Take Care on WRVO-1: NPR News

As more and more people become interested in trying to eat locally produced foods, New York state's farmers markets are also becoming more popular. But how can you make sure what you buy at the farmers market is really healthier than what you might get at the supermarket? Linda Lowen and Lorraine Rapp, hosts of WRVO's health and wellness show "Take Care" asked Ben Vitale, who oversees the Central New York Regional Market Authority, a year-round farmers market in Syracuse. Vitale is also a farmer himself.

Join us this Sunday on Take Care for a discussion on patient privacy rights. What happens when you surrender privacy for lower insurance premiums at work? A national patient's rights advocate warns us of the risks involved.

Then, got back pain? As many as 80 percent of Americans do at some point in their lives. A leading back expert explains how to minimize back pain and offers tips on prevention. Plus- coming soon to a farmer's market near you: tender lettuce, sun-warmed strawberries, and red ripe tomatoes. Get expert tips for smart shopping from a local producer who heads up a year-round farmer's market.

When it comes to preventing carpal tunnel syndrome, the key may be found in one simple saying, according to Dr. John Fatti: “Let your brain listen to your hand.”

This week on “Take Care,” Dr. Fatti explains how carpal tunnel syndrome happens and how to avoid it. Dr. Fatti is founder of the Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists Hand and Wrist Center. His work in the field of upper extremity care has been featured in several of the nation’s top medical journals.

For decades, communities across the United States have fluoridated their water in the name of public health. Many studies have shown that fluoride strengthens and improves teeth and reduces the incidence of tooth decay. But some communities have decided against providing fluoridated water for a number of reasons. This week on “Take Care,” Dr. William Bowen explains why he believes fluoridating public water is still a good idea.

Click 'Read More' to hear our interview with Dr. Bowen.

In the last several years, about 140 communities across the country have decided to stop added fluoride to their water supplies. In November, the village of Pulaski's water board voted to no long put fluoride in their water. Earlier this week, the Watertown City Council heard arguments that they should do the same thing. Communities like these worry the element could be harming their citizens, corroding their pipes or feel like it's just a government intrusion. This trend comes despite dentists and the Centers for Disease Control calling fluoridation of water a major public health advancement of the last century. Lorraine Rapp and Linda Lowen, hosts of WRVO's weekly health and wellness show "Take Care" recently spoke about this controversial issue with Dr. William Bowen, a dental health expert and professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center, who has also worked for the Food and Drug Administration and the CDC.

When it comes to going to the supermarket, Dr. Marion Nestle wants you to keep one thing in mind:

“The purpose of the entire layout of the supermarket is to sell food products. There’s a sales pitch with every single product, every single layout.”

This week, “Take Care” interviews Nestle, a professor in nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University. She is the author of many books on the topic of food labeling, including Food Politics, which is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary of publication.

Click "Read More" to hear our interview with Dr. Marion Nestle.

This week on Take Care, Martin Mittelmark, CEO of Phytofilter Technologies in Saratoga Springs, talks about a new developing technology that uses plants to remove germs, pollen, mold and cancer-causing chemicals from the air.

Click "Read More" to hear our interview with Martin Mittelmark.

As more Americans try to eat healthier, consumers are trying to find out more information about the food they purchase at the grocery store. And that means reading the labels. But terms like "organic" and "all natural" can be confusing. Lorraine Rapp and Linda Lowen, hosts of WRVO's health and wellness program "Take Care," recently spoke to NYU professor of sociology and nutrition, Dr. Marion Nestle about how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates food labels and how consumers have demanded changes in those rules.

Are there hidden hazards in your home? Are you bringing in other substances that are unknowingly causing us harm? On this week’s Take Care, Sloan Barnett, a New York Times bestselling author and consumer reporter, talks about the potential harm in everyday household products like cleaners,  deodorizers, and even makeup --  as well as her personal experience with converting her home to a more natural, heath conscious environment.

Click 'Read More...' to hear our interview with Sloan Barnett.

This week, “Take Care” explores the issue of government intervention into public health – something that often causes controversy.

Click 'Read More' to hear our interview with Tracy Fox.

