Nutrition Tips to Consider Before Running a Marathon
Running a marathon takes a lot of endurance and preparation. While you may have your body used to running long distances, that's not the only component you need to consider. Rather, you need to ensure that your nutrition leading up to the big marathon day is perfect so that your body is adequately prepared to perform at its optimal.
Mind Your Hydration Levels
Running a marathon saps your hydration level. Getting your body prepared to perform at its best starts with hydrating well before the race gets started. You should drink a lot of water in the week before the race. This will ensure that all of your muscles are full and your body is feeling good.
Don't Introduce New Foods
New marathon runners get nervous in the day leading up to the marathon. They tend to be susceptible to other people's suggestions about nutrition tips. The truth is that you should never change up your diet or introduce new foods in the weeks leading up to your marathon run. Stick to the same antioxidants nutrition bars that you're used to in the same quantity levels that you're used to. This will ensure that your body doesn't get upset with the food that you eat. You can't run your best when you feel sluggish or sick to the stomach.
Figure out Your Digestion Rate
It's important to take the time to figure out how your individual body works. More specifically, you want to determine how long digestion takes for you. Try eating one hour before running and see how your performance goes. If you feel too full, then try two hours next time. Keep going until you figure out how long it takes for your body to digest your food and get you feeling good.
Eat Lots of Complex Carbohydrates
You should opt for a diet that is rich in complex carbohydrates because this helps to maximize the glycogen stores in your body. Glycogen is your body's form of energy. Some examples of complex carbohydrates include bread, pasta, starchy vegetables, and rice. It's best to avoid methods like carb-loading if you're not overly familiar with how they work. You can end up ruining your race results by messing up your diet prior to running the marathon.
Before you run that marathon, there are some nutrition tips that you need to consider. The above four tips should help you to figure out the best diet for you leading up to your big day. Remember, don't make any major nutritional changes close to the race.
Give the Healthcare Worker You Love a Safe Place to Land (Five Ways Family Members and Friends Can Help) One of the greatest gifts you can give a loved one on the front lines of COVID is a safe place to recover and recharge after a stressful day at work. Doctors Diana Hendel and Mark Goulston share advice for making a healthcare worker’s life easier today.
Nashville, TN (February 2021)—For many of us, frontline healthcare workers are more than heroes. They’re also family members or close friends who feel like family. Having someone you love working on the front lines of COVID means you get a front-row view of their daily fear, exhaustion, and stress. While you may feel helpless to stop their suffering, Diana Hendel, PharmD, and Mark Goulston, MD, say there’s a lot you can do to make their lives a bit easier.
“The most powerful thing you can do for the frontline worker in your life is giving them a safe place to land after a hard day’s work,” says Dr. Hendel, coauthor along with Dr. Goulston of Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020, ISBN: 978-0-7852-4462-2, $17.99). “When every day feels like a battle, they need to come home to a haven of peace and comfort where they can shake off excess stress and gear up for another tough day.”
“You may not be able to change their work conditions, but a few heartfelt gestures will show your loved one that you see them, that you care, and that it is safe to let their guard down at home,” adds Dr. Goulston. “That’s a serious gift during times of great stress.”
Read on for five ways to make a difference to the healthcare worker in your life. And remember, this advice is for immediate family members AND friends of frontline workers. You don’t have to live under the same roof as them to give them your support.
Take on extra household duties at home. Chances are the healthcare worker in your life has less bandwidth for focusing on their responsibilities outside of work, so jump in and pick up the slack. Spouses or partners can take over the primary chores of housekeeping, food preparation, and childcare. Your loved one can still do the tasks they are comfortable performing, but they will feel relieved to know that the burden of responsibility isn’t solely on them.
Friends can also find ways to pitch in and help out. Offer to do a grocery run, treat them to delivery from their favorite takeout spot, or mail them a care package with a good book, a weighted blanket, a candle, or an eye mask so they can relax and recharge in their downtime.
Plan lighthearted fun interactions during their time off. Help your loved one unplug after a long work week by keeping things lighthearted and fun. Get outdoors for a socially distanced hike. Plan a lazy day of streaming their favorite movies (think comedies or feel-good classics). If you have kids, plan a fun family project like baking a cake or making crafts.
