4 Ways You Can Ease the Pain of Your Chronic Injuries

Studies have revealed that up to 20 percent of adults struggle with chronic pain, and that ongoing discomfort can bring an individual’s life to a grinding halt. If you are dealing with daily pain and would like to avoid opioid drugs, then you need to come up with a comprehensive pain management plan that will allow you to regain control of your life.

Move Around

While it might be tempting to sit around and do nothing if you are constantly in pain, exercise could actually be very beneficial. As long as it has been cleared by your doctor, you should try to engage in physical activities at least once or twice a day. Exercising is going to release endorphins, and those natural chemicals can suppress discomfort. Even a short walk or a few minutes of stretching could have a huge impact on your pain levels.

Watch What You Eat and Drink

Many people don’t realize that their dietary habits might increase or decrease their pain. Certain foods and beverages will exacerbate chronic pain by inflaming ligaments and muscles. As a general rule, adults should attempt to follow a relatively clean diet that emphasizes whole grains, fresh produce, and lean sources of protein. They should also minimize their intake of processed sweeteners, alcohol, and tobacco.

Meditation

Research is now showing us that meditation might be a great option for those who have chronic pain. Meditation seems particularly effective at reducing pain that is caused by osteoarthritis. This practice requires nothing more than a quiet and comfortable environment where you can focus on your thoughts and breathing. Many people also use apps that guide them through their meditation sessions.

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy is more popular than ever, and these cutting-edge medical devices are being used to treat a wide array of health issues. A cold laser device  could potentially lower your pain levels by disrupting the nerve impulses and promoting blood flow to the area. Those devices are very easy to operate, and they can be used on almost any area of the body. Some lasers will even speed up one's recovery after an acute injury has occurred.

In addition to these few tips and tricks, you must also make sure that you are working with an experienced physician who can help you uncover the root causes of your discomfort. Many pain management techniques are very effective, but you need to be sure that you are treating the underlying health complications as well.

Now Available in Canada - Bausch Health, Canada Launches First of its Kind, Topical Antipsoriatic Agent in Almost Twenty Years

Formulated with PRISMATREX™, a proprietary technology, DUOBRII™ lotion improves the signs and symptoms of plaque psoriasis in adult patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

LAVAL, QC, Sept. 2, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - Bausch Health, Canada, part of Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE: BHC) (TSX: BHC), ("Bausch Health" or the "Company") today announced that its novel topical prescription drug for improving the signs and symptoms of plaque psoriasis in adult patients is now available in Canada. DUOBRII™ (0.01% w/w halobetasol propionate and 0.045% w/w tazarotene) is indicated for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.ⁱ The product is manufactured for distribution throughout Canada and the United States at the Company's Quebec manufacturing facility in Laval.

"Achieving clear skin is the primary goal of patients, and this is equally so for the physicians who treat them," says Richard Lajoie, President and General Manager, Bausch Health, Canada. "As a company fully committed to the Canadian psoriasis community, we are sensitive to the challenges faced in improving the quality of life of patients with psoriasis. DUOBRII works in a unique way by combining halobetasol propionate, which reduces inflammation; and tazarotene that contributes to the normalization of skin cell growth. We are excited to bring this novel product to Canadians and very proud that it is being manufactured at our own facility here in Canada."

Dr. Neil H. Shear, MD, FRCPC, Professor and Head of Dermatology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre has spent decades treating psoriasis patients. "Offering my patients a new option with promising, long-term results will help deliver what every psoriasis patient hopes for: achieving clear skin. Psoriasis is a chronic condition, which means that patients need continuous solutions to manage their symptoms. With DUOBRII, we are seeing positive results in as little as two weeks, which is highly encouraging. The fact that it is the only Health Canada-approved drug for psoriasis to provide extended clearance post-treatment is an important benefit."

