Real Health Winter 2011

REALHEALTH THE GUIDE TO BLACK WELLNESS

Don’t Let Hair Issues Stop Your Workouts

WINTER 2011 $2.99 US REALHEALTHMAG.COM

This Fox Is A Cougar!

Vivica Fox Redefines Aging

Toning Shoes Do They Really Work?

Spirits Can Add Flavor To Your Holiday Dishes

Better Health Care Behind Bars?

CONTENTS

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[(COVER) ANDREW MCLEOD; VIVICA A. FOX STYLING: (HAIR) DR. BOOGIE; (MAKEUP) SAMUEL PAUL; (STYLIST) MARQUE & MARCO; (CLOTHING) ROBERTO CAVALLI, NORDSTROM/BEVERLY HILLS; (JEWELRY) RICARDO BASTA AND JUDITH RIPKA, NORDSTROM/BEVERLY HILLS]; (PETERS) COURTESY OF RHONDA PETERS; (ILLUSTRATION) ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/CATHERINE LANE; (PILLS) DREAMSTIME.COM/CAIMACANUL; (EYE) DREAMSTIME.COM/LUBA V. NEL; (FOOD) COURTESY OF QUARRY BOOKS/GLENN SCOTT PHOTOGRAPHY; (FRANCIS) COURTESY OF WILLETTE FRANCIS

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editor’s letter

Should you get tested for hep C?

20 COVER STORY

coming of age

Actress Vivica A. Fox doesn’t mind getting older—she just makes sure she doesn’t look it.

buzz

Is health care better behind bars?; HIV testing in the ER; a smaller, cheaper HIV test; wealth disparities equal health disparities; why we yawn; do you know if your child has a food allergy?

17

sex

18

fitness

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this month on REALHEALTHMAG.COM

Women rate their sexual well-being; Ask the Sexpert

Do toning shoes boost health benefits?; personality traits may affect how we lose and gain weight

24

To add flavor, cooks have liquored up their dishes for years. Plus: a recipe for whisky pecan drop candy

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domestic disturbance

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work it out!

nutrition

Seasonal winter veggies; no-cal and sugar-free foods; tips to avoid overeating during the holidays

spirited meals

36

Any abuse over time can cause post-traumatic stress disorder, even violence on the home front.

Don’t let hair issues stop you from exercising. PLUS: stuff we love and useful, fitness-friendly hair care tips from celebrity hairstylists

thoughts

Overcoming fear

Contributor Question of the Month What was your biggest health challenge this year?

It wasn’t easy to find well-balanced, nutritious meals when I was away from home and surrounded by tempting high-fat, high-calorie foods, so I stuck with fruits and veggies as much as possible. —Willette Francis

reach out & click!

At realhealthmag.com, you can read more articles; access exclusive, online-only special reports; meet other health-minded black singles; and subscribe ($9.97 for four quarterly issues; you can also call 800.973.2376). Plus, sign up for the Real Health email newsletter to get the latest black health news!

Are You at Risk?

At least 3.9 million Americans are living with hepatitis C, but about 75 percent don’t know they have it. Read our special supplement to learn more about this silent killer.

Sound Advice

Nutritional counselor Rhonda Peters blogs about how to make healthy food choices.

Real Health Tips

Learn how to avoid bedbugs and where to get free health exams.

Check out our weekly health tips at realhealthmag.com/tips.

Real Health Hair Center

How’s your hair health? Visit the RH Hair Center to catch up on the latest news and trends to keep your tresses in tip-top shape.

Digital Real Health

Read Real Health magazine online exactly as it appears in print. Go to realhealthmag.com/ digital to view the current issue and the entire Smart + Strong digital library.

EDITOR’S LETTER REAL HEALTH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Kate Ferguson

Who Me?

MANAGING EDITOR

Jennifer Morton SENIOR EDITOR

O

Laura Whitehorn ASSOCIATE EDITOR

K, I’ll confess. When I first heard the recent rash of hepatitis C virus (HCV) awareness ads on the radio, I dismissed them. The statistics were arresting, but then I thought, I’m not at risk. After all, this liver disease is mostly contracted through blood-to-blood contact and I’ve never shot drugs or got an organ transplant, blood transfusion or tattoo.

But as I thought more about it, a nagging voice sounded. What about through sexual transmission? Yes, getting hep C this way is rare, but it is possible. What’s more, the risk of transmission goes up if you have multiple short-term sexual relationships with hep C-infected partners. Unless I got tested, how would I know whether anyone I had sex with had HCV, or HIV for that matter? (Under certain sexual conditions, you can get HCV if you’re exposed to blood containing the hep C virus, and your risk increases if a partner is also infected with HIV.) Then I shut down my memory banks.

Nah. Not me. I’d never been exposed.

Later, that nagging voice returned. Now, it sounded accusing. Why did I think I was immune? What made me feel this was something that happened to other people and not to me? After all, like many people, I’d had short-term sexual relationships.

According to the latest statistics, almost 4 million people are living with the hep C virus in the United States. About 75 percent of them don’t know they have it. Could I be one of them?

Cristina González COPY EDITOR

Trenton Straube RESEARCHER

Kenny Miles ASSISTANT ONLINE EDITOR

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Lauren Tuck INTERN

Reed Vreeland ART DIRECTOR

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Smart + Strong Publishers of POZ and POZ.com PRESIDENT AND COO

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ADVISORY BOARD

Lee SaintMartin, MS, IIPA, CN, ND, naturopath; Goulda Downer, PhD, RD, CNS, and Nutrition Services, Inc.; Yuan Wan, licensed acupuncturist and doctor of traditional Chinese medicine; Dr. Rachael Ross, MD, PhD, sexologist; Lovell Harris, MD, internist; Terrie Williams, mental health advocate; Xavier Artis, campaign creator, Stay Strong: Healing Starts With Us (HSWU)

Here’s to your health,

JOAN LOBIS BROWN

Issue No. 28. Copyright © 2011 CDM Publishing LLC. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. If you are an individual or organization and would like to subscribe to Real Health, go to real healthmag.com or call 800.973.2376.

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Obviously, like many others, I have trouble accepting the possibility I may have an illness. What’s interesting is that these feelings of denial hold fast even when people receive a hep C diagnosis. According to the book The First Year—Hepatitis C: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed, people who learn they are HCV positive experience five stages of grief: denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

True, our refusal to accept that we may have an illness, or even that the likelihood is a possibility, acts as a protective mechanism. But staying stuck in this frame of mind could pose a serious risk—not only to people with the disease but also to those close to them.

One of the problems with hep C denial is that the illness, which attacks the liver, often produces no symptoms. This makes it easier to ignore the issue. Years can pass before HCV’s damage to the liver appears, and earlier symptoms can be nonspecific.

If you’re in denial, you most likely won’t get tested for the illness. This means that a lot of time can pass before you drum up the courage to get checked out.

If you’re infected, you’ll likely follow one of the following paths. About 25 percent of people with HCV clear the virus from their bodies in about six months without sustaining liver damage. Others clear the virus without any liver disease progression but continue to test positive for HCV. The rest experience chronic liver damage.

But the thing is, hep C is curable, and those infected don’t have to end up with chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis (liver scarring) or liver cancer.

These days, when I hear the hep C awareness ads, the voice becomes even more insistent. It’s telling me, like everyone else, to get tested—sooner rather than later.

Kate Ferguson, Editor-in-Chief katef@realhealthmag.com

realhealthmag.com

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WI NT ER 2 011 REAL HEALT H 9

BUZZ

Inside Action

Do imprisoned black men get better health care than those on the outside?

