d-mars.com Health & Wellness 33 by d-mars.com

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March/April 15th 2014

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Health Issues in the Black Community

Misconceptions Exposed – Multivitamins and Nutritional Supplements By d-mars.com News Provider PAGE 6

If You Are a Baby Boomer, Here’s Another Item for Your “To Do” List: Get Tested for Hepatitis C By The American Liver Foundation PAGE 16

page 4

Dynamic Duo: Doctors Brett and Sharita Warfield Master the Art of Balancing Career and Family National Nutrition Month: “ BMI 2014” By Rhonda Dallas

PAGE 20

page 14

page 8

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Cooking Light with Spinach

Keeping Our Community Healthy

After a century of striving, after a year of debate, after a historic vote, health care reform is no longer an unmet promise. It is the law of the land. – Barack Obama

March/April 15th 2014

Journal Behind The

Publisher’s Message

Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr.

African Americans suffer from numerous health issues, including diabetes, stroke, and high blood pressure, which unfortunately negatively affect us at a higher rate than our counterparts of other races. Several factors can contribute to this – genetics, environment, and socioeconomic status – which may be out of our control. But we can control how often we go to the doctor and how we take care of our bodies. It never hurts to be reminded: get regular check-ups, learn your family history, eat nutritious foods, and exercise. If we as African Americans do all these things and educate ourselves on the diseases which kill us every day, we put ourselves in a position to take control of our health. Diagnosis does not have to mean a death sentence, and if diseases and illnesses are detected early enough, African Americans can have a longer life expectancy and increase their quality of life. Don’t let fear or negligence keep you from a happier, healthier you!

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Davis

VICE PRESIDENT Kim Floyd

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Valerie Jones

ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla

Office Manager Johnny Ray Davis, Jr.

Administrative Assistant Angelle Gillum

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES C.T. Foster Eric D. Goodwine Tiffany Black

Contents

Dynamic Duo: Doctors Brett and Sharita Warfield Master the Art of Balancing Career and Family........................................ 4

PHOTOGRAPHY

Misconceptions Exposed – Multivitamins and Nutritional Supplements.......................................................................................... 6

L.C. Poullard Grady Carter Tony Gaines

Cooking Light with Spinach............................................................................................................................................................................ 8

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR

It’s Never Too Late…5 Ways to Love Your Liver........................................................................................................................................ 12

Look Younger! Live Longer! Feel Better!.....................................................................................................................................................10

Andrea Hennekes

LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kevin Wright

Keeping Our Community Healthy................................................................................................................................................................. 14 If You Are a Baby Boomer, Here’s Another Item for Your “To Do” List: Get Tested for Hepatitis C...........................................16

DISTRIBUTION

March Is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.......................................................................................................................18

Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden

National Nutrition Month: “BMI 2014”.........................................................................................................................................................20

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Valerie Jones d-mars.com News Provider Dr. Ka-Ron Y. Wade The American Liver Foundation Stephanie Allen-Gobert Kandice Rose Rhonda Dallas

Are you Ready to Take Your Business to the Next Level? 499.99

MR. D-MARS Tip of the Month “It’s so important to realize that every time you get upset, it drains your emotional energy. Losing your cool makes you tired. Getting angry a lot messes with your health.” – Joyce Meyer

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Dynamic Duo: Doctors Brett and Sharita Warfield Master the Art of Balancing Career and Family

By Valerie Jones

W Contributing Writer

hen Sharita met Brett in medical school, he asked her why she wasn’t married. Her response? “I haven’t met him yet.” His response? “You’re looking at him.” Some of the details in between vary, (Brett insists Sharita met him with a huge grin, which she neither confirms nor denies), but he soon won her over and the pair have been a power couple ever since. The medical field brought them together and is also the driving force behind their businesses here in Houston. Dr. Brett Warfield is the founder of Gas Doc, a mobile anesthesia company offering safe, reliable, cost effective anesthesia for a variety of surgical procedures. Gas Doc has been in operation since 2010, and Brett travels all over Houston and surrounding areas, delivering his mobile anesthesia services. He has more than 13 years of experience in anesthesia. “We take the aura of the hospital to an office setting,” he said. “In some cases, I’ll visit a physician’s office who has their own equipment, so I basically just show up and provide my services. Other times, I’ll need my equipment – such as oxygen supply, monitors, and EKG machine.” Brett makes an assessment of the requested procedure, and if it’s something that is best handled in a hospital, he ad-

