A Beshert Happening: Crossing Paths with the UMMA Community Clinic

Posted by Lia Mandelbaum

On December 8, I met my dear friends at John C. Fremont High School for the celebration of the brand new UMMA Community Clinic located on the school grounds. The event included a memorial honoring the life of Dr. Steven Sadler, who was a prominent Beverly Hills anesthesiologist and pain management specialist. He suddenly passed away on July 12, 2012, after being thrown from his horse during a practice session at the Santa Barbara Polo Club. Although I did not know Dr. Sadler, I learned that “he lived a full life filled with love and was respected by all who knew him.” He had been immensely invested in the success of the UMMA Clinic. The University Muslim Medical Association (UMMA) Community Clinic, is the first Muslim American founded community-based health organization in the United States. The Mission is to promote the well-being of the underserved by providing access to high quality healthcare for all regardless of ability to pay. Inspired by Islam, the Clinic serves people of all other cultural, economic and religious backgrounds. The Fremont Clinic and Wellness Center, includes a community garden being developed by the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust. Fremont High is one of the most at-risk schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The vast majority of its students live in low-income households, with more than 60 percent of the community’s residents living well below the poverty level. UMMA’s new clinic will provide a broad range of primary and preventive health care services. Access to their services will not be limited to the Fremont High School students and staff members, but to the community at large.

From the moment I arrived at Fremont High School, there was a woman who stood out to me amongst the crowd, not just because she had a strong presence, but also because of the way she was mourning. I came to find out that she is Mrs. Hoori Sadler, who is the mother of the late Dr. Steven Sadler. I found myself very drawn to Mrs. Sadler, partially because I was amazed at her ability to be immensely transparent and not hide her feelings of deep pain and mourning during one of her most vulnerable of moments. As she was being embraced and was embracing others, she exuded strength and courage. As CEO of the Sadler Medical Group, she has been the most successful discretionary fundraiser for the UMMA Clinic. In 2006, following her own experiences as both a cancer researcher and cancer survivor, she founded the Persian-American Cancer Institute (PACI). In 2010 Mrs. Sadler received the Women in Action Award from the Israel Cancer Research Fund. Mrs. Sadler articulated a great deal of conviction during the memorial service, as she conveyed her genuine care about the wellbeing and rights of the youth that the Clinic will be catering to. The kids are a part of a population that is very dehumanized by society, and viewed as inferior and not worthy of the same rights as “privileged” youth. This population has touched my life, and was the initial reason why I chose to attend the event. I find it unfortunate when I bare witness to people from prominent families that are involved in social causes because they are more invested in the recognition of their efforts rather then the mission. When there is genuine conviction about a social cause, like I saw in Dr. Charles and Mrs. Hoori Sadler, it gives the mission heart and soul, and the wings to impact the world on a whole other level. In so many ways, the conviction that Dr. and Mrs. Sadler have about the Clinic help to keep their son’s legacy alive.

Whenever I drive around my hometown of Tampa, Florida, it is very meaningful for me as I pass by all the projects that my grandfather designed as the architect of the various structures. I imagine that it is also very meaningful for the Sadler’s when they see the Clinic. I began to think about how the architectural structure of the building is like an extension of Dr. Sadler’s physical body, and how the flow of students and community members within the halls of the Clinic is symbolic of the blood that had flowed through the veins of Dr. Sadler. During the memorial, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, whom is another incredibly strong and brilliant woman, pointed out the wonderful architecture of the Clinic, and jokingly mentioned how the Clinic was obviously not designed by LAUSD. The architecture of the UMMA Clinic is far from a cold and sterile building, and was obviously designed with soul, and the intention to carry out a mission of love, service, social justice and compassion. The entire building was structured to be environmentally friendly, and is absolutely wonderful. A lovely man, Murtaza Sanwari, who is the chairman of the board for the UMMA Clinic, had given me a tour of the facility. During the tour, Mrs. Sadler had approached me, and even though we had never met, she embraced me with an immensely open and warm hug.

