d-mars.com Health & Wellness 09

Health & Wellness Journal Health

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Medical

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Wellness

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research

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fitness

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Inspire, Inform & Educate

August 2011

9

Edition

Vitamins and Your Health

INSIDE

Foods to Boost Your Mood Try These Blissful, Nutrient-rich Meals that taste as good as they make you feel.

PAGE 6

What Vitamins Do I Really Need?

Some of us really do need an extra “boost” when it comes to supplements. Specifically if you are trying to lose weight and are eating 1600 calories or less daily you will need a multivitamin.

PAGE 9

Worth Every Drop: Do VitaminPumped Bottled Waters Live Up to Their Hype?

Ms. Gail Mathis & Mr. D-MARS

“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. ” ~Mohandas Gandhi

It used to be there was only one kind of water: wet. Take a stroll through any grocery store or deli and you will see water in all kinds of colors and flavors.

PAGE 14

The 10 Vitamins Black Women Need Your probably wondering why you need to know what vitamins are best for you because you already take a multivitamin.

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Hearing Aid Express We are here to help with your Medicaid Hearing Aid Benefits

Introducing Cullen Care Pharmacies New Vitamin Line The Customer is number one!

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August 2011

August 2011 3.

Behind The

Journal

Publisher’s Message

Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr.

In today’s fast paced world vitamins are a crucial part of your health care maintenance.

They supplement the nutrients that are missing in the processed foods that so many of us consume in the African American community. As vitamins are critical to your maintaining a healthy lifestyle, they also allow you “to live long and prosper.”

Speaking of prospering, we provide our clients with the most comprehensive marketing services in the city. We couldn’t do that without your continued support of d-mars.com. Remember, when you support d-mars.com, you are supporting more than just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work, and that’s why we do what we do for you!

VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Davis

EDITING CONSULTANT Sharon Jenkins

ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

CONTENTS

Health and Wealth from the Home Front!.................................................... 4 Foods to Boost Your Mood......................................……………….…......... 6 Heel Pain..................................................................................................... 8 What Vitamins do I Really Need?................................................................ 9 The Ultimate Anti-Aging Vitamin...................................………...........…..... 9 Cullen Care Pharmacy Natural Healthcare Products.................................11 Recharge Your Summer............................………..........................…..........13 Herbal Nutrition Supplements.............................................................…...13 Worth Every Drop.......................................................................................14 Medicaid Hearing Aid Benefits............……….............................………....16 Sports Nutrition Supplements..................………..........................…..........17 The 10 Vitamins Black Women Need..........................................................19

Dwight Jones Mike Jones Pastor Freddie Davis Dakarai Sultan C.T. Foster Eric Goodwine

PHOTOGRAPHY Grady Carter Tony Gains L.C. Poullard

MARKETING CONSULTANT Johnny Ray Davis, Jr. MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Andrea Hennekes LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Michael J. Martinez Ghuzzala Malik (Faith)

Vitamin A: Good For Your Eyes..................................................................19

DISTRIBUTION

New Vitamin Guidelines .............................................................................20

Booker T. Davis, Jr. Johnny Ray Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden

Vitamin D: The Wonder Vitamin .................................................................20 Boot Camp, Is it for me?............................................................................23 Caring Hands on the Wheels of Healthcare ...............................................23 Face It: You Can Live Without Moles ....................................................….24 Crisis: Vitamin Shortage ............................................................................28 What are Dental Implants?.........................................................................31

MR. D-MARS Tip of the Month All those vitamins aren’t to keep death at bay, they’re to keep deterioration at bay.

-Jeanne Moreau

D-MARS.com Business Journal 7322 Southwest Fwy, Suite 805 Houston, Texas 77074 713-272-9511 . Phone 713-272-6364 . Fax 1-800-453-8752 . Toll Free www.d-mars.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dr. Tamyra Comeaux Dr. Ka-Ron Y. Wade Sharon Jenkins Richard Rees, D.P.M., P.A. Brad Brumback Sterling Carter, PT,MS,CSCS Dr. Milton Moore

4.

August 2011

Health and Wealth from the Home Front!

Gail Mathis, A Millionaire in the Making*

By Sharon C. Jenkins What makes a government employee leave the U.S. Post Office after 20 years of faithful service? When faced with the decision of continuing to work for someone else or building a business for personal wealth and independence, Gail Mathis choose the later. She decided to go full-time into network marketing. After losing everything she had including a faltering marriage, she reflected on her decision and wondered if she was ever going to experience her dream to be financially independent. Her health was compromised as a result of the stress and she realized she was depressed. Gail needed a miracle and it came in the shape of a body garment.

In May of 2008, she went to a local health store for a natural

solution for night sweats and hot flashes and Arga Smith introduced her to Ardyss International. Her friend “flashed” her body garment as a solution to a too small dress Gail was planning on wearing to a social event later on that evening. She tried one on and was impressed with the immediate resolution to her problem. She lost two dress sizes in less than ten minutes. She was hooked, literally and figuratively. Ardyss’ reshaping garments are designed with superior quality and materials by a team consisting of an orthopedic surgeon, a textile engineer, as well as expert designers and tailors, to help create a garment that improves an individual’s overall health and wellbeing.

Ardyss International began in 1990 in Mexico. The company was founded on family values.

It was started by Antonio Diaz de Leon, his wife Armida Fonseca, and their two sons, Antonio and Alejandro. The initial focus of the company was undergarments, but eventually it grew to include personal care, nutritional, and home cleansing products, and now it includes coffee. The company relocated its corporate headquarters to Las Vegas, Nevada in May of 2007.

They also changed from a direct sales model to a network marketing business model, opening the door to entrepreneurship for thousands of people like Gail, who believe through hard work and dedication, you can accomplish anything. She joined the

company in 2008, when everybody else was experiencing a recession, Ardyss grew 800%! Mr. Diaz de Leon will be honored at the TWEF International Financial and Leadership Summit on August 26, 2011 at the Houston based, Wortham Theater.

Health has always been a major concern of Gail’s. As a young child she remembers the numerous medicine vials that were on her mother’s night stand.

Unfortunately, her mother did not live to see 50, but Gail has made it her lifelong goal to live a healthy life as a result. What hooked her? The sizzle of instantaneously losing 2 dress sizes, the vast nutrition products offered by the company and the sensational compensation plan. In five short months, she went from barely getting by to making a six figure income.* In three short months she made president and has been health-

ier and wealthier every since she made the decision to join Ardyss International. Her 31 years in network marketing has equipped her to be propelled to millionaire status, all from the leisure of her home. No rush hour traffic, road rage, huge automobile gas bills and no more headaches from stress. Her commute to work is merely a walk from her bedroom through her living room to her home office.

August 2011 5.

calcium supplement that supports your health by providing you a complete source of Calcium, Calcitonin, Chondroitin and Glucosamine to help nourish your body and skeletal system.***Gail uses this supplement because she is a 56 year young diva and wants to maintain her bone density. After taking this supplement she began to sleep better. Previously her mind would continually race at night, now she sleeps like a “baby.”

Gail’s Personal Health Regime Gail starts her day by drinking Ardyss Multi-Plus. Later in the morning she makes a meganutritional smoothie with Ardyss’ Nutrishake, Top Fiber, Le’Vive and Power Boost followed by the Omega 369 and the Green 29. At nighttime Gail takes Coral Calcium and Le’Vive Green or Ultra-Cleanse. She is also excited because now she gets to have a cup of De Leon Café with Ganoderma to finish off her day. Everyday she wears

maintain her hourglass figure.

Le’Vive is one of the most powerful antioxidant supplement juices on the market today. A proprietary blend of Mangosteen, Gogi, Noni, Açai Berry and Pomegranate. These powerful superfruits are combined to give you an unbeatable blend of antioxidants to help revive you from the inside-out.* This is Ardyss International’s #1 seller. Gail has seen a lot of juices on the market that advertise the benefits of one of these superfruits, but not five.

It tastes great and gives her more energy. She believes God put these fruits on the earth so

Omega 369 is an ideal formula of Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 essential fatty acids (EFAs), the “good fats” that help support your brain and heart, and maintain good health.***She equates putting Omega 369 in your body to taking a car into your mechanic for a lube job and oiling all the joints of the car for better performance.

She uses her Ardyss’ Personal Care line everyday to maintain her youthful appearance. Gail also uses Ardyss’ GreenClean plant based cleansing products to clean her home. Gail is proud to tell people she is 56 because it’s a great selling tool.

The nutritional and the skin care products have properties that keep her looking “young.”

She is also doing her part to preserve the environment, by using “green” products to clean her home. She is a product of the product. Her mantra is “Put the right stuff in your body and you can look great and feel great.”

If you are interested in finding out more about the Ardyss opportunity or their products feel free to contact:

Gail Mathis at 832-294-9262 or one of the reshaping garments the body could heal itself. to help with her posture and to Coral Calcium is a daily

healthywealthysolutions.com

*TESTIMONIAL DISCLAIMER: The Distributor testimonials in this article apply only to the individuals depicted, cannot be guaranteed, and should not be considered typical. *INCOME DISCLAIMER: These are examples of incomes earned by some of the most successful Distributors of Ardyss products. These claims are atypical and are not a guarantee of your income, nor typical of average income. In fact, some Distributors may make NO MONEY AT ALL. Results vary and depend on sales volume and ability to sell Ardyss products directly to others. **DSEA DISCLAIMER:The FDA has not evaluated these claims; Ardyss products are not intended to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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August 2011

Foods to Boost Your Mood Blissful Meals

1

Salmon Salad With Vinaigrette Studies show that omega-3 fatty acids may have therapeutic benefits in depressed children. And this savory salmon dish contains 6 grams of this monounsaturated fat.

Ingredients: Green beans, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, extra virgin olive oil, minced shallots, salmon fillets, mixed salad greens, Vidalia onion, eggs Calories: 271

2

Flaxseed Falafel Sandwich This wrap combines delicious Middle Eastern flavors, vitamin B6, and omega-3 fatty acids to create a delicious, bad mood–blasting meal.

Ingredients: Flaxseed, chickpeas, garlic, parsley, lemons, cumin, coriander, red pepper, breadcrumbs, eggs, olive oil, pitas, lettuce, fat-free yogurt, tomatoes, cucumber, green onions, cilantro, jalapeĂąo pepper Calories: 507

3

Spanish Shrimp and Farfalle Eating a carbohydrate-rich meal may increase levels of serotonin, one of the chemicals in our body responsible for elevating mood. This spicy dish will wow your taste buds and pack in some omega-3s too.

Ingredients: Farfalle, large shrimp, cumin, olive oil, onion, thyme, cinnamon, orange juice, sherry vinegar, tomatoes, pimiento-stuffed olives Calories: 417

August 2011 7.

Deep Dark Chocolate Biscotti

Though chocolate can ease a sweet tooth, research has shown it is more likely to prolong a bad mood than ease it. However, this dessert, which combines wholesome whole-wheat flour, flaxseed, and antioxidant-rich chocolate, is a healthy way to indulge.

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Ingredients: Whole-wheat flour, flaxseed, baking soda, granulated sugar, dark brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, dark chocolate chips, unsalted almonds Calories: 94

Gingery Lentil Soup

This hot and spicy dish is full of protein, fiber, and nearly 25% of your daily folate needs. Folate is important for mood, because low levels of this vitamin have been associated with increased rates of depression.

Ingredients: Olive oil, carrots, onion, ginger, garlic, curry powder, chicken broth, lentils, diced tomatoes

5

Calories: 253

Asparagus With Poached Egg and Parmesan

Start the day off right with this savory, modified take on eggs Florentine. Eggs are one of the few foods that contain vitamin D, which may better your mood.

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Ingredients: Eggs, white vinegar, asparagus spears, olive oil, garlic, butter, lemon juice, parsley, Parmesan cheese Calories: 256

Try these nutrient-rich meals that taste as good as they make you feel.

8.

August 2011

Heel Pain

Plantar fascitis

By Dr. Richard Rees, D.P.M., P.A. Contributing Writer

Plantar fascitis is the usual cause for heel pain, which is also called heel spur syndrome, if there is a spur present. The other possible causes heel pain are stress, arthritis, tendonitis, nerve irritation and in rare cases, a cyst.

medical history are required to reach a diagnosis after ruling out possible other causes then plantar fasciitis for the heel pain. The doctor may also need x-rays to find out the type of heel pain you suffer from.

In case of Plantar fascitis, there is Non-surgical treatment Plantar fascitis treatment starts with first irritation and then inflammation of the plantar fascia that extends from heel these non-surgical treatments that can to toes. Faulty foot structure like arch be done at home. problems is the most common cause for •Stretching exercises for calf this condition. Even flat surfaces, use of muscles ease pain and helps non-supportive footwear on hard surwith recovery. faces, long hours on the feet and obesity •Placing ice packs on the heel also lead to Plantar fascitis. for 20 minutes a few times a Symptoms day with a thin towel between The most common symptoms for the pack and skin pain in the heels are pain in the heel •Use of supportive shoes with good bottom, pain that worsens on arising arch support and a slightly raised and pain that increases over time. heel.

•Use of non-steroidal anti-in Diagnosis flammatory drugs like ibuprofen A foot examination and a thorough reduces pain and inflammation.

August 2011 9.

What Vitamins Do I Really Need?

Nowadays, it seems like everyone has a cabinet full of vitamins and minerals that are touted to “fix”, “repair” or “erase” something. We have to think back to the days when no one took supplements, had an active lifestyle, and ate a variety of whole foods; such as fruits, vegetables, and lean meats.

While it is important to make sure that we are not deficient in any of the necessary nutrients, the best strategy is to keep it simple. For the most part, having a balanced diet of delicious, healthy foods can give you all the protection and energy that you need to live a healthy, full life. Although, realistically, in today’s world, we are on the go and rarely do we get all of the nutrients we need to function at our best.

Multivitamins: Yes or No?

A multivitamin can supply al-

most 100% of all the needed vitamins and minerals for an entire day. In addition, we obtain other nutrients from the foods that we eat daily. Therefore, it

There’s Not Just One Type of Vitamin?

There are two types of vitamins: fat-soluble and water-soluble.

Excess amounts of fat-soluble

mins, such as Vitamin C and B complex vitamins, are simply excreted in the urine when we have too much. For this reason, it can be a waste of your dollars to take mega doses of vitamin C in pills or drink mixes, because your body will get rid of most of it.

When Do You Need Vitamins?

is easy for us to over consume some vitamins and minerals.

This can be dangerous to your health in some cases.

vitamins, such as vitamin A, D, E, and K, are stored in the liver and can cause toxicity. On the other hand, water-soluble vita-

Some of us really do need an extra “boost” when it comes to supplements.

Specifically if you are trying to lose weight and are eating 1600 calories or less daily you will need to take a multivitamin daily. Other populations that usually require additional supplementation are people over age 50, vegetarians, menopausal women, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and athletes.

Vitamins & Supplements: Navigate With Care

When choosing a supplement, always ask your doctor or dietitian for a recommendation.

Supplements, including multivitamins, are not regulated the same as food and drugs and therefore sometimes manufacturers don’t follow the rules.

Avoid products that are promoted by testimonials from “happy customers” or a celebrity with no authority on this subject.

Look for research based evidence that shows you this product is safe, reliable, and will work for you. Most importantly, remember that a multivitamin or supplement is not a replacement for a healthy diet.

Think about it…wouldn’t you rather a delicious day of healthy meals over a handful of pills?

The Ultimate Anti-Aging Vitamin Remember when vitamin C was hailed as the best, and maybe only, cold remedy? Then it became the Rodney Dangerfield of vitamins: It didn’t get any respect. The nutrient’s glory days of curing scurvy-riddled sailors via juicy citrus fruit seemed to be the only thing keeping its reputation afloat, particularly after a massive research review found C to be virtually useless for fighting colds. But don’t believe it. The truth is that scientists have taken a fresh look at C—and have found lots of new ways it can help you stay healthy and look and feel younger.

Here’s the latest on what C can really do for you.

Prevent wrinkles

You can’t pick up a beauty product these days without the label touting its antioxidants. There’s a good reason: Antioxidants— like vitamin C—help turn back the clock. An October 2007 study published in the Ameri-

can Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who ate foods rich in vitamin C had fewer wrinkles and less age-related dry skin than those whose diets contained only small amounts of the vitamin. C helps form collagen, which smooths fine lines and wrinkles, according to Patricia Farris, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Tulane University in New Orleans.

The key seems to be C’s ability to fight free radicals, a byproduct of cell metabolism in your body. Free radicals are thought to attack proteins, fats, and DNA—and break down collagen. C also seems to guard against ultraviolet rays from the sun, which can lead to freckles and a mottled complexion. “Vitamin C does some repair and firming on the skin,” Farris says.

What to do now: Use a topical vitamin C treatment daily after you wash your face and before

you slather on moisturizer or sunscreen so it penetrates the skin. Farris recommends La Roche-Posay Active C facial moisturizer or SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic topical antioxidant treatment.

Protect your heart

Experts continue to argue about whether antioxidants like vitamin C can prevent heart disease.