vises the physician accordingly. However, he’s able to assist with most non-acute procedures, such as removing wisdom teeth, in the doctor’s office. Dr. Sharita Warfield is the founder of PRN Ambulance Service, a physicianrun, emergency and non-emergency medical transportation service. PRN services the immediate and Greater Houston area. Sharita has 18 years of experience in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care Medicine. “In the medical field, PRN is an acronym for the Latin term ‘pro re nata’ or ‘as needed’ in English,” Sharita said. In my company, I use PRN as the acronym for Professional, Reliable and Nurturing care, because that’s what our patients are going to receive.” PRN Ambulance Service has been in operation for one year and currently staffs five employees, however, Sharita is looking to hire more qualified EMTs. “As CEO, my duties are to make sure everything’s running smoothly, setting up meetings and contracts with people to generate business, and basically just making sure that the face of PRN Ambulance Service is in the public eye as a well-respected, go-to company – one people will turn to and know their family member is in good hands.” The Warfields keep a pretty full schedule, managing both of their businesses and devoting time to their four children (three daughters – 19, 15, and 8 and a 16-year-old son), but they took a mo-

ment to speak with d-mars.com about everything from obstacles and personal triumphs to who they look up to as mentors. d-mars.com: What was the vision behind your business? Brett: I got the idea for mobile anesthesia from a guy when I was in residency back at Johns Hopkins. We had the same basic franchise model about taking this to the office setting. We brought the vision here to Texas, and specifically Houston, which has a very large patient population. And a lot of the patients are underserved. So, if we make it simpler for people to get necessary procedures done, they’re more likely to take better care of their health. That was my primary goal. Sharita: I knew as a young child around the age of 10 that I wanted to be a physician. I did community service, helped at church – pretty much anything related to the health care profession. In this industry, there’s a lot of competition and I feel a lack of a personal touch. So I wanted to create a company to give back to the community and also provide a service that was very much needed. d-mars.com: You’re both very educated. Can you give me a run-down of your formal education? Brett: I attended Southern Illinois University, majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and Black American History. I then matriculated to

Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn. I attended Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine where I completed my residency and cardiac anesthesia fellowship. Sharita: I attended Central State University in Ohio where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Med Biology. I also attended Tennessee State University and received a Master’s in Biology. I attended Wayne State University School of Medicine where I received my MD. From there, I went to Howard University and completed my residency in emergency medicine. From Howard, I returned to Wayne State and did a fellowship in Toxicology. d-mars.com: As a minority business owner, did you encounter any obstacles when you first started your business? How did you overcome them? Brett: Everything I’ve done since I’ve been in medical school has been based off tenacity. They told me I couldn’t get into med school because I needed straight As. I got past that. Then they said you can’t get into residency because anesthesia is really competitive. I got into Johns Hopkins. I’m 47 years old and when I turned 40, I got diagnosed with cancer. I ended up doing eight months of chemo and three months of radiation. When I completed my treatment, the job that I had was gone. I couldn’t work the same when I first got back because I was still weak from the chemo. I was put in a situation where I have the credentials and

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make $6,000. Sharita: PRN Ambulance Service is physicianrun. I was an EMT myself back in college and I worked on an ambulance. I have first-hand experience, so I was able to duplicate it and make sure it’s done right. I’m also an experienced medical director. Comfort is key so we use state-ofthe-art Mercedes Benz Sprinter Ambulances. We are very accommodating. If you have a family member that needs transportation to the hospital or doctor’s office and they cannot ambulate Dr. Sharita Warfield created PRN Ambulance Service to or get there, we deliver Professional, Reliable and Nurturing care. can provide that, too. There are certain qualifitraining, but I still wasn’t in control of cations a patient must meet, however, my future. Gas Doc allowed me to be we’re not a taxi service and you can’t just in control. I get to be my own boss. On call an ambulance because you don’t the other side, it is hard. You need capihave a ride. But we can provide exceltal to start, you need contacts and you lent quality service to patients in need. need to network. You’re not protected We accept private insurance, Medicare by a group anymore. But after comand self-pay. ing out of chemo and beating cancer, I thought ‘this won’t be hard.’ It’s been a d-mars.com: You both have important little rough, but I’ve been six figures in jobs in which you literally deal with life the black every year since I opened. and death every day. How do you balance your demanding careers and perSharita: It can be difficult because it’s sonal life? such a competitive field. In one respect, I may have an edge being a woman, beBrett: It changes. We’ve been married ing a minority, and also being a physifor 18 years so in the beginning we were cian because there aren’t many physiin our early 30s and had a lot of energy. cian-run ambulance companies. A lot For the most part, we just tag-teamed of people are EMTs, paramedics, nurses when it came to our kids. If [Sharita] or just general business people – some, worked nights, I would stay up. In the who I feel – are in it for the wrong reabeginning, it wasn’t that bad. We always sons. But I’m just getting started and had somebody to help us out – back in still kind of beating the pavement tryDetroit, we had a lot of family meming to build our niche. bers to help. When we moved to Houston, it was a little different because our d-mars.com: What makes your comschedules changed. Our kids are older pany stand apart from the rest? Why now, so they’re more independent. should people use your services? Sharita: I balance work and personal Brett: Patients are usually more comlife very carefully. We’re very into time fortable in a doctor’s office setting rathmanagement and delegating certain er than a hospital, which can increase times for work and certain times for anxiety. Mobile anesthesia decreases the family. Sometimes they intertwine, pressure on hospitals with non-acute they mix, they bump heads, but we do procedures, in turn clearing up the ER it and we do it as a team - like picking for actual emergencies as opposed to the kids up after school, for example. clinic work. We communicate very well. We’ve been Insurance companies are encouraging doing it since we got started – back in doctors to do smaller procedures in med school on through residencies. It’s their office to take the pressure off of second nature now. We just make it hospitals. For example, if a physician work. performed a procedure that cost $1,000 d-mars.com: What do you do when in the hospital, an insurance company you’re not working? How do you relax? might give the physician $1,200. So it would be a $200 or 20% incentive to Brett: I work out all the time. I run do it in the office. If you take that numand bike religiously. ber and multiply by five procedures, Sharita: I love to cook when I’m at where you would’ve made $5,000, you

home. I’m always in the kitchen cooking gourmet meals. I like to get massages. I like to get away with girlfriends and go on trips. I definitely try to get away and treat myself. I also bike for exercise and I like nature walks, shopping and spending time with my family. That’s relaxing to me. d-mars.com: What is the most memorable thing about your job? Brett: It’s not so much memorable but something I have noticed are patients’, for lack of a better term, ignorance of their own health. I had a guy come in and tell me that his back hurts. I asked him if he smokes. He said yes. I asked him long he’s been smoking. He said more than 30 years. I told him at 5’7” and 285 pounds that he was a little bit overweight. He said he was trying to lose weight. I asked him if his chest hurt sometimes and he replied yes. I asked him if he ever goes to the doctor to get it checked out and he said no. I took his blood pressure and it was 200 over 140, so he is at risk for stroke. I took his blood sugar and it’s 300. So this man is hypertensive, diabetic, and has heart issues and he’s telling me about his back pain. I told him, ‘your back pain is chronic, but these other things are going to kill you.’ People don’t care for themselves and particularly in our community – the black community – and more specifically, the black male.

in place – that was gratifying. It was a dream that became a reality. d-mars.com: Who are your mentors? Who inspires you and why? Brett: My dad and mom first and foremost. After them, I looked up to people like Jim Brown and Nat Turner. Those were individuals who to me had a lot of perseverance in some dark, dire situations where they didn’t really know which way was up. The other woman mentor besides my mother is Rosa Parks, whom I actually had the chance to treat when I was in Detroit. She was 92 with a pacemaker and she had Alzheimer’s and wasn’t really coherent. But I was looking at her, thinking everything those eyes have seen, everywhere those legs have traveled…I was really wowed. It was a part of history right in front of me. Sharita: My mother, who is deceased now, was very strong-willed, level-headed and she taught me to have a sense of independence to fend for myself and to believe in myself. My godmother is a nurse and she and my aunt are the ones who inspired me to get into the medical field. And then I decided not to just stop at nursing. I went a step further and became a doctor. I’m actually a first-generation doctor in my family. I am also inspired by one of my high school teachers who is also my sorority sister. She encouraged me to pledge

Comfort and convenience is the goal for all Gas Doc mobile anesthesia patients. Black men are dying from prostate cancer, stroke, diabetes at age 50 or so, while their counterparts of other races might live to be 70 or 80. I ask them if they have a wife and kids—that’s usually how you get them. I’ll say, ‘don’t you want your daughter to see you in 10 years?’ It’s part of the culture. Black men are stressed, working, and don’t want to show any weakness. So they keep going until they drop down. That’s been a recurring theme I’ve noticed with many of my patients, especially since being in Houston and in business for myself. They just don’t take care of themselves. Sharita: My most memorable moment is the day PRN Ambulance Service started because it takes so much to build up to that point. The day we started we were able to actually run and put the truck on the street, meaning we had everything together and everything

Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. and I’ve fostered some great relationships. d-mars.com: If you could turn the clock back 20 years, would you have chosen the same profession? Would you have done anything differently? Brett: The only thing I would’ve done differently is maybe take an interpersonal class to really learn how to deal with different types of people. I used to joke and say I would just become a plumber because I didn’t want to deal with the nonsense difficult people may bring, but there would still be nonsense because plumbers – just like any profession – have to deal with people. That’s the only thing I would’ve done differently is take an interpersonal communication class in college. Sharita: I would do everything the exact same. I enjoy my career. I love what I do and it’s rewarding in so many ways.

