d-mars.com Health & Wellness 46

Health & Wellness Journal HEALTH

|

WELLNESS

|

MEDICAL

|

RESEARCH

April - May 15, 2015

INSIDE

|

SPORTS

|

FITNESS

|

LIFESTYLE

|

BEAUTY

Inspire, Inform & Educate

Connect With Us

facebook.com/dmarsmarketing

46th Edition @dmars_com

@dmars_com

Change Your Mindset

Are We There Yet?

By Rhonda Dallas As minorities continue to become the majority by census data, we still have an uphill battle on making ourselves aware of our health.

PAGE 8

PAGE 6

6 Proven Ways To Help Get Rid of Halitosis!

2015 Houston Go Red for Women Expo and Luncheon with Media Personality Star Jones

By Dr. Ka-Ron Y. Wade Professional cleanings remove odorcausing bacteria found in hardened plaque.

PAGE 9

Diabetic Desserts Enjoy making some of your favorite desserts which fit nicely into a balanced and healthy diabetic diet.

Sour Cream Pound Cake, Browned Butter and Chocolate Chip Cookies, Peanut ButterBanana Pudding PAGE 13

PAGES 4-5

Local Entrepreneur Fights Childhood Obesity Join our e-mail list for the latest updates @ d-mars.com

First of all, I’m happy that I’m healthy.

– Tina Turner

PAGE 9

What the African-American Community Needs to Know About Autism

April - May 15, 2015 3

Journal Behind The

Publisher’s Message Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr.

What you do today can and will impact your future. This is true in school, work, and in your health as well. With busy work schedules and personal commitments, it’s easy to forgot those healthy habits and take on unhealthy ones. The month of April is Minority Health Awareness Month. This month raises awareness about the health disparities that continue to affect racial and ethnic minorities. This edition of the Health and Wellness Journal focuses on encouraging you to Change Your Mindset when it comes to your health.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Davis

VICE PRESIDENT Kim Floyd

The Health and Wellness Journal’s cover story this month is on Veggie Pals Founder Renea Gray. Her organization is committed to helping children and families change their mindset when it comes to health and wellness. This month is a great month to Change Your Mindset about your health. As adults, it’s important to lead a healthy lifestyle and pass that mindset on to the next generation. When we pass on a healthy mindset, that will make for a healthy community.

ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla

Office Manager Johnny Ray Davis, Jr.

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES C.T. Foster Eric D. Goodwine Tiffany Black

As always, thank you for your continued support of d-mars.com. When you support us, you are supporting more than just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work. Working together, we can succeed in making positive things happen.

Contents

Local Entrepreneur Fights Childhood Obesity................................................................................................................................................4-5

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

2015 Houston Go Red for Women Expo and Luncheon with Media Personality Star Jones............................................................... 6

Dawn Paul

What the African-American Community Needs to Know About Autism.................................................................................................... 8

PHOTOGRAPHY

Are You at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes?.................................................................................................................................................................... 8

L.C. Poullard Grady Carter Tony Gaines

Are We There Yet?........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 8 6 Proven Ways To Help Get Rid of Halitosis........................................................................................................................................................ 9

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR

Change Your Mindset For National Minority Health Month..........................................................................................................................10

Andrea Hennekes

Keeping Our Community Healthy.......................................................................................................................................................................... 12

LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Angel Rosa

5 Health Improvements You Can Make Today That Will Pay Off for a Lifetime ..................................................................................... 12 Sexual Health Awareness and Our African-American Youth........................................................................................................................ 14

DISTRIBUTION

Could Depression Be Affecting Your Job?........................................................................................................................................................... 14

Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden

Defeat Drowsy Driving Dangers.............................................................................................................................................................................16

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

What You Don’t Know About Pain Can Hurt You – Five Things You Should Know................................................................................16

Rhonda Dallas Dr. Ka-Ron Y. Wade Stephanie Allen-Gobert

The Nation’s Most Deadly Disease........................................................................................................................................................................18

How to Shop for Dental Insurance........................................................................................................................................................................18 Do Your Supplements Stack Up?...........................................................................................................................................................................20 Look 10 Years Younger with Expert Anti-Aging Tips........................................................................................................................................ 21 Operation Safety: Tips to Make Every Bath a Safe Bath................................................................................................................................ 21

MR. D-MARS Tip of the Month “A lot of times growing up, you don’t want to eat your green beans and your spinach, and all the other healthy things that you should eat. So, I would encourage young people to do that. And get outside! What is hurting young people today is that video games are killing us because we don’t get outside like we used to.” – Earvin “Magic” Johnson

Transitional Housing Specializes in Love..........................................................................................................................................................22

Are you Ready to Take Your Business to the Next Level?

499.99 .99 2991year

Presents

BLACK PAGES ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY What this means to you,

The Business Owner: • The ability to stimulate money in our communities • Publicity at an affordable price • The professionalism it provides to black-owned businesses

It’s time we put our future finances into our own HANDS! We must encourage members to patronize black-owned businesses to further expand the economic power of African American merchants and the households that support them.

ADVERTISING | MARKETING | MEDIA | COMMUNICATIONS

Call today 713.272.9511

It’s Just That Simple!!!

www.d-mars.com

contact@d-mars.com

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

4 April - May 15, 2015

Local Entrepreneur Fights Childhood Obesity

Veggie Pals Inspires Families to Get Healthy

By Dawn Paul

Associate Editor

T

he American Heart Association reports that today about one in three American kids and teens is obese or overweight.

The widespread presence of obesity in children more than tripled from 1971 to 2011. Child obesity is a major concern among parents in the United States, along with smoking and drug abuse. Unfortunately today, obesity is causing a wide range of health problems among children that weren’t previously seen until adulthood. There are a variety of reasons why children become overweight. Many children are overweight due to poor eating habits passed down from the parents or other family members. It is imperative that families make a healthy lifestyle a priority. Renea Gray is the founder and director of Veggie Pals. For the past few years, Veggie Pals has been providing children and families with the tools necessary to fight childhood obesity.

You have to consider body composition and weight when defining overweight children and adolescents.

Among American children ages 2 – 19, the following percentages of children are obese, using the 95th percentile or higher of body mass index (BMI) values on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth chart: • For non-Hispanic whites, 17.5 percent of males and 14.7 percent of females.

• For non-Hispanic blacks, 22.6 percent of males and 24.8 percent of females.

• For Mexican Americans, 28.9 percent of males and 18.6 percent of females.

Up to one out of every five children in the United States is obese or overweight, and this number unfortunately continues to rise. Even though children have fewer weight-related health issues than adults, overweight children are at a higher risk of becoming overweight adults. Overweight children are more susceptible to heart disease and diabetes. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are also on the list of health problems that overweight children face.

Not only do overweight children face physical health problems, but there are also psychological effects as well, such as low self-esteem and depression.

There are many factors that can contribute to childhood obesity. Children

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

April - May 15, 2015 5

Source: www.bettycjung.net

“Health is so important.

Veggie Pals is on a mission to teach children and families healthy eating habits.

Teaching these healthy habits will lead to a healthier community. Veggie Pals is building healthy communities one family at a time.”

—Renea Gray

can become overweight or obese for a number of reasons. The most common causes are lack of physical activity, genetics, unhealthy eating habits, or a combination of these factors. Not all children with a family history of obesity will be overweight. Children whose parents or siblings are obese may be at an increased risk of being overweight themselves. Lack of physical activity and a child’s diet can play an important role in determining a child’s weight.

Video games and computers are so popular now, that children are not as active, and those numbers of inactivity may increase.

Gray encourage parents to talk to their children about their weight. Parents should talk to their children about their weight in a healthy environment that will allow them to share any concerns. Children’s feelings about themselves are often based on their parents’ feelings about them. When a parent accepts their child at any weight, the child will more than likely feel good about themselves. Through Veggie Pals, parents learn to focus on gradually changing their family’s physical activity and eating habits, which will help ensure long lasting changes.

