health

September 7, 2010

Health The Examiner

• ED BLONZ

Why prunes help with regularity — Page 8

Still got it

98-year-old woman still pumping iron after all these years – page 5

Wellness 2-4 • CaLENDAR 6-7 • NUTRITION 8

wellness

Page 2 Tuesday, September 7, 2010

healthSHORTS Health Watch: Seafood can keep pregnant women healthy Americans eat too little seafood and should eat more for better brain development in babies and heart health in adults, according to the final report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.

Made up of the country’s top nutrition experts, the committee spent two years reviewing the latest science and crafting recommended changes to the government’s nutrition advice. The advice is updated every five years and each time something stands out. This year, that is the new advice about eating seafood.

Here’s what the final report says: n Eating two servings of seafood each week was shown to reduce the risk of dying from heart disease (whether you have heart disease or not). n Eating at least two servings of seafood each week during pregnancy and breastfeeding was shown to raise omega-3 levels and help improve babies’ eyesight and brain development. n The health benefits of eating a variety of cooked seafood outweigh concerns with mercury, even among pregnant and nursing women

and young children.

“Any questions about the safety and healthfulness of seafood are silenced by a report of this caliber,” says registered dietitian Jennifer McGuire, manager of nutrition communication for the National Fisheries Institute.

“We’re at the point where people can replace emotion-based misinformation with sciencebased advice that will help reverse the health problems associated with a typical low-seafood American diet.”

This encouraging advice is also reflected in a 2009 Food and Drug Administration draft report. The report says the FDA concluded that the greatest benefits to pregnant women and women of childbearing age would come from eating more fish.

Two of the world’s top experts on brain health, Drs. Thomas Brenna of Cornell University and Michael Crawford of London Metropolitan University, are urging the FDA to finalize their report and update the 2004 advice about eating fish during pregnancy. In an open letter to the FDA they wrote, “A consistent stream of new publications and international scientific evaluations has persuaded us that this advice has become outdated and that it may be inadvertently causing harm, inconsistent with your public health mission. Mothers

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and children worldwide deserve your best efforts to provide advice consistent with the best science available.” To date, 129 research scientists and physicians have signed on to the open letter.

New Research: New drugs could help Parkinson’s Researchers at Johns Hopkins have shown that using specific drugs can protect nerve cells in mice from the lethal effects of Parkinson’s disease. The researchers’ findings are published in the Aug. 22 issue of Nature Medicine.

The newly discovered drugs block a protein that, when altered in people, leads to Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease causes deterioration of the nervous system that leads to tremors and problems with muscle movement and coordination. There is no proven protective treatment yet.

Only recently have genetic causes of Parkinson’s disease been identified that have the potential to be used for developing targeted therapies for patients with the disease.

Did You Know?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned the public not to use these tablets that contain Phenyl-Propanol-Amide (PPA): Cetrizet-D, D-Cold, Nimulid, Vicks action-500, Co some and Coldarin. PPA can cause strokes.

Health Tip: Getting better sleep A good night’s sleep is important for your mind and body. Most adults need 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.

To get a better night’s sleep, try exercising earlier in the day rather than right before bedtime, keep your bedroom dark and quiet, and try to get outside in sunlight for at least 30 minutes every day.

Number to Know: 10 According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, walking briskly for 10 minutes burns about 50 calories.

Children’s Health: Study says puberty begins earlier The age at which girls begin puberty has fallen in the past two decades, and a new study shows this trend is continuing in some populations in the U.S. The study, “Pubertal Assessment Method and Baseline Characteristics in a Mixed Longitudinal Study of Girls,” in the September 2010 issue of Pediatrics assessed the onset of puberty in more than 1,200 girls in three cities.

Researchers found that 10.4 percent of white non-Hispanic girls had begun puberty at age 7, measured by breast development, compared with 23.4 percent of black girls and 14.9 percent of Hispanic girls.

Among 8-year-olds, puberty had begun in 18.3 percent of white non-Hispanic girls, 42.9 percent of black girls and 30.9 percent of Hispanic girls.

The numbers among white non-Hispanic girls represent a significant increase over rates seen in a 1997 study.