Ask them what they need (or don’t need!) when they are stressed out. Your loved one is facing an unusual amount of stress right now, and they may not respond as they normally would to your well-meaning attempts to help out. So, ask them directly, “What can I do—or avoid doing—to help you when you feel anxious, stressed, triggered, or otherwise upset?” You might learn that something you have been doing isn’t helpful at all, but chances are your loved one will have some great suggestions that you can try to lend support when they are struggling.
Make a point to really listen to them. Listening is one of the most powerful ways you can support anyone facing the traumatic stress of working the COVID front lines. They are likely to need an empathetic listening ear more than they need a pep talk. People in healthcare are already incredibly strong and resilient, but they need to feel that they can let their guard down and express what might seem like “negative” emotions without being talked out of their feelings. Give them a safe space to share whatever, positive or negative, is on their mind.
Be on the lookout for changes in behavior. If your normally optimistic and upbeat loved one is struggling, there may be telltale signals that something is wrong. Some signs to watch for:
They start having angry outbursts or temper flares.
They start crying much more than usual.
They isolate and avoid you and other loved ones.
They keep saying, “I’m fine” even when it’s clear they are just putting on a cheerful face.
If you notice these or other unusual changes, encourage your loved one to talk to a mental health professional. Their workplace may have an EAP (employee assistance program) with resources for counseling and support, or they can reach out to a therapist, priest, or social worker.
“Healthcare workers need emotional and practical support now more than ever,” concludes Dr. Hendel. “As a loved one, you have a vital role to play in ensuring they get the nurture and care they need. You may not be able to take away their stressful work conditions, but you can do this. By giving them a safe place to land, you can lighten their burden and give them the strength they need to carry on.”
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About the Authors: Mark Goulston, MD, FAPA Dr. Mark Goulston is the coauthor of Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020) and Trauma to Triumph: A Roadmap for Leading Through Disruption and Thriving on the Other Side (HarperCollins Leadership, Spring 2021). He is a board-certified psychiatrist, fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, former assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA NPI, and a former FBI and police hostage negotiation trainer. He is the creator of Theory Y Executive Coaching—which he provides to CEOs, presidents, founders, and entrepreneurs—and is a TEDx and international keynote speaker.
He is the creator and developer of Surgical Empathy, a process to help people recover and heal from PTSD, prevent suicide in teenagers and young adults, and help organizations overcome implicit bias.
Dr. Goulston is the author or principal author of seven prior books, including PTSD for Dummies, Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior, Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone, Real Influence: Persuade Without Pushing and Gain Without Giving In, and Talking to Crazy: How to Deal with the Irrational and Impossible People in Your Life. He hosts the My Wakeup Call podcast, where he speaks with influencers about their purpose in life and the wakeup calls that led them there. He also is the co-creator and moderator of the multi-honored documentary Stay Alive: An Intimate Conversation About Suicide Prevention.
He appears frequently as a human psychology and behavior subject-area expert across all media, including news outlets ABC, NBC, CBS, and BBC News, as well as CNN, Today, Oprah, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fortune,Harvard Business Review, Business Insider, Fast Company, Huffington Post, and Westwood One. He was also featured in the PBS special “Just Listen.”
Diana Hendel, PharmD Dr. Diana Hendel is the coauthor of Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020) and Trauma to Triumph: A Roadmap for Leading Through Disruption and Thriving on the Other Side (HarperCollins Leadership, Spring 2021). She is an executive coach and leadership consultant, former hospital CEO, and author of Responsible: A Memoir, a riveting and deeply personal account of leading during and through the aftermath of a deadly workplace trauma.
As the CEO of Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital, Hendel led one of the largest acute care, trauma, and teaching hospital complexes on the West Coast. She has served in leadership roles in numerous community organizations and professional associations, including chair of the California Children’s Hospital Association, executive committee member of the Hospital Association of Southern California, vice chair of the Southern California Leadership Council, chair of the Greater Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, board member of the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and leader-in-residence of the Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership at California State University Long Beach.
She earned a BS in biological sciences from UC Irvine and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from UC San Francisco. She has spoken about healthcare and leadership at regional and national conferences and at TEDx SoCal on the topic of “Childhood Obesity: Small Steps, Big Change.”