When New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed banning large sugary drinks, there was a lot of public backlash. But this country actually has quite a history of government intervening in the name of public health. Lorraine Rapp and Linda Lowen, hosts of WRVO's weekly health show "Take Care," spoke with nutrition policy expert Tracy Fox who argues this kind of intervention is sometimes warranted - and often works.

This week on Take Care, Dr. Anthony Scalzo talks about the diagnosis of the most common cancer for men -- prostate cancer -- and its treatments. Dr. Scalzo is a medical oncologist at Hematology/Oncology Associates of Central New York, and medical advisor for the support group Man to Man, which helps men cope with prostate cancer and is sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

Click 'Read More' to hear our interview with Dr. Anthony Scalzo, and for more information.

They’re small, sweet and easy to eat.  Just pick, rinse, and pop one in your mouth. Not only do berries taste good, they’re good for you as well.  Regardless of shape or size, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries -- any berries -- experts say they provide significant health benefits, which is why some people call them the new super fruit.

Click the "Read More" button to hear our interview with Joan Rogus.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer for men. But many of those malignancies develop so slowly, the patient is never effected by it. That fact has started a debate over who to screen for the disease, and when. Lorraine Rapp and Linda Lowen, hosts of WRVO's weekly health show "Take Care" spoke with Dr. Anthony Scalzo, a medical oncologist at Hematology/Oncology Associates of Central New York, about how men should deal with this issue.

In the coming weeks on Take Care, we'll feature an interview on prostate cancer. Every man who's diagnosed faces unique challenges, often around the question of treatment. An oncologist will join us to explain why watchful waiting may be the preferred option for many. Plus, the latest super fruit.

This week on “Take Care,” an interview with Dr. Seth Greenky on joint pain and joint replacement surgery. Dr. Greenky is the department chairman for orthopedic surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center in Syracuse and associate professor at SUNY Upstate medical College.

(click on "Read more" for the podcast of this interview and more information)

It can be overwhelming  -- even for a well person -- to stand in the cold and flu aisle at the pharmacy wondering what version of a medication is best to take. Powdered packets, syrups, capsules, chewable tablets, gel tabs, dissolving tabs, coated pills -- there are endless options of ways for you to take your medicine. This week on “Take Care,” Dr. Lindsay McNair helps us understand the significant differences in how these formulas work.

(click on "Read more" for the podcast of this interview and more information)

Two of the most common surgeries among people over 65 are knee and hip replacements. Baby boomers in particular are seeking relief because they often don't want joint pain to slow them down.  Lorraine Rapp and Linda Lowen, hosts of WRVO's new weekly health show, "Take Care" spoke with Dr. Seth Greenky, the chairman for orthopedic surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse, about the causes of joint pain and what to do about it.

This week on Take Care, an interview with Gretchen Reynolds, journalist, author and fitness advocate. Her most recent book “The First 20 Minutes: Surprising Science Reveals How We Can Exercise Better, Train Smarter, Live Longer” explains that being fit doesn’t have to mean running a marathon. In fact, just getting up and moving around regularly can greatly reduce your risk of dying prematurely.

(click on "Read more" for the podcast of this interview and more information)

This week on Take Care, an interview with Dr. Neal Blitz on the negative effects wearing high heels can have on posture, the spine, and the wearer’s over-all orthopedic and podiatric health. Dr. Blitz is chief of foot surgery and associate chairman of orthopedics at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital in New York City, and a leading authority on bunion surgery.

(click on "Read more" for the podcast of this interview and more information)

It seems like new studies come out all the time that offer evidence for how long, when, or what kind of exercise you should do. But fitness expert Gretchen Reynolds says it may take a lot less exercise than you think to see benefits to your health. The author of "The First 20 Minutes: Surprising Science Reveals How We Can Exercise Better, Train Smarter, Live Longer” spoke with Lorraine Rapp and Linda Lowen, the hosts of WRVO's new weekly health show "Take Care."

WRVO Public Media is adding a new half-hour program to its Sunday evening broadcast schedule. "Take Care," a conversation on health and wellness, will be co-hosted and produced by Lorraine Rapp and Linda Lowen.