tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82656105238487891272024-03-05T09:16:18.264-07:00BIOSYNTRX BLOG... science news and views from the company doctors trustEllen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-3394499577352104642011-02-14T07:04:00.001-07:002011-02-14T07:05:42.075-07:00FDA Bans Most Natural Supplements<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Is Margaret Hamburg's recent column in <i>Spooftimes.com</i> funny or beyond sad? You be the judge.<br />
<br />
"The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that they are banning 88% of all natural supplements from the market “for the good of the consumer”.<br />
<br />
“There are man made pharmaceuticals that work as well or better than many of these herbal remedies”, said FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg. “We simply want what’s right for the consumer, the insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industry!”<br />
<br />
Hamburg pointed out that Lipitor and Crestor are just as good as garlic and bee pollen at lowering bad cholesterol levels.<br />
<br />
“We can’t take garlic off the market as a flavor enhancer”, Hamburg continued. “But we don’t want them making outrageous claims, even if they’re true, about its health benefits“.<br />
<br />
Hamburg also said that the anti-arthritis mixture of Glucosamine and Chondritin will be banned from shelves as there are other arthritis treatments and pain relievers currently in development that are nearly as effective.<br />
<br />
“We have vital industries to maintain!” Hamburg insisted. “These supplements are destroying the stock market!”<br />
<br />
Hamburg said she practices what she preaches by eating fatty foods and taking cholesterol lowering medications each day."</div>Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-42356275011229779782011-02-09T13:49:00.000-07:002011-02-09T13:49:28.376-07:00Fish Oil Rises Over Multivitamins in Popularity, or Does it?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">ConsumerLabs.com reports that their survey suggests that fish oil has surpassed multivitamins in popularity.<br />
<br />
Guess again.<br />
<br />
Mainstream news sources, including the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times, have begun to rehash the survey’s results, heralding fish oil as supplanting multivitamins. <br />
<br />
What the newsfeeds fail to account for, however, is that the statistics are somewhat skewed by the poll group. The participants of the survey were only those who subscribe to ConsumerLab’s e-newsletter, and thus more likely to be frequent and multiple supplement users. The survey may not adequately represent the overall U.S. supplement consumer market.<br />
<br />
According to Nutrition Business Journal figures, fish oil sales for 2009 reached $976 million, whereas multivitamin sales commanded a colossal $4.8 billion. It’s certainly apparent that fish oil supplements are rising in popularity. Nevertheless, they are still a long way off from matching the sales of the bellwether breadwinner, multivitamins.<br />
</div>Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-88370120255921397382011-01-27T16:01:00.001-07:002011-01-27T16:02:59.691-07:00Council for Responsible Nutrition Responds to Newsweek Antioxidant Article<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Here is the link to the unfortunate article in this week's Newsweek.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d;"><a href="http://www.newsweek.com/2011/01/25/antioxidants-fall-from-grace.html#comments" title="blocked::http://www.newsweek.com/2011/01/25/antioxidants-fall-from-grace.html#comments">http://www.newsweek.com/2011/01/25/antioxidants-fall-from-grace.html#comments</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d;">Dr. Duffy MacKay's response:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">“It's unfortunate that this article provided an isolated look at the body of science surrounding antioxidants. For example, this article didn't take into account the entire body of scientific research, which included a number of studies that have shown that taking antioxidant supplements, including vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, zinc and selenium, consistently over the long-term, can play a role in reducing the risk of chronic disease. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">The article also provid</span>ed <span style="color: black;">an incomplete picture of the existing scientific evidence supporting the benefits of antioxidants, instead relying exclusively on findings from only negative or null studies, and meta-analyses that many scientists have already criticized. For example, the article </span>did<span style="color: black;"> not mention that a recent published re-analysis</span><span style="color: #1f497d;"> </span><span style="color: black;">of the same data reviewed in the 2008 Cochrane Collaboration (which the author references in her story), found that antioxidants in fact don't boost mortality risks. Nor did this article reference another recent meta-analysis citing the benefits of vitamin E. These are just two examples of scientific articles which, if included, would have provided readers with a more balanced perspective on the importance of antioxidants. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Nutrition experts agree that a diet high in fruits and vegetables promotes health and reduces the risk of chronic disease. Yet the reality is that people simply aren’t incorporating enough fruits and vegetables in their diets—and therefore may be missing many of the crucial benefits antioxidants provide—and may benefit from taking antioxidant supplements. While they shouldn’t be considered magic bullets, consumers can feel confident that, when used properly in combination with eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise, antioxidant supplements can play an important role in maintaining and promoting overall health. Studies have shown that the number one reason consumers take supplements—including antioxidant supplements—is for the overall health and wellness benefits they provide. Instead of disparaging consumers for the healthy choices they are making, we should be commending them for being proactive in their efforts towards good health.”</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">1 </span><span style="color: #1f497d;"> </span>Biesalski, HK, et al. Re-examination of a Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Antioxidant Supplementation on Mortality and Health in Randomized Trials. <i>Nutrients</i> 2010;2:929-949.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span> Abner EL, et al. Vitamin E and All-cause Mortality: A Meta-Analysis.<span class="jrnl"> <i>Curr Aging Sci</i></span><span class="src1"><i>.</i> 2011 Jan 14. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div></div>Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-15380410211398110892011-01-20T13:09:00.002-07:002011-01-21T08:33:30.276-07:00Stark Warning: Smoking Causes Genetic Damage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">In research described as "a stark warning" to those tempted to start smoking, scientists are reporting that cigarette smoke begins to cause genetic damage within minutes — not years — after inhalation into the lungs.<br />
<br />
Their report, the first human study to detail the way certain substances in tobacco cause DNA damage linked to cancer, appears in Chemical Research in Toxicology, one of 38 peer-reviewed scientific journals published by the American Chemical Society.<br />
<br />
Stephen S. Hecht, Ph.D., and colleagues point out in the report that lung cancer claims a global toll of 3,000 lives each day, largely as a result of cigarette smoking. Smoking also is linked to at least 18 other types of cancer. Evidence indicates that harmful substances in tobacco smoke termed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, are one of the culprits in causing lung cancer. Until now, however, scientists had not detailed the specific way in which the PAHs in cigarette smoke cause DNA damage in humans.<br />
<br />