Gray has made it Veggie Pals’ mission to address this childhood obesity epidemic. Her hard work and dedication will help make the next generation healthier. It is of extreme importance that parents help their children reach and maintain an appropriate body weight. Children learning healthy habits at a young age will provide them with the tools to be healthy in their adulthood. The healthiest way to change weight is gradually. Experts recommend focusing on small, but permanent changes in physical activity and eating, as opposed to a series of shortterm changes that can’t be sustained.

Gray knows that it is absolutely important that she do her part to help prevent and treat childhood obesity.

Gray believes in the words of Winston Churchill, “Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have.” She lives by those words. Her amazing community initiative through Veggie Pals has been successfully promoting healthy living habits. Gray has given families practical tools so they are empowered to win the fight against childhood obesity.

One of the many reasons Veggie Pals has been successful is because of its recognizable characters used to teach preschool through elementary schoolaged children. These bubbly characters allow the children to be more engaged.

The children also have the opportunity to learn where fruits and vegetables come from through their garden class and composting classes. Learning to eat healthy is fun through Veggie Pals.

This interactive experience for the children focuses on discovering healthy habits with characters Lady Veggie and the Veggie Pals. Veggie Pals is a different type of health program. It provides parent workshops that are interactive and hands-on, specializing in meal preparation led by local chefs.

Because our youth are just as important and impacted by obesity, Gray also

has hands-on nutrition workshops and other activities appropriate for their age group. To promote physical activity to the community, children and families, Veggie Pals is also hosting a Steps to Better Health Walkathon later this summer.

Because of Gray’s continued efforts to try and fight the childhood obesity epidemic, she is also holding the annual Veggie Pals’ Summer Youth Camp that is an added effort in her passion for healthy children and families. This camp is available for churches, sports camps, non-profits, youth organizations, and other organizations. This camp for first graders and up, is in line with the Veggie Pals’ mission to promote healthy living habits. Veggie Pals’ Summer Youth Camp will teach lifelong skills to the children and youth through different interactive activities.

Attendees will not only learn healthy cooking habits and skills, but cook with a live chef. It’s important to track your eating, so children will also learn to keep a food journal. Physical activity, scrapbooking, and sharing healthy recipes are just a part of this hands-on camp fun!

Source: www.everydayhealth.com The Veggie Pals has definitely made its mark in Houston, with appearances at the HEB Summer Program Kick-Off, Post Oak School’s Field Day, and VP Farmers Market, among other community health events. They have also had media coverage with Great Day Houston, The Houston Chronicle, and Channel 39 News Houston. Because of the popularity and demand of Veggie Pals, Gray has plans for 50 Veggie Pals’ chapters to help spread the message of health in Houston and beyond. They are now taking registrations for training, so churches, youth groups, schools, and other organizations can participate in their movement of health. To find out more about Veggie Pals, please visit www.theveggiepals.org.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

6  April - May 15, 2015

2015 Houston Go Red for Women Expo and Luncheon with Media Personality Star Jones

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

April - May 15, 2015 7

All About Me!”

May 16th • “ • 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Women’s Health Symposium • Empower | Educate | Equip FREE EVENT | REGISTRATION REQUIRED Fountain Life Center: 14083 Main Street Houston, TX 77035 (The Fountain of Praise Church) The American Heart Association’s African-American Leadership Circle will host a Women’s Health Symposium (Empower. Educate. Equip.) The symposium, hosted by a dynamic group of African American women from the Houston community, will present culturally relevant information about the prevention of Heart Disease and Stroke.

The conference will include: Health Education Sessions

Interactive Cooking Demonstration

Health Screenings Sponsored by Central Care Community Health Center

Fun Physical Activity Sessions (Zumba, Meditation, and Exercise demo)

“Bringing Our Hearts to the Altar”

May 17th • • 10:30 a.m.

Day of Worship | FREE EVENT Holman Street Baptist Church-3501 Holman Street -Houston, TX 77004 The day will include praise and worship from Pastor Manson Johnson on living a heart healthy life. American Heart Association volunteers and staff will be on site to distribute stroke information and a brief reception will immediately follow for Heart and Stroke Survivors.

Sponsored by Holman Street Baptist Church Wellness Committee and the Houston Forward Times.

Event Chair

Karen Carter Richards CEO/Publisher, Houston Forward Times

Honorary Chair

Sheryl Howard Community Leader, Philanthropist and Mother of 8 time NBA All-Star Houston Rockets Center Dwight Howard

REGISTER TODAY! Scan the QR code or visit the site below.

www.Heart.org/HoustonGoRedGirlfriend facebook.com/ahahouston

@ahahouston • #GoRedGirlfriend

© 2 0 1 4 , A m e r i c a n H e a r t A s s o c i a t i o n . A l s o k n o w n a s t h e H e a r t F u n d . M G o R e d t r a d e m a r k o f A H A , R e d D r e s s t r a d e m ar k of DHHS. 2 0 1 4 -2 1 8 -1 1 6 1 A

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

8 April - May 15, 2015

What the African-American Are We Community Needs to Know There Yet? About Autism

By Dawn Paul

Associate Editor

T

his month you will hear many use the slogan, “Light it Up Blue!”

April is Autism Awareness Month and this month will promote autism awareness, autism acceptance, and bring attention to the tens of thousands facing an autism diagnosis each year. According to Autism Speaks, new research shows that regressive autism - in which young children lose early language and social skills – are twice as common for African-American children as for white children. When it comes to autism, there are additional challenges the African-American community faces, but there are many resources like AutisminBlack.com, that educates the African-American community on autism and addresses the causes of the disparities.

Dr. Adiaha Spinks Franklin is a developmental behavioral pediatrician at the AS-ATN Center of Excellence at Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and has studied racial differences in reported regressive

autism. The collected information included behavioral assessments and parent questionnaires. Dr. Franklin looked at reports of regression among over 1300 children seen at AS-ATN centers from 2008 to 2011. Of these, 120 were African-American. She found a rate twice as high among African-American children as Caucasian children. Reasons for the difference in regression rates could be unknown genetic or environmental risk factors. Lack of quality medical resources is also an explanation for the difference in regression rates. “We’ve long been aware that Hispanic and African-American individuals tend to be diagnosed later and have less access to medical resources for not only autism, but also many health conditions,” Dr. Franklin says. Even though medical experts don’t understand fully why children regress in the first place, Dr. Franklin feels more research is needed to understand why there might be ethnic differences.

A

To learn more about autism, please visit www.autismspeaks.org and www.autisminblack.com.

Are You at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes?

A

By d-mars.com News Provider

re you or a loved one at risk for type 2 diabetes? It can be difficult to know, but considering an astounding one in eight Americans has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it’s worthwhile to understand the risk factors.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include people who are overweight, are under active, older than 45 or who have a family history of diabetes. African Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are also at higher risk.

Understanding your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, or getting an early diagnosis, is critical to successful treatment and delaying or preventing some of its complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and death.

For more than 25 years, the American Diabetes Association has set aside special time for people to learn their risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Starting on the fourth Tuesday of every March, American Diabetes Association Alert Day is a “wake-up call” asking the American public to take the Diabetes Risk Test. This year’s Alert

Day campaign will kick-off on March 24 and continue through April 21. The Association will also be encouraging the public to start living a healthy and active lifestyle by asking them to join a Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes event in their area.

The Diabetes Risk Test asks users to answer simple questions about their weight, age, family history and other potential risk factors for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Preventive tips are provided for everyone who takes the test.

Jennifer Atkins knows all too well the toll diabetes can take on an entire family. She’s watched many members of her family fight type 2 diabetes, including both of her parents, who work together in managing their disease, and her maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather, both of whom passed away from complications. Her mother’s brother and sister both have prediabetes and are now committed to a life of healthy eating and exercise in order to prevent type 2.

