June St. Louis Healthy Cells 2011

GREATER ST. LOUIS

area

Promoting Healthier Living in Your Community • Physical • Emotional • Nutritional

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HealthyCells JUNE 2011

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www.healthycellsmagazine.com

Taking a Closer Look at Progress Towards Finding A Cure For Diabetes page 12

Blood DNA Test Detects Heart Transplant Rejection page 5 Broccoli Compound May Combat COPD page 24

Tips For Choosing The Right Provider page 28

m a g a z i n e

June 2011 — Greater St. Louis Area — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 3

J U NE

2011 Volume 1, Issue 3

5

Heart Health: Blood DNA Test Detects Heart Transplant Rejection

6

Emotional: Anger and Perfectionism

8

Nutritional: Handling and Preparing Food Safely

10

Physical: 10 Ways to Prevent Hearing Loss

15

Healthy Living: US Cancer Survivors

16

Safety: Nine Tips for Safe and Smart Summer Travel

18

The Right Dose: Tips for Allergy Season

19

Awareness: Distracted Driving

20

Body Health: Gene Could Hold Key to Muscle Repair

21

Environmental Health: Earth-Friendly Household Tips Made Easy

22

Healthy Aging: Skin Care and Aging

24

Breathing For Health: Broccoli Compound May Combat COPD

25

Supportive Families: Not All Wounds Can Be Seen

26

Insurance: Are You Prepared to Live to 90?

27

Women’s Health: Benefits of Folate

28

Senior Living: Tips for Choosing the Right Provider

30

Prostate Health: Our Cancer Nightmare Comes True

32

Grief Recovery: “Am I Equipped For Happiness?”

34

Brain Aerobics

This Month’s Cover Story: Taking a Closer Look at Progress Towards Finding A Cure For Diabetes page 12

For information about this publication, contact Mike Kelly, owner at 314-558-0860, mikekelly@healthycellsmagazine.com Healthy Cells Magazine is a division of: 1711 W. Detweiller Dr., Peoria, IL 61615 Ph: 309-681-4418 Fax: 309-691-2187 info@limelightlink.com • www.healthycellsmagazine.com

Healthy Cells Magazine is intended to heighten awareness of health and fitness information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for medical attention. See your healthcare professional for medical advice and treatment. The opinions, statements, and claims expressed by the columnists, advertisers, and contributors to Healthy Cells Magazine are not necessarily those of the editors or publisher.

Healthy Cells Magazine is available FREE in high traffic locations throughout the Greater St. Louis area, including major grocery stores, hospitals, physicians’ offices, and health clubs. Healthy Cells Magazine is published monthly and welcomes contributions pertaining to healthier living. Limelight Communications, Inc. assumes no responsibility for their publication or return. Solicitations for articles shall pertain to physical, emotional, and nutritional health only.

Mission: The objective of Healthy Cells Magazine is to promote a stronger health-conscious community by means of offering education and support through the cooperative efforts among esteemed health and fitness professionals in the greater St. Louis area.

I wish to thank all the advertisers for their support of Healthy Cells Magazine’s mission to bring positive health related information to our readers. Because of their generosity we are able to provide this publication FREE to you.

– Mike Kelly

heart health

Blood DNA Test Detects Heart Transplant Rejection

By Vicki Contie

A

new type of test that detects “foreign” DNA in a patient’s bloodstream may provide early clues to organ rejection. The technique could offer an alternative to the expensive and invasive biopsies now used to detect transplant failure.

Organ transplantation saves the lives of thousands of Americans each year. But recipients are at risk for transplant rejection, in which the immune system attacks and damages the donated organ. Researchers have been searching for biomarkers in the blood that might serve as early signs of organ rejection and allow quick intervention, but results to date have been mixed.

For the new study, Drs. Hannah Valantine and Stephen Quake of Stanford University collaborated to develop a blood test to detect heart transplant failure. They hypothesized that blood levels of foreign DNA from the donated organ would rise during rejection, as transplanted heart cells began to die and burst open. The idea stemmed from Quake’s earlier development of a noninvasive prenatal test for

“Heart transplant recipients undergo at least 12 tissue biopsies during the first year after their transplant and 2 or 3 each year for about 4 additional years. The idea that we might now be able to diagnose rejection earlier and noninvasively is very, very exciting.”

birth defects. He’d shown that the freefloating pieces of fetal DNA in a pregnant woman’s bloodstream could be rapidly sequenced to detect abnormalities. The work was supported in part by an NIH Director’s Pioneer Award.

To evaluate the new technique, called genome transplant dynamics, the scientists analyzed DNA fragments found in 71 blood samples from 17 heart transplant recipients. The samples had been collected at various points after transplantation. The results were reported in the April 12, 2011, edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

By comparing the proportions of DNA derived from the organ donor and recipient, the scientists determined that, when patients were healthy, donor DNA made up less than 1% of the total free-floating DNA in the blood samples.

During rejection episodes, however, the proportion of donor DNA rose to 3-4%.

After successful treatment with immunosuppressive drugs, the proportion of donor DNA tended to decline, in some cases returning to less than 1%.

“In every case we could see an increase in donor DNA in the patient’s blood before the biopsy itself showed any sign of rejection,” Valantine says. “Heart transplant recipients undergo at least 12 tissue biopsies during the first year after their transplant and 2 or 3 each year for about 4 additional years. The idea that we might now be able to diagnose rejection earlier and noninvasively is very, very exciting.”

“For the first time, we can now use cell-free DNA for practical diagnostic questions in organ transplantation,” says Quake, adding that the approach may apply to other organs.

More evidence will be needed to see whether this approach can lead to a reliable clinical test, either alone or in conjunction with other approaches. With funding from NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the scientists are now evaluating how well genome transplant dynamics can diagnose acute rejection of heart and lung transplants.

For more information on Heart Health, please visit www.nih.gov.

June 2011 — Greater St. Louis Area — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 5

emotional

Anger and

By The FlyLady, Marla Cilley

W

hen you finally have reached the absolute bottom and you think there is no place to go, there is always two more places. You can give up entirely and be planted six feet under or you can scream out for help and start pulling yourself up! You have a choice. The difference is you have to get mad and scream and not give up.

Anger is not a bad emotion. As women we have been taught to just take it and not explode with anger. Exploding with anger is rage and rage is not OK, but giving yourself permission to be upset and angry is a good thing. When you keep

“So anger can free you if you use it sparingly. Focus your justified anger toward what is making you angry and not at yourself.”

Page 6 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Greater St. Louis Area ­— June 2011

Perfectionism it in it is like poison. So what do we do to ourselves? We turn anger into sad and we feel sorry for ourselves for being mistreated. Then WHAT? The anger goes to sad and then to depression. We eat to make the hurt go away or we sleep to not have to deal with what is.

It is all our perfectionism again sandwiched with that procrastination that paralyzes us into depression. I can see you all shaking your heads at me. “How can perfectionism be the foundation to my feeling bad.” Well here is how it all fits together.

When something goes wrong in our lives and we can’t fix it; what do we do? We can’t fix it to make it right again or we can’t change the other person; we want everything back the way it was. Do you see the perfectionism rearing its ugly head? We do everything in our power to CONTROL THE ISSUES — and make it all better — only to be shot down time and time again! So if we can’t do it right what do we do?

We were taught to do nothing!! I wish that was all we would do, but we have to turn it inward to abuse ourselves.

When we are unable to fix things we begin to feel guilty because of our inability to make things right or perfect. We then start to beat ourselves up. It is bad enough when we have been abused by others but now we are abusing the only person that cares for you: YOU!

This is why anger is good! It is focused toward someone else and not yourself. Now it is not good to be angry all the time because you are in fight or flight mode and when you really need to scream out for help you will not be able to. Adrenalin is an amazing body chemical. It is a power surge that supplies the energy right when you need it. This is how a mother can lift a car off of a child. I have said it many times, “Too much of a good thing can be bad for you.” Try eating a whole chocolate cake!

I have a good supply of adrenalin now. At one time I was totally depleted of my resources. I used them all up by always being upset and walking on eggshells. The adrenalin kept me from feeling what was happening inside my own body. It was a drug.

So anger can free you if you use it sparingly. Focus your justified anger toward what is making you angry and not at yourself. Do what you need to do to take care of the situation. Don’t turn it inward to punish yourself when you can’t fix it. You are not responsible for anyone but you. Let go of the guilt, pain and stress and be good to yourself by getting angry at the right person. Then let it go and get on with your life! If you stick around the breeze will come your way and you will set out on your journey. Life is a journey not a destination.

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So what anger have you been turning inward?

For more help getting rid of your CHAOS, check out her website and join her free mentoring group at www.FlyLady.net or her book, Sink Reflections published by Random House and her New York Times Best Selling book, Body Clutter published by Simon and Schuster.

Copyright 2010 Marla Cilley Used by permission in this publication.

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816 S. Kirkwood Road Suite 100 ( Kirkwood MO 63122 June 2011 — Greater St. Louis Area — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 7

nutritional

Handling and Preparing Food Safely F

oodborne pathogens are sneaky. You can’t tell by looking, smelling, or even tasting a food whether it contains pathogens. But these pathogens — like disease-causing bacteria, viruses, or parasites — can make you sick.

