Mnet :: PROFNET WIRE: HEALTH & LIVING: Trans-Fat Ban in Restaurants

ProfNet added the following to items posted previously at http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/search.jsp?searchtype=full&option=headlines &criteriadisplay=show&resourceid=3357772 1. MARY GOODRICH, attorney at VERNON GOODRICH, LLP: "New York City has adopted the nation's first ban on the use of trans-fat oils in the city's restaurants, while Chicago is considering a similar law. In our health- conscious society, this approach is gaining traction, but the question becomes, When does marketing trump municipal law? Several national restaurant franchises have been promoting a transition to non-trans fats for more than two years, and this particular law won't affect smaller restaurants with less than $20 million in annual sales. While prohibition can raise public awareness, the benefit may be limited, compared to the time and effort it would take a city to enforce such a ban." News Contact: Barry Pound, barry@legalpr.com Phone: +1-800-559-4534 (12/15/06) LEADS 1. FILM: MEL GIBSON'S "APOCALYPTO" INACCURATELY PORTRAYS MESO-AMERICANS. DR. ANABEL FORD, leading Mayanist and academic on the ancient Maya civilization: "While Mel Gibson's latest epic, 'Apocalypto,' set in the world of the ancient Meso-American culture, may turn out to be one of this year's most successful action dramas, I see this film project as having a negative impact on the truths about this historically enigmatic and prominent people. Gibson has chosen to use the European/Western model to interpret ancient Native Americans and their society, which further demonstrates the gap in modern forward thinking on the grandeur and success of these remarkable civilizations. Gibson, known for his attempts at historical accuracy ('Braveheart,' 'The Passion of the Christ'), really didn't do his homework. He may have made a great action movie, but it contains no realistic view of the Meso-American people. Gibson doesn't make any effort to accurately portray Meso-Americans other than having the actors speak the language." News Contact: C.J. Martinez, cjmartinez@tonicmediapartners.com Phone: +1-310-980-5431 (12/15/06) 2. HEALTH: HOW TO PREVENT AND TREAT PNEUMONIA. HANNAH ASIEM, RN, MSN, nursing program director at BROWN MACKIE COLLEGE in South Bend, Ind., can discuss the causes of pneumonia, its health complications, and ways people can prevent developing this common yet serious winter ailment: "If a person does get pneumonia, which causes a frequent cough that yields thick sputum that could be greenish in color, they must see a doctor and they may be prescribed anti-infective agents, which will help kill the bacteria. People with pneumonia are also encouraged to increase their intake of fluids, preferably water and non-caffeinated drinks, as caffeine will lead to constriction of their blood-carrying vessels and may complicate their respiratory condition. As a preventive measure, I advise regular exercise to improve blood flow and strengthen the cardiovascular system or the heart, which will improve respiratory function as well. Keep stress level to a minimum, as stress depresses the immune system and puts people at risk for all types of infections, and increase your vitamin C intake." News Contact: Mark C. Toth, mtoth@edmc.edu Phone: +1-412-995-7263(12/15/06) 3. HEALTH: WASH YOUR HANDS TO STOP SPREAD OF COLD GERMS. PENNY TAYLOR, RN, practical nursing instructor at BROWN MACKIE COLLEGE in Findlay, Ohio, can discuss preventive measures to stop the spread of cold germs during the winter: "The most troublesome health concern for the general public during winter is the spread of pathogens due to coughing into hands and then touching surfaces, such as doorknobs and tabletops. The best way to help stop the spread of the germs is to wash the hands for at least 15 seconds at a time after eating, handling pets, caring for someone who is sick, using the bathroom and taking out the garbage. When we pick up pathogens from surfaces with our hands, hand washing removes the microbes from our skin, so they do not find a port of entry into our bodies. I would advise against the use of antibacterial soap for regular hand washing, for it actually creates 'superinfections' with the warm water, soap and friction." News Contact: Mark C. Toth, mtoth@edmc.edu Phone: +1-412-995-7263 (12/15/06) 4. HEALTH: GIVE FROSTBITE A FROSTY RECEPTION THIS WINTER. LINDA HENNINGSEN, allied health department chair at BROWN MACKIE COLLEGE in Salina, Kan., can comment on frostbite and necessary steps one should take to prevent it from happening: "To prevent cold-related injury, you need to dress in layers. Multiple layers will trap body heat and keep you warmer than one bulky layer. Heads need to be covered -- a head can lose heat faster than the total of the rest of the body. Just a few minutes in zero wind chill can cause frostbite to noses and ears. If cold exposure has occurred, the skin needs to be warmed as soon as possible with a tepid water bath (not hot). Avoid vigorous rubbing of frostbitten skin. You can literally rub off the skin without the victim knowing because the feeling has been diminished due to the cold exposure." News Contact: Mark