What causes puberty to begin is thought to be a combination of genetics, environment and individual factors such as weight.

Senior Health: Negotiate with your pharmacist, physician Many pharmacies match competitors’ lower prices, though you may need to request it. (The websites of some state health departments publish drug prices of local pharmacies, making it easy to compare.)

Certain pharmacies, such as those in the Supervalu network including Osco and Sav-On, offer price matching as a routine policy. Drugstore.com will match prices on a 90-day supply.

If you recently lost your health insurance, ask your doctor to cut you a break. Say, “I now have to pay for my own care, so would you accept the same amount you received from my insurance in the past?” Your former insurer may have paid 60 percent of the list price for an office visit.

Follow Executive Editor Sheila Davis’ journey back into the land of chemotherapy in her blog “Fighting Lymphoma - Round 2” at examiner.net

HEALTH

– GateHouse News Service

Sheila Davis

wellness

Embolization an alternative to hysterectomy in treatment of painful uterine fibroids It’s estimated that as many as half of all women will develop uterine fibroids, and while most are not bothered by them, fibroids can be very painful and interfere with daily activities.

Fibroids are muscular tumors that grow in the smooth muscle of the uterus, usually in the wall of the uterus. They are almost always benign (non-cancerous) but can cause women to have heavy periods (sometimes with passage of blood clots), pain or pressure.

There is no clear cause for fibroids, but hormones definitely have an influence on them. Fibroids tend to grow quickly through pregnancy, then stop growing and shrink after menopause. That’s why hormonal therapy is often the first step in treating symptoms.

Anti-inflammatory medications may also help ease symptoms. Years ago, many women had hysterectomies to remove the uterus, and with it the fibroids. While that’s still an option today, there are many more, less-invasive options available.

Uterine fibroid embolization is becoming a popular alternative to hysterectomy. The procedure is done by an interventional radiologist.

John Borsa Dr. John Borsa is an interventional radiologist at St. Mary’s Medical Center.

A small nick is made in the groin and, using fluoroscopy, or a live, moving X-ray, the radiologist threads a catheter through the artery to the fibroid. Then, tiny particles are fed through the catheter creating a blockage and cutting off the blood supply to the tumor.

The tumor can not grow without the blood supply and eventually shrinks and may even disappear completely.

The procedure takes about a hour and patients usually stay in the hospital overnight

for observation. There are many advantages to uterine fibroid embolization over surgery— less pain, a shorter hospital stay and a faster recovery. In fact, most women can return to their normal activities after a week or so.

Complications are rare and studies have shown about 90% percent of women who have the procedure get significant or total relief of their symptoms. There can be pain or cramping for several days to weeks after the procedure while the tumor is shrinking.

As with most procedures, not every woman is a candidate for uterine fibroid embolization. But for women who want to retain their uterus, avoid surgery or are not candidates for surgery, it’s worth consideration.

St. Mary’s Medical Center is hosting a free educational seminar exploring treatment options for women with fibroids, including uterine fibroid embolization. Uneeda Leverett, MD, OB/GYN will join me for the presentation, Tuesday, September 14, 6:30-8 p.m., in the Education Center in St. Mary’s. This seminar is free and open to the public. Call 816-228-3335 to make your reservation.

Handling the stress of being a student

By METRO CREATIVE GRAPHICS In light of the country’s economic downturn, few topics are as prevalent as stress. In the course of the last year, many families have suffered the loss of their income, and many more have even lost their homes.

The reality of a recession always illustrates the problem of stress. But for the nation’s students, stress is a reality that, unlike economic woes, is more permanent than it is temporary.

Handling stress is a large part of being successful in the classroom, particularly as students advance through high school and into higher education. But handling stress is different for everyone, and there are myriad healthy ways in which students can cope with stress. n Combine regular exercise with a healthy diet. Studies abound as to the mental benefits of exercise. Exercise not only improves a person’s physical health, but also has a positive impact on mood, oftentimes making it easier to cope with stress. Part of that is because exercise relieves muscle tension, which can build up greatly in individuals suffering from significant stress. In addition, the negative effects of stress can be weight gain and other damaging physical effects, making exercise especially

important for those under constant stress.

