HEALTH MYTHS: DEBUNKED

MYTH: COLD WEATHER MAKES YOU SICK

FACT: SEASONAL ILLNESS ACTUALLY COMES FROM VIRAL INFECTIONS WHICH SPREAD EASIER INDOORS. SINCE MOST OF US ARE SPENDING MOST OF OUR TIME INDOORS DURING THE WINTER, THE CHANCES OF VIRUSES LIKE INFLUENZA TAKING HOLD ARE HIGHER.

MYTH: YOU CAN'T USE EXPIRED MEDICATIONS

FACT: WHILE WE CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT, WHEN, OR HOW WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR MEDICATIONS, RESEARCH SHOWS THAT MEDICINE LIKE IBUPROFEN IS OK TO TAKE FOR EVEN A COUPLE OF YEARS PAST THE EXPIRATION DATE. HOWEVER, OTHERS LIKE INSULIN AND ANTIBIOTICS SHOULD HAVE THAT EXPIRATION DATE ADHERED TO. THIS IS ACCORDING TO DR. TUNG, FROM NEW YORK-PRESBYTERIAN, IN AN ARTICLE FROM HEALTHMATTERS.NYP.ORG.

MYTH: EATING CARROTS CAN GIVE YOU NIGHT VISION

FACT: MAN, WOULDN'T THAT BE COOL IF IT WERE TRUE? RESEARCH SHOWS THAT WHILE CARROTS DO POSITIVELY AFFECT EYE SIGHT, IT DOESN'T WORK THAT GOOD. “VITAMIN A ENABLES THE EYE TO CONVERT LIGHT INTO A SIGNAL THAT CAN BE SENT TO THE BRAIN, ALLOWING FOR OVERALL IMPROVED VISION IN SETTINGS WITH REDUCED LIGHT. THE ONLY CATCH IS THAT VITAMIN A IS A FAT-SOLUBLE VITAMIN, WHICH MEANS IT NEEDS TO BE CONSUMED WITH FAT TO ALLOW FOR ABSORPTION AND FOR TRUE HEALTH BENEFITS TO BE FELT. MOST STUDIES HAVE FOUND INGESTING VITAMIN A SUPPLEMENTS HAVE PROVEN TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE THAT JUST CONSUMING LARGE AMOUNTS OF CARROTS.” SAYS ALEX DANIEL, FROM BESTLIFEONLINE.COM

Disclaimer: These myths and facts are not my opinion, nor should they be taken as advice For questions about myths and facts, please see your doctor All information was found on healthmatters nyp org and bestlifeonline com

Honorable That's the first thought that jumps into my mind when I think of how to describe Adam Teater The second descriptor would be "beloved " His absence is surely one to be felt, as he leaves behind a couple of decades of service, passion for making a difference, and pouring his heart into Nicholasville

BY: BRITT MOSES

made such an impact on this community I started out with general questions, and soon found that his answers were thoughtful, meaningful, and better than I expected We talked for 45 minutes, but I soon forewent the questions I had prepared and started asking the questions I knew he wouldn't be afraid to answer, even though they might hit a little harder

When NPD first announced the retirement of Officer Teater to Facebook, the post racked up over 700 likes, and nearly 50 shares at the time of writing this Community members wrote sentiments about how Teater changed their lives or helped them in some memorable way

When sitting down with Adam to talk to him about his retirement, it became abundantly clear why the retirement of this officer

Initially, I learned that Teater became a volunteer firefigher in 2001 and continued that service through 2015 However, in 2004, he knew he wanted to take the opportunity to make a difference in Nicholasville, and on June 23rd, he became a law enforcement officer for NPD "I wanted to be able to help in more ways, so I became a full time officer," he recalls His 'why' was always to be in service of others.

I learned that in the 19 years he served this city as an officer, his favorite memories ran through his mind "like a slideshow" and he couldn't pick just one He elaborates, "Maybe the day I graduated the academy the first day I got out of field training and I didn't have someone in the passenger seat watching me every day you go to work, could be that day you have a moment you can make a difference." The next few questions had Teater reminiscing on past encounters as an officer, all of which he had trouble taking the credit for because he is humbled by the opportunity to help others One story involved a seed being planted to a man who had been arrested with a DUI, who later turned his entire life around Another story involved a young boy at "Trooper Island" camp discovering the Bible after chapel on Wednesday night He recalls the boy looking at him after reading the Bible until after the street lights came on, and saying to him, "Mr Teater, this is a really good book "

Adam said, "He might have all the opportunities in the world, but I know that on May 29, he got a Bible They say if you can change one life, it would be worth it Maybe he will be a good person one day and that could be a difference made "

He then talks about why law enforcement is so important While first thinking of the various ways officers help, he wraps it up to say, "the need for law enforcement is to give a little spark, that light in the dark, knowing somebody is coming, somebody will help " That's why he says NPD tries so hard to ensure their officers are fitting the mold of a good cop

Speaking of "good cop, " he remembered talking to a little girl once about her missing Snoopy inflatable in her front yard He said while some might take a quick report, he understood that to that little girl, it was the worst thing that had ever happened to her, and he treated it as such

I asked him what he would say about his retirement to Nicholasville now He took his time thinking about his answer He remembers leaving his son "in charge" when he left the house every day because "there's a chance dad might not make it back through that door " He said that this chapter has been written, and it's good to see the other side of it He thinks of all the other officers going through the same thing He said, "I'm excited to lift the burden from my wife's mind I've made a good life for myself, and even though it's written, I can reread it " He finishes to say, "I wouldn't trade it for the world It's been sleepless nights, and exuberant nights, but at the end of the day, IT'S BEEN A GOOD RIDE.”

L I S T