The scientists added a labeled PAH, phenanthrene, to cigarettes and tracked its fate in 12 volunteers who smoked the cigarettes. They found that phenanthrene quickly forms a toxic substance in the blood known to trash DNA, causing mutations that can cause cancer. The smokers developed maximum levels of the substance in a time frame that surprised even the researchers: Just 15-30 minutes after the volunteers finished smoking. Researchers said the effect is so fast that it's equivalent to injecting the substance directly into the bloodstream.<br />
<br />
"This study is unique," writes Hecht, an internationally recognized expert on cancer-causing substances found in cigarette smoke and smokeless tobacco. "It is the first to investigate human metabolism of a PAH specifically delivered by inhalation in cigarette smoke, without interference by other sources of exposure such as air pollution or the diet. The results reported here should serve as a stark warning to those who are considering starting to smoke cigarettes," the article notes.<br />
<br />
The authors acknowledged funding from the National Cancer Institute.<br />
<br />
Smoking dramatically increases the risk of degenerative eye disease, including macular degeneration. One wonders why any thinking person would start smoking given today's knowledge.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
.</div>Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-37368148319484646492010-11-05T12:11:00.003-06:002010-11-05T12:41:06.352-06:00Another Vitamin E Meta-Analysis on Vitamin E and Stroke RiskThe British Medical Journal just published another Vitamin E study suggesting that supplemental Vitamin E increases the risk for hemorrhagic (aneurism, or bleeding in the brain) stroke. Vitamin E did not increase the risk of ischemic (thrombosis, or blood clot) stroke. This will, no doubt, alarm the public and those docs who only read headlines and don't bother to read the entire study before recommending that their patients stop taking supplemental vitamin E. <br />
<br />
Here are a few reasons to stay positive about vitamin E supplementation.<br />
<ol><li>The majority of this meta analysis data was derived from studies involving diseases on high risk patients, so the results probably are not all that relevant to the general population. </li>
<li>This analysis only looked at studies involving supplemental vitamin E alone. We know that antioxidants (and all nutrients) don't function in isolation but as part of complex networks, so the idea that a single nutrient will have potent effects is probably misplaced to begin with. </li>
<li>The study did not identify the percentage of participants who were supplementing with synthetic (dl) alpha tocopherol vitamin E vs. natural d-alpha tocopherol vitamin E. </li>
<li>Neither did the study identify the lucky subjects who were supplementing with a biochemically balanced mixture of alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocopherols and tocotrienols, which make up a natural vitamin E molecule. </li>
</ol>FYI: The meta-analysis study authors estimated that for every 1000 high risk patients exposed to supplemental vitamin E they would predict 0.8% more hemorrhagic strokes and 2.1% fewer ischemic strokes. So the benefits may actually outweigh the risks, when it come to stroke.Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-59991280976646004482010-10-29T09:00:00.006-06:002010-10-29T09:10:40.260-06:00ABC's Good Morning America Suggests Supplements No Substitute for Healthy Diet?Given that Healthy People 2010 data suggests that fewer than 11% of the U.S. population consumes even five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, the October 29 ABC news special suggesting that supplements are not necessary seems beyond irresponsible (the new fruit and vegetable serving intake recommendation is now 9-13 servings a day to reach RDAs of most nutrients. Nutrient-emply high-calorie junk food has become the norm for a large percentage of the population and nutritional deficiencies that lead to degenerative disease have become common. <br />
<br />
<strong><em>October 29, 2010 Response From the Council for Responsible Nutrition:</em></strong><strong><br />
</strong><em>Consumers should strive to get their nutrients from eating a healthy diet; however, realistically a large percentage of the population is not getting what they need from food alone. While dietary supplements should not replace a healthy diet, consumers need practical options for getting nutrients, and dietary supplements are a convenient, affordable choice for those consumers who want to ensure their nutritional bases are covered. We need to stop thinking of food and supplements as an either/or situation—they work hand in hand. We encourage consumers to take supplements in combination with other healthy habits, including a well-balanced diet, regular exercise and routine visits with a healthcare professional. More than 150 million Americans take dietary supplements each year—including multivitamins, fish oil, vitamin D, and others—as an insurance policy for good health. </em><br />
<br />
Ellen Troyer, MT MA<br />
Biosyntrx CEO / Chief Research Officer<br />
Voting Member, Council for Responsible NutritionEllen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-34210062406942647612010-10-14T12:52:00.002-06:002010-10-14T13:14:12.115-06:00The Lost Art of the Apology<i>This interesting article was written by Judy Blatman for the Council for Responsible Nutrition blog. It speaks to the large amount of misinformation in today's press. </i><br />
<br />
"There was a time when the press waited for facts to come to light before filing stories or broadcasting accusatory pieces. Those were the days when newsrooms were fat with budgets, and reporters would meet you for a burger and a scotch to get to know you and your industry. There were even fact checkers.<br />
<br />
I’m not saying those things don’t exist today—but let’s face it, the network big budgets are gone—and broadcast bureaus and accompanying correspondents have been sliced from their jobs like the meat off the turkey carcass on Thanksgiving. Often there’s very little, if any, time to think about a story before it airs—as producers and editors are held hostage to getting the story out before their competitors. That was tough enough when the competition was two other networks. Now, everyone is the competition—and getting it out first means living on an endless news cycle.<br />
<br />
But still there are people responsible for getting things right. That’s what made it even more frustrating to have watched a couple of weeks ago as the story of the hospitalized high school athletes in Oregon unfolded.<br />
<br />
Since all the info I have about the story comes from the press, I’m not completely sure how these athletes ended up with compartment syndrome, or who used the word “creatine” first, but I know what wasn’t known. Which is that at the time the story was reported, there was no proof that creatine was involved. But that didn’t stop a well-respected local doctor or the press from making noise that the supplement industry was unregulated or that creatine was likely involved.<br />
<br />
Worst of all, it didn’t stop ABC News from airing a story that was at best, choppy and sloppily slapped together to fit that evening’s “scary story” slot (or at least that’s how it appeared to me) with just enough innuendo to indict creatine without actually showing any relationship between the incident and the supplement. A story that was craftily produced to be difficult to criticize (or sue) on a factual basis, but edited in such a way that one could easily conclude that creatine was evil. It was supposition at its best—or worst. And not at the level of journalism that I would expect from the network news.<br />
<br />
