Prevention

“THANK YOU FOR bringing your family to the national park!” This was directed at my 9-year-old (many times!) during our family’s epic “we’re finally traveling again” vacation this year to the five national parks in Utah. The park rangers, those endlessly positive ambassadors of the great outdoors, know just what to say to kids who are starting to feel dragged around by their hiking-obsessed parents. My son perked up at the reminder that we were there thanks to him. Through the federal Every Kid Outdoors program, all fourth graders get admission to the national parks—and since they can’t exactly drive themselves, they get to bring their families along. Editing our story on hiking shoes this month (page 36) made me long for the red sand that I poured out of mine…

Think spring is the only time you can be hit with itchy eyes and a sneezy nose whenever you walk outside? Fall is also peak allergy season, but there are ways you can get some relief. First, start taking allergy meds such as nasal sprays and antihistamines at the end of summer (that is, now!), then continue through the first frost, says Tania Elliott, M.D., an allergist/immunologist and a board-certified internist. Try to avoid outdoor activity when pollen counts are high—an app such as Allergy Plus by Pollen.com will tell you what they are by location. And load up on raw foods that are rich in quercetin, a flavonoid that may help fight allergy symptoms and boost your immune system: onion, blueberries, tomato, kale, broccoli, asparagus, and capers.…

Guys who are milk fans might want to reconsider their habit if milk plays a starring role in their daily diet. Consuming about 430g of dairy per day (1¾ cups of milk) was associated with a 25% increased risk of prostate cancer compared with having just 20.2 daily grams (about ½ cup per week), according to a large new study by researchers at Loma Linda University. They analyzed health data from more than 28,000 North American men and took into consideration dietary patterns as well as other factors like demographics, family history of prostate cancer, and lifestyle habits. They ruled out calcium as the likely culprit—instead, they suspect that hormones in dairy might be to blame, as up to 75% of lactating dairy cows are pregnant and prostate cancer is…

Kids (and, let’s face it, adults!) love snack time, and the right mix of nutrients can help supercharge their day. Protein, carbs, and fat make up the energy equation; fiber, vitamins, and minerals support kids’ overall growth and well-being, says Jaclyn London, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., a New York City–based registered dietitian, author of Dressing on the Side, and host of the podcast On the Side With Jackie London, R.D. These fun snack ideas will fuel your little ones—and you! Harvest Snaps “Pulse-based snacks come in delicious flavors and also pack key minerals, plant-based protein, and fiber,” London says. These are baked and made from green peas, red lentils, or black beans, and you can choose yummy flavors like Caesar, Parmesan roasted garlic, tomato basil, and more. Maxine’s Heavenly Yes, these are cookies, and yes,…

Early detection can give people with Alzheimer’s better treatment options so they have the best chance of staying sharp longer, and a new screening tool that’s being studied might help. A technology called RetiSpec can be used during a routine eye exam to illuminate abnormalities in the eye that may be early signs of Alzheimer’s such as evidence of amyloid plaques. The technology is being tested in a project among a group of Toronto seniors. Optometrists incorporate questions about memory into a patient assessment, and those who complain of cognitive problems are given the RetiSpec test during their optical exam; they’re then referred to the Alzheimer Society of Toronto to undergo a cognitive assessment. Results from both the eye scans and the cognitive tests will be provided to the patients’ primary…

Say hello to your new favorite kitchen appliance: the Beast Health Blender. Super powerful but with a minimalist vibe, it is compact and can easily be tucked away on a countertop or stored in a cabinet. There are just two modes—pulse, and a one-minute blend cycle that intuitively senses what’s in the jug, then adjusts the speed for the perfect blend. Cleanup is easy, it’s quieter than some competitors, and it comes with a lid so you can take your smoothie (or hummus snack!) to go. ($155, thebeast.com)…