Buy More Air Time

            Another fault of salt: Eating high-sodium foods can elevate can elevate your risk of exercise-induced asthma.  In a recent study, researchers at Indiana university divided 24 people with the condition into two groups—one that consumed a low-sodium diet containing about 1,500 mg per day, and another that ate a typical diet, topping out at more than 9,000 mg. (Note: Every 1,000 mg equals about half a teaspoon of table salt.)  After exercising, those who shinned salt experienced a 20 percent improvement in lung function compared with the regular eaters.  Lead researcher Timothy Mickleborough, Ph.D., blames sodium-induced inflammation of the airways, which reduces the flow of oxygen into the bloodstream.  Avoid the condition by eating fewer processed foods: 75 percent of a man’s total daily salt intake comes from boxed, bagged, and precooked foods.

Powder Up Your Diet

            It’s already been proven to inhibit digestive system cancers; now research shows that curriculum, a key component of curry, may help fight skin cancer, too.  When scientists at the University of Texas mixed melanomas cells with curcumin, the spice killed the cancer cells by stimulating proteins that induce apoptosis (turning off the cells’ power switch).   The study has not been replicated outside the lab, cautions lead researcher Razelle Kurzrock, M.D. But you’d be smart to get more curcumin.  Stir 1/8 teaspoon of curry powder into a tablespoon of low-fat plain yogurt for a chicken sauce.  Or simply sprinkle it anywhere you’d use ground pepper.

Get The Metal Edge

            Chromium shines, nutritionally.  A recent Johns Hopkins University study of 984 men found that those with the highest levels of chromium were 35 percent less likely to have a heart attack than men who were deficient.  The researchers aren’t sure why chromium may help prevent heart disease, but previous studies suggest that it slows arterial hardening and bolsters HDL-cholesterol levels.  A cup of cooked broccoli contains 22 micrograms-more than half the amount you need daily.