As an older adult, it is especially important for you — or those preparing your food — to be careful with food handling and preparation. The easiest way to do this is to follow the Four Basic Steps to Food Safety – clean, separate, cook and chill – from the Fight BAC!® Campaign, the national campaign developed and promoted by the Partnership for Food Safety Education.

Four Basic Steps to Food Safety 1. Clean: Wash hands and surfaces often

Bacteria can spread throughout the kitchen and get onto cutting boards, utensils, counter tops, and food.

To ensure that your hands and surfaces are clean, be sure to: • Wash hands in warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food and after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or handling pets.

• Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and counter tops with hot soapy water after preparing each food item and before going on to the next food.

• Consider using paper towels to clean up kitchen surfaces. If using cloth towels, you should wash them often in the hot cycle of the washing machine.

• Wash produce. Rinse fruits and vegetables, and rub firm-skin fruits and vegetables under running tap water, including those with skins and rinds that are not eaten.

• With canned goods: remember to clean lids before opening.

2. Separate: Don’t cross-contaminate

Cross-contamination occurs when bacteria are spread from one food product to another. This is especially common when handling raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs. The key is to keep these foods — and their juices — away from readyto-eat foods.

Page 8 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Greater St. Louis Area ­— June 2011

To prevent cross-contamination, remember to: • Separate raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs from other foods in your grocery shopping cart, grocery bags, and in your refrigerator.

• Use one cutting board for fresh produce and a separate one for raw meat, poultry, and seafood.

• Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs without first washing the plate with hot soapy water.

• Don’t reuse marinades used on raw foods unless you bring them to a boil first.

3. Cook: Cook to proper temperatures

Foods are safely cooked when they are heated to the USDA-recommended safe minimum internal temperatures.

To ensure that your foods are cooked safely, always: • Use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature of cooked foods. Check the internal temperature in several places to make sure that the meat, poultry, seafood, or egg product is cooked all the way through.

• Cook ground beef to at least 160 °F and ground poultry to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F. Color of food is not a reliable indicator of safety or doneness.

• Reheat fully cooked hams packaged at a USDA-inspected plant to 140 °F. For fully cooked ham that has been repackaged in any other location or for left-over fully cooked ham, heat to 165 °F. • Cook seafood to 145 °F. Cook shrimp, lobster, and crab until they turn red and the flesh is pearly opaque. Cook clams, mussels, and oysters until the shells open.

• Cook eggs until the yolks and whites are firm. Use only recipes in which the eggs are cooked or heated to 160 °F. • Bring sauces, soups, and gravy to a boil when reheating. Heat other leftovers to 165 °F. • Reheat hot dogs, luncheon meats, bologna, and other deli meats until steaming hot or 165 °F. • When cooking in a microwave oven, cover food, stir, and rotate for even cooking. If there is no turntable, rotate the dish by hand once or twice during cooking. Always allow standing time, which completes the cooking, before checking the internal temperature with a food thermometer. Food is done when it reaches the USDA recommended safe minimum internal temperature.

4. Chill: Refrigerate promptly

Cold temperatures slow the growth of harmful bacteria. Keeping a constant refrigerator temperature of 40 °F or below is one of the most effective ways to reduce risk of foodborne illness. Use an appliance thermometer to be sure the refrigerator temperature is consistently 40 °F or below and the freezer temperature is 0 °F or below.

To chill foods properly: • Refrigerate or freeze meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, and other perishables within 2 hours of cooking or purchasing. Refrigerate within 1 hour if the temperature outside is above 90 °F. • Never thaw food at room temperature, such as on the counter top. It is safe to thaw food in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave. If you thaw food in cold water or in the microwave, you should cook it immediately.

• Divide large amounts of leftovers into shallow containers for quicker cooling in the refrigerator.

You may contact the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service at www.fsis.usda.gov, to obtain additional food safety information.

Clean: Wash hands and surfaces often Bacteria can spread throughout the kitchen and get onto cutting boards, utensils, counter tops, and food.

June 2011 — Greater St. Louis Area — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 9

physical

10 Ways to

Prevent

Hearing Loss

H

earing loss affects more than 34 million Americans. If detected early, it may be a preventable chronic disease. Here are 10 ways to help prevent, delay or reduce the extent of hearing loss.

1. Noise exposure. Are you one of the more than 22 million American workers exposed to excessive levels of noise in the workplace? Are you one of those listening to iPods, shooting firearms, riding motorbikes, or working with lawn and garden tools? These devices are causing hearing loss at alarmingly high rates. Most noise is painless, progressive, permanent and preventable. Noise exposure is the second most common cause of hearing loss worldwide and is the most preventable. You should wear hearing protectors or avoid exposure to loud sounds.

Turn down the volume and reduce the length of time you listen to your iPod or mp3 player. Studies show that people who wear noise canceling or noise reduction earphones with iPod or mp3 players typically listen to music at safer levels.

2. Cotton swabs. Why take a chance on making matters worse? Cotton swabs and ear candling are unhealthy practices to remove earwax, to clean or scratch your ear canals. Don’t use cotton swabs

Page 10 — Healthy Cells Magazine ­— June 2011

to clean inside your ear canal. It can push the earwax in further and you could puncture your eardrum.

3. Smoking. Smoking tobacco and second-hand smoke can contribute to hearing loss. Studies suggest that chronic nicotine exposure impairs the brain’s ability to “hear” and interpret sound. Along with the other reasons to stop smoking, you can reduce

your likelihood of greater hearing loss if you quit or

stay out of smoky places.

4. Diabetes. Diabetics are twice as likely to have hearing loss. Eating a healthy diet, maintaining proper weight and daily exercise can help you avoid type 2 diabetes.

5. Alcohol. Too much alcohol can contribute to permanent hearing loss. Recently, researchers found that drinking 2 beers in a half an hour can cause temporary hearing loss for up to 16 hours.

6. Solvents. Avoid organic solvents. Organic solvents (such as styrene and toluene) are commonly found in paints, lacquers and industrial printing inks. Studies have shown that these substances have a negative effect on your hearing.

7. Medications. There are at least 96 different drugs that may cause permanent or temporary hearing loss. When you stop taking aspirin and aspirin-containing drugs, your hearing may come back.

Excessive use of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS), cisplatin (a cancer drug) and erectile dysfunction drugs can also cause hearing loss.

8. Antioxidants. Antioxidants and vitamin supplements may help prevent hearing loss. Hearing loss due to aging may be prevented with a combination of antioxidants, mineral and vitamin supplements such as folic acid and magnesium. A healthy diet of fruits and vegetables and meats may protect hearing in later life.

9. Your heart. Maintain a healthy cardiovascular system. There is a strong correlation between heart health and good hearing. Newly published reports show that a healthy cardiovascular system increases the likelihood of maintaining hearing, particularly among older adults.

10. See an audiologist. If you think you may have hearing loss, an audiologist will test, monitor and offer solutions to help you function better. An audiologist is a licensed health care provider who is trained to diagnose and manage your loss, as well as offer preventative measures. To find an audiologist in your area go to www.audiologyawareness.com or call (888) 833-EARS (3277).

“There is a strong correlation between heart health and good hearing. Newly published reports show that a healthy cardiovascular system increases the likelihood of maintaining hearing, particularly among older adults.”

June 2011 — Greater St. Louis Area — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 11

feature story

Taking a Closer Look at Progress Towards Finding A Cure For Diabetes

T

he Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) was founded in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes.

The Metro Saint Louis/Greater Missouri Chapter was formed shortly thereafter.

To date, JDRF has awarded more than $1.5 billion to diabetes research in more than 20 countries.

JDRF partners with volunteers, families and businesses, to raise money to accelerate research to find a cure for diabetes and its devastating complications. We provide educational materials and support to people interested in and affected by type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes.

What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes can strike at any time. Half of all new cases are diagnosed in people older than 18. Quite simply, the pancreas ceases to function effectively. Needed to convert blood sugar into energy, the pancreas is a vital organ. When it does not work, the patient requires a lifetime of multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump.

Insulin is not a cure. Insulin does not prevent the inevitable long term health complications of the disease such as: • kidney failure • blindness • heart disease • nerve damage • stroke • amputation Type 1 diabetes shortens life expectancy by an average of 15 years.

Thanks to significant research advances in recent years, people living with type 1 diabetes have received better treatments and therapies. Scientists have made headway in uncovering the possible cause of type 1 diabetes, and in their efforts to find ways to prevent, treat, or reverse the autoimmune disease and its complications. Despite this progress, we still have a long road ahead of us to identify a cure.

A Growing Problem

Diabetes of all types continues to grow at an alarming rate - in the last 30 years, the number of people with diabetes has skyrocketed to over 24 million people in the United States alone, including as many as three million Americans living with type 1 diabetes. This represents over 60 million American family members affected by diabetes.

Page 12 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Greater St. Louis Area ­— June 2011

The cost of diabetes is staggering - one of every five health care dollars is spent caring for someone with diagnosed diabetes, and one of every three Medicare dollars is attributed directly to diabetes. The national price tag for diabetes is at an astounding $174 billion per year and that cost is estimated to triple in the next 25 years without dramatic changes in how diabetes is managed, prevented or cured.

