Health & Wellness 85

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June 2019 | 1

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HEALTH & WELLNESS JOURNAL

BIOTECH | BUSINESS | CAREER | EDUCATION | HEALTHY LIFESTYLES | MEDICAL | MENTAL HEALTH | POLICY | RESEARCH | SPORTS MEDICINE

June 2019

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Inspire, Inform & Educate

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85th Edition

Viola Davis Reveals Diabetes Diagnosis and Campaign to Raise Awareness

04

INSIDE

02 Prostate Screening Is a Must

07 5 Tips for Practicing Self Care Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

06 Tips for eating healthier this summer

2 | June 2019 HEALTH

PROSTATE screening IS A MUST

By Ricki Fairley NNPA Newswire Contributor

M

y friend Alan ended his four-year battle with prostate cancer, and I started my war to engage Black men and make them know the importance of prostate cancer screening. Though Alan and I have been friends for 30 years, when he got cancer, we formed an even more special bond. As a Stage 3A Survivor of Triple Negative Breast Cancer, I know my purpose is to talk about breast health. I am now adding prostate screenings to my stump speech.

At age 55, Alan had a prostate cancer screening test, the PSA. It was normal. Two years later, it had inched up to the top of the normal range. Although, he was getting annual physicals, his Caucasian, very well-regarded internist in their very affluent suburban town told him that PSA testing was not reliable (this is not true!), and he didn’t recommend them.

Life went on, a very good life, full of love, laughter, dancing, a blossoming family. Alan led an exceptionally physically fit lifestyle. He had been a disciplined runner since he was in his 30’s and engaged in other types of fitness activities such as lifting weights and tennis.

Following his 70th birthday celebration, he had a visit from his brother-in-law who was being treated for prostate

cancer. When brought to Alan’s attention, he realized that he was having some symptoms (changes in urination).

Alan’s wife, Yvonne, then insisted he bypass his internist, and they went to a local urologist who told him his PSA was 149.9, shockingly high. Because of the high number, he sought the best care possible and ended up with the Chief of Urology for a major NY hospital. His PSA just 3 weeks later registered at 180. Stage 3B prostate cancer was the diagnosis, which began a path of treatment. He started with Lupron, 10 weeks of radiation, 5 days a week, driving from his home in Ridgewood to Manhattan and then to his office in Morristown, NJ, to work all day as a Chief Investment Officer, a grueling daily regime.

His PSA went down for a short time and then began to increase. Despite intense chemotherapy, immunotherapy, including participation in 2 clinical trials, the aggressive cancer spread throughout his body. Despite the pain and anguish of debilitating cancer, Alan lived his life to the fullest, welcoming a new grandbaby 9 weeks before he passed and signing his favorite song, “My Way” from his hospice bed.

According to the American Cancer Society, Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind lung cancer. African-American

men are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer and twice as likely to die from it.

Research indicates that prostate cancer is not an equal opportunity disease. Black men in the U.S. have substantially higher prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates than the general population. They are also more likely to be diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease—which is typically treated with surgery and radiation therapy.

Yet, black men are less likely than white patients to seek treatment, and when they do, their doctors are more likely to recommend a watch-and-wait approach over surgery or radiation therapy. When diagnosed early, prostate cancer is treatable!

And note that the disparity in health care happens at all socioeconomic levels. Alan had good health insurance and doctors with good reputations.

Was Alan’s struggle with prostate necessary? Could this have been prevented had he been screened more frequently?

Would there have been a different outcome if he had been going to an African American physician?

We know Alan would have taken different actions if he had been made aware of the high incidence of prostate cancer among Black men and the benefits of PSA screening.

African American men do and should have different screening recommendations where screening begins at age 40, rather than age 55 for a white man without a family history of the disease. Heed this warning. Don’t let distrust of the healthcare system or a Caucasian doctor that doesn’t make prostate cancer screening s priority stand in your way. Get screened regularly and live your life to the fullest!

