Past News Items - March 2012
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In the News
NeuroScience, Inc. Introduces Teevance and Selevance to Address
Health Issues Associated with Autonomic Imbalances
Metagenics Introduces the Science-Based Clear Change Program for Metabolic Detoxification
Will You Have a Heart Attack? New Test Can Possibly Predict
Nordic Naturals, Healthy Child Healthy World Partner to Promote Better Health, Better World for Children
Alzheimer's Association Awards Largest Ever Research Grant To The Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer's Network (DIAN) For Innovative Therapy Trials
Soy-Based S-equol Supplement Reduces Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors
Joslin Diabetes Center Announces Appointment of Rajni Aneja, MD, as Executive Vice President
Dr. Murad Names the Ten Best Inclusive Health Foods to Feel Better Every Day
Exciting New Breakthrough Treatment in Joint and Connective Tissue Disorder
Grifols Study Suggests Repeated Plasmapheresis May Reduce "Bad" LDL Cholesterol Levels While Increasing "Good" HDL Cholesterol Levels in Some Individuals
Best Selling Author Mark Hyman, MD to Speak on Reversing “Diabesity” at Metagenics University Seminar
Dr. Alan Gaby to Present Nutritional Medicine Updates in a Nationwide Tour
Parkinson's Disease Stopped in Animal Model
New Evidence Supports Positive Outcomes of Cooled Radiofrequency Therapy for Low Back Pain
Genetic Marker for Painful Food Allergy Points to Improved Diagnosis, Treatment
Researchers Discover Five Genetic Variations Associated with Crohn's Disease in Ashkenazi Jews
Bioforce Receives American Botanical Council's Tyler Award
Metagenics’ Chief Science Officer, Dr. Jeffery Bland, Inducted into the New Hope Natural media 2012 Hall of Legends
Mayo Clinic Announces Collaboration on New Progranulin Blood Test for Dementia
Mayo Clinic Study to Examine Use of Snake-Venom Peptide for Heart Attack Treatment
TherapeuticsMD, Inc. Launches VitaMedMD Plus Rx, the First Prescription Prenatal Vitamin with Quatrefolic and Plant-Based DHA
Diabetes Research Institute Develops Revolutionary Oxygen-Generating Biomaterial to Enhance Islet Survival
Westreich Foundation Grants Breakthrough $100,000 to Academic Consortium for Complementary and Alternative Health Care (ACCAHC)
NeuroScience, Inc. Introduces Teevance and Selevance to Address Health Issues Associated with Autonomic Imbalances
NeuroScience, Inc., the leader in neurotransmitter testing and solutions, is proud to introduce two new products, Selevance and Teevance, designed to work within a new strategy for health management called the Symptoms-Systems Approach.
“Many people suffer from anxiousness, sleep difficulties, digestive issues, fatigue, and low mood – often, it’s more than one health issue,” notes NeuroScience’s founder and CEO, Dr. Gottfried Kellermann. “Amazingly, these health concerns often have one thing in common: they all have their roots in imbalances in the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and stress of all kinds can do a real number on the ANS.”
The ANS is the part of our nervous systems that governs unconscious, automatic functions such as digestion, breathing, heart rate, sexual arousal, and sleep. While it has effects throughout the body, it is itself controlled by the delicately balanced interplay of key centers in the brain. With prolonged physical or mental stress, as well as aging, these centers may no longer function properly. This results in imbalances in the ANS that can often be detected by measuring changes in the levels of neurotransmitters in urine and other body fluids.
The Symptom-Systems Approach
NeuroScience’s Symptom-Systems Approach to wellness consists of 3 phases: Stabilize, Balance & Prime, and Restore.
Phase 1: Provide rapid symptom relief and stabilize the patient by addressing the most critical imbalances.
Phase 2: Fully address neurotransmitter imbalances and prepare the ANS for direct support.
Phase 3: Provide long-term restoration of the ANS, focusing on central controls in the brain important for proper ANS function.
Selevance and Teevance are ideal for Phase 3, as they contain unique blends of ingredients to help support the signaling and function of the ANS control centers in a ‘top-down’ approach to support proper functioning throughout the body.
To learn more about these products, visit neuroscienceinc.com/vance. A brief video explaining top-down ANS control can be found on the company’s YouTube channel.
Metagenics Introduces the Science-Based Clear Change Program for Metabolic Detoxification
Novel, clinically designed metabolic detoxification program provides comprehensive tools for easier implementation and use.
Today, Metagenics, Inc. released the Clear Change Program, a nutrition-based detoxification plan with both 10-day or 28-day options. The program is designed to enhance the body’s natural metabolic detoxification process while supplying adequate fuel for both cleansing and other daily activities, providing energy and support for overall well-being. This scientifically designed program provides nutritional supplementation, a modified elimination diet and comprehensive patient support materials, including a daily menu guide, recipes and online assistance tools.
“The Clear Change Program is our most patient-friendly metabolic detoxification plan to date, providing science-based nutritional support to aid the body's natural processes for clearing the build-up of potentially harmful substances from poor dietary habits, environmental chemicals and other factors,” said Deanna Minich, PhD, FACN, Vice President of Scientific Affairs at Metagenics. “Our new program materials are designed to enhance the program experience by making the dietary and nutritional recommendations as easy and simple as possible, promoting compliance to achieve expected and reliable outcomes and help patients feel their best.”
“As more and more people and healthcare professionals discover the health benefits of metabolic detoxification, it’s vital to select approaches that supply sufficient energy intake from dietary means. And, just as important, the program should ideally recommend only supplemental nutrients that offer predictably safe use and scientific support for activities related to metabolic detoxification,” she concluded.
