T H E VO I C E O F H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S
THE HEALING PAWS OF THERAPY DOG JAMAL
seeking Heart Defenders, will train
VIERA MD SEMINARS ASK THE DOC LEARN. LIVE. THRIVE.
2014 Heart Walk in Viera
VA CLINIC INTERNIST GIVES BACK TO VETERANS
GLUTEN FREE by necessity
Guillermo Sanabria, MD Co-Chair 2014 American Heart Association Brevard County Heart Walk David Sims, MD Co-Chair 2014 American Heart Association Brevard County Heart Walk
Arthritis
& Joint Center
of Florida Specialists in Knee, Hip and Shoulder Replacement
Phone: 321.956.1501
Welcome to the Orthopaedic practice of Daniel L. King, M.D. Our practice specializes in the operative and non-operative care of the painful knee, hip and shoulder. Advances in surgical techniques and materials have led to state-of-the-art surgical solutions provided to you at our center. Dr. King is MAKOplasty速 certified to perform partial knee replacements and hip replacements using the RIO速 Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic System. Most hip replacements can now be done utilizing a less invasive anterior technique. Most knee replacements are now done without cutting the quadriceps tendon. Both techniques may result in less pain, and quicker recovery. Dr. King and his Physician Assistants David A. Harris, PA-C and Brian R. Hackett, PA-C provide experienced care and judgment for patients utilizing optimal materials and techniques. We are now conveniently located in Viera
2328 Medico Lane, Melbourne, FL 32940 in the new Viera Medical Park. We are located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Stadium Parkway and Wickham Road
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Save The Date Saturday Sept 27, 2014 Join Space Coast Cancer Foundation for the 8th annual Daffodil Gala, a special evening of HOPE. Enjoy French themed cuisine & Cirque styled Entertainment. You will be inspired all while helping Brevard County cancer patients.
Presenting Sponsors......... Sponsorships available 321.474.5770 dawnf@spacecoastcancer.com
ATLANTIC EYE MD State-of-the-Art Surgery Center
8040 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne, FL 32940
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8 12 summer
CONTENTS
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2014
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Jamal The Therapy Dog VA Awards Dr. Frederick Ho and Atlantic Eye MD Surgeons raising awareness for upcoming Heart Walk Ketogenic diet is optimal For some, celiac free is life or death, rather than choice Vision Therapy looks at treatment in a whole new light Newer hip surgery has lower risk of dislocation, limp
Wellness Calendar & Endorphin Source
From our calendar to yours
TH E VOICE O F HE ALTH & W E LLNE S S
n New Viera MD seminars! THE HEALING PAWS OF THERAPY DOG JAMAL
seeking Heart Defenders, will train
Plus: Brevard Heart Walk,
VIERA MD SEMINARS ASK THE DOC LEARN. LIVE. THRIVE.
Cover Photo by Keith Betterley Betterley Photographic
Health First Golf Classic,
View the digital edition at VieraMD.com
See our calendar, page 27.
2014 Heart Walk in Viera
VA CLIINIC INTERNIST GIVES BACK TO VETERANS
Guillermo Sanabria, MD Co-Chair 2014 American Heart Association Brevard County Heart Walk David Sims, MD Co-Chair 2014 American Heart Association Brevard County Heart Walk
GLUTEN FREE by necessity
4 | Viera MD Magazine
Annual Daffodil Gala, and more.
An Apple a Day: Healthbook in iOS8 Maria Sonnenberg
M
obile health and fitness apps are nothing new, but Apple may shake the tree of the $85 million fitness and health tracker market with its introduction later this year of Healthbook, the company’s first major step into this rapidly growing field. Lips are sealed at Apple regarding Healthbook, but industry pundits have high hopes for the application that might conceivably debut this fall along with the release of Apple’s iOS8, the next version of the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch operating system. Then again, it might appear later in the future. Regardless of when it is launched, Healthbook is expected to offer much more than the scope of existing gadgetry. Although many apps can already track a variety of metrics, Healthbook offers the advantage of combining a comprehensive range of data in one easy-to-use spot. According to Mark Gurman, a writer and reviewer for 9to5mac. com, the app could track everything from blood glucose and blood oxygen levels to blood pressure and sleep patterns. Healthbook is supposed to also offer an electronic medical record that would alert first responders and physicians of specific
issues with the individual in case of an emergency. Basic information will go beyond name and date of birth to blood type, organ donor status, current medications and emergency contacts. Patient confidentiality should not be an issue, said Nick Villano, manager of Visual Dynamics, a Viera company that specializes in Apple technology and products. “We’re talking about emergency information that you would want the doctor or hospital to know,” he said. “First responders will be able to access by a device’s lock screen for only the emergency information. Apple is always on the leading edge of security. Everything should be fine.” Industry experts do not expect Healthbook to be a personal health record, or PHR, the comprehensive electronic health record systems used by hospitals and doctors’ offices. However, with the Affordable Care Act’s insistence on medical transparency, the possibility exists that apps such as Healthbook could eventually morph into a PHR so patients can share medical information with their health care providers. “That could be the next step,” Villano said. n
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Viera MD Magazine
|5
letter from the editor
Fall is the perfect time to put your health in the best hands
F
all is an exciting time in the Viera health and wellness community. Our snowbirds return, the weather cools off for more enjoyable outdoor exercise and activities, and there are many opportunities for fun expos and health fairs to help us make healthcare purchasing decisions based on face-to-face meetings with providers. The Viera Voice Scarecrow Stroll & Harvest Festival is one such terrific opportunity to combine all three. Businesses have an opportunity to build a unique, artistic scarecrow at their locations along a Scarecrow Stroll mapped route across the greater Viera area. Scarecrows, as well as schoolcrows created by students, staff and volunteers from those schools, deemed most popular by readers who visit them will be moved from these businesses to the Harvest Festival from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19 at the new Viera Beach at the Holiday Inn Melbourne-Viera Conference Center. The free fun for children and adults includes bounce houses, all-foods-pumpkin cooking contest, pumpkin patch and pumpkin painting booth, harvest maze, live music, a Zucchini 500 where children can make their own racecars from the actual aerodynamic green squash, and more. Boomers and seniors are another population concerned with obtaining the best in health care. The Senior Life Boomer Bash & Senior Expo at the King Center Friday Nov. 14 is a hugely popular event where people look forward to great entertainment as well as a chance to sample services from health care providers, and learn about the most advanced medical techniques. If you are a healthcare provider, these are perfect events at which to host an exhibit booth. If you are a healthcare consumer, these are a great events to have some fun, take a healthy stroll, see friends and neighbors back from the North and be sure your health is in the hands of the best providers. For more information, to sponsor an activity at the Harvest Festival or Boomer Bash or secure exhibit space, go to vieravoice.com or call 321-242-1235.
