Health & Wellness

HW +

BE STRONGER. LIVE LONGER.

GAM BIT’S HEALTH & WELLNESS > MARCH 2011 >VOLUME 2 > NUM BER 3

G A M B I T ’ S H E A LT H + W E L L N E S S

OPTICAL

RESOLUTION REDUCE YOUR RISK FOR COMPUTER

VISION SYNDROME

GET CHISELED WITH

BALLET-INSPIRED EXERCISE

5

MEG FARRIS ON A

HIGH-CARB DIET THAT WORKS

6

A GLUTEN-FREE CHEESECAKE RECIPE

11

. e l y t s r you

your life. your health.

Alice Ford

Olympic Hopeful and Healthy Lifestyles Host

Get On Your Bikes And Ride!

Saturday, March 5 • 9am • Pontchartrain Center Boat Launch

Join Healthy Lifestyles host, Alice Ford for a bike ride on the levee. Then get great information on fitness, nutrition and other healthy events throughout March, like these: Whole Foods Grocery Tour: Lowering Sugar Intake Wednesday, March 9, 5:30-6:30pm Learn to make healthier choices, understand food labels and shop for good health. Whole Foods, 3420 Veterans Blvd.

HealtH & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > marcH 01 > 2011

Healthy Lifestyles Book Club

02

Wednesday, March 16, 5:30-6:30pm Discount pricing for selected books and all Barnes and Noble products. Barnes and Noble, 3721 Veterans Blvd.

Living Well With Diabetes Wednesday, March 30, 11:30am-4pm Join medical experts, EJGH’s Wound and Diabetes Management Center and Healthy Lifestyles staff for an all-day fair on diabetes management. EJGH Conference Center Domino Pavilion.

Events are free to Healthy Lifestyles members. Fees apply to non-members. For more information on events, fees, and how to join Healthy Lifestyles, call EJGH HealthFinder at:

504-456-5000

East Jefferson General Hospital

www.ejgh.org

Get updates and health tips on Facebook and Twitter!

C

ntents M A R CH 2011

After years of being on the sidelines, I wanted to be more active again, so I talked to my doctor about Mobile Bearing Hip™ Replacement.

STRYKER’S NEW MOBILE BEARING HIP™ SYSTEM

Body equity

Get lean with ballet-inspired routines.

allows your doctor to more closely match the implant to your anatomy and is designed to promote greater range of motion1, which may allow you to maintain your more active lifestyle.

Visit AboutStryker.com, or call 1-888-STRYKER for more information about hip solutions that may be right for you.

CARB-FRiendLy

WWL-TV’s Meg Farris on high-carb diets

exPeRt AdviCe

Treatments for injured golfers

1 Stryker Test Report: RD-06-078 Indications: Total hip replacement is indicated for joint disease resulting from degenerative, rheumatoid and post-traumatic arthritis; avascular necrosis and correction of functional deformity. Contra-Indications: It is not indicated for those with infection, compromised bone stock, skeletal immaturity, mental or neuromuscular disease. Common Side Effects of Hip Replacement Surgery: Like any surgery hip replacement surgery has risks which include and but are not limited to: bone fracture, bone loss, change in the length of the treated leg, pain, hip stiffness, excessive bleeding, hip joint fusion, nerve damage, infection, blood clots, amputation, heart attack, pneumonia, decrease of bone mass. Implant related risk which may lead to a revision of the hip implant include wear of the implant, reaction to particle debris in the joint, dislocation, fracture, loosening, audible sounds during motion and metal sensitivity. The information presented is for educational purposes only. Speak to your doctor to decide if joint replacement surgery is right for you. Individual results vary and not all patients will receive the same postoperative activity level. The lifetime of a joint replacement is not infinite and varies with each individual. Your doctor will help counsel you about how to best maintain your activities in order to potentially prolong the lifetime of the device. Such strategies include not engaging in high-impact activities, such as running, as well as maintaining a healthy weight.

Stryker Corporation or its divisions or other corporate affiliated entities own, use or have applied for the following trademarks or service marks: Mobile Bearing Hip, Stryker. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners or holders.

