BEACON - Health & Wellness (May 2014)

summer 2014

Guy Borden, left, of Borden Farms, helps a customer at a local farmers market.

Produced by the Beacon’s Advertising Team

Your Guide to a Healthy Mind & Body

Photo courtesy of Bordan farms.

Health &Wellness

Now on the web at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

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May 2014

Quick fixes to healthy up your summer eating habits

By Sandra Gordon

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ure, you can just get take out, zoom through the drivethru or zap up some frozen dinners. But if you really want to eat healthier and save money, get chopping, stirring and sautéing.

“With home cooking, you know what’s in it, you can adjust it to taste and it’s a good way to keep your portions under control,” TV food producer and “L.A.’s Original Farmers Market Cookbook” author JoAnn Cianciulli said.

If you’re skeptical about the power of do-it-yourself meals, consider that over the past 30 years, the number of restaurants in the U.S. increased by 89 percent along with the average calorie intake, which rose by 615 calories, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Can you say obesity epidemic? But homemade eats can reverse the trend.

To help you jam-pack your meals with better-for-you fuel and think outside the take-out container we polled chefs, bloggers, registered dietitians and other foodies for their healthiest cooking tips. The gist? Small cooking changes can make a big diet difference. Here’s the dish on their top practical meal tweaks that can easily become part of your recipe for success, even if you’re just cooking for one.

Smart swaps Bring home the bacon (flavor).

In recipes that call for bacon, such as lentil soup or quiche, substitute

smoked Spanish paprika or chipotle powder (add it when you’re sautéing the onions and other ingredients).

“You’ll get the smoky flavor without the calories and saturated fat,” Cianciulli said.

Makeover mashed potatoes. New York

City registered dietician Natalia Strasenko said to replace some of the potatoes with steamed cauliflower, for a lighter texture, a boost of nutrients and fewer calories.

Go Greek. Rene Ficek with Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating in Illinois advised to substitute plain, low-fat or fat-free Greek yogurt for just about any recipe (dips, sauces, dollops on a baked potato or nachos) that calls for sour cream, saving 45 calories per 2-tablespoon serving. Greek yogurt’s creamy texture and tangy taste mimics sour cream with little or no fat and as much as 50 percent more protein.

Secret sauce: balsamic vinegar reduction. Ficek

also shared this healthy substitute for buttery, salty sauces or sugary BBQ sauce. Bring balsamic vinegar to a boil, then simmer until it’s reduced by half (about 20 minutes). Add a tablespoon or two of fruit-infused flavored vinegar for an additional layer of flavor, such as strawberry vinegar for chicken, or pomegranate vinegar for fish.

Whip up a dream cream. “When you’re making whipped cream, use 1 cup skim milk plus 1 tablespoon

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May 2014 cornstarch instead of heavy cream to reduce saturated fat,” Western Dairy Association spokesperson in Denver Jenna Allen, RD, said.

Cut the cheese. To reduce a recipe’s saturated fat and calories, forget swapping in low-fat or nonfat cheese.

Yuck! Instead: “Cut the amount of cheese a recipe calls for in half and substitute a sharper cheese that’s naturally low-fat, such as parmesan, Romano, Asiago or manchego to intensify the flavor,” Chicago-based chef Jonas Falk said.

Slash sugar, get zesty. With desserts, such as pudding or even your grandmother’s sugar cookie recipe, chef Jennifer Iserloh suggested to cut the sugar in half and add orange or lemon zest or a teaspoon of vanilla, hazelnut, rum, caramel or almond extract. Zest can emulate sweetness and halving the amount of sugar won’t change a recipe’s texture or diminish its nutrient content. At 16 calories per tablespoon of sugar, you’ll save 256 calories per omitted cup.

Thickening trick. “Use pureed chick peas or white bean to thicken soups and sauces rather than flour and butter,” Chicago natural foods chef and health coach Amanda Skrip said.

Nutrition know how Get picky. While preparing meals, stop and look at the recipe, or what’s on your plate and think, how can I make this meal healthier?

“Pick one thing. It could be to add a vegetable, increase protein, use a leaner meat or switch from a refined grain like white rice to whole grain like quinoa,” said Dr. Samantha Brody, a naturopathic physician in Portland, Oregon.

Sneak in produce. The next time

you’re making a batch of tomato sauce for pasta, lasagna or meatballs, give it a nutrient and fiber boost by adding pureed white beans, frozen spinach, finely chopped mushrooms and pureed zucchini, Strasenko said.

Reserve butter for baking. Forget using applesauce, pureed prunes or mashed bananas instead of butter in baking (old think). Just use butter.

