Healthy RGV Issue 113

ISSUE 113 

EDITORIAL CONTENT 

6 RELATIONSHIP TIPS FOR MY TEEN 

THE MEDICINAL BENEFITS OF 

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR KIDS 

INSTAGRAM & YOUR KIDS: WHAT 

WOULD PIAGET SAY? 

WHY SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD’S 

DECISION TO PURSUE A PERFORMING 

ARTS DEGREE MATTERS 

CANCER: PREVENTION, EARLY 

DETECTION, & PERSONALIZED CARE 

BEYOND DRUGS: THE OTHER 

BREAKTHROUGHS IN CANCER RESEARCH 

SLOW EATING 

HEALTH BENEFITS OF SLEEP 

FIVE NEW TYPES OF DIABETES COULD 

MEAN TARGETED TREATMENT FOR 

THOUSANDS OF PATIENTS 

SPRING CLEAN YOUR LIFE 

HEADS UP ON BIKING SAFETY 

WHY YOU SHOULDN'T SKIP BREAKFAST 

THE BEST ESSENTIAL OILS FOR DETOX 

THE CORRELATION BETWEEN DRINKING 

HEAVILY AND BRAIN HEALTH 

THE BEST PALEO CAULIFLOWER RECIPE 

6 

8 

10 

12 

14 

21 

23 

24 

26 

28 

30 

32 

34 

36 

38 

contact@healthymagazine.com 

ph. 305-900-7009 | www.healthymagazine.com

PUBLISHER 

Mauricio Portillo 

EDITOR IN CHIEF 

Claudia Portillo 

"Being 

healthy and 

fit is no longer 

a fad or a trend 

it's a Lifestyle." 

MARKETING DIRECTOR 

Arnaldo Del Valle 

COPY EDITOR 

Lora Incardona 

ASSISTANT COPY EDITOR 

Andres Portillo 

WEBSITE DIRECTOR 

Maria Alejandra Wehdeking 

ART AND DESIGN 

Carolina Pedraza 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

Cesar Tobon 

SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR 

Maria Alejandra Wehdeking 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

Marcelo Boek, MD 

Guillermo Lazo, MD 

Shannon Day 

Meg Meeker 


Cassandra Claude 

Eilleen Smith 

Vanessa Jackson 

Sarah Wester 

Julianna Lowe 

Andres Portillo 

Harold Levi 

Alan Freeman 

Sharon Lowell 


Editor in Chief 

Spring has sprung. Visions of pastel colors, warmer temps, and blooming flowers fill our heads this time of year, and 

with good reason. Spring is a time of renewal. Time to clear the clutter, stow away our heavy winter gear, ramp up 

our workout routines in preparation for beach weather, and rejoice in sunnier days, but while we’re in the mood to 

start fresh, consider decluttering our minds. 

This month for me, as a busy editor, working mom, and adoring wife, every nook and cranny of my brain is scrawled 

with lists of things that must get done. I’m in a constant state of I have so much to do and not enough time in my 

day. I tell myself time and time again, that next month or next year will be different, but that time never comes. This 

Spring, I’ve decided to move myself from the backburner and make my mental health a priority, so taking a cue from 

the annual Spring purge, I am pausing for some much-needed self-care, and I hope you’ll join me on this wellness 

hiatus from a constant state of controlled chaos. 

On this journey this month we will get rid of the ‘toxic waste’ in our lives. It’s time to say goodbye to the 

relationships that bring us down. Cut off anyone or anything that doesn’t bring you joy and doesn’t add any value to 

your life. We don’t need them. If it doesn’t fill our soul with good vibes, it’s time for a change. 

When clearing out the physical clutter, you’re essentially getting a two-for-one deal. The act of cleaning out your 

closet or clearing off your desk also removes feelings of stress and anxiety for your life. It gives you and your spaces 

a fresh start. A do-over, if you will. Take a few minutes or dedicate a weekend if you have time to tackle the junk 

drawers, the closets, or the attic. You’d be surprised what a difference it could make. 

Let go of your emotional attachments to your stuff. Do you really need the tattered photograph of the man who 

broke your heart twenty years ago? Probably not. The feather you found at the petting zoo when you were five 

probably isn’t worth a dime. Let it go. 

I know it’s difficult to even begin thinking about taking time just for you, but trust me, it will do all of us a world of 

good. As we bask in the warmer temps and fill in our already busy schedules with new appointments and priorities, 

don’t forget to pencil in self-care. Mindfulness isn’t something you want to skimp on. It’s a way of showing yourself 

you deserve a break. You’ve earned it. Now, go out and get it and let’s finally celebrate the art of enjoying every 

blessed moment we’re given. 

cportillo@healthymagazine.com 

/HEALTHYMAGAZINE 

@HEALTHYVALLEY 

/HEALTHYMAGAZINEONLINE 

/ HEALTHYMAG08 

contact@healthymagazine.com | ph. 305-900-7009 | www.healthymagazine.com 

Healthy Magazine is a free monthly publication. All contents are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without written consent from the publisher. The material 

in this magazine is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments. Healthy 

Magazine and its contributors accept no responsibility for inaccuracies, and the advertiser is solely responsible for ad content and holds publisher harmless from any error.

Only one heart. 

Only one you. 

INDIVIDUALIZED HEART CARE, 

DEVOTED TO YOU. 

No two hearts are exactly the same. 

That’s why the cardiovascular 

specialists of Valley Baptist Health 

System pursue an individualized 

care plan for every single heart we 

encounter. From preventative care to 

treating heart conditions, every 

element is designed to take care 

of our first priority: you. 

To learn more about our services or to find a cardiologist near you 

call (844) 614-9386 or visit ValleyHearts.com/onlyone 

1040 W Jefferson St. 

Brownsville, TX 78520 

2101 Pease St. 

Harlingen, TX 78550

HEALTHY KIDS · APRIL 2018 

6 RELATIONSHIP 

TIPS FOR MY TEEN 

This won’t be a smooth ride so get ready 

to hang on, steer, and use your brakes. 

Know there will be tears and 

disappointments which, though painful, 

will make you a stronger and wiser 

person. There will also be friendships, 

experiences, and accomplishments that 

you will cherish for a lifetime. There will 

be laughter, silliness, and creations you’ll 

feel proud of. 

Oh, and there will be people to fall in love 

with. 

And you will fall in love, more than once, 

in the years to come. 

So, before this happens, I thought I’d 

offer up a few hard-earned words of 

wisdom. 

When it comes to relationships and love, 

always remember: 

NEVER PUT 

01 YOURSELF DOWN. 

When you are in a new relationship, or in 

the presence of someone you’d like to be 

in a relationship with, avoid pointing out 

personal insecurities or perceived flaws. 

Don’t hate on any part of yourself in front 

of them. Hold your head up, and use full 

eye-contact (no looking at the ground). 

Reason being? If you want to attract 

someone who is respectful, you need to 

model what you expect from them. You 

do not expect to be talked down to, or to 

have negative things said to you or about 

you, right? So don’t talk down to or speak 

negatively about yourself. Of course, 

as time goes by, you should be able to 

share some of your more vulnerable stuff 

within your relationship, but not in the 

beginning. 

*Note: When you have insecurities 

(and everyone does) talk them out with 

friends or family, instead. 

DATE SOMEONE 

02 YOU NEVER 

THOUGHT YOU’D DATE. 

Go on, do it! Even if it only 

proves you were right, they 

weren’t the one for you. 

Spending time with someone 

really different than you means 

getting to view life (or at least 

a few experiences) from a new 

perspective. Going off your 

usual path helps you get to 

know yourself, which is what 

these years are all about. You 

can better discover who you are, 

and what you need, by spending 

time with different types of 

personalities and seeing how 

they impact you. 

*Note: Every person you 

spend time with can teach you 

something. Keep your eyes open 

for what you can learn. 

DON’T LOSE 

03 YOURSELF. 

This happens when you become 

more a reflection of your partner 

than of the person you were 

when you met (i.e., You take on 

their style in fashion. You like the 

same movies, music, and sports. 

You may use the same words and 

sayings). Some of this is natural, 

but don’t forget to stay in tune 

with your own interests, too. 

If you aren’t sure what your 

own interests are right now, 

make time to figure it out. Stay 

grounded in what makes you 

tick and what makes you, you. 

Anyone worth spending time 

with should be open to what you 

like and willing to invest time 

taking part in those things, as 

well. Relationships go both ways 

and should not be something 

that you simply go along with. 

*Note: If you do feel like you’re 

losing yourself, don’t worry: you 

can always get back to you. 

