July 2016 - SWGA Health Beat

JULY 2016 #1 Health Magazine in Southwest Georgia

Retiring from Driving

Blurry about Cataracts The Truth about Alzheimer’s

Look Inside for Dr. Oz!

Facts about Prenatal Nutrients

From the Desk of the President

Erin Cannington, M.D. Allergy and Asthma Clinics of Georgia

El-Roy Dixon, M.D. Dixon Eye Care

Dr. Hans Chang Albany Diagnostics

James Palazzolo, M.D. Sleep Apnea Centers of America

Keisha Callins, M.D. Albany Area Primary Health Care

Kelly Miller, FNP-BC Georgia Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center

TIFTON ALBANY AMERICUS BAINBRIDGE SYLVESTER THOMASVILLE VALDOSTA CORDELE MOULTRIE AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Features 3

Retiring from Driving

8

Fixing the Pain Problem

10

Blurry about Cataracts?

14

The Truth about Alzheimer’s

17

Brain Health Atlanta Falcons Style

20

Facts about Prenatal Nutrients

22

How to Prevent Injury during Exercise

EVENT CALENDAR Email upcoming events to: swgahealthbeat@gmail.com

Each Wednesday Free Lung Cancer Screenings 8:00 am - 11:00 am Lewis Hall Singletary Oncology Center 919 S Broad St, Thomasville Our providers will offer free, low-dose CT scans to screen for lung cancer. Screenings are available to individuals ages 55–74 who are current smokers or who have quit smoking within the last 15 years. *Screenings by appointment only. Please call 229.584.5454 to schedule your appointment today.

July 12 Stroke and Head Injury Support Group 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Spring Country Club, TiftonPearlman Cancer Center Conference Room, 209 Pendleton Drive, Valdosta, GA You are not alone.

Join us for a time of fellowship and refreshments with others who understand what you are going through. Recieve education from experienced professionals.

For more information, please call 229-2594292.

July 12 Healthy Kid’s Cooking Class 10 - 11:30 am, 12 - 1:30 pm & 2 - 3:30 pm Join us for the 6th round of the Apple a Day club! Participants in this class will be able to experience real, hands on cooking in an actual kitchen setting. Ages 5-8 Location - Cook High School in the Family and Consumer Science Room. You will need

July 2016

to pull around to the back of the school (near the cafeteria) and enter the room from the back.

Person/Phone - Liza TIllman at (229) 896-8121 Cost/Fee - FREE July 18 Life with Diabetes Support Group SGMC Diabetes Management Center, 3018 North Patterson Street Join us for a time of learning about life with diabetes. This support group is open to the public.

For more information, please call 229-4337200.

July 19 Breastfeeding Class 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm OB Classroom - 2nd Floor This class everything you need to know about breastfeeding including preparation, instruction and helpful tips. The class is held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Registration is required.

Please call 229-353-7605 or register below.

Please include number of guests in the required field.

Free of Charge (229) 353-7605 July 21 I’m a Big Kid Now 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm This free class is designed for children, ages 3 - 10, who are preparing for the arrival of a new baby in their family. Highlights will

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include care and safety issues, a tour of the Women's Pavilion and a picture frame for your big kid.

July 23 Prepared Childbirth 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Meeting Room 3 (first floor at Tift Regional Medical Center) The Prepared Childbirth Classes will cover general topics relating to labor, delivery, and basic care of your baby. We do suggest that you bring a partner with you for class.

Free of charge. Registration required.

(229) 353-7605

Recurring Events Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group Third Tuesday each month | 3 pm at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center cafeteria private dining room Chair Yoga Sowega Council On Aging Wednesdays | 11 - 11:45 am at Senior Life Enrichment Center Call 435-6789 to register • FREE • Age 60+ Line Dancing Sowega Council On Aging Mondays | 11 am Advanced, Wednesdays | 3 pm at Senior Life enrichment Center Call 435-6789 to register • FREE • Age 60+

Retiring from Driving: How to Make the Transition Perhaps you can’t imagine your aging loved one ever giving up driving. When you think about it, maybe it’s tough to contemplate your own life without a day or two behind the wheel, right? In reality, older men are estimated to live on average 7 years beyond their ability to drive, and older women are estimated to live on average 10 years beyond their ability to drive*.

To understand what it means to give up driving, it’s important first to understand what driving means to an individual. “For some people, it’s not about getting to the store, it’s about how they get to the store,” said Elin Schold Davis, Project Coordinator, Older Driver Initiative, American Occupational Therapy Association.

“Pride of ownership is as important to some as privacy and spontaneity are to others.

This generation of seniors, for instance, is used to the idea of going on joy rides. It’s important to ask more questions and distinguish between necessity and pleasure because that makes a difference in how alternatives are perceived.”

Being without wheels doesn’t need to spell isolation. If an older adult has given up

driving, it doesn’t mean that life has lost its meaning or enjoyment. Nearly half of all former drivers surveyed for Home Instead, Inc., franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care® network, said that, all things considered, giving up driving made no impact on their lives. Roughly three in 10 even said they did not miss driving.

Be Prepared with New Options Regardless of our age, we all have important things to do and places to be such as family events, doctor appointments and the grocery store. BrightFocus Foundation recommends that a senior driver prepares to stop driving, when determined necessary to do so, by coming up with new transportation options. For example: Ask family and friends if they would be willing to be a driver in exchange for a meal out.

Are there senior ride programs, paratransit services and reduced fare programs in your area? Check with your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more about these types of programs.

Look for services that cater to those who are no longer driving such as hair

stylists and doctors who make house calls, and grocery stores and pharmacies that deliver.

Carpooling isn’t just for kids. Get together with a senior’s friends to come up with options.

Make it Fun Older adults who enjoy the spontaneity of an afternoon drive don’t need to give that up just because they are no longer driving. For example, taking the budget that a senior used to maintain her vehicle to hire a driver could make her the hit of the care community when she summons her driver to take her friends and her wherever they want to go.

Or make public transportation a new adventure. Take a friend or family member along on some trial runs by bus, taxi or Uber.

Jack Hartley is the owner of JWH Service Partners, Inc. d.b.a.

Home Instead Senior Care #585.

Home Instead Senior Care provides seniors with Companionship, Light Housekeeping, Medication Reminders, Meal Preparation, Errands, Doctor Visits and more.

For information go to www.homeinstead.com/585.

Think Outside the Box Focus on activities that don’t require driving. Not all fun activities revolve around driving. If your senior is able, consider focusing more attention on activities such as gardening and walking.

While some seniors still might not like the idea of giving up driving, others might consider it a relief! Check out these four misconceptions about giving up the car keys. * Smart Technology for Aging, Disability, and Independence: The State of the Science (William C. Mann, Editor)

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Turn Down At The Table: Tips for Feeding Your Family Enlightenment Since women are often the primary caregivers, they have the most potential to make a significant impact in improving the health and nutrition of their family. Try your best to be selective about the food options that you make available at home, and make time to teach your family how to make better food choices. Poor eating habits can increase your chance of obesity, which may increase your chance of developing other diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. These diseases can develop at any age; require the use of costly medications; and can have an impact on how well you are able to enjoy life.

Education Your CHOICES make a difference for you, and more importantly, for the children watching you: C - each like a child – eat only when you are hungry; stop eating when your are full.

H - hold back – you don’t have to eat everything on your plate. Consider sharing meals.

O - be brave enough omit some things – fast foods, processed foods, fried foods, sweet foods.

I: - inspect your food labels – look at ingredients; look at the sodium/sugar/fiber content… is it worth eating?

E: - set an example – If your child does not see you grab a banana, they won’t grab a banana.

S: - watch portion sizes – eat smaller portions of starchy foods like pasta/rice/bread/potatoes); eat larger portions of healthy foods like beans/nuts/fruits/vegetables.

Empowerment Don’t get it twisted: you control your plate; don’t let your plate control you. Don’t waste your money on foods that are not helpful to your body. Make water the drink of choice both inside and outside of the home.

Encouragement When you make healthy choices – you become the example for what you want your family to do.

Quote Of The Month: “If you have only one smile today in you, give it to the people you love.