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health, Spratley begs to differ. The guys on the inside may seem to fare better than the guys on the outside, he says, especially if prisons offer consistent care. But the reality Spratley observed was the care was shabby and failed to meet prisoners’ unique needs—in fact, the facility often failed to provide inmates with the meds they needed.

“I’m not naming docEnter tors, but many of them here for [at Deerfield] had this care? idea you could just give every HIV-positive inmate the same pill regardless of their treatment level,” Spratley recalls of his experience.

Despite their differences, both Spratley and Rosen agree on one thing: The research sheds light on wide racial health disparities.

As Rosen says, “The study findings are a striking reminder that we still have work to do in improving community health.” —Eric Minton

realhealthmag.com

DREAMSTIME.COM/VADIVAZHAGAN MARGANDAN

hen a recent study reported that black males living outside of prison are 50 percent more likely to die at any given time than incarcerated black men, it shocked many.

Researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found death rates among black men in prison were especially low for a wide range of mankillers, such as accidents, homicide, suicide, drugs, alcohol and diabetes—all especially troublesome problems in impoverished and primarily black communities.

“I think some people misinterpreted our results as saying that prison is ‘good’ for black men.

That is an offensive sentiment, and it really takes the study findings out of context,” says David Rosen, MD, PhD, one of the study’s authors.

What’s more, other people complained that the findings didn’t paint a true picture of prisoners’ experiences in jail.

“The prison [where I was incarcerated] was always cost-conscious and wanted to save money,” says former prisoner William Spratley about his time served at a Deerfield, Virginia, prison from 1989 to 2005. “And there were allegations in the past that people who had terminal illnesses got improper or insufficient medical help or treatment.”

Still, Spratley says that as a former prisoner he can understand why people might easily misinterpret the study’s finding. “From a logical standpoint, prisoners are pretty much guaranteed some type of treatment [while in jail], unlike in the real world,” he observes. “When I was in prison, I had medical [coverage]. In Deerfield, they made sure you took your medications.”

But while this might make it seem like institutions care about inmates’

BUZZ

SMALL, FAST, ACCURATE

Raise the Bar in the ER Emergency rooms could detect more HIV cases.

Many people who are unaware they’re living with HIV visit emergency rooms (ERs) for medical care. But a University of Cincinnati study found even ERs that have HIV testing programs were missing opportunities to test—in as many as 28 percent of patients.

Why? “It’s logistics,” says Michael Lyons, MD, the study leader. “Say you have 80,000 ER visits in a year. Doing anything 80,000 times in a place where [staff] are already overwhelmed is challenging.” Another reason: ERs may not have a 24/7 staffer dedicated to ensure every patient is offered an HIV rapid test, which gives results in 20 minutes. And, of course, some people don’t want to be tested.

Dan Wiener, MD, who heads the ER at New York City’s St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, says his ER offers oral-swab rapid testing to everyone who comes in—but many people decline the offer. That’s why, of the 7,000 people who use the ER and could get tested each month, only 2,000 take the test. “We’ve learned that acceptance rates [vary depending on Detecting HIV is the how] different nurses offer the test, but we haven’t pinpointed yet first step what gets higher response rates,” he says. to getting treated.

Meanwhile, in Houston, Ben Taub General Hospital’s ER manages to HIV-test up to 50 percent of patients. They tell everyone who needs blood work that an HIV test will be added unless the patient declines. “We’ve had less than 1 percent refuse,” says ER head Shkelzen Hoxhaj, MD. Even fewer reject an oral-swab rapid test.

As long as ER workers are harried and some patients say no, it’s impossible to test 100 percent. The trick to more testing? “Places that have been successful,” Lyons says, “have had a champion in the ER who wanted to pursue testing and —Tim Murphy [pushed] the administration and staff.”

of new U.S. HIV cases in 2009 were among African Americans.

Source: The CDC’s “Estimated HIV Incidence in the United States, 2006–2009”

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realhealthmag.com

of the total U.S. population is African American.

In August, a Columbia University engineering team introduced the mChip, a cheap, credit card–sized device that uses a blood-prick to detect HIV, syphilis and other infections in 15 minutes.

The mChip was tested on hundreds of Rwandans, with almost 100 percent accuracy. “The idea is to make tests accessible to patients in any setting rather than forcing them to go to a clinic,” developer Samuel K. Sia told Nature Medicine.

The device uses a microchip formed by injection molding and holds miniature test tubes and chemicals.

“It’s really clever,” says Rowena Johnston, PhD, research director at amfAR, The American Foundation for AIDS Research. “It’s as quick as the current HIV rapid-test, but cheaper— and it tests for other things. I can see this being used in the U.S.” Johnston expects docs to use the mChip primarily to test pregnant women in poor countries for HIV and syphilis. This will determine who needs treatment and will prevent mother-to-child transmission. But the real challenge will be to get the women treated.

Says Johnston: “At this point, drugs to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV [are cheap], but still only 15 percent of women who need them —TM are getting them.”

(AMBULANCE) DREAMSTIME.COM/MAKSIM PAVLENKO; (HAND) ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/DTIMIRAOS

A new HIV test is the size of a credit card— with results PDQ.

BUZZ YAAAWN! The urge to do this doesn’t always mean you’re bored or want to catch a few zzz’s, according to scientists.

(YAWN) ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/LANCE MUIR; (COINS/PILLS) DREAMSTIME.COM/CAIMACANUL; (PEANUT BUTTER) DREAMSTIME.COM/MARC DIETRICH; (CAUTION SIGN) DREAMSTIME.COM/ARKADI BOJARŠINOV

Here it comes. Your mouth gapes open and before you know it, you’re yawning. What’s behind this reflex action?

Researchers from the University of Albany found people yawn more when their brains are warmer. Seems yawning is the body’s way to regulate temperature so the brain can function better.

Before this study, one theory suggested yawning helped the body control oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.

But experiments disproved this idea.

Really, no one knows why people (even unborn babies) and animals yawn.

Robert Provine, PhD, a neuroscientist, says a yawn is associated with a change in state, such as going from sleep to wakefulness. And even from not wanting to wanting sex!

—Lauren Tuck

million:

Number of Americans allergic to peanuts and tree nuts.

Source: The CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

This Is Sick

A widening wealth gap between blacks and whites means more health care casualties.

As a brutal recession picks pockets clean, new research shows minorities are bearing the brunt of it. According to the Pew Research Center, the median wealth of white households is a whopping 20 times that of black households, making this the largest racial wealth gap in 25 years.

In addition, the disparity has created a health crisis for African Americans, a group that’s already disproportionately hit harder by HIV/AIDS, strokes and heart disease. The lack of wealth translates into a lack of health care. Since poor minorities can’t easily afford available health services and meds, such as blood pressure screenings and cholesterol-controlling drugs that could help prevent serious health conditions, they don’t get treated until diseases advance. And when acute illnesses strike, poor African Americans often don’t have insurance to pay for treatment.

And it’s not just health that’s affected: Research shows more poor minorities live in areas exposed to polluted air, water, food and land, and they have less access to parks, playgrounds and fresh food.

While the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. health care reform, should help narrow the gap, advocates work to end disparities across the board—in health care and services, employment, education, criminal minal justice—and to focus on correcting their —Cristina González root causes.

Last Breath? Don’t let allergies mean life or death for your child.

When actress Holly Robinson-Peete realized her son, RJ, had accidentally eaten a nut-laden dish and they had left his EpiPen Auto-Injector at home, she was frightened. A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) could cause his air passages to close—and kill him.

Fortunately, Robinson-Peete was able to administer epinephrine, the anti-allergy med found in EpiPens, in time. “I don’t know where we would be right now without it,” she said.

