REALHEALTH YOUR GUIDE TO BLACK WELLNESS
What’s Really In Our Food
The Diabetes Weight Connection How Risky Is Inhaling Alcohol Vapors?
WINTER 2013 $2.99 US REALHEALTHMAG.COM
Sex Talk For Heart Attack Patients
Rihanna What We Can Learn From This Stressed-Out Superstar
17
this month on REALHEALTHMAG.COM Protein, Yes Meat, No!
Move over pork, beef and poultry. You can find many tasty alternative sources of high-quality protein in supermarkets and other stores.
Health Basics A—Z
(COVER) RONNIE WRIGHT; (SOUP) DREAMSTIME.COM/RALUKATUDOR; (PETERS) COURTESY OF RHONDA PETERS; (RUNNING; SMOKE/BLIND AND DESSERTS) THINKSTOCK; (RIHANNA) CORBIS OUTLINE/BERNHARD KUEHMSTEDT; (MATTOCKS) COURTESY OF CHARLES MATTOCKS
Want to lose weight, exercise smart, eat right, find good health care, boost nutrition, sleep better or just get healthy? For tips, click on “Health Basics A–Z” on the realhealthmag.com home page.
10 5 10
Where You’re At Matters
Ahh! Fresh air and sunshine! The places we live, work and play can better the quality of our lives and dramatically lengthen our lifespan.
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.
20
editor’s letter
20 COVER STORY
all stressed out
Can laws dictate personal taste?
Like superstar entertainer Rihanna, we all have to negotiate life in a pressure cooker.
buzz
Secondhand smoke; social media as an HIV prevention tool; black woman recognized for her role in HIV treatment discoveries; help for caregivers; tooth-saving tactics; inhaling liquor fumes
17
nutrition
18
fitness
19
sex
An Easy Fitness Fix To Try
Blogger Rhonda Peters shares her stay-athome routine that helps melt pounds off while you watch TV!
CONTENTS
Food basics for those living with hep C; Is there a connection between what we eat and whether we develop acne?
24
diabetes and weight
28
big food question
32
hair loss solutions
36
thoughts
Avoid training blunders; barefoot running: pros and cons
Heart attack and sex; Ask Your Family Doctor: Moving back home?
The more excess pounds you’re packing, the higher your chances of developing type 2 diabetes.
How safe are the genetically engineered ingredients we’ve been eating for the past 17 years?
If you’re considering a transplant to help replace lost tresses, read this first. Plus: Stuff We Love
Lonely and depressed? Don’t be afraid to reach out for help.
Real Health Question of the Month
After your diabetes diagnosis, what did you do to take control of your condition?
I decided to change the way I exercised, so I started doing some running, walking and jogging and started taking supplements to help me manage my condition. — Charles Mattocks
Celebrity chef, health advocate
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!
EDITOR’S LETTER
Crime and Punishment
R
REAL HEALTH
ecently, I read about a rash of questionable Halloween costumes that created the wrong kind of frights. One concerned a mom who allowed her son to wear a Ku Klux Klan costume to go trick-or-treating. Another was two men who decided to dress up as Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman before hitting the streets. Still another was a woman who donned running gear and smeared fake blood on her legs and face to channel a Boston Marathon bombing victim. Predictably, many people responded with shock and disgust. But others wanted these costume-challenged few to be punished. As in legally punished. It seems that in America, punishment is the answer to every offensive act, including eating smelly food on the train, peeing in private in a corner on the sidewalk and a host of other minor behavioral issues that seem more like the result of poor taste rather than illegal activity. To be clear, there are actions and activities that not only flout social conventions but also threaten the safety and well-being of everyone in our communities. These are severe transgressions that require correcting through the mechanism of law enforcement. But is it even possible for laws to legislate levels of etiquette and taste? And, beyond that, is it wise to attempt it? During the past few years, America has increased its legislation of people’s personal behavior. In a few U.S. cities,
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Kate Ferguson MANAGING EDITOR
Jennifer Morton COPY EDITOR
Trenton Straube EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Casey Halter ART DIRECTOR
Mark Robinson ART PRODUCTION MANAGER
Michael Halliday LEGACY ADVISOR
Megan Strub
ADVISORY EDITOR
Sean Strub
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)
SMART + STRONG PRESIDENT AND COO
Ian Anderson COMPTROLLER
Dennis Daniel INTEGRATED ADVERTISING COORDINATOR
Jonathan Gaskell
DIRECTOR, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Andrej Jechropov
CDM PUBLISHING LLC CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Jeremy Grayzel SALES OFFICE
212.938.2051
Here’s to your health,
JOAN LOBIS BROWN
Issue No. 36. Copyright © 2013 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. Send feedback on this issue to info@ realhealthmag.com or Real Health, c/o Smart + Strong, 462 Seventh Ave., 19th Floor, New York, NY 10018. Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.
there are bans and ordinances regarding saggy pants; wear these clothes and you could get a ticket, a fine or even time behind bars. Some say legislation of this kind is a waste of time and taxpayers’ money. Others view it as an example of how the United States is becoming increasingly undemocratic. Many believe Americans have allowed their rights to be eroded in what they feel has become a more restrictive police state. The government’s rules, they say, have limited our freedom and have trumped the rights of individuals to freely express themselves. Does government go too far when it tries to regulate private behavior and personal tastes, especially those that harm no one but that may offend the sensibilities of some in the community? In such cases, what is the appropriate response from the state? At this point, I’m reminded about a little African-American girl in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who was sent home after her dreadlocked hairstyle ran afoul of her school’s dress code. Perhaps this incident is just a side note to the national happenings that illustrate the erosion of individuals’ rights to express themselves. But it’s the seemingly minor events that are usually the bellwether of telling social changes. Are we moving toward a time when punishment will become the remedy for all of the country’s societal ills, sloppy clothes and all? Today, statistics show that America locks up more than 2 million of its people behind bars, the largest prison population in the world. Perhaps there should be a law against that too.
Kate Ferguson, Editor-in-Chief katef@realhealthmag.com
realhealthmag.com
I
W IN TER 2013 RE A L H E A LTH 5
BUZZ
Clear the Air
I
n the early 1980s, the surgeon general alerted the public to the deadly effects of secondhand smoke. Tobacco smoke contains the addictive nicotine and a deadly mix of more than 7,000 other chemicals. Hundreds of them are toxic, and about 70 are known to cause cancer. What’s more, findings reveal that even though African Americans smoke fewer cigarettes than many other population groups, we are more exposed to secondhand smoke than other ethnic groups. According to Brian King, PhD, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the issue is complex. Studies show that black nonsmokers tend to have higher levels of cotinine in the blood—a biological sign that they’ve been exposed to secondhand smoke—when compared with nonsmokers of other ethnic groups. “The reasons for this difference are not known,” King says. “But some evidence suggests that slower metabolism or clearance of cotinine might result in African Americans having higher levels
1 0 REAL HEALTH WINT E R 2013
I
[of this nicotine byproduct] for a given amount of exposure.” Typically, too, socioeconomic factors also play a role. Statistics show that more low-income people smoke, may not be as receptive to anti-smoking messages and might not fully understand the hazards of secondhand smoke exposure. “It is possible that these same factors could be partially contributing to the higher prevalence of secondhand smoke exposure observed in the black community,” King suggests. And although the relationship between advertising and secondhand smoke exposure hasn’t been extensively studied, we do know that tobacco companies Smoking in private still throw millions of has made dollars into advertising homes and squarely aimed at mivehicles unsafe. norities. Remember the promotional push on menthol cigarettes? These campaigns used urban culture and language to promote menthols, even passing out samples at tobacco-sponsored, hip-hop
realhealthmag.com
bar nights, King recalls. In addition, despite state and local laws to protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke, “currently only 26 states and the District of Columbia have comprehensive smoke-free laws prohibiting smoking in all indoor areas of workplaces, restaurants and bars,” King says. Although the legislation has helped, many minorities live in locations where these laws aren’t implemented. In fact, half of the U.S. population lives in areas where nonsmokers aren’t protected in public places. And as more public spaces go smokefree, private settings are taking the heat. In an interesting turnabout, now homes and vehicles have become larger sources of overall secondhand smoke exposure, King observes. To clear the haze and eliminate smoking in private settings, the public must get educated about the need to voluntarily adopt smoke-free rules behind closed doors. This would benefit everyone, King says, including the black community. —Kareema Charles
THINKSTOCK
Black folks—even those who don’t light up—are exposed to more secondhand smoke than other groups. Here’s why.
