Experts Matter. Find Yours.
Connect for media, speaking, professional opportunities & more.
Dr. Janice Nevin named among Modern Healthcare’s 2022 ‘Top 25 Women in Health Care’
Nevin praised for her work expanding ChristianaCare’s efforts in health equity, value-based care and emerging technology ChristianaCare President and CEO Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH, has been named one of Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Women in Healthcare for 2022. This is the second time Dr. Nevin has received this distinction. Modern Healthcare chose awardees – female executives from different sectors of the health care industry – who are guiding health care improvement by influencing policy and care delivery models across the country. A panel of judges and the top editors of Modern Healthcare made the selections. The publication focused on Dr. Nevin’s leadership in ChristianaCare’s use of innovation and technology to aid in the battle against COVID-19 and improve health equity. It also called attention to her leadership in ChristianaCare’s collaboration with Highmark Health; through a new joint venture company, ChristianaCare and Highmark are combining their expertise and capabilities to create better health and to make health care more affordable for everyone by taking costs out of the system. “I am deeply gratified by this award, but it is even more so a recognition of the incredible work all of ChristianaCare’s caregivers do every day to create better health,” said Dr. Nevin. “Living our values of love and excellence, we are transforming care and becoming not just a health system—but a system that truly impacts health.” Dr. Nevin has overseen growth at ChristianaCare during the past year that includes a joint venture with AccentCare (formerly Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care) to expand in-home hospice and palliative care services throughout Delaware and a recently announced letter of intent to acquire Crozer Health, as well as the continued integration into the health system of Union Hospital in Cecil County, Maryland, which joined ChristianaCare in January 2020. At the same time, she has worked tirelessly to ensure the system continued its tradition of clinical excellence while maintaining financial health and stability. This year, ChristianaCare was recognized for the second consecutive year by Healthgrades as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals and by Forbes as one of the best health systems to work for in the United States. Dr. Nevin continues to promote caregiver wellbeing and health equity. For the work of ChristianaCare’s Center for WorkLife Wellbeing to support its caregivers, ChristianaCare earned a 2021 Joy in Medicine recognition from the American Medical Association. The American Hospital Association’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity named ChristianaCare a 2021 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award honoree for demonstrating health equity as a priority across the organization. “ChristianaCare is lucky to have Dr. Nevin’s leadership,” said Nicholas M. Marsini, Jr., chair of the ChristianaCare board of directors. “Having Modern Healthcare recognize her extraordinary efforts and passion is a wonderful acknowledgement of what we see on an ongoing basis. Dr. Nevin is incredibly invested in the wellbeing of ChristianaCare’s workforce, the communities we serve and the future of the U.S. healthcare system.” The recognition also highlighted Dr. Nevin’s work in promoting gender equity – from building an executive cabinet evenly split between women and men to the creation of ChristianaCare’s Gender Equity Taskforce, which focuses on issues like pay equity and leadership access. The profiles of all the winners were featured in the February 21 issue of Modern Healthcare.
ChristianaCare and The Wistar Institute advance partnership with new cancer research strategies
ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute is advancing its historic partnership with the Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center of The Wistar Institute in Philadelphia with three new research projects under way. The new research projects consist of a population health study targeting triple negative breast cancer. Other projects focus on a new therapeutic target for epithelial ovarian cancer, the most lethal gynecologic cancer in the developed world, and the development of “mini organs” derived from stem cells. Targeting triple negative breast cancer Delaware has one of the highest incidence rates of triple-negative breast cancer in the United States. This highly aggressive cancer has few treatment options, because the cells test negative for three known treatment targets – estrogen, progesterone and HER2 protein receptors. Working with patient data from the Graham Cancer Center, researchers are investigating potential contributing factors such as diet, alcohol use and genetic variants among women, and the effects of these on cancer metabolism. The team will also examine spatial relationships between cancer “hot spots”—geographic areas with a higher-than-expected prevalence—and modifiable risk factors. Key resources for the study are blood and tissue samples from the Graham Cancer Center’s Tissue Procurement Center and its statewide High-Risk Family Cancer Registry. The research team will be led by Director of Population Health Research at ChristianaCare Scott Siegel, Ph.D., and Lead Research Scientist Jennifer Sims Mourtada, Ph.D., at the Graham Cancer Center’s Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research (CTCR). They will join Zachary Schug, Ph.D., at Wistar’s Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program. Researching novel therapy for ovarian cancer The latest study supported by the Graham Cancer Center’s Tissue Procurement Program targets KAT6A expression as a novel therapy for ovarian cancer caused by a specific genetic mutation, called PP2R1A. Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common form of ovarian cancer and the leading cause of gynecologic cancer deaths in the United States. Chemoresistance to currently available platinum-based drugs like cisplatin represents a major treatment challenge, as more than 50 percent of affected women ultimately relapse and die from this disease. Wistar’s Rugang Zhang, Ph.D., leader of the Immunology, Microenvironment and Metastases Program, is focused on developing novel therapeutics for subtypes of ovarian cancer that currently have no effective therapies and on improving the current standard of care. Dr. Zhang’s previous work suggests that KAT6A signaling plays a critical role in ovarian cancer progression. Targeting this signaling pathway could be an effective strategy for treating ovarian cancer. Working with Dr. Zhang on this project are Graham Cancer Center gynecologic oncologists Mark Cadungog, M.D., director of Robotic Surgery, and Sudeshna Chatterjee-Paer, M.D., and Cawley CTCR’s Stephanie Jean, M.D., director of Gynecologic Oncology Research. Also collaborating with the team is Wistar’s Alessandro Gardini, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Gene Expression & Regulation Program. ‘Mini organs’ offer hope for therapeutics Dr. Sims-Mourtada at the Cawley CTCR will lead a new program to culture organ-specific tissue from stem cells that could change the way diseases are studied and treated. These so called “mini organs” or “organoids” are three-dimensional tissue cultures grown in the lab that replicate the complexity and functions of a specific tissue or organ found in the body. Organoids offer scientists a better model for how drugs and other therapeutics might interact with a patient’s particular type of tumor, opening new avenues for precision medicine. “The ability to grow each patient’s tumor in a three-dimensional organoid along with our capability to create patient-derived xenograft or animal models as part of our PDX core, will allow us to fully capture the effects of genetic as well as gene altering behavioral and environmental influences that are lacking in current research models,” said Dr. Sims-Mourtada. “Our collaboration with Wistar to build these programs raises our clinical platform to the next level for studying new cancer biomarkers and treatments.” Advancing a Pioneering Partnership The Graham Cancer Center made history when it signed a first-of-its-kind agreement in 2011 with The Wistar Institute, pairing a National Cancer Institute, NCI-designated basic research institution with a community cancer center that is also an NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). “Our partnership with Wistar has attracted national recognition as a model of collaboration that leverages cutting-edge research to benefit cancer prevention and therapy statewide,” says Nicholas J. Petrelli, M.D., Bank of America endowed medical director of ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Research Institute. “With Wistar, our productive collaborations over the last decade continue to drive discovery research toward clinical trials to benefit patients here at the Graham Cancer Center and in communities everywhere.” “The Graham Center has been an ideal partner in our mission,” said Dario C. Altieri, M.D., Wistar president and CEO and director of the Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center. “Our scientists at Wistar have access to clinically-annotated primary patient specimens of the highest quality. As the majority of patients at the Graham Cancer Center are treatment naïve, this collaboration affords an opportunity to conduct unique, high impact mechanistic and correlative studies that will ultimately advance important scientific discoveries that hopefully will lead to better cancer therapies.”
Photo Credit: Sandy Nicholson / FUZE Reps Longing for your next adventure? Look no further because CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) has unveiled a new set of luxurious travel packages designed for travellers who are ready to embark on an iconic Canadian adventure. As part of each package, travellers will be flying on a CAA chartered jet with all business class seating, offered in partnership with Air Canada. They will be joined only by those travelling on a Premier Collection tour. Itineraries are curated with affordable luxury in mind. “Our research has shown us that Canadians are looking to experience travel in a more intimate setting and at this time, are still looking to stay closer to home,” said Susan Postma, Regional Manager, CAA. “By coupling the best of Canadian culture, food and heritage, with the safety and luxury of travelling on a CAA chartered plane, we are confident that these packages will give travellers a delightful option to start exploring again.” Travellers will rediscover the nation’s greatest sights, sounds and smells on one of five journeys showcasing Canada’s unforgettable wonders and hidden gems. “For many of us, travelling again for the first time is a momentous occasion and we wanted to make that extra special by cultivating a premium experience with the utmost