Ingredient Notice - PowerBar/Nestle Nutrition

PowerBar/Nestle Nutrition would like you to know that the allergen declaration format on PowerBar ProteinPlus Reduced Sugar Bar (chocolate peanut butter variety) labels have changed.  There is no longer a "Contains:" allergen statement on the product label.   All allergen declarations currently exist on the label ingredient statement and will remain as such.   No changes have occurred in the product allergen content; this is a change to label format only.   This change took effect in October.

Additionally, the allergen declaration format on PowerBar Fruit Smoothie Energy Bar (creamy citrus variety) labels have changed. There will no longer be a "Contains:" allergen statment on the product label.   All allergen declarations currently exist on the label ingredient statement and will remain as such.   No changes have occurred in the product allergen content; this is a change to label format only. This change took effect in October.

Nestle Nutrition encourages its consumers to read the product label for all allergen information. For more information, contact PowerBar Service Center at (800) 587-6937.

Exercise Improves Asthma Control

Among patients with asthma, those who are physically active use less health care.  A recent study in Europe showed that a 12-week supervised aerobic and strength training exercise program led to improved asthma control, quality of life, and aerobic fitness in 21 adults with partially controlled asthma.  The benefits were maintained with another 12 weeks of self-administered exercise.

The improvements were not supported by measurements of airflow obstruction, however there was clearly a benefit suggesting that this "natural" adjunct to asthma treatment may be helpful -- and there is no copay or authorization needed for this prescription!

Dogra S, Kuk JL, Baker J, Jamnik V:  Exercise is associated with improved asthma control in adults.  Eur Respir J. 2011; 37: 318-323.

Oatmeal Snowball Cookies

Oatmeal Snowball Cookies

Milk, Egg, Peanut and Nut free.

2 cups light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 cup milk-free margarine, softened
3 T. water, 3 T. oil, 2 tsp. baking powder, mixed together
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
4 cups quick oats
confectioners sugar

In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat brown sugar and margarine until creamy. Beat in water, oil, and baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat in vanilla extract. Stir in oats. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and roll in fectioners sugar. Chill 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake 10 minutes.

How Can You Tell if It's a Cold or Allergies?

With more than 200 types of viruses circulating in the community, and lots of sharing going on (the kind you don't really want), we are seeing more stuffy noses, sneezing, and cough these days. But if you also have allergies, how can you be sure whether it is a cold or your allergies flaring? And when does it matter?

1. Does it itch?

If there is itching of the nose, throat, or eyes involved, you are more likely dealing with allergy symptoms. Remember the seasonal allergies that go with the holidays -- old decorations coming out of storage (along with dust and maybe a little mold), stagnant water at the base of a Christmas tree, dust blowing out of air ducts the first time the heater is turned on -- more exposure means more allergy symptoms.

2. Is there fever or muscle ache?

Respiratory infections can come with fever and other symptoms such as fatigue, muscle aches, or nonrespiratory symptoms such as stomachaches, nausea, or diarrhea. This is often the tip-off that the stuffy nose is not due to allergy this time.

3. Why does it matter?

If your symptoms are due to allergy, a few changes in the environment might be very helpful, like using a HEPA air filter, cleaning ducts, wearing a mask while moving old boxes out of storage; and your allergy medications are more likely to work for this type of problem.

If it is a respiratory infection, especially with thick or discolored mucus, it may be better to clear out secretions with a decongestant and expectorant, or salt water rinse of the nasal passages, rather than drying up secretions with an antihistamine.

Ingredient Notice - General Mills

General Mills Dark Chocolate Chex Mix labels have changed. No changes have occurred in the product allergen content (it contains milk, wheat, and soy); this is a change only to the advisory/cautionary "May Contain" statement on the label due to a change in the manufacturing location. The product may contain peanuts. Product packaging with the new "May Contain" statement took effect in October.

Fiber One Mocha chewy bars label has changed. No changes have occurred in the product allergen content; this is a change only to the advisory/cautionary "May Contain" statement on the label due to a change in the manufacturing location. The previous allergen statement was: Contains soy and milk, may contain wheat ingredients; the new allergen statement will be: Contains soy and milk, may contain wheat, peanut, almond, and sunflower ingredients. Product packaging with the new "May Contain" statement came on the market in October.

General Mills urges you to read all labels for current allergen information. For more information, contact General Mills Consumer Services at (800) 231-0308.

Ingredient Notice - Wendy's

Wendy's Premium Buns are not buttered and toasted. The buns are brushed with a clarified butter prior to toasting. Clarified butter is butter that has undergone purification to separate the solid particles and butter oil.

The purification process may not remove 100% of the solids; therefore clarified butter may contain trace amounts of milk protein. Individuals with a milk allergy should request the bun to be untoasted (without butter).

Anaphylaxis: Better Safe than Sorry

Q. How can I tell when to use auto-injectable epinephrine? I don't want to use it or go to the hospital if it's not necessary.

A. There's no way to predict how severe an anaphylaxis episode might become, so the time to begin treatment is when symptoms first develop.

Only epinephrine stops anaphylaxis. Injected into the thigh, it begins to take effect within 5-8 minutes. It often takes more than one dose - and if something were to go wrong with the first dose, you'll need a back-up. By comparison, antihistamines don't start working for an hour and won't touch the respiratory or cardiovascular effects of anaphylaxis.

After you administer epinephrine, call 911. Don't drive yourself to the hospital! Adults should lie down with feet elevated to help protect the heart and brain while they wait for help. If possible, be ready to explain what you were doing before symptoms appeared and what's happened since you used epinephrine. Children tend to have breathing compromised more so than cardiovascular function and it's important they be kept comfortable, so they can remain or be held by a parent sitting upright.

Epinephrine is not a dangerous drug; adverse effects typically are mild and affect only elderly and frail patients. Anaphylaxis, however, can be fatal - it's safer to treat!

source: Wallace, Dana MD, Allergy & Asthma Today, Volume 9, Issue 4. Winter 2011.