Psoriasis is a common, chronic, and life-altering skin condition that affects approximately one million Canadians, with 90% of those affected suffering from plaque psoriasis.ⁱⁱ

The disease is characterized by red elevated patches and flaking silvery scales, and symptoms can range from mild to severe. While the psoriatic lesions can appear anywhere on the body, the most common places include the elbows, knees, scalp, chest and lower back. Because the disease typically affects visible parts of the body, the impact on patients extends well beyond the physical symptoms. Psoriasis often impacts nearly every aspect of an individual's life including their ability to work and maintain social and intimate relationships. In addition to the tremendous medical burden experienced while trying to find a medication that controls the disease, the psychological impact is high. Many individuals suffer from low self-confidence, anxiety, depression and sleep deprivation.ⁱⁱⁱ

"We know how difficult psoriasis is to treat and it is even harder to live with for patients and their families," said Rachael Manion, Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Psoriasis Patients (CAPP). "Patients deserve the most advanced and effective treatment options available, and we are encouraged that Bausch Health, Canada has brought DUOBRII to market as a new topical treatment option for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis."

DUOBRII lotion provides the combined action of two unrelated compounds, halobetasol propionate, a corticosteroid, and tazarotene, a retinoid prodrug. These well-known ingredients have long-established efficacy profiles. When halobetasol propionate and tazarotene are administered together in DUOBRII, they provide complementary effects due to their individual modes of action targeting different receptors and pathways to achieve anti-inflammatory control and epidermal morphologic restoration. The improvement that is seen in psoriatic patients appears to occur in association with the restoration of normal cutaneous morphology and the reduction of the inflammatory markers ICAM-1 and HLA-DR.^iv

DUOBRII is also distinct based on its Prismatrex™ technology, a polymeric emulsification system which provides a stable condition where emulsion droplets retained their distribution across time and temperature.^v

The clinical efficacy and safety of once daily use of DUOBRII were assessed in two prospective, multi-centre, randomized, double-blind Phase III clinical trials in subjects 18 years and older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. In the Phase III pivotal studies, analysis of the primary efficacy endpoint demonstrated that Duobrii was statistically significantly more effective than Vehicle Lotion in achieving treatment success in the Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) at Week 8, defined as at least a 2-grade improvement from Baseline and a score of Clear or Almost Clear in both studies.^vi 

In the first study 35.76% of subjects in the DUOBRII group had treatment success at Week 8 compared with 6.98% in the Vehicle group. In the second study, 45.33% of the subjects in the Duobrii group had treatment success at Week 8 compared with 12.51% in the Vehicle group.^vi In the clinical studies, the individual signs of psoriasis (erythema, plaque elevation, and scaling) showed sustained efficacy improvement up to 4 weeks after treatment.^vii

While the exact cause of psoriasis has not yet been determined, researchers believe it involves a combination of genetic, environmental, and immune factors. Psoriasis develops when there is a malfunctioning of the immune system which causes inflammation. White blood cells (T cells) in the immune system are triggered and this causes inflammation to occur, which then causes skin cells to rise to the surface and shed at 10 times the normal rate.

About Bausch Health Companies Inc.
Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) is a global company whose mission is to improve people's lives with our health care products. We develop, manufacture and market a range of pharmaceutical, medical device and over-the-counter products, primarily in the therapeutic areas of eye health, gastroenterology, and dermatology. We are delivering on our commitments as we build an innovative company dedicated to advancing global health.

In Canada, the Company's prescription product portfolio is focused on eye health, dermatology, and cardio-metabolic conditions. More information can be found on the Company's website at bauschhealth.ca.

SOURCE Bausch Health

NHS soup-and-shake diet could lead to reduction in type 2 diabetes and obesity in UK by improving disease management, says GlobalData

Following the news that Type 2 diabetes sufferers in the UK were put on a soup and shake diet by the NHS;

Akash Patel, Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders Analyst at GlobalData, offers their view:

“Plans like the NHS’ soup-and-shake diet will help the ~1.9 million people in the UK that are estimated by GlobalData to be currently living with both type 2 diabetes and obesity, conditions that are risk factors for developing severe COVID-19 complications. 

“If these T2D patients reduce their body weight, this will reduce the likelihood of development of additional comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, diabetic kidney disease and peripheral nerve damage. Historically, the most common practice has been physicians educating patients about diet and T2D management, however, such practices have been met with limited success as not all T2D patients are compliant with their diet and exercise regimens. 

