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Features

Berries benefit health

[SEPT. 12, 2002]  URBANA — For decades, mothers and grandmothers have said that drinking cranberry juice would help prevent urinary tract infections. Anecdotal evidence said that it worked, but why it worked and at what dosage, Grandma couldn’t say. Researchers finally know the answer.

A team of researchers working in labs across the continent have been studying a variety of medicinal properties of cranberries and blueberries and have found some remarkable answers to age-old mysteries about the health benefits from eating berries.

According to "the Berry Group" as they are often called, berries can protect against a wide variety of ailments, including urinary tract infections, cardiovascular disease, cancer, attention-deficit disorder and diabetes. Berries are also the No. 1 antidote for aging.

One member of the berry group at Rutgers, led by Amy Howell, has shown that the unique ability of cranberry and blueberry juices to combat urinary tract infections is not, as earlier suspected, an acidity effect, but an anti-adherence.

Mary Ann Lila, a plant scientist at the University of Illinois and a member of the berry group, explained, "The berries actually interfere with the bacterial-landing mechanism, preventing them from taking hold on the rough walls of the bladder and preventing colonization that can lead to infections. And, as a direct result of this conclusive research, for the first time, we are able to establish effective dosage recommendations for patients."

Interestingly, Lila’s lab recently discovered that the same berry components (called proanthocyanidins) responsible for the anti-adherence also have potent anti-carcinogenic properties. "Natural ingredients found in high concentrations in the berries are capable of inhibiting the initiation of carcinogenesis, as well as inhibiting tumor formation. It’s remarkable that the berries have exhibited such far-ranging and diverse roles in human health protection," Lila said.

The team has also begun referring to blueberries as "brainberries," due to another berry research project that looks at brain functions. Researchers Jim Joseph and Barbara Shukitt-Hale at Tufts in Boston fed blueberry chow to lab rats and found a slowing and actual reversal of age-related loss in cognitive as well as motor and neurological functions. Rat memory improved as measured by their ability to complete a maze.

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Diets rich in berries enhance dopamine release in the brain as well, which improves the brain cells’ ability to communicate. This brain function is reduced with age, but research has shown that eating blueberries can reverse the age-related decline in brain signals.

Lila cautions that the health benefits derived from eating berries may not be the same if taken as a dietary supplement from a bottle. "Dietary supplements are frequently produced and marketed based on one recognized bioactive component," said Lila. "They fail to look at the contribution of other components from the whole plant food."

There appears to be a relationship between all the components that make up a plant food. When one component is separated out, the maximum effect is not seen. "So, a dietary supplement containing only one isolated extract of a blueberry or cranberry," said Lila, "cannot be expected to provide full benefits and will not mimic the same results if someone were to eat the whole berry."

Finding whole, fresh blueberries in the local grocery store, however, can be tricky, particularly for areas where blueberries are not grown year-round. Lila has a couple of suggestions. "Convince your local grocery store to stock them. Or if they won’t, there are frozen blueberries available in most places. There are also sources for mail order blueberries that come packed in dry ice, which are often comparable or cheaper than fresh berries that you’d buy in a grocery store. For those of us in the Midwest who can’t always get fresh berries, the quick frozen mail order berries are a good alternative."

Lila said that canned blueberries are another option. Although the heating process for canning may take some of what she called "the good stuff" out of the berries, what’s left in the canned variety can be more easily absorbed into the body.

Funding for Lila’s research is provided by the National Institute for Health — National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the USDA Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems.

[U of I news release]

Logan-Mason Mental Health
hosts parent program

[SEPT. 9, 2002]  Do you wish you had a map to show you how to raise happy, healthy kids? On Sept. 12, Logan-Mason Mental Health will provide you with a diagram by offering the Iowa Strengthening Families Program at Lincoln Junior High School.

The program will be available to any interested parent, grandparent or guardian of youth ages 12-14. Sessions will meet in the library at the junior high on Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. for seven nonconsecutive weeks.

The Iowa Strengthening Families Program was developed to prevent teen substance abuse and other behavior problems, strengthen parenting skills, and build family strengths. The program consists of adults and youth in separate sessions for the first hour, and the second hour will consist of a family session. The family sessions will discuss such topics as making house rules, encouraging good behavior and using consequences.