While a healthy diet can be difficult for the nation’s college students, that doesn’t mean it isn’t important. Recognizing that, many of the nation’s universities have increased their efforts to provide students with healthier fare at dining halls or other campus eateries. Students should take advantage of this whenever and wherever possible. Eating well can also help reduce stress, as a balanced diet will provide the energy necessary to handle a full load. n Learn to take a breather. Adults often take breaks when going through the daily grind, and students should make note and follow suit. Studying for too long without taking a break can be counterproductive, as concentration will begin to wane after too long, making it increasingly difficult to soak in studies. Schedule breaks into each study sesssion, whether it’s to go for a walk, jog or simply fit in a healthy meal. But don’t allow break time to become too big a distraction. n Determine the root cause of the stress.

Work is typically the root cause of adult stress, and school is often the cause for students.

Many students stretch themselves too thin, hoping to gain as much as they can from their high school or college experience and therefore

Studying for too long without taking a break can be counterproductive, as concentration will begin to wane. filling their schedules. But students who feel as though they’re being pulled in too many directions should drop an activity or two. For instance, playing a varsity sport while holding down a part-time job and having a full courseload is simply doing too much. If a class is getting to be too much to handle, students should consult a teacher and explain the situation. n Don’t be afraid to speak about stress.

Many students find it healthy and rejuvenating to simply speak about their levels of stress.

This helps to get things off their chest, and it also inadvertently gives them time away from studies. Be it sharing experiences with stress among fellow students or simply talking to Mom and Dad, students should speak about stress in an effort to combat its ill effects.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010 Page 3

Page 4 Tuesday, September 7, 2010

wellness

How to lose weight before your wedding

By METRO CREATIVE GRAPHICS Getting married can be a huge motivating force for losing weight and shaping up.

According to Janice Rassin, National Bridal Director at Meyer Corporation, U.S., “Today’s Brides begin a transformation process 8 months before their wedding day. Their first step is starting a healthy eating plan followed by a new exercise regiment. Making your own meals at home is the easiest way to balance nutrition, manage portions and cut calories.”

Weddings tend to have a similar effect on members of the bridal party, parents of the engaged couple, and guests. It’s a joyous occasion when everyone dresses up and wants to make a great impression. So whether you’re the happy bride, the maid of honor, the bride’s mother or a dear friend, consider an upcoming wedding occasion a fabulous opportunity to look and feel your very best.

“Losing a few pounds has benefits beyond reducing a size,” says Rassin. “Nutrients from fruits and vegetables improve the look of your skin and hair.”

Here are some useful tips and strategies for

wedding weight loss: n Set a realistic timeframe to reach your weight goal, understanding that slow and steady is preferable to fast and drastic drops in pounds. For most people, that means a weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week to avoid losing lean muscle tissue. n Choose an eating plan that is nutritionally sound and will provide all the energy you need during this extraordinarily busy, and often stressful, period of planning a wedding.

Avoid the temptation of fad diets, which tend to be unbalanced, restrictive and effective only in temporarily losing water weight, rather than excess fat. n Focus your attention on all the wonderful foods you can eat on a healthy weight loss program, rather than obsessing about the foods that should be avoided. Fill up on nutrient-dense, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as fiber-rich legumes. n Sign up for a cooking class, ideally with your fiance, to hone your skills and knowledge about how to sear, saute, poach, steam, grill, roast, and bake a myriad of different sweet and savory foods with healthy and delicious results.

Healthcare you can

Trust.

At Blue Springs Pediatrics, your child’s health is top priority for us.

Our mission is to provide quality, efficient and effective medical care for your children. Schedule an appointment today for a new patient consultation, and together we’ll look after your child’s health and well-being.

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Blue Springs Pediatrics A division of Lee’s Summit Physician’s Group

816.554.6520

1600 NW South Outer Rd., Blue Springs, MO www.bluespringspediatric.com

You’ll have fun learning and mastering fundamental techniques and methods. n Register for high quality pots and pans.

