In the News
Biocidin Botanicals® to host free Women's Health Summit
Enzyme Science® Launches New Formula for Healthy Function & Integrity of the Intestines
Largest Study of Psychedelic Medicine, with 11,441 Mindbloom Clients, Demonstrates Effectiveness and Safety of Guided At-Home Ketamine Therapy
Organic & Natural Health Association Welcomes New President and Four New Board Members
Kaia Health's Digital Therapy Shows Sustained Impact on Pain Reduction, Functional Ability, Mental Health, and Cost-Effectiveness in 12-Month Study
Groundbreaking Study by Food Allergy Institute Reveals Lasting Solution for Children with Milk Allergies
Biocidin Botanicals® to host free Women's Health Summit
Building on the success of its 2023 Gut Summit, Biocidin Botanicals®, a leader in botanical supplements and a pioneer in microbiome health, will host a Women's Health Summit on July 17 and 18, 2024. The free, live event – the second in a series of planned virtual health summits – will feature discussions with well-known integrative medicine experts and offer fresh insights on menopause, peptides for weight loss, the vaginal microbiome, fertility, skin care, hair loss, breast implants, and other important (and often unaddressed) topics related to women's health.
Day One is designed for healthcare professionals, while Day Two is open to everyone. Sessions will run from 8 am to 1:30 pm PT on both days. This dynamic, interactive event will include live Q&A and breakout sessions, plus downloadable bonus content and two days of continuous content availability. A customizable format will allow Summit attendees to tailor their experience to focus on the topics they care most about.
"Women have pressing questions about their unique health issues, and answers are too often hard to come by," said Maria Ackerman, Biocidin Botanicals CEO. "We've gathered experts who are talking about these issues in a way no one else is." Attendees will benefit from the speakers' holistic knowledge and expertise – as well as their deep understanding of how the microbiome impacts every aspect of women's health, Ackerman said.
The Women's Health Summit reflects Biocidin Botanical's commitment to education and collaboration – two of the company's core values, explained Ackerman. "Our Gut Summit last year was a huge success. Based on attendee feedback, we decided to create an ongoing series of health summits to support people on their unique health journeys." The Women's Health Summit will be followed by the Oral Health Summit in the fall, she noted.
Women's Health Summit Speaker Lineup
Dr. Tyna Moore, host of the popular wellness podcast The Dr. Tyna Show, will speak on both days and will be the July 17 keynote speaker. Known for her bold, open-minded approach to semaglutide, the peptide that's taking the weight-loss world by storm, Dr. Moore will offer her thought-provoking take on the myths, truths, and potential benefits of peptide therapy.
Dr. Carrie Jones, an internationally recognized expert on women's health and hormones, is also slated to speak on both days and will be the July 18 keynote speaker. She will delve into the fascinating complexities of menopause, perimenopause, and the menopausal microbiome – offering valuable insights on how to navigate hormone-related health challenges.
Other women's health experts slated to speak include Dr. Julie Greenberg, Dr. Jessica Tran, Dr. Pina LoGiudice, Dr. Tia Trivisonno, and PA Keri Anania.
Attendees will also hear from Dr. Jocelyn Strand, Biocidin Botanicals' Senior Director of Clinical Education and Research, as well as Biocidin Botanicals' clinicians Dr. Emily Hernandez, Dr. Preeti Kulkarni, and Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist Michelle Ross.
To learn more, and to register for the Women's Health Summit, visit: https://biocidin.com/pages/womens-health-summit
ABOUT BIOCIDIN BOTANICALS®
Biocidin Botanicals® is a leader in botanical supplements and a pioneer in microbiome health. Its signature broad-spectrum botanical blend, Biocidin®, was formulated in 1989 in response to challenging health conditions related to microbial imbalances. Thirty-five years later, the company offers a curated portfolio of research-backed, evidence-based formulas to support gut and oral microbiome health. Integrative and Functional Medicine practitioners around the world have used these products to help countless patients. With a robust commitment to education and natural solutions, Biocidin Botanicals® will continue to help lead the way in expanding awareness of the microbiome and its impact on whole-body health. For more information, visit their website or check them out on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Enzyme Science® Launches New Formula for Healthy Function & Integrity of the Intestines
Maintaining an optimal balance of healthy bacteria in the small and large intestine is imperative for digestive function and comfort. However, imbalances can happen. A new formula from Enzyme Science®, the practitioner division of Enzymedica, promotes healthy function and integrity of the intestines.* GI + Biome Complex is earning praise from healthcare professionals who've had the chance to review the formula.
