JANUARY 2020 | VOL. 13 — ISSUE 1
Mushrooms as superfoods Diabetes in pets Stress distress in the body
STEP UP TO BARRE WORKOUTS OregonHealthyLiving.com
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OREGON HEALTHY LIVING | JANUARY 2020
VOL. 13 — ISSUE 1
JANUARY 2020
fitness
Barre Class:
pamper
5
Ballet-based exercise
health
12 Get Glowing:
The 411 on facials
food
16 Fatigue, Fog, Fat? Stress and hormones
pets
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Fungus Among Us: Dogs and Diabetes: Mushrooms flourish
What a diagnosis means
Volunteers Needed!
Age Wise Age Well is a volunteer senior peer counseling program in which volunteers work with older adults to provide support during life events and emotional stress. The goal of this program is to promote healthy aging and cope with related transitions.
Are you… 55 years or older Have 6 to 8 hours per week to volunteer Have the ability to listen and share life experiences
Training and supervision are provided to all volunteers. The annual training for new volunteers is Jan 21st – 23rd and Jan 28th – 30th. Please contact the Program Coordinator at 541-646-3402 for more information. One West Main Street, Suite 303 • Medford MF-00120529
JANUARY 2020 | OREGON HEALTHY LIVING
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from the EDITOR Welcome to 2020! The pace of change is so incredible. Though it adds convenience and instant gratification into almost everything we do, it also seems to bring with it an up-tick in stress. With information overload, we find more things to fret about. Research is proving that stress is one of the roots of evil of just about any health problem you can name. So, if you make no other resolutions entering the 2020s, consider educating yourself on how stress manifests in the body and what you can do to alleviate it. Prescribe yourself relaxation! Come back next month to learn about the best anti-inflammatory diet for heart health. crose@rosebudmedia.com
EDITOR Cheryl P. Rose CEO & PUBLISHER Steven Saslow ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER & VP OF SALES Gail Whiting
on the COVER
SALES SUPERVISOR Laura Perkins
The three barre instructors at Barre B in Medford are also fans of yoga and hiking. Zoey Belyea, who lives in Ashland, says barre is her favorite workout because it gives her time and space to connect to her body on a deep muscular level. "I always leave class feeling stronger," she says. Carolina Rivera, who lives in Medford, says "Barre is incredible because it allows you to expand your endurance while keeping you safe. This amazing body sculpting method makes it possible to find your longest, leanest muscles that make you walk taller and brighter!"
GRAPHIC DESIGN & PRODUCTION Jaren Hobson CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Aaron Cooper Micah Leigh Sarah Lemon Rebecca Scott Cindy Quick Wilson
Photo by Denise Baratta
Join the List...
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Denise Baratta
Oregon Healthy Living Magazine is published by the Rosebud Media Advertising Department, 111 N. Fir St., Medford, OR 97501. General information: 541.776.4422 Submissions and feedback: crose@rosebudmedia.com
Sherm's Food 4 Less............................pg 2
Northridge Center...............................pg 13
Community Volunteer Network.............pg 3
Weatherly Inn.....................................pg 15
Rosa Transformational Health..............pg 7
Retina Care Center..............................pg 19
Oregon Retina Center.........................pg 9
Medicap Pharmacy.............................pg 21
Medford Foot & Ankle.........................pg 11
Pear Valley & Lakeland Senior Living.....pg 24
...and reach your next customer with Oregon Healthy Living! Contact Sales Supervisor Laura Perkins at 541.776.4447 or lperkins@rosebudmedia.com
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OREGON HEALTHY LIVING | JANUARY 2020
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STORY BY AARON COOPER PHOTOS BY DENISE BARATTA
Tone and strengthen "hard-to-reach" muscles continued on page 7
JANUARY 2020 | OREGON HEALTHY LIVING
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STORY BALCOM (FRONT) DEMONSTRATES A BALANCING CORE EXERCISE WITH FELLOW INSTRUCTORS ZOEY CANE BELYEA AND CAROLINA VANESSA RIVERA AT BARRE B IN MEDFORD.
