Your health: Don't cut on Vitamin C

If you want to avoid a cold this fall, wash your hands.

Most people won't get much protection from the common cold from vitamin C supplements, according to a review of 30 medical studies by The Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical research.

The review, which included more than 11,000 people, also found vitamin C does little to reduce the severity or length of a cold.

Some people did benefit, however.

People exposed to periods of high stress, such as marathon runners, skiers and soldiers, were 50 percent less likely to catch a cold if they took a daily vitamin C tablet.

Beware of coupons

There are lots of common-sense ways to pinch pennies at the grocery store. Just don't go the obvious route, advises Dr. Timothy Harlan, a trained chef who writes about nutrition and health.

Clipping coupons is one of the most unhealthy things you can do, he says. The overwhelming majority of coupons advertise highly processed, calorie-dense foods, such as sugary cereals, candy and snack food. Saving money on these items is false economy; you can usually find cheaper and healthier alternatives among your grocery store's fresh food aisles.

If you simply must clip, be choosy. Saving 40 cents on low-fat yogurt is a good deal, healthwise. Saving a buck on a bag of potato chips, not so much.

Pole position:Œ

If you want to rev up your walking routine, try Nordic walking. It looks like skiing without the skis, using specially designed poles. Nordic walking burns more calories than regular walking, and it can boost your heart rate by five to 17 beats per minute, according to the American Council on Exercise.

Pushing against the poles helps strengthen your upper body and can take weight off your joints, too.

-- Susan Stevens