Latest news with #FountainValley
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Fountain Valley's hometown Fire Chief dies unexpectedly after decades of service
Fountain Valley is mourning the sudden loss of its hometown fire chief, Bill McQuaid, who died unexpectedly Friday afternoon while off duty, city officials announced Saturday. 'It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our Fire Chief, Bill McQuaid,' the city said in a statement. 'Chief McQuaid was more than a leader—he was a mentor, a friend, and a steadfast pillar of strength within our department and community.' McQuaid is survived by his wife, Tracy, and daughters, Allyson and Julie. He also leaves behind his mother, Judy; his sister, Tracy, and brother-in-law, Keith, along with their children Ashley, her husband Troy, and their son Joshua; as well as his brother Mike and sister-in-law Stacia. Raised in Fountain Valley, McQuaid joined the city's fire department as a reserve before being hired full-time in 1996 as a firefighter-paramedic, according to a 2023 profile published by the Los Angeles Times. He later held the roles of fire engineer, captain, battalion chief and division chief of operations before being named fire chief in January 2023. His career was guided by a promise he made nearly 30 years ago to then-Fire Chief Bernard Heimos, McQuaid told the Times: that if he were given the chance to serve his hometown, he would stay for the duration of his career. 'If somebody was going to give me that opportunity to get into it, then I was going to give them my all,' McQuaid said in the 2023 interview. 'Second, Fountain Valley is my home, so having the opportunity to serve in my dream career in my own hometown, in my own backyard, was an opportunity that I was willing to commit to for the entirety of my career.' McQuaid's service extended far beyond city limits. According to the Times, he led strike teams into some of California's largest wildfires, including the Thomas Fire in 2017 and the Dixie Fire in 2021. He also helped coordinate local vaccination sites during the COVID-19 pandemic. More recently, McQuaid spearheaded efforts to combat the opioid crisis by partnering with local high schools to train staff on how to respond to overdoses and distribute Narcan. 'With the large-scale opioid and fentanyl usage that's going on and the adverse results that are coming out of that, we've partnered with our high schools to train the teachers and train the high school staff how to respond to those emergencies,' McQuaid told the Times. 'We're providing them with the Narcan… so that they can get rapid response, even before we can get there, to help us in the process of saving lives.' A graduate of Fountain Valley High School, McQuaid lived in Huntington Beach with his family and earned a master's degree in public safety leadership and executive management from Arizona State University in 2022, according to the Times. 'His loss is felt deeply across our department and throughout the city he served so faithfully,' city officials said. 'We are grateful for the legacy he leaves behind and will continue to honor his memory in all that we do.' The city has not released a cause of death. Details about memorial services have not yet been announced. Luis Zuniga contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword


CBS News
4 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Fountain Valley fire chief dies, city says
Fountain Valley Fire Chief Bill McQuaid died on Friday, the city announced on Saturday. In a post to Instagram, the Fountain Valley Fire Department said McQuaid died unexpectedly. The cause of death was not released. He was not on duty at the time. "Chief McQuaid was more than a leader—he was a mentor, a friend, and a steadfast pillar of strength within our department and community," the post reads. "Chief McQuaid dedicated his life to service, leading with compassion, integrity, and unwavering commitment. His loss is felt deeply across our department and throughout the city he served so faithfully." McQuaid was sworn in as chief in February 2023. He leaves behind a wife and two daughters. No additional details were immediately made available.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The One Protein Mistake That Makes Weight Loss Harder On Semaglutide—And How To Avoid It
You might already know that it's important to eat enough protein while taking a weight-loss medication, but a new study explains why this macro is so essential. People on weight-loss drugs often lose muscle mass while they lose weight, but new scientific findings suggest boosting your protein can help combat this, keeping you healthy and strong. Here's what experts have to say about the study and what you should know. When you start losing weight on a weight loss medication, it can happen pretty fast. And chances are high that you're not just losing fat, but essential lean muscle mass, too. Why does this matter? Well, losing lean muscle mass can have a negative impact on your metabolism and blood sugar levels, which will ultimately work against your weight loss efforts. It can even mess with your bone health. But a new study presented at ENDO 2025 found that there's a relatively easy, simple way to combat this: Eat more protein. To be fair, weight loss specialists and dietitians have been