"HOW TO RAISE A DRUG-FREE KID"
 with Joseph Califano, Jr., Founder and Chair of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University

On Wednesday, March 31st, 2010, Joseph Califano, Jr. moderated an educational forum on his newest book of the same title to a packed crowd at NCHS Auditorium.  This informative program was a joint effort of the town, schools, police, New Canaan CARES, faith community and PFA groups, etc.  The goal of this program was to provide every family in New Canaan with the tools to help our children live healthy, productive and fulfilling lives free of substance abuse.  

"Nearly every child will be offered drugs or alcohol before graduating high school.  The goods news is that a child who gets to age twenty-one without smoking, using illegal drugs, or abusing alcohol is virtually certain never to do so....and kids who learn about drugs from their parents are much likelier to resist these temptations." - excerpt from "How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid." 

For more information, visit StraightDopeForParents.org.

 


"CHALLENGES AND CHANGES:  MID TO LATE ADOLESCENCE" with Marcie Schneider, MD, FAAP, FSAM
 
Always engaging, Dr. Marcie Schneider returned to New Canaan on February 23, 2010 to address a packed crowd at Waveny House on a variety of adolescent issues.  During her program, Dr. Schneider addressed the physical, social and emotional roller-coaster that our mid to late adolescents navigate daily.  She balanced hard-hitting facts with practical advice drawing on her past experience as Director of Adolescent Medicine for Greenwich Hospital.  Her background with teen stress, nutrional issues and adolescent sexuality easily resonated with parents of children of all ages.  For more information on Dr. Schneider, please visit www.greenwichadolescentmedicine.com.  To download a copy of Dr. Schneider's handout entitled "Top Ten List for Parents of Teens," click here.




"STAYING HEALTHY AND BUILDING IMMUNITY" with Dr. Henri Roca, Director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at Greenwich Hospital

Dr. Henri Roca spoke to an attentive crowd at the Outback Teen Center on November 5. Building Immunity was the overall theme but the discussion clearly centered on H1N1 and staying healthy this flu season. Dr. Roca sought to allay everyone’s fear by stressing that although there will likely be many more people who get sick from H1N1 as there is no population-based immunity, the novel H1N1 virus appears to be very mild. Testing is not conclusive and treatment should be administered based on basis of severe symptoms.

 Keep Your Nose Clean
Dr. Roca stressed the importance of nasal health this season. In winter when the air is cold and dry, our nasal passages dry out and are more at risk for hosting infection. Keeping nasal membranes moist and healthy with some form of (specially formulated) nasal saline solution will reduce the exhibition of symptoms. Frequent hand washing is another important factor is staying healthy as our hands easily transfer germs to our eyes, nose and other people. 

Diet Does Make a Difference
For optimum immunity, Dr. Roca recommends eating a balanced diet that includes as many fruits and vegetables as possible. He used the example that fresh citrus fruit is much more beneficial than homogenized and pasteurized fruit juice. Look for foods rich in antioxidants as these are natural immunity-boosters. He cautioned against eating too much refined sugar and products with processed white flour as these work against our immune health. 

Stress Reduction Can Enhance Immunity
For stress reduction, Dr. Roca suggests exercise, yoga, meditation or any other activity which lowers heart rate, even deep abdominal breathing which activates the parasympathetic nervous system. Dr. Roca joked that our bodies do NOT consider running a 30-mile marathon as stress-reducing. Rather, such intense exercise gives us a short-term fix in the form of endorphin release, but long-term damage in the form of bodily stress.

Boost Your Health with Supplements
Four of the most important supplements mentioned were zinc, vitamin D, vitamin C and Colostrum. Zinc has been widely promoted in products with nasal applicators recently. These products have since been withdrawn as the applications have been shown to diminish one’s sense of smell after prolonged use. Zinc is still beneficial as an immune enhancing supplement and can been taken in the form of oral supplements. Vitamin D is usually received through supplements, fortified food products or sun exposure. Dr. Roca acknowledged that there has been much discussion about the true benefits of vitamin C and although the research is inconclusive, he believes that a moderate daily dose of vitamin C (with ester for sensitive digestive systems) is beneficial. Colostrum, the substance believed to be responsible for transferring immunity from mother to child, is available in a professional grade (bovine colostrums) and is one of the most effective products available for boosting immunity according to Dr. Roca.

To Vaccinate or Not To Vaccinate?
The Centers for Disease Control currently recommend the H1N1 vaccine for pregnant women, health care workers, those with or around children under 6 months, people age 24 to 65 with underlying medical conditions, and children ages 6 months to 24 years. Dr. Roca also pointed out that the vaccine requires two courses of immunization to be most effective. For more information on boosting immunity, please visit www. greenwichintegrativemedicine.org.

DR. JEAN KILBOURNE ADDRESSES PACKED ROOM AT NC LIBRARY