“You don’t want butter in every aspect of your meal, but it’s okay to reserve it for dessert,” culinary nutritionist at Rouge Tomate in New York City Kristy Lambrou said.

Time savers Freeze onions. Onions, a decent source of quercetin, which can help keep blood pressure low, are a recipe staple.

“Save time and money by pre-chopping all of your onions and freezing them in a baggie. You can pull them out whenever you need them to get cooking right away without any fuss or tears,” said Jennifer Fugo, a certified gluten-free health coach in Philadelphia.

Skip the rinse cycle. Don’t rinse raw chicken before cooking.

“Any bacteria present can be splashed around your kitchen, potentially contaminating other foods that don’t get cooked, such as fresh produce,” said David Acheson, M.D., a food safety expert in Washington, D.C. and former chief medical officer at the Food and Drug Administration.

Any potentially harmful bacteria on chicken will be destroyed during

health & wellness 3

Eat fresh on the Western Slope Home cooking is even better when you know where your food comes from. Here are some local destinations that provide fresh ingredients that are sure to make you feel even better about any healthy meal you make.

Delta County Borden Farms

Takes place on Main Street from 5 p.m.8:30 p.m. every Thursday from June 12 through September 18.

Borden Organic Farm provides fresh, organic and hand-picked fruits and vegetables at the peak of flavor and nutritional value. During the season, you can visit Borden Farms at area farmers markets or you can visit them at 51245 Carnation Road in Delta. You can also join their community supported agriculture program. For details, call 874-1064 or visit www.bordenfarms. com

Fruita Farmers Market

Delta Main Street Market

Mesa County Downtown Farmers Market

Takes place on the Fruita Civic Center Lawn Takes place at Fourth and Main Streets from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. every Saturday from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. every Wednesday from from June 28 through September 20.

July through September.

Sunday Farmers Market in Palisade Takes place in downtown Palisade, near Third and Main Streets, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Sunday from June 15 through September 21.

Field to Fork CSA Field to Fork is located in Palisade and offers shares of fresh produce throughout the growing season to members of their community supported agriculture program.

For more information, call 216-2642. cooking anyway. Poultry can go from package to baking dish, pan or grill.

The same goes for beef, pork and fish. Similarly, consider prewashed, ready-to-eat lettuce good to go. But do rinse all other produce.

“Anything that comes from a field that isn’t prewashed should be washed, including heads of iceberg lettuce and whole cantaloupe,” Acheson says.

Calorie saver Say yes to the dressing. Forget bottled salad dressing with its long list of iffy ingredients. Make your own with lemon or lime juice or apple cider, red wine or balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Paonia North Fork Farmers Market Takes place at Third and Grand Streets from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Saturday from May through October.

Montrose County Montrose Farmers Market Takes place at South First and Uncompahgre from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. every Saturday from May 10 through October.

“An acidy ingredient like lemon juice or vinegar helps the body absorb the iron and minerals in greens while the oil allows us to absorb fat-soluble compounds, such as vitamins and antioxidants,” certified diabetes educator in Houston Ali Miller said.

To curb salad calories, “chop lettuce and vegetables finely. The small pieces will meld, creating a flavor explosion in your mouth and you’ll need less dressing,” said Devin Alexander, chef of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” and author of “The Most Decadent Diet Ever.” ■

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May 2014

How might I know if I have an aneurysm?

By Fred Cicetti

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Varicose veins of all sizes are the external manifestation of a larger, more extensive vein valve problem. The valves stop working and blood flows the wrong way: down the leg, not up.

Treatment for both internal & external deformed veins requires internal (endo) laser, where the laser fiber is placed inside the abnormal veins to “weld” them closed, plus schlerotherapy (chemical treatment) done at the same time. Anything less will invite re-occurrences. All treatment is by local anesthesia and in our JCAHO Nationally Accredited, private in-office operating room. IV sedation can be added as an option.

Unlike treatment by others, Dr. Merkel offers a one stop, one treatment session to correct the entire system; not by repeated injections. And yes, some insurances do cover part of the treatment. We’ll check it out for you.

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Send your general health questions to the Healthy Geezer in care of the BEACON, or email fred@healthygeezer.com.

The type and location of the aneurysm will determine the symptoms.

1. Chest aortic

aneurysms occur in the large blood vessel (aorta) that carries blood from the heart to other parts of the body.

They may cause shortness of breath, a raspy voice, backache or shoulder pain.

3. Cerebral aneu-

rysms may produce headaches, pain in your neck and face, or trouble seeing and talking.

