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ISSUE
THE MAN
VOLUME XV, № 6
06/15
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How to Fly
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Does Compression Gear Actually Do Anything?
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The Modern Dad
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Time Waits For No Gender
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How Much Will the Emergency Room Cost?
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30 Ways to Make Your Summer Epic
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Review: Mail-Order Shaving Kits
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An expert gave us some advice on how to best increase your vertical leap. Get some spring in your game.
Short answer: yes. But it probably isn’t doing everything you hope it does.
Fatherhood today means something different than it did a few decades ago, and not in a bad way. Dads now are more engaged with their kids, and in general, have different views on parenting as compared to their parents.
Men and women age differently, and view aging differently. Check out these interesting findings on this topic.
This is a tough question, but here are some tips so you can at least get a ballpark figure.
Spontaneously coming up with something amazing to do can be difficult. Here we provide some inspiration, even if you don’t do exactly what we suggest.
We keep seeing ads for Dollar Shave Club and other mail-order razors that claim to be a cheaper alternative to the admittedly absurd prices of storebought razors. Here we review and compare.
Recipe: Apple Pie Energy Bites
Sick and tired of your go-to energy bars? Well make your own!
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Healthy
Editor’s Note
Epic Summer.
WITH
I DON’T KNOW WHAT IT IS ABOUT SUMMER THIS YEAR, BUT IT FEELS BIG. IT FEELS POSITIVE. SOMETHING’S ABUZZ AND I FEEL THAT GREAT THINGS ARE WITHIN REACH. I feel energized by the theme of this month’s magazine – “Epic Summer.” There’s something hopeful about a sunny summer day. As I sit here on my back porch enjoying the warm evening and summer sounds, the thought occurs, “Why not make this my best summer ever?” Simple enough. I’m going to do it. This is the year. Call it a bad habit, but I enjoy daydreaming. It’s actually when some of my biggest, deepest thoughts achieve clarity, kind of like staring at one of those stereograms. It takes a moment, but when you ease up and don’t try so hard, the image comes to life and you see how all the little pieces combine to create the big picture. When I’m wondering and what-ifing, things seem possible—achievable. The mind is quite powerful. I’m still coming to understand this, but I’m learning that a few common axioms are true. As a man (or woman) thinketh, so is he (or she). It’s been quite true in my life. I am literally the sum of my thoughts. I cannot be anything other than what I have thought I could be. I would not have a master’s degree if I had not thought about such an achievement, believed I could
JOHN A. ANDERSON,
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @JOHN_A_ANDERSON
get it and then through hard work converted my thoughts into reality. Here’s another tiny, more personal example. In January we wrote about health resolutions, and I made a big push for knocking off small, achievable goals. I put my money where my mouth was—literally. I determined to quit a nasty habit of biting my fingernails. I’ve always hated that habit, but could never quit. But I literally spent some time envisioning not biting, imagining bite-free nails and thinking about that disgusting little habit. I’m not ready to be a Kardashian, but my nails look great and it’s been months since I even considered tooth-clipped nails. That is just one simple personal example, but I could go on and on. Everything I am or am becoming began with a thought, a daydream, and then followed a process of belief and putting my thoughts into action. It’s literally true:
“WHATEVER YOU CAN CONCEIVE, AND BELIEVE, YOU CAN ACHIEVE.” This works in health, education, finance, relationships, love, athletics and so on. There is no area of your life that cannot be improved by positively conceptualizing it and nodding with belief. It’s the first step of achievement. So here we are in the midst of a sensational summer. Embrace it. Take more than a moment to daydream about where you would like to be this time next year. Let your mind wander. Jot down the results. I hope you walk away from reading this issue and simply say to yourself, “I’m going to do it. This is the summer.” Dream big. Believe. Achieve.
MAGAZINE
TM
JUNE 2015 VOLUME XV, № 6
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF John A. Anderson | john@healthy-mag.com PUBLISHER Kenneth J. Shepherd | ken@healthy-mag.com MEDICAL DIRECTORS Steven N. Gange, M.D. Lane C. Childs, M.D. DESIGN EDITOR Phillip Chadwick | design@healthy-mag.com MANAGING EDITOR Michael Richardson | michael@healthy-mag.com MAGAZINE EDITOR Kirsten Soelberg | kirsten@healthy-mag.com DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Lyn Timboe | lyn.timboe@healthy-mag.com CIRCULATION MANAGER Ron Fennell | distribution@healthy-mag.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Caitlin Schille, Angela Silva, Megan Moore, David Joachim, Mark Saunders, Derek Jacobs CIRCULATION Healthy Magazine® is distributed widely to more than 800 locations along the Wasatch Front. It is also direct mailed to doctors, dentists, practitioners, health clinics, banks and other businesses along the Wasatch Front.
Healthy Magazine 256 Main St., Suite F l Alpine, UT 84004 (801) 369-6139 l info@healthy-mag.com To be included in our free online directory, or to advertise or get content published please e-mail us at info@healthy-mag.com PLEASE NOTE: The content in this publication is meant to increase reader awareness of developments in the health and medical field and should not be construed as medical advice or instruction on individual health matters, which should be obtained directly from a health professional. The opinions expressed by the authors and advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher. Call for reprint permission. All stock photography by Shutterstock.com, unless otherwise noted.
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Q&a
GOT A QUESTION? Send it in, and we'll pose it to our Advisory Board. E-mail us at questions@healthy-mag.com. Edited by STARDOCS.com
[ FOR MEN ]
Does Size Really Matter? One difference between men and women's brains is size. But in this case, science says size doesn't matter. Men's brains on average are 10 percent bigger than women's and have four percent more cells. But before all you men claim superiority for having a bigger brain, you'll need to know that women's brains contain more nerve cells and cellular connections, which allows their smaller, more compact brains to be more efficient and effective. Source: thirdage.com
SIMPLE SOLUTION
39.6% NUMBER OF MEN WITH HIGH CHOLESTEROL.
29.8% NUMBER OF MEN WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.
53.3%
ICE How effective are ice baths when it comes to treating sore muscles?
A review of several studies on the topic found that although ice baths do reduce post-workout soreness by about 20 percent, they aren’t any more effective than stretching or taking a painkiller.
28% 78% Do women eat healthier than men?
NUMBER OF MEN WHO EXERCISE ON A REGULAR BASIS.
42.6% NUMBER OF MEN WHO ARE OVERWEIGHT.
Source: cdc.gov 2009 stats
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IS A RUNNER'S HIGH REAL OR JUST A MYTH? After that first exhilarating run, soreness sets in. Before long you begin to wonder if the mythical endorphin rush runners experience after several miles was just that — a myth. But it does exist, according to a study in the Journal of Experimental Biology. The trick is consistency. Once you settle in to running regularly, the rush will come. Source: news.menshealth.com
The U.S. Center for Disease Control has concluded a study that found women of all ethnic backgrounds tend to eat more fruit and vegetables than their male counterparts. Approximately 28.8 percent of white women eat fruit and veggies and drink juices five or more times a day. This is believed to play a significant part in the longevity of women as compared to men. Source: shortnews.com
What is the proper way to shave?
According to a survey by the American Academy of Dermatologists, 78 percent of men report experiencing irritation after shaving. To avoid irritation, which is caused by hair that is cut too short and begins to curl under the skin, make sure to always wet the beard before shaving, shave in the direction the hairs lie, keep the skin relaxed and avoid repeated strokes over the same area. Source: aad.org
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healthy bits [ NUTRITION ]
THE TV DIET
You might want to nix TV commercials and here's why. Foods advertised on television are typically loaded with sugar and fat.
To figure out exactly how unhealthy a TV-guided diet would be, researchers studied food commercials that appeared during 84 hours of prime-time programming and 12 hours of Saturday-morning cartoons broadcasted over the major U.S. networks during one month in 2004. When the research team calculated the nutritional content of a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet containing only foods that were advertised on television, they found that it exceeded the government's recommended daily amount of fat by 20 times and had 25 times the recommended daily intake of sugar. Source: time.com
40 NUMBER OF TV ADS FOR UNHEALTHY FOODS THAT THE AVERAGE AMERICAN IS EXPOSED TO EACH DAY.
Source: Journal of the American Dietetic Association
TAKE NOTE OF
Calorie caution A study presented by the American Academy of Neurology found that individuals who overeat on a regular basis are twice as likely to develop a mild form of dementia after age 70. The 1,200 individuals who participated in the study filled out questionnaires about their daily caloric intake and were divided into three groups based on their responses: one for those who consumed between 600 and 1,500 calories per day, a second for 1,500 to 2,100 calories per day, and a third for those over 2,100 calories per day. Members of the third group were twice as likely as the first to have mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to more severe dementia. No significant difference was found for the second group.
LAY OFF THE BACON Nearly 90 percent of people watching timeshifted shows fastforward the ads, but TV remains the most memorable form of advertising. So you might want to invest in a DVR. Source: guardian.co.uk
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TWO STRIPS OF BACON WITH YOUR MORNING EGGS OR YOUR LUNCHTIME SANDWICH ADDS UP TO 100 EXTRA CALORIES PER MEAL, ENOUGH TO ADD 10 POUNDS BY THE END OF A YEAR. TO CUT BACK ON CALORIES, LOOK FOR VEGETABLE ALTERNATIVES SUCH AS TOMATOES OR ROASTED PEPPERS.
JUNE 2015
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FITNESS
Do The Switch
3
WORKOUTS BESIDES BENCH PRESS THAT ARE GREAT FOR THE CHEST
WHEN IT COMES TO WORKING OUT THE CHEST, THE BENCH PRESS IS THE MAIN EXERCISE PEOPLE THINK OF TO BUILD SIZE AND STRENGTH. BUT THERE ARE OTHER WAYS THAT YOU CAN BUILD UP YOUR CHEST AND GIVE IT A LITTLE DIFFERENT TYPE OF STIMULATION SO YOU CAN SEE THE RESULTS THAT YOU WANT. THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT EXERCISES THAT YOU CAN USE TO SWITCH UP YOUR CHEST ROUTINE AND START CHALLENGING YOURSELF TODAY.
WRITTE N B Y G R E G M A R S H A L L G Y M A T C I T Y CR E E K
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BOSU BALL PUSH-UP
Place your hands on the outside of the bosu ball, with your feet out behind you. The bosu ball will cause you to stabilize your core and your entire body, so keep your core as tight as possible. As you go down to perform the push-up, you want to do this movement slowly and to flex your chest and triceps muscles as tight as you can. This will maximize the effectiveness of the workout. Start off with 3 sets of 10 repetitions and then rest about 30-60 seconds in between sets in order to keep your intensity high.
3 1
MEDICINE BALL PUSH-UP
Get in a push-up position, but place one hand on a medicine ball. While keeping your core tight and your back straight, perform a push-up with the emphasis of your weight on the hand that is on top of the medicine ball. Use the same techniques as the ones you will use in the bosu ball push-up in order to maximize your workout through flexing your chest and triceps muscles as tight as you can throughout the movement. Start off with 3 sets of 5 repetitions on each side and rest about 30-60 seconds in between sets to keep your intensity high.
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THE DIP
Find a dip bar and hold yourself up while bending your knees, with a slight bend forward to emphasize working out your chest. When you perform the exercise it is imperative that you go slow and you don’t let momentum help you finish out the reps. This exercise is great for increasing strength and switching up your workouts to add variety and avoid boredom. Do not be surprised if your bench presses increase because of you performing more dips in your routine. Start off with one set of 10 and then work your way up to doing more reps per set and then progressively increasing the amount of sets that you do as well. When it comes to getting results the most important thing is to challenge yourself and to keep variety in your workouts so you don’t hit a plateau. Use the above exercises to mix up your next chest workout, and you’ll see strength and endurance increases.
JUNE 2015
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FITNESS
How to Fly The University of Utah’s basketball strength coach gives some tips on improving your vertical leap.
THERE IS A LOT OF ADVICE OUT THERE ABOUT HOW TO GET A BETTER VERTICAL LEAP. WEIRD SHOES, INTENSE MONTH-LONG PROGRAMS AND MORE PROMISE TO SEND YOU FLYING, BUT A LOT OF THAT IS NONSENSE. UTES MEN’S BASKETBALL STRENGTH COACH CHARLES STEPHENSON EXPLAINED TO US THE REAL ESSENTIALS TO JUMPING HIGHER.
1
ADD RESISTANCE TO YOUR JUMPING WORKOUTS
2
THE FOUNDATION OF A GOOD VERTICAL IS STRENGTH
Use dumbbells or weighted vests to add resistance to a jumping workout.
