The Post profiles several well-known individuals—Ty Pennington, Shane Victorino, Karina Smirnoff, and Andrés Torres—who share their struggles and triumphs in coping with ADHD, a condition that afflicts millions of American adults, largely underdiagnosed.

But as these celebrities clearly demonstrate, once diagnosed and treated, adults with ADHD can truly thrive.

ABC/BOB D'AMICO

Ty Pennington

America knows Ty as the hyper-energetic man on the megaphone, juggling 18 projects simultaneously to transform homes for deserving families on the former TV program Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. More recently, the same energy surfaced on the daytime show The Revolution. Today, Ty is busy working on a home décor and fabric line.

But the 47-year-old is equally enthusiastic and candid when talking about success in coping with his lifelong battle with ADHD.

“I was diagnosed before they really knew what to call it,” says Ty. “My mom was studying to be a child psychologist. I was lucky because she went to my elementary school to evaluate kids and study the ‘worst’ ones. Everybody was saying that ‘I don’t think you really want to know who that one is.’ Watching through the classroom window, she saw me distract everyone—from hitting Johnny in the back of the head to climbing out the window. I was a constant distraction. It seems comical when you are young. I was an out-of-control kid.”

Ty’s mother tried several different interventions but none worked, and she worried as she watched her young son struggle academically and emotionally.

“The telling thing about ADHD as a kid is that feeling you get when people are saying that there is something wrong with you,” the TV host says. “It’s tough to communicate why (you) are doing something in school and why you are not digesting studies as much as other kids are. However in some categories, you excel. For example, in geometry where graphic shapes are at play I stood out. Today, I promote the arts because it offers kids who might not be academically inclined a chance to find what they are good at. While I was the odd man out, I could focus on my projects until I was pretty well known, then I turned back into Mr. Excitement.”

As with many individuals now and especially then, Ty remained undiagnosed until his late teens.

“It wasn’t until I was out of high school and in my first year of college that my art instructor asked to get in touch with my mom. I was making drawings that were a little dark,” he recalls. “During the early days, doctors put me on antihistamines to calm me down.”

The antihistamines made him drowsy. But nothing seemed to really work. Fortunately, Ty discovered another outlet for his boundless energy—sports.

“I have always been the Energizer Bunny, way before I was medicated,” Ty says. “Sports, for many, is an area where you can gain confidence. You are not going to gain confidence from bringing home a book report with a B on it. With sports, you can define yourself as a certain player in a certain sport. With some kids, it is the only arena where they can find their confidence, as part of a team. Any time you can take a kid and get them out of the isolated ‘odd kid out’ mentality and make them part of something, that’s good.”

At 17, he was finally diagnosed with ADHD and offered effective treatment to manage his symptoms. The diagnosis was literally a true game changer.

“I played soccer my entire life beginning at age 8 and was good,” he admits. “But when finally diagnosed and medicated, I played like I never could. Finally, I could read the field, thinking ahead of the play before I got there. I had no idea how.”

Off the field, he began to notice other changes as well helping him focus and achieve goals that he never thought possible.

“ADHD affects your communication skills as well as your confidence. I no longer spoke in fragments for one thing,” he says. “People began to see a change in me, on the soccer field and in academics as well. Reading has always been a challenge. You get lost after several paragraphs. You realize that your eyes are still reading but you are not soaking in the information. I have always been very visual, so I would draw pictures for a history class so that looking at the picture would help me visualize the information I was reading.”

It was in the visual arts where Ty discovered a place to focus his considerable energy and talents.

“ADHD affects so many aspects of life, including your confidence level,” Ty says. “You have to believe in yourself. When people are challenged with ADD, especially ADHD, they really have to find an outlet where they can shine. For me, that was in art. I put myself through art school and people began praising me for the talent. I had not had that experience before—people praising me for something.”

A familiar face to almost everyone in America, Ty now meets many families who face a situation all to familiar to the artist.

“Families see that I can complete a task, which is a big accomplishment,” explains Ty. “And some of those tasks have been pretty monumental. I can lead a team and build a house in less than four days while keeping my fingers and digits at the same time. ADD and working with power tools is not the smartest choice.”

The challenges of ADHD overshadow personal relationships as well, but medication can help.

“ADHD affects your family life and any relationships because communication is the biggest drawback to ADD,” he says. “Because you can’t get out what you want to say. Sometimes another medium like writing or art can help, you can communicate better. One of the reasons you can get into trouble in relationships is the belief that you are not as good as someone else; you cannot live up to their expectations. Everyone would love not to be on medication, but people do not realize that (it) is so easy to go off your routine. But medication provides an extra helping hand to keep you on your routine.”

ADHD: Living in Overdrive The Saturday Evening Post

“Eating on a budget is really about being a good steward of our resources, spending wisely, leveraging the ingredients we buy, and using them smartly,” she says.

Lemon-Ginger Pudding

(Makes 4 servings)

Ingredients

• 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled
• Zest of 1 lemon, plus juice of 1½ lemons
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• Pinch kosher salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• ¾ cup half-and-half
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Directions

1. Grate ginger into a medium bowl. Add lemon zest and juice and set aside.
2. Whisk sugar, cornstarch, and salt together in a medium saucepan. Add milk and half-and-half, and whisk to combine. Bring the ingredients to a simmer over medium-high heat while whisking constantly, until the mixture is thick and starts to bubble, 6 to 8 minutes. Turn off the heat and use a wooden spoon to stir in the ginger-lemon mixture and butter, slowly stirring until butter is completely melted. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve and into medium bowl.
3. Cool for 10 minutes before covering flush with plastic wrap and refrigerating (at this point you can also divide the pudding into 4 dessert bowls and cover each flush with plastic wrap). Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Lemon-Ginger Pudding The Saturday Evening Post

Buttery Shortbread

(Makes 16 servings)

Try Melissa d'Arabian's Buttery Shortbread with a hint of cinnamon and orange zest.