The Clear Change Program includes everything needed to be successful:
UltraClear RENEW
AdvaClear dietary supplement to provide unique support for balanced metabolic detoxification activity*
Comprehensive online tools for patients including webinar, recipes, FAQs and daily eblast support available at clearchangeprogram.com
Effective patient support including program guides with clinically designed menu plans and recipes and a Patient Diary
To complement the targeted combination of science-based supplements to support multiple phases of detoxification, the dietary program offers further advantages by considering the nutrient intake requirements for the body's normal clearance activities, which are complex, energy- and nutrient-driven processes. The hundreds of different enzymes and biochemical pathways involved in detoxification require the presence of specific vitamins and minerals in order to function optimally. Additionally, research has shown that the process of detoxification can be compromised by insufficient energy reserves in the form of readily available calories. Water or juice fasts may deprive the body of these vital nutrients and adequate energy intake. The Clear Change diet, which has been clinically designed and recommended for nearly two decades, includes foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that support metabolic detoxification. This no-caloric-restriction eating plan also eliminates potential food allergens that can trigger the production of unwanted compounds that add to the body's environmental chemical burden.
For more information on the Clear Change Program, visit ClearChangeProgram.com.
Will You Have a Heart Attack? New Test Can Possibly Predict
Scripps-Led Discovery Could Help More than 2.5 Million Americans
New findings from a landmark research study led by Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI)—a collaborative program between Scripps Health and The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI)—shows a promising new blood test may be useful in helping doctors predict who is at risk for an imminent heart attack.
Results of the study titled, "Characterization of Circulating Endothelial Cells in Acute Myocardial Infarction," were published this week in Science Translational Medicine. The study concludes that circulating endothelial cells (CEC) from heart attack patients were abnormally large and misshapen and often appeared with multiple nuclei, which indicates that CECs are promising biomarkers for the prediction of acute ongoing arterial plaque rupture.
"The ability to diagnose an imminent heart attack has long been considered the holy grail of cardiovascular medicine," said Dr. Eric Topol, the study's principal investigator and director of STSI. "This has been a tremendous collaboration of two institutions on the research side, three health care systems in San Diego, and a life science industry leader, which has resulted in an important discovery that may help to change the future of cardiovascular medicine."
The study involved 50 patients who presented to emergency rooms with heart attacks at four acute care hospitals in San Diego. Using different cell isolation platforms, including the Veridex CellSearch System, the researchers found that CEC counts and the cell structural features were dramatically altered in the heart attack population when compared to the healthy control group.
"We are pleased to have collaborated on this important investigational study, said Mark Connelly, PhD, Director, Cellular Research, Veridex. "CellSearch has proven to be a powerful tool for oncology research and the care of metastatic cancer patients. This study highlights the value of accurate rare cell capture and analysis in areas beyond oncology."
The study was co-authored by physicians and scientists from Scripps Health; STSI; TSRI; Veridex, LLC (a Johnson & Johnson company); Palomar Health; and SharpHealthCare. Funding came from a $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.
"When Palomar Health was approached to participate in a research study involving this population, we were quick to recognize the potential value of this work," said Palomar Health Director of Interventional Services Paul Patchen, RN. "We were honored to have been able to contribute to this groundbreaking research that may have significant benefit not only to our patients and community but to all patients with coronary artery disease."
The findings are significant, as more than 2.5 million US. individuals experience a heart attack or ischemic stroke, most commonly the result of obstructive coronary artery disease, according to Paddy Barrett, MD, lead investigator at STSI. If the arteries get abruptly and completely occluded by the buildup of fatty cholesterol, it will cause a massive heart attack that will likely lead to a sudden death, as was the case involving former NBC News Washington Bureau Chief Tim Russert.
"With some additional validation, the hope is to have this test developed for commercial use in next year or two," said Raghava Gollapudi, MD, who was the principal investigator from Sharp HealthCare. "This would be an ideal test to perform in an emergency room to determine if a patient is on the cusp of a heart attack or about to experience one in the next couple of weeks. Right now we can only test to detect if a patient is currently experiencing or has recently experienced a heart attack."
This study is an extension of Scripps Health's leadership in heart care and research. Scripps is currently building the $456 million Prebys Cardiovascular Institute, a center for innovation that will bring together top researchers, physicians and staff. The institute will incorporate leading-edge wireless technologies and individualized medicine for the best in patient care when it opens in 2015. Annually, more than 55,000 patients receive their cardiovascular care from Scripps, making it San Diego County's largest heart care provider. Scripps is the region's only cardiovascular program consistently recognized by US News & World Report as one of the best in the country.
For more information about Scripps, please visit scripps.org.
Nordic Naturals, Healthy Child Healthy World Partner to Promote Better Health, Better World for Children
Nordic Naturals, the leading manufacturer of fish oil in the United States, is pleased to announce its 2012 cause partnership with Healthy Child Healthy World, the nation's leading organization dedicated to protecting children from harmful chemicals in the environment.
At the heart of this dynamic partnership is the desire to empower parents to make lifestyle choices that will ensure their children's healthy growth in an environment that allows them to thrive and flourish.
"For us, the relationship makes great sense," said Keri Marshall, Nordic Naturals Chief Medical Officer. "We are committed to delivering the world's safest, most effective omega oils, in part so that parents can provide their children with this essential omega nutrition with confidence. In recognizing the core values we share with Healthy Child Healthy World, we are excited about working together to better convey the message of proactively nurturing sound health and vitality in our children."
For Healthy Child Healthy World (Healthy Child), the alliance has keen synergy. According to Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff, Executive Director and CEO of Healthy Child, "Much like Nordic Naturals and the care they take to provide a pure product that is backed by the latest science and research, Healthy Child translates the science around environmental contaminants and empowers parents to create healthy environments where families can flourish."
