To get the most health benefits out of your fresh garlic, don’t cook it. Studies show that cooking garlic may destroy the anti-carcinogenic compounds found in the cloves. However, let stand freshly minced garlic for about 10 minutes before cooking them. Microwave cooking also helps preserve the cancer fighting agents.

Taking a multivitamin daily could help slow arterial aging. Both vitamin C and vitamin E appear to be important to the health of your arteries. Studies show that adequate intakes of these antioxidant vitamins are associated with a significant reduction of arterial disease. Try to get about 400 IU of vitamin E per day and about 1,200 milligrams of vitamin C per day through food and vitamin supplements.

You’ve likely heard about the health benefits of antioxidant rich red wines and green teas. It now appears that pomegranate juice may belong on that list, too. That’s because pomegranate juice is rich in polyphenols, a large class of antioxidant compounds linked to a variety of disease fighting benefits. Pomegranate juice may, in fact, have three times more antioxidant activity than red wine or green tea.

While more research is needed, preliminary findings suggest that regular, daily consumption of concentrated pomegranate juice can lead to:

Healthier arteries. One study found that pomegranate juice helped reduce clogging of the neck’s carotid artery by up to 35 percent. This, in turn, could lead to decreased risk of stroke.

Reduce total cholesterol and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.

A modestly reduced blood pressure. In one study, systolic blood pressure decreased by about 5 percent.

Improved blood flow to the heart in people who have coronary heart disease. This, in turn, can reduce the risk of heart attack.

By Brent Bauer, M.D., Director
Complementary and Integrative
Medicine Program, Mayo Clinic

At a recent nurse practitioner's conference, a nurse showed a study that it takes women an average of 9 years to report incontinence symptoms to their doctors. Incontinence is not an inevitable part of aging, and can be prevented naturally without drugs or surgery. It's important to destigmatize this condition and educate women about their alternatives.