Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010 3
inside 4 Stick to your workout Tips to keep up with an exercise regimen
6 Health in a Handbasket Jade feels the burn — in a rectangular kind of way
Cancer 7 Navigating Book helps patients make care choices
8 Uncommon Sense Loveland psychologist Beth Firestein explains the difference between depression and sadness
Allergies 11 Food Woman with severe peanut allergy
5 Protect Your Skin
uses help from companion dog
14 Antioxidants 101 Find out which antioxidants can help you
22 No more excuses Local woman embarks on weight-loss journey Ask a Health Pro ........................................................... pg. 10 Raise awareness for carcinoid cancer ......................... pg. 16 Crandoodles by Steve Crandall .................................... pg. 17 Tips to start doing yoga ................................................ pg. 18 McKee Cancer Center builds hope............................... pg. 19 Rhema runs the Bolder Boulder ................................... pg. 20 The Healthy Plate .......................................................... pg. 24 Loveland health briefs .................................................. pg. 25 Loveland health calendar ............................................. pg. 26
Health Line of Northern Colorado is a monthly publication produced by the Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald. The information provided in this publication is intended for personal, non-commercial, informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement with respect to any company, product, procedure or activity. You should seek the advice of a professional regarding your particular situation.
For advertising information, contact: Linda Story — 635-3614
For editorial information, contact: Jade Cody: 635-3656 jcody@reporter-herald.com
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Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010
Make it Stick Top 10 ways to stick to your workout
Michele Promaulayko McClatchy Tribune 1. SHOW UP AND BOOK IT Plan your workout in advance. Lack of planning continues to be the biggest reason people fail to work out. Ninety percent of people finish their work out if they just show up. 2. MAKE A DATE WITH A FRIEND Making a commitment to someone helps you actually keep it. Be sure to find someone on your same fitness level so you both will work toward similar goals. 3. INVEST IN A TRAINER If you don’t know what you’re doing when you get to the gym, it pays to hire someone who does. Beyond helping you plan your workout, a personal trainer will observe and correct your form to make sure you produce results and avoid injuries. 4. FIND A HAPPY PLACE, BUT WATCH THE RUT The “perfect” exercise is the one you’re happiest doing, so make sure you find yourself wanting to work out. With that being said, don’t let your routine become as familiar as “Friends” reruns. What bores your mind also bores your body. Vary your routine day to day and completely change it every three weeks. 5. CUT A SOUNDTRACK Leave the slow songs for the sappy and make a play list that gets you pumped. High-tempo music is a better distracter. 6. WRITE IT DOWN Record your fitness goals in a journal and track your workouts. Note the exercises that make you feel good and produce results, and note the stressors that tend to derail workouts. 7. WORK WITH HIM Sharing activities with your partner is
a surefire way to stick together. Especially activities where you both end up feeling good and energized. Exercise releases neurohormones that make people feel happier, more motivated, and less anxious.
sity. Before you start running naked through the gymnasium, by streak we mean for you to see how long you can go without missing a workout. Then try to beat that record.
8. TAKE A CHANCE AND STREAK Adrenaline-spiked adventures like rock climbing will help you better manage stress in everyday life, according to a study from Texas A&M Univer-
9. REWARD YOURSELF Celebrate reaching your goals by treating yourself to whatever you want. Book that appointment for a massage or take a long, hot bubble bath. Reward yourself now because sometimes that short-term reward might be the only evidence of your long-term success. 10. SHOW OFF A brand new haircut or fresh-out-ofthe-box running shoes can be just the appearance boost you need for a great lift in the gym. And when you feel better about yourself, you’re going to function better. Visit www.womenshealth mag.com/look-better-naked.com to learn more.
Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010 5
Protect D Your Skin U
on't reserve the use of sunscreen only for sunny days. Even on a cloudy day, up to 80 percent of the sun's ultraviolet rays can pass through the clouds. In addition, sand reflects 25 percent of the sun's rays and snow reflects 80 percent of the sun's rays. — American Academy of Dermatology
p to 90 percent of the aging you see on your face and body are caused by the sun, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
O
ne in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
ACCORDING TO A STUDY BY THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY: • 72 percent of respondents find tanned skin more attractive than pale skin, while 66 percent said a tan provides a healthy glow. • 60 percent were under the mistaken impression that sun exposure is good for one’s health. • 37 percent mistakenly believe that indoor tanning beds are safer than outdoor sun exposure • 40 percent aren’t aware that burns and tans during childhood are linked to skin cancer in adults • 52 percent think a base tan protects the skin from further sun exposure, even though it doesn’t • 65 percent don’t realize that all UV rays are harmful for skin
COLORADO ORTHOPEDIC & HAND SURGERY Welcome Back Eric Young, M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon Loveland Surgery Center and the physicians at the Loveland Medical Plaza are pleased to welcome back Dr. Eric Young, Orthopedic Surgeon to his Loveland Office. Schedule your appointment and learn more by calling Dr. Eric Young today!
(970) 776-3222
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Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010
HL
Health in a Handbasket
setting out your socks and pretending kindling. It takes basically 45 jiffs (jiff, they are mountain cats — and I do or jiffy, is the official time segment I have chosen to use in this experiment that. and is equal to exactly 1 momento) for Looking back, I should have done me to get a sun burn. the experiment a little differently. I Since this is the cancer issue of should have tested it for a bit longer, Health Line, I decided to find out if because while we know that SPF 4 there was a sun lotion in this world can’t hack it for more than 30 minutes, that could protect my enhancedI didn’t find out how long I could edition ivory epidermis. To do this, I make it with SPF 15 before burning. tested several types of lotion on a According to the American Academy square area on my back. I separated of Dermatology, a sunscreen’s SPF ratdifferent test squares with tape, and ing is calculated by comparing the then I laid in the sun for one 60-jiffy amount of time needed to produce a session. sunburn on sunscreen-protected skin What happened is I got a fantastic to the amount of time needed to cause sunburned rectangle on my back. And a sunburn on unprotected skin. For exJade Cody that’s just good fun. Special Sections Editor ample, if a sunscreen is rated SPF 2 My cabana girl, Kim Amick, helped and a person who would normally me with the taping and sunscreen ap- turn red after 10 minutes of exposure f Crayola made a color to match plication. For some reason she my skin, it would be called North in the sun uses it (yes, that is me), it wouldn’t fan me with a giant leaf and Dakota Sheep Auction White. If I would take 20 minutes of exposure for drop grapes into my mouth, though. were a singer, every album would be the skin to turn red. the white album. Ghosts are startled I found the tanning process frustratUnfortunately, I will always be a when they see me. ing. I had to lie still on my stomach for pale skinned fellow who has to cake You get it. I’m sickly pale. a full hour. Asking me to lie still and on sunscreen every five minutes. Lucknot move for an hour, especially in 90- ily, there are sunscreens that can help. Having fluorescent skin has many advantages. Nurses never have to poke degree heat, is like asking your coffee See you next month. to vacuum the basement. Well, maybe around to find a vein, all of my inner it’s not exactly like that. But contents are clearly visible from the still, it’s ridiculous. outside. Also, I function as my own Health in a Handbasket flashlight. There are indeed some disAnyway, people from my is a monthly feature in which advantages. For instance, I have no apartment wholeheartedly I try a health-related advenchance at intimidating people in a dark disagree, and regularly ture and write about it. If you alley, I always lose at hide and go spend hours just sitting in have an idea for a new seek, and I require a bonnet with most bikinis and short shorts tryadventure, write to me at outdoor activities. ing to do baked ham imjcody@reporter-herald.com. Nobody likes a guy in a bonnet. Just pressions. I’ve always found like nobody beats Kia. Nobody. the entire practice of tanning Maybe the worst part of being this a tad nonsensical, but, then Health in a Handbasket white is that the sun treats me like dry again, so is strategically
White Toast
I’m feeling the burn after a silly experiment testing SPF ratings
I
The experiment: Toasted Jade 50 SPF
Feeling the burn: Results
4 SPF
No Sunscreen
15 SPF
Mole.