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OREGON HEALTHY LIVING | JANUARY 2020
Sacramento and Eugene. A lot of people here were waiting for one to come to the valley, so I decided to open one on my own.” Six weeks later, Barre B opened, “And so far, the response has been great.” Nikki LaFord, owner and fitness instructor at Verve Pilates+Fitness in Phoenix, added barre to her gym’s offerings three years ago. She’s been teaching Pilates for 10 years and saw the benefits of barre early on. “I brought barre in because I saw a majority of clients were having pelvic instability troubles,” she says. “Some were post-injury or post-natal; their hips and pelvis were weak and unstable. I saw that barre can help strengthen the pelvic floor, transverse abs, innerthighs and glutes, and brings everything into balance.” continued on page 8
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n a world of workout fads that come and go, one of today’s most effective fitness trends combines three more traditional, proven approaches. Take equal parts of yoga, Pilates and dance; add them together and you get one of today’s most sought-after workouts: barre.
A low-impact strength, flexibility and endurancebuilding workout, barre adds some basic ballet movements to isolate various muscle groups. The workout targets both large muscles and smaller “accessory” muscles to help produce a long, lean dancer’s body. But no actual dancing is required. Just a few years ago, you couldn’t find a dedicated barre studio anywhere in the Rogue Valley. Story Balcom aimed to change that. Working in Hawaii as a piano teacher and barre instructor on the side, Balcom began looking for a barre studio upon moving to Medford last year. “I had seen real results from doing barre,” she says. “I was looking for a barre studio in Medford, but found there were none located between
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What makes barre different Balcom, who earned her barre certification while living in Hawaii, says opening the studio was fairly quick and easy because, unlike traditional gyms, barre studios don’t require expensive weightlifting machines. And that’s what separates barre from so many other workouts. All of barre’s prescribed exercises are based on small movements done in specific positions, with very light 3and 5-pound weights. “Barre uses mostly bodyweight based exercises, where you’re moving your own weight and pushing and pulling resistance bands,” says
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Balcom. “And anyone can do it.” LaFord says she fell in love with the mind-body connection fostered by barre. “It provides excellent core strengthening, which helps support good posture, and flexibility to support long, lean muscles. At the same time, the nice part of barre is that it targets the hard-to-reach places.” Because barre focuses on small movements that improve muscular endurance, mobility, flexibility and stability, Balcom says it provides good functional training. “It’s helping you to be able to move better and carry out your daily functions, while you’re toning, burning calories, gaining muscle and not injuring yourself. In barre, we’re
not training you to be fitness models or Olympic athletes; we’re training you to live your best life.”
Raising the ‘barre’ on your fitness One of the keys to barre’s effectiveness is the focus on isometric movements. “We get the body in an isometric hold where you’re using your muscles, but you’re moving very little,” says Balcom. “It may sound easy, but it’s very effective for toning.” She adds that big muscle movements using lots of momentum to move heavy weights may be preferred by bodybuilders, but they’re inefficient. continued on page 11
OREGON HEALTHY LIVING | JANUARY 2020
"In barre, we're not training you to be fitness models or Olympic athletes; we're training you to live your best life."
Story Balcom Barre B, Medford
MF-00094898
JANUARY 2020 | OREGON HEALTHY LIVING
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STORY BALCOM LEADS HER FITNESS CLASS IN A SERIES OF STRENGTHENING DIPS AND STRETCHES ON THE BAR.
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At Barre B, a typical 45-minute barre class works the whole body. Classes follow a basic outline beginning with a brief warmup, followed by floor exercises focusing on the abs, planks and pushups. These are followed by working the arms with weights, then moving to an actual ballet bar to work the lower body, including thighs and glutes. A little stretching on the bar leads to a second segment of abdominal and glute work, and finishing by stretching on the floor. There’s not a whole lot of cardio, though Balcom says, “Some people sweat a lot; as you get better, you shouldn’t be sweating.” And, in case you’re intimidated by the prospect of having to perform dance moves, Balcom says not to worry.
