May 2009 Archives

Pediatric dermatologist-researcher Alfred Lane, MD, offers sunscreen safety tips

'Sunburns are a sign of ultraviolet radiation damage,' warns Lane

Alfred Lane, MD, knows that kids love summer and kids love sun. However, Dr. Lane cautions, parents must remember that "there's no such thing as a good tan."

In this new video, Lane provides guidance to help ensure your children are well-protected when they're outdoors. "Remember that if you form a tan, you will have ultraviolet radiation damage," warns Lane. "Unfortunately, the body really doesn't forget this damage. It accumulates from childhood through adolescence and adulthood, and this can lead to skin cancer." To protect your family, Lane offers tips to help kids stay safe outdoors while enjoying summer '09.

Sunscreen for infants and children

Though your sunscreen may say "not for use for those under six months of age," Lane says it's OK, but perhaps unnecessary. "You can use sunscreen on their hands, face, and exposed areas, but an alternative is to dress them in a hat, long sleeves, and long pants." Dr. Lane also suggests placing them in shade, especially since children less than six months usually stay put and don't move around that much. "But once a child is older and becomes mobile, they have more exposure to the sun's ultraviolet light, and that's when you should definitely use a sunscreen."

SPF (sun protection factor) clothing

Does SPF clothing really work? "High SPF clothing is absolutely helpful," adds Lane, who recommends combining this type of cover-up with an application of sunscreen on any exposed areas. "SPF clothing along with sunscreen definitely works."

Sticks, lotions, or sprays?

"Whether it's a stick, lotion, or spray, all are fine," says Lane, "but it's important not to use the sprays and lotions around the eyes. Instead, use a sunscreen stick around the eyes and maybe even around the lips."

Older children and young adults

"Younger children will keep high SPF sunscreen on, but older children and young adults often say it's too greasy," says Lane. "They seek a sunscreen that's more comfortable, but regardless, they need to be certain to use lotion with at least a 30 SPF. The higher the SPF, the better the protection from ultraviolet damage and skin cancer. Be certain the sunscreen is also waterproof."

View these and other tips at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6acZo-UPcx8. Alfred Lane, MD, is a pediatrician and researcher at Packard Children's Hospital and professor of dermatology and of pediatrics at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

About Lucile Packard Children's Hospital

Ranked as one of the nation's best pediatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford is a 272-bed hospital devoted to the care of children and expectant mothers. Providing pediatric and obstetric medical and surgical services and associated with the Stanford University School of Medicine, Packard Children's offers patients locally, regionally and nationally the full range of health care programs and services, from preventive and routine care to the diagnosis and treatment of serious illness and injury. For more information, visit www.lpch.org.

Americans trying to eat healthier are looking to nutrition labels to help make better choices at the grocery store. But consumers who take those labels at face value may find they're not eating as healthy as they think.

Nearly two-thirds of adults -- 62% -- make finding healthy foods a top priority when shopping for groceries, according to a recent nationwide survey of 2,100 adults conducted by Greenfield Online.

Some 72% of consumers report reading nutrition fact labels and/or ingredient lists is the number one way they determine which foods to buy at the grocery store to stay healthy. And 61% of adults surveyed rank "zero grams trans fat per serving" as the most important statement they look for on the label for heart health.

But consumers may be surprised to learn "zero" isn't always zero when it comes to trans fat. Products labeled "zero grams trans fat" could contain up to .49 grams of trans fat per serving under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines. That means consumers could easily -- and unknowingly -- exceed the American Heart Association's recommended limit of no more than 2 grams of trans fat a day.

"It's easy to see how despite their best efforts, consumers eating foods labeled 'zero' trans fat could exceed the daily limit before they even sit down to dinner," said Steve Hughes, CEO of Smart Balance, Inc., which commissioned the survey.

Even seemingly insignificant amounts of trans fat can have a significant impact on health. The AHA reports trans fat has been shown to raise LDL ("bad") cholesterol and lower HDL ("good") cholesterol, increasing the risk of coronary disease or stroke; and it has been associated with a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Adding just 4 grams of trans fat to your diet -- about 2% of your daily calorie intake in a 2,000 calorie diet -- can increase your risk of heart disease by 23%, according to the New England Journal of Medicine(1). The Journal reports one gram of trans fat increases the risk of cardiovascular disease 15 times more than one gram of saturated fat.

What Can Consumers Do to Determine Whether "Zero" Really Equals Zero?

"The key is to look for 'partially hydrogenated oil' in the list of ingredients. That's a dead giveaway that there's trans fat in the product no matter what it says on the package," said Alyse Levine, a registered dietitian. "Here's a simple rule to follow -- if you see 'partially hydrogenated oil' listed on a product's label, just put it back on the shelf and find another product that doesn't," Levine added.

"It's also important to pay attention to serving size which can be much smaller than you think. If you're eating multiple servings of the food, you may be consuming a significant amount of trans fat and putting yourself at risk for many negative health consequences," Levine said.

Smart Balance CEO Steve Hughes believes the U.S. needs to take it a step further and ban trans fat altogether as Denmark has done, resulting in a 20% drop in heart disease. "It's time consumers know the truth about trans fat and time the FDA takes action to protect their health by simply banning partially hydrogenated oil," Hughes said. "Partially hydrogenated oil has no nutritional value and poses a real health risk."