One of the things that Dr. Charles Sadler said during the memorial that stood out to me, was in reference to the impact that his son will continue to make in the world. He talked about how when you drop a stone into a body of water, while you may not get the stone back, the stone remains present through its ripple affect on the surface of the water. Not only will his son's work continue to impact the lives of others, he impacted me as well on a very profound level. My grandmother Florence, whom I am very close with has recently become very ill. I am presently interning at a mental health care agency that serves South Los Angeles, and as I drive on the 110 to get there, I am always reminded of her as I pass by the Florence Avenue exit. As her health continues to decline, the exit had become a daunting and painful reminder. As I drove on the 110 to the dedication of the UMMA Clinic, I became anxious when I discovered that I had to get off at the Florence Avenue exit. After my experience that day at Fremont High School, I now have a completely different experience when I see it. One of my grandmother’s greatest passions in life was through being a school nurse, and so as I approached the clinic at the high school, I realized that I was exactly where I needed to be, and how perfect the timing was since I was just about to visit my hometown to see her for the first time since she became ill. When I now pass the Florence Avenue exit, I am comforted by the synchronicity that happened that day at the Clinic, and am reminded that if I am open to the hidden intelligence that pervades the universe, I can still have a relationship with my grandmother even when the day comes that she is no longer physically present in the world. I have absolutely been impacted by the ripple effect of Dr. Sadler’s life that his father had so beautifully spoken about.

I wish flourishing and lasting success for the mission of the UMMA Community Clinic, and that Dr. Charles and Mrs. Hoori Sadler continue to feel connected to their son through the clinics success.

The main Clinic is located directly on Florence Avenue, at:
711 West Florence Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90044
For Appointments call: (323) 789-5610

The Fremont High School Clinic is located at:
7821 S. Avalon Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90003

Top 5 healthy foods (especially important during Ramadan)

by: Rehan Jalali, C.S.N.

1) Dates – They contain a unique blend of glucose and fructose and have a very high potassium content (about 64% more than bananas). They have a nutrient called beta-D-glucan which is a soluble fiber that has health benefits and can increase the feeling of fullness.

2) Raw, Unfiltered Honey - It contains many phytochemicals and flavanoids that can enhance health. Honey is very good for increasing energy. It is an excellent source of antioxidants. In fact, ORAC tests show it has the highest level of antioxidants of virtually any natural food on earth! It even has anti-bacterial effects. Take 1-2 tablespoons daily.

3) Fish – Eating fish regularly can have positive effects on health. The fish oils EPA and DHA have been shown to improve brain function, enhance cardiovascular health, and reduce inflammation among other things. Some of the best fish are cold water wild salmon, orange roughy, deep sea Cod, sea bass, Ahi Tuna, Mahi mahi, and tilapia.

4) Figs – They contain key mineral such as calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium. They are also a great source of fiber and can support healthy blood sugar levels. Figs are an alkaline food which means they help balance the Ph of the body making it less acidic.

5) Olive Oil - Contains omega 9 or oleic fatty acids. It has been shown to increase the good cholesterol (HDL) while lowering bad cholesterol (LDL). It also seems to have some antioxidant effects. Look for extra virgin olive oil (cold-pressed). Cooking with it can lower some of its benefits. Add it to food after it is cooked!

The Ramadan Nutrition and Workout Plan for Success

By: Rehan Jalali, C.S.N.

www.rehanjalali.com

One of the most frequently asked questions I get is how can I workout and eat properly while I am fasting? Most people see the blessed month of Ramadhan as a time when they will surely lose strength and or muscle mass and some people think they can only “maintain” during this month. This cannot be further from the truth. In fact, if you use some of the strategies I am about to share with you, you can make some of your best gains during this month! It’s all about maximizing nutrient uptake, maintaining proper hydration, and modifying key fat burning/muscle building hormones in your favor during this month. And of course PREPARATION—If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail! Plus, how can you truly maximize this month spiritually if your body is sick, tired, and your mind isn’t sharp?

First of all, let’s look at what happens to your body during Ramadhan.

While you are fasting, obviously you become more dehydrated at rest-- but actually less than if you had exercised aerobically for over an hour (so exercise causes greater dehydration for that time period versus fasting).

