COMPLIMENTARY CHARLESTON | DORCHESTER | BERKELEY MARCH/APRIL 2023 GROWING GRATITUDE SC DHEC PRIORITIZES PUBLIC HEALTH CHAR L E S TON WILL CONCIERGE MEDICINE CHANGE HEALTH CARE? THE HEALING POWER OF BEES FORAGING FOR LIFE
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8 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com 15 | BETTER HEALTH, LONGER LIFE With a love for the state and South Carolinians that runs deep, Dr. Brannon Traxler leads the way to better health. 22 | MINDFUL MUNCHING Become more aware of healthy eating habits and more in tune with the nutritional factors that play into purchasing locally. 26 | KING TIDE FARMS Hamilton “Hydro-Ham” Horne, founding owner of King Tide Farms, is all about bridging the gap between a food’s source and the dinner plate. Horne’s hydroponic smart farm provides specialized greens to many local restaurants. 30 | FORAGING 101 April Punsalan forages more than 50 edible and medicinal plants within two miles of her doorstep in Charleston. She can’t imagine life without foraging wild plants. Find out how she does it. 34 | SHOCKWAVE THERAPY For people experiencing chronic pain in their extremities, shockwave therapy offers a safe and innovative treatment option that includes the benefits of a short treatment time, quick recovery and no side effects. 38 | POSTCANCER PAMPERING Post-cancer life is supposed to be a time to burst forth with a sparkling super nova of newness. Not for Amy Gesell. It took pampering and beauty treatments to get her joy and power back. 46 | YOGA FOR TIGHT HIPS Yoga that targets the hips and energy healing are two popular ways to help hips get their groove back. 56 | COFFEE, TEA OR … There’s evidence that for more than 5,000 years, people have been testing, changing and developing all kinds of mixtures and flavors of tea, coffee, apple cider and hot cocoa. Learn the qualities of each. 62 | CARING FOR THE CAREGIVERS As the number of professional caregivers declines and there is more burnout among the caregiving ranks, selfcare has to come first. Issue 12.2 MARCH/APRIL 2023 CHARLESTON FEATURES
www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com | 9 68 | THE TOLL OF FIGHT OR FLIGHT Acute stress, adrenaline rush, sudden anxiety – fight or flight in all forms can have significant effects – both good and bad – on our long-term health. 74 | TRAVEL OFFERS BRAIN BOOST Whether you are enjoying a relaxing cruise, a trip to an exotic country or a simple journey through the woods to Grandma’s house, escaping daily routines and surroundings, even for a short time, gives your brain a boost. 79 | WELCOME TO THE TEAM There’s a new member of the HealthLinks news team. D.J. Thatcher will be talking with health care experts and offering health tips and heroic stories as the host of the HealthLinks podcast. 84 | THE HEALING POWER OF BEES South Carolinians share a reverence for honey. They appreciate its sweet taste, its soothing texture, even the soothing hum of the bees’ hive, but what they love best are the elements of honey and bee products that heal. 92| DON'T LEAVE ME! Whether it happens all the time or only on occasion, the sudden fear of being ownerless can affect your dog’s long-term health and life expectancy. CONTENTS DIRECTORIES Physical Therapy. .................................................94 Occupational Therapy. ........................................95 IN EVERY ISSUE Publisher’s Note...................................................10 From the Editor....................................................11 Living Healthy Area Events..................................12 CCMS ..................................................................72 There's an App for That.......................................78 Unique Case.........................................................80 The Lighter Side of Health Care. .........................83 Charleston Area Nonprofits.................................88 Faces & Places. ....................................................90 The Pulse on Charleston Nurses..........................96 SPONSORED MEDICAL CONTENT Building Confidence to Build Strength...............................33 The Balance That Binds Us. ................................................43 Grace Physical Therapy's Dedication to Education. ...........45 Restoring Trust and Teeth...................................................51 The Body's Signals When Something is Wrong..................53 Vision with a Focus. ............................................................54 Stretch Zone: Keeping the Limber in Your Limbs – and All Other Body Parts....................................................55 The Healing Beyond Survival Mode. ..................................59 Where Success Stories Happen Every Day.........................60 State-of-the-Art Care for Patients with Head and Neck Cancer.......................................................66