Jill Gaines, Founder and CEO Bluewater Creative Group
Viera MD presents
“Ask the Doc” Seminars Free Second Wednesdays 6 | Viera MD Magazine
Oct. 1 to15 Scarecrow Stroll
Viera/Suntree/Rockledge
Travel the town in search of the best and most creative scarecrow
Sunday, Oct. 19, 1- 5 p.m. Harvest Festival Holiday Inn Melbourne-Viera Conference Center & Viera Beach
Summer • Volume 1, Number 3
vieramd.com Bluewater Creative Group 7630 N. Wickham Rd. Suite 105 Viera, Fl 32940 321.242.1235
Editors Jill Gaines • Rae Botsford
Design Ryan Clapper • Siobahn Davis
Writers Amy Blalock • Rae Botsford • Mike Gaffey Katie Parsons • Maria Sonnenberg George White • Linda Wiggins © 2014 All rights reserved. Bluewater Creative Group Inc. bluewatercreativegroup.com
A sister publication to Viera Voice. All material contained in Viera MD print or electronic versions is strictly copyrighted and all rights are reserved. Duplication or reproduction of this magazine in whole or in part is prohibited without permission of Bluewater Creative Group, Inc. We cannot accept liability for omissions or typographical errors. Listings, feature articles or advertisements do not constitute an endorsement. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. Viera MD is a free publication and is available at many physician and business offices in Viera, Rockledge and Suntree.
Join us monthly… Learn. Live. Thrive. September 10 • 10:30 -11:30 a.m.
Dr. David Sims — board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon at
Wuesthoff and co-chair for the 2014 American Heart Association Brevard County Heart Walk
October 8 • 10:30 -11:30 a.m. speaker to be announced November 12 • 10:30 -11:30 a.m. speaker to be announced Heritage Isle, meeting room, 6800 Legacy Blvd., Viera Coffee provided by Edible Arts Catering. RSVP 321-242-1235 The EAC Cafe will be open for lunch purchase after the seminar.
Ace Hardware at Pineda
5970 North Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32940
(321) 253-3000
Viera MD Magazine
|7
BIG-HEARTED Chihuahua cheers patients in Viera By Katie Parsons
L
ocal Chihuahua Jamal Shaffer may be small in stature, but he is big in purpose.
As a registered therapy dog, Jamal travels around Brevard County with his owner, Dr. Beth Burns, bringing cheer and even some cuddles to area patients. “Jamal is not your average, yappy, nervous Chihuahua. He is very calm, mellow and sometimes has even fallen asleep in a patient’s lap,” Shaffer said. One of Jamal’s standing gigs is visiting patients at Health First Viera Hospital, mainly in
Photos by Keith Betterley Dr. Beth Burns, right, brings her registered pet therapy dog Jamal to lift the spirits of patient Faith Amore at Viera Hospital.
the evenings, on weekends and on holidays. Viera Hospital has a resident facility service and therapy dog, a Labrador/ golden retriever mix named Paco, who is on hand during normal business hours. Along with Paco’s owner, who is also the director of clinical operations at Health First Viera Hospital, Dianna Marks, Shaffer helped develop the Therapy Dog Program at Viera Hospital last year. “We probably visit with just as many associates, nurses and physicians as we do patients and their families,” Shaffer said. “It’s very therapeutic for everyone. It’s amazing how a tiny little dog can change the mood of a lonely patient or a busy nurses’ station.”
“It really does take a particular type of personality in a dog,” she said. She adopted Jamal from the Central Brevard Humane Society in the fall of 2012 and immediately knew that he would be up for the job. First and foremost, he loves to be held by anyone – even strangers. “I make everyone hold him, even the UPS guy,” Shaffer said. “Patients love Jamal because he can climb in bed with them.” Jamal has a monthly visitation schedule that includes Viera Hospital, Health First Holmes Regional Medical Center, Mila Elementary School and other local area assisted living facilities.
Unlike service dogs, who are usually responsible for helping with the daily activities of a single patient, therapy dogs provide comfort and relaxation to a variety of people in a variety of settings. Outside of medical facilities, therapy dogs can be found “reading” with students or comforting children in courtrooms.
“What many people and physicians don’t know is that you can request the services of a therapy dog,” said Shaffer. “You can actually have a doctor’s order to spend time with a therapy dog.”
Shaffer first started volunteering with her therapy dog Lucille Bald, a Chinese crested hairless, in 2005. When Lucille Bald passed away, Shaffer hoped she could find another dog to fill the void, but knew that not every dog is cut out for the particular work that therapy dogs undertake.
“This is very helpful with the Alzheimer’s patients as it acts as a visual cue to what they did that day,” said Shaffer. “It also has a link to his website which explains how others can get involved with Therapy Dog volunteering.”
Jamal is so good at his job that he even leaves a business card with contact information behind as a reminder of his visit.
For more information, go to therapydogjamal.com.n
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|9
Viera VA Clinic internist Dr. Linda Bortugno’s best medicine is a smile for veterans who will face a flood of memories of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attack this fall, or injuries stemming from the ongoing war in response to it. Photo by Linda Wiggins
VA clinic internist gives back to veterans with care By Mike Gaffey
D
r. Linda Bortugno’s commitment to serving veterans was forged by her father’s military experiences and the horrors of Sept. 11, 2001. “My dad was a World War II vet, a great guy,” said Bortugno, an internist at the Viera Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic. “He went to college on the GI Bill. He helped liberate prisoners from Dachau and would tell us stories about that. Even when he was 85, we’d cry when he told it. It was just something I felt that I needed to do for him.
pleased and have been pleased ever since.”
“And when I came here, my starting date was Sept. 11, 2000, and the next year as you know changed the nation and I felt after that time that I needed to give back to those people who were keeping us safe.”