C. Toth, mtoth@edmc.edu Phone: +1-412-995-7263 (12/15/06) 5. LIVING: SUSTAINABLE GIFTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS. JOHN PAUL KUSZ, professor and associate director of IIT's Stuart School of Business' Center for Sustainable Enterprise: "Dreaming of a green Christmas? A gift package of 'fair trade' coffee or other 'fair trade' edibles allows us to share both the product and the ideals behind its very being. I like to give a card with a gift certificate, eliminating boxes, wrapping, and it's easy on the planet and easy to send." Kusz has more gift suggestions and contact information for businesses and organizations whose products strive to achieve "sustainable" goals. News Contact: Gwendolyn E. Osborne, Gosborne@kentlaw.edu Phone: +1-312 906-5251 (12/15/06) 6. LIVING: MAKE A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION TO VOLUNTEER. MAUREEN BLAHA, executive director of the NATIONAL RUNAWAY SWITCHBOARD: "Millions of Americans will make New Year's resolutions to improve their lifestyle, and volunteering will once again be at the top of the list for 2007. Volunteering for a charitable organization is a great way to improve one's health, reduce stress, and meet new people socially and professionally." Blaha is available to discuss the benefits, opportunities and what to look for when searching for a charity in which to get involved. News Contact: Joel Kessel, joel@kesselcommunications.com Phone: +1-773-929-6805 (12/15/06) 7. MEDICINE: CORONARY BYPASS SURGERY TREATS CLOGGED ARTERIES. DR. MICHAEL REARDON, heart surgeon at the METHODIST DEBAKEY HEART CENTER: "Last week, the FDA hosted a panel to discuss the safety and effectiveness of drug-eluting stents, popular devices that are used to treat clogged arteries. An important consideration for treating clogged arteries also includes a discussion on the benefits of surgery, compared to stent implantation. The success of coronary bypass surgery for treating clogged arteries is unmatched. The technology for performing bypass surgery is evolving and includes many innovative, less- invasive techniques for unclogging arteries, including the use of robotics, 'beating-heart' bypass surgery, and less-invasive endoscopic ways of extracting veins for bypass." Reardon has performed thousands of bypasses and is nationally recognized for his clinical and research contributions to the fields of adult cardiac surgery and coronary artery disease. He trained at Methodist under Dr. Michael DeBakey, the developer of the coronary bypass graft. News Contact: Erin Fairchild, efairchild@tmh.tmc.edu Phone: +1-832-667- 5811 (12/15/06) 8. MEDICINE: NEW TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR MULTIPLE MYELOMA. KATHY GIUSTI is the founder and CEO of the MULTIPLE MYELOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION (MMRF). The death of actor Peter Boyle has encouraged additional national interest in the potentially fatal disease known as multiple myeloma. Giusti is available to discuss innovative ways in helping to deliver new treatment options to patients: "The reality is that multiple myeloma is a fatal disease with a low- survival rate. As a multiple myeloma patient, I understand the urgency behind delivering new treatment options to patients that will extend their lives." News Contacts: Glenn Silver, gsilver@gsw-w.com Phone: +1-646-437-4851, or Vicki Vlastaris, vvlastaris@gsw-w.com Phone: +1-646-437-4873 Web site: http://www.multiplemyeloma.org (12/15/06) 9. NUTRITION: NON-GMOs: HOTTEST FOOD TREND. JEFFREY M. SMITH, founder of the INSTITUTE FOR RESPONSIBLE TECHNOLOGY, is a keynote speaker and best- selling author of "Seeds of Deception": "Consumers of any age can improve their health with one New Year's resolution. With evidence of health risks mounting, I urge consumers to cross off food brands that contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which are in 60-70 percent of processed foods made in the U.S. Consumers in the U.S. are being used as human guinea pigs by biotechnology companies. Once Americans learn they are feeding GMOs to their children, they will demand non-GMO foods. This happened in Europe in 1999, prompting food manufacturers there to remove all genetically modified (GM) ingredients." News Contact: N.J. Jaeger, jaeger4329@earthlink.net Phone: +1- 310-377-0915 Web site: http://www.responsibletechnology.org (12/15/06) 10. RADIO: THE DECLINE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC ON THE RADIO. MARTIN GOLDSMITH, internationally recognized author and program director of "XM Classics" on XM SATELLITE RADIO, can discuss Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder's agreement to buy legendary classical music station WGMS-FM in Washington, D.C., and convert it to a news/talk/sports channel: "The move would likely eliminate classical music broadcasting in the Washington region, and underscores the growing decline of classical music in the nation. The demise of classical music has been predicted for a long time now and is almost always overplayed. But it always will be a minority taste." News Contact: Sakura Komiyama, skomiyama@goodmanmedia.com Phone: +1-212-576-2700, ext. 237 (12/15/06)

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