EXAMPLE: SQUAT JUMPS WITH DUMBBELLS: Start with light weight. Bring feet shoulder-width apart. Squat to sitting position and explode upward. Some advise against this workout because of the safety implications. The landing is where problems can occur. Land first with your toes, then your mid-foot should hit, then your heel. Then absorb the shock with a balanced bend of the knees. Landing properly also allows for quick recovery and explosion into your next jump. Jumping in quick succession is the best way to do squat jumps, Stephenson says, but learn correct form, take it slow and use light weight or no weight to start out. In addition, make sure to use different weight amounts as you progress. Train your body to jump against varying levels of force and you’ll be more prepared for jumping in a basketball game, soccer game, or any other physical activity.
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Don’t skip leg day of course, but remember that jumping is really a full body movement, Stephenson says. Complete weight training must be an integral part of increasing your vertical. That said, there comes a point when strength isn’t enough. Different types of exercise are needed to increase the power behind your jumps.
THREE WORKOUT VARIETIES HELP YOU GET A BETTER VERTICAL: • STRENGTH TRAINING: to produce more force. • RESISTANCE JUMP WORKOUTS: to produce more power. • ASSISTED JUMP WORKOUTS: to train muscles to contract faster. Stephenson says the men’s basketball team uses all three of these varieties regularly in their training.
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WHY TO PUSH YOURSELF When we get older, we start to lose some of our athletic ability, says Stephenson, who has worked as a strength and conditioning coach at four universities now. “But a big reason why people can’t run fast or jump high anymore,” he says, “is because they’ve stopped ever trying to run fast or jump high.” Life gets busy, and people stop utilizing the body’s full potential. That is when the body starts feeling old—when it starts getting slow due to underuse. And it isn’t just about increasing your physical capabilities, Stephenson says. It’s a psychological benefit to push yourself, to know that you can do hard things.
It’s a psychological benefit to push yourself, to know that you can do hard things.
“Your body is amazing,” he says. “Use it.” But, this must be taken with a grain of salt. Don’t push yourself beyond your abilities.
3
DO RESISTANCE JUMPING ON ONE FOOT Athletics often demand jumping off one foot, not two.
EX. REAR FOOT ELEVATED SPLIT SQUAT JUMPS Using small stool to support one foot behind you, do single-leg squat jumps. Your rear foot stays stationary during this workout, but the landing and jumping motions should be the same. Warning: this is a difficult exercise, even without weights. Start with just your body weight, and add vest or dumbbell weight over time.
4
4
DON’T STOP DOING BODY WEIGHT JUMP EXERCISES Incorporate body weight squat jumps and other exercises into your vertical leap training. You’re trying to enhance your natural jumping ability, so your body needs to experience natural motion frequently.
ADD ASSISTED JUMP EXERCISES This may seem counterintuitive, to do jump exercises that are easier than body weight or resisted jumps, but as Stephenson explains, assisted jump exercises train your muscles to contract faster. For the same reason, athletes do over-speed running workouts, where a bungee or cable makes them run faster than their normal sprint speed.
EX.: ASSISTED SQUAT JUMP This exercise will require ropes or TRX bands that come down from above your head to about chest height. Standing directly beneath the bands, do squat jumps, using your hands and arms to assist the jump. Jump in repetition. The bands can also be used to do assisted onefoot squat jumps.
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JUNE 2015
17
FITNESS
FEELING
COMPRESSED Does Compression Gear Actually Do Anything? “LOOK MARTHA, STEPH CURRY HAS SPIDER VEINS TOO!” This is what I imagine someone’s grandpa exclaiming while watching the NBA star play in his usual compression leggings, since compression stockings are a common treatment for varicose veins. Curry might not suffer from unsightly leg veins, but he is wearing those tight pants for a purpose.
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WHY ARE WE COMPRESSING OUR BODIES? Long before professional athletes made them cool, seniors were wearing compression garments to aid circulation and combat vein issues. Today, people of all ages wear arm and leg sleeves, compression shirts and shorts and more for a variety of reasons. Some are just interested in style, others are protecting themselves and still others are concerned about athletic performance. Let’s break down what compression apparel does and doesn’t do.
MUSCLE SORENESS This is probably the best documented benefit of compression apparel. Various studies have confirmed that wearing compression clothing after a workout can decrease muscle soreness. When we work out our muscles, it damages them in a healthy way, which is how we get stronger. But it’s still damage, meaning inflammation, swelling and resulting pain. Constricting garments may help reduce soreness by reducing the amount of fluid build up in a muscle group. They may also influence lactate levels, which cause swelling. In one interesting study, Spanish researchers had soccer players wear a compression sleeve on one leg and nothing on the other leg, and then had the players train for forty minutes. The results showed 27 percent fewer markers of soreness in the compressed leg compared to the free leg.
and masks to measure oxygen intake and other variables. When wearing compression sleeves, the runners didn’t use less oxygen and were not more efficient in their movement, which contradicts the aforementioned claim. Another study in 2013 showed that compression shorts don’t increase blood flow to muscles after exercise. Exercise itself is much better at bringing blood flow to the muscles, researchers found. And for the seniors out there rocking the compression hosiery for varicose veins, the benefits have been called into question. Researchers from the University of Sheffield in England gathered results from 25 studies on this topic, and called the supposed benefits “equivocal.” Source: well.blogs.nytimes.com
OTHER CLAIMS Some claim that compression apparel aids in proprioception, or your sense of how your body is positioned in space, meaning your movements are more efficient. But compression sleeves have never been shown to improve athletic performance, so this might just be a mental thing. Athletes wear compression clothing for protection from scrapes, floor burns and more. They also claim that sleeves keep their muscles warm, preventing injury. And, of course, some just like the style, and there’s not anything wrong with that.
COPPER FIT MYTH Copper Fit and other copper-laden wearables claim that their garments relieve muscle and joint soreness, but science really isn’t on their side, at least when it comes to the benefits of copper. The University of York Health Sciences Department conducted research on the matter and found that any positive therapeutic effect of copper was purely placebic. Copper Fit may have some benefits, but probably just because of the compression.
SHOULD I GET COMPRESSION GEAR? Some people don’t mind wearing compression clothing, but others find it constricting and uncomfortable, which may make any benefit not worth it. Comfort when exercising can be important. Another thing to consider: to aid in muscle recovery, compression clothing should be worn for several hours after exercise, according to Dr. Billy Sperlich, professor of exercise science at the University Würzburg in Germany. This means you might be dealing with some odors for an extended amount of time.
Similar results were found in marathoners who wore compression tights after their race.
CIRCULATION It is theorized that compression clothing also aids in blood flow, which is important for healing and for helping oxygen reach muscles quickly. But this claim was recently called into question by research published in The International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. Researchers equipped male distance runners with monitors
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The results showed 27 percent fewer markers of soreness in the compressed leg compared to the free leg. JUNE 2015
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ISSUE
The Modern Dad
THE MAN
20 HEALTHY MAGAZINE
WOMEN ARE BREAKING DOWN OLD GENDER STEREOTYPES, BUT SO ARE FATHERS, AND THE EFFECTS ARE EQUALLY INFLUENTIAL
G
one are the days of firmly divided roles in parenting. Fathers today spend about an hour more per workday with their children than dads of decades past, and that includes everything from homework to diapers to story time. As the modern father emerges, he is met with a variety of challenges, the most common being work-family conflict. In 1977, only one-third of fathers reported a worklife conflict, but by 2008 that number was at 60 percent Surveys suggest that three out of every four fathers want to spend more time with their children, and that the majority of fathers believe caregiving should be divided 50/50 with the spouse. A survey from Boston College even found that half of dads would seriously consider the possibility of being a full-time, stay-at-home dad.
But it isn’t just that both spouses are working; surveys suggest that parents today simply spend more time with their children than previous generations. A 2012 survey from Pew found that 46 percent of fathers and 52 percent of mothers reported spending more time with their kids than their parents spent with them.
“Men today view the ‘ideal’ man as someone who is not only successful as a financial provider, but is also involved as a father, husband/partner and son,” wrote the authors of The New Male Mystique, part of the National Study of the Changing Workforce by the Families and Work Institute. “Yet flat earnings, long hours, increasing job demands, blurred boundaries between work and home life, and declining job security all contribute to the pressures men face to succeed at work and at home and thus to work-family conflict.”
Childcare activities that dads engage in at least several times a week.
2002
Help with homework: 58% Read to kids: 56% Bathe and diaper: 82%
The same survey from Boston College found that only about a third of fathers say they actually share caregiving equally with their spouse, often due to work conflict. But still, housework and childcare is more and more a father’s chore. The average father in 1965 spent about four hours on housework and two and a half hours on childcare. The average father in 2011 spent ten hours a week doing housework, and seven hours a week on childcare, according to the Pew Research Center.
2010
Help with homework: 62% Read to kids: 65% Bathe and diaper: 95%
Andthese trends are seen even in the last decade (see sidebar).
This increase in time spent doing family-related things reflects the fact that fewer dads in today’s world are the sole breadwinner in the family. As of 2012, 60 percent of households had a dual income, and in just 31 percent of homes the father was the only one employed, according to Pew.
Source: National Survey of Family Growth, whitehouse.gov
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BEING A FATHER MAKES YOU A BETTER EMPLOYEE
64%
of fathers said involvement with their family gave them knowledge and skills that made them better employees.
61%
said because of their family life, they used time more efficiently, which made them better employees.
82%
said that family life made them happier, which made them better employees. Sources: Boston College Center for Work and Family, fathersworkandfamily.com
Workplace Flexibility With the modernization of parenting roles comes the debate of how accommodating a workplace should be. Studies suggest that men earn more money for every child they have—while the opposite is true for women in low-earning jobs—so men have that going for them. But how much do employers sacrifice by giving their male workers paid leave and flexibility for family? Researchers at Northwestern University found that working fathers who got to see their children daily were less likely to leave for another company, and were more satisfied with their jobs. “Instead of promoting ideals based on outdated gender norms, firms need to recognize fatherhood as a serious and time-consuming activity, both through formal flex programs and through encouraging supervisors to support fathers in fulfilling family commitments,” said Jamie Ladge, a management professor at Northeastern University who coauthored the study. “This is especially so in view of the enhanced job satisfaction and company loyalty that our study suggests is fostered by involved fathering.” A 2014 press release from the White House spoke of the “hidden costs” of limited workplace flexibility for changing gender roles, citing research which states better flexibility improves productivity, draws talent, lowers turnover and replacement costs, and reduces absenteeism. In other words, parent-friendly companies do better. Paternity leave is one hot topic in this debate. Somewhere along the lines of 70 countries offer paid leave in some way or another for fathers of a newborn child. The United States isn’t one of them, though some individual companies do. The documented benefits of paid paternity leave are mostly felt by the mother, according to multiple studies conducted in Scandinavian countries where paid paternity leave exists. Mothers are less likely to feel depressed and have better wellbeing when their spouse has paid paternity leave.
Percent of parents today who report they spend more time with their kids than their parents spent with them:
Mothers: 52% Fathers: 46% Source: Pew Research Center
Research from Boston University found that most fathers in America only take about one day of leave to bond with their new children, which could negatively influence the mother, and the father-child bond in the future. Another important aspect of workplace flexibility is the rising number of single dads. In 1970, 1 percent of families were led by a single dad, and by 2013, that number reached 8 percent, according to the Pew Research Center. Clearly, fatherhood isn’t what it once was, which might actually be a good thing in a number of ways—one way being that dads want to share the load in parenting. Employers should recognize this shift and find ways to adapt to the family-oriented man because, as research suggests, this will benefit everyone. Source: Third Way, The New Dad: Take Your Leave, Boston College Center for Work and Family, Fortune, Pew Research Center, Forbes, Familiesandwork.org
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JUNE 2015
21
ISSUE
THE MAN
Time Waits For No
Aging differences between men and women
W
hether we’re over the hill, climbing it or just plain scared of the prospect, aging is something that concerns us all. But it turns out that men and women handle aging differently, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally. The differences in how each gender ages come from a variety of factors. Societal norms and cultural issues play a role, as do smoking, eating and drinking habits.
APPEARANCE AND FUNCTIONALITY In a survey from Allure magazine, 90 percent of respondents said that women are under more pressure than men to look younger. The poll results showed that men are considered old about five years after a woman is considered old, and that men are sexier at an older age. And it gets worse for women. Gray hair on men was considered “distinguished,” but on women it was associated with being old. These factors may be what contribute to more women than men considering things like injections or plastic surgery. The International Dermal Institute examined the differences in the skin of men and women and said that both men and women lose collagen (the main component of connective tissue in the body) after they turn 30. When women undergo menopause, the various hormonal and bodily changes cause increased collagen loss, which explains why some women appear to age more than men.