To compound matters, as the story unfolded, it became even more evident that creatine was not involved (although I’m not sure that even now, all the facts have been collected). But here’s the thing about creatine and this story—first, the athletes weren’t taking any, and second, there doesn’t appear to be a scientific connection to creatine and compartment syndrome—the ailment that caused the hospitalization. So you think that at the very least ABC News would remove their story from the website? Or even respond to our email asking for the story to be taken down. Maybe the local doctor would write us back answering the email sent scientist to scientist—suggesting some of his “facts” were not? Or that we might have heard back from at least one of any of the number of print reporters we reached out to—asking them to make corrections to their characterization of supplement industry regulation or urging them to talk to an academic researcher about creatine and compartment syndrome. Nope. Apparently, in the era of a 24/7 news cycle, admitting you may have rushed to judgment or issuing a mea culpa is apparently a lost art.<br />
<br />
So, if I’m being honest, I should probably concede that it is possible that the people we reached out to didn’t get our emails—perhaps the notes are stuck in junk mail folders, or we had outdated email addresses. But you know what…why should I bother to check the facts—if they don’t tie in to my story."<br />
<br />
The good news is that the Council for Responsible Nutrition does check facts, and they require that member companies check their facts, as well. <br />
<br />
Ellen Troyer, MT MA<br />
Biosyntrx CEO / Chief Research Officer<br />
Voting Member - Council for Responsible NutritionEllen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-27377143507640778742010-05-06T15:05:00.001-06:002010-05-06T15:07:47.248-06:00Interesting views on a Sensitive Subject <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: black;">Wall Street, the Downfall of the Economy, and Dietary Supplements?</span></strong> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">By Steve Mister and Mike Greene</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As the U.S. Senate takes up the issue of financial regulatory reform this week, rumors are</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">spreading that it includes a little-known provision that would spell the end of the dietary</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">supplement industry as we know it. Several grassroots consumer organizations have</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">even launched a campaign urging consumers to write to their members of Congress and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">oppose the bill on that basis, claiming that a possible amendment to the bill that would</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">provide the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with more authority is really a secret plot</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">by Chairman Waxman to undermine DSHEA. The problem is: this claim is not truthful,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">it’s misleading and it’s not substantiated by the evidence. If it were a dietary supplement</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">advertisement, this propaganda would be illegal.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">However, just like many impermissible advertising claims, there is a nugget of truth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">buried in all the hyperbole. And that truth could have negative consequences for dietary</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">supplement advertising and a host of other consumer products that are regulated by the</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">FTC. The tricky part is separating the truth from the fiction. So here is what we know to</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">be true:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">• This week, the Senate is holding floor debate on S 3217, the Restoring American</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Financial Stability Act—which is intended to provide reform of the nation’s</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">regulation of financial institutions. The bill creates a new federal Consumer Financial</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Protection Agency (CFPA) with this mission, which incidentally, will remove FTC’s</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">oversight of financial products and services and give it to the new CFPA.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">• The House version of the legislation, HR 4173, was passed by the House of</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Representatives back in December. It includes a provision that would offset the</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">FTC’s reduced authority over financial products with expanded rulemaking authority.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Currently, the FTC may not issue formal rulemaking without getting prior approval</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">from Congress to conduct such rulemaking. Other agencies with narrower</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">substantive mandates (like FDA and EPA) have this authority to issue substantive</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">rulemaking. The FTC used to have it, but after expansive misuse of that power in the</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1970s, it was removed from the FTC.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">• The House version of the bill was managed by Financial Services Committee</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Chairman Barney Frank. Certain provisions were managed on the House floor during</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">debate by the Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman (and long-time industry</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">critic) Henry Waxman. That does not mean that Congressman Waxman is the source</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">of this provision.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">• The provision is detrimental to dietary supplements along with a whole host of other</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">industries that make or market consumer products that are under the jurisdiction of</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">the FTC. It would give the FTC unfettered ability to make substantive rules</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">governing the marketing of these products without strict Congressional oversight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">History demonstrates that an FTC with broad jurisdiction and substantive rulemaking</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">authority can run amok.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">• One need only look at recent FTC activity under its existing powers to see examples</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">of an agency that would like to increase the level of support required for consumer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">advertising (new standards for testimonials, a requirement for product-specific</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">clinical trials, disclosure of financial support for research, etc.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">• There is speculation that Senator Rockefeller may offer the same amendment to the</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Senate version of the bill. CRN, along with over 40 other trade associations</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">representing a broad swath of consumer industries have opposed the provision and are</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">urging Senator Rockefeller not to offer the language to the Senate bill.