12 minute read
Health
Secrets for a longer life
Want to know how to live a longer, healthier life? By following just a few simple habits, we can potentially live up to 30% longer. Nelson GP Marissa Kelaher explains.
EAT WELL. Diet is one of the greatest predictors of life expectancy - if we follow an optimal ‘longevity’ diet from age 20 we can add on up to 10 years to our life. This diet is mostly whole plant foods, rich in veges, fruit, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. It’s very low in red meat, processed foods, saturated fat, and added sugar. People who eat five or more servings of fruit and veges a day consistently live longer healthier lives. This is thought to be partly due to nutrients that are only found in plants (phytochemicals) that are highly protective for health. The best way to get a diverse range is to eat a ‘rainbow’ of different coloured plant foods. Coffee and tea consumption is also linked to 20–30% lower risk of early death. EAT MORE NUTS, BEANS, AND WHOLE GRAINS. Eating three servings of nuts per week improves life expectancy by 39%. Two-three servings of whole grains per day reduces the risk of early death by 20%. For every extra 20g of legumes we eat per day, our longevity increases by 6-8%. Aim for at least 100g a day. EAT LESS MEAT. Longevity diets contain very little red meat. Some research shows the risk of early death directly increases with more red meat consumption. Try to eat meat sparingly, ie a palm sized serving, maximum three times per week. CALORIES AND FASTING. Calorie restriction improves lifespan, while excess calories shorten life expectancy. The Japanese concept of hara hachi bu (eating until 80% full) is good. Fasting may also help us live longer healthier lives, ie time restricted eating or the 5:2 diet. Some people shouldn’t fast please check with your doctor. AVOID ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS, LIMIT ADDED SUGAR AND ANIMAL PROTEIN. Ultra-processed foods (UPF) include most fast and pre-packaged foods. Eating more than four servings of UPF daily can increase the risk of early death by 62%. Added sugar and high amounts of animal protein increase hormones that reduce longevity (ie insulin and IGF-1), so should be limited. QUIT SMOKING AND DRINK IN MODERATION. Smoking cuts around 10 years off your life and makes you three times more likely to die earlier. Limit alcohol to seven units per week for women, and 14 units per week for men. MAKE FRIENDS. Here’s another reason to be grateful for your friends - strong social networks help us live up to 50% longer. Having just three close friends decreases our risk of early death by 200%. Happiness can help us live up to 18% longer – it switches on anti-inflammatory genes and even protects DNA from damage. People who are chronically stressed are around two – three times more likely to die early. GET ENOUGH SLEEP AND KEEP MOVING. Sleeping less than six hours per night long term can shorten lifespan. Lack of exercise causes 10% of early deaths and just 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise improves life expectancy. Even 15 minutes a day can add three years to your life.
Marissa can teach you how to live a longer, healthier life in her Reboot Your Health course. Visit yourlifestylemedics.com for more details, and the full blog post on longevity.
Nelson Plastic Surgery
Dr Greg Taylor has been performing cosmetic procedures for over 15 years.
Christchurch based, Dr Kerri Mooney, performs consultations for cosmetic procedures from Nelson Plastic Surgery.
Highly respected plastic surgeon, Dr Greg Taylor, has been performing cosmetic procedures in the region for over 15 years. Extremely proficient in his field, Dr Taylor has performed in excess of 3,750 eyelid surgeries and specialises in cosmetic surgery. An active member of New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgery and Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Dr Taylor is also a published author and was fundamental in the breakthrough of cosmetic surgery and laser skin surgery in New Zealand. Based in Auckland, Dr Taylor travels to the region regularly, and is available to perform local anaesthetic minor procedures from the Nelson Plastic Surgery rooms for one week, each month. He specialises in eyelid surgeries, management of skin cancers, mole removal, scar revisions, dermabrasion to remove fine lines around the mouth area and correction of prominent ears. Eyelid surgery is Dr Taylor’s most popular surgery, where excess eyelid skin and fatty pads are removed from upper and/or lower eyelids resulting in a fresher, less tired look. It is a day stay procedure, taking one-to-two hours. Dr Taylor’s expertise, skill and knowledge is an enormous asset to the region, and he offers a friendly, comprehensive initial consultation to help ensure the best course of action and outcome for each patient.