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WeiGHt uP

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tHe JuiCe

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HealtH & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > marcH 01 > 2011

tHe souRCe

How to avoid Computer Vision Syndrome

03

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IMPROVE BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY

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mother-to-be

yoga

warm stone

deep tissue

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HealtH & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > marcH 01 > 2011

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E X E R CI S E FO R LI F E

Good Pointe D

ancers are known for their long, lean musculature, but you don’t have to be a prima ballerina to reap the same benefits for your physique through exercise. Local exercise studios Pure Barre (3923 Magazine St., 342- 2208; www.purebarre.com), Nola Pilates (6268 Vicksburg St., 483-8880; www.nolapilates.com) and Nola Pilates’ new Xtend Barre New Orleans facility (3225 Danny Parkway, Suite 201, Metairie, 621-5066; www.xtendbarreneworleans.com), which opens this month, offer classes that combine elements of ballet, Pilates and weight training.

“Pure Barre is the origins of ballet, weights and Pilates fused together in one class,” says Jennifer Thomas, a former Saintsation and owner of Pure Barre’s New Orleans studio (one of 55 locations nationwide). Each 55-minute class uses small isometric movements to work key muscle groups to the point of fatigue. After the workout, stretches elongate the muscles and keep them flexible. Pure Barre recommends three to four classes a week, and Thomas says clients who follow that advice will see results in 10 classes.

Xtend Barre is a similar workout

BALLET-INFLUENCED WORKOUTS ARE FUN AND EFFECTIVE. BY

LEE

CUTRONE

method created in 2006 by dancer and choreographer Andrea Rogers. Nola Pilates and Xtend Barre New Orleans owner Kim Munoz says benefits include a stronger core, a lifted derriere, improved posture and increased flexibility. Instructors are certified in both the Xtend Barre technique and Pilates.

“It’s a Pilates-based workout infused with dance that provides a total body workout,” Munoz says. “By honing in on each muscle group, you begin to chisel out a great physique.” Because participants use their own body weight as resistance, they can increase bone

density and develop lean muscle mass while raising their heart rates and burning calories.

Thomas and Munoz say their respective classes are good for people of all ages and fitness levels. There’s no bouncing or jumping, so the moves are easy on the joints, and the techniques complement other forms of exercise, including weight training, running, swimming and biking. Most important, each is an outlet for improved health in an atmosphere of upbeat fun. “As long as people are moving, that’s a great thing,” Munoz says.

1

PLIE INTO DEEP SECOND POSITION (KNEES WIDE APART, HEELS ALIGNED, TOES TURNED OUT SO THE FEET ARE IN A STRAIGHT LINE). DO NOT OVEREXTEND THE KNEES.

2

GENTLY MOVE THE RIGHT FOOT OFF THE FLOOR AND TOWARD THE LEFT KNEE (INTO A PASSE), BALANCING ON THE LEFT LEG. DO NOT PLACE PRESSURE ON THE INNER KNEE.

3

LOWER BACK DOWN TO A DEEP SECOND POSITION PLIE. PERFORM EIGHT TO 16 REPS ON EACH SIDE.

4

HANDS CAN BE LIFTED TO HIGH FIFTH POSITION (ARCING OVER THE HEAD, PALMS FACING INWARD) ON THE PASSE TO FURTHER CHALLENGE BALANCE. IMAGES COURTESY OF NOLA PILATES

HealtH & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > marcH 01 > 2011

The following exercise, provided

by Nola Pilates, can be performed at home using a chair for stability.

It increases coordination, hip mobility and body awareness while strengthening the quadriceps and inner and outer thighs. Concentrate on balancing with the supporting leg and foot, while maintaining proper posture and control throughout the execution of the plie and passe.

Repeat the exercise eight to 16 times on each side.

05

HealtH & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > marcH 01 > 2011

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C

S ALE DOWN

FR O M W WL’S W E I G HTLO SS WE D N E S DAYS

WITH MEG FARRIS

Carb YOUREnthusiasm LOSE WEIGHT (BUT KEEP THE BREAD, PASTA AND POTATO CHIPS) WITH THE CARBLOVERS DIET.