AVERAGE
AGE OF
76
Disabling conditions like fractures, osteoporosis and back problems tend to be more prevalent among women than men at an older age, according to Stanford researchers. A study published in the Journals of Gerontology showed the percentages of disabled participants according to gender, starting at age 70. In the study, 22 percent of women and 15 percent of men were disabled at age 70. By age 90, 81 percent of women were disabled, compared to 57 percent of men. Older women are generally more sedentary than older men, according to research from the University of San Diego, which may be because “personal and environmental factors represent poor conditions for physical activity.” That said, other research shows that maximal cardiac output decreases more steeply with age for men than women.
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Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. -Mark Twain
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Gender W RITTEN BY JENNA KOFO R D
SELF-ESTEEM AND HAPPINESS For both genders, self-esteem follows a similar pattern throughout a lifetime. Self-esteem is high in childhood, drops during adolescence, rises gradually throughout adulthood and then plummets with old age. But research also shows that women generally have lower selfesteem and happiness as aging progresses. For example, research published in the Journal of Happiness Studies showed some intriguing markers.
AGE 41
Age at which men’s financial satisfaction exceeds women’s financial satisfaction.
AGE 48
Age at which men’s overall happiness exceeds women’s overall happiness.
AGE 64
Age at which men’s satisfaction with family life exceeds women’s satisfaction with family life.
Of course we mustn’t forget that these numbers do suggest that women are more satisfied in these aspects for a greater portion of their lives compared to men. But at a certain age, things begin to change. However, most women develop better coping skills as they age, which includes empathy, patience, and the courage to try new things. Most men show less ability to cope with new changes as they age, some research suggests. AARP says that this is the main reason women live longer than men; they can better access their “mental, emotional, and relational strengths” to face challenges while aging.
MENTAL ABILITY Some research suggests that women show less age-associated cognitive decline than men, and that decline begins earlier in men. Other studies suggest that attention skills, verbal memory, and spatial memory worsen in men with age. How can you combat cognitive decline?
AVERAGE
AGE OF
81
1.
2.
LIFE EXPECTANCY Women are more likely to pass 100 years than men. American women live to the average age of 81, while men average at 76, according to the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation. Men, however, often hold a better quality of life, with 32 percent of men free from major health concerns. Only 15 percent of women were free from health conditions in a World Health Organization global statistics measurement. Some suggest that women live longer because they are more likely to visit a doctor or keep themselves in shape. Others point out that men may work dangerous occupations that bring early health conditions.
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3.
BE ACTIVE Physically active people tend to maintain better cognition and memory. Exercise improves vascular function throughout the body, including in the mind.
HAVE RELAXED CONVERSATIONS WITH FRIENDS In one study from the University of Michigan, just talking with friends was shown to improve cognitive ability. Other studies show that social networks are important for dementia risks.
FIND A PURPOSE TO YOUR LIFE Researchers from Rush University found that among study participants, those with the highest sense of purpose and direction in life had a 2.4 times lower risk of Alzheimer’s over the next seven years, compared to those with a lower sense of purpose.
Sources: Medical Daily, About Health, AARP, Dermal Institute, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, World Health Organization
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THE MAN
SERIOU 5 WAYS Men Mismanage Their Health WR IT T EN BY A NDY P EIFFER , MD
WE HAVE GOOD INTENTIONS IN MOST ALL WE DO; WE WORK HARD, WE DON’T LIKE TO BURDEN OTHERS AND WE STRIVE TO GET THE MOST OF OUT OF LIFE. SO WHY IS IT THAT OUR REASONING ABOUT HOW TO STAY HEALTHY IS OFTEN MISGUIDED AND EVEN PUTS US AT HIGHER RISK FOR ILLNESS? A FEW THOUGHTS ABOUT WHY MEN MANAGE THEIR HEALTH THE WRONG WAY AND SOME WAYS TO CHANGE THIS:
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USLY BRO? 1 BEING REACTIVE INSTEAD OF PROACTIVE You’ve heard it before: a lot of guys only consult a doctor when they develop worrisome symptoms. Men don’t like to discuss personal stuff, their concerns, fears…it’s a sign of weakness. But sometimes that first small symptom is a sign of something dangerous. We are getting better about adopting a preventive approach to health problems and statistics tell us that it is working (we CAN prevent health problems). But what that means is that you should definitely schedule a doctor’s visit even if you don’t feel like there’s a problem and make a plan together about regular health check-ups.
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2 GETTING ADVICE ABOUT IMPORTANT HEALTH MATTERS FROM QUESTIONABLE SOURCES When it comes to health, they say “everyone’s an expert.” A lot of people have their own ideas about what makes you sick and what can make you healthy. And some of them make a lot of money doing it. But “quick fixes” and fads won’t replace sustained life changes that you need to make to improve your health. Remember, the only person who really has your best (health) interests at heart is… YOU.
NEGLECTING THE OBVIOUS You can’t help but notice all the health information out there these days and a lot of that education is paying off. Think about the effectiveness of anti-smoking campaigns. But we still choose to ignore other obvious health risks: over-eating, not exercising regularly, working too much, not sleeping enough. We know that these behaviors are not good for us and yet, we choose to ignore. And that can lead to serious health problems. Instead of feeling guilty, pick some aspect of your lifestyle that you know you should modify and do it. You’ll start to feel better almost immediately.
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LEAVING YOUR HEALTH TO CHANCE
BUYING YOUR HEALTH
There are so many important things in life that we put a lot of thought into… for instance, your finances, your career, family, retirement, your children’s future. And yet, when it comes to our health, we often adopt a sort of “destined to our fate” attitude. True, there are some health risks we can’t foresee but medical science is helping us understand those so that one day we can prevent them (think dementia). But so many more health problems are preventable, treatable. Striving for a healthy, productive life is a good philosophy, and people who love you will benefit from it too…but it takes some planning. Prioritize your health.
This tip is closely tied to the comments above about getting advice. There seems to be an endless stream of advertised supplements and products that claim to improve health. Spending money on remedies and gadgets really just seems like you’re compensating for what you actually need to be doing to improve your health. You can’t buy health in a bottle. For many truly health conscious people, the secret seems to be “less is more,” and that includes pills. And the healthiest food we don’t eat enough of (vegetables) are cheap. How does that saying go? The best things (for you) in life are free…even exercise.
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JUNE 2015
25
ISSUE
A Man’s Car
manly matters
THE MAN
Height Matters
A survey conducted for AnastasiaDate found that 25 percent of men question the status of the car they drive when picking up a woman for a first date. 30 percent of men surveyed thought that a woman would be more interested in the type of car he drives than in the kind of job he has.
Tall men are less likely to develop heart disease compared to short men, according to research published this year in The New England Journal of Medicine, which involved more than 200,000 people. In fact, every 2.5 inches of height meant a 13.5 percent lower likelihood of coronary artery disease.
Other studies confirm other advantages of being taller. Taller people get paid more, and have a slightly higher IQ on average.
But don’t gloat yet, tall people. A study of more than 140,000 people by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that height increased one’s risk of all cancers. Furthermore, tall people, on average, tend to die younger.
46 percent of women surveyed said that the car a man drives reflects his image, and 48 percent said his car says a lot about his financial situation. 56 percent of women said that when a man drives a fast, fancy car, he is seen as arrogant. 17 percent of women say flashy cars indicate insecurity, and 32 percent say that they learn what kind of family man he’ll be from what he is driving. Only a fifth of the women surveyed decided on the attractiveness of a man after seeing the car he drives. 40 percent of women said men buy expensive cars to make up for a lack of manhood. Source: theurbandater.com
Laptops NOT For Laps As a people, we’re quick to find ways that technology is attacking us, but many claims are bogus (looking at you, cancer-causing cell phones). Now laptop computers are in the target; they’re taking heat for the heat they produce. Some research suggests that when a man sits with a laptop directly on his lap for an extended amount of time, the temperature of reproductive organs raises to a point that sperm activity can drop and fertility may be influenced. Source: Fertility and Sterility
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THE MAN
The Signals of Facial Hair Researchers from the University of New South Wales in Australia conducted a study to learn more about how women respond to facial hair, and here are some things they found:
TO WOMEN:
TO MEN:
• Heavy stubble is the most attractive.
• Full beards and heavy stubble is most attractive.
• Heavy beards, light stubble and clean-shaven are similarly less attractive.
• Clean-shaven is only slightly less attractive than full beards or heavy stubble. • Light stubble is the least attractive (get that peach fuzz out of here).
In all, the more facial hair, the more masculine a man seemed (not surprising), though “the effect was more pronounced in women in the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle,” study authors wrote. Attractiveness ratings did not change according to phase of the menstrual cycle. But before you shave off the beard, the study also found that participants said full beards were the highest indicator of parenting ability and healthiness. Other studies find that any distinctive facial hair is associated with aggression, dominance and maturity. Clean-shaven men are more associated with sociability and cleanliness. According to artofmanliness.com, another study showed that bearded men are perceived as less generous, less caring and less cheerful than clean-shaven men. Source: Evolution and Human Behavior, artofmanliness.com
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27
ISSUE
THE MAN
Mail Order
RAZORS A Guide
PROS
Dollar Shave Club Every guy needs a different number of razors each month, because we all grow facial hair differently, and have different shaving habits. Dollar Shave Club has plans of $1/month, $6/month, and $9/month, based on the number of razors you want every month, and also on how many blades are on the razor. You can downgrade whenever you want.
TIP
CONS
But are the blades good? Reviews from around the web suggest that they are comparable to more expensive alternatives, though the blades don’t last as long as Gillette blades, reports suggest.
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Monthly payments of any kind are a drag. Plus some of the plans do require you to pay for shipping, which is up to $2. Rumor has it that the Dollar Shave Club gets their razors from a company called Dorco. You can actually go online and order the same razors from Dorco for cheaper than Dollar Shave Club, though you don’t have the convenience of having razors sent to you regularly. Dorco may require you to buy in bulk.
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MANUAL SHAVING
PROS
Harry’s Harry’s subscription shaving plans are based around how often you shave. Each kit comes with eight blades and costs $5/month, and the handle is included free. But you select if you want to receive the kit every two, three or five months. Multiple reviewers say that Harry’s razors are slightly better than Dollar Shave Club. If you get the Dollar Shave Club executive razors for $9/month, which come every month, then you pay $108 per year, which is more expensive per blade than Harry’s. If you need a nicer blade because you have tougher facial hair, Harry’s might be your best option.
TIP
CONS
According to Forbes, Harry’s actually owns the German factory where their razors are made, meaning they aren’t repackaging an Asian product, like Dollar Shave Club does. Most reviewers agree that this razor is great for the cost. If you don’t mind spending twice as much on shaving, however, Gillette has an edge on shave quality. Also, Harry’s razors won’t last you as long as Gillette razors. Most reviewers say that Harry’s shaving cream isn’t great, so just buy your own kind separately. It smells fine, but people say the razor performs better with other creams.
PROS
ShaveMob ShaveMob razors are meant to last longer than alternatives, meaning you need fewer razors and therefore pay less money (a 4-blade razor is $1.12 per cartridge). You can choose a 2, 6 or 12-month supply, and you get the razors all at once. This means that you don’t have to wait on the mail to shave, like some people complain about with Dollar Shave Club.
TIP
CONS
Reviewers seem to be happy with the closeness of shave and the endurance of the blades, and ShaveMob also offers women’s razors. You have to pay for the handle ($3). Also, the packaging is not nearly as good as Harry’s or Dollar Shave Club, reviewers report, though it isn’t bad. A cost comparison shows that ShaveMob razors are probably the cheapest option for mail order razors, so if value is your main concern, start here.
Caveat Your satisfaction with a razor and the associated costs depend largely on how often you shave, and how tough your facial hair is. Some people only shave once in a while, and have less tough facial hair. For these people, mail order razors represent a cheaper, better option than Gillette. But this may not be the case for those who shave every day and have coarse stubble.
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Shaving is probably more common to your mornings than pancakes and orange juice, and like many men, you often take it for granted. Maybe you find it a chore, or perhaps even worse—a painful necessity. Despite having shaved countless times, many men complain about a number of shaving side effects— not getting as close a shave as desired, irritated skin, razor bumps, nicks or ingrown hairs. Dragging a sharp blade against your hairy chin is a scary prospect when you stop to think about it, but with a little honing of shaving skills, anyone can transform an annoyance into a morning ritual to look forward to.
