Balance, Summer 2019 by Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Balance Volume 11 | Issue 3 | Summer 2019

The health magazine for Body, Mind & Motivation

Myth Busting Simple and inexpensive tests can give peace of mind to patients who think they might be allergic to penicillin | 12

Balance / Spring 2019

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Balance

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Balance is published quarterly by the Lewiston Tribune and Moscow-Pullman Daily News and printed at the Tribune Publishing Co. Inc.’s printing facility at 505 Capital St. in Lewiston. To advertise in Balance, contact the Lewiston Tribune advertising department at (208) 848.2216 or the MoscowPullman Daily News advertising department at (208) 882.5561. Editorial suggestions and ideas can be sent to Tribune City Editor Mary Stone at mstone@lmtribune.com or Daily News Managing Editor Craig Staszkow at cstaszkow@dnews.com.

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Decoding the bored brain WSU researcher says neuroscience could hold the answer to beating boredom By SCOTT JACKSON FOR BALANCE

Frequent boredom has been linked to unhealthy emotional habits, but Washington State University researcher Sammy Perone believes he has discovered

a way to break the cycle. Perone said frequent boredom is associated with depression, anxiety and even a higher risk of substance abuse — but the brains of the infrequently bored may hold the key to strategies to stop these

cycles before they begin. “It’s something that everybody experiences, so it’s only in extreme cases where it would really be problematic,” Perone said. “But because everybody experiences it, I think we can develop pretty simple strategies to help people cope with it on a daily basis.” In a new paper recently published in the journal Psychophysiology, Perone and his colleagues found that people who report being bored often show distinctive brain activity when bored from those who don’t. In his study, Perone asked 54 people to fill out a survey and perform a test while wearing a cap fitted with

Researchers at Washington State University are working to crack the code on what makes some people less prone to boredom than others. WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY PHOTO

128 electrodes that measure brain activity at various points around the scalp. Perone describes the task as “tedious.” Participants were presented with a screen bearing six pegs and were instructed to click on a peg when it lit up, at which point, the peg would turn slightly. During the roughly 10-minute exercise, > See Boredom, Page 5

Balance / Spring 2019

Boredom

“... Because everybody experiences (boredom), I think we can develop pretty simple strategies to help people cope with it on a daily basis.” — SAMMY PERONE

from Page 4 test-takers click the pegs more than 300 times. The results of the test revealed a stark contrast between those prone to boredom and those who aren’t. Those who report being bored less frequently show more activity in the left-frontal portion of the brain during a boring situation, which Perone said tells researchers that person is trying to entertain themselves. He said these people seemed to have developed a pattern of responding to a state of boredom with constructive mental exercises — like making a list or rehearsing music in their head.

Meanwhile, he said the oft-bored appear to have developed a habit of engaging the right-frontal portion of the brain when bored, which is associated with negative emotions like anxiety and avoidance. “What we found was some people, they tend to show that they are better at coping with (boredom) at the level of the brain, than other people,” Perone said. “The key sort of observation was that those people who are better at coping with it in the lab, at the level of the brain, those are the people who say

that they don’t experience a lot of boredom every day.” The next step in the experiment, Perone said, is to suggest tips or strategies for coping with the boring task to one group of test takers while giving relatively little guidance to the other. He said the disparity between these two will help researchers gauge how successful these coping strategies truly are. Perone said as his research progresses he and his colleagues hope to develop a more complete understanding

Jackson can be reached at (208) 883-4636, or by email to sjackson@dnews.com.

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of how boredom and other negative emotions affect a person’s physiological and psychological health, both acutely and over time, and devise strategies to help people manage these emotional states. “What I hope to find — what I actually expect to find — is that the people we give tips, we expect them to show brain activity associated with a more positive response than the other group of people,” Perone said. “By doing that, hopefully, over time, what happens is our brain becomes trained to sort of cope with these types of situations in a more positive way.”

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Balance / Spring 2019

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Want your children to eat more fruits and vegetables? It’s easy, according to recent research. Just tell them about the beneﬁts.

Communication is the key to helping kids eat healthy WSU study shows children eat better if they understand how nutritious food helps them By ANTHONY KUIPERS FOR BALANCE

Washington State University scientists say parents may be able to persuade their children to eat

their vegetables. healthier food if they communicate to them In the study, the the power of healthy children who were nutrition in language taught how healthy they understand. food benefits them A study published ate twice as much earlier this year of it versus when in the Journal of they were given Nutrition Education the food without Lanigan and Behavior by any information. WSU and Florida If a child is told the State University scientists nutritious food placed in found that affirming front of them will make them statements will make bigger, stronger and faster, children more likely to eat the child would find the food

more attractive to eat, Jane Lanigan, associate professor in the WSU Department of Human Development, said. For the study, researchers offered healthy foods to 87 children age 3-5 years old for six weeks. At the beginning, the children ranked how much they liked four foods: green peppers, tomatoes, quinoa and lentils. During the next six > See Eat, Page 7

Balance / Spring 2019

Eat from Page 6 weeks, the children were presented with their least favorite foods, but with the researchers explaining the benefits of the food. Over time, the children ate more of the food that came with positive statements than the rest of the food. Toni Salerno-Baird, owner of Palouse Juice in Moscow, has tried to pass on her passion for healthy food to her three daughters by explaining to them the benefits of avoiding junk food. “Everything you put in your body makes a difference,” Salerno-Baird said. She compared the human body to a car, and the food to fuel. The best fuel to make their car run properly for a long time is fruit and vegetables, she said. She has relayed that message to her children so they understand that good nutrition is the best and fastest way to ensure good health. “You want to give it the best nourishment, because you are what you eat,” she said. Her 11-year-old daughter, Dancia, said she was taught that healthy food will make her a strong person and help her avoid getting sick. She said children who eat bad food will not feel good, preventing them from having fun doing activities they want to do. Kuipers can be reached at (208) 883-4640, or by email to akuipers@dnews.com.