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neurysms are artery bulges and can be pretty scary because if they burst, they can be lethal. Many victims of a ruptured aneurysm die before they get to a hospital.

Fortunately, aneurysms can be detected by a physical examination, xray, ultrasound and modern imaging systems such as a CAT scan or MRI. Aneurysms in the upper chest are usually operated on immediately.

Doctors watch aneurysms in the lower chest and the area below the stomach. If they grow too large or cause symptoms, surgery may be required.

Once an aneurysm meets the requirements for surgery, in most cases, the weakened portion of the aorta is replaced with an artificial graft.

A treatment has been developed to repair an aneurysm using lessinvasive surgery in which a stentgraft made of a polyester tube inside a metal cylinder is inserted into the bloodstream at the end of a catheter.

The stent-graft is positioned to carry the blood flow instead of the aneurysm.

The risk of getting an aneurysm is increased if you are older than 60, if you have plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis) or if you have high blood pressure.

You may also be at greater risk if you smoke or if you have injuries or infections of the blood vessels, a congenital abnormality, or inherited diseases.

Most aneurysms are caused by a breakdown in the proteins that provide the structural strength to the wall of the aorta. These proteins can gradually deteriorate with age but inflammation that is associated with atherosclerosis can accelerate the process. There are also naturally occurring enzymes that cause the breakdown of the proteins. An excess of these enzymes or other conditions that activate these enzymes may also contribute to the formation of an aneurysm, or its sudden growth. In rare cases, an aneurysm may be caused by infection.

If you think you or one of your family members might have an aortic aneurysm, see a doctor without delay. ■

2. Abdominal aor-

tic aneurysms may cause pain or tenderness below your stomach, make you less hungry, or give you an upset stomach.

4. Ventricular

aneurysms in the heart’s main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) may cause shortness of breath, chest pain or an irregular heartbeat.

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May 2014

Smile. People are listening.

T he image you project is worth a thousand words. It takes mere moments to make a first impression, and according to a study by University of California, Los Angeles, only 7 percent comes from our spoken words.

Since your smile is often the first thing people notice, maybe it’s time to create the smile you’ve always dreamed of having. It’s never too soon—or too late—for a professional, cosmetic dental makeover.

Whitening is by far the most popular way to take a smile from boring to beaming. With in-office and/or takehome bleaching, we can brighten most teeth.

Veneers are completely natural looking and can correct the ap-

pearance and function of cracked, chipped, or unevenly spaced teeth.

We can also change the length, shape and color of your teeth.

Tooth-colored fillings can strengthen your teeth and make you look like you’ve never had a cavity.

Crowns can repair severely damaged teeth and when combined with bridges or implants, can replace gaps created by missing teeth.

So please, go ahead—give yourself the gift of a great-looking smile. Without you saying a word, your smile will shout, “I’m the best I can be!”

To make an appointment to get started creating your best smile, contact cosmetic dentist Dr. Julie Gillis at 242-3635. Visit www.juliegillisdds. com for more information. ■

Give yourself the gift of a greatlooking smile

Take control of your safety during Older Americans Month

O

lder adults have made countless contributions and sacrifices to ensure a better life for future generations. Since 1963, communities across the country have shown their gratitude by celebrating Older Americans Month each May. This celebration recognizes older Americans for their contributions and demonstrates our nation’s commitment to helping them stay healthy and active.

This year’s theme for Older Americans Month is “Safe Today. Healthy Tomorrow.” The theme focuses on injury prevention and safety to encourage older adults to protect themselves and remain active and independent for as long as possible.

Unintentional injuries to this population result in at least six million medically treated injuries and more than 30,000 deaths every year. With an emphasis on safety during Older Americans Month, we encourage older adults to learn about the variety of ways they can avoid the leading

causes of injury, like falls.

While Region 10 Area Agency on Aging provides services, support and resources to older adults year-round, Older Americans Month offers an opportunity for us to provide specialized information and services around the important topic of injury prevention. This information will help older adults take control of their safety and live longer, healthier lives.

Throughout the month, Region 10 Area Agency on Aging will be conducting activities and providing tips on how to avoid the leading causes of injury. To learn more about Older Americans Month and how you can participate, visit www.region10. net, call 249-2436 and follow us on Facebook.

Contact your local Area Agency on Aging office by visiting www.elder care.gov or calling 1-800-677-1116 to find ongoing opportunities to celebrate and support older Americans. ■

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Solutions for 9 embarrassing health conditions

S

ome bodily changes can be seen as badges of honor: knees that turned arthritic from scoring winning touchdowns in high school.