Atkins and her husband, Rob, have two children, Toby and Naomi. While pregnant with Naomi, Atkins was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, which makes her risk higher for type 2 diabetes later on. She was 36 years old,

fit and healthy and had never struggled with her weight. “This was genetics at work,” she says.

“Being surrounded by diabetes all my life, I had a lot of family support with my gestational diabetes,” she said.

“I took a short walk in their shoes.”

Now at 40, Atkins knows she has a higher risk of developing type 2 someday, because of both her family history and gestational diabetes, but she’s doing all she can to prevent or delay it.

She understands that as she gets older she will need to work harder at maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle.

“We are still learning so much as a family about the disease itself, but the good news is we are learning a lot from each other,“ she says.

Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can often be prevented or delayed by losing just 7 percent of body weight (such as 15 pounds if you weigh 200 pounds) through regular physical activity (30 minutes a day, five days a week) and healthy eating. By understanding your risk, you can take the necessary steps to help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Be part of the movement to stop diabetes. Take the Diabetes Risk Test and share it with everyone you know. Visit diabetes.org/alert to learn more. – BPT

By Rhonda Dallas Contributing Writer

s minorities continue to become the majority by census data, we still have an uphill battle on making ourselves aware of our health. April has been delegated as the month to discuss the health disparities that continue to impact our people. There are several factors that could be causing the alarming rates of our disease statuses per the CDC guidelines. There are critical roles that we must emphasize in reducing our health status.

There are so many ways we can become aware and strive toward a more preventive lifestyle. Below are some helpful links to help us become more educated and aware of our health status.

1. Childhood Obesity- Minorities have a higher risk for this disease than any other culture. For low-income status households it’s even higher. An awesome website to share with family and friends is www.cdc.gov/obesity/ childhood.

2. Vaccination Disparities- The CDC is working to promote vaccination among underserved populations such as Afro-Americans, Asians, and Hispanics.

An awesome website is www.cdc.gov/ vaccines.

3. Teen Pregnancy- Although teen pregnancy has reduced tremendously in the last decade, it has not reduced by significant numbers in the minority communities. An awesome website to share with family and friends is www.cdc.gov/ teenpregnancy.

If we all “Speak one reach one,” and make an intentional effort to help our fellow brothers and sisters, we can put an end to lacking in health education efforts.

To find out more about programs and health and wellness coaching, please contact Rhonda Dallas at dallasjrus@ yahoo.com.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

6

April - May 15, 2015 9

Proven Ways To Help Get Rid of … Halitosis!

When you find yourself covering your mouth or are embarrassed to talk to people for fear of having bad breath, try these simple steps to boost your self-confidence and breathe easier! at least two minutes and spend about one minute more flossing. Also, as you sleep, less saliva is produced that would naturally clean your teeth. Your tongue harbors bacteria, so be sure to add “tongue scraping” to your nighttime oral hygiene regimen.

By Dr. Ka-Ron Y. Wade Contributing Writer

1

Get Professional Dental Cleanings!

Professional cleanings remove odor-causing bacteria found in hardened plaque. For fresh breath that lasts, stay on your prescribed cleaning schedule!

2

Step Up Your Oral Hygiene!

One of the main causes of bad breath is the bacteria present in the daily buildup of plaque. Just like food that has been left out rots, you don’t want food left between your teeth to rot! Brush at least twice a day for

3

Diss the Mints!

Don’t just mask bad breath with mints! In fact, sugary mints promote the growth of oral bacteria and only add to bad breath problems in the long run. A better option would be to chew sugarless gum, preferably one with zylitol: Gum chewing stimulates saliva: your mouth’s built-in oral cleaner.

4

Get Regular Checkups!

An oral exam will determine if you have decay or gum disease that could be the cause of chronic foul mouth odors. Decay creates the perfect hiding place for smelly bacteria, and because periodontitis is a gum infec-

tion, you may have unpleasant-smelling drainage coming from your infection.

Addressing all of your dental issues can make a world of difference in resolving bad breath.

5

Rinse Thoroughly!

When you can’t brush, especially after eating foods with onions and garlic, eliminate food particles by rinsing and gargling with plain water. It’s not a substitute for good oral hygiene, but it works in a pinch and is better than doing nothing at all!

suing a smoking cessation program.

Your teeth and gums (and a whole lot more) will thank you later!

For breakthrough dental technology, and to learn more, contact us TODAY! For more information, call us at 713.654.7756 or visit our website at www.cosmeticdt.com.

6

Stop Smoking!

Smoking can leave you with a lot of undesirable consequences ranging from bad breath to oral cancer and lung disease. Talk to us if you would like help pur-

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

10 April - May 15, 2015

Change Your Mindset For National Minority Health Month

By Dawn Paul

Associate Editor

T

his month d-mars.com’s theme is Change Your Mindset and it’s perfect timing, especially with this month being National Minority Health Month. This month raises awareness about health disparities affecting minority populations. According to WebMD. com, diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure are just a few of the deadly diseases impacting black Americans more often than white Americans. Health care disparities, environment, and society contribute to the problem. However, if we as African-Americans change our mindset and attitude towards health, we can change those statistics, live longer, enjoy life, and create a healthier community for the next generation. National Minority Health Month doesn’t have to be looked at in the negative. Look at this month as a wake-up call to change things in your control that will make for a better you.

The media, the internet, and health professionals all seem to bring the gloomy statistics when it comes to health disparities affecting the minority and AfricanAmerican communities. Though these

proven statistics are bleak, you can make a choice to either accept it, or take control, and do something to change it. If you change your mindset, anything can happen. We talk about changing our mindset when it comes to money, goals, and career, but what about health? If you don’t have your health, you don’t get to spend the money or reach those professional goals. If you don’t change your mindset towards health, you won’t be here to see the next generation flourish and reach that higher level.

Society has changed. It seems that the stay-at-home mom is now a thing of the past. Working moms now have more demanding professions. After a 12 hour work day, there is limited time to prepare dinner, so fast food or take out is the popular choice. True, society has changed, but so have healthy homemade dinner options. There’s no need to worry about slaving over a stove for hours when you get home, because there are several websites that have quick and healthy meal options that can be made in less than 30 minutes. Now, not to say that it’s always going to be easy, but putting in that extra effort now will make a great difference to your family’s health in the long run.

Mom and grandma always seem to pass down that good ol’ recipe that is

amazing because of all the love (or extra butter) that they put into it. Even though our tasty soul food traditions are good to the palate, they are not good for the body.

We have all heard the phrase, “Everything in moderation,” but it is easier said than done. It is very hard, and almost impossible to resist that second serving.

Moderation is great and no one should deprive themselves, but when you don’t limit the salt, butter, and fat intake, the next generation will be learning these bad habits that will lead them down an unhealthy path.

Limited options for health insurance and accessibility to affordable quality health care coverage have contributed to African-Americans being more uninsured than white Americans. The Affordable Care Act is working hard in terms of affordability, quality, and access for Americans. The law is addressing disparities in access to quality and affordable health coverage. It was reported last year that 1.7 million African-Americans (ages 18-64) gained health insurance coverage since the start of the Affordable Care Act initial open enrollment period in October 2013 (HHS.gov/HealthCare). African-American families now have more security and better coverage, which will give members of our community higher quality care.

This month is all about changing your mindset. For National Minority Health Month, you will see many statistics and reports showing the health disparities affecting minority populations. You can choose to see these statistics as warnings and change for the better, or you can continue on the same path, contributing to the statistics. Though it is true that some factors are out of our control, there are those things we can do that are within our control. I want to encourage you to start changing your health mindset this month for National Minority Health Month.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

April - May 15, 2015  11

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

12 April - May 15, 2015

Keeping Our Community Healthy Stephanie Allen-Gobert Contributing Writer

E

very community or race has certain health issues that impact them more than others. Our AfricanAmerican community is no different. Several diseases will be highlighted in this article, with the hope of improving our health, education of the prominent issues, and overcoming the racial disparities in our community in reference to certain health issues.