Nordic Naturals' campaign "Grow, Thrive, Flourish" kicked off at Natural Products Expo West with a media breakfast featuring Sarnoff as a keynote speaker. During the morning, Nordic Naturals announced that for every bottle of Children's DHA 180 count and Baby's DHA 2 oz. sold at the show, it would donate $1 to Healthy Child. Additional fundraisers, promotions and events are planned throughout the year to celebrate the relationship between Nordic Naturals and Healthy Child and further their shared goals.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Healthy Child Healthy World began in 1992 after five-year-old Colette Chuda died of a rare form of non-hereditary cancer linked to environmental factors. Playing a leadership role in one of the most important public health and environmental movements of the 21st century, Healthy Child Healthy World today ignites the movement that empowers parents to protect children from harmful chemicals. Healthy Child Healthy World is a national, nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization headquartered in Los Angeles. For more information, please visit healthychild.org.
Alzheimer's Association Awards Largest Ever Research Grant To The Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer's Network (DIAN) For Innovative Therapy Trials
Donors Respond to the Alzheimer's Association's Call for Funding to Accelerate Discovery
The Alzheimer's Association announced today the awarding of its largest ever research grant—nearly $4.2 million dollars over four years—to the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer's Network–Therapeutic Trials Unit (DIAN-TTU), based at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, to enable the program to move forward more quickly with innovative drug and biomarker trials in people with genetically-based, young-onset Alzheimer's disease.
"The Association feels confident that by rapidly launching the DIAN-TTU, we will accelerate the scientific community's ability to answer the question of whether an earlier intervention will change the trajectory of the disease process and delay or stop Alzheimer's," said William Thies, PhD. Alzheimer's Association Chief Medical and Scientific Officer.
Thies added, "This project has the potential to dramatically accelerate the pace of discovery of treatment and prevention strategies for Alzheimer's disease. In addition, we're very pleased that an exceptional group of donors quickly responded to the Association's call for critical funding for this project, as they are committed to making strategic and impactful investments in the global Alzheimer's research field."
The Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer's Network (DIAN)
DIAN is an international network of 11 leading research centers established in 2008 by funding from the National Institute on Aging to investigate Alzheimer's disease caused by rare, dominantly inherited genetic mutations. Children of individuals who carry one of these genetic mutations have a 50-50 chance of inheriting the gene mutation, and those who do are destined to develop the disease. Mutation carriers have a young-onset version of Alzheimer's disease; symptoms typically begin in their 30s, 40s, or 50s.
DIAN now has the largest and most extensive worldwide research network investigating dominantly inherited Alzheimer's disease, and includes facilities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. DIAN is directed by John C. Morris, M.D., of Washington University School of Medicine, director of the University's Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, and former member of the Alzheimer's Association Medical & Scientific Advisory Council.
At the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2011, the DIAN team reported interim data from 150 participants showing that, in this population, measurable brain chemistry changes appear as much as 20 years before the first detectable memory and thinking impairments.
"That means we can detect the beginnings of Alzheimer's disease at least 10 years, and maybe even 20 years, before the age that their parents saw Alzheimer's symptoms and when they too would be expected to see them," Morris said.
In this group, family history predicts what age the onset of symptoms will begin, which allows for a treatment window during which to test potential therapies. According to the DIAN researchers, the results demonstrate the feasibility and promise of performing Alzheimer's prevention studies in this special population.
DIAN-TTU
The DIAN Therapeutic Trials Unit (TTU), funded by this grant of $4,172,658, will leverage the existing DIAN network to rapidly launch biomarker and prevention trials that otherwise would be difficult without the ongoing DIAN study.
"No single research center has sufficient numbers of people with dominantly inherited Alzheimer's to conduct a large enough study to generate meaningful results," said Randall Bateman, M.D., Associate Professor of Neurology at the Washington University School of Medicine and Director of the DIAN-TTU. "This underscores the value of the DIAN clinical studies."
The Alzheimer's Association grant will be used to create the infrastructure for the first ever clinical testing of experimental drug therapies within a global network of individuals who have a rare genetic form of Alzheimer's, but have not yet experienced the onset of symptoms.
"We want to prevent damage and loss of brain cells by intervening early in the disease process—even before outward symptoms are evident, because by then it may be too late," Bateman said.
The DIAN team says that the US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency—both are government agencies that regulate drug trials—have expressed support for prevention trials in this special population. Eleven compounds have been nominated by the pharmaceutical industry for use in these trials.
People from families with known gene mutations that cause Alzheimer's represent an ideal study group. For example, currently asymptomatic mutation carriers—all of whom are destined to eventually develop symptomatic Alzheimer's—can be compared with their non-carrier siblings. Such clinical trials would be transformational and without precedent in the history of global clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease.
"By studying the rare individuals who are destined to get Alzheimer's because of their genes, we can learn a great deal more about the majority of people whose Alzheimer's develops later in life as a result of complex interactions among their genes, life experiences and other factors," Thies said. "Earlier detection and treatment are crucial if we are to curb the growing epidemic of Alzheimer's disease." The Alzheimer's Association grant will enable an accelerated July 2012 launch of DIAN-TTU and:
expand the global registry of DIAN enrollees (www.alz.org/Trialmatch or www.DIANexpandedregistry.org)
direct preclinical studies to increase the chance of success of treatment trials
evaluate treatment compounds for the first studies
design and launch international biomarker and prevention trials
function as the infrastructure to manage and run DIAN trials.
According to the DIAN scientists, a six-month reduction in the treatment discovery timeline may translate into a reduction of up to 2.5 million cases of Alzheimer's. The first biomarker studies may be completed within 12-18 months from the start of the trials.
Current Status of Treatments and Testing
The currently-approved Alzheimer's drugs, while modestly helpful to many people, are less than satisfactory. They do not change the course of the disease, but provide some symptomatic relief to some people with Alzheimer's for roughly a year.
At the same time, several recent late stage Alzheimer's drug studies have shown the tested compounds to not be any different than placebo, at best. So researchers are desperately searching for more and better treatment options for people with Alzheimer's—ones that slow or stop the progression of the disease.
Up until now, experimental therapies have been studied in people with Alzheimer's dementia. The consensus in the field is a need to move treatment interventions, and thus research studies, earlier in the course of the disease to have beneficial impact.