attention to health and safety,” said Postma. “Each destination encourages travellers to immerse themselves in every moment and create lasting memories.” Packages feature everything from stargazing to whale watching; enjoying a pancake brunch on a maple farm to World Famous “Digby Scallops” in Nova Scotia; witnessing the highest tides in the world in New Brunswick to taking in Quebec’s most breathtaking waterfall and many more unique experiences in between. “We are very pleased that CAA is recognizing our superior customer service in choosing Air Canada for its unique, luxury travel packages. Our private charter service, Air Canada Jetz, is specially designed for ultra-premium customers, such as pro athletes, celebrities and music stars, ensuring CAA’s explorers will travel in extraordinary style wherever their adventure takes them,” said Eric Bordeleau, senior director, Network Scheduling and Charters at Air Canada. Tours and dates include: Glorious Lakes and Glaciers: Banff, Jasper and Beyond (August 13-20, 2022) – 8 Days Savour Quebec: A Culinary Journey Through Quebec City, Charlevoix and Montreal (August 15 – 24, 2022) – 10 Days Rich and Enticing Quebec: Explore the Spectacular Gaspé Peninsula (August 15 – 24, 2022) – 10 Days Magical Maritimes: Acadian Culture, Delicious Flavours and Historic Charms (September 10-19, 2022) – 10 Days Platinum Journey - Mountains and Memories: Wonders of the West and Rocky Mountaineer (September 13-21, 2022) – 9 Days CAA Travel has over 50 years of experience in helping members plan and book unforgettable travel excursions around the world. CAA’s new Premier Tours Collection packages are part of CAA’s Extraordinary Explorations collection and range in price starting at $6,300 CDN. Extraordinary Explorations is CAA’s collection of unique travel adventures designed for adventurous travellers looking to embark on a luxe vacation for an affordable price. Experience one-of-a-kind destinations, intriguing itineraries and exceptional excursions. Available as escorted and hosted packages, every exploration is guaranteed to create lasting memories. The 2022 Premier Collection packages can be purchased at all CAA stores or by phone at 1-844-202-8045. Click here for more information.
(WILMINGTON, Del. – March 15, 2022) For the second consecutive year, Forbes magazine has ranked ChristianaCare as one of the best large health systems to work for in the United States. ChristianaCare ranked as the 29th best health system overall, within Forbes’ list of the 500 best large employers in the United States. ChristianaCare was the only health system in Delaware to make Forbes’ list. “At ChristianaCare, we anticipate the needs of others, help with compassion and generosity, and show respect to everyone,” said Neil Jasani, M.D., MBA, FACEP, chief people officer at ChristianaCare. “These values and behaviors start with our workforce, as we create a supportive environment that enables our caregivers to find joy in their work and provide consistently excellent care to everyone we serve.” While the pandemic has taken a significant toll on the health care workforce nationally, ChristianaCare has been recognized for its success in supporting its caregivers. The American Medical Association recently recognized ChristianaCare with the highest honor in its Joy in Medicine program, which recognizes health systems that demonstrate a commitment to preserving the wellbeing of health care team members by engaging in proven efforts to combat work-related stress and burnout. This work has been largely driven by ChristianaCare’s innovative Center for WorkLife Wellbeing, which was founded in 2016 to tackle the growing national problem of burnout in health care and help caregivers to reconnect with joy and meaning in their work. All employees at ChristianaCare are referred to as “caregivers.” Other highlights of how ChristianaCare creates a great place to work include: Benefits that include medical, dental and vision coverage, as well as a wellness incentive program and free healthy lifestyle coaching and care management, as well as access to ChristianaCare’s innovative and always-on virtual primary care, which makes health care options for busy caregivers more convenient than ever. Twelve weeks of paid parental leave for the birth or adoption of a child. An organizational commitment to anti-racism and a robust Inclusion and Diversity program that includes 10 employee resource groups (ERGs). Forbes ranks ChristianaCare as the No. 1 overall employer for diversity and inclusion in Delaware and No. 14 among U.S. health systems nationwide. A caregiver recognition program that supports a culture of gratitude and rewards caregivers who exemplify the core values of ChristianaCare. Care@Work, which provides backup care services when working families are faced with a disruption in regular childcare or other dependent care coverage. Free medical plan option for caregivers under certain income thresholds. Competitive pay at all levels. ChristianaCare was the first health system in Delaware to adopt a $15 minimum wage, in 2018. To create the list of America’s Best Large Employers, Forbes partnered with the market research firm Statista, which surveyed 60,000 Americans working for businesses with at least 1,000 employees. All responses were anonymous. Using a scale of zero to 10, the respondents rated how likely they were to recommend their employer to others. The participants also nominated organizations other than their own. The final ranking features companies with the most recommendations.
