VCU Offers CEUs for Local Nurses at NCI
New College Institute partnered with the VCU Massey Cancer Center and other regional healthcare organizations to host Robert H. Lustig, M.D., M.S.L. for a fascinating lecture entitled “Food for Thought.” This lecture focused on the effect of sugar on body functions and overall health.
Attendees learned two CEUs (continuing education units) as they learned about metabolic syndromes and its prevalence among youth. An interactive Q&A with Lustig followed this discussion. Participants include local healthcare professionals, nursing students from Patrick Henry Community College, and concerned citizens.
“The title of the lecture rang true to me. It gave me a lot of ‘food for thought’ with regard to the effects of sugar. I was glad that so many students who are starting their nursing careers were there so that they could soak up that knowledge and share it with their families, patients, and coworkers,” shared Kathy Whitley, Family Nurse Practitioner, Henry-Martinsville Health Department
Lustig’s research shows that a person’s poor diet — high in sugar and low in fiber — is a key cause of numerous diseases including Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. During his lecture, Lustig emphasized that until we address our food choices, we will not be able to improve our health, prevent these diseases, or even address the health care crisis.
“If you see a label on food, that should be a warning label,” Lustig warned. He shared that “real foods” that are health-promoting are natural and do not require added ingredients, such as meats, fruits, and vegetables.
Lustig is professor emeritus of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He specializes in the field of neuroendocrinology, with an emphasis on the regulation of energy balance by the central nervous system. His research and clinical practice have focused on childhood obesity and diabetes. Dr. Lustig holds a Bachelor’s in Science from MIT, a Doctorate in Medicine from Cornell University. Medical College, and a Master’s of Studies in Law from U.C. Hastings College of the Law.
“So many of the resources that Dr. Lustig brought to the seminar is new information and new findings from recent studies. It was a real eye-opener for anyone, even experienced healthcare professionals like myself,” added Whitley.
