Page 21 - Florida Sentinel 7-15-16 Online Edition

Health
Which Foods Have The Most Pesticides? You Might Be Surprised!
Men: Going To The Doctor For Your Yearly Check Up?
The harmful effects of pesti- cides are a real concern for many Americans today. How- ever, the health benefits of fruits and vegetables outweigh the potential risks that pesti- cides serve.
It is well documented that pesticides are incredibly harm- ful for human beings. Some of the harmful effects of pesti- cides include neurological problems, birth defects, fetal death, lymphoma, leukemia, reproductive problems, skin problems and nervous system maladies.
By arming yourself with the knowledge of which fruits and vegetables are more likely to be tainted by pesticides, you can successfully navigate the pro- duce aisle to reduce the risk of pesticides entering your sys- tem.
So make sure you check every year, and always keep your eyes peeled for new news that might float in about your favorite veg- etables to ensure that you’re keeping your diet as pesticide- free as possible. If you like the fruits and vegetables on the
Dirty Dozen list, buy organic to avoid being contaminated with pesticides. Happy shopping!
The Clean Fifteen
• Asparagus • Avocados
• Cabbage
• Cantaloupe • Sweet Corn • Eggplant
• Grapefruit • Kiwi
• Mango
• Mushroom • Onions
• Papayas
• Pineapples
• Sweet Peas
• Sweet Potatoes
The Dirty Dozen
• Apples
• Celery
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Grapes
• Hot Peppers
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Potatoes
• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Sweet Bell Peppers
Test You May Not Need....
Ever go to the doctor’s office and feel like you’d spent far too much money on exams that you didn’t feel were quite neces- sary? Or even worse, you left feeling that they did more harm than good? Chances are you can eliminate a large majority of those tests if you know which ones you need and which ones you don’t.
But which ones are worth skipping? A recent study by the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation asked more than 50 doctors, of all areas of practice to identify un- necessary tests and treatments. Here are a few exams that you can pass on next time you find yourself at the doctor’s office.
Annual Electrocardiogram or
Exercise Stress Test
40% of people between ages 40 and 60 had an EKG over the past five years, and 12% have had an exercise stress test in that time as well. Why is it a problem? Well, not only does it cost at least $100 for both tests, but there’s an even more insid- ious problem here: false posi- tives.
According to the study from Consumer Reports, a person who is at low risk for heart dis- ease is up to ten times more likely to receive a false positive than a true problem. This could lead to costly, unnecessary pro- cedures such as catheterization and stent implants.
PSA Test for Prostate Cancer
Although PSA tests can find slow-growing cancers, many of them are non-lethal cancers. According to physician Reed Blackwelder, the president of the American Academy of Fam- ily Physicians, “the PSA test causes more harm than bene- fit.” For a test that costs around $75, that’s concerning.
Why? Again, false positives. An estimated 75% of tests that come back high in PSA are false alarms. The test often leads to ultrasounds, lab tests and biop- sies to treat a problem where there isn’t one. When treat- ments such as surgery and radi- ation are involved, men can end up with problems like impo- tence and incontinence.
X-Ray or MRIs for Back Pain
80% of people suffer from back pain at some point in their lives, and with back problems usually comes agonizing and debilitating suffering. Many seek treatment with their doc-
tors as a way to escape the ex- cruciating misery. However, many doctors decide to skip right away to expensive, unreli- able radiation imaging such as X-rays CT scans or MRIs.
For many, back pain disap- pears in a few months or less, and imaging tests may lead to expensive procedures that may or may not help recovery. One study discovered that those who had an MRI for back pain were 8 times more likely to have surgery, but that didn’t lead to quicker relief.
Savings For You
Tests like these are some- times overused, and the savings not only extend to your pocket- book, but also to your overall health.
According to the book The Treatment Trap, around $225 billion is wasted on unneces- sary examinations – and the buck doesn’t stop there. From tests that aren’t essential for good health, there are the need- less surgeries, biopsies and treatments that follow a false positive like a PSA.
FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9-B