Source: NNPA

HEALTH

HEALTH TIPS: Treat your hair and scalp with care he changing seasons, environmental factors, overuse of harmful products and ingrained grooming habits can damage your hair. Getting the strong, shiny hair you want can be as easy as following a few simple tips for hair and scalp health.

nourishment that washing alone may remove.

A pea-sized drop of this product will nourish your hair, and it can be used as a pre-shampoo treatment, intensive hydrating treatment or leave-in finishing treatment. The oil's ingredients include Abyssinian oil (selected for its rejuvenating properties), antioxidants, betacarotene and omega-3 fatty acids to balance and benefit the hair.

1. Wash in lukewarm water.

4. Don't over-wash.

Washing your hair in overly hot water can strip too much of the hair and scalp's natural oils and moisture, and leave your hair looking and feeling dehydrated.

Using lukewarm or even cool water while you shampoo and rinse helps protect your hair and scalp.

Depending on your lifestyle, hair type and personal styling needs, giving your hair a rest from daily washing can help further protect your hair from damage. Try a good quality dry shampoo to maintain hair's natural bounce and beauty.

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2. Dry with warm or cool air.

5. Use naturally based products.

Blow drying daily using the hottest air setting can damage hair over time, causing frizz and split ends. First, air dry for a while or gently towel dry the hair then choose the warm or even cool setting when drying. You can also get a diffuser attachment to use on the hair dryer to help reduce damage while styling.

Avoid potentially harmful ingredients such as parabens, polyethylene glycol, petrolatum, mineral oil, paraffin wax, plastic microbeads, formaldehyde releasers, and harmful colors or fragrances. Monat offers dermatologist-tested, naturally based shampoos and conditioners that do not contain these harmful ingredients.

Treating your hair with the same gentle care you give to your skin will show visible results. It will also maximize your hair cut and style giving you the strongest and most vibrant locks you've ever had.

3. Treat hair before washing.

To help replenish moisture and give your hair a healthy boost, use a pre-shampoo treatment such as Monat's Rejuveniqe Oil Intensive to provide Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

Source: BPT

June 2019  |  3

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4 | June 2019 HEALTH

Viola Davis

TH E S O U N D O F A S M O K E A L A R M I N A H O M E F I R E

Reveals Diabetes Diagnosis and Campaign to Raise Awareness

TH E S O U N D W ITH O UT O N E

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Contributor

A

cademy Award winner Viola Davis has opened up about her prediabetes diagnosis, sharing that she comes from a family with a history of type 2 diabetes.

“I’m one of 84 million American adults living with prediabetes and I’m sharing my story for the first time in an effort to inspire others to take action against the type 2 diabetes epidemic,” Davis said in a statement after narrating “A Touch of Sugar,” a new documentary about type 2 diabetes epidemic in America.

Davis received her diagnosis despite having experienced no symptoms, she said.

“None whatsoever. I felt totally healthy and able … I went in for a hormone test, and my doctor took an A1C test,” Davis said of the blood test that takes the average of your blood sugar levels for the past two to three months and is used to diagnose type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose (also called blood sugar) is too high, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Blood glucose is the body’s main source of energy. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose get into your cells to be used for energy.

In type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. Too much glucose then stays in your blood, and not enough reaches your cells.

Over time, too much glucose in your blood can cause health problems, such as heart disease, nerve damage, eye problems, and kidney disease.

Among the most recent reports, a study published by MedScape revealed that 13.3 percent of all African Americans have diabetes and blacks are 1.8 times as likely to have diabetes compared to non-Hispanic whites.

Davis, who has won an Academy Award, an Emmy and a Tony, said she hopes her new documentary will shed light on the stigma around the diabetes and also help others be more productive about their health.

“My sisters are both struggling with type 2 diabetes and my aunt also died from complications of the disease,” Davis said.