Sustained scientific commitment and funding for research are needed to ensure we reach our goal of eliminating type 1 diabetes and its complications.

On-Going Research

JDRF has a strong track record of success in funding research advances. While research toward a cure is ongoing, JDRF also focuses on science and developments that help people with diabetes live better lives now.

Currently, JDRF is funding more than 40 human clinical trials, several of which are in the advanced stages of clinical testing needed before FDA approval. Our pace of research is accelerating as we focus on moving drugs and devices to the market quickly and in the safest way possible.

Key Advances

JDRF is structured on a business-world model that efficiently and effectively directs resources to research aimed at finding a cure and developing new treatments as soon as possible. More than 80 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education.

JDRF leverages its impact by partnering with academic institutions, governments, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and other disease organizations and foundations to develop new and better treatments that will keep people with diabetes as healthy as possible until a cure is found.

Here are four very exciting projects that will tangibly benefit people with diabetes today Beta Cell Therapies

The program’s overall goals are to find ways to restore the body’s ability to make insulin and reduce the risk Marie Davis of complications from type 1 diabetes.

Executive Director JDRF This can be accomplished through the regeneration or replacement of insulinproducing beta cells. Regeneration focuses on discovering and developing therapies that can trigger the body to re-grow and protect beta cells, as well as convert or reprogram other cells to become beta cells. Replacement focuses on replacing the insulin-producing beta cells killed off by type 1 diabetes with working beta cells derived from external sources.

Join 25,000 of your closest friends on Sunday, October 2, 2011 in Forest Park...

Walk to Cure Diabetes... A cure is just steps away.

June 2011 — Greater St. Louis Area — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 13

feature story

(continued)

Immune Therapies

A key part of JDRF’s research is aimed at stopping or reversing the immune system’s response that causes diabetes – the attack on insulin-secreting cells in the pancreas. This attack must be stopped so that any therapies involving replacing or regenerating insulin-producing cells can work long-term.

Glucose Control

Treatments that continually monitor the body’s blood sugar levels and automatically respond with the correct dose of insulin would significantly enhance glucose control. JDRF research is focused on demonstrating that advanced monitoring tools can improve the health of people with diabetes, and on developing technologies that link insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors. Such a “closed loop” system would, in effect, be an artificial pancreas.

Complications Therapies

A significant part of JDRF’s research is focused on understanding how diabetes causes complications and to develop drugs, treatments, and therapies to stop and prevent that process, or reverse the impact of the individual’s complications.

Our research focuses on efforts to: • Stop type 1 diabetes or slow its progression in people who are newly diagnosed • Reverse type 1 diabetes, and prevent or reverse its complications for those who have lived with the disease for years • Prevent type 1 diabetes in people at risk and in future generations • Improve the treatment of type 1 diabetes and provide better tools to achieve tight blood glucose control for people at all stages of the disease

Thanks to caring people like you, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is the leading funder and advocate for type 1 diabetes research. Our commitment is to help people who are living with type 1 diabetes while we work toward finding ways to prevent, better treat, and ultimately cure the disease.

JDRF offers education, support and encouragement for adults and children diagnosed with type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes and their families. We have volunteer opportunities all year so you can make a difference for an hour or a day. And when it comes to tributes and memorials for those you love or lost, please remember to give in a thoughtful way to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

The JDRF Annual Family Retreat offers education, support and hope while we look for a cure.

Brett Michaels, lead singer of the 80’s band “Poison” and Jessie. Brett was diagnosed when he was 6.

For more information contact JDRF at 314-729-1846 or jdrfstl.org.

Hope and help are a phone call away.

Page 14 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Greater St. Louis Area ­— June 2011

healthy living

US Cancer Survivors Grows to Nearly 12 Million

T

he number of cancer survivors in the United States increased to 11.7 million in 2007, according to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health. There were 3 million cancer survivors in 1971 and 9.8 million in 2001.

A cancer survivor is defined as anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, from the time of diagnosis through the balance of his or her life.

The study, “Cancer Survivors in the United States, 2007,” is published today in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

“It’s good news that so many are surviving cancer and leading long, productive, and healthy lives,” said CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “Preventing cancer and detecting it early remain critically important as some cancers can be prevented or detected early enough to be effectively treated. Not smoking, getting regular physical activity, eating healthy foods, and limiting alcohol use can reduce the risk of many cancers.”

To determine the number of survivors, the authors analyzed the number of new cases and follow-up data from NCI’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program between 1971 and 2007. Population data from the 2006 and 2007 United States Census were also included. The researchers estimated the number of persons ever diagnosed with cancer who were alive on Jan. 1, 2007 (except non-melanoma skin cancers, which are fairly common and rarely fatal). Study findings indicate: • Of the 11.7 million people living with cancer in 2007, 7 million were ages 65 years or older.

• Women make up a large proportion of cancer survivors (54 percent).

• Breast cancer survivors are the largest group of cancer survivors (22 percent), followed by prostate cancer survivors (19 percent) and colorectal cancer survivors (10 percent).

• Among all survivors, 4.7 million received their diagnosis 10 or more years earlier.

“As the number of cancer survivors continues to increase, it is important for medical and public health professionals to be knowledgeable of issues survivors may face, especially the long-term effects of treatment on their physical and psychosocial well-being,” said Arica White, Ph.D., M.P.H., an epidemic intelligence service officer in CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. “This understanding is critical in promoting good health and coordinating comprehensive care for cancer survivors.”

The authors note that the increase in number of cancer survivors is due to many factors, including a growing aging population, early detection, improved diagnostic methods, more effective treatment, and improved clinical follow-up after treatment.

“There is now a growing number of people who have faced a cancer diagnosis and what that means for them and their loved ones – from the time of diagnosis through the rest of their lives,” said Julia H. Rowland, Ph.D., director of NCI’s Office of Cancer Survivorship. “Unfortunately for many cancer survivors and those around them, the effect of cancer does not end with the last treatment. Research has allowed us to scratch the surface of understanding the unique risks, issues, and concerns of this population. This report underscores the need for continued research, as well as for the development and implementation of best practices to provide optimal care and support for all cancer survivors.”

For the full report, visit http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/. CDC works with public, non-profit, and private partners to create and implement strategies to help the millions of people in the United States who live with, through, and beyond cancer. For more information about CDC’s survivorship efforts, visit http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/survivorship/. NCI’s Office of Cancer Survivorship is dedicated to enhancing the length and quality of life of survivors and addressing their unique and poorly understood needs. More information about the Office of Cancer Survivorship, as well as research tools, publications, and other resources, is available at http://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/ocs/.

NCI leads the National Cancer Program and the NIH effort to dramatically reduce the burden of cancer and improve the lives of cancer patients and their families, through research into prevention and cancer biology, the development of new interventions, and the training and mentoring of new researchers. For more information about cancer, please visit the NCI Web site at www.cancer.gov or call NCI’s Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)

June 2011 — Greater St. Louis Area — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 15

safety

Nine Tips for Safe and Smart Summer Travel E

ven with rising gas prices, the travel industry is gearing up for a big year. After several years of staycations - vacationing at home or close to home - as a result of the slow economy, Americans seem more ready and willing to travel.

Whether you intend to take the quintessential great American road trip, that once-in-a-lifetime journey to Europe, a mission trip to Latin America or Africa, or a fly-in fishing vacation to Canada, it’s important to plan ahead. Planning what to do and what to wear is essential, of course, but what many travelers don’t realize is that traveling today is often complicated by numerous rules, regulations and laws, according to Findlaw.com, the Internet’s top source for legal information.

One such example is the recently enacted requirement of a passport - even for U.S. citizens - to enter the United States. Enacted in the name of homeland security, it’s a change in the law that has profoundly altered traveling over the U.S.-Canada border. For decades, you only needed a current driver’s license to cross the border - no more.

Page 16 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Greater St. Louis Area ­— June 2011

To make sure your next big trip goes smoothly, take some extra time to review these tips from FindLaw.com to avoid being scammed and to increase your safety and security while traveling.

• Check the law. Before you cross the border into Canada, Mexico or another country, check the laws about entering another country. For example, if you intend to travel into Canada, you may not be allowed to enter if you’re asked and you admit to a charge of driving under the influence. And even though you’re an American, you now must present a passport to re-enter the United States. If you’re roadtripping across state lines, make sure you have proof of auto insurance and auto registration in your glovebox and make sure your driver’s license is current. You may also want to clear up any old speeding or parking tickets that you may have in the state to which you are traveling, otherwise, you might find your car impounded in the event that you’re stopped for a traffic violation. The last thing you want to

have to do is find a lawyer to handle an emergency legal matter while you’re on vacation.

• Emergency contact information. Create a list of emergency contacts, such as relatives, next door neighbors, doctors, dentists, pharmacy, etc., that emergency personnel can contact if you’re involved in an accident and are unable to respond on your own.

Always leave a travel itinerary with your emergency contacts at home in the event that they need to contact you while you’re traveling.

• Vital documents. Make photocopies of key documents (passport) and cards (driver’s license, credit cards, health insurance card) should your wallet or purse become lost or stolen. Keep photocopies in a secure place where you can access them in case of an emergency.