“The only dance-related thing about the workout is using the ballet bar, but there’s no actual dancing and no choreography.” At Verve Pilates+Fitness, LaFord begins barre sessions by working the core and pelvis. Classes include a cardio component, light weights for both the upper and lower body, and thigh resistance bands. “Many of the moves are shortrange of motion and pulsing, isometric pulls, while holding your body in good alignment,” says LaFord. “The technique is great for athletes because it helps to balance out the body.” LaFord observes that many athletes are very strong in one or two particular ways, but over time they can develop injuries because of an imbalance. “I start them with Pilates to
support symmetry, and then advance them to barre for a more heat-building, higher intensity challenge.” LaFord emphasizes that because it’s so low-impact, barre is good for exercisers of all ages and levels since any of the moves can be modified for those dealing with injuries or chronic pain. Verve even offers a free consultation for beginners to find out whether they’re a good fit for either Pilates or barre. “For beginners, I typically recommend Pilates as a place to start,” says LaFord. “Beginners can can use the Pilates reformers lying down, and they provide a lot of body support.” Barre, she says, is better for people who can move while supporting their own body weight. ■
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Rick E. McClure, DPM, FACFAS
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STORY BY MICAH LEIGH
ABOUT FACE Add facials to your list of New Year resolutions
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OREGON HEALTHY LIVING | JANUARY 2020
Call us today at: (541) 535-5497 3737 S. Pacific Hwy Medford, OR 97501
M
any of us make promises to ourselves at the beginning of the new year, such as eating better and getting more exercise to look and feel our best. One thing that is often overlooked is our skin. Exercise and good nutrition will certainly improve the skin overall, but facials can take it a step further. According to Jessica Street, licensed esthetician at The Spa at Medical Eye Center in Medford, the skin is the No. 1 indicator of internal health. “When you get good nutrients, enough rest, relaxation and hydration, it all shows in your skin,” she says. “The first thing we do is meet with the client for a consultation. We discuss their concerns, whether it is acne, aging or any other condition they want to improve. Then we customize a facial treatment plan to meet their goals regardless of ethnicity or age.”
Street says that most facials include a warm steam cleanse, exfoliation and a mask for their skin type in order to correct dryness, clogged pores, loss of elasticity and any inflammation. “We always incorporate a soothing massage of your face, neck, shoulders and hands,” says Street. “Pressure point massage to the face is very relaxing. Massage increases blood flow and that is always good for you.” Special treatments may include microdermabrasion, dermaplaning and chemical peels, depending on the needs of the client. “An approachable, relaxing spa facial is good for any and all skin types and colors,” says Street. “Microdermabrasion, mediumdepth chemical peels, dermaplaning and micro needling are all safe and effective at treating acne, pigment issues and scarring in all skin tones. It just may take more treatments to improve darker skin tones, but when you are dealing with the delicate skin on your face, ‘slow and steady wins the race’ is a good philosophy to adopt.” SPF 30 or higher, retinol and products with exfoliating and skinbrightening ingredients like lactic acid, kojic acid, arbutin and licorice extract are all helpful with skin texture and tone irregularities, according to Street, who adds that these products are also safe and effective at treating darker skin. Age may affect skin goals as well.
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continued on page 14
"When you get good nutrients, enough rest, relaxation and hydration, it all shows in your skin..."
Personalized care in an home setting, delicious meals, fun activities and caring staff around the clock.
