August 2017
JOURNAL
Spring Hill | Clearwater | Brandon | Weston
F rom A nxiety to A dvocacy Charles Mattocks’ Journey With Diabetes
I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about seven years ago. At the time, I knew nothing about the disease. Though many people in the Latin and black communities struggle with diabetes, it wasn’t something I thought would affect me so personally. And then, my doctor gave me the diagnosis. It came out of left field. I was completely shocked, and, at one point, I thought I was going to die. I didn’t realize diabetes was a manageable condition and, in some cases, reversible. It didn’t help that I got off to a bad start with the doctor who diagnosed me. He had next to no information about the disease. He couldn’t give me the insight or reassurance I needed to move to the next step. I was left confused and uncertain about the future. And what’s worse is that doctor isn’t alone in the health care field. There are many others just like him who simply don’t understand the diagnoses they give their patients. As a result, there’s a lack of education. I had to take my diagnosis into my own hands and turn to the internet. I researched the disease and learned what I could to improve my outlook. With that information, my first step was to take a hard look in the mirror, both literally and figuratively. I told myself, “Man, you’ve got to lose some weight.” That became my first priority. I changed what I ate and drank, and I began an exercise routine. I cut out the junk and filled my diet with fruits, vegetables, and plenty of water. On top
of that, I started walking and jogging more. I lost about 15 pounds in that first month of making the change. As I was making changes to my lifestyle, I realized I was in a unique position as a celebrity chef. Before my diagnosis, I had established a career as “The Poor Chef” and had appeared on a number of television shows. I was in a place to take what I had learned and share it with others. I could put a face on the disease and become a voice for the community. One of my first initiatives was the documentary, “The Diabetic You.” My goal was to tell the stories of people who deal with diabetes every day — both Type 1 and Type 2. I went around the world and met with several people who live with the disease and gave them an outlet to share their journeys. “Reversed.” The first of its kind, the diabetes docu-series is airing on the Discovery Life Channel this month. It focuses on five people who live with diabetes who work (and work hard) to change their lives. All I can say is these five people surprised all of us in their journeys and their triumphs. It’s about being inspired to look at life differently. Inspiration is one of the keys to living with diabetes. From the day I was diagnosed to today, and through my experience with stem cell treatment, I’ve learned so much. I’ve learned a lot about the disease, how to manage it, and myself. When it comes to living with diabetes, and getting the most From there, I developed other initiatives, including and most recently,
out of life, inspiration may be key, but it’s equal to both discipline and education. These three aspects — education, discipline, and inspiration — go hand- in-hand. You can give people all the education in the world, by if they lack discipline, they won’t get the desired results to improve their situation. I learned this firsthand as I worked to change my lifestyle. I had to become disciplined to make it work, but I also had to have an education of the disease and find inspiration to overcome the obstacles that stood before me. It wasn’t easy — and it still isn’t easy — but it’s worth it. It’s worth it for myself, my family, and every person out there who doesn’t have the advocate they need to live a better, healthier life. ~ Charles Mattocks
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THE EFFECTS OF NEGATIVE NEWS T hey S ay I gnorance I s B liss … B ut I s I t H ealthy ?
It’s nearly impossible to log on to social media or turn on the TV without seeing something distressing. Instead of dwelling on what’s troubling, let’s focus on how to protect our mental health. The Psychology of Bad News A study by Psychology Today found what we already knew: People feel sadder after watching negative news than positive news. Got it.
But here’s what we didn’t know: People who watch negative news feel worse about pre-existing worries than people who watch happy or neutral events. That means people watching the news don’t just feel anxious about the world, they feel more anxious about their own lives. British psychologist Dr. Graham Davey, who specializes in the effects of media violence, says negative news can affect how you interact with the world. As you consume threatening news, you’re more likely to spot threats in your day-to-day activities that aren’t there, which leads to anxiety. Another recent study found that the journalists themselves who are constantly exposed to graphic images score higher on PTSD, depression, and alcohol consumption than the average American. Why Is the News So Negative? As news media revenue goes down and people become desensitized,
news organizations feel the pressure to show emotionally relevant material, such as crime and accidents. At a basic level, for something to be “newsworthy” — negative or not — it needs to be the exception to the rule, not the norm. That means watching the news might give you an inaccurate view of what daily life is like in the world. How to Fight the Negativity It’s important to understand important issues of the day. But when the news becomes too much, psychologists encourage you to take a break with some good news — or no news at all. Your TV might have you think the only three events in the world are war, crime, and sports. But advances in medicine and technology happen all the time! Seek out those stories or take a break from news altogether. That’s when no news can become good news.
Teresa’s Metamorphosis
A J ourney W ith C omplex R egional P ain S yndrome Teresa Bloomer came to NSI Stem Cell Clinics for the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome. She has several autoimmune diseases, osteoarthritis, and a minor traumatic brain injury. For the past six years, she has known little more than pain.
instead of having to endure it. I’ve been living my life moment by moment. I’m having to endure things instead of enjoying things and being present.” “The pain in my body has diminished, and I’m not on a bunch of medications,” she continues. “I feel like a little
“I was on a bunch of different medications, which were helping, but I felt like I was completely clouded,” she says. “I felt very disconnected from my life and from myself. I just wasn’t happy.” Looking for solutions, Teresa made an appointment with NSI. “I had a back surgery that was scheduled, and I put off the back surgery to have the stem cell [treatment],” she says. “Three days later, this pain that I’ve had in my neck, that I was getting ready to have the surgery for, was gone!”