Genetic versus Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease
The vast majority of cases of Alzheimer's disease are sporadic, late onset disease – with prevalence greatly increasing after age 65 and roughly doubling with every ten years of increasing age. Several genes have been identified that impact one's risk of getting Alzheimer's disease though exactly how much they change a person's risk is unclear. The most well established risk gene for Alzheimer's is apolipoprotein E-e4 (APOE-e4).
Genetically determined Alzheimer's is rare – occurring in less than one percent of cases. Nonetheless, many insights into sporadic Alzheimer's have been gained from investigating this special, young onset Alzheimer's population. For example, the known genes that trigger young onset Alzheimer's (amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin-1 (PS-1) and presenilin-2 (PS-2)) directly affect the processing of a protein called amyloid, virtually guaranteeing an important role for that protein in the sporadic version of the disease.
For more information about the Alzheimer’s Association, please visit alz.org.
Soy-Based S-equol Supplement Reduces Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors
A 12-week treatment of the fermented soy germ-based nutritional supplement containing S-equol significantly lowered hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), LDL cholesterol and improved vascular stiffness, all factors that occur as part of metabolic syndrome, according to a first-of-its-kind peer-reviewed study reported in a poster at the Women's Health 2012 annual meeting.
"This study is the first to provide evidence that a daily supplement of soy-based S-equol favorably change metabolic syndrome risk factors, particularly in women. Because not all individuals have the ability to produce S-equol naturally after eating soy, the study results are very interesting and warrant examination in future studies," said Belinda H. Jenks, PhD, coauthor of the study and director of Scientific Affairs & Nutrition Education at Pharmavite LLC, an US subsidiary of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., which sponsored the study. Development and ongoing research of a supplement containing S-equol is conducted by the Saga Nutraceuticals Research Institute of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
S-equol [7-hydroxy-3-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-chroman] is a compound resulting—when certain bacteria are present in the digestive tract—from the natural metabolism, or conversion, of daidzein, an isoflavone found in whole soybeans. Not everyone can produce S-equol after soy consumption, as the production depends on the types of bacteria present in the large intestine and may be influenced by the amount of soy consumed. About 50 percent of Asians and 20 to 30 percent of North Americans and Europeans, who in general consume less soy than Asians, have the ability to produce S-equol. Research indicates that Japanese women have milder menopausal symptoms in those who are S-equol producers compared to nonproducers.
Pharmavite LLC, the makers of Nature Made vitamins and minerals and a subsidiary of Otsuka, is studying the supplement for the management of menopausal symptoms. Recent controlled studies conducted with US and Japanese postmenopausal women have documented that daily consumption of S-equol supplements reduced the frequency of hot flashes as well as muscle discomfort associated with menopause, while those in Japanese postmenopausal women also showed a significant inhibition of bone loss or resorption. The new study offers additional insights into soy-based S-equol's potential benefits.
S-equol Supplement Reduces Metabolic Disease Indicators in Overweight Japanese Adults
In the new study, daily supplement doses containing 10 milligrams (mg) of S-equol significantly reduced three indicators of metabolic syndrome in 49 Japanese men and women, aged 31 to 77, who had body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more kilograms per meter squared, which is considered overweight by the World Health Organization. During the study, the participants randomly received either the S-equol supplement or a placebo for 12 weeks and then were switched to the opposite treatment for 12 weeks.
Measures of glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) all were significantly lower in the S-equol treated group compared to those in the placebo group based on changes in the indicators from the study start to the study end. Specifically, the average change in HbA1c, which reflects the average amount of the sugar glucose in a person's blood over three months, decreased significantly by -0.2 percent in the S-equol group vs. an increase of +0.1 percent in the placebo group, (p<0.05). The average change in LDL-C levels also significantly decreased by -0.2 millimole/ liter (mmol/L) with S-equol vs. compared to an increase of +0.1 mmol/L with the placebo, (p<0.01). Also, the average change in CAVI measures significantly decreased by -0.2 with S-equol vs. an increase of +0.1 with the placebo, (p<0.01). CAVI is a measure of the stiffness of walls of three arteries: the aorta and two in the lower leg.
Furthermore, favorable effects of the S-equol supplement were more prominent in the 25 women, aged 48 to 74, who were not S-equol producers after soy consumption. Their HbA1c, LDL-C and CAVI measures all were significantly lower when receiving S-equol supplements, compared to the placebo: -0.2 vs. +0.2 percent for HbA1c, -0.3 vs. +0.1 mmol/L for LDL-C and -0.3 vs. +0.2 for CAVI, (p<0.05, <0.01 and <0.01, respectively).
The complete data, which includes measurements of blood pressure, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, leptin, adiponectin and CRP, will be submitted to a peer-review journal for publication.
About S-equol
The safety of the supplement containing S-equol previously was confirmed by standard animal testing, including a study documenting that S-equol itself, as well as the supplement containing S-equol, did not increase or stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells. Studies involving postmenopausal women who consumed the supplement containing S-equol have not observed any safety problems, including analysis of breast and reproductive tissues and of hormone levels. More information about S-equol and the supplement is at naturalequol.com.
Joslin Diabetes Center Announces Appointment of Rajni Aneja, MD, as Executive Vice President
Joslin Diabetes Center, the world’s largest diabetes research and care institution and an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, today announced the appointment of Rajni Aneja, MD, MBA, CPE, as Executive Vice President.
John L. Brooks, President and CEO of Joslin Diabetes Center, made the announcement, saying, “Dr. Aneja brings a wealth of highly relevant experiences, strategic insights, practical ideas and management skills that are essential as we continue to demonstrate Joslin’s leadership on a global level. Her rich blend of clinical and business competencies will enable us to expand our capabilities as we fulfill our mission in all aspects of diabetes and diabetes prevention.”