10 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com Issue 12.2 MARCH/APRIL 2023 Publisher CULLEN MURRAY-KEMP [email protected] Managing Editor LISA BRESLIN Assistant Editor MOLLY SHERMAN Copy Editor BRIAN SHERMAN Art Director KIM HALL Webmaster GEORGE CONKLIN Sales Manager MANDY WILLIS [email protected] Writers Media Consultant BRANDON CLARK [email protected] Intern LEXIE SHERMAN Photographer JENN CADY [email protected] Distribution Manager CAROL CASSIDY Administration & Bookkeeping GINGER SOTTILE Distribution U.S. Post Office, Harris Teeter, Publix, CVS, Food Lion, Medical Offices TO ADVERTISE IN HEALTHLINKS, PLEASE CALL 843-732-4110 MEDICAL MARKETING GROUP HealthLinks Charleston reserves the right to refuse advertisements. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply the service or product is recommended or endorsed by HealthLinks Charleston. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from Medical Marketing Group, LLC. Medical Marketing Group 4 Carriage Lane, Suite 107, Charleston, S.C. 29407 843-732-4110 • [email protected] CHARLESTON PUBLISHER'S NOTE JANET E. PERRIGO L.C. LEACH III COLIN MCCANDLESS ISABEL ALVAREZ ARATA THERESA STRATFORD LISA BRESLIN MOLLY SHERMAN BILL FARLEY DENISE K. JAMES AMY GESELL RILEY MATHEWS Scan to discover our other HealthLinks platforms! A Body in Motion Stays in Motion Ahh. Spring is finally here. St. Patrick's Day, blooming flowers and, of course, my birthday, are all staples that spring brings along with it. Spring gives life to the world and offers the opportunity to abdicate our wintry, dark, dusty abodes and re-emerge into the world. Spring also incites activity, hence our March/April “Active Lifestyle” edition of HealthLinks Charleston. Perhaps the poster child of active lifestyle is basketball living legend LeBron James. At 38 years of age, LeBron is still arguably the greatest basketball player in the world. Each night he competes with players half his age; he played against the fathers of some of them. LeBron will undoubtedly play more minutes of professional basketball at a higher level than any other human in history. Throughout his 20-year professional career, he has been able to sustain such a high level of success by keeping his body constantly active and in motion. Legend has it that LeBron spends well over $1 million per year on his physical fitness alone. As LeBron surpasses Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time leading scorer in NBA history, I feel now is as good a time as any to give a nod to The King – a man who leads the most active of lifestyles. The concept of keeping our bodies in motion as we age is one that hits home for this publisher as well. As I rounded 30, my physical activity began to dwindle, and the soreness set in. Playing sports and chasing the dogs around left my now not-so-nimble body with consistent aches and pains. We all have our own battles with physical fitness: “There aren’t enough hours in the day. I’ll go for a walk tomorrow” we whine as our procrastination circumvents proactivity. I, too, am familiar with the excuses, but we all don’t have to be LeBron James. We can opt for a walk or bike ride through Marion Forest. We can go for a swim at Folly Beach. We can two-step across the Ravenel Bridge. Our active lifestyles need to meet us where we are as individuals. Let’s make watching seven straight episodes of “Love Island” on Netflix a thing of the past and get outside this spring. Let’s set a routine that includes exercise – even if it’s only 15 minutes between crying children and fussy fur babies. Physical activity feeds us both mentally and physically, and our weary winter bodies are hungry. Cheers to Good Health, Cullen Murray-Kemp, Publisher Cul len Murray Kemp
www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com | 11 FROM THE EDITOR... At last! We are easing into the time of year when people throw open their windows and their lives to brighter colors and more possibilities. Flowers burst from the winter ground and many of us rise to take a new look at the routines and paths that we dutifully follow. In this blooming season, HealthLinks is launching a new editorial department: Farm to Fork. In addition to stories that capture the trends (Hips Don’t Lie), the issues (The Health Toll of Fight or Flight ), the treatments (Shock Wave Therapy) and humor (It’s All About The Side Hustle), Farm to Fork stories (King Tide Farms, Growing Gratitude, The Healing Power of Bees) highlight the joyful rewards of eating local, healthy food. We hope Farm to Fork will inspire you to explore what you eat, where it came from and what has been added to it. Obesity engenders an overwhelming rise in heart and vascular diseases, and health experts are calling for a cultural shift in Americans' relationship with food. Farm to Fork is our heed to that call. I hope you enjoy the magazine as much the HealthLinks team enjoyed creating it. To simple pleasures and good health, Lisa Breslin, Managing Editor MARCH/APRIL 2023 COMPLIMENTARY CHARLESTON | DORCHESTER | BERKELEY MARCH/APRIL 2023 GROWING GRATITUDE SC DHEC PRIORITIZES PUBLIC HEALTH CHAR L E S TON WILL CONCIERGE MEDICINE CHANGE HEALTH CARE? Volume 12, Issue 2 • MARCH/APRIL 2023 www.CharlestonPhysicians.com THE HEALING POWER OF BEES FORAGING FOR LIFE CHARLESTON PHOTOGRAPHY AND POSING EXPERT VISIT JENNCADY.COM AND SCHEDULE YOUR PHOTOSHOOT TODAY! Cover photo by Nicholas Skylar - Monte Carlo romaine at King Tide Farms.
