Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/37331
6A Daily News – Monday, July 25, 2011 Vitality & health LEXINGTON, Ky. (MCT) — Cer- tainly, no one could ever accuse Mary Jo Holland of being inactive. She is a dancer and has been for about as long as she can remember. She has taught dancing and aerobics to countless Lexington, Ky., residents since the 1950s and still performs reg- ularly with the LAC Energizers, a seniors dance group that entertains at nursing homes, retirement centers and a veterans center. By the way, Holland will celebrate her 78th birthday next month. She credits a lifetime of dancing and exercise with keeping her fit, active and vital. "My daughter tells me, 'You walk like someone who's 100 years old, but when the music starts, you look like you're 16," Holland said, laughing. "I've had three surgeries in the last 10 years, and in every case the sur- geons said I came through well because I was in such good physical condition." Holland grew up in a Lexington family in which most members "smoked and sat around and died young." Determined to avoid that trap, she became active at an early age, became an avid dancer and was invited to teach dancing part-time when she was 15. Holland opened her own Lexington MCT photo Mary Jo Holland gets her exer- cise dancing with the LAX Energizers in Lexington, Ky. dance school in 1955. For years, she choreographed the Miss Lexington Pageant, the annual Paris Lions Club Dancer, 77, is as active as ever show and other events. Later, while living in California, she was asked to teach an aerobics and dance class for seniors. She also helped organize a seniors dance troupe that once performed in Las Vegas. After returning to Lexington about 20 years ago, Holland taught aerobics for seniors at Lexington Athletic Club, which led to creation of the LAC Ener- gizers. "The first 15 minutes of aerobics class, I would have students warm up by doing country line dancing," she said. "The 15 minutes grew to 20 min- utes, and when we got ready to do aer- obics, half the students would leave. They liked the dancing better." Holland agreed that too many folks weigh too much, but she said Men's Health magazine missed the mark in naming Lexington's the county's most sedentary city. "I don't believe that at all," she said. "I live near Shillito Park, where they've built that nice new track, and you see people on it all the time." As for herself, Holland says she'll keep spreading the word that exercise saves lives. "I have so many friends my age who say, 'When are you going to quit all this jumping around?' I say, I'm never going to quit as long as my knees hold out." Nutrition quiz: fiber (MCT) — Get a bunch of "people-of-a-certain-age" together, and talk eventually will wend its way around to ... fiber. Scoff if you must, but fiber has proved time and again to be the Ponce de Leon of food sources. Chew on our quiz for a while. 1. A new study by the National Cancer Institute found that consuming fiber reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular, respiratory and even infectious dis- eases. What makes fiber so effective? a) Its digestive qualities b) Its anti-inflammatory properties oxidants c) Its plethora of anti- 2. The researchers reviewed data from nearly 400,000 participants in the nine-year National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study. Those who consumed between 25 and 30 grams of fiber per day were what percentage less likely to die over the course of the study than those who ate little fiber? a) 22 percent b) 42 percent c) 47 percent 3. According to the latest Dietary Guidelines, how much fiber should people consume? a) 14 milligrams per 1,000 daily calories b) 14 grams per 1,000 daily calories c) 140 grams per 1,000 daily calories 4. Researchers at the Robert Wood Johnson Med- ical School and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey have found that women who con- sumed 5 grams of fiber per 100 calories cut their risk of uterine cancer by what per- cent? a) 10 percent b) 18 percent c) 28 percent b; 4: b ANSWERS: 1: b; 2: a; 3: Source: Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter ( www.tuftshealthletter.com) fitness SUGAR LEVELS HAVE A YO-YO EFFECT GOTT: I have been a Type 2 diabetic for 20 years. I have been having a lot of trouble keeping my blood sugar levels steady. They keep dropping down to 50. Two years ago, I woke up and was unable to walk or talk. My husband thought I was hav- ing a stroke and he rushed me to the ER. I wasn’t, but my