“The NHS plan will likely confer a more streamlined approach, making it easier for both patients and physicians improve compliance and overall management strategy.”

Connect Outside This Fall: It’s the Safe Place to Spend Time and It’s Good for You

Alexandria, Va. – Fall is nearly here, and you can boost your health and connect with nature, your friends and your family by getting outside and into green space.

 “Due to the pandemic, we are gaining a fuller understanding of the importance of the outdoors – from our yard and parks to school yards and sports fields. They are essential to our well-being and to nature, itself,” said Kris Kiser, President of the TurfMutt Foundation, which directs the TurfMutt environmental education and stewardship program, and The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI).  

TurfMutt has advocated the importance of managed landscapes and other green space as critical to human health and happiness for over a decade.

“We are reconnecting to the family yard in a way we haven’t seen for many years,” said Kiser. He noted that time spent in green space like your yard, is really good for you. 

“Research shows that time spent outside reduces stress for adults and children alike,” said Kiser. With indoor gatherings limited in many areas and many people eager to see family and friends, the safest place to spend a fall evening catching up and socializing is your yard. 
 
Reconnect with yourself and others. Unplug from your computer, television, and smartphone by getting outside. Disconnecting from electronics, to-do lists and the news cycle lets you re-connect to nature, family and friends.

Burn more calories. A brisk walk around the block or a few minutes of yard work can help you drop the extra “COVID 15” weight that many have added while sheltering at home during the pandemic. Exercising and exertion in cooler temperatures also burns more calories. 

Get a happiness boost. Fall afternoons in the yard are great for soaking up sunshine and natural Vitamin D, which can improve your mood and support overall health.

Give your eyes a break. We spend a lot of time looking at screens – on our TVs, computers, tablets and smartphones. This can overstimulate our eyes and lead to nearsightedness. Just walking outside, you give your eyes an opportunity to relax and widen their focus, as they look at the ground in front of you and to the landscape around you.

Boost your energy. Spending time in nature and breathing fresh air increases energy levels in 90 percent of people, according to research.

Stimulate your brain. Fall yard work in cooler weather, such as digging in planting beds, mulching leaves, aerating soil and planting trees or shrubs is all good for your brain. Research shows people perform tasks better when temperatures are cooler. Go for a brisk walk around the neighborhood or do a few minutes of yard work. 

About TurfMutt
TurfMutt was created by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) TurfMutt Foundation and has reached more than 70 million children, educators and families since 2009. Through classroom materials developed with Scholastic, TurfMutt teaches students and teachers how to “save the planet, one yard at a time.” TurfMutt is an official USGBC® Education Partner and part of their global LEARNING LAB. TurfMutt is an education resource at the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2017, the TurfMutt animated video series won the coveted Cynopsis Kids Imagination Award for Best Interstitial Series. TurfMutt’s personal, home habitat is featured in the 2017-2019 Wildlife Habitat Council calendars. More information at www.TurfMutt.com.

6 Astronaut-Tested Tips for Navigating the Unknown, Overcoming Fear and Surviving a Pandemic 

Pasadena, CA, Sept. 2, 2020 — Do you feel safe? Will life ever get back to normal? What will that new normal look like? As we define a pandemic, nearly everyone is grappling with questions like these. An expert on the history of spaceflight—and one of the few women in her field—Amy Shira Teitel, author of FIGHTING FOR SPACE: Two Pilots and Their Historic Battle for Female Spaceflight (Grand Central Publishing; ISBN: 978-1-5387-1604-5; $30.00; Hardcover), invites us to find a silver lining and take this moment to learn how to adapt like an astronaut. Drawing on her extensive knowledge of NASA’s history and missions going back more than 60 years, Teitel shares six astronaut-tested tips to help us face the unknown and take small steps that just might lead to giant leaps in conquering quarantine, staying in the moment, learning how to focus, keeping a positive outlook and looking forward to the future.

