September 2005 Page 2     Understanding Your Chloresterol     (Continued) While diet alone may not lower your cholesterol level enough, adopting dietary changes is usually the first step in a cholesterol-lowering plan. When diet and exercise aren't enough, medication can help. Creating a diet plan Try to remember these three basic rules, recommended by leading health authorities, including the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health: Avoid high-fat foods: Fatty red meats, Butter, Lard, Tropical oils (coconut, palm, palm kernel), Bacon, Whole milk and whole milk dairy products (cheese, yogurt, sour cream, ice cream). Replace animal fats with vegetable oils: Use vegetable oil or olive oil instead of butter or lard Enjoy low-fat foods: Fruits, Vegetables, Fish, chicken (skinless), and lean meats, Whole-grain cereals, pastas, and rice, Fat-free or 1% milk, Fat-free or low-fat yogurt Though high total and LDL cholesterol levels, along with low HDL cholesterol, can increase heart disease risk, they are among several other risk factors. These include cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and physical inactivity. If any of these is present in addition to high blood cholesterol, the risk of heart disease is even greater. The good news is that all these can be brought under control either by changes in lifestyle--such as diet, losing weight, or an exercise program--or quitting a tobacco habit. Or with medication. Sometimes one change can help bring several risk factors under control. For example, weight loss can reduce blood cholesterol levels, help control diabetes, and lower high blood pressure. But some risk factors cannot be controlled. These include age (45 years or older for men and 55 years or older for women) and family history of early heart disease (father or brother stricken before age 55; mother or sister stricken before age 65). Please talk to you health care professional about your cholesterol. Relay for Life-Sept. 17-18 Relay for Life is a 24-hour team fundraising event held to benefit the American Cancer Society. Individuals from businesses, hospitals, clubs, families, and friends join together to form a team. Team members take turns walking, running, or jogging around a local track for 24 hours. Relay for Life is a celebration honoring and remembering those who have battled cancer. All proceeds from this event stay in Michigan and are used for cancer treatment, prevention, and patient services. Walkers, runners can sign up for an hour or two of these activities around the track at Mitchell Creek. Mecosta Health Services and Mecosta County Medical Center also joined forces to sponsor the event and will have a tent with activities and games for kids during the two-day Relay. Have a great time while helping our community fight cancer. Questions? Call Tom Hogenson, MCMC PR Director at 592-4409. Introducing new Physician Assistant in Canadian Lakes Meredith Reavill, Physician Assistant will be joining Dr. Charles Brummeler and Dr. Channing Finkbeiner in the MHS Canadian Lakes office September 19, 2005. A graduate of the Central Michigan University Physician Assistant program, Meredith will work directly with both Dr. Brummeler and Dr. Finkbeiner to assist them with their busy practices. Meredith will be available in the office every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. If you have any questions, you may call the Canadian Lakes office at (231) 972-6000.