Bortugno attributes the clinic’s performance to its many specialists and its wide array of care. “We include surgery, neurology, urology, orthopedics,” she said. “We have eye, dental, audiology. We have a well-developed mental health system with providers. We have a radiology lab, pharmacy, and the mental health people are embedded on each team as well as pharmacists. So we have a very good network of people supporting us to take care of these patients with their complicated problems.”
Nearly 14 years later, Bortugno is still honoring her commitment, treating ailing veterans at the clinic at 2900 Veterans Way. Part of the Orlando VA Medical Center umbrella, the clinic provides veterans with primary care as well as a broad range of specialty care, including dentistry, neurology and surgery. “This is a great place,” she said. “It really has all the things that you would want to take care of a patient in one place. It’s a beautiful setting. It’s a clean place. The people are nice.” After starting out in nursing school, Bortugno turned to medicine instead. “I decided that nursing wasn’t something I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” she said. “I liked medicine and liked the challenge of figuring out problems.” A 1983 graduate of Eastern Virginia Medical School, Bortugno did residency training at several clinics, including a VA clinic in Hampton, Va. She had her own private practice before coming to the Viera clinic. “The Viera VA under the Orlando systems was very unlike the VA that I experienced in Hampton, Virginia,” she said. “I really didn’t know what to expect going back to the VA, but I was very
10 | Viera MD Magazine
The VA has been severely criticized recently for long waits at some medical centers, but Viera clinic patients seem satisfied with wait times and treatment, Bortugno said. “They’ve let us know that we do a good job, that they don’t feel like we’re the way the rest of the VA is, that the Orlando system in Viera is not the usual VA,” she said. “We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from our patients. They’re very supportive of us.”
Viera also hosted a pilot program that paired physicians and nurses to care for patients and became so successful that it soon spread through the Orlando system, Bortugno said. “That allowed us to use a lot of talented people here who had good ideas, thinking outside the box on how to have patient-centered care, or care when the patient wants it,” she said. “So I think all of that adds to why we do a really good job.” Away from work, Bortugno enjoys spending time with her family and working out. “My family is sort of a hobby for me,” she said. “My kids are grown. They’re always there. I’m a big exercise person so I do that on my own, and I encourage my patients to do it.” n For more information on the Viera VA Outpatient Clinic, call 321-637-3788.
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Dr. Frederick Ho, owner of Atlantic Eye MD in Viera, relaxes with hobbies that include collecting saltwater fish, watercolor painting and reading.
Photos by Keith Betterley
12 | Viera MD Magazine
Dr. Frederick Ho:
True family man at heart By Linda Wiggins
B
aby-blue eyes that laugh and dance. Eyelashes so long and curly they touch the eyebrows. Creamy skin with pink-rose colored cheeks marked only with dimples and a smile that curves up at the ends in a perfect bow. Day in and day out, patients report the things they missed seeing that they didn’t even know they were missing before Dr. Frederick Ho operated on their eyes. A granddaughter’s tiny face responding to a smile. The sparkles that play out on the surface of the Indian River Lagoon. Road signs that allow for the resumption of driving one’s own car. “It’s very gratifying. You help restore their vision and they get to enjoy it for life,” said Dr. Ho, MD, FACS, owner of Atlantic Eye MD on Wickham Road in Viera, both a hospital where all manner of eye surgeries take place, and an adjacent ophthalmology clinic where patients are diagnosed and treated. Dr. Ho has performed multi-focal lens implants for close to a decade, likewise for toric lens implants for astigmatism, both life-altering procedures for the right candidates. Diabetic glaucoma, cross-eye muscle surgery in children, the everpopular cataract surgery for boomers and seniors — the list is long. Now as he closes in on three decades of practice on the Space Coast, Dr. Ho may perform surgery to unblock the tear duct of a newborn, great-great-great grandchild of one of his first patients on one day, and the next day, perform cataract surgery on a generation somewhere in between. “It’s so nice to see something you did 20 years ago still helping the patient,” Dr. Ho said. While the letters and the one-on-one thanks he receives from patients are uplifting, there is an even greater gratification he enjoys, that which comes from his wife, Laurie, and their four young daughters. “Life is all about them now. That is life’s greatest satisfaction,” said Dr. Ho, who once received gratification aboard the “flying eye hospitals” of the international nonprofit Project Orbis. Before he had a family of his own, he flew to his native China to help entire families of patients with their eye surgery needs, teaching other professionals like him to carry on the skills, thus “teaching a man to fish, rather than giving him a fish.” His time after work is spent helping his girls, a third-grader and twin fourth-graders at Freedom 7 Elementary School and a seventh-grader entering Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, with their homework. During the summer and on holidays, he and Laurie take the girls to experience the landmarks, cultures and magnificence of their native United States. “Like many people we know, we find great joy in opening their eyes to what they can accomplish in life,” Dr. Ho said, “whether that is studies, mastering musical instruments, or
Dr. Frederick Ho spends time with his wife, Laurie, and four daughters.
