SOME MYTHS DO NOT HOLD WATER

WRITER: FRED HILTON

Missed Brooks,”

“Hour

5/06/28/health/28real.html?_r=0 by Anahad O’Connor, The New York Times, June 28, 2005 http://www.nytimes.com/200

“The Claim: Never Swim After Eating,”

Sources: by Michael F ranco, HowStuffWorks.com

“Wait an Hour After Eating to Swim,” Snopes. com http://www.snopes.com/oldwives/hourwait.asp

“Do you really have to wait an hour after eating before swimming?”

“Should you wait an hour after eating until swimming?” http://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/human-nature/health-myths/ swimming-after-eating.htm

“Why shouldn’t swim right after eat?” HowStuffWorks.com http://science.howstuffworks.com/sciencevs-myth/everyday-myths/question510.htm

by Rachel

by Claudia Hammond, Medical Myths, BBC.com, April 1, 2013 http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20130401-can-you-swim-just-after-eating

“Summer myths, such as one shouldn’t swim for 30 minutes after eating, are bunk,” http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/summer-myths-such-as-one-shouldnt-swim-for -30-minutes-after-eating-are-bunk/2012/06/18/gJQAKLKwlV_story.html

Saslow, The Washington Post, June 18, 2012

When I was a kid, we’d occasionally swim at Hungry Mother State Park. No, I did not make that up. You can Google it. If I were going to make up the name of a state park, I’d pick something more believable than “Hungry Mother,” wouldn’t I?

The park had a big lake, a nice beach and a wonderful snack bar. When we arrived, my sister and I would immediately dash to the snack bar, where we’d each eat a tasty and nutritious lunch of two hot dogs, a Moon Pie and an RC Cola. Then we’d make a mad dash toward the water, only to be halted by the long arm of the ma.

“You can’t go into the water until an hour after you’ve eaten,” she would warn us, in her best motherly tones. “You’ll get cramps and drown.”

For years, I had this recurring nightmare in which I’d go swimming 57½ minutes after eating, get cramps and fold up, accordion-style, with my eyeballs popping out like a Looney Tunes character.

Turns out the eating-beforeswimming old wives’ tale is not totally false. It’s also not totally true. You can get cramps if you eat a big meal before swimming, but there’s little chance you’ll sink like a rock and drown.

The venerable New York Times cites Dr. Roshini Rajapaksa, a New York University School of Medicine gastroenterologist, as saying “while swimming strenuously on a full stomach could conceivably lead to cramps, for most recreational swimmers the chances are small.”

The Washington Post agrees: “If you have a big meal and then go for a swim, the worst thing that could happen is you’d feel uncomfortable or get a cramp, not drown, according to Washington nutritionist Rebecca Scritchfield.”

You can get a cramp, but not a serious one, if you swim immediately after eating. After you eat, your digestive tract requires an increased blood supply. But if you begin swimming, your muscles and digestive tract compete for blood. Neither system gets enough blood and the muscle tissues can begin to cramp.

You’re not really in danger, though. In an article, shamelessly titled “Hour Missed Brooks,” Snopes.com says “ordinary levels of swimming or just general horsing around in the water need not be eschewed, even if a whole turkey has just been consumed, feathers and all.”

So next time you’re at Hungry Mother State Park, you can chow down before you go swimming. Mention my name and you might get a complimentary Moon Pie.

I’LL DRINK TO THAT

In Florida’s sizzling summer heat, staying hydrated is of utmost importance. To be sure you drink lots of water, try adding a little flavor for some fun. Detox water is becoming increasingly popular because it helps quench thirst and rids the body of toxins. Here’s one recipe that will also help slim your belly:

In Florida’s summer utmost To be sure drink lots of water, flavor some water is because it thirst and rids the of toxins. Here’s one that will also your

24 OUNCES OF WATER

4–5 SLICES OF FRESH CUCUMBER (cucumbers have anti-inflammatory properties)

1/2 SMALL LEMON, SLICED (lemon helps clean out the digestive system)

1/4 ORANGE, SLICED (oranges contain flavonoids, which help reduce cholesterol levels)

A FEW FRESH MINT LEAVES (mint helps the body digest more easily)

4–5 have SMALL SLICED (lemon helps clean out the SLICED contain flavonoids, which reduce cholesterol more a

COMBINE INGREDIENTS in a 24-ounce bottle and let sit overnight before drinking.

On The Path To Fitness

Hitting the gym and working out among muscle-bound men and women can be intimidating. If so, consider visiting one of the area’s local parks that has wellness stations placed along walking trails. These stations provide equipment that will improve strength, flexibility and balance in people of all ages.

Palatlakaha Environmental and Agricultural Reserve (PEAR) Park 4800 University Ave. Leesburg

The Facts On Cataracts

August is National Cataract Awareness Month. A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye. These numbers should open your eyes to the prevalence of this disease.

3 MILLION

North Lake Community Park 40730 Roger Giles Road Umatilla

Lake Okahumpka Park

6085 E. State Road 44 Wildwood

A Wheel To Help

It’s never too early to begin training for Camp Boggy Creek’s fourth annual Challenge Ride, which will be held Sept. 6. Bicyclists can ride a 40- or 60-mile route through scenic Lake County or a 15-mile off-road route through Seminole State Forest. Following the ride, Golden Corral will provide lunch.

Participants in the 40- and 60-mile rides must be 18 or older and raise a minimum of $250. Riders will pay a $25 entry fee. Proceeds go to Camp Boggy Creek, which provides fun-filled camping experiences for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses. During the camps, these children engage in activities such as fishing or paddleboating, creating beautiful artwork, climbing a rock wall and descending a zip line. Call 352.483.4200.

Americans have cataract surgery each year

99.5% of cataract patients experience no postoperative complications

20.5 MILLION

Americans age 40 and older are affected by cataracts

$3.4 BILLION is spent each year through Medicare to treat cataracts

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

To burn the calories you gained after eating a Big Mac, large fries and large Coke, you would have to walk nonstop for six hours. Sounds more like a not-so-happy meal.

“My left foot had turned black and blue because I had an infection in the bone. Fortunately, Dr. Johnny Wu performed surgery and now I feel wonderful again. He is an extremely competent surgeon and an excellent, dedicated and caring physician. I have tremendous respect and confidence in his ability. He is also a godsend, which is why I referred him to my neighbor.”

— Allen Fedewitz

The new face of health

Aaron Kissler is the new administrator of the Florida Department of Health in Lake County. Kissler, who earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Colorado State University in 1999, worked as an environmental health specialist in Broward County and as director of a newly created health department in Colorado’s Clear Creek County. It was there where he introduced services such as cardiovascular screening and workplace wellness. He also received the Answering the Call Medal from President George W. Bush for his role in response to Hurricane Katrina.

For the past two years he has served as health officer for the Florida Department of Health in Gadsden County. In that position, he worked tirelessly with local hospitals and health providers to increase access to medical care.

Fast Fact

People with less than a high school degree have the highest obesity rate (32.9 percent). Maybe our young people should concentrate more on study time and less on chow time.

Source: Insider Monkey