• Dress the part. It’s always important to dress comfortably when you travel, but it’s also important to dress appropriately. To go through airport security more quickly, wear slip-on shoes, remove all metal objects from clothes, avoid wearing jackets, and keep cell phones, pagers and other personal electronics in a bag or briefcase. Study the culture where you are going and dress as the locals to avoid sticking out and calling attention to pickpockets and street vendors.

When traveling to some local countries, wearing some types of jewelry, especially jewelry that expresses a religious faith, can cause you to become a target.

• Security screening. If you are uncomfortable with the full-body scanning process that has recently been implemented in airports across the United States, you have the right to request an alternative screening typically an “enhanced pat down” by a Transportation Security Administration screener. If you’d like to record your experience through a security checkpoint, generally, the First Amendment allows you the right to do so. If you believe you’ve been treated unjustly and find it necessary to file a complaint against a TSA screener, the TSA has a Web form available to the public, along with organizations such as EPIC and ACLU, which collect body scanner incident reports.

• Avoid travel scams. As you’re making your travel plans, be leery of bargains that seem too good to be true - because 99 percent of the time, they are. It’s important to research a company’s background.

How long has it been in business? Is the travel company affiliated with professional organizations such as the American Society of Travel Agents? Have other consumers filed complaints about the company with the Better Business Bureau or your state’s Attorney’s General office? Pay with a credit card so you can dispute the charges if the company does end up being fraudulent.

• Avoid these common scams. Whether you travel near or far, there are crooks whose goal is to part you from your money and belongings.

The most common is the cab driver who takes the “scenic route.”

Before you hop in the cab, know what route you want to take to your destination. Tell the driver and negotiate the price of the ride. Check with your hotel concierge about what a trip to a certain location typi-

cally will cost. Always avoid panhandlers and mobs of children - more often than not they’re well-trained in the art of pickpocketing.

• Cell phones: Many Americans would feel naked if they didn’t have their cell phones with them while traveling. If you plan to travel overseas or take a cruise outside the United States, check with your cell phone provider to see if your phone is capable of international calls.

Instead of carrying their expensive cell phones, some travelers opt to rent cell phones overseas. And with the growing use of voice-overInternet services like Skype, some travelers are checking in with family through computers that are readily available in hotels and cafes.

• Travel insurance. There are many types of travel insurance, and in many cases, you may already be covered. Call your health care insurance provider to see if you’re covered in the event of a medical emergency when traveling overseas. Contact your credit card company to see what travel-related benefits and insurance they offer. Contact your home and auto insurance provider about what your coverage is if you rent a car, or you experience a theft while traveling.

June 2011 — Greater St. Louis Area — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 17

the right dose

Tips for Allergy Season

By Lynn Schmittgens, R.Ph.

T

he lush, humid Saint Louis area can be brutal for people with allergies. Pollen and mold combine to wreak havoc on immune systems causing irritating symptoms such as runny nose, watery eyes, and itching. There are many techniques to lessen these symptoms such as: • Keep grass short and wear a pollen mask when you mow, or have someone else cut it.

• Shower before bed to wash off the pollen and change your pillow case each night.

• Stay indoors when pollen counts are really high, which is early in the morning and on dry, windy days.

• Avoid “ionic” air purifiers, and change furnace and air conditioner filters EVERY month.

• Avoid humidifiers and keep humidity levels below 50%. This may require a dehumidifier in areas with high humidity like basements.

In addition to these tips you may need to take or use an antihistamine. Older antihistamines tend to be more sedating.

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is the most sedating, and is also used as a sleep aid. It has the fastest onset of action, and is most often suggested for an acute allergic reaction. Chlorpheniramine (Coricidin) is very effective, and usually causes less drowsiness.

Cetirizine (Zyrtec) and Fexofenadine (Allegra) may cause some drowsiness, but rarely do. They are both effective for keeping those allergic symptoms at bay during allergy season.

Loratadine (Claritin) is often effective for maintenance during allergy season and it does not cause drowsiness; however you must take it for three days consecutively for it to work fully.

There are a myriad of allergy-relief eye drops available as well.

Generally, drops that relieve redness are not the answer. In relieving redness they also decrease oxygen to the eyes! Antihistamine eye drops are very helpful. Naphazoline with Pheneramine (Opcon-A or Naphco-A) is often recommended. Using eye drops with contact lenses can be tricky; check with your eye doctor first.

Finally, talk with your pharmacist about which antihistamine is best for your situation. They are fairly similar, but some work faster, or longer. Others may cause troublesome side effects. Note that antihistamines are not appropriate for most people with glaucoma, and they may mask symptoms of low blood sugar in diabetics. Each person is unique so ask for help with choosing the best product for you!

The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy® in Affton is a Certified Asthma & Allergy Care Center. Call Tom or Lynn Schmittgens at 314-638-3535 if you have any questions about your allergy symptoms or medication. They also offer free home delivery, personal service, and the same co-pay. Medicaid, Medicare Part D, Missouri RX and most insurance plans accepted.

For more information about allergies visit the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America - St. Louis Chapter online at www.aafastl.org.

Page 18 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Greater St. Louis Area ­— June 2011

awareness

Distracted Driving

I

n today’s overwhelmingly busy society, with ever increasing demands on our personal and professional time, learning to juggle multiple tasks at once is something we all must face on a daily basis. While it is not clear whether or not multitasking is effective or if it costs more time than it saves, multi-tasking while driving has sparked a national debate about distracted driving and the latest statistics prove that not focusing on the road can be deadly.

One of the most widespread forms of distracted driving, cell phone usage, has some alarming statistics. According to a Carnegie Mellon study, driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent, and a report from the National Safety Council reported that 28 percent of traffic accidents are caused by people talking on cell phones or sending text messages.

“Stopping distracted driving is a major initiative that we are undertaking, and one that we believe will make our roads significantly safer. While there are many forms of distracted driving, an obvious distraction for most people is using a cell phone while driving,” said LaHood. “We are working with states across the nation to pass legislation that authorizes law enforcement to stop and cite drivers who are texting while driving—one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving.”

Texting is of heightened concern because it combines three types of distraction – visual, taking the eyes off the road; manual, taking the hands off the wheel; and cognitive, taking the mind off the road. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves.

While cell phones are a major focus of the distracted driving campaign, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is encouraging people not to do any other task while driving, as distracted driving is any non-driving activity a person engages in that has the potential to distract him or her from the primary task of driving and increases the risk of crashing. This can include using a cell phone, eating and drinking, grooming, tuning the radio or even talking to passengers.

In 2009, nearly 5,500 people lost their lives and almost 450,000 people were injured in police-reported crashes in which at least one form of driver distraction was reported on the police crash report.

To tackle this ever-increasing problem, NHTSA is focusing on ways to change the behavior of drivers through legislation, enforcement, public awareness and education—the same tactics that have curbed drinking and driving and increased seat belt use.

“Decades of experience with drunk driving and getting people to buckle up has taught us it takes a consistent combination of education, effective enforcement, a committed judiciary and collective efforts by local, state and national advocates to put a dent in the problem,” said LaHood.

NHTSA’s message is simple—“Put It Down”; and it’s one that isn’t going to go away anytime in the near future. With supporters ranging from President Obama to Oprah and legislation passing across the nation to discourage distracted driving, drivers will hopefully get the message loud and clear, just like with the drunk driving and seatbelt campaigns that have helped make the roads safer.

So the next time you are pressed for time, and you consider multitasking while you’re driving, remember that the best multitasker knows that some things require your undivided attention, and you must know when you should put other things aside and focus your energy on the task at hand. Driving is definitely one of those times.

June 2011 — Greater St. Louis Area — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 19

body health

Gene Could Hold Key to Muscle Repair

R

esearchers have identified a gene that is critical for maintaining and regenerating muscle. The finding may lead to therapies for muscle-wasting diseases and agerelated muscle decline.

Young people may lose muscle after a period of inactivity, but usually rebuild it as activity resumes. However, in the elderly, muscles are less resilient. Elderly people who lose muscle strength following bed rest can find it difficult or impossible to regain strength. Similarly, patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), the most common form of muscular dystrophy, develop muscle properly, but can’t maintain and regenerate it. DMD causes progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles, usually beginning before the age of 6. Patients with DMD typically succumb to the fatal disease by early adulthood.

Muscle is maintained by a specialized population of cells called satellite cells. These cells are critical for the development of skeletal muscle in the embryo and fetus. Satellite cells continue to actively increase muscle mass through infancy. After that, they decrease in number and become inactive until injury or degeneration causes them to proliferate and become active again. If scientists could understand how to boost the activity of these cells, they might be able counteract the muscle decline of DMD and aging.

A research team led by Dr. Vittorio Sartorelli of NIH’s National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) suspected that a genetic switch might turn off satellite cell proliferation. The scientists looked to a gene called Ezh2, which is known to keep the activity of other genes in check through histone methylation—a modification to DNA that affects gene expression without altering the genetic sequence.

As reported on April 15, 2011, in the journal Genes and Development, when the researchers genetically inactivated Ezh2 in satellite cells of laboratory mice, the mice had reduced muscle mass and failed to repair muscle damage. Upon closer examination, the scientists found that the satellite cells didn’t proliferate normally. Furthermore, genes that are expressed in nonmuscle cells were more active than they normally are in muscle cells.

