The Edge Magazine

Thursday, February 3, 2011

A New Way To Battle The Sugar Beast - February 2011

One of the keys to reducing diabetes is to provide the proper nutrition in order to help avoid what medical scientists call "metabolic syndrome".

Many people are unaware that they have Metabolic Syndrome, also called Syndrome X, even though the American Heart Association estimates that 20-25% of the adult population of the U.S. suffers from this disorder.

Metabolic Syndrome is characterized by having at least three of the following symptoms:

· Insulin Resistance (when the body can't absorb blood sugar or insulin properly)

· Abdominal fat – in men this means a 40 inch waist or larger, in women 35 inches or larger

· High blood sugar levels – at least 110 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) after fasting

· High triglycerides – at least 150 mg/dL in the blood stream

· Low HDL (the "good" cholesterol) – less than 40 mg/dL

· Pro-thrombotic state (e.g. high fibrinogen or plasminogen activator inhibitor in the blood) Blood pressure of 130/85 mmHg or higher

    The American Heart Association states that the "underlying causes of Metabolic Syndrome are being overweight, physical inactivity and genetic factors."
    Researchers have found a connection between Metabolic Syndrome and other conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure and high levels of LDL "bad" cholesterol, all of which are risk factors for Cardiovascular Disease.
    Studies have shown, for example, an increased link between Metabolic Syndrome and atherosclerosis, which occurs when fatty deposits called plaque cling to the interior walls of the arteries, leading to blockages that can cause heart attacks or stroke. People with Metabolic Syndrome are also more prone to developing Type 2 Diabetes, as well as PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) in women and prostate cancer in men.

Diet plays an important role in reducing metabolic syndrome. One company is trying to tackle the problem head on with nutrition. The Liv International products were developed to help provide some of the important nutrients that we may not be getting in our daily diet. "The American diet has changed radically in the last 30 years. We have gone from eating healthy foods at home, to take out food on the run. Many of the foods that we now eat don't provide the important nutrients such as fiber or trace minerals that are so important to maintaining our health" stated Company President and product formulator Jeff Tuttle. "We believe that through proper diet and exercise that much of the problems associated with metabolic syndrome can be avoided. It's too late to start when the person is diagnosed with diabetes." Green2o, one of the products of Liv, was designed to provide trace minerals, chlorophyllins, antioxidants and fiber, all which are important to reducing metabolic syndrome. The product is also very alkaline which helps maintain the bodies' alkaline/acid balance. Liv International manufactures and sells a number of health supplements designed for optimum health. Tuttle concluded "Our goal at Liv is to help teach people the importance of proper nutrition and that supplementation can help make up for some of the shortfall in our modern diet."

If you are interested in more information regarding the products of Liv International, you can contact Jana Zufelt, the local representative of Liv International at 435-790-4219.

Ask The Expert: Fitness Is More Than Skin Deep - February 2011

By: Jacey Bauman
I admit that I get a feeling of satisfaction from putting on three layers of clothing and going for a run in cold weather. I enjoy the contrast of crisp air and warm skin as I race my dogs around a deserted park. Winter is a great time to build a foundation of fitness; then when warm weather arrives you are ready to participate in your chosen activities with confidence. The key to exercising outdoors as comfortably as possible in the cold is to layer your clothing. With the right layers you can easily add or remove clothing to stay comfortable in changing conditions. Remember that hydration is just as important in the cold as it is in the heat, so drink plenty of water. We are lucky that there are lots of options for exercise both indoor and outdoor year round here in the Basin, so keep moving and enjoy were you are.
Q) I am always busy. I get up early, drive to work, sit in a chair all day, and then drive home. When I get home I have kids to take care of and a house to clean. The thought of working up a sweat for 30+ minutes every day on top of everything else that I do makes me cringe. I know I need to be healthier, I am out of shape and would like to lose weight, but I can't commit a large chunk of time to exercise every day. What else can I do to start getting in shape?

A) It is often hard to juggle all of the tasks that we want to accomplish each day. However, I believe that making your health a priority improves all areas of your life and is worth the effort. The key to starting and maintaining an effective exercise program is to work it into your life in a way that does not make it just another chore on your to do list. If 30 minutes of exercise at a time is too difficult, then start with ten. Many experts agree that three ten minute exercise sessions a day can be as effective as one longer session. Find ways to incorporate small moments of exercise into your day. You can find exercises that you can do at your desk and do a few of those every hour, or incorporate exercise into your television watching by either exercising or stretching during every commercial. These small moments add up, and as you become more confident in your physical fitness it will become less of a chore.
Q) My doctor has warned me that I am on the road to becoming diabetic. Type 2 Diabetes runs strong in my family and though my doctor has said that I am prediabetic, I want to avoid the full blown disease. What kind of exercise program is most effective for preventing diabetes?