Silly line where we missed sunscreen.
4 SPF: Done medium rare.
15 SPF: No burn.
50 SPF: No burn in sight.
No sunscreen: Fully cooked.
Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010 7
Navigating Cancer
Joni James Aldrich’s book, “The Saving of Gordon: Lifelines to W-I-N Against Cancer,” reflects on her husband’s struggle with a rare blood cancer.
Book helps patients make careful choices regarding cancer care Jane Glenn Haas The Orange County Register
G
ordon Aldrich was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer, on May 13, 2004. He died May 13, 2006, two years to the day later. He was 43. But maybe he died too soon? Maybe his treatment was ineffective? Maybe his cancer team wasn’t the best for him? His widow, Joni James Aldrich, can’t change her husband’s outcome but she believes she can possibly change the future for other cancer victims. She and Gordon did not discover how to effectively treat his cancer until it was too late, she said in her book, “The Saving of Gordon: Lifelines to W-I-N Against Cancer.” “Cancer is the toughest fight many of us will ever face,” she said. “Knowledge is your armor and the right cancer treatment is your weapon.” Question: You say cancer has become a huge part of our society? Answer: There is nothing like it. Four thousand people are diagnosed every day. The medical community is overloaded, and that makes
resources for patients and families even more important. Everyone has to be more aware and alert and involved in the treatment. Question: Tell me about www.thecancerlifeline.com. Answer: What I have wanted to create is a resource any person going through the journey of cancer could relate to and easily read and understand. In the book and on the website, I give readers guides to find the right facility and oncologist, how to look at clinical trials. Finding the right doctor who wants your input, respects your body and your choices is critical. Cancer is not like a diagnosis for a pacemaker. Even with all the research and information Gordon and I had, we made missteps and mistakes. Question: Your book is an excellent guidebook to being confident about the diagnosis as well as the choices a patient must make. I’m also impressed with what you have to say about being a cancer caregiver. Answer: Gordon had pain in his back. The doctor recommended massage therapy and a chiropractor. Finally, when he was begging for relief, the doctor ordered an MRI and they
Photo special to the RH
found the tumor. Knowing your own body and making sure the doctor knows the problem is not going away is critical. You have to push the envelope up front. What I wanted, as a caregiver, was the book I have written. I needed a resource to help me keep my eyes on the horizon.
HL-313671
Question: And you advise some cancer patients to “go to the dogs?” Answer: X-rays don’t find lowstage lung cancer. But dogs can smell the breath of brain and lung cancer patients and are better at detecting these cancers than some of the tests. As I said, you need to know the options.
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Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010
HL
Uncommon Sense
Depression: when to get help Beth Firestein Uncommon Sense
Q
uestion: What is the difference between feeling sad and having depression? My husband often acts aloof, withdrawn and uninterested in joining in with our family. He has also been avoiding his friends. If he is depressed, can he get help without having to get on antidepressants? Answer: Depression is something almost everyone wonders about at one time or another in their lives. People used to think that the blues were always just sadness and never even considered the possibility that it might be depression. People were told to get over it or just change their attitude and outlook to being positive. There was no broad public understanding of what depression was and people who went to psychiatrists or psychologists were viewed as crazy. These days there are more ads on TV for depression than almost anything else related to health and these ads try to educate the public about the signs and symptoms of depression. So how can we tell the difference? Sadness is a natural human emotion that happens when people suffer a loss or disappointment. Losing a job, the breakup of a relationship, the death of a friend or failing a class are all situations that can evoke sadness. Usually sadness is a temporary emotion that passes fairly quickly and most of the time people who are sad can usually keep up with their daily responsibilities and still find some things they can enjoy in spite of the loss. Grief is a more intense reaction to loss that usually happens in response to death of a loved one, the diagnosis of a
serious illness in you or a family member, a disabling accident or similar tragedies. Grief includes sadness but lasts longer and is more intense. Grief is more likely to disrupt your relationships and life activities for a period of time. Sometimes there are physical and medical problems that occur along with grief and grief can also be emotionally and physically exhausting. Sometimes a person can get stuck in grief and it can turn into depression. Depression may look similar to sadness and grief but there is a lot more to it. Depression is an illness that can be triggered by situational stressors or biological changes in brain functioning. The main symptoms can include chronic feelings of sadness, a decrease or absence of interest and pleasure in activities a person usually enjoys, isolation, loss of motivation, problems with concentration and memory, and sleep difficulties. Other symptoms include overeating or under eating, unexplained feelings of fatigue and exhaustion and sometimes physical symptoms like anxiety, heart palpitations or general achiness. Symptoms vary from person to person and not everyone has all of the symptoms of depression. Depression often has a genetic component, but this is not always the case. Treatments include counseling and/or medication. Some depression is triggered by hormone imbalances, thyroid imbalances or other medical conditions. If you suspect medical issues, these conditions should be evaluated by a medical physician to rule out medical problems as a reason for the depression. Substance abuse can also trigger depres-
sion. Substance abuse related depression will not get better by counseling or medicine unless the addiction is also treated. The good news is that there are many effective treatments for depression. If you are unsure whether what your husband is experiencing is sadness, grief or depression, consult a mental health professional and/or your physician to get more information and an accurate diagnosis. Question: Why do some people feel the need to lie? I recently started dating a woman in her 20s and just found out that she had lied about her profession. She also made up a bunch of smaller lies tied to her big lie. She seems like a great person otherwise, so I'm just wondering why she, or anyone, would be compelled to lie even if it meant it would sabotage them later. She says she lied because she was embarrassed by her job. Should I back away from the relationship, or give her another chance to earn my trust? Answer: People lie for a variety of reasons. The most common reasons people lie are to make things easier or to avoid conflict in a relationship. In this case, it sounds like the woman you are dating is lying in order to avoid the anticipated embarrassment of having you judge her as less than or possibly reject her because she is not proud
of her job. At least that is what she is telling you. which may or may not be true, right? The problem is that when someone is caught lying, it is hard to know where the boundary of honesty ends and their lying begins. Kids often lie at least now and then in order to avoid getting in trouble for doing something they were told by their parent not to do. Most people mature out of this occasional lying in childhood. Some do not. Frequent lying without remorse, except if you get caught, is a serious psychological problem and is not easily fixed. At a minimum, the woman you are dating is not OK with who she is and what she is doing in the world. She is choosing not to tell the truth at the start of a new relationship, which is usually an easier time to tell the truth because there is less to lose at the start of the relationship. More red flags appear when you learn that she has also told other smaller lies to support her big lie. Sometimes nice people lie. Lying doesn’t mean the person is not nice, it means the person tells lies. People who make a habit of lying and building lies on top of lies have strong internal reasons for doing this and chances are very low that they will change. The question you need to ask yourself is, “Am I willing to accept dating a person who lies?” If the answer is yes, keep dating. If the answer is no, run the other direction and don’t look back.
Uncommon Sense with Beth Firestein Dr. Beth Firestein is a licensed psychologist. She has 24 years of therapy experience and has practiced in Loveland for over 14 years. She may be reached by calling her office at 970-635-9116, via e-mail at firewom@webaccess.net, or by visiting www.bethfirestein.com.
Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010 9
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Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010
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Question: Can I get cancer in my eyes? Answer: There are several different types of cancer that can affect the eyes. The most common form affecting the eyelid is basal cell carcinoma. Basal cell tumors are found most frequently on the lower eyelids and are typically slow-growing. They can appear as a red patch, a shiny bump, or a white scar-like area. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common tumor of the eyelid. These tumors can resemble warts or have a rough, scaly patch that will bleed if Brandy Morrow, O.D. scratched. They often look like open sores with a raised edge. If you have any bumps on your eyelids that bleed or have irregular borders, or if you lose eyelashes in the area near the bump, see an eye care professional for evaluation. Ocular melanoma is a malignant cancer affecting the pigmented areas inside the eye. Some patients who develop ocular melanoma will notice a change in their vision, but many others are diagnosed during a routine dilated eye examination. It is believed that exposure to UV rays increases the risk for developing ocular melanoma, much like melanoma of the skin. Approximately 50 percent of patients with ocular melanoma will develop metastases within 15 years of the initial diagnosis, and metastatic disease has an extremely high mortality rate. Wearing sunscreen, hats, and UV protective eyewear can decrease your chances of developing cancer in and around your eyes. When purchasing sunglasses, check the label to ensure that the lenses block at least 99 percent of both UVA and UVB rays. Seeing your eye doctor for annual dilated eye exams will increase the chance that any cancer-related changes to the eye will be detected as early as possible.
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Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010 11
Living with allergies Part two of a story about families dealing with extreme allergies Rhema Muncy Special Sections Reporter
W
hile out camping one day, Holly Horner’s husband Butch decided to bake some pre-packaged cookie dough. Horner was showering in the camper with the door closed and the vent open. When her husband opened the package of chocolate walnut cookies, Horner’s throat began to close up. She grabbed a bath robe and dashed outside of the camper. Later, they discovered that the last ingredient on the package was peanut flour, an ingredient some companies will add as a trace amount to their products. Greeley resident Horner developed an allergy to peanuts late in life. Each subsequent exposure to the legume has increased the severity of her reaction to the allergen to the point of hyper-sensitivity. Now even breathing the molecules of an exposed peanut will cause Horner to experience a severe allergic reaction. Nonetheless, she has learned to navigate life without letting fear keep her down. “I try not to be afraid, be-
cause I don’t think that God gives us a spirit of fear,” she said. “I trust him, and he has protected me numerous times.” One major protection for Horner comes in a fourlegged package. Enter Rocky, Horner’s miniature Australian Shepherd. Originally purchased to be a companion dog during an extended illness, Horner heard about peanut dogs and contacted a trainer in Berthoud. In one weekend, Rocky learned to play the peanut game — Horner hides a small dab of peanut butter sealed in a plastic snack bag in the house while Rocky waits in the kitchen. Then Horner releases him to search for the peanut butter. Rocky circles the room and hones in on his enemy. Once he finds the bag, he carries it over to Horner, looks intently into her eyes and lightly scratches her leg. Rocky travels with her everywhere as a service dog. He wears a vest alerting the public to Horner’s extreme allergies. Rocky transitions to business mode when his vest is on. He acts as a calming buffer between Horner and any peanut in the vicini-
RH photos/Rhema Muncy
Horner poses with Rocky. Above, Rocky warns Holly about peanut butter. ty. Horner still experiences limitations because of her allergy. She has found some airlines to be accommodating when she travels, and she is allowed to bring Rocky on board beforehand to let him pick out her seat which she then wipes down. Other public places pose a threat to Horner’s health. “I can’t be close to people who have eaten peanuts,” she said. “Getting on an elevator, you never know who has had them.” Horner also avoids bakeries or restaurants that might use peanuts in their products. On one restaurant
outing, Horner ordered fried chicken. When the plate was placed on her table, the chicken skin looked like it had been cooked in peanut oil. Not wanting to smell it, she gingerly set it in front of Rocky’s nose and he let her know the chicken was safe to eat. “I could tell he really wanted the chicken,” Horner said. “I wasn’t sure if I would come back with my hand, but I told him it was mine.” FOOD ALLERGIES IN ADULTS Many adults in Northern Colorado deal with food I See Allergy/Page 13
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Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010
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Allergy From Page 11
allergies with reactions ranging from intestinal discomfort to anaphylaxis, a reaction where a flood of chemicals are released by the immune system. This causes the body to go into shock, according to Mayo Clinic. Ann Packard of Loveland is allergic to corn and soy, fillers that are found in a lot of foods. Her reaction is more of a buildup that causes swelling in her sinuses. Because most restaurants use soybean oil, she doesn’t eat out very much. She also has allergy shots each year to help with her pollen, dust and mold allergies. “The only thing to do with a food allergy is to avoid the food,” Packard said. “After a few years of reading labels, I only shop the edges of the grocery store. You just find recipes, read labels and cry a lot.” Gail Snyder of Loveland also developed food allergies later in life. Her doctor, Kim Bruno of Colorado Center of Health and Nutrition, believes the allergies set in after a tough period in Snyder’s life. Snyder was experiencing daily stomach problems. So Bruno put Snyder on an elimination diet to see if they could trace all of the allergens in Snyder’s body. For the elimination diet, Bruno had Snyder cut out wheat, soy, dairy, corn, egg whites and egg yolks. They identified many of the top allergies for Snyder, the major ones being wheat and garlic. For the Italian Snyder family, garlic was a hard-hitter. This particular allergy also causes headaches when ordering at a restaurant. Usually Snyder can only choose from one-to-two
Thursday items (if any at all) that align with her dietary needs. Now the entire Snyder family eats mainly vegetables and meats. There is no dairy or gluten at the house, and Snyder naturally started losing weight because of the changes. She hopes she will one day be able to eat garlic again, a switch that might come to pass once her stomach issues are ironed out. Sharon Tormey of Loveland also developed food allergies later in life. She is allergic to soy beans, rice, citrus fruits, strawberries, fish, pork and lamb. “It is interesting when I go to potlucks,” Tormey said. In 2003, Tormey had an anaphylactic reaction to strawberries, a fruit she has always enjoyed. Then she tested positive for asthma and 73 other allergens. “Every once and awhile they will tell me to try something,” Tormey said. “If I eat something more than two days a week, I will have problems.” Ethel Meininger of Loveland found out that her oneyear-old daughter Anita Snodgrass was allergic to milk and had celiac. Over the years, Snodgrass has learned to manage both of the allergies and as an adult and now a mom, Snodgrass has learned her food limits. Meininger learned to cook more simply for her daughter and for the entire family. “I’m one who believes in sitting down to eat and everyone eats the same thing,” Meininger said. “Spaghetti sauce really isn’t too bad on rice. The best thing is to go back to great grandma’s simple cooking. Make pot roast and vegetables, not things like casseroles where you don’t know what is in there.”
LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010 13
Diagnosing food allergies Rhema Muncy Special Sections
F
ood allergies can develop later in life. According to Dr. Kim Bruno of Colorado Center of Health and Nutrition in Fort Collins, they develop because of the assault of processed foods and antibiotics people put their GI tracts through. “If you never replace the good bacteria, you will get an overgrowth of the bad bacteria,” Bruno said. “Food won’t be digested as well and will leak out into the body, causing the immune system to react to the foreign molecules.” This reaction can develop into a full-blown food allergy down the road. According to Bruno, Food allergies are usually considered an IgG or delayed sensitivity that shows up 72-hours after consumption. IgE reactions are immediate reactions usually occur from eating nuts, shell fish or peanuts. “The reason why it is hard to predict food allergies is that unlike going outside and experiencing an IgE reaction, a food allergy is usually a delayed IgG reaction,” Bruno said. To discover the cause of allergies, Bruno begins with a 94-food panel blood test. “If people are very reactive, I go up and add in more for extreme cases,” Bruno said. From the panel, the most severe allergies are ranked at a three. Mild reactions are ranked as a one, and are more than likely caused by a leaky gut, a problem that can be resolved so that the person can eat that particular food
again. When diagnosing patients, Bruno also looks at if the patient was breast fed as a baby, if they have traveled overseas and their history with antibiotics. She uses probiotics, glutamine and different herbs to help her patients get back on track. “As Americans, we understand that if we put bad gas in the car, it won’t work,” Bruno said. “But we don’t put the connection of if I put bad food in the body, it won’t work at an optimal level. I am putting in food that supports the operation of every organ. If you put in just processed food, everything will break down, and you don’t know how it will break down.” Often times the answers provided to these nutrition issues are prescription drugs instead of looking at a patient’s eating history. “If we tried to understand what the cause was, patients wouldn’t have to be on so many drugs,” Bruno said. Anti-acids can have an adverse affect on the stomach overtime. They decrease acid levels in the stomach so that it cannot digest food properly. Then, according to Bruno, big chunks of food go through the intestines, causing a reaction. Stress can also play a role in causing intestinal discomfort and damage and can lead people to crave comfort foods, maintaining a vicious cycle. “Processed carbs, wheat, dairy products and sugars release the same biochemicals as heroine,” Bruno said. “People are really addicted to it.”
