Prevention June 2022

I’M NO STRANGER TO BAD ADVICE. Twenty years or so ago, a magazine I worked for ran an article on how to lose five pounds in a week featuring little tricks from the women on staff. I did not contribute to it, not based on any sense of superiority to the subject matter but because I didn’t know how to lose five pounds in a week and I just wanted to read the article! Well, it turned out to be a disappointment. Beyond the fact that the premise itself was problematic—as I now realize—the tips ranged from dubious to terrible and involved skipping meals in a complex pattern, drinking lots of diet soda, and eating pizza. (That last one I tried, but it definitely did not work for me!) To be…

If a longtime smoker saw an image of what their own lungs looked like, would it help them quit? New research says probably yes. Looking at medical imaging prompted people to make lifestyle changes to address health issues more often than when they simply received verbal feedback about their personal health, says a meta-analysis in PLOS Medicine involving more than 9,000 individuals. The areas in which behavioral changes were observed included smoking cessation, following a healthier diet, increasing physical activity, and engaging in better ora hygiene. Researchers say the findings suggest that doctors could use this medical imaging as a tool to help motivate patients to take steps needed to improve their health and reduce disease risk.…

YOUR LABEL GUIDE GRASS-FED “Cows fed just grass produce milk higher in omega-3s and beta-carotene,” says Bauer. Look for one of these certifications: “American Grassfed,” “PCO Certified 100% Grass-Fed,” or “Certified Grassfed by AGW.” ORGANIC Animal-based foods with the USDA Organic seal meet strict criteria that ensure the well-being of animals and the planet. A few requirements: organic feed, no growth-promoting drugs, and access to outdoor space. DAIRY-FREE This type of yogurt is safe for people who can’t (or don’t want to) eat dairy. “You can find yogurts made from almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, and cashew milk,” Bauer says. Their nutrition profile differs from milkbased yogurt (they tend to have less protein), but many still have probiotics. ♦ KNOW YOUR PROBIOTICS To be sure you’re spooning up gut-bug goodness, look for the International…

Science has already told us that chronic heavy drinking can have a detrimental effect on the brain, causing changes in structure and size that can lead to cognitive impairment down the line. But even light or moderate sipping may be harmful, says a new University of Pennsylvania study in Nature Communications. Just one or two daily drinks was associated with brain-structure changes that could lead to cognitive issues, says an analysis of health data and brain scans from more than 36,000 people. And brain age accelerated as daily alcohol consumption increased. Signs that your wine-tounwind may be problematic: You want to stop drinking but can’t; you’re secretive or in denial about how much you drink; you engage in risky behavior such as drunk driving; or you notice physical changes like…

Heart-healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated, boring, or bland. It can be exciting, even empowering. Want to know how? We talked to Colleen Montgomery, M.S., a certified lifestylemedicine coach, a clinical exercise physiologist, and the author of the new Prevention book The Ultimate Heart Healthy Full-Flavor Meal Plan. ☐ Why is plant-based eating so beneficial? Food is medicinal and has an incredible ability to heal the body in the face of chronic disease. Plant-based foods in particular are proven to have a substantial impact on heart health—they possess copious amounts of health-giving nutrients, which collectively support the function of our heart and the blood vessels that supply it. Also, plantbased foods lack components that contribute to chronic disease such as cholesterol, saturated fat, and salt. ☐ What strategies can help make heart-focused…

The Greek poet Homer described olive oil as “liquid gold,” and skin pros echo this ancient sentiment. The nutrients in olive oil that make it so good for your overall health also make it an allstar skincare ingredient. “Olive oil is packed with anti-inflammatory agents and antioxidants, so it’s soothing to the skin and may help protect against environmental stressors like UV rays,” says dermatologist Michelle Henry, M.D., a clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. “Olive oil also has oleic acid and squalene, two excellent emollients found naturally in skin that help it hold in moisture and improve texture.” While you may be tempted to dab a few drops of pure olive oil on your face, Dr. Henry says to stick to moisturizers and serums…