Top 5 Lake County Events in May

Summer is almost here and there are plenty of things to do in Lake County, but man is this year flying by or what? It's already May; I feel like it was New Year's only yesterday! I guess that's all the more reason to enjoy yourself, so go ahead and take advantage of all that Lake County has to offer this month.

Free Comic Book Day 2016

Saturday, May 7^th, 2016

Heroes Landing Comic Shop

12348 Roper Blvd, Clermont

If you like comics, and you like free stuff, then you are in for a treat! You’ll receive three free comics and five free comics if you show up in a costume – so come in your geeky best. There will also be face painting, a blood mobile, a kid’s costume contest for ages 12 and under at 11 am, and of course a sale, as well as a meet and greet with comic artists Eddie Pittman and Joe Pinto.

Nature Fest

Saturday, May 7^th, 2016

Lake Louisa State Park

7305 South US Highway 27, Clermont

For those who love the outdoors, Lake Louisa’s annual Nature Fest is for you. There will be canoeing and kayaking, guided hikes, tram tours, demonstrations and presentations, children’s activities, live music, vendors and exhibitors. Celebrate Florida history and wildlife in a gorgeous outdoor setting!

Movies Under The Stars

Saturday, May 14^th, 2016

Downtown Clermont

685 W. Montrose St., Clermont

The Clermont Fire Department will be showing Star Wars at City Hall Park for this free rain or shine event. Bring a blanket or chairs and some friends too!

Friends of Lake Louisa State Park 5K

Saturday, May 28^th, 2016

Lake Louisa State Park

7305 US Highway 27, Clermont

Runners unite! Enjoy a certified 5K (3.1 mile) course though Lake Louisa State Park, complete with scenic views. Participants will receive a finisher medal, event shirt, and be entered into a native plant giveaway.

Beatle Beat

Saturday, May 28^th, 2016

Mount Dora Community Building

520 N. Baker St., Mount Dora

Beatles tribute bands come together for one concert to celebrate one of the most popular groups of all time. Featuring vintage costumes and vintage instruments!

Rejoice! Your Daily Cup of Joe May Reduce Your Risk of Colorectal Cancer

You’re probably drinking coffee as you read this, and you may want to go get another cup after you finish. Studies from the US and Israel have found that around 2.5 servings of coffee per day can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by up to 50%. And for a cancer that is the second most common cancer among men and women combined (skin cancer is the first,) that is incredible news. For numbers, more than 95,000 new cases of colon cancer and 39,000 new cases of rectal cancer are expected to be diagnosed this year.

The study was conducted by Dr. Stephen Gruber of the University of Southern California (USC) Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, and was published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention.

Research was done using participants that were part of the Molecular Epidemiology and Colorectal Cancer (MECC) study, a population-based, case-controlled study done in northern Israel. It involved analyzing the data of 5,145 individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer, along with 4,097 people who did not have the disease.

During the study, the participants completed a food frequency questionnaire, detailing their daily intake of espresso, instant, decaffeinated and filter coffee, as well as their daily consumption of other beverages; they also detailed their family history of cancer, diet, physical activity levels, smoking habits and other factors that may affect the risk of colorectal cancer.

The participants who drank one to two servings of coffee a day (defined as moderate coffee consumption,) reduced their risk of colorectal cancer by 26% compared with those who drank less. And even better news! The participants who drank more than 2.5 cups of coffee a day had a 50% less chance of developing colorectal cancer. This also included decaffeinated coffee.

"We were somewhat surprised to see that caffeine did not seem to matter," says Dr. Gruber. "This indicates that caffeine alone is not responsible for coffee's protective properties."

Researchers explained that while caffeine is not responsible for coffee’s protective effect against colorectal cancer, both caffeine and polyphenol have antioxidant properties that can reduce the growth of colon cancer cells. Coffee also has a compound called malanoidins which are produced during the roasting process and boost colon mobility. Another compound is diterpene, which may boost the body’s defense against oxidative damage which prevents cancer development.