DON’T DITCH 

04 YOUR FRIENDS. 

Even if you’re in a relationship 

and you are so loved-up you 

want to spend every waking 

hour together, don’t forget to 

prioritize your own friendships. 

Because, quite simply, life is 

better when good people who 

get you surround you. In order 

to keep yourself surrounded by 

good people who get you, you 

need to treat people well and 

be there for them. This means, 

making time for your friends, no 

matter what. 

*Note: Good friends should lift 

each other up, support each 

other’s goals, and have each 

other’s best interests at heart. 

Be sure these are the kinds of 

friends you have. Otherwise, 

move on and find new ones. 

THE DECISION TO 

05 HAVE SEX, OR NOT, 

IS ALWAYS YOURS. 

Whether to have sex or not is 

always your choice. When it 

happens, how it happens, if it 

stops partway through – your 

choice. If you change your mind 

before it begins or you want 

something different to happen 

during – your choice. 

You are in charge of your body, 

no matter what the situation 

is. Choose to be intimate with 

people who respect you and 

whom you are comfortable 

with. Sex, with the right person, 

can be a positive thing. Sex with 

someone who lacks respect for 

you… is the opposite. 

*Note: Be safe. (Every. Time.) 

YOUR MISTAKES 

06DON’T DEFINE YOU. 

Now, remember: you will make 

mistakes when it comes to love, 

sex, and relationships. But know 

this: Those mistakes do not 

define who you are. Those whatwas-I-thinking 

choices can help 

you grow. Sometimes, life can 

feel really hard, and scary, and 

you will feel lost at times. But, 

you are never alone. 

*Note: Your mistakes don’t 

define you, but they do help you 

better define what you want and 

need in the future. 

Shannon Day is coauthor 

of the funny and 

heartwarming book/ 

martini guide 'Martinis 

& Motherhood: Tales of 

Wonder, Woe & WTF?!' 

6 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

“ 

Among the most 

sacred gifts you can 

give your child is the 

gift of health. This 

gift is best given by 

example. 

” 

— Dr. Rand Olson 

WWW.HEALTHYMAGAZINE.COM


THE 

MEDICINAL 

BENEFITS 

OF PHYSICAL 

ACTIVITY 

FOR KIDS 

Doctors have long touted the 

benefits of regular exercise, but 

not until more recently have 

they found a direct correlation 

between the amount of physical 

activity that children get and their overall 

health. Like their adult counterparts, children 

simply don’t get enough exercise. With the 

advent of Internet-connected everything, 

what once used to allow time for outside, 

recreational play, has since been replaced by 

a sedentary lifestyle. This is true for children 

as young as six years old as well. 

Doctors recommend a minimum of 150 

minutes of regular physical activity per week. 

In addition to computer-centric activities, 

school systems nationwide have been 

forced to make drastic cuts to the physical 

education programs. Some have eliminated 

PE and recess altogether. In some parts of 

the country, only about 15% of schools offer 

physical education at least three days per 

week. These factors in addition to other 

lifestyle choices lend to an increase in serious 

health problems like heart disease, diabetes, 

some cancers and other issues. 

Science has now proven that regular exercise 

has many benefits for people of all ages, 

but especially for children. For instance, it 

helps to build strong muscles and bones. It 

improves the aging process by easing some 

symptoms. It can boost your mood. That’s 

not to mention the increased muscle mass 

and flexibility and elevated levels of energy. 

The United States National 

Institutes of Health (NIH) 

has begun to perform a major 

study that will focus on what 

happens when a body is in 

motion through exercise. It is 

designed to prove once and for 

all that regular exercise is good 

medicine. 

This six-year-long project will include a group 

of 3000 mostly sedentary people between 

the ages of eleven and elderly folks. They’ll 

have a full medical workup before the 

project begins. Their blood, fat, and muscle 

mass will be studied before and after every 

workout. They’ll break up the large group 

into two: a group that doesn’t work out 

and the group that does to measure the 

differences. 

The hope is that this study will help doctors 

prescribe a detailed workout plan for their 

patients that won’t be taxing on their joints 

and muscles and won’t cause any other longterm 

problems. With specific measurements 

in mind, they hope to be able to lead the way 

and guide their patients to better health and 

wellness, regardless of their age or socioeconomic 

status. 

Unlike diets that force you to eat certain 

foods and restrict calories, this study hopes 

to devise an individualized plan for their 

young patients. That includes giving them 

the tools they need to restore muscles that 

may have become weak due to non-activity 

or injury and to make regular exercise a habit 

that they will benefit from for many years to 

come. 

In time, they hope that schools and parents 

will see the importance of regular exercise 

and will advocate having physical education 

and recess added back into the normal 

school day because exercise is the best 

medicine for a healthy body. 

By Eileen Smith 

8 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


INSTAGRAM 

& YOUR KIDS: 

What Would Piaget Say? 

WHAT WOULD PIAGET SAY? 

Amy is a junior at an Ivy League University. She recently commented 

that many of her friends spend time and money glamming up for 

shots to post on Snapchat or Instagram. The point? To get “Likes” 

of course. 

The power of that one click word in the lives of coeds in toptier 

colleges, troubled teens, and adolescents of all stripes gains 

momentum daily. Interestingly, the word isn’t “respect, love or 

admire” – it is “like.” What a silly, meaningless word. But it is 

changing the personalities and identities of our teens and young 

adults everywhere. 

The word is trouble for teens and young adults and here’s why. The 

great psychologist Jean Piaget posited years ago that there are four 

stages of cognitive development children experience before they 

become adults. These stages are: sensorimotor stage (0-2), preoperational 

stage (2-7), concrete operational stage (7-11) and the 

formal operational stage (12 and up.) 

In this fourth stage, Piaget describes what he calls the adolescent 

imaginary audience. This is the condition where the immature mind 

conceives that everyone outside of them watches their every move. 

You remember this. At 16, you were embarrassed by acne because 

you believed that the moment you walked into class, all eyes would 

stare at the lone pimple on your chin. Or the high school soccer 

star who practiced endlessly in his backyard to millions of imaginary 

cheering fans. It felt at once wonderful but awful. All eyes are on you 

because you are so significant and yet, those same eyes see your 

greatness (usually imaginary too) as well as your flaws. 

ALLOWING OUR KIDS’ FRAGILE EGOS 

TO BE SHOVELED ‘LIKES’ OR ‘DISLIKES’ 

DAY AFTER DAY IS CRUEL. 

What Piaget didn’t foretell was that his theories 

were going to become reality. The elusive 

imaginary adolescent audience would dissolve 

into a quasi-imaginary audience in the form of 

Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter where anyone 

could see any teen at any time. We could call 

the audience real but in fact, it isn’t wholly 

real. Yes, real people view pictures and posts, 

but they do so in a dangerous vacuum. Their 

responses are dissociated from relationships, 

feelings or exchange of truth. Most significantly, 

they feed the adolescent ego that craves 

attention from the imaginary audience. And 

herein lies the real danger. Piaget described 

a stage that teens move through in order to 

mature into psychologically healthy adults who 

can think beyond their own egos and learn 

compassion, empathy, and generosity. 

Instagram and the like trap young adults and teens 

in this fourth stage by reaffirming the ego’s need 

to be fed hour after hour, day in and day out. That 

attention is the tiny icon thumb pointing up or 

pointing down. 

The elusive imaginary adolescent audience has 

dissolved into a quasi-imaginary audience in the 

form of Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter. 

As good parents, we need to understand that 

Piaget was right. Allowing our kids’ fragile egos 

to be shoveled ‘likes’ or ‘dislikes’ day after day 

is cruel. It prevents them from becoming fully 

formed, clear-thinking and happy adults. In fact, 

do something bold today. Ask yourself why you 

are on Instagram and social media? The truth 

is, it makes each of us feel better when we look 

happier/more successful/prettier etc. than our 

peers. Snapchat and Instagram are nothing but 

‘show-off’ zones for the insecure. And I’ll admit 

– I’m insecure. If you and I as mature adults feel 

better or worse with likes or dislikes, think how 

much more profoundly a young teen feels with 

them? Are you willing to post a photo of yourself 

without your makeup or when you just got out of 

bed? I didn’t think so. 

Snapchat and Instagram are nothing but ‘show-off’ 

zones for the insecure. 

Shrinking the ego to its healthy size takes years, 

so help your kids. Their minds and intellects are 

nothing to fool around with. Either keep them off 

social media altogether (yes this can be done and I 

have many mothers in my practice who can prove 

it) or limit your kids’ – particularly your daughters’ 

– participation in it to 30 minutes a day. You will be 

amazed how much better they will feel about life, 

themselves and yes, how much healthier they will 

be psychologically. 