1. Diabetes – Diabetes is more common in African-Americans than in white Americans. Blacks are more likely to suffer a limb amputation and more likely to suffer kidney disease than other people with diabetes.

2. Sarcoidosis – Sarcoidosis is a disease of unknown cause that leads to inflammation. This disease affects the body’s organ. Normally, the body’s immune system defends the body against foreign or harmful substances. These cells release chemicals that recruit other cells to isolate and destroy the harmful substance. Inflammation occurs during this process.

Once the harmful substance is gone, the cells and the inflammation go away. In people who have sarcoidosis, the inflammation doesn’t go away. Instead, some of

the immune system cells cluster to form lumps called granulomas in various organs in the body. (www. nhlbi.nih.gov) 3. A sthma – African-Americans are more likely to die of asthma than white Americans. Asthma is a disorder that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow, leading to wheezing and shortness of breath.

4. Lung cancer – Despite lower tobacco exposure, black men are more likely than white men to get lung cancer.

5. Stroke – Strokes kill more African-Americans than whites. African-Americans have nearly twice

the first-time stroke risk of whites.

6. High blood pressure/Hypertension – African-Americans develop high blood pressure earlier in life and with much higher blood pressure levels than whites.

7. Cancer – The treatment of cancer is equally successful for all races. But African- American men have a higher cancer death rate than white men. African-American women have a higher cancer death rate than white women.

The seven top issues above are not the only issues plaguing our purposeful community. It is unknown why these unique issues affect African-Americans more than other races. Genes play a

major role, as does the environment in which people live, socioeconomic status, and some even think racism plays a part. Where you’re from and the amount of money you make/have can be a factor in the medical treatment you receive and the quality of the treatment received.

Some issues like high blood pressure and asthma can be hereditary. Others can be controlled, cured, and eliminated, with proper diet, yearly checkups, and exercise. As a community, if we do our part to help each other, we can eliminate the racial disparity in health issues and become a better and healthier AfricanAmerican community as a whole.

Source: www.webmd.com

5 Health Improvements You Can Make Today That Will Pay Off for a Lifetime By d-mars.com News Provider

I

mproving your health and wellness can seem like a daunting task, especially if you know you have some bad health habits to break. But, several improvements you can make today can result in tremendous health benefits.

“It starts with you,” says physician assistant Tricia A. Howard, a faculty member at South University, Savannah’s College of Health Professions. “You have more control over your health than you think you do.”

Here are five steps you can take today that can have a positive impact on your overall health and wellness.

Stop smoking Everyone knows smoking is bad for you. In fact, people who smoke have by far the greatest risk of lung cancer - the number one cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. - and increased risk of a cardiac event. But, many people don’t realize that changes in the lungs caused by smoking can actually improve over time once a smoker quits.

“Even if you’ve smoked for many years, you can reduce your lung cancer risks just by quitting,” says How-

ard. “And this isn’t just about your own health. Smoking puts the ones you love at risk, because even second-hand smoke can cause cancer. So, quitting is a winwin for you and those you love.”

Howard says people who want to quit smoking do better when they set a target date to quit. She also advises working with your primary health care provider who can actually individualize a stopsmoking plan for you. And, Howard says getting support from others is a crucial part of the battle.

Increase your water intake Sixty percent of your body weight is water. Your body depends on water to carry nutrients to cells and to flush toxins out of vital organs, so getting the right amount of fluids each day is crucial.

Howard says men should drink 3 liters, or 13 cups, per day. For women, the recommendation is 2.2 liters, or 9 cups, per day. If that recommendation seems tough to follow, Howard says to divide it up throughout the day.

“Make sure you have water with every meal and also drink water at least once between each meal,” she suggests. “That divides up your fluid intake and can make the amount seem less daunting.”

And, Howard says you don’t have to

stick to water. Milk, coffee, and other drinks that contain a lot of water and not a lot of calories count towards your daily fluid intake.

Exercise “Exercise reduces your risk for chronic disease, improves balance and coordination and helps with weight loss,” Howard says. “Exercise is a key part of living a healthy life.”

Howard says the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise, or 90 minutes of vigorous exercise a week, for adults.

“That sounds like a lot,” Howard acknowledges. “But, if you break it into 15-or-20-minute daily workouts it’s much easier to fit into your schedule.

You don’t have to spend hours at a time in the gym to reap the benefits.”

Howard says recent studies have shown that even short bursts of exercise can be helpful.

Adopt the Mediterranean diet The Mediterranean diet is a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, nuts and fish. The results of numerous studies show long-term health benefits to adopt-

ing the diet.

“This is a diet filled with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories,” Howard explains. “This diet has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer when adhered to long-term. Weight loss and improvement in cholesterol can be seen after just a few months.”

Have your cholesterol checked You might be surprised to learn that you should begin having your cholesterol monitored by a doctor at age 20.

But since coronary artery disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S., it’s a recommendation you should take seriously.

“There is no reason to avoid having your cholesterol checked,” Howard says.

“If your cholesterol levels aren’t where they should be, you can change them.”

Howard says levels that are too high can be controlled by diet, quitting smoking, exercise, and even prescription medication.

“There are so many things we can do to improve not only the length of our life, but the quality of those years,” Howard encourages. “Don’t wait. Commit today to making a few small changes, and see how they improve your health over time.” – BPT

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

April - May 15, 2015 13

Diabetic Desserts

Enjoy making some of your favorite desserts which fit nicely into a balanced and healthy diabetic diet.

Photos and Recipes Courtesy of CookingLight.com

Browned Butter and Chocolate Chip Cookies INGREDIENTS 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 tablespoons canola oil 5.6 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 1/4 cups) 3.3 ounces whole-wheat flour (about 3/4 cup) 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Sour Cream Pound Cake INGREDIENTS

3 cups sugar 3/4 cup butter, softened 1 1/3 cups egg substitute 1 1/2 cups low-fat sour cream 1 teaspoon baking soda 4 1/2 cups sifted cake flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Cooking spray Fresh blackberries (optional) Mint sprigs (optional) PREPARATION Preheat oven to 325°.

Place sugar and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 5 minutes). Gradually add egg substitute, beating well.

Combine sour cream and baking soda. Stir well, and set aside. Lightly spoon cake flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine flour and salt.

Add flour mixture and sour cream mixture alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.

Stir in vanilla.

Pour batter into a 10-inch tube pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool in pan 10 minutes on wire rack; remove from pan.

Cool completely on wire rack. Garnish with blackberries and mint, if desired.

Note: Eight egg whites can be used in place of egg substitute. Add one at a time to sugar mixture.

VARIATIONS Lemon: Add 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind.

Coconut: Decrease vanilla to 1 teaspoon; add 1 teaspoon coconut extract.

Almond: Decrease vanilla to 1 teaspoon; add 1 teaspoon almond extract.

PREPARATION 1. Preheat oven to 375°.

2. Heat butter in a small saucepan over medium heat; cook 5 minutes or until browned. Remove from heat; add oil. Set aside to cool.

3. Weigh or lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife.

Combine flours, baking powder, and salt, stirring with a whisk. Place butter mixture and sugars in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until combined. Add vanilla and eggs; beat until well blended. Add flour mixture, beating at low speed until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

4. Drop by level tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto baking sheets lined with parch-

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar 2/3 cup granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips (such as Hershey’s Special Dark)

ment paper. Bake 12 minutes or until bottoms of cookies just begin to brown. Cool slightly.

