maintain thatsummer slim

Keep pounds off even after beachseason has come and gone

GOING GREEKGreek yogurt anincreasinglypopular healthy snacking option

FRIENDOR FOE?

Does late-nighteating causeweight gain?

a special supplementAUGUST 2011

www.columbustelegram/healthylifestyle.com

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section!

Columbus Telegram, David City Banner Press, Schuyler SunAugust 20112

In the months leading up to beach sea-son, men and women tend to hit thegym hard in an effort to make their

bodies look their best. But once thoseswimsuits have been packed away forwinter, many of those same hardworkingmen and women abandon their effortsand allow themselves to pack on a fewextra pounds.

While that might be human nature, it’salso a waste of all that presummereffort. Keeping fit through the winterand into next beach season doesn’t haveto be so difficult. In fact, the NationalWeight Control Registry, who trackedmen and women who lost 60 poundsand kept if off for at least five years,discovered some interesting things aboutthose who weren’t satisfied with justlosing weight but wanted to keep thatweight off as well. Among the notablethings they found about the people theytracked:

• 78 percent start their day off right,eating breakfast every day

• 75 percent aren’t scared of thescales, weighing themselves at leastonce a week

• 90 percent exercise an average ofone hour per day

• 62 percent watch fewer than 10

hours of television per week

These behaviors should not come as asurprise. Eating breakfast every day revsup the metabolism after a night of rest,and a breakfast that’s rich in protein ismore likely to make you less hungry inthe hours before lunch. Also, daily exer-cise at the expense of time spent on thecouch is clearly beneficial. Andthe motivating power of routine weigh-ins should not be underestimated, either.

But there are other things men andwomen can do to keep from packingwinter weight back on once beach sea-son is a thing of the past.

Lift weights. Men and women mightthink lifting weights is for young peo-ple, but pumping iron can help combat

muscle tissue loss that typically beginswhen a person is in his or her thirties.Muscle burns roughly three times morecalories than fat, so this reduction inmuscle tissue as you age makes it harderto keep weight off. Fight this loss ofmuscle mass by strength training withhand weights. Hand weights help buildmuscle and strengthen bones, and theless muscle you lose the more capableyour body will be at burning calories.

Subscribe to portion control. Portionshave increased dramatically over theyears. Consider the case of the averagebagel, a breakfast favorite. According tothe National Institutes of Health, 20years ago the average bagel was threeinches in diameter and 140 calories.Today, the average bagel checks in at sixinches in diameter and 350 calories. TheNIH also notes that 20 years ago a plateof spaghetti and three small meatballswas 500 calories, while that same mealtoday is more than 1,000 calories. Butmen and women who control their por-tions are much more likely to keep lostweight off than those who don’t controlportions. Tricks to portion control caninclude buying prepared meals or evenbuying smaller dishes. Whatever themethod chosen, if the portions aresmaller you’re likely to be smaller as

well.

Spend more time being physicallyactive. In a survey sponsored by theEnvironmental Protection Agency thatexamined activities undertaken by theaverage woman over the age of 18, driv-ing, watching television and office workwere three of the four activities womenspent the most time on. In fact, exercisedid not even land in the top 10. Thoughthese responses don’t reference howmen spend their time, it’s safe to assumeboth men and women can spend moretime being active and less time on moresedentary activities. For example, if it’spossible to ride a bicycle to workinstead of drive a car, dust off the bikeand leave the car in the garage.

Keep pounds offeven after beach season

has come and gone

Controlling portion size is one way tolose weight and keep the pounds

off once they’ve been shed.