Ezh2 expression is known to decline during aging. This new finding in mice suggests that therapies to activate Ezh2 and promote satellite cell proliferation might eventually help in treating degenerative muscle diseases.

“We will not be able to cure the muscular dystrophies with this approach because the mutation in the gene that causes the diseases would remain. But certainly, if we can extend the period in which the satellite cells proliferate and compensate for the underlying defect, we might increase the lifespan of people with muscular dystrophy,” says Sartorelli. “We could certainly increase their quality of life.”

Likewise, tweaking the gene in satellite cells of elderly people could increase their quality of life by helping to prevent falls and enabling better movement and walking as they go about their daily activities.

But Sartorelli cautions that while identifying the role of Ezh2 is a crucial step, any therapies are still many years away.

Page 20 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Greater St. Louis Area ­— June 2011

environmental health

Earth-Friendly Household Tips Made Easy A

ccording to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, more than 90 percent of Americans want to protect the environment. Despite the desire to care for the earth, only 33 percent of trash in the U.S. actually gets recycled, and 54 percent gets buried in landfills. With sustainable living becoming more top-of-mind, Ziploc wants to empower families to get involved in recycling efforts.

In an effort to offset the amount of product waste that could potentially end up in landfills and motivate families to do their part to protect the environment for future generations, Ziploc has partnered with Recyclebank, the leading sustainable action platform designed to motivate and enable individuals to make a collective impact on the environment.

From recycling and reusing everyday kitchenware to being mindful of water and energy usage, families can incorporate these simple, earth-friendly tips into their kitchen routines: Increase Recycling Efforts

Recycle items that you no longer need and participate in community recycling initiatives. Community support for recycling of common and uncommon goods can vary from place to place. In fact, clean and dry Ziploc Brand Sandwich, Freezer and Storage Bags are now accepted at existing in-store recycling bins that accept plastic shopping bags for recycling at approximately 18,000 participating retailers nationwide.

Use “Smart” Kitchen Supplies

When buying supplies for your kitchen — whether an appliance, cooking pan or piece of cutlery — choose durable and high quality kitchenware to withstand the test of time. Also, save energy (and potentially reduce your gas bill) by using smaller appliances when cooking small amounts of food. For example, heating water in an electric kettle rather than a teapot on the stove or cooking small or medium sized portions of food in the microwave instead of the regular oven use less energy.

Store Meals in Reusable and Multi-Purpose Containers

When preparing and storing meals for the family, try using Ziploc Brand Containers, which are available in a variety of sizes and shapes.

They not only help families stay organized and get more out of meals (and reduce waste) by keeping food fresh, but they are also microwaveable, freezer-safe and are perfect for storing leftovers or carrying lunch to work.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Conserve the Household Water Supply For a cold beverage, keep a cool pitcher of water in the fridge instead of letting the tap run until water gets cold. Refill one water glass or reusable bottle throughout the day so there will be fewer items to wash. After eating, don’t rinse dishes with water — just scrape off the excess food and load directly into the dishwasher. Tests by Consumer Reports showed that pre-rinsing usually isn’t necessary and by skipping it you can save 20 gallons of water per load.

Through its partnership with Recyclebank, Ziploc is offering another option to get involved and help the environment by incentivizing families to inspire change. Together, they are committed to motivate and reward consumers who take sustainable actions. To earn rewards, visit www.recyclebank.com/ziploc and pledge to recycle Ziploc Brand Bags and packaging. Soon, specially marked packages of the bags will be available for purchase. Simply enter the code from inside the marked packages at www.Recyclebank.com and start earning points which can be redeemed for prizes.

Learn more about Ziploc and Recyclebank recycling efforts to divert millions of pounds of waste from landfills at www.ziploc.com/sustainability. Additionally, share recycling and earth-friendly tips by joining the Facebook community at www.Facebook.com/Ziploc.

Families everywhere have a new option in recycling. Clean and dry Ziploc Brand Sandwich, Freezer and Storage Bags can now be recycled at existing in-store bins at approximately 18,000 participating retail locations that accept plastic shopping bags for recycling. It’s an easy way to protect the environment for future generations. Here is a list from www.PlasticBagRecycling.org of some of the items you can recycle at in-store recycling bins: • Clean and dry Ziploc Brand Bags • Plastic grocery or retail bags • Newspaper bags • Dry-cleaning bags • Bread and produce bags • Toilet paper, napkin and paper-towel wraps • Plastic shipping envelopes • Clean plastic bags labeled #2 or #4

Contact your local retailer with a collection bin or your local recycling company for a full list of items that can be recycled in your community, as they will differ by locale.

June 2011 — Greater St. Louis Area — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 21

healthy aging

A

Skin Care and Aging

my had always been proud of her skin, especially her summer tan. But as she grew older, she saw she was getting more fine lines and wrinkles. She began to worry about what other skin problems she may have. What were those brown spots on her hands and arms?

Your skin changes with age. It becomes thinner, loses fat, and no longer looks as plump and smooth as it once did. Your veins and bones can be seen more easily. Scratches, cuts, or bumps can take longer to heal. Years of sun tanning or being out in the sunlight for a long time can lead to wrinkles, dryness, age spots, and even cancer. But there are things you can do to help your skin.

Dry Skin and Itching

Many older people suffer from dry skin, often on their lower legs, elbows, and lower arms. Dry skin feels rough and scaly.

There are many possible reasons for dry skin, such as: • Not drinking enough liquids • Staying out in the sun • Being in very dry air • Smoking • Having stress • Losing sweat and oil glands (common with age)

Dry skin also can be caused by health problems, such as diabetes or kidney disease. Using too much soap, antiperspirant, or perfume and taking hot baths will make dry skin worse.

Because older people have thinner skin, scratching itches can cause bleeding that can lead to infection. Some medicines make the skin itchier. Itching can cause sleep problems. If your skin is very dry and itchy, see your doctor.

Moisturizers like lotions, creams, or ointments can soothe dry, itchy skin. They should be used everyday. Try taking fewer baths and using milder soap to help your dry skin. Warm water is better Page 22 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Greater St. Louis Area ­— June 2011

than hot water for your skin. Some people find that a humidifier (an appliance that adds moisture to a room) helps.

Bruises

Older people may bruise more easily than younger people, and it can take longer for the bruises to heal. Some medicines or illnesses cause easier bruising. If you see bruises and you don’t know how you got them, especially on parts of your body usually covered by clothing, see your doctor.

Wrinkles

Over time, skin begins to wrinkle. Things in the environment, like ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, make the skin less elastic.

Gravity can cause skin to sag and wrinkle.

Certain habits like frowning also wrinkle the skin. Some of these habits are easier to change than others. You may not be able to change how you lie when you sleep, but you can quit smoking.

Not smoking is a great way to prevent wrinkles.

A lot of claims are made about how to make wrinkles go away.

Not all of them work. Some can be painful or even dangerous and many must be done by the doctor. Talk with a doctor specially trained in skin problems (a dermatologist) or your regular doctor if you are worried about wrinkles.

Age Spots and Skin Tags

Age spots are sometimes called “liver spots,” but they have nothing to do with the liver. These flat, brown spots are often caused by years in the sun. They are bigger than freckles, flat, and many times show up on areas like the face, hands, arms, back, and feet. Age spots are harmless, but if they bother you, talk to a dermatologist about removing them. Also, a sunscreen or sunblock may prevent more sun damage.

Skin tags are small, usually flesh-colored growths of skin that have a raised surface. They are a common problem as people age, especially for women. They are most often found on the eyelids, neck, and body folds such as the arm pit, chest, and groin. Skin tags are harmless, but they can become irritated. A doctor can remove them if they bother you.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. The main cause of skin cancer is the sun. Sunlamps and tanning booths can also cause skin cancer. Anyone can get cancer, but people with fair skin that freckles easily are at greatest risk. Skin cancer may be cured if it is found before it spreads to other parts of the body.

There are three types of skin cancers. Two types, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, grow slowly and rarely spread to other parts of the body. These types of cancer are found mostly on parts of the skin exposed to the sun, like the head, face, neck, hands, and arms, but can happen anywhere on your body. The third and most dangerous type of skin cancer is melanoma. It is rarer than the other types, but can spread to other organs and be deadly.

Check your skin regularly, like once a month, for things that may be cancer. Look for changes such as a new growth, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a bleeding mole. Also, check moles, birthmarks, or other parts of the skin for the “ABCDE’s:

A = asymmetry (one half of the growth looks different from the other half)

B = borders that are irregular

C = color changes or more than one color

D = diameter greater than the size of a pencil eraser

E = e volving, meaning changes in size, shape, symptoms (itching, tenderness), surface (especially bleeding), or shades of color

Don’t wait for the area to hurt—skin cancer isn’t usually painful. See your doctor right away if you have any of these signs.

Keep Your Skin Healthy `The best way to keep your skin healthy is to be careful in the sun: • Limit time in the sun. Try to stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when the sun’s rays are strongest. Don’t be fooled by cloudy skies. The sun’s rays can pass through clouds.

You can also get sunburned if you are in water, so be careful when you are in a pool, lake, or the ocean.