Ingredients

• 1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ teaspoon orange zest
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ cup all-purpose flour, plus extra to flour work surface
• ½ cup whole-wheat flour

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Place butter and sugar in bowl of stand mixer (or in medium bowl if using hand mixer) and cream until light and airy, about 1 minute. Mix in salt, orange zest, and cinnamon, then add flour in 4 ¼-cup increments, mixing after each addition. Gather dough into ball (wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 15 minutes).
2. Lightly flour work surface and roll dough into an 8×2-inch rectangle, ½-inch thick. Trim slightly ragged edges and slice rectangle into 4 equal strips lengthwise. Repeat crosswise to yield 16 rectangles. Use spatula to transfer shortbread to cold, ungreased, rimmed baking sheet. Prick tops of squares with fork and bake until cookies are golden, about 25 minutes. Remove pan from oven and cool completely on wire rack.

Buttery Shortbread The Saturday Evening Post

Here, Melissa creates a beautiful tower of sole, zucchini, and tomatoes by joining simple ingredients, then plating them with grace. As a complement to this dish, try her Rice with Fresh Herbs. And finish the feast with one of Melissa’s desserts such as Lemon-Ginger Pudding or the tried-and-true Buttery Shortbread.

Sole, Zucchini, and Tomato Napoleon with Tomato-Caper Crudo

(Makes 4 servings)

Reprinted from the book Ten Dollar Dinners by Melissa d’Arabian. Copyright © 2012 Melissa d’Arabian. Photo by Ben Fink © 2012. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of Random House, Inc.

Ingredients

for Napoleon

• 1 large zucchini, trimmed and very thinly sliced
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 4- to 6-ounce sole fillets, halved crosswise (yields 4 2-inch-wide pieces)
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
• Good-quality olive oil

for Crudo

• 2 large ripe tomatoes, cored
• 1 small or ½ large shallot, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
• 1 ½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

1. Napoleon: Place thinly sliced zucchini rounds in colander. Sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon of salt and toss to evenly coat, then place in sink to drain while you prepare crudo and broil fish.
2. Crudo: Slice cored tomatoes into ⅛-inch-thick rounds. Set 4 best slices aside for napoleon and chop remaining slices into small cubes. Place chopped tomatoes in medium bowl and add shallot, capers, balsamic vinegar, plus salt, if desired. Stir and set aside.
3. Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and preheat broiler to high. Line rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place sole fillets on top. Season with ¼ teaspoon of salt and pepper and broil until fillets spring back to light pressure, 6-8 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool slightly.
4. Place 1 tomato slice on each plate and sprinkle with a little of remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. Arrange zucchini slices in overlapping circle on top of tomatoes. Set piece of sole on top of each tomato-zucchini stack. Use slotted spoon to top each serving with tomato-caper crudo. Sprinkle with basil, drizzle with olive oil, and serve.

Nutrition Facts

---

Calories: 115
Total fat: 2.3 g
Saturated fat: 0.8g
Sodium: 722mg
Carbohydrate: 7.5g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 16g

Sole, Zucchini, and Tomato Napoleon with Tomato-Caper Crudo The Saturday Evening Post

This side dish is a great complement to Melissa’s entree Sole, Zucchini, and Tomato Napoleon with Tomato-Caper Crudo. And finish the feast with one of Melissa’s desserts such as Lemon-Ginger Pudding or the tried-and-true Buttery Shortbread.

Rice with Fresh Herbs

(Makes 4 servings)

Reprinted from the book Ten Dollar Dinners by Melissa d’Arabian © 2012. Photo by Ben Fink © 2012. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of Random House, Inc.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra if desired
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ¼ cup finely chopped fresh herbs, such as basil, chives, cilantro, mint, tarragon, or combination of many

Directions

1. Bring large pot of water to boil over high heat. Add rice and ½ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender, 12-15 minutes. Drain through fine-mesh sieve and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Shake sieve to drain as much water as possible.
2. Melt butter in large, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add rice and remaining ½ teaspoon salt and stir with heatproof rubber spatula to coat all rice with butter. Once rice is warmed through, about 3 minutes, transfer rice to serving bowl and add herbs plus additional salt, if desired. Stir with fork to incorporate and fluff rice and serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

---

Calories: 305
Total fat: 6.2g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Sodium: 485mg
Carbohydrate: 55g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 5g

Rice with Fresh Herbs The Saturday Evening Post

When asked to broach the veteran journalist’s long-standing battle with depression, I was initially intimidated, uncertain how best to broach a very personal conversation.

I took a tip from the best. Mirroring the intrepid journalist’s own trademark style, I jumped in.

And with good humor and characteristic candor, Wallace took a deep breath, leaned back in his chair, asked if it was okay to unpeel an orange for lunch at his desk, then slowly shared his long-standing struggle with what Winston Churchill dubbed the “black dog” of depression. For years, Wallace suffered from the disease in silence, leaning on his wife for support. Later, Wallace turned to the counsel of good friends Art Buchwald and William Styron—who also battled depression; the trio dubbed themselves “The Blues Brothers.”

Despite the on-camera bravado and self-confidence, Wallace was humbled by depression—engulfed by a darkness that at one point in his life led him to attempt suicide. Going public to help others was a brave move for the respected anchorman who to the unsuspecting audience appeared untouched by uncertainty or self-doubt. But he was. And he survived. And he wanted others to know that they could survive as well.

Thank you, Mike, for sharing “60 minutes” with the Post.

MIKE WALLACE: SPEAKING OUT ON DEPRESSION

By Patrick Perry from Sept/Oct 2006

Tough, hard-hitting, and respected, news correspondent Mike Wallace has made his living tackling complex problems. For years, the popular 60 Minutes anchor confronted corruption and fraud, interviewed the famous and infamous, and survived the loss of a son and numerous life challenges. But in his mid-60′s, he began to suffer from what Winston Churchill called the “black dog” of an overwhelming depression that spiraled out of control, carrying Wallace to the brink of suicide.

“My colleagues and I at CBS were on trial for defamation,” Wallace told the Post. ‘We aired a piece about General [William] Westmoreland, and he decided that he was going to sue CBS for Sl20 million. It went through deposition and finally, after a couple of years, wound up in court. It was—to put it mildly—harrowing.”