Complications from diabetes are a leading cause in the US of heart attacks, strokes, blindness, kidney failure, blood vessel disease that may require amputation and nerve damage. While diabetes currently affects one in 10 US adults, the Centers for Disease Control forecasts that up to one in three American adults could have diabetes by 2050. Joslin is at the forefront of efforts to combat this epidemic through programs to prevent, treat and cure diabetes.
Dr. Aneja’s responsibilities will include work across all areas of Joslin to address Joslin’s numerous local, national, and global initiatives. She will be actively involved with Joslin’s partners and collaborators to create and deliver cost-effective and impactful diabetes solutions within today’s healthcare economic environment.
According to Brooks, “Dr. Aneja will be interacting with all Joslin teams to develop and deliver new diabetes treatment and prevention programs, funded with new business models, so we can enable our Joslin Inside and Joslin Everywhere strategic concepts to be utilized by our partners and collaborators to benefit patients and those at risk of diabetes across the world.”
Prior to coming to Joslin, Dr. Aneja was Chief Medical officer for WebMD health services, and in the past has held roles as the National Medical Director for Disease Management, Quality, and Standards for OptumHealth, a UnitedHealth Group company. She has been extensively involved in industry efforts to address the fundamental drivers of utilization and the quality of healthcare service delivery. She is an active contributing member of the Care Continuum Alliance (formerly the Disease Management Association of America), as well as the American College of Physician Executives.
Dr. Aneja is a certified physician executive with specialty training in family practice. She earned her medical degree from Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri, and her physician executive MBA from the University of Massachusetts.
For more information about Joslin, visit joslin.org.
Dr. Murad Names the Ten Best Inclusive Health Foods to Feel Better Every Day
Based on His Inclusive Health System, Dr. Murad Recommends Ten Foods Everyone Should Include In Their Diet
Howard Murad, MD, FAAD, founder of the Murad Inclusive Health Medical Group (MIHMG) in El Segundo, CA, and author of The Water Secret: The Cellular Breakthrough to Look and Feel 10 Years Younger, has announced his recommendations for the “ten best foods to eat” to live healthier and feel better every day.
Based on data collected from more than 50,000 patients in his medical practice, Dr. Murad has identified long and short term trends in health benefits after placing patients on a lifestyle program he calls Inclusive Health. Inclusive Health Is Dr. Murad’s three-pronged approach to optimal wellness, which combines topical and internal care with a focus on support for a sense of self.
Dr. Murad, also an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCLA, has created the Inclusive Health Program to improve his patients’ physical and emotional wellbeing. Each program is custom designed to a patient’s needs. By incorporating Inclusive Health philosophies, including adding certain healthy foods that provide essential nutrients to the daily diet, patients see and feel a wide variety of health related benefits.
After researching the wellness properties of hundreds of foods and food ingredients, and seeing the health of his patients improve when adopting these foods into their daily diets, Dr. Murad has compiled his “Best Foods for Optimal Health and Wellness” list, each a recommended addition to an Inclusive Health lifestyle. The list includes:
Goji Berries: Possibly the most nutritionally dense food on the planet, these amazing berries provide a great source of essential fatty acids, free-radical fighting antioxidants, trace minerals, B vitamins and amino acids all team together to help fight off cancer, heart disease and other illnesses.
Walnuts: Start to satisfy your daily requirement for cell-hydrating omega-3 fatty acids with a serving of walnuts that help cell membranes attract and hold water critical to rebuilding connective tissue.
Eggs: An embryonic food containing lecithin, a vital nutritional component that repairs tissues, eggs allow the body to build healthy new cells with strong cell membranes.
Pomegranates: A fantastic source of antioxidants, and possibly the world’s most prolific source of polyphenols, pomegranates also increase the protective abilities of sunscreens.
Cold Water Fish and/or Ground Flaxseeds: Excellent food sources of Essential Fatty Acids, cold water fish and ground flaxseed both have amazing hydrating abilities while also helping build strong cell membranes and attracting water to cells.
Apricots and/or Mangos: These orange fruits contain high amounts of Vitamin A, which normalizes the production and life cycle of skin cells.
Brown Rice: This excellent high fiber accompaniment to virtually any other food contains glycosaminoglycans—ideal for building up connective tissue.
Broccoli and/or Spinach: These dark green veggies are a great source of Alpha lipoic acid, a potent fat-and-water-soluble antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that helps many of the body’s systems to run more efficiently.
Pumpkin, Sunflower and Sesame Seeds: Further examples of embryonic foods, these seeds contain L-Carnitine, which transports fatty acids to cells where they are metabolized. They serve a dual purpose of fat burning and cell strengthening.
Lentils: Cholesterol-lowering, fiber-rich lentil beans provide bountiful amounts of six important minerals, two B-vitamins, and protein—all with virtually no fat.
Dr. Murad recommends these foods, but cautions that to truly experience Inclusive Health, the body requires more than just a healthy diet. In addition to eating right, he recommends taking the proper supplements and encourages exercise and getting enough sleep, as well as allowing time to develop a sense of self.
Howard Murad, M.D., FAAD is the founder and developer of Inclusive Health. Trained as a dermatologist and pharmacist, Dr. Murad, also an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCLA, has created the Inclusive Health Program to improve his patients’ physical wellbeing and sense of self. Each program is custom designed to a patient’s needs and is based on a clinically proven three-pronged approach to optimal wellness combining topical and internal care with a focus on support for sense of self. To learn more or arrange an appointment for a free Inclusive Health consultation, visit the El Segundo, California based Murad Inclusive Health Medical Group.
Exciting New Breakthrough Treatment in Joint and Connective Tissue Disorder
All-natural eggshell membrane supplement determined to relieve pain and improve flexibility, proven safe and effective
Approximately 140 million adults in the U.S. suffer from some form of joint and connective tissue (JCT) disorder with arthritis being the most prevalent. While analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been used to treat symptoms of JCT disorders, they can have detrimental side effects such as gastric, cardiac and dependency issues.