Once model-like figures lost — but worth it — from birthing amazing offspring. Gray hairs proudly “earned” from a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice.

But unflattering smells, sounds, leaks and other unwelcome episodes common after age 50 share one identical symptom: such embarrassment that two of three patients would rather suffer in silence than discuss the condition with their doctor, say researchers. Even before the Internet allowed for anonymous access to answers, surveys indicated that embarrassing ailments were the top reason why Americans didn’t get a medical exam when they knew they should.

The problem is, remaining mum about problems can affect your overall health.

“Most embarrassing symptoms can be treated — often easily,” says Donnica Moore, M.D., of the Sapphire Women›s Health Group in New Jersey and author of Women’s Health for Life. “But sometimes they indicate a bigger problem.”

1. Bad Breath Likely causes: Dry mouth, which can be caused by many medications, including those used to treat depression, high blood pressure, urinary incontinence, allergies and Parkinson’s disease; eating sulfur-containing foods such as onions and garlic; gum disease and cavities; smoking or drinking coffee. But the top cause is poor dental hygiene — and interestingly, daily flossing to remove odorcausing trapped food ranks highest

as the health habit “patients are most likely to skip or overestimate doing,” notes Moore.

Do-it-Yourself (DIY) treatments: Combat dry mouth by drinking more water, eating saliva-inducing apples and celery, and chewing gum. Avoid toothpastes that contain the compound sodium lauryl sulfate. Along with brushing and flossing, eating probiotic-containing yogurt or supplements may control oral bacteria.

What a doctor may do: Search for a cause, because bad breath can indicate respiratory infection, sinusitis, bronchitis, diabetes, and gastrointestinal or kidney problems.

Noteworthy: Some studies have found brushing your tongue (not just your teeth) reduced “bad breath measurements” up to 70 percent, reports the American Dental Association.

2. Constipation Likely causes: Inadequate fluids or exercise, stress, medications for depression and high blood pressure — or just being female. “A woman’s wider and flatter pelvic muscles weaken with age, causing the sigmoid colon to drop, which makes the large intestines work harder to move things through,” says gastroenterologist David T. Rubin, M.D., of the University of Chicago Medicine.

DIY treatments: Milk of magnesia or “gentle” laxatives such as MiraLAX or GlycoLax as needed (but avoid “stimulant” laxatives). Exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Coffee can also help.

What a doctor may do: If the problem is ongoing with little improvement, test for low thyroid, colon cancer, diverticulosis or other

GI problems; review current medications that may cause problems — or prescribe one to relieve them.

Noteworthy: A highfiber diet has long been recommended to help prevent constipation, “but recent studies indicate fiber doesn’t treat constipation,” says Rubin — and some research even finds that unknown-caused constipation may improve by reducing dietary fiber intake.

3. Flatulence Likely causes: Swallowing air when you smoke, eat or talk; snoring and sleep disorders; eating dairy, legumes — such as lentils and beans — or foods and drinks high in sugar and soy; use of antibiotics and other medications.

DIY treatments: Eat more slowly.

Take activated charcoal or other over-the-counter products containing simethicone; Beano, an over-thecounter product containing enzymes; or lactase supplements before a meal. Avoid excessive consumption of problem foods and sugary products.

What a doctor may do: Test for lactose intolerance, bacterial overgrowth or irritable bowel syndrome.

Noteworthy: Most people pass gas up to 21 times a day. Foul odors usually result from sulfur, so to protect those around you, limit sulfur-containing foods such as meat, eggs and cauliflower.

4. Rectal Itch Likely causes: Poor wiping, which can occur with aging-related physical impairment; prolapsed rectum; pinworms; anal warts sometimes caused by human papillomavirus (HPV); psoriasis; hemorrhoids; dyes or other agents in toilet paper.

DIY treatments: Wipe with unscented baby wipes rather than

May 2014 toilet paper — “and keep them in the refrigerator” for a cooling effect, suggests Rubin. (Just don’t flush them down the toilet, unless you really miss seeing your plumber.) Apply diaper rash ointment or antifungal powders sold for vaginal infections before bedtime.

What a doctor may do: Check for diabetes or other possible causes of a yeast infection in the anus, and underlying colorectal conditions.

Noteworthy: Don’t use a washcloth on an itchy bottom, warns Rubin. It’s too irritating — and worsens itching. To check for pinworms — microscopic parasites in contaminated food that mature in intestines — place a piece of tape over your rectum at night and check for worms on the tape in the morning.