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Columbus Telegram, David City Banner Press, Schuyler SunAugust 2011 3

Health trends often come and go. What’shealthy today might be considered detrimentaltomorrow. And foods that are widely viewed asunhealthy today could very well be seen as ben-eficial down the road.One food that has increasingly gained the sup-port of fitness gurus and medical professionalsalike is Greek yogurt. Yogurt itself is one ofthose foods that seems to have its strong sup-porters, who recognize its nutritional value, aswell as its detractors, who find its texture toounappealing to stomach.Different from traditional American-styleyogurts, Greek yogurt boasts a thicker texturethan other yogurt counterparts. That thicker,richer texture makes it more appealing to thosewho find the texture of thinner yogurts unappe-tizing. But Greek yogurt also provides a host ofbenefits that go beyond its more agreeable tex-ture. • Greek yogurt packs a heartier protein punch.Greek yogurts typically provide significantlymore protein than American-style yogurts.Protein serves the human body in many ways,helping build healthy bones, muscles, cartilage,and skin. Protein-heavy diets are currently “in,”though it’s important to consult a physician asto just how much protein is ideal for each indi-vidual. Still, a typical 6-ounce serving of Greekyogurt can provide as many as 15 grams of pro-tein. That’s as much as three times more proteinthan a 6-ounce serving of American-style non-fat yogurt typically provides.• Greek yogurt is not as sweet. Many people tryto minimize their daily consumption of sugar.Overconsumption of sugar can negatively affectthe skin, leading to more wrinkles; compromisethe body’s immune system by making it harderfor white blood cells to fight illness; and con-tribute to weight-related illnesses, including

diabetes. While the amount of sugar in a 6-ounce servingof yogurt is relatively negligible, Greek yogurttypically has half the amount of sugar as itsAmerican-style counterparts. Much of this isdue to the texture of Greek yogurt and how thattexture is achieved. To get its distinctly thickertexture, Greek yogurt is made by repeatedlystraining the whey off yogurt. A significantamount of sugar is removed during this process.As a result, Greek yogurt does not have nearlyas much sugar as American-style yogurt.• Greek yogurt could help conquer intestinalproblems. Nearly 60 million Americans sufferfrom irritable bowel syndrome, a highly uncom-fortable condition characterized by abdominal

pain and discomfort. Until a person with IBShas a bowel movement, the pain can be intense.Greek yogurt is minimally processed and isn’theat-treated, providing the body with lacto-bacillus organisms that are easier to digest,improving intestinal health as a result. In addi-tion, the acidophilus and lactobacillus organ-isms present in Greek yogurt can reduce diar-rhea and help women prevent vaginal yeastinfections. Men, women and children who aren’t comfort-able eating traditional American-style yogurtmight want to try Greek yogurt. In addition tobeing a healthy snack, fans of Greek yogurtoften find its texture similar to that of a dessert,giving them the welcomed feeling that they’reindulging while still enjoying a healthy snack.

Thanks to its numerousnutritional benefits, Greek yogurt

is growing in popularity.

GREEKYOGURTa popular and healthy snacking option

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Columbus Telegram, David City Banner Press, Schuyler SunAugust 20114

Does late-night eatingcause weight gain?

The correlation between late-night eat-ing and weight gain has been studiedand debated for quite a while.

Although common sense may indicatethere is a connection, there is no statisticalproof to confirm the claim.

Many of the studies involving late-nighteating have been conducted on lab miceor on people who are deemed “late sleep-ers,” not necessarily on people who rou-tinely eat the biggest or most caloricmeals late in the day.

Those who are dieting are routinely toldto cut off meals after 7 or 8 p.m. toimprove metabolic rates and reduceweight gain. Although it would seem to begood advice, there is no definitive scien-tific research that equates eating at nightto weight gain.

The speculation behind the eating and

weight gain connection has to dowith metabolism and human evolu-tion. Humans evolved from situationswhere they ate and foraged betweensunrise and sunset. There were novideo games to play at night, no TVshows, and certainly no refrigeratorsto raid for late-night snacks. Thebody simply adapted to getting thebulk of its caloric intake in betweendaylight hours. Furthermore, peopletended to be their most active duringthe day, when calories consumedcould be burned off through exerciseor daily activity. At night peopletended to simply be lying aroundrelaxing or sleeping. The caloriescan’t be burned off.

