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Newsletters >
NIHE TALKS HEALTH July 2010
NIHE TALKS HEALTH July 2010
Jul 5, 2010
NIHE TALKS HEALTH—July 2010*
www.nationalhearted.com
*Look for the coupon in this newsletter good for $10 off any order. Good for any registration place till July 31, 2010.
Is Your AHA ACLS, PALS, BLS, or NRP due to expire or do you need the full Provider class? We have lots of NO STRESS classes throughout California everyday as well as, the only AHA online BLS, AHA online ACLS, and AHA online PALS that will get you an AHA card.
New locations opening in 2010. San Jose, CA and Sherman Oaks, CA, & Temecula, CA.
Upcoming ACLS, PALS, BLS, & NRP classes in: San Francisco, CA; Sacramento, CA; Loma Linda/Colton, CA, Torrance, CA, Fremont, CA; Walnut Creek, CA; Vacaville, CA; Culver City, CA; Pasadena, CA; San Jose, CA; Sherman Oaks, Ca; & Temecula, CA. Check out our website: www.nationalhearted.com for dates and times. Always get your AHA card the day you complete the class.
This Month’s Featured Article on Health
Sunlight, Danger or Benefit? (Take this course for FREE until July 31, 2010 for CA Continuing Education 2 hours CA Provider #13886)
The sun is a colossally big, fantastically hot cosmic radiation powerhouse with a surface temperature of about 11,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Its interior temperature is a little warmer—estimated as high as 18 million degrees!
The pressure at the center of the sun is about 700 million tons per square inch. It’s enough to smash atoms and create nuclear fusion at the sun’s core, allowing it to give off constant light and warmth. In fact the material at it’s core is so hot that if you could capture enough to cover a pinhead, it would radiate so much heat it would kill a person one mile away. Fortunately, earth is safely, positioned about 93 million miles away, meaning it takes the light of the sun about 8 minutes and 20 seconds to reach our world. Just in time to do a lot of good.
Like plants, human beings also, need sunlight for optimal health. Although many believe that any exposure to sunlight is harmful, it is actually an overexposure to sunlight that should be avoided. In fact, in moderation, sunlight can: ease tension, increase immunity, prevent diseases, improve sleep, increase mental performance, heighten metabolism, relieve arthritic pains, and boost energy levels.
Many of sunlight’s benefits are connected to Vitamin D. Our bodies must have the UVB radiation found in sunlight to make this essential health-promoting vitamin. When exposed to the sunlight, our skin begins to protect itself from overexposure by producing melanin, a chemical that darkens the skin and vitamin D precursors. Increased melanin and vitamin D allow increased exposure to the sun without burning. More than 90% of Americans are vitamin D deficient. This is a preventable problem. According to the National Institutes of Health it takes only 10 to 15 minutes a day of sunlight to allow adequate time for vitamin D synthesis to occur.
How much sun exposure do we need?
According to the National Institutes of Health it takes only 10 to 15 minutes a day of sunlight to allow adequate time for vitamin D synthesis to occur. According to the 2004 Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis human’s need between 200 IUs and 600 IUs of vitamin D per day depending on their gender and age. As we grow older our need rises. Another way to figure it would be approximately 30 minutes a day 3 times a week, in direct sunlight is adequate for most Caucasians. The darker your skin, the more sun exposure you need to obtain an adequate amount of vitamin D. However, if you have very fair skin, burn easily, or live in areas where the sun is particularly intense you will want to make sun exposure a gradual process. If reddening of the skin occurs, you have spent too much time in the sun!
Remember sunlight is best in moderation. Protein and genetic tissue are damaged each time your skin burns, putting you at greater risk for skin cancer. However, don’t let this scare you away from obtaining proper sun exposure! The body will make adequate vitamin D in only one quarter of the sunlight required to cause sunburn. And although skin cancer claims the lives of approximately 2,000 Americans per year, researchers believe that regular, moderate exposure to the sun can actually prevent 138,000 deaths from other types of cancer per year.