Balance / Spring 2019

GET YOUR BINOCS ON

A recent study out of England indicates that birdwatching — yes, birdwatching — can improve your mental health.

Study: People who watch birds from home have less depression, anxiety, stress By GARRETT CABEZA FOR BALANCE

Enjoying nature often plays second fiddle in today’s world where cellphones, computers and tablets dominate many people’s lives. But a study out of the United Kingdom found that appreciating the outside world, specifically bird-watching,

translates to improved mental health. The study states people who watch birds from their home have lower depression, anxiety and stress compared to those who live in less leafy areas with fewer birds. People felt relaxed and connected to nature when they watched birds in their garden, researchers said. Specifically, the number of birds people see was directly associated with better mental health. “This study starts to unpick the role that some key components of nature play for our mental well-being,” said lead researcher Daniel Cox of the University of Exeter. “Birds around the home and > See Binocs, Page 9

Blue green means

BEWARE

Toxic algae blooms can be harmful to people, pets and livestock By ERIC BARKER FOR BALANCE

Idaho’s water quality stewards are warning pet owners and others to be on the lookout for toxic algae blooms as the summer turns hot. Each year, some of Idaho’s lakes, ponds and reservoirs are afﬂicted with blooms of bacteria commonly known as blue green algae that can produce toxins harmful to humans, pets and livestock.

Such blooms have already been documented in Brownlee Reservoir on the Snake River at the upper end of Hells Canyon and in Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir near Twin Falls. Although such blooms are not common in north central Idaho, they have been known to pop up from time to time. For example, the algae was found in isolated arms of Dworshak Reservoir in 2011. The blooms, which are actually bacterial instead of a true algae, can be identiﬁed by

a blue, green, brown or reddish ﬁlm or scum on the surface of the water. They sometimes produce thick green mats near the shoreline. At times, they produce a foul odor. They are caused by cyanobacteria and are a natural occurrence. According to the Department of Environmental Quality website, the blooms are a vital part of the ecosystem. However, when excessive, the growths can produce harmful

A blue green algae bloom is visible on the surface of Dworshak Reservoir in this 2015 photograph from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. Blue green algae can be harmful to people, pets and livestock. COURTESY PHOTO

> See Algae, Page 9

Balance / Spring 2019

Algae

Exposure to the blooms can cause skin irritation like rashes from Page 8 and hives or intestinal distress if the water toxins. The agency posts health advisories is consumed. Severe exposure can lead when it learns of to liver damage cyanobacteria blooms and even death. and recommends The agency people avoid swimming recommends that in and drinking water people and pets with blue green algae and also advises people exposed to the blooms rinse well and that to not allow pets or livestock owners livestock to swim in monitor watering sites or drink from water and keep their animals bodies where the blooms are present. from the water if the

Binocs

blooms are present. Fish can be affected by the blooms. The agency recommends people only eat the fillets of fish that come from water with active blooms. Toxins can accumulate in the organs of exposed fish. Sujata Connell, surface water quality manager for the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, reiterated that harmful algae blooms are less common in

recent studies have shown a decrease in depression and an increase in wellfrom Page 7 being for individuals nature in general, show great who spend time promise in preventive health in natural outside care, making cities healthier, settings. Brown said happier places to live.” studies have also Tina Phillips, of shown fewer the Cornell Lab of emergency room Ornithology, agreed. visits and fewer “Overwhelmingly, Brown deaths for heartstudies show that people related issues, like feed birds because it makes heart disease, among people them feel more relaxed, who live in green areas. that it’s something they’re “Clearly, there is a interested in and ultimately something that makes them strong correlation both with mental and physical feel good,” Phillips said. health in being in green John Brown, Gritman Medical Center chief medical environments and spending officer, said a number of time in nature,” he said.