Jessica Street The Spa at Medical Eye Center, Medford
(541) 535-5497 | 3737 South Pacific Hwy. Medford, OR 97501 www.northridgecenter.com MF-00120168
JANUARY 2020 | OREGON HEALTHY LIVING
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“We take different approaches to different ages,” says Street. “You may want to attain and keep your skin healthy, or you may want to keep wrinkles down and pores small.” Rebecca Snyder of Illumined Body Medi-Spa in Medford recommends the HydraFacial for both men and women seeking a deep pore cleanse. “This is done with a sophisticated piece of equipment that vacuums the skin,” she says. “The client can see what is drawn out of the skin, which is generally shocking. It’s a wonderful treatment, especially for aging skin, because it plumps and hydrates. Clients walk out with a glow.” According to Snyder, the process takes about 45 minutes and can be repeated every three to four weeks. “This deep cleans like nothing else. Men just love it because it is quick. Results generally last about two to three weeks but will last longer depending on your home skin care regimen,” she says. Street says product ingredients are important for lasting results. “There are many different product lines, and an organic medical grade is going to give better results,” she says. Another factor for glowing skin is frequency in facial treatments. “If all you want to do is treat yourself to some pampering, you can schedule a one-time only appointment, but if you want to achieve your best skin, once a month is ideal,” Street says. “You should always look forward to it. You want to relax and enjoy it and leave feeling clean and refreshed. An investment in skin health is wonderful for your mind, body and soul.” Snyder says that women too often overlook their own health while they take care of everyone else. “A facial is a pampering treatment that relaxes the muscles and improves circulation,” she says. “The facial muscles are very sensitive. There is so much tension held in the face. A facial is a nourishing treatment that releases tension in the face and jaw. When a woman takes care of herself, she is recharged and has more to give. It is a gentle kind thing to do for oneself,” says Snyder. ■
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ESTHETICIAN JESSICA STREET INCLUDES MASSAGE IN A FACIAL. PHOTO COURTESY OF MEDICAL EYE CENTER
MORE THAN JUST A PRETTY FACE Facial massage does more than just make you feel good, and there is scientific proof to back that up. According to a study published in the Journal of Biomedical Research, facial massage activates the sympathetic nervous system, which lifts mood and reduces anxiety. Pressure points on your face are connected to various systems in your body. When these points are massaged, those systems respond, so this type of massage not only keeps your skin glowing, but also affects the function of other organs. As stress leaves the face, the muscles relax, allowing deep lines and wrinkles to relax as well.
2. You’ll get a flat screen TV installed in your apartment 1. We’ll waive the $2,500 community fee
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Happiness and comfort. Found daily. Weatherly Inn Independent Living Weatherly Court Assisted Living & Memory Care 2180 Poplar Drive | Medford OR | 541.414.2498 WeatherlySeniorLiving.com
STORY BY REBECCA SCOTT
How stress and hormones impact your health
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t’s common to make a New Year resolution every January. Maybe you want to eat healthier, exercise, get more sleep or lose weight. However, it’s possible to address many of your health-related resolutions by managing your stress and learning about your body’s delicate hormonal balance. The interplay of stress and hormones has a tremendous impact on several things, including your weight, energy levels, how well you sleep and your overall health, according to local medical professionals.
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Stress, hormones and health
How stress affects the body
Simple ways to manage stress
“Stress affects all aspects of health,” says Dr. Scott Moser, a naturopathic physician with Southern Oregon Wellness Clinic in Medford. The level of stress in our culture is extremely high, he adds. “We live in a society which is constantly busy, so the body is always in ‘flight or fight’ mode and never has a chance to relax.” What makes our bodies sick is that they get stressed, explains Dr. Laura Robin, an osteopathic physician at Rosa Transformational Health in Medford. Stress can come from different causes, she says, including physical injuries, past infections, gut imbalances and long-term exposure to toxins, each of which can take an enormous toll on the body. While many people have heard of cortisol (the stress hormone), they may not know the role it plays within the body. “Cortisol is like the body’s ignition switch. When it’s not working properly, we can get tired, gain weight, have brain fog or feel depressed,” Robin explains. The adrenal glands release cortisol, says Moser, which affects the body’s circadian rhythm. “It wakes us up out of our slumber to feel more energetic in the morning,” he adds. However, our response to stress can become compromised over time, and Moser says people could get irritated more easily. “There’s not a single disease I can think of that isn’t made worse by stress.” Additionally, if we are pushing ourselves too hard, the adrenal glands can get fatigued, says Robin. “When the adrenal glands are tired, then we feel tired.”