preaching this for years. But it's helpful to see the reasons spelled out so clearly in scientific research. So, here's what the study found, what you need to know about the connection between protein and muscle, and why protein is so crucial when you're on a weight loss drug. Meet the experts: Kais Rona, MD, is a bariatric surgeon at MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA; Sonya Angelone, RDN, is a nutritionist and registered dietitian based in San Francisco, California; Scott Keatley, RD, is co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy What did the study find? For the study, researchers followed 40 adults with obesity for three months. Of those, 23 were taking a semaglutide medication (a GLP-1 receptor agonist medication and the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic), while the other 17 went through a weight loss program called Healthy Habits for Life, which encourages diet and lifestyle changes to achieve weight loss. The researchers analyzed the participants' muscle mass during the study period. While the study participants who took semaglutide lost more weight than those who followed the diet and lifestyle program, people in both groups lost the same amount of lean muscle mass. The researchers found that people in the semaglutide group who were older, female, or ate less protein had more muscle loss. As a result, the study concluded that eating more protein may help protect against muscle mass loss linked to semaglutide. Why is protein helpful in maintaining and building muscle mass? Protein is an important component for muscles, says Scott Keatley, RD, co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy. 'Protein provides the building blocks necessary to stimulate muscle protein synthesis, the process through which the body repairs and builds muscle tissue,' he says. When you consume enough protein, you're more likely to retain and even build muscle, Keatley explains. But when you don't have enough protein, your body will 'cannibalize' some of your muscle mass for energy, he says. Why is it so important to consume protein on a GLP-1? For starters, GLP-1 receptor agonist medications like semaglutide are designed to tamp down on appetite, points out Sonya Angelone, RDN, a nutritionist and registered dietitian based in San Francisco. And since some people experience medication side effects like nausea, they may end up eating smaller amounts of protein and more carb-rich foods, which are usually better tolerated with nausea, she says. 'It is super important to eat more protein when losing weight to minimize the amount of muscle lost during weight loss. Otherwise, you are more likely to regain the lost weight since you will end up with less muscle, which naturally burns calories.' Protein also helps to keep you feeling fuller, longer, Angelone says. 'That helps you eat less, which is a good strategy in any weight loss program,' she says How much protein should you be taking on a GLP-1? If you're unsure how much protein you should be eating while you're taking a GLP-1 medication, it's a good idea to talk to your prescribing doctor for personalized advice. 'I often recommend patients to have 1.2 grams to 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily,' says Kais Rona, MD, a bariatric surgeon at MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA. He also suggests that his patients on these medications do resistance training to maintain their muscle mass. Strength training is also super important to combat bone density loss, which can occur while taking a GLP-1. Check out our Protein Playbook here for the best recipes, the latest science, and clear info on your favorite macro. What are some of the best ways to consume protein? Your body can only absorb and use 20 to 30 grams of protein per sitting to support muscle repair and growth, according to Keatley. Because of this, 'it's important to space protein intake throughout the day, rather than loading it all into one meal,' he says. That means trying to load up on protein at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with a snack or shake if needed. As for what kind of protein to reach for, Angelone recommends lean proteins like fish, chicken, tofu, eggs, and lean meat. 'Beans and quinoa are also good sources of protein which contain fiber—that can offset a side effect of constipation in people taking GLP-1 agonists,' she says. 'For someone who tolerates dairy products, Greek yogurt and cottage cheese are rich sources of protein.' Experts stress the importance of combining all this protein intake with exercise, too. 'If you're not working out, start,' Keatley says. 'Pairing this protein intake with resistance training is what really drives lean mass preservation.' You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The One Protein Mistake That Makes Weight Loss Harder On Semaglutide—And How To Avoid It