For five grueling months, Wallace became a central figure in the courtroom drama, with his most precious professional credential—his credibility—on trial. Little by little. Wallace began to experience psychosomatic pain. “I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t think straight, was losing weight, and my self-esteem was disappearing,” he admits.

Initially, he suffered in silence. “At first, I simply didn’t believe that I was depressed. My wife, Mary, did, but I didn’t.” he says. “I eventually reached out to friends who had been through depression. And I talked to my general practitioner, who said, Mike, you don’t want to let the word get out that you are depressed. That’s bad for your image.’ But finally, I had to face up to it.”

During a recent 60 Minutes special retrospective on his career, Wallace publicly acknowledged for the first time that he tried to commit suicide, alluding to taking an excess of pills.

With no traceable family history of mental illness, Wallace found himself in unknown territory. Fortunately, with the support of his wife and family, as well as the guidance and humor of good friends (Art Buchwald and novelist Bill Styron, to name just two), he survived. Wallace admits that “Anyone who says that they don’t have suicidal thoughts, if clinically depressed, is a liar.” says the candid correspondent. “Of course you do.”

Wallace, in a 1957 Post photograph.

The journey back from the brink was at times bumpy and included use of antidepressant therapy. “The medication kicked in after about three or four weeks.” Wallace recalls. “But as soon as the general
withdrew the lawsuit, in effect acknowledging what was said was accurate, I thought, I am fine. I’m going to play tennis. A couple of months later, however, I busted my wrist playing tennis with Art Buchwald.
And I was back in depression as deep as the first time.”

Fortunately, new therapies had emerged, and his physician prescribed one of the newer SSRIs, which slowly began to lift the black mood.

“When depressed, a day seems like a month,” he candidly states. “I am not kidding. I was told that it could take several weeks to take hold. I thought to myself, I don’t know what in the hell to do.”

Ever the professional, Wallace went to Beirut to cover a story.

“I was in a hotel looking down on the old city of Beirut, and I woke up one morning and wondered, ‘Is it possible that the medication has finally taken hold?’ I didn’t believe it, but in fact, it had,” Wallace recalls, “From that day to this. I haven’t had a tremor of depression.”

Wallace remains on medication. By sharing his courageous journey with others, he hopes to counter the stigma associated with the disease. “There’s nothing—repeat, nothing—to be ashamed of when you’re going
through a depression.” he said during a recent CBS Cares interview. “If you get help, the chances of your licking it are really good. But, you have to get yourself onto a safe path.”

For Wallace, the path to recovery included the company of two good friends—whom he calls his “blues brothers.”

“Art Buchwald and Bill Styron helped me tremendously.” he told the Post. “Artie Buchwald stayed in touch with me every night—no matter where I was in the world, but particularly in this country—to listen to my complaints and talk me through it. He did the same thing with Styron. He had to listen to the same bullshit over and over—and over—again and never complained. He was the best friend a man could have.”

Wallace also knows that suicide is all too common among seniors suffering from depression. After all, he almost became a statistic. By stepping forward, he also hopes to educate others about the disease. “You get the feeling that by now everybody knows about depression,” he stresses. “But the fact of the matter is, that is not true. Get to a psychiatrist who has the capacity to prescribe medication. Follow the suggestions of the doctor and stay on the meds! Depression can be treated. It is proven. It has been proven to me. The last 20 years have been the best of my life.”

The 88-year-old may be retiring from full-time correspondent duties, but don’t be too surprised if you see the tenacious interviewer on air. Retirement doesn’t appear to be an operative word in his vast vocabulary.

“I keep talking about it, but I keep taking on chores,” he admits. “I would just as soon die with my boots on.”

From Our Archives: One-on-One with Mike Wallace The Saturday Evening Post

But does it aid balance? Ongoing research into the benefits of the Wii Fit suggests that the game improves a number of fitness measures, including balance.
“My research focuses on balance and older adults and developing ways to decrease the number of falls in older adults,” Katie Bieryla, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Bucknell University, told the Post in the Nov/Dec 2010 article Balancing Act. “Last summer, I conducted a small study to train older adults on the Wii Fit with the intention of improving clinical measures of balance. After three weeks of training, we saw improvements in that area.”

Bieryla’s short study focused on participants—ranging in age from 75 to 92—from a local nursing home, who performed the Wii Fit training for 30 minutes, three times a week. They tried different yoga poses, as well as the soccer and ski jump games to add an element of fun to the training sessions.
While unable to pinpoint which activity improved their balance, Bieryla noted that “they definitely had fun with the game.”

Being engaged with an exercise activity is certainly an important reason for adults of all ages to consider gaming as an option.
“The Wii Fit is an easy way for older adults to have fun, get involved, and improve measures of balance,” says Bieryla. “This is just one inexpensive and fun way that we could improve some balance measures, which in turn may help improve or lower the incidence of falls.”

Our thanks to Kathleen Bieryla and to Bucknell University for providing the following video on the use of Wii Fit in strengthening core muscles and improving balance.

Wii Fit: Balancing Acts The Saturday Evening Post

But with so many choices, which treatments actually improve and protect the skin’s appearance, and which ones simply add a new wrinkle to the budget? The best way to answer that question is to look first at what it is you’re saving your skin from:

When outdoors, wear a wide-brimmed hat and tightly woven clothing that covers your body.

Block the Sun

Protecting your skin from ultraviolet (UVA/UVB) radiation exposure (including indoor tanning), extremes of heat and cold, and air pollution can significantly reduce your risk of wrinkles and skin cancer.

“Baby boomers didn’t know better and received a great deal of harmful sun exposure before sunscreens were available,” says Dr. C. William Hanke, an eminent dermatologist and past president of the American Academy of Dermatology. “Ultraviolet light causes malignant melanoma, as well as basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, which are much more common skin cancers.”

Thankfully, broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays and are widely available today. They’re crucial for skin protection, and not just in the summer. While the sun’s UVB rays are strongest in the northern hemisphere May through September, UVA rays are present year round, penetrating windshields, light clothing, and office windows.

