From Whole Foods to pricey health food stores, cafes, and coffee shops, certain foods and ingredients have become trendy among health and calorie counting foodies. Who has not heard of matcha, Acai, cold-pressed juice, and gluten-free baked goods? In a perfect world, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could find food and drinks that are delicious, healthy and not calorie laden? While certain Instagram accounts may have you convinced these “magic foods” exist, Dr. Niket Sonpal is a NYC gastroenterologist and assistant professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine who cautions health enthusiasts to do a deeper dive into what they are eating and imbibing
Gluten-Free Baked Goods
Despite the fact that less than one percent of Americans are believed to have celiac disease, customers and food brands alike have gotten caught in the gluten-free food obsession. Dr. Sonpal explains that “To mimic the taste and texture of wheat gluten, companies will use corn, oat, and rice flours, which aren’t necessarily better for you.” One study found that participants who consumed rice-flour-based baked goods had higher levels of metals within their system than the control group, which is linked to rice’s natural arsenic and metal content.
Smoothie Bowls
Their vibrant colors and pleasant toppings give smoothie bowls the appearance of a well-balanced breakfast, but don’t be fooled: they are loaded with sugar. Unlike traditional smoothies that come in useful, portion-controlled bottles, smoothie bowls tend to be larger and have more surface area, which makes it easy to add additional toppings. For example, the Chunky Strawberry Bowl from Jamba Juice contains 590 calories and 58 grams of sugar.
Acai
Google “acai berry” and a wealth of purported benefits like weight loss and antiaging results will return. Does this trendy health food hail from Brazil really live up to the hype? Dr. Sonpal says that “While the fiber-rich fruit does tout more antioxidant properties than pomegranates and blueberries, many health claims don’t mention that it logs in 247 calories per 100 grams, 26 grams of which are carbohydrates.” The takeaway? Unless you are using acai at home and controlling your portions, an acai bowl could cost you almost 600 calories per serving!
Almond milk
The fact that it’s dairy-free and low in calories has made it the default milk among many people who try to eat healthily. Dr. Sonpal explains that “though unsweetened almond milk, like dairy milk, is a good source of calcium and vitamin D, it’s really low in protein. (Just 1 or 2g protein in a one-cup serving.)
Protein Bars
Protein bars, which are sometimes also energy bars, contain numerous artificial ingredients and have as much nutritional value as a milk chocolate bar. That said, some protein bars can be healthy if they contain healthy, whole, and very few ingredients that make up the bar. Dr. Sonpal cautions, “If you see upwards of 15 ingredients in your protein bar, I would say stay away from it.”
Avocado
If you look at all the salads, grain bowls, and other healthy dishes on Instagram, you'll probably notice that the people posting them seem to be eating a great deal of avocado. "Avocados are very nutritious and packed with healthy monounsaturated fats and fiber,” says Dr. Sonpal. Many Instagrammers go overboard. "An entire medium avocado contains 250 calories and 23g fat," Sonpal says. "Keep your serving size to a quarter of a medium avocado, which would be 60 calories and 6g of fat."
Veggie Chips
The pieces of actual veggies in veggie chips are so thin and processed that most of the nutrition from the vegetable is gone. “Instead, try whole-grain pretzels, baked corn chips, crackers made with seeds and nuts, or popcorn,” Dr. Sonpal suggests. To keep from turning a bag of chips or box of crackers into a meal, divide them up into sensible portions ahead of time.
Cold-pressed juices Cold pressed juices have risen in popularity over the past few years, and with the hefty price tag tacked on to them (one serving of juice can be as much as $12!) one would assume guzzling some would provide you with all the nutrients you could possibly need. Unfortunately for your wallets, and your diets, that is not the case. While made of whole, raw fruits and veggies, the fiber from these foods are often stripped during the juicing process. On top of that, fruits like apples can be added to cut the bitter flavor of leafy greens, which can bump the carbohydrate content up to 20-30 grams of carbs per juice! Dr. Sonpal warns that “because there is no fiber or protein in these juices, guzzling one can cause blood sugar levels to spike too, leaving you right back where you started: hungry and craving something nutrient dense.”
