UNIVERSITY UTAH NEWS ADVISORY
Several University of Utah faculty members will speak at March 8 Science in Society public dialogue on the health benefits of calcium. The Utah Science Center issued the following news release about the event.
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Science in Society
A Utah Science Center Public Dialogue Series
SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 28, 2007-The Utah Science Center’s Science in Society free public dialogue series will present “Calcium: Bones and Beyond,” Thursday, March 8, 2007 from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. in the auditorium of the main downtown Salt Lake City Public Library, 210 East 400 South.
Calcium is a critical element in human health and development. In addition to well-known benefits to bones and teeth, calcium is also important to other areas of the body. Calcium is “important to help prevent colon cancer and for good muscle contraction, including heart muscle,” said Katharine Tallmadge, a Washington, D.C., dietitian and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. “It might even be important for lowering blood pressure and helping to burn off fat. If we don’t get enough in our diet, our body pulls it from the bones. It’s a critical mineral.”
Local calcium experts will address topics such as high-calcium foods, supplements, the role of vitamins and hormones, exercise and metabolism. Featured guests include:
Katherine Beals, nutrition clinic director and clinical associate professor, University of Utah Division of Nutrition. Topic: Dietary calcium, amounts and sources
John Cuomo, executive director for research and development, USANA Health Sciences Inc. Topic: Calcium supplements.
Mary Murray, associate professor and medical director, pediatric endocrinology, University of Utah School of Medicine. Topic: Role of vitamins and hormones.
Janet M. Shaw, associate professor of exercise and sport science, University of Utah College of Health. Topics: Motion, exercise and metabolism.
Patty Trela, physical therapist, University of Utah Orthopaedic Center. Topics: Build-A-Bone program and exercise.
Joe Andrade, director, Utah Science Center, distinguished professor of bioengineering, University of Utah. Moderator.
About
The “Science in Society” public dialogue series is sponsored bi-monthly by the Utah Science Center (www.utahsciencecenter.org). Science in Society brings timely, sometimes controversial topics to the public in an understandable, informative manner. The events are presented in an interactive, non-lecture style with public dialogue as the major objective. Science in Society is cosponsored by the Salt Lake City Public Library, KCPW radio and The Leonardo. KCPW broadcasts Science in Society events.
The Utah Science Center, along with YouthCity Artways, formerly Global Artways (www.youthcityartways.org), and the Center for Documentary Arts (www.cdautah.org) are founding partners in The Leonardo, a one-of-a-kind art, culture and science center with a multidisciplinary approach. The mission of The Leonardo is to create opportunities for visitors to become participants by exploring new ways of seeing their world, themselves and each other.