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Misconceptions Exposed – Multivitamins and Nutritional Supplements d-mars.com News Provider

ow often do you eat a cup of sauteed spinach? How about three servings of fatty fish, like salmon, per week? Probably not very often, but those are examples of foods and portions that are packed with the recommended amounts of essential nutrients. Research shows that Americans aren't making the nutrition grade and, therefore, can lack important vitamins and minerals like folic acid, vitamin E, vitamin K and even vitamin C. "Even if you follow a healthy diet, a busy lifestyle can make it difficult to obtain the recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals from food alone," says Elizabeth Somer, a leading registered dietician and author of several books, including "The Essential Guide to Vitamins and Minerals." Data on dietary intake from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which used the USDA's Healthy Eating Index to compare what people say they eat to recommended dietary guidelines, found that children and adults scored 56 points out of a possible 100

(equivalent to an "F" grade), while seniors fared only slightly better at 65 points (equivalent to a "D" grade). The American Heart Association agreed with those findings in its 2013 report on heart disease and stroke, concluding that poor diet and lack of exercise are two of the main factors contributing to the high prevalence of heart disease in the U.S. One easy way to maintain good nutrition is to enhance your diet with supplements; however, the frequency of new studies combined with the staggering number of supplements available makes it increasingly confusing to know what's right. To learn more, visit www.vitaminsinmotion.com. Somer puts nutrition news in context, provides the facts for common misconceptions and offers realistic tips to meet

daily nutrition needs: Misconception 1: It's realistic to obtain all essential nutrients from food. Even experienced nutritionists have a hard time designing a diet that provides all the essential nutrients for one day and busy Americans often struggle to follow a highly regimented diet. That's not to say it's impossible, but the best approach is to focus on eating nutrient-rich foods as much as possible – like dark leafy greens (good source of lutein for eye health), colorful fruits, whole grains, healthy proteins and fats (such as salmon, which is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA) – and fill gaps in nutrition with a daily multivitamin. "Another supplement I always recommend is fish oil, or a vegetarian source from algae, because DHA and EPA benefit eye, heart and

brain health," says Somer. Misconception 2: Multivitamins have no health benefits. Although recent studies report that vitamin and mineral supplements do not lower one's risk of heart disease or cancer, these supplements are still proven to be beneficial to one's health. "If a study found that people who drank water had no lower risk for dementia, would you stop drinking water?" asks Somer. "Of course not, because water, like essential vitamins and minerals, is crucial to health and there is no controversy over its importance for human nutrition." Misconception 3: Multivitamins are a waste of money. Multivitamins are a relatively inexpensive tool to achieve proper nutrition. "No reputable health expert will argue that supplements can or should replace a good diet and a healthy lifestyle," says Somer. "However, multivitamins and nutritional supplements are one factor in a pattern of living that is known to maintain overall well-being. Think of multivitamins as an insurance policy for optimal nutrition – they’re meant to supplement, not replace, a healthy diet."- (BPT)

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*All photos and recipes courtesy of myrecipes.com

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Cooking Light with Spinach

Butternut Squash Ravioli with Spinach Pesto

Spinach and Parmesan Soufflés

Cheesy Spinach-Artichoke Dip

Ingredients • 1 butternut squash, halved lengthwise and seeded (about 1 1/2 pounds) • Cooking spray • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted • 2.5 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated and divided • 3/8 teaspoon salt, divided • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided • 36 wonton wrappers • 1 large egg, lightly beaten • 2 garlic cloves • 1 1/2 cups fresh baby spinach • 1/2 cup fresh basil • 1/4 cup walnuts, toasted, chopped, and divided • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • 2 tablespoons organic vegetable broth • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice • 6 quarts water

Ingredients • Cooking spray • 1 1/2 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs • 1 (6-ounce) package fresh baby spinach • 2/3 cup fat-free milk • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour • 1/8 teaspoon salt • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • 1/2 cup (2 ounces) freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese • 2 large egg yolks • 4 large egg whites • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Ingredients • 11 (6-inch) pita bread rounds • 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, packed without oil • 1 cup boiling water • 1 (14-ounce) can quartered artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped • 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed dry • 1 (8-ounce) tub light cream cheese, softened • 1 (8-ounce) carton low-fat sour cream • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 3/4 cup fat-free milk • 1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese • 1/2 cup diced onion • 1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper • 2 garlic cloves, crushed

Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 400°. 2. Place squash halves, cut sides down, on a foillined baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 30 minutes or until tender. Cool. Scoop out pulp; discard peel. Mash pulp. Combine oregano, squash pulp, and butter in a large bowl. Stir in 2 ounces (about 1/2 cup) cheese, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Working with 1 wonton wrapper at a time (cover remaining wrappers with a damp towel to keep them from drying), spoon about 1 1/2 teaspoons squash mixture into center of each wrapper. Moisten edges of wrapper with beaten egg; bring 2 opposite corners together. Pinch edges together to seal, forming a triangle. Repeat procedure with remaining wrappers, squash mixture, and egg. Cover ravioli loosely with a towel to prevent drying. 3. Place garlic in a food processor, and pulse until finely chopped. Add remaining 1/2 ounce (about 2 tablespoons) cheese, remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper, spinach, basil, and 2 tablespoons walnuts. With processor on, slowly pour oil, broth, and juice through food chute. Process until well blended. Place pesto in a large bowl. 4. Bring 6 quarts water to a boil in a large Dutch oven. Add half of ravioli; cook 3 minutes or until thoroughly cooked. Remove ravioli with a slotted spoon. Repeat procedure with remaining ravioli. Add ravioli to pesto; toss gently to coat. Arrange 6 ravioli on each of 6 plates; sprinkle each serving with 1 teaspoon walnuts.

Instructions 1. Place a baking sheet in the oven. Preheat oven to 425°. 2. Coat 4 (6-ounce) ramekins with cooking spray; sprinkle evenly with breadcrumbs, tilting and turning dishes to coat sides completely. 3. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly coat pan with cooking spray. Add spinach; cook for 2 minutes or until spinach wilts, tossing constantly. Place spinach in a colander; let stand 5 minutes. Squeeze excess liquid from spinach. Coarsely chop spinach. 4. Combine 2/3 cup milk and the next 4 ingredients (through black pepper) in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Cook for 2 minutes or until mixture is thick and bubbly, stirring constantly. Spoon mixture into a large bowl, and let stand for 10 minutes. Stir in spinach, cheese, and egg yolks. 5. Combine egg whites and cream of tartar in a large bowl, and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Beat with a mixer at high speed until medium peaks form (do not overbeat). Gently stir one-fourth of egg whites into spinach mixture, and gently fold in the remaining egg whites. Gently spoon mixture into prepared dishes. Sharply tap dishes 2 or 3 times on counter to level. Place dishes on preheated baking sheet; return baking sheet to 425° oven. Immediately reduce oven temperature to 350°; bake soufflés at 350° for 21 minutes or until puffy and golden brown. Serve immediately.

Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 350°. 2. Split each pita bread in half horizontally; cut each half into 6 wedges. Place pita wedges in a single layer on baking sheets; bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until toasted. 3. Combine sun-dried tomatoes and boiling water in a bowl; let stand for 1 hour or until soft. 4. Place artichokes and next 11 ingredients (through garlic) in a 3 1/2-quart electric slow cooker; stir well. Cover with lid; cook on low-heat setting 1 hour. Drain tomatoes; stir into dip. Cover and cook 1 hour. Serve warm with toasted pita wedges.

*All photos and recipes courtesy of myrecipes.com

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March/April 15th 2014

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10.

March/April 15th 2014

Look Younger! | Live Longer! | Feel Better! plaque build-up with proper brushing and flossing, water irrigation, professional cleaning and a healthy diet.

By Dr. Ka-Ron Y. Wade

How Plaque Causes “Tooth Decay”

Contributing Writer

e all have something in common: it’s called plaque. And it needs our daily attention! Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria, food particle and saliva that coats your teeth. It can make our teeth feel “fuzzy” to the tongue. Controlling plaque is key to fighting both tooth decay and gum disease. Plaque colonies begin to form immediately after brushing. You can help disrupt that process by keeping your teeth clean throughout the day. Even with the best oral hygiene, missed plaque deposits will harden into calculus and must be removed with regular professional cleaning. The good news is you can prevent

Decay begins when acid from the bacteria in plaque etches away your tooth’s enamel. You may not see or feel any early warning signs at the beginning stages of decay. If your cavity isn’t treated, it affects the deeper layers of your tooth, where the cavity gets bigger…faster. If decay reaches the nerve center of your tooth, the inner tooth containing nerves and blood vessels becomes swollen and irritated from the bacteria. OUCH! Without warning, this inflammation can cause a sudden sharp or throbbing pain! Once decay reaches the nerve, a root canal and crown are typically required to save the infected tooth. If you wait too long, the tooth may need to be pulled.

Decay doesn’t happen overnight, but by the time you notice pain, your tooth is already damaged. Remember, this decay chain can be prevented and/or halted!