A) I always recommend checking with your physician when dealing with this kind of question. The advice and guidelines that your doctor can suggest are important to your overall health. Assuming that you have a physician's clearance to begin an exercise program, I would give the following advice.
80% of people with Type 2 diabetes are overweight. The good news is that a relatively small weight loss of 5% to 10% can make a big difference to your health. Studies have shown that the combination of cardiovascular and strength training is most effective for helping prediabetic conditions. Aim for 30 to 45 minutes of a cardio activity you enjoy 3 to 5 times a week. Some suggestions could be walking, swimming, biking, or an elliptical machine. Do 30 minutes or more of strength training exercises two to three times per week. Combine this with healthy eating choices and you give yourself the best chance of maintaining or creating better health.
Q) For the last 3 years my New Year's resolution has been to lose 15lbs. I always start strong. I plan my diet carefully and exercise hard for 2 or 3 weeks. Every year by week 4 I am dragging myself to the gym, and by February I am back to my old habits. I never lose the weight and I can't seem to make any lasting changes. What am I doing wrong? How can I make myself stick to my goals for more than 2 or 3 weeks?

A) You are not alone. A number of studies report drop-outs from exercise programs reach 50% or more by the end of the first 6 months. It is common for gyms to be crowded with an influx of new people in January, only to be back to "normal" numbers by February or March. You are struggling to make lasting changes because you are starting too strong. Your plan to makeover your diet and increase exercise at the same time is overwhelming and stressful so you cannot maintain it. Instead of changing your diet and exercise habits all at once, set small goals to accomplish one at a time. Ease yourself into your new lifestyle by choosing one or two things to work on each week and by letting yourself build upon small successes. Take your time and once you have a solid foundation of exercise and eating habits, then you will be ready to start making bigger goals.
Jacey is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer who works with clients either in their home or at Freedom Fitness in Vernal, UT. She specializes in turning fitness goals into reality. To submit a question or for more information contact her at

New Additions - February 2011

By: Jennifer Rook

There are fifty seven residents in the Uinta Basin who depend upon dialysis to clean their blood every three days in order to survive. Thanks to Uintah Basin Medical Center, those fifty seven residents now have a brand new, state of the art facility in Roosevelt to serve their kidney dialysis needs. The new dialysis center at UBMC is nearing completion and UBMC's newest staff member, Steven Turley Md. is preparing his family for a move to Roosevelt in July. Turley will serve the community as a nephrologist and internal medicine specialist at UBMC.

Dialysis is necessary for those patients whose kidneys are not functioning properly. The kidneys maintain the body's internal equilibrium of water and minerals (sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and sulfate). Once those minerals are used, the end products that the body cannot get rid of through respiration are excreted through the kidneys. Dialysis treatments replace some of these functions and are necessary for many patients including some diabetics.

Having a dialysis center here in Roosevelt will be a blessing to many patients who have had to travel elsewhere before now. UBMC Public Relations and Marketing Director, Gary Child, says "The benefit of having a community hospital is being able to keep healthcare money here in the Basin to invest in the needs of the community. If we can provide service as well as or better than the Wasatch Front then we will provide that service." UBMC officials recognized the need for the dialysis center when studies showed the tri-county area (Duchesne, Uintah and Daggett counties) had the highest diabetes occurrence in the state of Utah. Patients will be able to receive dialysis treatments in the new center and will also benefit from the services of Dr. Steven Turley. Child adds, "The new dialysis center and Dr. Steven Turley will not only help those who are currently on dialysis, but it is also our hope to keep people healthy and off dialysis. We hope to help patients manage their diabetes better and to prevent diabetes and other complications. There are many pre-diabetic individuals walking around the Basin as well. They're predisposed to diabetes and don't even really know it. We hope to raise awareness and introduce prevention techniques."

The new dialysis center will be housed in the recently renovated clinic building just across the street from the hospital parking lot. The clinic, which previously housed OB/GYN offices, was completely gutted to construct the new dialysis center. Turley says he is excited to return to Utah to practice medicine and is looking forward to helping Basin residents who suffer from kidney dysfunction and other complications. "The Uinta Basin is a very unique location for a nephrologist. With all the changes that are going on in health care these days I'm happy to have the opportunity to work in a smaller organization. It's fun to be able to be more of a traditional doctor and I hope to help the people who are on dialysis, but I also want to keep people from ever having to have dialysis."