blood sugar level had dropped to 30! In the last couple of months my morning sugar has been between 85 and 110, but by lunch it has dropped to between 50 and 85. What can I eat to keep my levels up? My doctor is no help, and my nutritionist keeps telling me to eat salads and vegetables, which worsen my diarrhea. I have diar- rhea every day and am unable to control it. Do you have any suggestions? DEAR READER: Your question is not as easy to answer as you might think, so let me first start by ask- ing questions: DEAR DR. Dr. Peter Gott using OTC antidiarrheal drugs (with physician approval), and avoiding dairy and fatty or highly seasoned foods. Eating semisolid or soft foods dur- ing recovery may also ben- efit most sufferers. Now on to your dia- betes. There is a condition known as diabetic hypo- glycemia, which occurs because there is too much insulin and not enough sugar in the blood. It can result from taking too much diabetes medication or insulin, not eating enough for the amount of medication or insulin used, or skipping a meal. — Are you taking any medications, either pre- scription or over-the- counter (OTC) for your diabetes, diarrhea or other medical conditions? — How long have you had trouble controlling your blood sugar levels? Have you made appropriate diet and exercise modifica- tions? Are you overweight? — How long have you had the diarrhea? Have you received a diagnosis such as irritable bowel syn- drome as a cause for your diarrhea? The answers to all these questions can directly impact my answer and how I guide you toward getting the best help. Let’s start with your diarrhea. This can be a side effect of many medica- tions. It can also be a symp- tom of several digestive disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis or Celiac disease. Bacteria, viruses, parasites, artificial sweeteners and lactose intolerance are other possible causes. Many diabetics suffer from James W. Tysinger, Jr. M.D. Eye Physician & Surgeon Fellow American Academy of Ophtalmology We accept Medical, Medicare & most Insurances Office Hours: Tues-Wed-Thurs 8am-4:30pm Mon & Fri 1pm-5pm For Emergencies, After Hours, Week-ends, Call 530-567-5001 345 Hickory St. Red Bluff Tel: (530) 529-4733 Fax: (530) 529-1114 K. Duane Carter, M.D. www.lassenmedical.com We are pleased to announce the newest member of our professional team. Dr. K. Duane Carter: Is a Board-Certified pediatrician who has been in private practice for 14 years. He graduated from the University of Tennessee Medical College in Memphis and did his pediatric residency at the T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital in Chattanooga, TN. Dr. Carter has been married to his wife Melissa for 19 years, and they have adopted 8 children from 4 different countries (Romania, Bulgaria, China and Uganda) and have one biological son. He and his family love the outdoors, especially hiking, fishing, photography and nature study. Three glucose pills, 4 ounces of fruit juice or reg- ular (not diet) soda, five to six hard candies, or 1 table- spoon of sugar, jelly or honey are all appropriate methods of raising the blood sugar. It is important to recheck sugar levels 15 to 20 minutes later. If it remains low, ingest another sugary food or drink. You should tell your friends and family of symptoms to be on the lookout for in case of an emergency where you can- not treat yourself during a hypoglycemic episode. A medical bracelet stating that you are a diabetic may also be beneficial so that first-responders will be able to provide proper treatment. Because you claim your physician isn’t helpful, I suggest you find an internal medicine doctor (who can also serve as your primary care physician). He or she can work with you to deter- mine what is causing your sugars to vary so drastical- ly, as well as figuring out the cause of your diarrhea and if the two are somehow connected. He or she can also refer to appropriate specialists if needed. Nicole Richardson Salon Bella Dona Full Service Salon July Special 30% OFF Located next to any service. Bud’s Jolly Cone Call for appt. 527-4843 (exp. July 31, 2011) delayed gastric emptying, but diar- rhea may occur, especially in those with advanced dis- ease. T reatment depends on the cause, but it can include SLOWLY increasing fiber intake, consuming adequate water, Dr. K. Duane Carter is now accepting patients in Cottonwood and Red Bluff K. Duane Carter, M.D. Pediatrics St. Elizabeth Community Hospital A member of CHW www.redbluff.mercy.org 800.990.9971 redbluff.mercy.org