• Use sunscreen. Look for a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) number of 15 or higher. It’s best to choose sunscreens with “broad spectrum” on the label. “Water resistant” sunscreen stays on your skin even if you get wet or sweat a lot, but it isn’t waterproof and needs to be put on about every 2 hours.

• Wear protective clothing. A hat with a wide brim can shade your neck, ears, eyes, and head. Look for sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of the sun’s rays. If you have to be in the sun, wear loose, lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and long pants or long skirts.

• Avoid tanning. Don’t use sunlamps or tanning beds. Tanning pills are not approved by the FDA and might not be safe.

Your skin may change with age. But remember, there are things you can do to help. Check your skin often. If you find any changes that worry you, see your doctor.

For more Information visit www.nih.gov.

June 2011 — Greater St. Louis Area — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 23

breathing for health

Broccoli Compound May Combat COPD

By Allison Bierly, Ph.D.

I

n Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), damage to immune cells limits the lungs’ ability to fight off bacterial infections. According to a new study, boosting the activity of a specific molecule in these cells can restore their defensive powers.

COPD is the third leading cause of death nationwide. It’s often brought on by cigarette smoking. COPD can cause shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing, among other symptoms. In patients with COPD, immune cells called macrophages lose their ability to engulf and remove bacteria, making the lungs more vulnerable to infection. Infection can lead to inflammation, which is a major cause of impaired lung function and death in these patients. Until now, no one knew how to reverse this damage to the macrophages.

A team of scientists at Johns Hopkins University, led by Drs. Shyam Biswal and Robert Wise, investigated why macrophages don’t work properly in COPD patients. Previous research suggested that a process called oxidative stress might be to blame. Oxidative stress occurs when the body can’t effectively neutralize damaging compounds called peroxides and free radicals.

A molecule called Nrf2 can cause cells to make more antioxidants, which neutralize these harmful compounds. Previous studies found reduced Nrf2 activity in severe COPD. The scientists suspected that increasing Nrf2 activity might restore the ability of macrophages to remove bacteria. To test their theory, the team used a chemical called sulforaphane, which is known to activate Nrf2. A precursor of sulforaphane is found in broccoli. The research was cosponsored by NIH’s National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). The results appeared in the April 13, 2011, issue of Science Translational Medicine.

The researchers first took macrophages from the lungs of patients with moderate COPD. When they treated these macrophages with sulforaphane, they saw higher Nrf2 levels in the cells.

Sulforaphane treatment also boosted the ability of cultured macrophages to clear 2 of the major types of bacteria that infect COPD patients. Macrophage uptake of bacteria rose 300% after treatment, whether the cells came from smokers or non-smokers.

Experiments in mouse and human cells revealed that sulforaphane, through Nrf2, increases levels of a receptor called MARCO on macrophages. MARCO activity was necessary for macrophages to engulf bacteria after sulforaphane treatment. Mice exposed to smoke had lower levels of MARCO. Furthermore, smoke-exposed mice genetically engineered to lack Nrf2 had more lung inflammation and higher levels of bacteria.

Page 24 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Greater St. Louis Area ­— June 2011

The team next tested treatment approaches that might help COPD sufferers. They gave sulforaphane with a nebulizer to mice exposed to smoke and found that the mice’s lungs showed reduced inflammation and bacterial burden. The researchers also gave human COPD patients broccoli sprout extract enriched with sulforaphane for 2 weeks.

The patients taking the extract had higher levels of MARCO and Nrf2controlled antioxidants in their blood cells. A NHLBI-sponsored clinical trial is now being conducted to test if sulforaphane can provide relief to patients with COPD.

“This research may help explain the long-established link between diet and lung disease, and raises the potential for new approaches to treatment of this often-devastating disease,” says Wise.

Additional information provided by the National Institute of Health can be found at www.nih.gov.

supportive families

Not All Wounds Can Be Seen Military Families Share Wounds as Service Members Transition to Life Back Home benefits of military families and to advocate an equitable quality of life for those families. NMFA sponsors Operation Purple Camps for children of deployed service members in many U.S. military communities around the world.

• FOCUS (www.focusproject.org) helps military families meet the challenges of deployment and reintegration by offering resiliency training and teaching practical skills. Through state-of-the-art family resiliency services, the organization’s programs guide families on how to effectively communicate and solve problems, set goals together and create a shared family story.

I

t’s common for service members and their families to experience stress as a result of deployment and other life transitions. Service members and their families are not alone. Resources like the Real Warriors Campaign exist to support families’ overall well-being.

The campaign, sponsored by the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE), is a public education initiative designed to encourage help-seeking behavior for service members, veterans, and military families coping with invisible wounds. The tools and resources available through the campaign promote the processes of building resilience, facilitating recovery and supporting reintegration for returning service members, veterans and their families.

The website (www.realwarriors.net) offers articles and practical tips for spouses and families of service members aimed to cover all aspects of military life and the deployment cycle, including articles about how to adjust to changes preparing for homecomings and how to help children cope with deployments and reunions.

Additional resources through campaign partners offer services and support for families of service members for coping with deployment, locating support and obtaining military benefits. They include: • Sesame Workshop’s Talk, Listen, Connect initiative uses the friendly and familiar Muppet characters to provide resources for military families with young children coping with issues related to deployments, changes from combat-related injuries and the death of a parent. On www.SesameStreetFamilyConnections.org you can find extensive video and print resources on these topics, or use child-friendly tools to create a family network and stay connected.

• Blue Star Families (www.bluestarfam.org) provides online and physical chapter-based communities to bridge families with support and service organizations that help make military life more sustainable.

• The National Military Family Association (www.militaryfamily.org) educates military families concerning their rights, benefits and services available to them and to inform them regarding the issues that affect their lives. NMFA provides resources and programs to educate the public, the military community and Congress on the rights and

Families looking for additional support can reach out to trained health consultants at the DCoE Outreach Center through the live chat feature at www.realwarriors.net or by calling 866-966-1020 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

All families of service members should know that they should feel comfortable reaching out to service members’ units and other military and national organizations for support. Reaching out is a sign of strength that benefits your family and your service member.

June 2011 — Greater St. Louis Area — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 25

insurance

Are You Prepared to Live to

90?

W

hile living to the age of 90 was once a rare feat, it is becoming increasingly common. You may be surprised to learn that the fastest growing demographic in the country is people over the age of 85. According to the latest life insurance mortality tables, 38 percent of men and half of women age 65 today can expect to live to the age of 90 or beyond.

Being able to live a long and full life is good news, of course. But you will have to plan well to be sure that you don’t run out of income when you may need it the most. Here are some suggestions from Dr. Robert Pokorski, The Hartford’s chief medical strategist, for planning a retirement that may include a 90th birthday celebration: • Consider buying a life insurance policy with an optional longevity rider.

While the main purpose of life insurance is to provide income to your heirs when you die, paying extra for The Hartford’s new LongevityAccess Rider will allow you to begin receiving installments of your own death benefit when you turn 90 and meet the rider’s eligibility requirements. You are then free to use it to simply enjoy life or to help ensure you don’t outlive your retirement savings.

A $500,000 policy works like this: When you reach the age of 90, you can elect to receive a guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit of up to 1 percent of the death benefit of your life insurance policy. In this example, you may receive monthly payments of as much as $5,000 per month for eight years. Even if you eventually withdraw the entire death benefit, a guaranteed residual death benefit will be provided, subject to the terms of the rider. Your heirs will still receive 10 percent of the benefit - in this case, $50,000.

• Consider purchasing an annuity to cover many of your fixed expenses later in life. Making conservative investments like this can help ensure Page 26 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Greater St. Louis Area ­— June 2011

that you’ll have a reliable source of income to cover such necessities as rent or mortgage payments, utilities, prescriptions, groceries, insurance and transportation. Any other retirement savings you have can be used to cover the cost of travel and entertainment or to pay for unforeseen expenses.

• Postpone retirement. While you might consider putting off retirement to be a bad thing, you may decide to continue working in order to increase your monthly Social Security benefit. Delaying Social Security from age 62 to 67 will increase the amount you will receive each month by 30 percent. Postponing retirement will also increase any pension benefits you will receive in the future. You could even use the time to try working in a new field that has always appealed to you.

• Plan for a health emergency. Nobody likes to think about becoming ill, but planning for health-care emergencies is a part of smart retirement planning, especially when you consider that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 70 percent of retirees will need to pay for chronic care sometime during their lives. The Hartford offers life insurance policies with its LifeAccess Accelerated Benefits Rider. If you become chronically ill and meet the claim criteria, you can use the money you receive from the death benefit any way you like. You can, for example, use it to pay a family member to take care of you.

Turning 90 is a milestone worth celebrating. With good planning, you could live a long and comfortable life without worrying too much about your finances.

Consumers who want to learn more about The Hartford’s life insurance policies can call 1-877-439-0772 or visit www.hartfordinvestor.com/livingbenefits.

women’s health

Some Women of Reproductive Age Lack Knowledge About the

Benefits of Folate

A

Their collective goal is to invite women to spread the message about the ccording to a recent omnibus survey of 643 women ages 18 to 45, nearly half of women (43 percent) are unaware of the health importance of daily folate supplementation to all of their girlfriends.

