Caregiving and staying healthy
hen it comes to nutrition
and health, just as
important as what we
eat is what we eliminate. That
makes a well-functioning colon
key to well-being.
The colon is a major organ
whose primary function
is to eliminate waste from the
body. Also known as the large
intestine, the colon is five feet
long and made up of muscles
that move waste along in a
wave-like motion known as
peristalsis. If bowel movements
are not regular, waste
products accumulate and can
compromise health.
It’s been estimated that
50 percent of colorectal cancer
cases could be avoided by
maintaining a healthy weight,
engaging in moderate daily
activity, and eating healthfully.
Processed meats, such
as hot dogs, sausage, bacon,
and deli-style cold cuts, are
most strongly associated with
the incidence of colorectal
cancer. This can be attributed
to their manufacturing process,
which includes chemical
agents (such as nitrates and nitrites)
that can create carcinogens
(cancer causing agents)
in the gut when eaten. Red
meat and alcohol consumption
are both strongly associated
with the development of
colorectal cancer, so moderation
is the order of the day.
When it comes to proper
nutrition to help reduce the
risk of colon cancer, the hard
and fast rule should be to
choose a healthy diet — primarily
plant-based — which
allows you to get the nutrients
you need from the foods you
eat, instead of taking supplements.
Research has shown
that eating whole foods provides
us with known anti-cancer
compounds and fiber as
well as healthful substances
we may not even be aware of
at this time.
Because an ounce of prevention
is worth a pound of
cure, here are seven tips for
healthful eating to help maintain
colon health:
1. Eat your vegetables, all
of them! Vegetables and legumes
such as beans, lentils,
and soy, all contain fiber as
well as phytonutrients (plant
compounds thought to have
health-protecting qualities)
which have been shown to
fight cancer.
2. Enjoy garlic and onions
as often as possible. Both of
these vegetables, which we
utilize as seasonings, have
demonstrated their ability
to reduce the risk of colorectal
cancer. Hint: allowing
chopped garlic to sit 10 minutes
before using will increase
its health benefits.
COURIER L 64 IFE, MARCH 15–21, 2019 M BR B G
3. Limit intake of red meats
(beef, pork, and lamb) to 18
ounces per week. Convincing
evidence based on recent studies
suggests that eating red
meat is strongly associated
with the development of colorectal
cancer. And the more
red meat you eat, the greater
your risk.
4. Cook meats at a lower
temperature. Marinade if
you’re grilling. Preparing
meat over an open flame or
in a frying pan causes the development
of cancer-causing
agents (heterocyclic amino acids,
as one example) that are
then deposited onto the meat
as it cooks. Marinating meats
decreases the creation of these
unhealthy chemicals.
5. Avoid processed meats
such as bacon, sausage, hot
dogs or deli-style meats. Bite
for bite, processed meats increase
the risk of colon cancer
to twice that of eating red
meat.
6. Choose low-fat dairy and
calcium-containing vegetables
such as spinach, broccoli,
and okra, often. Calcium-rich
foods are considered to decrease
the risk of developing
colon cancer.
7. If you drink, be moderate
in your intake. Two drinks
daily for a man and one drink
daily for a woman.
For more information or to
speak with a NewYork-Presbyterian
Brooklyn Methodist physician
about colon cancer and
prevention, please call 718-499-
2273.
—New York-Presbyterian
Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
How does the family caregiver
care for him or herself? In most
instances, they don’t.
There is no doubt that caring for
a person with dementia can be challenging
and exhausting. Too often,
caregiving responsibilities become
the priority and self-care is placed on
the back burner. The idea of self-care
is a foreign concept. Vacations aren’t
taken, meetings with friends are limited,
and seeing a doctor may occur
occasionally.
Many caregivers report feeling
exhausted, overwhelmed, and rundown.
However, like the airplane
safety instructions, CaringKind encourages
caregivers to put themselves
fi rst.
In order to provide the best care
for the person with dementia, it is
important to maintain good physical
and mental health.
If you’re currently caregiving, below
you will fi nd some suggestions
that may help during your journey:
Prioritize your health. Caregivers
are at risk of becoming ill. Make
it a goal to schedule and keep doctors’
appointments. Avoid skipping meals,
and try to eat healthfully and regularly
in order to give your body the
energy it needs.
Ask for help. Ask a friend or family
member to pitch in a few times a
week. If you do not have a friend or
family member that can help, consider
hiring a professional caregiver.
Allow that person to learn about you
and the person with dementia in order
to manage some of their needs
when you are gone. Eventually, you
will be able to develop a good working
and trusting relationship.
Give yourself a break from time
to time. Plan activities that you enjoy
like watching a movie, meeting
friends for coffee, reading a book, or
listening to music.
Stay active. Exercise is extremely
important for both physical and mental
health. Having the opportunity to
go for a run, a walk, or take a yoga
class can help relieve some of the
stressors that come with caregiving.
Exercising can also serve as a distraction
especially during diffi cult
days.
Process your feelings. Being able
to talk about the stress of caregiving
in a safe environment is extremely
important.
It is completely understandable
that the feelings of frustration, stress
and anger sometimes arise. Speaking
with a professional may help you process
these feelings and come up with
options for self-care. A support group
is the perfect opportunity to share
your thoughts with people in similar
situations.
Be kind to yourself. Know that
there is no such thing as “perfect”
and that you are doing the best you
can given the challenges associated
with Alzheimer’s and dementia. It’s
important to not judge yourself for
not completing a task or sometimes
“losing your cool.” Give yourself permission
to not be perfect all the time.
Let CaringKind support you!
Whether you need assistance with
care planning, searching for counseling
services, joining a support group
or brainstorming other ways to take
care of yourself, CaringKind is here
for you. Calling our Helpline can be
the fi rst step to putting your needs
fi rst. Please give us a call at (646) 744–
2900 or send an email to helpline@
caringkindnyc.org. You will be glad
you did.
Jed A. Levine is the President and
CEO at Caring Kind.
Wellness
Care
Chronicle
Jed Levine
In order for caregivers to provide the best
care for a person with dementia, it is important
for them to maintain good physical and
mental health by staying healthy and taking
part in their favorite activities.
/caringkindnyc.org