But some of the evidence is highly persuasive. When Finnish researchers looked at studies involving nearly 300,000 people over 10 years, they found that taking more than 700 milligrams of C supplements daily reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease by 25 percent. And a recent study from Harvard Uni-versity researchers hints that women who take a combo of 500 milligrams of vitamin C daily and 600 IU of vitamin E (another antioxidant) can cut their risk of stroke by 30 percent. It’s possible that people who take vita-

min supplements simply have healthier lifestyles than those who don’t, which could explain this finding. It’s also possible, experts say, that C enhances the functioning of endothelial cells (which line the inside of all blood vessels), slowing artery clogging and lowering blood pressure.

What to do now: Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, which are full of vitamin C as well as other healthy nutrients, and consider taking C and E supplements.

Experts say there are essentially no risks, but first check with your doctor.

Keep cancer at bay

A diet full of vitamin C–rich fruits and vegetables isn’t just good for your heart, it may also lower your risks of bladder, esophagus, stomach, and lung cancers. Even though more research is needed to find out which compounds in fruits and

veggies do the trick, researchers say the association is strong.

Someday, C may also be used to treat cancer. High levels of C given intravenously seem to be toxic to cancer cells (studies on vitamin C taken orally showed no effect on cancerous cells).

Intravenous C appears to trigger the formation of hydrogen peroxide, which kills some cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed, says lead study author Mark Levine, MD, chief of the molecular and clinical nutrition section and senior staff physician at the National Institutes of Health. Levine says doctors at the University of Kansas Medical School and Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia are trying this therapy on cancer patients.

What to do now: “Strive for

five or more fruits and vegetables daily, in a rainbow of colors,” Levine says. “It’s where the most benefit is.

10. August 2011

August 2011 11.

Cullen Care Pharmacy –

Yo u r N e i g h b o r h o o d

Pharmacy Delivering Natural Healthcare Products

C

ullen Care’s mantra is “The customer is number one! In a world where old fashioned customer service is virtually extinct, Cullen Care shines bright.

It’s a place where the pharmacist knows your name and your diagnosis. Two locations, nestled in the heart of the inner-city, are the place to go when you have a pharmaceutical request or just need a hug. Customer loyalty is at an all time high because your health is a major concern of the pharmacist, Mr. James H. Dykes, R. Ph., and his staff of 17, and it shows.

They offer free prescription delivery to your home and to your job, patient continuing education and counseling, specialized services for Medicare and Med-

icaid Patients, 24 hour Emergency Pharmacy Services and Wellworks vitamins that offer natural assistance in the healing process. They even call the customers to remind them of prescription refills.

Speaking of vitamins, Mr. Dykes has created a vitamin line specifically designed to supplement your health care needs.

He has taken his commitment to improving your health to the next level in developing Cullen Care Specialty Vitamin Line.

It contains more than 200 individual high quality products that fall into the following nine categories: • Multiple Vitamins & Minerals and CoQ10 Formula • Joint, Muscle & Disc

Formula • Enzyme and Probiotic Formulas • Antioxidants & Bioflavonoid Formulas • Amino Acids, Herbs, Relaxants & Sleep Formulas • Fatty Acids & Natural Lipids • Mineral Formulas • Vitamins A, B, C, D, & E • Specialty Formulas (to address specific health concerns) If you are looking for a multiple vitamin to supplement your current eating regiment, the Essential Performance Ultra Max may be the missing link to your optimum health. Ladies,

you may be interested in Estro Support, a supplement that promotes estrogen function. Having trouble sleeping at night, Sleep-Ease may be your ticket to a good night’s sleep. Feeling sluggish and run down, perhaps your body needs a cleansing; Detox Support will have you looking like a new penny in no time. Going on a diet and you are concerned about the slump that usually comes with changing your eating habits, the Energizer Formula will keep you

energized and on top of your game while you slim down.

Gentlemen, if you want to win the battle against one of the prevailing diseases among African American men, try their Prostate Health Support.

Cullen Care Pharmacy lives up to its mission to provide quality customer care to its clients in rendering excellent service. They are also now providing quality products in their new vitamin line, just because Cullen Cares!

12. August 2011

August 2011 13.

Recharge Your Summer Herbal Nutrition With our New Arrivals

By Dr. Tamyra Comeaux

Food Based Multivitamin It’s no secret that vitamins are essential to maintaining optimal health. The majority of Americans do not get the essential nutrients they need from diet alone.

Ideally, we would receive an adequate supply of vitamins from the foods we eat. Unfortunately, we live in a society that lives on fast food and quick meals filled with an abundance of sugar, sodium and other harmful additives. Over the years the way that our food is processed and grown has changed tremendously. Our soils are depleted of vital vitamins and minerals and today’s stressful lifestyle can quickly exhaust the body of the vitamins, minerals and nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

Supplementation is vital for optimal health, and food based nutrition is a viable option that provides not only vitamins and minerals, but also countless phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and tea and aid in fighting against disease. Food based multivitamins offer a powerful blend of vitamins, minerals, bioflavonoids, whole foods, and herbs provides the comprehensive nutritional support lacking in today’s traditional diet. In addition to containing digestive enzymes for colon health, our food based multivitamin provides all the essential vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal health in one a day convenience. These vitamins and minerals are transported in a food base, which means that nutrients are added to a base of whole foods and herbs; research indicates this increases absorption and utilization. When nutrients are combined with food, they are as close to food as possible. The whole foods in this formula contain anthocyanins (antioxidant flavonoids), carotenes, chlorophyll and flavonoids. All of these components are recognized as being vital to good health.

Chromium Benefits Chromium GTF is a trace element that works with insulin to help transport glucose into cells.

Chromium is a key mineral that assists insulin to transport blood sugar into your cells. A new study in overweight women found that chromium reduced food intake, hunger levels, and fat cravings – while tending to help decrease body weight.

People suffering with medical concerns such as; Polyhydramnios, Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOS), and Hyperglycemia should consider a chromium supplements. Chromium supplements are also beneficial to those on a Low carbohydrate diet.

Support the aging process with DHEA Since 1981, several thousand studies have been published on DHEA’s various benefits, including the immune system properties as well as positive effects on mood, quality of life, and body composition. It has been proposed that restoring the circulating levels of DHEA to those found in young people may improve well-being and sexual function. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, ten months of DHEA replacement therapy showed a beneficial effect of enhancing the increases in muscle mass and strength with the addition of resistance exercise in elderly individuals. The studies of DHEA therapy in women with adrenal insufficiency also suggest beneficial effects on well-being, mood, and sexuality. DHEA could be of benefit to the normal aging brain. In a randomized, doubleblind, controlled trial, DHEA replacement therapy for one year helped protect hipbone mineral density in older adults and spine bone mineral density in older women. DHEA has also been shown to support a healthy circulatory system and joint/bone health. It has been shown that the serum hormone DHEA often declines by 75%-80% from peak levels by age 70, leading

to hormonal imbalances that can affect one’s quality of life.

Because of the overwhelming evidence connecting low levels of DHEA to problems associated with aging, Life Extension suggests that all people over age 40 begin DHEA therapy. For most people, the starting dose of DHEA is between 15-75 mg, taken in one daily dose. Many studies have used a daily dose of 50 mg. Since almost everyone over age 35-40 has lower than optimal levels of DHEA, most people begin supplementation ... and then test their blood DHEA levels later to make sure they are taking the proper dose.

Supplements

Herbal nutrition supplements, also referred to as food supplementation or dietary supplementation, are ways intended to provide nutrients including vitamins, minerals and other healthy substances that are deficient in a person’s diet. Nutritional supplemental products are intended to supplement a persons diet.

The foundation of good health is great nutrition and a healthy diet. Lots of essential nutrients are necessary in order for your body to maintain proper health and well being. Many diseases may be caused by improper eating habits or malnutrition. Deficiency diseases are caused by a DHEA Precautions lack of essential nutrients, ultiDHEA and other steroid hor- mately needing supplementation. mone precursors are not for individuals under the age of 18 An essential nutrient is a nutriyears. Do not use this if you are ent necessary for normal body pregnant or nursing. Men with functioning that cannot be synprostate cancer or severe bethesized by the body at all and nign prostate disease are advised must be obtained from a dito avoid DHEA since it can etary source. People usually do be converted into testosterone their best to eat plenty of fruits (and estrogen). Women should consider estrogen and testos- and vegetables, but that is not terone testing when they take enough. Few people realize that their DHEA blood test in order nutrients are lost after produce is to evaluate DHEA’s effect on harvested and green vegetables their blood levels of these hor- lose almost all of their vitamin mones. Women who have been C after a few days of storage at diagnosed with an estrogen-de- room temperature. Cooking can pendent cancer should consult deplete 50% of a variety of vitheir physicians before begin- tamins. Herbal nutrition supplening the DHEA restoration pro- ments compensate for dietary cess. When taking any product deficiencies and help prevent that is new and unfamiliar, you long term illnesses. should always take the proper precautions and consult a physi- Those that are active and exercian or licensed qualified health cise regularly need higher doses care professional before using. of nourishment. Those who are At Natural Women’s Healthcare under great stress, on restricted we offer informative and educa- diets, mentally or physically ill, tional consultations to both men woman who take oral contraceptives, those on medication, those and women. recovering from surgery, and smokers and alcoholics also need Tamyra Comeaux, MD higher amounts of nourishment.