"I always count on Enzyme Science to give us excellent GI condition-specific products to help us," said Tori Hudson, ND, a naturopathic physician and residency director at Naturopathic Education and Residency Consortium.^ "Here they are again with this new, advanced GI biome/function-focused product."
GI + Biome Complex includes the scientifically studied ButyraGen® (with tributyrin and fiber), Lipase Thera-blend®, PepZinGI® Zinc-Carnosine and Livaux® organic golden kiwi in a convenient two-capsule serving. The formula helps promote mucosal integrity, helps maintain healthy gut bacteria and supports butyrate production.* It also promotes healthy motility.*
The prebiotic fibers in ButyraGen® work synergistically to promote butyrate-producing bacteria in the gut, while reducing occasional gas.* Lipase Thera-blend® supports butyrate's release, Livaux® golden kiwi provides dietary fiber and PepZinGI™ zinc carnosine helps rebuild mucosa.*
"We're absolutely thrilled with the early feedback we've heard from health-care practitioners like Dr. Hudson, and they've all told us this formula is long overdue," said Becky Dattani, director of inside sales, professional & retail, Enzyme Science. "We know that an imbalance can cause unnecessary discomfort and impact quality of life, so we formulated GI + Biome Complex with science-backed ingredients that target healthy function and integrity of the entire intestinal tract."*
To support the launch of this unique formula, Enzyme Science will host webinars and share protocols, blogs and other training materials with healthcare practitioners.
This vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO formula contains no milk, casein, soy, egg or artificial colors, fillers or flavors. Enzyme Science GI + Biome Complex is $31.98 MSRP for 60 capsules, and it can be purchased at EnzyScience.com or on Amazon.
About Enzyme Science:
Enzyme Science® makes exceptional formulas for natural digestive health and wellness. As the practitioner division of Enzymedica, America's #1 selling enzyme brand, we use only the finest ingredients, backed by unparalleled quality standards and scientific research.
Beyond our high-potency digestive and systemic enzymes, we offer formulas to support the cardiovascular and immune systems, joint health and more.* To maintain our superior quality standards, we rely on the latest clinical research, source only sustainable and non-GMO ingredients, and adhere to protocols that exceed those stipulated by the FDA's cGMP regulations. We never use artificial fillers, binders or excipients. We verify quality, efficacy and safety both in our laboratory and through accredited third-party facilities. Visit https://enzyscience.com/ for more information.
Enzyme Science is a committed sponsor of the Naturopathic Education and Research Consortium, a nonprofit organization supporting accredited naturopathic medicine residency programs throughout the country.
Largest Study of Psychedelic Medicine, with 11,441 Mindbloom Clients, Demonstrates Effectiveness and Safety of Guided At-Home Ketamine Therapy
Mindbloom, the leading provider of psychedelic therapy, announced today the findings of the largest peer-reviewed study in the history of ketamine therapy and psychedelic medicine. The study was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, and was authored by psychiatrists and researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, the Institute for Psycholinguistics and Digital Health, and Mindbloom.
Key Findings:
· Largest study: The study reviewed data from 11,441 Mindbloom clients, making it the most comprehensive examination of ketamine therapy to date
· Effectiveness: 62% of clients reported clinically-significant improvements in depression or anxiety, with 28% achieving remission
· Rapid results: Significant symptom improvements were found after only four sessions
· Safety: Fewer than 5% of clients reported adverse effects
Benefits of continued treatment: 84% of clients who experienced significant improvements in an initial round of treatment maintained improvements or recovered in a second round
"Millions of Americans are suffering from mental illness, and haven't been helped by traditional treatments," said co-author and Mindbloom Medical Director Dr. Leonardo Vando. "This study confirms that at-home ketamine therapy can be an effective and fast-acting treatment for depression and anxiety, and shows why psychedelic therapy is going to be a first-line treatment in the next few years."
The authors noted that the extensive support offered through Mindbloom - including 1:1 coaching, therapeutic content, and group integration - drives the effectiveness and safety of the treatment. In addition, Mindbloom's at-home ketamine therapy programs overcome barriers like cost, provider availability, and stigma that prevent people from receiving effective mental health care.
"Mindboom's programs make ketamine therapy accessible and affordable, allowing people to heal from the comfort of home," said Mindbloom's Founder and CEO Dylan Beynon. "People have questioned whether ketamine therapy could be delivered safely and effectively at home through telehealth - this study answers that question with an emphatic 'yes.'"
