Supplements: Too Much of a Good Thing?

     An aging baby boomer population is helping to stir a health-conscious revolution. Many aging Americans are concerned with preventing disease or health complications, and, consequently, the dietary supplement and vitamin industry is thriving. According to Euromonitor International, “The share of the elderly purchasing vitamins and dietary supplements grew by 10 percent in value size in 2012.”

     However, there has been speculation that multi-vitamin supplements may not be the answer for a clean bill of health. The CDC’s second nutrition report found that less than 10 percent of the population was at risk for nutritional deficiencies in vitamins such as A and D.

Where supplements can go wrong

Lactation Consultants: Giving Mom and Baby a Great Start

Kris Ecker, RN, IBCLC

     Among the many decisions parents must make, whether to breast-feed or bottle-feed your baby is an important and personal choice. Experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, believe breast milk is the best nutritional choice for infants, but breast-feeding can present a challenge for many women. Lactation consultants, members of a hospital’s maternal-child health team, visit all mothers who express interest in breast-feeding. They often transition moms from “this is too hard” to “I can do this.”

     Lactation consultants are typically registered nurses, midwives or physicians who are trained in breast-feeding management and care. Most of the Meritus Medical Center lactation consultants are certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners and pass a rigorous examination that allows them to promote breast-feeding and help mothers prevent and solve breast-feeding problems.

What do lactation consultants do?

Beating the Back-to-School Lunchbox Blues

     As another school year rolls around, the thought of how to keep your kids’ lunchboxes interesting and nutritious comes to mind. While schools have made leaps and bounds in delivering nutritious cafeteria lunches, it’s always good to alternate packed and school-bought lunches. For most parents, we want to strike a balance between sodium-packed Lunchables and fine cuisine.

     Good news! Your Health Matters has gleaned insights from Meritus Health’s experts and scoured the internet for lunch ideas. So, get out your shopping list, we’ve done the thinking for you.

Tips for better eating

Healthy Employee Spotlight: Joan Divinagracia

     Life always presents us with choices. One important one is our lifestyle. Joan Divinagracia, a physical therapist at Meritus Medical Center, did not always live the healthiest lifestyle. She says her big wake-up call was New Year’s 2012 when she stepped on the scale and found she was back to the same weight she was carrying during her pregnancy. She made her choice. Her lifestyle was going to change.

How to change?