February 2019 ExtraCare Newsletter

February 2019
ExtraCare Newsletter

In honor of our abundant February rains I have chosen to write about a hidden local gem, the chaneterelle mushroom. I also give you tips on how to live to be 100!

Just a reminder that if you are interested in using text messaging as a means of communication with me, you MUST sign up for our TigerConnect service in order to keep our lines of communication secure. Please contact Jeneva for assistance with this matter. Also, if you need to communicate with me urgently during the work week, please contact the office directly. I have three full time staff members who are eager to assist you.

One last note regarding the Shingrix vaccine shortage. GSK, the manufacturers of Shingrix, have issued a statement regarding this subject. Basically they anticipate an ongoing shortage of vaccine through 2019. We have a limited supply here at the office which I am making available to my high risk patients and to those who have started the vaccine series but have been unable to complete due to supply issues. If you have received your first dose of Shingrix and have been unable to find a second dose (due 2-6 months after the first) please contact our office.

Chanterelle Mushrooms

One of the many benefits of our record February rains is the awakening of our local chanterelle population. Chanterelles grow beneath oak trees and are often found peeking out beneath the fallen leaves. Chanterelles have been available at our local farmers markets for the past few weeks, but be forewarned, you’ll have to get there early or they will all be sold out.

According to Wikipedia, Cantharellus californicus, also sometimes called the mud puppy or oak chanterelle, is a fungus native to California. This particular species of chanterelles can grow to weigh up to 2 pounds at maturity, making it the largest known species of chanterelle in the world. Chanterelles are meaty and filling and contain protein, vitamin D, and B vitamins including riboflavin, niacin, and thiamine. They also contain minerals including potassium, copper, and selenium.

With a rich, nutty flavor, Chanterelles are one of my favorite mushrooms. They are generally cooked and add a wonderful flavor to any dish. One of the best ways to cook them is to slice and sauté them in butter, finishing off with a little white wine or cream. We had them over fish yesterday and in an omelet this morning but they really are tasty over any meat, fish or poultry and are wonderful mixed into a risotto or topping a pasta.

Exceptional Human Longevity

Want to live to be over 100? If your answer is yes, then read on….

An interesting article was published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings last month:

https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(18)30792-4/fulltext

The authors searched the published literature for mechanisms of longevity focusing on the oldest of old, the centenarians. Here are some of their conclusions:

By focusing on geographic clustering of long-lived individuals in Okinawa, Sardinia and Loma Linda, they concluded the following longevity factors:

Eating in moderation (small- or moderate-portioned “regular” meals), mostly plant-based diets, with lighter meals at the end of the day
Purposeful living (eg, life philosophy, volunteerism, “hard work” or “work ethic”)
Social support systems: interactions with family/friends, laughter/humor
Exercise, especially walking, gardening
Other nutritional factors: goat’s milk, red wine, herbal teas
Spirituality
Maintenance of a healthy body mass index
Other possible factors: sunshine, adequate hydration, naps

The authors go on to address the roles of genetics, environmental influences, sex differences and resiliency in human longevity.

Studies show that genetics appears to positively affect longevity only approximately 25% of the time. Which means that environmental factors such as behavior, environment, and health practices can profoundly affect the potential for long life.

Universally, women live longer than men. In the United States, beginning at about age 55 years, the difference between the number of females and males roughly doubles by age 75 years and then doubles again by age 85 years and over.

There is growing evidence to suggest that resiliency, or the ability to adequately respond to or resist various stressors, plays a key role in conferring successful aging. Despite the small number of human studies that address interventions that promote resiliency, animal investigations suggest that exercise (compared with calorie restriction) promotes resilience more effectively against diverse types of stress.

So How Is Exceptional Longevity Achieved?

The authors conclude by pointing out several strategies that can be employed to positively influence health and life span These include dietary modification (eg, moderate caloric restriction) to achieve and maintain ideal weight, exercise, healthy behaviors, avoidance of smoking and excessive drinking, active engagement, and development of social networks and support systems.