Anaphylaxis can easily be treated with epinephrine, but many kids (and their parents) don’t know they have a food allergy. This has lead to plenty of scary episodes.

As a result, in January 2011, the federal government passed legislation to create national guidelines to educate individuals and help schools better respond to students’ allergic reactions. Hopefully, this means both parents and kids will breathe easier. —Kate Ferguson

realhealthmag.com

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SEX

Ask the Sexpert Sexologist Rachael L. Ross, MD, PhD, a.k.a.

Dr. Rachael answers your questions.

Once and for all, is it necessary for women to douche?

Let’s Talk Sex Appeal

(WOMAN IN RED DRESS) DREAMSTIME.COM/LUBA V. NEL; (ROSS) COURTESY OF RACHAEL ROSS, MD

Think you’re hot stuff? Great, but there’s more to sexual well-being.

Picture this: A pollster stops you on the street and asks you to rate your sexual well-being. What do you say? Well, in a Kinsey Institute survey of 987 black and white women, ages 20 to 65, who were involved in heterosexual relationships of six months or longer, more African-American women than white women rated themselves as being sexually attractive.

Findings showed that a woman’s belief she has sex appeal was the strongest predictor of how good she felt, in general, about her sexuality. But other confidence boosters helped women attain positive sexual well-being: feeling good about their sexual relationship with an understanding partner; entertaining frequent sexual thoughts; having sex and orgasms more often; and dating a sexually attractive man.

In addition, both black and white women reported feeling better about their sexual well-being when they enjoyed good mental health. “Poor mental health can adversely affect sexual well-being, and vice versa,” says John Bancroft, MD, a senior research fellow at the Kinsey Institute.

Bancroft says he also found it interesting that black women were much more religious than white women but were still able to combine spirituality and sexuality.

What this means for sistas is simple: Have faith in yourself and build a relationship with a good, understanding man you feel oozes sex appeal. —Reed Vreeland

The percentage of black women who reported “regular douching,” compared with 21 percent of white women and 33 percent of Latinas.

Source: 1995 National Survey of Family Growth, “Vaginal Douching: Evidence for Risks or Benefits to Women’s Health,” Epidemiologic Reviews, Vol. 24, Issue 2, 2002

realhealthmag.com

Believe it or not, the vagina does a great job of cleaning itself, so you should not douche. The reason is because the vagina has an acidic environment and naturally occurring mucus that work together to keep the area clean. What’s important to know is that a healthy vagina has a mild scent. But when the passageway emits a strong, fishy odor, or is irritated, this isn’t normal and should be evaluated by your physician.

The surface of the vagina hosts a mix of good and bad bacteria. When you over-clean this passageway by douching, you remove all of the good bacteria—and that allows bad bacteria to multiply.

An overgrowth of bad bacteria increases your risk of developing vaginal irritation, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and bacterial vaginosis (an infection that causes the dreaded fishy odor).

To keep your vagina fresh throughout the day, neatly trim your pubic hair and apply a small amount of antiperspirant on it. Also, avoid long baths and use a mild soap to wash only the exterior of the vagina.

Once again, medicated wipes and douching are overhyped and unnecessary.

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FITNESS

Weighing In

Are you impulsive or more conservative? The traits that define your usual behavior and attitudes may offer insight into your weight gain and loss patterns, according to a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

After analyzing 50 years of data that included questionnaires and periodic weigh-ins, researchers found that people who were impulsive weighed an average of 22 pounds more than their less spontaneous counterparts. What’s more, highly neurotic people and those who were less conscientious were more likely to experience yo-yo weight gain and loss.

This doesn’t mean spontaneous folks are destined for weight gain, says Angelina Sutin, PhD, of the National Institute of Aging, the study’s lead author. But if you are an impulsive person, you may need a more tailored diet approach. For example, when snack attacks strike, you must be prepared to do battle. How? Have a stash of low-cal goodies ready so you can avoid grabbing unhealthy foods. Another hint: Get a gym buddy to stay —Cristina González focused on exercise.

WALK W ALK THIS WAY Can rocker-soled sne sneakers get you a better body?

The percent of adults who say they’re not physically active.

Source: The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports

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No, says an American Council on Exercise study. Despite a slew of manufacturersponsored research findings boasting that these toning shoes are “proven” to help burn more calories, tone muscles, improve posture and reduce joint stress, the buzz has no bite. Toning shoes aren’t any more effective than regular sneakers for those who want to achieve these fitness goals.

What toning shoes do is feel different, experts suggest. Those who claim the shoes must work because they experience muscle soreness after wearing them are simply using different muscles.

Will this new walking workout translate into a tight tush, toned hamstrings and shapely calves? Sorry, but no, no and no. Why? Because walkers quickly adapt to the sneakers’ offbalance mechanics that realhealthmag.com

manufacturers claim will force them to use more effort to walk.

More troublesome is that health experts are concerned about the new walking styles enforced by rocker-soled sneaks— especially when they’re worn often.

But there is a way to burn more calories and boost muscle tone while walking—and it’s lots cheaper than a new pair of shoes. Just tote a pair of hand weights while you walk. Now, step to it!

— Kate Ferguson

(WOMAN) DREAMSTIME.COM/JASON STITT; (SNEAKER) DREAMSTIME.COM/NANCY DRESSEL

Do personality traits power pounds off and on?

NUTRITION

Pop, Pop! Fizz, Fizz!

[LABELS: DREAMSTIME.COM: (RED) BALINT RADU; (0%) PETR VACLAVEK; (BLACK) OXLOCK; (BLUE) SELENKA; (BUTTON) ZORANA011]; [ALL PRODUCE: DREAMSTIME.COM (SWEET POTATOES) JIM HUGHES; (SQUASH) ROBERT LERICH; (SPINACH) LEPAS; (PUMPKIN) IODRAKON; (CARROTS) DRAFTMODE]; (SCALE) ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/JORGE GONZALEZ; (TART) DREAMSTIME.COM/CHRIS LEACHMAN

Take a harder look at soft drinks.

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If you’re watching your waistline, then replacing sugary, high-calorie sodas with diet varieties might seem like a no-brainer. But two new studies show diet soda may not be any better for you. Why? Because drinking these low- or no-cal pops might actually lead to weight gain and higher disease risk.

Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio found that diet soda drinkers gained ssubstantially more abdominal fat during a near 10-year period than people who drank regular soda. (Abdominal fat is a risk th ffactor for illnesses such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.)

But it’s not just belly fat that worries researchers. Another University of Texas study showed that aspartame—the sugar substitute often found in diet sodas—raised blood-sugar levels of diabetes-prone mice, which can indicate diabetes or pre-diabetes. What scientists don’t yet know is whether aspartame has the same effect on humans. So, while tests continue, perhaps a moderate approach is best.

Only drink diet sodas occasionally; don’t guzzle them down —Katie Karlson each and every day.

Number of states that met 2009 federal targets for adult fruit and vegetable consumption.

Source: the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, September 10, 2010, Vol. 59, No. 35

Eat Right Year-Round Seasonal eating isn’t just for summer.

The pickings at farmers’ markets may look slimmer in the winter, but the nutrients found in this season’s produce are just as potent as those found in summer’s bountiful fruits and veggies.

“People who eat [foods that are in season] incorporate fruits and vegetables in their diet that they normally wouldn’t get at other times of the year,” says Joy Dubost, PhD, RD, a registered dietitian and American Dietetic Association spokesperson.

“And this means they also get different nutrients.”

