The study looked at older adults who were concerned about memory loss. All were given weekly regimens of mental and physical exercise—either less intense (stretching and toning or watching educational DVDs) or more intense (aerobics and interactive computer games), or a combination. The surprising result was that everyone showed significant improvement in their memories after 12 weeks, regardless of their assigned regimen. “Our results suggest that the amount of activity may be more important than the type of activity,” says study author Deborah E....

Apples get high marks for heart health: They are a good source of fiber (including a soluble type called pectin) and antioxidants and may help lower cholesterol naturally. Apple Cherry Pie Heat oven to 375°F with rack in center position. Peel and core 2½ lb apples. Cut into 1/3"-thick wedges and toss in bowl with ½ cup dried cherries, 6 Tbsp honey, 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour, 1 Tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and 1/8 tsp nutmeg....

Try these walking shoes that make you feel like you’re barefoot.[header=The Right Way to Walk Barefoot]Do: Focus On Your FoundationTake a walk around and see where you feel the weight land in your foot. Notice where it lands first and how it travels through your foot. If it goes from your heel to your big toe right away, experiment with shifting your weight so that the weight goes from your heel to your little toe and then across to the big toe....

[sidebar] First of all, don’t press hard when you blot. It’s just intended to take off excess color, not keep the color from moving altogether. If you’re blotting hard because you’re afraid the color is going to get everywhere otherwise, use a lip liner, and go over the top of your lipstick with pressed powder to set it.To keep your wear more even, avoid putting the tissue between your lips....

Plant Brooklyn Organic Body Wash BUY NOW Your dad will get a leg up on his day just simply sudsing up with this rosemary essential oil-infused organic body wash. Healthy adults who sniffed rosemary essential oil were more alert—and content—than those who hadn’t, according to research in the International Journal of Neuroscience. Lodge Cast Iron Grill Pan BUY NOW If Dad is the ultimate grilled cheese master, this is the perfect gift....

Even sugar-free gums aren’t perfect, as nearly all major brands contain artificial sweeteners like aspartame. This can be problematic because they’ve been linked to heart disease and obesity, explains Jessica Cording, M.S., R.D., author of The Little Book of Game-Changers. Artificial sweeteners can also throw your taste buds out of whack. “Because they’re so sweet, they condition our taste buds to expect a higher level of sweetness,” she says. “That makes it harder to feel satisfied with things that are naturally sweet, and can ramp up cravings for sweet stuff in general....

The research: While prior research shows a link between regular aerobic exercise and cognitive abilities, asking someone to take a 30-minute run to improve their creativity simply isn’t always practical. So researchers at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education conducted a study involving 176 people and tested whether taking a short walk would be enough to boost creativity. They found that those who walked instead of sitting or being pushed in a wheelchair gave more creative responses to tests involving creative thinking (such as finding alternative uses for common objects)....

Turn anxiety into action. Some risk factors for breast cancer—such as the age you started menstruating—can’t be changed, but these key habits help keep cancer at bay, no matter when you start. Keep movingBritish Medical Journal “Exercise lowers levels of estrogen, which is linked to breast cancer,” says the ACS’s Debbie Saslow. It’s best to get 45 to 60 minutes of heart-thumping activity most days of the week, but moderate levels (30 minutes, 5 days a week) can make a difference....

“I kind of fly in a chaotic environment, and I’m used to it,” she says. “In my 30s, though, I probably tried to fit too much in.” How does she have the energy to handle dozens of work projects, a bustling family life, and find time for herself? In an exclusive interview with Prevention, Burke-Charvet spills her secrets for staying healthy, happy, and fit. Prevention: You have such a crazy schedule!...

Bread Keep your grains to 160 calories. Buy bread that contains no more than 80 calories per slice. Many healthy-sounding varieties have over 100 per piece. To avoid sliced-bread boredom, mix it up: Try a wrap, bagel, or pita. Seasonings Prize the peppercorn. Ground pepper from a shaker has virtually no taste. However, when you use a pepper mill, this cheap spice releases its essential oils, adding depth—without calories—to any sweet or savory dish....

When you hit menopause, it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough calcium in your diet. Join expert Cheryl Forberg, RD, author of the book Positively Ageless (Rodale Inc., April 2008), for this 1-minute video. In Foods for Youth: Amp Up Your Calcium, learn how to select foods rich in calcium. Follow along with Cheryl and see which foods are packed with the calcium you need to maintain the health of your bones....

It’s a common enough experience to warrant another social media study. Despite your hundreds—or even thousands—of connections on social networking sites, most people tend to invest the majority of their time on just a small number of friends, says a new Oxford University study. And in an effort to avoid relationship overload, we often make room for new friends by devoting less time to others in our social circles. Over an 18-month period, researchers followed 24 students during their transition from high school to college or the workforce, a period when relationships are typically in flux....

Hip Roll Works for: Hip and knee tension; thigh pain Lie on left side with hips stacked, foam roller under left thigh. Extend left leg and cross right leg over left, with weight on left forearm and right foot. Push away from floor with right foot and roll along outside of left thigh (hip to knee) for 2 minutes. Stop on sore spots. Switch sides; repeat. MORE: The 10 Most Painful Conditions

Want to try it out for yourself? Add in more natural sources like these or try one of following RS-enriched packaged foods. FiberGourmet (crackers and pasta)Preventionfibergourmet.com This primarily online-only brand is big on RS packaged foods, with a line of crackers and pastas that are high in RS and super low in calories. Our favorite product: FiberGourmet’s Thinables crackers, in both cheese and wheat flavors. Big-brand crackers can have up to 150 calories and less than 1 g fiber in every 1-oz serving....

Eat every four hours, fill yourself with fiber, and never skip breakfast. All three tips can help curb cravings, but they’re far from foolproof. In part, that’s because of just how intense a craving can be: By definition, these yearnings are more intense than ordinary decisions—often meaning you’ll go out of your way to satisfy them. Fortunately, new research offers yet another suggestion to nip cravings in the bud. In a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, researchers conducted four experiments testing the relationship between cognitive load—the quantity of tasks imposed on your working memory—and temptations....