The Prep Work With the proper steps, you can soften your hairs, open your pores and lubricate your skin, making shaving a breeze and also a daily mini-facial. Many men shortchange their shaving prep, but the following steps are essential to getting both a close, comfortable, one-pass shave and healthy skin. gg WASH YOUR FACE: Start by washing your face. Dirt, grime, dead skin and oils are all things you want to avoid when performing such a delicate operation on very sensitive skin. Facial cleansers work best because they help soften the protein in the hair and exfoliate dead skin that will clog razor blades. gg USE HOT WATER: Heat helps open your pores and soften your beard, so taking a hot shower right before shaving is ideal. If a shower is not an option, splash hot water over the face or, if there is time, wrap a towel soaked with hot water around the face like barbershops do. Hot water softens the protein keratin that makes up part of the hair and also allows your hairs to swell with water. Keep your face warm and moist during the entire shaving process. gg SHAVING CREAM: Apply shaving cream and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes; this allows your hair follicles to fully hydrate and swell with water, making them easier to cut. If you have one, use a shaving brush in a circular motion to create a good lather, ending with upstrokes to lift up your hairs. Comb your hair or brush your teeth while you wait. The longer you let the shaving cream stay on your face before shaving, the softer your skin and your beard will be. If you’re in a hurry, at least start shaving on the side of your face, then your moustache and end with your chin. Your chin hairs are usually the stiffest, so you’ll allow those hairs to soften longer if you reserve this portion for last.
Putting Steel to Skin gg RAZOR SELECTION: Razor companies would like you to believe that the number of blades or the flexibility of the razor justify spending big money on their products. But by far the most important factors to a comfortable shave are only using sharp razors and keeping your blades clean from hairs and dead skin. Depending on how often you shave and how thick your beard grows, you may need to replace your razors every 10 to 15 shaves, which may or may not justify buying expensive razors. Remember that using dull razors is the cardinal sin of shaving, resulting in irritation and ingrown hairs. gg WITH THE GRAIN: Shaving with the grain is essential. This doesn’t always mean shaving down, however. Let your beard grow out a few days and you’ll be able to see which direction your hairs grow, which is the same direction you should shave. You may get a closer shave going against the grain, but you also greatly increase your chances for getting ingrown hairs and nicks. If you want a closer shave, lather up again and focus on the specific problem areas. Professional barbers often shave with the grain the first lather and then shave sideways after the second. However, be careful with these last two suggestions; overshaving an area often causes skin irritation. Finally, use very light pressure when shaving. Pushing too hard down also leads to skin irritation and ingrown hairs. gg COLD WATER TO FINISH: After you’ve finished, wash your face with coldest water you can comfortably stand. Ending with a cold water wash discourages inflammation in the same way a cold compress helps swelling and closes your pores, helping to keep them unclogged. gg AFTERSHAVE: Aftershave lotions and moisturizers can be used to help keep your skin healthy and moisturized. Shaving is a traumatic experience for your skin as you remove a couple layers of skin after a typical shave. Using moisturizer helps keep your skin healthy and soft, particularly if you have sensitive skin. But don’t use harsh alcoholbased aftershaves, which cause redness and irritation.
JUNE 2015
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ISSUE
6 Enemies Greatness
THE MAN
The of (and Happiness)
Beware! These six factors can erode the grandest of plans and the noblest of intentions. They can turn visionaries into paper-pushers and wide-eyed dreamers into shivering, weeping balls of regret. 1) AVAILABILITY We often settle for what’s available, and what’s available isn’t always great. “Because it was there,” is an okay reason to climb a mountain, but not a very good reason to take a job or a free sample at the supermarket. And sadly, we'll never know everything.
2) IGNORANCE If we don’t know how to make something great, we simply won’t. If we don’t know that greatness is possible, we won’t bother attempting it. All too often, we literally do not know any better than good enough.
3) COMMITTEES Nothing destroys a good idea faster than a mandatory consensus. The lowest common denominator is never a high standard.
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WRITTEN BY JESSICA HAGY EXCERPTED FROM FORBES.COM USED WITH PERMISSION
4) COMFORT Why pursue greatness when you’ve already got 324 channels and a recliner? Pass the dip and forget about your grand designs.
5) MOMENTUM If you’ve been doing what you’re doing for years and it’s not-so-great, you are in a rut. Many people refer to these ruts as careers.
6) PASSIVITY There’s a difference between being agreeable and agreeing to everything. Trust the little internal voice that tells you, “this is a bad idea.”
"
Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value." ~Albert Einstein
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JUNE 2015
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THE MAN
ISSUE
C L I E NT CON T E N T
Come On
MAN SO YOU’RE A MAN, AND YOU WANT TO STAY HEALTHY? EVERYONE KNOWS WE LIVE IN THE AGE OF TECHNOLOGY AND THE AGE OF INFORMATION. IN SPITE OF THIS VAST BODY OF AVAILABLE KNOWLEDGE MEN STILL HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME PUTTING THEIR FINGERS ON SIMPLE SPECIFICS THEY SHOULD BE DOING TO MAXIMIZE THEIR HEALTH AND IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE. WE HAVE BEEN TAKING CARE OF MEN FOR YEARS, AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY A FEW KEY FACTORS—A LIST OF DOS AND DON’TS IF YOU WILL—FOR YOU TO SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE AND HELP YOU FEEL BETTER, PERFORM BETTER, AND PERHAPS EVEN LIVE LONGER. WHILE THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES FOR ANY OF US, THERE STILL IS GREAT DATA SUPPORTING THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS TO HELP YOU, THE MAN OF MEN, GET THE MOST QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF LIFE OUT OF THAT WONDERFUL BODY YOU LIVE IN EACH AND EVERY DAY.
PICK THE RIGHT PARENTS Okay, you cannot do a thing about this one, but we list it here at the top to emphasize how important genetic factors are in determining many things about one’s health. Body-build factors, especially height, weight and bone and muscle composition are often pre-determined by one’s genetic make-up. A family history of cancer or of chronic disease like diabetes or heart problems puts one at higher risk for developing that same cancer or those chronic diseases. Don’t become depressed with concern, though. Rather, take this information and use it to your advantage. If you have a family history of colon or prostate cancer, make sure you are up to date with proper screening tests and examinations so that you can treat things proactively at an early stage, rather than once things have progressed and can no longer be treated. If your parents are alive and in good health, thank them for the great start they gave you.
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DO NOT SMOKE Period. There just is no excuse for this one, men. In 2015 we all know that smoking is bad for us, and yet so many men continue to smoke in spite of that knowledge. Listen, smoking kills you. Can I be more blunt? When patients come to me and we diagnose them with a cancer which requires surgical treatment, I insist they discontinue smoking, and not just for the surgery, but for good. Many of the cancers I treat are caused by tobacco. Everyone knows that smoking is the major cause of lung cancer, but did you know it is the major cause of bladder cancer as well? If one plans to continue to smoke after having surgery for a tobacco-related cancer, then I suggest it doesn’t even make sense to have the operation in the first place. The smoking and the progression of disease are going to win; the surgery and attempting to cure the cancer are going to lose. We recognize that this is hard medicine. Being told you have cancer and you have to quit smoking all at the same time is not easy for people. But without these drastic measures, patients will not improve. More info: The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukharjee, MD
YOUR WORK PROBABLY DOES NOT COUNT AS EXERCISE / SWIM When I ask patients if they exercise, men often tell me that, yes, they go to work every day and feel like they have exercised. This feeling of fatigue or exhaustion is different, however, from effective cardiovascular and strength training which are both important aspects for good health. Men, you have got to get in some exercise, and you must do this a minimum of 3 times a week. These work-outs should include some cardiovascular training to get your heart rate up and keep it up for 15 to 30 minutes. It should also include some resistance weight training, working all the major muscle groups including your core. While such work-out routines will leave you feeling tired and spent initially, soon those feelings will be replaced with increased energy and better mental acuity, you will be better able to perform the tasks of your day job, and have more energy for your personal free time. And for the record, over the years I have noticed the men that seem to be in the best shape and have the best body tone and agility regardless of their age, are swimmers. Swimming works all the muscle groups, is great cardiovascular training, and is low impact for those that have joint and back difficulties. Consider swimming. It is a great way to stay young. I have tried to share with you a few common factors which are in the lives of men I consider to be in good health who I have cared for as a doctor over the years. Everyone is looking for the magic formula, the special food or vitamin or supplement they can take to produce good health and a long life. But the longer I take care of patients, the more I am convinced such a food, supplement, or diet does not exist to bring about this goal. Staying healthy requires a little luck, some discipline, and some hard work. But the results are worth it. You owe it to yourself, and to your loved ones and friends who want to see you succeed and have a long and healthy life.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lane C. Childs, MD, FACS Western Urological Clinic 801-993-1800 wucmd.com
Dr. Childs, of Western Urological Clinic in Salt Lake City, is a men’s health expert. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Salt Lake Surgical Center.
Healthy-Mag.com
wellness [ HEALTH REPORT ]
CANCER CONTROL There are currently 54 known carcinogens recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, according to the 12th bi-annual “Report on Carcinogens.” Added to the list in the most recent update are two substances: formaldehyde and aristolochic acid, an acid found in certain kinds of Chinese herbs.
HAIRLOSS MYTHS
MYTH
HPV, A VIRUS THAT CAN SOMETIMES CAUSE CERVICAL CANCER, IS ALSO RECOGNIZED BY THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AS THE MOST COMMON SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE IN AMERICA, WITH AN ESTIMATED SIX MILLION NEW CASES OCCURRING EACH YEAR. NEARLY 50 PERCENT OF SEXUALLY ACTIVE ADULTS WILL CONTRACT THE DISEASE AT SOME POINT, BUT MOST WILL NOT EXPERIENCE ANY SYMPTOMS OR LASTING COMPLICATIONS.
STRESSED EMPLOYEES MISS MORE WORK One in four Americans admits to taking a sick day to cope with stress, costing employers an average of $602, and about 62 percent of the American workforce feels some level of work-related stress, according
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to the American Psychological Association. Other studies have suggested that high levels of stress are related to heart disease and other illnesses. That all adds up to over 200 million working days lost to stress.
FACT
Source: bernsteinmedical.com
Only men suffer from genetic hair loss.
Balding is often thought of as a “man’s” problem, but the fact is that over 40 percent of women suffer from significant thinning throughout their lifetime.
Wearing hats makes you go bald.
People who accuse their hats as being the cause of their hair loss believe that wearing hats all the time prevents the scalp from breathing. Actually, hair follicles get oxygen from the blood stream, not from the air.
A sign of genetic baldness is seeing large amounts of hair fall out.
In contrast to popular belief, going bald is not due to massive amounts of hair falling out but rather by normal thickness hair gradually being replaced by finer, thinner hairs — a process called “miniaturization.” If large patches of hair start suddenly falling out, it is time to see your doctor.
Hair loss is caused by clogged pores.
Clogged pores are actually a cause of acne, not of baldness. If common baldness were simply due to clogged pores, then rigorous shampooing would be all that was needed to maintain a full head of hair. This is obviously not the case.
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DO THIS
er D
is S
0W
Y3 OU
AYS to
Mak
e Th
RE
umm
PIC
iffe
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l l th eO
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SUM MER !
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See an MLS Soccer Game
Soccer is becoming less of a foreign sport to Americans, and its professional soccer league (Major League Soccer or MLS) is showing that. Stadiums are packed even for new teams, and the season goes through June and July.
Go Repelling
Looking over a ledge and taking that step into space takes guts, even with a harness and ropes. Repelling is an amazing thrill that doesn’t have to be expensive.
See a Stand-Up Comedian
Creativity at it’s finest often comes in the form of a solitary person on a stage trying to get the audience to laugh.
Try Surfing
LISTEN TO THIS Lianne La Havas, Blood
(Neo-soul, vocal, beat driven)
Tame Impala, Innerspeaker (Modern rock)
The Raconteurs, Consolers of the Lonely (Rock n’ roll)
Chances are you’ll find yourself near an ocean at some point this summer. Harness the power of the sea with a surfboard. It’s hard, but addicting.
Ty Segall, Manipulator
Join a Community Sports Team
Talib Kweli, Gravitas
Few feelings compare to crushing an epic home run over the fence in city-league softball. Plus, sports are great exercise for escaping the monotony of a typical workout.
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(Indie Rock)
(Rap)
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SEE THIS
WATCH THIS
The Martian, Andy Weir
Art installations from Arne Quinze, Monica Bonvicini or Yusuke Asai
Jurassic World
These artists do projects all over the world. Follow their work and see if you can find some of their fascinating installations as you travel.
This movie comes out on June 12, and will hopefully be as stellar as the earlier Jurassic Park movies.