Balance / Spring 2019

north central Idaho. “In general we don’t really see a lot,” Connell said. “We just don’t have a lot of the lakes and reservoirs that some other parts of the state have.” But she said people who think a bloom may be occurring in a specific water body should avoid it. “Usually what we tell people is, if it looks like you shouldn’t be in there, don’t go in. When in

He said looking at objects at various distances in fairly rapid succession, such as bird-watching, is also healthy as opposed to staring at something at a fixed distance for long periods of time, such as when staring at a screen. Focusing on the blowing wind, shining sun and various other elements in nature tends to be more relaxing for most people than indoor environments, Brown said. “There’s very clear health benefits to being out in nature, and exercising and

doubt stay out,” she said. “If you do have concerns about a water body, don’t go in and don’t let your pets or children go in, and feel free to give us a call.” More information about harmful algae blooms is available at http:// bit.ly/2GbH65m. Barker may be contacted at ebarker@ lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2273. Follow him on Twitter @ezebarker.

not sitting around inside a windowless box,” he said. He said increased time watching television and operating computers correlates with obesity, insomnia, hyperactivity and other health risks. “For the most part, increasing your time outdoors is healthy and a good idea,” Brown said. “So spend time in the forests and in the green areas that we have that we’re really blessed with here in Moscow and the Palouse. We have a lot of beautiful parks and recreational areas.” Cabeza can be reached at (208) 883-4631, or by email to gcabeza@dnews.com.

BALANCE/MARY STONE

Summer fun can also mean minor injuries for little ones. Cuts and scrapes should be cleaned and covered with a fresh bandage.

FIRST AID FOR PARENTS 10

Some basic instruction for how to handle kids’ minor bumps, burns and bug bites By JUSTYNA TOMTAS FOR BALANCE

Summertime provides countless options for kids to enjoy the outdoors, whether they are riding their bikes, camping or running around on a playground. But with outdoor recreation comes ample opportunity to suffer minor injuries, like scraped knees or insect bites. To be prepared for the curveballs warm weather activities can bring, here is a list of recommendations from the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention on how to treat some of the most common summer injuries. INSECT STINGS If a child is stung by a bee, wasp or hornet, parents are advised to wash the affected area with soap and water. If the stinger remains, it’s recommended to use gauze to wipe the area or to scrape it gently with a fingernail until it’s removed. A stinger should never be squeezed out or > See First aid, Page 11

Balance / Spring 2019

First aid

Bandages and first-aid cream, collected in a kit, can save the day when kids suffer minor cuts and scrapes during summertime activities. First-aid ointment can help soothe a rash or a burn.

from Page 10 removed with tweezers. Apply ice and do not scratch the area, as it could increase itching, swelling and the risk of infection. It’s also important to watch for signs of an allergic reaction, as more than 2 million people in the U.S. are allergic to bee stings. Signs could include excessive itching, hives or swelling, as well as a severe reaction called anaphylaxis, which includes difficulty breathing and low blood pressure. If a child experiences an allergic reaction, parents or guardians should call their pediatrician. If the child has difficulty swallowing or breathing, call 911.

BALANCE/MARY STONE

SCRAPED KNEES AND OTHER CUTS To treat abrasions, the CDC recommends adding direct pressure to control the bleeding. After inspecting the area for dirt and foreign objects, gently flood the wound with water or, preferably, a saline solution. Clean around the wound with soap and water. Then, pat dry and apply a bandage.

Balance / Spring 2019

skin to show signs of damage. The CDC recommends avoiding the sun when UV rays are at their highest level, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses are recommended, even on cloudy days. To treat a sunburn, take an over-the-counter pain reliever like aspirin or ibuprofen and stay hydrated. Burns can be soothed with cool baths or by applying cool, wet cloths. A topical moisturizing cream or aloe can also provide relief. It’s important not to go back into the sun until the burn has healed. If skin blisters appear, cover the area with gauze to prevent infection and apply antiseptic ointment if blisters break.

in excessive temperatures. Sunburns are a common Heat-related illnesses pose problem and can lead to the greatest risk for people 4 larger issues down the road, years old or younger and those as repeated burns early older than 65, according to in life can raise a person’s the CDC. Recommendations risk of skin cancer. to beat the heat include The sun can burn Tomtas may be contacted drinking plenty of liquids, unprotected skin in as little as at jtomtas@lmtribune.com wearing light-colored clothing 15 minutes, although it may or (208) 848-2294. Follow take up to 12 hours for the and limiting sun exposure her on Twitter @jtomtas. BEAT THE HEAT

COVER STORY

Putting penicillin to the test Clarkston physician helps bust myths about allergies to the common antibiotic By ELAINE WILLIAMS FOR BALANCE

Tiffany Rogers sat calmly in a physician’s office on the campus of Tri-State Memorial Hospital in Clarkston. Minutes earlier, Rogers had swallowed a pill containing a diluted form of penicillin, and to her delight, absolutely nothing was happening. No part of her body itched or tingled. She wasn’t vomiting. Her head wasn’t aching and, most importantly, her throat wasn’t swelling shut. Her body’s tolerance of the medication in the closely supervised test confirmed Dr. Anubhav Kanwar’s hunch that Rogers wasn’t allergic to penicillin in spite of a previous severe reaction. That was welcome news to Rogers. “I feel like I can go forward with life and not fear what would happen if I got deathly sick,” she said. Rogers is one of a number of patients Kanwar has found aren’t allergic to penicillin since he started offering tests in May like the one she took. The service is part of his effort to bust myths about penicillin allergies, while improving public health and the lives of individual patients.