BUZZ Bioethical Considerations More than 60 years after her death, Henrietta Lacks is recognized by scientists as an unwitting hero in HIV research.
Like This Message:
(KEYBOARD) THINKSTOCK; (HELA CELLS) COURTESY OF CDC/DR. A.J. SULZER
Facebook might be a good friend of HIV prevention. Thanks to the Internet and smartphones, hooking up has never been easier. Researchers interested in HIV prevention believe it’s important to reach out to those who seek sex in cyberspace and who may expose themselves to an increased risk of HIV. A group of scientists tested the feasibility of using Facebook to increase HIV prevention and testing among youth ages 14 to 17, African Americans, Latinos and men who have sex with men (MSM)—population groups that are increasingly using the Internet and are also increasingly at risk of HIV. In terms of HIV prevention, one potential downside of social media, according to the scientists, is that they facilitate large numbers of private hookups and risky behaviors. But the upside is that the Internet is also anonymous. Because online hookups are so discreet, it’s easier for MSM to disclose their HIV status and dis-
THE NUMBER OF DEATHS CAUSED BY HIV/AIDS THIS YEAR. Source: Worldometers, Real Time World Statistics
cuss safer sex and condom use long before they meet prospective partners in person. In addition, through online conversations, MSM can also avoid exposing themselves to incompatible partners who don’t share their views about safer-sex issues. The 12-week Facebook intervention study of 112 MSM, who self-reported being based in Los Angeles, showed potentially positive results. Study participants got HIV prevention information from peer leaders in Facebook groups they joined. In addition, upon their request the men were given homebased HIV testing kits. Scientists found that 44 percent of these men reported decreased sexual risk behaviors. What’s more, the men said they found social networking communities a good way to receive HIV prevention messages. But before this approach is validated, scientists say further research is necessary. Investigators want to evaluate the behavior of more people in this population group, confirm their location and include more social and sexual networking community sites in the study. What’s more, a 2011 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report suggests that successful online HIV prevention campaigns must be current, technologically relevant, able to provide sexually explicit information without restriction and must reach diverse groups of MSM.
When author Rebecca Skloot first heard about the HeLa cell line in biology class, she also learned that people knew little about the cell source, a woman named Henrietta Lacks. Because these cells could grow in Petri dishes, scientists all over the world used them to study a number of diseases, including HIV/AIDS. Eventually, these HeLa cells helped researchers determine what was required for HIV to infect a cell. But scientific use of HeLa cells sparked a controversy when Lacks’s descendants learned the cells were taken without Henrietta’s or her family’s permission. The cells were from a tissue sample doctors saved when Lacks died in 1951 of cervical cancer at age 31. Just recently, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) crafted an agreement that recognizes Lacks and her family’s contributions to science. The agreement also gives researchers only controlled access to data derived from HeLa cell research. Says Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD, and NIH director, “I’m glad that we now have a chance to thank the Lacks family for continuing to share her enduring legacy with the biomedical community.” In 2010, Skloot published an award-winning book titled The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks about Lacks and her family’s search for the truth about her death-defying cells. And director Alan Ball has teamed with Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films to produce an HBO film based on the story.
realhealthmag.com
I
W IN TER 2013 REAL HEALTH 1 1
BUZZ Help Wanted
Inhaling Your Cocktail The buzz about the dangerous “smoking alcohol” trend
What happens when ill or aged parents need care?
Although there aren’t any official studies yet about the health outcomes of inhaling liquor fumes, a recent spate of online videos showing the practice rang alarm bells loud enough for doctors to become concerned. The reason for docs to sound off is simple science: Sniffing alcohol fast-tracks the chemicals into the lungs and from there the brain. The result? A quick high that can easily become addictive, or lead to potentially deadly alcohol poisoning. When alcohol fumes are inhaled—after the liquid is heated over a flame—the liquor bypasses the stomach and liver, which means the body has no chance to metabolize and excrete the alcohol. This dangerous practice can also dry out nasal passages and the mouth and make people more susceptible to infections, experts say. Partygoers who literally inhale their drinks might think they are saving calories or skipping the hangover, but “smoking alcohol” does not bypass all the dangers associated with drinking alcohol. Ingesting liquor in any form can impair your decision-making ability, put you at risk of arrest for possession if you’re too young to drink and also if you drive while intoxicated.
million
When Georgia’s mother, Janice, began showing signs of memory loss at the age of 75, three of her children took turns living with her and attending to her needs. Like the majority of caregivers, they were employed women faced with caring for a parent under difficult circumstances. During this time, Georgia’s mom slowly lost her ability to talk in complete sentences to let people know her needs. “This was one of the scariest stages of her decline,” Georgia told the Alzheimer’s Association, the organization the sisters turned to for support. As the American population ages, it’s estimated that the number of caregivers will also rise. These women, men and children in caregiver roles can expect to face a multitude of challenges. “Family caregivers experience considerable burden, stress and disruption of their own well-being and social activities,” according to the American Psychological Association (APA), adding that “research shows they are at risk for emotional and physical health problems.” But there is help for besieged caregivers. For details, visit the APA’s state and national resources locator on the agency’s website.
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO TAKE CARE OF DISABLED OR SICK ADULTS, AGES 18 AND OLDER. Source: Family Caregiver Alliance, National Center on Caregiving
Sound Bites
One of the most common mouth injuries is having a tooth knocked out. But if an accidental fall, a fight, a sports injury or a bite into a piece of toohard food causes a pearly white to drop from your mouth, here’s how to react. First, carefully pick up that precious tooth by its hard enamel surface, being sure not to touch the root. If possible, put the tooth back into place. (Careful, don’t swallow it!) If that’s not possible, immerse the tooth, ideally, in saline 1 6 REAL HEALTH WINT E R 2013
I
realhealthmag.com
solution. But if you don’t have saline on hand, drop the tooth into saliva or cool whole milk. “The idea is that you don’t want to put the tooth in water because that can damage cells,” explains dentist Joseph Banker, DMD, a member of the Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. “You want to preserve the root of the tooth.” Next, hightail it to a dentist pronto to have the tooth reimplanted, “a fairly simple process,” Banker says.
(ALL IMAGES) THINKSTOCK
If you knock out a tooth, can it be saved? Yes, but you have to act fast.
NUTRITION
Menu Options Hepatitis C attacks your liver— and sometimes your diet.