I

f you’re tired of high protein diets and cutting out the foods you enjoy, there’s a new diet plan that experts say won’t make you feel deprived and has a secret ingredient to help you burn more calories.

A health editor and a registered dietitian say they have finally found a diet plan you can live with. One, they say, that takes off pounds without making you hungry and without depriving you of foods you love.

“We’ve done a number of test groups on the diet. We find people are able to lose about 6 pounds in the first seven days on this diet and they are able to lose 12 pounds in the first month — and they’re able to keep it off,” says Ellen Kunes, editor in chief of Health magazine.

They call it The CarbLovers Diet and say their recipes and food choices will keep you in a good mood.

“Carbs are the No. 1 fuel for your brain, and they also boost serotonin levels, which is the feel-good neurotransmitter in your brain. So ... if you cut them out of your diet, you’re going to feel cranky. You’re going to feel a little fuzzy in the head and you’re going to feel deprived. And what happens with people who follow a very low-carb diet is they can do it for a while but then eventually they break down and they binge,” says registered dietitian Frances Largeman-Roth, who is the senior food and nutrition editor of Health magazine.

But they say the real secret to this new diet is something hidden in certain foods you love — something you may not know exists. It’s called “resistant starch.”

“The CarbLovers Diet is based on resistant starch, which is a type of carbohydrate, which kicks up fat burning by 25 percent by turning on fat-burning enzymes. And it also increases satiety, so you feel really full,” Largeman-Roth explains. “Resistant starch acts more like a fiber in the body. It’s not broken down and

absorbed in the small intestines, so you really end up being able to eat a lot more food with fewer calories.”

Foods high in resistant starches include whole grain pastas, whole oats, dark breads, such as pumpernickel and rye, cold potatoes, potato chips, barley, beans, peas and legumes, popcorn, pitas, brown rice, corn flakes and the No. 1 resistant starch, a slightly green banana. Largeman-Roth and Kunes call these foods CarbStars and say you should have one at every meal.

“On CarbLovers you can eat these delicious foods, but, hey, they’re also super healthy for you at the same time,” Largeman-Roth says. “They are whole grains. They are really high in fiber. They’re full of minerals and vitamins and they also don’t cost a ton of money.”

“When it comes to feeling satisfied, having these resistant starch carbs in your diet is absolutely key,” Kunes says. “So what we find is that if people eat in our kick-start diet, which has 1,200 calories, if they follow this diet, even though it is only 1,200 calories which is not a lot, they are the most filling calories you’re ever going to have.”

The plan and recipes are all in a book, The Carb Lovers Diet, which features colorful pictures showing portion size and personal before and after success stories. The writers claim the diet especially burns the more dangerous belly fat.

“There are a lot of studies on [resistant starch] that are very good studies, I pulled up at least a dozen and I read them, and there’s human studies and animal studies to show that certain foods, under certain conditions, will either be processed in the small or the large intestine and there are studies to show that it results in weight loss,” says Dr. Melinda Sothern, a clinical exercise physiologist and professor in the School of Public Health at LSU Health Sciences Center.

Doctors like that the diet takes you

away from the empty junk carbs to nutritious, quality ones.

“Two cups of cooked oatmeal versus that soda, it’s going to fill you up.

It’s going to be satisfying. It’s going to take you a while to eat it. It’s going to stay with you longer. It’s got fiber.

It’s got a lot better quality nutrients.

So yes, there is a definite difference between those two types of carbohydrates,” says Dr. Timothy Harlan, a clinical general internist at Tulane and former chef who runs www.drgourmet.com.

High-fiber carbs make you feel fuller longer because they digest more slowly, and has other proven health benefits.

“Remember that fiber also prevents heart disease and improves metabolism. It improves insulin response.

High fiber diets prevent diabetes,” Sothern says.

“It reminds me a little bit of Dr. Dean Ornish’s plan that has proven very, very successful from the standpoint of vascular disease and cardiovascular disease,” says Mackie Shilstone, executive director of the Fitness Principle at East Jefferson General Hospital.

Doctors remind people not to forget how important protein is.