This is the second peer-reviewed study of Mindbloom's clinical outcomes. This study corroborates the findings of Mindbloom's first study over a 10X larger sample, and provides new analysis demonstrating the benefits of continuing ketamine therapy beyond the initial course of treatment.
The study also used artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools to identify factors that predict whether a client will respond to treatment, providing clinicians with additional information to support their clients.
About Mindbloom:
Mindbloom is the largest provider of psychedelic medicine, with psychiatric clinicians facilitating more than 275,000 at-home ketamine therapy sessions per year in 36 states. Mindbloom offers ketamine therapy for a range of mental health issues, with programs that combine evidence-based medicine with coaching, content, and community. For more information, visit www.mindbloom.com.
Organic & Natural Health Association Welcomes New President and Four New Board Members
Organic & Natural Health Association (O&N Health) has elected Todd Norton, the vice president of business development at Aker BioMarine to serve as the new board president, Alan Lewis, director of government affairs and food and agriculture policy for Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage to serve as board treasurer, while also welcoming four new board members: Mark Thurston, Brian Terry, Doug Lynch and Ray Martinez.
“This represents another defining moment for O&N Health, reflecting our decade-long journey of growth and transformation,” said Karen Howard, CEO and executive director of O&N Health. “We are excited to welcome Todd Norton as our new president, as his leadership will propel us further into the next chapter of our mission.”
Norton, a leader in the supplement industry, has led a career dedicated to promoting health and wellness through sustainable practices. He brings a wealth of expertise in business development and strategic leadership to his new position. Norton says he is driven by his commitment to advancing industry standards, specifically through his advocacy for transparent and ethical practices.
“I'm inspired by O&N Health's commitment to continuous quality improvement for consumers and the industry,” said Norton. “I really connect with the mission to bring people and businesses together to promote regenerative practices, and I am looking forward to leading our efforts in my new role as president while advancing our shared commitments.”
O&N Health has also appointed four new board members:
· Mark Thurston, president of AIDP, brings experience from leadership roles across ingredient, manufacturing, and product development sectors. With more than three decades in food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical markets, he is a professional known for navigating complex industries and driving innovation.
· Brian Terry, senior director of sales at Nordic Naturals, is an executive leader in consumer packaged goods (CPG), known for his adeptness in building high-performing teams and thought leadership in social impact, transparency and sales.
· Doug Lynch, CEO of MarketWell Nutrition, has had a career of global executive roles where he led the development and marketing of multiple award-winning consumer products. He is a leader in AI-driven innovation and consults with companies on how AI can be harnessed to accelerate product development.
· Ray Martinez, president of Florida Supplement, has accumulated decades of experience in manufacturing and supply chain management, while also holding more than 15 years of leadership roles.
“We're always pushing boundaries and taking action when we identify gaps or obstacles,” said Howard. “Being a member of O&N Health ensures you stay ahead on important industry matters, driven solely by integrity and expertise. Our carefully selected members and board provide up-to-date guidance and solutions for the challenges the industry faces.”
O&N Health has also announced that its upcoming strategic planning meeting for members and invited guests will take place Aug. 19-22 in Quebec City, Canada, enriched by an exclusive blueberry harvest experience hosted by Fruit d’Or. To be an active influence and change maker in the industry, join Organic & Natural Health Association at: https://organicandnatural.org.
Kaia Health's Digital Therapy Shows Sustained Impact on Pain Reduction, Functional Ability, Mental Health, and Cost-Effectiveness in 12-Month Study
Kaia Health (Kaia) released the follow-up results of its landmark randomized controlled trial—the Rise-uP study. The study revealed superior long-term outcomes in clinical improvement and cost savings for a digital-first treatment approach to lower back pain.
Kaia users report higher pain reduction compared to the control group after 12 months.
In a study cohort of over 1,200 randomized participants—the largest of its kind in the space—patients following Kaia's digital-first treatment saw a significant reduction in pain as well as positive improvements across physical function, mental health, and overall reduction in the cost of care compared to standard treatments after 12 months.
Key Findings:
Significant Pain Reduction: Participants using the Kaia app experienced a 46% reduction in pain intensity, compared to a 24% reduction in the control group. This builds on the initial three-month findings, which showed a 33% pain reduction in the Kaia group compared to 14% in the control group.
Improved Functional Ability: Users of the Kaia app achieved clinically significant improvements in functional ability and physical wellbeing compared to the control group who showed little to no change.