11811 FM 1960 Suite 104 Houston, TX 77065 The most important health benPhone: 832-237-4200 efit from taking a certain nutriwww.naturalwomenscare.com ent in amounts above the Recnaturalwomenscare.blogspot.com ommended Dietary Allowance is www.twitter.com/vitadoc2 “disease prevention”. These nuPlease join me on Facebook at trients act as antioxidants. Herbs “Natural Womens Care” are loaded with antioxidants and

other nourishing substances that keep your body in check. Your body has compounds known as free radicals (unstable molecules) that can damage your body; similar to rust attacking metal. It is believed that free radicals contribute to heart disease, respiratory problems and cancers.

It is nearly impossible to get sufficient quantities of all key nutritious substances your body needs from your food alone.

While nutritious foods do provide the nourishment needed to maintain health, I feel that the greatest health enhancing and most nutritious foods of all are herbs and herbs are used best as nutritional supplementation.

One of many reasons that herbs work so well is because they enhance the function of nourishing substances.

If you do not give yourself the proper nutritious ingredients, you can cause great harm to your body by impairing its normal functions. Herbs are regulated the same as a dietary supplement; just as vitamins, and contain ingredients that have pharmacological effects. Medicinal herbs are rich in antioxidants that maintain health and slow the aging process. Although they take longer to work than traditional medicines.There really are health benefits to taking herbal nutrition supplements. A well chosen supplement can make you much healthier even if you are not sick.

Very few people get the Recommended Daily Allowance of all nourishing substances, even on a healthy diet. Herbal nutrition supplements are like a little added insurance and increases the range of nourishing substances you are consuming.

In addition to taking a nutritional supplement, it is important to maintain a healthy life style by watching what you eat and being active.

14. August 2011

Worth Every Drop

Do Vitamin-Pumped Bottled Wa t e r s L i v e U p t o T h e i r H y p e

It used to be there was only one kind of water: wet. Take a stroll through any grocery store or deli now, though, and you’ll see water in all kinds of colors, flavors, and body-boosting varieties.

But ranging from $1 to $2 for a 20-ounce bottle, do these bottled waters really have an edge over the old-fashioned, from-thetap kind?

You’d definitely think so from the numbers: Companies made $428 million on enhanced water in 2004, versus $20 million in 2000, making it one of the fastest-growing beverage market segments. But whether it’s better for you depends on what you’re looking for. If flavor and the convenience of grab-and-go bottles top your list, there may be good reason to choose bottled over tap. But for vitamin supplementation? Maybe not.

To help make sense of it all, we talked with sports nutritionists Nancy Clark, RD, author of Nancy Clark’s Sports Nutrition Guidebook and New York University’s Lisa Sasson, RD. We explored three categories—flavored, nutrient enhanced, and oxygenated—to find out what’s truly worth drinking. Read on for the answers.

Flavored

No health claims here, but heavy drinkers might want to keep an eye on waters with extra calories from sugar or corn syrup. A label may list 20 calories per 8-ounce serving, but that adds up to 50 calories in a 20- ounce bottle. “If you’re drinking a lot of this, 50 calories can add up,” says Clark.

But a bottle here and there won’t do much damage. If you choose water with calories, be sure to cut them somewhere else.

If you like sweetness but don’t want to worry about calories, there are artificially sweetened choices such as Dasani’s lemon-, raspberry-, or strawberry-flavored waters, and Fruit2O (both use Splenda are calorie-free).

Some brands taste like watereddown candy. We preferred fruitier down flavors like Glaceau Fruitwater Raspberry (sweetened with fructose, it has 50 calories per 20-ounce bottle). The upshot: Read the labels, especially if you’re counting calories or if artificial sweeteners bother you.

Nutrient enhanced

There are all kinds of fortified waters to consider, including products that come packaged with minerals straight from Mother Nature or waters with added nutrients, like electrolytes and vitamins.

Some sparkling mineral waters come out of the earth with calcium already in them like Sanfaustino (with ready 450 milligrams per liter), and Gerolsteiner (348 mg per liter). These provide at least a third of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of calcium for a 30-year-old woman—1,000 mg a day—if you drink the whole bottle (a cup of skim milk has 306 mg). Calcium content isn’t always on labels, so check the maker’s Web site to see how your bottle measures up.

If you prefer your water flat, try Pink2O, a brand that comes in four flavors aimed at women. A 20- ounce bottle has 104 mg of calcium plus a bonus: more than half a woman’s recommended 400 micrograms of folic acid, which helps prevent neuraltube birth defects.

Other offerings include Propel Fitness Water, Aquafina Essentials, Glaceau SmartWater, VitaZest, and a host of other waters. Each of these is enhanced with its own assortment of nutrients.

What about drinking fortified waters just for the vitamins and minerals? You’re better off getting them from food, particularly fruits and vegetables, Sasson says. But if you want a vitamin insurance policy, take an ordinary multivitamin with ordinary tap water.

That can be said for the popular Glaceau Vitaminwater, which won one of our Best of Food Awards in May 2005 for its Rescue flavor. While we praised its green-tea antioxidants, B vitamins, and 40 percent of the daily value for vitamin C, Vitaminwater should not replace your daily multivitamin or the vitamins and minerals that you get from a healthy diet.

If you’re a fortified-water fan, don’t worry: You won’t OD on vitamins unless you down gallons of it.

Oxygenated

Clearly Canadian O + 2 and Penta are part of a whole new breed of reformulated or “ultra purified” waters that carry more oxygen or supposedly a better version of it. The company that makes Penta—reportedly a favorite of celebrities—claims to purify water with a process that prevents water molecules from clustering, making it easier for the body to absorb. Hydration expert John Leiper, PhD, visiting lecturer at England’s Loughborough University, has reservations. “I can’t find any published scientific evidence to confirm the claim that Penta water is absorbed faster.”

And chemist and water expert Stephen Lower of Vancouver debunks this whole category of waters on his Web site. “Unless you have gills,” he notes, there’s no reason to search out water with extra O2. Just take a breath of fresh air; it’s fully oxygenated.

The bottom line

Bottled waters with embellishments are “more likely to harm your pocketbook than your health,” says American Dietetic Association spokesperson can Lona Sandon, MEd, RD. And while they won’t turn you into a turbotriathlete, they do help keep you hydrated. So if that’s what you need to stay wet, we say “bottoms up.”

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713.272.9511

August 2011 15.

16. August 2011

Medicaid Hearing Aid Benefits Use Them or Lose Them?

By Brad Brumback

help you sort through all the confusing information and let you know where you stand.

Q: What hearing benefits are Medicaid recipients entitled to?

A: Texas Medicaid enrollees are

First, the good news: The Texas Medicaid and Healthcare Partnership, TMHP (more commonly referred to as Medicaid) offers pretty generous benefits for people who have Medicaid and a qualifying hearing loss.

If you have a hearing loss and are on Medicaid there is a good chance you can get free hearing aids to help you.

Now for the bad news: Some of the HMO’s that administer Medicaid benefits have been cutting what they pay for hear-

ing aids. That means you might have trouble using your benefits. Texas also isn’t in the best financial shape right now, and the Medicaid program is one of the places the state is looking to make cuts.

The bottom line – Use your benefits while you still can.

Dealing with Medicaid (or any government agency) can be complicated sometimes. That’s where Hearing Aid Express can help. As a registered Medicaid hearing care provider we can

entitled to a number of important benefits, all at no cost to them. This includes a visit with a medical doctor to make sure there are no health reasons to address before they have their hearing tested. Then, they can receive a comprehensive hearing evaluation. If they have a qualifying hearing loss they can receive up to two hearing aids every five years. These hearing aids come with a warranty so any repairs during the warranty period are free. If they are out of warranty Medicaid will pay for one repair per year. This benefit also includes dispensing visits and follow-up visits to make sure they are working properly.

Q: How do I find out if I am eligible for these benefits?

A: Grab your Medicaid card and call Hearing Aid Express at (800) 348-2018. We can look up your file online and see what benefits are available to you.

Q: OK, I’m eligible.

What happens next?

A: You need to see a medical doctor, have them examine your ears and sign a Physicians Examination Report (we can give you a copy of this form). You can see your regular Medicaid doctor and you don’t have to pay for the doctor visit.

Q: I’ve seen the doctor and have a copy of the report. Now what?