Even though penicillin has been in widespread use since the 1940s, it is still one of the most important drugs in the world, said Kanwar, a specialist in infectious diseases, tropical medicine and travelers’ health. It’s inexpensive and typically has fewer side effects than other antibiotics. “For most infections, penicillin is still the first drug of choice,” Kanwar said. Yet 1 in 10 patients > See Penicillin, Page 14

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Commentary

Dr. Anubhav Kanwar

Are you allergic to penicillin? Myths and facts

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT: Dr. Anubhav Kanwar, left, analyzes penicillin allergy scratch tests on the arm of Tiffany Rogers during a recent appointment at Tri-State Memorial Hospital in Clarkston. After being given small scratches of penicillin in her right arm, Rogers waits for a reaction as she gets tested to see if she is allergic to the drug. Circles on Rogersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; right arm demarcate where she was being tested for a penicillin allergy. The second of three rounds of tests involves being injected with extremely small doses of penicillin. Registered nurse Charlene Erks dabs a small dose of penicillin into a scratch mark on Rogersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; left forearm. The scratch test was the first of three tests administered that would show whether Rogers was allergic to penicillin. PETE CASTER/FOR BALANCE

Balance / Spring 2019

What is penicillin? Penicillin is an antibiotic which belongs to a large group of chemically related drugs also called penicillins that can be given by mouth or injection to treat many bacterial infections. They have been one of the most lifesaving medicines ever discovered in the history of mankind. Introduced in the 1940s, penicillin revolutionized the treatment of common infections which would otherwise kill many patients. For example, in World War I, the death rate from bacterial pneumonia was 18 percent; in World War II, it fell to less than 1 percent. HOW COMMON IS ALLERGY TO PENICILLIN? Today in the United States, about 1 in 10 patients has a penicillin allergy mentioned in their medical record. Research studies involving thousands of patients have revealed that about 90 percent of penicillin-allergic patients are not allergic when tested. Of the remaining 10 > See Kanwar, Page 14

Penicillin

other than penicillin has a number of potential consequences, such as increasing the prevalence of infections that don’t respond to antibiotics, Kanwar said. As someone diagnosed 20 years ago as being allergic to penicillin, Rogers understands the dangers Kanwar described from the perspective of a patient. The test, she said, was a great option, especially considering how little it hurt and inexpensive it was. It started with a series of skin scratch tests that provided initial indications Rogers wasn’t allergic. Then she took the lowdose pill and waited in the office for about one hour in case symptoms surfaced.

Kanwar and his staff checked on Rogers frequently, making sure she wasn’t having any reactions. Rogers paid $56, and her insurance covered the rest. Her body’s ability to tolerate the medication stands in stark contrast to an earlier experience she had with penicillin when she went to the emergency room barely able to breathe. After that, following the directions of her physicians, she ceased taking penicillin. The limitation was in the back of her head almost every waking minute. She invested time and money in preventing her reoccuring sinus infections. She got twice-weekly allergy shots for five years

and underwent surgery on her nasal cavity. If she got a small scratch, playing with her pets or working in her garden, she worried it might get infected and require her to take antibiotics, increasing the chances she might develop resistance to the drugs. Now that she knows she can take penicillin, Rogers said, she’s worrying a lot less, so much so she’s considering something she previously believed posed too much of a risk — getting a tattoo.

or an oral challenge with a small dose of penicillin. MYTH from Page 13 Being allergic to penicillin percent of patients with is a harmless label. It is fine true penicillin allergy, about even if I don’t get tested. 80 percent lose chemicals FACT (called IgE antibodies) which Having a penicillin cause penicillin allergy after allergy in chart encourages 10 years of allergic reaction. use of second-line There are many myths antibiotics to treat around penicillin allergy. infections which lead to: Let us answer pertinent Increased length ones with facts: of hospital stay. MYTH Increased health Once allergic to penicillin, care costs. always allergic to penicillin. Development of FACT antibiotic resistance. Increased rates of 80 percent of penicillinCdiff (called Clostridiodes allergic are no longer allergic to penicillin after 10 difficile) infection. years of allergic reaction. MYTH MYTH Penicillin allergy testing is not covered There is no test to by health insurance. detect penicillin allergy. FACT FACT Penicillin allergy testing Penicillin allergy can be detected by skin testing and/ is covered by Medicare, Blue

Cross Blue Shield, Premera and other health insurance companies, with some deductible paid by patients. HOW TO DIAGNOSE PENICILLIN ALLERGY A careful history of penicillin allergy is obtained by the doctor’s office focusing on questions such as timing and nature of reaction, how was it managed and if the patient had taken any type of penicillin afterward. Patients are subsequently told if they are eligible for penicillin allergy testing or not. In certain cases, some of the medicines might be withheld a few days prior to testing. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER PENICILLIN ALLERGY TESTING? You will be told: You are allergic to penicillin. You are not allergic to penicillin and you could

receive penicillin in future for treatment of an infection. You might receive a card with results of penicillin allergy testing. Often the physician will notify your pharmacy and primary care physician with these results and update your chart with correct allergy history.

from Page 12 in the United States is listed in their medical records as being allergic to penicillin — a frequently false diagnosis, he said. That occurs for a variety of reasons. A patient may experience a rash or another symptom while taking penicillin, for example, but that isn’t necessarily caused by the drug. And in patients who truly are allergic, the chemicals responsible for the allergy are generally no longer present in the body after 10 years. Opting for antibiotics

Kanwar

Williams may be contacted at ewilliam@lmtribune. com or (208) 848-2261.

