There are only a few days left to purchase tickets for the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center Foundation’s Black Tie Gala on Saturday, April 30 at Pier Sixty, New York City.

This year, the medical center is honoring Jay C. Nadel, Chairman of the Hospital Board.  Guests will also enjoy entertainment by comedian Howie Mandel.

So far, $1 million has been raised, making this the most successful Gala yet!

For further information or to purchase tickets, please call the Foundation at 201-894-3725.

By Robyn Nadel

HACKENSACK – The Eisai USA Foundation of Woodcliff Lakes has awarded a $3,000 grant to Visiting Homemaker Home Health Aide Service of Bergen County, 298 Union St., in the city, to support home care services that improve quality of life for elderly and disabled people throughout Bergen County.

Since 1954, Visiting Homemaker Home Health Aide Service of Bergen County has been helping the frail elderly and sick or disabled individuals of all ages in need of assistance to remain living at home.  It is a non-profit agency that provides high quality, individualized home care including certified health aides, companions and light housekeeping, help with hospital or post surgery discharge, help so that a disabled person can attend special family occasions, and other home care services.

According to the Executive Director of Visiting Homemaker, Gail Ryan, “Eisai is dedicated to improving human health care and this grant truly embodies their commitment.  Eisai USA Foundation has been a longstanding supporter of our home care services and we are grateful.  Its support at this time of economic hardship is particularly valuable because we are faced with so many struggling families who are seeking care for their loved ones but cannot afford the cost of private pay service.  As a nonprofit, our agency seeks to respond to their needs with support from foundations, private donors, government, and corporate donors like Eisai.

“We provide home health aides who help frail elderly and disabled people remain living safely in the comfort of home.  Our aides assist with tasks such as bathing, dressing, food shopping, meal preparation, and housekeeping.  Our aides provide a watchful eye to supervise people who cannot be safely left alone and they make sure that people take their prescribed medications.  Without this help, many people could not remain safely at home and they would be forced to move into an institution.”

For information about Visiting Homemakers or any of the agency’s services or to request assistance contact Ms. Ryan at 201-488-0041, ext. 23 or visit: ryan@vhsbc.com.

By Robyn Nadel

HACKENSACK– In recognition of American Heart Month the Centers for Disease Control recently released information to remind adults about the risks of strokes and heart attacks.

Heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular (blood vessel) diseases are among the leading causes of death and now kill more than 800,000 adults in the U.S. each year. Of these, 150,000 are younger than age 65. These diseases are also two of the leading causes of health disparities in the U.S. Treatment of these diseases accounts for 1 in every 6 U.S. health dollars spent. Two main reasons people have heart disease or stroke are high blood pressure and cholesterol, which are common, deadly, and preventable. Nearly two out of three adults with high cholesterol and about half of adults with high blood pressure don’t have their condition yet under control. Clearly, other steps are needed to gain control of these health risks. Here are high blood pressure and high cholesterol highlights:

High Blood Pressure

• 1 in 3 adults has high blood pressure
• 1 in 3 adults with high blood pressure does not get treatment
• 1 in 2 adults with high blood pressure does not have it under control.

High Cholesterol

• 1 in 3 adults has high cholesterol
• 1 in 2 adults with high cholesterol does not get treatment
• 2 in 3 adults with high cholesterol do not have it under control.

Recommendations for individuals are:

• Follow your doctor’s instructions and stay on your medications to control your blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Eat a healthy diet that is low in salt; low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol; and rich in fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Take at least 1 brisk 10-minute walk, 3 times a day, 5 days a week.
• Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit as soon as possible. Find more information at these web sites  (http://www.nj.quitnet.com/ http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco and http://www.smokefree.gov).

Call your local health department for information on free blood pressure screening. City residents should call 201-646-3964. A directory of local health departments can be found at: http://www.state.nj.us/health/lh/directory/lhdselectcounty.shtml

As we embark on our health transformation for the New Year, all the hype about weight loss in the press and advertising can’t be avoided.  It can be very confusing and I can see why people don’t know where to start, who to listen to, and they .end up feeling like giving up.  Well the good news is, it’s not that confusing, and hopefully I can help shed some light on the subject.

Most people think that when a person is overweight, their fat cells are more numerous.  This is a fallacy.  The fat cells are not increased in quantity, each individual fat cell is increased in size.  This is why America is the fattest country in the world.  Our population is very toxic and the toxins build up in each fat cell, expanding it to the point where it creates increased weight.  So what do we do about it?  We remove toxins from the body and thus reduce the size of the fat cell and weight loss is the result.

Not all toxins can be avoided but here is a list of the most common foods to subtract from your diet to detoxify your body and shrink your fat cells as well as increase your body’s energy and wellbeing.  The following list is things we can add to increase health and reduce fat from our diet.

REMOVE:

• High Fructose Corn Syrup (last weeks article).
• Artificial Sweeteners
• Hydrogenated Oils (trans fats)
• Sugar
• Soy Products

Preservatives

ADD:

• Fresh green, yellow, red, purple veggies
• Organic, local, and seasonal foods
• Lean protein sources at every meal: eggs, chicken, fish, beans, nuts, and seeds
• Complex carbohydrates like whole grains, starchy veggies and fruits
• Fiber like flax seeds, bran, brown or black rice to sweep intestines

Next week we will discuss supplements and oils to increase weight loss and health.

Stay tuned and contact our office for any health related questions, or receive a free 15 minute wellness consultation at 201 385-7800.  Visit our website for more health related information: LifeChiropractic.com.

By now you must be sick of hearing all the things you should do to improve your health and life.  All these suggestions get overwhelming and exhausting, adding to your already hectic lifestyle.  It is so much easier to eliminate things from your life that could be causing your body to be stressed and less efficient instead of adding more things to do. Just by removing one thing from your diet, you can make a big difference in your health.

The first big thing to eliminate is High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS).  This ingredient is altered corn syrup in which the glucose in the corn has been molecularly rearranged to become fructose and becomes sweeter.  High Fructose means the percentage of fructose is higher and genetically altered from the originally mildly sweet syrup.

It all began in 1977 when the cost of importing sugar became very high and manufacturers were looking for a cheap way to sweeten food products.   In 1984 Coca Cola and Pepsi began using high fructose corn syrup and others jumped on board. Because it is sweeter and cheaper to make than sugar, HFCS has been replacing sugar in many drinks and processed foods. Because it is chemically and genetically altered, it is not a natural food item and our body doesn’t recognize it.

When a carbohydrate contains sucrose, glucose, and natural fructose, our pancreas creates insulin, which allows the sugars to break down into energy and our body tells our brain that we are full.  HFCS doesn’t cause the pancreas to produce insulin and this causes the HFCS to go to the liver and turn to fat. Could this be part of the obesity epidemic in this country? In addition, there is evidence that there might be mercury in it.  In fact, the corn refiners association is intending to rename high fructose corn syrup to “corn sugar”.  I guess they are hearing all the bad press about this ingredient and trying to trick the consumers into thinking they are getting something else.

We all know that sugar is something that we want to consume small amounts of to begin with, but avoiding products that contain HFCS is a great way to help your body regulate weight and health.  Giving our children and ourselves food and drinks that are as close to natural as possible will have a big impact on our health and the earth.  Avoiding chemicals and altered ingredients in the manufacturing process will mean less pollution to our earth and our bodies.  It makes sense to read ingredients before you buy products for consumption and never buy something with an ingredient that you don’t recognize as natural.  For a list of resources or to contact us, see ad on this page, our website or email: drvdubinmaster@verizon.net,  www.FullLifeChiropractic.com

At this start of the New Year, I have good news and bad news concerning your body and health.   I’ll start with the bad news. Your cells are dying by the thousands and before you know it, your entire body will be built from new cells.  In other words, you will soon be a new you.  Here is the good news: this is great opportunity to make those new cells healthier and stronger new cells.

Remember that The Central Nervous System is the “orchestra conductor” of the entire body as it controls and coordinates every cell. As long as the nervous system is at its peak performance, the body will “make music” with each of its “instruments” (organs, glands and blood vessels), and the music (nerve impulses) will play with ease and efficiency.

If the conductor (nervous system) is off for a number of reasons (physical, mental or emotional), the instruments won’t play in time and the music will be unpleasant, even painful.  By getting the conductor back on track, the music can play beautifully again.  This, my friends, is what a chiropractor does.  She helps the “conductor”                   (nervous system), get back on track so the body can function beautifully like it was meant to.

Before changing your diet, starting your new exercise program, new hobby, or new mantra, get the most essential core of your body, your nervous system, checked out to make sure it is on track.  We are here to help you.  As my new years gift to you, mention this article and receive a computerized nervous system scan, consultation and chiropractic evaluation for only $50.00 [normally $150.00]. Take this opportunity to begin the new year as a new and healthier you! Email us at Drvdubinmaster@verizon.net or call @ (201) 385-7800 and check out our website @ FullLifeChiropractic.com.  See you soon!

ENGLEWOOD – Englewood Hospital and Medical Center announced on Jan. 4 in a hospital press release that it has been awarded a full-time ambulance contract for the Borough of Leonia.  The contract commenced on Jan. 1, 2011, and enables the medical center to provide weekly overnight and weekend ambulance service to borough residents in addition to daytime ambulance service, a separate contract that was awarded to Englewood Hospital in September.  Both contracts are up for renewal next fall.

As part of the agreement, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center will provide 24/7 routine medical transportation, critical care and 9-1-1 aid to borough residents.  An Englewood Hospital ambulance will be available in Leonia around-the-clock.

Currently, Englewood Hospital provides ambulance services to Palisades Park.  A three-year contract that includes around-the-clock ambulance assistance to borough residents was awarded to the medical center in June of 2009. Englewood Hospital was one of five competing bids.

Englewood Hospital also provides supplemental ambulance services to Cliffside Park, Cresskill, Edgewater, Englewood, Fairview, Fort Lee and Tenafly.  Supplemental ambulance services help local towns add emergency coverage as volunteers continue to decline.

“We are privileged to have the opportunity to bring quality pre-hospital care into the home of every resident in the Borough of Leonia,” said Harvey Weber, the director of Englewood Hospital’s Emergency Medical Services Department. “We are committed to providing the best health care possible and we’re proud to extend our dedication and services beyond the hospital’s front doors.”

For more information, visit www.englewoodhospital.com.

By Joe Lepore

In the past couple of years, bicycle commuting has increased in record numbers in the metropolitan area. Along with that, so have accidents and fatalities.

Times are tough, and the cost of getting to the job keeps going up…and up…and up. And now more and more people are choosing alternative ways of commuting to work, i.e. the bicycle.

Unfortunately, many are new to riding and haven’t given much thought as to what’s involved in order to have a safe and accident-free journey.

The first thing is to figure out how to prepare yourself and your bike. After all, that’s all you have out there. So let’s start with these two.

You: Before you just hop on the bike and take off, make sure to warm up by doing some light stretches to get the blood flowing. Try to gently stretch your whole body from head to toe. Concentrate on your neck, shoulders, arms, wrists and legs (thighs, hamstrings, calves and ankles).

Next, make sure to eat breakfast because you need fuel in your tank in order to have energy to make the trip. Water is just as important as having the proper air pressure in your tires, so drink plenty of it! You might have to wake up a little earlier to get ready, but this is very important. Whatever you do, don’t ever be in a rush to get out the door because you’re running a little late. It hurts a lot less getting fired because you’re late than to get killed because you were in a rush to get to work.

The Bike: I’m going assume you have one already, but if not, let’s talk about the type of bike you’ll need. In order to figure this out, you need to determine a few things. These are the most common bikes you’ll see:

1) The Road Bike (no longer called “ten speeds”) – high performance, made for long distance, and very fast.

2) The Hybrid – a little more comfortable than a road bike, with a wider tire. You sit upright and not hunched over, giving you more visibility. Hybrids are great for urban and city streets. They are a little more durable than a road bike and you can get some decent speed when needed.

3) The Mountain Bike – made for the rough roads with thick, knobby tires. These bikes are tough but slow. If you have “knobbies,” but only ride on streets you’re going to feel like you have suction cups on the tires. Change them for street slicks, they will be just as fat but the ride will be a lot smoother.

4) The Track Bike (also called Fixed Gear) – these are the type used by bicycle messengers and Williamsburg hipsters. They have (usually) no breaks and only one gear. You have to use the pedals to slow down and it takes time and experience to ride one of these.