A : Call us to schedule an appointment for your hearing evaluation. Bring the Physicians Examination Report and a copy of your current Medicaid card. We will test your hearing, and if you have a qualifying loss we will talk with you about appropriate hearing aids for your loss.

Q: When do I get my hearing aids?

are most appropriate then you will get them right after your test. We will program them for you, let you wear them in our office, adjust the software while you are wearing them and you take them home that day. If you need earmolds or custom aids, we will take impressions of your ear canals, have your hearing aids or molds made (this takes a week to 10 days), and call you for an appointment to pick up your hearing aids.

Q: Why can some Medicaid enrollees get hearing aids but others can’t?

A : That depends on the type of hearing aids that are most A: In some big markets like appropriate for your loss. For Houston, Medicaid (actually example if open-fit hearing aids TMHP) sets up contracts with The Inner Ear

August 2011 17.

Sports Nutrition Supplements insurance companies to administer Medicaid benefits. These companies (including Amerigroup, Evercare, Molina and others) don’t have to pay providers what Medicaid has on their fee schedule. They can pay whatever they want. One of them may cut what they pay for hearing aids by more than 80%, so while the person with Medicaid “technically” has the benefit they may have trouble finding a provider who will agree to those terms.

need. If you are eligible we can get you a copy of the form for your doctor to sign. Once you have that we have five offices in the Houston area to serve your hearing care needs.

We know it’s confusing, but we are here to help. Remember, as a Medicaid recipient you are entitled to these benefits and you don’t have to pay any money out of pocket to use your benefits. Call us today.

Q: What should I do next?

A: If you are enrolled with Medicaid and think you may have a hearing loss, grab a copy of your Medicaid card and call us at (800) 348-2018. We will look up your benefits online and help you get the information you

921FM 1960 Rd W # 101B Houston, TX 77090 281.397.7232 1.800.348.2018

There are so many different sports nutrition supplements on the market today, how is it possible to tell the difference between them? Are they even necessary to help support your athletic goals? It is important to learn about these supplements that target athletes to make sure that we don’t waste hundreds of dollars on useless items, or even more importantly, that we don’t hurt ourselves in the process.

Supplements of all kinds come in many different forms; they can be powders, pills, liquid supplements, bars, shakes, capsules, or anything else that can be ingested. Sports nutrition supplements will claim something along the lines of “increased endurance”, “improved performance”, or “maximize workout”. In reading supplement labels, it is important to remember that a sports nutrition supplement will probably fall under one of these two categories: vitamin and/or mineral supplement OR protein and/or carbohydrate supplement. Many products also combine the two, like a portion of the bar supplement market. Knowing your own athletic needs will aid you in choosing the right supplements for your lifestyle.

VITAMIN AND/OR MINERAL SPORTS NUTRITION SUPPLEMENTS A lot of the vitamin/mineral supplements on the market will claim that adding a megadose of a certain nutrient will make you a better athlete (“increase endurance”, “improve performance”, “maximize workout”), but this is not always the case. Depending upon the nutrient, megadoses can be helpful in aiding your athletic goals, but it is important to make sure what exactly you are ingesting by READING LABELS! It is also a good idea to check what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends as the daily allowance of any nutrient you plan on taking, and also the side affects.

Not all megadoses are harmful, though. A megadose of vitamin C is considered an excellent (and usually essential) way to boost your immune system.

There is a certain amount of creatine monohydrate (a type of carbohydrate) that healthy muscles produce every day that gets used up during strenuous activity, so taking a megadose before weightlifting could be beneficial to someone looking to increase their muscle mass. Of course, a doctor should be consulted before taking any form of nutritional supplement.

Megadoses are also a way for athletes to avoid vitamin/mineral deficiencies. Active women may need an iron supplement, perhaps a megadose even, due to their monthly loss of blood after menstruation. Anyone who suffers from sports anemia should also consider an iron supplement. Again, overdosing on iron can lead to negative side effects, so be sure to consult a physician or nutritional expert before starting any supplement plan.

One should also remember to keep an eye out for “natural” or “herbal” supplements, as these do not need to be approved by the FDA. Many of these products can be harmful, like ephedra. Many can also be steroids hiding under an “all-natural” label. Natural does not always mean healthy!

PROTEIN AND/OR CARBOHYDRATE SPORTS NUTRITION SUPPLEMENTS Carbohydrates and protein supplements are important products that athletes should use to their advantage. The body continually metabolizes carbohydrates to provide the body with energy, and during times of strenuous or intense physical activity, more energy is required. Carbohydrate supplements are absolutely necessary for anyone who leads an active lifestyle. Protein is essential for proper muscle develop-

ment, growth, and maintenance.

Quality protein supplements are another essential for active athletes.

A lot of people would rather obtain the protein and carbohydrates they need from their diet alone, but this can cause a problem for some people. For example, it would not be smart for someone with a cholesterol problem to eat red meat every night to ensure he or she gets enough protein. For many, eating a truly balanced diet is difficult for any number of reasons. If you fall under this category, you are in luck! There are so many different products that will provide you with the nutrition you need for your lifestyle. Powdered shakes, great tasting protein and energy bars, nutritional drinks, and even flavored powder added to baking ingredients can help you get the carbohydrate and/ or protein you need without sacrificing other elements of your life.

Perhaps the biggest piece of advice to remember when dealing with sport nutrition supplements is that exercise is a vital for these supplements to prove effective and produce quality results. If not burned off, the energy from these supplements will be stored as fat – definitely something no smart athlete would want.

The last thing to remember about sports supplements is that expensive does not always mean better! There are plenty of products on the market that are higher priced because they claim to be “all natural” or “higher quality”. The only way to protect yourself from these products are to educate yourself. Research the different options available and then decide what is right for you based on your own lifestyle.

Knowing how sports nutrition supplements work is essential for the healthy athlete getting the most out of his or her active life.

18. August 2011

August 2011 19.

The 10 Vitamins Black Women Need You’re probably wondering why you need to know what vitamins are best for you because you already take a multivitamin.

Well, multi-vitamins, like the highly recommended One-ADay Women’s, adhere to the updated DRIs (Dietary Reference Intakes) very closely, but even the best multi-vitamin can’t stuff everything in. Use this list, which includes the top 10 vitamins African American women need and the recommended intake, to cross-reference the multi-vitamin you take or are considering taking.

B12: 6 mg Riboflavin: 1.7 mg Thiamin: 1.5 mg Niacin: 20 mg Bs are in plenty of foods, especially vitamin-spiked cereals,

mg, but new research suggests that 60 mg is not enough. You can get more than enough from one glass of OJ, which packs 120 mg of Vitamin C.

30 IU, but research is being performed to find out if extra vitamin E protects against cardiovascular disease and/or cancer.

Vitamin K

100 mcg (micrograms). Vitamin K works with Vitamin D and calcium to build bones, yet some multi vitamins leave out Vitamin K altogether because it can interfere with blood thinning drugs that are used to treat heart disease. If you are are at risk, you should check with your doctor before taking extra K.

Vitamin A

The recommended daily value is 5,000 IU (International Unit).

5,000 IU is too much for women with relatively healthy diets, which is why most multi-vitamins cut that amount in half.

B Vitamins (B6, B12, riboflavin, thiamin and niacin) B6: 2 mg (milligrams)

Vitamin E

Folic Acid

so there is usually not a high need for more.

Vitamin C

The recommended amount is 60

Vitamin D

800 IU. Without Vitamin D, your body can’t absorb calcium. Because it’s in not in a lot of foods, it’s hard to get through your diet.

400 mcg. Folic Acid is recommended for all women of a child bearing age, as it is said to prevent birth defects.

Iron

18 mg. African American women tend to be low in Iron. Be careful with taking in additional Iron because the body stores Iron and you don’t want to reach the toxic level of 45mg, which can cause diarrhea in the short term and problems like heart disease over time.

Magnesium

400 mg. Most African American women don’t get enough of magnesium, which protects against heart disease, diabetes and colon cancer.

If you have additional questions about the types of vitamins you should be taking, don’t forget to ask your doctor

Calcium

1,000 mg. Calcium is key in building and maintaining healthy bones.

Vitamin A : Good For Your Eyes Vitamin A is absolutely essential for healthy eyes. Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of blindness in children, but any child between six months and six years of age and lactating and pregnant women are all at highest risk.

observed in someone who lacks vitamin A in his or her diet, or

their eyes would have trouble adjusting to darkness. Although

Vitamin A is a group of compounds that play an important role in vision, bone growth, reproduction, cell division, and cell differentiation (in which a cell becomes part of the brain, muscle, lungs, blood, or other specialized tissue.)

This fat-soluble vitamin ensures proper eye cell health and is especially important in the light-to-nerve signal complexes found in the retina. During a vitamin A deficiency, the damage to the eye is slow and gradual, but nonetheless devastating.