Peanut Butter-Banana Pudding INGREDIENTS

1 (1-ounce) package vanilla sugar-free, fat-free instant pudding mix 2 cups fat-free milk 1/3 cup no-added-sugar creamy peanut butter 1 (8-ounce) carton fat-free sour cream 42 vanilla wafers, divided 6 small bananas, divided 1 (8-ounce) carton frozen fatfree whipped topping, thawed 1 tablespoon lemon juice

14 vanilla wafers. Peel and slice 4 bananas. Top wafers with one-third each of pudding mixture, banana slices, and whipped topping. Repeat layers twice using remaining wafers, pudding mixture, banana, and topping. Cover and chill at least 2 hours. Peel and slice remaining 2 bananas; toss with lemon juice. Arrange slices around outer edges of dish.

Preparation Prepare pudding mix according to package directions, using a whisk and 2 cups fat-free milk. (Do not use a mixer.) Add peanut butter and sour cream, stirring well with a wire whisk.

Line bottom of a 2 1/2-quart casserole with

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

14 April - May 15, 2015

Sexual Health Awareness and Our African-American Youth

By Dawn Paul

Associate Editor

T

he month of April promotes STD education and awareness, and April 10th is National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day. This annual observance recognizes the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on young people. Recently Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report about African-American youth and HIV infection in the United States. African-American youth continue to be dangerously affected by HIV in the United States. Among young people ages 13-24, African-American youth represent nearly 60 percent of all new HIV infections in that group. This month CDC, schools, organizations, and numerous groups across the country will be raising awareness of this disease impacting the young people and remind all of us that investing in young people’s health and education is necessary. This cannot be viewed as just a generational problem, but it is a community problem. Helping the African-American youth make healthy choices is our obligation.

A majority of 15 to 24 year olds in the United States responding to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey said they were not concerned about becoming infected with HIV (cdc.gov).

Youth not being concerned about being infected may not take proper measures to protect their health. According to CDC, there has also been a decline in HIV/Aids education in the school system. An increase in substance use, stigma, and inadequate HIV prevention education are some factors CDC lists that contribute to the high number of African-American youth infected with HIV. There are prevention challenges, but we do not have to lose our African-American youth to this preventable disease. It is of great importance to focus on solutions so that our African-American youth can live healthy and happy lives. Opening the lines of communication, prevention messages, and prevention programs can help our African-American youth adopt healthy behaviors and change their mindset, which will result in a healthier generation.

For many adults, it’s uncomfortable to have “the talk” with the younger generation. You may be surprised that youth say talking to their parents about sex does make a difference. In national surveys conducted by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, teens report that parents have the greatest influence over their decisions about sexual health – more than friends, siblings, or the media.

If you are a parent, guardian, caregiver, or mentor, communication about this subject may make a big difference

in that youth’s life. Below are some helpful tips from CDC that will help you open the lines of communication about this topic: • Stay informed.

• Identify unique opportunities to have conversations.

• Have frequent conversations.

• Be relaxed and open.

• Avoid overreacting.

• Provide opportunities for conversations between your teen and health care professionals.

For more information, please visit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov.

Could Depression Be Affecting Your Job?

D

By d-mars.com News Provider

id you know that one in 10 people struggle with depression? Depression can consist of a range of symptoms and it can also impact every aspect of a person's life including social, family, personal and work/school life. Depression affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act, and affects people during their prime working years.

One area people tend to ignore is the impact depression can have on their work life. Depression is evident at work through absenteeism (days away from work), and presenteeism (being at work, but not engaged/productive).

Workers with depression report an extra 1.6 days absent from work each month compared to healthy colleagues.

To help combat the significant impact of depression on individuals and to acknowledge the critical role employers must play – both for themselves and their employees, we have created

Right Direction. Right Direction is a first-of-its-kind initiative to raise awareness about depression in the workplace, promote early recognition of symptoms, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. This is a program of the Partnership for Workplace Mental Health, a program of the American Psychiatric Foundation, and Employers Health, a national employer coalition based in Ohio.

"Individuals with depression sometimes aren't aware they have the illness," says Clare Miller, director of the Partnership for Workplace Mental Health.

"We spend a lot of time at work, so it's an important place to share information on depression and to encourage people to access resources and tools that can help to get them healthy."

Despite advances in treatments, only one-third of people with diagnosable mental health conditions seek care.

Many people who struggle with depression may go untreated because they fear retribution or loss of their job if they report their problems. Depression has

a variety of symptoms, but the most common are a deep feeling of sadness or a marked loss of interest or pleasure in activities. Other symptoms include: • Changes in appetite that result in weight losses or gains unrelated to dieting • Insomnia or oversleeping • Loss of energy or increased fatigue • Restlessness or irritability • Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt • Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions • Thoughts of death or suicide or attempts at suicide Depression does not have to throw your work life or your career off track.

If you are concerned that depression is impacting your performance at work and feel like you have experienced any of these signs, it is important to seek help because depression is treatable. In fact, more than 80 percent of those who seek treatment show improvement. The most commonly used treatments are

antidepressant medications, psychotherapy or a combination of the two.

"People should not have to suffer in silence or be afraid to reach out for help," says Marcas Miles, director of Programs and Communications at Employers Health. "Right Direction offers resources for people in the workforce who are living with depression to get the help they need to get back on track."

For more information, visit www.

RightDirectionForMe.com. The website offers educational information on common symptoms of depression, a screening tool for depression that can be shared with a health provider, resources for how to discuss this with family and additional resources outside the workplace to access for help.

Support for this educational initiative is provided jointly by Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc., and Lundbeck US, two pharmaceutical companies located in Deerfield, Ill., that are committed to developing therapies and programs to help people living with mental health conditions. – BPT

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

April - May 15, 2015  15

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

16 April - May 15, 2015

Defeat Drowsy Driving Dangers: Tips for Staying Awake at the Wheel

O

By d-mars.com News Provider

ne in five fatal accidents in America involves a drowsy driver, according to a recent report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Unfortunately, driving while fatigued is common in today’s business world. Yet the consequences of driving when you’re tired can be tragic.

“Drowsiness is similar to alcohol in how it compromises driving ability by reducing alertness and attentiveness, delaying reaction times, and hindering decision-making skills,” says Dr. Nathaniel Watson, president-elect of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and national spokesperson for the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project, which is raising awareness of the dangers of driving while fatigued. “Drowsy driving is deadly, but it can be prevented.”

The Healthy Sleep Project has issued a Drowsy Driving Health Advisory, which urges every driver to take responsibility for staying “Awake at the Wheel.” Drivers should make it a daily priority to get sufficient sleep, refuse to drive when sleep-deprived, recognize the signs of drowsiness, and pull off the road to a safe location when sleepy.

“Rolling down the windows or turning up the music will do little to increase

your alertness while driving,” Watson says. “You can drink coffee for a shortterm energy boost, but if you catch yourself drifting into other lanes or nodding off, it’s absolutely time to pull over and take a nap.”

Getting seven to nine hours of nightly sleep is the best way to prevent drowsy driving, according to the Healthy Sleep Project. Drivers should also avoid driving late at night or alone, and they should share the driving with another passenger on long trips.

How do you know if you’re too sleepy to drive? If you experience any of these warning signs, you should pull over or have another passenger take the wheel: • You keep yawning or are unable to keep your eyes open.

• You catch yourself “nodding off” and have trouble keeping your head up.

• You can’t remember driving the last few miles.

• You end up too close to cars in front of you.

• You miss road signs or drive past your turn.

• You drift into the other lane of traffic.

• You drift onto the “rumble strip” or onto the shoulder of the road.

The Healthy Sleep Project also encourages transportation companies to

promote public safety by adhering to hours-of-service regulations, scheduling work shifts based on sleep need and circadian timing, implementing an evidence-based fatigue management system, and screening commercial drivers for sleep diseases such as obstructive sleep apnea.

