturated fat. ALMOND FLOUR This was one of the first flour alternatives of the gluten-free movement, but the buzz is gone. MICROGREENS The bloom is off these young sprouts of common leafy superfoods like arugula and kale. TURMERIC The spice dusted popcorn, tortillas, and more in 2017, but it’s time for the…

MOVE OF THE MONTH Standing Leg Raise This move targets your quads to help you sculpt a stronger, shapelier lower body. It also conditions hip flexors, which become stiff from sitting and can cause lower-back pain. TRY IT Stand tall with resistance band looped slightly above ankles, abs engaged, feet hip-width apart. Shift weight onto left foot, keeping slight bend in knee. Raise and lower right leg in front of you, keeping foot flexed. Continue for 20 seconds; repeat on opposite side for 20 seconds. For best results, do 2 sets 3 times a week. 10 MINUTES TO SLIM & STRONG For the new 8-week program of 10-minute meals and 10 minutes of daily exercise, go to Fitin10SlimandStrong.com. Has Fit in 10 transformed your life? Send your story to readerstories@prevention.com.…

MIGRAINE HEADACHE, a debilitating disease that affects more than 36 million people in the US, typically causes throbbing on one side of the head, along with nausea, blurred vision, and sensitivity to sound. A key underlying cause is abnormal activity in the trigeminocervical complex, or the brain’s “command center,” says Deena Kuruvilla, chair of complementary and alternative medicine at the American Headache Society. This can release inflammatory peptides that trigger migraines, she says. Other triggers include stress, irregular sleep, weather changes, alcohol, caffeine, and dehydration, according to the American Migraine Foundation. Women ages 25 to 55 are most susceptible. Sometimes addressing the underlying cause—by drinking more water or getting more sleep, for example—may help relieve symptoms. Prescribed triptans (Imitrex, Treximet) can help some sufferers, and OTC pain relievers (Aleve, Excedrin)…

Most bad breath is caused by an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria (strains that don’t need oxygen to survive) in saliva that produce foul-smelling, sulfurous compounds. The bacteria—which coat the mouth, teeth, and tongue— release the compounds as they feed on food residue. Postnasal drip or infections such as sinusitis can also make your breath reek from bacteria, as can dry mouth, which leaves less saliva to wash away the food particles bacteria feed on and less moisture to mask odor. If you suspect your breath is a little less than fresh, lick the back of your hand, then smell it: If it has an odor, you know your breath does, too. The following steps can help. 50 Approximate percentage of people with halitosis, the medical term for bad breath PREVENTIVE…

THERE’S STILL NO CURE for the common cold, and every year millions of Americans catch at least one. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that adults get an average of two or three colds a year. Preventive steps, like hand washing, can help ward off a cold, but it has to run its course once it takes hold. Rest and fluids are the standard treatment, but other measures can help you feel comfortable while waiting. We asked a variety of health professionals for their advice. THE NUTRITIONIST Spicy hot tea “Try a warm cup of tea with spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, which can help loosen your congestion. I also recommend citrus foods to help the immune system.” —Susan Lang- Saponara, registered dietitian with…

Acknowledge it. Make a list of some of the unproductive things you do when you’re feeling pressured, such as procrastinate or raid the refrigerator. The next time you’re engaging in one of these activities, the list can act as a trigger to help you recognize what’s happening. At that point, name your stress by saying something like “I’m stressed because I have a lot of work to do in a short amount of time.” Noting your stress this way shifts the activity in your brain from the automatic, emotional centers, like the amygdala (the brain’s fear center), to the more conscious, thoughtful areas, like the prefrontal cortex. That allows you to feel more in control. Welcome it. Research shows that avoiding stress can increase anxiety and worry. Instead, recognize that…

LOVE YOUR AGE I feel better at 75 than I did at 45. Are some things harder for me to do? Of course. But are there rewards for having made it to 75? Yes—many. I have a sense of freedom I never had when I was younger. It doesn’t matter all that much how people feel about me. It is now more important to me that I like who I am. Isabel Gillett / Phoenix What a powerful story about your Aunt Vera! I love that you are promoting loving your age. We all need to see that it’s possible to be strong at any age. I want to be like Vera! Nikol Johnson-Sanchez / Fort Lauderdale At 67, I can confidently say that this is the best part of…

Vending machines filled with healthier fare than greasy chips and sugary candy bars are showing up in airports, offices, and other public places these days. The new machines dispense organic, vegan, gluten-free, and other inspired food and drink choices, including yogurt, fruit, and prepared salads. Some are even stocked with organic or locally sourced snacks and meals packaged in reusable glass jars. Healthy vending has also infiltrated drugstore chains like CVS; the company recently launched its own machines stocked with more than 70 options, including healthy snacks, natural cold medicines, beauty and personal care products, phone chargers, first aid essentials, and vitamins. SLOWDOWN IN THE VITAMIN AISLE Sales are decreasing in the $23 billion vitamin, mineral, and supplement industry as consumers struggle with trust and cost, according to a recent…

64% People who follow their own eating plan for weight management rather than a dietary professional’s 82% Adults who say they read nutrition labels EIGHTYNINE Percentage of people who say health—not appearance—is their top reason for watching their weight ABOUT HALF Men and women who think dieting is an outdated term 84% Adults who are trying to limit their sugar intake Functional Fitness A type of workout that targets muscles used in everyday tasks (like vacuuming or carrying groceries), functional fitness is in—and necessary—to help prevent injury as well as maintain independence for seniors. The routines combine exercises to strengthen muscles and joints, promote balance, and boost flexibility and mobility.…

SINCE cholesterollowering statins were approved for use 30 years ago, the number of Americans taking the drugs has skyrocketed. There are nearly a dozen different statins on the market, including atorvastatin (Lipitor) and simvastatin (Zocor). They work by blocking an enzyme the liver uses to produce cholesterol. More than a quarter of adults in the United States now take them, at an annual cost to the health care system of $17 billion. Yet cracks are appearing in previously unassailable evidence of their safety and effectiveness—including a debate over how well the drugs work for older women. Statins’ popularity results from one of the most widely accepted theories of heart disease, which is that the main culprit is cholesterol buildup in arteries. Cholesterol is an essential component of cell membranes, and…

EVERY YEAR as I gather with my family for our holiday celebration, I’m reminded of what the season really means. Our table hosts vegetarians and bacon lovers, night owls and early birds, and people of all political stripes. I’ve learned that the secret to enjoying the holidays is living the essence of the season and giving the gifts of grace and unconditional love. One way to do that is by making natural gifts for the special people in your life. I enjoy giving an assortment of products to encourage my family and friends to indulge in healthy pampering. My Lavender-Honey Sugar Scrub is a wonderful exfoliator, and it feels divine. Lavender is known for its healing properties, and the relaxing scent makes this scrub perfect to use before bedtime to…

Granola Probiotics are the newest ingredient in the popular breakfast food. Kimchi This already trendy Korean side dish made with seasoned napa cabbage will debut in more products. Chocolate Gut health gets sexier with probiotic chocolate bars and chocolateflavored edible supplements. Honey Innovators will ferment the much-loved natural sweetener to include probiotics. Tea A growing number of blends will include heatresistant probiotic strains. Kombucha floats The popular fermented tea gets a modern twist with this healthier take on the classic root beer confection. Juice Fruit drinks get in on the probiotic trend, adding live and active cultures. Drinkable vinegar Predicted to be the next kombucha, the vinegar is diluted with juice or sparkling water and typically contains billions of live and active cultures. Watermelon juice This workout recovery drink is…

Look for this option among the fitness classes at your gym next year: Animal Flow mimics the natural movements of animals like crabs, frogs, apes, and bears for a totalbody workout said to strengthen core muscle groups, improve flexibility, and torch calories. “Animal movements develop full-body conditioning and bring us back to our primal roots,” avows certified personal trainer Mike Fitch, who created the program. If you can’t find a gym near you that offers it yet, you can test out free sample videos or purchase a DVD or eVideo at animalflow.com. GET STRETCHED Once reserved for bodybuilders, the “dead hang” enters the exercise lexicon in 2018. The move improves posture, lowers the risk of back injury by decompressing your spine, and stretches your shoulders to ease pain, says chiropractor…

DAILY Fruits and vegetables Whole grains Legumes Nuts and seeds Olive oil Herbs and spices SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK Fish and shellfish (at least twice weekly) Poultry Eggs Cheese Yogurt Red wine (if desired) OCCASIONALLY Red or processed meat Refined grains Packaged or highly processed snacks Butter Soda and sugary drinks Sweets and desserts…

Research scientists around the world have been working on new medical treatments that will improve millions of lives. We’ve chosen 20 of the most fascinating and important to showcase here. 1. REGENERATING BODY PARTS Regenerative medicine— a branch of science working to find ways to regrow or replace damaged tissue and organs—took a huge leap forward in 2017, when Ohio State University researchers announced the development of a new technology called tissue nanotransfection. TNT technology, which is embedded in a tiny chip, can reprogram skin cells to repair organs and blood vessels. With certain kinds of DNA, “we can convert one kind of cell into other types,” says Jim Lee, an Ohio State professor and coleader of the project. The noninvasive procedure involves placing a postage stamp–size chip on the…

How can you avoid fake health news? Four tips: READ THE FINE PRINT. Many deceptive sites post disclaimers saying they’re not providing medical advice, says Melissa Zimdars, an assistant professor of communications at Merrimack College. This may be an attempt to sidestep regulation and accountability. DON’T BE IMPRESSED BY A MILLION FACEBOOK VIEWS. Companies that want a big audience can pay to get the word out, says Brian Southwell of RTI International. Videos that appear to go viral may have been promoted with ad dollars or paid viewers. FACT-CHECK IT. See what snopes.com says. Ask yourself: Is the site reputable and familiar? Are facts attributed to an expert? If so, Google that person’s credentials. Finally, is the site selling something you just read about? If so, proceed cautiously, Southwell says. REMEMBER THAT…