You’ll have more confidence in the kitchen using well made cookware -- the number one bridal registry gift. Home cooking is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, since you have complete control over a meal’s ingredients and portion sizes. Cooking with nonstick cookware is one of the easiest ways to reduce fat calories from your meals. Choose durable, heavy gauge nonstick cookware, such as Infinite Circulon, which heats up evenly and allows you to make even the stickiest dishes, like scrambled eggs, with little oil or butter.

Another one to try is new Circulon Contempo hard-anodized nonstick cookware, featuring contemporary styling and innovative storage solutions. For example, a hinged loop on the handle allows you to hang the cookware on a display rack, or tuck in when storing in cabinets. Also, the cookware’s well-designed lids slide neatly over the handles for additional space-saving convenience. Circulon, a longestablished leader of high quality nonstick cookware, celebrates its 25th anniversary this

year. For more information on Circulon cookware collections, anniversary promotions, as well as recipes and tips for healthy cooking, visit www.circulon.com. n Enlist the help of a personal trainer to teach you how to exercise properly. Most personal trainers recommend a minimum of 2 one-hour long sessions a week, and sessions frequently combine core muscle strength-training, cardio and endurance exercises. It’s a great way to learn the right moves, overcome any hesitancy about lifting weights, and make sure you’re safely pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone for best results. n If a personal trainer or gym membership isn’t right for you, consider options on the Internet. There’s a growing number of professionally designed Web diet and fitness programs geared to helping brides reach their fitness goals by their wedding day. Several dedicated sites provide a full range of useful tools you can tap with your fingers -- customized meal planner, customized fitness plan, recipe database, shopping list, food log, calorie calculator, activity calculator, journal, message boards, exercise DVDs, and more.

healthSHORTS Walk for Life on Sept. 25 The sixth annual “Walk for Life” event will be 9 a.m. Sept. 25 at the corner of Truman Road and Liberty Avenue in downtown Independence.

Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. Walkers can choose either a one or three mile routes.

The event will help The Woman’s Clinic of Kansas City, a pro-life medical clinic that provides free medical, educational and support services to young women facing unplanned pregnancies.

Jackson County, according to TWC executive director Deborah Neel, has the highest rate of teen pregnancies and reported cases of sexually transmitted diseases in Missouri.

For more information, call 816-836-9000.

Saint Luke’s East opens new unit, increases bed count Saint Luke’s East Lee’s Summit last week unveiled a new unit to the hospital that will increase the facility’s bed count by 117.

The unit offers 30 beds with spacious and private rooms. The new Medical Telemetry Unit on the fourth floor will offer general surgery to patients who have chronic and new cardiac diagnosis and pulmonary and renal disorders.

Since the hospital opened in 2006, demand for inpatient and outpatient services has increased and most days the facility is at capacity.

– Michael Glover

cover

Tuesday, September 7, 2010 Page 5

No slowing down 98-year-old woman pumps iron to stay healthy

BY MAUREEN MCCARTHY | GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE

P

riscilla Caskin, 98, of Whitman, Mass., knows what you need for a long and productive life: Laughter and perseverance in healthy measure, along with biceps curls, leg extensions, shoulder presses and abdominal work.

Three times a week, she walks to the Curves gym for a high-energy, half-hour workout.

“You have to honor your body and keep on going,” she said during a recent training session. “My parents always encouraged me to be active. But we all have choices.”

Her decision to work out is a pretty good one, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institute on Aging.

The agency advocates regular physical activity for seniors to help them reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and breast and colon cancer. It can also lessen the effects of arthritis, depression and anxiety. Sensible weight training in particular has several benefits for seniors — it helps them maintain balance, retain bone density and avoid injury from falls.

Working out has helped keep Caskin healthy and youthful, and it has helped her look the part.

“I want to be like her,” said fellow

Five ways to create a healthier lifestyle

“You have to honor your body and keep on going.

My parents always encouraged me to be active. But we all have choices.”

Priscilla Caskin Curves member Lynda Tripp of Whitman.

“She looks like she is 68 years old.”

Caskin, a 1934 Wheaton College graduate, avid reader and political enthusiast, celebrated her 98th birthday on Aug. 20.