However, comparing the ingredients of one sunscreen to another can leave one bleary-eyed and confused.

“Check the product label,” advises Dr. Hanke. “Good broad-spectrum sunscreens have an SPF of 30 or greater and contain protective ingredients that include: avobenzone, ecamsule, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide.”

Choose a sunscreen that works best for you. People with oily skin may prefer an alcohol-based gel. Individuals with dry skin want a cream for moisture.

When applying sunscreen, don’t forget less obvious, but vulnerable areas, such as the ears, neck, and face—anywhere that is exposed.

“We see golfers in my clinical practice all the time,” says Dr. Hanke, who reports an increasing number of cancers on the lips, ears, and eyelids of outdoor enthusiasts who fail to adequately protect sensitive areas. “They golf for five or six hours at a time and need to wear sunscreens. The same advice applies to winter skiers as well.”

Clothing also adds an extra layer of protection. “Wear a hat,” stresses Dr. Hanke. “Men with hereditary hair loss who don’t wear hats are at higher risk for premalignant lesions and skin cancers—mostly squamous cell carcinomas—on their scalps. It can be a huge problem.”

When choosing sun-protective clothing, opt for dense, tightly woven fabrics.

“If you hold the hat or shirt up to the light and can see through it, so can the sun,” Dr. Hanke adds. “The hat should have a tight weave to protect the scalp.”

Today, most sporting goods companies, apparel stores, and online outlets sell sun-protective clothing.

Snuff Out Smoke

Aside from the serious health consequences, smoking and secondhand exposure is also bad for your skin—next in line to the sun in causing wrinkles. Nicotine impairs blood flow to the skin, accelerating the normal aging of epidermal tissue.

Keep It Clean

Science of Skin
Older skin is thinner and more fragile, and the deep layers 
contain less elastic tissue. Blood vessels are also less elastic, so that even minor injuries can cause bruising. The skin may be mottled with small, flat brown areas called lentigines (from the Latin word for lentils).

Young Skin: A thick outer layer and a large number of elastic fibers in the deeper layers help maintain the smoothness of young skin.

Older Skin: A thinner outer layer and fewer elastic fibers in the deeper layers result in skin that appears loose, with deeper creases and wrinkles.

Images reprinted from The Human Body, ©1995 Dorling Kindersley Ltd.

Facial hygiene is also critical. One of the first steps is choosing the right cleanser.

“If you have oily skin, you can use any soap you want, and it will probably not be irritating,” Dr. Hanke says. “The soap that I recommend for most people and use myself is plain white Dove. People with dry or oily skin can use it.”

For people with rough and scaly skin, occasionally using an exfoliant makes skin appear smoother and feel softer.

“As you age, dead cells build up on the skin surface,” Dr. Hanke explains. “Exfoliation removes the dead surface layer, and moisturizing helps keep skin soft.”

Cleanse your face twice a day—once in the morning and again at bedtime, then apply a moisturizer based on your skin type. For dry skin, opt for an occlusive moisturizer that covers the skin with a waterproof film through which water cannot evaporate or escape. For sensitive skin, some experts recommend applying a moisturizer containing soothing ingredients, such as bisabolol, a chamomile extract.

“As we get older, our skin is not the barrier that it once was,” says Dr. Hanke. “It dries out more easily. As a result, people need to moisturize their skin more frequently.”

Do high-end products equate with higher quality?

“Some inexpensive moisturizers such as Neutrogena and Oil of Olay are very good, as are some very expensive ones, such as La Prairie and LaMer,” notes the dermatologist. “Find one that works for you and does not irritate your skin.”

A word of caution: Don’t introduce too many products at the same time.

“Stick with one product line,” advises Dr. Hanke. “Different products can inactivate each other through chemical reactions and potentially irritate the skin surface.”

Rejuvenating Aging Skin

Innovations in anti-aging skin care are on the fast track to meet the growing demand of baby boomers (and their parents). From nonprescription “cosmeceuticals” to laser treatments, therapies are available that improve the skin’s surface texture, reduce irregular pigmentation, and help reverse the effects of sun damage.

Topicals: Typically used to address milder signs of aging. For example, retinol, a vitamin A compound, is the first antioxidant topical widely used in nonprescription creams and is the less potent cousin of tretinoin (Retin-A, Avage, Renova), a prescription-strength treatment for acne and fine wrinkles.The fastest growing segment of topical skin care, cosmeceuticals combine aspects of the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Cosmeceuticals influence the function of the skin with biologically active compounds (vitamins, oils, herbs, and botanical extracts). Botanicals, for example, contain antioxidants that protect the skin’s surface. William Beeson, M.D., clinical professor in dermatology at Indiana University School of Medicine and noted facial plastic surgeon, has researched a cornucopia of compounds that rejuvenate skin tissues. His research led to the discovery of unique properties in rosemary, an herb that contains a potent antioxidant called carnosic acid. After demonstrating clinical efficacy, Dr. Beeson and colleagues developed a formulation called Effulgere (effulgere.com) that penetrates the skin surface more deeply and helps “protect the skin from further damage by enhancing the skin’s lipid barrier, brightening the skin, and improving its texture and tone.”

Chemical Peels: A chemical solution—such as phenol, tricholoacetic acid (TCA), or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)—that removes damaged outer layers of the skin, revealing the healthier layers below. Wrinkles from sun damage, aging, and heredity can be significantly reduced by undergoing a series of peels that also improve irregular skin pigmentation and remove early skin cancers (actinic keratoses).

Lasers: Many laser treatments are now used to minimize wrinkles, scars, skin discolorations (freckles or “age spots”), and blemishes on the face, neck, chest, and back of hands by removing the outer layer of skin (epidermis). The treatment simultaneously heats underlying tissues (dermis), stimulating the growth of new collagen fibers that form smoother, firmer skin. One of the more popular areas in minimally invasive cosmetic surgery, fractionated carbon dioxide (CO2) laser treatment is performed under topical anesthesia on select areas of damaged skin. The outpatient procedure creates microscopic holes in the skin, which then heal with new collagen that tightens skin and evens tone. Newer technologies offer surgeons a greater level of control in laser surfacing, permitting extreme precision, particularly in delicate areas.