12 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com HEALTHY AREA EVENTS l ving MARCH 9 Stroke Support Group Newborn Centers of Charleston 5:30 p.m. Trident Health Center - Café A 9330 Medical Plaza Drive, Charleston Trident Health System provides an inviting and supporting environment in which to discuss your experience after surviving a stroke. Survivors and caregivers are welcome. tridenthealthsystem.com MARCH 25 Tenth Annual Dream Girls Conference 8:30 a.m. Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church 7396 Rivers Ave., North Charleston Y.E.S. presents its 10th annual Dream Girls Conference. This outreach program is designed for at-risk middle school and high school girls, providing them with resources and strategies to navigate the challenges in their life. Last year, more than 2,000 young women attended this event. If you have young women in your life who might benefit from this event, please visit the website and register. Lunch is provided and food vendors will be on site for additional food purchases. DreamGirlsUS.org and yescouncil.org MARCH 25 Fulfilling Needs Creating Hope Gala 6-10 p.m. Trident Technical College 7000 Rivers Ave., Building 920, Charleston Proceeds from this event will go to creating care kits for children, the “Just in Case Closets” in more than 50 Carolina schools and outreach for children in foster care. Join Lowcountry Orphan Relief at Trident Technical College for a black-tie affair to raise money for LOR. Cocktails, live music, fine dining and dancing and, of course, an auction. lowcountryorphanrelief.org MARCH 11 WishNight 5757 Palm Blvd., Isle of Palms Make-A-Wish South Carolina and Matt O'Neill Real Estate bring you an evening at the Sweetgrass Inn in Wild Dunes. Dance the night away to live music, indulge in a gourmet dinner and bid, bid, bid on auction items as you help raise funds to grant medically-challenged children and their families a bit of a reprieve from the daunting tasks that come with facing terminal illnesses. Your contribution may help surpass 2022’s record-breaking $410,000 in contributions. Wishnightsc.org
www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com | 13 MARCH 30 Herb Your Enthusiasm: Harnessing the Physical, Environmental and Mental Benefits of Plants 6 p.m. Holland Lifelong Learning South Carolina Aquarium 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston Let gardening experts from local organizations guide you through the benefits of community gardens, how to be a sustainable gardener and more. Thanks to Holland Lifelong Learning lectures, supported by Mary and Mason Holland, you can explore top issues in conservation, research and science and become a better steward of the land. scaquarium.org APRIL 1 Cooper River Bridge Run 8 a.m. Mount Pleasant Started in 1978 with 766 runners, this event has grown into a $33 million weekend industry for Charleston. The idea of traversing the bridge and crossing the finish line of this 10k has been a major motivation for runners everywhere. You should be one of them. Register before midnight, March 29. bridgerun.com APRIL 11 Head and Neck Cancer Support Group 1 p.m. Trident Health Center Head & Neck Specialists 9228 Medical Plaza Drive, 2nd Floor, North Charleston Trident Health Care’s Head and Neck specialists are offering a support group lead by professionals in the field of head and neck cancers. Patients and caregivers are welcome and invited to speak, ask questions or simply listen in an environment of compassionate understanding. tridenthealthsystem.com APRIL 17 Bariatric Surgery ‘Keeping it Real’ Support Group 6 p.m. Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital 2095 Henry Tecklenburg Drive, Charleston Whether you’re pre- or post-operative bariatric surgery, this support group is an excellent place to chat with others about their experiences with this life-changing surgery. Supportive and knowledgeable, this group is provided at no cost to patients in the care of a Roper St. Francis affiliated physician. callcenter.rsfh.com MARCH 26 The Point Field to Fork Dinner Ambrose Family Farm 2414 South Rockland Ave., Wadmalaw What could be better than a five-course, locally sourced meal prepared by Chef John Simon at Ambrose Family Farm? Knowing that your contribution will go to the nonprofit group of 25 powerhouse women known as “The Point.” The Point raises money for charities that specifically target women and women’s health in the Charleston area. thepointis.org APRIL 22 Mullet Hall Trail Run 5K and 10K 7 a.m. 2662 Mullet Hall Road, Johns Island APRIL 18 Outdoor Yoga at Firefly Distillery 11 a.m. 4201 Spruill Ave., North Charleston Instructor Reagan Sobel guides you through grounding and connective yoga asanas as you relax, calming the body and the mind. All fitness levels are welcome. reagansobelyoga.com • fireflydistillery.com Put on your trail shoes and run your race under the canopy of oaks on the dirt packed, rooted and grass trails of Mullet Hall on Johns Island. Registration is required. This event usually sells out its limited spots before its registration deadline of April 17. ccprc.com
14 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com 1200 Hospital Dr., Mt Pleasant, SC 29464 • 843.375.4000 • www.vhcharleston.com What is a Critical Care Hospital? Critical Care hospitals like Vibra Hospital of Charleston, are uniquely designed to effectively care for medically complex patients. Critical Care hospitals have physicians, nurses and staff who specialize in caring for patients who are critically ill and/or have complicated medical needs like respiratory care. Choosing the right post-acute setting for critically ill patients is crucial for achieving the highest outcomes for these complex patients.