Here are Dubost’s winter-season food favorites: Sweet potatoes: These filling, cold-weather root vegetables are full of carotenoids—a class of antioxidants our bodies convert into vitamin A, which bolsters the immune system. And sweet potatoes also contain vitamin C, fiber and potassium.

Squash: One cup provides 6 grams of the body’s required 25 to 38 daily grams of fiber. Plus, these winter veggies are also a good source of potassium, vitamin C, magnesium, iron and calcium.

Spinach: One cup nets you more than 20 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium and iron.

Pumpkin: This seasonal star is high in vitamin A, plus potassium and fiber. Roast the seeds for a snack full of omega-3s and protein.

Carrots: Readily available year-round, these root veggies are packed with vitamins A and C and fiber.

—Courtney Balestier

SMART HOLIDAZE EATING Stay focused and avoid waistline worries with these three tips.

While weight gain is a common worry during the delicious decadence of the holiday season, the truth is it’s possible to keep the pounds at bay.

Here’s how many people avoid tipping the scales after the celebrations are done.

Don’t overeat at parties. Have your normal meals and a small snack before heading out to festivities.

Once there, snack on just a few foods.

Don’t hoard leftovers.

Instead, pack up one week’s worth for yourself then donate the rest to a shelter.

Do indulge the smart way. Choose one truly satisfying food or snack each day (pumpkin latte? pecan pie?) and enjoy!

—Cristina González realhealthmag.com

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COMING OF AGE IT’S NOT THAT WOMEN MIND GETTING OLDER, SAYS ACTRESS AND ENTREPRENEUR VIVICA A. FOX, THEY JUST DON’T WANT TO LOOK IT!

By Kate Ferguson Photographed by Andrew McLeod

2 0 REAL HEALTH WINT FAL L E2R 011 2011

This “cougar” is on a quest.

Vivica A. Fox is proof positive that if you take good care of your health, you don’t have to lose your looks as you age.

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2 2 REAL HEALTH WINT E R 2011

Once you reach a certain age, you definitely have to work out and watch your diet and health.

20-year-old. But if you take care of yourself, you should be able to age gracefully and still always look good.

Getting older doesn’t automatically mean you lose your looks.”

But retaining your physical attraction as time marches on isn’t the only thing you have to look forward to when you age. “There’s your third life, when you’ve discharged your responsibilities to family and you have an opportunity to discover things about yourself,” Bernard says about older age. “This can be a really wonderful and productive phase of life people can look forward to and enjoy.”

What’s more, while you enjoy this third phase of life, who says you can’t look great? To retain your physical attractiveness through the years, heed research that pinpoints key bad habits that visibly age you faster, kicking your looks to the curb. One such habit is not maintaining skin health, says Dina Strachan, MD, a New York dermatologist. Her advice? You should gently cleanse your skin, moisturize it day and night and use products with sunscreen.

Strachan also suggests people watch their diets. “We know that when people have nutritional deficiencies it shows up in their skin,” she says. “A well-balanced diet with adequate nutrients is important to skin health.”

Something else to stay away from, Strachan says, is lighting up: “Smoking will make you look older,” she warns.

For nonsmoker Fox, her approach to health and fitness is common sense and practical. She’s a busy woman in a high-stress business, so she manages her time like a master strategist. “I make sure I sleep well, get plenty of rest and make time for exercise,” she says.

Like Fox, there are many people whose response to aging is to take better care of themselves so they can stay healthy and look their best. The FACE Report, a survey of Canadian women’s attitudes toward aging and the cosmetic enhancement industry, found that while nine in 10 women didn’t

VIVICA A. FOX STYLING: (HAIR) DR. BOOGIE; (MAKEUP) SAMUEL PAUL; (STYLIST) MARQUE & MARCO; (CLOTHING) ROBERTO CAVALLI, NORDSTROM/BEVERLY HILLS; (JEWELRY) RICARDO BASTA AND JUDITH RIPKA, NORDSTROM/BEVERLY HILLS

sed to be that when you hit 40, you were considered over the hill, especially if you were a woman. Today, that’s changed. Just ask 47-year-old Vivica A. Fox. The actress and entrepreneur is called a “cougar.” That means a sexy, 40-plus woman younger men find hot and desirable enough to date.

Today, Fox is not alone. Many women older than 40 often look half their age. Indeed, some women look even better at 40 than they did at 20. The reason? Because, much like Fox, they take good care of themselves by watching what they eat and staying physically active. “I work out three to five times each week,” Fox says. “I do a lot of water aerobics, cardio and light weight lifting.”

But staying active is only one part of the reason folks retain their health and good looks longer.

According to data from the Federal Interagency Forum on AgingRelated Statistics, today’s older Americans enjoy unprecedented longevity and better health than previous generations. What that means for Fox and other baby boomers (those born shortly after World War II, from 1946 to 1964) is there’s a new time line and definition for aging. And this is challenging many people’s misconceptions about getting older.

“Commonly, people think that [when you age] you’re always going to develop Alzheimer’s disease or some sort of dementia and, basically, sit in a rocking chair, folded up and withering away,” says Marie A. Bernard, MD, the deputy director for the National Institute on Aging.

“But for a significant part of people’s lives, even [for those going] into their 80s, 90s, and some folks in

their 100s, they can [remain mentally sharp and] be up and about and active.”

The best way for people to retain their physical health and mental sharpness, Bernard says, is for them to adhere to some tried-and-true advice. “Eat well, exercise and get plenty of rest,” she suggests, adding that “all of the things that help enhance physical health may help with mental health as well.”

This year, the first baby boomers reached the standard retirement age of 65. Boomers account for nearly 76 million people in the United States, or about 24 percent of the more than 313 million Americans. But for Fox and many boomers, age really is just a number that has nothing to do with how good they can look and how confident they feel. “I don’t have a problem with aging whatsoever,” Fox says. “I have accepted that I’m not a

mind getting older, they preferred not to look it.

But Fox’s commitment to overall fitness isn’t just one-dimensional.

For her, being healthy also includes staying spiritually grounded.

“Normally, I start off my day with a scripture my girlfriend in Atlanta sends me,” she says. “When I wake up, I thank the Lord because there are some people who didn’t get to wake up or they woke up but couldn’t get out of bed.”

In addition, Fox says, “I try to keep a circle of positive friends around me. A few years ago, I cleaned house and got rid of a lot of negative people and forces in my life. The people around me have to be positive and motivating.”

career. “I’ve been doing projects that I want to do,” Fox says. “My wig line at vivicafoxhair.com is doing absolutely wonderful, and I am very satisfied right now because all the projects and things I am involved in are my choice.”

Is Fox’s independence the real fountain of youth? Well, researchers are looking into the ways financial independence and social support affect people as they age. One University of Michigan study on health and retirement has been following people since 1992, says James S. Jackson, PhD, the director for social research at the University of Michigan. “We’re trying to understand how older people’s

health influences their retirement decisions and the quality of their lives at that point,” Jackson says.

“The study has produced an incredible array of important findings.”

But Fox isn’t waiting for research results. She’s an active participant in creating her own tomorrow. Besides her ongoing business ventures, Fox is slated to star in a new Robert Townsend–directed film called In the Hive, scheduled for a 2012 release.

And you may also have seen her in the Hallmark Channel’s original holiday movie Annie Claus Is Coming to Town.

Obviously, Fox is one cougar still on the prowl to make the most of passing years. ■

HOW QUICKLY ARE YOU AGING? ndeed, being surrounded by positive images is also an important part of aging well. “We need to see people who look like us aging gracefully and beautifully,” says Aisha C. Young, MA, a gerontologist—that’s someone who studies aging—located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, who is the founder of African Americans in Gerontology.

Young believes our society is still overwhelmingly youth oriented.

But Fox, like many women, says she’s not bothered by this cultural obsession. “I’ve always wanted to be older—to be very honest—because with age comes wisdom, or it should,” Fox says. “My role models are beautiful women, such as Sophia Loren, Pam Grier, Tina Turner and Diana Ross, who all look better the older they get.”

In the United States, a survey conducted on behalf of the National Women’s Health Resource Center found that, in general, women had a positive outlook on aging. What’s more, they were inspired by other women who had positive attitudes toward aging and who stayed active as they grew older.

For Fox, one of aging’s most positive benefits was the opportunity to take more control of her life and

The following 15 questions can estimate how fast you’re aging, given your outlook and lifestyle.

1. Do you regularly have enjoyable moments socializing with friends or family?

Yes No

9. Do you restrict the amount of sugar and salt in your diet to the healthy amounts doctors recommend?

Yes No

2. Do you most often feel love for yourself and those close to you?

Yes No

10. Do you restrict the fat in your diet to the amount and kinds that doctors recommend?

Yes No

3. Do you most often feel happy, engaged in life, connected to others, valued and productive?

Yes No 4. Are you generally in good health?

Yes No 5. Are you currently not taking any prescription medications?

Yes No 6. Do you get at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise three or more days each week?

Yes No

11. Do you have regular healthy bowel movements each day?

Yes No 12. Do you usually get enough sleep each night?

Yes No 13. Do you avoid engaging in risky behaviors such as abusing alcohol or drugs, having unprotected sex or smoking?

Yes No

7. Do you maintain a healthy weight?

Yes No

14. Do you limit sun exposure and use sunscreen to protect your skin from damaging ultraviolet rays?

Yes No

8. Is your energy level steady and sustained on most days?

Yes No

15. Do you regularly use moisturizers to keep skin hydrated and supple?

Yes No

The more times you answer yes, the more likely you are to age slowly.

WI NT ER 2 011 REAL HEALT H 23

SP RITED MEALS Liquor isn’t only for drinking.

BY KATE FERGUSON

2 4 REAL HEALTH WINT E R 2011

Deelish! Just one look at this heavenly holiday rum-soaked cake from Tortuga, Haiti, says why this foreign dish was welcomed to U.S. shores.

Ask many cooks why they use liquor in a dish, and you’ll probably hear that they do it for the flavor. But how, exactly, does alcohol enhance taste? Simple. As editors David Joachim and Andrew Schloss explain in their book Fine Cooking, spirits boost food’s flavor in at least two important ways: by evaporation and molecular bonding.

Alcohol evaporation boosts a food’s flavor through a process called sensory perception dynamics. When you open a bottle of Bacardi, you can smell the rum right away. The liquor’s alcohol molecules transport rum’s subtle spicy or caramel aromas to the nose. Alcohol molecules do this because they’re volatile, meaning they evaporate quickly.

When food contains a low concentration of alcohol—1 percent or less—the volatility effect works best to help transport a food’s fragrance to your nose. This means you just need a splash of liquor for flavor 2 6 REAL HEALTH WINT E R 2011

says Rhonda Peters, a certified nutritional counselor and author of the book So, What Can I Eat Now? “Each type of liquor would have a different effect on the food. When I used wine, it would increase the acidity in the food and balance the sweet, spicy flavors of my Southern recipes. But whenever I used bourbon or brandy in my marinades, it would tenderize the meat and add a hint of sweetness.

Both effects were really delicious.”

But, Peters notes, the delicious flavor liquor adds to cooked foods does come with a cost. “Alcohol can add calories to the total nutritional content of food, depending on the kind of alcohol and cooking method used,” she cautions. “For instance, 1½ tablespoons of liqueur [sweetened or spiced spirits] is about 160

When cooking with alcohol, one of the most important things to remember is less liquor means lots more flavor, so don’t overdo.

The alcohol in the liquor helps the flavorful compounds in seasonings penetrate the steaks. (Alcohol can infuse a dish with sweet, sour, salty or bitter flavors.)

Some people marinate foods in alcohol-infused liquids. Others use liquor when they simmer, bake or flambé (flame) food. In addition, when cooks want to balance a dish’s sweetness or acidity levels, they can add liquor to the dish to spark a tasty chemical reaction.

“Prior to my new healthy food lifestyle without alcohol, I cooked with a variety of wines, bourbon and brandy,”

calories, and five ounces of wine is about 100 calories.”

In general, there are a few standard rules to observe when cooking with alcohol. Some of the rules may seem like common sense, and others may surprise you.

Many people who cook with liquor think most of the alcohol burns off during the cooking process. But the reality is that the amount of alcohol remaining in a finished dish is determined by several factors: the amount of alcohol added, heat applied to prepare the food, cooking and standing time and the size of the cookware. (In general, the smaller the cooking vessel, the

PREVIOUS SPREAD: (BOTTLE) DREAMSTIME.COM/HANNU VIITANEN; (FOOD) COURTESY OF QUARRY BOOKS/GLENN SCOTT PHOTOGRAPHY

hen people think of alcohol, many don’t see beyond pouring the intoxicating brew or beverage into a glass. But there’s plenty more to do with liquor of all kinds, including wine, beer or liqueurs.

Cooks have used fine spirits for hundreds of years as an ingredient in even the most common dishes, prompting taste buds to sing in delicious anticipation.

enhancement. If more than 5 percent of a dish contains alcohol, you’ll smell less of the food’s aroma and more of an alcohol odor. (When we chew our food, the way it tastes to us is determined, in part, by the release of aromas we first smell. These vapors travel through the nasal canal and passages until they reach a certain part of the brain where they are translated as flavors.)

The second way that alcohol enhances food’s flavor is by its ability to bond to the fat and water molecules in a dish. Picture several steaming hot, well-seasoned, juicy rib-eye steaks soaking up cognacspiked sauce in a skillet. The cognac is used to deglaze (remove) bits of the steak and caramelized meat fats that stick to the bottom of the pot.

more alcohol the food retains.)

For example, in a dish prepared without heat and stored overnight in the refrigerator, Peters says, more than 70 percent of the alcohol (and the calories it adds) remains.

But weight-conscious diners (as well as those who shun all alcohol) can still savor the flavor of liquorenhanced dishes without getting burned by added calories. “There is no one size fits all, but lemons, rice and apple cider vinegars, and almond and vanilla extracts are great alternatives,” Peters suggests. “For instance, when a recipe calls for 1 tablespoon dry vermouth, substitute with 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, or instead of ¼ cup red or white wine in a marinade, use ¼ cup rice or apple cider vinegar. These alcohol substitutions create the same memorable taste experience.”

If calories don’t create concern, however, there are practicalities people should consider before saucing up their food. One of the most important is that alcohol can erupt unexpectedly into flames during the cooking process.

To avoid this unappetizing disaster, experts suggest cooks include another liquid, such as water or broth, to dilute the alcohol used in a recipe. What’s more, if the dish is to be baked, to minimize the chance of a possible explosion in the oven, make sure the appliance is in good working condition with its vent unblocked. Also, the alcohol vapors often responsible for these potentially deadly mishaps can be expelled by carefully simmering the alcohol in an open saucepan on top of the stove before adding it to the dish.

(Note: Unless you’re a professional chef, Real Health strongly recommends you not try this at home or anywhere else.)

Another concern people have about liquor in food is how the spirits may affect those with alcohol sensitivity. For example, some medications react negatively with alcohol, so anyone on such drugs should just say no to liquored-up dishes. Also, health experts advise children and pregnant women against eating foods made with

alcohol. And for recovering alcoholics, liquor-infused dishes are simply out of the question. If in doubt, always inform people when you cook a dish with liquor, even if it’s a trivial amount.