New Zealand trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr Kerri Mooney has been performing consultations from the Nelson Plastic Surgery clinic since the beginning of the year. Offering a multitude of cosmetic procedures Dr Mooney brings with her over ten years of experience in her field and provides full consultations and surgery for a range of breast and aesthetic procedures, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), liposuction, facelifts, labioplasty, and rhinoplasty (nose surgery). Dr Mooney has received a fantastic response from her local patients thus far, is prolific in her skill set, knowledge, and expertise and prides herself on providing a warm and caring environment for her patients, putting their needs first and ensuring full comprehension of a surgical process. “As a surgeon I am very aware of putting the patient’s interests first. I want to help make them feel as comfortable as possible.” Based in Christchurch, Dr Mooney travels to the region every month offering consultations at Nelson Plastic Surgery’s Collingwood St rooms with procedures, recovery and initial post-op care taking place in Christchurch. Working with established plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr Jesse KentonSmith at Nautilus House in Christchurch, Dr Mooney welcomes any questions and invites potential patients to book a full consultation to discuss options tailormade to your needs.
105 Collingwood Street, Nelson Ph 03 548 1909 nelsonplasticsurgery.co.nz
Chris Adams, plastic and reconstructive surgeon
Experienced plastic surgeon, Chris Adams.
Wellington Plastic Surgery Institute L6, 15 Murphy Street, Wellington Specialists@132, 132 Collingwood St, Nelson 04 499 7642 wpsi.co.nz
Plastic and reconstructive surgeon Chris Adams, who specialises in aesthetic (cosmetic) and reconstructive breast surgery and the surgical management of melanoma, visits Nelson once a month. He consults privately from Specialists @132 in Collingwood St and has regular private operating lists offering outpatient surgery through The Rutherford Clinic and inpatient service through Manuka St Hospital. For the past 12 years he has been the visiting plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Nelson Public Hospital. Chris graduated from Otago Medical School in 1990 before training in plastic and reconstructive surgery in Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington. In 2001 he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Australasian Surgeons (FRACS). After completing his training in New Zealand, Chris spent two years in the UK where he completed fellowships in aesthetic surgery, breast surgery, hand surgery, microsurgery and burns surgery at hospitals including the Wellington Hospital in London and Frenchay Hospital in Bristol. In addition to breast and melanoma surgery, Chris offers a full range of cosmetic and reconstructive surgical procedures including non-melanoma skin cancer management, hand surgery (especially for Dupuytren’s Disease) and post-traumatic (ACC) reconstruction. His practice is based at the Wellington Plastic Surgery Institute (WPSI) in Wellington. The Wellington Plastic Surgery Institute offers comprehensive plastic surgical care including advanced plastic surgery nurse specialists to support Nelson patients. WPSI is an affiliated provider for Southern Cross patients.
Medical and injury centre
The Medical and Injury Centre (MIC) is Nelson Tasman’s only dedicated urgent care centre. Specialising in patients with injuries, fractures, and any other urgent medical needs, with extended hours of 8.00am – 10.00pm, daily. Backed by Nelson Bays Primary Health and Nelson Bays General Practice Ltd, a collaboration of the district’s general practices, they are well supported to be there when needed.
MIC has just welcomed some new clinical leaders to the team. The new clinical nurse lead, Carla Wilton, who has bought many years of experience from the District Health Board with her and is supporting and developing the nursing team. The fresh-faced medical director, Dr Will Parkyn, has a long-standing work history across Nelson and Wairau Hospitals and more recently Rural General Practice in Hanmer Springs. The seasoned general practice lead, NP Andrea Chapman has remained the backbone of MIC and who’s sage advice is often sought. The leadership team is proud to be surrounded by a skilled team of doctors, nurses, health care assistants, administrators, and receptionists. People are their main priority, and the friendly staff encourage locals and visitors alike to pop into MIC for anything urgent. MIC offers a walk-in service for medical needs, contraception, sexual health advice, assessments of acute respiratory illnesses, access to x-ray and specialise in minor injuries such as broken bones, sprains and cuts and provide follow up fracture clinics. If you are worried and cannot see your GP, visit MIC.
Andrea Chapman, Dr Will Parkyn and Carla Wilton.
98 Waimea Road, Nelson. 03 546 8881 micn.org.nz
Meet some of
THE TEAM
At Tasman Day Surgery our team of caring health professionals will support your health journey. With a purpose-built hospital, you can be assured that your safety and comfort are prioritised every step of the way.
Dr Jane Strang
General Surgeon - MB ChB (Otago), FRACS
Jane has worked in Richmond and Nelson since 2010. She established laparoscopic colorectal surgery and the enhanced recovery after surgery programme in the region. Jane has worked as a consultant general and colorectal surgeon in Richmond and at Nelson Public Hospital since 2010.