As he arrived at ChristianaCare’s emergency department because of diabetes complications that were causing excruciating pain in his left foot, Edwin Bryson Sr., 71, of Wilmington, Del., had resigned himself to what seemed inevitable—he was going to need hospitalization. But he was surprised when his care team offered him the chance to get the hospital care he needed in the place he likes best — his own apartment. For 20 days, Bryson was a patient in the ChristianaCare hospital care at home program, which offers in-home services to patients who would otherwise require inpatient hospitalization. Daily, members of his care team visited his home to take his vital signs, give him medication and assist him with getting dressed. They also helped with additional tasks to improve his overall health and safety, such as buying an extra lamp and flashlights to ensure the lighting in his home was adequate for his safety, and assisting him with ordering food. “It was a good feeling to be at home,” Bryson said. “My friends would knock on my door and make sure I was OK. My son and my nephews could stop to see me when they felt like it or had the time. They always say, ‘There’s no place like home,’ and it’s true. All I do is hit the button and a nurse comes on to assist me with anything I need and check on my vitals. It was 24-hour service here, just like I was in the hospital.” ChristianaCare has admitted and cared for more than a dozen patients in the hospital care at home program since it launched in December 2021, designed in partnership with the Medically Home Group Inc. The program, which offers the highest level of in-home acute care in Delaware, combines virtual and in-person care provided by a team of physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and other providers. In-person and virtual visits from the health care team, along with mobile imaging and lab services, delivery services for meals and nutrition, and pharmacy medication and management, mean a patient doesn’t need to leave home to get better. Virtual technology and home health equipment brought into the patient’s home ensure round-the-clock monitoring and care that mirrors a traditional hospital setting. “One of the things we’ve learned in a short time about the hospital care at home program is how patient-centered this approach is and how we’re able to customize the care we deliver,” said Sarah Schenck, M.D., medical director of the program. “Most of the things we can do in the hospital we can also do at home. And it turns out patients really prefer that venue. They’re in their own home with their loved ones, their pets, sleeping in their own bed and eating their own food.” Currently, to be considered for hospital care at home, patients must live within 25 miles of Christiana and Wilmington hospitals. Patients who come to the emergency department with common chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure, respiratory ailments, diabetes complications and infections like pneumonia, are eligible for consideration. All hospital care at home patients receive a technology kit that connects them to the command center, powered by the ChristianaCare Center for Virtual Health. With a touch of a button, patients can access an expert team of ChristianaCare physicians and nurses. When patients are well enough to be discharged, the care team collaborates with the patient’s primary care physician to ensure a seamless transition. ChristianaCare joins an elite group of health systems nationwide offering at-home hospital care. Clinical research studies comparing patients in traditional hospitals with patients who received hospital-level care at home have found those who received in-home care experienced fewer readmissions, lower mortality rates, reduced falls and lower costs. “Patient satisfaction is really high with this program,” said Steaphine Taggart, director of operations for the program. “There’s more caregiver interaction with families because they are allowed to come into the home. And overall, there’s more patient-centered care and delivery because it’s in the home,” Registered nurse Mary Pat McCabe has treated patients for 17 years. Working in the hospital care at home command center, she has the opportunity to be even more personable in the virtual setting than a traditional inpatient encounter. “You get to know them and their family members and if they have a pet. You can see into their home and get more of a feel for who they are,” McCabe said. Dr. Schenck said hospital care at home is an exciting example of how new, innovative models of care can improve patient outcomes, reduce costs and transform care. “It’s really foundational for the future of health care delivery. This is our first step, but it’s definitely going to grow,” she said. For Bryson, who was recently discharged, it’s even simpler: “You get better, get back out there and get back into life again.”