Don’t be grumpy at home, then go out in the street and start grinning “Good Morning” at total strangers” ~ Maya Angelou ~

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From the Desk of the President

Joel Wernick, FACHE President Chief Executive Officer board of volunteer directors.

This extensive document was created from the knowledge and input from more than 275 community collaborators and stakeholders across many fields of expertise, and the corresponding implementation strategy describes our planned response to the identified unmet needs over the next three years. This needs assessment presents our area’s greatest challenges and priorities. Our focus for improvement for the next three years will be on three priorities: behavioral and addictive disease for adults and adolescents; birth outcomes and reproductive responsibility; and the need to build coalitions for chronic disease management.

Last year the total value of benefit to our communities was $308 million, including free and charity care. The dollar amount, however, is only one piece of the puzzle in creating new community health models for cost-effective, compassionate, quality care close to home. More importantly, this contribution defines our mission and our promise to Southwest Georgians. It comes without burden to the taxpayer and it reaches the most vulnerable among us.

Giving back to the community acknowledges our history and represents our strong commitment to the future. Our success rests with the physicians, nurses, staff and students who bind us to our community and bring Phoebe’s mission to life every day.

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From the outside it looked like a simple necktie, but when 50 men recently presented ties to 50 middle school boys, the fashion accessory became far more. The young teens, whose fathers may be absent from their lives, made a positive connection to community role models and the potential outcomes of making healthy life-long decisions.

The Ties That Bind event speaks to a philosophy at the core of Phoebe’s community health strategy – addressing complex social factors to remove barriers to care and improve people’s ability to make healthy choices.

From our beginnings more than 100 years ago, we have sought to establish the ties that bind Phoebe to diverse community partners with a goal to achieve the greatest collective efforts in improving health outcomes. In today’s era of healthcare reform, we must transform how we deliver care both inside and outside the hospital by designing new and better ways for patients to take advantage of the depth of services we offer across our entire organization. We strategically reinvest in facilities, technology, prevention and medical education to continue providing world-class care to this region of Georgia.

Next week a report to the community on Phoebe’s programs and services will be distributed through the Albany Herald. We are focused on education and prevention, teaching patients not only how to get healthy but how to stay that way. Through outreach events such as our men’s and women’s health conferences, we are able to reach more than 1,500 participants each year.

We have also received national recognition for programs such as Lung Watch – which has been named a center of excellence - testing hundreds of individuals who may be at risk for lung cancer. Equally important, the American Cancer Society rated us top in the US for our efforts towards the 80% by 2018 colorectal cancer screening program.

Phoebe’s 2016 community health needs assessment will be presented this July to our

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Phoebe Welcomes New Residents Phoebe Family Medicine Residency - Class of 2019

Joel Wernick, President/CEO, Phoebe Putney Health System

George Fredrick, MD Director, Phoebe Family Medicine Residency

Senator Jack Hill (Keynote speaker) Chair, Georgia Appropriations Committee

On Wednesday, June 22, Joel Wernick opened the welcoming ceremony with remarks. Dr. George Fredrick followed by briefly introducing each resident. Keynote speaker Senator Jack Hill addressed the new residents and gave words of encouragement. Dr. Ed Vance, Chief of Staff and Dr. Steven Kitchen, Chief Medical Officer presented residents with the traditional white coat and pager.

Stephen Daniel, MD

Theresa Kowalski, MD

Maria Kyriacou, MD

Joseph Mariano, MD

Serena Miller, MD

Laura De Simone, MD

Residents await their introductions and traditional ceremony.

Residents proudly don their new white coats and pagers.

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The Facts: Organ Donation with LifeLink of Georgia COURTESY OF LIFELINK OF GEORGIA

LifeLink® of Georgia Facts LifeLink of Georgia is an independent, non-profit organ and tissue recovery organization dedicated to serving patients in need of transplant therapy and their families. This organization is one of five divisions of LifeLink Foundation, located in Tampa, Florida.

Background: There are 58 programs similar to LifeLink of Georgia in the United States.

LifeLink collaborates with hospitals, medical professionals, other agencies (such as medical examiners and law enforcement) and the public to increase awareness of the growing need for organ and tissue donation. LifeLink medical professionals are on call 24 hours daily. LifeLink operates under the authority of the Social Security Act and in accordance with the National Organ Transplant Act passed

by Congress in 1984.

Area Served: • 159 counties in Georgia, 9.8 million population, 193 hospitals in Georgia and two hospitals in South Carolina.

Waiting List: • More than 5,600 Georgians are actively waiting for a kidney, pancreas, heart and/or liver transplants. More than 121,000

Americans wait for organ transplants. Thousands could benefit from tissue transplants.

Organs & Tissues Recovered: • Kidneys, liver, heart, pancreas, lungs, intestine, bone, skin, heart valves, corneas and more.

Number Benefiting: • One donor can potentially benefit 60 or more people.

About the Registries Patients awaiting lifesaving organ and tissue transplants rely on the generosity of individuals who have chosen to become organ and tissue donors by registering their decision to donate life on their state donor registry.

Donor registration in Florida, Georgia and Puerto Rico can be achieved by: • Visiting the state donor registry online: www.DonateLifeFlorida.org, www.DonateLifeGeorgia.org, or www.DonateLifePuertoRico.org • Registering when renewing or receiving a driver license or identification card • Requesting a paper form from LifeLink, filling it out and returning it to the address listed on the form Donor registration is a legally

binding decision that individuals can make for themselves.

Recovery organizations work with family members in the event donation becomes an option to carry out the wishes of the potential donor.

Tissue Donation Facts Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans receive tissue transplants to restore or enhance their quality of life.

One tissue donor can help up to 50 people. Learn the facts about tissue donation, sign up on the donor registry, and share your decision about donation with your family.

• Transplanted skin assists individuals who have suffered severe burns or other injuries in more than 1,000,000 procedures per year. Three quarters of this usage occurs in life-saving circumstances.

• With increased donation, skin grafts could be provided to another 500,000 patients.

• Skin is recovered in a thin, split-thickness layer, generally from the back of the body, allowing donor families the option of an open casket funeral.

• An estimated 200,000 bone grafts are performed each year.

Many times, bone grafts

prevent the need for amputation as a result of tumors, trauma, and infection.

Most frequently, the iliac crests and the long bones of the legs are recovered, and prosthetic devices are placed to ensure the possibility of an open casket funeral.

• Tissue donation does not require intact cardiovascular function. It should be considered in all circulatory deaths.

• Tissues used for transplantation include corneas or whole eyes, skin, bone, heart valves and more.

• Donated corneas restore sight in over 28,000 transplant procedures every year. As with bone donation, prosthetics are used after cornea/ whole eye recovery, to permit an open casket funeral.

• Donated heart valves are recovered from individuals whose whole heart is not suitable for transplantation.

Patients with valvular disease benefit from these donations, which can be made after brain or cardiac death.

• Great care is taken during tissue recovery, to ensure the donor may have an open casket funeral.

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Photo courtesy of Getty Images

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(Family Features) America is in the midst of an opioid epidemic.

Sales of prescription opioids have nearly quadrupled since 1999.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2012 alone enough opioid prescriptions were written for "every American adult to have their own bottle of pills."

Prescription opioids medications that reduce pain by interrupting pain signals to the brain only mask the sensation of pain, and they come with side effects including depression, overdose and addiction, plus withdrawal symptoms when stopping opioid use.

Pain relief doesn't have to come in a bottle, however. Physical therapists can provide a safe, drug-free alternative for treating pain.

When to Choose Physical Therapy In March 2016, the CDC released guidelines urging prescribers to rely less on opioids in favor of non-drug alternatives.

The guidelines recognize that prescription opioids are appropriate in certain cases, including cancer treatment, palliative care and end-of-life care, but for most long-term pain management non-opioid approaches are recommended.

The American Physical Therapy Association, through its national #ChoosePT campaign, is reminding patients that they have the right to choose their method of pain treatment.

Physical therapists treat pain through movement and patients get to play an active role in their recovery.

Based on the CDC guidelines, patients should choose nonopioid alternatives, such as physical therapy, when: The risks of opioid use outweigh the rewards.

"Experts agreed that opioids should not be considered first-line or

routine therapy for chronic pain," according to the CDC. "Given the substantial evidence gaps on opioids, uncertain benefits of long-term use and potential for serious harm, patient education and discussion before starting opioid therapy are critical so that patient preferences and values can be understood and used to inform clinical decisions."

Physical therapists can play a valuable role in the patient education process, including setting realistic expectations for

the risks for continued opioid use increase. An estimated 116 million Americans are living with chronic pain, but the danger of masking pain with prescription opioids is clear. More than 165,000 people in the United States have died from opioid pain medication-related overdoses since 1999, and every day more than 1,000 people are treated in emergency departments for misusing prescription opioids.

If you or a loved one needs help managing pain, talk with your health care provider

2. The degree of injury does not always equal the degree of pain. Research has demonstrated that people experience pain in individual ways. While some people experience major injuries with little pain, others experience minor injuries with a lot of pain.

3. Diagnostic imaging (MRIs, X-rays, CT scans) results may not show the cause of pain. A 2015 study in Spine, which analyzed MRI results of more than 1,200 individuals ages 20-70 who had no symptoms of lower-back

America is in the midst of an opioid epidemic.

Sales of prescription o p i o i d s h ave n e a r l y quadr upled since 1999. recovery with or without opioids. As the guidelines note, even in cases when evidence on the long-term benefits of non-opioid therapies is limited, "risks are much lower" with non-opioid treatment plans.

Pain or function problems are related to low-back pain, hip or knee osteoarthritis or fibromyalgia. The CDC cited "high-quality evidence" supporting exercise as part of a physical therapy treatment plan for those familiar conditions.

Opioids are prescribed for pain. Even in situations when opioids are prescribed, the CDC recommends that patients should receive "the lowest effective dosage" and opioids "should be combined" with non-opioid therapies, such as physical therapy.

Clinicians should continue opioid therapy only if there is "meaningful improvement in pain and function that outweighs risks to patient safety."

Pain lasts 90 days. At this point, the pain is considered "chronic" and

about safe alternatives to opioids. Additional information on the #ChoosePT campaign, including a pain selfassessment that patients can use to facilitate conversations about their care, is available at MoveForwardPT.com/Ch oosePT. Understanding Pain Before exploring and choosing long-term treatment options, consider these facts about pain: 1. Pain is output from the brain. While researchers used to believe that pain originated within the tissues of the body, newer evidence indicates that pain does not exist until the brain determines it does. The brain uses a virtual "road map" to direct an output of pain to tissues that it suspects may be in danger. This process acts as a means of communication between the brain and the tissues of the body to serve as a defense against possible injury or disease.

pain, found that 87.6 percent suffered from bulging discs. Even most subjects in their 20s had bulging discs 73.3 percent of males and 78 percent of females, respectively.

4. Psychological factors, such as depression and anxiety, can make pain worse. Pain can be influenced by many different factors, such as psychological conditions. A recent study in the Journal of Pain showed that psychological variables that existed prior to a total knee replacement were related to a patient's experience of long-term pain following the operation.

5. Your social environment may influence your perception of pain.

Many patients state their pain increases when they are at work or in a stressful situation. Pain messages can be generated when an individual is in an environment or situation that the brain interprets as unsafe. It is a

fundamental form of self-protection.

6. Understanding pain through education may reduce your need for care. A large study conducted on military personnel demonstrated that those who were given a 45minute educational session about pain sought care for lowerback pain less than their counterparts.

7. The brain can be tricked into developing pain in prosthetic limbs. Studies have shown that the brain can be tricked into developing a "referred" sensation in a limb that has been amputated, causing a feeling of pain that seems to come from the prosthetic limb - or from the "phantom" limb.

The sensation is generated by the association of the brain's perception of what the body is from birth (whole and complete) and what it currently is (postamputation).

8. The ability to determine left from right may be altered when you experience pain. Networks within the brain that assist you in determining left from right can be affected when you experience severe pain. If you have been experiencing pain and have noticed your sense of direction is a bit off, it may be because the part of the brain that details a path to each part of the body may be impaired.

9. There is no way of knowing whether you have a high pain tolerance or not. While some people claim to have a "high tolerance" for pain, there is no accurate way to measure or compare pain tolerance among individuals. While some tools exist to measure how much force you can resist before experiencing pain, it can't be determined what your pain "feels like."

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Blurry about cataracts?

Here's what you need to know to have a clear understanding (BPT) - Growing older means inevitable changes in your body, and you often have a clear vision of how to deal with those changes. You work out to reduce heart disease risks, eat foods that meet your changing nutritional needs, and rely on corrective lenses to help mitigate age-related vision changes.

But are you aware of your chances of developing cataracts - a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision - that naturally develop as you age? Or that, once cataracts develop, leaving them untreated could ultimately rob you of your eyesight? If you're not clear on how cataracts could affect your life, or what the treatment options for them are, you're not alone.

In a recent survey conducted

by Alcon of more than 1,000 adults aged 60 and over who have been diagnosed but not treated for cataracts, only 25 percent of respondents said they have a full understanding of the condition.

"According to Prevent Blindness, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide, yet so many people who have been diagnosed do

not have an understanding of cataracts and treatment options," says Dr. Edward Holland, director of cornea services at Cincinnati Eye Institute. Dr. Holland has partnered with Alcon, the global leader in eye care and a division of Novartis, as part of the Know Your Cataract EYE-Q awareness campaign, to help educate Americans on this vision impairment.

While you can test your own Cataract EYE-Q by visiting www.CataractEYEQ.com, Dr. Holland offers some information to debunk a few additional myths.

Myth 1: Cataracts are a rare condition.

Truth: Millions of people older than 60 have cataracts.

Prevent Blindness also notes that by age 80, more than half of all Americans either have cataracts or have had them removed. Even with the high prevalence of cataracts, the recent Alcon survey showed only 25 percent of respondents say they have a full understanding of the condition.

Myth 2: Cataracts are

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preventable.

Truth: While nearly half (45 percent) of respondents in the Alcon survey did not know that this is the case, cataracts are not preventable.

Myth 3: Other vision conditions cannot be corrected during cataract surgery.

Truth: Other vision conditions can be corrected during cataract surgery. In fact, in the recent survey, three in four (75 percent) respondents did not realize the surgery can also correct other vision conditions, like astigmatism, a common, treatable imperfection in the curvature of the eye causing blurred vision. During cataract surgery, the natural lens in your eye is replaced with an artificial lens or intraocular lens (IOL).

Some patients may benefit from advanced IOLs that can address other vision conditions, like astigmatism, and potentially reduced dependency on glasses.

Myth 4: If you can see just fine, you're not going to get cataracts.

Truth: Because cataracts develop slowly over time, it's possible to not realize you have them until they really begin to impair your vision. Watch for symptoms such as difficulty seeing well at night and especially when trying to drive at night, cloudy vision, halos around lights, double vision in one eye, light sensitivity and colors appearing faded.

Myth 5: Cataract surgery is dangerous and painful.

Truth: Even though 38 percent of the people surveyed

by Alcon said they were more afraid of undergoing eye surgery than any other kind of surgical procedure, cataract surgery is one of the most frequently performed and safest procedures performed each year, with little recovery time or inconvenience to patients' daily activities.

"Of all the surgeries available to us as we age, cataract surgery is one of the few that truly allows patients to turn back time and reclaim their vision in ways they never thought possible," says Dr. Holland.

New food labeling; exercise and cancer risk reduction

Get the most out of physical education classes COURTESY OF METROCONNECTION

School gives students a chance to learn and grow. During the course of their academic careers, students explore many different subjects, hopefully finding at least one that inspires them to one day pursue rewarding careers.

Physical education is one subject that is often overlooked. Gym class may seem like just a fun elective, but the importance of physical education cannot be understated, especially as so many youngsters struggle to maintain healthy weights.

Physical education can help children live healthier, more fulfilling lives, benefitting them in ways that go beyond their waistlines. · Improved health and stamina: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that only 29 percent of high school students are getting the recommended 60 minutes a day of physical activity. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that young people between the ages six and 17 should get at least an hour of physical activity each day. Physical education classes can help students meet or exceed those physical activity recommendations. · Creates a love for sports: Gym class exposes students to various athletic activities, encouraging them to dabble in different sports.