5. Smelly Feet Likely causes: Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), wearing socks or shoes made of certain synthetic materials, tight footwear.

DIY treatments: Apply an underarm antiperspirant on feet. Use a hair dryer (on a cool setting) between toes after showering. Change shoes when wet. Wear cotton or synthetic wick-away socks.

What a doctor may do: Examine for fungal or bacterial infection, anemia or thyroid problems; treat severe cases with Botox.

Noteworthy: Try this home remedy: Boil two to five black teabags in water and let cool. Soak feet for 20 minutes each day for a week. The tannic acid in tea helps dry feet and kill odor. If your shoes are smelly, spray them with Lysol or a similar product, air them out and don’t wear them on consecutive days. (Or throw them away.)

6. Body Odor Likely causes: Genetics, obesity, eating pungent foods that seep through skin during sweating, avoiding soap and water.

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May 2014 DIY treatments: Bathe daily to remove naturally occurring bacteria on skin that multiplies during sweating (sweat itself is virtually odorless).

If you’re obese or buxom, towel-dry or use a hair dryer in skin folds and under breasts. If commercial deodorants cause underarm irritation, use antibacterial “surgical scrub” soaps, available at pharmacies, or mix baby powder and baking soda for gentle but effective protection.

What a doctor may do: Check for diabetes; prescribe “medical-grade” antiperspirants if odor is caused by excessive sweating.

Noteworthy: Bathing more than twice daily, especially with hot water, dries skin and can increase B.O.

7. Vaginal Odor Likely causes: Trapped moisture, yeast infection, chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases, thinning of the vaginal lining following menopause.

DIY treatments: Wear cotton underwear changed daily (and after exercise). Avoid pantyhose and douch-

ing. Use a home test to see whether the odor may be caused by a yeast infection. If so, treat with a cream or suppository. If you have more than four yeast infections a year, see your doctor to check for underlying causes.

What a doctor may do: Examine for conditions that need prescription antibiotics.

In some cases, vaginal odor may indicate cervical cancer.

Noteworthy: Foods including garlic, onions and asparagus may cause vaginal odor, while “sweet-smelling” fruits such as pineapple may help prevent it.

8. Fecal Incontinence Likely causes: Previous vaginal childbirth (especially with an episiotomy); inactivity; prolapsed rectum; a history of hemorrhoids or “pushing” during constipation; diabetes, mul-

tiple sclerosis or Alzheimer’s disease.

DIY treatments: Kegel exercises done frequently throughout the day, in which you squeeze — for 10 seconds — as if to stop urination or a bowel movement.

Increase fiber intake to 20 to 30 grams daily. Avoid dairy, caffeine, cured or smoked meats, alcohol and sweeteners in sugarless gum.

What a doctor may do: Examine for Crohn’s disease, colon cancer or other GI diseases; recommend antidiarrhea medications, pelvic floor exercises, surgery or biofeedback techniques to help control bodily processes that normally occur involuntarily.

Noteworthy: Loss of bowel control affects one in 12 Americans, and is most common after age 50, affecting 10 percent of women.

9. Urinary Incontinence

health & wellness 7 Likely causes: In women, weakened pelvic muscles (often resulting from past vaginal childbirth) or thinning of skin in the vagina or urethra following menopause. In men, an enlarged prostate or prostate surgery.

In either, obesity, urinary tract infections, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease or multiple sclerosis.

DIY treatments: Avoid caffeine, smoking and spicy foods. Kegel exercises can improve the problem and prevent progression.

What a doctor may do: Prescribe medications or an implantable device for overactive bladder (the «gotta go» type), surgery for stress UI (when leakage results from coughing, laughing or lifting).

Noteworthy: Urinary incontinence steadily increases with age, affecting up to 84 percent of nursing home residents. At any age, women are afflicted twice as often as men.

Article by Sid Kirchheimer reprinted from August 2013 AARP.org.

Copyright 2013 AARP. All rights reserved. ■

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8 health & wellness

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May 2014

A LENS look at your brain

By Marsha Kearns

S

ometimes your brain may feel like it’s full of crashing waves or like it’s in a fog. This may result in such symptoms as stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, migraines, pain, TBI, and ADD/ADHD. One safe new way to calm your brainwaves is through LENS, the low-energy neurofeedback system—a medication-free option.

Different methods of neurofeedback have been used for decades to change behavior or thought processes. LENS was developed by Dr. Len Ochs in 1994 and has racked up an impressive body of positive study results and glowing testimonials from the people who have used it to help themselves update their brain’s operating system and reduce or eliminate annoying symptoms that interfere with their lives on some level.

Yes, you may feel like a science experiment with electrodes stuck to your head, but there is nothing to fear. The electrodes simply record your brain activity and map them onto a graph showing where and how well different areas of your brain are functioning. The same electrodes deliver a feedback frequency to the brain that helps the brain find its way back to healthier functioning.

With new, improved brain communication to the nervous system,

a person experiences reduction or elimination of symptoms.

“The electromagnetic signal is much less than that of a watch battery,” said Loraine Adams, Ph.D. “Yet the mapping shows impressive change over time with no stress or pain for the patient. The patient simply sits comfortably with eyes closed to receive a LENS treatment.”

Adams has used the LENS therapy successfully with patients since 2004.

She serves patients from Montrose to Delta to Grand Junction. Her portable system allows patients to have sessions in the comfort of their own homes. Adams said it has been very satisfying to see lives improve and change, especially when people claim to have “tried everything” before finding neurofeedback.

A primary benefit of the therapy is that there are no negative side effects. LENS may also be helpful when medication is not an option. It is recommended that patients seek advice from their primary physician prior to reducing or stopping any medication.

Some insurance companies reimburse for neurofeedback services.

For more information, contact Adams at 970-319-9228 or ladams2222@ gmail.com. A LENS informational brochure is available by request. ■

May 2014

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health & wellness 9

Hearing loss is more than a disability. It’s a health condition.

By Carla Johnson

O

n average, people will wait seven years from the time they suspect they have a hearing problem to the time they seek treatment. During that crucial time, the person with hearing loss begins to withdraw from social interaction, which leads to increasing anxiety, loss of self-esteem, and depression.

Amy Becktell volunteers with the Hearing Loss Association of America Western Colorado Chapter (HLAA).

She knows firsthand the challenges of embracing a disability.

“I have had hearing loss myself for most of my life,” Becktell, 57, said. “I have a hereditary condition in which a person typically loses hearing in their 20s.”

Becktell used hearing aids as her hearing got worse. Now she has cochlear implants in both ears.

“I am extremely happy with the result,” she said. “As hearing starts to decline, people start to feel isolated from friends and family. They can hear sounds, but they can’t make sense of speech.”

Symptoms of hearing loss often mimic the signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

“You will give inappropriate responses to questions, or won’t respond with the right answer,” she said. “People just don’t know how to ask for help.”

If a person suspects hearing loss, it is important to get amplification into the ears for auditory stimulation.

“Unlike putting on a pair of glasses, hearing aids do not give you 20/20 hearing,” Becktell said. “People often do not receive immediate benefit because improvement in hearing is not instantaneous. You have to keep your hearing aids in all the time to train your brain. It is the same with cochlear implants; there is a transition period before you start to see a difference.”

She said there are many good hearing aid dispensers on the Western

Slope that provide auditory training and follow up.

“Make sure you have the best equipment,” Becktell said. “If you don’t like what you’re hearing, go back and ask for help.”

Becktell is an advocate for obtaining insurance coverage for hearing aids.

“Hearing loss is a health issue that calls for medical treatment,” she said.

In an effort to reach out to others, Becktell facilitates a monthly meeting designed to help those dealing with hearing loss. The Center for Independence, 740 Gunnison Ave. in Grand Junction, offers space on the first Saturday of every month for guided discussion.

“I’ve been in that position where it is extremely frustrating to communicate,” Becktell said. “We talk about the tools and resources that are out there to participate in work and life.”

Meetings of the HLAA are free and open to everyone.

“The people who come to our meetings have many things in common,” Becktell said. “They are grandparents having trouble hearing their grandchildren. They are parents of children with hearing loss. We have people who are retired and people who are still employed. We have 20 to 25 people attending on a regular basis. It’s good to know you’re not alone.”

May is Better Speech and Hearing Month and the topic for the May 3 meeting is “Positive Approaches for Adapting to Hearing Loss.”

The meeting offers the induction loop system for the hearing impaired with live captioning. Monthly gatherings normally run from 10:30 a.m.12:30 p.m., but this special presentation will be extended by one hour.

For questions or further information, contact Becktell at HLAAWCO@ gmail.com or 241-2592.

Learn more about the Hearing Loss Association of America at: www.hearingloss.org. ■

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Would you rather have a first meeting at a home or a restaurant?

THAT’S IT LET’S HAVE FUN!

