Your health

Doing without drugs

If you feel overdosed on medications, the Harvard Health Letter offers ways to manage common conditions without drugs.

Arthritis: Losing weight and exercising can reduce pain and increase mobility.

Cholesterol: Eliminating saturated fat can cut cholesterol 5 percent. Soluble fiber and margarine with sterols reduce LDL levels -- bad cholesterol.

Cognitive decline: Memory training and "brain exercises" help you stay sharp. Physical exercise might benefit the brain even more.

Depression: Studies show regular physical activity can be a strong mood-booster.

Diabetes: Again, regular physical activity holds down blood sugar levels. Eating fewer sweets and fast-burning carbs helps keep blood sugar from spiking.

High blood pressure: Losing weight, working out, and eating less salt all lower blood pressure.

Osteoporosis: Weight-lifting not only makes muscles bigger, it makes bones stronger. Vitamin D and calcium build bone, too.

Head off wrinkles

Eating an orange a day might help keep fine lines and flaky skin at bay, says a recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Researchers discovered that women 40 and older who had greater amounts of vitamin C were 11 percent less likely to develop wrinkles.

"Vitamin C boosts collagen production, which keeps skin firm," says lead researcher Maeve Cosgrove, a nutritional epidemiologist.

To ward off wrinkles, consume the RDA of 75 milligrams -- the amount found in a grapefruit.

Remember six tricks

Can't place a name? Forgot what you were going to say? Prevention Magazine offers a few tips to improve memory.

1. Check your iron. Low iron can affect recall ability.

2. Turn off background noise, like the radio, when you need to remember.

3. Practice meditation or relaxation. A study found those who meditated before a test did better than those who napped.

4. Control cholesterol. Plaque can block blood to the brain.

5. Check meds. Anti-depressants, sleeping pills, antihistamines and other drugs affect mental acuity. Talk to your doctor about switching or cutting back.

6. An apple a day supplies antioxidants to protect brain cells against damage from free radicals.