Stop a surprising stroke trigger!

Youknow polluted air can make your face grimy and your eyes itch. Now, British researchers say breathing in too much of it can also up your risk of stroke by aging arteries in your brain. Worried? Don’t be: Their studies also show that a few simple steps can drastically reduce your exposure to air pollution, cutting your stroke risk 70%!

Whisk away trouble with a NAC supplement

Taking a daily 600-mg. dose of the amino acid N- acetyl- L- Cysteine ( NAC) can reduce your risk of artery aging— and stroke— as much as 30%, according to Canadian scientists. NAC activates enzymes in your liver that quickly break down and excrete any airborne pollutants that sneak into your bloodstream, often within 72 hours of the first dose.

● Keep pollutants outdoors with a doormat

Surprise: Every day we inadvertently drag pollutants into our own homes on our shoes, reveals allergist Peter Howarth, PH.D. So simply putting out a doormat, and asking your friends and family to take off their footwear as soon as they step indoors, could slash your exposure to indoor air pollutants as much as 60%! Tip: Vacuuming your doormat at least once a week is a simple way to boost its benefit.

Slash your stroke risk with steamy showers

Taking a slightly hotter bath or shower each day could increase the amount of artery- damaging toxins released through your pores 22%, Swedish research shows. When your skin warms up, your pores open wider and your blood vessels dilate, helping tox-

ins escape more readily through your skin, the study authors say.

● Bolster protection with tea

Sipping 36 oz. of green tea daily can cut your risk of pollution-triggered health problems—including stroke—in half, Tufts University research shows. Green tea is loaded with polyphenols, compounds that heal and strengthen the lining of your lungs, helping to prevent pollutants from entering your bloodstream.

● “Grow” fresh air with your favorite houseplants

Aloe, ferns, English ivy— even herbs like parsley and mint— draw toxins out of indoor air and convert them into nourishing oxygen and water vapor, explains Michael Finkelstein, M.D., author of Slow Medicine.

—Brenda Kearns