"The levels of beneficial compounds per serving of coffee vary depending on the bean, roast, and brewing method," says first author Stephanie Schmit, Ph.D., also of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. "The good news is that our data presents a decreased risk of colorectal cancer regardless of what flavor or form of coffee you prefer."

Even though coffee consumption is much less common in Israel, where the study was performed, the results indicated that the protective effect of coffee exists across all types, and so the researchers believe there is no reason to believe the findings would not be applicable to Americans.

Coffee consumption has been widely hailed as having a wide variety of health benefits as of late, including staving off multiple sclerosis, cutting liver cancer risk, and reducing mortality. Dr. Gruber added that while further research is needed before they can recommend coffee consumption as a preventative strategy for colorectal cancer, “there are few risks to coffee consumption, so I would encourage coffee lovers to revel in the strong possibility that their daily mug may lower their risk of colorectal cancer.”

I don’t know about you, but that's more than enough of an excuse to drink an extra cup for me!


ClermontRadiology.com

Clermont Radiology Customer Testimonial

The staff at Clermont Radiology do their very best to ensure that each patient that walks into the facility is treated with the utmost dignity, patience, and attention they deserve. We strive to care for our clients in a professional manner in every way possible, so it’s always a wonderful thing when we get reviews like the one below. It’s just one of the many testimonials we’ve received in the past few months. For a more in-depth look at how our patients feel about Clermont Radiology, click here. 

“Glady’s is very professional and knowledgeable, demonstrated concern for my daughter. I have been coming to Clermont Radiology since 2006 and I have never been serviced this excellent.”

- Ivette, 2/27/'16

Thank you to not only Ivette, but to all of our lovely clients for your positive feedback. We hold all of you in the highest regard, and because of you, we love coming to work in the morning. There is nothing more rewarding than knowing that we’re doing our very best to accommodate our patients, and it is one of the best compliments we can receive.

Be sure to head over to clermontradiology.com to schedule an appointment, or give us a call at 352.241.6100. We look forward to assisting you!

Could Dried Plums Protect Against Radiation Induced Bone Loss?

Could dried plums protect against bone loss caused by ionizing radiation in astronauts, radiation workers, victims of nuclear accidents and cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy? A new study suggests that this might very well be the case.

Dr. Nancy Turner, from the Department of Nutrition and Food Science at Texas A&M University, was the study’s coauthor and says that her and her colleagues findings may have be of huge importance for people that have been heavily exposed to ionizing radiation.

A main concern for those exposed to ionizing radiation is the possibility of bone loss, leading to impaired skeletal integrity and fragility, including the disease osteoporosis (in which ones bones become so brittle and fragile they are severely prone to breakage.) Osteoporosis is responsible for more than 8.9 million fractures worldwide each year.

The study involved researchers investigating a number of strategies that they believe could take down the mechanisms that originally contribute to ionizing radiation bone damage – like radiation induced oxidative stress.

When researchers tried different antioxidant and anti inflammatory interventions of mice that were exposed to ionizing radiation and then studied the effects the interventions had on the expression of genes linked to the breakdown of bone (including their effects on bone loss,) they found that dried plum was the most effective of the five different antioxidants they used. (Others included were ascorbic acid, ibuprofen, and vitamin E.)

The dried plum was the most successful in reducing expression of the genes which are related to the breakdown of bone. Dried plum was also attributed to preventing later bone loss caused by ionizing radiation.

As of right now, the researchers are not able to explain the exact reasons why dried plum works so well on protecting bones, they do note that the fruit contains a number of polyphenols that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Dr. Turner said that "Dried plums contain biologically active components that may provide effective interventions for loss of structural integrity caused by radiotherapy or unavoidable exposure to space radiation incurred over long-duration spaceflight," she then added that "From this study, we can conclude that inclusion of dried plums in the diet may prevent the skeletal effects of radiation exposures either in space or here on Earth."

Dr. Turner also conducted a study last year on dried plums and their link to lowering the risk of colon cancer. The way I see it, adding a couple to your morning oatmeal definitely wouldn’t hurt!

ClermontRadiology.com