Health bytes

Digestible tidbits about local and national trends in health

1. Get the skinny on healthy eating
Looking for a healthy eating plan that won’t break the bank? The answer is just a click away at the United States Department of Agriculture’s Web site: www.mypyramid.gov. This online source offers free personalized eating plans, interactive tools and advice to help you such as making smart food choices, finding the balance between food and physical activity, getting the most nutrition out of your calories, and staying within your daily calorie needs.

2. Are you physically fit?
If you’re a baby boomer, you probably remember taking the president’s fitness tests conducted in physical education class. Now, you can see how you stack up as an adult online at www.fitness.gov. This Web site provides tests to measure your aerobic fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and body composition. Plus, it will evaluate your results. Need help getting started with a fitness program? The site can help with that, too.

3. Get the health facts on traveling overseas
If an overseas trip is in your future, head to Foreign Travel and Wilderness Medicine Services at the Hutchinson Medical Center, 3 Century Avenue S.E. Help is available for travelers ranging from pre- and post-travel medical consultations and travel vaccines to itinerary specific health education. It’s a one-stop shop for the overseas traveler. To learn more, visit www.hutchinsonmedicalcenter.com/ pages/travel clinic.html, or call (320) 587-2020.

4. The health benefits of volunteering
There’s more to volunteering than helping others. A study titled “The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research” released in 2007, found a significant connection between volunteering and good health. The report showed that volunteers have greater longevity, higher functional ability, lower rates of depression and less incidence of heart disease. Research suggests that volunteering is particularly beneficial to the health of older adults and those serving 100 hours annually.

Source: www.americorps.gov

5. Walking for a cure
Raise money for cancer research by fielding a team at area Relay for Life events:

<< McLeod County Relay for Life will take place at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, and ends at 7 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at Masonic/West River Park along the Crow River in Hutchinson. For information, call Missy Wiedow at (952) 657-2299.

<< Meeker County Relay for life took place Friday, June 20. If you’re interested in volunteering for next year’s event, e-mail Lisa.Hicks@co. meeker.mn.us or Laura.Lindeman@co.meeker.mn.us or call (320) 693-5370.

6. Doctor, doctor!
When it comes to television, actors make the best doctors. Here are the favorites according to the Los Angeles Times:

1. Dr. Derek Shepherd, (Patrick Dempsey), “Grey’s Anatomy”

2. Dr. Noah Drake, (Rick Springfield), “General Hospital”

3. Dr. John J.D. Dorian, (Zach Braff), “Scrubs”

4. Dr. James Kildare, (Richard Chamberlain), “Dr. Kildare”

5. Dr. Gregory House, (Hugh Laurie), “House”

6. Dr. Ben Casey, (Vince Edwards), “Ben Casey”

7. Dr. Luka Kovac, (Goran Visnjic), “ER”

8. Dr. Steven Kiley, (James Brolin), “Marcus Welby, M.D.”

9. Dr. Hawkeye Pierce, (Alan Alda), “MASH”

10. Dr. Phillip Chandler, (Denzel Washington), “St. Elsewhere”

7. Eat safe this summer
Now that warmer weather has arrived, it’s picnic time. It’s fun to gather family and friends for a cookout, but don’t let uninvited guests such as foodborne illnesses rain on your parade. The University of Minnesota Extension recommends the following:

<< Clean: Wash hands and surfaces often.

<< Separate: Don’t cross-contaminate foods. For example, prevent raw meat juices from coming in contact with ready-to-eat food.

<< Cook to proper temperatures: Use an instant-read food thermometer when grilling meats and poultry.

<< Chill: Keep cold foods cold. Keep the cooler out of direct sun and replenish ice as needed.

Source: University of Minnesota Extension Fact Sheet

8. Dance fever
Whether it’s the tango or the fox trot, dancing is good for more than cuddling with the one you love. It can be a source of exercise. The benefits of dancing depend on the frequency, length and intensity of your workouts. Dancing also helps with cardiovascular conditioning and building strong bones.

Source: Online at www.mayoclinic.com

9. Vitamin facts
When it comes to vitamins, it’s easy to be confused. Consumers have shelf after shelf of dietary supplements that claim to improve everything from hair and fingernails to arthritic joints. What works and what doesn’t? To help sort fact from fiction, the Food and Drug Administration or FDA provides information on vitamins online at www.fda.gov/consumer/ updates/vitamins111907. html. The page offers consumers information from reasons to buy vitamins to risks of overdoing it. Information is also available online at
www.cfsanfda.gov/~dms/supplmnt.html, www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ds-take.html, and at
dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/.

10. Top 10 reasons to give blood
If you’re on the fence about donating blood, the American Red Cross has compiled a Top 10 list of why you should.