1. Prepare Like an Astronaut. When the space age began in the late 1950s, NASA had to figure out what challenges and dangers astronauts would face—fast—with the understanding that they wouldn’t be able to control everything. No one knew if astronauts would be able to swallow food in space or if microgravity would make them go blind. Their survival ultimately came down to the best educated guesses. Astronauts need to react quickly, without creature comforts and with limited social interactions and uncharted risks. Survival Takeaway: Expect challenges. Make peace with uncertainty. Stay informed. Be adaptable.

2. Stay Calm Like an Astronaut. For the nation’s first astronauts, mental fortitude was mission critical. After all, no one knew how flying in space and seeing Earth from orbit would affect the human psyche. As such, candidates went through extensive psychological testing. If they couldn’t stay calm and measured in the face of sensory deprivation and boredom or, on the flip side, when faced with a slew of alarms, they weren’t considered astronaut material. Survival Takeaway: Pay attention to your mental health. Take time for yourself, and even find a new practice to help cultivate a healthy headspace.

3. Sanitize Like an Astronaut. A simple head cold gets complicated since sinus cavities can’t drain without gravity. If you get a stomach bug, well, you can’t air out a spacecraft. Astronauts have limited medication and water on board, making recovering from an illness a lot harder than if they were at home. To prevent astronauts from getting sick in space, NASA quarantines all crews, typically for a period of two weeks, before a launch. What’s more, all robotic missions have to go through intense sanitation before a flight. We don’t want to land on Mars and find that some little Earth germ stuck around and will kill the life we’re hoping to find. Survival Takeaway: Practice sound hygiene. Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Take precautions to avoid spreading the virus.

4. Stay Connected Like an Astronaut. On Apollo missions, ground crews kept the astronauts connected to Earth by relaying messages from their families and reading up daily news headlines, with a special emphasis on sports scores. Though they were in the vicinity of the Moon, they were able to maintain that connection to home. Survival Takeaway: Stay close with family and friends while social distancing. Take advantage of group chat tools like Zoom. Pick up the phone. Make time to talk and really listen.

5. Stay in the Moment Like an Astronaut. For most of us, astronauts seem like the luckiest people on—or off—Earth. They get to see our planet from orbit, a stunning view most of us will only ever see in pictures. And the 24 men who traveled to the Moon got the even more incredible view of Earth from the lunar orbit and remain the only people to see the Moon’s far side with their own eyes. Though astronauts’ schedules are packed with experiments and planned events, they take the time to appreciate where they are in the extraordinary moment, even if those moments for reflection are rare. COVID Takeaway: Focus on the positive side of sheltering in place or working from home. Seize an unprecedented opportunity to enjoy your family. Cook meals together. Play games.Turn off the TV; put down your phone. Set aside time each day to just be present. In retrospect, you just might discover how truly fortunate you are! 

6. Look Toward the Future Like an Astronaut. Even though missions are planned down to the minute, things can always go wrong at any moment. Astronauts are trained to adapt to any situation, to trust their training, their crewmates, and their support teams to work any problem and come up with sometimes life-saving solutions. Spaceflight is always dangerous, but no astronaut has ever assumed they weren't coming home. COVID Takeaway: When the world seems bleak and your future feels uncertain, know that there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Trust your instincts, lean on friends and be excited for the day big group gatherings will be safe again.

Amy Shira Teitel is a spaceflight historian, public speaker, popular science writer and the author of FIGHTING FOR SPACE: Two Pilots and Their Historic Battle for Female Spaceflight (Grand Central Publishing; 2020). Frequently sought out as an expert on spaceflight, she has appeared on numerous TV shows and documentaries, including The Apollo Chronicles and NASA’s The Unexplained Files. Her YouTube channel, The Vintage Space, has more than 346,000 subscribers. She has a master’s degree in Science and Technology; loves punk rock, boxing, bowling and old movies; thinks fashion can be immensely powerful; and still plays her Super Nintendo. Born in Toronto, Canada, she lives in Pasadena, California, with her (adult) kitten, Pete Conrad. For more information, please visit www.amyshirateitel.com.