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241-3483

GENERAL & COSMETIC DENTISTRY

DENTURES, CROWNS, VENEERS, BRIDGES, FILLINGS, ROOT CANALS, EXTRACTIONS, IMPLANTS • • • • •

Brandon S. Berguin D.D.S. SENIOR DISCOUNTS

ALL FEES QUOTED BEFORE TREATMENT INSURANCE PLANS ACCEPTED DENTURE REPAIRS & RELINES EMERGENCIES WELCOME NO INTEREST PAYMENT PLANS

10 health & wellness

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Subscribe to September 2012 Vol. 26

No. 9

ly Newsp Western Colorado’s Month

aper for Adults 50+. Over

the Beacon

31,510 Readers.

Why do men Health &Wellness and women experience pain

fall 2012

differently?

Find out in our Health & Wellness insert.

more?

Why do women hurtgender Pain and differences2 page

t hy Mind & Bod y Your Guid e to a H eal

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Now on the web at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Boom ers october 2012

What’s Inside ........... 7 Advice and Ideas ................. .. 40 Classifieds .................................. .. 29 Crossword .................................. 35 Delta/Montrose County ................ 26 .......

Finance .................................. ............ 38 Garfield County ................. ........ 10 Health & Wellness................. ........ 16 Laughing Matters ................. ... 20 Local Lore .................................. 30 Mesa County................................. 22 ......

Parks & Recreation ................. ... 31 River City Singles....................... 18 .....

Travel & Recreation .................

page 2

and the ir bikes

William Kain and the little-known advice estate planning experts at Kain & Burke, on why you should start planning today. PC give great, Produced by the BEACON‘s Advertising Team

Your Guide to Year End Financial Planning

2012 is the year for estate planning. Find out why in our Financial Planning insert.

Blacksmiths have a rich history in the Grand Valley. Story page 20.

Zippity Do Dogs

Western Colorado’s Monthly Newspaper for Adults 50+. Over 31,510 Readers.

August 2011

Now on the web at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

What’s Inside Advice and Ideas ............................ 9 Classifieds .................................... 44 Crossword .................................... 40 Delta/Montrose County ................ 36 Gardening ..................................... 28 Garfield County ............................. 41 Health & Wellness......................... 10 Laughing Matters ......................... 18 Local Lore ..................................... 22 Mesa County................................. 32 Parks & Recreation ....................... 17 River City Singles.......................... 33 Travel & Recreation ...................... 20

Local Lore

No. 8

Give a pet a home! Adopt a furry friend from Roice-Hurst.

Read more on page 26.

Western Colorado ’s Monthly Newspap

er for Adults 50+

. Over 30,450 Read

wi t h Terry

What’s Inside

Advice and Ideas ...............................

Classifieds ............

9 ...........................

36 Crossword ............ ...........................

35 Delta/Montrose County ...................

32 Faith Moves ............ ...........................

Fruita ........................

7 ....................... 22 Garfield County............ ....................34 Health & Wellnes s ........................ ... 10 Kvetch ........................ ...................... 38 Laughing Matters ............................

14 Local Lore ............ ............................

20 Mesa County............ ........................ 28 River City Singles ............................

29 Travel & Recreat ion ........................ . 16

Read about how one local man keeps the blacksmith’s trade alive in the Grand Valley. Story on page 22.

Summer down under

Vol. 25

Travel the world

Local Lore

This fun club promotes agility training for both dogs and their owners. Story page 9.

A Montrose woman crossed off an item from her bucket list when she visited Brisbane, Australia.

Story page 18.

Vol. 26 No. 10

How do Alaskan trust laws benefit your Colorado estate planning?

Trivia question:

Is this photo of Colorado or Alaska?

Pickled pink

Read about how this small reptile made an impact on one Montrose couple’s lives.

road

page 6.

Photo by Heidi Graf

Cruise to Alaska Join the BEACON staff on our first reader cruise to Alaska. Read about what wonders await. Story on page 20.

Local Lore

The library has had many faces and has been many places.

Read more about its 110-year history Terry Eakle has led so many tours, she can’t keep track. inside Atthis 72,issue.

traveling keeps her and her many repeat travelers active and loving life. Where will she go next?

Long-Term Care

Long-Term Care

Family moments such as Pirate Day at Eagle Ridge of the Grand Valley impact quality of life more than anything else. With a staff like this to care for you, long-term care may not seem so bad afterall.

Produced by the Beacon’s Advertising Team

Your Guide to Senior Housing & Long Term Care

Now on the Web at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

What everyone needs to know about long-term care. Read more in this month’s special insert.

Photo submitted by Terry Eakle

Birds of a feather

Come with us as we take a close r look at local peopl and their pets.