Fillers: These reduce the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles by “plumping” furrows and hollows in the face, giving the skin a more youthful-looking appearance. Fillers (Juvaderm, Restylane, Gore-Tex) are very effective at contouring specific areas on the face, such as around the lips, including long, vertical “marionette” lines that start at the corners of the mouth and extend down the chin. Botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Dysport) injections also diminish lines and wrinkles associated with facial expression, including vertical lines between the eyebrows and on the bridge of the nose, forehead lines and furrows, and crow’s feet.

Saving Face: Skin Care Tips The Saturday Evening Post

Protection is the key to saving your skin. Fortunately, consumers have a wide array of choices of sunscreens, sunglasses, sunless tanning products, and clothing that offers coverage from the No. 1 cause of all skin cancers and the primary cause of aging—the sun.

To learn more about current measures to preserve the skin and reduce the appearance of sun-damaged, the Post interviewed dermatologist Zoe. D. Draelos, M.D., F.A.A.D., vice president of the American Academy of Dermatology. A consulting professor of dermatology at Duke University School of Medicine, Dr. Draelos is also editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology and has written eight dermatology textbooks, 32 book chapters, and more than 300 scientific articles. She has served as president of the North Carolina Dermatology Association and as a member of the board of directors of the American Society for Dermatology Surgery.

PP: Why do so many products use botanicals in their ingredients?

ZD: Botanicals are usually used as antioxidants, which are designed to prevent the damage that occurred from UV radiation striking the skin. But botanicals can be used for many purposes in anti-aging products—for their anti-aging properties, to color or scent the product, and many other purposes.

PP: What do you see as the major anti-aging breakthroughs in skin treatment today?

ZD: One of the big breakthroughs is understanding aquaporins, which are responsible for regulating the transport of water and other small solutes across plasma membranes, ultimately acting as pores within the walls of skin cells to keep skin moisturized and hydrated.

Old-fashioned ingredients, such as glycerin, actually affect the amount of water the skin holds. Many moisturizers now contain very high glycerin levels. Anti-aging moisturizers attempt to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by enhancing the skin’s water-holding capacity. Glycerin is a well-known emollient and lubricant that is great for dry skin. Glycerin—a basic ingredient for Corn Husker’s Lotion—has been rediscovered for its water-holding ability. When you increase the water-holding capacity in the skin, you can get rid of the fine lines of dehydration.

Many sophisticated fillers (see below) that doctors use to rid wrinkles contain a substance known as hyaluronic acid (HLA), which soaks up water. Holding water in the skin is a very powerful cosmetic tool to improve skin appearance. This water balance is like the spigot on the hose. When you turn the spigot down, not as much water comes out, so the skin is better hydrated. If you open it up and let a lot of water out, the skin becomes dehydrated. It may be that the aquaporin channels are defective and the reason why the skin dries out is because too much water is leaving the body. Understanding how aquaporins work would allow you to develop therapeutic moisturizers to increase the water-holding capacity of the skin and alleviate dry, itchy skin that is especially found in elderly people.

Rejuvenating Aging Skin

Innovations in anti-aging skin care are on the fast track to meet the growing demand of baby boomers (and their parents). Therapies are available that improve the skin’s surface texture, reduce irregular pigmentation, and help reverse the effects of sun damage.

Fillers: These reduce the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles by “plumping” furrows and hollows in the face, giving the skin a more youthful-looking appearance. Fillers (Juvaderm, Restylane, Gore-Tex) are very effective at contouring specific areas on the face, such as around the lips, including long, vertical “marionette” lines that start at the corners of the mouth and extend down the chin. Botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Dysport) injections also diminish lines and wrinkles associated with facial expression, including vertical lines between the eyebrows and on the bridge of the nose, forehead lines and furrows, and crow’s feet.

Saving Face: Exclusive Web Update The Saturday Evening Post

Irish Soda Bread

Irish Soda Bread

(Makes 2 loaves)

• 5 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1 1/4 cups currants, soaked in water for at least 15 minutes and drained
• 1 1/4 cups golden raisins, soaked in water for at least 15 minutes and drained
• 3 tablespoons caraway seeds
• 2 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 1 large egg, slightly beaten

Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter two 9×5-inch loaf pans.

Combine sifted flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Cut in butter and mix thoroughly with hands until mixture appears grainy. Stir in currants, raisins, and caraway seeds.

Add buttermilk and egg to mixture and stir until well moistened. Shape dough into 2 loaves and place in prepared pans. Bake for one hour. Test with toothpick. Cool in pans for 5 minutes. Then, transfer to wire rack to cool.

Irish Soda Bread The Saturday Evening Post

In Have a Little Faith, the bestselling author chronicles one man’s journey, but everyone’s story.

In his first book of nonfiction work since Tuesdays with Morrie, author Mitch Albom confronts a central question: What if faith wasn’t what separated us, but what brought us together?

The story begins with a simple request from Albom’s childhood rabbi, Albert Lewis: “Would you deliver my eulogy?”

Although the request strikes the writer as odd, Albom accepts, on one condition: he is allowed to get to know the rabbi—not simply as a cleric but as a man.

And so an eight-year exploration of God, religion, and faith unfolds.

Along the way, Albom also becomes involved with a church that tends to the homeless under the care of a charismatic pastor named Henry Covington. Preaching in a decaying church with a huge hole in its roof, through which rain and snow pour in during services, Henry is an amazing example of how faith can touch and transform lives.

For Albom, Have a Little Faith is story about believing in something and the two very different men who taught him how.

“It took a long time to write,” Albom writes. “It took me on one journey, then another, to churches and synagogues, to the suburbs and the city, to the ‘us’ versus ‘them’ that divides faith around the world.”

