4 B
SIUSLAW NEWS |
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 2017
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Healthy Diet Possible
While Avoiding Oxalate
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have had
several kidney stones and was ad-
vised to avoid oxalate. I was told
that green, leafy vegetables and
grains are high in oxalate. How can
my diet be healthy if I avoid these
healthy foods? -- D.F.
ANSWER: Calcium oxalate is the
most common type of kidney stone,
so limiting dietary oxalate makes
sense. However, increasing water
intake, dietary calcium and potassi-
um can help prevent kidney stones.
It is paradoxical, but dietary calcium
reduces kidney stone risk while cal-
cium supplements increase kidney
stone risk. Also, vitamin C increases
kidney stone risk, so it’s not recom-
mended to take supplemental vita-
min C.
There are many places to fi nd
the oxalate content of food, starting
with your dietician, but websites like
www.lowoxalate.info and www.ohf.
org have nice lists. There you can
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Th is
week could off er more opportuni-
ties for ambitious Lambs eager to get
ahead. But don’t rush into making de-
cisions until you’ve checked for pos-
sible hidden problems.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)
Some light begins to shine on profes-
sional and/or personal situations that
have long eluded explanation. Best
advice: Don’t rush things. All will be
made clear in time.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Al-
though you might want to protest
what seems to be an unfair situation,
it’s best to keep your tongue and tem-
per in check for now. Th e full story
hasn’t yet come out.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Work
prospects are back on track. But watch
fi nd many fruits and vegetables that
have little or no oxalate, including
broccoli, lettuce and cucumber. You
do need to avoid spinach, beets and
similar vegetables. As far as grains
go, corn, rice and wild rice are good
choices.
DEAR DR. ROACH: For a young
couple wanting a baby, is there any
help available for a man with a low
sperm count? -- N.N.
ANSWER: Identifying the cause
of a couple’s infertility is often dif-
fi cult. In one large study, 20 percent
of cases were attributed to male fac-
tors, and 38 percent to female. In 27
percent, there were reasons for in-
fertility in both partners, and in 15
percent of cases no cause could be
found. Clearly, both partners need to
be evaluated.
Low sperm count isn’t a diagno-
sis; many separate systems can be af-
fected, all leading to reduced sperm
count. Abnormalities in hormonal
function, mechanical obstruction
and testicular disease all are pos-
sibilities. Although many causes of
low sperm count are untreatable, not
all are. For example, elevated pro-
lactin levels from a tumor or medi-
cation can be treated, leading to im-
proved fertility. Low sex-hormone
levels can be replaced. Many men
are advised to wear boxer shorts, as
high temperatures affect fertility, but
it’s not clear this is effective.
Assistive procedures, such as
intrauterine insemination, in-vitro
fertilization and intracytoplasmic
sperm injection (a single sperma-
tozoa injected into an egg) can be
effective, but these procedures are
always expensive, rarely covered by
insurance, not 100 percent effective
and have a small increased risk of
birth defects.
DEAR DR. ROACH: Is second-
hand vapor (from the electronic cig-
arettes) harmful? -- B.S.B.
ANSWER: While the evidence
that secondhand smoke from regu-
lar cigarettes is harmful to people
around smokers, causing increased
risks of lung cancer and heart dis-
ease, the data just aren’t clear about
the vapor from electronic cigarettes.
It is known that the vapor contains
nicotine and potentially cancer-
causing chemicals, but the amounts
are much lower than with regular
cigarettes. These chemicals can
be inhaled by nonsmokers if close
enough and possibly absorbed
through the skin.
Electronic cigarettes, also called
vaporizers, may help people quit
smoking. That’s the only use for
them that I would recommend, after
which they should be eliminated.
what you say. A thoughtless comment
to the wrong person -- even if it’s said
in jest -- could delay or even derail
your progress.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) A col-
league might try to goad you into say-
ing or doing the wrong thing. It’s best
to ignore the troublemaker, even if he
or she riles your royal self. Your sup-
porters stand with you.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) Be careful not to let your on-the-
job zealousness create resentment
with co-workers who might feel you
shut them out. Prove them wrong by
including them in your project.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) Although it’s not quite what you
hoped for, use your good business
sense to make the most of what you’re
being off ered at this time. Th ings will
improve down the line.
SCORPIO (October 23 to Novem-
ber 21) A more positive picture of
what lies ahead is beginning to take
shape. But there are still too many
gaps that need to be fi lled in before
you make defi nitive plans.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22
to December 21) Continue to keep
a tight hold on the reins so that you
don’t charge willy-nilly into a situa-
tion that might appear attractive on
the surface but lack substance.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) You still need to demand
those answers to your questions. Re-
member, your wise counseling earns
you respect, but it’s your search for
truth that gives you wisdom.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to Febru-
ary 18) You’ll fi nd that people are hap-
py to help you deal with some diffi cult
situations. And, of course, knowing
you, you’ll be happy to return those
favors anytime. Won’t you?
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
Give that special someone in your
personal life a large, loving dollop of
reassurance. Th at will go a long way
toward restoring the well-being of
your ailing relationship.
UNCLE FRANK IS BACK!
Frank’s 101 Barber Shop
396 Highway 101, Florence • 541-902-9588
Siuslaw N ews
!
AD IT DAY
E
R
TO
Joi n Uncle Fra nk at the Kla m ath River Sal mon Festival
August 19th! See you there!
Fra nk is at the Barbershop on Mon, Tues, Thurs a nd Friday, 9-3
Taki ng lu nch from Noon - 1:00 It is a must!