Matcha Lattes
Matcha is one food trend that has taken the center stage. Some restaurants offer matcha pancakes. While matcha is packed with antioxidants and provides detox health benefits that cannot be disputed, ordering up a latte may not be the magic elixir you bargained for. A 12-ounce matcha latte from a popular coffee chain packs 24 grams of sugar and will set you back 190 calories.
About Dr. Niket Sonpal is a native of Long Island NY and a graduate of the Medical University of Silesia – Hope Medical Institute in Poland. After completing his residency in Internal Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital, he was selected to be the 2013‐2014 Chief Resident at Lenox Hill Hospital–Northshore LIJ Health System. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine and Clinical instructor at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Brooklyn. Dr. Sonpal has completed his Fellowship in Gastroenterology & hepatology at Lenox Hill Hospital and will continue his work in the field of medical student and resident test preparation. He now serves as the associate program director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Brookdale University medical center.
He is the co‐author for the best-selling Master the Boards: USMLE Step 2 CK, Master the Boards Step 3, And Master the Boards: Internal Medicine. He is also the Chief Operating Officer for Medquest Test Prep, Director of Medical Education for Picmonic Test Prep, and a recognized expert on medical test prep.
Sexercise: 7 Exercises That Can Improve Your Sex Life
How simple fitness moves can make a huge difference in the bedroom
There are many elements that go into a great sexual encounter. Some of these components include mutual attraction and self-confidence. But when the moment comes to perform you want to know you have the strength and stamina to bring your A game and enjoy a strong finale.
“Having a body that's optimized for great sex and looking like an Instagram model are not mutually exclusive,” says Vince Sant, co-founder and lead trainer of V Shred, the online training platform that has taken the world by storm in recent years. “Some of the smaller muscle that you didn’t even know you have sometimes make the biggest difference.”
Sant explains that there’s a logical relationship between being fit and a more enjoyable sex life. Muscle tone and cardiovascular health help us perform better and have more gratifying orgasms. Mentally, physical fitness plays a huge roll in one’s confidence which is just as much a part of sex as your partner’s attraction to you.
For these 7 exercises, we are focusing on fortifying the stabilizing muscles in the pelvis, lower back, and core. This group of muscles is responsible for handling any position you get into with your partner and enjoy intense finales.
High-Intensity Interval Training (H.I.I.T)
“Your stamina and endurance are central to sex. Interval training helps increases just that. The great thing about H.I.I.T is that you can make it a part of any of your cardio and body weight routines,” says Sant who makes H.I.I.T a fundamental part of his fitness programs.
Lying Leg Raises
Not only does this move engage your lower abs, thighs, and glutes but it also challenges your hip flexor muscles. “The hip flexors include the psoas muscle which connects your spine to your legs. The Iliacus muscle located deep within the pelvis which helps rotate your thigh bone and is helpful in sustaining certain positions in bed, explains Sant. Other muscles engaged by this exercise are the rectus femoris (one of the four quads muscles), the pectineus muscle and the sartorius.
Crunches
A strengthened core gives you the ability to maintain pleasurable positions for increased passion. For added benefit, use a stability ball to enhance your crunches. This will work your balance and stability as well as your back which will improve your thrusting ability and help prevent back injury.
Push-ups
If your partner likes you being on top you have to condition your upper body and core. Push-ups accomplish exactly that. Strengthening your arms, shoulders, and chest, push-ups help you to maintain a dominant thrust and increased energy. “Remember to find ways to practice progressive overload in your push-ups and other resistance training by adding weights to your exercises or increasing repetitions. Resistance training has been shown to increase the male sex hormone, Testosterone,” says Sant.
Squats
“Squats mostly work your glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps,” says Sant. Everything from your abs, obliques, and lower back to your calves and ankle complex are engaged in this exercise as well. The Instagram model turned fitness mogul explains that “a lot of pleasurable positions for both partners need a stronger core and lower body to sustain the positions until orgasm.”
