Health News is
published as a
community service
by Humana" Hospital
Brazos Valley.
i
Health
Shorts
Faking Out Fats
Just as low-caloric swcctncrs brought
relief to dieters in recent years, the future
promises an assortment of fat substitutes
to further case our guilt.
Simplcssc®, a fat substitute that
consists of proteins from egg whites and
milk, is expected to be on the market this
summer. It will be introduced as an ice
cream substitute, reported to have the
same creamy taste as premium ice cream
with only one third the calories. Sim-
plessc docs not tolerate heat, and will be
used only in uncooked foods.
Olestra, another fat substitute cur
rently being developed, is a virtually
calorie-free, heat resistant product
suitable for use in frying. The manufac
turer claims that Olestra can replace fat in
almost any food. FDA approval is still .
some time off.
Do Vegans Have More Fun?
Do vegetarians face a lesser risk of heart
disease than their meat-eating peers?
Long-term studies of Seventh Day
Adventists show that those who eat vegan
diets (no animal foods, eggs or dairy
products) have a far lower incidence of
heart disease than the general population.
By eliminating meat, eggs and dairy
products, vegans eat a diet much lower in
fat, and as a result have low cholesterol
levels. Researchers also noted that the
vegan diet was high in beans, grains and
vegetables.
(SOURCE: Bonnie Liebman, "Are
Vegetarians Healthier than the Rest of
Us?" Nutrition Action, June 1983)
Medically Supervised
Weight Control
Obesity is one of the most critical health
problems we face today. It is a chronic
medical condition that affects millions of
Americans and the problem is growing
worse each year. Obesity is a killer: It
causes or contributes to the development
of an array of life-threatening diseases,
including hypertension, heart disease and
Type II diabetes. It also creates untold
physical pain and emotional anguish for
those afflicted.
Why are so many people burdened by the
problem of obesity? Why can't these indi
viduals simply eat less and lose weight?
Unfortunately, the solution to the
problem isn't that easy, because obesity is
caused by a complex interaction of
genetic, social, cultural and emotional
factors. Unless all facets of the problem
are addressed, it is nearly impossible for
most obese people to achieve sustained
weight loss.
'The OPTIFAST® Program of Humana®
Hospital - Brazos Valley offers new hope
to the obese. It is a hospital-based obesity
treatment program that helps obese
patients lose weight safely and maintain
the loss. Developed by Sandoz Nutrition,
the OPTIFAST® Program is based in the
belief that a problem as complex as
obesity requires a complex solution—one
that deals effectively with the physical,
social and emotional aspects of being
severely overweight. Sandoz Nutrition, in
partnership with Humana® Hospital, has
created a multidisciplinary approach to
obesity including behavior modification,
nutritional training, exercise, psychologi
cal support and medical monitoring of the
patient’s condition.
It’s not easy, of course, but if you're
willing to make the commitment,
Optifast® has the know-how—and an im
pressive 12-year record with more than a
quarter million patients. If you're fifty
pounds or more overweight, call the
Optifast® Program at 776-5012 and ask
about our next orientation session.
There's no obligation and it could be the
first step to a better way of life.
The
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On Cancer and Diet:
We Have the Carrots To Win
I
Preparing for a
Special Delivery
The most recent pronouncements from the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration read
like the sensational headlines in supermar
ket tabloids. While we've spent the last 10
years worrying about additives and man
made chemicals poisoning our food, we
now learn that more than 98 percent of the
cancer risk in our diet results from
naturally occurring chemicals in common
foods.
For those of us who care about the
quality of the food we eat, there's a strong
temptation to throw in the towel and admit
defeat.
Before you throw the salad spinner out
with the dish water, let's get a little
perspective on this. While the Food and
Drug Administration's warning may have
been the bad news, there is plenty of good
news. These naturally occurring toxins
are not new, and cancer rates in this
country are relatively stable. The excep
tions are stomach cancer, which has
declined dramatically over the past 30
years, and lung cancer, which has shown a
dramatic increase for a known reason,
smoking.
Over the past several years scientists
have been able to identify a number of
dietary factors that help prevent cancer,
and others that promote the disease.