She said she is committed to maintaining her physical and mental agility for years.

“You have to keep on moving, have fun. ... Laughter is the best medicine,” she said.

1. Get and stay active: Adults should get 2.5 hours of aerobic physical activity per week and perform strengthening activities two days a week.

2. Vary your cardio work with a combination of easy/hard intervals will result in faster fitness gains.

GateHouse News Service/MAUREEN MCCARTHY Priscilla Caskin, 98, performs leg exercises at Curves gym in Whitman, Mass. Three times a week, Caskin walks to the Curves gym for a high-energy, half-hour workout.

Caskin says she is committed to maintaining her physical and mental agility for years.

3. Eat dried fruits, like individually wrapped prunes.

They’re a convenient and nutritious snack whether you’re training for a marathon or just a busy person on the go.

4. Look for highfiber foods, which are critical to digestive health and any weight loss program because they fill you up and help keep the hunger pangs at bay.

5. Eat carbohydrate-rich foods, like bagels, granola bars, crackers, dried plums and fruit juices, after workouts to replenish any lost nutrients.

— ARA

Page 6 Tuesday, September 7, 2010

calendar

healthCALENDAR Items for the Health Calendar may be e-mailed to jill.ritchie@examiner.net or mailed to: The Examiner, P.O. Box 459, Independence, Mo. 64051, attention Jill Ritchie. The following items are for Sept. 8 through 14.

Spotlights

Independence COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE, 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Fairmount Community Center, 217 S. Cedar Ave. To register, call 816-254-8334 or online at www.esavealifenow.org.

Addiction groups

Independence Straight Talk, Narcotics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, First Baptist Church.

Narcotics Anonymous Help Line: 531-2250.

Living Free – Al Anon meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, 1723 Appleton Ave. 461-0039.

Community Substance Abuse Committee, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Independence Police Building.

Blue Springs ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, meetings available daily, most sessions are closed, and there are beginner meetings also, 1428-B W. U.S. 40 (behind Betty’s Diner).

There is a total of 29 meetings per week. For times, call 471-7229.

CHAPEL HILL AL-ANON, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday; 9 a.m. Saturday, 1428-B W. U.S. 40 (behind Betty’s Diner).

BLUE SPRINGS ALATEEN, 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday, 1428-B W. U.S. 40 (behind Betty’s Diner).

Raytown NEW DAY AL-ANON, 10 a.m. Wednesday, Blue Ridge Trinity Lutheran Church. 353-5446.

Bereavement groups

Blue Springs Widowed Persons support group, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Annex A. 2240677 or 229-8093.

Independents Singles Ministry grief support group, 7 p.m. Tuesday, First United Methodist Church. 228-3788.

Adult Bereavement support group, sponsored by St. Mary’s Medical Center, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. several times throughout the year, Vesper Hall. To register, 655-5490.

Lee’s Summit Grief discussion group, 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Lee’s Summit Christian Church.

Other Infant loss group, sponsored by Carondelet Health. 655-5582.

Fitness

Independence Gentle Tai Chi for those 50 and older, 6 p.m.

Monday, The Palmer Center. Free. 325-6200.

Interval training/step aerobics class, 4 to 4:50 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Sermon Center. Cost, $25 for six week session. To register, 325-7370.

LOW IMPACT EXERCISE, 9 a.m. Mondays, Wednesday, Friday, Fairmount Community Center.

254-8334.

Wake Up Workout, 9 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, The Palmer Center. Cost, $2. 325-6200.

Walk to the Beat, 8 a.m., Monday-Friday, Fairmount Community Center. 254-8334.

PEPPI exercise classes, 10:15 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, The Palmer Center. Free. To regis-

ter, 325-6200.

PEPPI exercise classes, 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Fairmount Community Center. To register, 254-8334.

Move to the Beat for ages 12 to 16, 7:10 to 7:50 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Sermon Center. Each six-week session costs $25 for a teen; $35 if you bring a parent. 325-7370.

Parent Tot-ercise for ages 3 to 5, 9:30 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sermon Center. Cost, $15 for each parent/child unit per month; $17.50 if there are five Tuesdays. 325-7370.