Connect the Dots
(BOTH IMAGES) THINKSTOCK
Is the food on our plates linked to the pimples on our face? Popular thought has long asserted that certain foods cause acne. But studies haven’t proven this—at least not yet. “There is growing evidence of the link between diet and acne, which is becoming stronger as new evidence comes to light,” says Katerina Steventon, PhD, a research fellow with Humber Obesity Nutrition Education and Innovation. “Although nothing has been fully proven…it is only a matter of time.” Until then, the strongest links
between acne and food are from findings that suggest high glycemic foods—most sugary, processed eats, or high-carb meals and milk—can worsen the skin condition. But the good news is research also shows that a healthy diet rich in lower-carb foods, in addition to fresh fruits and veggies, can protect against acne. So put that doughnut down!
Some people living with hep C undergo a months-long treatment that includes interferon, a drug notorious for its flu-like side effects. These might include appetite loss, sore mouth and throat, metallic tastes, nausea and vomiting. What’s more, those with progressive liver disease caused by hep C may also feel less like eating and, as a result, become undernourished and too weak to battle the illness. In addition, people burdened by hep C and other illnesses, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol and celiac disease, or those living with chronic kidney disease, may need special diets to avoid additional health complications. What to do? In general, those living with this infectious liver disease should just follow the basics of a healthy diet. This means eat balanced meals with lots of fresh fruits and veggies, lean proteins and whole grains, and also lighten up on fatty, salty, sugary and high-calorie foods. And, of course, drink enough water. The good news, though, is that many hep C treatments in the pipeline don’t rely on interferon and are much easier to tolerate—and digest.
FITNESS
If the Shoe Fits Only one person can decide if barefoot running is comfortable for you.
When strength training, observe proper form and technique. U.S. hospitals treated almost 1 million training-related injuries between 1990 and 2007, according to findings from an 18-year study published three years ago in The American Journal of Sports Medicine. What’s more, most of these people were injured while doing exercises with free weights. Beth Shephard, MS, a certified wellness coach and an American Council on Exercise expert, notes that unless you’ve been properly trained, it’s easy to get weight training form and technique wrong. To reduce your chances of getting injured and making mistakes, always warm up first. Get the blood flowing with some light calisthenics, such as jumping jacks or running in place. When you start strength training, use light to moderate weights. Once these become easy to lift, increase the weight or raise the number of repetitions you perform. Finally, once in a while be sure to mix up your routine with new exercises.
THE PERCENT OF RUNNERS WHO GET INJURED SEVERELY ENOUGH TO STOP RUNNING. Source: Cleveland Clinic Orthopaedic & Rheumatologic Institute
1 8 REAL HEALTH WINT E R 2013
I
realhealthmag.com
(BOTH IMAGES) THINKSTOCK
No Pain, More Gain
In 1960, lean, wiry Abebe Bikila, an Ethiopian distance runner, glided into Rome’s Olympic stadium and smashed the world record for the marathon. But even more memorable than that was the sight of Bikila’s bare feet on the pavement as he pounded toward the finish line. Today, the sight of an unshod runner still prompts stares even though the trend has become popular. But is this practice safe? According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, although some reports have concluded that running sans shoes can support a more natural running gait and improve a runner’s balance and strength, the practice “may lead to injuries such as puncture wounds, and increased stress on the lower extremities.” But other findings showed that the heel of runners wearing shoes suffered greater force when their feet hit the ground. When people run barefoot, their feet automatically touch the ground at midpoint or a little above that, scientists say. The result? Fewer foot injuries and less discomfort and pain. If you want to try trotting about without sneakers, experts suggest a common-sense approach: Ease into it slowly, one step at a time.
SEX
Ask Your Family Doctor Rachael L. Ross, MD, PhD, a.k.a. Dr. Rachael answers your questions.
I’m returning home to live with my parents, in part to help take care of them. What can I do to ease the transition for both parties?
News for Loving Couples
(COUPLE) THINKSTOCK; (ROSS) COURTESY OF RACHEL L. ROSS, MD
Female heart attack patients want to know how much sex their tickers can take—but many are afraid to ask their cardiologists. Chances are you’ve probably heard the one about the elderly man who came and went at the same time. But as amusing as this little joke may be, many heart attack patients may not find it funny. After all, they may fear this very thing. In a recent study, scientists polled 17 women from a large multi-state study of health and sexual outcomes after heart attack. Researchers asked the women about their lives before and after their heart attacks. Findings showed most women prefer that their doctors give them more information about how to safely resume sexual activities. But many didn’t raise the conversation with their cardiologists. “Most women don’t have discussions with their doctors about resuming sex after a heart attack even though many experience fear or other sexual problems,” confirms Emily M. Abramsohn, MPH, a researcher at the University of Chicago, and the study’s lead author. Findings showed many cardiac patients feared that sex might trigger another heart attack. Their biggest concerns? When to resume sex and how much activity their hearts could handle. Researchers also found that of the few women who initiated a discussion
about the issue with their doctors, most were unhappy with the information they received. Ideally, doctors should have this talk with heart patients while they’re still in the hospital. What’s more, these chats should continue during a patient’s recovery, with other doctors on the health care team looped into the discussion. Don’t be shy, Abramsohn says. “If your doctor isn’t giving you information to help you feel more comfortable about [sexual activity], it’s important for you to ask them for it.”
THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS EACH YEAR WHO HAVE A HEART ATTACK.
When you find yourself back with your parents, both parties can feel as if they’ve journeyed back in time to a more complicated place. Here are some things to keep in mind that will help make the transition as smooth as possible: Allow your parents to maintain some level of self-sufficiency. Why? Because if mom or dad starts to feel useless or bullied, you will see an even greater decline in their physical and mental health and well-being. This can sometimes trigger depression, so don’t start treating them like they’re your children. Respect your parents’ space and their rules. You’re in mom and dad’s home, so be mindful that they’re probably attached to certain objects and ways of doing things. Instead of breezing in and trying to rearrange, redecorate or rid their rooms of things they value, find ways to make those objects and rules work for you. Yes, times have changed, but one thing should be constant: the love and respect you have for each other. Stay active. This provides an outlet you can use to mentally escape and blow off steam when negative issues or feelings surface at home.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
realhealthmag.com
I
W IN TER 2013 REAL HEALTH 1 9
UNDER
PRESSURE At first glance, you might think pop culture icon Rihanna leads a charmed life. But the overwhelming amount of stress she faces is enough to get anybody down. By Kate Ferguson
backward. You need a mirror to decipher the phrase: Never a failure, always a lesson. And, perhaps, the saying may be applied to everything this superstar entertainer has experienced in her 25 years on Earth, including how she handles the overwhelming amounts of stress that regularly assault her physical and mental well-being. As a star, part of Rihanna’s job is to be seen. At this she more than succeeds, posting 2,000 images of herself on Instagram in addition to the countless other photos and details of her private life that flood the global media each day (most famously including the violence she suffered four years ago at the hands of then-boyfriend Chris Brown). But all this recognition makes her feel as if she’s constantly on display. “There’s stuff like not being able to walk around as I please. I feel like I’m being watched. Always,” the Barbados-born singer—full name Robyn Rihanna Fenty—told 2 0 REAL HEALTH WINT E R 2013
I
realhealthmag.com
(POGUE) DUSTIN FENSTERMACHER; (CHILDREN) COURTESY OF ERIC POGUE
The tattoo on Rihanna’s shoulder reads
(POGUE) DUSTIN FENSTERMACHER; (CHILDREN) COURTESY OF ERIC POGUE
Like many people with a driving need to succeed, Rihanna sometimes ямБnds it hard to relax.