“What I liked about the diet was if you follow it, it’s healthy and it’s going to lean you toward the healthy proteins. So it suggests that you get most of your protein from healthy oil fish sources and beans, which are both high in fiber and have resistant starch,” Sothern says.

But remember, science has shown Americans drink too many of their calories, so cutting sugary soft drinks and alcohol alone will help get you to your weight loss goal.

The creators of The CarbLovers Diet say once you meet your goal and get on the 1,600 calorie immersion plan, dieters actually feel like they are getting too much food and can’t finish it all.

Look for Meg Farris’ Medical Watch reports weeknights on WWL-TV Channel 4 and anytime on wwltv.com.

froM the professionals of east j e f f e r s o n g e n e r a l h o s p i ta l

getting Back in the swing a physical therapist’s special techniques help injured golfers get in the gaMe.

By Katie Kidder CrosBie

M

left elbow. In fact, he was about to have surgery,” Romig says. “Through the screen, I discovered a restriction in his right hip. He was compensating for problems in his hip by a change in mechanics, resulting in overuse of his opposite elbow. Through soft tissue treatments and exercise, we got him back on the golf course in six weeks, and he avoided surgery.”

After identifying the pain’s root cause and secondary sources, Romig treats injured areas manually through joint and soft tissue manipulation. Finally, he prescribes specific exercises to strengthen muscles and improve body mechanics.

“I sometimes compare the process to fixing a computer,” Romig says. “I identify the problem through diagnostic screening. Then I may reset the person with manual joint and soft tissue mobilization techniques.

Lastly, we reload through exercise and everything begins to run correctly again.”

These methods work not only to reduce a patient’s pain, but also to improve his or her game. Recently, Romig experienced how quickly minor adjustments can have a substantial effect. After a week on the program, a patient increased his driving distance from 200 to 220 yards.

“I gave him some exercises to start recruiting the right muscles in the right order, and by the end of one weekend, he improved his drive by 20 yards,” Romig says. “In addition to addressing his dysfunction and his pain, he got lagniappe — he improved his distance.

“The difference between an average player and a PGA pro might not be strength. It could be the sequencing of their movements throughout the golf swing,” Romig says.

“That’s what this whole treatment approach addresses: the motor patterns. First we address pain, and then the distance and accuracy can be an added bonus.”

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HealtH & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > marcH 01 > 2011

en and women tend to fall into two categories: Those who don’t golf and those who can’t live without it. When an injury takes people in the latter category off the course, the results can be downright depressing. Few things are more pitiful than an injured golfer wistfully driving by his or her favorite driving range or wandering, hangdog, around the house on Sunday afternoons.

Fortunately, the New Orleans area has the only Titleist Performance Institute (TPI)-certified physical therapist in the region. Dennis Romig, a physical therapist with the Outpatient Rehabilitation Center at East Jefferson General Hospital, received his certification in golf fitness for medical professionals through TPI and has dedicated himself to getting golfers and other injured athletes off the couch and back on the course.

“I’ve had some pretty significant success,” Romig says of his experiences with TPI techniques, which have been used on a number of golf pros during the last 10 years.

Romig’s approach to treating injured players is threefold. First (and perhaps most important) is the unique diagnostic evaluation. Romig examines patients from head to toe, regardless of the location of their pain. Although it may seem counterintuitive, the injury and pain sometimes result from overcompensation caused by a dysfunction located elsewhere in the body. For example, a patient may complain of lower back pain, but further investigation could reveal that the pain actually is occurring because of an unstable ankle. If the ankle problem goes unaddressed, the lower back pain is likely to recur despite treatment. The TPI program is designed to treat the pain where it presents itself, while also treating its root cause.

“I had one case in which a patient had been off the (golf) course for over a year because of an injury in his

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HealtH & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > marcH 01 > 2011

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(citywide; www.stcharlesvision.com) since 1994. As spokesman for the company in its efforts to educate the public about computerrelated eye problems, he offers tips for dealing with Computer Vision Syndrome, an increasingly common problem.

What is the medical term for vision problems related to too much computer use, and what are the symptoms?