Knowing the foods that protect us from
cancer and limiting those that are believed
to be harmful can help us gain and keep
the upper hand in the nutritional battle.
We know that many cancers are diet
related. Studies of population groups tell
us that. The Japanese, for instance, face a
very high risk of stomach cancer, almost
eight times that of Americans. Yet when
the Japanese leave their homeland to live
in the United States, their risk of stomach
cancer soon equals the lower risk of
Americans.
Diet is thought to be at least partly
responsible for some 30 percent of cancers
in men and up to 60 percent of cancers in
women. Smoking accounts for another 30
Providing for the
Special Needs
of Older Patients
Humana® cares about the special needs of
our senior patients. That's why we have a
program designed with your needs in
mind. Our Humana® Seniors Associa-
tion SM offers a variety of benefits and
services to help you live life to the fullest.
The association is available to anyone 55
years or older.
Special meetings and events provide
guest speakers and a chance to make new
friends. Recent events included a talk with
Congressman Joe Barton and a special
Seniors Expo. You can become part of a
seniors self-help network or attend special
screenings to keep you healthy, including
blood pressure and other tests. We even
have a travel club that provides group trips
to interesting places in Texas and sur
rounding areas. This month members are
traveling to Nashville, Tennessee. Upcom
ing trips include a visit to Washington,
D.C.
All Humana® Seniors Association SM
members receive VIP treatments at
Humana® Hospitals. Benefits include
private rooms at semi-private rates and an
extra bed for a spouse or a friend at no
additional charge, both benefits subject
percent. If diet is in fact related to so
many cancers, then we have the power to
fight back—by modifying eating habits,
and , if you're a smoker, by making a
determined effort to quit
The Fight Against Fat
Fat is linked to a number of cancers.
Statistics comparing the incidence of
cancer in many countries show that where
fat consumption is low, so too is the
incidence of cancers of the breast, colon
and prostate. A high-fat diet also
increases the incidence of cancers of the
ovary and uterus.
The Japanese traditionally have a low-
fat diet and a breast cancer rate one fifth
that of American women. After migrat
ing to the U.S., however, Japanese
women have breast cancer rates at the
same high levels experienced by Ameri
can women.
The average American consumes some
40 percent of total calories in fat. By
lowering fat intake to 30 percent of total
calories, Americans would also decrease
the risk of cancers associated with high-
fat diets.
To lower fat in the diet:
■ Use skim and low-fat milk instead
of whole milk
• Substitute ice milk and low-fat
frozen yogurt for high-fat ice
cream
• Use low-fat cheeses and substi
tute yogurt for sour cream and
mayonnaise
• Eat more fish and poultry
• Trim all visible fat from meat
The Humana® Cradle Club SM is a program
offered through Humana® Hospital for all
families planning to add a baby. The
program offers First time and repeat
parents educational and exercise classes,
sibling training, hospital tours and dis
counts with local merchants as well as
special benefits during your hospital stay.
Cradle Club SM offers the family many
learning opportunities and an opportunity
to meet other families expecting to add a
new addition. We do this through educa
tion courses, specialty lectures, newslet
ters, hospital tours and special events. We
are willing to talk with you about special
needs and provide the best possible
services to help make this a special
delivery.
Joining Cradle Club SM is free and is not
a commitment to deliver at Humana®
Hospital, but it is a valuable opportunity
to find out just how special a deliverya
Humana® Hospital can be. We havefon |ke’
new deluxe birthing suites providinga on. t
warm home-like environment fordefe
Fathers who join the Club receive free
meals in our cafeteria. Mothers willeiijl
special amenities in the rooms. And tel
whole family can feel comfortable
knowing that quality care is available,
For more information about theCra
Club SM call 764-5211.
I
Educating the
Community
Humana® Center for Health Resources is
the umbrella used for all community
education and screening, professional
development and other outreach programs.
Our commitment to meeting the commu
nity's needs must reach beyond simply
assisting to cure the ills. It must also
encompass educating and training the
community so that people can make
educated, health-wise choices. The Center
is a gathering place for learning and
positive reinforcement of health and
wellness principles.