How Plaque Causes “Gum Disease”

Without proper treatment, the teeth that are no longer securely anchored into the bone can become loose and fall out—or may require extraction. Once the infection enters your blood stream, it can lead to serious systemic health risks. More research is needed; however, studies link advanced periodontitis to an increased risk of heart attack and strokes.

The toxins produced by bacteria in plaque can cause your gums to become irritated, inflamed and infected. During the beginning stages of gum disease, your gums may bleed easily and become tender, red and swollen. At first, gum disease only affects the gum tissue at or above your gum line and is often painless. As the plaque and infection advance below the gum line, it can lead to receding gums that pull away from your teeth, bone loss, loose or separating teeth, pus released from the gums, painful mouth sores, persistent bad breath, or a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite. More advanced gum disease, or periodontitis, can damage the ligaments and bone that hold your teeth in place.

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March/April 15th 2014

5th Annual National African American Breast Cancer 5K Walk/Run Benefitting Sisters Network Breast Cancer Assistance Program (BCAP)

Saturday, April 5, 2014

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March/April 15th 2014

It’s Never Too Late…5 Ways to Love Your Liver

By: The American Liver Foundation

ou only have one liver. Yet most people don’t give much thought to their livers and the vital functions it serves. But they should. Liver disease—and there are more than 100 types—is not something that just happens to someone else, it can happen to you. The good news is that you can protect yourself. Here are 5 ways: #1: Eat sensibly without getting bored Eat a well-balanced diet to maintain a healthy liver and choose fruits and vegetables the color of the rainbow, which will help ensure that your body receives the nutrients it needs. Stay hydrated: Drink water consistently throughout the day. The next time you’re at the supermarket, add these items to your shopping list: a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, especially berries and leafy dark greens, whole grains, beans, low-fat dairy and healthy fats, such as avocados. Salmon is also a power food. It is a great source of omega-3 essential fatty acids, which deliver a wide range of health benefits. And don’t forget sweet potatoes, which are high in beta-carotene and vitamin A. Add spices to your grocery cart as well. Cinnamon is packed with antioxidants,

which helps your body reduce inflammation and fight infection. Here’s what you should leave off your shopping list: foods high in salt, added sugars, saturated fats and trans fats (also labeled as partially hydrogenated oils). To avoid the “bad” fats, stay away from fatty meats, fried foods, cakes and cookies. Drink alcohol in moderation. Invite family members to join you in your healthy lifestyle. It’ll be more fun eating healthy with others. #2: Exercise in small steps Exercise is a vital part of your life for a healthy liver and one of the easiest ways to exercise is to just keep moving and find ways throughout your day to be more active. Leave your car at home. Take a 20-minute walk at a reasonable pace every day and climb stairs instead of taking the elevator. If the weather doesn’t allow outdoor activity, especially at this time of the year, head over to the mall. And you would be surprised what a workout you can get while doing household chores, such as vacuuming and dusting. In the office, walk over to colleagues instead of emailing them. These “small steps” can make a big difference in helping you become more active. As in the case of healthy eating, walking with relatives or friends can turn your

exercise routine into an enjoyable social get-together you really look forward to! What better way to love your liver? #3: Shed the pounds without the stress The message is an often repeated one: there is an obesity epidemic in this country and alarmingly so in children. And there is a direct correlation between obesity and the development of fatty liver disease, one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease. While it is normal for the liver to contain some fat, between 5% to 10% puts you at risk for fatty liver disease. It causes inflammation and in its most severe forms can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. In addition to adhering to a healthier diet and keeping on the go by exercising, there are other things you can do that will cause some of those pounds to melt away. They just take determination and practice. Maintain a positive outlook because feeling stressed can lead to “emotional eating.” Physical activity, meditation and deep breathing are great ways to relieve stress. Another good practice for improved liver wellness is to get sufficient sleep – at least seven or eight hours. Studies show that sleep deprivation can lead to weight gain. #4: Sign up to become an organ donor If you haven’t committed to being an

organ donor, now is the perfect time. It is one of the most selfless things you can do and gives another person a second chance at life. Even if you have certain health issues, including problems with your liver, don’t assume you can’t be an organ donor. And you are never too old to donate. The oldest deceased liver donor in the United States was 92 years old. If you should ever need a new liver or any other organ, you would hope that others have decided to give the gift of life. The easiest way to become a donor is to enroll with your state’s organ donor registry. You can find it online at www. donatelife.net. #5: If you are a baby boomer, get tested for hepatitis C If you were born between 1945 and 1965, please follow the recommendation to arrange a hepatitis C blood test. Baby boomers are five times more likely to have the virus. The trouble is many people were infected with the virus decades ago and because they display no symptoms, they don’t realize they’re at risk. So resolve as soon as possible to get screened. The encouraging news is that if you do test positive for hepatitis C, there are advances in treatments that offer the possibility of cures for many people.