realhealthmag.com
I
W IN TER 2013 REAL HEALTH 2 1
sword,” Figley noted. “On the one hand, fame is a measure of your worth as a performer. But on the other hand, fame jeopardizes your privacy, freedom and safety; and the situation is much worse when your young children’s lives are at stake.” Although most of us cannot relate to the trappings of celebrity, we all do experience stress. Take a closer examination of Rihanna’s career and related stress factors and you might be surprised at the similarities to stress in your own life. As tabloids like to say: Stars—they’re just like us! According to the American Institute of Stress, stress is tough to define and measure. In addition, there are several kinds of stress. The most common
WHEN RIHANNA WANTS TO DE-STRESS, SHE RETURNS HOME TO HER FAMILY IN BARBADOS WHO HELP KEEP HER GROUNDED. Rihanna: from freshfaced tween singer to edgy, badgirl diva.
is acute stress. This is the short-term stress triggered by events or incidents that can be thrilling and exhilarating. But too much of it can lead to psychological distress, tension headaches, upset stomach and other symptoms, says the American Psychological Association (APA). The good news is, this type of stress is easy to treat and very manageable. Another kind of stress is episodic acute stress. This is usually a constant condition that’s exhibited by the driven Type A personalities and the worrywarts who tend to be anxious and depressed about the catastrophic nature of life. The last type of stress is chronic stress, one that’s akin to facing never-ending struggles that sap your energy and wear you down. This kind of stress is particularly bad because depending on its cause, people may sometimes internalize it and bear the burden for years without ever realizing there is something wrong. “Chronic stress kills through suicide, violence, heart attack, stroke and, perhaps, even cancer,” reports the APA. “People wear down to a final, fatal breakdown…. The symptoms of chronic stress are difficult to treat and may require extended medical as well as behavioral treatment and stress management.” But some stress is good. At the start of her career, when Rihanna auditioned for newly named Def Jam Records’ president at the time, rapper Jay-Z, she felt the acute stress of a young singer trying to make the most of an opportunity she’d gotten to show her talent. “I was in the lobby just shaking,” Rihanna recalled of that day. When she stood in front of Jay-Z and everyone in the room and opened her mouth to sing, she said, “At that point, I was fearless.” (Her performance prompted Jay-Z to sign her to a contract on the spot.)
Similar to the energy boost Rihanna
experienced during that audition, stress can produce a rise in productivity. How many times have we heard stories about ordinary people who do extraordinary things? Take subway riders who have saved the lives of people who fall onto the train tracks. In cases like these, 2 2 REAL HEALTH WINT E R 2013
I
realhealthmag.com
(PREVIOUS PAGES) CORBIS OUTLINE/BERNHARD KUEHMSTEDT; (LEFT) RONNIE WRIGHT; (RIGHT) AL PEREIRA
Glamour magazine. “Like, I want to tan topless somewhere, and I know I probably could never do that. Even if I’m upstairs in my bedroom, and the curtains are pulled, I feel like a paparazzo’s outside on a boat somewhere or somebody’s peeping.” The fame also brings a loss of self. “Robyn is who I am,” says the singer. “Rihanna—that’s an idea of who I am.” For many celebs, privacy is the price they must pay to stay in the spotlight and remain relevant to their fans. Several years ago, Charles R. Figley, PhD, a psychologist and family therapy professor at Florida State University began studying stress and how it affected actors, musicians, sports stars and TV journalists. “Fame is a double-edged
stress plays a key role in preparing you their stress and don’t have the support to meet a challenge, experts say. What’s they need to make the lifestyle and bemore, viewing stress in this positive havioral changes necessary to improve way can help change our negative per- their health and help them cope. ception of stress, says health psycholoIn addition, millennials reported begist Kelly McGonigal. Instead of a ing more likely to resort to “unhealthy life-taker, it can be a lifesaver. or sedentary behaviors, such as eating Of course, celebrities do suffer from to manage stress and playing video many of the same stresses experienced games or surfing the Internet.” by their everyday, private counterparts. And what stars also have in common with everyone else is the way many of them respond to stress. For the kind of “The reality is that we can’t all feel on stress that accumulates and overwhelms top of the world all the time, and we our physical and emotional well-being, shouldn’t,” writes Terrie M. Williams, a celebrities react just like a PR specialist, entrepreregular folks: They get deneur, author and mental pressed, lose sleep, cry about health advocate, in her book nothing, lose concentration, Black Pain: It Just Looks develop stomach probLike We’re Not Hurting. lems, become paranoid and Two years ago, during distrustful, sink into bad her 10-month world tour, moods, or act out by misRihanna was reportedly behaving in any number of placed on a health watch. different ways. At one point, the singer When she wants to retweeted to fans that she felt turn to being Robyn, Ri“so light-headed.” hanna says she flies back to This year, on her Diaher hometown where she monds World Tour, newshas family who help keep papers reported that Rihanher grounded. The celebrina worked herself almost ties who cope best have to the point of a nervous families who can differentibreakdown, performing and ate between their public partying and foregoing rest and private personas, Figley even through a bout of says. And the same goes for bronchitis and laryngitis. the celebrities themselves. Clearly, headlining a ma“They take that off when jor tour is a huge responsithey come home,” Figley bility. Indeed, many people said in an interview with who aren’t rock stars can the Baltimore Sun. “They probably relate to feeling says that if can let that public part go Rihanna responsible for the happipeople want to know and be much more sponta- who she really is, ness and well-being of their should listen to neous and sensitive and they families and friends while her music. more like themselves.” holding down jobs and Similarly, regular folks can learn to making ends meet. Williams wrote leave the work stress at the office and about her own ”superwoman act” chill out with family and friends. pushing herself to meet obligations to According to Stress in America, an her clients. The pressure resulted in annual nationwide survey commis- Williams sinking into a crippling desioned by the APA each year since pression for several days. 2007, young adults ages 18 to 33 report Rihanna also confessed that she exstress levels that “exceed the national perienced almost the same mental and average.” Members of this millennial physical exhaustion. But unlike Wilgeneration, which includes Rihanna, liams, Rihanna continues the hectic report being less likely to succeed in pace that defines her life. Sadly, sounds reaching their stress management like there’s a lesson yet to be learned for goals, aren’t doing enough to manage this entertainment superstar. ■
10
Super Simple Ways to Defuse Stress
TENSE? ANXIOUS? STRESSED OUT? MEDICAL EXPERTS SAY THESE HEALTHY HABITS CAN HELP YOU STAY BALANCED.
■
Talk with family and friends. Don’t underestimate the power of conversation. Reach out to friends and family by phone or text—or write a good old-fashioned letter.
■
Stay physically active. Run, walk, swim, bike, hike or dance. Regular exercise is a great stress reliever. It also keeps you mentally sharp and lowers your risk of depression.
■
Accept what you can’t change. Instead of griping, focus on what you can do. Also, realize that it’s possible to learn different skills and work toward new goals.
■
Laugh often. Indulge yourself with humor and don’t be afraid to laugh aloud at jokes, check out a funny flick or catch a comedy show. Good to do even when you’re alone, and even better with friends.