Mr Mark Stewart
General Surgeon - MB ChB (Otago), FRACS
Mark is a consultant general, upper GI and bariatric surgeon offering upper and lower GI diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. He offers surgical treatment of reflux disease and weight loss procedures. Mark also has interests in trauma and the provision of surgical care to rural and provincial communities.
Dr Rebecca Shine
Colorectal and General Surgeon MBChB, FRACS, CSSANZ
Rebecca is a specialist colorectal and general surgeon with advanced training in laparoscopic general and bowel surgery, minimally invasive trans-anal procedure, proctology and endoscopy. She is a consultant colorectal and general surgeon at Nelson Public Hospital, senior lecturer in surgery with University of Otago and a member of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, colon and rectal section.
Lynda Wakefield
General Manager Registered Nurse
Lynda is a registered nurse with 30 years’ experience in the health service. Lynda has been at the forefront helping to establish Tasman Day Surgery. With her experience she sits in a leadership role to ensure a smooth pathway supporting the team to provide exceptional patient focused service.
Dr Jonathan Panckhurst
Clinical Director of Anaesthesia MBChB, BMedSci(Hons), FANZCA
Jonathan has worked at Nelson Public Hospital since 2018, where he leads the day stay surgery portfolio for his department. Jonathan also has interests in trauma management, bariatric surgery and is the education officer for the New Zealand Society of Anaesthetists.
Kate is an infusion service coordinator for immunotherapy/ chemotherapy of non-funded drugs at Tasman Day Surgery. Tasman Day Surgery enables this service to be available in the Nelson Tasman area. Her role is to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment to administer immunotherapy/chemotherapy drugs and other IV medications and fluids for patients referred to the service by their specialists.
Soo Aylward
Administration Co-Ordinator
Soo emigrated from Guernsey 2002, and after travelling around New Zealand in a campervan decided that sunny Nelson was the place to call home. With a background in accounting and administration, Soo’s most recent role was as a health care clinical administrator.
Matthew Crocker
Perioperative Coordinator Registered Nurse
Matt is a registered nurse who graduated in 2013. Since this time he has worked in theatre, obtained a post graduate certificate of nursing, and subsequently trained as a registered nurse assistant to the anaesthetist. Matt’s unique skill set means he is well placed to ensure safe co-ordinated care for our patients.
Kate Flack
Infusion Co-Ordinator Registered Nurse
YOU CAN COME DIRECT TO SEE US OR THROUGH YOUR GP OR SPECIALIST REFERRAL.
341 Lower Queen Street, Richmond 0800 827 329 | enquiries@tasmandaysurgery.co.nz www.tasmandaysurgery.co.nz
New co-branded look for NMIT
If you have a keen eye, you may have noticed another logo appearing alongside NMIT’s. This addition signals the start of the transition into the national tertiary provider, Te Pūkenga— the organisation responsible for delivering vocational education and training across New Zealand. From next year, all ākonga (learners) at NMIT campuses, and our online and in-work students, will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga. Te Pūkenga brings the Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) and Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) together to create a national network. This will give learners more choices and flexibility in what, where, and how they learn. Learning that fits around life, rather than having to fit life around learning. Te Pūkenga will use its size and scale to strengthen the quality and range of education delivery throughout Aotearoa. By bringing together on-the-job, on campus and online learning, Te Pūkenga supports learners, employers, and our communities to gain the skills, knowledge, and capabilities Aotearoa needs now and for the future.
Being part of Te Pūkenga enables NMIT to incorporate best practices from across the network, creating strong, fit for purpose, programmes. However, partnerships at a local level will be critical to meet our specific regional needs. NMIT has recently gained approval to deliver several new programmes, starting soon, which will upskill and enhance employees in our regional industries. These include:
• Graduate Certificate in Management (Level 7) • NZ Diploma in Primary Industry Business
Management (Level 5) • NZ Diploma in Horticulture Production (Winegrowing) (Level 5) • Leadership for Primary Industries (microcredential) (Level 4) • Project Management for Primary Industries (micro-credential) (Level 4) • NZ Certificate in Apiculture (Queen Bee Rearing) (Level 4) • New Zealand Certificate in Joinery with strands in cabinetry, timber door and window, timber stairs, and laminate fabrication (Level 4)
See more upcoming programmes and options to partner with on the business and employers’ section of the NMIT website: nmit.ac.nz/upcoming-intakes Get a feel for tertiary study and student life at NMIT’s free Taster Days: 27 June – 1 July. These are an opportunity for schooler leavers, and anyone wanting to change direction or upskill, to have a taste of the course content, and get the skinny on what it’s like to study on one of our campuses.