Others debate that this is a myth, thatcalories consumed are simply calo-ries. They do not weigh more if theyare eaten at night or during the day.Furthermore, the body’s metabolismnever stops working, organs are func-tioning and energy is being usedeven as one sleeps. Opponents to the“late night eating equals weight gain”theory state that it’s not what is eatenat a specific time that matters, but it’show many calories are consumedover a week or month. As anyonewho has tried to diet knows, one dayof dietary changes will do little, if

anything, to influence a person’s weight.Weight loss is a process instead of a quickfix.

Limiting caloric intake — no matter whattime it occurs — will help a person loseweight. That’s because it limits the num-ber of calories a person will need to burnoff. Routinely eating several small meals aday can stave off hunger pangs and reducethe propensity for overeating or eating outof boredom at night. Foods consumed atnight, including comfort foods, tend to behigh in calories and fat anyway. Somepeople do find that eating a light snackabout an hour before bed, such as a fewcrackers with cheese, can induce sleepand keep the body satiated until morning.

There’s no strong evidence that eating lateat night plays a role in weight gain. It’srather the number of calories and types offoods eaten as part of a normal diet.

Late-night eating tendsto include foods that arehigh in calories and fat.

Possible ways to reducerisks for cataractsWhile doctors still don’t know what causescataracts, there might be ways men and womenconcerned about their eyes can reduce their riskfor cataracts. Though the following tips can’tguarantee a person won’t get cataracts, theymight just help individuals reduce their risk.

Address existing medical conditions. Certainmedical conditions increase a person’s risk ofgetting cataracts. These conditions include dia-betes, high blood pressure and obesity. Men andwomen with diabetes should closely follow theirtreatment plan to reduce their risk of cataracts.Those who are obese or have high blood pressureshould adopt a healthier lifestyle to lose weightand lower their blood pressure.

Get routine eye examinations. Routine eyeexaminations can help doctors find cataracts andadditional visionary ailments at their earlieststages. Should any sudden changes, such as blur-riness or double vision, occur, visit an eye doctorimmediately.

Maintain a healthy weight. As mentionedabove, obesity is a risk for cataracts. But men and

women who can maintain a healthy weight withdaily exercise and a healthy diet might reducetheir risk for cataracts.

• Adopt a healthy diet. A healthy diet will ensurepeople are getting enough vitamins and nutrients.Such a diet should include plenty of fruits andvegetables, which are loaded with antioxidantsthat may prevent damage to the eye’s lens. Ahealthy diet will also help men and women main-tain a healthy weight and can also help them suc-cessfully manage any preexisting conditions.

Wear sunglasses. Excessive exposure to sunlightcan increase a person’s risk of cataracts. Whengoing outside during the daytime, wear sunglass-es that block ultraviolet B rays.

Stop smoking. Smoking can lead to a slew ofmedical ailments and can even be tied tocataracts. High blood pressure is a risk forcataracts, and men and women who smokeshould know that smoking has been linked tohigh blood pressure. By quitting smoking, indi-viduals are reducing their risk for a host of ail-ments, including cataracts.

DO YOUR BEST AT SCHOOL BY PRACTICING HEALTHY HABITS

JUST LIKE THESE HEALTHY

HEROES!ENERGY GIRL wants you to be active. Kids andteens should get at least 60 minutes of physical

activity each day. Have fun!HYGIENE BOY knows it’s important to wash your hands and to brush your teeth.

Wash your hands often, especially before you eat and after you go to the bathroom.Safety Girl wants you to be safe. Wear your seatbelt in the car at all times.

Wear a helmet when you ride a bike or skate.Nutrition Boy knows it will help you learn if you eat healthy.

Drink milk and eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods.

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Columbus Telegram, David City Banner Press, Schuyler SunAugust 2011 5

Healthy and quick breakfastsfor busy school morningsBreakfast has long been referred to as themost important meal of the day. It is bene-ficial for students heading off to school toenjoy a meal before they catch the bus.