We call eye and vision problems related to work using computers Computer Vision Syndrome, or CVS. It’s typically characterized by visual symptoms: eye strain, fatigue, blurry vision and irritated eyes.

Who is affected by CVS?

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Nowadays, almost everyone.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), it’s been clincally proven that CVS affects up to 90 percent of people who use a computer for three hours or more in one day. If you’re like some people who (log) eight hours of computer time a day, it’s a double whammy. Of course, it varies from patient to patient, but I don’t think you can look at another kind of affliction, short of lower back pain and headaches, that more people suffer from.

Most employees work under fluorescent lights, because they’re so cheap, but [fluorescent bulbs are] the worst thing you can use while working with a computer. A quick fix from an ergonomic standpoint is to minimize or eliminate outside glare. For example, close the blinds if there is direct sunlight from a window shining onto the screen. Another good rule is to position one’s computer at least an arm’s length away.

What other measures can an individual take to reduce eye strain?

If you’re experiencing any (symptoms), get an eye exam.

Most times, the problem can be solved by prescription, but there are also minor, preventive measures. For example, a normal person blinks once every five seconds, while a typical computer user blinks only half as much. One of the most effective ways to prevent eye strain is to make an effort to blink more frequently.

Lubricating drops can be helpful, and something as simple as 25 seconds of looking out a window will do wonders to flex the focusing mechanisms.

What changes to the workplace can employers and employees make to reduce these effects?

What are computer glasses? How can they benefit computer users?

One of the best ways to reduce CVS is with lighting, which is unfortunate because not everyone has control over this.

Basically, you want your lighting to be half of what you’d call ambient lighting, a little darker than what you find in most office environments.

Most people over age 40 begin to suffer from presbyopia, which is the inability of the lens on the inside of the eye to change shape, making near vision blurry.

Computer glasses are crafted specifically to compensate for that situation, giving a wider range of vision. They

were originally devised for people working in cubicles, who might be looking quickly from their computer to things at different distances, straining their eyes. For many patients, computer lenses are an extra pair of glasses, and they’re not cheap. But I’ve been surprised at the amount (of people) who have embraced them and reported a big difference.

Are there any cumulative negative effects from staring at a computer screen all day?

Can it actually make your eyes worse?

Weight WEIGHTED PANTS MAY INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF A WORKOUT.

BY MISSY WILKINSON

F

itness specialist George Pou noticed many of the baseball players he trained wore special garments — weighted vests — to increase the effects of their workouts. Although the vest did help improve strength and cardiovascular conditioning, occasionally athletes complained of neck, back and shoulder strain.

“My wife Julie said, ‘George, we have got to come up with something you can wear around your waist,’” Pou says. “The next thing I knew, she came home with these big old shorts and was cutting holes in them and sticking weights in.”

After two years of trial and error, the Weight Pants are a reality. Constructed of sturdy nylon flag fabric, the garment, which resembles cargo shorts, features 12 pockets. Each pocket holds a sandbag weight so people can work out using as much (12 pounds maximum) or as little weight as their fitness levels and workout goals allow. A padded waistband eases pressure around the midsection, and a wide nylon belt fastened with a plastic buckle reminiscent of those on hiking backpacks makes the wearers feel they’re strapping themselves in for something serious. “(Weight Pants) were designed to help athletes, but it turned out that everybody wanted them,” George says.

Do handheld reading devices like iPads and Kindles pose the same problems as computer screens?

Yes, it’s the same thing.

Technology continues to tackle some of the problems, but, like I said, the rate of use of these devices is much higher, and many of the same problems apply.

How can you rejuvenate tired eyes after a long day?

Try turning off the computer for a while.

POCKETS IN THE NYLON SHORTS HOLD UP TO 12 POUNDS OF WEIGHT.

WEIGHT SHORTS CAN BE WORN WHILE EXERCISING TO BUILD MUSCLE AND INCREASE CALORIC BURN.

“You burn more calories in less time,” Julie Pou says. “They make any exercise more efficient, and you’ll get quicker results.

A lot of people say (the Weight Pants) have reshaped their thighs and bottom, and they are great for women who are concerned about bone density.”