■
Say bye to bad habits. If you drink alcohol often, then cut back. Do you smoke? Quit. And restrict your caffeine intake.
■
Take it easy. Pace yourself and plan ahead. This’ll give you enough time to get the really important things done.
■
Sleep until you’re rested. Try to get at least six to eight hours of sleep each night. If it’s tough getting shuteye, try exercising more because it can help you sleep better.
■
Organize your life. Tackle tasks one at a time. If you have a big project, start slowly and complete your task in small pieces.
■
Help others. If you have time to volunteer or do someone a favor, do so with grace. It’s true what they say: It feels great to assist other people.
■
Stop worrying. Take each day as it comes and don’t twist yourself in knots over problems—big and small.
realhealthmag.com
I
W IN TER 2013 REAL HEALTH 2 3
DRIVEN When Charles Mattocks, a.k.a. “The Poor Chef,” learned he had type 2 diabetes, he altered his diet and lifestyle. Now, he’s taking those lessons on the road. By Gerrie E. Summers
2 4 REAL HEALTH WINT E R 2013
I
realhealthmag.com
“It’s interesting,” Mattocks says. “I was pushing health and wellness and was diagnosed with diabetes when I was trying to be a vision of health. It was very shocking.” Mattocks didn’t think diabetes ran in his family. (He later learned that an aunt had the disease.) He regularly worked out, but now realizes that he needed to “lose about 15 pounds and slim down instead of carrying that bulky weight.” Mattocks admits his diet wasn’t the best. In addition, he’d tax his health by staying up late working long hours. “Stress is also a contributing factor in type 2 diabetes,” he says. “And, usually, when you work long hours you’re going to find something [unhealthy] to snack on about 12 o’clock at night.” Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. People who have this chronic condition are unable to either properly use or produce insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas that allows glucose—a kind of sugar in the bloodstream—to enter our cells and be used as fuel. When glucose can’t make its way into the body’s cells, it accumulates in the bloodstream (a condition called hyperglycemia) Charles Mattocks on a TV set
2 6 REAL HEALTH WINT E R 2013
I
realhealthmag.com
where it can cause serious health problems. “We tend to see this happen as people gain weight and get older,” says Rita Louard, MD, an endocrinologist and associate professor of clinical medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. “People who develop type 2 diabetes lose the ability to keep up with their body’s demand for insulin. Their beta cells in the pancreas are just not making enough insulin to keep blood sugar in a good range. They develop diabetes because of this.” The big problem is, the longer you carry excess weight the more you increase your risk of diabetes. According to a study conducted by the University of Michigan, individuals who are excessively overweight earlier in life might be more predisposed to diabetes than people who maintain the same weight later in life. What’s more, findings showed that blacks and Latinos had a higher risk of developing diabetes compared with white individuals if they carried the same amount of excess weight over time. It’s also worth noting that individuals with low-birth weight and a thin body shape aren’t protected from diabetes. “If you’re genetically predisposed to diabetes, even small amounts of weight gain can put you at risk and increase your chances of developing the condition,” Louard explains. When Mattocks was diagnosed with diabetes, he didn’t know what the disease was. “The doctor suggested putting me on medication, but I didn’t go with that scenario,” Mattocks says. “I didn’t even know what my numbers were or what they meant. All I knew was that there had to be another option and I was going to figure out that option.” Health professionals recommend that people regularly get screened for type 2 diabetes. Why? Because, Louard says, a number of people in the population have these risk factors for diabetes: family history, they’re overweight, they have hypertension, or a history of gestational diabetes. “All of these factors predispose people to developing diabetes,” Louard says. “But the earlier we can get patients into treatment the better. The treatments are effective, and they can get your blood sugar levels in a good range. Plus, treatment decreases your risk for other complications.” As Mattocks learned, educating yourself about diabetes is key. Once he received the diagnosis, “I went home, went online and, literally, just started reading everything that I could,” he says. But even before he did that, Mattocks knew what he
(PREVIOUS PAGES: SCALE) THINKSTOCK; (MATTOCKS) COURTESY OF CHARLES MATTOCKS
e’d been traveling the country teaching people how to “eat cheap but eat well.” Then, during a break, Charles Mattocks noticed that for a few days, his trips to the bathroom were becoming more frequent than usual. “I didn’t know what was going on,” he recalls. When Mattocks paid a visit to his doctor, he thought he’d just be given antibiotics and everything would be fine. Instead, he learned he had type 2 diabetes.
needed to do right away. “No. 1, I needed to lose about 15 pounds,” he says. “No. 2, I needed to change the way I exercised. I had to start doing some running, jogging and walking, instead of just lifting weights.” Mattocks also changed his diet in addition to making these lifestyle changes. When patients are diagnosed with diabetes, Louard explains, doctors suggest lifestyle changes so if they’re overweight people will lose pounds and begin to exercise. “Weight loss and exercise are key components to the management of diabetes, particularly type 2,” she stresses. Still, meal planning, weight loss and exercise aren’t always enough to bring a patient’s blood glucose levels down to a normal range. That’s when doctors may turn to drug treatments. “We have an array of medications that can work with diet and exercise to get patients’ blood sugar into a target range,” Louard explains. Currently, doctors powwow with their patients before they decide what combination of meds might work best to meet this goal. Deciding on the right treatment drugs is crucial because some meds that control blood sugar may also cause weight gain. Other drugs control blood sugar and can allow patients to lose weight. “Obviously, if we have the ability, we’d like to choose the ones that cause the least weight gain,” Louard says. “But there is no perfect pill. If patients can keep the blood sugar levels down through diet and exercise, that’s ideal, but it’s also difficult to do and takes discipline.” Mattocks confesses that his initial downfall—what got him in trouble in the first place—was a lack of discipline in his health habits. “I was trying to use healthier ingredients in my meals, yes,” he says. “But was I living a healthy lifestyle? No.” Shortly after his diagnosis, this changed. Mattocks became a diabetes advocate. Recently, he began crisscrossing the country in an RV to educate people about the disease and inspire them to get tested early. The mobile health education event is called the “Diabetic You and Heal Together Tour.” Mattocks also created an informational website called TheDiabeticYou.com, and he’s working on a documentary of the same name. And he launched a 30-minute weekly radio show and magazine, both called Reversed, that offer health and exercise tips and advice about diabetes from doctors and specialists. In addition, Mattocks is working on a cookbook with the American Diabetes Association. Like Mattocks, Louard prefers to battle the disease with healthy eating and physical activities that stop diabetes before it even has a chance to begin. “Reducing stress and sleep deprivation can also help you lose weight or manage anything in your life,” she adds. “I think that we can all do things to help improve our health, and a lot of them don’t have to be taking a pill or a combination of drugs.” Also, like Mattocks, Louard stresses the value of moderate exercise each day, or “on most days of the week.” This means a 30-minute walk each day, five days a week can translate into “a strong mechanism for preventing diabetes,” she says. When healthy behaviors become second nature, Louard believes, we will see “a big difference in public health in the United States.” And as Mattocks’s RV eats up the miles, this “poor chef ” couldn’t agree more. ■
Unleash Your Secret Weapons! SOME PEOPLE CALL DIABETES A “BEAST.” HERE’S HOW MANY HEALTH EXPERTS SAY YOU CAN KEEP THIS MONSTER AT BAY: CONTROL YOUR WEIGHT WITH PROPER DIET AND EXERCISE. THE PLAN OF ACTION BELOW IS A GREAT PLACE TO BEGIN. CREATE A SIMPLE MEAL MENU ■
■
■
■
■
■ ■
■
Choose nutritious foods, reduce starches and control portion size. Eat more vegetables—especially non-starchy ones— and aim for at least three to five servings each day. Choose whole grain foods instead of those made from refined grains and flours. Also, pick unsweetened whole grain cereals or oatmeal. Eat lean protein foods. This means fish (two times each week), vegetable protein (beans and soy-based products), eggs or egg substitutes, skinless chicken and turkey and lean cuts of beef. Pick fresh, frozen or canned fruits (without added sugar) to curb cravings and satisfy a sweet tooth. Choose low-fat milk and dairy. Consume foods with healthy fats (vegetable oils, trans fat-free margarine, avocadoes, olives, nuts and seeds). Eat less high-calorie snacks and desserts. This means cut back on chips, cookies, cakes, full-fat ice cream and processed foods.