Recently, those affected by JCT disorders are turning to alternative measures, such as dietary supplements, to naturally treat their symptoms. The latest breakthrough on the market, Egcel 5 Joint Health with NEM, introduces eggshell membrane as an all-natural ingredient that effectively improves joint and connective tissue health.
Eggshell membrane is a naturally occurring source of the bioactive compounds found in joints and connective tissues. The thin layer of super-strong connective tissue is beneath every eggshell, though not part of the edible egg, and protects the egg inside the shell. By separating eggshell membrane from eggshells, the membrane can be partially hydrolyzed using a proprietary process and dry-blended to produce 100-percent pure Natural Eggshell Membrane (NEM) for consumption. NEM is an innovative dietary ingredient with all the essentials for maintaining healthy joints and connective tissues. It contains a high concentration of protein and moderate quantities of:
Glucosamine, part of joint fluid and cushioning, can help to increase the uptake of sulfur by the cartilage tissue
Chondroitin Sulfate, part of cartilage tissue, helps support the structure of joints. Chondroitin holds water and encourages nutrient flow around joints
Hyaluronic acid, an amino acid that supports lubrication in the joint tissues
Collagen, a protein responsible for skin strength and elasticity as well as maintaining blood vessel strength
The effects of NEM on knees, hips, elbows, neck, shoulders and the lower back were studied in single- and double-arm trials, evaluating range of motion (ROM) and related ROM-associated pain. In the single-arm trial, approximately one-third of the patients experienced a 30 percent or greater reduction in pain at seven days while one-third of the patients experienced a reduction in pain of 50 percent or greater at 30 days. In a double-arm trial, two-thirds of the patients experienced a 50 percent or greater reduction in pain at 30 days, while half of the patients reported being pain-free at 30 days, as well as experiencing a 50 percent improvement in flexibility.
A safe and effective treatment for pain and inflexibility, Egcel 5 Joint Health with NEM combines the powerful treatment of NEM with Boswellin, an all-natural anti-inflammatory that helps provide the maximum pain relieve possible. "It's no wonder the NEM has gained such popularity in the treatment of JCT disorders: NEM contains all the natural ingredients found in our joints," stated CEO Paul Intlekofer. "The simple act of taking a single pill replenishes those vital nutrients making Egcel 5 Joint Health with NEM more effective than anything on the market today."
Unlike many dietary supplements, Egcel 5 Joint Health with NEM is a once-daily dose shown to be nearly five times more clinically effective than glucosamine or chondroitin supplements. Egcel 5 Joint Health with NEM is the first in a series of NEM products planned for the company. Egcel 5 Joint Health with NEM is available in 30-capsule containers for a introductory retail price of $26.21. For more information visit egcel.com.
Grifols Study Suggests Repeated Plasmapheresis May Reduce "Bad" LDL Cholesterol Levels While Increasing "Good" HDL Cholesterol Levels in Some Individuals
Grifols, a global healthcare company that specializes in the production of biological medicines derived from human plasma, presented study results today suggesting that the plasmapheresis process may reduce levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol as well as total cholesterol in individuals who have high baseline levels. The study also suggests that plasmapheresis could increase levels of "good" (HDL) cholesterol among individuals with low baseline levels.
The study, involving 663 adults and 9,153 plasma samples, was designed to assess the impact of plasmapheresis on cholesterol levels in the blood. Plasmapheresis is a technique widely used to obtain blood plasma from individuals while returning their remaining blood components. Plasma obtained during plasmapheresis is used to produce life-saving medicines for patients who have rare, genetic and life-threatening illnesses.
"The results of our study suggest that plasmapheresis may reduce the levels of cholesterol, although the magnitude of the effect observed depends on the baseline levels of cholesterol and the time intervals between plasmapheresis procedures," said Dr. Marilyn Rosa-Bray, Chief Medical Officer of the Grifols Plasma Operations. "While the results are preliminary and the study should be replicated in larger populations, our data suggest that plasmapheresis might particularly benefit people with either high LDL or total cholesterol levels," said Dr. Rosa-Bray. Dr. Rosa-Bray presented the study today at the International Plasma Protein Conference (IPPC) meeting in Madrid, Spain.
Study Results
Using a statistical model known as multi-variable regression to analyze the study data, the researchers estimated that plasmapheresis could reduce the levels of low density lipoproteins (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol by more than 30 mg/dL among individuals with high levels (> 160 mg/dL) or higher than desirable levels (>130 mg/dL), when plasmapheresis procedures are performed two to four days apart. This effect was more significant in women, in whom cholesterol could be reduced by up to 35 mg/dL. A similar reduction pattern is estimated to occur in individuals with high total cholesterol levels (>240mg/dL) or higher than desirable levels (>200mg/dL), with the reductions in these cases potentially reaching 45mg/dL and 32 mg/dL, respectively.
The cholesterol-lowering effects of plasmapheresis appeared to last only as long as the procedure continued at regular intervals, with cholesterol levels gradually returning to baseline following long periods without plasmapheresis. The same pattern of reductions could be seen, although to a lesser degree, when subsequent plasmapheresis procedures were performed more than 10 days apart. Among individuals with normal baseline cholesterol levels, the study results suggested that plasmapheresis would not cause significant changes. The study results also suggest that plasmapheresis could increase the levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or "good" cholesterol in individuals who presented low baseline levels of HDL cholesterol.
Study Design
The multi-center longitudinal study was conducted in 9 plasma donor centers in the U.S., with blood analyses performed prior to plasma donations to measure initial levels of total cholesterol, HDL (high density lipoproteins), and LDL (low density lipoproteins). Plasma was collected from first-time donors or from donors who had not donated plasma for at least six months. Participants were closely monitored throughout the process and no significant adverse events were observed.
Significant variables in the study included age, gender, weight, and race; the recommended base levels of cholesterol per the American Heart Association (totals of LDL and HDL); the time interval between donations; the number of donations made by each donor, and; potential changes in lifestyle (reviewed at the time of each donation using prior questionnaires).