That opportunity may expose young children to a sport they will embrace and play for the rest of their lives. · Improved academic performance: A largescale study of 12,000 Nebraska schoolchildren published in The Journal of Pediatrics found that physical fitness could be linked to improved academic performance.

Q: Everyone's cheering about the new nutritional labeling for added sugars.

But don't we already have that? -- George G., Marietta, Ohio A: This new nutritional label will offer important information, and a lot of processed food manufacturers fought it. But it isn't initially taking take effect until July 26, 2018; small manufacturers have until 2019.

In the meantime, look on the ingredients label (the nutrition and ingredients labels are separate) for words like maltose, dextrose, sugar, high fructose corn syrup and about 100 others that indicate the food contains added sweeteners!

Once the changes come into effect, you'll be able to see the more in-depth details on the nutrition label about sweeteners in packaged foods you buy. And we bet you'll be surprised by what you see! Added sweeteners (both sugars and syrups) are found in 75 percent of packaged foods, and 77 percent of all calories purchased in the United States in 2005-2009 contained caloric sweeteners! Knowing how much of these dangerous ingredients are in your food can help you dodge bodywide inflammation and lessen your risk for everything from obesity and diabetes to heart disease, dementia, depression and a lousy sex life.

The new labels also will have more realistic serving sizes and give you a better idea of how many calories you're likely to consume. Why does this matter? We live in an age of Portions Gone Wild.

Will the new labels really make a difference? A recent study shows that 48 percent of people read labels before they buy. That's down from 65 percent when labels were first introduced. And 48 percent say they're concerned with the healthfulness of the food they buy -- down 13 percent from 2013. But we can't stop trying to halt the obesity epidemic that's threatening the country economically and physically! So read those labels and ingredients lists, dive into 5-9 servings of fruit and veggies daily, and get walking, headed for 10,000 steps a day with no excuses, like "life got in the way." Then you can label yourself HEALTHY. Q: My gynecologist is on a real exercise campaign,

saying it can greatly reduce my risk for cervical or breast cancer. I think that because I am a little overweight, she's just saying this to scare me into trimming down. Is there any proof that exercise reduces cancer risk? -Patricia L., Davenport, Florida A: Brava for your gyno! That's great advice, and recent studies back her up. One, published online by JAMA Internal Medicine, pooled cited data on 1.4 million people and found that folks who got greater amounts of physical activity outside of work had a 42 percent lower risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma; 26 percent lower for lung cancer; 23 percent lower risk of liver and kidney cancer; 22 percent lower for gastric cardia cancers; 21 percent lower for endometrial cancer; 20 percent for myeloid leukemia; 17 percent for myeloma; 16 percent for colon cancer; 15 percent for head and neck cancer; 13 percent lower for rectal and bladder cancer; 10 percent lower for breast cancer.

And, that was mostly regardless of body size or smoking history.

Another recent study, out of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, found that women who got less than four days of physical activity a month were two and a half times more likely to develop cervical cancer than women who reported getting regular physical activity.

So to take advantage of this great cancer-dodging news! We recommend a walking routine five to six days a week, heading for 10,000 steps daily. Your best bet: Use a fitness tracker or pedometer, enlist a walking buddy and get good shoes! As you increase your distance and speed, add interval training. As you feel more physically confident, try swimming, bicycling or playing tennis.

Then add resistance exercise for 30 minutes a week at the gym or at home with stretchy bands or hand weights. For tips on getting more physically active, check out sharecare.com. *** Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of "The Dr. Oz Show," and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen at youdocsdaily(at sign)sharecare.com. (c) 2016 Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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Organ Donation

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SKIN CANCER TREATMENT ~ SKIN EXAMS MOHS SURGERY ~ MOLE REMOVAL

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Top 5 most distracted behaviors and how to change them

(BPT) - With the average attention span only lasting eight seconds, and the need to multitask to keep up with an on-the-go lifestyle, it's no wonder so many of us are easily sidetracked during routine tasks. Mace, a globally recognized leader in personal safety and security, offers valuable tips to combat the five most distracted behaviors.

Running with headphones Whether training for an upcoming marathon or jogging around the block, we often take the time to develop the perfect playlist to keep us going, but don't consider the risks of tuning out the outside world. Before you press play, consider your personal safety: leave the headphones at home, especially at night. If you're streaming music through your smartphone, make sure the volume is low enough to hear the traffic around you.

Texting while walking Did you know that nearly 60 percent of pedestrians use a smartphone while crossing the street, according to the National Highway Traffic Administration? Combine that with the average five seconds a driver's eyes are off the road while texting, a statistic from the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the results can be deadly.

Don't walk and text. If you need to take a call, move to the side until your call is complete. Always be aware of your surroundings.

A distracted pedestrian can be an easy target for potential criminals.

The National Crime Prevention Council suggests you switch directions or cross the street if you think someone is following you. If the person continues to lurk, move quickly toward an open store, restaurant or lighted house. Add an additional layer of protection by arming yourself with the BoobyTrapBra, a Just In Case bra designed to hold your pepper spray where you can easily reach it, empowering you to live an active life with peace of mind.

Walking your dog at dawn and dusk Fido requires multiple daily walks to stay healthy. If your schedule only allows for exercising him in the early morning or

late evening hours, you may find yourself walking in the dark when you're overtired, which can delay reaction times when they're most critical.

Keep dogs on short leashes for more control in heavy traffic. If you walk your dog in the dark, wear light colored clothing with reflective strips so drivers can see you. Nite Beams are equipped with LED safety lights that provide high and instant visibility up to 1,400 feet or a 1/4 mile from every direction. Available in wrist, arm and leg bands for you, and collars and leashes for your dog, these bands will help to provide safety for everyone.

Navigating the parking lot Whether working late or tackling weekly errands, busy parking lots and garages can be dangerous if you are distracted by an armful of bags, children or technology. Leave the balancing act for a secure location to ensure you safely get in your car and on the road.

Before making your way to your vehicle, be sure your keys are in hand. Pay attention to your surroundings and other vehicles entering and exiting the lot. Consider walking alongside the aisle instead of taking the stairwell, or ask a security guard to escort you to your car. To buckle a child into a safety seat, get into the backseat with the child and lock the doors rather than doing so from outside the vehicle.

Zoning out on public transportation One of the perks of public transportation is the ability to use your travel time to multitask, like getting a jump start on your day by checking work emails. While you may enjoy not paying attention to the road, don't let productivity goals get in the way of your personal safety.

Ride in the first car or closest to the operator (insider tip: the train conductor is usually in the second car). If you are traveling at night, do your best to avoid dark or isolated stops. Remain aware of your surroundings as you exit, with keys in hand when you depart from the stop or station. For added protection, include the compact and easy-to-use Mace Brand KeyGard on your key ring.

Whether walking, running, driving or riding, incorporate these tips into your everyday habits to help keep yourself safe and secure throughout the day.

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The truth about Alzheimer's: EARLY DETECTION MAKES A DIFFERENCE 10 WARNING SIGNS Only a doctor can accurately diagnose Alzheimer's disease, but the Alzheimer's Association has developed 10 warning signs and symptoms that may help you decide it's time to consult a physician, including: * Memory loss that disrupts daily life. * Challenges in planning and solving problems. * Difficulty completing familiar tasks. * Confusion over time or place. * Trouble understanding visual images or spatial relationships.

(BPT) - It's the sixthleading cause of death in the United States, affects more than 5 million Americans and one out of every three seniors will die from it.

Yet misconceptions surround Alzheimer's disease.

Contrary to what many people think about Alzheimer's, it's not a normal part of growing older. And while there's not yet a way to prevent, cure or even slow the progression of the disease, people with Alzheimer's can benefit from detecting it early. During Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month - the Alzheimer's Association is encouraging everyone to learn the truth about Alzheimer's disease.

"Misunderstanding crucial facts about the disease can have consequences that can lead to stigma, delayed medical attention and inadequate support for caregivers," says Ruth Drew, director of family and information services, Alzheimer's Association. "Greater understanding of Alzheimer's is urgently needed given the dramatic impact of the disease. It devastates

too many families for it to remain a mystery. We need everyone to know the truth about Alzheimer's so we can bridge current gaps and build greater support toward advancing treatments and finding a cure."