“There is no substitute for healthy sleep – it’s essential to promote personal

safety and optimal alertness behind the wheel,” Watson says. “Evaluate your sleep habits, address potential problems with a board-certified sleep specialist, and make sleep a priority to protect yourself, your passengers and other drivers from avoidable, life-threatening accidents caused by drowsiness.”

For more information, jecthealthysleep.org. – BPT

visit

pro-

What You Don’t Know About Pain Can Hurt You - Five Things You Should Know

Y

By d-mars.com News Provider

ou may not like it, but when you feel pain, your body is trying to tell you something. In most cases, it’s to stop what you’re doing. (“Ouch, that stove is hot!”) That’s why some pain is necessary and can prevent us from seriously injuring ourselves. But, at times, pain also can be intolerable, becoming constant and negatively impacting your quality of life.

“Understandably, people want to alleviate their pain,” says Jane C.K. Fitch, M.D., president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). “Overthe-counter pain relievers can provide temporary relief from minor pain such as headaches and muscle aches. But in many cases, the reasons for and extent of pain are complex and there’s more to safe pain control than popping a pill.”

If you or a loved one suffers from chronic pain, it’s important to learn the best way to treat it, according to ASA. Here are some things you should know about pain: • Address pain when you first feel

it: Acute pain is the type you feel after cutting your finger or breaking a bone.

It hurts but eventually the pain goes away. When pain doesn’t subside and lasts for several months, it can be considered chronic. Unfortunately, acute pain – such as from surgery – can become chronic if it’s not treated correctly by physicians because the nerves may be injured or become hypersensitive to the stimuli causing the pain. Learn more about physicians who specialize in pain medicine and how they manage pain by visiting physician-paincare.com.

• Chronic pain is common: About 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, which can seriously interfere with their quality of life, according to the Institute of Medicine. The most common sources of chronic pain are headaches, back pain and arthritis pain in the joints, such as knees and hips.

• Pills are not always the right solution: If you are someone suffering from chronic pain, there are many alternatives beyond traditional oral pain medication to provide you with relief. Serious pain sometimes may be alleviated or

minimized by injections or appropriate use of medication(s). In addition, other non-medication methods can help alleviate pain, such as acupuncture, physical therapy, psychological therapy and electrical stimulation – which short circuits pain by stimulating nerve fibers either through the skin or, in some cases, via an implanted device in the spine (and no, it’s not painful).

• Anxiety equals more pain: People who feel anxious before they have surgery are more likely to feel higher levels of pain afterward. That’s why patients are evaluated before a procedure. Questions regarding their care are answered and physician anesthesiologists often administer medications to help reduce a patient’s anxiety, in addition to performing blocks or administering medications to treat pain.

• Pain medicine requires specialist care by a physician: Pain medications are strong, the spine and nerves that register pain are delicate, and everyone’s anatomy and pain tolerance is different.

Pain treatment is complex and it can cause more harm if it is not provided by

a skilled pain medicine specialist such as a physician anesthesiologist, who has the training and expertise to diagnose and treat each individual patient safely and effectively.

Care provided by a pain specialist is effective because it is individualized to each person. Therefore, it’s important that pain medication be taken only by the person to whom it was prescribed.

If you are prescribed pain medications from a skilled pain medicine specialist, be sure to safely store and dispose of prescription medicines once you are finished with them to ensure they are not accessible to anyone else.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) recently released a list of specific tests or procedures related to pain medicine that are commonly ordered but not always necessary as part of Choosing Wisely, an initiative of the ABIM Foundation. The list identifies five targeted, evidence-based recommendations that can support conversations between patients and physicians about appropriate pain care. To view the list, visit physician-paincare.com. – BPT

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

April - May 15, 2015  17

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

18 April - May 15, 2015

How to Shop for Dental Insurance

D

By d-mars.com News Provider

ental health is essential to overall health, affecting everything from our hearts to our mental well-being.

Yet despite ample research that underscores the importance of taking care of our teeth, millions of Americans never go to the dentist. A lack of dental insurance is one of the top reasons Americans don’t keep up with their dental care.

Most people covered by dental insurance today receive the benefit as part of an employer-sponsored benefits package. And as awareness of the importance of dental health grows, more people are urging their employers to offer the benefit or are looking at buying individual dental coverage.

Not all dental plans are created equal, so it is important to understand what you are purchasing. “Changes in health care law and increased opportunity for people to purchase their own health coverage have made many consumers more aware of the need for informed decisions when choosing health insurance,” says Stacia Almquist, senior vice president of dental for Assurant Employee Benefits. “Choosing a dental plan should also be an informed decision.”

If you’re in the market for standalone dental coverage (and if you don’t already have dental insurance, you should consider it) or get to pick a plan through your employer, keep these points in mind when comparison shopping: • Understand the alphabet soup of dental plans - Two common insurance acronyms include PPO (preferred provider organization) and DHMO (dental health maintenance organization). Most PPO plans have a large dental network of providers and provide 100 percent benefit coverage for preventive care, cleanings, checkups, protective sealants and X-rays, while major services such as crowns and bridges are usually covered at 50 percent. A DHMO usually has a smaller network of dentists than a PPO network, with the trade-off being that members typically pay less out of pocket for services.

• Dental discount plans are also available. Discount plans are not insurance, but are similar to wholesale store plans where you pay a discounted fee for products or services.

• Look for options and extras Look for a dental plan with a network that offers the options that you need.

Your relationship with a dentist is as valuable and personal as one with your primary care physician. Make

sure the dental network you choose includes a dentist you are comfortable seeing or one that has dental recruiters who are willing to try to recruit your dentist. Ultimately, more dentists in the network mean more options for you and your family.

• Also look for ancillary services such as dental hotlines similar to Ask-A-Nurse lines where you can get 24/7 answers when dental emergencies arise.

• Maximize your dental dollars Most dental plans limit the amount they will pay in a given year. It’s important to know what that cap is because you will need to pay full dental costs after you reach that limit in a year. Some dental PPOs let you share unused dental dollars with family members. Programs such as Family

Share Max replace traditional individual maximums and allow families to pull from one shared dental coverage pool in a way that most effectively meets their specific needs and budgets.

Ultimately, taking care of your teeth today keeps costs down for you and your family in the future.

“Poor dental health has been linked to a range of other health issues, from cardiovascular disease and premature birth to increased risk of Alzheimer’s and eating disorders,” says Almquist.

“Fortunately, it’s possible to help protect your dental health with the right insurance coverage.”

Still confused? Don’t hesitate to seek the advice of an insurance broker who offers a variety of dental insurance products.

The Nation’s Most Deadly Disease

F

By d-mars.com News Provider

ew people understand just how much a threat cardiovascular disease (CVD), or heart disease, can be. Consider this: heart disease is the leading cause of death in the world. Cardiovascular disease claims more lives each year than cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease and accidents combined.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 71 million American adults (33.5 percent) have high LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol and only one out of every three adults with high LDL cholesterol has the condition under control.

While heart disease is truly dangerous, in many instances the disease is preventable. You may have heard concerns over high cholesterol levels. Elevated cholesterol is among the leading risk factors for CVD. Living a healthy lifestyle that incorporates good nutrition, weight management and getting plenty of physical activity can play an important role in lowering your risk of CVD, according to the American Heart Association.

If you’re interested in reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease, these tips can help: • Move your body. Exercise not only reduces your bad cholesterol levels, it can also increase your HDL, or good cholesterol, levels. The exercise need not be strenuous to enjoy the benefit either. Get a pedometer and aim for 10,000 steps a day. A 45-minute walk can help you reach your goal.

• Cut the saturated fats. Saturated fats have long been linked to high cholesterol levels. As you prepare your next meal, use canola oil or olive oil instead of vegetable oil, butter, shortening or lard.

• Opt for fish. You don’t have to become a vegetarian to achieve a healthy cholesterol level; you just have to make smarter meat selections. Fish and fish oil are loaded with cholesterol-lowering omega-3 acids. The American Heart Association recommends fish as your source for omega-3s and eating fish two or three times a week is a great way to lower your cholesterol.

