Reduce Some of the Risks of Cancer During Summer Cookouts

HCAs (heterocyclic amines) and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) can be triggered in meat that is cooked for long periods of time over a high heat. Some of the amino acids and creatinine found in animal muscles produce a reaction that stimulates these cancer-causing compounds. To help reduce the risk of creating the optimal environment for these dangerous compounds at your cookout this year, the following tips may be tried:

• Pre-cook meat to reduce the amount of HCAs by placing it in the microwave or boiling water before cooking the meat on a grill. This will reduce the total cook time and temperature needed.
• Marinating meats reduces the amounts of these compounds as well.
• Reduce the risk of PAHs by trimming the fat and/or using lean meat. PAH levels increase as the fat drips off of the meat and onto the grill. As the smoke rises up from the fat drippings, the PAHs found in the smoke are then cooked right into the meat.
• Don't limit your picnic to grill-only foods.

There are several informative sites on the internet where more information can be obtained about this and similar topics. Visit the links below for a few places to start.
http://www.foodhaccp.com/memberonly/newsletter71.html
http://www.foodhaccp.com/regulation.html
http://www.oznet.k-state.edu/pr_fsaf/images/food0600.pdf
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fsdup107.html
http://health.msn.com/healthnews/ArticlePage.aspx?cp-documentid=100163951

Military Spouses and Medical Transcription

Today, I was reading about one of the latest topics in the news; medical transcription and its impact on the lives of military spouses. After having spoken with a few women whose husbands are in the military, I can definitely understand how medical transcription would be an excellent career choice for them. One of the biggest complaints these women had was that they could not use their college degrees very readily because of frequent relocations, which equated to frequent job changes as well. With medical transcription, however, this would not be a problem because they could maintain the same accounts wherever their families might be relocated.

An article on Media-Newswire had this to say: "The departments of Defense and Labor are collaborating with the AHDI and the Medical Transcription Industry Association to promote the medical transcription field as a viable career for military spouses. "

I am glad to see so much cooperation between these organizations. The men and women who serve and protect our country rearrange their lives so that we can live ours with freedom and respect. It is refreshing to see respect for them and their sacrifices through this collaboration.