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Those are the facts. Granting the FTC new authority across broad sectors of the American</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">economy is not a necessary or relevant response to the causes of the recent recession. The</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">financial troubles of the past year have not been laid at the FTC’s doorstep, and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">provisions to expand the Commission’s authority are out of place in legislation to reform</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">the financial system. CRN and other like-minded business groups believe that these</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">FTC-related issues deserve their own due consideration and debate in the more</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">appropriate context of an FTC reauthorization, as has been done in the past. In that</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">context, we could lay out the reasons for our opposition and be sure the concerns are</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">properly considered.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Unfortunately, the effort to prevent this amendment has led to much misinformation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Blogs and websites are perpetuating rumors that ultimately discredit the industry’s</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">legitimate concerns and undermine the credibility and goodwill that industry has built as</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">a reliable source of information. For example:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">o The amendment specifically targets the dietary supplement industry – This is not</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">true. Nowhere in the amendment are dietary supplements singled out for</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">disparate treatment. Although the FTC’s history of interest in supplements likely</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">means that expanded authority would lead to expanded interest in supplements,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">the provision addresses all of the FTC’s jurisdiction.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">o The amendment is a sneak attack by Congressman Waxman – Again, not true.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There is nothing that suggests Senator Rockefeller is being influenced by</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Congressman Waxman. Moreover, there is nothing in the House debate that</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">indicates that he—as opposed to Congressman Frank—was the original source of</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">the language. This is a case of identifying an industry critic with the cause to</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">misrepresent this as a plot against supplements.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">o A prosecution by the FTC means “secret FTC courts,” a presumption of guilt and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">criminal penalties. Merely telling the truth can still get an advertiser thrown in</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">jail – Do we really need to respond to this one? Administrative law judges</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">adjudicate FTC proceedings, all of which are appealable to the District court, and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">provide due process protections to the litigants. In fact, a recent decision</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">completely dismissed the FTC’s case, holding that the advertiser’s support for its</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">supplement ad was sufficient, even where there was conflicting data about the</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">efficacy of the product.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">o This amendment is the end of the dietary supplement marketplace; it will take</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">your vitamins away from you – C’mon, how many times will we try this</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">exaggerated claim before consumers realize we are just “crying wolf”? Yes, the</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">expanded FTC authority could make it more difficult to craft advertising to our</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">consumers, but it is hardly the end of the industry. Overplaying our hand makes it</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">hard to be taken serious when a real threat (like the McCain bill) does arise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It is up to industry and consumers to correct this misinformation as quickly as possible</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">before any further damage is done to the credibility of mainstream, responsible dietary</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">supplement industry and the propaganda being circulated makes us all look paranoid and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">irresponsible.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>Steve Mister and Mike Green, both employees of the Council for Responsible Nutrition, clearly stated that this article represents their opinions and does not necessarily reflect the views of CRN or an official position of the association. </em></span>Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-24550368494258900342010-04-16T07:11:00.001-06:002010-04-16T07:26:56.798-06:00The Empowered PatientMore and more people who live with chronic conditions are becoming actively involved in high-stake health care decisions. Professor James Burroughs of the University of Virginia designed a brilliant survey to identify traits and habits of people who feel empowered to take a lead role in managing his or her health care.<br />
<br />
The questions included:<br />
<ul><li>Relationships with doctors</li>
<li>Treatment history</li>
<li>Social habits</li>
<li>Need for cognition</li>
<li>Self-confidence</li>
<li>Media preferences</li>
</ul>The survey suggests that people who take a direct role in managing their treatment plan have several traits that other more traditional patients lack. The survey also discovered what factors don't influence the chances of a person being an empowered patient. 30 percent of the survey was identified as Empowered Patients.<br />
<br />
This group likes situations that require a lot of thinking and they like the challenge of solving a problem. These patients were more likely to have a strong sense of self-efficacy, meaning that they were confident in their ability to accomplish almost anything if they decide to do it. <br />
<br />
Interestingly, education, income, source of health insurance had almost no effect!<br />
<br />
<strong>Empowered patients are leading the way online</strong><br />
<br />
When asked about personal experiences or seeking out other patients' stories, empowered patients were much more likely to be doing both of these things. They take a more active role online that traditional patients do. Their tendency to be on the early edge of the social networking curve was much stronger than traditional patients. Empowered patients preferred a combination of printed patient education materials and brand.com web sites over television and magazine ads. They did not appreciate being talked down to. <br />
<br />
Empowered patients still rely on traditional medical authorities to help improve their health, but they're not willing to cede all control. <br />
<br />
The obvious question: can the other 70 percent be motivated or influenced to become empowered patients?<br />
<br />
Dr. Burroughs and his team of researchers found that 50 percent of the the survey group had many of the same tendencies and personality traits as the empowered patients who fell into the 30 percent group. They could be influenced by appealing to their need to be addressed in a direct, straightforward manner, as opposed to a patronizing approach. This group is likely to be swayed by social appeals from empowered patients. <br />
<br />
<strong>Empowered patients have the potential to be influencers and affect the opinions of traditional patients. </strong><br />
<br />
The 20% group did not share any qualities with the other two groups and the researchers suggested it unlikely that they could become motivated to become empowered patients.<br />
