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Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2579 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 350 Fifth Avenue, 65th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10118-0110 Upgrade Family Meals Active Aging In The Face Of Osteoarthritis by Dr. Robert Meislin NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases (NAPSA)—Do you tend to avoid exercise for fear your aging joints may be prone to stress during the twists, turns and pounding of many sports? Unfortunately, many aging weekend warriors begin to shy away from physical activities— even those they used to enjoy—because they are afraid exercise will make them feel worse, not better. In fact, exercise Robert Meislin, can help reduce the pain and stiffness MD seniors often experience. The key is picking the right activity. While it’s true that highimpact activities like running, tennis and basketball can aggravate pain, it’s also true that lowimpact activities like swimming, cycling and yoga can actually lessen joint discomfort and improve flexibility. Aerobic exercises (such as swimming) curb weight gain, which stresses joints, while range-of-motion exercises (such as yoga) build strength, which protects joints. Early diagnosis of such conditions as osteoarthritis (OA) is also vitally important—lifestyle changes work best during OA’s earliest stages. OA is the most common type of arthritis in the United States, affecting over 33 million people. Unfortunately, when OA advances, it can result in major disability. Even normal movements such as walking, bending and climbing steps can become painful. That’s why it’s so important to see your doctor if you notice symptoms of knee OA including stiffness, pain and swelling. Together, you can develop a treatment plan that includes appropriate exercise and, if necessary, medications such as over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription antiinflammatories. One treatment option for knee pain caused by osteoarthritis is EUFLEXXA (1% sodium hyaluronate). EUFLEXXA is an injectable prescription medication that replenishes the fluid found in the knee, allowing for easy movement with little to no side effects. Combining treatments such as EUFLEXXA with exercise and weight loss can be especially effective in helping to relieve OA knee pain. Physical activity provides enormous benefits to older adults. Exercise prevents disease, lightens mood, improves balance, averts falls and overall preserves independence. It can also be fun. With the right exercise program and the right treatment, seniors can look forward to an active life filled with enjoyable pursuits. To share your story and enter for a chance to win a year’s gym membership, visit www.euflexxa.com. E UFLEXXA (1% sodium hyaluronate) is used to relieve knee pain due to osteoarthritis. It is used in people who do not get enough relief from simple pain medications such as acetaminophen or from exercise and physical therapy. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION You should not receive this product if you have had any previous allergic reaction to EUFLEXXA or hyaluronan products. You should not have an injection into the knee if you have a knee joint infection or if you have skin disease or infection around the injection site. EUFLEXXA is only for injection into the knee performed by a qualified doctor. After you receive this injection you may need to avoid activities such as jogging, tennis, heavy lifting, or standing on your feet for a long time (more than one hour). The safety and effectiveness of repeat treatment cycles of EUFLEXXA have not been established. The safety and effectiveness of EUFLEXXA have not been shown in people under 18 years of age. Side effects sometimes seen when EUFLEXXA is injected into the knee joint were pain, swelling, skin irritation, and tenderness and these were generally mild and did not last long. (NAPSA)—With a third of America’s youth overweight, First Lady Michelle Obama and public health leaders want to help consumers make smarter choices when preparing family meals. Where To Get Help Fortunately, help is available. The Meal Upgrade Calculator is an online tool that shows how to reduce fat and calories in favorite family meals. Developed by Shape Up America! and National Turkey Federation, the calculator lets con- A turkey burger “upgrade.” sumers choose possible “upgrades,” starting by changing the meat to turkey, which is low in fat and calories and is an excellent protein source. Other possible “upgrades” include altering the side dishes, replacing with higher-fiber breads and changing the condiments. Based on new research from Shape Up America!, using the calculator just to change the meat to turkey nets an average savings of 108 calories per meal. This is important, because two recent studies estimate if Americans consume 100 fewer calories a day, there would be 70 million fewer cases of overweight and $58 billion saved annually in lower health costs. What An Expert Says “When it comes to healthier eating, small changes add up to measurable health improvements,” said Barbara J. Moore, Ph.D., president of Shape Up America! “That is the purpose of the new calculator—to show how simple ‘upgrades’ will reduce calories and fat without sacrificing taste and convenience.” How to Find the Calculator The Meal Upgrade Calculator is available at www.ShapeUp.org and www.EatTurkey.com. Flowering Shrubs: More Bang For The Buck (NAPSA)—Whether you use shrubs as foundation plantings, for a hedge or simply as a single specimen in your garden, you can get double the punch when you plant a flowering variety. Shrubs are low-maintenance solutions in most yards. They fill larger amounts of space than perennials and can form the backbone of a garden’s structure. Some easy-care flowering shrubs offer value-added impact. • ‘Henry’s Garnet’ sweetspire (Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’) is an excellent replacement for the invasive old burning bush in your yard. Fragrant finger-length sprays of tiny white flowers adorn the shrub in spring, giving the appearance of a white waterfall. In autumn, brilliant red leaves make it a traffic stopper. Perhaps best of all, it’s highly adaptable to most conditions. Reaching three to four feet tall and four to six feet wide, ‘Henry’s Garnet’ prefers full sun but takes dappled shade. It likes moist soil but tolerates drought when established. • For an unexpected jolt of blue flowers in late summer when you least expect them, plant Caryopteris, sometimes called blue mist, bluebeard or blue spirea. The cobalt-blue flowers of “First Choice” or the pure blue flowers of “Longwood Blue” attract butterflies and hummingbirds. For a contrast between foliage and flowers, look for “Sunshine Blue” with yellow-chartreuse leaves and amethyst-blue flowers. Plant blue mist in full sun or in afternoon shade. Most reach three to five feet tall and two to four feet wide. • Old-fashioned weigelas— dependable growers with showy, trumpet-shaped spring flowers in pink, red, white or yellow—have gotten a makeover in recent years, offering many choices of leaf color. Selections with burgundy, butter- Freshen up your garden with pink and white peppermintstriped hydrangeas. yellow and variegated green and white or green and yellow leaves can perk up your yard even when the shrub isn’t in bloom (some will rebloom in late summer or fall). Weigelas come in a wide range of sizes, from about a foot tall to six to eight feet, and are pretty hardy. • For the longest-flowering shrub, consider a hydrangea. Beautiful mophead hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) now come in reblooming varieties. Hydrangeas in the Forever & Ever series bloom on both old and new wood. Choose from pink (blue in acidic soils) or white flowers or the cute bicolor pink and white of “Peppermint” for a color boost that begins in early summer and lasts until frost. Even then, you can leave the dried flowers on the shrub for winter interest. The new Summer Lace variety grows with a flat-top lacecap form. Grow them in morning sun and afternoon shade in well-drained, organic-rich soil. Most of these hardy plants reach three to four feet tall. You can locate retailers carrying these plants or get more information online at www.forever hydrangea.com and on Facebook.