■
Drink alcohol in moderation.
■
Avoid beverages with added sugars.
STAY ACTIVE ■
■
■
Aerobic exercise and strength training can help you lose weight and maintain your results. Do 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise at least five days each week for a total of 150 minutes per week. Include activities such as brisk walking, running or jogging, hiking, bicycling and swimming, even gardening. Do strength training using machines, free weights or resistance bands (or take bodybuilding classes) two to three days each week in addition to aerobic exercise.
realhealthmag.com
I
W IN TER 2013 REAL HEALTH 2 7
What’s Cooking? THE DEBATE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOODS REMAINS UNRESOLVED AS SCIENTISTS SQUABBLE OVER EVIDENCE.
fter spending two years at sea, the wild Atlantic salmon measures 28 to 30 inches in length and weighs 8 to 12 pounds. Now, imagine one of these dinnertime favorites grown twice that length and size? Such a fish story may soon become reality thanks to genetic engineering, a modern biotechnology process that has already produced ingredients found in many of the foods we eat every day. Simply explained, genetic engineering (GE) introduces genes from animals, plants or even bacteria into other animals or plants to alter their characteristics. The process scientists use is called recombinant DNA technology or rDNA. ▶ 2 8 REAL HEALTH WINT E R 2013
I
realhealthmag.com
(POGUE) DUSTIN FENSTERMACHER; (CHILDREN) COURTESY OF ERIC POGUE
By Kate Ferguson
(POGUE) THINKSTOCK DUSTIN FENSTERMACHER; (CHILDREN) COURTESY OF ERIC POGUE
Tomatoes were the ямБrst genetically engineered food the FDA approved for sale to the public.
realhealthmag.com
I
W IN TER 2013 REAL HEALTH 2 9
CURRENTLY, 60 TO 70 PERCENT OF THE PROCESSED AND PACKAGED FOODS AMERICANS EAT CONTAIN AT LEAST ONE GENETICALLY ENGINEERED INGREDIENT. Historically, human beings have modified
crops and animals since people began practicing the science of agriculture about 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. In that process, known as genetic modification, farmers would cross plants (called hybridization) and breed animals in ways to select the most desirable genetic traits. This led to faster growing, bigger and better-tasting, stronger and more nutritious and plentiful crops and livestock. In addition, the process of exposing seeds to chemicals or radiation (called chemical or irradiation mutagenesis) is responsible for more than 2,250 plant varieties developed during the past 70 years. “Unless you go back to hunter-gatherer societies, humans have been tinkering around with the genetics of food crops and livestock for a long time,” says Martina Newell-McGloughlin, DSc, the director of the international biotechnology program at the University of California, Davis. Today, we undergo such agricultural experiments for much of the same reasons our ancestors did. “It’s basically a way to modify crops so that they have
specific desirable traits, whether it be disease resistance, drought tolerance or improved nutritional characteristics,” Newell-McGloughlin explains. The names, however, have changed. GE foods are also called genetically modified, or GM, foods, and the phrase genetically modified organism or GMO is also used interchangeably. But back to the wild Atlantic salmon. Why genetically engineer a fish that’s naturally nutritious and protein-rich? To make them grow faster to reach market size in 16 to 18 months instead of the usual three years. To trigger the Atlantic salmon’s growth spurt, scientists connect a growth hormone gene from a Chinook salmon with another gene from a saltwater ocean fish called a pout to form a carrier gene called a “trans-gene.” Then, fish farmers place the trans-gene into the fertilized eggs of Atlantic salmon. Later, these fish mate with Atlantic salmon who aren’t genetically engineered. The result? The offspring of these naturally smaller fish develop into the faster-growing, bigger, brand-named AquAdvantage salmon.
The creator of these larger fish is Aqua Bounty Technologies, a Canadian company currently awaiting approval from the Food and Drug Administration to market its GE salmon in the United States. But while Aqua Bounty waits, many people wonder about the safety profile of this bioengineered fish, as well as other genetically engineered foods that Americans have been eating since the mid-1990s. Currently, estimates report that 60 to 70 percent of processed and prepackaged U.S. foods, many of them snack-time favorites such as chips, pizza, cookies, crackers and ice cream, include at least one genetically engineered ingredient.
“I’d say there have been, literally, trillions of meals containing genetically modified
ingredients that have been eaten around the world for the past 16 or 17 years,” Newell-McGloughlin says. “They’re being produced at a very high level, and there hasn’t been a single issue that has
COURTESY OF AQUA BOUNTY
A side-by-side comparison shows the larger GE salmon next to its natural counterpart.
3 0 REAL HEALTH WINT E R 2013
I
realhealthmag.com
occurred in relation to this technology.” But not everyone agrees with NewellMcGloughlin. Other scientists contend that published, well-conducted scientific studies do suggest GE foods may be potentially harmful. Thierry Vrain, a former research scientist for Agriculture Canada, is one of them. Vrain now promotes public awareness about the possible dangers of GM foods. Vrain says there hasn’t been enough long-term safety testing on how unexpected “rogue proteins” that develop during genetic engineering might eventually affect human beings and the environment. “I think there is cause for alarm, and it is my duty to educate the public,” Vrain says. In 1994, Americans got their first taste of a genetically engineered food when tomatoes that contained a gene introduced into the fruit to delay its ripening were approved for sale by the Food and Drug Administration. The genetically modified tomatoes were dubbed Flavr Savr, and demand for the produce grew. But after a while, sellers stopped buying them because they simply cost too much to produce and distribute.