Diabetes and high blood pressure, both treatable and manageable diseases, are two of the biggest silent killers of our time. Dr. Turley explains, "The two biggest reasons people would end up on dialysis are high blood pressure and diabetes. I hope to combat these diseases with prevention. Obesity is a problem that plagues every state in our nation. But, sometimes just returning a patient to a normal, healthy weight is enough to get him or her off diabetes and/or blood pressure meds."

Dr. Turley comes to the Basin from Louisiana where he finished his medical residency, but he was born in Utah and is excited to get back. "I feel like I'm coming home." Turley says. His wife, Angela was born in Bountiful so she is thrilled to be close to home as well. UBMC officials are pleased to have Dr. Turley aboard and are looking forward to bringing on more physicians in the near future as other construction projects near completion.

Construction on 42,000 square feet of new clinic space is on-going at UBMC. The new wing of the clinic will house three floors of doctor's offices and will allow for a spacious storage basement as well. Child says space at UBMC is currently maxed out so the new addition is very welcome. "Once we have the space, we will add two family practices and another ER doctor this year. It will be nice to have more space for our current doctors as well. We hope to move into the new clinic space by July 1^st of this year." UBMC has also purchased the former Moon Lake building to make over and use for future office space and allow even more hospital growth.

Here's Your Wake-Up Call Uinta Basin!

Diabetes is a serious disease. The American Diabetes Association Alert Day is March 22nd, 2011. Join the movement to stop diabetes. Visit stopdiabetes.com, join the Stop Diabetes movement, take the Diabetes Risk Test and learn secrets to stop diabetes. Find out if you or your loved ones are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Currently, 23.6 million Americans are living with diabetes and an additional 57 million, or one in five, are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The Tri-County area of Uintah, Daggett and Duchesne counties has the highest occurrence of diabetes in the state of Utah. For many, diagnosis may come seven to ten years after the onset of the disease. Therefore, 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.

Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can be delayed and even prevented by making simple changes in your lifestyle. Knowing your risk for type 2 diabetes is the first step to a healthier lifestyle.

Ask the health care experts at ARMC or UBMC for help today or visit stopdiabetes.com and join the movement

Taking The First Steps - The Healthy Edge - February 2011

By: Shallin Squire

In spite of the jovial "over the hill" and other such references to one's 40^th birthday, Keith Hicken of Pleasant Valley didn't expect his 40^th year to be different from any other. As founder and manager of the Pleasant Valley Hunting Preserve, as well as a lifelong outdoorsman, Keith had been active and healthy for as long as he could remember, so when he and some other Boy Scout leaders decided to take their boys for a six day trip to the High Uintas that summer of 2001, Keith had no reason to doubt he'd be up for the task.

However, neither the boys nor the animals were as fit or obedient as Keith had anticipated, and getting them off the mountain turned into a nightmare. "I probably went up and down the same 5-mile stretch of trail at least three times," he said. "It was hard. And that's an understatement." When the boys and animals were finally home safely, Keith was miserably exhausted, but carrying on with his usual daily activities was bearable in comparison to what he'd been through.

After a few days of recovering, Keith joined some friends on a trip to Salt Lake to watch a Utah Jazz game. "I couldn't stay in my seat," he stated. "But it wasn't from the excitement of the game. Instead, I was visiting the restroom every few minutes." It was then Keith began to recognize the dreaded signs of a disease his then 16-year-old daughter, Alison, had been diagnosed with four years before. As soon as he arrived at home, he borrowed Alison's testing equipment and confirmed his suspicion: his blood glucose level was around 400 ("normal" is between 70 and 140, depending on how long it has been since one's last meal).

Keith made an appointment to see his doctor, who gave the official diagnosis: Type I, or Insulin-Dependent, Diabetes Mellitus.

Referring to the adjustments Keith had to then make, he said: "It was normal to have a diabetic in our home, but it wasn't normal for that to be me. Although we already ate the types of food a diabetic should eat, I had to learn to do the counting and metering and figuring for myself. That was an adjustment, but I learned rather quickly, and it doesn't bother me at all now." But unlike many patients who are diagnosed with diabetes as adults, Keith didn't have to make any other adjustments to his lifestyle. He wasn't overweight, and the pheasant farm keeps him busy from sunup to sundown, and sometimes more. "I'm on my feet all day," Keith said. "I probably walk and/or run at least 5 miles a day just at work. But I also like to have fun: hiking, water skiing, fishing, just being outside."

Keith's diabetes is well managed, and thus far he hasn't suffered any complications of the disease. His awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease led to an early diagnosis and an easier transition into diabetes management, and his health-oriented, active lifestyle continues to bring him the vitality and happiness that he plans to relish for several more decades.