Does Intermittent Fasting Raise the Risk Of Heart Disease?
DEAR DR. ROACH: I read a recent headline that said people who fast intermittently have an increased risk of heart disease. Is there merit to this story? — K.O.S.
ANSWER: Intermittent fasting is an increasingly common weight-loss strategy. The two most common approaches of intermittent fasting are alternate-day fasting (eating nothing one day, then whatever you want the next) and time-restricted feeding (eating at certain times throughout the day, usually during an eight-hour time frame). The published data on the benefits of these diets show short-term weight loss (i.e., 12 weeks), but no long-term weight loss (1 year), compared to the standard dietary advice. There is evidence of potential harm from intermittent fasting. Studies have shown an increased risk of eating disorders (particularly binge eating). One study showed that disordered eating worsened in those assigned to an intermittent-fasting schedule. However, other studies do not show this. The concern for disordered eating is highest among younger and female populations, who are at the most risk for eating disorders, and I advise against intermittent fasting for a person with a history of an eating disorder. The study you read about was presented as an abstract in the March meeting of the American Heart Association; it is not yet published or peer-reviewed. But it did show that people who report an intermittent-fasting diet (specifically those who ate over an 8-hour time frame) were at a higher risk for death from heart disease than those who ate over a 12-16 hour time frame. However, this wasn’t a controlled study, and it is likely that people who chose a time-restricted eating pattern already had issues that put them at a higher risk for heart disease. Still, given the absence of long-term benefits, I don’t generally recommend a time-restricted diet or intermittent fasting to my patients. My colleagues in weight medicine consider intermittent fasting to be an option that helps a subset of people. There are some people who do benefit from this type of diet, and as long as they are eating well and are being monitored by their physician, they should continue to follow their diet if it is working for them. • • • DEAR DR. ROACH: As a person who has had vocal cord paralysis after a viral infection, I was fortunate not to need many of the outlined modes of care. However, there was one additional therapy that was utilized within my plan of care — speech therapy. It took a while, but it worked well. I suppose I may have some lingering weakness. When I experience a new viral upper respiratory infection, I often experience prolonged hoarseness. So, I pull out my exercise sheet once again, practice the techniques, and experience the same great results. — B.A. ANSWER: I thank B.A. for writing, as I should have recommended voice therapy for people with vocal cord paralysis or other voice issues. Some ear, nose and throat physicians, speech-language pathologists, respiratory therapists, and voice coaches specialize in voice therapy. Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer
individual questions, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to [email protected]. © 2024 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved Stay Hydrated This Summer
Warm weather and outdoor activities mark the start of summer. High temperatures and humidity may increase your risk for dehydration. Dehydration, if left untreated is dangerous.
Signs of Dehydration: • Feeling thirsty, and/or dry mouth and tongue • Feeling tired, and/or weakness • Headache, constipation and/or muscle cramps (later stages) Try to drink water every 15-20 min when exercising, don’t wait until you are thirsty! If you are exercising for more than a couple hours, sports drinks could be helpful to replace electrolytes. Otherwise, they are not necessary and contain added sugars. Simple Tips to Stay Hydrated: • Drinking 100% fruit or vegetable juices • Using flavored water or fruit infused water • Drinking dairy milk, soy milk, or almond milk • Eating foods with high water content like: grapes, celery, cucumbers, watermelon, bell peppers, or tomatoes which are more than 90% water! Citrus Infused Water Recipe Ingredients: ½ orange, ½ lemon, ½ grapefruit, 1 cup ice, cold water Instructions: 1. Wash and slice fruit, add fruit to a two-quart pitcher 2. Gently press fruit with a spoon to release some of the juices 3. Add ice to the pitcher, then fill with cold water 4. Serve immediately or chill, covered in the refrigerator Safety Tip: If you are taking your infused water on the go, make sure to drink it or discard within four hours to prevent bacteria growth. Avoid refilling the same pitcher; always start with clean equipment for new batches. Adapted from NEWS
(Nutrition Education with Seniors) Newsletter, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, June 2019 and the WOW (Words on Wellness) January 2019 Newsletter. To receive newsletters, contact Kelsey Salow, [email protected] Most of us know that water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Wood burns at 575 degrees and glass melts around 900 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the National Safety Council, sparklers can burn up to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. We don’t let our children and grandchildren put their hand inside a boiling pan of water yet every year around the 4th of July we hand them sparklers and let them run around the yard.
Thousands of people are taken to local emergency rooms due to fireworks-related injuries each year. In 2017, 8 people were killed due to fireworks-related mishaps according to the National Safety Council. Although the Dubuque Fire Department does not condone the use of fireworks for personal use, we understand that people will continue to use them. Here are some safety tips to help ensure you and your loved ones are as safe as possible when around fireworks. Never allow young children to use fireworks of any kind, including sparklers. Sparklers have been known to cause third degree burns. When older children are using fireworks, make sure they are under close supervision from a responsible adult. Never let an adult handle fireworks’ if they are impaired by alcohol and/or drugs. Only buy and use legal fireworks from a reputable seller. When using fireworks, the people handling them should be wearing protective eyewear, long-sleeved shirts and tighter fitting clothes to help prevent clothes from catching on fire. Always use fireworks away from other people, flammable or combustible materials and houses or other structures. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there is an average of 18,500 reported fires each year due to fireworks-related incidences. Lastly, leave the fireworks to the professionals. Grab a chair, find a good spot to watch and just enjoy the show. This will guarantee that you and your loved ones will have a safe and enjoyable holiday. If you have any questions or would like further information, I can be reached at 1-563-589-4195 or at [email protected]. |
• To clean out your coffee grinder in order to use it for spices, add about a half-cup of white rice, then pulverize it. Repeat until scent is gone and rice powder comes out clean.
• It’s food-smart to separate utensils and cutting boards used for veggies, meats, poultry, etc. Here’s a handy chef’s trick: Color code. Paint a different color stripe down the edge of cutting boards and around the handle of utensils for each variety: green for veggies, yellow for poultry and red for beef. • Line the bottom of your dog’s food dish (underside) with silicone caulk. Use a crisscross pattern in the center. This will keep the dish from sliding around when your pet eats. • “If you are painting your ceiling and are bothered by drips, try protecting your eyes with an old pair of swimming goggles. They will keep your eyes safe from drips and splatters, and fumes will be much less bothersome.” — E.G. in Virginia • “I needed a hot water bottle for my legs, but I couldn’t find mine anywhere. My husband suggested filling a soda-pop bottle (the two liter kind) with hot water and wrapping a towel around it. It worked magically, and I think better than the regular bottle.” — C.C. in Iowa • Want quick-cooking meatloaf? Use your muffin tins. The same meat mixture and flavor cooks in half the time and is in a cute, easy portion. I also make mashed potatoes as “frosting” for these dinner “cupcakes”! Send your tips to
Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. © 2024 King Features Synd., Inc. Serve up Mini Eggplant Pizzas
|