Health News May 20, 2009

It Takes Guts to Deal With Gut Problems!, By Therese Griffin Hicks, RN, DC, FIACA

Your Body, Your Health, Your Choice!: Not long ago Newsweek focused on an article called "Gut Reactions", in which they reported that tiny leaks in the lining of the small intestine may play a role in disease as diverse as asthma and arthritis, skin rashes, diarrhea, memory deficit, fatigue and shortness of breath. What is happening is a new awareness of one of the oldest immune weapons we have—our own gut lining. The lining of our intestine is meant not only to absorb food, but also to act as a barrier to keep out invading pathogens. Newsweek called it "Intestinal Fortitude", where the mucosal layer of a healthy gut filters out microorganisms and undigested proteins. When things like aspirin, bacteria or even the pesticides sprayed on our food batter this lining, the lining loses its integrity. No disease needs to be present to warrant protecting the intestinal lining; keeping this "immune barrier" healthy helps to keep us strong and disease-resistant. People who smoke, drink, take aspirin / ibuprofen/ antibiotics/ or other drugs, get exposed to environmental toxins, have poor digestion, sluggish liver detoxifi cation, or infections or infl ammation, have a high risk for intestinal permeability. Some supplements that can be very benefi cial include: 1. Glutamine.. it can enhance gut barrier function, against viral, bacterial, and antigen invaders. 2. Lactobacillis bifi dus….helps keep good bacteria levels up that can protect against candida a very detrimental yeast infection that can perforate intestinal walls. 3. NAG (nacetyl Glucosamine) has the ability to bind some of the organisms that are contributors to autoimmune diseases. 4. Vitamin C, E, lipoic acid and ginko---all antioxidants which protect the lining from free radical damage. 5. DGL (deglycerized licorice) increases the integrity of the mucous cells—increases the lifespan of the cells improves blood supply of nutrients. Additionally it helps heal ulcers and inhibits H-pylori—the organism sometimes linked to ulcers. 6. Another excellent herb that can be very beneficial is Slippery Elm. It has a protective element that calms infl amed gut linings. So, for those of you who experience obvious digestive distress or those of you who have nagging unresolved symptoms similar to those listed above, a trial of these safe and benefi cial supplements may be just what the doctor ordered. You can find these supplements at many health food stores or a company called "Nutriwest" has a formula called "Total Leaky Gut". We (Hicks Wellness Clinic, Globe) carry their line, or if you are not in the area you may go on-line to find a clinic near you that stocks this blend. The combination is not sold anywhere other than through health care providers.

Remember Wellness and Memorial Day, By Janet Trimble Gila Community College Wellness Center Facilitator

Memorial Day, celebrated on Monday, May 25th this year, marks what many of us think of as the beginning of summer. The long bright days bring the promise of vacations… picnics…camping…swimming… biking…hiking…oh my, the fi tness opportunities are endless! Not only are physical activities abundant in summer, but nature inspires mental, emotional, and spiritual health as well. As you're outside this three day weekend, enjoying the peace and beauty of a summer day, take a moment to remember why Memorial Day is special. Humble gratitude can help heal your spirit. Memorial Day began observance on May 30, 1868 to remember with distinction the soldiers that died in the US Civil War. Red poppies became associated with Memorial Day in 1915 inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields" about the flowers growing on WWI soldiers' graves marked by endless rows of crosses in Belgium. Since the late 1950s on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3rd US Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. These infantry soldiers then patrol 24 hours a day through the weekend to insure that each flag stays standing. Other traditions of this type occur in military cemeteries all over the country often sponsored by Boy and Girl Scout troops. A "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was enacted in December 2000 which asks that all Americans voluntarily and informally observe a moment of remembrance and respect for fallen soldiers at 3:00PM local time. The Wellness Center is open on May 25th. And even though I won't, like many Americans, be working that day, I’ll be wearing my VFW poppy and paying my respects at 3:00 that afternoon. Hope you will too.

NIHB Public Health Summer Fellows Program Outline:

The NIHB Public Health Summer Fellows program is an academically rigorous and intensive nine (9) week summer program beginning June 4 and ending August 7th, 2009. Students will experience fi rsthand the excitement, relevance and promise of careers in Public Health. The program’s focus includes: Principles of Epidemiology, Disease Surveillance/Investigation, Community Based Public Health Research. Students arrive in Atlanta on June 4th to participate in a series of formal orientation activities beginning June 4th and culminating with a cultural diversity workshop conducted by MSM faculty on June 6th. The following week, June 8-12th, students will be engaged in an intense 5 day Introduction to Epidemiology Course directed and taught by Community Health and Prevention Medicine faculty as well as other qualifi ed public health professionals. The program then combines this academic knowledge with direct handson public health experience where the Native fellows will work under an assigned CDC mentor. The internship placements with CDC will begin June 22 – July 30th. During this time, fellows will report to their select internships from 9 AM -5 PM Monday through Thursday with Fridays being reserved by Morehouse for Program wide seminars. During the fi nal week of the program, Fellows participate in a symposium and provide oral presentations on their internship experiences.

About NIHB Public Health Summer Fellowship (PHSFs):

NIHB through a cooperative agreement with the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities has subcontracted with Morehouse School of Medicine based in Atlanta, GA to recruit 6 AI/AN Public Health Fellows. These 6 Native undergraduate students once selected are assigned to and mentored by a CDC staffer. Mentors will expose PHSFs to the public health work of CDC and their particular program/ division/offi ce. PHSFs will learn about health policy, public health prevention planning, programming, and research practices. Fellows will be provided with housing, meals, local transportation and travel allowances during their fellowship and will receive a stipend upon completion of the program. (Description of the General Program can be found at: http://web.msm.edu/mph/publichealth. htm).