15-Minute Electrical Muscle Stimulation Workout Moves Outdoors in Los Angles

Celebrity-Favorite Workout, Manduu, Trending Straight From Europe

 
LOS ANGELES, September 2, 2020 - Manduu, the first FDA-cleared, whole-body electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) technology in the U.S., is revolutionizing the way America works out, and has taken the workout outdoors in Los Angeles. 
"Manduu already had a robust infection control protocol in place before Covid-19," said Wiley Robinson, RN, MCPT, Chief Operating Officer, Manduu. "Manduu is not a group fitness activity and we are able to social distance during sessions and clients spend less time in Manduu studios than gyms therefore reducing risk. We are actually even ahead of pre-Covid-19 revenue numbers in core markets." The "Clinical Fitness" concept tones, firms & strengthens muscles, in just 15 minutes. Much like television personality Kathie Lee Gifford displayed on NBC's TODAY, or how other celebrities such as Supermodel Heidi Klum, Pro Boxer Mike Tyson, singer-songwriter Madonna, "Fastest Man in the World" Usain Bolt, Actor Tom Holland (Spiderman), 2019 US Open Men's Tennis Champion Rafael Nadal, Pro Soccer Player Cristiano Ronaldo, and singer-songwriter & TV Star Reba McEntire use EMS training to stay in top shape, Manduu provides the fastest & safest way to build muscle and everyone - at every age - needs muscle.
Developed in Europe, the technology delivers an incredibly effective, highly efficient & personally tailored exercise regimen for all fitness levels and is equal to six to eight hours of traditional strength training. Manduu's EMS technology is more effective at penetrating muscle fiber than the brain. When the brain sends a signal to a muscle, only about 65% of muscle fiber is activated. By contrast, the external EMS stimulus penetrates nearly 100% of muscle tissue. This produces a workout that is simultaneously ultra-low impact & incredibly effective. Manduu's sophisticated system of not only measuring body composition, but also tracking every client's fitness goals creates a strategic data reserve to measure progress and address problem areas over time. Manduu is experiencing rapid growth and market expansion, in addition to Los Angeles (outdoor), Manduu has studios in other markets including: Austin, Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Memphis, Naples, and Nashville.  

4 Common Reasons Men Have Trouble Developing Muscle Properly Despite Workouts 

It is a real let down when men find they are having difficulty properly building muscle mass. They have been putting in the hours at the gym, and have been pushing their body hard. Unfortunately, something seems to be thwarting their best efforts. The following are four common reasons why these men face so much trouble building muscle properly.

Stop Eating Junk

A person may be really putting in time at the gym, but if their diet is all wrong, this can prevent their ability to build muscle. Getting off the candy, cookies, cake and soft drink sugar load and eating real food will not just help to build more muscle, but it will help to build better quality muscle too. This means they will need more healthy fats like coconut oil and more meat-based protein to help them reach their muscle building goals.

Get Rid of Stress

Believe it or not, a body builder’s emotional state could be standing between them and developing those nice large muscles they desire to have. Their body is a soup of chemical interactions, and when it comes to building muscles too much stress can put a dampener on the chemistry that promotes muscle generation. By dumping the stress in their life, a body builder will get far more out of their workouts and build muscle more easily.

Introduce Drop Down Sets into Your Workout

If a person really wants to start getting pumped up and build muscle, then drop down sets are a valuable tool in their muscle building arsenal. For example, try to curl a heavier weight between 8 and ten times. Then reduce that weight by 10-pounds, and curl the new amount until reaching the point of fatigue. Drop the amount of weight by 10-pounds again and curl the new weight until fatiguing again. Then let the body rest for about a minute and repeat the process. A body builder should start to experience more efficient muscle building from this type of workout.

Low Testosterone and Muscle Loss

To maintain muscle, a man’s body needs to be producing sufficient amounts of testosterone. Low T will prohibit the necessary testosterone from binding to the cell receptor sites, and this will lead to the loss of muscle fibers. For some men, it may be necessary to invest in some Low T gel to prevent a deficiency in testosterone from holding back their progress when generating new muscle fibers.