Debunking common myths Alzheimer's is most often associated with memory loss, but the truth is the disease can

appear through a variety of signs and symptoms.

A progressive and fatal disease, Alzheimer's attacks the brain, killing nerve cells and brain tissue, which affects a person's ability to remember, think and plan.

While the majority of

people who have Alzheimer's are seniors, it can also affect people in their 30s, 40s and 50s - a form of the disease known as younger-onset Alzheimer's. About 5 percent of people with the disease have younger-onset Alzheimer's. Everyone is, technically, at risk of developing Alzheimer's, but certain groups have elevated risks; AfricanAmericans are twice as likely as whites and

Hispanics one and a half times as likely to develop Alzheimer's.

Nearly two-thirds of all people who have Alzheimer's are women.

Empowering information Every 66 seconds,

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* New problems with spoken or written words. * Misplacing things and not being able to find them by retracing your movements. * Decreased or poor judgment. * Withdrawal from others at work or in social situations. * Changes in mood or personality. someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer's, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

Detecting the disease early may help the person with Alzheimer's, caregivers and loved ones in multiple ways.

People who receive an early diagnosis may have more time to explore treatments that could help relieve some symptoms, and help them stay independent longer. They may be able to participate in a clinical drug trial to help advance Alzheimer's research. Resources such as Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch can help you find current studies.

Detecting Alzheimer's early can also give people with the disease, their caregivers and loved ones more time to plan for the future. If you are diagnosed in the early stages of the disease, you may be

able to participate in decisions about your care, living arrangements, and financial and legal matters.

"If a person is having trouble doing something that they routinely did for years or they demonstrate a significant shift in personality that lasts over time - those are warning signs that need to be explored," Drew says. "Too often people dismiss these changes as stress or having too much to do, but when they persist over time, it's best to get it checked out. Ignoring the situation is the worst way of handling it."

To learn more about Alzheimer's disease and to find resources for caregivers, families and people living with the disease, visit www.alz.org, the website of the Alzheimer's Association.

Sci-fi or silver bullet? How immunotherapy is revolutionizing cancer treatment (BPT) - Could the kind of cancer treatment credited with saving former President Jimmy Carter soon work for everyone?

News coverage of Carter's recovery and in-depth coverage by media giants like TIME Magazine and 60 Minutes could lead you to believe that immunotherapy will be the silver bullet that ends cancer for everyone. Like any promising treatment, immunotherapy needs more research, time and investment to achieve its full life-saving potential.

"New treatments that harness the body's immune system to fight disease are changing how we view cancer treatment," says Punit Dhillon, president and CEO of OncoSec Medical Incorporated, a company engaged in immunotherapy research. "And while immunotherapy has shown great promise in fighting cancer, cancers are unique to the individual and adaptable.

Research has shown combination therapies may be even more effective in defeating cancer's ability to adapt and survive in the body."

How immunotherapy works

To understand how immunotherapy can work, it's important to know how cancer operates in the body. When cancer cells grow and spread, they develop the ability to evade the body's immune system. If the body does not recognize cancer cells as a threat, they may be safe from an immune system attack.

Cancer cells also adapt and can become resistant to traditional cancer treatments over time. While traditional treatments may shrink or eliminate tumors, if any cancer cells remain after treatment, they could adapt and begin growing again.

Immunotherapy seeks to reverse this immune tolerance, to once again identify cancer cells as a threat and target them for elimination. A class of immunotherapies, called checkpoint inhibitors, have shown great promise by reinvigorating T-cells, which are the immune system's fighter cells, so they can again recognize and attack cancer cells. This approach worked for former President Carter's brain tumor treatment.

The benefits of

immunotherapies are undeniable. Successful immunotherapy attacks only cancerous cells, leaving healthy tissue undamaged.

Using the body's own defenses to fight cancer lacks some of the debilitating side effects associated with traditional treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation.

Immunotherapy can also train the immune system to remember cancer cells. This "memory" could remain effective long after treatment ends.

Another aspect of the challenge "While checkpoint inhibitors can be very effective, many cancer patients don't have enough of a critical type of cell called tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) - for this type of therapy to be effective," Dhillon notes. "Researchers are finding that only the minority of patients, about 30 to 40 percent, respond when treated with just this type of therapy alone."

Scientists are looking to combine immunotherapies with other kinds of existing cancer

treatments to realize the full potential immunotherapy has to offer.

OncoSec is currently developing a technology, ImmunoPulse, that aims to stimulate anti-tumor immune activity and drive essential TILs to the tumor area. The company is conducting research that shows this priming therapy will help increase patient response rates to checkpoint inhibitors by driving TILs. The aim is to develop a therapy that, when combined with other immunotherapies, will help the body's immune system operate even more effectively against cancer.

"To the public-at-large, immunotherapy is a relatively new concept that may seem like it borders on science fiction, but immuno-oncology researchers have made very real, positive progress," Dhillon says. "We've already learned we can leverage the body's own defenses to combat cancer. Now, our goal is to better understand how to make different therapies work better together so patients have safer and more effective treatment options."

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Tips for caretakers to help their loved one get better nutrition (BPT) - When a patient is battling cancer, good nutrition is essential to maintain physical strength and help ensure a better response to treatment. Foods high in protein are an important part of your loved one's balanced diet, and helping them eat well is a critical investment in their health and well-being.

That said, there may be obstacles to good nutrition during cancer treatment such as mouth pain, fatigue, taste sensitivities and nausea. If eating and drinking are painful or unpleasant, it's easy to see how maintaining good nutrition could be a challenge. This can lead to a chain reaction of complications and a longer recovery time.

"Most cancer patients are too tired to make a meal, or even shop for it. Yet the importance of good, consistent nutrition can't be overstated," said Dr. Bruce Moskowitz, physician and chairman of the Cancer Nutrition Consortium (CNC), a nutrition resource to help patients overcome the barriers to eating and get the nutrients they need, including proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

Below are four common

track.

1. Fatigue Many cancer patients identified themselves as the main food preparer in their household, in a survey conducted by the CNC. On

the too-tired days. One option is HORMEL VITAL CUISINE products, a line of powerpacked drinks and packaged foods designed by nutritionists, physicians and chefs to fill a void and support the nutritional needs of cancer patients, while battling common barriers to good nutrition.

2. Mouth pain/trouble swallowing

barriers to good nutrition, why they happen and some solutions to keep in mind.

Arming yourself with knowledge and preparation, while also maintaining a sense of normalcy around food, will allow you to be a huge source of support for your loved one, helping him or her stay on

good days, your loved one may be in the kitchen, preparing and enjoying a tasty bean and vegetable soup from scratch. However, some days they might feel too tired to fix a meal. A lack of food can lead to even more fatigue, and that can trigger a downward spiral.

Keep a stock of nutrient- and protein-rich foods on hand for

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Run your tongue along your inner cheek and gums. Those are brand new cells made by the body. Because chemotherapy and radiation damage cells, these mouth cells are often a casualty during treatment, resulting in sores that make it uncomfortable or even painful to eat.

Avoid tart and acidic foods that can irritate the mouth, such as citrus fruits and tomato sauces. Steering clear of hard foods with rough edges, such as crackers, is also wise. Soft, easy-toswallow foods are good options, such as eggs, bean soups or smoothies.

3. Taste sensitivities Again, the disruption to the rapidly dividing cells inside the mouth can alter the flavor of food. Patients often experience a metallic taste, but sometimes, flavor components that are salty or

bitter can intensify unpleasantly so. Radiation can also damage saliva glands.

When foods taste bitter, metallic or too salty, try a sweeter approach and marinate meats in a sweet or sour sauce, fruit juice or a honey-lemon vinaigrette. If a food is too sweet, add salt or dilute it in water. Stimulate the taste buds and saliva glands with sour foods: avoid pickles, but try wholesome options such as Greek yogurt, kefir or tart cherries.

4. Nausea and vomiting Besides being a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiation, cancer patients are often plagued with a condition called anticipatory nausea. That is, certain settings or circumstances, such as entering a treatment room, can make your loved one feel ill. Be aware of triggers and respect them, taking advantage of nauseafree days.