PAVEMENT POUNDERS 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, Friday, The Palmer Center. 325-6200.

SITTIN’ FIT chair exercises class, 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday, The Palmer Center. Free. 325-6200.

STRETCH AND TONE, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday, The Palmer Center. Cost, $1. 325-6200.

ZUMBA GOLD, dynamic workout to Latin and international rhythms, 10 a.m. Wednesday, Palmer Center. Cost, $2. 325-6200.

TAI CHI by the Three Dragons Way, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sermon Center. Cost, $35 for a fourweek session; $40 for a 5-week session. 325-7370.

FIT FRIENDS CLASS for ages 18 and older, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Sermon Center. Cost, $25 per each session. 325-7370.

WALK TO THE BEAT, 2 to 3 p.m. Friday, The Palmer Center. Free. 325-6200.

Blue Springs Swimnastics, 9 to 10 a.m. and 8 to 9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday; 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Friday, Centennial Pool-Plex. Cost, $3.75 per visit. 228-0188.

| Yourtake | What is your favorite fall physical activity, and why?

Brandon Black, 12 Sixth grader at Nativity of Mary

“Karate – I learn selfdefense, and I also learn to write some Japanese.”

Hannah Michael, 16 Lee’s Summit

“Running because I love running with my friends and with my (cross country) team. I love being in shape.”

Ethan Fetters, 11 Independence

“Run outside because the weather is nice, and you don’t get so hot.”

– Adrianne DeWeese

Therapeutic swim, 10:15 to 11:15 a.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Centennial Pool-Plex. Cost, $3.75 per visit. 228-0188.

Crosstrainer aerobics, 9 to 10 a.m., Monday, Wednesday, Vesper Hall. Cost, $2.50 per class.

228-0181.

Prenatal and postnatal exercise classes, 9:45 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 300 N.W. Mock Ave. 655-5400.

Weight room for ages 50 and older, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Tuesday, Thursday, Vesper Hall. Cost, $10 per month; $2 per visit; $96 for a year. 228-0181.

Yoga — For beginners and beyond, 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Vesper Hall. Cost, $2.50 per session. 228-0181.

YOGA-GENTLE FLOW, 6:45 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Vesper Hall. Cost, $8 per visit, $48 for six classes. 228-0181.

Tai Chi, 8:30 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Vesper Hall. Cost, $2.50. 228-0181.

Swimnastics, 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday and Friday, Centennial Pool-Plex. Cost, $3.75 per visit. 228-0188.

Stretching exercise, 10 to 11 a.m., Tuesday, Thursday, Vesper Hall. Cost, $1.50. 228-0181.

ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION EXERCISE PROGRAM for older adults, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Wednesday and Friday, Vesper Hall. Cost, $1 per session. 228-0181.

Stretch AND TONE, 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, Vesper Hall. Cost, $2.50. 228-0181.

Raytown Tai Chi, 11 a.m. Thursday, Elliott Place Retirement Community. Free. 313-6800.

Kansas City WALK AND TALK, 7 to 10 a.m. Monday-Friday, Ascension Lutheran Church, 4900 Blue Ridge Blvd.

358-1919.

PACE (People with Arthritis Can Exercise), 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Thursday, Truman Medical Center-Lakewood. 373-4415, Ext. 1175.

Miscellaneous

Independence MATERNITY UNIT TOURS, Centerpoint Medical Center. Call 751-3000 for dates and to register.

Food handler/manager permit training classes, food handler classes, 3:30 p.m. Thursdays at Truman Memorial Building, 1 and 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Independence Health Department; manager classes, 9 a.m. Monday. There is a fee. To register, 325-7803.

Salvation Army Seeing Help (SASH), 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, The Salvation Army building. There will be games, speakers or descriptive video movies, plus a meal. 461-4869 or 373-3363.

Blue Springs Break Time Club, sponsored by Shepherd Center of Blue Springs, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Timothy Lutheran Church. For older adults with some physical and/or mental limitations. A donation of $10 to the cost of the program is suggested. 228-5300.