www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com | 15 When Dr. Brannon Traxler became the director of public health for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control in April 2021, there was no way for her to ease slowly into her new role. The pandemic was in full roar. Heroic, exhausted nurses were leaving the profession in record numbers, and, as Dr. Traxler knew well, before COVID-19, the country was already 100,000 nurses short. Great strides toward better health were unfolding, including DHEC’s national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board, but South Carolina wasn’t faring as well as Dr. Traxler wanted it to with internal, statewide and national health and well-being assessments. In its third consecutive year of researching all 50 U.S. states to determine its annual Community Well-Being Index, digital health company Sharecare and the Boston University School of Public Health recently placed South Carolina at No. 40 – identical to its rating in 2020 but four notches down from 2019. LOVE FOR THE PEOPLE PROPELS DR. BRANNON TRAXLER Dr. Brannon Traxler By Lisa Moody Breslin
16 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com Yet, with a love for the state and South Carolinians that runs as deep as her education and professional experience run wide, Dr. Traxler welcomed working with the team of experts at DHEC and with residents to turn around problems that didn’t happen overnight. “What I love most about this job is the people I work with. They are an amazing team that shined during the pandemic,” Dr. Traxler said. “They are brilliant strategists and are helping people.” Dr. Traxler also appreciates “the variety that comes with this job,” she said. “I have eight meetings on the schedule today and they are all about different topics,” she added as an email rolled in letting her know that there was an issue, a “little bit of a crisis,” as she spoke. The state is navigating the continuous opioid epidemic, an increase in mental and behavioral health issues and a growing disparity in quality and access to health care, Traxler confirmed. The leading causes of death in the state are cancer and chronic diseases such as heart disease and cardiovascular disease. “South Carolina has its overwhelming challenges,” Dr. Traxler said. “My work here goes back to loving the state and the people in it. I want everyone to have better quality of life and length of life, and I want us to show the country what we are capable of.” The “we” in her comment is not just DHEC’s team of experts and community partners – it’s also South Carolinians. To live longer and to have quality life, all residents need to step up, according to Dr. Traxler. She and her family members are already walking the walk she talks. “I went through the pandemic with a toddler,” Dr. Traxler said. “I’m not going to ask parents to do something that I’m not willing to do myself.” When it came to the COVID vaccines, Dr. Traxler was eager for her 2-year-old daughter, Lucy, to have them. “She was actually in clinical trials. She did the original series, and my husband and I were excited to discover she received the real, FDA-approved vaccine [rather than a placebo],” Dr. Traxler said. “I give credit to my husband, Tony Roach, for staying well-informed and for trusting my recommendation,” she added. DR. TRAXLER’S ADVICE TO PARENTS: • Preventive health care - Do as much of it as you can. A big component of prevention is immunizations. “If you are worried about the risk, please know that you don’t want to face the realities that accompany polio and whooping cough.” • Go for wellness checks - Be sure that your children are on track for growth and development. “I’m not a pediatrician, but I trust every bit of my pediatrician’s advice and guidance. Find a provider you trust who can know your child.” • Take safety measures - » Sleeping infants - Infants should be on their back on a flat surface, with nothing in the crib until the child is a year old. “Lucy’s first item in the crib was ‘Puppy,’ which is a blanket with a dog’s head,” Dr. Traxler said. “She didn’t get it until the night of her first birthday. I think we are on our fourth one now.” » Car seats - Parents should be sure that car seats are installed properly – for grandparents’ cars, too. “I describe myself as a ‘reformed surgeon’ after doing a lot of trauma care,” Traxler explained. “The worst cases were the ones that involved children who were not fastened into safety seats correctly.” » Helmets - Parents should be sure their children wear helmets while on bikes, scooters and ATVs. » Swimming - Especially if children live near or play in water, they should learn how to swim. DR. TRAXLER’S ADVICE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC: • Know CPR - This lifesaving skill has changed over the years. Mouth to mouth resuscitation is no longer used, for example. “We all need to know CPR – everybody, not just medical people,” said Dr. Traxler. “We all need the skills, and we have to be willing to use them without hesitation.” • Get up and move around - Couch potatoes and semicouch potatoes: Get up and exercise on a regular basis – a half hour several days a week. “I’m a desk potato and sometimes I find it hard to do this,” Dr. Traxler admitted. • Ditch caffeine and go for water. • Forget the fad diet and look at calories instead. • For mental health, take advantage of options beyond the one-to-one sessions - “Mental and behavioral health are huge concerns right now. And the issues look different for everyone,” Dr. Traxler explained. “But there are waiting lists for therapists, so people need to think about alternatives – zoom sessions, phone calls, support groups – so they don’t have to wait.” 2018 State Health Assessment Report