Logan-Mason Mental Health encourages all families to attend. If you are unable to attend as a parent, please send an adult who has a constant relationship with your child. If there are other siblings at home, they may come to the sessions.

Refreshments will be provided.

It is very important for you to attend these sessions to enable you to become better prepared to discuss these important topics at home. If you are interested in attending or have any questions concerning the program, please call Kristi Lessen or Kelly Bogdanic, (217) 735-2272, at Logan-Mason Mental Health, 304 Eighth St., Lincoln, IL 62656.

[Press release]

Grape juice may prevent
breast cancer growth

[SEPT. 6, 2002]  Concord grape juice inhibits the growth of breast cancer tumors in laboratory animals, according to University of Illinois research. In this study, rats fed purple grape juice had significantly fewer and smaller tumors than those that were not.

"In an animal model, grape juice could prevent or slow the development of breast cancer," said Keith Singletary, U of I professor of nutrition.

In a project funded by the Illinois Council for Food and Agricultural Research, female rats developing breast cancer were given concentrated grape juice to drink. The result was that tumors in these rats were reduced by 28 to 36 percent compared with those that did not have grape juice in their diet.

In addition, on a cellular level, "polyphenolics" from grape juice were shown to suppress mammary tumor growth. These phenolic constituents include the grape’s purple pigment, said Singletary, but it is unclear at this point which constituent or combination is suppressing tumor growth. It is also unclear how polyphenolics inhibit cancer.

"Previous research suggests that polyphenolics, which are found in grapes, berries and chocolate, are high in antioxidants," said Singletary.

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Antioxidants fight damaging molecules in the body called oxygen-free radicals that may contribute to the aging process as well as the development of cancer.

"From this study, we can’t identify specifically the biological mechanism that is stopping tumor growth. Antioxidants may play a role, but there may a combination of factors effectively preventing the development of breast cancer.

"The results of this study are quite promising," said Singletary. "They suggest the need to explore the effect polyphenolics have on human cells so we can identify any benefits that grape juice might offer to women."

[U of I news release]

Blood drive in Mount Pulaski
to help patients in local hospitals

[SEPT. 6, 2002]  Central Illinois Community Blood Center, which supplies all of the blood and blood products for 12 central Illinois hospitals, including those in Lincoln, Springfield, Hopedale, Taylorville, Jacksonville, Carrollton, Hillsboro, Pana and Pittsfield, needs the help of community members to replenish the blood supply for local hospitals. The Mount Pulaski American Legion Women’s Auxiliary will host a blood drive on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Mount Pulaski American Legion Hall. The patients you will be helping are your friends, neighbors and family members. Please help save lives in central Illinois. Please donate blood.

Central Illinois Community Blood Center is a nonprofit humanitarian organization that has been serving area hospitals for over 31 years. CICBC is FDA-licensed and tests every unit of blood as required by the FDA. CICBC is dedicated to providing a safe, adequate and cost-effective blood supply to the hospitals it serves. However, this cannot happen without the support of the communities that use these hospitals. After supplying the local hospitals, any extra blood collected is shared with other areas of the country in need.

Donating blood is safe and easy to do. If you are at least 17 years old (16 years old with written permission of a parent or guardian), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in good health, you can be a hero and save a life.

For more information, call Robin Benson at 523-2587.

[CICBC press release]

Illinois receives additional
funding to fight West Nile virus

[AUG. 29, 2002]  CHICAGO — Gov. George Ryan announced Wednesday that Illinois will receive $400,506 from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assist in the control of West Nile virus.

"Illinois welcomes these additional dollars," Ryan said. "Along with state dollars, this funding will help us sustain our continuing efforts to manage West Nile virus in Illinois." Illinois plans to use the additional funds for laboratory enhancements, increased public awareness and local surveillance of conditions that result in the spread of the virus.

The state’s West Nile Virus Task Force was organized by the governor last fall after the virus was detected in two birds in the Chicago metropolitan area. The group, which began regular sessions last fall, meets regularly with Ryan to update him on West Nile virus activity and prevention measures throughout the state.

State Public Health Director Dr. John R. Lumpkin, who leads the West Nile Virus Task Force, said the state is doing all it can to monitor West Nile virus activity. The Chicago laboratory for the Department of Public Health has been working seven days a week to assist hospitals and doctors with the testing of human samples. The funding will support increased staffing, equipment and supplies.