It might seem like it takes a while to build healthy, quality muscle, but these kinds of results come with patients and a lot of hard work. By removing those factors which most hinder the body’s ability to generate muscle, this will make it far easier to move ahead to meet muscle building goals. Then when a body builder looks in the mirror, they will be pleasantly surprised at the progress they have been making.

Element Nutritional Sciences Inc. (Formerly PJ1 Capital Corp.) Acquires Element Nutrition Inc. and Hammock Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

• Element Nutrition is a Burlington, Ontario-based nutraceutical company with exclusive access to a patented formulation (Rejuvenate^TM) demonstrated through 25+ clinical trials, to help prevent muscle loss due to aging (Sarcopenia). 
• Sarcopenia is an underserved market, expected to reach US$1.3 billion in annual revenue by 2025¹.
• Element Nutrition already has 9,000 points of distribution for Rejuvenate (11,000 points of distribution by end of Oct-2020) with well-known U.S. retailers such as CVS and Walmart, and Canadian retailers such as Loblaw, Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall.
• Hammock Consumer is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based consumer health company. Its lead product, Athletes Gel^TM, is an all-natural, topical analgesic that includes three FDA approved ingredients and is specifically designed for fast-acting and long-lasting pain relief. 
• The growing topical pain market is estimated to be over US$1 billion dollars in 2020.

VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 2, 2020 /CNW/ - Element Nutritional Sciences Inc., a private company, today announced that it has acquired Element Nutrition Inc. ("Element Nutrition") and Hammock Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Hammock Consumer"), and changed its name from PJ1 Capital Corp. to Element Nutritional Sciences Inc. (the "Company" or the "Resulting Issuer"). Further details of the acquisitions are contained in the section "Business Combination". 

Element Nutrition
Element Nutrition is an innovative, research driven Canadian nutraceutical company specializing in the development of science-based products for the Global Consumer Packaged Goods ("CPG") market, with a portfolio focused specifically on men and women over the age of 50. 

Element Nutrition's lead product, Rejuvenate is a proprietary, patented formulation that has clinically proven efficacy in helping prevent muscle loss due to Sarcopenia (muscle loss due to aging). Rejuvenate comes in pouches and the powder can be mixed with regular water. The Company will have Rejuvenate ready-to-drink available for purchase in the fall of 2020. Rejuvenate ready-to-drink offers 15 grams of organic plant protein in a 330ml tetra pak. It is sugar free, gluten free, dairy free and free of artificial sweeteners and colors. 

Rejuvenate is already being sold through 9,000 points of distribution. Element Nutrition has received additional shelf space commitments for Rejuvenate, which will expand availability to a total of approximately 11,000 points of distribution by the end of October 2020. The Company currently has agreements with U.S. retailers such as: CVS Health Corporation and Walmart Inc.; and Canadian retailers such as: Loblaw Companies Limited, Shoppers Drug Mart Corporation, and Rexall Pharmacy Group.

Element Nutrition has been built to scale efficiently and quickly, with established warehousing and infrastructure to enable seamless North America-wide distribution, and an operating e-commerce platform that guarantees shipment to 98% of the U.S. population within two business days.

Element Nutrition's portfolio also includes: JAKTRX, an elite brand of performance supplements. 

Stuart Lowther, MSc., BSc. – Chairman and CEO of Element Nutrition

Element Nutrition was founded in Burlington, Ontario in 2015 by Stuart Lowther, a two-time nominee for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and an experienced nutraceutical executive, with a proven track record of creating value for shareholders. Prior to founding Element Nutrition, Mr. Lowther was the founder, President and CEO of Life Science Nutritionals ("LSN"), which was consistently listed among Canada's fastest growing companies until its sale to Santa Cruz Nutritionals in 2015. Prior to LSN, he was International Sales Manager for Jamieson Laboratories, where his efforts resulted in an increase in revenue of greater than 14 times over a two-year period until the company's sale in 2014 to a U.S.-based private equity firm. Mr. Lowther was also an executive at IOVATE Health Sciences, where he played a key role in growing the business from $40 million in revenue to over $200 million annually.  

Mr. Lowther's team is comprised of seasoned executives that bring experience growing and managing well-known CPG and nutraceutical brands. 