About the Book: Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020, ISBN: 978-0-7852-4462-2, $17.99) is available in bookstores nationwide and from major online booksellers.
OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 16, 2021 /CNW/ - The 19th annual Sandra Schmirler Foundation Telethon will be held on Sunday, February 21st, during the Scotties Tournament of Hearts on TSN.
"Sandra was a true champion who wouldn't let obstacles stand in the way of her goal," said Ian Cunningham, Chair of the Sandra Schmirler Foundation Board. "We're doing things differently, but I am proud that we're continuing to honour Sandra's spirit again this year, despite COVID-19 restrictions."
This year, the telethon will be held virtually with volunteers answering donor calls from their homes and in socially distanced spaces around the country. For the first time, the Sandra Schmirler Foundation will stream content on their Facebook page between TSN broadcasts.
"This year we've set our fundraising goal at $500,000," Cunningham said. "That amount will help us buy lifesaving equipment for Neonatal Intensive Care Units across Canada for babies who are born premature and critically ill."
To donate to the Sandra Schmirler Foundation Telethon, Canadians can call 1-866-210-6011 or contribute online at www.sandraschmirler.org
The fundraising goal of the telethon is $500,000. That amount will help to purchase lifesaving equipment for Neonatal Intensive Care Units from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
With the generous support of TSN and Curling Canada, the Sandra Schmirler Foundation Telethon is held on the first Sunday of the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
Sandra Schmirler was a Canadian curler who captured three Canadian Curling Championships and three World Curling Championships. She skipped her Canadian team to a gold medal at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. A mother of two, Sandra sadly passed away in 2000 at the age of 36, leaving a legacy that had a much farther reach than curling.
Her foundation works to ensure all babies born too soon, too small or too sick will be cared for in a NICU equipped with state-of-the-art life-saving equipment close to their homes, family and friends.
The 2020 Sandra Schmirler Foundation Telethon on TSN during the Scotties Tournament of Hearts raised a record $450,000 to help babies from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
When:
Sunday, February 21st, during the Scotties Tournament of Hearts
Where:
TSN and the Sandra Schmirler Foundation Facebook page
Savor Ecuadorian Cuisine To Your ‘Hearts’ Content With Bold New Ecuadora™ Brand From Plant-Based Pioneer Edward & Sons™; New Organic, Vegan & Gluten-Free Line Includes Two Delectable Hearts Of Palm Pastas
Initial Low-Cal Offerings Include Grain & Sodium-Free Lasagne & Linguine Plus Low Sodium Hearts of Palm
CARPINTERIA, CA, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 – Edward & Sons Trading Company™ (edwardandsons.com), a vegetarian company and pioneer in the plant-based foods industry that first introduced Miso-Cup® instant soup and gluten-free Brown Rice Snaps® in the 1970s, welcomes a new member to the company’s family of brands: Ecuadora™ – a bold new line created to enable American consumers to savor authentic Ecuadorian cuisine right in the comfort of their own homes.
The announcement was made today by Joel Dee, founder and CEO of Edward & Sons™, which has been at the forefront of the vegan and vegetarian movement for close to 45 years. Ecuadora™ joins the company’s family of brands, including Edward & Sons™, Let’s Do Gluten Free®, Let’s Do Organic®, More Than Fair®, Native Forest®, Nature Factor®, Road’s End Organics® and organic gluten free specialty sauces under the Premier Japan® and The Wizard's® brand names.
Although each Edward & Sons™ brand has its own unique identity, they all share the company’s longstanding commitment to Convenience Without Compromise® – a promise that’s more attuned to the needs of today’s health, cost and convenience-conscious consumers than ever before.
A Taste of Ecuador Without Leaving Home
Created to offer home cooks a passport to the many culinary wonders of picturesque Ecuador (which straddles the equator on South America’s west coast), the new Ecuadora™ brand debuts with three certified organic, low-calorie, plant-based specialties. The two new pastas have zero sodium while the Hearts of Palm contain only 25 mg of sodium per 14 ounce can. All are free of cholesterol and trans fats.