Weight Pants can be used by just about anybody — athletes wear them while running up stadium stairs, and older men and women can wear them while walking through Audubon Park. George and Julie have even created The Garage Workout around the Weight Pants. It’s available in their Dallas studio.

“I have had people lose 60-plus pounds in the (Weight

Pants). One 47-year-old lady lost 32 pounds. She walks three or four miles in them every day, and she says her legs have never been this solid,” George says.

Tavis Piattoly, who holds a master’s degree in exercise science and is a dietitian and director of health and fitness at Elmwood Fitness Center, cautions people to start slowly if they choose to work out wearing Weight Pants. “It’s all about a progression,” Piattoly says. “Start slow, with one or two pounds. The biggest concern (when wearing the Weight Pants) is joint injuries — they may increase your risk because you’re adding resistance, and your body might not be prepared for it.”

Piattoly adds that he prefers his clients exercise using handheld dumbbells or ankle weights because he believes weighted garments decrease efficiency of movement and may increase rates of injury. However, he says the Weight Pants could be useful for people who are not physically able to perform lower-body exercises like squats and lunges.

George agrees people should consult their doctors before working out in the Weight Pants, especially if they have histories of joint or knee problems. “I tell people to build into it slowly,” he says. “A lot of them have gotten into such good shape, they will wear them around the house vacuuming just to burn extra calories while doing their daily activities.”

Weight Pants are available at Basics Underneath (12 St. Ann Drive, Suite 5, Mandeville, 985-727-9521; 5513 Magazine St., 894-1000; www.basicsunderneath.net)and at www.shop.thegarageworkout.tv.

HealtH & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > marcH 01 > 2011

Once the situation is corrected, the symptoms should go away. It’s not rocket science — when people are aware of what’s happening, it’s pretty simple to prevent. When I started with this 20 years ago, it was a nonexistent issue. Now, there’s a legitimate diagnostic code for it, and it’s recognized by doctors and businesses as a real problem. Studies have shown billions of dollars are lost by companies due to decreased productivity and mistakes made by workers who suffer from CVS. The increase in its prevalence corresponds to people’s increased use of computers. It’s important to get the word out about it. Many local businesses are now paying to have their employees evaluated since they realize the financial repercussions.

Worth the

09

HealtH & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > marcH 01 > 2011

10

&

Classifieds

Present

Pet Adopt-A-Thon HELP REDUCE THE HOMELESS POPULATION Help local animals find the most “Dog”gone “Purr”fect home.

As part of its ongoing efforts to find suitable, permanent homes for foster animals Gambit, along with the help of the Louisiana SPCA, Spaymart, and the Humane Society of Louisiana is sponsoring it’s 9th Annual Pet Adopt-a-Thon.

Find Your

Happy Place

in

Classifieds To Sponsor an Animal for Adoption from a Local Shelter Send $25 per animal: ($5 of this will be donated to a shelter) Attn: Pet Adopt-A-Thon Gambit 3923 Bienville Street New Orleans, LA 70119

Please help us spread the word and get other members of the community involved. You may specify a shelter.

Issue Date: March 22nd

Deadline: March 14th

Dollar Amount: ($25 will sponsor one animal) Send Check Payable to Gambit Weekly or Call 4833138 w/ a Credit Card: Name(s) of Sponsor(s):

Optional Message:

in print & online

Rentals Real Estate Jobs Services Autos Mind, Body, Spirit Events Specials & More classadv@gambitweekly.com 504-483-3100 www.bestofneworleans.com

E at to li vE

Grain Drain

what &

how anD why cEliac DiSEaSE patiEntS Say no to GlutEn.

how

By Travis andrews

E

however, she took it seriously and began a diet without bread, pasta and other beloved foods.

“The treatment for celiac (disease) is a lifelong abstinence from gluten,” Connolly says. “We think (the disease) is probably related to an underlying genetic predisposition and environmental factors.

Stress may trigger symptoms.”

Connolly recommends individuals with a firstor second-degree relative diagnosed with celiac disease get tested for the disorder, as should people who have chronic diarrhea, malabsorptions or symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

A knowledgeable dietitian and a celiac disease support group are invaluable aids in managing the disease, which can bring some emotional fallout.