<br />
Given the lack of available health care dollars now and in the future, it should be the goal of government and industry to empower as many patients as possible. Empowered people take more personal responsibility for their healthcare and understand that lifestyle decisions matter.<br />
<br />
Addendum: While writing this blog piece I kept thinking about Dan Roberts <a href="http://www.mdsupport.org/">http://www.mdsupport.org/</a> community of empowered AMD patients. Kudos again to Dan for all he has done to help worldwide AMD patients become more empowered. And Major Kudos to the mdsupport community members who have or will become Empowered Patients.Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-77692904935799929172010-03-14T11:56:00.013-06:002010-03-15T07:22:53.364-06:00Advance Info From Healthy People 2010Health & Human Services establish health and disease prevention goals every decade in a program called the <em>Healthy People Project</em>. Although the next report isn't due until 2011; early reports suggest that the Healthy People Project goals are down 41 percent from the last decade. <br />
<br />
In the area of nutrition, the percentage of people consuming the recommended servings of vegetables and grains per day has ranged from 4 to 11 percent during the past 9 years, well short of the 2010 50 percent target. In 2000, 25 percent of the population was obese. The HHS goal was to lower that number to 15 percent by 2010. The report suggests that the number of obese US citizens has actually increased to 34 percent.<br />
<br />
Given that excess weight and improper nutrition increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancers, diabetes and eye disease, just to name a few, our government disease prevention messages don't seem to be getting to the public, or a large portion of the medical community. <br />
<br />
It doesn't help when doctors refuse to discuss weight issues with their patients because it's uncomfortable for the doctor. Nor, does it help when doctors tell their patients that they can get all the nutrients they need from their diets, since over 90 percent of the patients they see in their practices are nutrient deficient, 34 percent are obese and 65 percent are overweight - if the HHS numbers are right.<br />
<br />
Adequate nutrition has, sadly, become a major societal and economic issue. High-profit, nutrient-empty high-calorie junk food, which is more often than not subsidized by our government, is relatively inexpensive and the most, or only food affordable to a large percentage of our population who have families to feed on low incomes. <br />
<br />
The enormous healthcare costs associated with low-cost, nutrient-deficient fast and center-of-the-supermarket food should concern the tax paying public, and certainly the mainstream medical profession.Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-10407184007612314772010-01-06T07:40:00.000-07:002010-01-06T07:40:39.827-07:00Eye-Care-Focused Nutritional Biotechnology Company Reformulates Flagship Multiple: Macula Complete -- COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ --<a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eye-care-focused-nutritional-biotechnology-company-reformulates-flagship-multiple-macula-complete-80788562.html">Eye-Care-Focused Nutritional Biotechnology Company Reformulates Flagship Multiple: Macula Complete -- COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ --</a>Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-24996865634326069452009-12-21T11:52:00.000-07:002009-12-21T11:52:13.981-07:00Men for All SeasonsWe agree with <em>The Scientists.com</em> - one individual stands out as the most accomplished scientists of 2009. <br />
<br />
Unless you have been living under a rock this year, you probably know that Francis Collins, MD, PhD, was appointed director of the National Institutes of Health in August. <br />
<br />
The geneticist accepted the position after 15 years at the helm of the National Human Genome Research Institute, during which time he helped finish the Human Genome Project ahead of schedule and under budget. Since taking control of the NIH, Collins has been pushing an agenda focused on personalized medicine and stem cell research, backing the efforts by approving 40 new human embryonic stem cell lines as eligible for federal funding. Dr. Collins has also found time to be a much more public figure than previous NIH directors, taking time out to rock with Aerosmith's Joe Perry and joke around with Stephen Colbert. <br />
<br />
While directing the National Human Genome Research Institute, he formed a rock band called 'The Directors" with other NIH scientists. They frequently dueled with a rock band from Johns Hopkins University, led by esteemed cancer researcher Bert Vogelstein who once said, "Anyone who likes to play with toys has got to like science because scientists have the world's best toys."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Bart Gordon comes in as a close second in our opinion.<br />
<br />
As Chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology, the 13th term Democrat from Tennessee played a key role in ensuring science got a major boost from stimulus funding. <br />
<br />
Bart Gordon also authored bills to further nanotechnology research and commercialization (H.R. 554, passed February 11), require that the President create a national water strategy (H.R. 1145, passed April 23), and improve science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education programs (H.R. 1709, passed June 8). <br />
<br />
Gordon also helped allocate $400 million in stimulus funding to start the Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency -- Energy, which funds high risk, high reward energy research. Although the Congressman announced he won't be running for re-election next year, science sure was lucky to have him around in 2009.Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-31291077688414090402009-11-24T12:49:00.003-07:002009-11-24T15:44:20.947-07:00Darwin's MinstrelThe on-line Life Sciences Magazine called <em>The Scientist</em> posted an interesting piece to honor the November 24, 2009 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin's seminal work, <em>On the Origin of Species. </em><br />
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<em>"</em>Survival of the fittest does not mean survival of the strongest, but survival of those that best fit their environment, " says Brett Keyser, who co-wrote <em>Darwinii,</em> a play that focuses on big ideas, including natural selection, sexual selection, adaptation, and the struggle for survival. <br />
<br />
View a delightful Brett Keyser video at this link <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy0GzVD8Ldw">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy0GzVD8Ldw</a><br />
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Keyser also has been quoted as saying, "Darwin work added to our understanding of the world. He showed us that nature is always a delicate balance, which is important for our current understanding of how the decisions we make now can change our environment. "<br />
<br />
Big Ideas, Art and Science: perfect entertainment for the 2010 Aspen Ideas Festival.<br />
<br />
Ellen Troyer, MT MA<br />
Biosyntrx CEO<br />
Chief Research OfficerEllen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-50676074117056311122009-10-16T08:51:00.001-06:002009-10-16T09:44:36.765-06:00Eye MemoryA new study published in the journal <em>Neuron </em>suggests that eye movements pick the right answers in memory tests, even when the brain doesn't. <br />
<br />
Apparently, eye movements correspond to activity in the hippocampus, one of the most important learning and memory centers in the brain. Eye movements are now suggested to reveal unconscious memories. <br />
<br />
Two researchers showed volunteers in a functional MRI scanner pictures of 3 faces paired with 50 photos of outdoor scenes. The volunteers were then asked to choose which face had been matched with which landscape scene. When the scene was shown, activity in the hippocampus increased, followed 500 to 750 milliseconds later by eye movements directed toward the correct face, even if the volunteer had clearly chosen a different face.<br />