Prenatal/Infant/Child programs

Blue Springs Blue Springs/Lee’s Summit Tough Love support group, for families dealing with unacceptable adolescent behavior, 7:30 to 9:40 p.m. Tuesday, First Christian Church. 913-492-1200.

Moms & Moms-to-be prenatal and postnatal class, 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, Family YMCA. 224-9620.

Natural family planning session, 7 p.m.

Continued on Page 7

Tuesday, September 7, 2010 Page 7

calendar

healthCALENDAR Continued from Page 6 Thursday, St. Mary’s Medical Center. Fee. For reservations, 913-384-1000.

Kansas City Tough Love support group, for families dealing with unacceptable adolescent behavior, 7:30 to 9:40 p.m. Wednesday, Longview United Methodist Church. 881-6570.

Tough Love support group, for families dealing with unacceptable adolescent behavior, 7:30 to 9:40 p.m. Thursday, Colonial Presbyterian Church. 881-6570.

Truman Medical Center-Lakewood WIC Nutrition Program, for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or gave birth less than six months ago. 404-4WIC.

Screenings/Immunizations

Independence Blood pressure checks for older adults, 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday, Sermon Center. 325-7370.

Blood pressure checks for those 50 and older, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Palmer Center.

Free. 325-6200.

Vision screening for those 50 years and older, noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sermon Center. 3257370.

Grain Valley IMMUNIZATION AND BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC, sponsored by the Jackson County Health Department, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Grain Valley Community Center. Blood pressure checks and childhood

immunizations are free. TB tests and payable vaccines by appointment only. 404-6443.

Support groups

Independence Domestic violence group for men, 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Family Conservancy of Eastern Jackson County. 373-7577.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving, INDEPENDENCE GROUP, has grief survivors meeting Monday in Independence. Help for bereaved or injured victims, volunteers accepted. For time and location, call Michelle Fordemwalt, 295-1545.

Caring Communities Kinship, 7 p.m. Monday, Cler-Mont Community School. LiLi Moe, 796-6041.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS “Rebel Lunch Bunch” luncheon, 1 p.m. Tuesday, O’Charley’s. Kimberly, 4194276 or Nita, 255-8944.

ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Villages of Jackson Creek-Memory Care. Free and open to the public. Call Monica Benson, 478-5689.

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, East Independence Church of Christ. Kathleen Bessmer, 913-613-5251.

Multiple Sclerosis, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Red Lobster. 833-4151.

Caregivers SUPPORT GROUP, 2 p.m. Thursday, Centerpoint Medical Center Cafeteria, private dining room. Call 698-7584 to register.

ALZHEIMER’S support group, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Fairmount Community Center. 254-8334.

VOID (Victims Of Impaired Drivers), 6 to 7 p.m. business meeting; 7 to 9 p.m. support meeting, Friday,

Walnut Gardens Community of Christ, 19201 R.D. Mize Road. Call 816-536-2853.

Caring Communities Divorce and Step Family, 6:30 p.m. once a month, days vary, Blue Hills Elementary School. 796-6290.

Blue Springs Overcomer’s Outreach 12-step, 7 to 8 p.m.

Monday, Blue Springs Assembly. 229-3298.

Diabetes, 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, St. Mary’s Medical Center Birthing Center Conference Room. 655-5244.

CHADD (Parents of Children with Attention Deficit Disorder), 7 p.m. Tuesday, Care Net Clinic. Call Jessie Roggenbach, 228-6222.

CANCER support group, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, First United Methodist Church, Room 100. Call 2298108.

Caregivers, sponsored by Shepherd Center of Blue Springs, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Timothy Lutheran Church. 228-5300.

PARENTS OF NICU BABIES, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, St. Mary’s Birthing Center. Moms delivering at other facilities are welcome. 655-5574, option 5.

Breastfeeding, offered by St. Mary’s Medical Center, 10 a.m. Thursday, 206 Mock Ave., Suite 101.

655-5574.

Holding on to Hope, for parents who have had a child die, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, every other month, Timothy Lutheran Church. Call Nancy Nowiszewski, 228-5300, Ext. 320.