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& C
Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010
ANTIOXIDANTS ANCER
While not a preventative elixir, antioxidants may provide some protection Linzy Novotny For the RH
caused by free radicals in the body. Free radicals are molecules that are unstable because they do not have bout 1.5 million people will the correct amount of electrons and be diagnosed with cancer in are formed due to natural processes 2010, according to the Amer- by the body. To become stable, free ican Cancer Society. So it’s no won- radicals look to become chemically der that people want to know how balanced and will bond with the they can prevent themselves from atoms in cells to create an abnormal becoming part of that statistic. cell, said Cheryl Beckett, who has a Although the study of nutrition is doctorate in nutrition and works with A Place for Peace in Fort relatively new, it is theorized that having an antioxidant-rich diet can Collins. It is these abnormal cells that are said to cause cancer. decrease a person’s chance of developing cancer. Instead of bonding with cells, free Some theories say cancer is radicals are able to get what they
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Antioxidant
Foods Found In
Vitamin A (beta-carotene)
Carrots, beets, cantaloupes, sweet potatoes and spinach
Vitamin B (folate)
Grains in cereal, fresh vegetables like broccoli, garlic and beans
Vitamin C
Fruits and vegetables, mainly citrus fruits, broccoli, green peppers, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries
Vitamin E
Sunflower seeds, lentils, tuna and wheat germ
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Spinach, animal organ meats like liver, yeast and rice
Selenium
Grains
need from antioxidants. When this process takes place, the free radicals become stabilized. Antioxidants are micro-nutrients, which are nutrients that are needed in small amounts by the body, either vitamins or minerals. Micro-nutrients that are said to be antioxidants are vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, Vitamin E, selenium and alpha lipoic acid, Beckett said. Vitamin A is converted from betacarotene by the body, so the two are synonymous. Because the body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, it is hard for a person to get too much vitamin A. Vitamin A Amount to Consume Form of Cancer that is found in carrots, (Recommended Daily may be prevented beets, cantaloupes, Allowance) sweet potatoes and spinach. Consuming Men 900 mcg Lung, bladder, breast, Vitamin A may help Women 700 mcg esophagus, stomach prevent lung, bladder, breast, esophageal and Men 400 mcg Women 400 mcg stomach cancers. Men should try to consume 900mcg of Men 90 mg Mouth, esophagus, larynx and vitamin A per day Women 75 mg stomach and women should try for 700mcg, according to the recomMen 15 mg Prostate, melanomas (skin) mended daily alWomen 15 mg lowances set by the FDA and researched by the National Academy of Sciences. Vitamin B, specifically folates, is found Men 55 mcg Colon, lung and prostate in grains in cereals, Women 55 mcg fresh vegetables like
broccoli, garlic and beans. No specific forms of cancer were found to be prevented by folate, but broccoli helps prevent breast, ovarian and cervical cancers. Men and women should try to consume 400mcg of folate a day, the FDA recommends. Vitamin C is in many fruits and vegetables. Citrus fruits, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, green peppers and broccoli all contain vitamin C. Mouth, esophageal, larynx and stomach cancers can all be prevented by vitamin C. Men should consume 90 mg of vitamin C and women should try for 75 mg. One thing to keep in mind about vitamin C is that it dissipates, Beckett said. Vitamin C is not stable in liquid form. This means it is important to drink liquids with vitamin C, like orange juice, as soon as possible to take advantage of as much vitamin C has possible. Also, unripe fruits and vegetables will not have as much vitamin C as if they were ripe. Vitamin E can be found in sunflower seeds, lentils, tuna and wheat
germ. Prostate and skin cancers melanomas, are prevented with tamin E. Men and women shoul consume 15 mg of vitamin E a d Vitamin E also helps the circulato system, which consists of the he blood vessels and lymph vessels the FDA also recommends. Vitamin E works together with another antioxidant, selenium. S nium is found in grains. Like vita min E, selenium helps prevent prostate cancer, but also colon a lung cancers. Because vitamin E and selenium work together, the should be taken together, Becke said. Men and women should try consume 55mcg of selenium a d Although men and women are each suggested to take a certain amount of each micro-nutrient, i doesn’t necessarily mean these m cro-nutrients will be used by the body as antioxidants. Unlike medicine, which has a targeted source for utilization, the body is complex and will take these mic nutrients and use them for what
beans. No speer were found to late, but broccoli st, ovarian and en and women me 400mcg of DA recommends. many fruits and ruits, blueberries, erries, tomatoes, broccoli all conuth, esophageal, h cancers can all tamin C. Men 0 mg of vitamin C d try for 75 mg. in mind about vissipates, Beckett ot stable in liquid is important to vitamin C, like oras possible to as much vitamin o, unripe fruits not have as if they were ripe. found in suns, tuna and wheat
Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010 15
germ. Prostate and skin cancers or melanomas, are prevented with vitamin E. Men and women should consume 15 mg of vitamin E a day. Vitamin E also helps the circulatory system, which consists of the heart, blood vessels and lymph vessels, the FDA also recommends. Vitamin E works together with another antioxidant, selenium. Selenium is found in grains. Like vitamin E, selenium helps prevent prostate cancer, but also colon and lung cancers. Because vitamin E and selenium work together, they should be taken together, Beckett said. Men and women should try to consume 55mcg of selenium a day. Although men and women are each suggested to take a certain amount of each micro-nutrient, it doesn’t necessarily mean these micro-nutrients will be used by the body as antioxidants. Unlike medicine, which has a targeted source for utilization, the body is complex and will take these micronutrients and use them for what it
perceives to be the highest level of need, Beckett said. That is why it is important to eat a balanced diet, complete with all the micro-nutrients, but sometimes that might not even be enough, Beckett said. She suggests taking natural supplements to help make sure the body has enough of each micro-nutrient. People have different lifestyles and needs, so taking natural supplements will help the body to utilize all of the micro-nutrients. For example, women who are pregnant or lactating need an increased amount of most micro-nutrients. Another antioxidant that helps prevent cancer is alpha lipoic acid. It is known as an essential fatty acid and can be found in spinach, animal organ meats like liver, yeast and rice. It is not yet known how much alpha lipoic acid a person should try to consume in one day. There are a few micro-nutrients or more specifically, minerals, which help strengthen the immune system and can therefore help an-
tioxidants function. These minerals are zinc, magnesium and copper. Zinc can be found in grains, fish, crab, lobsters, salmon, turkey, beef and chicken. Eye, thymus and prostate cancer can be prevented by zinc. Men should take 11mg of zinc and women should take 8mg. Magnesium can be found in blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and in garlic. Men should try to consume 400mg of magnesium a day and women should try for 310mg. Men and women should try to consume 900mcg of copper a day. Copper can be found in vegetables, legumes, nuts, grains, shellfish and avocados. Although it is important to get enough of each micro-nutrient a day, especially to help make sure the body has enough to produce antioxidants, it is not a good idea to take antioxidant supplements if a person is undergoing cancer treatment, said oncologist Dr. Ann Stroh of McKee Medical Center. Cancer treatments produce free radicals in the body, so antioxidants will reverse the effects of the cancer treatment. In all cases, people should consult with a physician if they are looking to supplement their diets. There are still trials being done to completely understand antioxidants and their relationship to cancer, but in general, antioxidants alleviate free radical damage. Free radical damage is a possible cancer cause. It is projected by the American Cancer society that there will be around 570,000 deaths from cancer in 2010. Anytime you can lessen free radical damage, you will have less cell mutation and cancer, Beckett said.