discovering, creating new frontiers. They are growing up happy, curious, healthy children.” Things the couple does not put on the back burner: their own interests, and each other. For him? Painting with watercolor pastels, tending his saltwater aquarium and its living inhabitants, reading — either on his “handy, pocket-size mini iPad” or, currently in hardback, a copy of “The Proud Tower” by Barbara W. Tuchman, a portrait of the world before World War I. For Laurie: tennis, sculpture, museums. For both? Once or twice a year they put the kids in summer camp, someplace fun and beneficial, while they travel to see the sights, try new restaurants, stay in love. “We don’t forget to take time for ourselves.” n For more information, call 321-757-7272 or go to DrHo.cc. Viera MD Magazine
| 13
Surgeons raising awareness, funds for upcoming Heart Walk Two doctors on staff at Wuesthoff Health Systems want Brevard County residents to get walking for healthier hearts. Dr. David Sims and Dr. Guillermo Sanabria, both boardcertified cardiothoracic surgeons, are co-chairmen for the 2014 American Heart Association Brevard County Heart Walk and have been spreading the word and organizing groups to raise funds for the September 13 event. It’s the first year the surgeons are co-chairing the event, which is expected to attract more than 1,000 walkers. Organizers have a goal to raise $110,000 to fight heart disease and stroke, the No. 1 and No. 4 leading killers, respectively, of men and women in the United States. Heart disease claims 1,700 lives a year in Brevard County alone, according to the AHA. “We are working together with Wuesthoff to raise awareness and build momentum for the 2013 Heart Walk,” Sanabria said. “We’ve both been in this community — Dr. Sims since 1998 and myself since 1992 — so we’re strong advocates of the hospital and the community, and we’re very involved in cardiac care.” Sims added, “This is a great cause and we want to do our part to get the community involved and help with fundraising.” The cause is one that’s near and dear to both doctors’ hearts. Sims completed his medical degree a New York Medical College and did his residency at Jackson Memorial at the University of Miami. 14 | Viera MD Magazine
Sanabria finished his medical degree and internship at the University of Miami. “I thought the heart was fascinating,” Sims said of his chosen specialty. “I was always interested in the more intricate and complex parts of the body and I narrowed it down to two things: either neurosurgery or cardiothoracic,” Sanabria said. “It’s a challenge, and I have no objection about what I do and the length of time and the things we go through because this is something I chose.” Not only does the walk raise money for research, education and programs, it can inspire people to take steps to adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle, the doctors said.
“Lifestyle modification is very important” Guillermo Sanabria
“Getting involved in an exercise program is always a crucial thing, not only for heart disease but endocrinological diseases such as diabetes mellitus.” Sanabria conceded that a healthier lifestyle “doesn’t mean you’re immune from a cardiac or a pulmonary problem, but at least you’re making a concerted effort.” More than a million walkers are expected to take part in nearly 350 events across the country. Walkers include corporate sponsors, walk teams, heart disease and stroke survivors and individual participants. Community response to the upcoming walk has been positive, the doctors say. “This community has a long history of always being very supportive of these causes, namely cardiac disease, and cancer,” Sanabria said. n
David Sims, MD Co-Chair 2014 American Heart Association Brevard County Heart Walk Guillermo Sanabria, MD Co-Chair 2014 American Heart Association Brevard County Heart Walk
The 2014 American Heart Association Brevard County Heart Walk starts at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13 at Space Coast Stadium, 5800 Stadium Parkway in Viera. Admission is free. Walkers who raise more than $100 in donations are eligible for a Heart Walk T-shirt.
+ The 2014 Brevard Heart Walk route will be three miles. + The 2013 Brevard Heart Walk raised about $95,000, event specialist Stephanie Dean said. This year’s goal is $110,000. + More than 1.2 million Americans suffer a coronary attack and 700,000 will have a stroke each year. + Nine out of 10 Americans consume too much sodium, which increases a person’s risk for high blood pressure and can lead to heart disease and stroke. The average American consumes 3,400 milligrams of
sodium a day. The recommended daily allowance of sodium is 1,500 milligrams or less. + The American Heart Association set a goal of improving, by the year 2020,the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent, while reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20 percent.
Viera MD Seminars “Ask the Doc” Wednesday, Sept. 10 • 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. First Viera MD seminar, speaker Dr. David Sims, board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon and co-chairmen for the 2014 American Heart Association Brevard County Heart Walk
Wednesday, Oct. 8 • 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Second Viera MD seminar, speaker TBA
Wednesday, Nov. 12 • 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Third Viera MD seminar, speaker TBA
Heritage Isle, meeting room, 6800 Legacy Blvd., Viera Coffee provided by Edible Arts Catering The EAC Cafe will be open for lunch purchase after the seminar
Please RSVP to 321-242-1235
Goto VieraVoice.com to see Viera MD Articles and Digital Editions
EASY VIEWING ON ANY DEVICE Bluewater Creative Group publishes: Viera Voice, Viera MD, Senior Life, Boomer Guide and the Charlie Corbeil Birding Guide Magazine 16 | Viera MD
Ketogenic diet is optimal, says Dr. Philip Blair By Maria Sonnenberg
F
at is where it’s at, says physician and retired U.S. Army colonel Dr. Philip Blair. The long-time fighter against chronic disease in 2011 founded Pro Health Advisor, a disease management company that helps patients surmount challenges that keep them from getting well. A former Army physician, Blair graduated from West Point and attended the University of Miami School of Medicine. He delivered primary care at far-flung locations that include Kodiak Island, the Middle East, Korea, Italy and Germany. According to Blair, the United States’ epidemic of chronic disorders can be attributed to the dismal diet most Americans consume. Today’s eating habits, with emphasis on convenience over nutritional value, are killing us, he says. Carbohydrates are often the main culprits. “Man was designed to live and thrive on fat,” the Indian River Colony Club resident said. “It gave him energy and kept him supplied during periods of noneating.” Blair is a huge fan of the ketogenic diet, a high-fat, low-carb diet that forces the body to burn fat instead of carbohydrates. The diet succeeds despite conventional wisdom that the best way to lose weight is to eat less fat. “With a ketogenic diet, the extra weight just drops off,” Blair said. Similar to the Atkins diet, the ketogenic diet aims to induce ketosis, the state in which the body, without enough glucose from carbs, switches to generating molecules called ketones, which can be used for energy throughout the body, including the brain. A 2013 study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition noted that in addition to weight loss, the ketogenic diet could possibly be beneficial for individuals with Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors. The diet has already been proven beneficial in the treatment of epilepsy. Although the diet can be extremely effective, it is not for the uninitiated. “You have to find your carb threshold, and everyone has a different threshold,” said Blair, who recommends patients read Why We Get Fat and Good Calories, Bad Calories, both by Gary Taubes, as a good introduction. Less than 50 to 60 daily grams of net carbs is considered ketogenic, but individuals with healthy metabolism may consume more carbs and still maintain ketosis levels, while older, sedentary folks may have to eat less than 30 grams to remain at the same level. The amount of protein consumed is also important, for as individuals remain on the diet, their bodies seem to convert protein into glucose and disrupt ketosis. diet fact
The United States’ epidemic of chronic disorders can be attributed to the dismal diet most Americans consume. Today’s eating habits, with emphasis on convenience over nutritional value, are killing us, he says. Carbohydrates are often the main culprits.