First, night blindness may be

has a problem with vitamin A absorption. This means that

this symptom may be hard to spot, the next sign of a defi-

ciency is not. Bitot’s Spots are a build-up of keratin around the actual eyeball, between the eyeball and the eyelids. This causes harsh dryness and itching and leads to eventual blindness. After the eye has lacked moisture for long enough, the eyeball increases sensitivity and the eyelids gum up and become swollen, scaly, and sticky.

Fortunately, vitamin A deficiencies are preventable; it simply requires vitamin A supplementation, or eating foods rich in vitamin A, either naturally or by fortification. Foods naturally rich in vitamin A include colorful fruits and vegetables, including carrots, dark green leafy vegetables, red peppers, orange peppers, yellow peppers, mangoes, avocados, and papayas.

Vitamin A is also found in eggs (egg yolk, in particular), dairy products, fish liver oil, and

animal liver. Foods fortified with vitamin A include sugar, flour, milk, and cooking oil.

When supplementing with vitamin A, it is important to remember that the body holds on to it for a long time, and that vitamin A is toxic in extremely high doses. A good supplement (liquid form) is only required twice a year for at-risk children.

The eyes are one of the most important sensory organs humans have, so take care of them by getting enough vitamin A!

20. August 2011

New Vitamin Guidelines : The days are getting shorter now, and many of us who go to work early and come home late will feel like we never see the light of day. And besides zapping our energy, lack of sunlight in the winter months can leave us lacking in essential vitamin D—which may add up to poor health and weak bones, in everyone from infants and children to the elderly.

Studies suggest that about half of us (and 40% of young kids) have insufficient levels of vitamin D, otherwise known as the sunshine vitamin. Low vitamin D stems from less sun exposure, use of sunscreens, and low dietary intake of the vitamin. Not only does low vitamin D put children at risk for

in fact, new guidelines released by the American Academy of Pediatrics this week suggest that infants and children should get double the current recommended dietary intake for vitamin D. bone disease like rickets, but it increases our risk for heart disease; breast, colon, and prostate cancers; metabolic syndrome; osteoporosis; depression; fractures; and falls, just to name a few.

But the solution isn’t to bake ourselves in the sun—which, even if possible in the wintertime, has dangerous risks of its own. Vitamin D is also available through food and supplements;

Vitamin D : A new study showed a connection between IVF success rates and vitamin D. Could upping my intake really help me conceive? With all of the recent news stories about the potential benefits of Vitamin D— namely strong teeth and bones, a reduced risk of cancer, and an improved mood—it should come as no surprise that the vitamin may be beneficial to pregnant women.

syndrome (PCOS) at the Yale Fertility Center, cautions that we don’t have enough data to definitively support the connection. However, she theorizes that Vitamin D affects the endometrium (the lining of the uterus), and research suggests that it may stimulate suppressor Th2 cells, which help the body maintain a pregnancy.

The study found that women with a higher vitamin D level in their serum and follicular fluid (the fluid in a developing ovarian follicle) are “significantly more likely to achieve clinical pregnancy” following an IVFembryo transfer.

Lubna Pal, MBBS, an author of the study and director of the program for polycystic ovarian

In the meantime, Dr. Pal warned that women of color aren’t the only ones that need

Could upping my intake really help me conceive?

crease, as well.

I’m lucky enough to live in California, where I can get 15 minutes a day of sunshine on my arms and legs pretty much yearround (that’s enough to make sufficient vitamin D for a lightskinned person like me). But I grew up in Michigan—which I’m convinced is the grayest state in the U.S. during the winter—and spent most of my life in the northeast, where sunshine will be lacking during the long, cold months ahead. This is where the problem starts for many D-deficient Americans.

Since not everyone can live in the Sunbelt, focus on getting more vitamin D in your diet during the dark months. If you live where the sun doesn’t

shine, use the food chart below to help guide your D options.

If you still don’t think you get enough D in your diet, choose a vitamin mineral supplement that contains calcium plus vitamin D. Dining for D? Here’s where to get the most Fish and fish oils are the richest sources of vitamin D, but milk is also fortified with vitamin D, as are breakfast cereals, 100% juices with calcium, and a few other foods. The chart below lists the vitamin D in several common foods and beverages.

The Wonder Vitamin That May Help Me Conceive

The potential correlation between Vitamin D deficiency and failed IVF cycles is a revelation that merits further study, and Dr. Pal says this may help explain why ethnic minorities have lower success rates in IVF. In particular, African American patients were found to have lower IVF success rates, and likewise, they were found to have lower levels of vitamin D. This particular deficiency is a well-known phenomenon, since people with darker skin who live far from the equator are particularly at risk for Vitamin D deficiency.

But I was blown away by a recent study that showed a connection between IVF success rates and Vitamin D.

What the numbers mean The recommendations suggest that from birth, children need 400 IU vitamin D daily, which is equivalent to four 8-ounce glasses of milk or one teaspoon of cod liver oil. For adults, national guidelines still say that anyone ages 31 to 50 should get 200 IU a day, those 51 to 70 should get 400, and those older than 70 should get 600—but as the benefits of vitamin D keep multiplying, many experts have called for these numbers to in-

Easy Ways to Double Your D

to have their Vitamin D levels checked. According to her, 7080% of the population are deficient in Vitamin D (which is a shame because there are so many non-skeletal benefits to the vitamin only now being discovered). She advises women to get plenty of Vitamin D when trying to conceive, and once they do conceive, use vitamin D to avert preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.

Even a prenatal vitamin may not be providing enough vitamin D, according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN), which published a report that echoes Dr. Pal’s concern. The measly 400 IUs in the typical vitamin may not be enough, even for a child.

As of yet, there is no definitive agreement about how much Vitamin D supplementation children or adults should take, as discussed recently by Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

It seems that taking at least 2,000 IUs of vitamin D daily may be the best course of action. However, according to Dr. Pal, some people who were suffering from a deficiency must take much more before their blood levels show adequate amounts. Both Dr. Pal and the AJCN cite studies where people were given 10,000 IUs of Vitamin D daily with no deleterious effect.

Right now, the current recommendation, set in 1997, is 200 IU, or the amount in four ounces of salmon. However, the Institute of Medicine is currently evaluating how much vitamin D we really need. “Vitamin D is a safely tolerated supplement,” Dr. Pal said. “What you get in a multivitamin is not enough.”

In fact, the AJCN’s report mentions that if a white person were to go to the beach for the day in the summer, they would receive about 50,000 IUs of vitamin D—a stark contrast with those 400 IUs in average prenatals. But keep in mind that you may not be getting enough vitamin D, even if you live in

So how much should you be getting?

a sunny place. “UVB doesn’t come through pollution,” she said. “You must take latitude, longitude and pollution into account” as you estimate how much quality sunshine you are receiving.

As for me, I plan to follow Dr. Pal’s advice and have a blood test so I know my vitamin D levels before I take high doses of supplements.

At my age, I don’t have a lot of cycles to waste while contemplating a final pregnancy. So if I can optimize the vitamin D levels in my follicular fluid—and enjoy some additional benefits of proper supplementation— all the better.

August 2011 21.

22. August 2011

August 2011 23.

Boot Camp, Is it for me?

By Sterling L. Carter, PT, MS, CSCS

One of the latest craze in health and wellness are “Boot Camps”.

It seems that everyone is doing it and there are plenty classes to go around. It may be a great way to whip your body in to shape, lose weight and achieve your goals…. but what is it really all about? Is it safe? How effective is it?

Well, let’s start with the origin of the term “Boot Camp” The boot camp concept decades ago in juvenile correctional facilities and military institutions. Juvenile correctional facilities used boot camps as a way to discipline young troubled youths and get them back on the right track in life. Typically, there was a class leader who used physical exercise as a way to discipline and redirect their students. The military also uses “boot camps” as a way to take young immature men and women and teach them how to become soldiers. When soldiers are first initiated into the military they are required to go

through a six to ten week training course that teaches them how to be a soldier. The military boot camp goals are to transform this person into top mental and physical condition, while also

gaining discipline and responsibility, and knowledge of the military system.

In the Army, boot camp includes fitness challenges, such as: obstacles courses, long distance running, calisthenics, rope climbing, martial arts, and hand to hand combat. Many of these activities require minimal equipment, and exercises can be completed using

primarily the soldiers own body weight as resistance. Army soldiers take a physical fitness test at the conclusion of their program that tests how many push-ups they can perform in two minutes,

maximum number of sit-ups in two minutes and how fast they can run two miles. Historically, someone could leave for “boot camp” in the military as a pudgy young 18 year old and return in 8 weeks as a top physically fit, clean cut, confident, and disciplined young man. These type of programs can truly produce amazing results.