About plasmapheresis
Plasmapheresis is a technique used to separate plasma from the remaining blood components such as red blood cells, platelets and other cells, which are immediately injected back into the donor at the time of the donation. Returning the remaining blood components to the donor facilitates a more rapid recovery and replenishment of the blood when compared to whole blood donations. The plasmapheresis method was first reported in the scientific literature by Dr. J. A. Grifols Lucas, who presented his findings at the International Transfusion Congress held in Lisbon in 1951.
Today plasmapheresis is performed at Grifols' 147 plasma donor centers across the US. Operated under names BiomatUSA, PlasmaCare and Talecris Plasma Resources, thousands of qualified donors make more than 6.6 million donations per year—equivalent to 24,000 donations per day. Every donation is analyzed using FDA-licensed protocols to maximize the quality and safety of the plasma for use as the starting material in the production of plasma-derived therapies. Testing and analysis also enables Grifols to obtain and study important clinical and biochemical data with the donors' consent.
For more information about Grifols, please visit grifols.com.
Best Selling Author Mark Hyman, MD to Speak on Reversing “Diabesity” at Metagenics University Seminar
Seminars in New York and Los Angeles along with Simulcast to Present Clinically Tested Therapies for Managing and Preventing Heart Disease and Diabetes
Metagenics Inc, a nutrigenomics and lifestyle medicine company focused on improving health and reversing chronic illness, will present a rare opportunity for healthcare providers through its educational arm, Metagenics University: two seminars led by internationally known health expert and bestselling author of The Blood Sugar Solution Mark Hyman, MD. Dr. Hyman will discuss a whole systems approach for evaluating and treating patients to help reverse the growing problem of “diabesity”—a range of conditions that includes obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other prevalent lifestyle-related illness that affect more than one billion people worldwide. Seminar attendees will also receive a copy of The Blood Sugar Solution by Dr. Hyman, along with a DVD of the book's companion PBS special.
These two special learning events will be held on May 19 in New York and May 20 in Los Angeles. Dr. Hyman is a family physician who has dedicated his career to identifying and addressing the root causes of chronic illness. He has written four New York Times best-selling consumer publications that outline sustainable lifestyle changes to promote long-term health. Also respected within the professional community for his advocacy, this sought-after speaker is helping guide the future of patient-centered care by sharing science-based lifestyle medicine approaches that offer safer and effective clinical approaches for today's most prevalent and challenging conditions.
Joining Dr. Hyman to discuss innovative diagnostic and nutrigenomic treatment strategies will be guest speakers Bridget Briggs, MD and Deanna Minich, PhD, FACN, CNS, clinical nutritionist and Vice President of Scientific Affairs at Metagenics. Dr. Briggs, a family practitioner and lecturer specializing in integrative medicine, will discuss the growing trend of testing for genetic polymorphisms and how to design individual treatment programs to help prevent and manage cardiometabolic conditions. Dr. Minich will lead a session on modern lifestyle therapies that incorporate phytonutrients to target underlying mechanisms of chronic disease and promote healthy aging.
Objectives for the day-long seminars include helping clinicians understand:
The concept of “food as medicine” in nutritional modulation of health and disease
How phytonutrients influence healthy aging through the impact on genomic stability and metabolic flexibility
How to assess symptoms to diagnose and identify risk for diabetes and cardiovascular-related diseases
How to address unique causes of cardiometabolic issues with personalized lifestyle intervention strategies
How to apply simple nutrigenomic protocols for lifetime wellness
The May 20 event will also be available through a live simulcast.
To register for a seminar or the simulcast, visit http://www.metagenics.com/practitioners/practitioner-education/practitioners-calendar/diabesity_20120519#tabs or call 800.692.9400.
Dr. Alan Gaby to Present Nutritional Medicine Updates in a Nationwide Tour
On March 31, 2012, Nutrition Expert Dr. Alan Gaby, in partnership with Integrative Therapeutics, will begin a nationwide seminar tour focused on the review and analysis of new research on nutritional medicine.
In this highly-anticipated event, "Nutritional Medicine Update: Review and Analysis of Important New Research from a Trusted Expert," Dr. Gaby will cover today's most frequently asked questions related to nutritional medicine including: Can multivitamins increase mortality? Will lavender oil reduce anxiety levels? Is ubiquinol more effective than ubiquininone for congestive heart failure? Dr. Gaby will discuss new, effective nutritional therapies and guide practitioners on how to best apply them to their practice.
Dr. Gaby's insights into nutritional medicine have been relied upon by practitioners due to his vast research, experience & balanced analysis. In addition to authoring, and co-authoring multiple scientific papers and books, he has also served as past-president of the American Holistic Medical Association and gave expert testimony to the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine on the cost effectiveness of nutritional supplements.
"I am proud to partner with Integrative Therapeutics for this nationwide Nutritional Medicine Update tour, and am pleased to have the opportunity to provide practitioners with the latest research on the use of diet and nutritional supplements in clinical practice. My hope is that the information provided will help practitioners become more knowledgeable in the prevention and treatment of common medical conditions, and thereby improve patient outcomes," Dr. Gaby states.
This event is exclusive to healthcare professionals and will be presented in 12 cities across the United States including: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Hartford, Louisville, Portland, San Francisco, Santa Monica, Scottsdale & Seattle. Attendance is limited & early registration is encouraged. Healthcare professionals who are unable to attend one of the live seminars are invited to register for the free webinar version of the event. Naturopathic continuing education credits apply where available.
To view the complete tour schedule and to register for this event visit: http://www.integrativeinc.com/Education/Events.aspx.
For more information about Alan Gaby, MD, visit doctorgaby.com.
For more information about Integrative Therapeutics, visit integrativeinc.com.
Parkinson's Disease Stopped in Animal Model
Martin Tuchman, Chairman of the Parkinson's Unity Walk and The Parkinson Alliance, announced today that funds raised through the Parkinson's community helped support the research that led to this breakthrough.