Another rule of thumb: If you can’t drink it, don’t use it to cook. For example, avoid products labeled as cooking wines—these wines contain salt. Use a wine that you would enjoy drinking. It doesn’t need to be a fine wine; any good table wine will do.

And, while we’re on the subject of cooking with wine, it’s important to know why you might want to add a red or a white one to a specific sauce or dish. Typically, red wine is used with heartier, more robust dishes (think juicy cuts of beef and earthy sauces) while white is paired with fish and seafood, poultry, pork, veal and light or cream sauces.

For the greatest convenience, here’s another tip. Buy miniaturesized versions of liquors or bottles of wines. Keep them stored in the cupboard for kitchen use.

Also, if you have leftover wine, freeze it in ice cube trays. These are great to add to stocks, soups and gravies. Can’t tell a dry white from a full-bodied red wine? Do a quick web search for suggestions or visit your favorite wine shop. Chances are the shop owners there will be happy to answer your questions.

Here’s another tip: Just before serving, add a splash of the original alcohol used while preparing the soups, stews, sauces and casseroles.

This subtly reinforces the spirit’s flavor in the food.

And, yes, liquor can help create some memorable desserts. But if you’re whipping up a frozen treat, get stingy with the spirits. Alcohol freezes at a lower temperature than other liquids, so it’s not advisable to use excessive amounts in your favorite frozen desserts.

Hungry yet? Reach for that unsampled bottle of whatever you’ve been saving for a special occasion. Now head for the kitchen and use it to treat yourself to a new dining experience. ■

WHISKEY PECAN DROP CANDIES In Texas, these are called pralines. When you try them, get ready to taste layers of flavor. The first bite registers a delicious sweetness (sugar), then nuttiness (pecans), then a caramel oak (whiskey) flavor, with a hint of vanilla. Yum! ½ cup packed light brown sugar ¾ cup granulated sugar ½ cup sour cream 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 tablespoons sour mash whiskey 1 cup pecan halves In a saucepan, stir together the sugars and the sour cream over medium heat until the mixture resembles a soft ball, about 10 minutes. When a candy thermometer registers 240°, add the vanilla and whiskey, stir and remove from the heat. Stir in the pecans. Let sit for 3 minutes, stir, and then drop by the tablespoon onto waxed paper.

Let cool and harden, about 2 hours.

Wrap and store in a dry place.

Prep = 10 minutes Cook = 15 minutes Cool = 2 hours Yield = 12 candies Reprinted by permission from The Gourmet’s Guide to Cooking With Liquors and Spirits by Dwayne Ridgaway, Quarry Books, 2010.

SHOCKS TO THE SYSTEM Many terrifying events can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder, but domestic abuse is often overlooked as one of them.

BY WILLETTE FRANCIS

hen many people think of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), they see an image of vets returning from the battlefield, shell-shocked soldiers barely able to function because they’ve experienced the unspeakable horrors of war. But the truth is, many events can trigger this anxiety disorder, including ordinary, everyday violence on the home front, better known as domestic abuse.

2 8 REAL HEALTH WINT E R 2011

started slapping and hitting her.

“The respect was totally gone; he was out of control,” she says.

hen, P.J. started using drugs.

As the domestic violence episodes continued, Jessica began feeling hopeless and depressed. She felt as if she had no reason to live. Although she didn’t know it then, she was developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.

PTSD is caused by exposure to a

WHEN HE TOLD ME HE WOULD KILL ME, THERE WAS NO REASON NOT TO BELIEVE HIM. her husband. They frightened her, making her feel emotional or mental anguish in his presence. “This was the first indication to me that he could get angry enough to hurt me,” she recalls. Her husband also became more controlling. He didn’t want her to leave the house while he hung out with friends.

One day, Jessica got tired of sitting at home, so she went for a jog.

When P.J. spotted her, fear seized Jessica and she began running. He sprinted in pursuit and tackled her to the ground. “I just played unconscious so he wouldn’t hurt me,” Jessica says. These were the first signs of the physical abuse to come.

Eventually, Jessica’s husband 3 0 REAL HEALTH WINT E R 20 11

terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurs or is threatened. PTSD symptoms include intense fear, flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, racing heartbeats, dizziness, stomach pains and chest tightness. What’s more, those who develop PTSD from domestic abuse, or other trauma, can experience additional symptoms, such as suicidal thoughts and blaming themselves for the maltreatment. “[Domestic abuse-related] PTSD can begin at the start of the trauma and continue as long as the person’s in the relationship,” explains Mary Pender Greene, a New York City psychotherapist. “Any abuse over time causes PTSD. And the thing

that makes [recovery from this kind of PTSD] so difficult is that part of trying to get better means staying away from what causes you to be and feel vulnerable.”

In Jessica’s case, she felt vulnerable whenever she was in her husband’s presence. But despite her fear, she didn’t leave the abusive relationship. At this point, Jessica’s life became a series of repetitive domestic violence episodes: blowups, beatings and flight, followed by P.J.’s remorse and the couple’s inevitable reconciliation.

Eventually, Jessica’s husband threatened to kill her while the couple was vacationing in Florida.

“When he told me he was gonna kill me, there was no reason for me not to believe him,” she says. “In this condition, it was almost as if his mind had temporarily left him.”

The incident was particularly violent and public. When her husband briefly left the hotel, Jessica banged on the doors of other guests to ask for help. When P.J. returned, he attacked her. Someone called the police. When they arrived, they found her crouched down on the hotel parking lot pavement, her elbows to her knees as she tried to protect herself from P.J.’s blows. The cops dragged him away and drove Jessica to the police station.

After this brutal fracas, Jessica temporarily separated from her husband and went to stay with an aunt and cousin. Later, she reconciled with him. But nothing had changed.

P.J.’s violent flare-ups continued.

Jessica was further traumatized, and her PTSD symptoms increased.

Now, besides feeling hopeless, worthless and depressed, Jessica began to withdraw socially and isolate herself from family and friends.

“People may also have a lot of guilt or shame,” Pender Greene explains.

These were feelings Jessica experienced. She avoided her family because she didn’t want them to see her in this desperate condition.

Finally, Jessica’s abusive relationship came to an abrupt end. The police arrested and jailed P.J. on a drug charge. But by this time, Jessica had changed. Now she had developed a more aggressive personality.

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This is what one woman, Jessica (not her real name), experienced when at the age of 18 she married her high school sweetheart, “P.J.” The two had a courtship that could have jumped straight out of a young adult romance novel—the one where a young girl falls for the popular high school football team quarterback. P.J. was not just a star athlete; he was also a sweet and caring guy, Jessica explains. But soon after the marriage, that changed. P.J. transformed into someone else. He became a violent man who began to beat her.

Jessica’s domestic abuse ordeal began with threatening looks from

She began selling drugs and would easily explode into violence if provoked. Eventually, she too was busted for drug possession and sentenced to 18 years.

Jessica explains that her exposure to domestic abuse definitely changed her outlook on life. “It was as if a coldness was running through my veins,” she says.

“There was no more warmth left in me.”

For Jessica, the years passed in a blur. She didn’t really know how she’d ended up behind bars.

But when she reached her 15th year in prison, she finally understood. The physical abuse and domestic violence had caused her psyche to shift, she says.

Traumatic Numbers

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often associated with military personnel who survive warfare, but the condition can develop in anyone who experiences trauma.

70% of adults in the United States have experienced some type of traumatic event at least once.