After so many success stories coming out of the military “boot camp” concept, civilian personal trainers began to take this concept and offer a generic form of “boot camp” that any one can do. It has gained tremendous popularity and it seems that everyone fitness teacher or personal trainer in town has a boot camp.

These boot camps are typically four to eight week programs and classes are held outside at a park or track two to three times a week. The intent is that their program can produce the same results as a military boot camp.

Are these boot camps safe? You must consult your physician prior to beginning any exercise routine. Depending, on your health, “boot camp” programs can be very challenging and may not be medically advised. Also, because of the recent popularity of these types of programs, there are many instructors who may lack the knowledge to safely and effectively implement this

type of program. Always make sure that your instructor has at least a certification or degree in a health or wellness related field.

For example, a certified personal trainer, Licensed Athletic Trainer, Licensed Physical Therapist, or a degree in Kinesiology just to name a few. Also, if the instructor has actually been in the military and actually participated in a real boot camp is a definite plus.

These programs can be very effective as long as you make an informed decision on the right person and program.

Visit www.sterlingtherapy.com for a very effective boot camp program that has been designed by a licensed physical therapist with over 20 years of service in the US Army. For a limited time you can pay a set fee of $99 for one month of unlimited boot camp sessions! Call today to sign up!

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Caring Hands on the Wheels of Healthcare Elite Medical Transportation is a family owned business that focuses on providing the best there is to offer in EMS services. Owned and operated by two brothers who were born and raised right here in Houston. These gentlemen desire to have a positive influence on others by giving back to their community.

Elite brings over 20 years of experience and dedication. Ron the eldest of the two brothers is a 15 year Navy veteran serving as a field medic and State of Texas certified EMT who also possesses a degree in Forensics from Ashworth University in Georgia. It is these qualities that have afforded Ron the skills necessary to provide superior care to the Houston community. While Tony is new to the medical field, his determination, intelligence and strong willpower partnered

with his brother’s ingenuity will be a sure win for the Elite team.

Tony has an Associate degree in Computer Technology and is a certified Millwright, VFD Technician and Failure Analysis inspector.

sy, punctuality and compassion.

We understand the worries involved with caring for a loved one, so we erase one worry away from our clients mind.

By transporting our patients in a timely and efficient manner,

deserve. With the knowledge, energy, and passion that these brothers have they are bound to make their mark in the EMS field and the medical industry.

Elite provides BLS transportation for the following: • Chemo-therapy patients • Dialysis patients • Hospice patients • Nursing home patients • Psych patients

Elite was created on a foundation of professionalism, courte-

Elite guarantees to give you and your family the care that you

With the ever changing world of healthcare administration, Elite has partnered with Toni Cormier of Bryona Healthcare Consultancy, a specialist in start-up/new healthcare services, to ensure quality care is given to their patients from every aspect. It was founded on standard industry principles, compliance adherence and financial soundness, which was the green light for the Bryona

partnership in ensuring the highest level possible in customer service and satisfaction.

It is becoming ever so difficult for caregivers to stay informed of the changes of care and services that are covered under their healthcare plans. This partnership will allow Elite to offer an excellent level of customer service from the initial point of contact regarding transportation for its patients.

It’s at this point of contact that Elite will be able to extend clear communication regarding services offered and how the patient’s healthcare plan will be affected. Ron and Tony would like the community to know that this same uncompromised dedication will be given to the care and safely transport of all its members.

Elite Medical Transportation

Call Us:713-264-6380

24. August 2011

: Face It You Can Live Without Moles For many men and women, the picture-perfect face they want to see when they look in the mirror is tarnished because of the appearance of moles. Clinically named dermatosis papulosa nigra, the unsightly spots are often brown but they come in a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes.

“Each mole has its own growth pattern,” says Dr. Milton Moore, a Houston dermatologist. “At first, moles can be flat and tan, pink, brown or black in color, like a freckle. Over time, they usually enlarge, change slowly, become more raised and darker - especially when exposed to the sun.”

Dr. Moore also says the use of oral contraceptives and certain physical changes during the child-bearing years may make women particularly suscepti-

ble to the appearance of mole Mole removal is one of the most frequently requested patient procedures at Dr. Moore’s dermatology clinic near the Texas

with patients experiencing virtually no pain or irritation.

“Laser mole removal offers patients a wonderful alternative to traditional, more invasive surgi-

patient comfort, each mole is individually disintegrated by a laser that pulses hundreds of times per second. The rapid pulsing action prevents heat damage to the skin surrounding the mole and minimizes the risk of scarring. After the procedure, most patients go right back to work or other normal activities. Bandages are usually not necessary, and women can wear make-up to camouflage Dr. Milton Moore uses laser technology to remove moles at light speed. the small, lightMedical Center. The latest laser cal or chemical removal meth- colored spots that temporarily technology enables Dr. Moore ods,” Dr. Moore says. remain on the areas where the to literally zap away the growths After a light numbing cream is moles have been removed. The in as little as 15 to 20 minutes, applied to the targeted skin for spots usually take just a few days

to heal and develop a normal, natural looking color that blends in with the rest of the skin.

“There are no stitches, healing time is faster, there’s very little chance of infection, and the ultimate end result is a clear, smooth complexion that can make you look younger,” Dr. Moore says.

The cost of laser mole removal varies depending on each patient’s clinical diagnosis before treatment starts as well as the size and number of moles being treated. Many medical insurance plans cover the procedure, so check with your provider.

For more information about laser mole removal, call:

9350 Kirby Dr. Ste. 100 A Houston, TX 77054 (713)741-DERM (3376)

Truth or Myth? Vitamin Answers A recent article in Reader’s Digest, written by Christie Aschwanden, articulated five popular supposed multivitamin misconceptions, concluding a daily multivitamin is most likely money wasted for most people. The Council for Responsible Nutrition’s (CRN) vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs, Douglas MacKay, N.D., however, had a few things to say in response to the article.

Aschwanden’s first myth was that multivitamins could compensate for inadequate eating habits. In support for her view that multivitamins could never make up for a poor diet, Aschwanden referred to a Women’s Health Initiative study that saw multivitamin-users with the same risk of stroke, heart problems and disease, and cancer as everyone else. She also pointed out that many foods are now fortified with the nutrients we need, and therefore, that multivitamin use is unnecessary.

Although some people (like re-

productive women) do need vitamin supplements, Aschwanden feels that the average American does not. While MacKay agrees that nothing can replace a wellbalanced diet, a multivitamin is a way to ensure that one gets all the essentials that one’s diet may not be providing. MacKay specifically referred to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) that shows that most Americans fail to get all the recommended doses of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, magnesium, and calcium, some of which are fortified by law in American food. He also drew upon data by the National Marine Fisheries service that clearly showed the lack of proper fish consumption by Americans.

He further went on to say, that in 2009, the American Dietetic Association supported the idea that nutritional supplements were indeed beneficial to certain people.

Myth number two was focused on the popularly conceived notion that vitamin C can fight off colds and minor bacterial infections. Aschwanden noted a study that found vitamin C to only be effective in curtailing colds in marathon runners, skiers, and GIs on subarctic missions. In defense of vitamin C, MacKay said that taking vitamin C supplements could possibly reduce the length of colds by a possible eight percent in grown people and up to thirteen percent in kids The third myth the article discussed was the effects multivitamins could have on heart disease.

Aschwanden said that studies have shown that vitamin E did not cut back heart disease risk or stroke risk, that beta-carotene actually increased the risk of death, that vitamin C had no place in reducing heart disease, nor do B vitamins. In response, MacKay pointed out that omega-3 fatty

acids are proven to reduce triglyceride levels and inflammation, as well as contributing to other factors of healthy blood vessels and a healthy heart. The American Heart Association states “patients with coronary artery disease may need to supplement with omega3s for heart disease risk reduction.”

Aschwanden said that there was no proof that vitamins could prevent cancer, and that studies have failed in trying to bring up such proof. Aschwanden noted a study that concluded that women who took a B vitamin supplement had the same risk of cancer than women who didn’t. MacKay also said that the same study discovered that a diet low in fat did not contribute to reduced cancer risks, and also said that researchers “aren’t discounting previously established evidence and recommendations that a low-fat diet may decrease the risk of heart

disease” and that these studies should be understood within scientific context.

The article did not include the body of evidence that has shown supplementing to be quite beneficial and linked to decreased risk of many chronic diseases, nor that the benefits increase the longer the multivitamins are taken. MacKay cited two studies for examples, one which saw that multivitamin use could prevent lung cancer, and another that women who supplement with calcium have a lower overall cancer risk, as well as healthier digestive systems.

The Reader’s Digest article pointed out that some people could benefit from a multivitamin, but that the negative affects and cost greatly outweigh the good. The CRN suggests that Aschwanden’s research should have been kept in scientific context.