Mental Health Benefits: The study found lasting improvements in mental health for Kaia app users, with participants reporting reduced anxiety, depression, and stress levels as well as improved mental well-being. Patients in the control group saw deteriorating mental health trends over the same time period, validating the importance of a holistic approach to managing chronic pain and enhancing overall well-being.
Increased Patient Satisfaction: Participants in the Kaia group reported higher levels of satisfaction with their treatment compared to the control group.
Cost-Effectiveness: Participants in the Rise-uP group saw an 81% decrease in overall healthcare costs compared to the control group, primarily driven by a reduction in costs associated with inpatient (hospital) treatment, medication costs, and incapacity for work.
"We are pleased by the long-term results of the Rise-uP trial, which confirm the impact of Kaia Health's digital therapy on pain management and overall well-being," said Konstantin Mehl, Founder and CEO, Kaia Health. "These findings reinforce our commitment to providing innovative, cost-effective, accessible digital health solutions that improve the lives of people suffering from chronic pain."
For more detailed information, please refer to the full report here.
About Kaia Health:
Kaia Health is the world's largest digital therapeutics company on a mission to empower millions of people to live their healthiest lives. Kaia Health partners with leading health plans, employers, and providers, covering nearly 65 million lives around the world. Kaia's evidence-based treatments, covering a range of conditions, including MSK and COPD, are powered by proprietary AI, motion analysis technology, and clinical expertise. Kaia's app is designed to work on your smartphone or tablet – delivering the most accessible, effective, and equitable experience available. Across 20 clinical trials, Kaia Health has demonstrated effectiveness and safety on par with traditional care with as much as 80% reduction in cost, as recognized by the Program Validation from the independent Validation Institute.
To learn more about Kaia Health, please visit kaiahealth.com.
Groundbreaking Study by Food Allergy Institute Reveals Lasting Solution for Children with Milk Allergies
Food Allergy Institute (FAI) has unveiled a pioneering study with the potential to transform the lives of children suffering from cow's milk allergy. Published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the study titled "Long Term Efficacy and Safety of Cow's Milk Anaphylaxis Specific Immunotherapy: Allergen Unresponsiveness via the Tolerance Induction Program™" demonstrates that children previously severely allergic to cow's milk can now safely consume dairy products without restrictions.
Food allergies affect approximately 8% of U.S. children, equating to about 4.2 million young individuals, and milk allergy is one of the hardest allergies to treat. In this first-of-its-kind study, 214 pediatric patients underwent the Tolerance Induction Program™ (TIP) for milk anaphylaxis.
FAI is the first health organization on record to use AI to treat food allergies. The TIP program's innovative immunotherapy leverages machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to customize individual treatment plans and map out a safe and efficient dosing strategy, allowing patients to achieve and maintain clinical remission.
Key Findings:
· Largest Study: This is the largest study on biosimilar protein immunotherapy for cow's milk anaphylaxis ever published with 214 pediatric patients enrolled.
· Complete Remission: 100% of the participants achieved milk allergy remission. All patients are now able to openly consume unlimited amounts of milk.
· Safety Record: For the study, patients completed 56,443 food challenges, with only 6 (0.01%) incidents requiring epinephrine.
· Sustained Results: All study participants have maintained a year of remission without any incidents necessitating epinephrine.
Dr. Inderpal Randhawa, the lead researcher and corresponding author, expressed his excitement about the study's results: "This groundbreaking study is a game changer for children suffering from milk allergies. It demonstrates that dairy allergies can achieve remission, enabling children who are anaphylactic today to eventually consume milk without restriction. As we continue to harness the power of AI in healthcare, this pioneering approach represents a significant leap forward in allergy treatment and personalized medicine, promising a future where milk allergies no longer hinder daily life. This milestone demonstrates the real-world success of AI in advancing medical treatment, providing hope and improved quality of life for millions of patients starting today."
The study highlights the effectiveness of the Tolerance Induction Program™ (TIP) in treating cow's milk anaphylaxis. This program, which has also shown effectiveness in treating peanut allergies, revolutionizes the management of food allergies by providing long-term remission, allowing patients and families to live without the constant fear of allergic reactions.
About Food Allergy Institute (FAI): FAI is dedicated to advancing the treatment and understanding of food allergies through innovative research and patient-centered care. With over 8,000 patients achieving complete food freedom, FAI continues to lead the way in allergy treatment and management.