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Author Archives: Trudy
A New Leash On Life: Pets Are Good For Your Health
Sure, it’s nice to be greeted by a furry face when you come home from work, but besides love are there any health benefits to pet ownership?
Yes, indeed. Research suggests that living with pets can make you healthier, from lowering your risk of heart disease to increasing your overall fitness. Here are four ways pets are good for your health ─ though you can probably think of others.
1. Good for your heart
Studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health indicate that pets can improve your cardiovascular health. Pet owners exhibit decreased blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels — all of which can reduce the risk for having a heart attack. And dog owners who have already experienced a heart attack tend to recover better and live longer than those without pets.
Another study looked at people with high blood pressure. Those with pets were found to have lower heart rates and blood pressure than those without pets. Pet owners also seemed to have milder responses and quicker recovery from stress when they were with their pets.
These cardiovascular benefits are thought to be connected with pets’ tendency to help reduce their owners’ overall stress levels. In other words, it’s hard to be uptight when you’re stroking a purring kitty or scratching the ears of a tail-thumping hound.
2. Good for your mood
Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets, and Alzheimer’s patients experience less anxiety. Researchers think that playing with a pet elevates levels of serotonin and dopamine — nerve transmitters that are known to have pleasurable and calming properties. These are the same chemicals found in tobacco and some drugs that people abuse. To improve your mood, just say yes to pets.
3. Good for allergies
Some people believe that if your family has a pet, your children are more likely to develop allergies, and for that reason they refuse to welcome pets into their homes. However, a number of studies suggest that kids growing up with furry animals will have less risk of developing allergies and asthma. These kids are also less likely to have eczema, a common allergy skin condition that causes red patches and itching. The thinking is that exposure to pets at an early age may actually strengthen the immune system, making children less likely to develop allergies.
4. Good for fitness
Finally, several studies have shown that dog owners tend to get more exercise than other people. Dog owners who regularly walk their dogs are more physically active and less likely to be obese than those who don’t own or walk a dog. Those who regularly walk their dogs also walk faster and for longer times than others who don’t walk regularly. Older dog walkers also had greater mobility inside their homes than others in the study.
Walking is great exercise, but if you want a more vigorous workout, try doing these activities with Fido – and try to keep up:
- Jogging or running
- Hiking
- Playing fetch with a Frisbee or ball
- Agility training (Obstacle course-based dog sport)
Rachel Sweeney is a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner in MPCP’s Arnold office. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Villanova University and her Master of Science in Nursing degree from Marymount University. She is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center in Family Practice.
To ‘G’ or not to ‘G’: Should you go gluten-free?
The gluten-free diet is the latest nutrition craze. Books, articles and TV shows tout the benefits of axing gluten, and it’s hard to walk down the grocery store aisle without encountering a raft of gluten-free products. A survey by Consumer Reports shows over 60% of Americans think that going gluten-free can improve their physical and mental health.
Advocates claim avoiding gluten leads to better digestion and gastrointestinal function, weight loss, higher energy, lower cholesterol, and a stronger immune system. There are even products to help you “detox” your body from gluten, suggesting that it is harmful.
So what is gluten, and are there health benefits to going gluten-free?
Gluten refers to a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Cutting gluten out of your diet means cutting out gluten-containing bread, soup, pasta, cereal, and virtually any food or drink containing wheat, barley, rye or triticale (a newer grain with a similar quality as wheat).
There are people who definitely need to avoid gluten. Those with celiac disease ─ around 1% of Americans ─ may experience severe inflammation and damage to the lining of their small intestine. Even a small amount of gluten can cause bloating, cramping or skin rashes. Other people, who have gluten intolerance or sensitivity, do not suffer intestinal damage but may experience headaches, bloating, fatigue or diarrhea after eating foods with gluten.
For this relatively small group of people, a gluten-free diet functions as a detox diet by relieving their system of an irritant, and it can make a significant improvement in their quality of life.