“I went to Whole Foods to get a few gluten-free foods,” Toye says. “I was standing in line and my eyes were welled up with tears. I was angry that everyone else there was able to get what they wanted to eat, and I remember thinking, ‘This is bullshit!’”

Fortunately, more restaurants in the New Orleans area, including Naked Pizza, Casamento’s Restaurant and Mark Twain’s Pizza Landing, are offering glutenfree options.

“We’re going through a case (of gluten-free pizza crust) every two weeks,” says Jacques Broussard, owner of Mark Twain’s Pizza Landing, which introduced gluten-free menu items in 2008. Connolly points out that there is no benefit to getting off gluten if you’re not exhibiting symptoms of celiac disease, so most diners can feel free to enjoy pizza with a gluten crust.

Since diet is crucial in managing celiac disease, Toye cooks most of her own meals, sticking to fresh meats, fruits and vegetables. This cheesecake recipe is a treat Toye modified to be both gluten-free and delicious.

GlutEn-frEE chEESEcaKE with whitE chocolatE toppinG 1 box of KinniKinnicK Graham StylE crumbS 4 (8 oz.) pacKaGES crEam chEESE* 1 1/2 cupS whitE SuGar 3/4 cup milK 4 EGGS 1 cup Sour crEam 1 tablESpoon vanilla Extract

*Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature before starting.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-inch springform pan.

2. Prepare Kinnikinnick Graham Style Crumbs per box directions, but do not refrigerate. Press crust into the pan, covering bottom and sides.

3. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese with sugar until smooth, being careful not to over beat. Using a wooden spoon, blend in the milk. Mix in the eggs one at a time.

Mix in sour cream and vanilla until smooth. Pour filling into the prepared crust.

4. Wrap the bottom and sides of pan with two layers of foil. Place the springform pan inside another pan filled with 1/2 inch boiling water to make a water bath. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Then, turn off the oven, and let cake cool in oven with the door closed for five to six hours to prevent cracking. Chill in refrigerator until serving.

whitE chocolatE & macaDEmia nut toppinG 1 1/2 cupS hEavy crEam 4 oz. choppED whitE chocolatE 3 oz. choppED macaDamia nutS

1. Toast chopped macadamia nuts in oven or toaster oven until lightly golden. Be careful — nuts burn easily.

2. In a saucepan, heat cream over high heat until it simmers. Reduce heat to medium and whisk in chocolate until melted. Gently simmer sauce for 15 minutes, then cool to room temperature.

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HealtH & Wellness > bestofneworleans.com > marcH 01 > 2011

veryone at the party is raving over the moist, exquisite Dutch chocolate triplelayer birthday cake. You’re dying for a taste, but you just smile and nod politely, knowing a single bite could trigger a severe autoimmune reaction.

Registered nurse Michele Toye is no stranger to moments like this — ever since October 2009, when she was diagnosed with celiac disease. “I started having belly pain on and off, strange yellow stools, and I always felt bloated,” says Toye, who initially dismissed her doctor’s suspicion that she had celiac disease.

Now, like other people with the disease, Toye adheres to a diet completely free of gluten, a protein found in wheat, oat, barley and derivatives of these grains. “(Celiac disease) is an immune system response to ... gluten,” says Dr. Sean Connolly, a gastroenterologist at Ochsner Medical Center.

“It damages the small intestine, where the food is absorbed.”

When the small intestine is incapable of absorbing nutrition, people may experience a variety of other disorders, including osteoporosis, and deficiences of vitamins like B12, folic acid and calcium. “The real problems are due to the malabsorption of vitamins and minerals,” Connolly says.

Symptoms, if there are any, are fairly nonspecific (patients sometimes mistake their symptoms for irritable bowel syndrome), Connolly says, and usually include diarrhea, gas and other abdominal discomfort, something else Toye experienced.

Even as a registered nurse, Toye didn’t think of celiac disease when her symptoms began, although about one in every 100 to 200 people of northern European descent has the disease, according to Connolly. When she was diagnosed,

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