There are other types of bikes but for the most part, the ones mentioned are the most popular. Believe me; you’ll see all kinds of bikes along your journey.

Ok, so now that you have the bike, you need to take care of it. The most important things on the bike are the tires and wheels. Taking care of these will prevent all kinds of trouble and only takes a few minutes. First you must buy a floor pump with a pressure gauge. Before you hit the road, make sure to pump the tires to the maximum recommended pressure. Every tire has this information printed on the sidewall. Keeping the tires pumped will not only give you a smoother ride but will keep the wheels strong and prevent flats and popped spokes.

Next, check the spokes to make sure they all have the same tension. All you have to do is gently squeeze two at a time until you checked them all. If one (or more) is loose, it will cause your wheel/tire to rub against the brake pad. If that happens, do not adjust the brake pad, you need to tighten the spoke to bring the wheel back into alignment. If you do not know how, bring the bike to the shop and let a mechanic take care of it for you.

Now that you have proper air pressure and the spokes are tight, check the brakes and all parts that have fasteners to make sure they’re secure. Check the chain to make sure it is clean. Reset your odometer (you do have one, right? If not, make sure to get one). Grab your helmet, zip your bike bag and have a nice ride.

Next time, we’ll talk about comfort on the bike and simple maintenance.

Joe Lepore is author of Bicycle Commuter’s ULTIMATE Survival Guide and commutes by bicycle to NYC on a regular basis.

TENAFLY – A patient nominated resident Mary Ann Michelis, M.D., chief of Allergy and Immunology, Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC), for the Gold DOC Recognition from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation.

The foundation established this honor to give patients an opportunity to pay tribute publicly to physicians who demonstrate exemplary sensitivity and compassion, as well as technical proficiency.

The patient shared in the nomination process, “Dr. Michelis sees each patient as a whole person. Her warmth and compassion enhance the care she provides. It is also a reflection of her skills that her entire office staff, both administrative and professional, are always readily available and treat patients with great care and respect.”

MARY ANN MICHELIS, M.D.

Jordan J. Cohen, M.D., of Washington, D.C., chair of the Foundation and president emeritus of the Association of American Medical Colleges, said, “Gold Docs, like Dr. Michelis, are allies in the field, exemplars who perpetuate the tradition of the respectful and caring doctor.”

“I will wear my Humanism in Medicine pin with pride daily as there is no higher compliment than to receive an award on a patient’s recommendation,” said Dr. Michelis.

“Dr. Michelis is well loved by her patients for the excellent care she provides and this recognition is well-deserved,” said Gregory T. Simonian, M.D., of Paramus, president, Medical and Dental Staff, and chief of Endovascular in the Department of Surgery at HUMC.

I’d like to start by thanking all of you who are taking time out of your busy day to read this wellness column.  And, if you don’t already know, these articles help me as much as they help you.  It reminds me of the things I need to do to feel good naturally and how lucky I am to be able to help others.  This brings me back to the main focus of this article: Gratitude.

What’s one major thing you wish others would show you? What brightens another person’s day which in turn makes your day better? What is the opposite of criticism and something you wish you did more for yourself? The answer is:      Gratitude and Appreciation for yourself and others. Isn’t it interesting how one concept can do so much good for so many?

I saw it first hand during the holiday season with some people that received gifts from me that were truly grateful.  It made me feel so good to make another happy and for them to feel appreciated and thought of.

So why just practice gratitude during the holidays? Why not do it to some degree every day?  After all, the law of attractions says: what ever you give your energy to comes back to you multiplied, and when you focus on the things you’re thankful for, it brings more of that good stuff flowing your way.  In addition, it puts you in a happy mood, which has a contagious effect on others. Bringing more joy and happiness to yourself and others, now that is a great New Year’s Resolution.

Three Part Action Step starting with yourself:

1. Every day say in front of a mirror or write down at least three things you are thankful   for and repeat them to your self all day long.

2. Tell at least one person a day something you appreciate about them.

3. Look yourself in the mirror or write a note telling yourself something you appreciate about yourself.

Have a happy and healthy New Year and check out our website www.FullLifeChiropractic.com and give me feedback on articles. Or direct any questions to email: drvdubinmaster@verizon.net