Studies have found that children who eat ahealthy breakfast have higher energy levelsand better learning abilities than similarstudents who do not eat breakfast. HarvardUniversity researchers found that thosewho eat breakfast are significantly moreattentive in the classroom and have fewerbehavioral and emotional problems.

Many families find that time is not in abun-dance in the morning when they are gettingready for school or work. As a result,breakfast might be skipped in an effort toget to work or school on time. But familiescan skirt the issue of time with a few on-the-go foods the whole family can enjoy.

• Individually packaged yogurts make ahealthy and quick meal for anyone in thefamily. A good source of protein and calci-um, yogurt is also filled with helpful bacte-ria that promote digestive health.

• Microwaveable convenience foods comein various shapes and sizes. Choose thehealthiest options among them, such aswhole-wheat or multigrain waffles or pan-cakes. These foods are easy to heat and eaton-the-go.

• Keep a container of fresh fruit salad in therefrigerator. A bowl of mixed fruit isrefreshing and healthy.

• Whole grain granola bars that feature fruitand nuts can be a quick meal and a satisfy-ing snack.

• Smoothies made from fruit and yogurt arefast and can be stored in portable cups totake in the car on the way to school.

• The cereal aisle at the local grocery storeis filled with healthy breakfast options.

Cereal manufacturers are increasingly

reducing the sugar and boosting the fiber

content of popular brands. It doesn’t take

long to enjoy a bowl of cereal, even one

topped with banana slices or a few straw-

berries.

• Whip up a fast egg sandwich. Sauté egg

whites in a frying pan and place between

two slices of toasted whole wheat bread.

• Make a batch of low-fat, high-fiber

muffins over the weekend. Grabbing a muf-

fin and a banana is an easy breakfast.

• Instant oatmeal is available in a number

of flavors and is a very healthy and filling

breakfast option.

• Create parfaits with layers of vanilla

yogurt, fruit and granola.

• Use a sandwich or panini maker to create

homemade breakfast tarts. Fill bread or

pitas with fresh fruit or peanut butter and

use the cooker to seal them shut.

For families who simply can’t get in the

breakfast swing of things, many schools

participate in breakfast programs. If chil-

dren are routinely missing breakfast at

home, find out how to enroll them in break-

fast served at school.

DID YOUKNOW?Laughter and music just may be good forthe heart. Millions of people routinelytake prescription medications or makedietary changes, such as eliminating saltfrom their diets, in an effort to lowerblood pressure. However, for those whoare interested in making some easylifestyle changes that can result in modestreductions in blood pressure, listening tomusic or laughing more may do the trick.In a Japanese study presented in May atan American Heart Association meeting,researchers explained that people whotook part in bimonthly group sessionsbuilt around music or laughter loweredtheir systolic blood pressure (the top num-ber in the reading, which measures thepressure in the arteries when the heartbeats) by an average of five to six pointsafter three months. In contrast, the aver-age blood-pressure reading in a controlgroup that received neither therapy didn'tmove. According to experts, this decline inpressure is the equivalent of what some-one could expect from adopting a low-saltdiet or losing 10 pounds. The AmericanHeart Association recommends thathealthy blood pressure should be less than120 for systolic and less than 80 for dias-tolic.

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Columbus Telegram, David City Banner Press, Schuyler SunAugust 20116

Men can drink to good prostate healthAn apple a day may keep the doctor away for the general

population. But men looking to avoid serious types ofprostate cancer, a cup of coffee a day could be a good

option.

A recent major study by Harvard researchers published in TheJournal of the National Cancer Institute found that men whodrink 6 or more cups of coffee each day have a 60 percentlower chance of contracting lethal cases of prostate cancer.Those who drink 3 or more cups a day have a 30 percent lowerrisk. In general, heavy coffee consumption lowers men’s riskof developing any type of prostate cancer by 20 percent over20 years.

Insulin might play a role in prostate cancer formation. Coffeeis high in antioxidants and also regulates glucose metabolismand insulin levels. This could be the correlation between highquantities of coffee and low occurrences of prostate cancer andother cancers.