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Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010
Raise awareness for carcinoid cancer
Run for Hope puts focus on “orphan” cancer
IF YOU GO
Sandra Larson, M.S. Paid Advertorial
2004, Lambert took action to create an event to make people aware of the disease he 6th Annual Run for and “to help fellow survivors Hope is coming up on know they are not alone.” July 24. The 5K race Bringing attention to less was launched in 2005 by Fort Collins resident Jeanne common diseases matters to Lambert, a carcinoid cancer Lambert. “I want the orphan dissurvivor. eases — whether it’s cancer Carcinoid cancer, also or not — to be noticed,” said known as neuroendocrine Lambert. “It’s like, ‘hello, cancer, usually appears in the gastrointestinal tract. Ac- we’re here too!’” cording to www.cancer.net, The nation’s only race deabout 11,000 people in the voted to carcinoid cancer United States are diagnosed awareness, the Run for with carcinoid cancer each Hope, attracts carcinoid suryear. For many, diagnosis is vivors from all over the Unitdelayed due to symptoms ed States in addition to being that mimic other conditions. a favorite among local runFollowing her diagnosis in ners.
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“That’s been one of the most extraordinary parts of this journey,” said Lambert. “It’s hard to describe the meaning of connecting with other people dealing with carcinoid. On one level, you finally come face to face with someone who knows what you’ve been through. On another, you realize, there’s another person really living with this, like me. That’s the hope.” The Run for Hope raises funds for the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation and Engage in Life, the campaign for the new PVH Cancer Center. The race includes one-of-a-kind awards for top
When: 8 a.m., July 24 Where: City Park, Fort Collins, West Mulberry Registration: Runners Roost and Foot of the Rockies in Fort Collins or www.active.com More info: www.run forhope.net finishers, post-race celebration with live music and team and raffle prizes. CARCINOID SYMPTOMS While carcinoid cancer can be difficult to detect, some tumors cause what’s called carcinoid syndrome with the following symptoms: skin flushing, facial skin lesions, diarrhea, difficulty breathing and rapid heartbeat, according to www.mayoclinic.com.
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Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010
LEARNING YOGA
Use these tips to get a head start in learning yoga
Alison Johnson Daily Press
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tudies have shown yoga has many health benefits, including increased flexibility and strength and reduced stress. But starting a program can be intimidating. Here are tips from yoga instructors: • Check with your doctor. Yoga postures might not be good for people with certain chronic health conditions or injuries. • Look up some basic moves before a class. You can find instructions online or in books and videos for beginners. Some common postures are Downward Facing Dog, Forward Bend, The Bridge, Warrior II and The Cobra. Start with the ones you think you could do. • Work on your flexibility. Do some light stretching at home in the morning and before you go to bed. • Tell the class instructor you’re a beginner. Never be afraid to ask for help. • Watch others in a class. You can learn a lot about postures — and how to adapt them based on individual fitness levels from more experienced students ... but don’t compare yourself to them. Yoga takes time to master, so be patient and don’t strain your muscles too much. Aim to improve your postures and how long you can hold them with each class. Note: you might not see body changes right away, either. • Don’t give up too quickly. There are many styles of yoga, not to mention different studios and instructors you may prefer. Hint: many beginners like the Hatha or Vinyasa style. • Dress correctly. Wear a comfortable but somewhat form-fitting shirt, so it won’t flop over your head as you bend over. No special shoes are required — yoga is usually done barefoot. • Don’t eat right before class. Have a light meal or snack a few hours beforehand, and drink a glass of water before you begin.
ThinkStock photo
Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010 19
McKee Cancer Center builds hope RH paid advertorial
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he radiation oncology staff members at the McKee Cancer Center strive to create a warm, healing environment that’s full of Photo special to the RH hope. McKee Cancer Center staff memTo foster that envibers gather with patient Dorothy ronment of healing and hope, the radiaWelch, far right, to talk about celetion oncology team brations patients have at the end stages celebrations for of their cancer treatments. patients. A particular ter five days a week. It can celebration recognizes the end of the treatment journey seem like an eternity, but the friendships cancer patients for individual patients. The patients and staff build make either in the waiting close relationships, so every- room or through support groups can help the time pass one celebrates the complemore quickly. tion of treatment for an indi“They create a better supvidual, said radiation oncoloport system — a family here gy manager Cindy McBlair. When a patient completes — know that other people are going through their own radiation treatments, the patient invites family to the last journey as well.” appointment. After the treatLoveland resident Dorothy ment, everyone gathers to Welch shared her experience toast the occasion by blowing of being diagnosed with bubbles. “We don’t have breast cancer and undergoing champagne,” McBlair said. treatment. She said she had The patient receives a gone without a mammogram diploma and guardian angel for about five years as she pin. Then the patient rings a cared for her husband, who ship’s bell three times to sym- was battling lung cancer. He bolize the past, present and passed away, and Welch befuture. And they cry, McBlair gan caring for her elderly said. There are lots of hugs mother. Welch’s physician fiand tears. nally convinced her to get a “We do this so the patients mammogram, which was abcan have a sense of closure,” normal. Welch had an ultrashe said. “This is one way we sound and later a mastectohelp symbolically to show an my. She then had chemotherend to their treatment jourapy treatments followed by ney. It gives them a sense of six weeks of radiation. The accomplishment.” radiation treatments lasted The whole celebration about 15-20 minutes five days takes place in the radiation a week. oncology waiting area in In mid-May, Welch comfront of all staff and other pa- pleted her treatments and tients. Seeing someone else took her opportunity to ring complete their journey gives the ship’s bell. She said another patients hope as well. other patient she met during Radiation treatments can her treatments brought run as long as eight weeks I See McKee/Page 20 with visits to the cancer cen-
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Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010
McKee From Page 19
balloons to celebrate the occasion. “It was unexpected. It was a happy moment for everyone to get through this,” Welch said. The celebration is just one way the cancer center staff members show support for their patients. While Welch had lots of family and friend
support, she realized many women go through the cancer journey alone. “It could be scary,” she said. “It needn’t be so because there is so much support from all of the people in this building.” In addition to the celebration at the end of treatments, the radiation oncology staff gathers every quarter to reunite the reconnect with other patients from the cancer center.