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Eye movements may become a new way of helping scientists understand how much people who are unable to talk and patients with dementia or schizophrenia remember. People with these disorders may remember far more than they are able to say. <br />
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Bottom line: keep your eyes and brain healthy.Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-1093184857470230322009-10-07T17:01:00.000-06:002009-10-07T17:01:16.875-06:00Buy Supplements From Reputable CompaniesWASHINGTON, D.C., October 7, 2009 — In response to a “Perspective” article published on-line today by the New England Journal of Medicine, which discusses the regulatory status of dietary supplements, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the leading trade association representing the dietary supplement industry, issued the following statement by Andrew Shao, Ph.D., vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs, CRN: <br />
<br />
“We question how a perspective article about the regulatory status of dietary supplements was accepted for publication in a leading scientific journal, yet facts were not checked. This article contains numerous errors, omissions or misinterpretations with regard to the regulation of dietary supplements, including the misstatement of how botanical supplements were regulated prior to the passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). The author may be a credible doctor, but his expertise in understanding the practicalities of the regulatory framework for dietary supplements is questionable. <br />
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Contrary to what has become an urban myth, DSHEA did not lessen the oversight of dietary supplements—in fact, DSHEA actually provided the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with new enforcement authority not previously available. For example, DSHEA provided FDA with additional authority to remove adulterated or unsafe supplement products from the market. Further, DSHEA gave FDA authority to issue good manufacturing practices (GMPs) specific to dietary supplements to help ensure the quality and safety of dietary supplements, a critical component of dietary supplement regulation, conspicuously absent from this article. It is already against the law to manufacture and market adulterated or contaminated dietary supplements. <br />
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The author chooses to focus on select isolated examples of incidents, as if they were representative of the industry as a whole and fails to place the information into any kind of context. In the first full year that mandatory reporting of serious adverse events was in existence, FDA received only 1,080 total adverse event reports, 672 of which were considered serious. For context, these numbers are minute in comparison to the hundreds of thousands of adverse event reports FDA receives each year for other regulated products such drugs, biologics and medical devices. The overwhelming majority of dietary supplements are safe and well-made and consumers value the benefits these products can provide. <br />
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The problems presented by outliers are not isolated to dietary supplements. Like any regulated industry, there are unscrupulous manufacturers that don’t follow the law—but that is not the fault of the law itself nor of responsible manufacturers and changing the law will not deter rogue companies from breaking the law. What is needed are more resources for both FDA and FTC to step up enforcement efforts. The best bet for consumers is to learn as much as they can about the companies from which they plan to purchase supplement products. Stay away from companies making product claims that purport to cure diseases or promise magic bullet results; focus on companies with good reputations, well-known brands, or third-party certifications; and discuss with your physician or other healthcare professional what products or companies he or she recommends. More than 150 million Americans take dietary supplements each year as part of their healthy lifestyle.” <br />
<br />
###<br />
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I post this as a voting member of the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973, is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing dietary supplement manufacturers and ingredient suppliers. In addition to complying with a host of federal and state regulations governing dietary supplements in the areas of manufacturing, marketing, quality control and safety, our 70+ manufacturer and supplier members also agree to adhere to additional voluntary guidelines as well as CRN’s Code of Ethics. Visit www.crnusa.org.Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-13078904074316096272009-09-30T17:16:00.009-06:002009-10-02T07:24:02.631-06:00How Much Fish OilThe American Heart Association (AHA) Summary of Recommendations for Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake as of May 7, 2009. <br />
<br />
<strong>Population </strong><br />
Patients without documented coronary heart disease (CHD)<br />
<strong>AHA Recommendation: </strong><br />
<em>Eat a variety of fatty fish at least twice a week. </em><br />
<br />
<strong>Population </strong><br />
Patients with documented CHD<br />
<strong>AHA Recommendation:</strong><br />
<em>Consume about 1 gram of EPA+DHA per day, preferably from fatty fish.</em><br />
<br />
<strong>Population</strong> <br />
Patients who need to lower triglycerides <br />
<strong>AHA Recommendation:</strong><br />
<em>2 to 4 grams of EPA +DHA per day, provided as fish oil capsules and always under physician care. </em><br />
<br />
The AHA report suggest that patients taking more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids from capsules can be at increased risk of internal bleeding and suppressed immune system. <br />
<br />
<strong>What do epidemiological and observational studies show?</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>The Good News:</strong> Epidemiologic and clinical trials have shown that omega-3 fatty acids reduce CVC incidence. Large-scale epidemiologic studies suggest that people at risk for coronary heart disease benefit from consuming omega-3 fatty acids from plants and marine sources. <br />
<br />
However, the ideal amount to take isn't clear, and neither the AHA or the Institute of Medicine recommend more than 500 mg per day (3,500 mg per week) for disease prevention. Evidence from a few prospective secondary prevention studies suggest that taking 2 grams of EPA / DHA per day (fatty fish or supplements) reduces deaths from heart disease. Other retrospective studies suggest not. <br />
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Fish Oil is the largest selling product in the supplement industry and agressive marketers are not shy about recommending 2 or more grams of EPA/DHA a day for disease prevention. The American Heart Association clearly recommends physician care for those taking over 3 grams of Omega-3 EPA /DHA on a daily basis.<br />
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We at Biosyntrx strongly support fish consumption and fish oil supplementation, but it is not the be-all-end-all magic bullet that some suggest. Excessive amounts of supplemental fish oil may inhibit the body's ability to mount a lifesaving inflammatory response if needed.<br />
<br />
Good health and certainly eye health is dependent on adequate consumption of the the full-spectrum of nutrients including fatty acids, portion and weight control, shades when in the sun, committment to regular exercise and loving friend and family relationships.Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-39580322457118968002009-09-17T17:37:00.003-06:002009-09-17T18:04:37.698-06:00Omega-6 Fatty Acid JobsDietary Omega-6 fatty acid is responsible for the bodies ability to mount a lifesaving inflammatory response when needed. This includes spiking a fever to kill off bacterial and viral infections, swelling to protect bones, and clotting to prevent us from bleeding to death.<br />