Stretch - The Seal Pose
People overlook stretching all the time. It is an important part of preparing for your physical activity both at the gym and in the bed. The lumbar extension aims at stretching the forward curve of the lumbar spine in your lower back. “You will be using your lower back a lot during sex and making sure the lower back is prepped for activity will prevent any pulled muscle or embarrassing moments,” says Sant
Stretch - The Butterfly
You want to avoid waking up next to your partner the morning after you’ve had great sex feeling sore and unable to move your legs. “The butterfly stretch helps target the groin and inner thigh. You should use this stretch after a variety of normal leg stretches to avoid overstretching the groin,” explains Sant. He maintains that this stretch is very helpful in warding off soreness in that hard-to-stretch area.
About V Shred:
V Shred is the fastest growing fitness and nutrition brand in the world offering online training programs designed to put the fun back into fitness and nutrition. V Shred provides a results-driven enduring lifestyle change instead of a frustrating battle that is easy to give up on. With a support network comprised of trusted accredited advisors and virtual personal trainers, people meet their fitness, nutrition, and goals.
The company, co-founded in 2015 by Nick Daniel, Roger Crandall, Kevin Pearn, and Vince Sant, sought out to create a healthy fitness movement specifically designed to deliver profound changes in your body with the minimal amount of workout time. V Shred has created some of the world's most popular fitness and nutrition programs such as Fat Loss Extreme and Toned in 90 Days for women and men and Ripped in 90 Days for men.
The diet that accompanies the workouts in these comprehensive fitness programs, offers plenty of healthy food options and recipes. V Shred’s supportive coaches encourage “portion empowerment” which inspires people to eat and enjoy food knowing it’s the fuel they need to achieve the results they seek.
V Shred is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information visit http://www.vshred.com
Need some Chill for the Holidays?
L’eela’s “Chill Pill” CBD Daily Supplements Provide an Assist for Health-Conscious Consumers Looking to Coast into the New Year Stress Free
DENVER (December 17, 2018)—Nearly a quarter of Americans report feeling “extreme stress” during the holiday season, according to a recent American Psychological Association poll. This prolonged season of induced anxiety may be the reason so many consumers resolve to reduce stress in the New Year. But what if there was a “Chill Pill” that helped to feel relief from this mental state?
Studies on CBD oil have concluded that the supplement is a promising treatment for numerous forms of anxiety, including social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, recent research revealed that cannabidiol not only made participants feel better, but also changed the way their brains responded to anxiety.
Now L’eela has added L’eela’s “Chill Pill” CBD Daily Supplements 25 mg to its product offerings, providing sustainably sourced, easy and convenient vegetarian cannabidiol (CBD) capsules meant to nourish your body from the inside. Produced with high quality Colorado CBD, the daily supplement supports calm demeanor, fights inflammation and enhances muscle and joint repair.
“During the holidays people feel so stressed about lack of time and a hectic schedule of social obligations, but studies have found that CBD could reduce symptoms of social anxiety in people by changing blood flow to the regions of the brain linked to feelings of anxiety,” noted L’eela founder Lisa Richards.
As a formulation specialist for L’eela, Richards began investigating natural health alternatives when she developed severe allergies in her late 30s that jeopardized her fitness-rooted lifestyle as a yoga instructor. She gained an appreciation for the effectiveness of cannabidiol (CBD) and whole-plant cannabis products when she used them to aid recovery and healing from her own injuries, including three herniated discs and sacral injuries. Richards has spent several years blending her own oils using the life-balancing philosophy of Ayurveda, which is a perfect complement to the Vinyasa yoga she has taught since 2000. In her practice, she has worked with pro athletes, TV personalities, preschoolers and everyone in between. Lisa’s business partner and L’eela co-founder Amy Andrle has witnessed firsthand the power of the plant as owner of L’Eagle, a boutique dispensary and cultivation specializing in organically grown cannabis that serves medical marijuana patients suffering from conditions including PTSD, severe pain, muscle spasms, anxiety and chronic illness.
“Just as L’eela’s Vital Hydrating Oil was formulated to soothe dry skin and hair, our ‘Chill Pill’ CBD Daily Supplements can set you on the path toward calmer internal wellbeing. L’eela products are designed to support balanced beauty inside and out,” Richards concluded.