That’s what Jean Piaget would do. 

By Meg Meeker 

10 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


WHY SUPPORTING YOUR 

CHILD’S DECISION TO 

PURSUE A PERFORMING 

ARTS DEGREE MATTERS 

In my career as a voice teacher, I’ve had the pleasure of working with 

talented young students who are driven to succeed in the arts. After 

countless hours of lessons, years of perfecting their craft, and pure 

dedication, a seismic shift happens in about their junior or senior year 

of high school. Fear overshadows confidence and pride takes a back seat 

to uncertainty and doubt. While these emotions are understandable and in 

some cases inevitable, thoughts filled with ‘what if I don’t make it’ and ‘what if 

I can’t make a career out of this’ becomes growing pressure if parents affirm 

the fear and doubt. 

Choosing to major in any one 

discipline is a tough decision on its 

own. Deciding to pursue a degree in 

the performing arts often gives rise 

to questions about how your talents 

translate to marketable skills that will 

support you in your adult life. 

Parents decide on the day their child 

is born to guide them through life, 

give them advice, and help them 

see their way through decisions. 

When they learn of their child’s 

endeavor to pursue the arts, it can 

often paralyze them with fear. They 

wonder what the future can possibly 

hold for the child they nurtured and 

supported all their young lives. Of 

course, it’s a given that they want the 

very best for their child. They want 

to set them up for success. Parents 

do so in the best way they know 

how and that often means swaying 

them to go in another direction, to 

pursue a more practical discipline, 

something that, in their minds, will 

be a conduit to success. 

I know from years of 

experience and countless 

hours spent watching these 

young men and women 

come into their own and 

ultimately thrive that no 

matter what your child 

chooses to pursue, there 

are many life lessons to be 

learned, and not all of them 

will be easy. To survive in this 

complex world and become 

a productive citizen, they 

must learn the meaning of 

hard work; learn to accept 

responsibility, and must learn 

about personal productivity 

and how to manage it 

for themselves while also 

managing self-acceptance. 

Parents, there are things you 

cannot and should not try to 

shield them from. They must 

learn to thrive on their own. 

No matter what happens, 

they must learn to follow 

their hearts and pursue 

endeavors that make them 

happy. 

Forcing their 

hands or pushing 

your personal 

agenda does 

nothing for them. 

It teaches them 

to conform to a 

norm that just 

may not be in 

keeping with who 

they truly are. 

If a lesson is to be learned, 

and it often is, then allow 

them to take the path of 

their choosing. Allow them 

to live in that moment. Don’t 

encourage them to give in to 

fear, doubt, and insecurities. 

Are there 100% guarantees 

that the path they choose 

will be the right one—of 

course not. But there is a 

much higher probability that 

they will be better served 

by allowing them to choose 

their own destiny. If they 

find happiness and success 

along the way, they will have 

earned it. Encouraging them 

to live in fear is essentially 

stymieing their growth, 

impeding their success, 

and ensuring that the only 

thing they learn is that 

they’re incapable of handling 

challenges, striving for their 

dreams, and conquering 

obstacles that may block 

their path to wherever it is 

they want to go in life. 

When they announce their 

decision to pursue the arts, 

take pride in knowing you 

raised a confident child with 

an innate entrepreneurial 

spirit and the tenacity to 

prosper in life. Support all 

that is unique and special 

about your child. Trust that 

they will find success and 

happiness on their terms. Be 

there to offer support and 

encouragement. The journey 

in studying the performing 

arts is filled with rewards, big 

and small. Your unwavering 

support and trust in their 

decision is a message 

they will carry with them 

throughout their lives. Why 

not give them that? They’ve 

earned it. 

By Cassandra Claude 

12 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

“ 

To keep the body in good 

health is a duty… otherwise 

we shall not be able to keep 

our mind strong and clear. 

” 

— Buddha 


HEALTHY LIFESTYLE · APRIL 2018 

Prevention, 

Early Detection, 

& Personalized Care 

We live in the so called Information Age where 

statistical figures abound. But when it comes to 

the breadth and scope of cancer, putting those 

statistics into perspective is helpful. For example, 

the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates 

that more than 1.73 million new cancer cases will 

be identified in the U.S. this year. Sounds like a 

lot. But what if I told you 1.73 million people is 

just over the size of the city populations of San 

Antonio, Waco, and Temple, Texas, combined? 

Here’s another one: An estimated 164,690 

men will learn they have prostate cancer this 

year. That’s more people than fit into a Dallas 

Cowboys football game and a Texas Tech Red 

Raiders football game at capacity, combined. 

Cancer-related statistics tell an important 

story about prevention, treatment options, 

and survivorship. Putting the statistics into 

perspective is key, as information is important 

to knowing with confidence steps you can take 

to manage your health. 

14 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

COVER STORY · APRIL 2018 

Simply put: Eat right. 

Exercise. Don’t smoke. 

Prevention 

The ACS notes that 42 percent of newly 

diagnosed cancers in the U.S. are preventable. 

You might ask, what does that mean for me? 

The important lesson in that information 

point is all about what you can do to reduce 

your cancer risk. Excess body weight, physical 

inactivity, excess alcohol consumption, 

tobacco use, and poor nutrition are known 

causes of cancer. All are behaviors you can 

control – limiting bad behavior and leaning 

into positive steps. 

ACS data suggests many people have 

adopted this approach, as an estimated 2.3 

million cancer deaths have been prevented in 

the U.S. since 1991 – thanks to healthy habits 

that start long before cancer is top of mind. 

Whatever your age, it’s never too late for 

healthy habits to make a difference. 

Tobacco: Eighty percent of lung cancer 

mortalities are smoking related, and half 

of lifetime smokers will die from tobaccorelated 

disease. Research consistently shows 

that smoking cessation is paramount to lung 

health. Smokers who quit are more likely to 

live healthier, longer lives, while decreasing 

lung cancer risk. 

Nutrition: Managing your weight and 

eating a balanced diet may bolster your 

body’s defenses against cancer and other 

illnesses. It’s important to reduce calories, 

limit the intake of sugars, saturated fats, 

trans fats and alcohol, and to eat nutritious 

foods like fresh produce. The following 

nutritional guidelines are recommended: 

• Substitute whole grains for refined or 

processed grains. 

• Limit processed and red meats, and 

foods high in salt and fat. 

• Have no more than one alcoholic drink 

daily for women and two for men. 

• Eat at least 2 ½ cups of fruits and 

vegetables daily. 

• Select dark, leafy greens and a variety 

of seasonal fruits and cruciferous 

vegetables 

• Drink plenty of water. 

Exercise: Whether you prefer hiking, 

biking, playing outside with the kids, or 

an indoor option, it’s easy to stay active 

year-round. Many types of cancer, including 

colon, postmenopausal breast, endometrial, 

kidney, pancreatic and esophageal cancers, 

are associated with obesity and lack of 

physical activity. 

Early Detection 

Healthy living also means following 

recommended guidelines for cancer 

screening. Early detection – finding cancer 

before its symptoms are apparent, and when 

it is most treatable – remains key to fighting 

the disease. Symptoms for many cancers are 

not obvious until the disease has reached an 

advanced and more difficult to fight stage. 

Screening guidelines vary according to age, 

family history, and gender, but everyone 

can fight cancer by staying current on their 

screenings, and starting a habit of monthly 

self-checks for skin and breast or testicular 

cancer. 

According to ACS, colon cancer is the 

second most common cancer diagnosed in 

both men and women, but 9 out of 10 times 

it can be treated successfully when caught 

early. The math lesson here: colonoscopies 

save lives. 

Cancer screenings, even uncomfortable ones, 

are necessary. They also can result in less 

invasive treatment in the instance of a cancer 

diagnosis. Staying current on screenings 

and annual exams can increase the odds of 

detecting cancer early, before it has had a 

chance to spread. This is especially important 

if you have a personal or family history of 

cancer. 

Personalized Care 

Doing the math when it comes to cancer, 

ultimately comes down to this number: One. 

Each patient is one patient – an individual 

with a unique personal and clinical situation 

that becomes the focus of medical teams 

and loved ones gathered together in a 

community of support. At Texas Oncology, 

two important numbers are: more than 176 – 

that’s how many locations we have, and more 

than 4,000 – that’s the size of our combined 

team delivering advanced, innovative 

care without compromise to patients in 

communities all across our state. 

MARCELO BOEK, M.D 

Marcelo Boek, M.D., is a hematologist and medical oncologist at Texas Oncology–Brownsville, 2150 N. Expressway 83, in Brownsville, 

Texas. To learn more about exciting advancements in cancer treatment, visit www.TexasOncology.com or call 1-888-864-I CAN (4226). 