<br />
Biologist have now discovered that the smell of death or injury that repels living beings has been identified as Omega-6 linoleic acid. A biology professor at McMaster University, David Rollo, found that corpses all emit the same death stench produced by this fatty acid. <br />
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Dr. Rollo suggests that recognizing and avoiding the dead could reduce the chances of catching the disease, or allow you to get away with just enough exposure to activate your inate immunity. <br />
<br />
He also suggests that linoleic acid is reliable and quickly released from cells following death. Evolution appears to have favoured such clues because they were reliable associated with demise, and avoiding contagion and predation are rather critical to survival. <br />
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I am always in awe of the the brilliant way the body uses nutrients.Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-75139077026872332022009-09-16T17:48:00.002-06:002009-09-16T18:00:03.081-06:00Grand Junction CO & Health ReformGrand Junction Colorado's health care system is often sited as excellent and one to be envied. <br /><br />The system excels because of extraordinary collaboration. This did not occur at random or in a vacuum. Effective collaboration results from the tenacious commitment of its key players to a shared vision of community performance, realized through incentives, information sharing, and appreciation of distinct comparative advantages. Many lessons of the Grand Junction experience should inform the national health reform debate.<br /><br /><strong>Lesson #1:<br /></strong>Vision and incentives are essential to an operational sense of community. Grand Junction’s leaders view their own self-interest and the community’s interests as congruent.<br /><br /><strong>Lesson #2: </strong><br />Information systems and data sharing are essential for collaboration and trust. The electronic records system and the interoperability enable evidence-based collaboration on complex and high-cost cases, across institutions and among clinicians.<br /><br /><strong>Lesson #3: </strong><br />Complementary institutions pursuing their comparative advantages facilitate collaboration. Grand Junction’s providers allow specialized complements to focus on specific populations to ensure that all residents get the right care at the right time.<br /><br /><strong>Lesson #4: </strong><br />Primary care is the core of any high performance health system. Throughout a patient’s life, primary care physicians in Grand Junction are involved in all levels of treatment. Continuity and collaboration between primary care physicians, specialists, and other members of care teams leads to higher-quality care, better outcomes, and lower costs. Most importantly, team-based care refocuses the delivery system on the patient, not on the provider.<br /><br />I am happy to provide a PDF of an article called <em>Grand Junction, Colorado: A Health Community That Works </em>to all interested readers. The authors are Len Nichols, Micah Weinberg and Julie Barnes.Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-30074515200182264152009-09-08T17:01:00.012-06:002009-09-09T06:43:51.547-06:00The Healthcare WarEvery time I start to semiseriously consider just giving up on today's nasty partisan politics, a favorite writer will force me to take a deep breath, have a good laugh, and in this case - listen to some great music.<br /><br />Here is San Francisco writer, Sam Barry's September 8 column. Sam is Dr. Betty Kamen's son-in-law. Dr. Kamen is an esteemed member of the Biosyntrx Scientific Advisory Board.<br /><br />"We are fast approaching the time when we, as a nation—and here I am referring to the United States, not Denmark—must make a decision regarding the healthcare system. Broadly speaking, there are two positions on the healthcare crisis, which can be characterized as follows:<br /><br /><strong>Position 1:</strong> Everyone should have healthcare. This should be a national priority. If you think otherwise you are an evil, greedy corporate lobbyist for Big Pharma, the insurance industry, or the AMA, or an insane member of the gun-toting Christian right-wing Republican conspiracy, located somewhere east of Berkeley and west of the Hudson River, probably in Texas or Colorado Springs.<br /><br /><strong>Position 2:</strong> Healthcare is for sissies. I have a good job and I have healthcare because I earned it. Later, when I am older, I will have Medicare, which I also earned. Screw the rest of you, except for my loved ones, who deserve nothing but the best because I have family values. People who think differently than me are, in a word, Commies.<br /><br />As you can see, these two positions are fairly far apart. As I see it, we can all either sit down at the negotiating table and hammer out an agreement that serves the best interests of the nation and its citizenry, or we can grab our weapons, get behind some barricades, and start shooting.<br /><br />The last time we did this in the United States (the shooting that is)—if you exclude minor incidents like the pitched battles at recent congressional town hall meetings—was during the Civil War. While I am not suggesting we have another civil war over the healthcare crisis, it would solve a couple of problems: one side or the other would win, ending the debate; the economy would get a kick start; many National Guard troops would get to come home from Iraq and Afghanistan to fight Americans right here in America; and there would be some good songs written, which we could all then learn to play on the harmonica. Win, win, win all around<em>."</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Thank you Sam, for bringing some much-needed humor to the healthcare issue. As promised, here is a link of you playing two of my favorite tunes. <a href="http://www.redroom.com/video/sam-barry-and-todd-swenson-play-theme-black-orpheus-manh%C3%A3-de-carnaval-and-the-way-you-look-ton">http://www.redroom.com/video/sam-barry-and-todd-swenson-play-theme-black-orpheus-manh%C3%A3-de-carnaval-and-the-way-you-look-ton</a></em>Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-70178850298345376042009-08-21T12:37:00.005-06:002009-08-23T09:04:35.753-06:00Annals of Surgery Abstract on Healthcare Reform<strong>Abstract:</strong> The United States has the most expensive and complex healthcare system in the world. Despite the magnitude of funds spent on the system, Americans do not achieve the high standards of health seen in other developed countries.<br /><br />The current model of health insurance has failed to deliver efficient and effective healthcare. The administrative costs and lack of buying power that arise out of the existing multipayer system are at the root of the problem. The current system also directly contributes to the rising number of uninsured and underinsured Americans.<br /><br />This lack of insurance leads to poorer health outcomes, and a significant amount of money is lost into the system by paying for these complications. Experience from other countries suggests that tangible improvements can occur with conversion to a single-payer system. However, previous efforts at reform have stalled.<br /><br />There are many myths commonly held true by both patients and physicians. This inscrutability of the US healthcare system may be the major deterrent to its improvement. A discussion of these myths can lead to increased awareness of the inequality of our healthcare system and the possibilities for improvement.<br /><br />Sarpel U, Vladeck G, Divina C: Klotman P. Fact and Fiction: Debunking Myths in the US Healthcare System <em>Annals of Surgery</em>: April 2008 - volume 247-Issue 4 - PP 563-569Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-2199131307902313942009-08-07T08:26:00.002-06:002009-08-07T08:29:07.410-06:00Statins for Age-related Macular DegenerationThis Cochrane review published on July, 17, 2009, identified one completed and one ongoing randomized controlled trial.