Metro Christian Living Magazine, Christian, publication, dedicated, inspirational, encouraging, information, Christian perspective, Jackson metro, metro area, MS.

Shaking Up Salt

Why putting that salt shaker is a good idea

Salt. In the south that word is synonymous with local flavor. Like sugar in tea, and cheese in grits, salt is an ingredient that almost seems necessary in any meal. However, with increased health concerns such as high cholesterol and obesity, reducing salt intake has become necessary.

Currently, the average American consumes seven times the amount of sodium needed in a daily diet. With that increased consumption comes an increase in weight, high blood pressure and cholesterol. For local physician and nutrition specialist, Dr. Chad Rhoden, putting an end over-indulgence in salt became a personal mission.

After his first book went to press, “Bringing Down High Blood Pressure" with registered dietitian Sarah Schein, Dr. Rhoden was approached by his father, Dr. Richard Rhoden about an idea to create a salt substitute. “As I am a nutritionist by training, he has suggested my developing other healthy products in the past, but I truly saw the need for this product and that I could possible develop something of high quality. The more we looked into it; we realized there really wasn't a product in its category. The timing has been impeccable, however, neither one of us can really take credit for that; God has obviously been involved.”

Dr. Rhoden, who grew up in Jackson and now lives in Madison, is the medical director at Rush Health Systems in Morton and specializes in family and preventative medicine. During his time away from work, he began to build a lab of sorts in his kitchen, mixing herbs and seasoning. His wife Rhonda was a bit uncertain at the beginning when her kitchen was taken over by this salt scientist, but now she and their son, Luke who is four Dr. Rhoden’s biggest support and walking advertisements.

What came from that kitchen is now known as FlavorDoctor, a premium salt-free seasoning. Found in local restaurants and cooking stores, FlavorDoctor is a combination of herbs and spices with health benefits minus the harmful addictives such as sodium that are found in most processed and packaged foods.

The most important ingredient found in seasoning is Dr. Rhoden’s faith. Throughout the process, he kept the Lord at the forefront to remind him of his eternal purpose, “As a physician, my earthly career obligates me to helping others get healthier. In a world of distractions from God's plan, these words, “Above all things that you may prosper and be in good health.” from 3 John 1:2 provide myself and others in healthcare, Biblical support that the opportunity to help others maintain good health is pleasing to God.”

Quick questions about salt answered by Dr. Chad Rhoden:

How much sodium per serving should someone look for on a package?

Great question, however, there is not an exact answer for this. The medical community generally looks at the entire picture (i.e. total daily amount). Less than 1500 mg sodium per day is accepted as a healthy recommendation for those with high blood pressure. I also recommend however that everyone desiring to optimize quality of life and health should aim for that same goal.

Why is there a need for a salt substitute in our culture?

The average American consumes anywhere from 5-10 X the amount needed. The awareness of excessive amount of sodium consumption has become so great that the FDA has been asked to restrict the amount of sodium in packaged foods. Excess sodium can be responsible for many unwanted health effects including weight gain and elevated blood pressure.

How do you encourage your patients to lead healthy lives?

My recommendation is to make healthy choices part of a lifestyle for maximum quality of life. I often ask about their faith and let them know that the only way I am personally able to follow a healthy way of living is by faith.

For more information and to find out where you can find FlavorDoctor visit www.flavordoctor.net

Body Language

Listen up! Your body may be telling you something.

By Dr. Kevin Heintzelman, D.O.

Throughout our lives, we are plagued with little aches, pains, sensations, or feelings in various parts of our bodies that are certainly annoying, but usually passed off as “nothing”. The occasional tingling in an extremity, a fleeting muscle spasm in the chest or back, a brief episode of dizziness, an occasional faint ringing in the ears; are all a part of our daily lives. Many times, patients will ask me just how they are to discern when one of these episodes is really something to be concerned about.

Headaches

In my experience, the most commonly overlooked symptom is a new type of headache. Certainly, we all suffer from the occasional sinus headache since we live and work in Mississippi. However, if you are ever faced with a different type of headache, one you have never experienced before; you should seek attention. A sudden, very severe headache (often described as a “thunder-clap”) could be a herald sign of intracranial bleeding or ruptured cranial aneurysm. A headache accompanied by neurological symptoms, such as a lack of coordination or weakness that is limited to a specific area, could also suggest a stroke (“cerebral vascular accident”). Slurred speech, facial muscle weakness limited to one side, or loss of use of an extremity are very common presenting symptoms of cerebral vascular accidents. Other symptoms to be concerned about are sudden loss of vision in one eye, double vision, vertigo (sensation of the “room spinning”), or abrupt loss of balance.

Chest Discomfort

Chest discomfort is always concerning to us and generally should be evaluated. Chest pains that occur with exertional activity of any sort, however, are of particular concern. These can be the early signs of cardiac vessel blockage (“coronary artery disease”) and thus a precursor to “heart attack”. By the same token, shortness of breath, once again when it occurs during physical strain, with or without chest discomfort can be related to coronary blockage. Interestingly, shortness of breath without chest pain seems to be more common in women or those with a history of diabetes. Of course, we all get short-winded when exercising. However, if it suddenly takes a lot less activity to cause breathing difficulty, this is concerning. Difficulty taking a “deep enough” breath or chest discomfort that occurs during emotional stress is generally due to anxiety. However, as always, it is better to be evaluated by your health care provider than assume this is the case.

Leg Pains

We all have cramps and aches in our legs, particularly after a long day in the garden during the summer or an intense work-out. Pains in one leg particularly when accompanied by swelling, should be checked. These could be symptoms of blood clots or “deep venous thrombosis”. We are especially at risk for this after recent surgery or prolonged periods of inactivity such as long car or plane rides, for example. Lower extremity thrombosis can, in fact, lead to embolization (a portion of the clot breaks off and travels through the blood stream). The clot could travel to the lung vessels causing a potentially serious situation called pulmonary embolism. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.

Friday night is pizza and wings night at my house. I can’t honestly say that it’s all just for the kids. The problem comes when Daddy consumes too many Buffalo wings. There just doesn’t seem to be enough antacids in the world to fix that. Heartburn that occurs only when we eat things we know we shouldn’t is one thing. Heartburn that occurs almost daily and is accompanied by difficulty swallowing or very dark stools is something completely different. This may be a clue that the heartburn has caused damage to our esophagus or stomach which can bleed causing black stools. In this situation, you may not only need daily medication to decrease the acid, but also endoscopic evaluation to be sure no significant damage has occurred.

The examples provided here are only a few of the common presenting signs of serious disease. The bottom line is, if you’re concerned, it at least doesn’t hurt to ask your health care provider’s opinion. I always tell my patients that there really is no such thing as a “dumb question”. Listen to your body and you will be able to decide which symptom is “nothing” and which needs to be brought to the attention of a medical professional.

Dr. Kevin Heintzelman is a Doctor of Osteopathy and practices Internal Medicine at Premier Medical Group in Jackson, MS. He can be contacted at 601-352-2273.