Hope
caterpillar turned into a butterfly. I feel this metamorphosis going on inside of my body. Every day, I wake up and I feel better.”
“I still have neck pain, but it’s manageable,” Teresa says. “Within days, I wanted to walk with my kid and play with my kid —
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A R egenerative A pproach to M ultiple S clerosis Multiple sclerosis is an immune system disorder that affects millions worldwide. In the United States, about 200 new cases of multiple sclerosis (MS) are diagnosed every week. For decades, a safe and effective treatment was just out of reach. Now, the medical science community is welcoming a groundbreaking treatment: stem cell therapy. switch function and perform as any type of cell — they are suited to address the relapses and symptoms associated with MS. While certain symptoms may be managed through conventional medication to an extent, treating MS with stem cells goes beyond masking symptoms and, instead, stops the cause of the relapses.
Following stem cell treatment, repair and regeneration spur a cascade of relief from the following symptoms:
Treating MS with stem cell therapy is a specialty of NSI Stem Cell Centers. The key goal of regenerative medicine for MS treatment is to reset the patient’s immune system, ending its attack on the body’s nerve cells. Treating MS with stem cells also repairs and heals damage, regrowing healthy nerve tissue as needed. Plus, the treatment is exceptionally safe, with a far lower than average risk of rejection. In MS, the myelin sheath can become compromised. This covering insulates the core of a nerve fiber, protecting the nerve and facilitating the transmission of nerve impulses. Myelin sheaths are found on the nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord. Damage to these sheaths prevents the transmission of messages between the brain and body. Any symptom of MS is essentially caused by body- brain communication becoming slow, distorted, mixed up, overly weakened, or overly intensified — or stopping altogether.
• Fatigue and lack of energy • Tingling and numbness in extremities or other areas of the body • Joint pain and discomfort • Balance and mobility problems • Vision problems • Mental conditions, such as depression or anxiety • Mood swings • Impairment in thinking, lapses in logic, and memory loss • Impairment of understanding and reasoning • Poor muscle coordination, muscle spasms, stiffness of joints, or wasting muscles • Sexual dysfunction related to physical changes, hormonal imbalances, and nerve damage • Impaired speech, such as slurring or stuttering • Incontinence of the bladder and bowel
Repair to the myelin sheath must be done at the cellular level. Because stem cells exhibit plasticity — they have the ability to
Avocado and Cucumber Cold Soup
Ingredients:
• 2 medium ripe avocados, halved • 1 large cucumber, halved • 6 stalks spring onions • 1 jalapeno
• 1 lemon, juiced • ½ cup cold water • 1 clove garlic • ¾ teaspoon salt • ½ teaspoon black pepper 4. Chop grilled veggies and puree with lemon juice, cold water, garlic, salt, and black pepper. 5. Once smooth, portion soup into bowls and refrigerate to cool before serving. 6. Garnish with toasted cubed bread, avocados, spring
Directions:
1. Preheat grill to medium-high. 2. Coat halved avocados with lemon juice to avoid browning. Brush olive oil over avocados, cucumber, spring onions, and jalapeno. Oil grill while hot.
3. Grill vegetables until everything is grilled or slightly charred. Once
onions, chives, lemon zest, or a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.
grilled, remove and place on platter to cool.
Recipe inspired by kirantarun.com.
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INSIDE This Issue Charles Mattocks’ Journey With Diabetes Page 1 They Say Ignorance Is Bliss … But Is It Healthy? A Stem Cell Success Story Page 2 A Groundbreaking Approach to Multiple Sclerosis Avocado and Cucumber Cold Soup Page 3
View of a Lifetime Page 4
V iew of a L ifetime
WHERE TO WATCH THE GREAT AMERICAN ECLIPSE
On August 21, 2017, the greatest show of the summer will take
Plenty of hotels make Columbia a great viewing location for those who don’t want to camp out, and the vibrant city life means you’ll have a lot to do even when the eclipse is over. Sandhills, North Platte, Nebraska In the heartlands, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more perfect viewing location than the Sandhills of western Nebraska. With wide-open skies, low rolling hills, and no towering buildings to get in the way, the Sandhills are sure to be a popular viewing spot. The Museum of Idaho, Idaho Falls, Idaho The Museum of Idaho has been designated an Official NASA Observation Site, and the museum is hosting four days of awesome events to celebrate. Enjoy live presentations, technology demonstrations, and special exhibits as you prepare to watch the total eclipse with NASA scientists. Visit the official website of the Great American Eclipse at greatamericaneclipse.com for everything you need to know about this once-in-a-lifetime sight!
place in the United States: a total solar eclipse! This eclipse will be visible across North America,
but the path of totality — the area where the moon completely covers the sun — will only fall in the continental U.S., leading this cosmic event to be called the Great American Eclipse.
If you’re already in the United States, a day’s road trip is all you need to grab a front-row seat for this rare astronomical
occurrence.
Columbia, South Carolina Need a place to watch the eclipse in the southern U.S.? Then get yourself to South Carolina, where the state capital of Columbia is almost right in the middle of the path of totality.
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