<br /><br />Of the completed trial, in which 30 patients received either 20 mg simvastatin or a placebo daily for a period of three months, the analyses did not show a statistically significant difference in visual acuity at completion of study treatment or 45 days after the completion of study treatment.<br /><br />Of the ongoing trial, the preliminary analyses after 12 months of treatment did not show a statistically significant difference between 40 mg simvastatin daily and placebo in visual acuity, drusen score or visual function. Due to the small size of the completed trial and the short duration of the treatment and follow–up period, no conclusion regarding the effects of statins on the onset or progression of AMD can be made at this time. The authors will update this review as data from the ongoing trial become available.Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-32283416496067947402009-07-31T09:49:00.006-06:002009-07-31T10:07:47.921-06:00Balanced Immune Health<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguhiTfDGtuLIqBcsFqQ_uj5P4zUHx9gAAUN2w80QGtj65Ce7HT-zX7zfsgBjbMgzd-N40tvH3QVdd_lhHf-9F4mWPrjuL_Td53pFhElqlW4XejLBbFgERZxl7Jmv5mhBHJPkw1IvYIvA/s1600-h/flu.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364655128255057730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 146px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguhiTfDGtuLIqBcsFqQ_uj5P4zUHx9gAAUN2w80QGtj65Ce7HT-zX7zfsgBjbMgzd-N40tvH3QVdd_lhHf-9F4mWPrjuL_Td53pFhElqlW4XejLBbFgERZxl7Jmv5mhBHJPkw1IvYIvA/s200/flu.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div>Experts are warning that the 2009 fall/winter season could be a miserable one from a public health standpoint. Therefore, we strongly recommend that our Friday Pearl readers subscribe to this blog. <a href="http://www.balancedimmunehealth.com/">http://www.balancedimmunehealth.com/</a> </div><br /><div>These folks clearly understand the importance of maintaining a properly balanced immune system, so that our killer cells instantly kill when they need to, and our suppressor cells know when to call off the attack dog cells when an aggressive immune response is no longer needed. Over-reactive immune response can be responsible for cytokine storms that are particularly dangerous for our lungs when it comes to flu bugs. </div><div></div><div>Have a great weekend.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-35287067563773707412009-07-02T09:23:00.004-06:002009-07-02T09:32:45.307-06:00Aspen Ideas FestivalThis short Brian Greene video from this week's Aspen Ideas Festival is not to be missed by those of you who love science and those of you who weren't properly introduced to the joy of the subject.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.aifestival.org/audio-video-library.php?menu=3&title=315&action=full_info">http://www.aifestival.org/audio-video-library.php?menu=3&title=315&action=full_info</a><br /><br />Brian Greene is the author of <em>The Elegant Universe</em>, <em>Icarus at the Edge of Time</em> and The <em>Fabric of the Cosmos</em>. He is a full professor at Columbia University.Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-55945341885052907442009-06-22T14:41:00.005-06:002009-06-22T15:11:19.593-06:00Selenium "Highly Unlikely" to Reduce Prostate Cancer Risk<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNqzuof4Dh9rJHEEncuBunnovrTX-ygefMFqWN9HKa8kkazTklU6n-5umJwYsYQa6CZhx9YDiOZFYGbHcVdvjWZgmoHCQhhSJyvPmzHbNlqQiENf9szzAKF8PMgfF7OOQufbOOP7bh04/s1600-h/Se-TableImage.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350261510847482978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 62px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNqzuof4Dh9rJHEEncuBunnovrTX-ygefMFqWN9HKa8kkazTklU6n-5umJwYsYQa6CZhx9YDiOZFYGbHcVdvjWZgmoHCQhhSJyvPmzHbNlqQiENf9szzAKF8PMgfF7OOQufbOOP7bh04/s200/Se-TableImage.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div>FDA has concluded that minimal evidence supports the linking of selenium consumption and reduced risk of prostate cancer, likely delivering a further blow to <em>Bayer One A Day Men’s Multivitamins</em> products containing the mineral and touting its prostate health benefits. </div><br /><div></div><div>In a decision dated June 19, the agency informs attorney Jonathan Emord that it “intends to consider the exercise of its enforcement discretion” for a claim stating the following: Two weak studies suggest that selenium intake may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. However, four stronger studies and three weak studies showed no reduction in risk. Based on these studies, FDA concludes that it is highly unlikely that selenium supplements reduce the risk of prostate cancer.<br /><br />The agency's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition is allowing two similarly weak qualified health claims for selenium and bladder and thyroid cancer. FDA rejected all claims for a number of other site-specific cancers Emord had sought, including lung, brain and breast cancers.<br /><br />In an e-mail, Emord said the agency’s decisions violate First Amendment standards and “reveal a profound and unscientific bias against communication of accurate information concerning the relationship between these nutrients and these disease risks.”<br /><br />FDA currently allows QHCs linking selenium and vitamins C and E to reduced risk of “certain forms of cancers,” but has not approved the mention of any specific cancers.<br /><br />Under its new leadership, FDA has shown little willingness to be flexible when claims fall outside approved language and supporting science. Commissioner Peggy Hamburg recently said the agency does not wish “to delve too deeply into the wordsmithing of various claims and labels,” but does want them “to accurately reflect the best available science with respect to the safety and benefits of a given product.”</div>Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8265610523848789127.post-50191186489031797782009-06-11T08:10:00.005-06:002009-06-11T10:55:05.782-06:00Genetically Modified Foods?I just received this news release from a fellow board member of the Optometric Nutrition Society.<br /><br />One May 19, 2009, The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) released its position paper on Genetically Modified foods stating that "GM foods pose a serious health risk" and calling for a moratorium on GM foods.<br /><br />Citing several animal studies, the AAEM concludes "there is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects" and that "GM foods pose a serious health risk in the areas of toxicology, allergy and immune function, reproductive health, and metabolic, physiologic and genetic health." The AAEM calls for:* A moratorium on GM food, implementation of immediate long term safety testing and labeling of GM food.<br /><br />* Physicians to educate their patients, the medical community and the public to avoid GM foods. * Physicians to consider the role of GM foods in their patients' disease processes.<br />* More independent long term scientific studies to begin gathering data to investigate the role of GM foods on human health.<br /><br />"Multiple animal studies have shown that GM foods cause damage to various organ systems in the body. With this mounting evidence, it is imperative to have a moratorium on GM foods for the safety of our patients' and the public's health," said Dr. Amy Dean, PR chair and Board Member of AAEM.<br /><br />"Physicians are probably seeing the effects in their patients, but need to know how to ask the right questions," said Dr. Jennifer Armstrong, President of AAEM. "The most common foods in North America which are consumed that are GMO are corn, soy, canola, and cottonseed oil." The AAEM's position paper on Genetically Modified foods can be found at <a href="http://www.aaemonline.org/gmopost.html">http:aaemonline.org/gmopost.html</a>.<br /><br />We recommend that everyone reading this blog take the time to read the AAEM's position paper on genetically modified foods. We can't possibly afford the disease consequences associated with <em>new-to-nature-molecules</em> that prove to be harmful - think hydrogenation and trans-fats.Ellen Troyer, MT MAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00352758665225233448noreply@blogger.com11