Today, one way scientists create geneti-
cally engineered plants is to take a piece of plant material and, using a bacterium (a tiny, one-celled microorganism) as a carrier, introduce the new gene into a single cell of that plant material. “Then it’s possible to create a whole new plant from one new cell,” explains Kevin Folta, PhD, an associate professor and interim chairman of the Horticultural Sciences Department at the University of Florida, Gainesville. Another way scientists make genetically engineered crops is by using a device called a “gene gun” to shoot tiny particles coated with DNA into plant cells. In this method, the DNA on these particles combines with the plant’s DNA to improve on certain traits of the original plant. According to Newell-McGloughlin, today’s biotechnology tools are much more predictable, precise and controlled than the old technology
scientists once used to introduce traits into plants and livestock. “Quite frankly,” she says, “I think that the preponderance of evidence supports the notion that GM foods have been thoroughly studied.” Vrain counters that many of the studies done in Europe suggest cause for alarm—but, he says, they’re ignored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For consumers interested in reading about these studies, Vrain directs them to GMO Myths and Truths, a compilation of more than 500 government reports and scientific articles published in peer-reviewed journals. The compilation is the work of two geneticists and an investigative journalist who summarized evidence-based study findings about GM food safety for the public. “GMO Myths and Truths disputes the claims of the biotech industry that GM crops yield better and more nutritious food, that they save on the use of pesticides, have no environmental impact whatsoever and are perfectly safe to eat,” Vrain says. But as the biotechnology industry grows, even more genetically engineered crops, such as apples, carrots, cauliflower, coffee, cranberries and walnuts, to name a few, are undergoing field trials. And many more crops, such as vitamin-enriched golden rice, insect- and disease-resistant rice and fungus-resistant wheat, have moved beyond field testing into development, or are being prepared for introduction to consumers. Folta predicts genetic engineering will eventually prove its critics wrong. “The next generation of transgenic crops will have much more consumer benefit,” he says. You’ll see potatoes that are safer to eat, food that stores better longer, and apples that don’t brown when you cut them. And you’ll see this golden rice product—the one that delivers vitamin A to the poor and those people all over the world who are deficient in the vitamin— proven to deliver benefits that will, all of a sudden, take the air out of the fear balloon of these people who are against modified foods.” Realistically, of course, only time and additional scientific evidence will take the bite out of GM food concerns. ■
What’s In Your Food? Wanna know if products contain genetically engineered ingredients? There’s an app for that. According to the Center for Food Safety (CFS), a national nonprofit public interest and environmental advocacy group based in Washington, DC, thousands of products on supermarket shelves contain ingredients from genetically modified (a.k.a. genetically engineered) crops. What’s more, many consumers don’t know what foods contain these ingredients. That’s why, a few years ago, CFS launched “True Foods,” a free mobile application that helps shoppers who want to avoid these foods. Available on many Apple and Android products, this app reveals brands (including private-label store brands) that contain GE ingredients and those whose foods are GE-free. Also included are tips on ways to avoid these ingredients, plus a guide to dairy products containing rGBH, a genetically modified bovine growth hormone. In addition, True Foods offers consumers contact information for companies that use GE ingredients. “This feature enables consumers to personally voice their opposition to the use of GM [genetically modified] foods directly to the parties involved,” CFS says. “As a result, the app serves not only as a shopping guide and teaching tool, but one that can be used for widespread advocacy.” In addition, the app allows shoppers to contact state and federal officials, CFS says, “to demand better regulatory oversight, safety testing and labeling laws for GM foods and crops.” For more information on how to join CFS, visit centerforfoodsafety.org.
realhealthmag.com
I
W IN TER 2013 REAL HEALTH 3 1
Think a hair transplant might restore your crowning glory? Read this doctor’s perspective before making a decision. By Kate Ferguson
3 2 REAL HEALTH WINT E R 2013
I
realhealthmag.com
(POGUE) DUSTIN FENSTERMACHER; (CHILDREN) COURTESY OF ERIC POGUE
If you’re losing too many strands to your comb and can’t regrow hair, there are surgical options to try. realhealthmag.com
I
W IN TER 2013 REAL HEALTH 3 3
3 4 REAL HEALTH WINT E R 2013
I
area close. Next, the surgeon slices the scalp strip into about 500 to 2,000 little sections, or grafts, that contain one or more hairs. After cleaning and numbing the area where the hair is needed, doctors punch a hole into the patient’s scalp with a needle, or make a slit there with a scalpel, and then implant the grafts. About three weeks after surgery, the transplanted hair falls out. A few months later, new growth follows. Within six to nine months, most people realize 60 percent of newly grown hair. But Leavitt advises patients to realize they may need more than one hair replacement surgery session to get the most satisfying and effective results. In addition, like many other doctors, Leavitt cautions those considering hair transplants to remember that the procedure involves possible complications. This is rare, he explains. And if complications occur they’re most often limited to swelling, tenderness, slight bleeding or itching that’s usually confined to the donor site. Other transplant risks include infection, scarring and the possibility that the new hair growth won’t look natural. This is why health advocates stress that people discuss in advance the potential risks and benefits of the procedure with their doctors. What’s more, “a potential patient must do [his or] her own screening of the physician,” Leavitt suggests. Some of the many questions patients should ask include: How long has the doctor been doing hair transplants? Are there “before” and “after” pictures to see? And will lab tests be done? In general, the difference between good and bad results depends on many different variables. Some of these factors include the technical aspects of the procedure, a physician’s expertise, patient expectations, the pattern of hair loss, the client’s emotional needs, family history, budget, the ability of the medical technicians, donor availability, health, age, race, the rate of past as well as present hair loss and the quality, quantity and density of hair desired. If you aren’t satisfied with what a doctor says about any of these variables, Leavitt suggests this easy fi x: Eliminate him or her from your candidates list and keep looking for another board-certified transplant surgeon. ■
realhealthmag.com
SHEDDING SOLUTIONS If you’re facing hair loss, these proactive steps can lead to a fuller life. Get a wig An attractive wig that fits nicely with your style and facial features can go a long way to helping you remain confident about your appearance. Think of it as a fun way to change your look. Smile Your beauty encompasses many other variables than just your hair. If you focus on being satisfied with the person that you are, you’ll realize that temporary, or even permanent hair loss doesn’t make you any less beautiful. Change your mind-set Realize you are not the only one with hair loss problems. Unwanted baldness is a problem that many different people live with. Join a forum Millions of people live without hair for one reason or another. Many form social forums where they can get positive group support and share viewpoints and experiences with others who are going through the same thing. Form or connect with a local support group Get organized. You may be surprised to find supportive groups in many neighborhoods. And if no such group exists, consider starting one. Many people with hair loss may be happy and grateful you did! Talk to a therapist If you feel stressed about shedding strands, talk to a psychologist or a therapist who can help you find ways of coping. Eventually, these sessions can help you nurture self-acceptance, build coping skills and better communicate how you feel about your hair loss challenges.
FROM PREVIOUS PAGES: (HAIR) DREAMSTIME.COM/ANDREA CRISANTE; (COMB) DREAMSTIME.COM/OHMEGA1982
ecently, when paparazzi snapped pictures of Naomi Campbell boarding a yacht after a swim, the images triggered a barrage of news stories about the supermodel’s denuded hairline. As Campbell cavorted in the warm blue waters surrounding Ibiza, where she was on vacation with her boyfriend, the tranquil sea had slicked back her hair and revealed her secret. Rumors quickly circulated that the catwalk queen was suffering from traction alopecia. Whatever the cause, the picture clearly showed Campbell’s damaged edges and bald scalp. Traction alopecia is just one of many hair conditions that can lead to hairline damage and loss. When observed in African Americans, the condition seems to affect women more because it’s mostly caused by trauma from hairstyles that put too much tension or pressure on delicate hairline follicles. “Tight cornrows stress the hair follicles along the temporal region [the side of the head], and ponytails have a tendency to cause hair loss along the frontal hairline,” writes Matt L. Leavitt, MD, in his book Women and Hair Loss: A Physician’s Perspective. Leavitt is a board-certified dermatologist, the founder and medical director of Medical Hair Restoration and a recognized authority on hair transplants. The procedure is one many people consider when everything else they’ve tried has failed to stop their hair loss. Of the three main ways doctors can surgically address patients’ hair loss and restore their tresses, transplant is the method most commonly used. During the past few years, this hair restoration technique has advanced and evolved into a fine art. As a result, fewer doctors perform the other two procedures: flap surgery and scalp reduction. Hair transplantation is a simple yet complex procedure. Basically, a surgeon removes a narrow strip of scalp with growing hair from the back of a patient’s head and uses that to fill in thinning areas or bald spots. After cleaning the scalp, the doctor injects an anesthetic into the donor site—the area from where the scalp strip will be taken. (Usually, the best site source is the back of the head where the hair is more dense.) Then the doctor removes the scalp and sews the
Oscillococcinum (adult 6-dose pack, kids 6-dose pack, $11.99) Safe, easyto-take homeopathic remedies can help reduce flu symptoms if taken as soon as you feel the onset of chills, body aches and fever.
