Want to read what your doctor is writing about you?

Would you be more inclined to find a new doctor if you saw his/her charts notes about you? A new pilot study is being conducted and is coined "opennotes." The study will determine if readily accessible medical chart notes will improve the efficiency of your doctor visits. Would you like to know if your doctor believes you are in denial? Or if he/she believes you have a psychological disorder that need further evaluation? Right now you have the capability of requesting your medical records, yet, this system will allow easier access and lower costs. Read all about it below.

http://myopennotes.org/

FISH FACTS

Pictured is a Blue Marlin I caught this summer while fishing in Baja. I need to give a big thanks to the De Smet family for taking me there and showing me how its done. The fish weighed over 200lbs and was 8.5 feet long. If you've been concerned about including fish into your summer diet here are a few tips to help you decide.

Most of us know that a healthy diet should include fish and that fish contain good fats that keep our hearts healthy. It’s true, fish consumption reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke by reducing blood clots and inflammation, improving blood vessel elasticity, lowering blood pressure and improving cholesterol. Here are other benefits of consuming fish that you may not be aware of:

• The fatty acids found in fish encourage the healthy development of vision and brain function in infants whose mothers diet include fish while pregnant or nursing. A report also commented that consuming fish while pregnant appears to decrease the risk of delivering pre-term babies. If you are concerned about methyl mercury consumption refer to the decision pathway for consumer guidance here: http://www.iom.edu/~/media/Files/Report%20Files/2006/Seafood-Choices-Balancing-Benefits-and-Risks/11762_SeafoodChoicesFactSheet.pdf




• A new study by the University of Southern Denmark demonstrated that individuals who consume a moderate amount of fish had significantly lower hospital utilization and better self-reported health than those who don’t regularly eat fish.

• Another study by Harvard found that regular fish consumption reduced overall mortality by 17%.

• One systematic review revealed some evidence of neuroprotective properties against dementia. The overall evidence favors the role of omega-3 fatty acids in slowing cognitive decline in the elderly individual without dementia, but not for prevention of dementia.

• There are also reports of reduced depression and improved blood sugar regulation in those managing diabetes. Fish contain a high source of protein and unlike red meats it contains little saturated fats.

• For more information visit: Food and Drug Administration
Food Safety Information Line
888/SAFE-FOOD
http://www.fda.gov