Albom’s candid and heartwarming story brings two completely different men from two completely different worlds to life in an inspiring fashion, while sharing his honest, personal journey along the way.

To learn more, the Post spoke with author Mitch Albom in Detroit.

Post: Today, millions of Americans are struggling with economic and spiritual challenges, so Have a Little Faith is hitting bookstores at a very appropriate time. What message do you hope people take away after reading your newest book?

Albom: In my heart of hearts, one message is that faith should not divide people—the us versus them that separate people and nations around the world. Today we pounce on differences between others and ourselves, often with the sentiment “they’re different, so you can’t trust them.” Isn’t it time the pendulum swung in the opposite direction? The best thing that can come out of bad news is the chance to reflect, “Is there a life lesson I could learn from this?”

Post: In the book, you discuss how you drifted away from your religious roots, writing, “It wasn’t revolt, it wasn’t some tragic loss of faith, it was if I was being honest, apathy.” Why do people lose sight of the bigger picture?

Albom: We have it too good. It’s no an accident that people who were historically challenged the most tended to be closest to their faith. Life can become too easy. It certainly was for me. I achieved success early in my career. My feeling about religion and spirituality was I’ll go my way and you go yours. I wasn’t telling other people not to have faith. At that point, I simply thought they needed it more than I did, because everything was going so well. Aren’t we all like that? For the most part, Americans have it good. What people traditionally sought from faith, we find—or think we find—in success, status, and amusement. For a while, you get away with it, but then tragedy or illness hits. In my case, somebody was introduced into my life that led me to gain new perspective, and you realize that you might have been shortsighted before.

Post: How did chronicling the lives of these two extremely diverse yet powerful men change your life?

Albom: I am very moved when I see people fervent about their faith. I learned that not just from watching how much faith made a difference to Albert Lewis in his final days, but also from getting to know Pastor Henry Covington. When I first met Henry, I didn’t trust him to be honest. From that naïve impression to what I feel for him now is radically different. I’ve seen what he has gone through and how he inspires other people. I’m quite moved by what he does.

Post: Is religious tolerance part of what you’re trying to promote?

Albom: It is. Rabbi Albert Lewis devoted his life to the Jewish faith. But I liked what he said: “God didn’t make one tree, he made all kinds of trees.” In other words, within Creation, all faiths are beautiful—all different and all the same. That’s a much healthier, tolerant attitude than trying to prove yours is right and everybody else’s is wrong. The plain, simple, maddening fact about religion is that no one is really going to know who is right or wrong until we’re no longer here. Why fight about it while we’re alive? Why spend the time on earth differentiating ourselves from others by saying “I don’t like you because of this or that?” Why not be tolerant?

Post: Saying Sorry on the importance of forgiveness was a very poignant chapter in Have a Little Faith. Was this a particularly moving moment for you?

Albom: In Tuesdays with Morrie, he told me about a guy with whom he had a silly argument that was Morrie’s fault. He found out that the guy had died from cancer. He burst into tears, saying “I never got the chance to tell him I was sorry. Why did I let that nothing argument separate us all these years? It’s so small now; it means nothing to me now.” I sat there helpless, and that’s when he said, “Forgive everybody of everything.”
I’ve never forgotten that.

When Rabbi Lewis told me that “you’re supposed to forgive everyone one day before you die,” I asked, “What’s the day you die?” He said, “Exactly.” I experienced that with Morrie. I left one Tuesday, and when I came back, Morrie was gone. I did the same thing with Albert Lewis: I left for long periods of time in between visits—weeks—and at age 90, it’s pretty clear, every time you left, you rolled the dice. So it was important for me to say I’m sorry. By that time, the end of the journey was near, and it was OK to be close with him. When he told me we would see each other again, that was one of the most moving moments with him. When someone says something very emotional to me, I tend to make a joke because I’m probably not really ready to handle it. When I asked, “Do you think we’re really going to see each other again?” He said, “Don’t you?” I said, “Come on, I’m not going to the same level you are.” He said, “Why would you say that?” Then I was caught. I said, “Because you’re a man of God.” He looked away, kind of tearing up and said everybody is a man of God. All those moments were near the end of his life.

Post: In Tuesdays with Morrie and again in Have a Little Faith, you profile two incredible mentors. Do you consider yourself fortunate?

Albom: I was lucky. I always knew that Morrie was special as was Albert Lewis. If you asked people to name a couple of older people they look up to, most could come up with a couple names. Ever since I was a kid, I have enjoyed older people’s stories. All my books are based on older people. The Five People You Meet in Heaven was based on an old uncle of mine who died in his 83rd year. He was a war veteran. When he told his war stories, all the kids split. I was always the last kid left sitting there. I knew how the story was going to end, because I had heard it a hundred times. I always enjoyed the company of older people; I always felt safe and like they knew something that I didn’t. So it’s probably not unusual for me to look to older people for my stories just as some children’s book writers look to children. I hope there are a few more in my life.

If more information about Mitch Albom and his various philanthropies, visit his Web site at mitchalbom.com.

One-on-One with Author Mitch Albom The Saturday Evening Post

For two centuries, America has reigned as the most innovative nation on the planet — a force nourished by limitless curiosity, an openness to new ideas, and a system that allows creative minds to flourish.

“Ever since the Founding Fathers hatched a new nation in 1776, the ability to create something new, something revolutionary, has been hailed as an essential part of the American spirit,” notes Elizabeth Svoboda, author of “Profiles in Creativity” (page 40). “Images of Thomas Edison’s first light bulb flickering to life, of Alexander Graham Bell shouting ‘Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you’ into the first telephone receiver, are as much a part of our cultural lexicon as George Washington’s Revolutionary War victories.”

The need for something better spawned the outpouring of creativity that prompted an unparalleled wave of discovery chronicled in our feature story “12 Innovations That Changed Our World.”

“That spirit became part of our national DNA,” historian Frederick Allen writes in his essay “American Ingenuity.”

The process continues. At any given moment, millions of tinkerers and dreamers in garages, basements, and laboratories strive at breakneck speed to create something “better” that will once again change the fabric of our lives.