Sulwhasoo Hydro-Aid Moisturizing Collection (Lifting Serum, 2 fl. oz., $110; Lifting Mist, 3.4 fl. oz., $45; and Lifting Cream, 1.7 fl. oz., $100) Pricey, yes, but these seaweed-based rejuvenators are like giving your skin a luxe spa treatment.
Stuff We Love
A ROUNDUP OF THE LATEST, MUST-HAVE FINDS FOR HAIR, SKIN, HEALTH, BEAUTY AND MORE. THESE PRODUCTS ARE WORTH EVERY CENT.
Out of Africa Shea Butter Body Oil and Shea Butter Body Lotion (each bottle 9 fl. oz., $24.99 and $9.99) Proceeds from the sale of these nourishing, healing skin moisturizers also help to educate and provide medical care for children in West Africa.
Skinnygirl ($14.99 to $21.99) Aptly named, this line of fine spirits boasts low calorie counts of 100 or less per serving, so they’re perfect for holiday weight watchers.
realhealthmag.com
I
W IN TER 2013 REAL HEALTH 3 5
THOUGHTS Suddenly Single After 20 years of marriage, one Atlanta woman lost her soul mate to divorce but finally found herself again.
Feeling Lonely? Sometimes a long, hard look at how you’re living is what you need to get reconnected to others and the world at large.
3 6 REAL HEALTH WINT E R 2013
I
“This is biological, and something you can’t control [without help],” he says. Patkin also focused on being easier on himself, one of a dozen steps he undertook to achieve a happier life. Says Patkin: “These steps to happiness changed the way that I live my life and have made a huge difference.” Check his website toddpatkin.com for the full dozen.
realhealthmag.com
The Expert Says There’s a difference between being lonely and being alone, says Atlantabased Sarah Y. Vinson, MD, an adult, child and adolescent psychiatrist. Here, she talks about the different aspects of this complex mental health issue. How can people recognize the difference between being alone and being lonely? Generally, human beings are wired to seek some sort of connection with other people. Loneliness is feeling bad about the absence of that connection. But being alone doesn’t trigger the negative feelings
that can arise from this lack of connection. If you fear being alone, what are good ways to deal with this? Figure out what your fear is based on. You may lack self-awareness and not know your value, so learn about yourself. And if you feel the need to have others
around to feel safe, therapy can help you understand why and help change your thought patterns. What are some easy ways for people to connect with others? Pick up the phone and talk instead of texting. Socialize with friends. Just take that initial step.
THINKSTOCK
For most of his life, Todd Patkin felt compelled to prove himself and become a success. Eventually, Patkin achieved all his goals: He was a successful entrepreneur and had a wonderful family. But, Patkin says, “I was suicidal. I wanted to die. “When you have all the trappings of success,” he adds, “it actually can make [it harder for people to understand] why you’re so depressed.” At age 36, Patkin suffered a nervous breakdown. “When you’re depressed, you feel so alone,” he says. “It’s like six months ago you were a rock star and right now you feel useless, so the loneliness is tremendous.” The turning point for Patkin was when he and his pregnant wife lost their child. Patkin says he was addicted to exercise and used physical activity to numb the pain. But then he broke his foot and was unable to work out. “I couldn’t handle it,” Patkin says. “I just gradually sank down deeper and deeper into that hole.” Patkin says his breakdown saved his life. Today, he believes he’s been blessed. He found the right doctor, a psychopharmacologist who explained what was happening and placed him on medication to treat his depression.
When my husband and I were divorced, I was devastated. We knew each other since we were teenagers, and I depended on him for everything. We did a lot of things as a couple, so when we got divorced, it felt like I’d had a death in the family. At first, I was very withdrawn and I felt very lonely. I missed going out, but I felt happier by myself and didn’t want to be around my friends. Most of them had somebody, so I just wanted to be alone. But then I decided to change my life. The first thing I did was meditate. I looked at what my life was and what I wanted it to be. Then, I wrote those things down. I knew I had to get rid of my baggage. I had to take care of me because when I was married I’d concentrated more on taking care of my husband. My selfesteem had been lost to the divorce, so I needed to change that. I did this by spending more time with myself and regrouping with friends. I started meeting them for dinner or drinks, and then my social life picked up. Soon I felt I was a new person and finally having a different life. That’s when I became happier and the loneliness started to dissipate. —As told to Kate Ferguson
READER SURVEY
SPEAK YOUR MIND! (And Win Free Stuff)
According to one recent Nielsen study, Americans spend almost 25 percent of their time on social networks and blog sites. How do you use social media? Please fill out the survey below and tell us about your online habits.
Try these moves for a long, lean, toned body!
As a thank-you, we’ll select two winners at random whose surveys we receive and send them this fitness DVD (suggested retail price $11.98). For official contest rules, visit realhealthmag.com/survey.
1. Is social media your primary way to communicate with others?
10. What is your gender? ❑ Female
❑ Male
❑ Transgender
❑ Other
❑ Yes ❑ No
2. Have you ever used social media to find dating or hookup partners?
11. What is your household income? ❑ Under $15,000
❑ $15,000–$34,999
❑ $35,000–$49,999
❑ $50,000–$74,999
❑ $75,000–$99,999
❑ $100,000 and over
❑ Yes ❑ No
12. What is the highest level of education attained? ❑ Some high school
3. Do you access social media at work?
❑ High school graduate
❑ Yes
❑ Some college
❑ No
❑ Bachelor’s degree or higher
4. Have you ever used social media to criticize someone?
13. What is your ethnicity?
❑ Yes
❑ Arab or Middle Eastern
❑ No
❑ Asian
❑ American Indian or Alaska Native
❑ Black or African American
5. What’s the main reason you use social media?
❑ Hispanic or Latino
❑ Personal reasons
❑ Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
❑ Professional reasons
❑ White
❑ Both professional and personal reasons
❑ Other
6. Did you ever regret a post on social media?
14. Where do you get Real Health?
❑ Yes
❑ I’m a subscriber
❑ No
❑ My doctor’s office ❑ My church
7. Do you use the privacy settings on social media sites?
❑ A community or college organization
❑ Yes
❑ Other:_______________________
❑ It was mailed to me
❑ No
15. Do you have Internet access? 8. Which of these social media do you use regularly?
❑ Yes ❑ No
❑ Facebook ❑ Google+ ❑ Instagram ❑ Pinterest ❑ Tumblr ❑ Twitter
9. What year were you born?_________
16. Name:___________________________________________ 17. Organization (if you represent one):______________________ 18. Street address:_____________________________________________ 19. City & state:_________________________________________________ 20. ZIP code:____________________________________________________ 21. Email:_______________________________________________________ 22. Phone:_____________________________________________________
Winter 2013