www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com | 17 • Seek accurate information - “South Carolinians face misinformation every day that can jeopardize their health and well-being. Our state is not alone,” Dr. Traxler explained. “We have well-informed members of society in trusted roles – faith-based leaders, barbers, hairdressers and coaches who need to step in.” “Accurate information is more powerful when it comes from your preacher or your barber more than me because there is a level of trust,” she added. “A person might not listen to the first person who offers accurate information or advice, but, after multiple people they trust tell them in a nonconfrontational way, they will probably hear it and heed it.” It has taken centuries and many factors for South Carolina’s health, well-being and environmental concerns to rise to where they are today, Dr. Traxler confirmed. “There is not an overnight fix,” she added. “But we will continue to meet the challenges and discover solutions, and with each stride we will be intentional. It is not good enough to improve overall if disparity increases, too.” Resources: scdhec.gov/about-dhec/agency-plans-reports/bridge-strategic-plan-2022-2024 scdhec.gov/sites/default/files/Library/CR-003160_Short.pdf livehealthy.sc.gov/ Five Most Important Community Health Concerns Overweight/Obesity Diabetes High Blood Pressure Drug Use Cancer Five Most Important Factors for a Healthy Community Access to Affordable Health Care Good Jobs/Healthy Economy Access to Healthy and Affordable Foods Acceptance of All People Strong Faith and Fellowship 52.8% 47.1% 33.3% 30.5% 30.3% 55.5% 43.3% 42.2% 26.5% 20.3% ASSESSMENT RESULTS
18 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com HEALTH DEPARTMENT SERVICES AND RESOURCES The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is the government agency responsible for public health, health care quality and the environment in the state. South Carolina has a centralized public health system. Each county has its own health department, and DHEC runs all of those departments. Birth certificates, death certificates, immunizations, family planning – the list of patient-oriented services and resources that flow from each department expands as residents’ needs expand. DHEC also does surveillance for all communicable diseases and moves swiftly if there is an outbreak like the RSV outbreak in fall 2022 that hit child-care facilities and then many residents across the state. The department compiles the South Carolina flu data for a weekly surveillance report called, Flu Watch, which is shared each Wednesday on its website. DHEC also reports confirmed cases of monkeypox daily to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A link to the CDC’s MPOX tracker map that confirms current cases by state is available on DHEC’s website as well. DURING DHEC’S ACCREDITATION PROCESS, IT IMPROVED SEVERAL CORE SERVICES, INCLUDING: • Launching a new immunization information system to help the agency and immunization providers ensure access and availability of essential immunizations to help keep South Carolinians healthy. • Spearheading the successful statewide transition to eWIC, providing South Carolina families that qualify for Women, Infants and Children services better access to healthy foods. South Carolina’s WIC program aims to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating and referrals for health care. • Collaborating with community partners across the state to develop a comprehensive statewide health improvement plan, Live Healthy SC. This plan, published in 2018, is currently being updated. Community members are encouraged to provide input online. For more information about DHEC resources, services, programs and the team that delivers it all, visit scdhec.gov. Dr. Brannon Traxler A native of Greenville, Dr. Traxler most recently served as the chief medical officer for the state’s COVID-19 response. She is trained and board-certified in general surgery and previously practiced as a surgeon in South Carolina before changing her specialty focus to public health. Dr. Traxler completed her residency in general surgery at Greenville Health System and a fellowship in breast surgery at Emory University in Atlanta. Dr. Traxler earned her medical degree from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and her master of public health degree from George Washington University. She received her undergraduate degree in microbiology at the Clemson University Honors College. In spring 2022, Dr. Traxler was recognized for her leadership and dedication to public health as one of the state’s “20 under 40” and became a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. Source: scdhec.gov/about-dhec/agency-leadership/dr-brannon-traxler-director-public-health For a more in-depth discussion on the state of public health in South Carolina visit: HealthLinksPodcast.com HealthLinks PODCAST
www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com | 19 843-494-5004 | www.sleepbettersc.com DANA BLALOCK, D.D.S. CALL US TO LEARN MORE! 1022 Physicians Dr. #B, Charleston, SC 29414 fax 866-462-0121 for Physician Referrals DON’T LET SNORING OR CPAP STRUGGLES KEEP YOU UP AT NIGHT Struggling with your CPAP? We offer custom-fit oral appliances as a more comfortable, and easier-to-use alternative to CPAP for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. ✔ In Network with Medicare, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and TriCare Insurance. WE HAVE SOLUTIONS FOR YOU!
20 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com MOUNT PLEASANT • SUMMERVILLE • WEST ASHLEY 843.881.2030 MOST AWARD-WINNING ALLERGISTS IN THE LOWCOUNTRY Bruce D. Ball, MD • Andrew E. Davidson, MD Jeffrey J. Dietrich, MD • Meredith L. Moore, MD Lindsey S. Steadman, MD • Carolyn R. Word, MD CHARLESTONALLERGY.COM Jump into springtime allergy-free. It’s been our team’s privilege to provide award-winning care to our friends and neighbors for more than 30 years. With three convenient locations throughout the Lowcountry, we help patients of all ages breathe better, feel better and live better. Spring INTO RELIEF!