Hammock Consumer

Hammock Consumer was formed to bring unique, safe and effective consumer health products to the U.S. and Canadian markets. Hammock Consumer's lead product, Athletes Gel^TM, was launched in January 2020. The company continues to build its U.S. distribution network through retail and wholesale channels. In addition, Hammock Consumer has a proprietary e-commerce platform for direct to consumer distribution. Hammock Consumer continues to develop pipeline products that will provide superior treatment options to consumers and healthcare providers, while pursuing product acquisition opportunities to further advance the company's portfolio. 

William Maichle – CEO of Hammock Consumer 
William Maichle is the founder, CEO and President of Hammock Consumer, which was founded in North Carolina in February 2016. Mr. Maichle is an accomplished healthcare industry executive with 24 years of experience in product development, mergers & acquisitions, licensing, sales & marketing, and commercial operations. His career includes Chief Operating Officer at ProEthic Pharmaceuticals, and its successor company, Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. Mr. Maichle held the positions of CEO, Nautilus Neurosciences and President, Tribute Pharmaceuticals US (both of which were sold to publicly traded companies) prior to founding Hammock in 2016. Mr. Maichle has held numerous board and advisory board positions in the healthcare sector.

Management Commentary

Stuart Lowther, Chairman and CEO of Element Nutrition commented, "In a rapidly growing market already worth over $1 billion¹ annually, there are limited offerings available to men and women over the age of 50 to directly counteract natural muscle loss due to aging. With exclusive access to the only formulation that has been proven through 25+ clinical trials to rebuild, restore and rejuvenate muscle tissue, Element Nutrition is stepping into that gap. Our team has already established a robust ecommerce platform and secured 11,000 points of distribution across the U.S. and Canada for October 2020. We are also engaged in active discussions to enter target jurisdictions in Europe and Asia."

Mr. Lowther added, "With a track record of building valuable brands from start-up to sale and driving profitable growth at some of the most recognizable CPG, wellness and nutraceutical companies globally, we have the right senior management team to create shareholder value as we build Element Nutrition into a leader in the global consumer packaged goods market."

William Maichle, CEO of Hammock Consumer commented, "We are excited about Element Nutrition and Hammock Consumer joining forces. The Element Nutrition team have a great track record in consumer health, and we look forward to bringing additional depth to the combined Company."

Business Combination

The Company acquired Element Nutrition and Hammock Consumer effective August 31, 2020 pursuant to: (i) a share exchange agreement (the "Element Share Exchange Agreement") under which the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Element in consideration of the issuance of 24,375,000 common shares to the former shareholders of Element Nutrition; and (ii) a merger agreement (the "Hammock Consumer Merger Agreement") under which the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Hammock Consumer in consideration of the issuance of 9,375,000 common shares to the former shareholders of Hammock Consumer. As part of the Element Share Exchange Agreement and the Hammock Consumer Merger Agreement, the Company reserved for issuance an aggregate of 24,000,000 management performance warrants (the "Management Performance Warrants"). Each of the Element Share Exchange Agreement and the Hammock Consumer Merger Agreement contains voluntary lock-up provisions that apply to the former shareholders of Element Nutrition and Hammock Consumer.

Capitalization of the Resulting Issuer

The Company has outstanding 55,983,162 common shares, 24,000,000 Management Performance Warrants each of which is exercisable at C$0.30 until August 31, 2025 in the event certain performance targets are met and 1,333,300 options each of which is exercisable at $0.30 until August 31, 2025. 

About the Company 

The Company commenced operations in June 2020 with the objective of completing the acquisition of Element Nutrition and Hammock Consumer.

About Element Nutrition Inc.

Element Nutrition is an innovative, research driven Canadian nutraceutical company specializing in the development of science-based products for the Global Consumer Packaged Goods ("CPG") market, with a portfolio focused specifically on men and women over the age of 50. Element Nutrition's lead product, Rejuvenate, is a proprietary formulation that is clinically proven to assist in the rebuilding, restoration and rejuvenation of natural loss of muscle mass due to aging or other medical conditions. Element Nutrition also offers JAKTRX, an elite brand of performance supplements. Element Nutrition was founded in 2015 and is located in Burlington, Ontario.