Land formerly used to raise cattle in the stunning countryside of Ecuador has been converted into certified organic farmland where indigenous palms, known locally as chontaduro, are cultivated for their “hearts,” which are the basis of the three new Ecuadora™ products introduced today:
Organic Hearts of Palm (Palmitos Organicos) – Prized by professional and neophyte cooks alike, Organic Hearts of Palm are a delicious addition to any meal and a welcome way for home cooks to vary their dishes in these challenging stay-at-home times. They are naturally low in calories and carbohydrates, making them especially sought after by those who follow Paleo and Keto diets. Simply slice and toss them into your favorite salads or sauté them with oil, onions and garlic to create a savory side dish. Ecuadora™ Hearts of Palm can also be blended with roasted red pepper and mayonnaise for
a tasty alternative to hummus or just enjoyed as a yummy low-calorie snack directly from the can. Ecuadora™ Hearts of Palm are USDA Organic, gluten-free, vegan and Kosher.
Ingredients: Organic Hearts of Palm, Water, Citric Acid, Salt.
Organic Grain-Free Hearts of Palm Lasagne Sheets – Ecuadora™ has cleverly crafted organic hearts of palm into low calorie, low-carb, grain and gluten-free pasta. As such, they are ideally suited to numerous popular diets currently followed by millions of discerning consumers.
Packed only in water, organic palm pasta – which is also vegan and Kosher – retains a naturally creamy color and texture that deliciously resembles its grain-based traditional counterparts.
Ecuadora™ Organic Hearts of Palm Lasagne requires no boiling – simply remove it from the can, then layer it with ricotta, tomato sauce, spinach or mushrooms and shredded cheese, then cover and bake at 350°F for 30-45 minutes for a piping hot entrée bursting with wholesome flavor.
Ingredients: Organic Hearts of Palm and Water.
Organic Grain-Free Hearts of Palm Linguine Noodles – Like the new Lasagne, Ecuadora™ Hearts of Palm Linguine offers a tantalizingly fresh, natural and versatile alternative to mainstream pasta for those following a restricted diet or for anyone who’s ready to lower their calorie intake without lowering their flavor expectations. Simply heat Ecuadora™ Linguine with your favorite tomato sauce and serve with a sprinkle of parmesan, or serve it warm with olive oil and garlic for “pasta aglio e olio.” The new Linguine is likewise USDA Organic, grain and gluten-free, vegan and Kosher.
Ingredients: Organic Hearts of Palm and Water.
Available online at https://store.edwardandsons.com/collections/new-products and soon in health food stores and mainstream supermarkets nationwide, the two new Ecuadora™ pasta products are sold at a MSRP of $4.79, with the new Hearts of Palm available for $4.99. All three new products are sold in 14-ounce cans.
Passport To Natural Splendor
Ecuador’s varied landscape encompasses the Amazon jungle, the Andean highlands and the wildlife haven of the Galápagos Islands. The country is universally known for its staggering biodiversity, including the many thousands of species of plants and animals that thrive in its lush tropical climate.
Commenting on the introduction of the new Ecuadora™ brand, Edward & Sons’ founder and CEO Joel Dee said, “Ecuador boasts a rich culinary heritage based on locally grown fruits, vegetables and spices. Restaurant-deprived families are eager to incorporate new tastes and recipes into their meal plans, so the timing seems perfect to introduce our new Ecuadora™ brand to the marketplace. We’re heartened by the very positive initial responses to our three debut Ecuadora™ products and look forward to expanding the brand with more wonderful regional specialties in the years ahead.”
In addition to Ecuadora™, Edward & Sons Trading Company™ brands include Edward & Sons™, Let’s Do Gluten Free®, Let’s Do Organic®, More Than Fair®, Native Forest®, Nature Factor®, Road’s End Organics® and organic gluten free specialty sauces under the Premier Japan® and The Wizard's® brands.