Cool Modern Architecture
Timbuktu
Some buildings we’d suggest are the Seattle Central Library, Abando in Bilbao, Spain, The Bow in Calgary, Canada, Beekman Tower and Tower Verre in New York, Al Hamra Tower in Kuwait, and Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower in China.
Banksy
Banksy is a controversial graffiti artist with pieces all over the world. If you’re traveling this summer, see if there are any pieces in the city where you’re traveling.
Rodina Mat, Volgograd
Rodina Mat means “Motherland” in Russian, and this statue, which commemorates those lost in WWII, is one of the largest in the world. It weighs 8,000 tons.
The Pietà, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
A cattle herder in Mali faces the terror of a Jihadist regime.
Seymour: An Introduction
Seymour Bernstein, renowned pianist, devoted his life to helping people develop their gifts. His story is told here in a powerful way.
Boyhood
This movie was filmed over the course of 12 years with the same cast, making it a groundbreaking movie that captures childhood like never before.
American Sniper
Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle, a US sniper in the middle east conflict, this movie is sure to cause some discomfort and captivate you like few other movies can.
GO HERE
Seeing a work by Michelangelo should be on everyone’s bucket list, and this is one of his greatest.
READ THIS An astronaut is stranded on Mars, and has to figure out ways to survive until NASA can find a way to save him. It’s a realistic thriller that integrates all of what we actually know about Mars in a believable way.
The Glass Castle, Jeanette Walls Incredible true stories of a nomadic American family told from the perspective of the young daughter.
The Art of Manliness: Manvotionals, Brett and Kate McKay
From Roosevelt to Aristotle to Churchill, the greatest men in history expound on the true virtues of manliness.
How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie This is what most self-help books aspire to be but fail at.
Freakonomics, Steven D. Leavitt and Stephen J. Dubner This is one of those books that turns your brain on its head. You’ll likely never think the same about many social issues.
Southern Utah
Southern Utah has multiple national parks offering stunning red rock landscapes and natural creations that astound. Try Zion’s, Capitol Reef or Arches.
Glacier National Park, Montana
This park offers some of the awe-inspiring nature that North America has to offer, including 700 miles of trails through spectacular landscapes.
Lake Natron, Tanzania
This lake evaporates in the summer, leaving a blood-red lake floor where salt-loving algae thrives. Besides the stunning lake, a million flamingos use this area as their breeding ground.
Zhangye Danxia Landform, China
Tie-dye shirts have nothing on this geological insanity. Earth isn’t usually rainbow colored, but this place in China is.
Paro Taksang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery), Bhutan
This is a breathtaking monastery perched on the face of a cliff in Bhutan. How and why it was built is for you to find out, but the result is jaw-dropping.
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ISSUE
THE MAN
June
L’OCCITANE COLOGNE FOR MEN Refreshingly different than typical men’s colognes, this fragrance has hints of nutmeg and burnt wood, with a touch of lavender. It’s a very natural, woodsy fragrance that doesn’t impose on those around you.
PRODUCT REVIEWS LUMINAID SOLAR INFLATABLE LIGHT This cool camping product made us do a double take. It’s essentially an inflatable bag that gets lit up from the inside by a solar powered LED. The light reflects off the bag’s semi-transparent exterior, creating a glowing orb that throws light in all directions. It collapses down to fit in your pocket, making it awesome for camping and backpacking. It doesn’t put off as a much light as a good lantern, but it’s bright enough, plus the solar aspect makes this a pretty sweet product.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Healthy
TM
FAVORITE
22 DAYS PINEAPPLE CHOCOLATE CHIP WONDER A new kid on the block, 22 Days Nutrition offers a line of tantalizing bars that are well loved by those who try them. Beware, they are a little spendy.
Restaurants of the Month TOSH’S RAMEN We were schooled in the art of ramen when we went to this inconspicuous location on South State St. in Salt Lake. The broth will rock your world, and the pork belly on top of the Tonkotsu was incredible.
1465 S. State St.,
SLAB PIZZA SLAB Pizza is up there with the best pizza anywhere. Thin crusted, made to order pizza in more than 30 varieties—this is one that you just keep going back to. The chicken bacon ranch and rosemary potato bacon are favorites. A “slab” is ¼ of a 20 inch pizza, for your information. A new location is coming to a location near you soon soon.
671 E 800 N, Provo
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taste what’s new at blue lemon Niçoise Salad with Salmon grilled salmon, roasted potatoes, marinated green beans, hard-boiled egg, and mixed greens tossed with our Blue Lemon vinaigrette and toasted crustini
Coconut Chicken Curry grilled chicken breast over blue lemon rice and red coconut curry sauce served with sautéed asparagus, peppers, onions, topped with mango salsa and toasted coconut
Mango Shrimp honey soy glazed shrimp topped with house cabbage slaw and fresh mango salsa. served with tortilla chips, salsa, and fresh guacamole
bluelemon.com Salt Lake City, UT 801.328.2583 55 W. South Temple
Highland, UT 801.756.7993 11073 N. Alpine Hwy
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Cottonwood Heights, UT 801.944.7787 6910 S. Highland Dr.
Sandy, UT 801.944.7750 11372 S. State Street
Ogden, UT 801.612.2583 339 East 2250 South
Gilbert, AZ 480.507.2583 4341 E Baseline Rd Suite 108
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Panned Out PA N COOKING M E AT C A N BE CLASSY
Out of nowhere, wind and rain have come to ruin your summer barbecue. But the elements don’t have to rob you of deliciously cooked steak, chicken and pork chops. You can get summertime flavor even when the sun isn’t shining, with just a pan, in your house. However, grilling inside, also called direct-heat grilling, is a little bit different than cooking with charcoal or gas. Here are some keys to success. 40 HEALTHY MAGAZINE
YOUR EQUIPMENT
Some pans are better than others for cooking large pieces of meat. In general, go with a thick pan. Cast iron is dependable and cooks well, but is somewhat difficult to clean. Various non-stick pans are also reliable. Make sure your pan’s cooking surface is flat. Some pans bow in the middle, which makes meat cook unevenly.
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CHICKEN IN A PAN STEAK IN A PAN Will steak cooked inside ever be as good as steak off a barbecue? Yes! 1. Make sure your pan is hot. Pat room temperature steak with paper towel to remove excess moisture. This helps the meat sear better. 2. Add oil (about 1 tbsp.), and glide until it covers the cooking surface. Just as the oil starts to smoke, place the steak. 3. Wait 2-3 minutes, and turn. This time depends on how cooked you want the meat. Don’t turn the meat too frequently, though, as this hurts the chances of even cooking and nice color. 4. As the steak is finishing up, add butter to the pan. Take a spoon and lather the steak in the melted butter. Total cook time should be about 6-7 minutes. 5. Let the meat rest for a few minutes, and serve.
PORK CHOP IN A PAN
Chicken is a little more difficult to cook in pan, since chicken breasts are often rounder in shape than a flat steak, and because chicken must be cooked thoroughly to avoid sickness. 1. Pound the chicken breast to an even thickness, using the handle of a heavy kitchen instrument, or the flat of a knife. 2. Heat the pan to medium-high. Add olive oil (about 1 tbsp.) and a slice of butter when the pan is hot. 3. Turn the heat down to medium, and add the well-thawed chicken to the mixed oil and butter. Make sure you hear the sizzle. If there’s no sizzle, the pan isn’t hot enough. 4. Cook this side for about one minute. You are looking for a little color to know when to flip. 5. Flip the chicken breast. If the chicken is sticking, wait another minute before flipping. 6. Turn down the heat to low, and put a lid on the pan. Leave the chicken alone for ten minutes. 7. Turn off the heat, and let the chicken sit for 5-10 more minutes, still covered. It is important to not lift the pan for these twenty minutes, as this preserves the moisture of the meat. 8. If you are worried the poultry isn’t cooked enough, you can make a small cut to examine the color of the juices. If clear, that is a good indication the chicken is done.
Pork chops are a misunderstood food. Many people don’t like them because they are often cooked overly well-done, to avoid any food-borne bacteria. The truth is, a pork chop can and should be moist. 1. Heat pan to medium high, and add olive oil and butter, about a tablespoon of each. 2. Just when the oil is simmering hot, add the pork chop. Make sure the pan is hot, as this is key to creating a sear that keeps moisture in the chop. 3. Sear each side for one minute. Then leave the chop for about 3 minutes on each side, covered. Total cook time will be about 6-7 minutes if the pan is at a good temperature. 4. Is it done? One of the best ways to tell is by touch. A well-cooked pork chop will have a slight resistance, but it won’t feel hard and solid. Be patient here, since, taking the chop off too early and cutting into it means you’ll probably have to throw it back on the pan and lose moistness.
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ISSUE
Canned
THE MAN
ENERGY
What’s the difference between “natural” and your standard energy drink? BY C AITLIN SCHILLE
E
nergy drinks are everywhere. There are entire sections of grocery stores and gas stations devoted to the brightly colored, attractively named pick-me-ups. Some are not much more than chemicals and artificial flavors while others claim to be “natural” alternatives. Which do you turn to for that quick shot in the arm when you have four hours left in the workday and you feel like you’re not going to make it? Better yet, should you resort to energy drinks, natural or otherwise, at all? Common energy drinks, despite their popularity, have received much negative press due to harmful ingredients and their link to serious health consequences. To make matters worse, your typical energy drink, which claims to treat the causes of low-energy, simply masks the problem and then exacerbates it. These health consequences are more serious than heightened nervousness or shakiness. According to livescience.com, health outcomes linked with energy drink consumption include heart problems, the risk of miscarriage in pregnant women, increased likelihood of alcohol dependency, increased likelihood of drug abuse and impaired cognitive function. Because common energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster have been linked with negative health outcomes, many have turned to so-called “natural” energy drinks. So, how do “natural” energy drinks compare to standard energy drinks? Standard energy drinks contain of a host of ingredients capable of causing adverse consequences. First of all, they contain a halfcup of sugar, excessive amounts of caffeine, red food dye and taurine.
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NEED MORE
Because of this, consumers have been driven to select energy drinks with a “natural” label. This has worked well for companies marketing these “natural” products, as products labeled as natural or organic grew 13 percent, while overall food sales grew only 3.4 percent. Unlike standard energy drinks, “natural” energy drinks rely heavily on the B vitamin complex, which plays a significant role in energy metabolism. While the addition of the B vitamin complex is a marked improvement to standard energy drinks, “natural” energy drinks still fall short of being an ideal healthy choice. Like standard energy drinks, “natural” energy drinks still contain very high levels of caffeine and taurine. Furthermore, some consumers are fooled by the label of “natural,” mistakenly believing that this label is indicative of a healthy choice. However, a product needs only to contain 5 percent of a natural ingredient to achieve such a label. The bottom line is that “natural” energy drinks are an improvement upon the common, standard energy drinks. Unfortunately, they still fall woefully short of what constitutes a healthy method of increasing energy levels.
ENERGY? As both average energy drinks and “natural” energy drinks are not ideal choices to promote personal health, here are some suggestions for improving energy levels:
CONSUME ENOUGH PROTEIN On average, one should consume 1 gram of protein for every per pound of lean body mass.
GET SUFFICIENT SLEEP A typical night’s sleep should last 7-8 hours. To increase quality of sleep, create consistent patterns surrounding the night’s sleep.
DRINK MORE WATER The recommended amount is eight 8-ounce glasses per day. Even slight dehydration slows metabolism, so it is critical for energy, health and fitness to stay well hydrated.
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OPTIONS CONSIDER ALL OF YOUR OPTIONS WHEN FACED WITH A CANCER DIAGNOSIS
C
ancer—the word that has the ability to strike fear into the hearts of all of us. In the 1940s one in sixteen people developed cancer, while today it’s one in three. Few of us have been untouched by this awful disease. Cancer can show up any time and in any place in the body. Young and old, it can affect anyone. With some it can be a temporary setback, while to others it is deadly. Modern medicine’s way of treating cancer is often referred to as “Cut, Burn, Poison,” and hope the cancer dies before the patient. I once read a research article that had interviewed oncologists and 80 percent of them said they would never take chemotherapy themselves. However, many lives have been saved using these methods, but is there something else? The time to educate oneself on alternative cancer therapies is before the cancer shows up. Once the diagnosis has been made, fear sets in and it may be hard to think objectively. There are many alternative cancer therapies available that may be tried before going the route of modern medicine. In fact, there
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have been many of the rich and famous who have used alternative therapies to cure their cancers. Consider names such as Ronald Reagan, Jack Nicholson, Elizabeth Taylor, Cher, Siegfried and Roy, and Suzanne Somers. Some of these therapies have proven to be very effective, while others are pure quackery. Because many of the natural therapies involve eating better, and living a healthier lifestyle, they can often help keep you cancer free. Some of these natural therapies may include simple things like baking soda, certain foods, thermal scans and removal of root-canal teeth. Also from a dental standpoint, reducing inflammation with regular teeth cleaning can help one avoid cancers. There are many more therapies, one of the most powerful being nothing more than brain waves introduced through headphones. This is currently in research phase here, but is being used with great success in other parts of the world.