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22 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com “We’re all part of this food chain,” said Abigail King, a functional nutritionist helping patients restore balance in their body – and in their life. “Seeking out locally sourced foods is hugely important for the sustainability of food production and for nutrient density in our food.” Farmers markets and local networks of food producers are making sustainability for the gut and the group possible. Harrison R. Chapman, manager of the Charleston and West Ashley Farmers Market, is noticing this trend among customers: “People are becoming more aware of their health in terms of healthy eating habits and more in tune with the nutritional factors that play into purchasing locally while also being more aware of the environmental impact it has on our planet.” “If produce in big-box stores is traveling thousands of miles to get to your plate … the nutritional value has decreased by an alarming amount compared to what you ingest from locally sourced ingredients harvested at the peak of ripeness,” said Chapman. Harvests distributed by big-box locations have had the chance to drop in nutritional value. Spinach is susceptible to losing 90% of its vitamin C content in the 24 hours following
www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com | 23 its harvest, according to a 2005 Pennsylvania State University study. In a 2007 University of California Davis paper, vegetables were said to lose between 15% and 77% of their vitamin C in the week following harvest. It all depends on storage temperatures, warmer often being the culprit of more rapid nutrient degradation. When farm to fork time shrinks, the nutrients and bacteria that grew with the food in its nearby microbiome in the local soil are better preserved. “There is more abundance of bacteria – good kinds of bacteria that are health promoting,” said King, who pays close attention to how certain foods impact inflammation and gut health when advising plans for her patients. “That microbiome is more active and more alive the fresher [the produce] is.” In choosing to eat locally-grown foods, you are invited to choose the foods that can be grown locally. ”By eating food that is in season, you are not only benefiting from the nutritional value that is at its peak, but also the taste is quite noticeable,” said Chapman. “We should always eat seasonally, which makes the seasons more fun and those ingredients you enjoy at different times of the year even more special and delicious.” MAKING IT TO MARKET: A MISSION FOR MINDFUL MUNCHING By Molly Sherman
24 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com Local eating grows one’s connection to how their food is made. “We have become very out of touch with where our food comes from. One of the greatest aspects of farmers markets is that they provide an opportunity for direct-to-consumer sales," said Chapman. At the market, customers have the opportunity to feed their awareness of how ingredients are sourced, allowing them to become more mindful of their food and its journey to the table. After all, “the digestion process starts with mindfulness,” King noted. Conscientiously cooking with ingredients aids digestion. King described that the act of preparing food – the sensation of chopping vegetables, the sound of sizzling peppers and the smell of caramelizing an onion – evokes the creation of digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid, essential components for healthful digestion. Growing an awareness and connection to the food nourishes one’s mindfulness and the accompanying digestive benefits. In addition to the “how” of sourcing and engaging with ingredients, “what” you are picking up at the market is important as well. King advocates for incorporating a diversity of food in one’s diet, focusing on whole foods and prioritizing getting enough fiber – which is easy to do when there is a rainbow of fresh fruits, vegetables and cuisines from which to choose. “Farmers markets are a melting pot of cultures and the cuisines that come with them,” said Chapman. “Every market is like a celebration of what our community has to offer, all coming together to share with others.” And, in the wise words of Chapman’s dad, try everything at least once. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to eat it again; however, you might just find it’s one of your favorite things to eat. But you should know that Chapman warns: “Once you’ve tasted the difference, there is no going back.” Seeking out locally sourced foods is hugely important for the sustainability of food production and for nutrient density in our food. “ “
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26 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com KING TIDE FARMS: THE FUTURE INCLUDES HYDROPONICS By Amy Gesell Photo by Nicholas Skylar.