Because as much as 90 percent of the calories in a ketogenic diet is derived from fat, the types of fat consumed play a critical part in the diet’s success. There are good fats, and then there are fats that are not good for you at all.
Dr. Philip Blair. Photo by Darrell Woehler
“Your body was not designed for large amounts of unsaturated fats,” Blair said. However, coconut and olive oils are great, as is butter. “Butter from pastured animals is almost a miracle food,” Blair said. “Eat your veggies, too, and buy the best cuts of meat you can afford. “Eat whole, fresh foods, get away from the packaging and cut out the whites, the rice, the flour, the pasta and the sugar,” Blair said. Blair walks the walk — or, actually, eats the food — when it comes to the ketogenic diet. He fasts until 10 or 11 in the morning before preparing his version of Dave Asprey’s Bulletproof coffee (page 18), which consists of coffee, coconut oil, butter and cream blended together for 10 seconds in a Mason jar using an immersion blender (though a Cuisinart works just as well). “It’s the richest, smoothest coffee,” Blair said. At 1 p.m., the lunch menu may include poached eggs, bacon and butternut squash with a homemade Hollandaise sauce prepared with coconut oil mayo. Dinner includes a meat, veggie and salad with tomatoes, cucumbers and avocado. “We do whatever we can to buy meat from pastured, grassfed animals and we buy organic produce from the market at Rockledge Gardens or from the Brevard Farmers Market at Wickham Park,” he said. On the rare occasions he craves dessert, he might opt for a piece of brie or gouda or perhaps Blair’s own take on a cheese Danish, made with whole egg, cream cheese, butter and cream. “We mix it, but not too finely and pop in the microwave for a minute and then coat it with whipped cream,” he said. “It’s practically a meal in itself.” Except for blueberries, Blair has no use for fruits. “The fruits we have today are not the fruits of yesterday,” he said. “They’ve been engineered to be much too sweet.” Keeping to this diet helps his body operate at optimum level, said the physician. “You have more energy and you’re not craving for snacks,” he said. “Get rid of the fat phobia and realize fat is your friend.” n Dr. Blair’s Butter Coffee recipe page 18 Viera MD Magazine
| 17
Dr. Blair’s Butter Coffee Dave Asprey, founder of The Bulletproof Executive, came up with the original buttery Bulletproof Coffee recipe and developed hyper-pure coffee beans and a proprietary medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil to make it just right. For the average person, however, a more relaxed variant is just as good.
“Bulletproof coffee is absolutely toxin-free,” Dr. Philip Blair said about Asprey’s special beans. “He’s hyper-sensitive to some of those toxins, so that’s the purity of his product. There’s no reason why you can’t use your favorite coffee, and make it your own blend.” Blair also uses coconut oil instead of the specialized MCT, and for most of us, that will do the trick. “You’re going to get this incredibly smooth and delicious meal out of your coffee,” Blair said.
Start off with a teaspoon of coconut oil or MCT, and a tablespoon of butter, and build up to the recommended amounts (or to your personal taste) over time to give your body a chance to adjust. • Brew 1 cup (8 oz.) of coffee using filtered water, just off the boil, with 2 1/2 heaping tablespoons of freshly ground beans (French press is the easiest method). • Add in 1-2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil or MCT oil to the hot coffee. • Add 1-2 tablespoons unsalted butter, preferably a grass-fed variety like Kerrygold. • Optional: Add 2-4 tablespoons of cream or half-and-half) • Mix it all with an immersion blender for 20-30 seconds until it is frothy like a foamy latte. “It is important to use the blender,” Blair added. “You get a much smoother cup.”
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| 19
For some, gluten free is life or death, rather than choice By Amy Blalock
Some doctors estimate that nearly 83 percent of those with celiac disease remain undiagnosed. What is gluten? Simply put, it is the protein in many common grains, including wheat, rye, and barley. It’s the glue that holds your bread and pasta together. It is found in malt, most processed foods, and things as seemingly innocuous as soy sauce, bouillon and many spices. Gluten is linked to inflammation, so many people feel an improvement in their general health by avoiding it. Celiac disease demands hyper-vigilance. I read every food label before purchasing and monitor every bite I take and every food that I touch. Eating at other people’s houses requires a lot of effort and pre-planning, and eating out requires research. Most junk food is off limits. While living with celiac disease may be difficult, there are plenty of reasons to be thankful. It is treated with diet instead of daily medication. Medical science is making strides in finding a cure. The food industry is catching up to demand for gluten-free items, making living in the world that celebrates with cookies and cakes easier for those who otherwise could not participate.
Amy Blalock makes fresh foods free of gluten. Photo by Tommy Blalock
F
or some consumers, eating without gluten is a choice or a weight-loss fad. For me, and for the estimated one in 133 Americans with celiac disease, being gluten free is a life-or-death issue. “Are you gluten-free by choice or by allergy?” asked the waiter in a tone that seemed to humor me. I lied and answered, “By allergy,” but my heart screamed the answer, “Because I want to live!” For celiacs (those of us with celiac disease), going to a restaurant means calculating just how much of a science lesson you are willing to give your server. I lie and claim to have an allergy because that is something people understand. In fact, I have an auto-immune disease. There are three basic levels of gluten intolerance: basic sensitivity, gluten or wheat allergies, and celiac disease. In an allergic reaction, the body attacks something it should ignore. Allergies range from mild to severe, even deadly. Generally speaking, an allergic reaction can be treated with drugs. In an auto-immune disorder the body attacks itself, which can, in some patients, cause permanent damage. For celiacs, long-term exposure to gluten is debilitating, damaging the small intestine, causing chronic pain and fatigue, malnutrition, anemia, osteoporosis and even intestinal cancer. The only treatment for celiac disease is total avoidance of gluten. Even a microscopic amount sets off a reaction. Symptoms of gluten intolerance can include changes in weight, abdominal bloating, joint pain, itchy skin, depression, chronic fatigue, headaches, stomach pains, gas or diarrhea. If you suspect that you may be gluten intolerant, contact your primary care physician or gastroenterologist for testing and follow-up.
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All in all, my diet consists of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and lean meats — the building blocks of a healthy body. In a way, my disease forces me to become the healthiest possible version of myself, and that is not so bad.
What can you do for the celiac in your life?
