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Have a heart this February!
In This Issue
Amazing Amino Acids!
Meet a Registered Dietitian
Have a comment?
Agave Nectar
Recipe Round Up
Volunteer for a Clinical Study!

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Essential Amino Acid Profile:  Isoleucine

Amino acids are the building blocks for protein.  Most amino acids can be converted into glucose, or energy that our body needs to function. Essential amino acids cannot be made by our body so we must get them through food sources.         
What does Isoleucine do?
  

 A branched-chain amino acid (BCAA), isoleucine is needed to help your body make protein (found in muscle).  It can be broken down into Acetyl Co-A, an enzyme that is needed to fuel the body's citric acid cycle, a series of chemical reactions that essentially make energy from the carbohydrates, protein and fat that we ingest. 
 
Top Food Sources: eggs, soy protein, seaweed, turkey, chicken, lamb, cheese, fish
 

Did you know ..... Supplementation of isoleucine and the other BCAAs may help prevent muscle wasting and promote muscle repair after surgery, trama or conditions such as cancer. 

Discuss your Diet with a Registered Dietitian! 

Confused about calcium? Lost about leafy greens? Questions about quinoa? A Registered Dietitian (RD) can answer all these questions and more in a nutrition consultation.  You will review your diet and exercise regimen and focus on behavior modification.  It's all part of small steps towards a healthier you! As a service to the community, Diablo Clinical Research's nutrition consultations are specially priced at $50/hour. For more information, please contact our Registered Dietitian, Kelley Bradshaw MS, RD. 

Phone: (925) 930-7267  

kbradshaw@diabloclinical.com

Suggestions Please!

As an avid reader of our monthly newsletter, we value your opinions.  What nutrition and health topics are you most interested in? If you have any ideas or suggestions, please send an email to: 

kbradshaw@diabloclinical.com 

Afternoon Movies at Diablo Clinical!

Join us for a complimentary viewing of "The World of Monsanto".  We will be showing the film on Thursday February  23rd at 3:30pm.  Space is limited.  Healthy snacks will be offered. To RSVP, please call (925) 930-7267 or send an email to: 

kbradshaw@diabloclinical.com 
Advancing Health Newsletter February 2012
          February is American Heart Month  

Diablo Clinical Research supports health awareness, advances in medicine and health care and positive lifestyle changes throughout the year, but for the month of February, we will be focusing our efforts on cardiovascular (heart) diseases, such as high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and coronary artery disease.  
 
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention lists these startling facts about heart disease:
  • In 2008, heart disease accounted for 25% of the deaths in the U.S.
  • Each year, around 785,000 Americans have their first heart attack. An additional 470,000 Americans who have had a previous heart attack will have another one.
  • Coronary artery (heart) disease cost an estimated $108.9 billion in 2010. This does not include the costs of other cardiovascular diseases.
  • Risk factors for heart disease include: inactivity, obesity, high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol and diabetes. In 2003, 37% of Americans reported having two or more of these risk factors. ALL of these risk factors can be changed, reduced or modified with lifestyle interventions.
  • Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. A 2005 survey reported that 36% of women did NOT believe they were at risk for heart disease. 
  • 2012 statistics on heart disease and stroke can be found here.
Diablo Clinical Research encourages you to be your own health care advocate.  Ask your medical doctors questions, seek out ways to modify your lifestyle behaviors, discuss nutrition with a registered dietitian and look for support from family, friends and others who may be at risk for heart disease.   

This Friday, February 3rd is National Wear Red Day.  Diablo Clinical Research staff will be wearing red and red ribbons to show our support for women's heart disease awareness. Stop by our office for new recipes, heart-healthy handouts and learn about new research opportunities.   

Cheers to a healthy heart!

~ Diablo Clinical Research
 

Nutrition FAQs: GMOs

What are GMOs? 
 
A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism (such as a plant, food, animal) whose genes (DNA) have been altered through specialized engineering techniques. Essentially, DNA from different sources are combined into one DNA molecule, thus creating a brand new set of genetic material. This new DNA is then added to an existing organism.  This process may also be called Genetic Engineering (GE) or Genetic Modification (GM).  GMOs are the bases for genetically modified foods.  

Are there any side effects of eating food that contain GMOs?
 
There have been limited studies involving humans and GMO consumption.  However, numerous animal studies have shown harmful effects from GMO consumption, including:
  • changes to the gastrointestinal (GI) system and organs such as the liver, kidney and spleen 
  • allergen and toxicity concerns
  • immune dysfunction, infertility, accelerated aging
  • altered fat (lipid) and carbohydrate metabolism (how the body breaks down nutrients into fuel) 
The American Academy of Environmental Medicine feels that GMOs cause more harm than good and has called for limited consumption of GMO foods and additional testing in humans.   
 
Additional dangers of GMOs can be found at theInstitute for Responsible Technology's webpage. 
 
How do I know if my food has any GMOs? 

It can be tricky to tell if a food / food product contains GMOs.  Price look-up codes (PLUs) contain 4 digits to identify the different types of produce and are used mainly for inventory purposes. In theory, a 9 in front of these 4 digits indicates if it is 'organic'; 8 in front is used to indicate if the food contains GMOs.However, the use of an extra digit (such as an 8 or 9) is NOT required--it is optional for suppliers and retailers and really isn't intended for customers. Since putting an '8'  isn't required, rarely will you see this on the produce sticker label. 
 
Some foods that may contain GMOs include: infant formula, salad dressings, bread, cereal, hamburgers, hot dogs, margarine, mayonnaise, crackers, cookies, chocolate, candy, fried food, chips, veggie burgers, meat substitutes, alcohol, protein powders, enriched flour, pasta. 
 
The Non-GMO shopping guide is designed to help indicate which foods are likely to contain GMOs and which foods you should avoid. Just because a product is labeled 'natural' does not meant that it is GMO-free. 
 
How can I reduce and control my GMO food intake?  
Here are 4 ways to avoid GMOs in your diet:
  1. Purchase organic food whenever possible.
  2. Look for "No GMOs" or "Non-GMO" labels on packaged goods.
  3. Avoid the most 'at-risk' ingredients: soy, corn, canola, cottonseed, sugar (from sugarbeets), papaya (from Hawaii only) and some zucchini and yellow squash. Look for dairy labels that say "No rBGH, rBST or artificial hormones".
  4. Use a non-GMO shopping guide when shopping for food:  You can print out a copy here or download an app for Iphone

Additional reading: 

Recipe Roundup:  Pan-Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Pomegranate Molasses  


Recipe: pork tenderloin with pom sauce

 

Migraine Clinical Study
Do you suffer from migraines? 

Have you had at least 2 migraines a month for the past year? 
 
If so, you may be eligible to participate in a clinical research study of an investigational drug.
 
Qualified study participants between the ages of 18 and 65 may receive, at no cost, study-required drug and lab work.  Medical insurance is not needed to participate.

Call to learn more!  (925) 930-­7267     

or email:  studies@diabloclinical.com  

 

Free A1c test! Print out this coupon, call (925) 930-7267 to schedule your test. 
 
  
Love healthy cooking? MORE recipes are available on our website at  http://diabloclinical.com/subcat_studyvolunteers_health.php
And don't forget to check out our blog,  http://diabloclinicalresearch.wordpress.com/, for health,nutrition & fitness articles!