Dr. Anubhav Kanwar began at Tri-State Infectious Disease in July 2018. He received his Bachelors of Medicine and Bachelors of Surgery in 2003 at Indira Gandhi Medical College in Shimla in India. In 2012, he moved to the United States to complete his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center. He continued his training as a fellow in infectious diseases and HIV medicine at Case Western Reserve University. He is board certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases.

Balance / Spring 2019

BEHOLD, THE

POWER OF

TEA

Preston Montgomery owns Tenacious P’s, a tea shop which recently relocated to Newberry Square in downtown Lewiston. Montgomery offers an assortment of tea and tea-drinking products at his store. PETE CASTER/ FOR BALANCE

RIGHT: Montgomery tosses a hefty scoop of “Fox and Rabbit Story Time Black Tea” into a strainer at his shop. According to some, tea helps ﬁght cancer, reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes, improves bone density and and promotes weight loss.

Amid an onslaught of negative news about what we eat, the humble drink stands out as one thing guaranteed not to kill us

PETE CASTER

> See TEA, Page 16

Balance / Spring 2019

By WILLIAM L. SPENCE  FOR BALANCE Another day, another study saying everything we like to eat will kill us. Red meat? Better notify your next of kin. Chocolate? Keep a defibrillator handy. And bacon? Really? You might as well inject Elmer’s Glue straight into your arteries. Even supposedly “healthy” foods can go all ninja on us, as New York Times food writer Jeffrey Steingarten noted in a 1997 story titled “Salad, the silent killer.” “I have spent weeks combing the scientific journals for data on the poisons that lurk in every bowl of salad,” he wrote. “My quarry wasn’t the artificial, man-made

Tea from Page 15 pesticides, fungicides and hormones that hog the headlines of our daily newspapers. I was after the true perils — the natural poisons plants manufacture to stay alive and perpetuate their species, just as a cobra uses its venom.” And it isn’t food alone that’s out to get us. The latest research, published earlier this month, found that a daily dose of fruit juice could increase the risk of cancer by 18 percent. Yes, it seems we’re destined to starve to death eating healthy twigs and rice cakes, or die frothing at the mouth over that second helping of pasta carbonara. Fortunately, one beverage stands above the fray, unbowed by this deepseated need to find fault with everything we enjoy: tea. Despite multiple studies hell-bent on finding them, tea apparently has no toxic side effects. “There was no credible evidence that black tea, in amounts typically consumed, was harmful,” noted one disappointed researcher in a 2007 study. “Drinking tea has been considered a health-promoting habit since ancient times,” wrote another in 2013. “Modern medical research is providing a scientific basis for this belief. The evidence supporting the health benefits of teadrinking grows stronger with every new study.” Judging by the abundant literature, tea is a regular botanical superhero. Chock full of antioxidants, it

PETE CASTER/FOR BALANCE

Dozens of black teas, green teas and herbal teas are displayed at Tenacious P’s at Newberry Square in downtown Lewiston. — all without any sodium, fat or carbohydrates and Tea thyme essentially zero calories. Steeping thyme leaves in Granted, the killjoys at boiling water yields a tasty tea the U.S. Food and Drug that can be used to relieve Administration rejected respiratory ailments. claims that green tea Benefits of oils in thyme prevents heart disease and • Fight bacterial, viral lowers the risk of cancer — and fungal growth but even they couldn’t find • Can be used to calm dry cough, bronchitis, asthma, hay fever anything actually wrong with it. At worst, tea is an Source: Herbal Medicines, Pharmacy and Health; inexpensive alternative to Physicians’ Desk Reference; TNS Photo Service plain water; at best, it’s an ancient elixir offering Confucius-like wisdom and long life to all who partake. Oh, and it tastes good. “I mainly drink it because I like the flavor,” said Eric “Preston” allegedly helps fight cancer, Montgomery, the owner reduces the risk of heart of Tenacious P’s Teas and attacks and strokes, prevents Commodities in Lewiston. The store, which recently tooth decay, improves bone relocated to a spot in density and mental acuity, Newberry Square on Main and promotes weight loss Healthy Living

Street, stocks about 50 different blends of tea, including 30 or so black teas and a number of green teas. “I’ve probably tried about 80 percent of them,” Montgomery said. “Since I started this business I’ve tried a lot more. I think a lot of the health benefits come from the smell. It’s so soothing, it makes you feel better.” One of his favorite teas is a Marketspice Cinnamon Orange variety, which has a heavy hit of cinnamon and citrus. Another recent discovery is Creamy Earl Grey, which adds vanilla flavoring to the traditional English tea. Discovering different blends has been one of the side benefits for > See TEA, Page 17