Bowel or fecal incontinence, according to the Mayo Clinic, “is the inability to control bowel movements, causing stool (feces) to leak unexpectedly from the rectum. Also called bowel incontinence, fecal incontinence ranges from an occasional leakage of stool while passing gas to a complete loss of bowel control. Common causes of fecal incontinence include diarrhea, constipation, and muscle or nerve damage. The muscle or nerve damage may be associated with aging or with giving birth.” Dr. Satish Rao is a seasoned gastroenterologist and an expert in digestive health, particularly the brain-gut connection. Rao, a professor of medicine at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, recently offered a Q&A on the topic of fecal incontinence with the journal Gastroenterology & Hepatology. What is the prevalence of fecal incontinence in the adult population? Surveys have indicated a prevalence of approximately 9% to 10% in the United States. A recent study reported a 14% prevalence, although this study was Internet-based and, thus, may not have included many elderly patients, as they may not be as computer-savvy as younger patients. It is safe to say that one in seven Americans currently suffers from fecal incontinence. Prevalence appears to be equal in men and women, although women outnumber men almost three to one when it comes to gastroenterology clinic visits and health care-seeking. Men may be too embarrassed to bring the issue of fecal incontinence to the attention of a physician, but when asked about it, they will admit and discuss it. Also, extracting information from a patient about fecal incontinence depends on how the question is asked. Asking patients whether they have daily leakage vs whether they ever have had leakage or have had leakage in the past month will elicit different responses that a clinician may interpret differently. It is important to remember that leakage is not a physiologic event that a healthy adult should have at any time, even once a month or once a year. Not having the capacity to control bowel evacuation or having leakage unaware of its occurrence signals an abnormality. What are notable risk factors for fecal incontinence? In women, pregnancy can be a risk factor, particularly if giving birth involves pelvic tissue damage, such as injury inflicted by forceps use or the unfortunate occurrence of a significant tear. Neurologic or back injuries are other common risk factors. Also, chronic diarrhea can progress to fecal incontinence owing to severe irritation of the rectum or irritants in stool. Further, any condition that changes the ability of rectal capacity can result in fecal incontinence. These circumstances can include surgery or radiation to the rectal area. Hear from a patient and learn more about Rao's research using magnetic stimulation to treat fecal incontinence. What treatment modalities are currently available? Simple, conservative treatment consists of educating patients about fecal incontinence and instructing them to avoid precipitating events. For example, although many people love to have a meal followed by a cup of coffee and a walk, such a sequence of activities is ill-advised for an incontinent patient: the meal provokes a gastric-colonic response, coffee is a powerful colonic stimulant, and exercise also stimulates motility. This triad creates the perfect storm for a stool leakage or accident while the patient is out on the after-dinner walk. Antidiarrheal therapies can be very effective but only in approximately 15% to 20% of patients. Another treatment is biofeedback, which can correct muscle weakness using behavioral techniques. Biofeedback provides resolution in approximately 50% to 70% of patients. The traditional model of office-based biofeedback requires that the patient make 6 or even up to 10 visits to a specialty clinic. This may mean that some patients must drive very long distances to an appropriate care facility that is staffed with trained personnel or physical therapists. This scenario presents a significant challenge for many patients, which is increasingly being recognized by health care professionals and researchers. Good devices for home-based biofeedback have been scarce; however, such a device was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The research center at Augusta University has tested it in a clinical trial setting and found it to be quite effective as a home biofeedback treatment. Dextranomer is another treatment modality. It involves injection of small beads of dextran polymers into the anorectal region. The beads form a protective cuff or a buffer to stop stool leakage. Another treatment modality is sacral nerve stimulation using the Medtronic InterStim system. The patient is outfitted with a pacemaker-like device with wires that continuously stimulate the sacral nerves that control stool events. In the case of a torn muscle, suturing the torn ends to reduce the size of the anorectal opening is usually useful for women postpartum, although the effect may not be sustained in the long term. What emerging treatments and research should clinicians be aware of? One emerging treatment developed at Augusta University’s Clinical Research Center is called translumbosacral neuromodulation therapy (TNT). TNT is similar to TAMS and involves the fecal delivery of magnetic energy through an insulated coil to the lumbosacral nerves that regulate anorectal function. The pulses generated are of the same strength as those of magnetic resonance imaging. The team at Augusta University’s research center has shown that TNT mechanistically improves nerve function and substantively improves stool leakage. A sham-controlled study and long-term study are currently underway at Augusta University and Harvard University’s Massachusetts General Hospital. These studies are being sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. A multicenter study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health that the team at Augusta University also is involved with is the FIT (Fecal Incontinence Treatment) trial. This randomized study compares biofeedback with dextranomer injection. Also, as mentioned, tools are becoming available for home biofeedback that should allow many more affected patients to receive treatment because they can do so in the comfort of their own home. The research center at Augusta University is working on a novel home biofeedback protocol for the treatment of constipation and fecal incontinence. Thus, novel noninvasive tools are emerging for fecal incontinence. The repertoire of current and emerging tools holds the promise of improved outcomes for patients with fecal incontinence. Rao is also the founder of the Augusta University Digestive Health Center. He is available to speak to media regarding any aspect of digestive health -- simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.