“Growing up, we just said they had ‘the sugar’ which didn’t sound that concerning. But, when you look at the facts, there’s nothing harmless about diabetes – it’s a chronic disease that needs to be taken seriously if we’re going to get it under control,” she said.

Davis joined forces with the pharmaceutical company Merck to narrate “A Touch of Sugar,” which also depicts how the disease affects all communities.

The film reportedly is part of a larger initiative led by Merck called “America’s Diabetes Challenge: Get to Your Goals.”

“A Touch of Sugar” debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York last month.

“There are 30 million Americans with type 2 diabetes and 84 million with prediabetes. There are 324 million people in this country, so that's half the population right there,” Davis said.

“I think this documentary is really wonderful because it's confronting the stigma around diabetes, and it’s giving a voice to something that has been voiceless for way too long and that’s why the numbers are too high,” she said.

Source: NNPA

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June 2019  |  5

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6  |  June 2019 HEALTH

Power Packed Almond Maple Granola

Recipe created by Ashley and Andy to help you fuel your everyday.

For additional tips and recipes visit the Almond Board of California website.

INGREDIENTS

PREPARATION Preheat oven to 350 F and line a rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper. Combine butter, maple syrup and honey in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until butter is melted, but not boiling. Remove from heat. Combine the remaining ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Pour in the butter mixture, and stir to combine. Spread onto the prepared cookie sheet, bake for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring after 7 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool. Enjoy as a snack or with yogurt and fresh fruit.

Store in an airtight container.

3 tablespoons unsalted butter 3/4 cup maple syrup 2 tablespoons honey 2 cups oats 1/2 cup slivered almonds 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots 1/4 cup roasted and salted sunflower kernels 1/4 cup roasted and salted pumpkin seeds

Source: BPT

HEALTH

Tips for eating healthier this summer Shop organic

By d-mars.com News Provider

S

ummer is possibly the easiest time to stick to a healthier lifestyle. It's warm outside so we're more likely to be active, plus there's plenty of good, fresh produce available. With the recent focus on organic ingredients and the farm-to-table approach, home cooks and anyone interested in a healthier lifestyle are looking for ways to boost their health through better food choices.

Fortunately, there are more ways than ever to eat healthier.

Grow your own vegetables, fruits or herbs Summer is a great time to get into gardening. Even if you don't have much of a yard or a lot of time, you can grow just one vegetable, or even herbs like basil or oregano, in a planter, indoors or out. Some neighborhoods even have communal garden spaces available. Plenty of fruits and vegetables are not that difficult to grow, depending on where you live, from berries and melons to lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and beans. Whatever you decide to grow, you'll feel good knowing exactly where your food came from.

Use farmer's markets and communitysupported agriculture

You can support your local, organic farmers by shopping at farmer's markets or signing up for communitysupported agriculture (CSA) in your area. The benefit to you is that the quality of the produce will be high, and you'll have access to all kinds of fresh, organic ingredients for your cooking.

Buy your cooking ingredients from companies certified as organic by the leading third-party organic certifier, Quality Assurance International (QAI). For example, Simply Organic offers a wide variety of delicious organic spices, seasonings, sauces, cooking mixes and packets for making marinades and dips that are all certified organic products.

Cook healthier

When you're preparing meals, using fresh, organic ingredients means that you're providing the best quality, healthful food for yourself and your family. Cooking food with plenty of nutritional content, like high-quality proteins, fresh vegetables, fruit and legumes, along with organic spices and flavorings, will ensure that every meal you make contributes to the overall health of your family.

Look for recipes that are not only delicious, but that use lots of nutrition-packed ingredients.

Try making these Spicy Guacamole Stuffed Potato Skins for your next party.

1/2 tspn Simply Organic Black Pepper Medium Grind Simply Organic Spicy Guacamole Mix Sauce 4.0 fl. oz.