Finishing the race Training pays off for 10K Rhema Muncy Special Sections Reporter
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he journey started at 6:45 a.m. on Memorial Day with a trip to the grocery store. As two pasty white kids, my fiance and I knew we wouldn’t survive the bright sun of the day without some SPF 50. Then we parked at the Twin Peaks Mall in Longmont along side countless other vehicles. We weren’t expecting the 30minute wait to board an RTD shuttle, but we knew traffic would be horrendous and we didn’t want to contribute to the mess with our own car. We were dropped off at the start line with all manner of racers, from the tutu and spandex draped to the seriously garbed 10K’ers. Boulder was swimming with people. From onlookers to businesses and 89 waves jammed with racers, this 50,421 participant event could have powered all of Northern Colorado for a week with the energy that was buzzing up and down the 6.2 mile route. After a cup of coffee and the official sound-off from a trumpet, our 9:45 a.m. heat took off down the street. Because of fancy computer chips attached to our tennis shoes, each mile’s pace was marked as we trotted down Boulder’s main drags. We decided to keep pace with a mom sporting a fannie pack lined with water bottles and escorting three neon green T-shirt wearing kids. We lost them eventually to the culprit of free cotton candy. Over 35 bands performed, from screeching rock to very
good folk and jazz bands. Many made up songs on the spot, encouraging racers with thoughtful lyrics such as, “Run! Run! Run! Run! You are almost there! Run! Run! Run!” The mimosa drinkers were also out in full force. I suppose if I lived in down town Boulder, I would give up fighting the Memorial Day traffic and kick back for a morning picnic in my driveway complete with the entertainment of spraying people down with my garden hose. There was even a man on the route who made bacon on his grill for the racers. As we walked up the final hill to the CU stadium, we couldn’t help but feel accomplished. Taking a turn around Folsom field with happy clapping fans and the final reward of a sack lunch at the end of the line was an inspiring moment. All of the way home we talked about letting this race inspire us to keep moving and to sign up for other races around the state. I now understand how people catch the racing bug for life — we plan to make this a Memorial Day tradition for our family. I couldn’t have finished without the help of my valiant trainer Jeff Kline of PRS Fitness in Loveland. He taught me how to like running, just like he said he would. I haven’t learned to love the sport yet, but I am off to a good start. Next year I will finish with a much better time, and I plan on jogging for the entire route, possibly draped in a tutu along with everyone else. For this year, I enjoyed the chance to walk in the middle of Boulder’s busiest roads. I highly recommend joining a race and staying in those running shoes for life.
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Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010 21
Destination: Healthy
Make summer healthy Amanda Wicker Destination: Healthy
the evenings are perfect for a brisk walk.
SAVE ON CALORIES WITH THESE SWAPS • High calorie beverages – opt for fruit t is no secret that I am thrilled for suminfused soda water mer to be here. I love the warmth, the • Salads made with creamy sauce – fresh sun, and the endless opportunities for veggies make a great swap fun. It can be a challenge when it comes to health and weight loss goals, because sum• Eating on the go – unplanned fast food mer also means vacations, weddings and stops can derail the best intentions gatherings. Like any other season and time • Fair/festival food – usually fried, eat in life, summer does not have to put weight before you go loss goals on hold. • Ice cream stops – go for low fat frozen One of my favorite healthy things about yogurt or frozen berries summer is how amazing and Amanda Wicker is a Loveland native fresh the produce is. Fruits and and the founder of Destination: veggies are abundant and can Healthy, a free weight loss support be found at the local farmers group held at Message of Life markets. They are great for Ministries on the first and third you and perfect for fresh salTuesdays of every month. Amanda has ads, desserts and even the grill. lost a total of 130 pounds using diet For the grill, pick lean cuts of and exercise. She can be reached at meat and avoid extras like destinationhealthy@gmail.com. cheese. Grilling can keep eating light. Destination: Healthy If you don’t like it too hot,
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Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010
No more
Excuses cause you don’t know you are falling until you fall. I was blessed. My rock bottom was before I died.” In 2005, Babcock had trouble breathing, so she went to a pulmonary doctor who told her she had Cor pulmonale, a failure of the right side of the heart Rhema Muncy brought on by long-term Special Sections high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries and right t over 500 pounds, ventricle of the heart, acSandy Babcock cording to the American Asneeded an electrical sociation for Retired Perrecliner to help her get up and down from a sitting po- sons. This was not the case, and a stress echo also sition. Then her doctor put her on oxygen because she showed that Babcock’s heart registered at a very low oxy- was not damaged, a lucky genation level. One day, the find in Babcock’s eyes. Because of lung damage, she electricity went out while did have very low oxygen Babcock was sitting in her chair. At the same time, her levels and was diagnosed with sleep apnea. The docbattery failed, and she tor put her on oxygen and couldn’t reach her oxygen. told her she would be on it She had to call a friend to come and help her. Babcock for life. She also had lymphedema, a condition didn’t realize how fearful where an appendage swells that friend was for Babcock’s life on that day until a because the lymph system backs up. few years later. The wakeShe was able to start exerup call from the concern of her friends, family and doc- cising and keep her swollen tors pushed Babcok into ag- leg down with medication. gressive weight loss motion. This resulted in a 60-pound “Several years ago, one of weight loss from fluid reducmy brothers who shows lit- tion. Then, after nine tle emotion was really emo- months on oxygen, Babcock had lost 100 pounds due to tional with me, as he told the lymphedema and light me he could see me dying, and he didn’t want to go to exercise. The doctor removed her from the oxygen my funeral,” Babcock said. and Babcock removed her“It did not register until I self from the CPAP machine. was hooked up to maShe joined a water aerochines. I learned a little bics class at the Chilson more understanding for Recreation Center with a people with alcoholism or friend. Then her friend startother drug addictions, be-
Loveland woman loses over 315 pounds with diet and exercise
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Top, Sandy Babcock following her surgery. Below, Babcock before starting her weight loss journey. Top, RH Photo / Paul Litman, Right, photo special to RH
ed talking to Babcock about seeing her personal trainer, Janet Schreiner. “I thought, ‘fine, whatever, I will talk to this lady and blow her off,’” Babcock said. When they met, something about Schreiner spoke to Babcock’s heart because Schreiner has also lost a significant amount of weight. When Babcock started training with Schreiner, she weighed 385 pounds. Over the course of 11 months, she lost 170 pounds. Their first goal was to get Babcock to take the stairs up to the gym. She had to work through feeling like
Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010 23 she would have a heart attack or pass out when exercising. “She had such a tenacious spirit and she wanted to do things that I didn’t think she should do yet,” Schreiner said. “Her weight was just a temporary circumstance. She kept herself accountable. I just needed to make sure she didn’t do too much too fast. She was unstoppable with what she wanted to accomplish.” As the year progressed, Babcock started to believe in herself. After losing the 170 pounds, she started exercising on her own and lost 2030 more pounds. Babcock’s weight loss had slowed down because she has reached the right weight for her frame. She is now 186 pounds with a healthy ratio of muscle, bone and fat. A few more pounds will come off as she has skin removal surgeries, the first of which happened in early May. Babcock sailed through her abdominoplasty, a procedure insurance helped pay for because Babcock had repeated infections from sores on her stomach skin. The remaining skin surgeries she will have to fund personally down the road. Dr. Jeffrey Chapman of Northern Colorado Plastic Surgery performed the tummy tuck. He cut the excess skin off and then tightened the stretched out abdominal wall, a protective covering over the abs that will not tighten with exercise after it is stretched out. “A good candidate is someone who is already keeping their weight under control,” Chapman said. “We do some of the work and they do a huge part of the work on their own. Sandy bounced back because she is motivated and has done so much work herself.”
Babcock had to set her head on straight regarding weight loss. “If I keep looking at the scale I will drive myself nuts,” she said. “I keep dropping pant sizes, but my weight stays the same.” Chilson dietician Denise Moore kept Babcock inspired by telling her that “it’s hard being fat, it’s hard losing it and it’s hard keeping it off — pick your hard.” Babcock was surprised at the emotional and psychological journey that goes with weight loss. A few years ago, she saw a glimpse of a “Biggest Loser” TV episode in which one of the contestants was crying his eyes out about his weight loss. She thought it was a dramatization. “I don’t think so now,” Babcock said. “Losing the masses of weight some people do, you turn into an emotional nut job. Janet and a few therapists explained to me that you dump a bunch of estrogen into your system and fat stores estrogen. When you lose the fat, the estrogen must go somewhere.” The weight can also be a security blanket. “When you weigh 500 pounds, people who are jerks pretty much stay away from you, and only people who were decent were willing to take a step to see beyond the size,” Babcock said. “Now, even the jerks approach me.” Schreiner said losing weight over time can help a person work through these issues. “It gives you some time to figure out why you got that way and why you want to be different,” Schreiner said. “Sandy learned to use food as a tool toward health and exercise as a tool to health. She doesn’t have to rely on other coping mechanisms.
