PATIENT of the MONTH Marie McManus DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE
Kale, Seaweed, and Other Not-So-New Superfoods
There’s nothing so trendy as a new superfood or diet, and the “in vogue” ones change constantly. Older readers may remember the Atkins diets and other fads of the early 2000s, but younger ones may not even remember a time before the paleo diet was a thing — and it’s already almost a thing of the past. Many things we associate with these trends, though, are anything but new. We see this most clearly with the grains we turn to in the name of health. Westerners generally wouldn’t be familiar with quinoa, amaranth, teff, or kamut if it weren’t for their presence in the hippest healthy-eating Instagram feeds. Many of these foods hail from Africa or the Far East, so it’s understandable we don’t know them all — but there’s nothing really new about them. People in the Americas and the Old World have eaten quinoa for 3,000– 5,000 years. Teff, which is technically a grass seed, was one of the first domesticated plants, emerging thousands of years ago in what is now Ethiopia. Alternate sources of protein and fiber show a similar trend. Seaweed — the perennial favorite of Twitter dieters everywhere — has been consumed in China, Korea, and Japan since before recorded history. If you know anything about recorded history in those regions, then you know that’s a long time! And kale, whose reputation precedes itself, has been cultivated since at least 2,000 B.C. in Greece, Asia Minor, and other parts of the Mediterranean. So, the next time you dig into your favorite health food, take a moment to Google what you are eating. You might be part of a long line of human beings who have turned to that food for sustenance over the millennia!
“My husband has leukemia and has been in remission for two years. The care that he has received was unconditionally great. Nurses treated him with such respect and care. Also, his doctor, Dr. Rossi, was very caring as his caregiver and treated me with professional courtesy. Dana-Farber is wonderful!” -Marie Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has a goal to reduce and get rid of cancer, AIDS, and any other similar diseases and offer expert, compassionate care to people of all ages. Dana-Faber has a team of specialists who work closely together to give their patients the latest treatments and clinical services as well as access to advanced clinical trials. Marie has been chosen for the Patient of the Month! She is determined to come to physical therapy and get her knee better, despite other obstacles she is going through. She is very sincere and a joy to work with. She won’t let anything stop her from walking normally, strengthening her leg, or regaining her full range of motion. Keep up the good work, Marie! We at Professional Physical Therapy would be honored to donate to the charity of your choice if you become our next Patient of the Month!
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