BETTERHEALTH

NEWS

BY SARA ALTSHUL

Rub out colds

You already know that massage is a surefire stress soother. Now comes word that it could

slash your sick days, too. Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles had

29 volunteers undergo a 45-minute deep-tissue Swedish massage, while a control group

received light strokes on their backs. In the massage group, blood levels of NK cells and

T lymphocytes— two types of antiviral defenders— rose significantly. “This could

suggest that immediately after a massage, you might be less likely to catch a cold,”

says study author Mark Rapaport, M.D. Further research will look at why this occurs and

how long the effect lasts. Check with your state’s health department for info on finding a

massage therapist in your area (licensing regulations vary by state).

26

percent

improvement

in weight

maintenance

when people

track their

progress online

Cyber slimming

You’ve dropped 10 pounds and are feeling great. Now the goal is to

keep

it off. For

help, try hitting the Web. Researchers at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health

Research tracked 348 volunteers who had lost an average of 19 pounds. Participants were

encouraged to visit a special website regularly to record their weight, exercise habits,

and other variables. At the end of the 30-month experiment, those who logged in at least

once a month maintained the largest weight loss— 9 out of 19 pounds on average. People

who used the site less often kept off just 3-5 pounds. Creating a track record may make

people feel more accountable, upping the odds they’ll stick to a healthy regimen, says

study coauthor Kristine L. Funk, R.D. To reap the benefits, look for a weight-loss website

that allows you to set goals, track your progress, and solicit tailored advice.

Chocolaty goodness

Need a sweet stocking stuffer for the health nut on your list?

Consider Adora, a nutritional supplement that delivers

500 mg

calcium, 250 IU of vitamin D3, and 40 mg of magnesium—

all embedded in a creamy disk of chocolate

(dark or milk).

The only problem? Resisting the temptation to nibble more than

the recommended one or two per day. About $8 for a 30-count

bag, at drugstores and supermarkets.

Tea totaling

Next time you’re thirstingfor tea, try skipping the bottled stuff and brewing your own.

Most commercially bottled teas contain fewer antioxidant polyphenols than home-

steeped varieties, according to preliminary findings presented at a meeting of the

American Chemical Society. Scientists tested six brands of bottled tea and found that

five contained less than 45 mg of polyphenols per 16-oz. bottle. On the other hand,

a home-brewed cup of green or black tea typically contains 50-150 mg of polyphenols.

HOMES AND GARDENS | DECEMBER 2010 | BHG.COM

PHOTOS: VEER