How One Woman Beat Cancer With FoodWritten by Joey Dweck
Ruth E. Heidrich, Ph.D. Author, A Race for Life, The Race for Life Cookbook www.RuthHeidrich.com www.vegsource.com More than 20 years ago, when I was 47-year-old doctoral student in psychology, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Of course, I was devastated. At time, I had been running for 15 years, and I was most physically fit person I knew. It was incomprehensible to me that I had cancer. After surgery, further testing determined that cancer had already spread. Nevertheless, instead of recommended radiation and chemotherapy, I put my faith in Dr. John McDougall, a physician who was then researching relationship between a vegan diet (no animal products) and breast cancer. Though I had previously stopped eating red meat, when diagnosed, I was still eating other animal products and my blood tests showed elevated cholesterol levels. So, with assistance of Dr. McDougall, I eliminated all animal products, including fish and dairy. Today, as I approach my 70th cancer-free birthday, I relish my vegan diet and daily run. I am a six-time Ironman Triathlon finisher, holder of more than 900 gold medals from every distance from 100 meter to 5K road races to ultramarathons and triathlons. I have completed more than 60 marathons all over world and I have made three world fitness records in my age group at Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Texas. In 1999, I was named one of “Top Ten Fittest Women in North America.” I also redirected my academic course of study. I was so impressed with what my new diet did for me that I changed from psychology to health education, with majors in nutrition and exercise physiology. I am firmly convinced that a key element in my sustained health is my vegan diet. Moreover, since most plant foods are low in calories (exceptions are nuts, seeds, avocados, olives, and coconuts), I also eat a lot more than most people while keeping a healthy weight. So, I am never hungry. From 1982 until 2000, I ate a vegan diet that included grains and some processed foods. I began most mornings with oatmeal, bananas, and raisins moistened with water or apple juice and a teaspoon of blackstrap molasses. To boost nutritional value, I added greens such as kale, edible hibiscus, seaweed or cabbage. Occasionally, I had pancakes or waffles covered with applesauce or fruit purée (instead of butter or margarine). Lunch consisted of a number of possibilities such as baked or microwaved potatoes with carrot and broccoli sticks, whole wheat pita bread stuffed with sliced mixed vegetables, a whole wheat bagel with an orange and apple, or brown rice mixed with succotash. When eating lunch in a restaurant, I often asked for a bread sandwich -- a whole grain bun or two slices of bread. I then stuffed bread with greens, tomato, bell pepper, and onions. Dinner was often similar to lunch. Or, it included such options as spaghetti made with whole-wheat pasta and sauce prepared with tomato paste, onions, garlic, bell peppers, chopped broccoli, and seasonings, or chili made with kidney beans, tomato sauce, onions, garlic, bell pepper, chili power and lots of brown rice. I made pizza with whole-wheat crust covered with a tomato-based sauce with chopped green onions, round onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and alfalfa sprouts. Between meals, I never allowed myself to become hungry. I nibbled on fruit, carrots, whole grain breads, air-popped popcorn, and sweet potatoes. To avoid any temptation, I did not keep any high fat foods in my home. For dessert, I ate fruit or air-popped popcorn.
| | 5 Reasons to Feel Safe Submitting an Electronic Medical ClaimWritten by Joe Miller
Electronic Medical Claim For years, both practices and patients have had to deal with submitting medical claims. Up until recently, claims were submitted manually, using HCFA 1500 forms. An electronic medical claim allows submission process to take place online. The electronic medical claim is nothing new, but it is perhaps a somewhat unsettling idea to many practices and patients because of one question which continually surfaces in minds of both parties: Is submitting an electronic medical claim safe? Security Addressing issue of safety first, it is understandable hesitancy to submit medical claims electronically. First of all, internet is still a relatively new tool which many Americans are still getting hang of, especially as generations go back further. Rest assured, submitting an electronic medical claim is secure. With advance of online technology comes advance on online security. The electronic billing software enables back ups as well as security clearance so that only authorized viewers have access to electronic medical claim records. Compliance The servers use HIPAA compliant software with each claim, assuring additional security and responsiveness throughout claim cycle. In addition to maintaining HIPAA compliance, electronic medical claim software complies with HCFA 1500 guidelines. Everything transmitted over internet meets same compliance standards as manual claim system.
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