www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com | 27 For 15 days after Hurricane Dorian tore through the Bahamas, Hamilton “Hydro-Ham” Horne was amid the wreckage, assisting with cleanup and recovery. Working through a friend’s charitable organization, he was in Hopetown knee-deep in the heartbreak and strife of local families as they labored to rebuild. Supplies and food sources were scarce, and meals were often eaten on the fly. It was a rare and treasured moment when people could gather, seat themselves and have a hot meal. “It wasn’t just the act of, you know, eating,” Horne said. “It was seeing what a warm meal and good conversation could do for one’s spirit. Food is important. It brings us together.” Food is important, and so is the quality of food. Horne noted that often, the available food was somewhat inedible and that sometimes there was a bit of waste. Having experienced these temporary moments of food scarcity sparked an imaginative flame in Horne; he began to question how he could meaningfully bridge the gap between a food’s source and the dinner plate. Bridging that gap is the motivation behind his King Tide Farms. Horne, a native of Sullivan’s Island and a graduate of Bishop England High School and “Ole Miss,” is also a third-generation farmer. Though he has spent years in the real estate business, he is effectively going back to his roots. This time his roots aren’t in vast acres of tilled soil, planted tobacco, corn and soybeans but in a 40-square-foot, refrigerated shipping container nestled just behind Firefly Distillery’s Park Circle operation in North Charleston. The castoff container has found new life as Horne’s “hydroponic smart farm.” Utilizing 320 square feet, his container yields the equivalent of two acres of farmland of a variety of specialized greens. The benefits of this method include reduced, or negated, need for pesticides and efficient use of space that would otherwise be unsuitable for safely growing food. Horne’s enthusiasm toward this venture is more than a ride on a feel-good bandwagon. He is truly, earnestly, excited and passionate about all the benefits “growing up instead of out” has to offer. King Tide Farms crosses off many ecofriendly checklist items, including: • Use of just five gallons of fresh water to hydrate 15,000 plants, with the remainder coming from recycled moisture from his HVAC and dehumidifier systems; • Protection in the enclosed, controlled environment, allowing for a reduction of disease in plants; • A growing season that remains unaffected by the weather and the large yield from such a small parcel of real estate. There are no high-interest loan rates on land, Horne added, and no hours-long commute to work on the old farm. It’s all right here in Charleston’s backyard. King Tide Farms set off a host of positive, local ripple effects. Hyperlocalism is the effect that fuels Horne’s passion. “Did you know that the USDA allows a grower to claim “locally grown,” despite being over 400 miles away? I mean, there are a lot of states within a 400-mile radius. You think you’re buying local, when really, you’re buying produce that was farmed and harvested in Tennessee,” Horne shared. “Most of the nutrition in your produce is found in the moisture content. We lose roughly 60% of the nutritional value in transit just on water weight alone,” Horne added. So if we’re trucking 90% of our nation’s freshly picked lettuce in from Arizona or California, which we are, these leafy green commodities come to our dinner plate nutritionally depleted. However, if your produce is coming from a neighborhood hydroponic smart farm, such as King Tide, it’s getting to your table days before it suffers this depletion. Right now, chefs at Charleston’s local restaurants make up almost all of Horne’s clientele, and his business model is saving them money and the ache of wasted produce that goes bad before it can be used. It can also help the consumer avoid sticker shock when perusing the menu. “The price of a restaurant salad has to go up, you know, because the wholesale price of 24 heads of lettuce went up to $94 thanks to fuel surcharges, right?” Horne asked. Photo by Nicholas Skylar.
28 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com King Tide Farms eschews a fuel surcharge since the transport distances are often just a few miles. “They get charged more because of transit or these supply chain costs. My thoughts on that are, well, we could break that chain. Forge a new one,” he said. That’s just what he is doing. Planting, growing, harvesting and delivering his produce is a single-handed endeavor right now. Horne’s 18 hours a day, seven days a week growing cycle allows him to provide just-harvested produce to chefs in the immediate area, and 100% of those nutrient-packed greens are useable. “You don’t have a chef throwing away half their delivery because it’s gone bad,” he said. This quick growing cycle enables Horne, and thereby Charleston’s local chefs, to experiment with a variety of nearly customizable greens as well. Horne gets to grow “cooler” greens he likes to call a “chef’s cut.” The rich leaves are a smaller, bite-sized, more manageable leaf. They’re beautiful as well, which is an important consideration as, Horne earnestly said “. . . because we eat with our eyes, too.” King Tide’s produce comes in a variety of sizes, flavors and colors. Wasabi arugula, citrus, Thai and opal basil and a mind-boggling array of lettuces are all on King Tide’s menu. King Tide grows anti-inflammatory microgreens – which have three to four times the nutritional value of adult plants – radish, borage and King Tide’s “young uns” onions. Horne’s creativity and the efficiency of his farm provide his clients with endless options. Horne’s driven and rebellious spirit enjoys the idea that hyperlocal logistics might put a ding in the monopoly that certain regions hold over a majority of our nation’s produce. “Why should the whole country suffer a lettuce shortage because Texas had a bad frost?” he laughed. Getting serious for a moment, Horne freely admitted that hydroponic smart farming can’t replace traditional farming, nor does he think it should. “First of all, we’re all growing vegetables. My system doesn’t make for problem-free farming. All I’ve done is create a new set of problems. This can never replace traditional agriculture, but it can complement it. I mean, my personal target market is a 50-person restaurant. I can’t do more than that. I can’t feed the number of people till farmers feed.” “We need each other,” he continued. “I’m a big fan of farmers. As a matter of fact, I think they need to benefit a little more from Charleston’s tourism. After all – no farmers, no restaurants.” He is eager to cooperate with traditional farmers who might lose seedlings to inclement weather. “When there was a frost that recently hit, I had 16 trays of 288 seedlings growing at all times in the nursery. Man, let me know if I can get seedlings to you. I’m not getting bitten by this frost, and I’ll dig in to help a till farmer. We’re all in this together.” Horne is open to mentoring or being a resource for others who would like to create their own farm. “I love being transparent about what we can and can’t do through hydroponic farming, and I’m happy to share all of my defeats and successes during the learning process,” he said. To learn more, visit kingtidefarmschs.com. This quick growing cycle enables Horne, and thereby Charleston’s local chefs, to experiment with a variety of nearly customizable greens. Photo by Nicholas Skylar.