Balance / Spring 2019

Tea

counteract some or most of the good works. And for those health from Page 16 fanatics who like to push the envelope, tea can also Montgomery since he be used in cooking. opened the store earlier Montgomery, for this year. Customers often example, said one of his have strong opinions about customers likes to combine which teas are best for it with salt to make a meat which minor ailments. rub. Another recently Breathe Deep, for example, marinated a steak in lapsang is an herbal tea blend souchong, a pungent green that combines eucalyptus tea made by drying the leaves with licorice root, leaves over a pine fire. mint and honeybush. It’s “It smells exactly like said to ease sore throats PETE CASTER/FOR BALANCE a campfire,” he said. “She and nasal congestion. “When you open it up, An assortment of green teas sit on display at Tenacious P’s at made the tea, soaked the steak in it and then grilled it. it smells like Halls cough Newberry Square in downtown Lewiston. She said it tasted amazing.” drops,” Montgomery and aged like fine wine. been scientifically proven, Ah, yes, tea you can said. “You can feel The type and degree of the literature regarding sink a fork into. Now stuff breaking up.” processing affects the health tea is noteworthy in that that’s a proper cuppa. Herbal teas are a blend of dried fruits, herbs, spices, benefits of the end product. virtually no negative effects White and green tea leaves roots and seeds. While have been described. The Spence may be contacted have the least amount of they may provide health only caveat is that adding at bspence@lmtribune. processing, so they retain the benefits of their own — such com or (208) 791-9168. most antioxidants. Black tea, artificial sweetener may as chamomile’s reputation which has been allowed to for reducing stress — most oxidize the longest, typically scientific research has focused on “real” tea, which has the most caffeine of any teas, although it’s still about is made from the leaves half the level found in coffee. of Camellia sinensis, an A cup of matcha — a evergreen shrub native green tea in which the to southwestern China. ground up leaves are Depending on how injested – reportedly they’re processed, Camellia provides about 10 times the sinensis leaves can be nutrients of a similar cup of divided into white, green, regular, brewed green tea. black and oolong teas, as While some alleged well as pu-ehr, a fermented benefits of tea haven’t yet tea that’s packed into cakes

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Are teas and supplements living up to the promises? Can some teas really help you sleep better at night? And is there a dietary supplement that can protect you from sunburn? While we are free to buy these products, they are worth checking out. Here goes: A close friend swears that his first cup of Sleepytime tea won’t be his last. It helped him sleep better. So I took a look at the ingredients. At the top of the list is chamomile, which has been used as a sleep and digestive aid in some cultures for hundreds of years. Hard data on the effects of chamomile for sleep are unfortunately scarce, however. Some studies show that chamomile is a safe way to get a good night’s sleep; other studies show no benefit. Pregnant women should avoid chamomile, advises the National Library of Medicine, since one variety, Roman Chamomile, may cause miscarriages. Chamomile is also related to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds and daisies in case you are allergic to any of these plants. Sleepytime tea also contains spearmint, which according to its manufacturer, Celestial Seasonings, “is thought to help settle the stomach and soothe the mind.” At any rate, spearmint is a

Some studies show that chamomile is a safe way to get a good night’s sleep; other studies show no benefit.

gives the orange plant source of tint to salmon and anti-inflammatory is also found in substances and shrimp, crab, red has been used as snapper, green algae a medicinal plant and red yeast. for more than 200 Antioxidants work years, say scientists. behind the scenes Celestial Tea folks also say lemongrass On Nutrition to do battle against wayward oxygen gives Sleepytime molecules that tea, “a uniquely damage our cells in uplifting flavor and the process of living. aroma that many tea How important drinkers describe is the work of as ‘hitting the reset button.’ ” Fair enough. Enjoy. antioxidants? They help protect every cell in our Another friend bodies from inflammation approached me this week and damage that can lead about a product that she to premature aging and a heard, “helps you from host of chronic diseases. getting sunburned.” But can astaxanthin Interesting. It’s called protect us from sunburn? A astaxanthin — pronounced few small studies on middleasta-zan-thin (I think) — which is a potent antioxidant aged women found they had less saggy skin and fewer in the carotenoid family. wrinkles (sun damage causes (Carotenoids are pigments skin to sag and wrinkle) that give carrots their after taking doses of orange color.) Astaxanthin

Barbara Quinn

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astaxanthin ranging between 4 to 12 milligrams for 6 to 16 weeks. And at least one study found that applying astaxanthin directly to the skin helped protect skin cells much like sunscreen. Always good to check out dietary supplements at reliable sites like the Office of Dietary Supplements www.ods.od.nih.gov. Unlike drugs and medications that must meet strict requirements for safety and efficacy (meaning they work for what you are taking them for), products marketed as dietary supplements do not have to prove they are safe or effective before they can be sold. That’s unfortunate. Quinn is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator with Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. Her email address is barbara@ quinnessentialnutrition.com.

Balance / Spring 2019

How to tell if your upset stomach is a viral infection An upset stomach can be a result of many things. When symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and fever, chances are it’s a viral infection. “A viral gastroenteritis, which we sometimes call ‘a stomach bug’ or ‘a stomach flu,’ is a common reason for having an acute onset of vomiting and diarrhea, and sometimes with fever,” says Dr. Tina Ardon, a Mayo Clinic family medicine physician. The viral infection is most commonly spread through contact with an infected person or by ingesting contaminated food or water. Ensuring you stay

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hydrated is imperative. Ardon says a person can become dehydrated quickly, even with a couple hours of vomiting or diarrhea. “When we say dehydrated, we’re usually referring to a significant amount of fluid loss — either from vomiting or diarrhea.” It’s important to stay hydrated with fluids, but what about eating? “Most patients have heard of something called the ‘BRAT diet,’ which stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, toast — basically indicating blander foods, softer foods that are gentler on the stomach,” says Dr. Ardon. “However, studies actually show that if you’re starting to feel

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better, resuming a normal diet is very appropriate. So one can consider that versus restricting their diet if they’re otherwise feeling better.” Most cases of viral gastroenteritis will last about a day or two, and

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will resolve on their own. “If things are continuing to improve, it’s probably safe to continue watching for a couple days, but after that, if you’re not having resolution of your symptoms, that’s a good reason to go see your doctor,” Ardon says.