Two glasses of wine might add more sugar to your diet than eating a doughnut
Soft drinks have been the focus of the UK government’s attempts to curb people’s sugar intake in recent years, but the same approach has not yet been applied to the sugar content in alcoholic drinks. The government introduced “sugar taxes” on soft drinks in 2018, meaning manufacturers are charged a levy of up to 24p per litre of drink if it contains eight grams of sugar per 100 millilitres. This was done in order to attempt to reduce the public’s sugar intake in light of increases in childhood obesity. But a new report from Alcohol Health Alliance UK has suggested that just two glasses of wine contains enough sugar to meet the maximum recommended daily intake level – even more than a glazed doughnut. The report found that some bottles of wine contain as much as 59 grams of sugar per bottle. A standard bottle of wine contains 750 millilitres, which is equivalent to three large glasses of wine. This means in some cases a single large glass of wine can contain just under 20 grams of sugar, almost twice the sugar content of that glazed doughnut. So, when it comes to alcoholic drinks, how much sugar do they contain? Consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks has been linked to an increased risk of weight gain and obesity, and associated conditions such as type 2 diabetes. Most research into sugary drinks has focused on soft drinks, such as colas. Alcohol, or ethanol to give it it’s proper name, is itself calorific. Alcohol is second only to fats in terms of its calorie content per gram. On top of this potentially significant calorie content is the sugar that is contained in many alcoholic drinks. This includes the non-fermented starches and sugars found in beers and wines, or sugars added to some drinks such as cocktails or mixers to add flavour. It is unsurprising therefore that alcohol consumption has been associated with weight gain. Sugar levels in cocktails Surveys have reported that alcoholic drinks account for 10% of daily intake of added sugar in the UK for 29 to 64-year-olds, and 6% for the over 65s. This difference may be explained by the alcoholic drinks chosen by these different age groups. Near the top of the list of sugary drinks is likely to be the recent phenomenon of pre-made cocktails in a can, with some containing a staggering 49 grams of sugar per serving. Other more traditional cocktails also fare poorly when scrutinised for sugar content, a summer fruit cup cocktail, for example, may contain more than 25g of sugar per serving. This figure could be higher at home, depending on who makes the drink, and what is considered a serving. Having several of these cocktails won’t just make you merry, but will also provide more sugar than eating several chocolate bars. Wine can vary dramatically in sugar content, with the seemingly healthier lower strength alcohol wines often having more sugar and therefore not necessarily being healthier. In general, dry wines or red wines generally have lower sugar levels. For those of us who enjoy beers and ciders, these drinks can contain even more sugar per serving than wine. A pint of cider, for example, contains more than 25g of sugar, with some ciders containing an eye watering 46g of sugar per serving. Because spirits such as gin, vodka, whisky and rum are highly distilled their sugar content should be negligible. Without mixers, these drinks are clearly the healthiest in terms of both sugar and calorie content. The mixers they come with can however be sugar-sweetened so if you want to avoid sugar, having your gin neat or on the rocks is the best way forward. Better labelling It is clear that more can be done to alert people to the sugar content of alcoholic drinks. The first step would be to mandate that alcohol producers accurately label their products, not just with alcohol content by volume, but also sugar and calorie content, so consumers can make informed choices. Equally, altering the sugar levy to target alcoholic drinks more specifically would likely cause drinks manufacturers to alter their recipes to have less sugar content. The levy on soft drinks has shown this can work, with significant reductions in consumption of sugar-sweetened non-alcoholic drinks since 2018. The government claimed that the tax on soft drinks resulted in more than 50% of manufacturers reducing sugar content in drinks between March 2016, when it was announced, and its introduction in 2018. In the UK more than 20% of people regularly drink alcohol at levels that increase their health risk. People should also be aware of the less obvious risks posed by drinking alcohol, including the sugar content, and take this into account when choosing their tipple, especially if they are trying to lose weight.