RH Photo/Paul Litman
You become a completely different person and yet the same person.” Babcock is coming back to her normal state. Now her breathing is great, her lymphedema is controlled and she is no longer diabetic. Her prescription bills are less and she doesn’t get sick as often as she used to. She also cut out her TV service because she is too busy to sit and watch TV. She also buys healthy whole foods and no processed junk food. “In the last two years, I have hit the snack aisle maybe 10 times, and bought something three or four times,” Babcock said. “My food bills are way less. There went the excuse of ‘healthy food is more expensive.’” She hasn’t been able to quit sugar cold turkey, but she does know her limits. Before this journey, health was not important to Babcock. “I just thought it was going to be there,” Babcock said. “We tend to take our health
for granted. Everything is just an excuse — I had to come to that realization. At some point you have to decide whether or not your are going to use those excuses or say, that’s it, I am going to do what is right for me.” Babcock hit that point of confidence within the last year. And with a grandson on the way, she has a lot to look forward to. “We will go hiking, biking and backpacking,” Babcock said. “My son has never known me as a person who is a normal weight. I have been obese since he was born. My grandson will never know me as an overweight person. You can’t be anything to anyone unless you are taking care of you. If your family or friends are asking you to ignore your health and do what is best for you, they are being selfish. Dealing with my needs first was a hard thing to learn, especially when you have screwed it up for so long.”
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Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010
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Healthy Plate
Healthy and Gluten-Free Celiac disease affects more Americans each year Laura Bauer, MS, RD Nutrition Center @ CSU
free whole grains available, such as amaranth, quinoa, teff, millet, and buckwheat. Each of these gluten-free xperts estimate that celiac disease affects at grains is rich in protein, fiber, least one in every 133 and other nutrients, and can be incorporated into any diet. Americans. Many people with the disease are not even Focus on the diversity of gluten-free foods and enjoy a aware they have it and may spend years suffering before nutrient-rich gluten-free diet! being diagnosed. These muffins have been The only treatment for celi- taste-test approved by gluten ac disease is to follow a strict and gluten-free eaters. Teff flour mimics the color and gluten-free diet. Gluten-free means no wheat, rye, barley, taste of wheat flour, quinoa flakes add protein and an and most oats; including food and drink products that oat-like texture, and applesauce complements the flause these grains as ingredients. Following a gluten-free vor while decreasing the added fat and sugar. They diet can be exciting, freeze well for healthy breakdelectable and nutritious. fasts on the go. There are numerous gluten-
E
Allergy free quinoa salad Rhema Muncy Special Sections Reporter
T
ry this healthy ancient grain salad bursting with flavor and fresh vegetables without the normal sugar-packed dressings. Created by the Nutrition Center at CSU, this recipe was part of an allergen-free cooking class held in their test kitchen on April 15.
Quinoa Salad Makes 4 servings Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa /4 cup amaranth 2 cups vegetable broth 2 zucchinis, diced 1 /2 cup leek, chopped 2 garlic cloves 1 /2 cup cranberries, halved Juice from one orange 1 teaspoon of sage Salt and Pepper 1
Photo special to the RH
Teff Muffins with Applesauce 4 tablespoon butter 1 /2 cup brown sugar 1 egg 1 1/2 cups applesauce 1 cup teff flour 1 /3 cup tapioca flour 1 /3 cup quinoa flakes 1 /2 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 /4 teaspoon salt 1 /2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a muffin pan. In a medium size mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the egg. Stir in the applesauce. In a separate bowl, combine the flours, quinoa flakes, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the applesauce mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in the raisins. Spoon the batter into the muffin pans, filling each two-thirds full. Bake about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool slightly, then remove from pan and cool on a wire rack. Makes 12 muffins. Nutrition facts per muffin: Calories 169; Fat (g) 4.8; Sat Fat (g) 2.6; Cholesterol (mg) 28; Sodium (mg) 139; Carbohydrate (g) 29.5; Total Sugar (g) 12.6; Fiber (g) 2.1; Protein (g) 3.2; Vitamin A (DV%) 3; Vitamin C (DV%) 1; Calcium (DV%) 4; Iron (DV%) 9.
in a large bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients. Directions: In a 2-quart Mix well. Stir the quinoa insaucepan over high heat, to the large bowl and toss bring broth to a boil. Stir in to mix well. Serve. quinoa, reduce heat to simNutrition facts per servmer and cover until fully ing: Calories 114; Fat (g) cooked, about 15-20 min1.3; Sat Fat (g) 0.1; Trans utes. Fat (g) 0; Sodium 297.3 mg; While quinoa is cooking, Carbohydrates 21.7g; Di-
etary Fiber 4 g; Sugar 6.1 g; Protein 5.4 g; Minerals (DV%) — Vitamin A 5%; Vitamin C 65 %; Calcium 6 %; Iron 10 %. For more info on the Nutrition Center at CSU, log onto www.fshn.cahs. colostate.edu/centers_ser vices/nutrition_center/.
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Health Briefs
TWO FAMILY PHYSICIANS JOIN BANGill is one of a handful of surgeons NER MEDICAL GROUP IN LOVELAND in the nation and the only one in ColJennifer McCabe Lentz, M.D., will orado and surrounding states who has join Family Practice Associates effecperformed head and neck surgery ustive June 20. Lentz ing the daVinci SI Surgical System. In is moving to Lovethis approach to treat cancers of the land from Goldenthroat, which includes the larynx, dale, Wash., tonsils and tongue, the surgeon acwhere she served cesses the area through the mouth. as clinic director The robot system allows the physifor the Family cian to perform the delicate operation Practice Clinic at by providing better visualization, preKlickitat Valley cision, dexterity and improved access Health. Previously to hard-to-reach areas in the throat. she worked in priThe traditional open approach for Jennifer McCabe Lentz vate practice at surgery to treat throat cancer requires Rocky Mountain the surgeon to make a long incision Family Physicians through the throat and jaw. The surin Fort Collins and geon may need to break the jawbone Plan de Salud in to perform a tracheostomy to insert a Frederick. breathing tube. The breathing tube is David Snodleft in for up to 10 days after the grass, M.D., will surgery. This surgical approach can join Columbine cause disfigurement and result in difFamily Practice efficulty eating, speaking and swallowfective July 6. He ing. Reconstructive or plastic surgery comes to David Snodgrass may be needed to rebuild the bones Columbine after or tissues removed during treatment. serving as a medical provider for the The benefits provided in a transoral Loveland Community Health Center robotic surgery include less blood for nine years. loss, no visible scarring or disfigurement, no tracheostomy, fewer compliHEART CLINIC JOINS PVH cations, a shorter hospital stay and The 18 physicians of Heart Center of the Rockies are now employed by faster recovery and return to normal Poudre Valley Medical Group, a multi- speech and swallowing. Nearly a week after his surgery, specialty physician group that is part Mulley said his recovery had been of Poudre Valley Health System. HCOR will continue to provide cardi- fairly easy. He was able to talk within four days of his surgery. ology services in its current locations Typically, an open surgery to rein Fort Collins and Loveland, as well move the cancerous areas of the as 13 outreach clinics in Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska. HCOR’s car- tongue would have required about seven hours in the operating room. By diologists have nearly 200 combined using the robot to remove the tumor, years of experience. Gill was able to cut the time spent on FIRST ROBOTIC CANCER SURGERY that procedure by more than half. PERFORMED MCKEE MEDICAL CENTER AWARDS Loveland head and neck surgeon Sarjvit Gill, M.D., has performed Col- SCHOLARSHIPS McKee Medical Center announced orado’s first robotically-assisted today 10 recipients of health career surgery to treat throat cancer. It took student and adult scholarships for place at McKee Medical Center on 2010. May 7. McKee Medical Center funds these The patient, Gilbert Mulley of Glacier View in northwestern Larimer scholarships with contributions specifCounty, remained in the hospital for a ically for this purpose. Contributors to the scholarship fund include the McKweek before he was discharged.
