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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2012
mywellbeing
Cut your cancer risk at the grill this summer The heat from your grill may give you a juicy burger with a side of health troubles How to cook safely LIFESIZE
The American Institute for Cancer Research has issued warnings about grilling meat, fish and poultry — including the beloved backyard barbecue burger. “There is enough experimental evidence to suggest that grilling certain foods increases cancer risk,” says AICR dietitian Alice Bender, M.S., R.D. “Muscle meats are the problem; substances are formed when these are grilled with intense heat. Cooking meats on any high temperature has the same effect — it’s just that grilling is traditionally done on high heat all the way and is therefore riskier.” What happens is that intense heat causes a reaction in the muscle proteins and two carcinogens — possibly DNA-altering, cancer-causing substances — form: heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic
How to grill safer Bender offers these tips: Use a marinade “Marinating for 30 minutes or more reduces the formation of HCAs.”
Health notes People are pill-poppin’ Sixty-three percent of Americans currently take a vitamin or supplement, up 3 percent from 2011. Multivitamins were the most popular choice. Source: The Vitamin Shoppe
Charred meat may up your risk of cancer.
hydrocarbons. The fattier the meat, the higher the risk. “When fat drips, it causes the flames to leap up and increases the temperature,” explains Bender. There is no evidence of any risks with grilling nonmeat items: “Eat all the charred veggies that you want,” Bender says, but never eat charred Partially precook meat “This will cut down the amount of time the meat is in high heat. Finish off on the grill for that cookout flavor.” Use lower temperatures “Grill slower and use a lower flame” to lessen the buildup
BSC Davis Square
Bra-mazing Do you know how often you need to replace your sports bra? Or whether you need a medium, high or maximum fit? Championsportsbras.com has the answers. Log on to find the right bra for your needs, find tips on how to keep yours in tiptop shape and even sign up for replacement reminders so you’ll never be without the perfect fit.
Free bikini boot camps
Who wants to salsa?
Boston Sports Club is holding bikini boot camp classes (free for members and nonmembers!) throughout the month. Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. BSC Wellesley Thursdays, 7:30 a.m. BSC Government Center Thursdays, 7:00 a.m.
This Monday, head to Blackstone Community Center (50 West Brookline St., Boston) for Metamovement’s fifth annual Salsa in the Park, which is free and open to salsa dancers of all levels. Lessons start at 6 p.m., and you can stick around for social dancing and performances.
meats or fish. “It is very likely that it is carcinogenic,” she warns. “There’s enough evidence in lab studies to tell us that avoiding it is prudent. You can still have a backyard barbecue this summer. People are not going to give up their beloved burgers and steaks — just lessen the risks.” of carcinogens. Add more produce Phytochemicals, a lot of which are said to ward off cancer, are abundant in produce.
LINDA CLARKE letters@metro.us
New ways to find a workout Gorecess.com: Pick the type of class you want (spin, yoga, etc.) and the site will tell you which classes are open in your area. TimeRAZOR: The hyperlocal events app alerts you about cool classes taking place.
App we’re into Just by working out, you can help raise money for various causes. Charity Miles, free for iPhones and Androids, lets you pick a charity — like Autism Speaks or Habitat for Humanity — that you’ll “donate” your workouts to. Bikers earn 10 cents per mile, and walkers and runners earn 25 cents per mile — up to $1 million. Visit www.charitymiles.org for more info. MEREDITH ENGEL