feel great
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kEven when it’s nice out, we end up spending a majority of our time indoors,
exposing us to all kinds of headache-triggering pollutants and allergens.
The good news? Study-proven pain relief is as simple as it is effective...Manuka honey contains nutri-
ents that fuel the growth of
probiotic bacteria—plus it’s
brimming with germ-killing
compounds that destroy up
to 45% of ulcer-causing bac-
teria! Just add 1 Tbs. daily to
your tea or spread on toast.A sweet cure!
Great news from University of Kansas researchers:
Ta king steps to increase the number and variety of
healthy probiotic bacteria in your gut can cut your risk of
heart disease by as much as half. Turns out, healthy gut
bacteria send hormone signals that help keep ar teries
relaxed and blood fats in balance! To get the benefits...So long, headaches!
“Our shoes pick up mold spores, seasonal
pollens and other harmful substances,
which we track inside,” says Michelle
Schof fro Cook, Ph.D., DNM, author of
Allergy-Proof Your Life. The easy way to
deny entry to these headache-triggering
troublemakers? Take your shoes off as soon
as you walk through
the door. Tip: Stash
a few pairs of comfy
slippers in a crate by
the door—it’ll cue to
ever yone to swap out
their shoes when they
get home.Adding a single plant to each room you fre-
quent can lower levels of headache-causing
formaldehyde by 70 % in less than a day,
say NASA researchers. Important, since
the airborne toxin emitted by carpeting,
upholstery and wood products can’t be
removed by even the most powerful HEPA
filter. “Plants work in harmony with us,”
explains Dr. Schoffro Cook. “They inhale
carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen, helping
to oxygenate and remove formaldehyde
and other chemicals from our air.” The best
greens for the job, according to scientists at
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: English
ivy, pot mum and golden pothos.Even just for 2 minutes, say, right before
bed. “Letting in a spring breeze brings in
oxygen-rich air and whisks away pollutants
in the process,” says Dr. Schoffro Cook.
In fact, the trick has been found to reduce
indoor air toxins by 45%. Another plus:
Research published in the journal Indoor
Air found that folks who cracked a win-
dow before bed experienced significantly
deeper, sounder sleep. —K.E. KluznikStash slippers by the door Add pretty potted plants
Crack a window
These crunchy gems kick-start
the growth of “good” intestinal
bacteria faster than any other
nut, and that boost can signifi-
cantly cut your artery-clogging
LDL cholesterol and triglyc-
eride levels, six studies show.
Explains nutrition researcher
Jordi Salvado, M.D., pistachios
are rich in nutrients (vitamin K,
copper and magnesium) that
your belly’s probiotic bacteria
need to function at their pea k.
For best results, enjoy 1 oz., or
about 50 nuts, daily.Tea brims with polyphenols that
speed the growth of healthy gut
microbes and hinder the spread
of harmful ones, and you can
triple the polyphenols in your
tea by dunking the tea bag 10
times instead of just steeping it,
British scientists say. The study-
proven dose: 3 cups of black,
green, oolong or white tea daily.Working in the yard for 20 min-
utes daily boosts beneficial gut
bacteria within 72 hours, plus
cuts heart disease risk by 30%,
suggests a study in the British
Medical Journal. Microbiologist
Cindy Stanford, M.D., explains
that you inhale a health-boost-
ing bacteria (Mycobacterium vac-
cae) when you work with soil. Great news from University of
Pennsylvania researchers : You
can boost the healthy bacteria in
your gut (cutting your heart dis-
ease risk by 40 %) just by brush-
ing your teeth at least twice
daily for 2 minutes each time.
The reason? Many oral bacteria
can survive stomach acid and
grow in your gut, and keeping
your gums in great shape means
only healthy bacteria enter your
digestive tract. —Brenda KearnsSnack on pistachios
Dunk your tea bags
Pick up sticks
Brush a bit longer
Healthy gut = healthy heart
Woma n’s World^ 4/13/20 (^17)