B
eware of cross-contamination. Take the issue seriously. A little bit of gluten, while unseen, can debilitate them for days. Do not point out if they are very thin. We know it, thanks. (I cannot eat cake, for Pete’s sake!) Openly discuss food options before hosting them. They may feel more comfortable bringing their own food to your house due to the possibility of cross-contamination from a kitchen that contains gluten, or they may be willing to help walk you through preparing some gluten-free items. In any case, please do not take offense. Also, due to the stress and damage caused by the continual auto-immune response, many celiacs have a list of other foods that they can or should not eat, like dairy products. They may not want to burden you with the list, and they may feel obligated to eat whatever you go out of your way to procure or prepare. If you are serving glutenous and non-glutenous items, please use multiple serving spoons and separate the items because crumbs
Closer to a cure? A pill for people with celiac disease is on the horizon. A recent study published in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), has shown that an enzyme called ALV003 is effective at preventing “gluten-induced injury to the small intestine” when taken orally every day. It’s not likely to replace a gluten-free diet, only to supplement it, but it makes the terror of a nearby breadbasket a thing of the past. Though the treatment is not a cure, if the pill makes it to market it will be a significant step toward a better quality of life.
travel. Let celiacs go first in a buffet so they can avoid crosscontamination and not have to fear that the limited gluten-free items will already be taken. Please do not pass a bread basket. Nothing is more terrifying than a crumby cloud of gluten floating over your plate, not to mention the terror of touching it and then eating your own carefully protected food. Please never assume that a food is gluten-free. Gluten is a food ninja that silently sneaks in where you least expect. Fresh fruits and vegetables are always your best bet for safe food. n
Celiac symptoms are many “ ‘Non-celiac gluten sensitivity’ is what we call it for people who don’t actually have celiac, don’t actually have an allergy, but they seem to feel better off gluten,” said Mary-Margaret Richter, ARNP at Rex L. Gomez, MD. “When our patients go on a glutenfree diet, they do go in remission, so it’s not usually permanent. It’s something that can be reversed over time of not eating the wheat. We see that on biopsies. That’s how we can Mary-Margaret Richter tell if a patient is compliant with the diet; we go in and do a small-bowel biopsy. If it’s negative for celiac in a patient that we know has celiac, then we know they’re being compliant with their diet,” Richter said.
You can eat cake! Easy Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake This makes a dense, spongy cake that’s sure to please everyone. Guests don’t even need to know it’s gluten free. Bonus: make it vegan with some simple substitutions. Makes two 9-inch rounds. Ingredients: 1.5 c. of sugar 1.75 c. gluten-free flour blend (make sure it is a bake-ready blend with a binding agent; “Namaste” brand works well) 3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder 1.5 tsp baking powder 1.5 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 2 eggs (or substitute 1/2 c. canned pumpkin plus a pinch of baking powder) 1 c. milk or milk substitute (I use unsweetened almond milk) 1/2 c. very light olive oil 2 tsp vanilla extract (make sure the label promises gluten free) 1 c. boiling water (added at the end)
“[Celiac] actually affects the villi in the small intestines, so when we do the biopsies they look a certain way. They’re flattened. Your small intestine is where you absorb most of your nutrients, so when the villi are affected, it does cause issues with that,” Richter said.
Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour the cake pans. If you can eat dairy, you can use butter. Otherwise, use a little olive oil and gluten-free flour.
“There’s about 300 symptoms of celiac. It would be difficult to limit it. People tend to think of diarrhea and all those things, but a lot of times we just get people with chronic anemia that have no symptoms,” said Richter.
2. In a large bowl, first stir together the dry ingredients: sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Then add the eggs (or egg substitute), milk (of any type), oil and vanilla. Mix well with a speed mixer. Stir in the boiling water last, and then pour evenly into the prepared pans. Don’t worry, the batter should be thin.
For more information on living gluten free, go to Celiac.org or CeliacCentral.org. Restaurants that are gluten-free friendly
Locally owned: The Bald Strawberry, Melbourne Café Unique, Cocoa Village Garden of Eden Health Cafe, Cocoa Village Pizza Gallery and Grill, Viera So Good Cafe, Cocoa Village ThaiThai, Cocoa Village
Corporate: B.J.’s Brewery Chik-Fil-A Chili’s Maggiano’s Melting Pot UNO Pizzeria & Grill Olive Garden P.F. Chang’s
For more, download a free app called Find Me Gluten Free.
3. Bake 30-35 min. Test the middle to make sure it’s done. Sometimes it’s hard to tell when gluten-free baked goods are done, and this is a very moist cake. Test with a toothpick and make sure the cake is starting to separate from the sides. If you’re not sure, give it a few extra minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. The cake will fall a bit. 4. Optional: Once the cake is cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar and garnish with mint or fruit. If you can tolerate a little bit of dairy, sprinkling it with white chocolate chips in the last 10 minutes of baking is really good, especially if you use less sugar in the cake. It makes it sort of like an Oreo cake. Or, put less sugar in the cake and add buttercream frosting between the layers...that really makes it taste like an Oreo. You can also add some nuts, like chopped walnuts or pecans to the top for the last 10 minutes of baking. n Viera MD Magazine
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Dr. Paul G. Rousseau walks patient Mackenzie Trapp through a vision therapy exercise.
Vision Therapy looks at treatment in a whole new light By Katie Parsons
V
ision therapy optometrist Paul G. Rousseau says that part of his job is overcoming vision misconceptions and helping families understand why vision therapy can be so beneficial. “You can have 20/20 vision, but still have vision problems,” said Rousseau, MS, OD, FCOVD. “There are other things going on with the eye that can really disrupt the rest of your life if it goes untreated.” He should know. For years Dr. Rousseau struggled with undiagnosed vision problems that disrupted his learning and made it difficult to read and comprehend like he should. As a matter of preservation, he had come up with ways to work around the problem but it still took him longer to achieve goals, academic and otherwise. “I was told I wasn’t working to my potential. And I guess I wasn’t,” Dr. Rousseau said. As a first-year optometry student, he was asked to participate in a diagnostic session used for vision therapy as a learning exercise. The results of that experiment changed his outlook – and his life. “I found out I had some vision issues that could be corrected with the right exercises. I graduated at the top of my class,” he said. “You don’t realize how much these vision problems impact you until you’ve treated them.” It’s that life-changing experience that Dr. Rousseau wants to share with patients who visit Lifetime Eye Care in Viera. Only about 10 percent of his patients are adults; the rest are children who are often mistaken for having learning disabilities or even behavior issues based on their vision problems. Through guided physical therapy activities, Rousseau helps his patients improve their vision difficulties and the other areas of their life impacted by the vision problems.
