A&M International Offers Talk On Cholesterol Mar. 19

Texas A&M International University will host a free health talk entitled "The Truth About Cholesterol" on Wednesday, March 19 from 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m. in Bullock Hall room 118 on the University's main campus, 5201 University Boulevard.

Featured guest speaker will be local physician Dr. Jorge Gomez Vasquez. Admission is free and members of the community are invited to attend. Participants are invited to bring their lunch. Beverages and lite desserts will be served.

Dr. Gomez Vasquez will explain the difference between "good" and "bad" cholesterol and discuss ways to protect oneself against high cholesterol and its potentially harmful effects. His talk will be followed by a question and answer period.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in all human and animal tissues. The buildup of cholesterol in artery walls may cause arteries to narrow or become blocked, resulting in heart attack, stroke, or other serious health problems.

Diet, heredity, metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, smoking and lack of exercise can cause, or contribute to, high blood cholesterol levels. However, studies show that it is possible to slow and even reverse the buildup of fatty deposits in artery walls through dietary and lifestyle changes.

Dr. Gomez Vasquez' talk is part of A&M International's "Spring 1997 Health and Wellness Initiative," a lecture series sponsored by the University's Office of Student Health Services.

Upcoming talks in the series include: "Diabetes," Dr. Eduardo Gomez Vasquez, Wednesday, April 9; and "Headaches," Dr. David Garza, Thursday, April 24. Both upcoming talks will be held at 12:00 noon in Bullock Hall room 101.

For more information on A&M International's Health Talks, contact the University's Office of Student Health Services at 326-2235.

Office hours are 8:00 am. - 7:00 p.m. Monday - Tuesday and 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Wednesday - Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu