Healthy & Fit Program
The Many Facets of Cancer Prevention
(Three part program)
Certification Program
CPR for Family and Friends
Diabetes Program
Tune up Your Meter
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VitalSigns is published bimonthly by the public relations and marketing department at Milford Regional Medical Center, 14 Prospect Street, Milford, MA 01757. Material contained here is intended for informational purposes only. If you have medical concerns, consult a physician or other healthcare professional.
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February 2011 A New Year has begun, and with that comes New Year's resolutions for many of us. Often this includes exercising more, trying to lose weight or simply eating healthier. One of the more recent hot topics in the “eating healthier” arena is reducing the amount of salt in our diet. It is a known fact that too much salt increases blood pressure which can lead to many serious health conditions, but do you know where most of the salt comes from? Our e-newsletter for this month focuses on salt in our diet and what we can do to reduce it.
Also, don’t forget to check out our “Good Things You Should Know” section that highlights several new programs offered at Milford Regional.
National Salt Initiative Aimed at Food Producers
The recommended sodium intake for a healthy adult is no more than 2,300 milligrams a day. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor probably told you to trim another 500 milligrams off of that allowance. And since that time you’ve avoided the salt shaker as if it contained hazardous materials. No matter how hard you try, though, your efforts to limit your sodium intake are likely to have limited results because 80 percent of the salt in your diet is beyond your control. It is added to the food before you buy it!
There is a National Salt Initiative in place that is attempting to reduce salt consumption of Americans by 20 percent over a five-year period by attacking the source, those who produce the food. The New York City Health Department is coordinating the public-private effort that includes more than 45 cities, states and health organizations, including the American Heart Association. Read more.
How can we reduce the amount of salt we use in cooking?
Salt is often used in cooking to enhance the flavor in meats, grains and vegetables. Instead, season food with spices and herbs. Planting an herb garden in your backyard or in planters can be a fun way of incorporating fresh herbs in your cooking. Parsley, basil, thyme, rosemary, chives and oregano are all very easy to grow and grow quickly during the summer and early fall. In the winter, use dried herbs or salt free seasonings. Fresh lemon or lime juice or unseasoned rice vinegar or balsamic vinegar can add a flavor accent to foods without adding calories, fat, or salt. Try experimenting to see what flavors you like best.
Submitted by Charmaine Vincent-Haan, RD, LDN, CDE
What particular foods should we avoid in order to reduce our salt intake?
Avoid processed convenience food items such as frozen dinners, canned soups, flavored rice and pasta mixes, canned or bottled sauces and smoked, cured beef and pork products. Buy fresh fruits and vegetables whenever possible. Otherwise, buy plain, frozen food or no salt added canned food. Also, strive to eat out less often. Restaurant items are generally very high in sodium. If any of these changes seem too difficult, you can decide to slowly withdraw from some of these items or restrict to only occasional use. It takes a little practice but you can reduce your sodium intake and your taste buds will adjust.
Submitted by Charmaine Vincent-Haan, RD, LDN, CDE
Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer
A minimally invasive, highly effective treatment for low risk prostate cancer is now being offered at Milford Regional. Called brachytherapy, it is recognized as a standard of care in early stage prostate cancer. Performed as outpatient surgery, it targets a low dose of radiation in close proximity to the cancerous location in the prostate, shrinking tumors and killing cancer cells. Read more.
At Your Request
When you're not well, your appetite is unpredictable. You might not be hungry in the morning, but are starving at 2 p.m. During a hospital stay, this could mean you missed lunch and have to wait until dinner. At Milford Regional, we decided it was time to put our patients in charge of their eating schedule rather than the clock. The food and nutrition department has introduced an exciting new meal program called At Your Request that allows patients to order food anytime of the day between 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. This includes snacks as well as meals! Read more.
Patient Comfort Programs
Milford Regional Medical Center is recruiting volunteers for two new patient comfort programs; hand message and compassionate companion. Both programs provide caring support for patients undergoing cancer treatment, as well as those who are very ill or near end of life. Read more.
Milford Regional's active medical staff, consisting of over 200 doctors, is highly qualified to treat you and your family through life's ups and downs. Whether you need a primary care physician or a specialist, you can be assured of the best possible care.
If you need a primary care physician, please call our Physician Referral Line at 1-888-DRS-HERE (1-888-377-4373). Our Referral Line, a free service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, has access to physicians who are accepting new patients. You may also call our Referral Line to find a specialist.
See our list of Primary Care Physicians who are accepting new patients. It is important to note that not all physicians accept all insurances. Please call the physician's office directly to find out if they accept your insurance plan.
Radiation Oncologists
Cancer patients no longer have to travel to Boston to receive expert radiation therapy. On the first floor of The Cancer Center at Milford Regional, Brigham and Women’s Physician Organization manages state-of-the-art radiation therapy for our cancer patients. The Brigham and Women's radiation oncologists are highly trained and skilled in pinpointing cancer and delivering radiation treatment. To find out more about these physicians, please click here.
