Sugar-Packed Drinks May Not Raise Your Waistline, But They Are Raising Your Risk for Heart Disease!

 NuHealth Women's Care
Nassau University Medical Center
2201 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, NY 11554
www.nuhealth.net     516-572-5809

Large studies in the past, including the ongoing Framingham Heart Study, now in its 63^rd year, have linked drinking sugar-sweetened beverages to heart disease. Even if the sugary drinks aren’t raising the number on your scale, they’re still raising your risk for heart disease.

All sugar-packed drinks, including sweet teas, sodas and coffee drinks that look (and sound) like desserts, raise women’s risk for heart disease. According to the findings presented at the American Heart Association’s meeting yesterday, women who drank two or more sweet beverages a day were at an increased risk for heart disease, even if they did not gain weight over the five year study.

“Women who drank two or more sugary beverages per day were four times more likely to develop high triglyceride levels than women who drank fewer sugar-sweetened beverages. Women with the liquid sugar habit were also more likely to develop abnormal levels of fasting glucose, a sign they could be developing diabetes,” (Today.MSNBC.msn.com). 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 26.8 million Americans have heart disease, which ranks as the nation's number one killer. But, that hasn't stopped Americans from drinking an average of 50 gallons of sweetened beverages a year, per person! 

The article published by Today Health (Today.MSNBC.msn.com) reported that “Daily blasts of too-high blood sugar can disrupt metabolism in several ways” according to Dr. Stephen Devries, a cardiologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. “High sugar levels increase triglycerides, lower good cholesterol and prompt the body to make an especially damaging, smaller molecule of bad cholesterol. Too much sugar also raises levels of inflammation, another risk factor heart disease,” (Today.MSNBC.msn.com). 

The article also notes that “Unlike the fat right beneath the skin that can be sucked out by liposuction, the fat around the organs in the center of the body produces hormones that make us more likely to get diabetes, higher blood pressure, higher triglycerides," (Today.MSNBC.msn.com). 

Kick your sugary habit, girls! Not only will it increase your waistline, it puts you at a higher risk for heart disease.

Check Out a Gym Before Joining! Some strategies to make sure you're choosing the right gym for you!

 NuHealth Women's Care
Nassau University Medical Center
2201 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, NY 11554
www.nuhealth.net     516-572-5809

Gym memberships are expensive these days! Prices range from $10 per month all the way to $300+! In addition to your monthly fees, many clubs charge a sign-up fee that could range from $50 to $200! With this type of expense, make sure you check out a gym before committing to sign up.  

Checking out a gym before signing up is the best way to tell if it is the right place for you to join! Maybe you’re looking for morning classes when the kids are in school, or night classes to attend on your way home from work. Maybe you’re not looking for classes at all but just a few machines to get you moving. Perhaps you’re interested in hiring a personal trainer but need a babysitting service for your toddler. These are all things to look into before signing on the dotted line! 

There are many ways to go about checking out a gym before signing up. Here are a few ideas you can use to get inside and see things for yourself, provided by WomensFitness.com.

• Visit the club with a friend. Many health clubs offer free passes to members so that they can bring a friend to the facility periodically.

• Get a day pass. See if the gym will allow you to use the facility for a day or pay a small fee to try out the equipment. You may need to sign a waiver to do so.

• Try out a class. Some health clubs will allow non-members to take exercise classes or sample circuit training there for a per class fee. If you can take advantage of this, it is a great way to get a feel for the gym and see if you like it.

• Consider a trial membership. Some gyms will offer summer only memberships or have trial memberships for potential customers. It doesn't hurt to check.

• Ask for a tour. Most gyms will give you a basic tour of their facility at no cost.

• Ask around. If you are not able to get inside the gym for a look, ask others for information on the place. Be sure to include specific questions on anything you are particularly curious about.

NuHealth Foundation's 5th Annual Heroes in Health Gala Brings Great Success

  NuHealth Women's Care
Nassau University Medical Center
2201 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, NY 11554
www.nuhealth.net     516-572-5809

The NuHealth Foundation’s 5^th Annual Heroes in Health Gala raised a nearly 12% net gain at a time when many non-profits are experiencing fundraising shortfalls. 

The Heroes in Health Gala was held on October 26^th at Oheka Castle, bringing together over 400 guests.

NuHealth’s Foundation Executive Director, Deidra Parrish Williams, credits a “stellar year at NuHealth and an innovative fundraising approach for the night’s success.”

The innovative fundraising approach Williams speaks of is the sophisticated technology system for its silent auction that has been used only once before on Long Island. “Upon arrival, every attendee received a pre-programmed iTouch device pre-loaded with each of the auction’s items. Each guest’s device enabled them to bid digitally from anywhere in the Castle, receive instant updates when their bid was topped, and increase their bid just by tapping their iTouch screen. Some items had as many as 20 bids, resulting in net proceeds approximately 1000% higher than the Foundation’s 2010 silent auction,” (PressRelease).

Williams said, “our progress has been very evident… this year, we opened Long Island’s most advanced Emergency Department, achieved Center of Excellence status for our Bariatric Department, earned the highest marks possible for A. Holly Patterson Nursing Home, and several of our doctors were named tops in their fields by US News and World Report. Our vendors and community partners are proud to support our progress,” (Press Release).

To read the entire press release, click HERE.

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Awards NuHealth Foundation with $75,000 for Breast Center!

 NuHealth Women's Care
Nassau University Medical Center
2201 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, NY 11554
www.nuhealth.net     516-572-5809

According to a recent press release, the NuHealth Foundation has received a very special donation from the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

Nassau University Medical Center’s Breast Center was awarded one of ten grants at the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer for $75,000. Funds will assist NUMC in ensuring that all women and men without insurance or resources continue to have access to high quality breast services and care.

Arthur A. Gianelli, President/CEO of the NuHealth System, announced that the NuHealth Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the NuHealth System, had received a $75,000 grant to help support patient navigation at the Nassau University Medical Center’s breast center. Chris Mancuso, RN, and nurse coordinator for NUMC’s breast screening program, accepted the check at the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer closing ceremony on Sunday October 16, 2011 in New York City.

“We are grateful to the Avon Foundation for Women, for providing the NUMC breast center with a generous grant of $75,000, to help us better serve our uninsured and underinsured breast center patients and help to save lives through a patient navigation program,” said Gianelli. “These funds will assist us in ensuring that all women and men without insurance or resources continue to have access to high quality breast services and care. By beginning the navigation process in the community, our aim is to recruit and enroll women right in their neighborhoods for our screening program.”

Deidra Parrish Williams, executive director of the NuHealth Foundation, stated:  "Because Long Island has the unfortunate distinction of being a high risk region for breast cancer, it is especially important that we continue to enhance the capacity of NUMC's breast health center. The Avon Foundation's grant will significantly help support our efforts."

The ninth annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer season continued with the Avon Walk New York this past weekend, and raised more than $8.4 million which is added to the more than $400 million raised since 2003 to advance access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer. The Avon Walk New York attracted more than 3,500 participants from 42 states and Washington, D.C. – as well as Denmark, Switzerland, Cayman Islands, Canada and Bermuda – including 444 breast cancer survivors, who joined together to raise lifesaving funds and awareness for breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: A Simple Reminder Could Save A Loved One's Life

 NuHealth Women's Care
Nassau University Medical Center
2201 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, NY 11554
www.nuhealth.net     516-572-5809

As you’ve probably noticed with all of the pink around, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Educating women on the dangers of breast cancer, as well as the preventative measures and early detection procedures is vital for women’s health. 

Screenings for breast cancer include two simple procedures, the clinical breast exam and a mammogram. A clinical breast exam is performed by a doctor and can identify breast abnormalities. A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray picture of the breast that can help find breast cancer at an early stage when it can best be treated. These screenings can be quick and easy, so schedule yours today (Baltimore Sun).

Remind your mothers, sisters, wives, daughters and friends of the following screening recommendations provided in an article published by the Baltimore Sun:

• Women 20 and older should have a clinical breast exam every 1-3 years 
• Women 30 and older should have a clinical breast exam every year 
• Women 40 and older should have yearly mammograms, unless a physician says otherwise

“If all women age 40 and older took advantage of breast cancer screening methods, mammography plus clinical breast exam, breast cancer death rates would drop much further, up to 30 percent,” said Elaine Krajewski, RN (Baltimore Sun). 

Take a moment and let a woman you love know how important it is for her to have her own breast cancer screening. A simple reminder could save a loved one’s life. 

To schedule your breast health exam at NuHealth System, call 516-486-6862 or visit NuHealth’s Women’s Care Website linked here.

Show Your Support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in a Delicious Way!

 NuHealth Women's Care

Nassau University Medical Center

2201 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, NY 11554

www.nuhealth.net     516-572-5809

 

As we’ve mentioned, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. People all over the world show their support towards the disease by bearing pink any way they can, with pink clothing, pink accessories, pink supplies and even pink baking!

There is a tremendous amount of support for Breast Cancer, from sports teams wearing pink to show their aid, to children wearing pink clothing to school to show their awareness. 

Organizations like Susan G. Komen For The Cure has scheduled an awareness event every day for the month of October from video messages, to TV talk shows and game show support episodes, to walks and lectures.

Show your support this month by participating in one of the daily events linked here, or by creating an awareness of your own! Encourage everyone in your office to wear pink on Friday’s to show their support or collect donation for a walk.

Another great idea, show your support in a delicious way! Bake “pink” goods and share them in a number of ways! 

First, make a batch and sell them in your office, building, neighborhood, etc. Be sure to mention that all proceeds will go towards a breast cancer awareness fund, like Susan G. Komen For The Cure.

Second, tote a plate of these delicious pink cookies to your girlfriend’s homes to tell them you love them and want to remind them to do their monthly self-exam and regular mammograms!

Third, drop a batch off at your OB/GYN to thank them for placing women’s health at the forefront of everything they do!

Here is a festive recipe from Quick Disk by Tablespoon, for pink ribbon chocolate chip cookies to get you started:

Ingredients:

• 1 pouch Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix 
• 2 sticks butter, softened but not melted 
• 2 cups powdered sugar 
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips 
• Pink food coloring paste

Directions:

1. Beat the butter until fluffy in a stand mixer. Add the cookie mix and powdered sugar, followed by the pink food coloring. Mix well. 
2. Add the chocolate chips to the dough. Mix well. 
3. Form 2 tablespoon-sized balls of dough, press the tops down just slightly. Place on a non-greased baking sheet 
4. Bake in an oven preheated to 330 degrees for 15 minutes. Allow to cool before serving.