• Avoid smoking. Smoking has been linked to many health concerns and research shows that smoking has a negative impact on good cholesterol levels and is also a risk factor for heart disease.

Heart disease accounts for one in three deaths in the United States and many cases of the disease are preventable through healthy choices.

There is a clinical research study being conducted to try to help with this disease. The Fourier Study, sponsored by Amgen, is a clinical research study to find out if an investigational medication may reduce the risk of future heart attacks, strokes, related cardiovascular events and death in individuals with a prior history of heart disease. The study is investigating a different approach to reducing LDL cholesterol or “bad” cholesterol. – BPT

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

April - May 15, 2015  19

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

20 April - May 15, 2015

Do Your Supplements Stack Up? 4 Tips to Ensure They Make the Grade

M

By d-mars.com News Provider

aintaining a healthy diet that includes all the recommended vitamins and nutrients can be a challenge, particularly when the current food landscape is full of overly processed foods that rarely contain essential nutrients. Supplements can provide a great way to enhance a healthy diet with those elements you might be missing, but how do you go about figuring out what you need?

“Everyone stands to benefit from adding high quality supplements to their diets,” says Registered Dietitian Paul Kriegler, Life Time weight loss and training supplementation expert. “The supplement industry, which is regulated by the FDA, though loosely, has a tarnished reputation with many consumers. There are irresponsible manufacturers who routinely make low quality products with inflated claims. However, there are also highly-reputable supplement producers who routinely earn the support and praise of medical profes-

sionals and fitness enthusiasts alike; the trick is finding out which companies are out for profits and which are focused on your health.”

When looking for supplements, keep these tips from Kriegler in mind, so you know you’re getting exactly what you need: 1. Read the label – Nutrient forms can vary dramatically from one like product to another. The nutrient form not only determines the price of a product, but also influences whether that nutrient will be absorbed or not. After all, if you don’t absorb what you’re taking, you throw away a lot more money than when you spend more for something that actually works. Look for methylcobalamin over cyancobalamin, natural folate (5-methyl-tetra-hydro-folate) over folic acid, and mineral bisglycinates over cheaper carbonate and oxide forms.

2. Know your needs – Each body functions differently and has different supplemental needs. Life Time Fitness offers a variety of lab tests and assessments that give valuable insight into how your body operates. On-site registered dietitians can evaluate results to

determine which supplements would best suit your body composition, diet, hormone, stress, and sleep needs to ensure you’re supplementing accurately.

Cliff Edberg, registered dietitian at Life Time, notes that you are not what you eat, but what you eat, digest and absorb.

3. Look for certification – There are several certifications you can look for to ensure the supplements you buy follow a good manufacturing process and contain high quality ingredients. Certifications to look for include: Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CMPG),

Therapeutic Goods of Australia (TGA), National Science Foundation (NSF) and United States Pharmacopeia (USP).

For fish oil, look for International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS). In its clubs across the country and online, Life Time offers a line of branded products that carry only the highest quality, most efficacious and purest nutritional ingredients available.

4. Be wary of over-promising in the messaging – If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is when it comes to supplements promoting weight-loss miracles.

Supplements are designed to enhance missing nutrients from a daily diet that the body needs. So if the label – or the commercial – is promising a huge change in your life from a simple pill, be suspicious and don’t waste your money.

In the end, Kriegler encourages men and women to eat high quality, whole foods to get the nutrients they need, adding a high-quality multivitamin to fill in where your natural diet may be lacking in addition to other supplements recommended by a registered dietitian to enhance a healthy way of life. – BPT

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

April - May 15, 2015 21

Look 10 Years Younger with Expert Anti-Aging Tips

D

By d-mars.com News Provider

o you have friends or family members who seem to never age? No matter how old they get, their appearance is youthful and glowing. While genes play a role in how the body ages, they are not the only factor in aging gracefully. In fact, erasing years from your appearance is actually simpler than most people think.

“When a person is young, it’s easy to have clear, translucent skin. Keeping it that way is a lifelong commitment,” says Veronica Barton-Schwartz, a leading expert in skin care with more than 30 years of experience and owner of Veronica Malibu Skin and Body Care Center in Malibu, California. “Age is just a number when it comes to good skin care. My skin at 66 is better than it was at 30. I believe that all of us can age with grace and help delay the onset of age-related disease with a healthy lifestyle.”

Barton-Schwartz’s clientele includes everyone from surfers who have sun-damaged skin to aging Hollywood actresses who are trying to maintain an edge in their career. She notes that repairing skin must happen from the inside out. Here are her top recommendations for maintaining that coveted youthful glow:

traviolet light. Be sure to wear a 4-inch brim hat, UV sunglasses and UV clothing when in the mid-day sun.”

Stay hydrated “I can always tell when someone isn’t drinking enough water from the condition of their skin,” says Barton-Schwartz.

“Water protects cardiovascular health, keeps the brain in top working condition, facilitates weight loss and promotes detoxification. Water also transports oxygen to our cells, removes waste and protects our joints and organs.”

Eat smart “What benefits the skin the most is eliminating sugar and white flour from your diet. You should also increase your

consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables and lean protein, ” Barton-Schwartz says. “Then, add in an omega-3 supplement every day. My favorite brand is Nordic Naturals. Most associate omega-3s with cardiovascular health, but the benefits go far beyond the heart.

Omega-3s benefit brain and cognitive function, joint mobility, eye health and healthy skin and hair, too. My skin looks better and I feel better when I take my omega-3 supplements.”

Exfoliate regularly “A weekly buffing of the skin gets rid of dead skin and stimulates cell turnover,” says Barton-Schwartz. “This helps your skin produce new collagen, leaving your face and body feeling smooth

and refreshed. I recommend nonabrasive peels.”

Break a sweat “Exercise improves circulation, increasing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells and tissues, and it also reduces wrinkle-causing inflammation,” Barton-Schwartz says.

Apply food-based nutrients “Research has shown that many foodbased nutrients provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity when applied topically,” says Barton-Schwartz.

“Topical antioxidants work synergistically to enhance the natural health of the skin alongside a healthy diet and supplements. Our most popular antioxidant moisturizer contains ingredients like grape seed oil, orange flower, neroli, chamomile, sage, bergamot tea, avocado oil and soy.”

Sleep well Barton-Schwartz notes the term “beauty sleep” actually has some science behind it. “Certain hormones are released during specific stages of sleep.

A lack of consistent sleep disrupts the normal release of those hormones, impacting every single biological process,” she says. “This leads to an increase in inflammatory substances in your blood stream that damage your skin on a cellular lever, as well as accelerate aging.”

Steer clear of skin saboteurs

Prioritize oral health “Poor oral health is linked to everything from heart disease to rheumatoid arthritis,” Barton-Schwartz says. “I work with a dentist in Malibu and when someone thinks they need a facelift, what they really need is to get their teeth fixed. Nothing is more youthful than a healthy, beautiful smile.” – BPT

“Smoking and sun damage accelerate aging and put you at risk for certain cancers,” says BartonSchwartz. “Apply sunscreen faithfully. Opt for broad-spectrum formulas with antioxidants, such as vitamin C, to offset ul-

Operation Safety: Tips to Make Every Bath a Safe Bath

D

By d-mars.com News Provider

oes your bathroom need a makeover? Go beyond functional and stylish updates and consider upgrades that add an element of safety, too. A few affordable, small updates can dramatically affect your bathroom’s level of safety while still providing a look you’ll love.

Leave a little light on Low lighting levels can reduce visibility and be a major contributor to trips, bumps and bruises. Adding nightlights is a quick and easy way to safely light bathrooms (and hallways) to increase safety around the house at night – especially for those midnight trips to the bathroom. Another idea is to install illuminated light switches

for easy visibility in a dark room. These small steps can make a big impact when it comes to preventing trips and falls during the night.

compact profile when not in use. Add a handheld shower to increase functionality while seated and help prevent falls in the bath.

