Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Health Awareness Day



As part of National Public Health Week, UIS Recreational Sports has partnered with Campus Health Services to offer “Health Awareness Day”. Over 40 vendors will offer a variety of health screenings and information on April 4, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Recreation and Athletic Center (TRAC).

Highlights of the event include a blood drive by the Central Illinois Community Blood Center, bone density and cholesterol testing, on site nutrition counseling, and body fat and BMI testing. Participants will also be able to get their blood pressure checked, height and weight measured, and much more.

Starting at 10 a.m., Recreational Sports will offer a variety of group exercise class demonstrations. Instructors will demo Yoga, Will Power & Grace, Group Cycling, and Interval Cross Training among others classes.

Kara McElwrath from UIS Information Technology Services will talk about “Health Related Apps” for your phone from Noon to 1 p.m. You can bring your own device to the session or simply come and learn more about what is available.

“There will be researched-based apps that we promote that allow you to look up a particular symptom or maybe a strategy you’re looking to try,” said McElwrath. “There will be apps that keep track of different body metrics, such as calorie counting.”

McElwrath will also showcase apps that use your phone’s GPS to track how many miles you have ran or walked. The majority of the apps will be free, but some range in price from $0.99 to $1.99.

“Health Awareness Day” is co-sponsored by the UIS Masters in Public Health Student Association, UIS Recreational Sports, and Springfield Health Check.

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Thursday, March 8, 2012

Gluten Intolerance Awareness



We all know that eating a nutritious diet is very important; it helps your body to function as it normally should, helps with muscle repair, and gives you energy.

While those with Gluten Intolerance often eat a nutritious diet, their bodies are not able to absorb all of the nutrients. Gluten is a protein found specifically in wheat, barley, and rye.

“When this happens you’re not getting all of the vitamins and minerals you’re putting into your mouth. They might not actually be absorbed into your bodies systems,” said Trent Tangen, Rec Sports assistant director for fitness and wellness.

This can lead to vitamin, mineral, and other macronutrient deficiencies. Regardless of weight, in many cases this could lead a person to become malnourished.

Junior Political Science and Legal Studies major Alex Kinzinger was diagnosed with celiac disease last year. It is an autoimmune disease that prevents the body from processing gluten, therefore you do not absorb all of the nutrients your body needs.

“Awhile ago I started feeling really tired and fatigued all of the time, even though I got a full night of sleep,” said Kinzinger. “I went to the doctor and had some blood work done and they found out I was anemic, I had an iron deficiency, which was caused by having celiac disease.”

Now to remain as healthy as possible, Kinzinger does not eat any products with gluten in them, such as wheat, pasta, cookies, bread, or anything that contains flour. The good news is you can find a lot of products in stores that are gluten free.

A lot of people in the United States have gluten intolerance, but do not know it. Complications from gluten intolerance include fatigue, depression, headaches, anxiety, and other long-term health problems. If you are experiencing any of these problems you should talk to your doctor, especially before starting a gluten free diet.

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