Encourage fluid intake in between meals rather than with meals, to leave room in the stomach for food. A few hours before radiation or chemotherapy, prepare a light snack or meal to get nutrients and protein into the body. If the doctor prescribes an antinausea drug, keep close tabs on how well it's working, advocating for alternatives if needed.

BRAIN HEALTH ATLANTA FALCONS STYLE

By Stephanie M. Freeman Growing up I never gave much thought on educating myself on health. Even after a brain injury I still have to admit I didn’t see it so essential. I believe the reason behind this is because my brain injury occurred in the early 90’s and information on brain health wasn’t like it is today. But my brain health began becoming much more of a focus for me when I began having seizures 15 years after this injury. There is more education on the foods we eat, on the activities and even the air we breathe around us how it affects our amazing brain. I try to take part in educating myself on as much of it as possible.

Last month I had the opportunity to take part in an event that was not only educational but fun, an Atlanta Falcons Moms Clinic. These clinics are given across our state to help provide information to moms who have children who are considering or playing tackle football. These clinics provide classroom time to hear former NFL speakers talk concussion, brain health, and even mothers speak from different areas on youth football safety.

Having my own Brain Trauma Organization I was very drawn to attend one of these clinics and jumped on this event when I heard it was going to be close to me in Tifton Georgia. My interest was especially to hear the concussion discussions that would be given and see some of the safety precautions for head injury to our youth.

Not to mention my son loves the sport so much.

Unlike normal classes I would take to educate myself on brain function or health, this type classroom had quite the excitement and fun. There were probably 200 moms show up to this clinic in Tifton Georgia. We sat and listened to former Atlanta Falcons Linebacker Buddy Curry speak to all us mothers on concussion. He spoke to us all in a very professional but fun manner. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing him touch on the subject as deep as he did. In one moment I recall him making a statement that almost brought tears to my eyes. He stated that it was most important his kids know that when they are in doubt of a concussion they sit it out, and he said no matter what because the brain was so important.

The next speaker we heard was Brian Parker from the Taylor Hooton Foundation. He spoke on brain health and steroid use in football. This was another very interesting subject to hear because I get

ASK DOCTOR K ELECTRONIC SKIN PATCH HOLDS PROMISE FOR TYPE 1 DIABETES

Stephanie M. Freeman is a model, a runner, a trainer, and a brain injury survivor from here in the state of Georgia.

She is the founder of the nonprofit brain trauma organization Share Your Strong with a sole mission to bring health and awareness to brain trauma, while encouraging and inspiring the lives of people going through this silent epidemic. She speaks and helps educate on this injury from 23 years of her own experience. She is a part of the Brain Injury Advisory Council with The Brain Injury Association of America.

asked so many question on this being a trainer. He made some very powerful statements on the supplements that are sold in our stores today. I enjoyed his talk a lot because he spoke with a lot of passion as he spoke.

He lost a friend to steroid use when he was younger. If you didn't know, taking steroids can cause a serious type of depression, as well as anxiety.

Mr. Parker said he lost his friend to suicide from the depression of the steroid use and this is why he has developed The Taylor Hooton Foundation to help bring awareness of what can happen to your mind after taking steroids.

After we heard all the speakers we were taken to the football field of the school this clinic was held and the former players showed all us moms some safety precautions for our children along with sending us all through some fun football drills. It was a fun exciting event and I would highly recommend any mom attend one of these if their children is involved in football or if they are interested in any of these issues. My overall opinion of The Atlanta Falcons Team for brain health and concussion is outstanding and I feel they are doing a great job to help this problem in this sport. I didn't leave that place that night without thanking the whole team for touching on this subject of brain injury and brain health as great as they did...

DEAR DOCTOR K: I'm 54 and have had Type 1 "childhood" diabetes since I was 7. A friend with diabetes heard about a new skin patch that automatically keeps a person's blood sugar in control -- no finger-sticks to check blood sugar, no needles for getting insulin. Can that possibly be true?

DEAR READER: It's not true yet, but I think it's coming. I'm glad you asked the question, because what I'll call "electronic skin patches" are starting to affect both medical care and research in many areas, not just diabetes.

I believe you heard about a study in mice that used an electronic patch. Before I discuss the study, a few basics about diabetes.

(You know this, but some readers won't.) Normally, when we eat a meal, sugar is absorbed into the blood.

That sugar is a key source of energy needed by the cells of our body. But for the cells to be able to use the sugar to generate energy, the sugar has to be able to get inside the cell.

That's where insulin comes in. Insulin is a natural chemical made by an organ in our belly, the pancreas. Insulin moves sugar from the blood into cells. The problem in Type 1 diabetes, like you have, is that the pancreas stops making insulin. That's why you need to check the level of sugar in your blood frequently, and give yourself a shot of insulin when that sugar level is too high.

The patch you heard about does all of this automatically. It is very thin and sticks to the skin. The underside of the patch contains thousands of tiny needles -- so tiny you can't feel them. The tips of the needles rest in the fluid between the cells just beneath the skin and sense the amount of sugar in the fluid. When the level is high, the patch releases

insulin.

When used for 12 hours in mice, this patch worked like a charm: It accurately sensed sugar levels, released insulin when it was needed, and never allowed blood sugar to go either too high or too low.

Would it have worked as well day in and day out?

And would it work in humans? That remains to be seen. But it is an encouraging first step.

Scientists have created electronic skin patches that monitor other bodily functions. They can accurately measure electrical signals in the brain, heart and muscle.

Many scientists are testing such patches to see if they might serve as early warning systems of things going wrong in the body.

Might such patches detect potentially dangerous heart rhythms in people with heart disease? Or early spasms of breathing tubes in the lungs in people with asthma? By such early detection, early treatment might prevent serious illness.

My crystal ball says that electronic skin patches are going to be used to monitor and treat disease. They also are going to be used in research, sending information continually and wirelessly through our smartphones to study computers for analysis. I find it exciting.

(Dr. Komaroff is a physician and professor at Harvard Medical School. To send questions, go to AskDoctorK.com, or write: Ask Doctor K, 10 Shattuck St., Second Floor, Boston, MA 02115.)

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5 ways to r ev a m p your r un

(BPT) - Have you ever wished you could just snap your fingers and be able to run a marathon? If only it were that easy. Whether you're training for a race, want to get in shape or simply enjoy the rhythm of your feet hitting the pavement, running takes consistency and practice.

"No matter where you fall on the running spectrum, there's always room for improvement," says Rebekah Mayer, National Run Training Manager for Life Time Fitness - The Healthy Way of Life Company. "If you're striving to become a better runner, you might need to make some changes or switch up your routine."

Below are five tips from Mayer to help amp up your run so you can feel great while making each workout count: Ease into your outdoor runs If you've been hitting the treadmill all winter and are just beginning to run

outdoors, take it slow.

Pavement is harder on your knees and joints than a treadmill belt, and your running form is a little different when you're outside on the ground. Start by taking some easy workouts outdoors, and then progress into harder workouts. By then, all the trails will be fully clear and your legs will have a chance to adapt.

Ditch the background noise Consider leaving your headphones at home. While music is essential to beat boredom on a treadmill, many runners come to enjoy the quiet solitude or group chatter when running outdoors, especially when you run with a friend.

Without headphones, it's also easier to hear traffic, animals or approaching pedestrians. If music is absolutely necessary, try running with only one ear bud in.

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Make it memorable Take the time to make some of your runs a little more interesting. Is there a trail system a short drive from your home or nearest health club? Even if it doesn't fit into your daily routine, doing some runs at a more scenic location every so often can make the miles much more enjoyable.

Changing up your routine also helps keep your body challenged so you can continue to build strength and endurance.

Gather your running buddies Running with friends is one of the best ways to stay motivated. Running with a buddy on a treadmill is fun as well, but an outdoor running pal or group can help the time and miles pass more quickly. Life Time destinations nationwide host Tuesday Night Social Runs with varying distances and they're complimentary for members and nonmembers. There's nothing

like good conversation to keep you entertained during your workout. Running partners can be good pace setters as well and might even suggest some new running routes or trails you've never tried before.