I myself, being a biological dentist, have seen some possibly miraculous natural cancer cures, so I will admit I am biased. The purpose of this article is just to help people realize that if cancer strikes, they may have more choices than they think to fight it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Scott Chandler, DMD Silver Creek Dental 675 South 100 West, Ste. 1 Payson, UT 84651 801-853-8803 paysondentist.com
Dr. Chandler, father of ten, was trained at the University of Kentucky’s dental school. As a trustworthy professional and a perfectionist at his work, he is Payson’s elite dentist.
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Make Your Mouth Happy THE SURPRISINGLY EXTENSIVE BENEFITS OF ORAL HEALTH
What do daily exercise, taking daily lowdose aspirin supplements, and brushing your teeth all have in common? These are all fairly simple daily habits that could improve a man’s overall health, but ones that far too many men are ignoring. Oral health, in particular, is an area where many men could stand to “brush up” their skills a little, so to speak.
more likely), pancreatic cancer (54% more likely), and blood cancers (30% more likely).
THE ORAL HEALTH BATTLE OF THE SEXES
To maintain that bright white smile, or get it back if you’ve neglected it for a little bit too long, dentists recommend making oral health care a priority.
While both men and women report that a great smile is one of the first things they notice about a potential dating partner, women apparently take that more seriously than men. A study published in the April 2011 issue of the Journal of Periodontology showed that women are more proactive about teeth and gum maintenance than their male counterparts. Women are twice as likely to have been for a recent dental checkup (in the past year), and were proactive in scheduling recommended follow-up treatments. These healthy habits resulted in far lower incidence of common periodontal disease indicators, such as plaque, calculus, and bleeding gums.
OTHER BENEFITS OF GOOD ORAL HEALTH
Taking care of your teeth is the best way for a man to maintain a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile, but the benefits extend beyond just aesthetics. Research published in the June 2008 issue of The Lancet Oncology found that gum disease, often the result of poor oral health habits, puts men at a higher risk of developing cancer, including kidney cancer (49%
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Gum disease has also been linked to higher risk for other serious health conditions, such as heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes.
DEVELOPING HEALTHY ORAL HABITS
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•
•
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Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a softbristled toothbrush. Spend at least two minutes brushing, and make sure you are moving the toothbrush throughout your mouth to clean every surface. Floss teeth at least once a day to remove food particles and plaque that get stuck between teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach. Throw out your old toothbrush every three months, after you have been sick, or when you can see obvious signs of damage, such as bent or missing bristles. Avoid behaviors that can damage teeth, such as smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or drinking dark beverages (such as coffee or soda) that can wear down enamel. Visit a dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings. While brushing teeth daily is important, it’s no substitute for the professional cleaning you get from the dentist every six months.
It’s also important to know the warning signs of periodontal disease so you can seek treatment. These signs include gums that are red or swollen or that bleed easily, areas where gums have pulled away from the teeth, persistent bad breath, tooth loss, or changes in your bite (the way your jaws fit together). If you notice any of these potential warning signs, see your dentist or consider visiting a periodontist to look into it more closely. If you don’t have a dentist, you can contact The Dental Clinic at Roseman University (www.rosemandental.com) to schedule an appointment for affordable dental care in the Salt Lake valley provided by student dentists.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
William Carroll, DDS Roseman University of Health Sciences South Jordan Campus rosemandental.com
Dr. Carroll is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor at Roseman University College of Dental Medicine. He graduated from the UCSF School of Dentistry, completed a two-year AEGD residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD and recently retired from the US Navy after more than 30 years of service.
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ARE YOU SUFFERING FROM AN
Enlarged Prostate THE UROLIFT® SYSTEM IS REVOLUTIONIZING ENLARGED PROSTATE CARE
A
re you suffering from irritating urinary symptoms, like unbearable urgency and interrupted urinary flow? More than 500 million aging men worldwide suffer from an enlarged prostate, also known as BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). BPH is a non-cancerous growth of the prostate. Though rarely life-threatening, BPH causes exacerbating urinary symptoms that can wreak havoc on everyday living. Today, permanent BPH relief can be found after a short and nearly painless procedure known as the UroLift® System from NeoTract, Inc. UroLift is an FDA-approved, groundbreaking device that is helping men urinate freely and comfortably again. This minimally invasive implant opens up the blocked urethra by lifting or holding enlarged prostate tissue out of the way. There is no cutting, heating or removal of prostate tissue. Think of it as a window curtain tie-back that holds the lobes of the enlarged prostate open, relieving obstruction. The entire UroLift procedure can take just 30 minutes from start to finish, which includes about 20 minutes of numbing followed by approximately 10 minutes of procedural time. Men are fully awake and alert with minimal pain or discomfort during the procedure. There’s usually no catheter afterward, nor are there significant postoperative restrictions, and importantly
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there are no sexual side effects. Most men even drive themselves home. I first learned of this revolutionary device when Ted Lamson, the inventor, came to my Salt Lake-based office, Western Urology Clinic, and presented data from clinical studies performed in Australia. It almost seemed too good to be true, and I’ll admit I was skeptical at first. After further research, I knew that this device could revolutionize BPH care. I was the first urologist in North America in February 2011 to perform the UroLift System and the first in the world to perform the procedure under local anesthesia. I have now successfully performed the UroLift System on numerous men, and most have experienced incredible results. But the UroLift System’s biggest advocate might just be my retired partner, Dr. Steve Richardson, who decided to undergo the procedure to relieve his BPH symptoms. “Being a board certified urologist who treated BPH for 30 years, I knew the options and I chose not to go the medical therapy route,” said Dr. Richardson. “I wanted to wait until something was available that could be done in the office, didn’t have any sexual side effects, and that I didn’t have to take every day for the rest of my life. UroLift was the best solution for my needs. I can’t guarantee that it will work for you, but it has worked for many men and it worked for me.”
Beyond providing nearly immediate relief from irritating BPH symptoms, the UroLift System has few—if any— side effects. Other procedures, such as medications, TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate) or laser surgery, can cause permanent side effects, like the loss of the ability to ejaculate and even erectile dysfunction. Negative side effects are minimal with the UroLift System. I’ve been very happy to hear from the many men whose lives have changed because of this device. If you have any irritating urinary symptoms, I strongly encourage you to learn more about the ground-breaking UroLift System. It might just change your life.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Steven N. Gange, MD, FACS Western Urological Clinic 801-993-1800 wucmd.com/technology/HIFU ppmd@wucmd.com Board-Certified: American Board of Urology Fellow: American College of Surgeons. MD: University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine. Special interest, training in surgical treatment of erectile dysfunction, men’s health and research in minimally invasive prostate treatment.
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Elective Preterm
DELIVERIES
B
ack in 2012 I published an article entitled “The C-Section Epidemic.” One of the ways I suggested to reduce the number of C-sections was to avoid the unnecessary inductions of first-time mothers prior to 41 completed weeks of gestation. I suggested that induction be avoided till 39 weeks in women with at least one prior vaginal birth and a ripe cervix. Within the text of the article I mentioned that “The LeapFrog Group National Quality Forum and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, have made it a priority to reduce the early (prior to 39 weeks) elective delivery rate.” I am now very happy to report that because of this national initiative, there has been a great improvement in reducing unnecessary, and often harmful early elective inductions. Many women were asking their physicians to deliver them prior to 39 weeks for inappropriate indications such as a mother or other relative coming into town, work release, or just plain being tired of being pregnant. I understand how difficult it may be at times to go all the way to your due date, but many of these early babies ended up in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit without a good reason.
Fetal Lung Maturity. Despite having a “mature amnio” this woman delivered and her baby subsequently ended up being unnecessarily in the hospital nursery for nearly 2 weeks! She later apologized to me for not trusting my wisdom and caution. Unfortunately, there are still certain physicians and hospitals that are not in compliance with this “39 week hard stop” rule. If your physician wants to deliver your baby prior to 39 weeks, be sure to question him or her as to why. There are indeed many legitimate indications for early delivery, but in reality they are quite limited. Certain medical conditions such as poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, poorly controlled hypertension, preeclampsia, or Intrauterine Growth Restriction are just a few examples. Even these conditions need to be carefully weighed against the potential harms of prematurity. Not only is prematurity the main reason for fetal death, but often leads to other complications such as Intraventricular brain hemorrhage and NEC, or Necrotizing Enterocolitis. The best place for your baby till your due date is typically your womb!
However, because of this initiative, between 2010 and 2014 the early elective delivery rate nationally fell by a whopping 14 percent. The actual numbers were 17 percent in 2010 and that decreased to just 3 percent in 2014. This so called LeapFrog or 39 week hard stop rule has transformed into fewer NICU admissions and shorter hospital stays for these so called “near-term elective deliveries.” I remember very clearly one woman who was just tired of having to be pregnant and wanted an early 37 week delivery. I refused but another physician agreed to induce her after an early amniocentesis for
If you do happen to have one of the above mentioned or other medical or fetal conditions, your doctor may suggest increased surveillance of your unborn baby by utilizing antenatal testing. The most common of these tests to evaluate the wellbeing of your baby is the so called NST or Non-Stress Test. This test is simply monitoring the baby’s heartbeat for 20-30 minutes. If the baby does not have appropriate accelerations in the heart rate, then an additional test called a Bio-Physical Profile or BPP may be ordered. This test is simply adding direct ultrasound observation to the already performed
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NST. Despite these tests, the best and least expensive monitor of all is your own perceptions of fetal movements. I frequently tell my patients that “an active baby is a healthy baby.” That dictum could go for the mother too, that is, “an active mother is a healthy mother.” Often we hear only of the negative, but it is good to note that the LeapFrog initiative has actually done much good for both mothers and especially for their unborn children. Patience truly is a virtue. Along with the “patience theme,” are the new recommendations that the second stage of labor may now be safely extended by an hour without necessitating surgical intervention. In summary, if your healthcare provider wants to induce you prior to 39 weeks of gestational age, be sure to question if is absolutely necessary in order to prevent potential harm to an infant delivered too early. You may even consider getting a second opinion if you are not comfortable with his/her explanation. For more information on this or other obstetrical or gynecological questions contact Dr. Saunders at 801-692-1429 or visit our newly redesigned website at drsaundersobgyn.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mark Saunders, MD Obstetrics & Gynecology Personal Care 801-692-1429 drsaundersobgyn.com
Dr. Mark Saunders is a well-respected board certified obstetrician and gynecologist that has been practicing in the American Fork area for over 18 years.
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High Resolution Ultrasound for Spine, Sports and Musculoskeletal Problems Improving diagnostics and treatment of common musculoskeletal conditions
T
he use of ultrasound to evaluate musculoskeletal structures was first reported in 1958, and has rapidly expanded over the last five to ten years, mainly in the outpatient clinics of musculoskeletal-trained physicians. Injuries and soft-tissue structures are now viewed in real time, including injuries to muscle bellies, tendons, ligaments, arteries, nerves and even some characteristics of bone. Ultrasound has become a valued tool that assists a trained physician to quickly diagnose and accurately treat a vast range of musculoskeletal pathologies.
IMPORTANT ADVANTAGES
Utrasound has a significantly lower cost compared to other imaging methods and most importantly avoids exposure to ionizing radiation. It is a repeatable, noninvasive imaging modality that is capable of providing dynamic tissue assessment. In addition, ultrasound can be used to quickly compare one affected area with another unaffected area when necessary. It is readily used to diagnose rotator cuff pathology, carpal tunnel syndrome and hip pathology, to name a few.
