To My Patients - April 2016

Although the calendar says "spring," It may be a little too cold to walk outdoors. That's no excuse! Move around, go to the gym, don't be sedentary. Your body won't forgive you come summer! And on that happy note, a few medical thoughts... → Are You Due For A Colonoscopy Last month was National Colon Cancer Awareness Month, aimed at promoting colon cancer screening and reducing colorectal deaths. Colorectal cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths in the US (after lung cancer), causing approximately 50,000 deaths a year. I can't stress it enough, early detection saves lives. Colonoscopy screening usually starts at age 50, earlier if you have risk factors. These include inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal polyps, a family history of colorectal cancer, smoking, overweight, eating a lot of red meats, and sedentary lifestyle. Not sure if you're high risk? Give us a call and we'll talk about it. So, if you are due for colonoscopy, don't wait until colorectal awareness month of next year. It's OK to have it done before that... → Exercise For The Brain? We all know the benefits of regular exercise, especially the heart. But does it help our brain and psych function? During regular exercise, the body produces endorphins. These beneficial neurotransmitters act in our bodies as our own natural antidepressants, pain killers, and promoters of wellbeing. But there's much more to it. A recent study published in online Neurology claims that regular, moderate-to-high-intensity exercise (running, jogging, aerobic) is associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline as we get older, namely, exercise protects the brain's cognitive function. The cognitive function (memory, thinking clearly) of the more intense exercisers was about 10 years ahead of those with minimal or no exercise. Just one more reason to join the gym! → A Great Salad Dressing Use about 4 oz. tahini (we like Al Wadi the best, available in some supermarkets and Amazon), slowly add water to the tahini and mix continuously. The mixture will first become increasingly thicker, then, as you continue to add water slowly, it will start thinning. Thin it to desired consistency, add salt, garlic and black pepper to taste. It will keep in the refrigerator for a few days. Please note this is not a low calorie dressing, but it has an excellent nutritional value, and will entice you to eat more salads. Stay well, Igal Staw, Ph.D., M.D. www.drstaw.com weightloss.drstaw.com www.twitter.com/drstaw Dr. Staw on Facebook