Cortisol, as well as other hormones, plays an integral part in how the body functions. “Hormones are great communicators in our bodies,” says Robin. “They bounce off each other. But when one hormone is out of balance, it can mess with the balancing of other hormones and cause trouble in the body.” In addition to providing the body with an energy surge in the morning, cortisol can also affect weight and belly fat, according to Moser. Under stressful conditions, cortisol provides the body with glucose by tapping into protein stores in the liver. He explains this energy can help an individual fight or flee from a stressor. “However, elevated cortisol over a long period of time consistently produces glucose, leading to increased blood sugar levels.” The human body wasn’t meant to endure constant emotional or physical stress, says Robin. “We have to give our bodies and minds a break to rest and regroup,” she adds. When people push themselves just because they can, she says this eventually can hurt the body, leading to chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, weight gain, depression, brain fog, faster aging and the body breaking down more quickly. That’s why it becomes increasingly important for people to practice healthy stress management techniques.
Sometimes there are stressors we can’t avoid, says Moser, so it’s necessary to work on your stress response and reframe how you react to it. “Exercise is a great way to deal with stress. I often tell my patients to change emotion with motion,” he adds. Even walking around your neighborhood after work is a good stress management technique. “Mostly, we want people to just slow down.” Robin advises people to think of their bodies like a car. “We do all kinds of things to maintain our cars, like regular oil changes and replacing the filters, but we never think of doing anything to preventatively maintain our bodies,” she says. She agrees that moving the body is important and can be as easy as 30 minutes of exercise three times a week. “Body movement and exercise helps everything: your immune, nervous and hormonal systems.”
The importance of self-care Robin and Moser agree that our bodies and hormones give us signs when something isn’t right. “If you feel chronically tired, have brain fog or lose sleep, these are signs something may be happening in the nervous or hormonal systems, or with inflammation in your body. If you can find the underlying cause, you can turn things around and start to feel better,” says Robin. ■
STRESS
MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES "Stress affects all aspects of health." Dr. Scott Moser Southern Oregon Wellness Clinic, Medford
Moser and Robin agree that self-care is the best way to reduce stress. There are several ways people can improve their health and lower their stress level, including: REGULAR EXERCISE MEDITATION
DEEP BREATHING
YOGA
SPENDING TIME IN NATURE
JANUARY 2020 | OREGON HEALTHY LIVING
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STORY BY SARAH LEMON
Fungus-based supplements and foods growing in popularity
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superfood trend that’s mushroomed in the past year shows no sign of slowing down, say nutrition experts. Mushrooms are moving from mealtime enjoyment into supplements, snacks and even sweet treats. Seasoning blends, chocolates and a powdered coffee have been among the most popular products containing medicinal mushrooms at Natural Grocers in Medford, says nutritional and health coach Charlotte Fisher. “We’re just seeing people get more clever in how they incorporate mushrooms,” says Fisher. “It’s putting a healthier spin on some of the less healthy stuff.” Mushrooms were Natural Grocers’ “nutrient to know about” during the last three months of 2019, says Fisher, adding that they ranked fourth among the company’s top 10 trends for the year. “It’s a really great conversation starter,” she says. “There are lots of different mushrooms that do a lot of different things.” Among the thousands of mushroom
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species, about 20 are prized for culinary purposes, while about a half-dozen are commonly consumed for their medicinal properties. Rich in chemical compounds that exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antitumor properties, mushrooms—namely lion’s mane, reishi, chaga, maitake and cordyceps— most often are favored for enhancing the body’s immune function. “Mushrooms are really great for supporting immune health,” says Fisher. “They’re also protective,” says Judah Veitel, nutrition and lifestyle coach and functional nutritionist at Siskiyou Vital Medicine in Medford. He explains that anyone undergoing treatment for cancer and chronic health conditions can benefit from mushroom supplements. On the microbiological level, the polysaccharides (long-branching chains of sugars) found in mushrooms stimulate the immune system’s macrophages and boost the function of its natural killer cells, says Veitel. Mushrooms’ immune-boosting potential is “phenomenal,” he adds. Most mushroom supplements are ingested in powder form, either as capsules, stirred into smoothies or simply sprinkled over prepared foods, says Veitel. Some varieties are distilled into tinctures or may be steeped as tea, he says, adding
that it isn’t difficult to obtain highquality supplements. Veitel says he believes the companies specializing in mushroom supplements, including a few in Southern Oregon, are reputable and committed to clients’ health. “We have everything from immune support (blends) to single mushrooms. We have pills; we have powders,” says Fisher. “We have our own little mushroom department, basically.” Don’t overlook stores’ fresh produce departments as sources of desirable mushrooms, say Fisher and Veitel. Both the cultivated and wild species stocked in markets are worth adding to more dishes and are becoming more appreciated as savory substitutes for meat. Some, such as chicken of the woods, are full of their own natural protein, says Veitel. “All mushrooms have some sort of therapeutic benefit,” he says. “We live in the era of functional foods.” The signature species of Southern Oregon—fall’s parasolshaped chanterelles and spring’s honeycombed morels— are truly wild. Exotic cremini, shiitake, oyster and enoki are grown year-round, often indoors. Mushrooms should always be cooked, says Veitel, to ensure their digestibility. Simply sauteing or roasting mushrooms are the best methods for bringing out their flavor. ■
MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS TO KNOW Source: Natural Grocers
Reishi
Lion's Mane
Prized for centuries as both a food and a medicine in East Asian countries, this puffy white mushroom resembles a lion’s mane. More recently, it has become synonymous with brain and nerve health. Both the mycelium (a mushroom’s equivalent of roots) and fruiting body (the mushroom) have been found to protect the brain, promote nerve regeneration and enhance cognition.
Maitake Known as the “queen of mushrooms,” reishi has been used as a medicinal mushroom for more than 2,000 years. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is used to replenish and strengthen “qi,” or “life force,” to calm the mind and to treat respiratory conditions and insomnia. Even today, reishi is approved by China’s equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration to treat insomnia, chronic hepatitis, chronic bronchitis and coronary heart disease. Western science has largely focused on reishi’s role in immunity and cancer, with promising results, given its hundreds of bioactive compounds that exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory antitumor and immuno-stimulating activity.
Chaga
With a long history of use in Russia and Siberia, chaga is unique in the mushroom world for manifesting not as the fruiting body of the fungus, but as a mass of mycelium. It has been used as a folk remedy for inflammatory digestive disorders, such as ulcers and gastritis, and as an antiparasitic and antiseptic. In Soviet Russia, it had a history of use for treating chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers. More recently, it is known to exhibit antibacterial, antiviral, antiinflammatory, antioxidant and anti-tumor properties. Additionally, chaga is one of the single richest sources of antioxidants found in nature, far surpassing other antioxidant-rich foods, including raw cocoa powder, dark chocolate, blueberries and spinach.
Loosely translated from Japanese to “dancing mushroom,” maitake gets its name from the joyous gyrations foragers did upon locating maitakes in the wild. Maitake mushrooms are found in Japan, China and throughout North America. Like other medicinal mushrooms, they contain compounds that support the immune system and have antitumor, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, maitake counteract a group of symptoms—excess weight, high blood sugar and insulin and elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels—known as metabolic syndrome.
Cordyceps
Found at altitudes of 12,000 feet and higher, this parasitic fungus grows from the bodies of caterpillars, which it mummifies as it grows. Long valued in Chinese and Tibetan medicine, cordyceps traditionally has been used to treat asthma, bronchitis, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, liver disease and cancer. Some traditional Himalayan healers promote it as a panacea for any ailment, claiming it improves energy, stamina, libido endurance and longevity. Modern research has acknowledged that cordyceps’ promising properties coincide with its folk prescription in parts of India, China, Nepal and Bhutan. MF-00120157
JANUARY 2020 | OREGON HEALTHY LIVING
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STORY BY CINDY QUICK WILSON
Early warning signs alert owners of diabetes in pets
"If your animal is exhibiting excessive drinking and urination, it's best to get them to the vet right away."
Liana Barron, D.V.M.