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Keeping Our Community Healthy By Stephanie Allen-Gobert

Contributing Writer

very community or race has certain health issues that affect them more than others. Our African American community is no different. Several diseases will be highlighted in this article, with the hope of improving our health, education of the prominent issues and overcoming the racial disparities in our community in reference to certain health issues. 1. Diabetes – Diabetes is 60% more common in African Americans than in white Americans. Blacks are up to 2.5 times more likely to suffer a limb amputation and end up 5.6 times more likely to suffer kidney disease than other people with diabetes. 2. Sarcoidosis – Sarcoidosis is a disease of unknown cause that leads to inflammation. This disease affects the body’s organ. Normally, the body’s immune system defends the body against foreign or harmful substances. These cells release chemicals that recruit other cells to isolate and destroy the harmful substance. Inflammation occurs during this process. Once the harmful substance is gone, the cells and the inflammation go away. In people who have sarcoidosis, the inflammation doesn’t go away. Instead, some of the immune system cells cluster to form lumps

called granulomas in various organs in the body. (www.nhlbi.nih,gov) 3. Asthma – African Americans are three times more likely to die of asthma than white Americans. Asthma is a disorder that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow, leading to wheezing and shortness of breath. 4. Lung cancer – Despite lower tobacco exposure, black men are 50% more

likely than white men to get lung cancer. 5. Stroke – Among adults ages 35 to 54, strokes kill more African Americans than whites. African Americans have nearly twice the first-time stroke risk of whites. 6. High blood pressure/Hypertension – African Americans develop high blood pressure earlier in life and with much higher blood pressure levels than whites.

Nearly 42% of black men and more than 45% of black women aged 20 and older have high blood pressure. 7. Cancer – The treatment of cancer is equally successful for all races. But African American men have a 40% higher cancer death rate than white men. African American women have a 20% higher cancer death rate than white women. The seven top issues above are not the only issues plaguing our purposeful community. It is unknown why these unique issues affect African Americans more than other races. Genes play a major role as does the environment in which people live, socioeconomic status, and some even think racism plays a part; where you’re from and the amount of money you make/have can affect the medical treatment you receive and the quality of the treatment received. Some issues like high blood pressure and asthma can be hereditary. Others can be controlled, cured and eliminated with proper diet, yearly checkups, and exercise. As a community, if we do our part to help each other, our friends and family members by encouraging yearly doctor visits and checkups and daily exercise, we can eliminate the racial disparity in health issues and become a better and healthier African American community as a whole. Source: www.webmd.com

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If You Are a Baby Boomer, Here’s Another Item for Your “To Do” List: Get Tested for Hepatitis C By: The American Liver Foundation

s the youngest of its generation turns 50 this year, AARP has declared 2014 the Year of the Boomer. There are many ways in which boomers’ contributions to society can be recognized and celebrated. But if you are one of the 77 million Americans born after the Second World War, your “special year” would take on greater meaning if you were to pause and think about your liver health. Specifically, the American Liver Foundation is appealing to you to take the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and get tested for hepatitis C. Why, you may be thinking, are you being asked to do this? The facts speak for themselves: Anyone can get hepatitis C, but baby boomers are five times more likely to be infected. Of all the people in the United States who have hepatitis C, more than 75 percent were born between 1945 and 1965. Overall, considering that an estimated 3.2 million people have hepatitis C in the United States, the disease has been described as an unrecognized health crisis.

There are vaccines available for the hepatitis A and B viruses, but no vaccine is available yet to prevent hepatitis C. So testing for hepatitis C is critical to finding and treating the disease at its earliest stages. Hepatitis C – the “silent epidemic” Finding those infected with the disease is actually an enormous problem. It can take decades for symptoms to appear. During that time, people often have no idea they are infected. In fact, 75 percent of people who are infected with the virus do not know that they have it. The longer the virus goes undetected, the greater a person’s risk of developing serious liver disease, including cirrhosis

and liver cancer. Still, it’s useful to know what symptoms to look for. Apart from jaundice, you should take special notice if you’re progressively feeling very tired, experiencing joint pain, suffer bouts of nausea or if your urine is dark. Why is the baby boom generation so susceptible? No one can pinpoint specific reasons why this group has the highest rate of infection. One reason is that blood and blood products were not screened for hepatitis C until 1992. That’s significant because the virus is transmitted through direct

contact with contaminated blood. So people who received blood transfusions or other invasive medical procedures before that time could have been exposed. And lifestyle choices are a factor. Boomers came of age before public awareness about the risks of shared needles and unprotected sex. What does the test involve? The blood test your doctor should order is called the hepatitis C antibody test. Antibodies are made by your body to battle an infection. They are released into the bloodstream when someone gets infected and can persist for decades, even if you clear the disease. The test will show if you have ever been infected, but not if you’re still infected. If it’s positive, it doesn’t mean you have the disease, only that you were exposed at some point in your life. Once you’re infected, you will always have antibodies in your blood. If the antibody is positive, additional blood work should be done to confirm if you have active hepatitis C. When you get tested, you should ask your doctor when and how you will find out your results. The test results usually take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to come back. A new rapid test is available in some health clinics.