CHICAGO — A recent survey commissioned by the American Association of Endodontists reveals that more than half of Americans say the COVID-19 pandemic has caused them to put off general dental check-ups, which can lead to serious oral health problems. The survey also showed that the pandemic is takings its toll on those working or studying remotely when it comes to changes to their daily dental hygiene routine. Significant findings include:
31% were snacking more on sweets
28% didn’t schedule or forgot to schedule a dental visit
1 in 4 said they waited until later in the morning to brush their teeth, while 21% didn’t brush in the morning at all
There was also a major drop off in flossing, with 24% saying they’re flossing less frequently, while 23% say they aren’t flossing
Millennials more frequently reported experiencing dental disruptions, with 43% of those surveyed indicating that working from home or attending virtual classes from home led to disruptions to their usual dental hygiene habits during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
Clearly, the pandemic is causing a major disruption in Americans’ dental habits, which is leading to more serious tooth problems. Fortunately, it appears much of the public understands the importance of facing serious dental issues head on: Even with the pandemic, 60% say experiencing tooth pain that won’t go away would lead them to make a dental appointment. The survey also asked about tooth loss versus procedures to save a bad tooth, with four out of five people stating that it’s better to go the root canal route versus extraction.
When it comes to tooth pain, it’s important to know that an endodontist is a toothache sufferer’s greatest ally. It’s also important to remember that it is extremely safe to visit the endodontist in the era of COVID-19, with endodontists practicing the utmost caution and disinfection protocol. Even at the height of the U.S.’s COVID-19 shutdown period in the spring of 2020, most endodontic practices remained open to safely treat dental emergencies.
To keep emergency rooms clear, in the case of a dental emergency, you should continue seek an endodontist instead of dialing 911.
“If you’re suffering with a toothache that wakes you up out of a sound sleep at night, or because you’re eating hot or cold food, you need an endodontist,” says Dr. Alan H. Gluskin, President of American Association of Endodontists. “You should not delay treatment.”
AAE experts are available to discuss this topic further. Contact the AAE to schedule an interview today!
Alan Gluskin, D.D.S. Dr. Alan Gluskin, D.D.S., is the President of the American Association of Endodontists, and is professor and vice chair of the Department of Endodontics at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, in San Francisco.
Mark B. Desrosiers, D.M.D. Dr. Desrosiers is a Board-certified endodontist and serves as a clinical assistant professor in the department of endodontics at Boston University School of Dental Medicine. He is chair of the AAE’s Public and Professional Relations Committee, which is integral to the Association’s important Worth Saving public campaign.
Avina K. Paranjpe, BDS, M.S., MSD, Ph.D. Dr. Avina Paranjpe is associate professor, Endodontics, at University of Washington School of Dentistry. Dr. Paranjpe says there is definitely an increase in cracked tooth cases she is seeing in the graduate endodontic clinic and in private practice.
Drake’s Organic Spirits® Expands National Distribution
for ready-to-drink cocktails with innovative new Boxtails™
Minneapolis, MN (February 16, 2021)-Drake’s Organic Spirits, founder of the better-for-you and better-for-the-planet spirits category, announced today that its new ready-to-drink (RTD) all-organic Boxtails are being offered by more major liquor retailers across the country.
Drake’s Organic Boxtails are now available at 25 WB Liquors & Wine locations across Texas, all 22 Lee’s Discount Liquors locations in Nevada, 20 Rouses Markets in Louisiana and seven WinCo locations in Arizona. Boxtails can also be found in Cub Wine & Spirits locations in Minnesota and Crown Wine & Spirits and Mega Wine & Spirits in Florida.
Boxtails are pre-mixed organic craft cocktails featuring Drake’s ultra-premium organic certified vodka and rum. Offered in Watermelon Tini, Mango Punch, Mojito and Black Cherry Limeade, Drake’s Organic Boxtails provide a quick and easy way to enjoy delicious organic cocktails with less waste than canned seltzers. Boxtails are Certified USDA Organic Gluten Free®, Non-GMO, vegan and kosher. Each box contains 1.75 liters of pre-mixed organic cocktails with 12% alcohol similar to a standard mixed cocktail.
“Top liquor retailers across the country are adding Boxtails to their shelves because their customers want the convenience and great taste that Boxtails offer,” said Drake’s Founder/CEO Mark Anderson. “Boxtails are easy to pour, easy to store and made with only the best sustainably farmed organic ingredients. Like all Drake’s Organic Spirits products, Boxtails contain no unnecessary chemicals, pesticides or artificial colors.”
Drake’s Organic Spirits can be found in 33 states as well as Japan, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. A complete list of locations offering Drake’s Organic Spirits products can be found at https://www.drakesorganicspirits.com/find-us.