T
here are relatively few diseases that animals and humans share but as with people, diabetes in dogs and cats can lead to serious health problems, including liver disease, kidney disease, seizures, blindness, increased risk of infections and even death if left untreated. The good news is that with early detection and proper treatment, diabetic pets can still enjoy long and happy lives. Symptoms and signs As in humans, diabetes in pets occurs when the body does not make enough insulin, cannot use insulin properly or stops producing
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All Creatures Animal Hospital, Eagle Point
it altogether. Though the American Veterinary Medical Association estimates diabetes affects less than 1% of dogs and cats, veterinarian Dr. Ann Schlipf with Riverside Park Veterinary Clinic in Grants Pass says it’s important for pet owners to be aware of the risks and stay alert to early warning signs. “The most obvious is drinking an unusual amount of water and urinating a lot,” Schlipf says. “That might mean accidents in the house or for kitties, their litter might be wetter than normal. If people miss those symptoms, the secondary set of symptoms can be not eating, not drinking and vomiting. The clinical signs can be cloudiness in the eyes, and changes in kidney, liver and pancreas function. With cats, it’s also typical to see what’s called neuropathy in the legs, where they walk flat on their feet or on their entire back leg as opposed to how they usually walk on their toes.” If left untreated, Schlipf says, “Pets can go into insulin shock or comas, become sluggish, unresponsive and have seizures just like people. These symptoms usually indicate that the disease is more advanced or being poorly controlled.”
Treatment “There are many other diseases where excessive drinking and urination can be symptoms,” cautions Dr. Liana Barron, veterinarian with All Creatures Animal Hospital in Eagle Point. “If your animal is exhibiting those behaviors, it’s best to get them to the vet right away. We will do an evaluation of overall health, ask about weight changes, either up or down, do blood work to see how the liver and kidneys are functioning, and a urinalysis.” Barron says if caught early, some cats may do well with a high protein/low carbohydrate prescription diet. Others who are more affected will require daily insulin injections. She adds, “Most dogs that are diagnosed require insulin, so the owner has to give them shots once or twice a day. There are different kinds of insulin that can range from $25 a month to $250 a month, so it can be an expensive disease to treat. Blood sugar levels can be inconsistent, and especially in cats, it can rise and fall, so it’s important to have periodic checks to keep an eye on the correct insulin dosage.”
Risk factors According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, both dogs and cats can be at risk for diabetes at any age, however, most dogs are diagnosed between 7 and 10 years of age, while cats are usually older than 6. It also occurs twice as often in female dogs than male dogs. And some breeds may be at a higher risk than others. “Obesity, allowing your pet to be overweight, is one of the biggest risk factors,” says Schlipf. “There are also some breeds that can be predisposed, like schnauzers, but not every schnauzer is diabetic. Diabetes can also be one of the side effects associated with repetitive use of Depo-Medrol, a steroid drug used in dogs and cats to treat inflammation, autoimmune diseases of the skin and feline bronchial asthma. Another one is an oral steroid called prednisone, which is sometimes used to treat inflammatory bowel disease.”
CAN "PEOPLE FOOD" GIVE A DOG DIABETES? “Not directly,” explains Dr. Liana Barron, a veterinarian with All Creatures Animal Hospital in Eagle Point. “But people food has a lot more additives, calories and sugar in it, so it can easily cause obesity, which puts pets at a much higher risk for diabetes. Also, some people want to avoid commercially processed foods, but a very recent study found that homemade diets, including some formulated by veterinarians, were all found to be lacking in necessary nutrients and did not provide a balanced diet.” Others believe that a grain-free diet will help prevent diabetes but Barron says, “I do not believe that is true and in fact, the Food and Drug Administration is now studying dilated cardiomyopathy or DCM, a disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body, that is showing up with dogs who’ve been on grain-free, dry foods. It’s best to ask your veterinarian for a recommendation, especially if your pet has been diagnosed with diabetes or other health problems.”