Your main metabolic fuel source for bodily function during fasting is mainly fat, which is a good thing. So the goals during Ramadhan are to maximize metabolism (even though your metabolism will slow down due to less frequent meals), preserve and enhance as much lean muscle mass as possible (which will inherently increase metabolic rate and allow you to burn more calories at rest), and maximize your workout (both cardio and weight training). During Ramadhan, depending on your goals, I really recommend that you limit cardio to 2 days a week at the most. This is again to preserve as much lean muscle tissue as possible. There is actually research showing the health benefits of fasting. It is truly a physical purification. According to a study published in the reputable European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the researchers concluded that “no detrimental effects on health have as yet been directly attributed to negative water balance at the levels that may be produced in Ramadan.” Other research has actually shown cardiovascular benefits of fasting during Ramadan—that is if you can avoid the IBS (no, not irritable bowel syndrome) but the dreaded Iftar Binging Syndrome! It is vital to eat moderate to small meals even after iftar.

Training Times

Ok, enough of the background, let’s get to the meat of it! I am going to set the record straight here. The best time to do a weight training workout is NOT while fasting. This can create way too much muscle breakdown and cause a significant rise in the catabolic hormone cortisol. Training while in a state of dehydration can decrease strength significantly. In fact, research indicates that dehydrating a muscle by as little as 3% can cause a 12% loss in strength. Training while you are fasting can actually be more detrimental than beneficial! The best time to weight train during Ramadhan is after Taraweh prayers at night. This will insure that you will have several meals and plenty of water in your system before going to the gym. This will also allow you to consume your all-important post workout meal or shake which is essential to muscle growth and even fat loss. If this is too late then the next best time to weight train is about 1 hour after Iftar before taraweh prayer. You could do a short but intense 30 minute workout.

The best time to do cardio work for maximum fat loss is before suhur—yep that’s the truth. Of course, most people I know will not want to get up at around 3: 30 AM and do cardio! If you CAN pull this off then the best thing to do is get up and drink plenty of water with a cup of coffee or green tea, wait 30 minutes and perform 30-45 minutes of moderate intensity cardio work like a brisk walk on a treadmill. If this is out of the question for you, then the next best time to do cardio is approximately 30-45 minutes after a “light” iftar (I will define this shortly). Short, high intensity cardio like sprinting is actually great to do during Ramadan. It takes less than 10 minutes and provides maximum benefit in terms of fat burning and lean muscle preservation! This isn’t “driving miss Daisy” cardio—its very intensive-Ex. Sprint for 20-30 sec at full speed (like a dog is chasing you!) and walk for 1 min. Do 4-5 cycles like that and you’re good! Start slow of course and work your way up.

So now you know when to train, it’s time to learn what to eat and drink (think water, water, and more water!).

Suhur meal (morning/pre-dawn)

For suhur, it is imperitive to drink plenty of water, eat a good blend of protein, carbohydrates, and essential fat—that’s right “good fats” have many fat burning and muscle building properties and their importance is even greater during Ramadhan. Some good “suhur” foods include:

• Egg whites (1 yolk)
• Chicken breast
• Oatmeal
• Cream of wheat
• Protein shake
• Cinnamon
• Bananas
• Raw, Dark Honey
• Raisins or dates
• Fibrous vegetables –This will help increase the feeling of fullness as well.
• All natural peanut butter
• Flax seed oil - A great and tasty brand is Omega Swirl from Barleans (www.barleans.com)
• Olive oil – preferably extra virgin (which means it’s cold processed and the essential fatty acids are preserved)
• Plenty of water

It is important to take a solid Multi-Vitamin/ multi-mineral supplement with suhur as well to make sure daily minimum requirements of key nutrients are met. One good one is Opti-Pack by Super Nutrition. Taking extra vitamin C and vitamin E can also be helpful. A great product is Emergen-C from Alacer. It is very important to watch your sodium intake at this time as high sodium can cause greater dehydration plus increase thirst during the day—not good for fasters. Avoid high sodium foods like soups, sauces, condiments, gravies, high sodium bread products, and canned meats. Of course eating fried foods and heavy oil items can cause heartburn and problems for you all day so it is best to avoid those if possible!

