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| Newsletter | March 2010 |
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Topics in this Issue...
- Last Chance - Medicare Open Enrollment Ends March 31!
Are you satisfied with your health plan choice for the rest of 2010?
If not, you've only got till March 31st before you're locked into your
selection for 2010.
- Puzzled About Medicare?
Are you turning 65 soon, or are you over 65 but just
finally retiring and have questions about Medicare?
- What Do You Know About Your Kidneys?
Take our quiz and learn more about these vital organs.
- Eating Green for "Healthy Luck"
Thomas Jefferson is attributed to having said: "I'm a great believer
in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it."
Although family genes and history may play a part, you can create
your own "healthy luck" by working at eating green.
Last Chance - Medicare Open Enrollment Ends March 31
Are you satisfied with your health plan choice for the rest of 2010?
If not, you've only got till March 31st before you're locked into your
selection for 2010.
Still questioning if you've made the right choice? For one last time before Medicare's
Open Enrollment Period is over Bristol Park will be hosting a meeting with SCAN
Health Plan (HMO), one of our premier senior health plan partners.
| What |
Date & Time |
Location |
| SCAN Sales Presentation |
Wed. 3/10/10; 10am |
Bristol Park Medical Group
11420 Warner Ave, Fountain Valley |
To RSVP for the above meeting, please call 1-866-276-3627; seating is limited.
Puzzled About Medicare?
Are you turning 65 soon, or are you over 65 but just finally retiring
and have questions about Medicare?
You may want to attend one of our free Medicare talks. Along with
the Medicare expert from the Social Security Administration, sales
representatives from our contracted Medicare Advantage plans are
usually present with information, applications, and to answer your
questions.
Here are the next three meetings:
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| Saturday, March 13, 2010; 10am |
Rancho Santa Margarita Library
30902 La Promesa, Rancho Santa Margarita, 92688 |
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| Saturday, April 17, 2010; 10am |
Rancho Senior Center
3 Ethel Coplen Way, Irvine, 92612 |
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| Saturday, May 22, 2010; 10am |
San Juan Capistrano Senior Center
25925 Camino Del Avion, San Juan Capistrano, 92672 |
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To RSVP for the above meetings, click here or call 1-866-276-3627; seating is limited.
Bristol Park offers a free Medicare Talk every month in different OC locations.
If you can't attend one of the above meetings and would like future dates and
locales or if you have questions, give our Medicare specialists a call at
1-866-276-3627. We're happy to help.
What Do You Know About Your Kidneys?
Which of these are true statements regarding your kidneys?
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Your kidneys perform major functions that keep
you healthy and alive. |
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Diabetes and High blood pressure can affect your kidneys. |
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Most people with kidney dysfunction had no signs or symptoms
for years while the problem was building. |
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Over-the-Counter pain relievers may cause kidney problems. |
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None of the above. |
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All of the above. |
If you chose All of the Above, you are correct.
March is National Kidney month.
Every 24 hours, the kidneys filter and return to the bloodstream about 200 quarts of fluid, two quarts of which will be removed in the form of urine. This process performs these vital functions:
- remove waste products from the body
- remove drugs form the body
- balance the body's fluids
- release hormones that regulate blood pressure
- produce an active form of vitamin D that promotes strong, healthy bones
- control the production of red blood cells
Kidney problems don't just happen overnight.
You may have an increased risk for kidney disease if you:
- are older
- have diabetes
- have high blood pressure
- have a family member who has chronic kidney disease
- are an African American, Hispanic American, Asians and Pacific Islander or American Indian.
What Are Some of the Other Causes of Kidney Disease?
- Some may be congenital; born with an abnormality that can affect their kidneys.
- Urinary tract infections occur when germs enter the urinary tract. These infections most often affect the bladder, but they sometimes spread to the kidneys.
- Drugs and toxins can also cause kidney problems. Using large numbers of over-the-counter pain relievers for a long time may be harmful to the kidneys. Certain other medications, toxins, pesticides and "street" drugs such as heroin and crack can also cause kidney damage.
As with many medical conditions, eating a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle including an appropriate weight goes a long way to helping your kidneys work right. However if you are in one of the above groups or think you may have an increased risk for kidney disease, ask your doctor.
www.kidney.org
Eating Green for "Healthy Luck"
Thomas Jefferson is attributed to having said: "I'm a great believer
in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it."
Although family genes and history may play a part, you can create
your own "healthy luck" by working at eating green. According to the
American Cancer Society, Americans in general do not eat their "fair share"
of green vegetables.
And, when better to talk about the value of eating "green" than around St. Patrick's Day? Dark green vegetables such as broccoli, bok choy, romaine, spinach, Swiss chard, kale, collard, turnip and mustard greens contain beta-carotene and carotenoid cousins lutein and zeaxanthin, all powerful antioxidants; warriors in the fight against certain cancers. And, lutein appears to help slow the development of age-related macular degeneration of the eye (AMD).
These veggies also supply folate, a B vitamin that promotes heart health and helps prevent birth defects. Additionally, folate is necessary for DNA duplication and repair. Damaged cells can turn into cancer if not repaired. Studies show that the risk of colon polyps (the source of most colon cancers) is 30-40% lower in people with a high folate intake as compared to those with low folate consumption.
If you're concerned about your cholesterol, then vegetables are the food for you. They have no cholesterol, and most are naturally low in fat and calories. Of course, smothering them in sauces, dressings, or seasonings, may not be the best way to go as they add cholesterol, fat, and calories. In addition, these vegetables are an excellent source of fiber, essential to keeping your system moving (literally).
What are the dietary recommendations?
Currently, it is recommended that most adults eat 3 cups of dark green vegetables a week. This can be broken up into smaller amounts throughout the week or eaten in a couple of larger servings.
How do you measure of cup of raw spinach or romaine?
It is harder to measure leafy greens than say, a cup of peas. In general, 2 cups of raw leafy greens is equivalent to 1 cup of vegetables. There is a helpful chart available at www.mypyramid.gov. Click and go to Inside the Pyramid and Vegetables to find more information on measuring equivalents.
Time to get to work on healthy luck
To a large extent your health is in your hands, or perhaps we should say in your mouths. What you eat, how much you eat, and how you prepare it can have a big impact on our health. So, follow Mr. Jefferson's advice and get to work creating your own healthy luck by eating green.
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