Dress the part If you run in the dark, choose reflective clothing and a headlamp for safety.

On rainy days, add a water resistant jacket and a cap to keep water out of your eyes.

This will make the weather more tolerable. If temperatures are cool, choose an outer layer you can easily remove if you get too warm. Life Time is a firm believer that the right pair of shoes can help prevent injury, so make sure you find a pair that works for your running style.

Use these tips to make the most of each run or if you're one of the thousands of Americans who's currently training for a marathon, check out lifetimerun.com to sign up for a virtual or inperson run training plan.

8 Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy and Sharp

(Family Features) The brain is the body’s most complex organ.

It’s also the most important one. That’s why keeping it healthy is critical, especially as you age. Every day, scientists are discovering how closely our minds and bodies are connected.

As it turns out, the things that you do to keep your body and heart healthy may also be good for your brain.

Incorporate these eight healthy habits and activities into your daily life to help you optimize brain health and stay sharp in the years ahead.

Get Moving Physical activity is good for your health at every age. Studies show being active is associated with a lower risk of brain issues. Whether it’s nightly walks, playing with the grandkids or

taking your favorite yoga class, find an activity that meets your needs and gets your heart pumping for at least 30 minutes every day.

Eat to Thrive The antioxidants in nutrient-dense foods like berries, broccoli and legumes, including some fats such as olive oil, may lower some risks to your brain. Try eating a healthy, low-fat, lowcholesterol diet with lots of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains such as oatmeal and brown rice.

Know Your Blood Pressure High blood pressure can have serious effects on your brain health. If your blood pressure is high, get it under control. It may help reduce some risks to your brain.

Drink Moderately

How the body handles alcohol can change with age.

Some older adults can feel “high” without increasing the amount of alcohol they drink.

This can make them more likely to become confused or have accidents. So limit the amount of alcohol you drink – or don’t drink it at all.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep Poor sleep, or inadequate sleep, due to issues such as insomnia or sleep apnea, doesn’t just leave you feeling tired. It can have serious physical effects and can impact memory and thinking, too. Get comfy and go to bed.

Seven to eight hours is a good night’s rest.

Discover a New Talent When you learn

new things, you engage your brain. Try something you haven’t done before – learning French, ballroom dancing or carpentry, for example.

Challenging your brain on a regular basis is fun and beneficial.

Stay Connected Science has shown that regular engagement in social activities can help reduce some risks to your brain. Stay connected and invite family or friends over

for a healthy meal, go on a hike together or just hang out.

Talk to Your Doctor As you age, some changes in brain function, including short-term memory, happen more frequently than when you were younger. If you have questions or are concerned, ask your doctor at your next appointment.

For more tips on keeping your brain healthy and thriving, visit BrainHealth.gov.

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(BPT) - Although having a baby is one of the most significant events a woman may experience, nearly half of the babies delivered in the U.S. each year are the result of unplanned pregnancies.[1] That means many babies are born to women who did not engage in pre-pregnancy planning or discussions with their health care providers. Even among planned pregnancies, women may often not find out they are pregnant until they are about four to six weeks along.

"There are several important steps that women can take before becoming pregnant to help reduce the risks of pregnancy complications and birth defects," says Mark de Fazio, M.D., FACOG, de Fazio Obstetrics & Gynecology, Brooklyn, New York.

However, many women don't realize they are pregnant until it is too late to reduce these risks, particularly among women with increased risk factors including diabetes, malabsorption syndromes or a family history of birth defects.[2] Women of child-bearing age should speak to their health care providers about pregnancy plans and about what they should do before becoming pregnant to address their specific risk factors.

Significant cell, organ growth and development occur in the early stages of a pregnancy, especially in the baby's brain and spinal cord. Achieving ideal vitamin and nutrient levels, ensuring adequate intake of folic acid, is important for reducing birth defects. Consequently, women planning to conceive or who may already be in the prenatal period need to understand the importance of proper nutrition in pregnancy and the role that vitamins and supplements can play in helping them optimize their nutrient levels.

The need for various nutrients, including folic acid, iron and calcium, increases throughout the course of a woman's pregnancy and may not be met through a healthy diet alone. In fact, a deficiency in folic acid, the synthetic form of folate and a form of B vitamin that can be found in leafy vegetables and fortified cereals,[3] has been tied to an increased risk of spina bifida, a neural tube defect (NTD), which is a birth defect involving the spinal cord.[4] The neural tube is formed very early; defects can occur within the first six weeks of pregnancy.

Mteryti folic 5 is an effective two-step MultiVitamin / MultiMineral supplement regimen specifically formulated for use in women at higher risk of having a baby with an NTD. Mteryti folic 5 contains 5 mg of folic acid. If medically necessary, Mteryti folic 5 should be used two to three months prior to pregnancy and continued until 10 to 12 weeks of gestation. After 10 to 12 weeks of gestation, health care providers may recommend continuing supplement use with Mteryti, which contains 1.1 mg of folic acid. Both Mteryti folic 5 and Mteryti are uniquely formulated in a morning and nighttime dosing schedule that allows for better absorption of key nutrients.

Women without an increased risk for having a baby with an NTD can make sure they are achieving sufficient levels

of folic acid and other important nutrients by taking Mteryti. Mteryti can be used 23 months prior to conception, throughout pregnancy and during the postnatal period.

Mteryti folic 5 and Mteryti are recommended for use under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

The Experts Say...

So, what do the experts recommend to all mothers-to-be out there? The Centers

Women who consume healthful diets with adequate folate may reduce their risk of having a child with birth defects of the brain or spinal cord. Public health authorities recommend that women consume 0.4 mg of folic acid daily from fortified foods or dietary supplements, or both, to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. The safe upper limit of daily intake value for folic acid is 1,000 mcg (1 mg). This product exceeds the DV (1,000 mcg) of folic acid. Folate intake should not exceed 250% of the DV (1,000 mcg).

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that women who take the recommended daily dose of folic acid starting at least one month before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy can reduce their baby's risk of neural tube defects by 50 to 70 percent.4 "Even with the most careful planning, a woman may not obtain the vitamins and nutrients needed during a pregnancy simply through diet. To best prepare for a healthy pregnancy, it is advised for women to start taking a prenatal multivitamin, containing the recommended folic acid levels, two to three months before getting pregnant to have the necessary reserves for the baby's developmental needs," adds Dr. de Fazio.

If you are planning a pregnancy, are pregnant or currently breastfeeding, see a health care provider for an assessment of your overall health and your medical and family history. For more information about Mteryti, Mteryti folic 5 and planning your healthy pregnancy, please visit www.mteryti.com.

However, Mteryti® and Mteryti® folic 5 tablets may be appropriate for some women under a health care professional's supervision.

WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under six. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

[4] Center for Disease Control.

Recommendations for the use of folic acid to reduce the number of cases of spina bifida and other neural tube defects. MMWR 1992; 41(no. RR-14): 23. 2. IOM (Institute of Medicine).

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

[1] Finer LB, Zolna MR. Shifts in intended and unintended pregnancies in the United States, 2001-2008. Am J Public Health. 2014; 104 Suppl 1: S43-8.

[2] Center for Disease Control. Folic acid benefits. 2016. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/features/folicacidben efits/.

[3] Cordero AM, Crider KS, Rogers LM, et al. Optimal serum and red blood cell folate concentrations in women of reproductive age for prevention of neural tube defects: World Health Organization guidelines. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2015; 64:421-3.

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Four facts about artery health: Study reveals new risks for diabetes patients

How to prevent injury when exercising COURTESY OF METROCONNECTION

Exercise is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. The World Health Organization recommends that healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 64 perform at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week or do at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week.

Many adults cite hectic schedules as their reason for not getting enough exercise, but even those who do find time to exercise could find themselves sidelined if they do not take certain preventive measures to reduce their risk for injury.

