Prevention

WE LIKE TO TURN TO EXPERTS here at Prevention, as you’ve no doubt noticed. So many smart people out there have deep knowledge of and great insights into personal health. In a typical month, we might talk to doctors about surgery (as on page 74), dentists about teeth (see page 48), or trainers about working out (page 58). But this month I have an amazing expert to introduce you to who sits right in our office and had been quietly working away for many months before I realized she knew everything about hair. Shauna Beni, an associate editor, is the force behind our first ever Healthy Hair Awards—and, as I recently learned, was the president of a group called K.I.N.K.S. (Kollectively Inspiring Naturally Kurly Students), a hair club created to develop a…

Add this to your summer bucket list: Take a trip to the ocean. Or to a lake, a river, or the pond at your local park. Spending time by bodies of water is good for your physical and mental health, says a recent meta-analysis of 50 studies exploring blue-space benefits. Being around water appears to have a positive impact on things related to mental restoration (like stress and anxiety), and it can also boost physical activity. We could all use a little reset—so whether you prefer to splash, swim, or simply enjoy the crash of waves from your seat on the beach, make it your summertime mission to have frequent wet fun in the sun.…

Here’s a sleep trick you probably haven’t heard of before: Lift some weights. People who incorporated resistance work into their exercise routines three times a week for a year had improved sleep quality compared with those who just did aerobic work or didn’t exercise at all, according to a new study. The researchers still need to untangle the why of it, but if you’re in need of a deeper slumber, consider picking up some weights or resistance bands and adding them to your regular workout routine. (Bonus: Resistance work also supports good cardiovascular, bone, muscle, and joint health.) 1in 5 AMERICAN ADULTS HAS UNTREATED CAVITIES, according to data from the 2017–2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.…

The use of marijuana or CBD products during pregnancy is on the rise, but there’s still reason to be cautious. Five-year-olds whose mothers had detectable levels of cannabinoids in their urine while pregnant with them had higher fat mass and fasting glucose levels compared with peers whose moms had clean urine, found a recent small study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Over time, both of these factors could lead to health issues like obesity and type 2 diabetes. If you’ve been using “nature’s medicine” to relieve nausea and stress while pregnant, you may want to talk to your doc about exploring other options.…

Frantic itching isn’t always the only thing to worry about when a mosquito gets you, and the worst part of a bee sting isn’t always the initial prick of pain. When you get attacked by any insect—whether it’s a skeeter, a buzzer, or a tick—your skin barrier is broken, so no matter how large or small the injury, the door is opened for bacteria to enter and cause infection or disease. Here’s how to tell if you’re heading toward trouble. SIGNS OF INFECTION ▶ Increase in size, pain, tenderness, or redness ▶ Warmth when the area is touched ▶ Oozing fluid or pus ▶ Rash ▶ Fever, chills, or flu-like symptoms WHAT TO DO If you’re not in a lot of pain and don’t have a fever or flu-like symptoms, first try washing the area with soap and…

Disciplined people may be less likely to develop cognitive impairment as they get older, while those who struggle with mental-health issues may be at greater risk of brain decline, according to new research from the University of Victoria in Canada. Individuals who scored higher on the conscientiousness scale (used in psychological research) tended to be organized and goal-driven and had a 22% lower chance of mild cognitive impairment compared with those who scored higher on the neuroticism scale, which includes traits like moodiness and negativity. Health data from nearly 2,000 people in the Rush University Memory and Aging Project was analyzed to arrive at the findings. It’s one more reason to prioritize regularly finding ways to relax and reset.…