Blog Posts by The Editors of Prevention

Your body's immune system is more powerful than you probably imagine. How powerful, you ask? Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania recently took immune cells from three patients with leukemia, then genetically altered them into "serial killer" cells, designed to attack one tumor cell, then another and another. The study was small and the treatment experimental, but the results were groundbreaking-two patients went into complete remission, and the other had a dramatic antitumor response. The modified immune system cells multiplied at least 1,000 times in the body, wiped out cancer cells, and stimulated a population of "memory" cells that may protect against recurrences. Could this treatment work for other types of cancer? Maybe. Much, much (much) more research is needed, but this study suggests that with the right kind of prodding, your immune system can fight ridiculously hard-to-battle top lady killers and keep you healthy. Granted, gene therapy is pretty serious prodding,

We know what you're thinking: I'm too young to have Alzheimer's. And you may very well be. But we'd also put money on the fact that Pat Summitt thought the same thing. She's the head coach of the University of Tennessee's women's basketball team-and has won more games than anyone-male or female-in college hoops history. Earlier this year at age 59, she was diagnosed with early onset dementia, Alzheimer's type. Alzheimer's is a form of dementia where brain cells degenerate and die, causing problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. An estimated 5.4 million Americans are living with the disease-3.4 million are women. Most people get it after age 65; but up to 5% (or roughly 200,000 Americans) start suffering early, in their 40s and 50s. The symptoms sneak up slowly, but eventually become worse and start to interfere with your quality of life. That's what prompted Coach Summitt to get checked-she started forgetting when team meetings were scheduled and occasionally drew blanks when

Each week, 200 million shoppers visit a Wal-Mart, and while these mega stores get a lot of flack for selling supersized, less-than-nutritious fare, the company is taking steps that may make it easier for you to get healthy and slim down.

"The tricky part about shopping at big grocery stores is that they can be overwhelming, and that can lead to purchasing goods you don't need," says Judy Caplan, RD, an American Dietetic Association (ADA) spokesperson. Still, with a little forethought and a strategy in place before you hit the store, you can walk away with smarter choices and even burn a few extra calories! Here are five ways to make a weekly Wal-Mart excursion as healthy as possible.

Meals That Make You Look and Feel Younger

1) Drive Past The Prime Spot
According to some reports, Wal-Mart parking lots can be three times the size of the stores-as large as 555,000 square feet. Every little bit of exercise counts, and if you park far away from the entrance, you could be sneaking in a

In the quest to shed unhealthy extra pounds, your environment can make or break your shot at success. "Community factors such as bike lanes, safe places to exercise, and regular farmer's markets can promote weight loss," says Robin Blackstone, MD, a founding member of the Obesity Action Coalition. These cities and towns all boast features that support slimming down-from recreation opportunities to access to healthy food to supportive communities-and have lean, healthy populations to show for it.

#1 Boulder, CO
Boulder owes its superlow obesity rate (12.9% versus the national average of 26.6%) to its obsessively active citizens. The natural beauty of the Rocky foothills compels residents to hike, bike, ski, run, and contort themselves into yoga poses all year long. An abundance of restaurants focused on green cuisine and local ingredients makes it easy to eat healthy. It seems like spending any more than a few days in Boulder would mean shedding a few pounds almost without trying.

Can controversial high fructose corn syrup change its name to "corn sugar"? Not so fast, says the FDA.
According to documents obtained by the Associated Press, the Corn Refiners Association is seeking a name change for the processed sweetener, but FDA officials are concerned such a change may mislead consumers.

Some evidence shows that high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) may be linked to obesity, diabetes, and increased risk of heart problems. For the past 30 years the U.S. obesity rate has risen, along with the increase in consumption of HFCS. The man-made sweetener is used in everything from sweet foods like soda and cookies to savory products like tomato sauce and salad dressing.

The Corn Refiners Association first asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration if it could shorten the name of HFCS to corn syrup, according to the AP report. The group then made a formal request in September 2010 to change the name to ìcorn sugar. That request is currently under review by the FDA.
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No matter where you live or who you are, living a long and happy life seems to be the most universal wish across the human race, but how do you increase your chances of seeing a complete century in your lifetime. Here are 10 unexpected signs, all backed by science, that you are likely to reach your triple digit birthday.

Your Mom Had You Young
If she was under age 25, you're twice as likely to live to 100 as someone born to an older mom, according to University of Chicago scientists. They suspect that younger moms' best eggs go first to fertilization, thus healthier offspring.


You've Been a College Freshman
A recent Harvard Medical School study found that people with more than 12 years of formal education (even if it's only 1 year of college) live 18 months longer than those with fewer years of schooling. Why? The more education you have, the less likely you are to smoke. In fact, only about 10% of adults with an undergraduate degree smoke, compared with 35% of those with a high

Are you a chocoholic? Turns out your little addiction could save your life. A recent study found that those consuming the highest levels of chocolate had a 37% reduction in cardiovascular disease and a 29% reduction in stroke compared to those with lower chocolate intakes.

10 Decadent Flat Belly Chocolate Desserts

Though experts are quick to clarify that we should stick to moderate consumption of high-calorie chocolates, it's hard to deny the cold, hard fact that chocolate can be a healthy addition to our diets.
Dozens of studies have shown that dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants that promote heart health and may prevent many cardiovascular-related conditions, but we've dug up five more surprising health benefits. new ways to justify your chocolate craving.

1. Chocolate May Help You With Math
Flavonols, compounds in chocolate with antioxidant-like properties, are thought to improve circulation, including blood flow to the brain. A 2009 study asked participants to count

First, the good news: You probably won't get cancer.
That is, if you have a healthy lifestyle. "As many as 70% of known causes of cancers are avoidable and related to lifestyle," says Thomas A. Sellers, PhD, associate director for cancer prevention and control at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. Still, since cancer is one of the top five lady killers, taking steps to eat a healthy diet, increase exercise, and avoid tobacco products is key; however, recent research has uncovered many small, surprising ways you can weave even more disease prevention into your everyday life. Try these novel strategies and your risk of cancer could dwindle even more.

Healthy Cancer Prevention Recipes

1. Filter your tap water
You'll reduce your exposure to known or suspected carcinogens and hormone-disrupting chemicals. A new report from the President's Cancer Panel on how to reduce exposure to carcinogens suggests that home-filtered tap water is a safer bet than bottled water, whose quality often is not