You might already know that it's important to eat enough protein while taking a weight-loss medication, but a new study explains why this macro is so essential. People on weight-loss drugs often lose muscle mass while they lose weight, but new scientific findings suggest boosting your protein can help combat this, keeping you healthy and strong. Here's what experts have to say about the study and what you should know. When you start losing weight on a weight loss medication, it can happen pretty fast. And chances are high that you're not just losing fat, but essential lean muscle mass, too. Why does this matter? Well, losing lean muscle mass can have a negative impact on your metabolism and blood sugar levels, which will ultimately work against your weight loss efforts. It can even mess with your bone health. But a new study presented at ENDO 2025 found that there's a relatively easy, simple way to combat this: Eat more protein. To be fair, weight loss specialists and dietitians have been preaching this for years. But it's helpful to see the reasons spelled out so clearly in scientific research. So, here's what the study found, what you need to know about the connection between protein and muscle, and why protein is so crucial when you're on a weight loss drug. Meet the experts: Kais Rona, MD, is a bariatric surgeon at MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA; Sonya Angelone, RDN, is a nutritionist and registered dietitian based in San Francisco, California; Scott Keatley, RD, is co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy What did the study find? For the study, researchers followed 40 adults with obesity for three months. Of those, 23 were taking a semaglutide medication (a GLP-1 receptor agonist medication and the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic), while the other 17 went through a weight loss program called Healthy Habits for Life, which encourages diet and lifestyle changes to achieve weight loss. The researchers analyzed the participants' muscle mass during the study period. While the study participants who took semaglutide lost more weight than those who followed the diet and lifestyle program, people in both groups lost the same amount of lean muscle mass. The researchers found that people in the semaglutide group who were older, female, or ate less protein had more muscle loss. As a result, the study concluded that eating more protein may help protect against muscle mass loss linked to semaglutide. Why is protein helpful in maintaining and building muscle mass? Protein is an important component for muscles, says Scott Keatley, RD, co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy. 'Protein provides the building blocks necessary to stimulate muscle protein synthesis, the process through which the body repairs and builds muscle tissue,' he says. When you consume enough protein, you're more likely to retain and even build muscle, Keatley explains. But when you don't have enough protein, your body will 'cannibalize' some of your muscle mass for energy, he says. Why is it so important to consume protein on a GLP-1? For starters, GLP-1 receptor agonist medications like semaglutide are designed to tamp down on appetite, points out Sonya Angelone, RDN, a nutritionist and registered dietitian based in San Francisco. And since some people experience medication side effects like nausea, they may end up eating smaller amounts of protein and more carb-rich foods, which are usually better tolerated with nausea, she says. 'It is super important to eat more protein when losing weight to minimize the amount of muscle lost during weight loss. Otherwise, you are more likely to regain the lost weight since you will end up with less muscle, which naturally burns calories.' Protein also helps to keep you feeling fuller, longer, Angelone says. 'That helps you eat less, which is a good strategy in any weight loss program,' she says How much protein should you be taking on a GLP-1? If you're unsure how much protein you should be eating while you're taking a GLP-1 medication, it's a good idea to talk to your prescribing doctor for personalized advice. 'I often recommend patients to have 1.2 grams to 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily,' says Kais Rona, MD, a bariatric surgeon at MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA. He also suggests that his patients on these medications do resistance training to maintain their muscle mass. Strength training is also super important to combat bone density loss, which can occur while taking a GLP-1. Check out our Protein Playbook here for the best recipes, the latest science, and clear info on your favorite macro. What are some of the best ways to consume protein? Your body can only absorb and use 20 to 30 grams of protein per sitting to support muscle repair and growth, according to Keatley. Because of this, 'it's important to space protein intake throughout the day, rather than loading it all into one meal,' he says. That means trying to load up on protein at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with a snack or shake if needed. As for what kind of protein to reach for, Angelone recommends lean proteins like fish, chicken, tofu, eggs, and lean meat. 'Beans and quinoa are also good sources of protein which contain fiber—that can offset a side effect of constipation in people taking GLP-1 agonists,' she says. 'For someone who tolerates dairy products, Greek yogurt and cottage cheese are rich sources of protein.' Experts stress the importance of combining all this protein intake with exercise, too. 'If you're not working out, start,' Keatley says. 'Pairing this protein intake with resistance training is what really drives lean mass preservation.' You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Doctors Are Rethinking Weight Loss Advice. Here's Why The Old Rules Don't Work Anymore—And What Does
