Show Health Comics 14 Classified 16 E 13 Thi Herald Journal Logan Utah Tuesday August 18 1998 RDAs flexible By Ed Btorut Haiti Doctoring PtiD DEAR DR BLONZ: 1 hive Mine questions about the Recommended Daily Allowance I am a woman with a family history of osteoporosis Lately I have been using a computer program to tally up the calories fat vitamins minerals etc in my daily diet I have become concerned because occasionally I have not readied my RDA for some vitamin or mineral Often that mineral (lacking by about 10 percent) is calcium So my question is: Should I be H concerned? Should I take a daily calcium ' How accurate is the RDA? Oceanside Calif James Swenson Seattle Wash left and Michael WMord Augusta Qa center look at the arm of a man during a health call in the courtyard of the Missionary Brothers of Charity school and clinic in Haiti in June Every Wednesday 300 residents of one of the Port-au-Prin- ce ‘DEARKD: On Nutrition wont slums in the Western Hemisphere wait under a boding sun to be treated by medics of the US Support The RDAs are based on cur- - and are revised every few yean The RDAs vary according to age group and sex This is in contrast to the daily value (DV) a single set of values developed for use on rood labels The RDAs are designed to be average intakes that meet the needs of most healthy individuals We think of bones as being “solid” but they are constantly being made and woman you unmade As a are in what I call the “investment phase” hap- - however only to the extent that foe minerals and other essential nutrients ate present As you enter your 30s your body slowly begins to shift gears and by the time you reach 40 the bones are losing more than they gain Thehigher your peak bone mass the longer this process takes What this means is that most women will eventually develop osteoporosis — some however will show symptoms in their 60s and 70s while others might not show evidence of die condition before they reach 110 (assuming of course they live that long) Tb stek the odda in your favor it pays to take in all the calcium die body can use One important point: It’s important to realize that it takes more than calcium to make bones Although a bone is about 90 percent calcium by weight other minerals such as magnesium phosphorus boron and silicon are needed as is vitamin D his also important to follow a program of weightbearing exercise as tins helps to slow bone loss Bor your age and sex the RDA for calcium is 800 milligrams per day but you don’t have fo have the RDA every day Bong down 10 percent is not a serious matter and you are ahead of most people your age If however your calcium intake chronically undershoots the RDA it would be in your best interest to find a way to take it up a notch — especially in light of your family history You can take a calcium supplement but perhaps all that is needed is a glass of calcium-fortifiorange juice a serving of a caldum-containivegetable such as broccoli or kale some fora (made with calcinm) or of course a serving of a dairy product DEAR DR BLONZ: My question concerns die nutritional analysis that is on most boxes of cereals breads pastas etc Is the nutritional information listed forthe whole box or for just one individual? — AV Los Angeles DEAR AV: The nutritional information is for one serving and die nutrition facts pend should list the number of servings! DEAR DR BLONZ: The latest information affirms what you have been sayare ing for yean namely that trans-fa- ts the worst fats for cardiovascular disease Do these fats show np on a cholesterol test? — CB San Diego DEAR CB: The level of trans-fa- ts doesn’t show up on a blood test This dietary component however will have an impact on raising the level of LDL ed ng np when you have your Mood cholesterol measured The best way to avoid tnms-f- as is to avoid foods made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils Read the ingredient statement of die foods you buy Mm be advised that most of the Dying oils used in fist food restaurants are pvtully hydrogenated That means that nench mes for example ate loaded with Bond quaouona Soc On toJMSon Ed ftoro Ob Nawapapar Enterprise Association 200 MaOaon Am New York NY 10016 ForwHmal addraaa InquMaa to: edbtonacom Om is tie volume of mat personal rapSat earner be pie- - group Story and photos by the Associated Press Military mission over but Army medics remain on ailing island HaM — They have every imaginable ailment from oozing lemons to cancerous E 4 i 752-212- 1 best-equipp- ed turnon The only medical care they can count on comes from a handful of American soldien still in Haiti nearly four yean after the UJS military intervention Neither Haiti's state hospital nor its elected government restored to power by US troops in 1994 can afford to treat them Every Wednesday residents of Pele — ooeofthe wont slums in the Western Hemisphere — Kne up at the Missionary Brothers of Charity school to wait under the boiling sun to be treated by medics studied to the UJS Support Group pelvis Rtymonde Pkrre-Gustavwas crushed when she got pinned between two tracks The spent three days at the State Univere 34 is carried by her brother Yves Samad right and sity Hospital before she was kicked Raymonds out— untreated another man aa toey enter the courtyard of the Mlsatonary Brothers of Charity In HaM in July to be attended by US medict The woman whoee "They said no doctor was available and that there was nothing the matter petvia was crushed between two bucks was released untreated alter three days help from die medics said tying with me” Pierre-Gustav-e from m vocn nosprau duo 10 m mck oi oocvore "When he was brought in magpainfully on a bench in the courtyard gots had eaten the flesh bad: and you while waiting to be seen by US could see the bone” said Swenson involvement in Haiti Army medics "The American people should know it's ndt a The Anny Medical Tuk Force in Haiti has 13 in June military operations Ginton insisted in Decembe officers and 36 enlisted personnel normally About 75 percent of Haiti’s 72 million people mission likely will be extended again if The live in absolute poverty and 40 percent have no assigned to Port Hood Texas b is part of the 250-t- o Haitian President Rene Preval asks 300oldier US Support Group which access to modern medical eve The State Univerincludes eagineen who are building wells and sity Hospital which caters to the urban poor has a schools About 130 of die soldien are security 30 percent mortality rate half-doze-n The medics hold clinics Haiti's leaden seem unable or unwilling to personnel "This is valuable hands-o- n training as close as sites in slums throughout cope The country hasn’t had a fully functional a medic can get to combat experience” said Capt Port-au-Prin- ce government for more than a year because of politito examine Kevin Duffy of Gilbert Minn die field hospital's cal squabbling The economy has slumped and hundreds of ailing people daily executive officer die Health Ministry hasn’t received a 1998 budget Put into operation in March 1996 the support Tlw contrast between the impeccable teat that is die field hospital and the grisly group was gradually detached from die 20000-membSupport group medics treat US military and US-le- d multinational force that interthe patients come from is striking shantytowns well as as 300 civilian UN embassy personnel vened in September 1994 to disband Haiti's Wounds fester and gangrene sets in Unset broBut their instructors devote moot of they pohce ken bones crippte the injured Fetuses that die in work to “the poorest of poor Haitians” said the the womb areal removed and their mothers die field hospitals commander Maj James Swenson t Clinton extended die support group's That is die rale not the exception Swenson an orthopedic surgeon from Seattle mission until the end of this year despite objec- said sites in The medics hold clinics at a half-doz"The living standard here is unimaginable to slums throughout to examine bua-about the risks and expense of open-ende- d people back home” he said e's Pierre-Gustav- ce at a er en Pott-an-Prin- ce Vacation planning should include health By Dr Clement E Marks Jr New York University School of Medicine For AP Special Features Planning a vacation overseas this summert You’ve thought of everything from die me of exchange to that extra pair f wallti&g rimes Chances are that getting sick b not on your itinerary Yet needing medical care in a foreign country can dampen your plans Thinking tion if you do not speak the language It is important to arrive at your destination prepued Be aware of your medical history Record any prior illnesses and cur- delays that might prolong your stay Cany medicines in your hand baggage this record with you when you travel cines sunscreen insect repellent and lotions for bug bites and minor burnt may be handy Pack an extra pair of eyeglasses Drink bottled water avoid rent conditions including diagnoses drug allergies and operations and cany Do not underestimate the value of preventive measures: Review your itin- erary with your physician and ask if specific immuiHtirions sack as hepatihead will save yon problems tis A cholera yellow fever meningoWhen looking for a physician at coccus or precautions against malaria home yon probably consult other doc-to-n are recommended for your areas of travor ftien Whoa traveling follow a el similar route Ask your physician for a Compile a list of all prescription and medications that you medical contact in your area of travel Hotel managen and toor guides are also me including names and dosages of all die drags you need Then stock up on resources for referrals to clem and enough medication to last the entire trip emergency noma or doctors offioes They may hdp yon with transla allowing for a Mi extra in case of loss or er com-fottab- Features: dreds of ailing people daily The most serious cases are sent to the US Army field hospital which with 14 beds is the medical facility in Haiti Since 1996 US military medical units have helped more than 60000 Haitians including 1 1 500 outpatients in the past five months Swenson has performed 150 operations since his tour of duty began in February "Whatever we give them is better than what they are getting from their (Haitian) brothen" siud Staff Sgt Donald Pena of San Antonio On a recent Wednesday he and other soldien treated 300 patients at the Missionaries of Charity compound in Brie The day’s pleats included Bomeus Commissaire 35 whose left leg was crashed in August 1996 when a dump track he was loading tipped over: He spent three months at the State University Hospital but received no care Thai he suffered PoBT-AU-PRINC- le at all times since checked luggage may get lost or held over A kit that includes bandages antibacterial cream painkilkn cough or cold medi- reserved for certain symptoms such as bloody discharge fever or an unusual persistence Of toe condition Finally to avoid paying the teas of thousands of dollars it may cost should you have to leave a country immediately due to a medical emergency purchase travel insurance Arrange to receive your policy well in advance of your trip and bring a oopy with you A thorough poli- cy should include a cancellation provision to cover any lost expenses yon as on foods such sold the those tary street Bring along bismuth (Pepto Bis- incur and an evacuation provision mol) and loperamide (Immodium) to Such insurance is particuUriy crucial for conditions travelers with protect yourself against diarrhea In like heart disease Plan ahead when general treatment of this unpleasant traveling this summer and go in good condition should indude drinking plenand water soft of liquids (bottled ty ioe raw salads and potentially unsani- pre-existi- drinks) Antibiotics are not recommended for Dr Clemait E Marts Jr 4a Aseoctete Prnteo or l CMotf MaJMna at Naw Vo UnfcanKy brief boits of diarrhea They ere MwslelMtdkSna Features: 752-212-1 |