10. You will get free juice and cookies.

9. You will weigh less — one pint less when you leave than when you came in.

8. It’s easy and convenient — it only takes about an hour and you can make the donation at a donor center, or at one of the many Red Cross mobile blood drives.

7. It’s something you can spare — most people have blood to spare ... yet, there is still not enough to go around.

6. Nobody can ask you to do any heavy lifting as long as you have the bandage on. You can wear it for as long as you like. It's your badge of honor.

5. You will walk a little taller afterward — you will feel good about yourself.

4. You will be helping to ensure that blood is there when you or someone close to you may need it. Most people don't think they’ll ever need blood, but many do.

3. It’s something you can do on equal footing with the rich and famous — blood is something money can’t buy. Only something one person can give to another.

2. You will be someone’s hero — you may give a newborn, a child, a mother or a father, a brother or a sister another chance at life. In fact, you may help save up to three lives with just one donation.

1. It’s the right thing to do.

Source: the American Red Cross

11. Early detection is the best protection
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, colorectal cancer is the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among both men and women. It is estimated that as many as 60 percent of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented if those at risk would undergo routine exams. This disease does not always have symptoms, so screening is important. Symptoms can include: blood in or on stool; consistent pain, aches or cramps in the stomach; change in bowel habits such as narrow stools and weight loss. What can you do to prevent colorectal cancer? At 50, get screened. Speak with your health-care provider if you have a family history of the disease. Maintain a healthy lifestyle with exercise, healthy eating habits and regular checkups.

Source: News to Use

12. Are you a dashboard diner?
Do you feel like you spend more time in your car than in your own kitchen? You’re not alone. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average American spends about 49 minutes a day commuting to and from work. With this much time in the car, it's not surprising that eating while driving is the fourth leading cause of crashes and near misses, according to a 2006 report by the National Highway, Traffic Safety Administration. Avoiding accidents requires both hands and no distractions. We used to be reminded not to drink and drive. Now it's don't eat and drive.

Source: News to Use

13. Consult a virtual doctor for what ails you
Health-care consumers will find a new kind of doctor on the World Wide Web. It’s now possible to get free advice on what might be wrong from a virtual doctor who also explains where to go for treatment. The free medical service at www.freemd.com is the idea of founder Dr. Stephen Schueler, an emergency room physician. The site offers a lifelike experience that provides personalized recommendations. It’s important to note that while the technology is based on standard medical practice, it isn’t a substitute for an examination in person by a practitioner.

Source: News USA

14. Crancrazy!
Cranberries may be small in size, but they pack a powerful nutritional punch. According to the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association, cranberries are a healthy, low-calorie snack. Research suggests the fruit can play a significant role in preventing urinary tract infections and reducing the risk of gum disease. Cranberries and cranberry products contain significant amounts of antioxidants that may help protect against heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Plus, cranberries may be beneficial in the prevention of ulcers, which are linked to stomach cancer and acid reflux disease. To learn more visit online at www.wiscran.org.

15. Movie cures
It’s been said laughter is the best medicine. If that is the case, the following movies should deliver a powerful punch of good health. The American Film Institute top 10 funniest movies of all time are:

10. “Airplane!” 1980

9. “The Graduate” 1967

8. “It Happened One Night” 1934

7. “MASH” 1970

6. “Blazing Saddles” 1974

5. “Duck Soup” 1933

4. “Annie Hall” 1977

3. “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” 1964

2. “Tootsie” 1982

1. “Some Like It Hot” 1959

16. When it comes to coffee, drink up
Coffee lovers perk up, here’s five healthy facts about your favorite cup of joe:

1. Coffee is rich in antioxidants and fiber.

2. Coffee can help you get in shape.

3. Coffee can help you work out your mind.

4. Coffee is just as hydrating for your body as water.

5. A cup of coffee can help protect you from disease.

For more coffee information, visit online at www.coffeescience.org.

17. When it comes to injuries, think R.I.C.E.
With the arrival of summer comes an increase in outdoor sports and sports-related injuries. When a minor injury strikes such as a sprained joint or a strained muscle, treat it with R.I.C.E.: rest, ice, compression and elevation. With this treatment, you can relieve pain, limit swelling and protect injured tissue. If you’re uncertain how to treat your injury or if it’s not responding to R.I.C.E. treatment, seek medical attention.

18. Minnesota cancer stats
Cancer kills approximately 9,000 Minnesotans each year. Nationally, heart disease is the leading cause of death, but in Minnesota, cancer has been the leading cause of death since 2000. In 2006, 1,559 more Minnesotans died from cancer than from heart disease. Cancer is very common. An average of 23,590 Minnesotans were diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening cancer each year from 2002 to 2004. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2008, the number will be 23,160. At current rates, approximately half of all Minnesotans will be diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening cancer during their lifetime.