Did you know that one out of every three adults age 65 or older fall every year? More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falls. To remain independent and reduce the risk of falling, seniors can:

• Exercise regularly. You'll improve your leg strength and standing balance.
• Review your medications. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to identify whether any of your medicines cause side effects or interactions, such as dizziness or drowsiness.
• Check your vision. Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year.
• Make your home safe. Make sure you have adequate lighting, reduce tripping hazards, add grab bars inside and outside your tub or shower and next to the toilet, and add rails to both sides of stairways.

March is National Nutrition Month, and Methodist Registered Dieticians are answering your questions. 

Q: Can drinking a lot of carbonated water have a negative impact over time? 

A: There is no evidence that regular water is healthier or that carbonated water is more nutritious than regular tap water. Carbonated water has no fat, calories, protein, carbohydrates or fiber. It has no vitamins and no significant amounts of minerals. Different brands of sparkling or carbonated waters may each have a distinct taste, thanks to the amounts of trace minerals that vary among source locations. The amounts of these minerals are so slight that they do not make an appreciable difference in the nutrient value of the water.  

The most important nutritional benefit of carbonated water is hydration. Water makes up 60 percent of your total body weight. Carbonated water is as effective as regular spring water or tap water in replacing fluids lost in urine or sweat.  Conventional wisdom advises everyone to drink eight 8-oz. glasses of water per day. This can be achieved with tap water or carbonated water.

Claims have been made that carbonated water erodes teeth and bones, leaches calcium and increases acidity in the stomach. These claims have not been borne out by experiment. In a healthy human, carbonation of water does not lead to ill health effects. 

(Answer provided by Laura Blair, MS, RD at Methodist South Hospital.)

Registered Dietitians can provide Medical Nutrition Therapy related to blood pressure, blood sugar, preventive care, gluten free needs and some GI disorders, food allergy, decreased kidney function, weight loss/gain and more.

Most insurances cover the cost of nutrition therapy at the request of your physician. Check with your insurance company to find out if your plan covers classes, and talk to your doctor about providing a written request.

More Information:
Contact Amanda Carmichael, BS, RD, LDN, 901.516.6357
Fax physicians requests: 901.937.3334

March is National Nutrition Month, and Methodist Registered Dieticians are answering your questions.

Q: Are there certain foods a person with Graves' Disease should avoid (in relation to their metabolism)?

A: Individuals who have not had their thyroid removed typically require a high-calorie (especially from carbohydrates, i.e., grains, fruit, milk, starchy vegetables, sugar) and high-protein diet. To prevent weakened bones, adequate phosphorus, calcium, and vitamin D should be included in the diet with a multivitamin-mineral (without iodine).

Limit iodine-rich foods like seaweed wraps (nori) on sushi or shellfish/seafood, iodized-salt (meat tenderizer and MSG), E-127 Erythrosine food coloring (Red Dye #3), dairy and milk chocolate, and egg yolks. Keep in mind that some meats (especially poultry) are injected with broth (i.e., salt) to maintain the juiciness of the meat. Processed meats are often sodium rich as well, and the food label will not differentiate between iodized and non-iodized salt ingredients.

Avoid alcohol and caffeine (coffee, tea, cola soft drinks, and chocolate). Raw cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower, soybeans, and peanuts may compound the side effects of anti-thyroid medications. Non-iodized salt is permitted.

Q: What diet advice do you have for someone with Hashimoto's Disease?

A: A calorie restriction is often needed to prevent weight gain. Calorie needs are based on age, sex, height, and activity level. Thus, they are specific to the individual. Generally, reduction of 500 calories per day from one’s current intake will result in safe weight loss. Weigh yourself frequently to determine if weight change is true or due to fluid retention/loss. You should monitor your vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron and supplement them if you're deficient. Raw cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower, soybeans, and peanuts should be avoided. Avoid dietary supplements, like kelp tablets, unless discussed with your physician first. Iodized salt is permitted.

Please contact a Methodist dietician at the information below for additional information regarding these issues. 

(Answers provided by Allison Kent, MS, RD, LDN, CNSC at Methodist Germantown Hospital.)

Registered Dietitians can provide Medical Nutrition Therapy related to blood pressure, blood sugar, preventive care, gluten free needs and some GI disorders, food allergy, decreased kidney function, weight loss/gain and more.

Most insurances cover the cost of nutrition therapy at the request of your physician. Check with your insurance company to find out if your plan covers classes, and talk to your doctor about providing a written request.

More Information:
Contact Amanda Carmichael, BS, RD, LDN, 901.516.6357
Fax physicians requests: 901.937.3334

Q: Are there any diet recommendations for a person recently diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis?

A: According to the National Psorias Foundation, manipulating the diet has not been found to be useful for psoriatic arthritis. The Foundation does state that there are some dietary supplements that have been found to help some people with arthritis. Supplements mentioned included chondrioitin, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) and S-adenonosylmethionine (SAM-e). Since osteoarthritis may occur with arthritis, calcium supplements along with Vitamin D may be of benefit.

(Answer provided by Lucy Ridley RD, LDN  at Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital)

Q: What are the best types of foods for preventing or fighting inflammation, such as that associated with autoimmune disorders?

A:  The best types of food that help fight inflammation are:

• Foods with omega-3’s (salmon, trout, herring, flaxseeds, and walnuts)
• Antioxidant-rich foods (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cantaloupe, kale, spinach, sweet potatoes, and bell peppers)
• Olive oil
• Spices
• Green tea (3 to 4 cups a day to see benefits)

Some foods that contribute to inflammation are saturated fats, trans fats, added sugar/table sugar, and refine/processed carbohydrates. Always think bright, colorful, and fresh!

(Answer provided by Jessica Wootton, RD at Methodist North Hospital)

Registered Dietitians can provide Medical Nutrition Therapy related to blood pressure, blood sugar, preventive care, gluten free needs and some GI disorders, food allergy, decreased kidney function, weight loss/gain and more.

Most insurances cover the cost of nutrition therapy at the request of your physician. Check with your insurance company to find out if your plan covers classes, and talk to your doctor about providing a written request.

More Information:
Contact Amanda Carmichael, BS, RD, LDN, 901.516.6357
Fax physicians requests: 901.937.3334

March is National Nutrition Month, and Methodist Registered Dieticians are answering your questions.

Q: What are the benefits of a vegan or vegetarian diet?

A: Studies that look at people and their habits have linked vegetarian diets with a decreased risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and colon cancer. Basing one’s diet on plant foods—grains, beans, vegetables, and fruits—is the best way to keep saturated fat intake low and to avoid cholesterol completely. A vegan diet is free of all animal products and yields the lowest risk of heart disease. One study showed that people who adopt a vegetarian diet reduce their saturated fat intake by 26 percent and achieve a significant drop in cholesterol levels in just six weeks. Besides the very low levels of fat eaten in a typical vegetarian diet, vegetable protein also helps decrease risk for heart disease. Studies have shown that replacing animal protein with soy protein reduces blood cholesterol levels even when the total amount of fat and saturated fat in the diet remain the same. Soluble fiber helps to slow the absorption of some food components such as cholesterol. It also acts to reduce the amount of cholesterol the liver makes. Oats, barley, beans, and some fruits and vegetables are all good sources of soluble fiber. There is no fiber in any animal product.

(Answer provided by Audrey Justus MS, RD, LDN at Methodist South Hospital)

Registered Dietitians can provide Medical Nutrition Therapyrelated to blood pressure, blood sugar, preventive care, gluten free needs and some GI disorders, food allergy, decreased kidney function, weight loss/gain and more.

Most insurances cover the cost of nutrition therapy at the request of your physician. Check with your insurance company to find out if your plan covers classes, and talk to your doctor about providing a written request.

More Information:
Contact Amanda Carmichael, BS, RD, LDN, 901.516.6357
Fax physicians requests: 901.937.3334

March is National Nutrition Month, and Methodist Registered Dieticians are answering your questions.

Q: Can you take too many vitamins?

A: Yes, there are a number of vitamins and, for that matter, minerals that can lead to toxicity if taken in large doses. Vitamins A, D, E and K (the fat soluable vitamins) and many minerals such as iron can lead to serious side effects if taken in amounts exceeding the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA).

The best way to meet your nutrient requirements is to eat a diet including five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. If you still feel a supplement is necessary, consult a registered dietitian who will be able to guide you on the proper amount to meet your needs.

(Answer provided by Sara Estabrook MS, RD, LDN at Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital)

Registered Dietitians can provide Medical Nutrition Therapy related to blood pressure, blood sugar, preventive care, gluten free needs and some GI disorders, food allergy, decreased kidney function, weight loss/gain and more.

Most insurances cover the cost of nutrition therapy at the request of your physician. Check with your insurance company to find out if your plan covers classes, and talk to your doctor about providing a written request.

More Information:
Contact Amanda Carmichael, BS, RD, LDN, 901.516.6357
Fax physicians requests: 901.937.3334

This information is provided by Methodist Healthcare and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition.

Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder that causes a potentially disabling level of daytime sleepiness. This sleepiness may occur in the form of repeated and irresistible “sleep attacks.” In these episodes a person suddenly falls asleep in unusual situations, such as while eating, walking or driving. Narcolepsy affects less than one percent of men and women, typically appearing in teens and young adults and then persisting for a lifetime. 

Sleepiness in narcolepsy is not the result of inadequate sleep; people with narcolepsy still experience daytime sleepiness even when they sleep well at night. Sleepiness is more likely to occur in boring, monotonous situations that require no active participation (such as watching television). If not recognized and appropriately managed, narcolepsy can drastically and negatively affect the quality of a person’s life.

Symptoms of Narcolepsy

The main symptoms associated with narcolepsy are:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness - usually the first symptom to appear in people who have narcolepsy.
• Cataplexy - a sudden loss of muscle tone, usually triggered by emotional stimuli such as laughter, surprise, or anger.
• Hypnogogic hallucinations - during transition from wakefulness to sleep, the patient has bizarre, often frightening dream-like experiences that incorporate his or her real environment.
• Sleep paralysis - a temporary inability to move during sleep-wake transitions. Sleep paralysis may last for a few seconds to several minutes and may accompany hypnagogic hallucinations.
• Disturbed nocturnal sleep – waking up repeatedly throughout the night.
• Leg jerks, nightmares, and restlessness.

Treatment 

Narcolepsy cannot be cured. Symptoms can usually be controlled or improved so that sufferers experience symptoms less frequently and lead fairly normal lives. Treatment plans have several aspects: medication, behavior treatment, and management of your environment.

If you believe you may have narcolepsy, inform your primary care physician or make an appointment for an evaluation with a Sleep Specialist at the Sleep Disorders Center. To find a physician in Memphis or Olive Branch that specializes in sleep disorders, please call 901.683.0044.