December 7, 2001 - Volume 1 Issue 4

Welcome to another edition of the Wellness Insider! We welcome your feedback and questions. To contact us, please click here. Click for version A Message from Dr. Cooper If you listen to our weekly radio program, you know that we focus a great deal of time on heart disease or coronary artery disease (CAD). The reason is that CAD is this country's number one killer. However, an important fact is that the majority of heart disease is preventable! The American Heart Association (AHA) recently held its annual meeting in Anaheim, California and there were several studies that received significant attention within the medical community. One study from the University of Utah was particularly important. It was published in the November 15 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Researchers followed 985 patients with severe heart disease for an average of three years. The researchers tested for levels of total cholesterol (TC), LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, and C-reactive protein (CRP). C-reactive protein is produced in the liver and high levels of it are indicative of inflammation within the body. In the past few years it has become very apparent that elevated levels of CRP, above 0.3, are closely associated with a higher risk of heart disease. more... Nutrition Holidays Georgia Kostas, M.P.H., R.D., L.D. Do you usually gain five to ten pounds over the holidays? Eating traditions, limited time, heightened emotions, and an increased exposure to tempting foods can lead to extra pounds over the holidays, particularly between Thanksgiving and Christmas. What a tough way to begin the New Year! If you have battled the bulge in holidays past, challenge yourself this year to focus on a new lifestyle and implement the following strategies: more... Vitamin Supplementation Winter Warrior Angela Marks, Cooper Concepts, Inc. As the chilly wind blows and our sniffles grow, we often look for a solution to make us feel better. Although many people are convinced that a cold results from exposure to cold weather, researchers from The National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) have found that these conditions have little or no effect on the development or severity of a cold. In the United States, most colds occur during the fall and winter. The seasonal variation may relate to cold weather because it prompts people to spend more time indoors, increasing the chances that viruses will spread from person to person. Seasonal changes in relative humidity also may affect the prevalence of colds. The most common cold-causing viruses survive better when humidity is low, typically the colder months of the year. Cold weather also may make the nasal passages' lining drier and more vulnerable to viral infection. more... Physical Training Turn the Holiday Hustle and Bustle Into Opportunities for Activity Jill Armayor, Cooper Ventures The holiday season is here and most of the fitness centers across America are seeing a plunge in member visits. Many people leave town during the month of December, however, many gym goers sit at home after a long day instead of getting to the gym. Why? The holidays can be so crammed with things to do that every minute of extra time invites us to curl up and take a nap. Not only does fatigue come from holiday stress, but the longer hours of darkness and the cold make it hard to venture out of bed. On top of all of these factors, the seasonal degeneration of nutritional habits acts as a fool-proof way to make sure everyone gains a few extra pounds. more... Women's Health The Gift of Health Brought to you exclusively from the women physicians at Cooper Clinic The holiday season is in full swing. Between shopping, wrapping gifts, and avoiding the cookies in the break room, it is hard to find the time or motivation for healthy living this month. Sometimes it is difficult to view the holiday season as more than a list of "things to do" on top of an already busy day. To keep the focus on healthy living this season, we would like to share some ideas for gift giving that you might even want to put on your own wish list. more... Click for version

Weekly Recipe Grilled Sesame Chicken Breasts Ingredients: 4 (4 oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1/2 c. white grape juice 1/4 c. light soy sauce 1 T. sesame seeds 2 T. sesame oil 1/4 tsp. garlic powder 1/4 tsp. ginger Directions: Wash chicken pieces; pat dry. Set aside. Combine all ingredients except chicken in a shallow pan (or zip-lock bag); mix well. Add chicken pieces, turning to coat; cover and marinate in refrigerator at least 4 hours. Remove chicken from marinade, reserving marinade. Grill 4 to 5 inches from medium-hot coals for 12 to 15 minutes, turning and basting frequently with marinade. Per Serving: 176 calories, 6 g fat, 27 gm protein, 2 gm carbohydrates, 72 mg cholesterol, 262 mg sodium, 0 gm dietary fiber from: What's Cooking at the Cooper Clinicwritten by the Nutrition Department of the Cooper Clinic Shop Online: The Cooper Aerobics Center Sweatshirt Suit up for Fall with The Cooper Aerobics Center sweatshirt... Made of premium weight, 10 oz. fleece (90% cotton/10%polyester). The ultimate in natural comfort by Hanes. Available in Grey and Navy.