90 Seconds to Amazing Health Mini moves that boost immunity, slow aging, & fight disease What if you could cut your risk of heart disease, get fitter, and slow aging--not to mention protect your smile--in less time than it takes to watch a couple of commercials? Better health does take time, but not as much as you may think. Yes, you should exercise 30 minutes a day and sleep 7 to 8 hours a night. But top experts in nutrition, cardiovascular health, and cancer prevention know the supersimple, amazingly fast steps you can take to dramatically improve your well-being. So take a minute or so...and boost your health in almost no time flat.
Fight Cancer.
Eat the peel The bulk of an apple''s benefit lies in its skin. In a recent lab experiment, more than a dozen chemicals in the peels of Red Delicious apples inhibited the growth of breast, liver, and colon cancer cells. Investigator Rui Hai Liu, MD, PhD, an associate professor of food science at Cornell University, suspects that the peels of other apple varieties are also extra potent. Buy organic if you''re concerned about exposure to pesticides.
Take the right supplements Getting enough vitamin D and calcium brings a remarkable reduction in cancer risk, found a recent 4-year study at Creighton University: Women who took the combo reduced their overall risk by up to 77%. "Vitamin D enhances your body''s immune response--which is the first line of defense against cancer," says lead researcher Joan Lappe, PhD, RN, a professor of nursing and medicine. Your skin makes D when it''s exposed to sunlight, but researchers say the best way to guarantee you get enough is with a pill. The 1,100 IU used in the Creighton study will do the trick (and is safe). Slow Aging
Sniff some lavender or rosemary The scent of lavender can bring you a restful night''s sleep--but the plant can do you a world of good in daylight, too. In a recent study, volunteers sniffed the essential oils of lavender or rosemary for 5 minutes. Result: Levels of the stress hormone cortisol in saliva dropped as much as 24%. That''s good, because the hormone increases blood pressure and suppresses the immune system. What''s more, people who smelled low concentrations of lavender or high concentrations of rosemary were better at getting rid of free radicals, the pesky molecules believed to speed aging and disease.