ee Foundation Board and the McKee Volunteers. The amount of scholarship funds awarded for 2010 is $21,000. The recipients in the adult learner category are Katherine Adorjan of Loveland, Scott McGough of Loveland and Vanessa Thorpe of Johnstown. Additionally, high school seniors were awarded scholarships. They are Kacey Fagler from Berthoud High School; Taylor Buck from Loveland High School; Sarah Van Horn from Thompson Valley High School; Ruslan Nam from Mountain View High School and Sara Burns from Ferguson High School. McKee Medical Center also awards scholarships to children of employees. Two scholarships in this category were awarded to Hannah LeTourneau of Fort Collins and Daniel Skousen of Loveland. Scholarships from McKee Medical Center have been offered since 1989. Total scholarships of $334,000 have been awarded since the inception of the program. Scholarships are awarded to individuals in a healthcare related field of study. HEALTH CARE PANEL DISCUSSION AT MCKEE MEDICAL CENTER How will changes in health care affect Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance coverage? Meet the experts and get the information you need. No goods or services will be solicited in connection with this program. Space is limited to 75. Presenters are James Scholl, CLU, CHFC - National Health Care Underwriters; Jane Rust, Larimer County Family Medicaid Coverage in Colorado; Earl D. Baumgartel, M.D., F.A.C.S. The moderator will be Dixie Schmatz, PhD, Meeting Facilitator and Consultant When: 3-5 p.m., June 17 Where: Friends Room, Mckee Conference and Wellness Center Cost: Free. Register by calling 970635-4001 or e-mailing joan.mck ibben@bannerhealth.com.
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Thursday LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD/Health Line of Northern Colorado June 17, 2010
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Loveland Health Calendar
BRIGHT BEGINNINGS Poudre Valley Health System offers free Bright Beginnings materials for all families in Larimer County with children birth to 36 months of age. Materials cover growth, development, health, safety, and info on community resources. Materials can be obtained through a home visit or by attending a class. Registration required. Call 495-7528 to register or for more information. Program A for birth to 12 months: • Noon on July 20 at Medical Center of the Rockies • 11:15 a.m. on July 19 at McKee Medical Center Program B for 12-24 months: • 9:15 a.m. on July 12 at MCR Program C for 24-36 months: • 10:15 a.m. on July 12 at MCR
When: Class meets Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. The next fourweek session begins July 7. Where: McKee Conference and Wellness Center Cost: No charge Contact: 970-635-4138
BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING Have your blood pressure checked by a Wellness Specialist When: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m.-noon. on Friday Where: McKee Wellness Services Cost: No charge Contact: 970-635-4056
COPD (CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE)
This seven-session series helps with the management of COPD. The team reviews the respiratory system and how you can conserve energy and deAARP MEDICARE COMPLETE crease shortness of breath. Anyone who has COPD, emphyseFROM SECURE HORIZONS ma or bronchitis is encouraged Attend a Medicare informato attend along with family tional sales meeting hosted by Secure Horizons. Ask questions and/or significant others. about Medicare and learn about When: Classes meet 12:30-3 p.m. on Tuesday. Session begins the Medicare options available in your area. A Secure Horizons July 20. sales representative will be avail- Where: McKee Conference and able to talk with you about your Wellness Center Cost: No charge choices. Contact: 970-635-4138 When: 2 p.m. on July 27 Where: Perkins Restaurant in DIABETES INFORMATION Loveland GROUP Cost: No charge, pie and drinks An informational/educational provided meeting for anyone touched by Contact: 303-638-0940 to RSVP diabetes who wants to learn and share. There will be a different BREAST FEEDING SUPPORT subject matter for each meeting. GROUP When: 10-11 a.m. Mondays and Where: McKee Conference and Wellness Center Thursdays Where: McKee Conference and Cost: No charge. No registration needed. Wellness Center Contact: 970-203-6550 for more Cost: Free information and topics. Contact: 970-669-9355
ASTHMA EDUCATION This four-session series helps people manage asthma. The team reviews the respiratory system, medications used to treat asthma and tools to help you breathe better and monitor your asthma. Triggers, early warning signs and coping techniques are discussed. Anyone who has asthma may attend along with family and/or significant others.
HEART FAILURE EDUCATIONAL SERIES The goal of the Heart Failure Educational Series is to offer people with heart failure (and their family and friends) information, resources and support regarding management of heart failure. The series is open to members of the community. When: 3:30-5 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month
Where: MMC in the Wellness and Conference Center. Cost: No charge. Contact: MMC Care Coordination at 970-635-4138. Upcoming topics: July 13 Topic — What is Heart Failure Anyway? Guest Speaker: Dr. Brian Lyle, Cardiologist with CardioVascular Institute of Northern Colorado
17 and July 15 Where: First Christian Church, 2000 N. Lincoln Ave. Cost: No charge. Care of elderly adult family members or friends is available through Stepping Stones Adult Day Care program during meeting times at no charge. Contact: 970-669-7069
TOTAL JOINT EDUCATION
When: 6:30 p.m. on June 17 Where: McKee Conference and Wellness Center Contact: 970-635-4001
Physical therapists and occupational therapists prepare patients for surgery. This program is coordinated through your physician’s office as part of the surgery scheduling process. When: 3 p.m. on Thursdays Where: McKee Conference & Wellness Center Contact: 970-635-4172
CAREGIVER’S SUPPORT GROUP-FOR CAREGIVERS OF CANCER PATIENTS When: Call for times and locations: 970-635-4129.
BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP When: 5:30-7 p.m. on the 2nd Thursday of each month Where: McKee Cancer Center lobby. Contact: 970-622-1961
SOULPLAY ART THERAPY People whose lives are touched by cancer experience the benefits of expressing themselves through art. No art experience needed. When: 9:45-11:45 a.m. on Wednesdays Where: McKee Cancer Center Conference Room Contact: 635-4129
MAN TO MAN PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP When: 5:30-7 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month Where: McKee Conference and Wellness Center Contact: 970-622-1961
CAREGIVERS SUPPORT For caregivers of elderly adults. The group focuses on providing support and education about community resources and behavior issues, particularly for people with Alzheimer’s and memory impairment. When: 1:30-3:30 p.m. on June
HEALTH CARE SUMMIT
The Seasons Club events The Seasons Club at McKee Medical Center strives to enhance the quality of life for mature adults through health promotion, education and recreation.
MINDERCISE Stimulate those neurons and build your brainy muscle with The Seasons Club’s blend of fun and challenging games. For any ability level, individuals, couples and groups. When: 2 p.m. on June 18 Where: McKee Conference and Wellness Center Contact: 970-635-4097 Cost: Free
LOVELAND SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD Hosted by the Seasons Club When: 10:30 a.m.-noon, July 7 Where: McKee Conference and Wellness Center
WELCOME TO MEDICARE When: 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 28 Where: McKee Conference and Wellness Center Cost: Free Contact: 970-635-4097.
BROWN BAG MEDICATION REVIEW Concerned about drug interactions? Place your prescription and non-prescription drugs in a bag and bring them in for our pharmacist to review. When: By appointment, Monday, July 19 Where: McKee Conference and Wellness Center Cost: Free Contact: 970-635-4097
It’s all that.
85 percent of patients say they would “definitely” recommend Medical Center of the Rockies. That’s higher than any other hospital in Loveland or Greeley, according to an independent survey. Is it the world-class care, the dedicated and compassionate staff, or the state-of-the-art technology? Simple. All of the above. But don’t take our word for it. Ask a friend about Medical Center of the Rockies. Source: www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov
2500 Rocky Mountain Avenue Loveland, CO
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I-25 and Highway 34
pvhs.org
25-313924
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970.624.2500