Consider the e-book. As electronic media enter the market, will print disappear? I like the feel of a book and magazine, enjoy browsing bookstores for intriguing new titles, and eagerly await the arrival of magazines in the mail. Would I appreciate an e-book reader preloaded with my favorite newspapers and magazines while traveling as Paul Smalera suggests in “E-Books: A Good Read”? You bet! As a matter of fact, a plane equipped with a portable reading e-book would be welcome company on my way to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Gone with the Wind — a destination colorfully depicted in this issue.

No one disputes the importance of medical innovation. In “The Post Investigates Cancer Vaccines” (page 56), Sharon Begley reports on new vaccines that harness the power of our own immune system to vanquish tumor cells.

On the lighter side, commentator Charles Osgood offers a poetic view on his lifelong quest to adapt to the ever-changing “American Scene.” As a fisherman, I certainly welcome the electronic gizmos detailed in Bill Vossler’s “The New Fishing: Hook, Line, and Sonar” (page 50) that “do pretty much everything except put the hook in the fish’s mouth.”

Whether you are overwhelmed or overjoyed, we would like you to weigh in on how you are adapting to the scope and pace of change — send me an e-mail or letter. Sorry, I don’t Twitter (yet).

A Nation of Innovation The Saturday Evening Post

Throughout its history, the Post has chronicled America’s progress — from tumultuous and humble beginnings to its rise as the greatest nation on earth. In the words of George Horace Lorimer, renowned editor of the Post from 1899-1936, the Post’s primary mission has been “to interpret America to itself, always readably, but constructively.”

The tradition continues.

We strive to reflect the contemporary scene and address your interests. As Benjamin Franklin said, “When you’re finished changing, you’re finished.”
Many of you wrote, urging us to embrace our tradition of illustrated covers. We listened! On our July cover, Oregon artist Eric Bowman captures a scenic California coastline — the first of many illustrated tributes to America.

As always, the Post offers readers a broader perspective on what is truly important in American life — values often overlooked by the mass media’s fascination with passing fads and wayward celebrities.

The Post has been home to the greatest writers of our time — Faulkner, Twain, and Fitzgerald, among others. In this issue, we resurrect our literary legacy by presenting a new short story by John Hemingway, grandson of Ernest, as well as a poetic tribute to America by author Ray Bradbury.

America’s beloved social commentator, Charles Osgood, offers his take on the passing “American Scene” in this and
upcoming issues as a regular columnist.

What would the Post be without a nod to the past? Who can forget their first visit to the fair? Author Derek Nelson revisits the sights, sounds, and smells of the cherished annual event, while exploring how the enduring popularity of state fairs reflects our national character. We also showcase a new department, “Country Gentleman” — once one of the most popular agricultural magazines in the country — where you will find articles on topics from fishing and hiking to gardening and hobbies for those whose hearts are in the country, even if their address isn’t.

Over the past 30 years, the Post built a reputation for its in-depth coverage on prevention and treatments. Our readers turn to us for answers. In this issue, we highlight a new option to hip replacement surgery, as well as a promising treatment for multiple sclerosis using adult stem cells.

We would love to hear from you about our new look and content. After all, the Post is your magazine.

The Best is Yet to Come (July/August 2009) The Saturday Evening Post

In May one of the study participants, Edwin McClure, walked across the stage to receive his degree after completing a rigorous graduate program at Virginia Commonwealth University. The young man appeared strong, healthy, and confident.

The scene was in stark contrast to four years earlier when the high school star football player was battling a severe cold, fatigue, and inexplicable visual changes.

“It was like someone turned down a dimmer switch,” he recalls. “My mom thought the problems were due to sinus pressure and would eventually go away, but when I got over the cold and still had difficulty seeing, she took me to an optometrist.”

When nothing surfaced during visits to an optometrist and an ophthalmologist, McClure was referred to a neurologist for follow-up.

After a series of tests and an MRI scan, the doctor delivered the diagnosis — multiple sclerosis (MS). The visual changes the young man was experiencing were due to optic neuritis, an inflammation of the optic nerve that occurs in approximately 50 percent of patients with the disease.

McClure was placed on steroids and interferon injections — a regimen that successfully controlled symptoms for two years. But when the MS started to break through, his physician switched to another medication.

“Over the course of four months, I started to develop an allergic reaction to the drug,” McClure says. “Meanwhile, my disease was still progressing.”

McClure was at a crossroads: begin medications with significantly greater risk of side effects or, as his neurologist suggested, investigate a promising clinical trial underway at Northwestern University in Chicago.

He chose the latter, qualified, and enrolled in Dr. Burt’s study. McClure was one of the 21 patients in the trial, ages 20 to 53, who had relapsing-remitting MS for an average of five years and had not responded to at least six months of treatment with interferon beta. After an average follow-up of three years posttreatment, 17 patients (81 percent) improved and none got worse, according to Dr. Burt, whose findings were published in the March issue of The Lancet Neurology.

Resetting the Immune System

Dr. Richard Burt, M.D.
Courtesy Dr. Richard Burt, M.D.

“The concept is that your immune stem cells — your blood stem cells — could be used to regenerate a new immune system in virtually any autoimmune disease,” Dr. Burt tells the Post. “If we treated patients in the early relapsing-remitting phase of MS who were experiencing frequent acute attacks despite the use of interferon, patients got better. Six months after the procedure, they were even better. By two years, they seemed to have reached their peak improvement in neurological function. Most people tend to be early- to mid-range in their disability, and that’s when this therapy is really effective. But if you treat MS in a later stage, called secondary progressive MS, it doesn’t really help. In this stage, patients experience a steady worsening of irreversible neurological damage.”

In the procedure, Dr. Burt and colleagues first push immune stem cells from the bone marrow into the blood by using a growth factor and a drug called Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide). Ten days later, they harvest cells from the blood via catheter. The cells are then separated, frozen, and cultured to ensure that none are contaminated with bacteria during the process. Next, the patients are treated with drugs to inhibit the old immune system, and then the frozen stem cells are thawed and infused back into the patients to make a new immune system.