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| Viera MD Magazine
Titusville mom Heather Trapp started taking her 10-year-old daughter Mackenzie to see Dr. Rousseau nine months ago. The family’s regular optometrist suggested a visit to Lifetime Eye Care when she recognized an eye problem that involved the eye itself, and the muscle that works with it. “I had never even heard of vision therapy but I trusted that my optometrist knew what she was talking about and we decided to give it a try,” Trapp said. Trapp says that she was initially confused by the treatments, which included things like skipping, doing jumping jacks to rhythm and balancing on one foot. But as Mackenzie’s vision improved, and so did her attitude, Trapp was converted. “I can’t even begin to tell you how this process has changed her and it is so much more than her eyes working better,” Trapp said. “Her vision is back in a normal range now, too.” Both Rousseau and Trapp point out that vision therapy is not a “quick fix.” For it to work, it takes commitment from the patient and includes a time investment. For Trapp, it has meant an extra 15 or 20 minutes each evening dedicated to vision therapy exercises with her daughter, as well as weekly trips from Titusville to Viera to meet with Dr. Rousseau. Those trips will become less frequent since Mackenzie’s vision is back in a normal range, but she will still need follow-up visits for many years to come. “There are glasses that can correct these issues, but to me that seemed just like a Band-Aid. To really fix this, we wanted to get to the root of the problem and that has been more of an upfront investment of time,” Trapp said. “But well worth it.” n For more information, go to visiontherapy.org. Photo by Darrell Woehler
You can’t take chances when it comes to your heart. So choose the hospital that brings you comprehensive cardiac care that includes the county’s only nationally accredited Chest Pain Center*. At Wuesthoff Medical Center-Rockledge, we have experienced cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons skilled in both open heart and minimally invasive procedures. And our cardiac suite brings together imaging, interventional and surgical services to save precious time for patients with heart attack symptoms. We put our hearts into caring for yours. Find out more at Wuesthoff.com.
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Dr. Sands and Dr. Perry have a special skill in common By Rae Botsford “My patients can bend over, ties their shoes, they can cross their legs — so they really can participate in more of the regular activities of daily life,” Sands said. Despite all its benefits, the direct anterior approach is still not predominant because of the learning curve, according to Sands. Ultimately, the skill of the surgeon matters more for patients than the specific technique. “When you’re picking a doctor, you want him to do the procedure that he does best,” Sands said. Still, Perry and Sands agree the demand for the procedure is rising. “The patients do well and get better quickly,” Perry said. “It will last a long time, and they shouldn’t have a limp, and it should have less chance of dislocating because I’m putting everything in the right position, the way their body was made.” Sands performed his first direct anterior hip replacement when he was in the U.S. Army, and chose it as his primary approach after moving to Florida. Originally, he intended to be a pediatrician, but during his sojourn at medical school his interests changed.
Dr. Kenneth Sands and Dr. John Perry give patients back their mobility through orthopedic surgery. Photo by Keith Betterley
I
magine being told you may not cross your legs for at least the next six weeks, and that bending over to tie your shoes is also a bad idea. Patients of most total hip replacements get instructions like these. Only one hip replacement procedure comes with no restrictions, and it’s called direct anterior hip replacement. “The approach was performed in Europe for eons,” said Dr. Kenneth Sands, a Health First orthopedic specialist in Viera and one of two surgeons in Brevard County who perform the technique. “It really became popular in the United States probably during the 1990s.” The direct anterior approach allows surgeons to enter between the muscles and use x-ray guidance to improve implant placement. Traditional approaches to total hip replacement include posterior (through the back of the hip) and lateral (through the side), as well as anterolateral, which involve cutting muscle and which have various risks for pain, limping, and dislocating the hip. Postsurgery restrictions help decrease the risk of problems, especially dislocation. “They have to re-teach themselves how to sit, they cannot cross their legs in the future, and they should be very very cautious about bending over,” said Dr. John Perry, also a Health First orthopedic surgeon and the only other physician in the county who performs the direct anterior procedure. According to Sands, doctor’s orders vary from surgeon to surgeon — 6 weeks, 12 weeks, or the rest of a patient’s life. Because the direct anterior approach does not involve cutting through muscle, the recovery time is faster and the usual restrictions are not necessary.
24 | Viera MD Magazine
“Orthopedics was mainly because it’s a helpful practice. Most people come to you injured, and usually within a short period of time you make them better. So for the most part it’s a very happy profession,” Sands said. He particularly loves total joint surgery. “People are basically debilitated and then you do an operation, and you actually, for the most part, give them back their lives. So it’s very gratifying,” he said. Outside of work he spends time with his wife and his two children, ages 16 and 11. They try to go skiing every year as a family, and he also likes to go scuba-diving with his wife and play golf when he can. Like Sands, orthopedics was not Perry’s original plan. Growing up with a diabetic brother was the reason for his interest in medicine. “You grow up in that environment of chronic illness and you get exposed to the medical field continuously. I originally thought I’d be a diabetologist or an endocrinologist and work on diabetes, but I liked orthopedics better,” Perry said. His academic fondness for anatomy was part of that. “It’s also very fun to have a problem that you can fix that really helps someone, that makes them really feel good,” he said. “I enjoy seeing patients enjoy their life and get their freedom back.” He began doing the anterior approach in 2006, when he was living in the skiing-centric Mammoth Mountain area in California and taking care of a very athletic crowd. He and his family moved to Brevard about four years ago, which is definitely different, but he’s happy. “It’s a wonderful place to raise my kids. I love all the technology and the Space Coast, and it brings in so many wonderful professionals and lots of good schools. There are opportunities here in Brevard County my children and family never had in California,” he said. “I’m very blessed to have a community like Brevard where my kids and wife are so happy.” For more information, call 855-347-7113. n
New medical professional loves Viera’s ‘family-oriented appeal’
The expanded Deuk Spine Institute’s new business development manager, John Stewart, plans to bring medical tourism to Brevard with the Deuk Lazar Disc procedure and Five Star concierge service for treatment and recovery in a spa setting. Photo by Linda Wiggins
By Linda Wiggins
W
ith the expanded new location of Deuk Spine Institute and Brevard Heart Institute, which held their official grand opening April 16, comes a new professional to Viera: business development manager John Stewart. The new building at 7955 Spyglass Hill Rd. is also home to the Surgery Center of Viera on the east side of the 20,000-squarefoot building, and all businesses work together to serve patients. “This is an exciting concept that does not take place anywhere else in the world,” said Stewart, who relocated with his family from the Tampa area. Patients are diagnosed and treated with surgery and then recuperate on site. The patented Deuk Lazar Disc repair has attracted patients who travel from other parts of the country and globe to recover in a spa setting. “We first want to focus on taking care of patients in the Viera, Melbourne and Brevard area,” Stewart said. “Then, we want to focus on Florida, the United States and then internationally to develop medical tourism where people come here for Five Star concierge service for surgery and recovery with their family and have a vacation while they are here.” The center has a growing reputation for receiving patients with restricted mobility and having them walk out of the facility ready to get back to life. The procedure patented by business founder
Keep the Loved Ones Dear To You Near To You!