For everyone else, research does not support the idea that cutting out gluten promotes good health. In fact, there are some good reasons not to go gluten-free:
Because wheat is ubiquitous in the American diet, completely eliminating gluten requires adopting a whole new diet. You would have to give up most breads, crackers, breakfast cereals, conventional pastas, pastry goods, beer and a wide range of processed foods made with small amounts of gluten.
Whole grains, which contain gluten, are rich in an array of vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins and iron, as well as fiber. Studies show that whole-grain foods may help lower the risk of heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer. The government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that at least half of all carbohydrates in your diet come from whole-grain products.
A report from the American Dietetic Association warned that gluten-free products tend to be low in a wide range of important nutrients, including B vitamins, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and fiber, so eliminating them may contribute to a nutritional deficiency.
Gluten-free does not automatically equal weight loss. Some gluten-free products make up for gluten by adding sugar and fat. In fact, a review of studies published in the Journal of Medicinal Food revealed that a gluten-free diet seems to increase the risk of overweight or obesity.
Most gluten-free alternatives, such as pasta and bread, are significantly more expensive than their conventional counterparts. A 2007 survey found that gluten-free pastas and breads were twice the price of conventional products, for instance.
If there are no proven benefits to a gluten-free diet, why do some people swear by it? It’s possible that, in addition to cutting out gluten, these people also make other, healthy changes, such as eating more fruits, vegetables, and lean meats, and fewer desserts and junk foods. These changes would naturally lead to feeling better and losing weight.
So, if you suspect you may have celiac disease or are gluten intolerant, see you doctor for testing and a diagnosis. If not, enjoy your gluten.
Dr. Tracy Jansen is an MPCP partner and sees patients in the Pasadena office. She received her medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and completed her residency program in Family Practice at the Medical College of Georgia. She is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.
Colorectal Cancer is Common But Can Be Prevented
A Q&A with Dr. Ariel Warden-Jarrett
Q: What is colorectal cancer?
A: Colorectal cancer, or colon cancer, occurs in the colon or rectum. The colon is the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus. Most colon cancers develop first as polyps, which are abnormal growths that may later become cancerous.
Q: How common is colorectal cancer?
A: It is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the U.S. and is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. It is expected to cause about 49,700 deaths this year.
Q: Who is at risk for colorectal cancer?
A: People of different ages, genders and races can get colorectal cancer. However, the Mayo Clinic lists several factors that may put you at higher risk:
- Age: Most people diagnosed with colorectal cancer are older than 50.
- Race: African-Americans have a greater risk than people of other races.
- Family history: You’re more likely to develop the cancer if you have a parent, sibling or child with the disease.
- Diet: People who eat diets low in fiber and high in fat and calories are at increased risk for colorectal cancer.
- Sedentary lifestyle: If you’re inactive and don’t exercise, you’re more likely to develop the cancer.
- Obesity: People who are obese are at increased risk. They are also more likely to die of the cancer.
- Bad habits: People who smoke cigarettes or drink heavily may increase their risk.
Q: What can I do to help prevent colorectal cancer?
A: Since lifestyle is linked to colorectal cancer, improving your diet and getting more exercise can help reduce your risk. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and limit your intake of red meat and alcohol. And since obesity may increase your risk, it’s important to eat a diet that allows you to achieve a healthy body weight. Also, studies suggest that regular physical activity reduces the risk of colorectal cancer.
The good news is, when colorectal cancer is discovered early, it is highly treatable. The best way to do that is with a colonoscopy, a simple screening procedure that examines the inside of the colon and rectum, and removes polyps which may become cancerous. It is recommended you have a colonoscopy every 10 years starting at age 50 – at 45 for African-Americans ─ or every five years if you have a family history of colorectal cancer. Learn more about colonoscopies here.
If you’re under 50, make lifestyle changes now to reduce your risk. If you’re 50 or older, ask your doctor how to arrange a colonoscopy or any questions you have about colorectal cancer.
Dr. Ariel Warden-Jarrett is an MPCP partner and sees patients in the Bowie office. She received her medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and completed her residency program in Family Medicine at Howard University Hospital. She is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.