In addition to award-winning organic vodka, white rum and spiced rum, Drake’s product line includes Spiked Ice freeze-and-eat adult treats and organic Bloody Mary and Mojito mixes. Drake’s Organic Spirits is the first and only spirits line in the world certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten-free, vegan and kosher.
About Drake’s Organic Spirits Launched in 2017, Minneapolis-based Drake’s Organic Spirits is the first and only spirits line in the world certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten-free, vegan and kosher. Drake’s uses the highest quality USDA organic and non-GMO Project Verified ingredients to create a line of ultra- premium, 12x distilled spirits and mixes at a better price than the leading premium brands.
Drake’s Organic Premium Vodka was awarded Double Gold and Drake’s Organic White Rum received Gold at the most recent Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Convention & Exposition in Orlando, FL. The highly-respected awards are widely considered among the most prestigious in the industry because judges are industry experts who blind taste-test each spirit.
Health Canada Authorizes Canada's First Rapid COVID-19 Antibody Test
BARRIE, ON, Feb. 16, 2021 /CNW/ - Verify Diagnostics announced today that Health Canada has authorized the Assure Tech Ecotest COVID-19 serological rapid test to be used at the point-of-care (POC) for the purpose of screening for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Building on the U.S. FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) granted last year, Verify Diagnostics has worked diligently with Health Canada, since March 2020, to bring this test to Canada. The Assure Tech Ecotest was the first point-of-care fingerstick blood test to be authorized for CLIA Waived use in the United States and is the first Canadian test to be authorized as well.
"Antibody testing is key to understanding the prevalence of COVID-19 in our Canadian communities and, although complicated laboratory solutions are available to accomplish this, rapid testing offers an easy and inexpensive option to healthcare professionals and public health organizations." said Tim Salter, President of Verify Diagnostics. "Use of these rapid tests have been proven effective in dozens of countries that we have provided solutions to and we are very happy to be able to now provide a solution for Canada.".
Verify Diagnostics has promoted the use of antibody tests globally since the beginning of the pandemic as a way to measure the disease's spread through communities and, more recently, to track the efficacy of vaccination programmes. "One of the unknowns related to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines is how long the immunization will remain effective against the virus." said Salter. "We hope that Canada will follow suit with some of the other governments and organizations that we are working with to monitor those that have received inoculations to better understand how long immunity against the virus will last.".
Appropriate training is also an important factor in ensuring that rapid tests are both used properly and interpreted correctly. "We have invested significant resources into creating multilingual online courses for all of the testing solutions we offer, including COVID-19 tests." said Salter. "There's a difference between selling a product and providing a solution, we have always focussed on the latter.".
About Verify Diagnostics Based in Barrie, Ontario, Canada Verify Diagnostics is focussed on delivering innovative point-of-care solutions with specialities in drugs of abuse, fertility and infectious disease testing.
SOURCE Verify Diagnostics Inc.
Health Canada Approves REBLOZYL® (luspatercept), New Class of Treatment for Adult Patients Living with Myelodysplastic Syndromes
REBLOZYL®, an erythroid maturation agent, is the first and only of its kind approved for use in Canada
MONTREAL, Feb. 16, 2021 /CNW/ - Bristol Myers Squibb Canada (BMS) and Acceleron Pharma Inc. announced today that Health Canada has approved REBLOZYL® (luspatercept for injection) for the treatment of adult patients with transfusion-dependent anemia requiring at least two RBC red blood cell (RBC) units over 8 weeks resulting from very low-to intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) who have ring sideroblasts and who have failed or are not suitable for erythropoietin-based therapy.1 REBLOZYL® represents a new class of treatment for eligible patients as the first and only approved erythroid maturation agent in Canada.1
"Those living with MDS are often dependent on regular RBC transfusions. While these transfusions help manage symptoms of anemia, transfusion dependency is very burdensome for patients," said Dr. Rena Buckstein, MD, FRCPC, Haematologist, associate professor and Head of the Hematology Disease Site Group at Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. "Treatment options to remedy transfusion dependence are limited once first line therapy fails, so REBLOZYL®, as the only erythroid maturation agent in Canada, provides an important MDS treatment to achieve RBC transfusion independence in a subgroup of patients."