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March Is

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

By Kandice Rose Contributing Writer

n February 2000, March was officially declared National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a great time to join together with colon cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and health care professionals in an effort to raise awareness about colorectal cancer and the lifesaving effects of screening and early detection. According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, “Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Every year, about 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and more than 50,000 people die from it.” Colorectal cancer screening saves lives. It is one of only a few cancers that can be prevented through screening; among cancers that affect both men and women. The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with advancing age. More than 90 percent of cases occur in people aged 50 or older. What Are the Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer? Precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer don’t always cause symptoms, especially at first. You could have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know it. That is why having a screening test is so important. Symptoms for colorectal cancer may include— • Blood in or on the stool (bowel movement) • Stomach pain, aches, or cramps

that do not go away Unexplained weight loss • These symptoms may be caused by something other than cancer. If you’re having any of these symptoms, the only way to know what is causing them is to see your doctor. Risk Factors Some factors that may increase your risk include: 1. Age: Colorectal cancer is more likely to occur in people 50 or older. More than 90% of cases are diagnosed in people over age 50, and the average age at diagnosis is 72. However, incidents of colorectal cancer in people under age 50 are increasing. 2. Personal history: Someone who has already had colorectal cancer once is at greater risk for developing the cancer a second time. Women who have had ovarian cancer, breast cancer or uterine cancer also have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. 3. Family history: Having a close relative (immediate family member) with a history of colorectal cancer more than doubles your risk of developing this disease. The more close relatives you have with a history of this cancer, the greater your risk. 4. Poor diet: Although more research is needed to substantiate diet study results, current studies suggest that diets low in calcium, folate and fiber and high in red meat and animal fat may increase your risk of developing colorectal cancer. 5. Lifestyle: Cigarette smoking, inactivity and obesity have been linked to an increased risk of developing colon polyps and colorectal cancer. Some studies show that daily physical activity may decrease risk of colorectal cancer by up to 50%. Resources: Colon Cancer Alliance; American Cancer Society

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National Nutrition Month:

“BMI 2014”

By Rhonda Dallas Contributing Writer

s a Health and Wellness Coach, and Nutritional Counselor, this is an important month for everyone. There is so much data available on what to eat, what not to eat; should I exercise, or should I not; what should my BMI be, and what supplements should I take or not take? “BMI 2014” is a program I designed to bring awareness to the importance of maintaining a BMI (Body Mass Index) that is between 18.5 and 24.9. Your BMI should be somewhere in the normal target. If your BMI value is lower, then you may be underweight. If your BMI is higher, then you may be overweight or even obese. (BMI calculator.org) Did You Know? • All Americans will be required to have an individual obesity rating electronically recorded by 2014. • All Americans under the new Health Stimulus law passed will be required to have electronic health records which will include their height, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI). • All these electronic health records must be available with appropriate security measures on a national exchange such as the CDC. • All Health Care providers must establish “meaningful use” (EMR) by 2014 to record the BMI. What is a Healthy Diet? A well-balanced diet, comprised of a variety of foods, adequately meets wom-

en’s needs for vitamins, minerals, and energy. For good health, women need to pay special attention to calcium, iron, and folate (folic acid) intake. A healthy diet also should minimize the intake of fat and sugar. Diets high in saturated or trans-fat can promote high levels of blood cholesterol and increase risk of heart disease (the number one killer in women). A diet that includes high sugar provides empty calories, or calories that do not provide any nutritional value and often times replace more nutritious food selections. Suggestions for a Healthy Lifestyle • Eat a variety of foods • Balance the food you eat with physical activity and maintain a healthy body weight • Choose a diet with plenty of wholegrain products, vegetables and fruits • Choose a diet low in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol • Choose a diet moderate in sugars • Choose a diet moderate in salt and sodium • If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation Visit these websites for healthy simple recipes: • SpecialK.com • McCormick.com • Eatingwell.com • Havehealthyrecipes.com • Weightwatchers.com • Myplate.gov Remember, taking steps to a healthier lifestyle and keeping your BMI within range is a start to living longer and smarter. If you want to know more about “BMI 2014,” please email me at info@rhondajdallas.com.

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