How potato milk measures up against other plant-based milk alternatives
It seems like almost every plant-based food is being turned into “milk” these days, the latest being potato milk. It’s not surprising that potatoes have been chosen to be the latest plant-based milk. After all, potatoes have many health benefits because they’re full of important vitamins and nutrients. But how do they measure up to other popular plant-based milks? Protein content No matter the type of plant-based milk, they only contain a fraction of the ingredient they’re derived from. For example, only 10% of the volume of a carton of rice or oat milk comes from these grains. Soy drinks contain between 5%-8% of the actual soya bean, and almond milks contain as little as 2% of the actual nut. Since coconut uses the cream or milk from the fruit, it contains between 5%-13%, depending on how creamy the product is. And based on the current potato milk products out there, a one-litre carton only contains around 60g of an actual potato – a small potato. The problem with this is that these milks now contain far fewer vitamins and nutrients than the raw ingredient would. This may make them less nutritious than they would be if you ate the ingredient whole. Take protein, for example. Ingredients like almonds are naturally great sources of protein containing over 20g of protein per 100g of almonds. But after processing, 100 millilitres of almond milk only contains around one gram of protein. This is actually the same amount of protein you’d find in the same amount of oat milk – even though oats contain far less protein (13.5g per 100g). Soya milk is better as it contains more of the soya beans compared with almond milk. In fact, soya milk gives around 3-3.5g of protein per 100ml. This is about as much protein as you get in the same amount of cow’s milk. And like cow’s milk, soya milk contains essential amino acids which our body isn’t able to naturally produce. Amino acids are important as they ensure our body works properly – such as by helping our muscles keep moving. Potatoes are already low in protein. This means that after processing, potato milk contains about as much protein as coconut and rice milk – less than 0.5g of protein per 100ml. But some potato milk brands do supplement with pea protein, which makes a 100ml serving have around 1.3g of protein. So if you’re choosing your plant-based milk for protein content, you might be best sticking with soya or almond milk over potato milk. Added sugars As with cow’s milk, plant-based milks can also contain added sugars. We are encouraged to limit our added sugar intake to no more than five to six teaspoons a day. This is because eating too much sugar is linked to an increased risk of obesity as well as tooth decay. But given many products sell both sweetened and unsweetened versions, it’s easier for someone to buy a product that contains no sugar. Sweetened potato milk contains about 1.8g of sugar per 100ml. This is a little less than other plant-based milks which contain around 2 to 3.5g of added sugar per 100ml. So in this category, potato milk comes out on top. Although some plant-based milk uses natural sugars from fruit, this is still considered added sugar and should be limited. Fat content Since potatoes are naturally low in fat, potato milk would have a texture more akin to water. This is why extra fat is added to it. A similar thing is done with rice and oat milk, where oil (such as sunflower oil) is added. This brings the fat content up so that it’s closer to semi-skimmed milk (about 1.5g per 100ml). For potato milk, rapeseed oil is added. Almond and soya both tend to contain fat already, so no additional oil is added. This means that compared with other plant-based milks, potato milk is higher in monounsaturated fats, which are thought to be better for your heart. They’re also lower in saturated fats than cow’s milk, which is thought to be less healthy for our hearts. A “barista version” of milk alternatives needs to contain a combination of both protein and fat in order for the milk to foam, so have slightly more fat added to them. Added vitamins When it comes to vitamins and minerals, many plant-based milks have these added to them, as they simply don’t have as many as cow’s milk naturally does. Vitamins like riboflavin, B12 and D alongside calcium are added to potato milks. The same is also true for other plant-based milks – although organic versions may not have added vitamins often due to organic food rules and trying to keep the label clean of additives. As many of us struggle to get enough vitamin D – which is essential for healthy bones and immune system – and many vegans and vegetarians can have low B12 levels (which is needed to keep our blood cells and nerves healthy) going for milk alternatives with these added vitamins and minerals can be a good idea. Potato milk is yet another option for those wanting an alternative to cow’s milk or other plant-based milks, or those looking for a more environmentally friendly milk product. Nutritionally, it may not contain the protein of soya milk, but many products are fortified, so they still contain important vitamins and minerals. But since it contains several refined ingredients, such as oils and protein isolates (proteins extracted from foods), it may technically count as an ultra-processed food. There are some concerns about ultra-processed foods, which have been linked to chronic disease – so it is yet to be seen whether potato milk has similar risks.
Vitamin D2 and D3: what’s the difference and which should you take?