MDS are a group of cancers which cause limitations in the bone marrow's ability to produce healthy and mature RBCs,2 and typically occur among older people, and in men more than in women.2
"MDS can significantly impact quality of life; especially for those who are dependent on regular RBC transfusions," said Cindy Anthony, Executive Director, Aplastic Anemia & Myelodysplasia Association of Canada (AAMAC). "We're pleased to see an alternative to transfusions available which can help alleviate some of the burden of the disease and support patients."
REBLOZYL® helps to regulate late-stage RBC maturation in order to potentially reduce the need for RBC transfusions.1
"Bristol Myers Squibb is thrilled to provide Canadians with an additional option beyond RBC transfusions to treat MDS-associated anemia," said Al Reba, General Manager, Bristol Myers Squibb Canada. "This first-in-class treatment is an example of Bristol Myers Squibb's commitment to develop innovative therapies for Canadians living with severe blood disorders."
"Working with our partners at Bristol Myers Squibb, we are excited to help address the needs of Canadians living with MDS," said Habib Dable, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acceleron. "By targeting the ineffective erythropoiesis associated with MDS, REBLOZYL® represents an important addition for the treatment of patients living with this condition."
Health Canada's approval of REBLOZYL® is based upon findings from the phase 3, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled MEDALIST study, which involved patients with very low- to intermediate-risk MDS with ring sideroblasts (MDS-RS) requiring regular RBC transfusions (>2 RBC units per 8 weeks).1 The patients were randomized 2:1 to REBLOZYL® or placebo.1 In the trial, results demonstrated significantly greater percentage of patients treated with REBLOZYL® achieving transfusion independence for eight weeks or longer during the first 24 weeks of the trial as compared to placebo (38% vs. 13%, P<0.001) at primary endpoint.1
About Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co. is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb Company, a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb global operations, visit www.bms.com. Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co. delivers innovative medicines for serious diseases to Canadian patients in the areas of cardiovascular health, oncology, and immunoscience. Bristol Myers Squibb Canada Co. employs close to 400 people across the country. For more information, please visit www.bms.com/ca.
About Bristol Myers Squibb Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
About Acceleron Acceleron is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of therapeutics to treat serious and rare diseases. Acceleron's leadership in the understanding of TGF-beta superfamily biology and protein engineering generates innovative compounds that engage the body's ability to regulate cellular growth and repair.
Acceleron focuses its research, development, and commercialization efforts in pulmonary and hematologic diseases. In pulmonary, Acceleron is developing sotatercept for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), having reported positive topline results of the PULSAR Phase 2 trial. The Company is currently planning multiple Phase 3 trials with the potential to support its long-term vision of establishing sotatercept as a backbone therapy for patients with PAH at all stages of the disease. Acceleron is also investigating the potential of its early-stage pulmonary candidate, ACE-1334, which it plans to advance into a Phase 1b/2 trial in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) this year.
In hematology, REBLOZYL® (luspatercept-aamt) is the first and only approved erythroid maturation agent approved in the United States, Europe, and Canada for the treatment of anemia in certain blood disorders. REBLOZYL® is part of a global collaboration partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb. The Companies co-promote REBLOZYL® in the United States and are also developing luspatercept for the treatment of anemia in patient populations of myelodysplastic syndromes, beta-thalassemia, and myelofibrosis.
Aifred Health Named Top 3 Finalist in Global IBM Watson AI XPRIZE Competition
MONTREAL, Feb. 16, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Aifred Health announced today that the XPRIZE jury has selected Aifred Health as one of the 3 finalists for the IBM Watson AI XPRIZE. The company is competing for the grand prize of US$3.0 million which will be awarded in June, 2021, with 2nd and 3rd prize winners receiving US$1.0 million and US$0.5 million respectively.
Montreal-based Aifred Health was one of more than 700 applicants for this XPRIZE focused on employing AI to solve the world's grand challenges. Teams were judged by world-leading experts in AI who conducted extensive due diligence and reviews of each team's application and their ability to meet the key criteria of achieved technical impact; evidenced real-world impact; scalability of real-world impact; and ethics and safety.
