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A Little Sun Could do You Good
Your body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium and promote bone growth. Too little vitamin D results in soft bones in children and fragile, misshapen bones in adults. Vitamin D helps regulate the immune system, the neuromuscular system and plays a major role in the life cycle of human cells. Recent research has also shown a connection between vitamin D deficiency and 17 kinds of cancer, including breast, colon and prostate cancer. A deficiency of this vitamin has also been linked to heart disease, depression, weight gain, thyroid disorders, multiple sclerosis, diabetes and bowel disorders, such as Irritable Bowel and Crohn's disease.

Vitamin D is so important that your body makes it by itself, but only after skin exposure to sufficient sunlight. With the fear of skin cancer uppermost in our minds, many of us are hesitant to spend any time in the sun. Supplementing with vitamin D3 is an excellent way to get your requirement without the worry of sun damage. The recommended dosage for healthy adults is 2000-5000 IU daily, per the Vitamin D Council, whereas for children and teens 400 IU/day is advised.

Fortified milk, cod liver oil, salmon, mackerel, tuna or sardines in oil, egg yolks, beef liver and cheese all contain vitamin D.
Not sure if you have a deficiency? Call to have your vitamin D level checked.Pat News, RNC, NP, MSN of Pat News Health Care 799-7000

95 Percent Success Rate with PRP for Pain
Platelet-rich plasma injection therapy is a cutting-edge treatment touted as a medical miracle, replacing cortisone shots, drug therapy and surgery. Simply put, this is a natural way to heal - not mask - acute or chronic conditions without any side effects. Ailments currently being treated with the PRP therapy are arthritis, tendonitis, muscle sprains and tears, neuritis and ligament injuries. Phenomenal results have been experienced by SCVians struggling with plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, joint pain, neuritis, neuromas and various other chronic conditions, too.

Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP, is blood plasma with concentrated platelets and other growth factors. The concentrated platelets found in PRP contain huge reservoirs of bioactive proteins, including growth factors and signaling proteins that are vital to initiate and accelerate tissue repair and regeneration. These growth factors number at least a dozen different factors. These bioactive proteins initiate connective tissue healing in tissues such as meniscus (knee) and rotator cuff tissue, bone and articular cartilage regeneration and repair, promote development of new blood vessels and stimulate the wound-healing process. The PRP signals the body to send in stem cells to repair the area of injury by generating new tissue and formation of new blood vessels.

The entire process takes less than 15 minutes and increases the concentration of platelets and growth factors up to 600 percent. At Valencia Foot & Ankle Center, the success rate so far has been 95 percent.
Valencia Foot & Ankle Center 288-2321

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Help with the Challenging Journey of Alzheimer's
SCV's annual Walk to End Alzheimer's event is October 5 and will raise awareness and support for Alzheimer's care, support and research. It's just in time; the number of Americans living with Alzheimer's is growing - and growing fast. An estimated 5.8 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer's. By 2050, this number is projected to rise to nearly 14 million.

Seniors dealing with these conditions need an increasing level of care and assistance over time. Families and loved ones of senior adults dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia are often faced with the difficult choice of seeking help from the professional caregivers at a full-time residential memory-care facility.

The unfortunate likelihood is that a person who suffers from dementia or Alzheimer's will eventually require 24-hour supervised care in a specialized setting. For people with early stage Alzheimer's or dementia, an assisted living facility may suffice. Some facilities combine both, so that seniors can first live more independently in assisted living and transfer to 24-hour skilled nursing care when that becomes necessary.

If your loved one has Alzheimer's, Assisted Living Locators can help you with this challenging journey. They are a free senior placement and referral service available to Santa Clarita families, helping you explore and understand senior living care options, information and resources.

Assisted Living Locators Senior Care Advisor Shannon Avazian lives and works in the Santa Clarita area and is an expert on care options. Once she understands your needs, she'll recommend a customized plan, tour communities with you and help guide you through every step of the decision-making process.
Assisted Living Locators 544-1004

Parkinson's is a Problem - This may be the Solution
Medications to replace dopamine (levadopa) can provide dramatic relief from Parkinsonian symptoms - and there are exciting new therapies available aimed at mimicking the action of dopamine. These medications, known as dopamine agonists, do require precision in dosing and application. This is especially important, as many people can become resistant to levadopa after prolonged use or at high doses. Reach out to an experienced specialist to learn more.
Advanced Center for Neurology & Headache 888-1099

Henry Mayo Awarded for Stroke Care
For the seventh consecutive year, Henry Mayo has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. This year Henry Mayo also received "elite" status for the Target Stroke honor roll.

The award recognizes the hospital's commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally-recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

Henry Mayo earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health and get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.
henrymayo.com

Is Caring for a Senior Affecting your Job?
Senior caregiving issues are often not well accepted or understood. In a survey conducted by Home Instead, Inc., 26 percent of family caregivers of older adults report they felt a workplace stigma associated with elder caregiving.

Don't be discouraged - there are steps you can take to help you feel more empowered, so you can do your jobs, both in the workplace and at home. Most important: Be realistic and be honest - with yourself and your boss.

Take time to understand how much you can do to take care of your loved one, do well at your job and stay healthy. It's a balancing act and it begins with being realistic.

Then, be honest with yourself and your employer about what you need. If you're worried that honesty will jeopardize your job, go into the meeting with your manager armed with a plan for ways you can get your work done and still meet your loved one's needs. For instance, is there another co-worker needing time off to go to appointments with a family member? Can you suggest to your manager that you cover for each other? Working at home or tele-commuting might be options. Or perhaps you can make up work after hours or on weekends.
Call for more suggestions, information and support. Home Instead Senior Care 254-8701

Don't Dismiss Dentures
Dentures are a great replacement for multiple teeth - but remember, when teeth are lost, the jawbone begins to disintegrate and change shape, too. Because of that, dentures need regular adjustments, relines and even remakes to accommodate the fluctuating environment they're made to fit on top of. If that sounds like a lot, don't forget that dentures are a quick, cost-effective way to restore your smile and facial aesthetic after tooth loss. Handcrafted, custom dentures are made locally - schedule a free consult today.
Santa Clarita Advanced Dentistry 200-0677