1 out of 10 women develop PTSD

(women are about twice as likely to develop the disorder as men).

lthough mental health counseling was available in prison, Jessica says that no one offered her treatment. But eight years into her sentence she became proactive and decided to participate in one mental health prison program. It didn’t work. “It was too superficial for my needs,” she says.

“What I’d experienced was so deeply rooted that that particular prison program didn’t even begin to scratch the surface.”

Then, Jessica decided to write her experiences down. What’s more, she also started to educate herself about domestic abuse and its effects. This is how Jessica first learned about PTSD. But she didn’t accept that it related to her situation. “I felt that people who had been traumatized or who suffered some type of PTSD or depression were weak,” Jessica says. “I felt that couldn’t be me.”

As she continued her writing therapy, Jessica cried. “Everything that had happened to me since I was 17 just poured out like a flood,” she says. That’s when a relative became concerned Jessica would commit suicide and alerted

Almost 50% of outpatient mental health patients have PTSD.

20% of soldiers deployed in the past six years have PTSD.

According to the National Center for PTSD: “Rates of PTSD are higher in children and adolescents recruited from at-risk samples. The rates of PTSD in these at-risk children and adolescents vary from 3% to 100%.”

Studies estimate that one in every five military personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have PTSD.

71% of female military personnel

develop PTSD as a result of sexual assault within the ranks.

According the National Center for PTSD: “As many as 100% of children who witness a parental homicide or sexual assault develop PTSD. Similarly, 90% of sexually abused children, 77% of children exposed to a school shooting, and 35% of urban youth exposed to community violence develop PTSD.” More than 33% of youths exposed to community violence experience PTSD. Source: The Sidran Institute

a prison case manager.

When the case manager read the 1,000 pages Jessica had written, she congratulated her. “Those prison staffers who understood were very supportive,” Jessica says. “That’s how I got to the place I needed to go.”

Today, Jessica believes if she had gotten professional guidance or counseling to treat the domestic abuse and loss of selfesteem she’d experienced, she wouldn’t have wound up in prison. “[Domestic abuse] pushed me into this other lifestyle,” she says. “I wasn’t this cold-hearted person; I was a happy-spirited, lighthearted girl, and then came the abuse.

Had there been some type of preventive measure, such as counseling, prison would never have been a part of my life.”

Seeking professional treatment for PTSD can do more than rebuild self-esteem—it can help abuse victims avoid repeating old patterns. “These people are much more inclined to choose someone who is an abuser,” Pender Greene notes.

In addition, Pender Greene suggests PTSD sufferers seek a type of treatment called cognitive behavior therapy. “This kind of therapy helps people change the thought patterns that stop them from overcoming their anxieties and repetitive thinking about the trauma,” she says.

What’s more, antidepressants and anxiety-lowering meds can help, as can support groups and other therapy options, Pender Greene adds.

Today, Jessica shares her story with others as a domestic abuse awareness advocate. “Telling my story may help other people, but it helps me too,” she says. But Jessica also says she plans to seek professional therapy at some point to help with her recovery.

Says Pender Greene, “[It’s helpful] people know that others have been able to leave abusive relationships and recover from post-traumatic stress disorder.”

Just ask Jessica. ■ WI NT ER 2 01 1 REAL HEALT H 31

A HAIRY

ISSUE WHAT GOOD IS SPORTING A CUTE HAIRSTYLE IF IT KEEPS YOU FROM WORKING OUT AND STAYING FIT?

BY KATE FERGUSON

WI NT ER 2 011 REAL HEALT H 33

3 4 REAL HEALTH WINT E R 2011

Work It Out!

Lose your hair-care fear.

Don’t let hair maintenance anxiety scare you away from exercise. These celebrity hairdressers teach healthconscious black women how to tame such terrors.

Afraid to stress your straightened or natural strands?

Try twisting or braiding your hair, says Elgin Charles, a Beverly Hills hairstylist. Occasionally heat-straighten your tresses? Before your workout, apply a thermal protectant, such as nuNAAT’s Karité Special Anti-Frizz Thermo Active styling cream, says New York hairstylist Ashley Hanna. Then, make pin curls and wrap hair. After your workout, blow-dry hair roots on medium heat then style.

Another option? Wrap hair in sections around the head then tie with a silk or satin scarf. This preserves your hairstyle during a workout. Tresses locked?

Wrap them too, Charles says.

Terrified because you wear a weave or extensions?

Treat these just as you would your natural hair. Weaves or extensions can do double duty because they allow you to rock a variety of styles while letting your real hair rest and rejuvenate.

Too spooked to swim?

First, wet hair with water then slather on conditioner. This stops hair from soaking up the chlorine in a pool or salt if you swim outdoors in saltwater. Put on a swim cap. Shampoo and condition hair after swimming. If you swim a lot, consider attaching a ponytail once you’re out of the water for a new daily look. It’s easy: Smooth your own hair back—use a curl-taming product if needed. Then attach the ponytail.

Scared about color-treated curls?

Apply another thermal protectant and color saver, such as Twisted Sista’s Blow Drying Creme, Hanna says. But the most important post-workout tip for African-American women with colortreated tresses, Charles says, is to keep hair moisturized.

—KF

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he findings from a recent Wake Forest University study may seem almost laughable: About a third of black women cite hair care difficulties as the reason they work out less than they would like—or why they don’t exercise at all.

But these findings aren’t amusing. AfricanAmerican women are at a high risk of obesity and its many consequences. What’s more, African-American women have the highest rates of being overweight and obese compared with other groups in the United States. About four out of five tip the scales.

After the finding was published, the discussion began. Health care providers took notice and started considering the link between black women’s hair issues and physical activity—and how to find practical ways to address the problem.

One African-American woman, Jeanette, says she regularly exercises.

But she also says if she has someplace to go, she won’t work out beforehand because she doesn’t want to ruin her hair. Jeanette’s biggest fashionable coiffure versus fitness challenge? The need to wash her hair so often. “It’s inconvenient because I work and don’t have a lot of time to redo my hairstyle,” she says.

But a lack of hair management time is only one of several key complaints cited by black women regarding their physical activity and hair care regimens. In an American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) consumer focus group report, black women said concerns about the high costs of hair care and damage from regular cleansings cooled them to exercising more often. To explore solutions to such problems, one health care company, UnitedHealth Group, teamed with Bronner Bros., the Atlanta-based company that produces annual beauty and hair industry trade shows. The result? An innovative hair fitness competition that challenged hairstylists to create the best fitness-friendly hairstyles for women.

“We have learned to have great respect for the African-American hair professional,” says Reed Tuckson, MD, the executive vice president and chief of medical affairs for UnitedHealth Group. “We’re helping them become much more capable and available to participate in the fight for health across the board in our community.”

Tuckson says his organization will continue to partner with community hairstylists in order to improve African-American women’s health.

“Hairstylists are people who have an incredibly intense and intimate relationship with their customers,” Tuckson says. “We are excited to help deploy them as an army of new health deputies who we believe can be very effective at creating much more health awareness in their customers when they come to the salon.”

Regarding women whose hair concerns keep them from exercising, Tuckson believes that hairstylists can show them how to better work with their tresses. The idea is to offer black women easy and convenient styles that’ll allow them to work out—and work up a sweat.

“This can also be the spur that’s needed to motivate women to engage not only in exercise, but to have positive attitudes about diet and lifestyle modifications that enhance their health,” Tuckson adds.

Elgin Charles, owner of a Beverly Hills hair salon, agrees with Tuckson. He thinks the initiative is a good way for stylists to educate their clients and teach them how to manage their hair before and after they exercise. This way, they don’t have to sacrifice their health to look attractive and well-groomed.