Have a seat

Cool it down

Navigating around the shower can be a slippery undertaking, especially for women who often perform a balancing act while shaving. That’s likely why women are 72 percent more likely to be injured in the bath or shower than men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One way to add both safety and comfort to the shower space is by incorporating a bath or shower chair.

The stylishly designed Fold-Down Teak Shower Seat from Moen, now available in an Old World Bronze finish, features a unique wall-mount design for a comfortable seat and easily folds up to a thin,

Accidental burns from water are more common than you think. When tap water reaches 140 degrees, it can cause a third degree burn in just five seconds, and according to the Burn Foundation, 500,000 scald burns occur in the U.S. annually. Prevent accidental scalding at the source by setting the water heater at a maximum of 120 degrees. After you’ve set the new temperature, be sure to update your showers with pressure-balancing valves that maintain water temperature to eliminate “shower shock,” which is the sudden fluctuation in temperature that can cause burns.

Style you can hold on to Maneuvering in and out of the bathtub safely is one of the most challenging, and potentially dangerous, bathroom activities, according to Moen research. And to make matters worse, many people rely on items not designed to support body weight, such as towel bars, built-in soap dishes and shower doors, to assist in movements. Moen has combined the safety benefits of grab bars with three essential bath accessories – paper holders, shelves and towel bars. Integrating a Shelf with Grab Bar into the shower is a great way to add extra stability and it holds necessary items like shampoo and conditioner, keeping them within easy reach. Visit www.moen.com for more information.

Keep these tips top of mind as you update your bath to help ensure everyone has an enjoyable – but more importantly – safe experience in the bathroom. – BPT

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

22 April - May 15, 2015

A Transitional Home That Specializes in Love

By Dawn Paul

Associate Editor

T

ransitional housing is supportive housing that helps fight the homeless problem in today’s society. Transitional housing is generally for a limited time period and stays can be from two weeks to twenty-four months. Transitional housing provides people with the skills necessary to help them live successfully on their own. Renea Gray is an entrepreneur and health advocate who has been providing quality health services to the Houston community for years. Helping Hands Transitional Homes meets the needs of individuals that find themselves without a shoulder to lean on. Gray sees it as a warm and compassionate environment that can be loving arms for someone in need.

Transitional housing is a great benefit to many people and typically describes a community program that provides temporary housing and support services for individuals until they can find permanent solutions. Some do not have support they need after a personal hardship. Transitional living can be a great benefit for people trying to get back on their feet and be re-introduced to society. Transitional living is preparing those often forgotten individuals to be successful in society. Clients are offered support with employment services and other areas that can help get

them back on their feet. Helping Hands not only provides that necessary support, but also that much needed love. Helping Hands lets their clients know that there is a future for a productive life, because many enter transitional living with little hope and belief in themselves. Clients at Helping Hands will receive not only necessary skills and knowledge, but compassion.

Helping Hands has a full service staff that provides disabled veterans and mentally challenged individuals with job training, job placement, education, and life skills. Helping Hands also welcomes those on parole and probation, because it is known that ex-offenders have a higher

probability of re-entering prison if they do not gain life skills and employment after release. Because Gray wants the client to get used to living on their own, Helping Hands provides standard features that come with a home, such as a washer and dryer, and even basic cable and Wi-Fi. Love is a big part of what is offered at Helping Hands. An extension of that love is respite care.

Respite care is the provision of shortterm accommodation in a facility that is outside the home in which a loved one may be placed. Respite care provides temporary relief to those who are caring for a family member or special needs individu-

al. Another benefit to respite care is that it provides a comfortable and positive experience for the person receiving care. The caregiver has a great responsibility, and because it can sometimes be overwhelming, respite care provides a break. Respite care can help sustain the caregiver’s health and well-being. Helping Hands understands the concern of the caregiver and they provide this service to the community.

Gray is understanding to the needs of the caregiver and that is why she provides temporary relief for those who are caring for a special needs individual. A unique piece to Helping Hands is that the temporary care could be daytime or even overnight. Helping Hands takes its services a step further by sending out a certified nursing assistant, registered nurse, or licensed vocational nurse to help ensure all needs of the clients are met. These medical professionals have had background checks and have 5 or more years of experience in the medical field.

To meet the needs of those often forgotten in our community, Gray has developed Helping Hands Transitional Homes to help ensure these individuals have the love and support they need. She is not only a successful entrepreneur experienced in health, but a respected community member who shows compassion to those forgotten. Gray is providing a chance for others to succeed through Helping Hands Transitional Homes.

Renea Gray, President

Helping Hands Transitional Home

A support home that’s set up to meet the needs of individuals that find themselves without a place to stay.

We have full service staff to assist in the areas of:

Elderly & Veterans Day Care for Seniors

Autistic Respite Care Day & Weekend Available

Medical Respite Care Case Management Senior Homes Veterans Homes Transportation

Meals & Snacks Arts & Crafts Fun & Entertainment Overnight Stay Available Safe & Friendly Staff

YOUR STAY INCLUDES Food Gas

Washer & Dryer

Water

Basic Cable

Telephone (landline)

Light

CALL NOW!

Office: 281-205-7908 Alt: 832-882-5341

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

April - May 15, 2015

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

23

24

March - April 15, 2015

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

April - May 15, 2015

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

25

26

March - April 15, 2015

d-mars.com ADVERTISING | MARKETING | MEDIA | COMMUNICATIONS

Experience Our World dmars_com

dmarsmarketing

dmars_com

dmarsmarketing

social@d-mars.com

Call Today 713-272-9511

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

Join the

Movement

Let’s circulate our information, connections & dollars in the Black community today!

Are you Ready to Take Your

OUR SERVICES:

ADVERTISING | MARKETING | MEDIA | COMMUNICATION • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Black Pages North Journal Business Journal Health & Wellness Journal Community Journal Black Pages Online Business Directory Top 50 Black Health, Medical & Wellness Professionals Top 50 Black Professionals & Entrepreneurs Top 50 Black Models Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Top 25 Prime Contractors, Architects & Engineers for Diversity Business Connection State of the Black Economy in Houston Business Development Business Consulting Graphic Design Photography Printing Web Design Online & Email Marketing Public Relations Social Media Advertising Writing Promotional Marketing Online Radio & TV

Business to the Next Level?

eBlast

What this means to you,

The Business Owner: •

The ability to stimulate money in our communities • Publicity at an affordable price • The professionalism it provides to Black-owned businesses

It’s time we put our future finances into our own HANDS! We must encourage members to patronize Black-owned businesses to further expand the economic power of African American merchants and the households that support them.

Features Include • Video Posting • Online Photo Gallery • Map Locator • Business Profile • FREE Membership w/Lapel Pin

Advertise your event or business to 75,000 email addresses in minutes 1 eBlast Now $198 2 eBlasts Now $378 w/FREE design contact@d-mars.com

Sign-up

@

on our Mailing List

www.d-mars.com to stay informed in our community

ADVERTISING | MARKETING | MEDIA | COMMUNICATIONS MAIN OFFICE 7322 Southwest Fwy. Suite 805 Houston, TX 77074 Phone: (713) 272.9511 | Fax: (713) 272.6364 Email Us: contact@d-mars.com

NORTH OFFICE 523 North Sam Houston Parkway East Suite 330 Houston, Texas 77060 Phone: (832) 672.4290 | Fax: (832) 230.1306 Email Us: admin@d-mars.com

Visit Us Online ww.d-mars.com | Connect with Us dmarsmarketing

dmars_com

dmarsmarketing

Certified: HMSDC - Port of Houston - City of Houston - Metro - HISD - HUB

dmars_com