CHRISTIAN 12-STEP RECOVERY PROGRAM, 7 p.m. Friday, Blue Springs Christian Church. Call Steve, 229-7311, Ext. 243.

Lee’s Summit

Dealing with loss, 1 p.m. Monday, John Knox Village, Ambassador meeting room. Call Darlene Gutshall, 347-2310.

Stroke, 1 p.m. Wednesday, Lee’s Summit Hospital. 969-6900.

Other Agoraphobia, 7 p.m. 649-9863.

Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse, daily meetings, Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault. 931-4527.

Groups sponsored by Carondelet Health. For the BreathEasy group call 655-5236; and for cancer group call 224-3489.

National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Center, 913-652-1542 or visit www.nocirc.org.

Women’s Issues

Independence La Leche League, Jackson County A.M. Group, 10 a.m. Thursday, Trails West Public Library. For breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women interested in breastfeeding. Call Kayl, 254-5992.

Women’s Empowerment Groups, sponsored by the Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA), 6:30 to 8:30 Monday. For locations, call Karen Costa, 2528388, Ext. 16.

Other Hope House Inc. weekly support groups, open to any female who has been or is now involved in an abusive relationship. For times and location, call the hotline at 461-4673.

Compiled by Jillayne Ritchie

Page 8 Tuesday, September 7, 2010

nutrition

Prunes keep things moving Combination of dietary fiber, sorbitol does the trick DEAR DR. BLONZ: As far back as I can remember, prunes (now called dried plums) were touted to be the answer for all high-fiber needs, especially when traveling upset the normal balance of things.

I reviewed the amounts of fiber for a number of foods and noticed that 1/2 cup blueberries has 10 grams of fiber, 1/2 cup dried figs has 9 grams, and 1/2 cup dried prunes has just 6 grams of fiber. How or why did the prunes acquire the reputation

Ed Blonz On Nutrition Ed Blonz, Ph.D., is a nutrition scientist and author. Send questions to: “On Nutrition,” Ed Blonz, c/o Newspaper Enterprise Association, 200 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016. E-mail him at ed@blonz.com. for being the “cure-all”? -- F.S., Highland Park, Ill. DEAR F.S.: In addition to being a source of dietary fiber, fresh and dried plums contain vitamins, minerals and a variety of healthful phytochemicals. They also contain sorbitol, a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that is made

artificially and used as an artificial sweetener in gums and candies. Sorbitol holds water as it travels through the digestive tract.

This adds to the bulk traveling through the system and represents another type of aid toward laxation. The laxative effect of prune juice can be attributed, to a significant degree, to its sorbitol content. Large intakes of sorbitol, whether from prune juice or from sugarless gums and candies, can lead to bloating and gas, especially when consumed on an empty stomach.

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I need to reduce the cholesterol in my diet. Is there any way of knowing how much dietary cholesterol is gone when you remove poultry skin, or trim the visible fat from meats? -- R.V., via e-mail DEAR R.V.: Cholesterol is a natural component in muscle cells, and while there is some in the skin and fat, most of the cholesterol is found in the light and dark meat. This holds true for beef, pork and lamb as well. Buying leaner cuts does little to reduce the cholesterol in the meal. But keep in mind that the amount

of fat in the diet coupled with the presence or lack of other wholesome foods has more of an effect on your blood cholesterol than the actual amount of cholesterol you eat.

While they both can play a role, the key is the overall quality of the diet, coupled with other lifestyle variables. Practices such as trimming meats and taking the skin off poultry are excellent ways to cut out unneeded fat, as in doing so they can lower the caloric value of a particular meal.

DEAR DR. BLONZ: I have heard that cottage cheese when consumed by the elderly, leaches calcium from the bones. Is this true? Thank you for your response. -M.M., Lima, Ohio DEAR M.M.: One half cup of low-fat (1-percent) cottage cheese contains 14 grams protein, 1 gram fat, 3 grams carbohydrate and 69 milligrams calcium. It is a healthful, versatile food. I have no idea where you might have heard this nonsense, but there is no scientific basis to be concerned that cottage cheese leaches calcium from the bones -- and this goes for people in any age group.

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