15 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


BEYOND DRUGS: 

The Other Breakthroughs 

in Cancer Research 

We usually associate cancer 

research and clinical trials 

with new cancer medicine. 

But evidence-based 

cancer care goes far 

beyond providing drug therapies to patients. 

Exciting research developments that are 

unrelated to cancer medicines are improving 

patients’ outcomes and quality of life. 

Breakthroughs include technology to 

improve cancer screening, ways to minimize 

the side effects of cancer treatment, and 

tools to determine best approaches for 

treatment. We’re increasingly able to use 

and analyze data to customize cancer care 

for specific patients. Clinical research drives 

each of these non-medicine advancements. 

Better Prevention and Screening 

01 Research that helps identify causes 

and risk factors leads to better cancer 

prevention. Better screening and earlier 

detection enables physicians to treat cancer 

sooner with greater success. Research is 

underway to find better screening tools for a 

variety of cancers. 

One example of such research is already 

making a difference. Mammograms 

traditionally are the most reliable way to 

discover breast abnormalities. Traditional 

mammograms, however, are sometimes 

unable to identify concerning areas in 

women with dense breast tissue. Researchers 

developed a newer technology called 3-D 

mammography, which takes many lowdose 

X-rays to create a three-dimensional 

picture of the breast. Also called digital 

tomosynthesis, the procedure helps doctors 

locate and better examine suspicious areas 

in dense breast tissue beyond traditional 

mammograms. 

Reduced Side Effects from 

02 Cancer Treatment 

Chemotherapy is the most common form 

of cancer treatment. Unfortunately, the 

treatment sometimes has negative side 

effects, including nausea and hair loss. 

Reducing side effects can improve patients’ 

quality of life. Many years ago, research that 

developed better nausea medications now 

has helped thousands of patients relieve 

symptoms of this side effect and spurred 

transferring most delivery of chemotherapy 

from a hospital to an outpatient setting, 

enabling patients to be more comfortable at 

home with their families. 

More recently, researchers developed a 

“cooling cap” to combat chemo-induced 

hair loss. The cooling cap reduces scalp 

temperature to reduce the blood flow to 

hair follicles before, during, and after chemo 

treatment, which helps prevent hair loss. 

Although currently FDA-approved for limited 

cancer types, research indicates that about 

half of patients who use a cooling cap will 

successfully retain their hair through chemo 

treatments. 

More Precise Radiation 

03 Treatment 

Most people know that radiation therapy 

often accompanies drug treatments such 

as chemotherapy, but many don’t realize 

that radiation therapy has ongoing clinical 

trials too. Such research has improved 

the precision of radiation beams to more 

exactly target tumors and minimize damage 

to surrounding tissues. Texas Oncology’s 

participation in the Radiation Therapy 

Oncology Group gives patients access to 

many promising radiation trials. 

Improved Patient Outcomes and 

04 Experiences 

Researchers comb mountains of data to 

discern the most effective treatments and 

patient experiences for specific types of 

cancer. That research, in turn, benefits 

many future patients. Texas Oncology 

participates in evidence-based pathways, 

which uses research and data to inform 

doctors which therapeutic interventions 

are most appropriate for each individual 

patient’s case. For example, we now can 

customize some treatments for breast 

cancer patients based on how patients with 

similar molecular profiling have responded to 

certain approaches. By treating patients with 

the right treatment at the right time, we can 

improve outcomes. 

Drug therapies will always be a vital part of 

cancer care. But thanks to new research and 

technology, cancer care continues to expand 

beyond drugs to improve outcomes and 

patient experiences. 

GUILLERMO LAZO, M.D. 

Guillermo Lazo, M.D., is a medical 

oncologist at Texas Oncology— 

McAllen, 1901 South 2nd Street, in 

McAllen, Texas. 

To learn more about exciting 

advancements in cancer treatment, 

visit www.TexasOncology.com 

or call 1-888-864-I CAN (4226). 

16 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

Weslaco 

Texas Oncology delivers high-quality cancer care with leading-edge technology and advanced treatment 

options to help patients achieve “More breakthroughs. More victories.” in their fights against cancer. 

Texas Oncology, a pioneer in community-based cancer care, is an independent oncology 

practice with sites of service throughout Texas and southeastern New Mexico. Texas 

Oncology patients have the opportunity to take part in some of the most 

promising clinical trials in the nation for a broad range of cancers. In 

fact, Texas Oncology has played an integral role in gaining Food 

and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for 29 of the 

latest cancer therapies. 

Habib Ghaddar, MD, FACP 

Medical Oncology/Hematology 

Dr. Ghaddar specializes in medical oncology and hematology. He is board-certified by the American Board of 

Internal Medicine in hematology and medical oncology. He received his medical degree from the American 

University of Beirut in Beirut, Lebanon. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at the Good 

Samaritan Hospital/John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. He completed his fellowship in 

hematology/oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. He has been in 

practice with Texas Oncology since 1995. 

Daniel Farray, MD 


Dr. Farray is board-certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. He received his medical 

degree in 1998 from the Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Urena in the Dominican Republic and completed 

his residency in internal medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio. He completed his 

fellowship in medical oncology and hematology in 2006 at Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center/Loyola University 

Chicago. Dr. Farray ranked first in his medical school class. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical 

Oncology and American College of Physicians. 

Weslaco 1330 East 6th Street, Suite 204 Weslaco, Texas 78596 PH: 956.969.0021 FAX: 956.968.9744 

www.TexasOncology.com

Harlingen 

Marco A. Araneda, MD 


Dr. Araneda specializes in medical oncology and is board-certified in internal medicine and medical 

oncology. He received his medical degree from San Carlos University in Guatemala and completed a 

medical oncology fellowship at East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, as well as a 

fellowship in bone marrow transplantation at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. He has special 

interests in breast cancer, gastrointestinal malignancies, hematologic malignancies, and molecular 

targeted therapy. 

Nabeel Sarhill 


Dr. Nabeel Sarhill is board-certified in hematology, medical oncology, and internal medicine. He earned his 

medical doctorate from the University of Tishreen Medical School in Lattakia, Syria, and completed his 

residency in internal medicine at Case Wester Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. His fellowship in 

hematology was completed at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas, and his 

clinical research fellowship in medicine and symptoms management at The Harry R. Horvitz Center for 

Palliative Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Nabeel Sarhill is a member of the American Society of Clinical 

Oncology, American Society of Hematology, Syrian Medical Association, Syrian Ministry of Health, American 

Board of Hematology, American Board of Medical Oncology, and the American Board of Internal Medicine. 

Benjamin West, MD 

Radiation Oncology 

Dr. West is a board-certified radiation oncologist. He was a physicist prior to becoming a physician. 

Hayan Moualla, MD 


Dr. Moualla completed his Internal Medicine residency followed by a fellowship in Geriatrics and later a 

fellowship in Hematology and Medical Oncology at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. For 

almost 5 years before joining Texas Oncology, Dr. Moualla practiced in beautiful southern Virginia. He is 

Board Certified in Hematology and Medical Oncology with special interest in elderly cancer and blood 

disorders. His emphasis is making sure that all patient understand their conditions well and have a good 

idea about available options. Dr. Moualla is married and has a boy and twin girls. His biggest pleasure is 

spending time with family. He also enjoys soccer, ping pong, badminton and swimming. 

Harlingen 2121 Pease Street, Suite 101 Harlingen, Texas 78550 PH: 956.425.8845 FAX: 956.364.6793 


McALLEN 

Billie J. Marek, MD, FACP 


Dr. Marek is board-certified and specializes in medical oncology and heamatology. He currently serves as a 

director of Texas Oncology and is the medical director for Texas Oncology-McAllen. He has served the Rio 

Grande Valley for the past 22 years as a medical oncologist and hematologist, has been recognized as a 

“Super Doctor” in oncology for five years in a row, and was recognized as Doctor of The Year for Rio 

Grande Regional. Dr. Marek received his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical School at 

San Antonio. He completed his fellowship at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. 

Alvaro Restrepo, MD 


“I can be part of your team... and together we can fight the battle.” Dr. Restrepo specializes in, medical 

oncology and hematology. He completed his fellowship at the University of Miami. He also serves on the 

reast Cancer Committee of US Oncology and has completed a fellowship in breast cancer treatment. 

Through the Life Beyond Cancer Fundation he established the Texas Oncology–McAllen Breast Cancer 

Ride/Walk undraiser to raise funds for Rio Grande Valley cancer patients. To date approximately $30,000 has 

been donated to cancer patients in the Rio Grande Valley. 