According to nutrition experts, vitamin D helps the intestines more efficiently absorb calcium and phosphorous—elements that can lower high blood pressure. In fact, researchers at Harvard University published a study looking at the correlation between vitamin D levels and heart disease. The results were startling: Those with inadequate vitamin D had more than twice the risk for heart attacks than those with optimal levels.
Exposure to sunlight has also been found to prevent certain cancers. One study concluded that moderate sunlight exposure decreased colon cancer risk by up to 80 percent. Indeed vitamin D is believed to actually stop a variety of cancer cells from growing—including leukemia, lymphoma, and melanoma.
Vitamin D also has an incredible preventative effect against juvenile diabetes. One study found that children in Finland given a vitamin D supplement had an 88 percent less chance to develop type 1 type diabetes. (This study was done in Finland because of the limited sunlight the nation’s children receive nine months out of the year. Vitamin D supplements are not necessary for a child who receives adequate sun exposure).
Another study of American adults showed a benefit of adequate sunlight exposure on numerous type 2 diabetes risk factors. Most notably, adequate intake of vitamin D reduced the risk of obesity. The study also showed that kidney function was significantly increased by good levels of vitamin D.
One advantage of moderate sunlight exposure is that it increases the production of serotonin, the “feel good” hormone. But besides being produced by sunlight exposure, serotonin is elevated by eating excessive amounts of refined carbohydrates. However, diets high in refined carbohydrates have been linked with a significantly increased risk of obesity, so it’s healthier to get your serotonin by sunlight rather than junk food!
Vitamin D is very important for bone health. In one French study, researchers reported that calcium and vitamin D reduced the risk of hip fractures by 43 percent (the study focused on 78 to 90 year olds, a high risk group for osteoporosis).
Furthermore, adequate vitamin D levels, along with sufficient dietary calcium, have been shown to increase bone density in people who are prone to osteoporosis. Amazingly, vitamin D, which can be obtained through sunlight exposure, has been linked to a significant reduction in the risk for falls. One study showed that among 246 older women, those who had adequate vitamin D and calcium reduced their chances of falling by up to 66%. The strengthening effect of vitamin D upon muscle tissue was cited as being the most likely contributor to the reduction in risk.
It is now thought that a low levels of vitamin D can promote the onset of multiple sclerosis. Likewise, research has shown that the severity of the disease can be decreased by sun exposure and vitamin D. Numerous studies have also, found that the risk of death related to MS is significantly reduced by moderate sunlight exposure, which some reporting as high as a 76% reduction in early mortality risk.
According to new research, adults who don’t get enough of the “sunshine vitamin” vitamin D are 26 percent more likely to die early. Supplementing your vitamin D intake with a pill is not the best way to receive adequate amounts of this essential vitamin. Because vitamin D is fat-soluble, excess amounts are stored in the body fat for later use and can lead to a condition known as hypercalcaemia, which is too much calcium in the blood. Symptoms of hypercalcaemia can include fatigue, depression, confusion, nausea, and constipation. For safety, many scientists are recommending that sunlight is still your best option for obtaining adequate amounts of vitamin D. A note here on supplements added to milk. Cow’s milk is a poor source of vitamin D. One quart of untreated milk contains about 50 to 80 IUs of vitamin D. This is why the dairy industry in the United States has been adding vitamin D to milk at a rate of 400 IUs per quart since the 1930s. Oddly, research has shown that the vitamin D in enriched milk is not easily absorbed by the human body.
Sunlight is antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal. Thus it is beneficial for certain skin conditions, such as acne, athlete’s foot, viral skin infections and more. But remember three important considerations for sunlight and skin health: moderation, moderation, and moderation. Frequent and excessive tanning can cause skin to dry, wrinkle, and prematurely age.
Sunlight can help you sleep better at night. When sunlight enters the retina of the eye, it triggers the pineal gland to convert sleep enhancing hormones (melatonin) to those that increase alertness (serotonin). Similarly, moderate exposure to sunlight has been found to effectively regulate these hormones and will help you get a better night’s rest. Researchers have found that sleeping for several hours in the nighttime darkness promotes a healthy blood level of melatonin, which can significantly suppress the growth and proliferation of breast tumors. They also, found that sleeping while exposed to light at night causes a dramatic drop in blood melatonin levels, setting up the stage for growth and proliferation of breast cancer cells.
