August 2004 

Julie Feldman MPH RD, Clinical Dietitian

Summer heat is all around us and there is no better time to begin or continue an easy exercise program that keeps you feeling strong and healthy.  Take the opportunity to enjoy the summer breeze with a few laps around your block.  Be sure to use plenty of insect repellent  and sunscreen to make your daily workouts enjoyable and safe.  If exercise in the hot summer sun is too much stress, try taking some time just as the sun goes down to get your exercise in and reflect on the day.

Medical Mice

Medical Discoveries, Inc. announced the filing of a patent application for a new CF therapy.  This new therapy was based on a recently completed mouse study that involved the sparing of CF-infected mice from P. Aeruginosa.  The company is also offering their mouse model that mimics CF in humans as a new route for CF research. We will follow their progress.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals has expanded its drug R & D with the CF Foundation.  Under this new agreement, Vertex pharmaceuticals will be awarded $21 million in funding to conduct research over 2004-2005.  This new funding agreement is based on Vertex's newest development of small molecule drugs to treat the basic defect of CF.

Online Info

Webcasts provide a new route to educating CF patients and families.  Recently Washington University, St. Louis Children's Hospital, and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in conjunction with the CF Foundation, will host its first live Virtual Patient Education Day for people with cystic fibrosis.  Visit www.cff.org for more webcasts on the way.

The largest donation of money from a single source to the CF Trust was given at the 27th European Cystic Fibrosis Conference, which hosted Europe's top 1200 medical professionals in the field of CF.  1.5 million pounds.  This donation brings the CF Trust over their halfway goal at 8.5 million (goal 15 million).  This money will help secure the future of gene therapy research.

Summer Smoothie

I know that the bland, medicinal taste of Ensure and Boost is tiresome to many of you who need the extra calories and protein everyday to make ends meet.  So what about making your own Super Summer Smoothie to boost up your average intake.  Smoothies are a fun, simple way to add calories everyday of the year.  Try this simple recipe to boost your intake and your taste buds.

1 large banana
2 handfuls of ripe strawberries
4 heaping Tbs of applesauce
6-10 cubes of ice
Sprig of mint

Add ice and the applesauce first (applesauce provides the liquid necessary in the crushing of the ice). Crush the ice until substance is smoothie-like, and then add the other ingredients.

You can also add a scoop of your favorite protein powder, an ounce of nuts, or a teaspoon of flax seed to this or any other smoothie recipe to boost the nutritional value of your drink.

Adding whole milk instead of applesauce will also add fat and calories to this treat.