Reversing the Tide

“I started to feel improvement while I was in the hospital,” McClure says. “I realized that I didn’t need my glasses to see. At home my parents noticed that my balance was improving and that I didn’t seem as fatigued as before. Honestly, these changes started within the first month after coming home. My life continued to improve. By the third month, I was actually going to the YMCA to exercise.”

Three years after treatment, McClure remains off medication and now experiences no symptoms of MS.

Like McClure, the majority of trial participants experienced benefits.

“We’ve seen patients who have had marked improvement in symptoms,” notes Dr. Burt, principal investigator of the clinical trial. “Your nervous system controls everything, so the part of the brain attacked by MS determines where you have a problem. Some patients had trouble walking — falling down and having to hold on to things — but after the procedure, they had marked improvement. Others had issues with incontinence, and that’s gone away. If you’re worried about incontinence, that’s quite remarkable. Numbness, tingling, inability to feel things, visual problems — blurred and double vision — can all reverse. Basically, any type of deficit can reverse. In some patients, we actually had complete reversal — everything went away, and they were completely normal in all functional exams.
In others, symptoms never completely reversed, but improved dramatically.”

The study participants are also off all conventional disease-modifying medications now used to slow the rate of disease progression.

While the small trial is only a first step, the results offer a completely new way to treat MS. “This is the first time in the history of any therapy used to treat MS where it actually reverses neurological deficit,” stresses Dr. Burt.

“All other therapies were studied or approved for their ability to slow the rate of progression — in terms of clinical deficits or MRI load of lesion burden — but nothing has, up to this time, reversed deficit. That’s what’s exciting. However, I want to stress that we cannot say it is a cure and current results with three years of follow-up are encouraging.”

Dr. Burt and colleagues are enrolling patients in a larger trial to test the procedure in a randomized setting. “If the results of the trial hold up, I believe it will help open the door for it to be accepted as standard therapy,” adds Dr. Burt.

At present, clinical trials are underway at the University of Calgary in Canada, the University of São Paulo in Brazil, and at Northwestern University. If interested in learning more about the trial, e-mail d-spahovic@northwester.edu.

A Different Approach

Sergeant Preston WalkerCourtesy Sergeant Preston Walker

After undergoing conventional therapy for MS for several years, Fort Worth police sergeant Preston Walker learned about a new treatment for autoimmune disorders. Researchers were utilizing adult stem cells derived from cord blood at The Institute of Cellular Medicine in Costa Rica. Walker inquired about the potential of the treatment for multiple sclerosis.

“We knew that if the treatment worked, the potential benefits for multiple sclerosis patients could be limitless,” says Walker.

Dr. Neil Riordan, CEO of the Institute, suggested a therapy under consideration — using stem cells derived from a patient’s fat tissue. In May 2008, Walker flew to the clinic where doctors removed samples of his abdominal fat through a mini-liposuction, drawing out stem cells, which were later re-injected. According to Dr. Riordan, Walker and a colleague were the first to undergo this treatment protocol. “My quality of life has improved significantly,” Walker told the Post. “The problems with depression, fatigue, and balance have been corrected. I feel really good.”

In June 2009, Walker, who continues to take Avonex as a maintenance drug, plans a return trip to Costa Rica for a “tune-up,” as he puts it. “I’m curious to see if they can further improve my cognitive abilities.”

Breakthroughs on the Brink: Turning the Tide on MS The Saturday Evening Post

Throughout his busy career, Dr. Arnot remained a passionate athlete, competing in marathons, bike races, ski competitions, and big wave surfing.

Eventually, the wear and tear took its toll. At age 60, the medical journalist discovered that both of his hips were, in his words, “completely shot.” For years, he tried to disguise the pain.

“I couldn’t really walk more than a couple of blocks without severe pain,” Dr. Arnot recalls. “When my youngest son was 3 years old, I couldn’t bend down to pick him up or play with him on the floor. I had unwittingly given up a large part of life.”

Follow-up tests confirmed his suspicions.

“The x-rays showed pure bone on bone,” Dr. Arnot told the Post. “One prominent surgeon said, ‘Your hips are too far gone, so you’ll have to have a total hip replacement.’ ”

But a total hip replacement at his relatively young age and level of conditioning would place limitations on his
activities. After hip replacement surgery, patients are advised to avoid certain activities, including jogging and high-impact sports for the rest of their lives, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

“With a total hip replacement, I would never consider running again,” the avid sports enthusiast says. “But I feel young, like to be active, and wanted to run and ski again without limitations.”

Dr. Arnot wasn’t ready to make that sacrifice without exploring alternatives.

Faced with a difficult decision, Dr. Arnot applied his journalistic skills and met with leaders in the field, from the inventors of the Birmingham hip resurfacing operation in England to top orthopedic experts in New York, Boston, and Los Angeles. By the time he reached a decision, he knew the best option for him.

“The more I investigated the hip resurfacing procedure, the clearer it became that I would have a perfect biomechanical result,” the television host explained. “I would be able to run, ski, and do virtually anything I wanted to do.”

In April 2008, Dr. Arnot underwent the hip resurfacing procedure on both hips.

“The operation was the closest thing I could imagine to one of medicine’s modern miracles,” he says. “Within four days, I was walking a mile. Within 10 days, I was walking three miles, even though on crutches. I couldn’t believe it was possible. Within three weeks, I was back on a stair machine, and at one month on a bike. This past summer, I did a 100-mile bike ride or race almost every weekend against people one-third my age and still came out in the top. This winter, I’m back into ski racing.”

He also resumed routine activities — putting on a shoe with a heel, straddling a surfboard, or sleeping through the night — without pain.

However, if the hip resurfacing fails, the replacement option remains open.

“If at 72 my hip needed to be revised, I preserved my femoral head, so I still have the bone and could still undergo a total hip replacement and start the clock at zero,” adds Dr. Arnot. “With hip resurfacing, I put off having the total hip replacement for years.”            

Dr. Bob Arnot: Back in Action The Saturday Evening Post