The cause-and-effect component of coffee and prostate canceris still hard to identify completely. The insulin factor and cof-fee’s effect on type 2 diabetes could be just one component.But compounds in coffee also have effects on sexual hormonesthat may also play a role in prostate health.

This study comes on the heels of a Swedish study that foundwomen who drank five or more cups of coffee per day

decreased their risk for a particularly aggressive form of breasttumor.

CORE Oncology reports that prostate cancer is the secondleading cause of cancer deaths among American men. TheNational Prostate Cancer Coalition says that prostate cancerrepresents 30 percent of all new cancer cases in American men,while the Canadian Cancer Society says that, in 2011, an esti-mated 25,500 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostatecancer and 4,100 will die of it. It is the most common form ofcancer cases among men in Canada.

Although the detriments and benefits of coffee have long beendebated, more and more scientists and medical professionalsare touting the medical benefits of coffee. Along with its linkto warding off certain cancers, coffee has been associated withlower risk of Parkinson disease, type 2 diabetes, gall stones,and even depression. Coffee may also help prevent musclepain and weakness associated with vigorous athletic workouts.

More research needs to be conducted to further strengthen thelink between coffee and reduced risk for prostate cancer.Although medical professionals have yet to advocate increas-ing coffee consumption, researchers say that moderate coffeedrinking is likely not a contributor or harmful in terms ofprostate cancer development.

Coffee may be instrumental in preventing prostatecancer, including some of the more

lethal varieties of the disease.

Foods maytrigger migraines

Many factors, includingfood, can contribute tothe onset of migraine

headaches. However, migraineheadaches remain a mystery tomigraine sufferers and medicalprofessionals alike.Researchers have studied theeffect of foods on the genesisof a migraine, and some foodshave proven to be repeatoffenders when it comes totriggering the headaches.Chemical components of cer-tain foods may play a role inwhy they cause headaches tooccur. Also, the effect certainfoods have on the body mayalso be instrumental. Forexample, alcohol tends to thin

the blood, which can increaseblood flow to the brain.Furthermore, alcohol is adiuretic and can dehydrate thebody, another headache trigger.Although everyone reacts dif-ferently to alcohol, whiskey,red wine, champagne, and beerare the most common alco-holic migraine triggers.

TyramineFoods that contain tyraminemay also trigger migraines.Tyramine is a naturally-occur-ring compound often presentin many plants and animals. Itcan also form from tyrosine —an amino acid found in a vari-ety of foods — when those

foods are fermented, or start todecay. Tyramine can haveeffects on the adrenal gland,which triggers the “fight orflight” reaction in the body.This elevates the heart rate,increases blood pressure andincreases the amount of adren-aline and other substances inthe blood. All of these factorsmay trigger a migraine.Aged cheese, preserved meatsand other items that have beenfermented are prime sources oftyramine. They can be reducedor avoided if it seems thesefoods play a role in migraines.See Migraines, Page 8

Aged cheese and dairy are commontriggers for migraine headaches.

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Columbus Telegram, David City Banner Press, Schuyler SunAugust 2011 7

Discover the most germ infested room in the house (it’s not the bathroom)Considering the nature of a bathroom,

people generally think that most germsreside there. However, kitchens tend to

be the most germ-filled room in the averagehome, and many kitchen items and surfacescan harbor bacteria and viruses that makepeople sick.

Although the average toilet bowl has 3.2million bacteria per square inch, accordingthe Centers for Disease Control andPrevention, frequent disinfecting and clean-ing of the bathroom helps reduce germinfestation. According to health expert Dr.Joseph Mercola, there could be up to 200times more fecal bacteria on your kitchencutting board than on your toilet seat. Evena kitchen tabletop contains an average of344 bacteria per square inch compared to295 per square inch for a toilet seat.

Unless people are considering cooking andeating meals in their bathrooms, it may betime to examine the germ-ridden areas of thekitchen and start cleaning.

Cutting boards: Even the best-billed cut-ting boards can scratch or gouge, creatingcrevices where bacteria thrive. Also, becausecutting boards are used for a wide variety ofcutting tasks, there is a high likelihood ofcross-contamination between raw animalproducts, seafood and vegetables. It’s a goodidea to routinely sanitize the board by run-ning it through the dishwasher or cleaningwith soap and water and then a smallamount of a bleach/water solution.

Sponges and rags: The tools of cleaning inthe kitchen tend to be some of the mostgerm-ridden. There are roughly 134,630bacteria/square inch on a kitchen sponge orcleaning cloth. It is easy to spread thesegerms to “clean” dishes and surfaces byusing a germy sponge for cleaning up.Ideally sponges should be replaced after oneweek of use. Sponges that remain wet orhave leftover organic matter on, them, likebits of food, tend to breed germs fast.Disinfect a sponge in the microwave for 30second to a minute or run it through the

dishwasher. Use one sponge for dishes andone sponge for cleaning the kitchen to pre-vent more cross-contamination.

Kitchen faucet and surfaces: Using dirtyhands to turn on the water in the kitchen canmake grime and germs collect on this sur-face. Use a disinfecting product to clean thefaucet, countertops and inside of the sinkfrequently.

Drains: Not all of the water in a drain seepsout. This moist area, usually enhanced withbits of food or other organic material, pro-vides a ripe environment for germs to growand thrive. Baking soda is a good freshenerand cleaner that is also relatively safe for theenvironment. Use it to disinfect drains andremove odors.

Doorknobs, light switches, phones: Manypeople fail to wash down knobs and switch-es as frequently as they should. A kitchenphone can have 133 bacteria per square inchand should also be wiped down.Antibacterial wipes are good for this type ofquick cleaning. A rag with a diluted solutionof bleach is also effective.

Pet food bowls: Although pet bowls shouldbe thoroughly washed every day, some peo-ple do not do so. The rim of bowls can har-bor a lot of germs. In addition to causing ill-

ness in people, they may make pets sick.Routinely run the bowls through the dish-washer to rid them of bacteria.

A bleach-and-water solution is one of themost effective all-purpose cleaners. Just usecaution on surfaces or materials that youdon’t want stained.

Remember, some bacteria are good and nec-essary for human life. Therefore, don’t goaround making the house ultra-sterile.Otherwise it can disrupt the natural balanceof bacteria and actually lead to more illness-es.

Kitchen sinks arenotorious spots for germs

to reside and thrive.

Do you want to help in the effort to raise funds for the

American Cancer Society?Witter Family Medicine is preparing a custom cookbook.You can help with this project by submitting a recipe of a

cancer survivor or in memory of a loved one.Submit recipes by Sept. 5, 2011

Go to witterfamilymedicine.com for a cookbook recipe submissionform. You may mail or bring in your recipe to the office.

Cookbooks will be available in November.

Dr. Jo Witter • Jim Witter PA-C Cindy Heavican APRN-NP

Call 402-367-3322 for appointments358 S. 10th Street, David City, NE 68632

M W F 8-5 • Tues/Thurs 8-6 • Sat. 8-11

Columbus Telegram, David City Banner Press, Schuyler SunAugust 20118

Childhood can be an exciting time filled withgrowth and change. For youngsters experienc-ing vision trouble, childhood can also be achallenging time. While there are many eye-sight problems that can occur during child-hood, some are more common than others.It can be difficult for parents and caregivers todiagnose a child’s vision difficulties before thechild is able to communicate successfully.That’s why vision ailments in younger peoplemay go undiscovered until a child has reachedtoddler age or enters preschool.Eyesight conditions can hinder children in theclassroom. Many common vision problems areeasily remedied if caught early on.

Strabismus: Strabismus is a condition where aperson cannot align both eyes properly. Thismay cause the eyes to cross. According toStrabismus.org, as many as 5 percent of allchildren have some type or degree of strabis-mus. Strabismus is not a condition that childrenwill simply outgrow; it requires treatment thatcan help mitigate symptoms. With strabismus,the misalignment of the eyes causes two pic-tures to be sent to the brain. This can causedouble vision. Eventually, a child will adaptwhen the brain ignores one image and sup-

presses it, using only vision out of one eye.

Amblyopia: This is the medical term for “lazyeye.” When children have amblyopia, the brainhas a defect that prevents it from processingthe images from both eyes, as is the norm.Instead, it prefers images from one eye andessentially “turns off” the other eye. The lazyeye will then fail to offer clear vision.Treatment for lazy eye generally involves put-ting a patch over the strong eye to force thelazy eye to work. An optometrist may also pre-scribe eyeglasses.

Color blindness: Color blindness is moreaccurately called color vision deficiency. It isvery rare for a person to be completely blind toany type of color and see only in black andwhite. Rather, color blindness is often a condi-tion of having difficulty discerning betweendifferent shades of colors. There may be defi-ciencies in different hues, especially red andgreen. Scientific data indicates that males aremore inclined toward color blindness.

Conjunctivitis: Children are exposed to alldifferent types of germs in a typical school set-ting. Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pinkeye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva orthe clear mucous membrane that covers theeyeball. Conjunctivitis can be contagious andnoncontagious depending on the cause. Pinkeye caused by an allergic reaction or from irri-tation by a foreign object in the eye is not con-tagious, but when it is the result of a virus orbacteria, it can be quite contagious. Medicateddrops and other remedies to lessen the irritationof the eye are often prescribed.

Myopia and Hyperopia: Nearsightedness andfarsightedness are conditions where the eyeballis too long or too short for the normal focusingpower of the eye. Images in the distance oreven those nearby can appear blurred.Corrective lenses can help with the problemand sometimes fix it.

Astigmatism: This results from an irregularshape in the front surface of the cornea. Thiscondition can make it difficult to see vertical orhorizontal lines clearly or can produce blurredvision.Children who are experiencing vision problemscan have their symptoms alleviated quite easilywith a trip to an optometrist. Prescription eye-glasses are often the first step in having visiontrouble corrected.

Prescription eyeglasses are a treatment option for many different

vision problems.

Remedy vision impairment in children

migrainesAAddddiittiivveessChemical additives may be used in foods to pre-serve freshness or modify flavor. Some peoplereport headaches from monosodium glutamate(MSG), but there is no definitive research linkingMSG to headaches. However, heavily processedfoods may affect people who suffer from migrainesin different ways.Cured and processed meats, such as hot dogs andsausage, will contain additives. Additives are presentin many convenience foods, such as frozen andpackaged dinners, as well. Processed cheese mayhave additives as well as high levels of tyramine,making them a double threat.Whenever possible, migraine sufferers should limitprocessed foods and choose fresh foods to minimizeexposure to chemical additives.

Other TriggersThere are other foods beyond those with tyramineor additives that may triggerheadaches as well. Dairy products are often a cause of allergic reactionsin people. Dairy may contribute to the overproduc-tion of mucous in the sinuses, which can createpressure and lead to migraines.Published surveys have found that after cheese,chocolate, alcohol, bananas, and citrus fruit are themost common triggers of migraines. These foods

may influence the release of serotonin, causing con-striction and dilation of blood vessels, or directlystimulate areas of the brain such as the trigeminalganglia, brainstem and neuronal pathways. Theresult is a propensity for migraines.Caffeine products are triggers for some people,while others find caffeine helps them find relief.That is why caffeine is sometimes paired with apain-relief medication for faster efficacy.The World Health Organization estimates that thereare more than 20 million migraine attacks occurringworldwide every day. Women are three times aslikely to suffer migraines than men. Individuals whoexperience migraines should keep a food diary todetermine if foods are playing a role in attacks. Amigraine can come on 20 to 25 minutes after a cer-tain food or beverage is consumed. Learning whichfoods frequently trigger migraines might help suf-ferers who avoid these foods reduce the frequencyof migraines.