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian attracted Stewart to the fold. “Dr. Deuk is young, well established in his field, he’s on the leading edge of technology, putting on education webinars and peer reviews, and with his treatments, he’s only going to advance the field all the more in the future.” Stewart and his wife, Taralynn, have four daughters, the oldest an athletic standout enrolled in seventh grade at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Suntree, a four-year-old in VPK at Viera Children’s Adacemy and babies ages 1 and 2. The move met personal family goals as well as professional ones, he said. “Viera has a great family-oriented appeal,” said Stewart, a volunteer youth basketball coach, “no traffic, and everyone I’ve met has been wonderful and welcomed me with open arms.” For more information about Deuk Spine Institute, call 321-751-3389 or go to deukspine.com. n
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Chris Edwards, DDS & Julia Bunker, DDS Board Certified in Integrative Biologic Dental Medicine Dr. Chris Edwards earned a B.S. with honors at Temple University and did a general practice Residency at the Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Dr. Julia Bunker obtained her Medical/ Dental degree in Stomatology in Bashkiria, Russia, and practiced there before moving to the United States, where she obtained her American DDS with honors at NYU.
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Dr. Lindy Tolleson received her Doctor of Chiropractic, as well as a BS in Human Biology, at the Logan College of Chiropractic in Chesterfield, Missouri. She has been practicing for six years, has a focus on alternative therapies and is certified in acupuncture. Previously she graduated from the Austin School of Massage Therapy and was a practicing massage therapist in Texas. 3682 N. Wickham Rd. Melbourne, FL 32935 321.253.3273 mymelbournechiropractor.com
Rohit Parihar, M.D. Board Certified Ophthalmologist Dr. Parihar earned his medical degree at Saint Louis University School of Medicine where he went on to complete an ophthalmology residency after an internship at Saint John’s Mercy Medical Center in Saint Louis, Missouri. His focus is General Ophthalmology and Cataract Surgery. Dr. Parihar is accepting patients in Florida Eye Associates’ Melbourne and Palm Bay locations. 502 E New Haven Ave. 161 Malabar Road Melbourne, FL 32901 Palm Bay, FL 32907 321.727.2020 FloridaEyeAssociates.com
26 | Viera MD Magazine
Dr. Gray has over 35 years of clinical experience. He was staff chiropractor at a convalescent home and worked in a hospital setting in the physical medicine and rehab dept., while also operating his own private practice. He is known for his advanced techniques like the treatment for sacroiliac joint dysfunction syndrome, head and neck pain, shoulder impingements and low back pain. Patients range from newborns to age 90+. 130 Interlachen Road, Suite D Melbourne, FL 32940 321.622.6778 suntreechiropractic.com
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calendar September n Sept.
1 – YMCA swim lessons start up.
n Sept.
10 – First Viera MD seminar, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Speaker Dr. David Sims, board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon at Wuesthoff and co-chairmen for the 2014 American Heart Association Brevard County Heart Walk. Heritage Isle meeting room, 6800 Legacy Blvd., Viera. Coffee provided by Edible Arts Catering. The EAC Cafe will be open for lunch purchase after the seminar.
n Sept.
13 – Brevard Heart Walk at Space Coast Stadium, Viera sponsored by the American Heart Association.
Upcoming Swimming, Biking & Running Events Near You! n Sept.
21 – The Missing Peace 5K, 7:30 a.m., Viera High School, information at secure.runningzone.com/ missingpeace5k or email jnixon@cfdfl.com.
n Sept.
27 – Caracara 5K/1 mile, 7:30 a.m., Viera Wetlands, information at undergroundrunners.com.
n Sept.
13 – National Celiac Disease Awareness Day – find out about the gluten-free diet and try a celiac-friendly cake recipe, page 21.
n Sept.
20 – Health First Golf Classic to benefit Health First Aging Services, call 321-434-7353.
n Sept.
27 – Space Coast Cancer Foundation’s 8th annual Daffodil Gala to benefit Brevard County cancer patients.
n Sept.
29 – World Heart Day – enjoy our cover story and some heart-healthy recipes
OCTOBER n Oct.
8 – Second Viera MD seminar, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Speaker TBA. Heritage Isle meeting room, 6800 Legacy Blvd., Viera Coffee provided by Edible Arts Catering. The EAC Cafe will be open for lunch purchase after the seminar.
NOVEMBER n Nov.
1 – Movember begins. Shave today.
n Nov.
12 – Third Viera MD seminar, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Speaker TBA. Heritage Isle meeting room, 6800 Legacy Blvd., Viera Coffee provided by Edible Arts Catering. The EAC Cafe will be open for lunch purchase after the seminar.
Prepare for Movember The Movember Foundation sponsors a global mustache-growing event every November to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues. Guys who want to participate: sign up online, shave your face on Nov. 1, and grow that Mo for the rest of the month. When people ask you about it (you know they will), explain the cause and tell them where to donate to help men’s health programs. Sign up to start your ‘stache at movember.com/us/register
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