Though injuries can happen to even the most seasoned and knowledgeable athletes, there are certain measures adults can take to reduce their injury risk. 路 Recognize your limitations. Once you have established a regular exercise routine and your body has grown accustomed to daily exercise, it can be tempting to overdo it or even unknowingly push your body to points that put you at a greater risk of injury. But recognizing your limitations is an essential part of avoiding injury. As you exercise more, you may notice certain areas of your body respond better to exercise than others. For example, if your wrists ache after strength training sessions, reduce the amount of weight you are lifting or look for strengthbuilding exercises that don't require lifting weights. 路 Warm up before each session. No matter how accustomed your body is to regular exercise, warming up before each workout is still necessary to avoid injury. Warming up before each workout elevates your heart rate and increases

circulation, loosening the joints and increasing blood flow to the muscles you're about to exercise. Between five and 10 minutes of lowintensity cardiovascular exercise can help loosen up your body and prepare it for the more grueling workout to come. 路 Switch your routines every so often. When exercise becomes a part of your daily routine, you may end up hitting a plateau.

When that happens, your workouts may feel less effective. Switching up routines every so often can combat that problem while also reducing injury risk to overtaxed muscles forced to endure the same exercises day in and day out. Diversify your workout every so often by choosing new exercises and switching up the cardiovascular portion of your workout. 路 Give your body time to rest and recover. Exercise feels good, both physically and mentally. Daily exercise can help adults lose weight, and shedding those extra pounds can improve mobility and help adults live more active and fulfilling lives.

Exercise also causes the release of hormones known as endorphins, which trigger positive feelings in the body.

Those positive feelings can be somewhat addictive, but it's important that adults give their bodies time to rest and recover between workouts.

Lack of time to rest and recover makes bodies vulnerable to injury, so include time to recover in your weekly exercise regimen.

Daily exercise can help adults live long, healthy and fulfilling lives. But it's important that men and women of all ages take steps to reduce their risk of exercise-related injury.

22 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | July 2016

(BPT) - Did you know that you could be slowly getting sicker with artery blockage, even if you are symptom free and not diagnosed with heart disease?

Your gender, age and whether you have diabetes all affect the prevalence of certain kinds of peripheral vascular disease, which is a condition that affects the blood vessels, according to a new study led by researchers at New York University Langone Medical Center. This study analyzed data from 3.6 million patients who were screened by Life Line Screening.

This insight could help doctors have a better understanding of who is at risk for which diseases.

Younger women: Peripheral artery disease Peripheral artery disease is a narrowing of the blood vessels to the limbs, especially the lower limbs, caused by an increase of fatty deposits in the arterial walls. Most patients describe numbness or pain in the calf, hip, thigh or buttock, but up to 40 percent of people who are diagnosed do not feel any symptoms. Though often associated with older age groups, the NYU study found a distinction in younger age groups: The disease is actually more prevalent in younger women than younger men to a dramatic degree. Screening for peripheral artery disease can be as simple as comparing blood pressure in your ankle as your arm, known as an ankle brachial index.

Older men: Carotid artery stenosis A narrowing of the arteries that carries blood to the brain is known as carotid artery stenosis, usually caused by an increase of fatty deposits. Most commonly, symptoms are not apparent until the patient has a stroke. The NYU study found a more pronounced and higher prevalence of this blockage in older men than in older women. If a patient does opt for screening, a non-invasive method is recommended, such as one offered by Life Line Screening, which uses ultrasound to visualize the arteries.

Men and women: Abdominal aortic aneurysms The aorta is a major blood supply line to your body, running from your heart to your abdomen. When an aneurysm occurs, an area in this vital artery become enlarged and could eventually grow and rupture. These ruptures are serious, as they are life threatening and difficult to operate on. Causes are not known, but researchers have found a correlation with tobacco use, a hardening of the arteries and high blood pressure. Most people are unaware of having this condition, but a major symptom is a feeling of pulsation from the navel.

According to the NYU study, prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms was similar across all age groups. Annual screening can be done with a simple ultrasound.

Diabetes patients: Peripheral vascular disease Patients with diabetes are often screened for heart disease, just because of the great risk factors present in these patients.

But the NYU study results indicate that doctors might want to consider the onset of peripheral vascular disease in their diabetes patients as well. Patients with diabetes were at a very high risk of developing peripheral vascular disease in the lower extremities or the carotid artery - even if they were not diagnosed with heart disease, according to the study.

Future study is needed to see if screening could lead to better health for diabetes patients, says senior investigator Dr. Jeffrey S. Berger, an associate professor in the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology at NYU Langone.

"We know that if you have carotid artery stenosis, you're at an increased risk for stroke, and we know that if you have lower extremity arterial disease, you're at increased risk for significant impairment in your daily activities like walking, and even amputation," he says. "What these studies show is the power of large data sets to provide insight into the prevalence of and risk factors for cardiovascular disease."

WHAT SCHOOLS ARE DOING ABOUT CHILDHOOD OBESITY

No-Noodle Zucchini Lasagna Courtesy of allrecipes.com

"Looking for a low-carb dinner to satisfies your Italian food craving? Look no further! This lasagna is perfect in the summer with your garden-fresh veggies and herbs, or in the winter when you need a comforting meal. You won't even miss the noodles in this one!"

Ingredients COURTESY OF METROCONNECTION

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that childhood obesity rates have more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the last 30 years. This is happening in spite of indications that childhood obesity could reduce life expectancy by five years or more. Many children are not participating in free-time physical activity and, according to Blank Children’s Hospital, only 25 percent of children in the United States eat a healthy diet.

Considering children spend six or more hours at school and many eat school lunches or receive in school-provided breakfasts, schools can play a pivotal role in helping to control the rising epidemic of childhood obesity. Here’s a look at just how schools are taking on that challenge.

• Discussing obesity in health and physical education classes: Information is power, and one way to help curb obesity rates is to give children the data needed to make informed decisions. Some schools have implemented healthy eating and exercise initiatives and made nutrition and other health-related topics key parts of health curricula.

• Modifying school lunch offerings: Schools are taking inventory of not only the foods they offer on lunch menus, but also the feel of the cafeteria so that healthy eating is encouraged. This

may include removing vending machines that contain unhealthy snacks or providing a greater array of offerings that include fresh fruits, whole grains and lean protein sources. Some schools also are investing in components, such as salad bars, to store, prepare and display healthy foods.

• Extending lunch hours: Giving students adequate time to eat and digest can promote healthier eating habits. Research indicates that eating slowly can help a person feel full faster.

According to Harvard Medical School, scientists have known for some time that a full stomach is only part of what causes someone to feel satisfied after a meal; the brain must also receive a series of signals from digestive hormones secreted by the gastrointestinal tract. Eating slowly may prevent children from overeating later in the day. That can be achieved by having more time to eat at lunch.

• Teaching children how to prepare healthy foods: Some schools are taking the mystery out of food preparation by showing students how foods are being prepared in the cafeteria kitchen, while others include basic culinary education in their curricula and extracurricular offerings.

Childhood obesity may be an epidemic, but schools are in the position to curb obesity in young students.

2 large zucchini 1 tablespoon salt 1 pound ground beef 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper 1 small green bell pepper, diced 1 onion, diced 1 cup tomato paste 1 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce 1/4 cup red wine 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano hot water as needed 1 egg 1 (15 ounce) container low-fat ricotta cheese 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1 (16 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained 1 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese 8 ounces grated Parmesan cheese

Directions Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Grease a deep 9x13 inch baking pan.

Slice zucchini lengthwise into very thin slices.

Sprinkle slices lightly with salt; set aside to drain in a colander.

To prepare the meat sauce, cook and stir ground beef and black pepper in a large skillet over medium high heat for 5 minutes. Add in green pepper and onion; cook and stir until meat is no longer pink. Stir in tomato paste, tomato sauce, wine, basil, and oregano, adding a small amount of hot water if sauce is too thick. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer sauce for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently.

Meanwhile, stir egg, ricotta, and parsley together in a bowl until well combined.

To assemble lasagna, spread 1/2 of the meat sauce into the bottom of prepared pan. Then layer 1/2 the zucchini slices, 1/2 the ricotta mixture, all of the spinach, followed by all of the mushrooms, then 1/2 the mozzarella cheese. Repeat by layering the remaining meat sauce, zucchini slices, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella. Spread Parmesan cheese evenly over the top; cover with foil.

Bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil; raise oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and bake an additional 15 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

July 2016 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | 23

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24 | A (SCNI) Southern Community Newspaper Product | July 2016