August 2011 25.

26. August 2011

August 2011 27.

Crisis : Vitamin Shortage?

There is a health crisis that has been growing steadily since the start of the twentieth century that is only now being brought to light: the world is experiencing an urgent vitamin and mineral shortage. Now, with the rise of American obesity and the rise of popular, yet dangerous, weight loss diets are resulting in chronic nutritionally driven diseases that are approaching epidemic levels. Studies now say that ninety-five percent of adults over the age of forty will suffer from heart disease, cancer, brain loss (dementia), and vision loss. In 2002, the Journal of American Medical Association announced that “suboptimal intake of vitamins should be seen as a risk factor for chronic disease, especially the elderly.”

Today, people curtail their proper nutritional intake with

diet fads and trends even more than they realize, because our food is losing nutritional value as the years go on. The crisis begins, therefore, where the vitamins and minerals are found – in our food. Humans eat either plants or animals, and all animals we eat either eat plants or other animals, and those animals also eat plants; eventually, one could follow the food chain all the way down to the plant derivatives of all nutrients that humans consume. And the plants obtain their nutrients from the soil. So, healthy soil means healthy plants.

The problem is, we are depleting the soil that we use to grow our plants, our food source, in. This is due partly to commercial farming and human overpopulation. Commercial farmers farm for high food demands, and people simply need

more food. But as the same soil is used season after season, eventually the nutrients naturally found there are depleted, leaving us with less nutritious plants to eat.

To further the crisis along, commercial farms now use chemicals to enhance plant growth, but this does not add nutritional value to the soil or the plants at all. In fact, it is being debated whether or not these chemicals do more harm than good when ingested. Genetically altered crops are also on the rise. For example, some tomatoes are now grown with tougher skin to withstand new harvesting techniques that allow for faster harvesting. Unfortunately, tough skin does not mean more nutrition. If the nutrient-poor plants were not bad enough, lots of farms harvest plants before they are ripe (when their

nutritional value is at the highest) and use chemicals to force them to ripen slower, to ensure longer shelf life. As ripe food tends to spoil quicker, this is posing a problem to food providers and consumers alike.

So what can be done to ensure you don’t fall prey to the crisis?

It is very important that we all try including as much whole grain, fruits, and veggies in our diets as we can. Try to buy organic – although more expensive, the benefits of eating higher-quality food will outweigh the expense. Veggies and fruits should be eaten raw if possible to get all the nutrients that would be lost with processing.

If you must cook vegetables, try to reserve the cooking liquid and use it in another way to obtain the nutrients that would have otherwise been discarded.

A fun way to help avoid being

nutrient-deficient is to grow your own produce, if you can.

Even fresh herbs from a home herb garden adds fantastic taste and ensures that you know exactly what you’re getting with your plants.

And finally, to make sure you are truly getting everything you need, a daily multivitamin is a good idea – just in case our food is not as nutritionally rich as we think it is. Anyone can find a high-quality daily vitamin to suit their needs at their local health food store or online. These easy steps are great ways to help you stay healthy in a time of a vitamin and mineral crisis.

Muscle Supplements Many athletes take advantage of all the vitamins and muscle supplements available on the market today. In order to keep a strong, competitive and healthy body while physically active, nutrition supplements are critical and will keep you feeling great!

It is part of many athletes’ diets to take in supplements to have an enhancement of their endurance and maintain the proper muscle mass to be able to improve size and strength. Protein supplements are part of sports nutrition, and without these sports nutrition supplements, athletes wouldn’t be as successful as they are today. But contrary to popular belief, diets stuffed with protein do not necessarily build up muscle strength and can have an adverse affect on the body.

Keep your body healthy with muscle supplements Keep your body healthy with muscle supplements.

Building up muscle strength would be the job of regular physical activity. So if you want those big muscles you must exercise every day. Doing so not by the day would not be producing the same result if you do so daily.

Sports nutrition supplements require larger quantities of protein, which you can get from protein-rich foods: fish, poultry, nuts, dairy products… and these are the foods you usually get your protein from because some sources of protein are high in fat and also in calories. So basically, you must take note which sources are high in fat and which are not.

Although sports nutrition supplements sound like the answer, it is important to be cautious of intake. Too much can put a strain on your liver and kidneys, which is the main reason why sports nutrition experts discourage taking them. Some other sports

nutrition supplements also have high amounts of nitrogen, which will only be excreted from your body as urea. But it is not as easy nor is it as safe as it sounds for this said exretion oftenly causes fluid imbalance, which will then lead to dehydration. There is also a higher risk of heart disease due to the high fat intake associated with sports nutrition supplements that have high amounts of protein from animal sources.

Another disadvantage of sports nutrition supplements is that there is a huge tendency that you will ingest amino acids that are capable of interfering with other amino acids, which will have a result of a metabolic imbalance.

Sports nutrition supplements that have high amounts of amino aids can also cause gout; diarrhea and stomach cramping that can rank from mild to severe pain.

Even if sports nutrition supplements are being discouraged by sports nutrition experts, Bricker

Bricker Labs has over thirty years to blame for their success in their provision of sports nutrition supplements. They do not apply to sports nutrition only too, but also to weight loss, diet, health and other nutritional aspects.

healthy immune system function and also gives your body an improved stamina and also for an easier recovery in almost all cases; Vandayl Sulfate, which is capable of growing your muscles and also has the ability to define your muscles; Protein, everyone knows what protein is for and that is for sports nutrition, and also for health and muscle growth.

So if you have plans to take any kind of sports nutrition supplements, then Bricker Labs is probably the sports nutrition supplement manufacturer to trust. Why? It is because they use ingredients that are safer than what other sports nutrition supplements contain. What kind of ingredients, you ask?

Another is the Creatine, which is also for sports nutrition and muscle growth but it also involves bodybuilding this time; HCA or Garcinia Cambogia, for losing weight and suppressing your appetite; and last but certainly not the least, Vitamin B-12, this one is for overall health and nutrition.

Labs, a sports nutrition supplement manufacturer, still do a lot of advertising and manufacturing as well.

They make use of L-Carnitine, which is mainly there for weight loss, energy and also for having a healthy heart function; Colostrum, which gives your body a

28. August 2011

August 2011 29.

THE EXPERT NETWORK

30. August 2011

THE EXPERT NETWORK

August 2011 31.

What are Dental Implants?

By Dr. Ka-Ron Y. Wade, D.D.S.

At the office of Dr. Ka-Ron Wade, Cosmetic Dental Texas, we are pleased to announce an additional dental cosmetic procedure solution: DENTAL IMPLANTS.

To replace a single tooth, a titanium Dental Implant is first inserted into the missing space.

This implant serves as a replacement for the root of the missing tooth and is designed

is then inserted into the implant and the replacement tooth is permanently fixed to this post.

The result is a new tooth that looks perfect and functions exactly like a natural tooth.

to seamlessly bond with the surrounding bone. A small post

What are the benefits?

Prior to Dental Implant technology, patients with missing teeth had limited options. The most common solution was called a “Fixed Bridge” in which the surrounding teeth were ground down to accept crowns to hold the replacement tooth steady.

This solution has several drawbacks including: • Adjacent, healthy teeth are used as anchors for the new tooth, requiring them to be unnecessarily ground down and crowned.

• A fixed bridge does not replace the root of the

If you are missing one or more teeth and would like to smile, speak, and eat again with comfort and confidence, there is good news! Dental implants are teeth that can look and feel just like your own!

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are small screws designed to replace the root of a tooth and restore the physical appearance and the chewing function of patients with partial or full tooth loss.

Dental implants are intended for use in either the upper and or the lower jaw to support prosthetic devices, such as artificial teeth.

tooth; it is only a surfacelevel device. As a result, the jaw bone (where the root of the tooth was previously located) can begin to dissolve; causing pain, issues with surrounding teeth and unfavorable external appearance changes (“caving in” around the missing roots).

Dental Implants address these issues and provide significant benefits beyond these legacy treatments: • Surrounding healthy teeth are not impacted by the placement of the dental implant, leaving more natural teeth fully intact. Individual implants also allow easier access between teeth, significantly improving oral hygiene.

• The titanium screw placed in the jaw acts as a replacement for the tooth root and

actually bonds with the existing bone, keeping the natural bone structure of your face and jaw intact.

• Dental implants are extremely durable • Dental implants look and perform more like natural teeth.

Implants ae a better solution.

Dental Implants provide a solid, life-long solution to your missing teeth without the drawbacks of tooth-supported bridges or partial dentures. They will not slip, fall-out or impact your surrounding healthy teeth. Dental Implants look, feel and function just like your own natural teeth – giving you back your self-confidence and your life.

Call Us Today!

The Dentistry of Dr. Ka-Ron Wade

713-654-7756