A new scientific analysis takes a close look at effective weight loss strategies. The findings suggest that simply being told to lose weight may not be the best thing for some people's weight loss goals. Here's what doctors say can *actually* help when older tactics fail. Recceiving the same old blanket advice from your doctor about tweaking your diet and moving more if you want to lose weigh can be pretty infuriating, especially if those maxims haven't worked for you in the past. After all, weight is complicated—and most of us are already well aware of these principles. Enter: A new scientific analysis published in BMJ that breaks down the importance of personalized weight loss strategies, arguing that these old school insights have the ability to help patients reach their weight goals—or make things worse. In some situations, simply being told you need to lose weight may not actually be the healthiest path forward, the researchers argue. The paper raises some red flags in the way weight loss is typically approached at the doctor's office right now, and urges healthcare providers to make a change. Here's why that is, and what you should know. Meet the experts: Mir Ali, MD, medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA; Juan Victor Ariel Franco, MD, lead study author and researcher at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf What did the study find? The analysis looked at several previous studies on weight loss and weight loss interventions. The researchers found that while doctors usually recommend lifestyle changes to restrict calories and exercise more, these moves don't always help with sustained weight loss or lower a person's risk of cardiovascular issues or death. Current recommendations can also lead to weight loss stigma, points out Juan Victor Ariel Franco, MD, lead study author and researcher at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf. 'When people with obesity or different types of bodies receive this advice, pursue it, and don't get the results they expect, it generates a lot of frustration and could make them feel bad about themselves. People with higher weight have already tried several times in their life to lose weight,' he points out. 'They have the expectation that following the doctor's advice will lead to better outcomes, but that can lead to more frustration and self-esteem issues when it doesn't.' Why is weight loss not always 'healthy' for someone? After being told by a doctor to lose weight, some people may be driven to diet or exercise in a way that's not healthy, Dr. Franco says. These folks may also get frustrated if their doctor tells them that tweaking their diet or exercising more will lead to weight loss—especially when it doesn't happen or the results aren't sustained, says Mir Ali, MD, medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA. 'When you reach a certain weight, your body becomes resistant to losing more weight,' Dr. Ali says. 'I've seen patients get frustrated and say, 'I'm only eating this much and I'm not losing weight. I'm trying to exercise.' We tell patients that it's not just about self-control. There are metabolic and hormonal changes that impact weight, too.' And of course, Dr. Franco points out that a person's weight doesn't always correlate to how healthy they are. Ultimately, Dr. Franco and his fellow researchers concluded in the paper that 'acknowledging that weight alone might not give an adequate picture of someone's health, and recognizing the limitations of lifestyle interventions for weight loss, could pave the way for more effective and patient centered care.' What are the most sustainable ways for higher weight people to maintain weight loss? If you have excess weight and haven't been able to lose it on your own, experts say it's a good idea to talk to a doctor to get some personalized advice. 'It's very important that people try to pursue a healthy lifestyle that works for them,' Dr. Franco says. 'People have different needs, and person-centric care is important.' Dr. Franco says it's also crucial for doctors to talk about why someone may benefit from weight loss from a total-body health perspective vs. just giving blanket advice to lose weight. 'For patients, it's important to find the right motivation,' Dr. Franco says. That may mean knowing that weight loss could impact your heart health or even that you'll be able to be more mobile after losing weight, he says. And Dr. Ali says patients shouldn't get discouraged if they want to lose weight and haven't been successful in the past. 'By the time patients see me, they have tried all kinds of things and they're having no success. That's where we have to decide on what is the best intervention we can use,' he says. At the end of the day, it's crucial to frame weight and health in the context of your goals, per Dr. Franco. 'If you want to be more active and agile, that might result in weight loss,' he says. 'But, in the end, it's not just about what you see in the mirror. It's how you feel about your body. Even if you don't lose weight but you engage in physical activity, you can still feel better about yourself.' You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals