November is National Gratitude Month. Paragon Orthopedic Center would like to seize this very moment to say we appreciate all of you who have come through our doors, visited with our staff, and sought out medical help from us. We appreciate that you choose our smaller clinic that can bring you the personalized care that is quickly vanishing from the medical landscape. We realize you have choices in Southern Oregon for your orthopedic care and from all the staff at Paragon, THANK YOU!
Paragon Orthopedics is continuing its educational posts about milk. We want you to know what you’re putting into your body, especially with so many choices in the grocery store. If you purchase organic milk, do you really know what that means about your choice? The USDA organic seal assures you that the cows have access to fresh water, clean bedding, sunlight, shade, shelter, and exercise. They cannot have had any exposure to antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, or GMO’s. One third of their daily food intake must be from grazing. Does this all mean organic milk is better for you? It could, and then again, it might not. You should read up on the dairy practices of the dairy from where your milk comes. These days, most regular milk tests negative for hormones and antibiotics, and that testing is highly regulated by the FDA. The basic nutrients in milk for both types is relatively the same. When you buy organic, you are buying for the process, not the consumable product. Grab a glass of milk and read more here:
Are you taking your calcium supplement correctly? Did you know you could be doing it wrong and missing out on getting the most calcium out of your pills? First, check the type of supplement you have. Is it calcium citrate or calcium carbonate? Calcium citrate does not need to be taken with food, but calcium carbonate needs to be taken with food to be absorbed well. Also, don’t take a large dose once a day because the body cannot absorb it all. Take a dose that is 1000mg or more divided into two times a day. Lastly, make sure your healthcare provider checks to see if your medications interfere with calcium absorption. Some antibiotics, high blood pressure medications, and medicines that slow down bone loss can interact with calcium. Read more here:
Football season has been in full swing for over a month and if you’ve been to a few of the games in Southern Oregon, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Dr. Bents on the sidelines or in the stands. Paragon Orthopedic’s own Dr. Bents specializes in sports medicine and has taken an active role in Southern Oregon high school sports for the past 15 years. He has developed programs for high school coaches to prevent injuries, primarily ACL injuries, and consults with coaches about individual player health issues. After four years of being a team doctor at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, he brought his experience here. He regularly attends these games as a fan, but also to help if an injury occurs. Thank you Dr. Bents for giving your time and expertise to help our area youth stay healthy and continue playing the games they love!
Don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about the milk you drink, or should be drinking. Milk is a diverse drink these days, with some coming from plant-based sources, and the nutritional content of each one can vary greatly. Here is a summary of the more popular choices out there today. Don’t forget to make sure the calcium content is what you need to meet your daily requirement. Paragon Orthopedics is urging Southern Oregon to be educated and take charge of their personal health. Keep those bones strong!
There are some foods everybody seems to know are high in calcium, and most of them are in the dairy section. If you are looking for additional places to get your daily calcium, or you cannot tolerate dairy products, we’ve found some sources that might surprise you.
–Kale has 180mg calcium per 2 cups chopped. Being rich in other vitamins and fiber, it’s a powerhouse of a veggie.
–Fortified orange juice has 300mg per cup. This is right up there with the calcium content in milk, but make sure you check your nutrition facts to get the juice with this much calcium content.
–Fortified oatmeal/cereals can have anywhere from 100-1000mg per cup. Whole-grain Total cereal has 1000mg per serving, which is among the highest in cold cereals. Even some of the sweeter cereals, such as Marshmallow Mateys by Malt-O-Meal, has 137mg per serving, which is 14% of your daily value. Again, check your label to see how much your breakfast cereal has. Sometimes a different brand of a similar cereal will get you more calcium.
–White Beans contain 161mg per 1 cup cooked. Chickpeas and red beans hover right around 100mg in the same serving size.
–Chia seeds with 179mg per 2T. should make you want to throw them into a variety of foods, from smoothies to oatmeal to even macaroni and cheese. They are virtually tasteless, but your bones will benefit.
–Sesame seeds have 176mg in 2T, as well. You might be thinking you wouldn’t eat that many sesame seeds, but remember how you can use tahini, which is ground up sesame seeds, and easily get your daily dose. Tahini is found in many hummus dips, by the way.
Paragon Orthopedic Center cares about the bone health of everyone in Southern Oregon, wanting to help you avoid a visit resulting from weak bones. Our blog is dedicated to keeping you up to date and educated. Be smart about what you put into your body and get the most out of it by being informed!
Find even more non-dairy foods high in Calcium here:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322585.php
Paragon Orthopedic Center is excited to debut Dr. Rob Bents’ video aimed at preventing ACL injuries in athletes. He has come up with a program called Southern Oregon ACL Reduction, or SOAR. Dr. Bents is heavily involved in youth athletics here in Southern Oregon and he is seeing too many young athletes sidelined by ACL injuries. Coaches, parents, and athletes themselves would benefit from knowing these ACL exercises aimed at reducing these preventable injuries to otherwise healthy athletes. We all need to work together to keep young athletes healthy and playing the games they love.
A recent study earlier this year showed that women scored higher on tests in a room that was warmer, set between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit, and men performed better when the room was cooler, set below 70 degrees F. This information can affect not only students, but people in your office as well. How do you know where to set the thermostat in your workplace to get the most productivity out of your employees and still keep them comfortable? It is a bit of a conundrum, since even the Occupational Health and Safety Administration won’t give an exact number. We at Paragon Orthopedic Center try to keep our patients comfortable, and warmer seems to be better in an office where you have a healthcare provider examining you. It is hard to please everyone, but we strive to keep you happy!
Read more about the scientific findings and application here:
https://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-office-temperature-women-men-study-20190529-story.html
There are many types of milks out there, from plant milks to cow’s milk. The October Paragon Orthopedic Center newsletter will highlight some information about these milks. Some of the facts might surprise you, and these facts might change your thoughts about what you choose for your diet. Don’t miss it!
We all strain a muscle every now and then, or maybe you’ve injured a joint. What’s the first thing you grab for relief? The answer isn’t as obvious as you might think. Learn about how heat and cold work to help you understand when each one is best used in our monthly newsletter. And call the knowledgeable folks at Paragon Orthopedic Center if you are more concerned: 541-472-0603.
Our convenient Grants Pass office is located near the Asante Three Rivers Medical Center.
702 SW Ramsey Ave, #112
Grants Pass, OR 97527
Phone: 541-472-0603
Fax: 541-472-0609
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.