Prevention There is no cure for diabetes, but Barron advises preventative measures that include regular veterinary checkups, especially as animals age, keeping weight in check with proper feeding of a good quality food, and adequate exercise. She also notes that female dogs that are not spayed are more likely to develop diabetes. “Owners really need to be aware of their pet’s health, behaviors and habits,” advises Schlipf. “And once we diagnose a pet as a diabetic, the disease needs to be managed responsibly with correct dosages of insulin at the correct times. They will require regular and consistent treatment to do well.” Diabetes is not usually a fatal disease, Schlipf says. “But it does take some special dedication by the owner and a veterinarian who is forthright about the responsibilities in controlling the disease. It’s our job as veterinarians to educate our clients about the disease and their part in treating it effectively because animals can live relatively healthy lives if they receive the correct treatment.” ■
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JANUARY 2020 | OREGON HEALTHY LIVING
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January / February 2020 Events
IDEAS TO START
THE NEW YEAR
INNER PEACE SPEAKER SERIES
JANUARY 12 | 1-2:30 P.M. ASHLAND LIBRARY 410 SISKIYOU BLVD., ASHLAND Rev. Jim Hatton leads a panel discussion titled, “Peace: An Inside Job,” with Rev. Kimberly Hawkins and Michael Thomas, RScP Emeritus. The next speaker will be Charles “Al” Huth on Feb. 9, discussing the philosophy that giving up is not loss but letting go of self-misunderstandings. CONTACT INFO: www.jcls.org | 541.774.6980
22 OREGON HEALTHY LIVING | JANUARY 2020
SKINNY JEANS AT 40+
JANUARY 13 | 6-8 P.M. ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP CLASSROOM 300 PIONEER ST., ASHLAND Free lecture by Dr. Judith Boice about five critical factors that will increase your likelihood of achieving your ideal weight and maintaining that weight long-term. CONTACT INFO: ashlandfood.coop/events 541.482.2237
SQUARE DANCING FOR BEGINNERS
JANUARY 13 | 6:30-8:30 P.M. ROGUE VALLEY SQUARE DANCE CENTER 3377 TABLE ROCK ROAD, MEDFORD The Star Promenaders Club teaches lessons weekly through June for people of all ages. The first five lessons are free. No partner and no experience necessary to participate. CONTACT INFO: starpromenaders.org 541.664.2116
SNOWSHOEING BASICS CLASS
JANUARY 16 | 6:30-8 P.M. REI, 85 ROSSANLEY DR., MEDFORD A free class to learn the fundamentals (such as proper clothing and gear) and where to go for this fun winter fitness activity. CONTACT INFO: 541.732.1938 rei.com/events/43657/snowshoeing-basics
WOMEN'S SELF DEFENSE & RAPE PREVENTION
JANUARY 25 | 9 A.M.-3 P.M. STONERIDGE TACTICAL TRAINING CENTER 411 N. FRONT ST., CENTRAL POINT Open to women age 14 and up but limited to only 35 participants for this session. Free for new participants. Learn situational awareness and practice hands-on techniques to defend yourself. Pre-registration is required. CONTACT INFO: stoneridgetactical.com/class-signup 541.499.4706
GOOD DOG SKILLS
FEBRUARY 23 | 12:15-1:15 P.M. THE GROVE, 1195 E. MAIN ST., ASHLAND Learn positive ways to train good manners and leash skills for dogs 5-months-old or older and their human adult partner ages 18 and up. The fee is $99 for five classes. Classes held weekly through March 23. A new session starts April 19. CONTACT INFO: ashlandparksandrec.org 541.488.5340
GET YOUR EVENT LISTED! BRINE, BREW & BARREL FERMENTATION FESTIVAL
JANUARY 24-26 INN AT THE COMMONS 200 N. RIVERSIDE AVE., MEDFORD This festival celebrates the multi-cultural culinary tradition of fermented products including pickles, krauts, kombucha, beer, wine, cider, mead, chocolate, cheese, coffee, sourdough and everything in between! Fee is $15 for adults, and children under 12 are free. CONTACT INFO: medfordfermentationfest.com 541.774.4710
OPEN YOUR MIND WITH ONLY YOUR BREATH
FEBRUARY 17 | 6-8 P.M. ASHLAND FOOD CO-OP CLASSROOM 300 PIONEER ST., ASHLAND Ginny Dean, a Rapid Transformational Therapist and certified hypnotherapist, will lead a free session about conscious breathing in moments of stress. CONTACT INFO: ashlandfood.coop/events 541.482.2237
Email crose@rosebudmedia.com with the following information: Event title, date, time, location, contact information, and a brief description including any required fees. PLEASE NOTE: Event information must be received at least 60 days in advance to be considered for publication in Oregon Healthy Living.
JANUARY 2020 | OREGON HEALTHY LIVING
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