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Human cases of West Nile virus have been identified in Chicago and 10 Illinois counties: Chicago, 12 cases; suburban Cook County, 40; DuPage County, four; Ford County, one; Jackson, one; Madison County, three; Montgomery County, one; Sangamon County, two; Shelby County, one; St. Clair County, one; and Will County, five.

The average age of people who have contracted the virus in Illinois is 52.5 years. There have now been a total of four deaths due to West Nile virus illness.

A total of 439 birds, 236 mosquito batches and 62 horses in 92 Illinois counties have tested positive this year for West Nile since surveillance for the mosquito-transmitted virus began May 1.

A complete listing of the positive birds, mosquito batches, horses and humans identified so far in Illinois, by county, is available on the Illinois Department of Public Health’s site at http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/
wnvsurveillance_data02.htm.

[Illinois Government News Network
press release]

[For links to more information on the West Nile virus, click here.]

Health Matters

A monthly feature from  Logan County Health Department

The flu and you

[SEPT. 3, 2002]  As the fall weather approaches, flu season begins. Influenza is a serious and widespread illness that is the cause of as many as 4,000 deaths each year in Illinois. Influenza is caused by a virus that spreads from infected people to the nose or throat of others and can cause fever, cough, chills, sore throat, headache and muscle aches in people of any age. Influenza should not be confused with intestinal illness.

People considered at high risk should get a flu shot every year. The optimal time for these individuals to receive influenza vaccine is during October and November.

High-risk categories include:

•  People 65 years of age or older.

•  People with chronic medical conditions.

•  People with immune system problems.

•  Women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during flu season.

•  Children receiving long-term aspirin therapy.

•  Employees of nursing homes or other chronic care facilities.

•  Health-care workers.

•  Household contacts of people at increased risk for influenza-related complications.

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All others should begin their flu shots in November and later, for as long as vaccine is available.

Beginning in October, Logan County Health Department will have flu and pneumonia immunizations available at the Health Department, 109 Third St., and on the Rural Health Van.

Flu shots and pneumonia shots cost $16 each. Medicare will pay for flu and pneumonia shots; clients must bring their Medicare card with them. Medicaid will pay for only flu shots; clients must bring their Medicaid card with them.

Watch the newspapers for upcoming schedules of flu clinics or call Logan County Health Department at (217) 735-2317 for more information.

[News release]

Red Cross

September Red Cross classes

[AUG. 22, 2002]  The American Red Cross will offer CPR and first-aid classes Sept. 10, 11 and 12 at their office at 125 S. Kickapoo St. in Lincoln.

Adult CPR will be on the 10th, first aid on the 11th, and infant and child CPR on the 12th. All classes will be from 5:30 until 9:30 p.m.

To register for any of the classes or for further information, call 732-2134. Office hours are from noon until 4 p.m. weekdays.

West Nile Virus

West Nile virus links

LDN articles

• Local authorities watching WNV

Federal websites

• CDC WNV home page

State websites

• State WNV website

• Protect your home against mosquitoes
• State surveillance site
• Logan County surveillance site

Honors & Awards

Announcements

Medical rights class offered

[SEPT. 9, 2002]  Do you know what your medical record contains or how it is used? With the great increase in computerized medical information systems over the past few decades, health care providers, insurance companies, information bureaus, government, employers and other organizations hold much greater amounts of medical information about individuals than ever before.

What are your medical record privacy risks? What laws protect your medical information?

To answer these questions such as these, the Logan County Unit of University of Illinois Extension is sponsoring a class called "Medical Privacy: Your Rights and Responsibilities." The session will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, at the local Extension office, 980 N. Postville Drive.

Ellen Burton, consumer and family economics educator from the Peoria Extension center, will present information to help you understand the main issues surrounding the privacy of medical records.

Interested individuals are invited to attend. Please call 732-8289 by Friday, Sept. 13, to preregister for the program. It will last about two hours and is provided at no cost to the participants. If you need a reasonable accommodation in order to participate, please request this when you preregister. The University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

[News release]

The Rural Health Partnership has announced the schedule for its mobile health unit for 2002.

For more information on the mobile health unit schedule and services, contact Dayle Eldredge at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 409.

Community resource list

This family resource list to save and use is provided by the Healthy Communities Partnership and the Healthy Families Task Force, 732-2161, Ext. 409.         

(updated 2-15-02)

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