The Center offers regularly scheduled
programs for both the general public and
for our professional community. The
schedule is published on a quarterly basis
with an occasional added flyer for new
programs that have been added. If you
have need for a progam or speaker that is
not listed we will work with you to create
the presentation just for your group, TbHool
programs offered may be free or may hip 18
a nominal charge. Just call 764-5275,
The Center also offers screening to
interested groups. We are able to scree:
for blood glucose, cholesterol, bloodpr;
sure, and provide for colon-rectal scree:
ing. Screening must be discussed indi
vidually as to needs of the group to be
screened. Cost for screenings is nego
tiable. Just call 764-5275.
CENTER FOR HEALTH RESOURCES
COMMUNITY CLASSES
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR):
• Course B: Adult & Pediatric Heartsaver
Would you know what to do if a family member, friend or
co-worker began choking, stopped breathing or their heart
stopped? Leam the skills needed for one-man adult and
infant resuscitation as well as how to clear the obstructed
airway of an infant or adult in one easy four hour class.
American Heart Association Adult and Pediatric Heart-
saver certification will be received upon successful
completion. Cost: $10.00
Saturday, May 5,9 am -1 pm
Wednesday, May 16, 6-10 pm
• Course C: Basic Life Support for
Health Care Providers
CPR course for health care professionals and those that
want to go on to become instructors. Recertification
classes also available. Call for more details.
• Course D; Pediatric Basic Life Support
Parents, day care workers and everyone who has little
ones in their life will be interested in this class. Infant and
child CPR and obstructed airway will be covered.
Cost: $10.00
Saturday, May 12, 9 am - 1 pm
Standard First Aid
First aid techniques are used to give immediate care to
those injured or suddenly ill. Leam what you can do before
medical help becomes available. This eight hour course is
divided into two evenings and provides fundamental prin
ciples and skills in first aid. Those completing the course
will receive CPR and First Aid certification from the
American Red Cross.
Cost: $20.00 for eight hour course.
Wednesdays, May 2 & 9 (two day course), 6-10 pm
Safe Sitter
Training for babysitters!! Safe Sitter is a nationwide medically
oriented instructional program that teaches boys and girls ages 11-15
how to handle emergencies when caring for young children. Safe
sitters leam basic life-saving techniques, safety precautions, howto
summon help and tips on basic child care. Certificate will be received
upon successful completion.
Co-sponsored with HCA Greenleaf Hospital.
Cost: $35.00 for twelve hour course
ALL CLASSES ARE SATURDAYS 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Students must attend both days.
May 19 & 26 (two day course)
FREE SEMINARS
Over-the-Counter Drugs & You
A licensed pharmacist answers your questions about choosing safe and
appropriate over-the-counter medications, avoiding drug and food
reactions and safe medication usage. Bring your questions and a list
of medications you are taking.
Wednesday, May 30, 7-9 p.m.
NEW
Smoking Cessation Support Group
People who have stopped smoking or who are trying to stop; call 764-
5275. We’ll help each other.
Call 764-5275
to register.
Advanced registration
and payment
required for classes.
Materials for some
classes must be
picked up in advance.
to availability. You will also enjoy a
complimentary TV and telephone in your
room as well as complimentary meals for
your spouse. All this and even compli
mentary transportation when available.
When you become a member you
qualify for vision and hearing care
benefits including discounts on eyewear
and hearing aids. We also have an in-
home emergency response system to
ensure your safety 24 hours a day. Dis
counts to local merchants and convenient
prescriptions by mail are all part of being
a member.
These and other benefits are available
today. For more information call the asso
ciation at 776-0884.
r
■
Please send me
more information on:
□ Humana® Cradle Club SM enrollment
□ Center for Health Resources
□ Tel-Med hotline
□ Optifast®
□ Humana® Seniors Association SM
□ Breast Diagnostic Center SM
Special caring by special people
NAME
ADDRESS
Humana® Hospital - Brazos Valley
Center for Health Resources
1604 Rock Prairie Road
College Station, Texas 77845
(409)764-5275
CITY, STATE, ZIP
NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN FAMILY
AGES
e 1990 Humana Inc.
Tiumana’ Hospital - Brazos Valley
HO-75-0040
°1990 Humana Inc.
What's more important than your health. SM