Suresh Ratnam, MD, FACP 


Dr. Ratnam has been with Texas Oncology-McAllen for 13 years, which he joined after completing his 

fellowship at the renowned National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. He has 

co-authored several research publications and is passionate about cutting-edge oncology care. He currently 

serves on the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee of US Oncology and chairman of the Credentials 

Committee for South Texas Health System. 

Guillermo Lazo, MD 


Dr. Lazo specializes in medical oncology and hematology. He completed his fellowship at The University of 

Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is a recipient of several awards including the American Society of 

Clinical Oncology Merit Award and is the author of several peer-reviewed medical publications as well as 

book chapters. He received the highest honors on the professional examination for his medical doctorate 

degree. 

McAllen 1901 South 2nd Street McAllen, Texas 78503 PH: 956.687.5150 FAX: 956.687.9546 


Nurul Wahid, MD 


Dr. Wahid was fellowship-trained in medical oncology and hematology at Columbia University College of 

Physicians and Surgeons in New York. He is board certified in Hematology and Oncology. He has been 

recognized as Physician of the Year at Rio Grande State Center in Harlingen where he has served as senior 

attending physician for the past 13 years. 

Rogelio Salinas, MD 


Dr. Salinas is a board-certified radiation oncologist. He completed his residency training at Memorial 

Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center in New York followed by his fellowship at The University of Texas MD Anderson 

Cancer Center. 

Joseph Litam, MD 


Dr. Litam was fellowship-trained at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He is well 

known in the community and was in private practice for 27 years before joining Texas Oncology. He has special 

interest in treating solid tumors. 

Benjamin West, MD 


Dr. West is board-certified radiation oncologist. He was physicist prior to becoming a physician. 

Phoebe Verano, RN, FNP-BC 

Nurse Practitioner 

Phoebe Cepeda Verano is a certified Family Nurse Practioner, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, who 

received her Masters degree at the University of Texas- Pan American (UTPA) in 2013. She has more than 

30 years of experience as a registered nurse, most of it in an adult critical care setting. As a nurse 

practitioner, she has the compassion to be a part of a patient’s journey through cancer care and believes 

that patient education is an important first step following diagnosis and treatment plan development. “I 

am committed to preparing cancer patients for their journeys and assuring they know that we are always 

here to support them.” 

Cristelita Parrocho, RN, BSN,CCRN,MSN,FNP-C 

Nurse Practicioner 

Cristy graduated as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in 

California. She is also a certified Adult Critical Care Registered Nurse. Before joining Texas Oncology-McAllen 

she was a hospitalist with IPC Healthcare. “Cancer is brutal but I believe loving and actually feeling while you 

care for these patients will somehow bring upon sunshine in the darkest moments of their lives. It is not 

how much time but how much love you put into it.” 

McAllen 1901 South 2nd Street McAllen, Texas 78503 PH: 956.687.5150 FAX: 956.687.9546 


Brownsville 

Balesh Sharma, MD 


Balesh Sharma, MD specializes in internal medicine, medical oncology and hematology. He is board certified by in 

medical oncology. Dr. Sharma received an MD Delhi University in New Delhi, India, in 1990, where he also 

completed his residency in Anesthesia and Critical Care in 1991. He completed his medical internship at Lincoln 

Medical Center in New York in 1992-93. Dr. Sharma completed his residency in internal medicine at St. Vincent’s 

Medical Center in affiliation with Yale University School of Medicine, Connecticut. In 1998, he completed a 

fellowship in hematology and oncology from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, and has 

been in private practice since then. 

Marcelo Boek, MD 


Dr Marcelo M Boek specializes in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology/Hematology. He is board certified in 

Medical Oncology and Hematology. He received his medical degree from Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul 

in Brazil. He also completed his Internal Medicine residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital- University of Miami. 

In 2003 he completed his Fellowship in Medical Oncology and Hematology at John Strogger- Cook County 

Hospital in Chicago. Dr Boek then worked as a Medical Oncologist at The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency at The 

Allan Blair Cancer Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, and as an investigator affiliated with The North 

Central Cancer Treatment Group and the National Cancer Institute of Canada. He was also appointed as a Clinical 

Assistant Professor with the Division of Oncology, College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan and 

held this job until he moved back to the United States. Dr Boek joined Texas Oncology in 2006 

Carlos Gonzalez-Angulo, MD 


Dr. Gonzalez specializes in radiation oncology and internal medicine. He is certified by the American Board of 

Internal Medicine as well as the American Board of Radiology, and is a member of the American Society of 

Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO). He completed his 

fellowship in radiation oncology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, in Buffalo, New York, and also completed a 

second residency in radiation oncology at Jackson Memorial Hospital/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, 

in Miami, Florida. Aside from his medical practice, Dr. Gonzalez is a Christian lay minister and a student of 

ancient Greek. 

Mariza D. Oliver, MSN, APRN, FNP-C 

Advanced Practice Provider 

Mariza is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, and has a Masters degree in 

Nursing Administration. She has over 17 years experience in nursing and has worked in healthcare areas such as 

medical-surgical, post-partum, hospice, and home health. She has extensive experience in providing care for the 

adult and geriatric population of the Rio Grande Valley. 

2150 N. Expressway 83 Brownsville, TX 78521 PH: 956-548-0810 FAX: 956-548-2239 www.TexasOncology.com

FITNESS & BEAUTY · APRIL 2018 

SLOW EATING 

Your mother always told you to slow down and enjoy your food 

when you were young and eager to go out to play with your friends, 

but did you know there are actual real benefits to slow eating? 

Taking your time promotes better digestion, better hydration, great 

satisfaction with your meals, easier weight loss or maintenance. Conversely, 

when you eat too quickly, it can lead to digestion problems, weight gain, and 

makes meals less palatable and the experience of eating less pleasurable. 

You’re probably wondering how 

you’ll ever find time to slow down 

and eat. With everyone in the family 

on different schedules, it can be 

incredibly tricky trying to figure out 

how to get from one activity to the 

next. How you eat is the last thing on 

your mind when you can’t remember 

when was the last time you actually 

had something to eat. But when you 

consider all the health benefits of 

eating slowly, it might be worth the 

time and effort to take your time. 

When you eat too fast, besides 

the very real possibility that you 

could end up choking on your food, 

you’re also not giving your brain 

time to catch up with your food 

consumption and could throw 

your system out of balance. How 

do you know that you’re full if you 

stuff food into your mouth without 

thinking? The reality is slowing down 

your eating will help you to avoid 

overeating. 

In order for your body to achieve a 

sensation of fullness, two things have 

to happen. One is the hormones 

that signal to your stomach that you 

are full must spring into action. The 

other is that the stretch receptors in 

your stomach have to expand fully. 

If neither of those 

factors occur, 

your body (brain) 

has no idea that 

it’s reached its 

maximum capacity. 

If those factors become 

faulty (i.e., when ingesting 

food at rapid speed), you 

invite the overconsumption 

of calories and create 

unnecessary digestion issues. 

These issues lead to gas, 

indigestion, weight gain, 

bloating, cramps, and a host 

of other issues. Long-term it 

can lead to significant weight 

gain. 

Eating too quickly also 

doesn’t allow enough time 

for your stomach to fully 

digest the food. Food can 

become lodged in your 

stomach, or even worse, can 

be aspirated in the lungs. 

Eating slower eliminates 

many if not all of those 

risks. It allows you time 

to thoroughly enjoy your 

meal and get all the proper 

benefits of eating better 

for your waistline and your 

stomach. Take the time 

to savor every bite and 

thoroughly enjoy a good 

meal. 

Take in the atmosphere 

and avoid unnecessary 

distractions. Slow down, 

have a pleasant conversation, 

relish in the moment, pay 

attention to your tablemates, 

and know that what you’re 

doing will not only make 

your stomach feel good, 

it gives you much-needed 

respite in your busy life. 

By Vanessa Jackson 

23 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


HEALTH 

BENEFITS 

OF SLEEP 

Missing the health benefits 

of sleep? No longer! We’re 

here to help you find them 

and get the most out of 

them. 

You know that sleep just makes you feel 

great, but its benefits go beyond preventing 

yourself from nodding off during the 

workday. It can help boost your mood and 

can even have lasting benefits on your heart 

health, your weight, mind, and your cells. It’s 

the wonder drug, minus the drug. 

For as long as we can remember, we’ve been 

told to work, work, work. ‘No rest for the 

weary’ as they say. We learned we had to 

work hard to get ahead, and while that’s true 

to some extent, it’s taken a toll on us. Medical 

researchers have studied the benefits of 

sleep and what they’ve discovered may 

amaze you. 