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TREATMENT GUIDANCE AND TARGETED APPLICATIONS
Ultrasound is now used as in-office image guidance for many interventional pain procedures. This includes intraarticular joint injections, soft-tissue injections, aspiration of cyst, nerve blocks and treatment of acute or chronic tendon pathology including tenotomies and the use of platelet rich plasma (PRP). Ultrasound guidance routinely improves accuracy and outcomes of these specific procedures. While using ultrasound guidance for an injection, a physician can directly visualize the needle’s path and the immediate structures around it. This direct visualization helps reduce some of the pain that can occur during an injection and reduces the risk of injury to adjacent nerves or blood vessels. Ultrasound is an exciting and expanding modality in the field of musculoskeletal medicine. It is helping physicians deliver safer and more effective care by improving their diagnostic and treatment methods. Immediate access to better data improves timely care and leads to better outcomes.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nathan Condie, DO The SMART Clinic 801-676-7627 theSMARTclinic.com
Dr. Condie is trained and experienced at diagnosing and treating a broad range of musculoskeletal, sports and spine disorders. He has special interest in electrodiagnostic medicine (EMG), an important tool to diagnose nerve and muscle related issues. He also has fellowship training and additional experience with ultrasound-guided interventional pain procedures, and with multiple hands-on treatment modalities. After medical school at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Condie went on to complete a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency at Michigan State University, where he served as chief resident his final year. Upon completion, he was offered an extensive interventional spine and EMG fellowship at the same institution, just prior to joining The SMART Clinic.
Source: AAOS, The Role of Ultrasound-Guided Injections in Orthopedic Sports Medicine: Upper Extremity (www.aaos.org/news/aaosnow/jan15/ clinical5.asp)
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new options for
GUM RECESSION Dr. Ryan McNeil at Midvale Family Dental, offers a new procedure called the Pinhole Surgical Technique™, the latest treatment to correct gum recession. Gum recession can cause discomfort, sensitivity, an increased risk of root cavities, and a noticeably less attractive smile. Recessed gums have the potential to wreak havoc on your smile and overall well-being, but patients frequently reject the traditional treatment for gum recession because the extent of traditional corrective surgery and the often painful downtime and recovery. Traditionally, the procedure recommended to treat gum recession is called a gum graft - a technique where gum tissue is cut from the roof of your mouth and then stitched over the teeth with recession. This surgical technique often requires a lengthy recovery, and if more than 2 or 3 teeth are in need of treatment, multiple surgeries may be required to repair extensive gum recession. Now, at Midvale Family Dental, Dr. McNeil, offers Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation™, a no-stitch, no-scalpel, downtime-free technique to treat gum recession. Performed with a pin-like instrument, the pinhole surgical technique takes just a few minutes per tooth. Using a single pinsized entry point to treat multiple teeth, the specially designed tool loosens the gum tissue, moving the gum on top of the exposed roots. Collagen strips are then placed through the entry point to keep the gums in place during the healing process. Results are immediate and the pinpoint-sized entry heals within 24 hours without the need for stitching. Post-op, patients report only mild swelling and very little downtime is needed with most returning to work the next day.
Traditional Vs. Surgical Technique GUM GRAFTING
Surgical Procedure
Usually an incision is made on roof of your mouth to extract gum tissue, sometimes an alternative donor source is used. Must create an incision in palate to extract gum tissue, then gum tissue is sewn atop exposed roots.
Small, pinhole sized entry point is used to glide gums over area of exposed roots. Collagen strips are placed to keep gums in place.
Amount of Teeth Treated
Only a few teeth can be treated at a time.
Numerous teeth can be treated in one visit.
Length of Surgery
90+ minutes
Less than an hour
Recovery Time
Up to 10 days for stitches
Virtually no recovery time
ABOUT THE DR. MCNEIL
Dr. Ryan S. McNeil, D.D.S Midvale Family Dental PC
www.MidvaleFamilyDental.com Dr. McNeil was the first doctor trained and certified to perform the Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation™ procedure. If you would like to learn more about this procedure or find out if you are a candidate.
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PINHOLE SURGICAL TECHNIQUE
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Are You Happy H With Your Weight?
ave you seen the scale recently? For many people the numbers seem to be increasing. If this applies to you, you’re not alone. Two-thirds of the population is overweight and 1/3 is obese (about thirty pounds over ideal weight). Extra weight can add on not only the pounds but increased medical problems and can worsen how people feel about themselves. Let me be clear that your weight does not determine your happiness but too much can lower you abilities in so many areas that it can be depressing. Also depressing are the heath problems that can come, such as:
• Heart disease • High blood pressure • Type 2 diabetes • Gallstones • Breathing problems • Certain cancers There are many ways to lose weight. For those who are at least 30 pounds overweight with weight related issues or a 100 pounds overweight, the risks of surgery are less than staying that weight over time. The longer a person carries excessive weight the more likely they are to develop weight-related medical conditions. Nobody is happy with medical problems if they can help it. If you are significantly overweight and have tried to lose weight but are still in the surgery-candidate range, weight loss surgery should be considered. Of all the weight loss surgical options the Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LapBand) is the safest. It is reversible, adjustable, and has the lowest complication rate. The Lap-Band is a silicone band placed around the top of the stomach to help people feel less hungry. It creates a narrowing above the band and results in pressure on the stomach sending signals to the brain that the whole stomach is fuller than it really is. People will feel satisfied on smaller volumes of food and feel full faster resulting in less calories consumed. Weight loss occurs with less hunger. Lap-Band is a tool to assist in weight loss. It may help you with your own happiness. We specialize in Lap-Band Surgery success for you. If you or someone you know can use the LapBand for weight loss assistance call, stop by or see us online at DRDHANSEN.COM.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Darrin F. Hansen, MD, FACS The Lap-Band Center DrDhansen.com
Dr. Hansen is a Center of Excellence surgeon for the LAP-BAND procedure. This credential is given to surgeons who maintain the highest standards for bariatric patient care. With over ten years of weight loss surgery experience and over 1000 LAP-BAND procedures combined with ongoing advanced training and techniques, patients have the best chance for excellent results.
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Lifestyle Information for your doctor: •
Your eating habits, how well you sleep, how much you exercise
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With this information, your doctor can help you optimize healthy habits
Health Information for your doctor:
Why Men Don't Go See Doctors Reasons why men still ignore serious health risks and how technology can start to change that FACT: Men still die sooner than
women from preventable diseases
FACT: Men tend to ignore their health and early signs of medical problems FACT: Many health risks begin affecting young men in subtle ways; this impact decreases productivity and life expectancy Let’s face it. Most men don’t associate going to the doctor’s office as time well spent. And the current model of healthcare delivery doesn’t help: having to make appointments months in advance, time spent waiting (past your scheduled appointment) in the doctor’s office, etc. For most of us, this doesn’t seem like a good value proposition. Yet today more than ever, men need to be pre-emptive about cutting risks that could adversely affect their health. American medicine is innovative and continuously offers better treatments/answers, but it is expensive. So men definitely shouldn’t end up in the hospital with days of down-time for a health problem that is preventable. Check-ups are important and getting (new) tests that can detect serious problems while they are still treatable seems like a ‘no-brainer.” But chances are, more women are reading this health issue article than men. Women take more interest in learning about their health. And they are really the caregivers of the family. They are more likely to take children and elderly parents to doctors’ appointments. They get regular check-ups and consult for worrisome symptoms. And, a lot of wives probably make doctors’ appointments for their husbands. Why is that? Because, for most men, especially in these challenging economic times, taking part of their workday to see the doctor seems
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frivolous, especially if they are kept waiting. Besides, most men “already know” what the doctor is going to say, if, for instance, a health risk is obvious (being overweight). Culturally, men are also programmed to put up with nagging symptoms (like pain) because we are taught early that “boys don’t cry.” Many men these days do take proactive steps to reduce health risks, like getting regular exercise or eating better foods, and assume that these measures will guarantee them protection from medical problems….and doctors. Yet at some level, men are aware that health risks, and ignoring them, can be a timebomb. Almost every man, starting in his 40’s, knows of another guy their age who has faced a devastating diagnosis like cancer or heart disease. That reality, better access to information and other technological advances in healthcare delivery, are beginning to change the way men use medicine. Putting health information in the hands of men (or having their smartphones capture it), especially personalized data like blood pressure/blood sugar readings makes this information more interesting and interactive. Technology is also personalizing medicine, for instance, by decoding our genetic health risks or offering better treatments, so that men are more likely to take control of risks before they become longterm problems. Yet medical practices today need to adapt in one other important way; they need to make more time for their patients. Men especially want to get the sense that their doctor is “on board” and can take the time to engage in discussions. The current model dissuades men from revealing meaningful concerns or being fully aligned with their doctors on, say, the need to take a daily medication, because time to discuss doubts, alternatives, ask questions, is short. Many doctors are beginning to adapt to this “new” expectation by making themselves more available to their patients. For instance, offering consults by email or by phone are welcome changes for patients. Another critical feature that engages men and optimizes the chance for beneficial longterm health change is to offer longer appointment times. Younger men especially visit doctors so infrequently that 15 min routine physicals just don’t make sense and certainly don’t allow for discussions
•
Past blood pressure readings, blood work, your vaccination history
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Your doctor can get a quick sense of risks and chart a course to prevention
Genetic Information for your doctor: •
The most important genetic test for preventive medicine is a good family history
•
No test has more power to inform the doctor about your personal health risks
about emerging health concepts that might positively impact a guy’s health or give him the sense that the doctor is truly concerned about his patient’s journey to better health. At the Men’s Health Center, we realize that the most valuable resource we as doctors can offer patients is our time. Our approach is to tailor the consult so as to maximize the benefit to men. Most men, especially younger men, don’t need too much testing or physicals every year. But they often have health concerns that they want managed or they want to discuss, questions they want answered. These days, access to medical information and the many innovations in medicine mean that people are very informed (sometimes misinformed) about risks and symptoms. We have made a commitment at MHC to take as much time as is needed to discuss them. The most important weapon we have for disease prevention or treatment is education. Armed with information and that sense of empowerment, a man starts to make better choices, starts to “stick to the plan” and adds years to his life. Now that’s real health reform. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andy Peiffer, MD PhD Medical Director The Men’s Health Center (801) 521-2012 doctor@menshealthcenter.com
The Men’s Health Center is here to help you positively impact your health and well being. Our medical team has years of experience with conditions that range from high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer prevention, impotence therapy as well as cholesterol lowering therapy, weigh control programs and hormone replacement.
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A Guide to Supplements for Potential Parents
Vitamins and other supplements that you can and can’t trust
medication (used for high blood pressure) while trying to conceive or fertilization will not take place.
A host of voices advise young couples on the supplements they should and shouldn’t take to increase their chances of becoming pregnant and having a healthy baby. Here is a guide to this confusing topic.
Cholesterol-lowering agents
SUPPLEMENTS TO TAKE Omega-3: 2000-3000 mgs/day
Cholesterol is the precursor to your female hormones and is necessary for fetal membrane development.
Omega-3 is important for neurological and visual development of a baby, yet the western diet often lacks Omega-3. Furthermore, pregnancy depletes Omega-3 levels, making a supplement important.
Cytotec Avoid Cytotec because this can cause you to miscarry. Cytotec is used to treat and prevent ulcers of the stomach and intestines.
Vitamin D: 3000-5000 mgs/day
Growth hormone
Vitamin D improves bone mineral density, reduces depression, reduces some cancer risks, provides some energy and reduces risks of molar pregnancy.
Growth hormone has been investigated for several years but reviews are mixed as to whether it can play a very significant role in improving egg quality and development (it’s mostly used in older or low ovarian reserve patients). Studies suggest slight improvement in harvestable eggs at egg retrieval. The cost at times is very prohibitive as a one-month supply is over $1000.
Methylfolate If you have the MTHFR gene mutation, (either type—though the C677T is more closely linked to elevated homocystine levels) then it is important for you to take Methylfolate, which is a form of vitamin B. Methylfolate reduces one’s risk of miscarriage, heart attack and stroke, and can improve one’s sense of well being. It also elevates moods and brain function and is used to improve depression.
DHEA: 25 mgs/day DHEA has been shown in some studies to mildly improve egg quality in IVF cycles if taken 2 months in advance of the cycle, though we are not seeing significant improvement with this alone, or with CoQ10. Side effects of DHEA in these doses are hirsuitism (course hair growth through the body, forearms, face, etc as well as acne).
SUPPLEMENTS/MEDICATIONS OF CONCERN
Calcium channel blocker medication Women should avoid calcium channel blocker
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Remember that age is an important predictor of fertility issues and offspring defects. Men over the age of 50 who are trying to father a child have a more than three times increased risk of offspring with neuropsychiatric disorders and their wives have a three times increased risk of miscarrying. Their wives also have lower conception rates for similar reasons. If you have had one or more unsuccessful IVF cycles or recurrent miscarriages and you are less than 38 years of age, we have new testing available and more coming available in the very near future which can significantly improve your chances of conception, carrying to term and can provide long awaited answers to your unexplained condition.
SUPPLEMENTS SHOWN TO IMPROVE SPERM QUALITY: •
L-Carnitine (1000-1500 mgs/day), which is an amino acid that builds and repairs damaged sperm and can mildly increase sperm concentration, motility, with mild changes in morphology.
•
Vitamin C (500-1000 mgs/day)
•
Vitamin D3 (3000-5000 mgs/day)
•
Zinc and selenium in a multivitamin
•
Omega 3 vitamins (2000-3000 mgs/day)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr Glen Andrew D.O. East Bay Fertility Center
EDUCATION
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, MO Metropolitan Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI West Michigan Reproductive Institute, Grand Rapids, MI
EXPERIENCE
16+ years of experience in infertility Has performed over 1,000 In Vitro Fertilization & Embryo Transfer Cycles with an 80% success rate 15+ years of experience in Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy
His infertility training took on a greater personal meaning and importance as Dr. Andrew and his wife were experiencing problems conceiving their first two children. They know firsthand, from their own experience, the frustrations, invasive tests, procedures and emotional roller coaster that come with infertility. Dr. Andrew and Kaylene have a beautiful family with four children. They enjoy spending time together traveling, hiking, canyoneering, rock-climbing, camping and scouting.
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Whether you need a quick breakfast, a pre-workout meal, or an easy snack, sometimes you just need something that’s sweet, healthy, and satisfying, all in one.
food / chef support
Apple Pie Energy Bites
Sun-Dried Tomato
Hummus Excerpted from the Don’t Break Your Heart Cookbook
INGREDIENTS: 1 cup (250 ml) no-salt-added chickpeas, cooked 2 sun-dried tomatoes 1 teaspoon (5 ml) fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil 1 tablespoon (15 ml) rice vinegar 2 tablespoons (30 ml) water Sea salt, to taste (optional)
STEPS
That’s where these apple pie energy bites come in. The oats, apple, and honey will give you energy, and the almond butter and protein powder will help you stay full for more than two minutes. Plus, they’re easy to make and since you can store them in a freezer, are ready to go whenever you need a quick bite!
INGREDIENTS:
•
Puree all ingredients using either a food processor or a handheld blender.
•
Refrigerate in an airtight container.
8 SERVINGS
1 cup oatmeal 1 scoop cinnamon or vanilla protein powder 1 small apple, diced really small 1/4 cup unsweetened almond butter 2 Tbsp honey 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg
•
To make your own sundried tomatoes, peel and slice ripe, firm Roma tomatoes. Add basil, cover with cheesecloth, and place in the sun for 1 to 2 days. Hummus adds protein and fiber to your diet.
NUTRIENTS PER SERVING: Calories: 47 Total Fats: 2 g Saturated Fat: 0 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 13 mg Total Carbohydrates: 5 g Dietary Fiber: 1 g Sugars: 1 g Protein: 2 g Iron: 0.5 mg Macronutrient Breakdown 44% Carbohydrates 18% Protein 38% Fat
Total prep time: 20 minutes
TIP
DIRECTIONS: •
Dice your apple up really small (just pretend you’re chopping an onion), then mix the apple along with the other ingredients in a medium sized bowl.
•
Make sure to stir everything together really well—the last thing you want is to take a bite of dry oatmeal (or worse, a giant clump of cinnamon or nutmeg) when you’re eating one of these.
•
If the mixture isn’t sticking together quite right, just add a little more almond butter or honey until it’s sticky enough you can mold it into small 1-2” balls.
•
Place the energy bites on parchment paper and stick them in the freezer, wait 30-60 minutes, and eat! You can also put them in the fridge instead and eat them fresh after chilling them for an hour or so, but I like them best frozen.
Calories: 107 Protein: 5.3g Carbohydrates: 13g Fat: 4.2g Fiber: 2g
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Enjoy hummus as a dip with your favorite vegetables and as a spread on your favorite bread, crackers, or baked lowsodium chips.
Source: 12 Minute Athlete 12 Minute Athlete is a high intensity interval training (HIIT) workout regimen of short, effective workouts based on calisthenics, cross-training and functional fitness. Do the workouts from their official app, or find workouts on the website: www.12minuteathlete.com.
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GET IN & GET OUT Mountain Medical can treat your varicose and spider veins quickly and get you out enjoying the things you love in just a few days. And most insurance plans will cover your varicose vein treatment. Schedule your free screening today. Murray 801.261.8346 | S. Ogden 801.476.8346 | MOuntain Medical.cOM
Men’s Health is important,
Know your numbers!
ATTENTION MEN
Do you have
LOW TESTOSTERONE ? Symptoms of
LOW TESTOSTERONE
Stop into your local Smith’s Pharmacy for Cholesterol Screenings, Blood Pressure Screenings, Medication Therapy Management, Diabetes Education, & More!
may include:
• Fatigue • Mood disturbance • Erectile dysfunction • Loss of energy • Decreased sexual desire If so, please contact us today to see if you may qualify for our research study of an investigational (S.E.R.M.) medication for men with low testosterone. QUALIFIED PARTICIPANTS MUST:
• Be 18 to 65 years of age • Have been diagnosed with low testosterone or have symptoms of low testosterone
Qualified participants will receive all study-related care and study medication at no cost, plus compensation for time and travel.
Ask your doctor if you may qualify.
See Pharmacy for Details.
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For more information, please contact: PHYSICIANS RESEARCH OPTIONS, LLC David B. Jack, MD
CALL 801-352-9228 801-816-3925 www.proslc.com
JUNE 2015
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HOOPES VISION June 2015 v2 Outlined.indd 1 54HUT HEALTHY MAGAZINE
5/20/2015 2:56:44 PM Healthy-Mag.com
“Where my child’s smile is concerned, I want the best. Any father would feel the same.” — Jason, 38
Your child. Your orthodontist. Whether you’re considering clear aligners, retainers or today’s braces, an orthodontist is the smart choice. Orthodontists are specialists in straightening teeth and aligning your bite. They have two to three years of education beyond dental school. So they’re experts at helping you get a great smile – that feels great, too.
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Summertime
SPORTS Guys! You can’t “tough out” allergies and asthma! But, you can compete this summer without limits!
A
s athletes of all ages take the field this summer, the most fearsome opponents for those with asthma and allergies might be triggers that can sideline even the toughest competitors.
tested and on appropriate preventative medication to ensure allergy control. •
ENSURE SAFE SNACKING – Snacks are the highlight of the game for little ones – except for the child who is allergic to peanuts, milk or other common snack food allergens. Before putting together the snack-assignment schedule, poll parents on children’s allergies to find out if any foods should be avoided. Food allergies can be serious, so if you suspect you or your child suffer from them, make an appointment to get tested and develop a plan. There is also treatment available for this in many cases.
•
BEWARE OF UNEXPECTED OPPONENTS – Bees, wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets hang out on or near sports fields that can pack a powerful punch if they sting. Administer injectable epinephrine and call 911 in the case of a serious reaction, including hives, difficulty breathing and swelling of the tongue. If you are allergic to venom, life-saving treatment is available that can desensitize you to the venom! It is >95% protective!
Everyone can play and stay in the game and make sure it’s fun and safe by following these tips: •
•
PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR SPORT – Sports that involve a lot of running – such as soccer, lacrosse, basketball and field hockey – can be tough for kids and adults with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), commonly referred to as exercise induced asthma. If symptoms are limiting your ability to perform, then call my office to be assessed. We will design a specific treatment plan for you so you can plan your sports without limits. Don’t just live with allergies and asthma, live without them! This is one thing that you can’t just “tough it out.” In fact, that approach will hinder your performance more than anything. I want you playing to your maximum capacity. STOP THE SNEEZING – To help head off a mid-at-bat sneezing fit due to allergies to grass and other pollen-producing plants, make sure you get allergy
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•
GIVE THE COACH A HEADS UP – Alert the coach to any allergic condition, as well as what to do in an emergency. Provide detailed instructions on where medications are kept on the field and on
how to use injectable epinephrine in case of a severe allergic reaction. Getting the right treatment for your allergies and asthma levels the playing field. No one should suffer or stop being active. You should be able to feel good and participate in your favorite sports without limits! To find out if asthma or allergies bother you or your child and come up with a plan to defeat them, visit RockyMountainAllergy.com. Call at 801-775-9800.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Douglas H. Jones, MD
Rocky Mountain Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 801-775-9800 rockymountainallergy.com Dr. Jones specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of all conditions relating to allergies, asthma and immune system disorders. He is board certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology and the American Board of Internal Medicine. He earned his MD from Penn State University and completed his specialty training at Creighton University.ars.
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Custom Design Mobile-Ready Future-Proof Facebook.com/HealthyMag
CALL TODAY FOR A FREE WEBSITE CONSULTATION
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How Much Will the
EMERGENCY ROOM COST! A $? ny advice about the cost of a trip to ER must be accompanied by a huge asterisk, because costs have enormous variation, even in the same facility for the same procedure. For example, a study released in 2013 showed that if you walk in the ER for back problems, the cost of care is $1476 on average, before insurance. But the same study showed that the cost varied by as much as $1200 dollars between the middle 50 percent of patients. In other words, some people paid a lot more, and others paid very little. In general, uninsured patients are charged the least for medical care, compared to privately insured patients. Those on Medicaid generally get the highest bills. And remember, the bills are different for the same procedure by the same doctors. In the end, it is going to be very difficult to know how much you’ll pay for a visit to the ER, because our medical system is incredibly wonky. But, here are some national numbers on the most common health conditions leading to ER visits so you can ballpark your expenses. These numbers come from an NIH-funded study published in PLOS ONE.
INJURY
Average Charge
Inter-Quartile Range*
Min./Max.
Sprains & Strains
$1498
$1018
$4/$24,110
Normal Pregnancy and/or Delivery
$1650
$924
$19/$18,320
Kidney Stone
$4247
$3742
$128/$39,408
Back Problems
$1476
$1189
$66/$10,403
Headache
$1727
$1572
$15/$17,797
Intestinal Infection
$2398
$1960
$29/$29,551
*The difference between the 25th and 75th percentile of charges. You can see that even disregarding the extreme highs and lows, costs vary quite a bit.
$2168 The average cost for an ER visit for an outpatient condition.
The minimum and maximum charges found by researchers, who looked at more than 8,000 emergency room visits, are flabbergasting. One person walked into the ER with a kidney stone and paid $128 as an outpatient, and someone else walked into a different hospital with a kidney stone and paid $39,000. Your insurance or lack thereof, the hospital and other variables determine how much you’ll be charged, and in the end there really isn’t a great way to know how much you’ll pay. Even the ER doctors often don’t know, researchers wrote. Source: journals.plos.org/plosone, www.theatlantic.com
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C L I E NT CON T E N T
Regular Preventive Care Reduces Need For Emergency Care Emergency room visits are an enormous financial burden to the individual and to the healthcare system itself, and sometimes that burden could be prevented. Many emergency room visits could be erased with preventive care. Accidents happen, bones break and serious illness sometimes strikes without warning. But in many cases, preventive measures can be taken to keep you out of emergency rooms. Regular visits to a primary care doctor often catch serious health problems early, before the pain or discomfort becomes so intense that a trip to an ER or urgent care center is needed.
What Does Good Preventive Care Entail? gg IMMUNIZATIONS: Childhood vaccinations and some adult immunizations, like for pneumonia, are vital for preventing serious illness that requires serious medical care. gg REGULAR CHECKUPS: Regular checkups with a doctor can mean fewer surprises that take you to the ER. This includes ear, eye, throat, heart, lung and other key organ checkups, to discover any abnormalities. gg TESTING FOR COMMON HEALTH CONDITIONS: At a certain age, men and women should be tested for various diseases, including cancers. These tests, including prostate exams and mammograms, can be important for discovering conditions early, making them more treatable. gg CAREFUL MONITORING OF WEIGHT, DIET AND FITNESS: Obesity is a leading contributor to a large variety of chronic diseases. Medical professionals should carefully monitor weight, blood pressure and other markers to be able to recommend important changes for wellness. gg ADDRESS AND CORRECT ADDICTION: Cigarette and alcohol dependency are two of the most important predictors of negative health conditions. Those who smoke are much more likely to have a heart attack, which is a common purpose for visiting the emergency room. gg FOLLOW-UP CARE: If a patient does have a procedure or a condition, medical professionals, including nurses, physician’s assistants, physicians and the whole healthcare team should be engaged in keeping the individual from regressing. Of course even the best preventive care will not completely erase the need for emergency rooms. But patients and doctors can do a lot to prevent trips to the ER by taking these measures.
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Silly questions can have serious answers. From diapers to degrees, having a child means having questions. What’s normal? What isn’t? Get answers to your health-related questions—even the silly ones—from experienced nurses like Cory. She’s a mom, too. It all starts with one good choice.
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