Vitamin D is important for maintaining health, as it has many roles in the human body. But there is more than one form of vitamin D, and recent research suggests that these forms may have different effects. So what are the different types of vitamin D, and is one really more beneficial than the other? Although medical conditions later associated with vitamin D deficiency, such as the bone disease rickets, have been known about since the 17th century, vitamin D itself wasn’t identified until the early 20th century. This discovery led to Adolf Windaus winning the Nobel prize for chemistry in 1928. The vitamin D family actually includes five molecules, with the two most important being vitamin D2 and D3. These molecules are also known as ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol, respectively. While both of these types of vitamin D contribute to our health, they differ in how we get them. Dietary vitamin D2 generally comes from plants, particularly mushrooms and yeast, whereas we get vitamin D3 from animal sources, such as oily fish, liver and eggs. Both forms of vitamin D are also available in dietary supplements. What most people probably don’t know is that most of our vitamin D comes from exposing our skin to sunlight. When our skin is exposed to the sun, ultraviolet rays convert a precursor molecule called 7-dehydrocholesterol into vitamin D3. This important effect of exposure to the sun explains why people living at more extreme latitudes, or people who have darker skin, are more prone to vitamin D deficiency. Melanin, a pigment in the skin, blocks ultraviolet rays from activating 7-dehydrocholesterol, thus limiting D3 production. Wearing clothing or sunscreen has a similar effect. Both vitamins D2 and D3 are essentially inactive until they go through two processes in the body. First, the liver changes their chemical structure to form a molecule known as calcidiol. This is the form in which vitamin D is stored in the body. Calcidiol is then further altered in the kidneys to form calcitriol, the active form of the hormone. It is calcitriol that is responsible for the biological actions of vitamin D, including helping bones to form, metabolising calcium and supporting how our immune system works. Technically, vitamin D isn’t a vitamin at all, but a pro-hormone. This means the body converts it into an active hormone. All hormones have receptors (on bone cells, muscle cells, white blood cells) that they bind to and activate, like a key unlocking a lock. Vitamin D2 has the same affinity for the vitamin D receptor as vitamin D3, meaning neither form is better at binding to its receptor. Different effects on the immune system A recent study found that vitamin D2 and D3 supplementation had different effects on genes important for immune function. These findings are significant, as most previous research has failed to find much difference in the effect of supplementation with either vitamin D2 or D3. Most of the research published to date has suggested that the main difference between vitamin D2 and D3 supplementation is the effect on circulating vitamin D levels in the bloodstream. Studies have repeatedly shown that vitamin D3 is superior at raising levels of vitamin D in the body. These findings were supported by a recent review of the evidence which found that vitamin D3 supplementation increased vitamin D levels in the body better than vitamin D2. But not all studies agree. Very few studies support vitamin D2 supplementation being superior to vitamin D3. One trial showed that vitamin D2 was better at treating immune issues in patients who were on steroid therapy. However, other than increasing vitamin D levels in the body, there is not much evidence that vitamin D3 supplements are better than vitamin D2 supplements. One study found that vitamin D3 improved calcium levels more than vitamin D2. But we need more research to provide definitive answers. So which should I take? Vitamin D deficiency is now more prevalent than ever, with around a billion people worldwide being vitamin D deficient. It is important that people at risk of vitamin D deficiency – older adults, people living in less sunny climates and people with darker skin – take vitamin D supplements. Health professionals recommend that most people take 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day, especially in winter. It would appear that vitamin D3 supplements are the superior option for maintaining vitamin D levels, but short exposure of the skin to the sun, even on a cloudy day, will also help you keep healthy vitamin D levels.
Villa Vision provides over 2,000 inner-city children with the tools to improve educational prospects
Villa Vision, an innovative collaboration between Aston University, the Aston Villa Foundation and optical lens supplier Essilor Vision For Life is celebrating the end of its second year having engaged with around 4,500 individuals to raise awareness around the importance of eye health and equip inner-city children with the tools to learn in order to enhance their educational experience and help with their longer-term prospects. Launched in 2020 and delivered by the Aston Villa Foundation, the initiative was the first of its kind in the UK and sought to deliver a programme of eye-health awareness lessons in the classroom, free vision and colour vision screening, followed by a more comprehensive eye test and free glasses to those children who require them, using a fully operational custom-designed mobile eye care unit. With the successful completion of Villa Vision’s second Autumn Term in December, a challenging yet successful year means that the project has now benefited schoolchildren in many local inner-city schools, including: Over 2,200 children receiving the Villa Vision workshop across 30 schools Almost 1,800 children having a vision and colour vision screening check in local primary schools Approximately 280 children (around 16%) being flagged for further investigation Around 100 fully comprehensive eye tests being conducted at schools using the Villa Vision eyecare van Nearly 120 pairs of glasses being provided to children requiring them, helping to support both their educational and social development. Nikhil Sonpal, Villa Vision Project Manager and optometrist at Aston Villa Foundation, said: “The Villa Vision team is extremely proud to have directly reached several thousand local children in supporting their visual health and eye care knowledge through the Foundation’s established network of local primary schools and community organisations.” Leon Davies, professor of optometry and physiological optics in the School of Optometry at Aston University and Vice President of the College of Optometrists said: “We are delighted to see the results that our clinical and research expertise in evidence-based eye care is providing our local community. “The provision of free eye care and raising awareness of the importance of eye health is vital in increasing the long-term prospects of schoolchildren and I am looking forward to future developments of the project in 2022.” Funded by the Premier League, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and Aston University and delivered by the Aston Villa Foundation, the project is designed to fill a crucial lack of knowledge surrounding the importance of having an eye test and how preventative measures can ensure, among a host of benefits, a lifetime of good vision.
