Download March 2016 - Oakland County, Michigan

October
March2015
2016
Lead and Healthy Diets
There has been quite a bit in the news lately about
lead in the water in Flint. Lead is a heavy metal that
is found throughout our world. It is in the soil and
air and often times found in older homes where
lead based paints were used. Ingesting lead can
have detrimental effects on all organs and systems
of the human body. The dangers are greater from
the ingestion of lead for young children, but elderly
and those with impaired immune systems are also
at risk for the harmful effects of lead.
Diets that contain calcium, iron and vitamin C can
help protect the human body from the ill effects of
lead. Calcium rich foods include dairy and green
leafy vegetables. We all need to consume calcium
rich foods throughout our lifetimes. Milk, cheese
and yogurt are all excellent sources of calcium
which also help to keep our bones and teeth strong.
Calcium also plays an import role in many bodily
functions including muscle contraction. This
includes the big muscle in our chest, the heart.
Green leafy vegetables are a good source of calcium
such as spinach, kale and Swiss chard.
Vitamin C has many different functions in the
human body. One very important one is the form
collagen. Collagen is important in bone formation,
and acts as cement to hold cells together. This is
especially important in our vascular system as our
veins and arteries must contract and expand with each
beat of the heart without breaking apart. This is why
one of the signs of vitamin C deficiency is bruising
easily as the tiny capillaries under the skin break when
there is not sufficient vitamin C to produce adequate
collagen. Gums may bleed and healing of wounds may
also be impaired when there is not an adequate
consumption of vitamin C. Vitamin C is also important
in other bodily functions like producing adrenal and
thyroid hormones and depositing calcium into the
bones and teeth. Good dietary sources of vitamin C
include citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits,
strawberries, kiwi, tomatoes and peppers.
Foods rich in iron include red meats, organ meats like
liver, oysters, iron enriched cereals and some dried
fruits such as prunes. Iron is very important in the
human body and because of this, the body “recycles”
iron to reuse in producing new red blood cells. Small
amounts of iron are lost however, through shedding of
skin, urine and sweat. When blood is lost through
wounds, menstruation or the donation of blood, iron
must be replaced to be able to produce red blood cells
which are necessary to move oxygen throughout the
body.
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has a
pamphlet that explains the dangers of lead exposure
and how to protect yourself from these dangers. This
pamphlet can be accessed on line at http://
www2.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-lead-yourhome.
What is Zika virus?
Simple Salmon Burgers
1 14 ½ ounce can of pink or red salmon (or leftover
cooked salmon)
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 cup dry whole grain breadcrumbs
¼ cup chopped yellow onions
2 eggs
1 Tablespoon canola oil
Mosquitos can be worse than just an annoyance.
They carry diseases-West Nile, Dengue Fever and
now Zika virus. The Zika virus is transmitted through
the bite of a mosquito. Most people with the virus
actually show no symptoms while some may have a
rash, muscle pain and a mild fever. Other possible
symptoms include headache, red eyes and a feeling
of general illness. In more severe cases, the Zika virus
can bring on a neurologic disorder, Guillian-Barre
syndrome which can have long lasting effects.
Drain and flake the salmon if using canned salmon.
In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice and Dijon
mustard. In a separate bowl, mix the salmon and
bread crumbs. Add the onion and combine, then
add the lemon juice mustard mixture. Add the eggs
and mix well. Form into 4 patties and let set for
about ten minutes to soften the bread crumbs. Heat
the oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Sauté the patties until golden brown on each side. Serve
immediately. Makes 4 servings.
Zika is very dangerous for pregnant women or
women looking to conceive. It can cause a potentially
deadly condition called microcephaly, where the
brain of a newborn infant is abnormally small.
Nutritional Value per serving:
Calories 200
Fat
9 grams
Sodium
620 milligrams (this is with canned salmon, it will be less for fresh cooked salmon)
The Zika virus is carried by a species of mosquito
known as Aedes. This mosquito is not native to
Michigan. It was originally identified in the Zika
Valley of Africa in 1947. Outbreaks have recently
been reported in southeastern and southern Asia,
South America, and the Pacific Islands. Since May of
2015, over 650 cases have been reported in Brazil
alone. Once a person is infected, the disease may be
spread through sexual contact or blood contact,
including transfusions. The virus appears to live for a
long period in the human body.
If you are traveling to areas where there have been
outbreaks of Zika virus, take precautions. Use insect
repellents containing DEET or picaridin. Wear long
pants and sleeves and stay indoors or in screened in
areas whenever possible.
Carbohydrate 8 grams
Fiber
2 grams
Protein
24 grams
Food Safety or Nutrition questions??
Call the Oakland County Food Safety and Nutrition
Hotline at 248-858-0904
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer.
Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all
without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion,
age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status,
family status or veteran status.
Senior Health Line written and edited by: Robin Danto, Michigan State University
Extension—Oakland County, 248/858-0904
E-mail—[email protected]
Web address—www.oakgov.com/msu