Women can join the Girlfriends for Folate movement by registering on benefits of taking folate or folic acid daily. Further, 67 percent report they do not take a supplement containing folate or folic acid the campaign’s Facebook page at www.GirlfriendsforFolate.com. Here, daily, with more than half visitors will also find educa(52 percent) saying they tional materials about folate, don’t take a supplement such as a folate fact sheet and containing folic acid at all. an interactive folate quiz.

Folate, a B vitamin For every woman who be(synthetically available as comes a “GFF,” Bayer will folic acid) helps regenerate give $1, up to $25,000, to cells and when taken before support the 2011 March of pregnancy and during the Dimes March for Babies®, early months of pregnancy, the organization’s largest helps reduce the risk of serifundraiser that raises funds to improve the health of baous birth defects of the spine or brain, also known as neubies. The U.S. region with ral tube defects (NTDs). That the most GFFs will be recis why it is especially imporognized nationally during its tant for women of reproduclocal March of Dimes March tive age to supplement their for Babies(R) event, where diet with the right amount Minnillo will join other women of folic acid. If women have committed to raising awarequestions about folate or ness about the importance of folic acid supplementation, daily folate intake. they should speak with their “As girlfriends, we have healthcare provider. to look out for ourselves

March of Dimes ® recand for each other,” Minnillo says. “I’ve learned that ommends that all women folate is good for me now of reproductive age supand in the future if I decide to plement their diet with at have a baby. The Girlfriends least 400 mcg of folic acid for Folate campaign is imdaily. Further, an objective portant because it educates of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ women about the impor(HHS) Healthy People 2020 tant role folate plays in their overall health. It’s my goal national initiative is to into spread the word to all of crease the proportion of Photo By ARA my girlfriends to make folate women of childbearing potential with intake of at least supplementation part of their 400 mcg of folic acid from Vanessa Minnillo has teamed up with Bayer and March of Dimes to launch daily health regimen too.” fortified foods or dietary As part of the nationGirlfriends for Folate ‚ a national educational campaign to help spread the word supplements - an objective wide campaign, the GFF about the importance of daily folate intake for all women of reproductive age. that was not met in 2010. who raises the most money

To help the HHS reach for March of Dimes March for its Healthy People 2020 objective, Bayer and March of Dimes® have Babies® will get the opportunity to walk alongside Minnillo, showcasing joined forces with TV personality Vanessa Minnillo and DailyCandy.com, their shared commitment to the mission of Girlfriends for Folate. a popular women’s online resource, to launch Girlfriends for Folate, a

Bayer and March of Dimes® continue to demonstrate their shared national educational campaign to raise awareness about the importance commitment to advancing women’s health and hope others will too by of daily folate and folic acid intake among all women of reproductive age. becoming a “GFF.” June 2011 — Greater St. Louis Area — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 27

senior living

If You Need Home Care

Tips for Choosing the Right Provider

By Dan Decker, Director, Bayada Nurses-St. Louis

P

reserving independence is a primary concern for senior citizens and people with disabilities, yet they are often reluctant to admit they need assistance to remain at home. Help from family or institutions such as nursing homes may be unavailable or cost-prohibitive. For many, the solution has been home care.

Why Home Care?

Home care includes medical or non-medical services provided in a client’s own home.

Services may include companionship, meal preparation, and light housekeeping. For clients with health problems, aides can assist with tasks such as bathing. For more complex cases, skilled nursing may be required. Thanks to modern technology, many procedures that once required hospitalization are now safe to perform at home.

Choosing a Home Care Provider

Oftentimes, people focus solely on price when choosing a home care provider, neglecting to ask about safety and supervision. The following questions will help you research providers: • How are employees selected?

• Are employees bonded and insured?

• Are employees subject to criminal and reference checks?

• Is the agency accredited?

• How are employees supervised?

• How are scheduling problems handled?

• How is the care plan determined?

• How is insurance and billing handled?

• Ask how an agency supports its employees, handles call outs, and deals with after-hour problems. Does the agency provide case management? Is regular clinical supervision provided?

• Understand how insurance payments and billing will be handled. Will the agency contact insurance companies directly and handle billing?

• If you will pay for services yourself, ask how taxes will be paid, if workers’ compensation insurance is provided, and whether additional charges apply for weekends, nights, and holidays.

• Accreditation is also important, the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP), is a leading home health care accrediting organization.

“For many, home care is the best way to preserve independence and remain at home. By conducting research before hiring an agency, you’ll feel better about your decision and ensure that your experience is positive,” said Dan Decker, Director of the Bayada Nurses Home Care Agency in St. Louis.

Whether you need short-term, intermittent care or long-term care for an elderly parent, or care following a chronic illness or injury, home health care services may meet your needs.

Dan Decker is the Director of the Bayada Nurses Home Care Agency in St. Louis. For information about home care services with Bayada, call 314-849-1188. Serving St. Louis City, St. Louis, Jefferson, Franklin, St. Charles, Lincoln, Ste. Genevieve, Warren, Washington and St. Francois Counties.

Things to Look For

Knowing how employees are selected is crucial because they will be coming into your home. Reputable agencies enforce security measures, Stringent hiring standards include thoroughly checked references, background and criminal history, and work experience. For added peace of mind, make sure the agency you select insures its employees and provides workers’ compensation.

Some suggestions:

Page 28 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Greater St. Louis Area ­— June 2011

Founded in 1975, Bayada Nurses provides nursing, rehabilitative, therapeutic, and personal home health care services to children, adults, and seniors in the comfort of their own homes. We have over 13,000 nurses, home health aides, and therapists working from more than 170 offices in 18 states.

June 2011 — Greater St. Louis Area — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 29

prostate health

Our Cancer Nightmare Comes True The second in a series of excerpts from “Making Love Again” By: Virginia and Keith Laken The subject matter of this book is of a personal and explicit nature and may not be suitable for younger or ultra-conservative readers.

I

felt guilty when I walked into Keith’s office, thinking I had let him down and not been there for him when Dr. Barrett called. But Keith was talking on his business phone. Surely, I thought, the fact that he’s back to work means he received good news!

As I walked toward Keith, he handed me a piece of paper filled with handwritten notes. At the top of the page was the title “PHONE CALL WITH DR. BARRETT.”

I began to read…biopsy is positive…adenocarcinoma…left lobe… probably confined…come in next week to discuss options…suggest surgery and taking of pelvic lymph nodes…

Suddenly I felt faint. I fell clumsily into a chair, and was grateful to hear Keith’s voice, as if from a distance. “I’ve gotta go now. I’ll call you back later.”

My stomach began to cramp. I could feel the color drain from my face. Keith reached for my hand and held it gently. His eyes reflected concern. Keith always gets upset when he sees me hurting.

“How do you feel about this?” I whispered, dragging my focus back to Keith. “I’m numb,” he replied in a level tone. “I can’t take it all in.”

Keith paused. “I guess I knew it all along, but when I heard the words I couldn’t believe it. I just stopped feeling.”

“How could you go on?” I asked, incredulous. “Make your phone call and do business?”

“What else was I supposed to do?” Keith answered quietly. “I can’t do anything to change this.”

Keith asked me to be the one to call the children and my mom. I reached out to hold him, and Keith’s voice murmured in my ear: “I don’t want to talk to anyone about it right now.”

Beth took the news in her typical stoic manner. “Mom,” she told me, “our family can handle anything.” Steven was equally supportive, but more outwardly emotional. Fighting back tears, he said he’d fly out to be with us anytime we needed him.

The call to Mom was difficult. Hearing of Keith’s cancer, I knew, would remind Mom of her own battle with stomach cancer — a topic she tried her best to avoid discussing. It wasn’t surprising, therefore, that Mom said little more than to tell us how sorry she was.

The next morning, my first waking thought was of cancer. I looked at Keith, still sleeping, his hair rumpled and his face smooth. “Cancer is eating away at Keith’s body,” I thought, horrified. At breakfast, Keith told me he felt “unclean.”

Laptop Notes. January 23, 1995 Tomorrow is my appointment at Mayo to “discuss options”. Still thinking of doing nothing, waiting to see how things develop. Prostate cancer is gener-

Page 30 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Greater St. Louis Area ­— June 2011

ally slow growing. We may have some time. Not that I want to take risks.

I have a dream of sitting on a porch swing with Gin when we’re in our eighties, watching the family around us. I want Duncan to know his Grandpa, to remember that I took him fishing and flying. And Beth and Care say they’re planning a big family. I can’t miss that. But I also can’t risk this surgery.

Journal Entry, January 23, 1995 Dear God, please let Keith say yes to the operation. Let him agree to get this cancer out of his body so he can be well again…so we can have our old life back. Now that we know for sure we have to get rid of it…

At our appointment with Dr. Barrett he talked about the characteristics and progression of prostate cancer, and reminded Keith of the seriousness of his condition. Of all the treatments available for prostate cancer, the urologist preferred surgery. This option, he said, offered the greatest possibility for a cure.

Keith listened intently while Dr. Barrett spoke of recovery time and outcome. Only when he paused did Keith ask the questions that overshadowed all other input for him: “And what about the possibility of becoming impotent?”

“That risk is low…about 30%. And you’re young. The odds are in your favor.”