From e exotic birds above everyday “pound puppies” to the .

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B-12 deficiency? Dementia may be coming on

By Tait Trussell

I

f, as a senior, you are even mildly deficient in vitamin B-12, you may be at greater risk for accelerated cognitive decline. This alarming warning comes from the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University.

Dr. Martha Savaria Morris, an epidemiologist at HNRCA, along with her colleagues, analyzed data from 549 men and women who were also enrolled in another study.

The subjects had an average age of 75 at the start of the study.

The subjects were divided into five different groups based on their vitamin B-12 blood levels, according to Morris.

It is well known that severe B-12 deficiency can increase dementia.

The new study, however, found that even more seniors could be affected.

“While we emphasize our study does not show causation, our associations raise the concern that some cognitive decline may be the result of inadequate vitamin B-12 in older adults, for whom maintaining normal blood levels can be a challenge,” Morris said.

Its absorption from food can be an issue for many aging adults, so it’s best to supplement it with the bioac-

tive type of vitamin B-12 known as methylcobalamin, taken under the tongue (1 to 5 mg per day) to preserve memory and cognitive function.

Vitamin B-12, a family of compounds called cobalamins, is one of eight essential B-complex vitamins.

Foods or dietary supplements might contain several types of cobalamins, but your body converts dietary B-12 into two active forms (methylcobalamin and 5-deoxyadenosyl cobalamin) to maintain your health.

Getting enough 5-deoxyadenosyl cobalamin supports red blood cell production, while methylcobalamin contributes to other biological processes in your body.

Proteins such as lean meats, poultry and eggs are good sources of vitamin B-12.

The people in the study were mostly Caucasian women who had earned at least a high school diploma. The authors of the study said that future research might include more diverse populations and explore whether vitamin B-12 affects particular cognitive skills in a wider group.

The study noted that often, the decline in vitamin B-12 is the first sign of dementia and can lead to more serious illnesses, including Alzheimer’s disease. ■

The decline in vitamin B-12 is the first sign of dementia.

Some friends have scales

These seniors are competitive but enjoy helping people

of the open learn the of the freedom ce game Experien pickleball. Story it all go!” and what it’s likeonto “let

ers.

May 2014

Photo by Heidi

Graf

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

May 2014

What the pharmaceuticals don’t want you to know

D

id you know that over 900 diseases have been cured in animals that still afflict humans? Do you know that 12 years of pathological research proved that if a dog, giraffe, cow, elephant, or human has diabetes, they are all missing the same nutrients? The same protocols that work with animals work like a charm in humans. That research was conducted and managed by Dr. Joel Wallach, who will be lecturing in Grand Junction and Montrose.

Wallach has dedicated his life’s work to health sciences with more than 45 years of experience in bio-medical research and treating of animals and humans.

Wallach’s research often corrects the misconceptions of conventional medicine.

For instance: 1) While salt consumption has gone down, blood pressure has continued up; and 2) While cholesterol levels have continued to decline, heart disease has gone up.

If salt and cholesterol were the problems, some improvement in those diseases would be evident.

Come find out from Wallach what his research has revealed.

Has your doctor informed you that 82 percent of breast cancer cases can be prevented by the use of 200 mcg of selenium daily? If there was

a drug that got that kind of results every female in the U.S. would be prescribed it by their doctor. That’s a health claim that belongs to Wallach.

He sued the FDA and won the right to give the information to the public.

Join an entertaining, fact-filled lecture from Wallach. Learn clinically tested information that can help you to reverse diseases such as: arthritis, high blood pressure, asthma, eczema, macular degeneration, diabetes, indigestion, dementia, Alzheimer’s, restless leg syndrome, fibromyalgia, etc. When you are told there is no cure, you should be told, “I haven’t been trained on curing, only treating. You need to find a different option if you want a cure.”

Registration begins 30 minutes prior to lecture. Seating is limited so call 435-231-9046 for free tickets or email lancegubler@yahoo.com. ■

He sued the FDA and won the right to give the information to the public.

Lecture venues: • May 23 at 7 p.m. Canyon View Vineyard Church, 736 24 1/2 Road, Grand Junction • May 24 at 7 p.m. Holiday Inn Express, 1391 S. Townsend Ave., Montrose

health & wellness 11

In honor of JUCO week in GJ join us for a baseball-themed benefit golf tourney! Enjoy games, pictures with Mr. JUCO, lunch with raffle prizes and a silent auction. Greg from Ron & Greg in the Morning on 96.1 KSTAR and the Team 1340 will be our Emcee for the event.

Team registration is limited so sign up today!