SLEEP CAN: 

Help improve your memory. 

You wouldn’t believe how 

much your mind can 

accomplish while you’re 

catching up on your zzz’s. Your mind goes 

through a process of consolidation. In this 

process, it works out skills that we learned 

when we were awake. Their studies have 

shown that if you want to learn something, 

study it right before bed and while you’re 

asleep, your mind will process it and help lock 

it in. 

If you suffer from lack of 

sleep, we already know that 

it’s associated with a shorter 

lifespan. If you sleep too 

much, that too can also 

shorten your lifespan, but if you sleep the 

right amount of time- the recommended 

hours of sleep- you could prolong your life. 

Getting proper rest can 

also reduce inflammation 

in your body. Inflammation 

is directly linked to heart 

disease, diabetes, stroke, 

premature aging, and arthritis. People who 

get six or fewer hours of sleep have been 

shown to have higher levels of inflammatory 

blood proteins in their bodies. 

Did you know that sleep 

can spark creativity? Sleep 

consolidates memories, 

or makes them stronger. 

Your brain reorganizes and 

restructures your memories which leads to 

more creativity. 

It can also increase your 

stamina and improve your 

game. Good sleep = better 

sports performance. 

Getting enough sleep can 

also improve your school 

performance. 

It will lower 

your stress levels and erase 

irritability. 

Prevent you 

from overindulging in sweets 

or fattening foods. That 

leads to improved weight. 

It will make you more alert 

and lessen the probability of you having 

accidents on the road. 

By Sarah Wester 

24 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


drinking can’t kill brain cells as previously believed, 

but it does damage the dendrites. These are 

the branch-like ends of the brain cells. They 

are key components in passing messages from 

one neuron to another. Any degradation of 

the dendrites may cause significant cognitive 

impairment. 

The research also suggests that any 

dendrite damage may be reverse 

with specific, targeted therapies and 

training, but there are no guarantees 

that those treatments will work in every 

case. Differing levels have damage can 

result in different outcomes. 

FIVE NEW TYPES OF DIABETES 

Could Mean Targeted Treatment 

for Thousands of Patients 

For decades, diabetes has been classified as either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, but recently 

Swedish researchers have identified five distinct types of the disease and offers the 

possibility of targeted treatments for patients. Some of these five types can be more 

dangerous than the types of diabetes we’ve long known about. The study dug deeper to 

look for specific characteristics. 

Together, researchers have created a new 

classification system to help medical professionals 

identify those who would be at most risk for 

complications and may one day allow medical 

professionals to treat patients on a more 

personalized scale with much more effective 

treatments. 

From the researchers’ analysis, they were able 

to identify five distinct clusters of diabetes that 

have distinct characteristics. SIRD, Severe Insulin- 

Resistant Diabetes, involved the highest levels 

of insulin resistance and offered the highest risk 

of diabetic kidney disease. MOD, Mild Obesity- 

Related Diabetes, is the most benign of the new 

classifications of diabetes. MARD, Mild Age-Related 

Diabetes, is another benign form of diabetes. 

SIDD, Severe Insulin-Deficient Diabetes solely 

effects young adults with poor metabolic control. 

Finally, Severe Autoimmune Diabetes overlaps 

with what we currently know as Type 1 Diabetes. 

What these new classifications tell us is that it is 

possible to help identify those people at higher 

risk of complication and will give doctors a 

better guide for their treatment choice for their 

patients, especially for those suffering from the 

most severe forms of this disease – SIDD, Severe 

Insulin Deficient Diabetes, and SIRD, Severe 

Insulin-Resistant Diabetes. The risk of kidney 

complications is substantially increased with SIRD. 

With SIDD, the risk of diabetic retinopathy is 

higher. With this new-found knowledge, doctors 

could target individuals who fall into these 

categories and intensify their treatment regimes. 

In addition to those who meet the criteria for 

these classifications, a new classification system 

could benefit those who’ve suffered with diabetes 

1 or 2 for many years. It would allow doctors 

to specifically target certain segments of their 

disease and could give them a clearer path 

forward. 

This new classification system promotes the 

combination of different measurements to form 

a much more specific diagnosis and a targeted 

treatment plan by going beyond the simple 

glucose levels and looking at other factors. It is a 

precision oriented finding that could have lasting 

results for thousands of people around the world. 

In their opinion, this new system could represent 

a bold, new step in identifying and managing this 

deadly disease. The potential benefits for patients 

could be life-changing for patients worldwide. 

THE CORRELATION BETWEEN DRINKING 

HEAVILY AND BRAIN HEALTH (ALCOHOL 

AWARENESS MONTH): 

For years, research scientists and the medical 

community have known that there are negative 

long-term effects of heavy alcohol consumption, 

but until recently, they’d not yet studied with 

overconsumption of alcohol does to the brain 

long-term. Recent studies have pointed to 

significant brain damage as a result of heavy 

alcohol consumption. They’ve found that heavy 

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is another brain 

disorder that alcoholics could suffer from. In 

this condition, memory impairment, significant 

confusion, eye paralysis, and decreasing levels 

of muscle coordination significantly lessens the 

quality of life for those affected. In contrast to 

the previously discussed condition, this syndrome 

does not lead to brain cell death because it isn’t 

the result of the alcohol specifically. It occurs due 

to a thiamine deficiency. 

Thiamine, an important B vitamin, is crucial 

to neuron health. Consuming large quantities 

of alcohol leads to a thiamine deficiency 

by disrupting the body’s ability to absorb 

it. Alcoholics tend to drink more of their 

calories, thus, making them malnourished. That 

malnourishment adds to the depletion of thiamine 

reserves in the body. 

For years, we’ve been led to believe that brain cells 

are destroyed with high alcohol consumption. 

That’s a myth. There’s no evidence that moderate 

alcohol consumption kills brain cells or damages 

them in any way. In order to actually kill brain 

cells, one would have to consume a fatal amount 

of alcohol, thus, killing themselves in the process. 

While it’s now noted that there can be significant 

brain damage, none of the current evidence points 

to any actual brain cell damage. However, as noted 

previously, there is a strong correlation between 

consuming large quantities of alcohol and major 

impairments. There is also strong evidence that 

heavy consumption of alcohol leads to a vast array 

of social and socioeconomic problems. 

As with any potential harmful substance, there 

are risks that need to be considered. Follow the 

healthcare guidelines to avoid these complications. 

If you believe you might have an alcohol problem, 

seek help before it’s too late. Much of the damage 

done as a result of heavy drinking cannot be 

reversed. Be proactive in your healthcare and seek 

help when needed. Rampant alcohol consumption 

may be seen as a harmless norm, but healthcare 

professionals and those struck with significant 

impairments know all too well just how life-altering 

the seemingly harmless substance can be. For 

more information about alcohol and how it can 

affect you, seek counsel from your healthcare 

provider and get the answers and resources you 

need to live a long, full life. 

26 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


SPRING 

CLEAN 

YOUR 

LIFE 

Spring is a time for renewal. 

Flowers begin to bloom. Our 

long-sleeved sweaters become 

a bit too heavy for the season. 

We’re anxious to open the 

windows and let in some fresh 

air before the summer heat sets in soon. Our 

moods lift. Our spirits are high. As they say, 

Spring is in the air. But more parts of our lives 

could use a refresh button. 

For starters, you can begin 

with your fitness routine. 

With the sun shining longer 

and the weather warming up 

nicely, you no longer have to 

work out indoors. You can 

rev up your workout routine 

with a jaunt outdoors. 

Go big. Sign up for a Couch to 5k or go even 

bigger and gather a group of friends or 

coworkers and sign up for a 10k. Set a goal 

and start taking steps to make it happen. 

Getting out in the elements will boost your 

self-esteem, give your endorphins a jolt, and 

help you get in tip-top shape for the summer. 

Why not go for a little relaxation this 

Spring? You’re probably in need of a little 

R&R. What better way to get it than to take 

some time to soothe your mind and soul with 

relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation? 

Meditation is the ultimate way to focus on 

things that matter. It fosters positivity, love, 

and light. It takes you away from the hustle 

and bustle of everyday life and gives you time 

to rejuvenate your soul. Yoga has many of the 

same benefits, but with a bonus: Yoga helps 

your physical health as well. 

Rebuild or strengthen your relationships with those you care about. Take some 

time to focus on your friendships and find ways to reconnect. If it feels like work or seems 

overwhelming to reconnect and rebuild those bridges, springtime is the perfect time to 

rethink those bonds. If that connection invites negativity into your life, let it go. Just like you 

declutter your desk, you can declutter the muck in other aspects of your life. 