When the body’s hormones are functioning optimally, sunlight causes the production of melatonin to decrease and serotonin to increase. Not only is serotonin the chemical the brain uses to produce alertness, it also helps create a feeling of happiness. That is why many experts recommend waking up early, so you can take full advantage of a day’s worth of natural light.
Sunlight has been linked in numerous studies to health and longevity. Remember however, that the key is moderation. So take the time every day to get your 10 to 15 minutes in the sun.
Post Test
1. The lighter the skin pigmentation the more sun is needed to obtain an adequate amount of vitamin D. A. True B. False
2. Vitamin D helps the intestines absorb
A. Calcium and phosphorous
B. Vitamin C
C. Magnesium and Copper
D. Potassium and Selenium
3. Inadequate Vitamin D increases the risk of heart attack by
A. 25%
B. 50%
C. 75%
D. 100%
4. The National Institutes of Health reports that ___ to ___ minutes of sunlight daily is needed for adequate Vitamin D synthesis to occur
A. 45 to 60
B. 60 to 90
C. 10 to 15
D. 20 to 30
5. The body will make adequate Vitamin D with only _____________ of the sunlight required to cause a sunburn.
A. One quarter
B. One half
C. One third
D. One eighth
6. In a French study focused on women aged 78 to 90, adequate calcium and Vitamin D reduced the risk of hip fractures by ________.
A. 23%
B. 35%
C. 43%
D. 76%
7. Kidney function was found to be increased by good levels of Vitamin D.
A. True
B. False
8. Exposure to sunlight has been found to prevent certain cancers.
A. True
B. False
9. More than ______ percent of Americans are Vitamin D deficient.
A. 35%
B. 55%
C. 75%
D. 90%
10. The 2004 Surgeons General’s Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis recommends says human’s need how much Vitamin D per day?
A. 30 to 50 IU
B. 200 to 600 IU
C. 1000 to 2000 IU
D. 3000 to 5000 IU
This course was written by Linnea Stonebraker R.N., Ph.D After more than three decades serving in critical care, nursing education, and administration she is the Program Director for National Institute for Healthcare Education, one of the premier American Heart Association Training Centers on the West Coast. She is Regional Faculty for American Heart Association for BLS, ACLS, and PALS and is a Regional Trainer for the American Academy of Pediatrics for NRP. She travels the country teaching classes in Resuscitation Science and on how to reduce the risk from the Lifestyle Diseases: heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, ostepoporosis, and stroke.
To get 2 hours CE for taking this course you must fill in the following and email it to vputerbaugh@nationalhearted.com You must get a score of 80% in order to pass.
Date_________________________________________________
Name________________________________________________
Address______________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Email________________________________________________
Phone_______________________________________________
RN License #_________________________________________
1.______ 2.______ 3.______ 4.______ 5.______ 6.______
7.______ 8.______ 9.______ 10.______
NEW ACLS & PALS Prep Courses Featured on our Website
If you need a little help preparing for your upcoming ACLS or PALS class check out our website, www.nationalhearted.com and click on the "Online CE" page for some great NEW ONLINE CE courses. ACLS Prep and PALS Prep cover how to identify the EKGs needed so that you can use the algorithms appropriately. They are great for not only preparing for your ACLS or PALS class but also, for follow-up to reinforce what you learn at the class. There are also, some great online courses about stroke.
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Do you need even more help to prepare for your ACLS or PALS class?
If you want a text that covers not only what to do during a code, check out the ACLS In Depth and PALS In Depth Home study Courses available at www.nationalhearted.com . Get CE credit for being the best prepared student in the class. Also, available, buy just the textbook as a reference text: ACLS Study Guide and PALS Study Guide. These textbooks have all details on why as well as what to do during resuscitation. Go to our product page Buy Books and Products Now to buy the ACLS and PALS Study Guides and go to the Home Study CE to get the ACLS In Depth and PALS In Depth home study courses good for Nursing CE. CA Provider #13886.