8 medium-sized yellow potatoes 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon salt 2 ripe avocados 1/2 cup quartered grape tomatoes 1/2 cup sour cream 1/4 cup green onions, sliced 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Wash potatoes to remove dirt from skins. Cut potatoes in half. Using a melon baller or small cookie scoop, remove center flesh from potatoes.

Place potato halves on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and rub oil over flesh and skin of each one. Sprinkle with salt, coating the flesh and skins. Sprinkle on pepper.

Bake, flesh-side down, for 30 minutes or until potatoes are soft when pierced with a fork.

In a medium bowl, mash avocados. Add guacamole mix sauce and stir to combine.

Let potatoes cool for 5 minutes, then fill each skin with guacamole (about 1 teaspoon per potato). Top with tomatoes, sour cream, green onions and cilantro (if desired). Serve warm. Makes 16 servings.

Whether by growing some of your own food or becoming more selective about the sources of your food, everything you cook and eat will be more nutritious. By putting extra thought into the quality of ingredients you use in your cooking, you can ensure that you and your family will be eating healthier not just this summer, but throughout the year.

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Source: BPT

June 2019  |  7 HEALTH

5 tips for practicing self-care By d-mars.com News Provider

E

ver feel like the days just get away from you, and you don't have time to do all the things you need to do, much less want to do? Often wish you could just spend your evenings or weekends on your own personal goals, practicing some self-care or just relaxing? There are many ways you can take more control of your time and take better care of yourself. Sometimes it's a question of prioritizing what you want to do - and outsourcing the rest.

Simplify meal prep and cooking.

Unless cooking is enjoyable and relaxing for you, chances are you get home from work stressed and hungry - and tired of takeout. Fortunately, there are dozens of options for letting yourself off the hook when it comes to cooking from scratch without sacrificing good, healthy meals. Today many different plans exist for ordering pre-packaged ingredients and recipes in a manageable form for you to prepare at home, with minimum fuss. Not only are they delicious, but you can find services that cater to particular health plans or your specific dietary needs.

Get help with pet care.

Unless you have kids old enough to take care of Fido, or you enjoy taking him for his walks, it's easy to find pet care services, or even a reliable neighborhood teenager, to help walk the dog or check on the cat, particularly if you work long hours or travel for work. Doggy day care services, boarding, and grooming experts also help lift some of the burden of caring for your furry friends.

Outsource house cleaning.

While we all wish we had beautifully organized, clean homes, it's almost impossible to do everything we'd like to keep our houses in great shape. Merry Maids offers a variety of cleaning services that allow you to choose which tasks or rooms you most need help with. Merry Maids home cleaning services are available weekly, every other week, monthly or one-time, so you can pick the service that best suits your lifestyle. On every visit, the team from your local Merry Maids franchise dusts, vacuums, washes and sanitizes each room. Imagine the hours of reclaimed time and peace of mind you'll have, knowing you're coming home to a beautifully clean home every night.

Prioritize health and exercise.

You try your best to exercise, so why not give yourself the most help you can to meet your wellness goals, and also a reward when you achieve them? Hiring a personal trainer or signing up for a class that you know will inspire you to keep up your fitness level is an investment in yourself that will pay dividends in your future, and make you feel great right now. Whether it's Zumba, spin class, yoga or Pilates, any activity that helps you build strength, flexibility and fitness is worth the cost. Then be sure to treat yourself with an occasional massage, sauna or spa visit - whatever helps you relax and feel good.

Take a time-out.

When you are able, plan your next vacation for a location that you know will be both fun and relaxing. If a long vacation is not in the cards, plan a mini-break, even just for a weekend, to get away from the daily routine and let you focus on yourself, your significant other or your family. Something as simple as spending a night in a local hotel - with as many amenities as you can enjoy - will leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated. You've earned it.

The next time you're feeling stressed and overwhelmed, choose to outsource those tasks that can take over your life, and give yourself the best gift ever - the gift of time.

Source: BPT

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8 | June 2019

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