Investigators at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA have reported the ability of a novel molecule CLRO1 (called a "molecular tweezer") to inhibit toxicity due to abnormal aggregation of a protein synuclein. Synuclein is widely believed to cause neuron death in human Parkinson's disease due to its tendency to form abnormal aggregations within neurons. he investigators found that CLRO1 both prevented and broke up a-synuclein aggregates.
The research, "A Novel 'Molecular Tweezer' Inhibitor of a-Synuclein Neurotoxicity in Vitro and in Vivo," appears in the current online edition (2012 February 29) of the journal Neurotherapeutics.
A great deal of the money raised by the Parkinson's organizations goes to fund ground breaking research; a level of pride is felt by the community that these dollars helped to fund this extraordinary and most promising research.
Dr. Robert E. Burke, Professor of Neurology and Pathology at Columbia University Medical Center and member of the Board of Directors of the Parkinson's Unity Walk, who did not participate in the research, stated: "This is a highly novel and promising approach aimed directly at a principal culprit in human Parkinson's disease, the protein synuclein."
For more information about The Parkinson Alliance, visit parkinsonalliance.org.
New Evidence Supports Positive Outcomes of Cooled Radiofrequency Therapy for Low Back Pain
Results demonstrate significant improvements with patients treated with SInergy Cooled Radiofrequency System manufactured by Kimberly-Clark Healthcare
Kimberly-Clark Health Care today announced the results of a randomized controlled trial on the use of cooled radiofrequency (RF) to treat sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain in the lower back. The results were published in the March edition of Pain Medicine, official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anesthetists, and the International Spine Intervention Society.
The study used the SInergy Cooled Radiofrequency System manufactured by Kimberly-Clark Health Care. At the three-month follow-up, those patients treated with cooled radiofrequency showed significant improvements in pain, disability and quality of life outcomes. The durability of the relief was maintained at the nine-month follow-up where 59 percent of treated subjects achieved treatment success. Cooled radiofrequency is a minimally-invasive treatment for difficult-to-treat spine anatomy. SInergy Cooled Radiofrequency System is intended to target and treat the pain-generating nerves in the lower back and buttock region that may be responsible for sacroiliac joint pain. Internally cooled, RF electrodes have been applied in pain medicine to overcome the challenges of capturing diffused or inconsistently located target structures through larger lesion formation. The treatment approach can greatly reduce low back pain and potentially even eliminate it.
Dr. Nilesh Patel of Advanced Pain Management in Green Bay, Wis., led the study which enrolled 51 patients with 34 in the treatment group and 17 in the sham group.
"Chronic sacroiliac joint pain is a debilitating and painful condition and treatment-as-usual has failed many of these patients. The trial results indicate cooled radiofrequency is a much-needed interventional treatment that offers a safe and effective option for alleviating chronic, difficult-to-treat low back pain," said lead clinical investigator Nilesh Patel, M.D. "It is significant to find that, over time, patients report less pain and discomfort and are able to resume a more active lifestyle and do the things they love. The duration and magnitude of relief with the SInergy Cooled Radiofrequency System was consistent with previous conducted studies with beneficial results extending well beyond nine months."
Approximately four out of five adults in the United States will experience chronic axial low back pain and SIJ pain accounts for between 18 and 30 percent. This number converts to Americans spending at least $50 billion each year on low back pain, making it the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading contributor to missed work.
For more information about Kimberly-Clark, visit kchealthcare.com.
Genetic Marker for Painful Food Allergy Points to Improved Diagnosis, Treatment
Researchers have identified a genetic signature for a severe, often painful food allergy—eosinophilic esophagitis—that could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment for children unable to eat a wide variety of foods.
The scientists, from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, report in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology that they have pinpointed a dysregulated microRNA signature for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a disease that also may cause weight loss, vomiting, heartburn and swallowing difficulties.
Interestingly, the dysregulated microRNA was reversible with steroid treatment, according to the study's senior investigator, Marc E. Rothenberg, MD, PhD, director of Allergy and Immunology and the Center for Eosinophilic Disorders at Cincinnati Children's. MicroRNAs are short segments of RNA that can regulate whether genetic messengers (mRNAs) are degraded or translated into protein.
"The identification of biomarkers specific to EoE is a significant advancement for both the diagnosis and treatment of the disease," explains Rothenberg. "The microRNA signature provides an opportunity for more precise analysis of esophageal biopsies."
Rothenberg said children with EoE now undergo anesthesia and invasive endoscopy to diagnose and monitor the allergy. The ability to determine the presence and status of EoE with a noninvasive method, such as blood test that measures microRNAs, would have a positive impact on individuals and families.
In the current study, investigators analyzed esophageal microRNA expression of patients with active EoE, steroid-induced EoE remission, patients with chronic (non-eosinophilic) esophagitis and of healthy individuals. Additionally, they assessed plasma microRNA expression of patients with active EoE, remission of EoE remission and of healthy individuals.
The researchers found that EoE was associated with 32 differentially regulated microRNAs and distinguishable from the non-eosinophilic forms of esophagitis (such as reflux disease). Esophageal eosinophil levels correlated significantly with expression of the most increased microRNAs, miR-21 and miR-223, and most decreased, miR-375. MiR-223 was also one of the most increased microRNAs in the plasma, along with miR-146a and miR-146b.
Notably, the expression of microRNAs dysregulated in patients with active EoE was normalized in patients with EoE who responded to steroid treatment. This suggests a significantly specific microRNA signature for disease activity points to its promise for use as a biomarker for EoE.
Only recently recognized as a distinct condition, the incidence of EoE has been increasing over the past 20 years, as have other allergies. Rothenberg and his laboratory team pioneered research showing EoE's reported incidence is estimated to be at least one in 1,000 people. Its hallmark is swelling and inflammation in the esophagus, accompanied by high levels of immune cells called eosinophils.
EoE can affect people of any age, but is more common among young men who h