Costco Connection - August 2011

health for your

YOUR HEALTHCARE PLAN

Addition by subtraction

By Dr. Robert J. Leon
I AM FREQUENTLY asked by
patients in my office and by
non-patients in social set-
tings, ”What vitamins or
pills would you recommend
to improve my health?” and
my answer is always the
same: addition by
subtraction!
They look at me, befuddled,
and say, “What?”
I believe that before you add anything
to your health routine you should take a
hard look at what things can be taken away.

1. Do you smoke? If yes, then nothing is more important than stopping this habit. No amount of Pilates or novel concoctions is likely to reverse the harm of nicotine.

2. Are you overweight? If yes, then the loss of just 10 pounds will have tremendous

positive effects on your cardiovascular health, blood pressure, insulin levels and overall well-being, not to mention the fact that you will feel better.

3. Are you a couch
potato? A simple
30-minute regi-
men of daily
exercise, which
can be as sim-
ple as walking or
as complex as
circuit training, is
invaluable in main-
taining your overall
health and fitness.
4. Do you have medical problems
such as hypertension or diabetes? If so, do
you regularly monitor your blood pressure
or blood glucose levels? Or do you not keep
e

MEDIABAKERY
score and instead hope for the best?
5. Do you suffer from stress? What do
you do to reduce the stresses of life? Do
you have hobbies and/or friends? Do you
play games such as golf? (Although some
would say golf is a stressor.)
6. Are you keeping your noggin
sharp? Do you read, do puzzles or
play chess, for example? Or is
Dancing with the Stars the extent of
your intellectual stimulation?

Dr. Robert J. Leon is a cardiovascular disease specialist with a private practice in New Jersey ( www.rjleonmd.com)

Using your head—and your brain

WE’RE HEARING MORE about the dangers of concussions when playing football, especially for youths. But what about soccer?

Studies show that concussions occur much more frequently in soccer than previously thought. In fact, one report found that by the time they reached college, half of all soccer players had suffered a concussion—and often several. These findings come on the heels of other research that shows the real dangers of concussion, ranging from headaches and loss of concentration to life-threatening brain swelling.

All this research points to the need for soccer players to protect their heads, says Jeff Skeen, founder of Full90 Sports, manufacturers of protective gear for athletes.

One of his company’s products is a soft padded headband for soccer players. Most head injuries on the soccer field don’t occur from heading the ball, but from accidental collisions between players or from hitting the ground. The idea behind the headgear is to reduce the peak impact force reaching the brain, which lowers the chance of concussion, Skeen explains.

He says research shows that the headgear

reduces the concussion rate by more than
50 percent. “We know Full90 Headguards
won’t prevent all concussions,” he adds,
“but any reduction in the concus-
sion rate is important.”
Protective headgear for
soccer players is starting to
show up around the world in
leagues from youth divisions
to the pros. The equipment
complies with international
soccer rules because it’s not dan-
gerous to other players, as a hard
helmet might be. The biggest chal-
lenge to making the equipment
universal among players might be
simple unawareness of the dangers,
Skeen says.

Players in other sports, such as
hockey, skiing and snowboarding,
“Concussions are happening
among youth soccer players
much more frequently than
parents know, and they’re often
not recognized,” he says.
“Soccer players are required to
wear shinguards, but I ask,
what is more important, your
shins or your brain?”