MENU FOR CHANGE“Empowerment and Accountability with a Lasting Impact" JULY 2016

VOLUME 2 / ISSUE 4

JOURNAL REVIEW

“Lifespan Weighed Down by Diet” (a recent opinion piece by David S. Ludwig, MD in JAMA, June 7, 2016) puts forth the following perspective (as summarized by Carrie Dennett, MPH RDN):

CDC data suggest that we have now reached the tipping point where technological advances can’t compensate for unhealthy lifestyles.

The public health approach to obesity (“all calories are alike” and “eat less, move more”) is not working. And is a diet of sugary beverages and junk food really OK if people just restrict calories and exercise more?

Recent research shows that food affects hunger, hormones and even genetic expression in ways that go beyond calories. The type of food does matter! Unfortunately, most research $$ goes into drugs, not clinical diet studies. The diet studies that do happen tend to be small, brief and have other design flaws.

We need more high-quality independent obesity-related research, coupled with national food policies that shift away from low-quality commodity foods. We also need more investment in school nutrition programs and greater restrictions on predatory advertising to children by food companies. Healthcare providers can also model good habits (!) and dedicate time during routine office visits to discuss diet.

“QUALITY OF LIFE” SCORES ARE UP IN MFC

The “Impact of Weight on Quality of Life” surveys (©2000, Duke University) measure impacts of weight on

physical function, self-esteem, sexual life, public distress and work. The average MFC participant improves their

quality of life by 19%, some as much as 50% by 12 months. Wow!

EASY RECIPE

LECTURE EVENTSJoin us for our next

lecture on July 13th at 5:30pm with Carrie Dennett, MPH RDN:

“The Care and Feeding

of Your Gut

Microbiota”

When you decide what to eat, you aren’t just

feeding yourself—you’re feeding your gut

microbiota. The health of your gut microbiota has a

direct impact on your health, including your

weight and your risk for inflammation and chronic

disease. Learn how to

Picnic at your office desk

A nice cold lunch on a hot summer day: leftover baked salmon (baked in foil with lemon, EVOO and salt) plated over a thin bed of steamed brown rice with seaweed nestled around the edges, a side of sautéed snap peas (or other veggie you have leftover from the previous day’s dinner), a drizzle of lemon and sprinkle of chopped green onions. So easy!

TWO GREAT TALKS BY POLYCLINIC DOCS!

Dr. Jeffrey Bernstein’s lecture “Varicose Veins: Emerging Trends and Treatments” was a thorough survey of leg vein diagnostic testing, varicose vein treatments—“then and now”—and emerging new technologies which will further our options for varicose vein management. We learned that common symptoms of varicose veins include pain (ache, throb, focal pain, burning), leg cramps, night cramps, paresthesia, itching, heaviness, leg fatigue, swelling, restless legs, tenderness and edema.

Dr. Lori Cooper gave a lecture entitled “The Effects of Hormones on your Weight and Metabolism.” This was a whirlwind tour of the varied hormone pathways in our body, how to make sense of their functions and body effects, and how to consider a modified approach to improving weight management in the context of hormones—thyroid, cortisol, estrogen, testosterone, leptin, ghrelin, insulin and glucagon.

MASSAGE THERAPY

***** Massage therapist needed for our program – referrals welcome for this new, part time position (check out The Polyclinic job listing site). ******

FROM OUR BLOG

“It’s good to learn how to put aside strongly held beliefs and live in the moment. And I’m pretty sure it’s good for our

emotional and physical well-being too.”~

Check out the May 30 th blog post “Trying Something New” at menuforchange.com

AUGUST BOOK CLUB TEASER

Our next book club pick for August 4th is by Justin and Erica Sonnenburg: "The Good Gut: Taking Control of Your Weight, Your Mood and Your Long-Term Health.” The Sonnenburgs run a lab at Stanford U that investigates how we interact with the ecosystem in our intestines—our gut microbiota. Come join Carrie Dennett and the gang.

Menu for Change

Baumgaertel, MD (Director)Kira Baum, ND EAMPCarrie Dennett, MPH RDN206.860.4759

www.menuforchange.comTwitter: @Menu4Change

WE LOVE YOUR REFERRALS

Five easy ways to refer your patients to Menu for Change:

1. Website: www.menuforchange.com2. Phone: 206.860.47593. Give out color brochure (call us for more)4. Drop in Q&A: every Monday from 12:30-1:30 pm5. Epic: use the SmartPhrase “.mfc” on your patient AVS

We are excited to help your patients achieve their weight loss goals!