"The good news is Americans are making healthier food choices a priority and they clearly recognize the dangers of trans fat. But unfortunately reading the fine print is necessary to ensure they're not getting more trans fat and putting their health at greater risk than they bargained for," Levine said.

Now more than ever, with 67% of those surveyed saying they are eating out less and cooking at home more in the past six months, the choices consumers make at the grocery store can make a real difference in their health.

The "Healthy Shopping" Survey was conducted by Greenfield Online, Inc., a global research company that uses proprietary interactive technology to measure consumer attitudes. Greenfield surveyed 2,100 U.S. consumers ages 18 and older on April 20, 2009. The survey was commissioned by Smart Balance, Inc.

(1) Medical Progress: Trans Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease' (April 13, 2006). By Dariush Mozaffarian, M.D., M.P.H., Matijn B. Katan, Ph. D., Alberto Ascherio, M.D., Dr.P.H., Meir J. Stempfer, M.D., Dr.P.H., and Walter C. Willett, M.D., Dr.P.H. The New England Journal of Medicine.

SOURCE Smart Balance

We've all made mistakes: bell bottoms, scrunchies and laying out in the sun without sunscreen. All that's in the past. Thanks to advances in skin care and advice from experts, we now know sun worshipping isn't chic. In fact, it's downright dangerous. According to the National Cancer Institute, there will be 1 million new cases of skin cancer in 2009 resulting in about 1,000 deaths. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S., and if you do your homework, it's one of the most preventable. May is Skin Cancer Awareness month and the perfect time to learn about spa solutions that can help protect your skin at the spa.

"Spas educate consumers on healthy skin care and a major factor in that is sun protection," said ISPA President Lynne McNees. "Spa treatments like microdermabrasion and glycolic acid peels can help repair the damage caused by over exposing your skin to the sun. There are so many great choices at the spa to help prevent and restore your skin from sun damage."

Wave goodbye to sun spots, wrinkles and leathery skin with a sampling of these ISPA member products that you can find in spas around the world:

• Biodroga Systems/Regent Bond Inc. - Repair Eye Care SPF 15 - reverses sun damage and counteracts free radicals. Free with all orders over $125 in May.
• Epicuren Discovery - Silk Mist Sunscreen SPF 15 - during May buy one, get one free. $46
• kaplanMD Inc. - LIP 20 - anti-aging lip treatment that hydrates, repairs and protects. During May 10 percent of profits will be donated to charity. $30
• Somme Institute - Double Defense SPF 30 with MDT5 Parsol 1789 - protects skin from premature aging while moisturizing. During May purchase any two products and get a free A-Bomb GWP, a cell renewing cream.
• Spiller U.S. - UV Protect Day Cream SPF 30 - hydrating day cream offering full spectrum protection. Normally $32, May special 10 percent off.
• Travertine Spa, Inc. - Hydrating Body Mist - invigorates and nourishes sun exposed skin. Normally $44, May special $31.

Be proactive. By following some easy rules that your local spa can help you with, you'll be sun smart in no time. Many spas have installed cabanas, umbrellas and covered porches to keep spa-goers out of the sun; at home or at the beach, stay on your porch or take an umbrella. Talk with an esthetician about ways to block UVB (the rays that cause sunburn) and UVA rays (the rays that age you). Ask about the FDA four-star rating system for sunscreens, the rating is linked to UVA rays, and spa lines like Skin Authority are taking note. Add an extra layer of protection by wearing makeup that contains an SPF; there are many mineral-based lines you can find at the spa. Try self tanners instead of sunbathing, and look for ones that contain an AHA for better penetration. Toss out your leftover product from last year, because the active ingredients can deteriorate over time. To find a full listing of spas that can help with your sun care needs visit www.experienceispa.com.

SOURCE International SPA Association

May 3 - 9, 2009 Declared 'National Drinking Water Week'

In recognition of "National Drinking Water Week", California American Water today announced that it is raising awareness throughout its service communities about wise water use and ways that consumers can help to protect our drinking water.

"It is understandable that, as a water purveyor, wise water use and protection of this precious resource is a priority for American Water. But it truly is important that everyone in our communities also understand its importance," stated California American Water Southern California General Manager Todd Brown. "Everyone can do their part from fixing leaks in their homes to properly disposing hazardous chemicals; it is a shared responsibility to protect our water sources."

American Water's activities are part of a national effort, sponsored by the American Water Works Association, who declared the week of May 3 - 9 "National Drinking Water Week". The observation is designed to raise public awareness of the fundamental need for safe and reliable drinking water supplies for public health, fire protection, economic development, and the overall quality of life communities and individuals enjoy.

"While we are constantly investing in and working to improve the water infrastructure in our service districts, we must be aware of our water resources and how the actions of each and every one of us can impact these sources," added Brown. "So, in observance of National Drinking Water Week, we are encouraging individual customer participation by fixing leaks, upgrading to water efficient appliances and fixtures, monitoring water use and avoiding activities that may contaminate or degrade water resources."

"Environmental stewardship can begin right at home through wise water use and awareness of how we use and dispose of everyday items," stated Brown.

SOURCE California American Water