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30 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE AND HEALTH BY FORAGING WILD FOOD By April Punsalan Founder of Yahola Herbal School G U E S T C O L U M N In modern society, we live almost completely disconnected from the Earth, spending up to 90% of our time indoors. Isolation from nature’s vital life source has negatively impacted our health, causing an increase in mental health disorders, autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammation, among other ailments. As humans, we are a living microcosm of the Earth, containing all the same elements of the Earth and the universe. Therefore, we must go outside daily to realign and reconnect with the elements of nature within and without. One of the best ways to live interconnected with nature is by foraging. CHICKWEED
www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com | 31 YOU MAY BE THINKING – WHAT IS FORAGING? Foraging is the gathering of wild food and medicine from one’s surroundings, also referred to as wild-crafting. Foraging includes the gathering of wild edible and medicinal plants. You don’t have to be a botanist, herbalist or plant scientist to get started foraging. All you need is a willingness to reconnect with nature. As a human, you have everything you need to forage wild herbs – your senses. Plants already communicate to you through your senses. For example, bring to your mind’s eye the magnolia flower. How does it make you feel when you visualize the beautiful white flower? Can you recall the flower’s scent? Magnolia flowers provide innumerable human health benefits and help ease asthma, bronchitis, fainting spells, sinus pressure and mild depression. Although we may not be consciously aware, we love magnolia flowers for a reason beyond their aesthetic value. Plants receive vital life force energy from the sun, water and soil and transform it into nourishing food for all of us. So when you forage plants with gratitude, you receive vital life force energy, raising your vitality. Also, wild plants contain hundreds of different plant phytochemicals that protect your body from chronic debilitative diseases such as cancer. Science has shown that wild plants have a higher content of plant phytochemicals than cultivated plants. Unfortunately, some of our favorite vegetables have been bred to increase crop production at the expense of nutritional value. For example, the anticancer, DNA-repairing glucosinolates in cruciferous plants have been bred out because of their bitter and pungent flavor, which consumers dislike. However, the pungent and bitter taste removes stagnant energy in our bodies, clearing our system and removing disease. By foraging, you ensure that you are still getting a wide variety of plant phytochemicals into your diet that will protect you from chronic diseases. Also, foraging wild food helps you live in season and ensures that you receive the plant phytochemicals your body needs at the right time. For instance, in the cold months before spring, winter annuals cover many “weedy” – herbicide-free – lawns across America. These winter annuals, such as chickweed and cleavers, contain an abundance of chlorophyll that our bodies need in the winter to keep the lymphatic system moving and healthy. They also contain other plant phytochemicals, such as saponins, which lower our risk of heart disease. If you have an herbicide-free lawn, you can easily learn the weedy winter annuals and diversify your diet. Once you start foraging daily, it will change your life. You will experience a positive shift in your physical and emotional body. You will begin to feel lighter, happier and more content. It is not surprising that living disconnected from nature and eating a finite selection of produce from the grocery store has left many of us feeling emotionally unstable and overall unwell. The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization estimated that 75% of the world’s food comes from 12 plants and five animal species. Unfortunately, most humans only eat 12 different plants when the human body is designed to eat hundreds. Yet, outside our doors exists a wide diversity of edible and medicinal plants. I forage 50+ edible and medicinal plants within two miles of my doorstep in Charleston. I couldn’t imagine my life without foraging wild plants. I couldn’t imagine not witnessing the different edible plants by season. I couldn’t imagine not living interconnected with Mother Nature. I couldn’t imagine not being able to heal myself or my family with wild herbs. If this article resonates with you, I recommend learning how to forage this year. Return to nature daily, pay attention to which plants attract you and learn their names and uses. Purchase a foraging book or two that covers your region. Take a class. Check out Yahola Herbal School’s In Season Monthly Forage Membership Program at yaholaherbalschool. com/forage-monthly. I’d love to guide you into the healing world of edible and medicinal plants. Prioritize your health and the health of the Earth this year by learning how to forage your food and medicine. April combines 26 years of plant knowledge to create herbal and foraging courses that return people to local plant medicine. Her goal is to give you the tools you need to have an outside apothecary. She has a bachelor's and master of science – emphasis in botany – degree, traditional herbalism certification, two-year horticulture degree and special training in difficult plant taxa and families. More important than all the certificates and degrees, she has a strong connection with plants. She has dedicated her life to serve as a voice for the plants. She researches and teaches herbalism and advanced medicine botany.
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