March's National Health Observances:

If colorectal cancer is highly preventable with screening and highly treatable when caught early, then why is colorectal cancer the second deadliest cancer in the U.S.?

It’s a great question with a complicated answer. A lack of knowledge about prevention and limited access to screening has a lot to do with it, and a third of people who could get checked don’t. A missed or delayed screening gives colorectal cancer a chance to grow and become more dangerous long before symptoms appear.

The Alliance is working daily to advocate for prevention, magnify patient support, and accelerate research, most recently with a multi-million dollar investment in research through Project Cure CRC. Join us and get involved this March! 

Each year, more than 14 million adults aged 65 and older fall, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and about 1 million of them end up hospitalized.

However, falls can be prevented. Here are 15 surprising things that can increase your risk of falling, plus advice on how to lower your risk. 

1. Your medications
2. Diabetes
3. Other age-related diseases
4. Your pets
5. Worsening memory
6. Changes in vision
7. Postural hypotension
8. Hearing loss
9. Bunions and other foot problems 
10. Muscle loss 
11. Weak bones
12. You’re walking too slowly
13. Your weight
14. An abnormal heart rhythm
15. Having already fallen

Consuming more omega-3 fatty acids may lower the risk of age-related hearing loss, according to new research.

“Low levels of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are linked to hearing loss in middle and old age, according to findings slated for presentation at a meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, in Boston,” HealthDay reports.

But middle-aged and older people who had higher levels of DHA were 8% to 20% less likely to have hearing issues than people who have lower DHA levels, the research revealed.

None of this means that DHA prevents hearing loss, said study leader Michael McBurney of the South Dakota-based Fatty Acid Research Institute and adjunct professor at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. But it adds to the growing awareness of the importance of fatty acids against age-related declines in a range of body functions.

Ingredients

• 1 medium mango, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 cup cubed avocado
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped seeded jalapeno pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
• 3 teaspoons olive oil, divided
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 pound halibut steaks (3/4 inch thick)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 4 Bibb lettuce leaves
• 4 flour tortillas (6 inches), warmed
• 4 teaspoons sweet Thai chili sauce

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the mango, avocado, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, 2 teaspoons oil, lemon juice and honey; set aside. Brush halibut with remaining oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Advertisement

Grill halibut on a greased rack, covered, over high heat or broil 3-4 in. from the heat until fish flakes easily with a fork, 3-5 minutes on each side.

Place lettuce leaves on tortillas; top with fish and mango salsa. Drizzle with chili sauce.

Join our growing team!

Per Diem Speech Therapist

Interested? Call us at 860-767-0186 or email us to learn more.

Let's Stay Connected!

To learn more about Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley, click here.

 Questions? Call Us! 860-767-0186