Keith then questioned Dr. Barrett about the nerve-sparing technique of prostate surgery, pioneered at Johns Hopkins University Hospital by Dr. Patrick Walsh. “Do you use this procedure here?” Keith asked.

“I do,” the surgeon replied readily. “But you can’t assume it guarantees an escape from impotence. There are other factors besides nerve damage that can affect a man’s ability to achieve an erection, such as blood loss and arterial damage. Those causes are almost impossible to predict.”

“Look Keith, if you do become impotent, don’t worry. We can easily treat it. These days we have excellent methods for creating erections.

We’re using a new injectable medication that gives a man an erection just like the natural thing. So don’t be concerned.”

Neither of us spoke as we left Dr. Barrett’s office and headed across the street for our next appointment. Dr. Barrett had recommended we talk to Nick, a man around Keith’s age who had survived prostate cancer thanks to the same surgery he wanted us to consider.

Nick had been diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of thirtynine, and had elected to have a prostatectomy (prostate surgery in

January 15, 1995 — TO ALL EMPLOYEES In an effort to dispel any rumors you may have heard recently, I would like to share some facts with you about my personal health… Should you have any questions about my schedule, projects, or condition, please stop by. I am very open about the subject and willing to explain to whatever detail you may want.

Thanks for your support, Keith Laken Laptop Notes, January 28, 1995 When I sent out my memo, I didn’t expect much response. But saying I was willing to answer questions must have opened the floodgates.

For two days I haven’t gotten any work done. People have been in my office constantly, some wishing me well, others with questions.

The amazing thing was how many told me about their fathers, brothers, and uncles who had prostate cancer, and how worried they were about them. Some people hugged me. Some even cried. It was really embarrassing. I didn’t know people cared so much.

which the prostate gland is removed). He told us it had now been seven years since his operation and, in his experience at least, it had been a blessing. He was still disease-free and doing great.

When Keith asked him if “doing great” meant “great in all areas,” Nick grinned coyly and nodded. “I can assure you that I function just like I did before the surgery. No problems whatsoever.”

As we walked back to the Clinic, Keith unexpectedly took my hand, and, like a happy schoolboy, began swinging it back and forth. “That was really good for me to hear,” he said as we crossed the street. I looked up. Keith was grinning that wonderful half smile of his. It felt so good to be seeing that smile again!

Our final appointment that day was with Dr. Phyliky. Our family doctor for over seven years, Dr. Phyliky wanted to meet with us to discuss any concerns we might still have.

Dr. Phyliky began by asking Keith what he had learned from Dr. Barrett and Nick, and how he was now feeling about his situation. Keith quickly summarized the two earlier meetings, then very casually concluded: “…and I’ve made up my mind to go ahead with the surgery.”

I couldn’t believe it! I wanted to leap up and smother him with kisses. To laugh.

Shout for joy. Cry with relief.

Dr. Phyliky nodded and smiled approvingly. “I’m very pleased that you’ve elected to have surgery. Like Dr. Barrett, I feel it gives you the greatest possibility for a cure. I must tell you that my father died with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer kills many men,” Dr. Phyliky stated soberly. “And believe me, it’s not a good way to die.”

Journal Entry, January 14, 1995 I was SO surprised when Keith said He’d decided to have the surgery…for the first time in days I feel like I can take a deep breath…. Keith’s going to have surgery! Prayers are indeed answered!

Laptop Notes, February 3, 1995 Tomorrow I go under the knife. My first operation, and I’m really nervous. I don’t like putting my life in someone else’s hands, but that’s what has to be done. Now I just want to get the whole thing over with. It was a tough decision to have this surgery, but I won’t second-guess myself. I never do.

Journal Entry, February 3, 1995 Tomorrow Keith has his surgery. God, I’m scared. I know he needs this operation, but I’m still so worried. Something could go wrong. Tonight Keith wanted to make love “for old-times sake,” but I just went through the motions. I couldn’t concentrate. I really don’t know how Keith can do it. How can he have a climax at a time like this??? Keith’s been so concerned about being impotent, I’m sure that’s why he wanted to make love tonight. But I just couldn’t get into it. It’s not important to me that we have sex. I don’t care about that. I JUST WANT KEITH TO LIVE.

Next month: Keith Goes Under the Knife

The book Making Love Again: Hope for Couples Facing Loss of Sexual Intimacy is available at Amazon.com and many major book sellers. You may contact the Lakens at KLAKEN@aol.com

June 2011 — Greater St. Louis Area — ­ Healthy Cells Magazine — Page 31

grief recovery

“Am I Equipped For Happiness?”

Healthy Cells magazine is pleased to present the third in a series of feature articles on the subject of Grief Recovery®. The articles are written by Russell P. Friedman, Executive Director, and John W. James, Founder, of The Grief Recovery Institute. Russell and John are co-authors of WHEN CHILDREN GRIEVE - For Adults to Help Children Deal with Death, Divorce, Pet Loss, Moving, and Other Losses Harper Collins, June, 2001 - & THE GRIEF RECOVERY HANDBOOK - The Action Program For Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other Losses [Harper Perrenial, 1998]. The articles combine educational information with answers to commonly asked questions.

L

ast month we touched upon the idea that grievers develop a relationship to their pain, as if their identity hinged on regarding themselves as unhappy. Many people become so familiar with those painful feelings that they are afraid to let them go. If it were not so sad, and if it did not have such dire consequences, one would be tempted to draw a cartoon of someone clinging desperately to a horrible looking creature called “pain,” terrified of losing it. And yet, that is exactly what it looks like.

Some of us have very long-term relationships to pain. We may have unresolved loss-of-trust experiences from childhood that keep us in an almost perpetual state of acceptance of pain as a permanent condition. Many of us keep dragging the unfinished relationships of our past into all of our new relationships, and then acting surprised when they always end the same. We may be ill-equipped to deal with the feelings caused by the end of each new relationship, and we may be unaware that almost all of our past relationships are incomplete or unresolved.

Some of us are able to acknowledge that we have sabotaged many relationships. While we have the intellectual awareness that we are the common denominator in the sabotages, we find ourselves unable to change our behavior. If the intellect were the key to successful recovery then we would be able to think ourselves well. We would be able to understand ourselves into better actions. Clearly that does not work. Unresolved grief is cumulative and cumulatively negative.

Incomplete relationships create unresolved grief & unresolved grief creates incomplete relationships.

Incomplete relationships can cause us to limit our lives, can induce us to sabotage good relationships, and can encourage us to keep choosing poorly. Unresolved grief becomes a relationship to ourselves as unworthy of happiness. We must learn how to grieve and complete relationships that have ended or changed. It may sound simple, and it is simple. Why then, do so many people resist taking the simple and clearly defined actions of Grief Recovery®? The opening paragraph of this article referred to how familiar we become with our pain. Familiarity can create a powerful illusion that change is not necessary, that growth is not possible, and that where happiness is concerned, 20% equals 100%.

“Am I equipped for happiness?” Yes, but I am much more familiar with pain. As the direct result of years and years of practice, I am expert at identifying and relating to pain. Happiness is an unwelcome intruder in how I relate to myself. We have all searched desperately for the key to happiness. While it may sound simplistic to say that we held the key, ourselves, all along, it is true. Access to our own happiness is directly linked to our ability to grieve and complete our relationships with people and events, as well as our ability to grieve and complete our relationship to the pain we generate when we are reminded of the unhappiness we have experienced in our lives.

Many of us say, over and over, that if only this or that would happen I could be happy. The thing might be love or money or success or Page 32 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Greater St. Louis Area ­— June 2011

“Incomplete relationships can cause us to limit our lives, can induce us to sabotage good relationships and can encourage us to keep choosing poorly.

Unresolved grief becomes a relationship to ourselves as unworthy of happiness.” fame. And yet, how often do we get the very thing we wanted and wind up as unhappy as we were before, and even more disillusioned?

To rediscover your ability to be happy, you must go back and grieve and complete all of the incomplete relationships from your past.

As you do so, you will begin to find your normal and natural desire and ability to be happy. You may have heard people talk about stripping away the layers of an onion; we prefer the analogy of stripping away the leaves of an artichoke, and discovering your heart inside.

QUESTION: I have had many painful loss experiences in my life.

Sometimes I feel as if there is no way I can ever let down my guard and allow any positive or happy experiences in. Will the principles and actions of Grief Recovery® help me change this fearful habit?

ANSWER: In clearly identifying your behavior as a habit, you increase the probability of growth and change. The idea of changing a habit is probably less intimidating than the idea of changing a behavior.

In truth, most of our behaviors are habits that we have practiced so well and so often that they seem like our nature. Many of our survival habits were developed when we were quite young. Often we are managing an adult life with the limited skills and perceptions of a small child. As we grieve and complete the events and the behaviors of our pasts, we become open to our ability to be happy.

Next month: “If I Start Crying, Will I Be Able To Stop?”

For information about programs and services, write to The Grief Recovery Institute, P.O. Box 6061-382 Sherman Oaks, CA. 91413.

Call [818] 907-9600 or Fax: [818] 907-9329. Please visit our website at: www.grief-recovery.com.

Share Curiosity.

Read Together. w w w. r e a d . g o v

brain aerobics

ANSWERS

Page 34 — Healthy Cells Magazine — Greater St. Louis Area ­— June 2011