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An upset stomach can be caused by many things — and when symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and fever, it’s often a viral infection.

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The dimming of desire Study finds women have less sex as they get older and often don’t enjoy it when they do

celibacy. Psychological issues, like postmenopausal body issues, were also factors. “Sexual health challenges are common in women as they age, and partner factors play a prominent role in women’s sexual activity and satisfaction, including By BRIAN NIEMIETZ the lack of a partner, NEW YORK DAILY NEWS sexual dysfunction of a partner, poor physical Middle-aged womhealth of a partner, en are not having and relationship isa lot of sex and the sues,” NAMS medical ones who are aren’t director Dr. Stephawriting home about it. nie Faubion wrote. A new study by While “effecthe North Amertive therapies” are ican Menopause available to remedy Society claims only some of these is22.5 percent of women surveyed sues, Sciencedaily. had been sexually com reported women active in the month afflicted by such issues prior to the study. rarely seek help. The study, called The study’s lead “Why sex becomes less author, Brighton and satisfying with age,” Sussex Medical School was conducted in the researcher Helena U.K. and included Harder, told Reu4,500 participants. ters that discussing It found the most sex at an advanced common reason age is often tricky. women in that age “There is still a range weren’t active stigma around agwas due to not having ing and sexuality, a sexual partner. This and we know that METRO CREATIVE GRAPHICS health care converwas frequently the A recent study by the North American Menopause Society, conducted in Britain, sations about sex can result of being widfound that only 22.5 percent of women surveyed had been sexually active in the be difficult for both owed, the study said. month prior to the study. Of the twodoctors and patients,” thirds who did she suggested. “We physical issues related to menopause have significant others, just more know that aging in and of itself is as reasons for their inactivity while than 34 percent had been sexualnot a barrier to healthy sexual activothers blamed their partner’s inabilly active over the past 30 days. ity and there are things that can be Some participants in the study cited ity to perform for their involuntary done to ensure this is maintained.”

Balance / Spring 2019

MAYO CLINIC Q&A

Artificial sweeteners — aye or nay? While the absence of calories is a plus, the health risks of ‘intense sweeteners’ like aspartame are not clear and may be cause for pause MAYO CLINIC NEWS NETWORK

Dear Mayo Clinic: Are artificial sweeteners bad for your health? I want to cut down on sugar in my diet. I’ve found many products that are sugarfree, but they’re sweetened with things like Splenda, stevia and NutraSweet. Are these reasonable alternatives to sugar, or should they be avoided? A: Artificial sweeteners available in the U.S. are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Extensive research on the safety of artificial sweeteners has found that using them in moderation doesn’t pose health concerns. Artificial sweeteners are synthetic or highly refined sugar substitutes. They’re sometimes called “intense sweeteners” because they are significantly sweeter than sugar. You’ll find artificial sweeteners in many processed foods, including soft drinks, powdered drink mixes, candy, jams, jellies, dairy products and baked goods. One of the highly

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Artificial sweeteners using aspartame and sucralose are displayed in New York. touted benefits of artificial sweeteners is that they have virtually no calories. In contrast, one teaspoon of sugar has about 16 calories. That means a can of sweetened cola with 10 teaspoons of added sugar has about 160 calories. The same amount of cola sweetened with the artificial sweetener aspartame has none. If you’re trying to lose weight or prevent weight gain, products with artificial sweeteners may be an attractive option. It’s important to

note, however, that their effectiveness for long-term weight loss isn’t clear. Another benefit is that artificial sweeteners aren’t carbohydrates. So, unlike sugar, artificial sweeteners generally do not raise blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, talk to your primary health care provider or a dietitian before you use products with artificial sweeteners. Over the years, there has been concern that artificial sweeteners may cause health problems, including cancer. That’s largely because of

studies dating to the 1970s that linked the artificial sweetener saccharin to bladder cancer in laboratory rats. Because of that, saccharin once carried a label warning that it may be hazardous to your health. There’s no sound scientific evidence that any artificial sweeteners approved for use in the U.S. cause cancer in humans, according to the National Cancer Institute and other health agencies. Given this, the warning > See Sweeteners, Page 22