More information about Rejuvenate can be found at: www.rejuvenatemuscle.com

About Hammock Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Hammock Consumer is a consumer-focused healthcare company located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company is dedicated to finding and providing topical, non-allergenic, natural-based solutions to treat a variety of skincare needs. Due to health education and rising prescription costs, consumers are increasingly taking control of their healthcare decisions. Hammock Consumer endeavors to meet consumer demands by offering a variety of over-the-counter products via e-commerce, in select markets, and on a national retail basis.

More information about Athletes Gel^TM can be found at: https://athletesgel.us

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward looking statements relate, among other things, to: internal expectations; expectations of the industry in which the Company's products will be marketed and sold; the safety and efficacy of the Company's consumer health and nutraceutical products; expectations for future capacity, costs and opportunities; warehousing, distribution and delivery logistics for the Company's products; anticipated synergies resulting from the completion of the Business Combination; the effect of the transaction on the merged companies and their strategy going forward; and forecasts with respect to the size of the muscle loss and topical pain markets in the United States and Canada. 

These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; expectations regarding the size of the United States and Canadian health, nutraceutical and wellness markets and changing consumer habits; the viability of the Company's products; availability of distribution channels for the Company's product offerings; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives; plans for expansion; successful development of the Company's proposed products; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions or recalls on the sale of the Company's products in the United States and Canada; customer and distributor relations; fluctuations in securities markets; and the inability of the Company to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. 

No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. 

SOURCE Element Nutritional Sciences Inc.

Increase in ‘deaths of despair’ caused by economy could kill more than COVID-19, doctors suggest

A local drug and alcohol treatment center is hoping to prevent deaths of despair, which are deaths related to drugs, alcohol and/ or suicide by raising awareness about National Recovery Month this September. 

TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. – According to recent reports, deaths of despair, inducing deaths related to drugs, alcohol and suicide, are skyrocketing this year due to the economic collapse caused by the response to COVID-19, which has forced millions of Americans into unemployment. 

According to the report, which was published by Well Being Trust and the Robert Graham Center, experts are now predicting more than 150,000 additional deaths could be added to the yearly deaths of despair. To put things in perspective, when the economy was doing well in 2018 there were more than 180,000 deaths of despair. Now, doctors are worried that number could climb by more than 150,000 additional deaths. 

“This news is absolutely heartbreaking and staggering, however, it doesn’t have to be this way,” said John Templeton, founder of Footprints Beachside Recovery Center a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility in Treasure Island, Florida. “We’ve had hundreds of people successfully complete our drug and alcohol treatment programs, and with National Recovery Month kicking off tomorrow, we need to do all we can to help people find sobriety and claim recovery by letting them know that there is hope.”

September is National Recovery Month and experts from Footprints are hoping to encourage those who are struggling with drug and alcohol abuse and dependency. 

“We absolutely know that many suicides are linked to alcohol and drug related problems, and we want those people to know that we are here for them, and we want to help,” Templeton said.

Footprints provides treatment options including day/night treatment, a men’s program, women’s program, outpatient treatment, relapse prevention, sober living, detox, treatment for professionals, and treatment for doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals. Some of the areas of treatment are for alcohol, heroin, meth, cocaine, opioids, ecstasy, marijuana, hallucinogens and dual diagnosis disorders. 

National Recovery Month is a national observance held every September by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with mental and substance use disorders to live healthy and rewarding lives. Now in its 31st year, Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those living in recovery.

About Footprints Beachside Recovery Center:

Founded in 2008, Footprints Beachside Recovery Center is a small, private, holistic substance abuse treatment center for adults and is located in Pinellas County, Fla. Footprints provides specialized treatment plans for patients from throughout the U.S. and around the world. Opioid addiction recovery programs at Footprints focus on ensuring safe withdrawals and often combine holistic treatment with medication assisted therapies to reduce cravings and provide more successful recovery outcomes for patients.