“This is a very serious issue in our community. A lot of us are unhealthy because we eat everything we want and avoid physical activity,” Charles says. “Worrying about your hair shouldn’t be a reason not to exercise.” ■

stuff we love A roundup of the latest, must-have finds for hair, skin, health and beauty, these products are worth every cent.

Goody Simple Styles Twist Comb ($7.29) Turn ho-hum ponytails into twisted and trendy styles!

Poo-Pourri (4 oz., $14.95) These blended essential oils eliminate bathroom odors and the possibility of embarrassment.

Evolve Silky line of scarves, headbands ($5.99) These kicky print headbands and scarves offer affordable and fashionable nodamage hairstyling.

nuNAAT Karité Special Anti-Frizz Thermo Active (5.2 oz., $7) This heat-activated, leave-in treatment keeps hair soft, hydrated and frizz-free.

Coco Handbag (14.5" by 3" by 9", $76) Set trends, don’t follow them, with this eco-friendly, 100 percent waterproof bag made from used fashion magazines.

Jasön Revitalizing Orange Clove Pure Natural Body Wash + Sponge (12 oz., $8.95) This richly scented body cleanser with orange peel and clove oil also fights dry skin with vitamin E and provitamin B-5.

WI NT ER 2 011 REAL HEALT H 35

THOUGHTS

Start Out Small How Lolisa Gibson, an HIV educator and author of a book, The Way I See It, faced her fear of ostracism.

Scary Stuff Fears can be irrational (and impractical), but the shivers and racing heartbeat you feel are for real.

In 2004 I was diagnosed with HIV. My mother was the only one who knew. I’d also discovered how strong HIV stigma and discrimination were, and I became fearful of disclosing to other family and friends.

To become more educated, I started working to raise awareness and teach others about the virus. But I wanted to tell people my story.

Then something hit me. Three years after my diagnosis, I still hadn’t told the people closest to me I was positive. I feared their reaction. But I also knew that by going public with my status I could change someone’s life for the better. It was something I wanted to do.

I just didn’t know how, and I was scared.

Finally, I disclosed to a small group of my cousins. They gave me positive encouragement that helped me continue toward my goal.

Today, I’ve traveled around the world and shared my story with people of all ages.

That’s how I managed to overcome my fear and eventually gathered the courage to write a memoir.

—As told to Lauren Tuck

Whether fear of heights keeps your feet firmly planted on the ground or a terror of venomous snakes stops you from booking that dream trip to Africa, you can overcome the fright that’s been holding you back.

Fear is a deep-seated emotion that’s linked to your body’s instinctual response to potential danger. For example, if you’re afraid of spiders, the sight of this eightlegged insect inching toward you will set Fear can be debilitating, says Kent State University psychologist off a chain reaction. This starts when the brain releases chemicals that trigger a Angela Neal-Barnett, PhD. But with a little help, you can overcome fight-or-flight response. The result? anxiety—and improve your life overall.

Quickened heartbeat and breathing and other physical reactions that prepare you Why is overcoming your fears important for overall mental health? to defend yourself or flee.

Fears and phobias prevent us from realizing our potential. These worries But how do you curb fear? That’s keep us on high alert and not only affect our mental health, but also our simple. First, recognize the feeling. Then, physical and spiritual health as well. embrace it. Make a conscious effort to confront your fear. For example, if you When does a fear become a phobia? don’t like crowds, take a trip to the mall.

If fear prevents you from doing things you want to do, or you experience If talking to strangers makes your palms distress and discomfort in the presence of the feared person, place or thing, sweat, go to a party alone. Remember to it has become a phobia. ask yourself, What’s the worst that can happen? Start with easy challenges then When should someone seek professional help? progress to more difficult ones.

Many people with phobias think they are beyond help, but that’s not true.

And if you overdo it? Then take a The important thing is to seek help from a mental health professional who moment to do some easy breathing exerpractices cognitive behavioral therapy—a type of mental health counseling. cises to help alleviate your anxiety.

What’s important is to overcome your What steps can someone take to overcome fear? fear before it transforms into a phobia First, face them. We also teach people to use tools, such as music, visioning —LT that threatens your quality of life. [goal setting] and relaxation, to help reduce anxiety.

—Lauren Tuck 3 6 REAL HEALTH WINT E R 2011

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THE EXPERT SAYS

READER SURVEY

SPEAK YOUR MIND!

(And Win Free Stuff)

A number of health-related stories made headlines this year. To what degree did these news issues affect you? Tell us by filling in this survey. To say thank you, we’ll select three winners at random whose surveys we receive and send a stress-reducing, mind- and body-enhancing yoga fitness DVD (suggested retail price $15), like the one pictured left.

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To enter our drawing, take the survey at realhealthmag.com/survey or fill out this form and mail it to Real Health, c/o Smart + Strong, 462 Seventh Avenue, 19th Fl., New York, NY 10018 or fax it to 212.675.8505. For official contest rules, visit realhealthmag.com/survey/rules.

How much did the following news issues of 2011 affect you?

1. The federal government continued slowly rolling out health care reform provisions. ❑ Very much affected

❑ Somewhat affected

❑ Not at all affected

❑ Unsure

9. Name:_______________________________________________________ 10. Organization (if you represent one):______________________ 11. Street address:_____________________________________________ 12. City & state:_________________________________________________ 13. ZIP code:____________________________________________________ 14. Email:_______________________________________________________ 15. Phone:_____________________________________________________

2. Besides lung cancer, smoking is a risk factor for a number of health conditions.

16. What year were you born?_________

❑ Very much affected

❑ Somewhat affected

17. What is your gender?

❑ Not at all affected

❑ Unsure

❑ Female

❑ Male

❑ Transgender

❑ Other

3. The FDA approved two new hepatitis C drugs. ❑ Very much affected

❑ Somewhat affected

18. What is your annual income?

❑ Not at all affected

❑ Unsure

❑ Under $15,000 ❑ $15,000–$34,999

4. The U.S. Prevention Task Force said prostate cancer screenings may do more harm than good.

❑ $35,000–$49,999

❑ Very much affected

❑ Somewhat affected

❑ $75,000–$99,999

❑ Not at all affected

❑ Unsure

❑ $100,000 and over

5. U.S. hospitals with the lowest-quality care and highest costs treat more than twice as many elderly minority and poor patients than the best hospitals. ❑ Very much affected

❑ Somewhat affected

❑ Not at all affected

❑ Unsure

❑ $50,000–$74,999

19. What is the highest level of education attained? ❑ Some high school

❑ High school graduate

❑ Some college

❑ Bachelor’s degree or higher

20. What is your ethnicity? ❑ American Indian or Alaska Native

6. Today, more than two out of three states, 38 total, have obesity rates over 25 percent, and just one has a rate lower than 20 percent.

❑ Arab or Middle Eastern

❑ Very much affected

❑ Somewhat affected

❑ Hispanic or Latino

❑ Not at all affected

❑ Unsure

❑ Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

❑ Asian ❑ Black or African American

❑ White

7. Americans might not be getting enough zzz’s because they’re watching their TVs, cell phones or computer screens an hour before they hit the sack.

❑ Other

❑ Very much affected

❑ Somewhat affected

❑ I’m a subscriber

❑ My doctor’s office

❑ Not at all affected

❑ Unsure

❑ My church

❑ A community or college organization

21. Where do you get Real Health?

❑ It was mailed to me

8. Beverage makers continued marketing sugary drinks to teens and children.

❑ Other:_______________________

❑ Very much affected

❑ Somewhat affected

22. Do you have Internet access?

❑ Not at all affected

❑ Unsure

❑ Yes

❑ No

Winter 2011