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Earn Extra Money in Your Spare Time as an AHA Instructor
Nurses, Paramedics, EMTs, & Respiratory Therapists—Become an American Heart Association Instructor and teach for us in your spare time or start your own business teaching AHA classes. It is easy to get started quickly and be qualified to start teaching AHA courses for us. If you decide to start your own business we will be happy to mentor and assist you to be successful. Call us at 909-824-0400 or go online to Become an AHA Instructor to get started making good money in your spare time today.
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American Heart Association New Guidelines for 2010
AHA will publish their new guidelines for resuscitation for 2010 in October 2010 in their scientific journal. National Institute for Healthcare Education will include a summary of these for healthcare providers in the Fall 2010 edition of NIHE TALKS HEALTH newsletter. Don't miss out get your free subscription today at www.nationalhearted.com
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July Heart Healthy Recipes
Summer is here with all of its abundance. Let’s try some fast recipes so we can get out of the kitchen fast and get outside for some fun!
Macaroni Salad
3 cups cooked whole grain macaroni (Any shape will work, get creative!! Trader Joe’s has several different varieties and shapes or Whole Foods Market has a wide variety as well as most grocery stores carry at least whole wheat past. Try some of the different grains for a surprising variety of flavors)
2 stalks celery diced
1 carrot diced
1 cup peas (frozen or fresh) cooked
1 small onion, finely chopped
Eggless mayonnaise to taste (try Whole Foods Market if you have not seen this product before)
Salt and Pepper to taste (remember to go light on the salt to save your heart)
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.
Variations: Add sliced pickles, other vegetables, or olives
Cinnamon/Sliced Apple Toast
6 slices whole grain bread or English muffins
2-3 apples, thinly sliced
1 Tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
1 Tablespoon margarine
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Toast bread. Place several slices of apple, dots of margarine, sprinkle of brown sugar, and a dash of cinnamon on toast or muffin. Place under the broiler till margarine melts.
Pad Thai (Don’t be discourage by the number of ingredients; this recipe is ready to go on the table in less than 30 minutes!)
8 ounces uncooked rice noodles
3 Tablespoons soy sauce
2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
2 Tablespoons lime juice
1 Tablespoon ketchup
2 teaspoons sugar
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/3 cup water
4 green onions chopped
½ teaspoon minced fresh garlic
1 6.5 ounce package Smoked Tofu (try Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods Market or any health food store if you don’t know where to find this)
2 cups mung bean sprouts
½ cup shredded carrot
¼ cup cilantro
2 Tablespoons chopped peanuts (optional)
Place the noodles in a bowl and cover with hot water. Soak for 10 minutes. Drain.
While waiting, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, ketchup, sugar, and red pepper in a bowl. Mix well and set aside.
Place the water in a large non-stick frying pan. Add the green onions and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes. Add the tofu, bean sprouts, and noodles. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add the sauce mixture. Cook and stir for another 3 to 4 minutes until heated through. Transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle with carrot, cilantro, and peanuts, if desired. Serve at once.
Hint: Rice noodles can be found in most Asian markets. Made from rice and water, they are also called cellophane noodles. They do not need cooking; just soak in hot water to soften. Perfect for meals when you need to get in and out of the kitchen fast.
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July’s Coupon
Get $10 off of any order in the month of June 2010. Enter the code: SUNSHINE into the shopping cart and get $10 off all scheduled classes, online CE classes and home study courses. Offer expires June 30, 2010.
*The American Heart Association strongly promotes knowledge & proficiency in BLS, ACLS, & PALS & has developed instructional materials for this purpose. Use of these materials in an educational course does not represent course sponsorship by the American Heart Association. Any fees charged for such a course, except for a portion of fees needed for AHA course material, do not represent income to the Association.
You are receiving this newsletter free of charge as a customer of National Institute for Healthcare Education. If you wish to unsubscribe please send an email to unsubscribe@nationalhearted.com.
800-773-8895
*The American Heart Association strongly promotes knowledge & proficiency in BLS, ACLS, & PALS & has developed instructional materials for this purpose. Use of these materials in an educational course does not represent course sponsorship by the American Heart Association. Any fees charged for such a course, except for a portion of fees needed for AHA course material, do not represent income to the Association.
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