This is a biggie. Unplug your devices. 

Lock them in a drawer. Shut them off. Do 

whatever you have to do to enjoy the season. 

Yes, social media is fun – sometimes – but 

it’s not the end all be all. You don’t need it as 

much as you think you do. Reclaim your time. 

You’ll be happier for it. 

Spring is the perfect time of year to empty 

the junk drawer, rid your closets of clothes 

you haven’t warn in a long time, clean off 

your desk, clean your garage and attack. It’s 

just stuff after all. Do you really need it or can 

you take a photo of it and let it go? In fact, 

you can make some money off your old stuff. 

Put it up on eBay or Etsy and make a few 

bucks in the process. Or if you’re not techsavvy, 

have a yard sale and let other people 

take it home for a few dollars. Easy-peasy! 

Are you over the calorie-laden desserts of 

the holiday season? Are you ready for cute 

shorts or sexy skirts? Now is the perfect 

time to say goodbye to comfort food and 

say hello to fresh fruits and vegetables. Try 

new healthier versions of your favorite meals. 

Plant a garden. Experiment with new-to-you 

foods. Who knows? You might even lose a 

little weight in the process. 

Revamp your budget. Now that the holiday 

bills are out of the way, set your budget 

for the rest of the year. If you’ve already 

emptied out the garage or the attic, you’ve 

undoubtedly found items you forgot you 

owned. That’s good news. You won’t need 

to rebuy it. Give up the overspending. Wear 

what you have. Give up your fancy coffee 

habit. Open a savings account for this year’s 

holidays. Do something to get your finances 

in order. 

By Claudia Portillo 

28 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

If you suspect your child has 

a concussion, contact your 

physician and give him 

or her plenty of rest. “A 

concussion causes torn or 

stretched brain cells that 

need the body’s energy to 

heal. So, rest is essential,” 

Asuaje says. “Beyond rest, the 

most beneficial treatment of a 

concussion is to slowly reintroduce 

simple physical and cognitive activities 

into your child’s life with the help of a 

healthcare professional.” 

According to Asuaje, even if your child is a 

daredevil, there are several easy ways to help 

prevent concussions and other brain injuries 

while your child is riding a bike: 

HEADS UP ON 

BIKING SAFETY 

From paper boys hustling through their 

paper routes at the crack of dawn to 

families taking a Sunday afternoon 

cruise through the neighborhood, bike riding 

is one of America’s favorite past times. But 

every year, according to the Centers for 

Disease Control and Prevention, 26,000 

bicycle-related injuries to children and 

adolescents result in traumatic brain injuries. 

“A brain injury suffered by a child has a 

more devastating impact than the same 

severity of brain injury suffered by an adult,” 

says Dr. Juan Asuaje, Medical Director of 

Weslaco Regional Rehabilitation Hospital. 

“Unlike an adult’s brain, a child’s brain is 

continuously undergoing development, so 

it’s more susceptible to injury. The brain 

develops rapidly during the first five years 

of life and continues to mature late into 

adolescent years. When a child experiences a 

brain injury, it can alter, or even halt, certain 

developments of the brain. A lot of times, 

however, the effects of a brain injury suffered 

by a child don’t become apparent until later 

in life when more critical thinking and social 

interaction is required.” 

Defined by the Brain Injury Association of 

America, a brain injury is any disruption of 

the normal function of the brain, usually 

caused by a blow or jolt to the head. The 

most common brain injury, especially in 

children, is a concussion. 

SYMPTOMS OF A 

CONCUSSION MAY INCLUDE: 

• Difficulty thinking clearly, 

concentrating, or remembering 

things 

• Feeling “slowed down,” tired, 

having no energy 

• Blurry vision 

• Headaches 

• Nausea or vomiting (close to 

when the injury occurs) 

• Dizziness and balance problems 

• Sensitivity to light 

• Irritability, sadness, 

nervousness, or in general, 

more emotional than usual 

• Change in sleeping habits - 

more or less than usual, or 

having trouble falling asleep 

1. Properly Fitted Helmet - wearing a 

properly fitted helmet every time you 

and your child ride a bike is the main way 

to prevent brain injury. 

2. Follow the Rules of the Road - by 

teaching your child to go with the flow 

of traffic on the right-side of the road, 

what hand signals to use and when, 

and what the different traffic signs and 

signals mean can help your child stay 

safe. 

3. Reflectors - attach a front headlight and 

a rear red reflector to your child’s bike. 

If your child is riding beyond daylight 

hours, have him or her wear reflective 

clothing, as well. 

“If your child doesn’t want to wear a helmet, 

try to figure out why,” Asuaje says. “He or 

she may be uncomfortable with the helmet 

because of its size, unattractiveness, or if it’s 

too hot. If so, find a helmet that your child is 

comfortable wearing.” 

“Be a role-model to your child,” Asuaje 

continues. “Go biking as a family and practice 

biking skills and safety together. Wear your 

properly fitted helmet, follow the rules of the 

road, and attach reflectors to your own bike 

so that your child can witness biking safety 

first-hand. By using these safety precautions, 

you can help prevent brain injuries in not 

only your child, but yourself, as well.” 

30 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

Top 10% in Nation - It Matters! 

Bringing the highest level of rehabilitative care 

available in the United States to our own communities. 

STRH.ERNESTHEALTH.COM 

425 E Alton Gloor Blvd • Brownsville, TX 78526 

956.554.6000 956.350.6150 Follow Us 

WRRH.ERNESTHEALTH.COM 

906 S. James Street • Weslaco, TX 78596 

956.969.2222 956.969.2221 Follow Us


WHY YOU SHOULDN'T 

SKIP BREAKFAST 

Heart disease researchers 

have found that factors 

like where you live, how 

many children you have, 

and your socioeconomic 

status can influence your cardiovascular 

health. In the United States, the number 

one killer of both men and women 

is heart disease. More than 610,000 

Americans die as a result of heart 

disease every year. That amounts to 

roughly one in every four deaths in the 

United States of America alone. 

The risk factors are well 

known by now. They include 

high blood pressure, high cholesterol, 

obesity, lack of physical activity, and 

smoking. Researchers have found that 

there is one often overlooked risk 

factor that can play a major role in 

heart health. It is one that might not 

be so obvious to the average person or 

medical professional – eating breakfast. 

Studies suggest that those who eat 

breakfast regularly tend to have lower 

rates of heart disease. They also 

have lower cholesterol levels, blood 

pressures well within normal range, and 

make better food choices, thus, helping 

them keep their weight under control. 

All of this information is according to 

studies performed by the American 

Heart Association. 

When you skip breakfast, you increase 

the likelihood of developing diabetes, 

high cholesterol levels, increased weight 

gain, and increased obesity levels. This 

happens because inevitably hunger 

pangs will disrupt your day by midmorning. 

That triggers our brains to 

search for food. At that time of day, 

with our brain and stomachs telling 

us to hunt and gather nourishment, 

we naturally reach for something 

convenient. Those convenience foods 

are more likely to be sugar-laden, 

carb-filled, and processed or we reach for far 

more food that we actually need to satiate our 

ravenous appetite. By doing this, we consume a 

large number of calories at once, and chances 

are, those calories are empty. It begins a cycle 

of bad food choices that, unless controlled, 

continues throughout the day. Soon, you’ll find 

that you’ve consumed three to four times your 

daily recommended caloric intake. 

That is unless you're eating breakfast every 

morning. (There’s a caveat. It must be a healthy 

breakfast. Don’t reach for sugary cereals or 

a box of doughnuts. It must be a healthy, 

nutritious meal that includes healthy doses of 

proteins and good carbohydrates.) 

Another benefit of eating breakfast is that 

it allows you an opportunity to sit with your 

family and make sure you’re on the same page 

or know what’s on the agenda for the day. 

Breakfast fuels you for the day ahead. It helps 

you to prepare for the day ahead. 

For kids and teens, eating 

breakfast helps them to have 

more energy for school. 

Studies show that kids who 

eat a nutritious breakfast do 

better in school, perform 

better on tests, and can better 

concentrate. A good breakfast 

keeps the feelings of negativity, 

restlessness, and fatigue at bay. 

When you skip breakfast, your body essentially 

goes into panic mode. Muscle glycogen levels 

are at their lowest when you first wake up 

in the morning because your body has just 

experienced an overnight fast. By skipping 

breakfast, you’re throwing your body’s natural 

rhythms off, and that creates a negative chain 

reaction. 