This is a key time for rehydration. The wisdom in Islam is never ending.

We break our fast with dates and water but if you investigate this nutritionally, you will see that dates are very unique in their nutrient content.

They contain very high levels of potassium (much more than a banana), a key re-hydration mineral and a special carbohydrate blend that enhances hydration above and beyond water alone. They contain a special blend of glucose and fructose for short and long term energy. They also have a special nutrient called beta D-glucan which is a soluble fiber that can enhance satiety and digestive health. So basically when you eat a date and water for iftar your body gets hydrated again much faster than with water alone (this is a complex topic but I don’t want to bore you with the details— You can think of dates and water as a very advanced form of Gatorade®).

In fact, clinical research published in the International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition entitled “The fruit of the date palm: its possible use as the best food for the future?” concluded that “dates may be considered as an almost ideal food, providing a wide range of essential nutrients and potential health benefits.”

You should also eat some quality protein at iftar time as well. I recommend three dates and a meal replacement protein powder like ZI Diet MRP from VPX Sports, Lean Body by Labrada, or Myoplex from EAS. Of course, drink plenty of water--In fact, keep a water bottle with you at all times after sunset! Then 1- 1.5 hours later have a food meal (or follow the schedule above for cardio). Then during taraweh, depending if you pray 8 or 20 rakahs, have a protein bar or ready to drink protein shake in the middle (not while you are praying of course!) or have another small protein and complex carbohydrate meal after the 8 rakahs—drink plenty of water if you have a protein bar. Then go train about 30-45 minutes after eating the bar. After the workout, have another nutrition shake (as mentioned a few lines ago) with plenty of water. Eating small meals at night can trick your body into speeding up metabolic rate (not to mention increase nutrient absorption and stabilize insulin and blood sugar levels). Your body loves homeostasis and wants to maintain a certain balance—you literally have to shock it constantly to lose fat and gain muscle over the long run! There is so much wisdom in “Eat and drink but not to excess” and we should try and follow that especially during Ramadhan.

SAMPLE Ramadhan MEAL PLAN for fat loss and muscle gain

(*This plan is for a 170 lb male, please adjust amounts for bodyweight)

• Eat 6-8 egg whites (one yolk)
• One bowl of plain oatmeal w/ cinammon, raisins and a banana
• 1 teaspoon all-natural peanut butter or olive oil or flax seed oil (1 tablespoon
• Barleans Omega Swirl)
• Plenty of water (16-24 oz.)
• Opti-pack by Super Nutrition (one pack) –multi-vitamin/mineral
• Iftar (the evening opening of the fast):
• Three Dates and a Nutrition Shake (ZI Diet MRP from VPX Sports, Lean Body by Labrada, or Myoplex from EAS)
• Plenty of water

For cardio wokouts --Do cardio 45 minutes after this meal for 30-45 minutes at a moderate pace or do a sprint workout if you have less time and then have the next meal before taraweh. (Have a cup of green tea or coffee with Iftar on cardio days)

For weight training days: Eat another food meal before Taraweh like chicken breast (or baked salmon), brown rice and some veggies OR Baked Fish (Salmon, Tuna, Orange Roughy, or Mahi mahi), sweet potato, and a garden salad or some steamed vegetables.

Drink plenty of water during taraweh--Go to the gym after taraweh. (If you pray 20 rakahs, then have a protein bar in the middle of taraweh). Drink plenty of water during the workout and you can even have Accelerade or Powerade™ or another sports drink during the workout.

After the workout, have another Nutrition Shake --lots of water of course.

Then sleep 45 minutes later or stay up all night eating and working like I do!

Following these simple workout and nutrition tips can really help you make great gains during this blessed month. May God help give us patience and strength in this month and throughout the year and make us strong mentally, internally, spiritually, and physically!

*The content of this article is for information purposes only. Please consult a physician before starting any nutrition, training, or supplementation program.