Sweeteners from Page 21 label for saccharin was dropped. A study published earlier this year found that women who consistently drank two or more artificially sweetened beverages a day had a higher risk for stroke than women who drank those beverages less frequently or not at all. Although more research is needed, these findings point to the value of consuming artificially sweetened beverages in moderation. The FDA regulates artificial sweeteners as food additives, and they must be reviewed and approved by the FDA before being made available for sale. The FDA has established an acceptable daily intake for each artificial sweetener. The acceptable daily intake is set at conservative levels. That means those amounts are likely to be higher than most people would typically consume. Be aware, though, that it can be hard to pinpoint the exact amount of artificial sweeteners in your diet. Most companies do not share the quantities of artificial sweeteners in products because that information is considered to be part of the companies’ proprietary recipes. In addition, artificial sweeteners are in products you might not expect, such as bran cereal, so you may be consuming more artificial sweeteners daily than you realize. If your goal is a healthier diet, instead of eating processed foods with artificial sweeteners, choose whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Many are naturally sweet, and they also have the benefit of containing healthy nutrients. This is in contrast to artificial sweeteners, which have no nutritional value. If you regularly drink artificially sweetened beverages as a replacement for sweetened drinks, use that as a stepping stone to drinking more plain water. Your body needs the water, and there’s no question that it’s good for you.

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As long as we are not put out too much, we will go along with and even enjoy what’s new and different, but change can also make us deeply uncomfortable.

Are you a change agent? change is scary to think about, so we We all know that having a often try to keep it out of our heads, routine can be invaluable, but there telling ourselves that it’s pretty are many times when we have to hard to plan anything anyway. break or alter our routines, as our But planning for the future is a way bodies and our lives are constantly to navigate through life. It’s in flux. In fact, change may good to think about what you be the only constant in the want, where you want to go, universe, and you have to and the best way to get there learn to bend with it, or else. from where you are. As much Most people would seek as we fear it, change is the change but really want essence of personal growth. things to stay the same. You really can’t do anything As long as we are not put without some change, so out too much, we will go Commentary it’s best to become friends along with and even enjoy with it. Fighting it is really what’s new and different, frustrating, but if you can but change can also make learn to go with it, you may be us deeply uncomfortable. entering the time of your life. So rather than wait for the Going from one new thing discomfort to set in, why to the next as gracefully as not take a look at what changes are possible is a great rule for the road. Yes, coming and get prepared for them? there will be upsetting changes, and Just thinking about the future then there will be really, really positive can produce anxiety, because we ones — whether planned or not. There have no real control over what is going to happen to us. That kind of > See Change, Page 23

Barton Goldsmith

Balance / Spring 2019

Study: Even one small glass of juice or soda a day can increase cancer risk risk by 22 percent. There was no apparent link between cancer risk and artificially sweetened beverages. Scientists have previously In the study, the team said, warned against drinking too “100 percent fruit juices were much soda or juice. Now they also positively associated with believe even one small glass the risk of overall cancer. These can pose possible dangers, results need replication in other according to a new report. large scale prospective studies. Researchers from health They suggest that sugary drinks, institutions in France recently which are widely consumed conducted a study, published in Western countries, might in the British Medical Journal, represent a modifiable risk to determine the association factor for cancer prevention.” between cancer risk; sugary The scientists noted the drinks, such as 100 percent fruit assessment was observational juice; and artificially sweetened and does not show cause and ones, like diet beverages. effect. They also acknowledged To do so, they examined a few limitations. They more than 100,000 French didn’t explore whether the adults, who participated in the relationship between cancer ongoing French NutriNet-Sante study. The participants, who METRO GRAPHICS SERVICES and sugary beverages was due were followed for about nine Sugary drinks such as orange juice and soda have become to another hidden health issue. This isn’t the first time years, had an average age of a staple in the diet of the western world, but scientists say sugary drinks have bee 42 and completed at least two it can increase a person’s risk of developing cancer. linked with health issues. questionnaires about the types Earlier this year, researchers of food and drinks they usually After analyzing the results, the team from the Harvard T.H. Chan School consumed. The authors also considered found just 100 ml of a sugary drink, of Public Health found sugary drinks factors, such as age, sex, educational which is about a third of a typical were linked to higher risk of early level, family history of cancer, smoking can of soda, increased overall cancer risk by 18 percent and breast cancer status, and physical activity. death, especially for women.

By NAJJA PARKER

THE ATLANTA JOURNALCONSTITUTION

Change from Page 22 is a balance to all of this, but you might have to be a little unbalanced when you’re in the middle of something happening when you least expect it. That’s part of life. Perhaps the biggest issue with unexpected change is that we aren’t ready for

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it, whether good or bad. Most people have their lives running as well as they can, and they don’t want anything mucking up their journey, but the truth is if something doesn’t change, nothing else will. If you want your life to stay like it is, that’s pretty awesome, because you must have a good life. All I’m suggesting is that you

accept the fact of change and make appropriate preparations for what you see coming and also save for the rainy day when something less expected arrives. This isn’t a “when life hands you lemons, make lemonade” thing. It’s more a “you’re gonna get squeezed, so best be prepped” thing. It’s okay to feel a little squeamish about moving

your life forward, but it’s a lot better to go with it than to be left behind. Dr. Barton Goldsmith, a psychotherapist in Westlake Village, Calif., is the author of “The Happy Couple: How to Make Happiness a Habit One Little Loving Thing at a Time.” Follow his daily insights on Twitter at @ BartonGoldsmith, or email him at Barton@bartongoldsmith.com.

Balance / Spring 2019