"To be named as one of the Top 3 global AI teams in the world is an incredible accomplishment and endorsement of our approach to better serving patients suffering from debilitating depression. Over the last 4 years, our AI technology and tools have been reviewed and validated by some of the best AI and subject matter talent on the planet. We are indebted to the XPRIZE organization and IBM Watson for their leadership and vision throughout the process. The prize money, along with our C$4 million seed financing that closed in December 2020, is being used to fund the clinical trial required to attain US FDA and Health Canada approval for our AI decision support device for depression and will also permit us to further develop our therapy-agnostic AI tool in other areas of high unmet medical need", declared Marina Massingham, CEO.
Dr. David Benrimoh, Chief Scientific Officer added: "We began Aifred Health because of the IBM Watson AI XPRIZE and our belief that modern AI tools could be developed and applied to identify patterns in clinical data that would allow the use of simple personal information to choose the right treatment for each individual patient. I want to thank all of the incredibly talented people who have worked with and supported us as employees, students, investigators, advisors, investors, physicians, and patients for their contributions to creating and building Aifred."
About Aifred Health
Aifred Health, a Montreal based healthcare technology company, is delivering clinician-focused solutions for the treatment of mental health including electronic access to best practices guidelines and a world-class AI approach to providing decision support for personalized therapeutic choices for clinical depression. Aifred is initiating its regulatory approval clinical trial for decision support for therapeutic treatment choice for depression in H1/2021. For more information, please see www.aifredhealth.com.
SOURCE Aifred Health Inc.
Fastest Growing EMR Provider MEDFAR Raises Nearly $25 Million Investment Led by Walter Capital Partners
MONTREAL, Feb. 16, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - MEDFAR Clinical Solutions, the leading pure-play Electronic Medical Record (EMR) provider in Canada, announced today a minority investment of nearly $25 million led by Walter Capital Partners. MEDFAR will dedicate the funds to accelerate its expansion, innovation and acquisition agendas in North America.
"We are excited to join forces with Walter Capital Partners," said Elias Farah, CEO of MEDFAR Clinical Solutions. "We look forward to fulfilling our objective of increasing our momentum and completing bolt-on EMR provider acquisitions at a sustained pace with Walter Capital's strong and talented team." MEDFAR has rapidly evolved MYLE (Make Your Life Easy) from an EMR to a complete Care Management Solution, including a virtual care platform that fosters patient engagement. "We have also expanded our footprint throughout Canada with 2 acquisitions within 18 months," added M. Farah.
"We share Elias' vision of innovation serving client success in healthcare clinics," said Éric Phaneuf, President and CEO of Walter Capital Partners. "We partner with strong management teams possessing deep sector understanding and we know that MEDFAR has all the ingredients to become a leading player globally. We are especially impressed by MEDFAR's resilience and agility in adapting to the pandemic and rising to the challenge of better serving their users with fast-paced virtual health advances in unprecedented circumstances."
Mr. Phaneuf will join MEDFAR's board of directors. MEDFAR serves nearly 7,000 physicians delivering 10 million consultations annually in Canada. In 2020 only, nearly 400 clinics in Canada deployed MEDFAR solutions, most of them switching from a competing EMR to MYLE.
About MEDFAR
Founded in 2010 by two aeronautical engineers, MEDFAR Clinical Solutions was the first to certify a fully web-based EMR solution in Canada. With the support of experts from its medical and clinical advisory board, the MEDFAR team evolved its solution, MYLE (for Make Your Life Easy), from a simple EMR to a powerful end-to-end Care Management Solution that streamlines each and every clinical process, freeing caregivers from the burden of administrative tasks and helping them achieve more. MEDFAR grew to become the preeminent pure-play EMR solution provider in Canada with a growing presence in international markets. MEDFAR is relentlessly committed to its mission of driving excellence and efficiency in healthcare across the world. www.medfarsolutions.com
About Walter Capital Partners
Walter Capital Partners is a private equity firm part of Walter Financial, the investment unit of the Walter Group. Its investment model combines capital inflow and operating expertise to support the growth of promising companies on solid and sustainable foundations, by drawing on the entrepreneurial background of the Walter Group and the extensive business leadership experience of its managing partners. Headquartered in Montréal, Walter Capital provides a solid international network. www.waltercapital.ca
SOURCE MEDFAR Clinical Solutions
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