By Julianna Lowe 

32 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


THE BEST 

ESSENTIAL OILS 

FOR DETOX 

By Andres Portillo 

Let’s face it, we all want healthy, glowing skin, especially after a long 

season of overindulging and gathering around the dinner table for 

large family meals. We now find ourselves wanting to get rid of the 

excess and wanting to get back to our gorgeous selves. A simple 

and effective way to do that is to add essential oils to your daily skincare 

routine. With minimal effort, you can help your body repair cells while 

removing harmful toxins from your skin and body. The key is to find the 

right ingredients. This is where quality over quantity matters because if 

you’re consistently using the wrong products, you're inviting a host of other 

problems. Make sure you choose the best for yourself. You want grade “A” 

essential oils for excellence. 

We’ve gathered your “A-Team” of 

essential oils to help support the 

natural systems of elimination in 

your lymph, skin, liver, colon, and 

kidneys. 

Lemon is king (or queen) 

01 where detoxifying is 

concerned. It not only helps to rid 

the body of harmful toxins, but 

it also aids in the regeneration of 

essential properties in your body. 

Grapefruit is an antiviral, an 

02 antiseptic, and a diuretic. 

The sweet scent 

03 of lavender isn’t 

all this lovely flower 

has to offer. It’s a 

calming agent that 

eliminates nervous 

exhaustion. 

Lemongrass is an 

04 anti-fungal, an 

antioxidant, and an analgesic 

that promotes healing. 

05 

Oregano is 

a powerful 

anti-bacterial 

and is high in antioxidants. 

06 

Peppermint 

cleanses the 

lymphatic system and acts as 

an anti-inflammatory. 

07 

Fennel helps 

with nausea, 

flatulence, 

and constipation. 

Juniper helps the body 

08 to rid toxic wastes. 

09 Wild 

Orange 

is number one in 

energizing and 

revitalizing the skin and body. 

Ginger aids 

10 in digestion, 

as well as helping 

eliminate motion 

sickness and 

nausea. 

Take a trip to your local health 

food store or anywhere 

quality essential oils are sold 

and begin your journey to 

healthy, glowing skin and a 

healthy body with systems 

that are ready to work for you. 

Keeping your body healthy 

should be your number one 

goal. Essential oils make that 

task a lot easier. 

34 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

“ 

Rest when you’re weary. 

Refresh and renew 

yourself, your body, 

your mind, your spirit. 

Then get back to work. 

” 

— Ralph Marston 



For years, research scientists and 

the medical community have 

known that there are negative 

long-term effects of heavy alcohol 

consumption, but until recently, 

they’d not yet studied with overconsumption 

of alcohol does to the brain long-term. 

Recent studies have pointed to significant 

brain damage as a result of heavy alcohol 

consumption. They’ve found that heavy 

drinking can’t kill brain cells as previously 

believed, but it does damage the dendrites. 

These are the branch-like ends of the brain 

cells. They are key components in passing 

messages from one neuron to another. 

Any degradation of the dendrites may 

cause significant cognitive impairment. The 

research also suggests that any dendrite 

damage may be reverse with specific, 

targeted therapies and training, but there 

are no guarantees that those treatments 

will work in every case. Differing levels have 

damage can result in different outcomes. 

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is another 

brain disorder that alcoholics could suffer 

from. In this condition, memory impairment, 

significant confusion, eye paralysis, and 

decreasing levels of muscle coordination 

significantly lessens the quality of life for 

those affected. In contrast to the previously 

discussed condition, this syndrome does not 

lead to brain cell death because it isn’t the 

result of the alcohol specifically. It occurs due 

to a thiamine deficiency. 

Thiamine, an important B vitamin, is crucial 

to neuron health. Consuming large quantities 

of alcohol leads to a thiamine deficiency 

by disrupting the body’s ability to absorb 

it. Alcoholics tend to drink more of their 

calories, thus, making them malnourished. 

That malnourishment adds to the depletion 

of thiamine reserves in the body. 

For years, we’ve been led to believe that 

brain cells are destroyed with high alcohol 

consumption. That’s a myth. There’s no 

evidence that moderate alcohol consumption 

kills brain cells or damages them in any way. 

In order to actually kill brain cells, one would 

have to consume a fatal amount of alcohol, 

thus, killing themselves in the process. While 

it’s now noted that there can be significant 

brain damage, none of the current evidence 

points to any actual brain cell damage. 

However, as noted previously, there is a 

strong correlation between consuming large 

quantities of alcohol and major impairments. 

There is also strong evidence that 

heavy consumption of alcohol 

leads to a vast array of social and 

socioeconomic problems. 

As with any potential 

harmful substance, there 

are risks that need to be 

considered. Follow the 

healthcare guidelines to 

avoid these complications. 

If you believe you might 

have an alcohol problem, seek help before 

it’s too late. Much of the damage done as a 

result of heavy drinking cannot be reversed. 

Be proactive in your healthcare and seek help 

when needed. Rampant alcohol consumption 

may be seen as a harmless norm, but 

healthcare professionals and those struck 

with significant impairments know all too well 

just how life-altering the seemingly harmless 

substance can be. For more information 

about alcohol and how it can affect you, seek 

counsel from your healthcare provider and 

get the answers and resources you need to 

live a long, full life. 

By Harold Levi 

36 HEALTHY MAGAZINE


THE 

BEST PALEO 

CAULIFLOWER 

RECIPE 

Are you looking for a way to spice up you’re your steamed 

rice meal? Are you ready to take your cauliflower rice 

dish to the next level? Well, boy, have we got something 

for you, and the best part – it’s out of this world 

delicious! 

Let’s face it, eating the same 

steamed rice dish week-in and 

week-out can be boring. Good 

for you, but boring isn’t exactly a 

winning combination. It doesn’t 

make you want to march into the 

kitchen and get your meal on. So, 

if you want to still enjoy all the 

benefits of a light meal, but have 

it packed with fiber and enough 

to satisfies your carb cravings, 

why not try something that easily 

works as a side for your Mexican 

night fair or makes perfect sense 

for your Middle Eastern night or 

can stand on its own for your light 

and scrumptious meal? 

We’re talking about dressing up 

your favorite grain with flair. Add 

some key ingredients to make it 

shine. This version of cauliflower 

rice is an ode to our favorite 

Chipotle-style rice. It’s made with 

plenty of garlic, onions, lime, and 

cumin to spice up your meal and 

is by far THE best way to enjoy a 

Paleo-friendly dinner or side dish 

without any guilt. Enjoy it with 

any variety of main dishes like 

garam masala. Add it to a garam 

masala vegetable soup, and you’ll 

hit a home run every time. Or if 

you’re feeling brave, why not pair 

it with another Paleo-friendly dish 

like the Cantonese crispy chicken 

things and call it good? 

The list of Paleo dishes is endless. 

Experiment a little. You’re sure 

to find a flavor combination you 

love. Take a tour of the world with 

scrumptious steamy cauliflower 

rice combinations. 

Here’s another you’re guaranteed 

to want to eat for every meal: 

Cumin Cilantro Lime Cauliflower 

Rice. We kid you not. You’ll 

want to eat this dish over 

and over again. 

Here’s the recipe: 

(Adapted from 

Ready or Not: 

150+ Make Ahead, 

Make-Over, and 

Make-Now 

Recipes by 

Nom Nom 

Paleo by 

Michelle 

Tam and 

Henry 

Fong, 

copyright 

© 2017, 

Published 

by Andrews 

McMeel 

Publishing, LLC. 

This recipe makes 6 

servings. 

CUMIN CILANTRO LIME 

CAULIFLOWER RICE: 

INGREDIENTS: 

ɩɩ 

2 Tablespoons neutral oil, like refined 

coconut or avocado oil 

ɩɩ 

3 garlic cloves, minced 

ɩɩ 

1 teaspoon cumin 

ɩɩ 

1 small yellow or white onion, finely diced 

ɩɩ 

1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt 

ɩɩ 

½ cup minced cilantro 

ɩɩ 

Zest and juice of 2 limes 

ɩɩ 

1 medium cauliflower head, riced (or 20 

ounces fresh or frozen riced cauliflower 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

Add oil to a large skillet over medium heat. 

When the oil begins to shimmer, add the 

diced onions and cook for 8 – 10 minutes, 

stirring occasionally or until rice softens. Add 

garlic, cumin, and salt. Stir and cook for 30 

seconds or until you smell the fragrance of 

garlic and the spices. Add the riced cauliflower 

and stir well. Cover and cook for five minutes 

or until tender, but not mushy. Then, add the 

cilantro, lime zest, and juice and season to 

taste with salt, if needed. Serve hot and enjoy! 

By Sharon Lowell 

38 HEALTHY MAGAZINE

Healthy RGV Issue 113

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?