From now through Jan. 31, 2019, L’eela’s “Chill Pill” 25mg CBD Daily Supplements are 25 percent off at a sale price of $63.80 (regularly $80). Visit L’eela’s online shop at leelacbdbodycare.com. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact media@leelabodycare.com.
L'eela CBD Body Care: Balanced Beauty Inside and Out
L’eela CBD Body Care is a line of artisan supplements and luxury body care products that feature the wellness benefits of hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD). All L’eela products are non-psychoactive, formulated with pure and organically produced ingredients, and made with hemp that is grown and processed in the USA. L'eela puts sustainability at the forefront of its ingredient sourcing and manufacturing. For more information, visitleelacbdbodycare.com. Continue the conversation on Instagram and Facebook.
SKINCARE 911:
WHAT TO DO WHEN A SKINCARE DISASTER ERUPTS BEFORE A HOLIDAY PARTY
It's something every woman fears: Waking up on the day before or day of a big holiday party with an unsightly skincare emergency. How many women have cancelled an invitation because a cold sore erupted? How about cystic acne on your chin that appears New Year’s Eve? While neither of these are "life threatening" conditions, for a woman, they might as well be. There are solutions. Dr. Manish Shah is a Denver Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. As a father to girls, he can relate to these skincare 911s and shares his expertise on what can be done to mitigate various conditions.
Problem: Cold Sore
Solution: Dr. Shah offers cortisone injections to patients who want to look better faster. "Very diluted cortisone into the cold sore, this can bring the inflammation down quite rapidly," he says. If you are afraid of needles, call your doctor and ask him/her to call in a prescription for Valtrex, Famvir, or Acylovir, Dr. Shah says. You can pick up Abreva, an over-the-counter medication. If you can't make it to the pharmacy, you can try some old-fashioned remedies: Visine will help take the red out. You can also use a cold compress and Tylenol or ibuprofen.
Problem: Allergic Reaction
Solution: The first thing you need to do is stop eating or using whatever is causing the allergic reaction. If the reaction happens a few days before an occasion, Dr. Shah recommends using hydrocortisone cream twice a day and taking Allegra, Claritin or Zyrtec which are longer acting and less sedating than Benadryl. Try a whole-milk compress for 10 minutes twice a day. For allergic reactions, use the hydrocortisone cream and then cover up redness by canceling it out entirely. The opposite of red is green, so apply green tinted concealer on the red area. The combination will create a flesh-toned hue. A good quality tinted moisturizer naturally has green/yellow undertones and also provides moisture to dry skin. "If this type of reaction is something you have never experienced before, go immediately to your dermatologist," says Dr. Shah.
Problem: Cystic Acne Breakout
There are some people who use a lancet or small knife to cut into a cyst and fish out the clogged part of the pore. "Cutting open a cyst is extremely risky. You not only run the risk of getting an infection, but you also run the risk of scarring, as in a permanent skin indentation or protrusion," says Dr. Shah. And what if you cut open a cyst but can't squeeze out the root clog? You don't know where the root is or how deep it resides inside your skin. You can't even be 100% confident that you will be able to completely remove the hardened plug of the cyst. If any remnants of the clog remain, the cyst is likely to get re-inflamed and come back even worse. It's also not exactly good to cut open skin and dig around and squeeze the wound. Doing so will only make a bloody mess, increase the chance of skin scarring, and prolong the time it takes the cyst to heal.
Solution: Here's a secret that many a supermodel or actress use: Steroid shot. Dr. Shah explains that, "when we discuss treating acne with cortisone or "steroid" shots, we are referring to the process of gently placing a very dilute quantity of a "glucocorticoid" steroid into the cyst. Glucocorticoids are a class of steroid molecules that are naturally produced by our bodies and have numerous functions including the regulation of human metabolism, immunity, and inflammation. They have very potent anti-inflammatory effects, so they are often used to treat inflammatory diseases in medicine. They can be formulated as creams to treat skin rashes or as pills to treat systemic disease. They can also be injected directly into local areas of inflammation such as in arthritic joints and inflamed acne cysts. Within one or two days of injection into a cyst, the steroid will shrink the inflammation producing relief of pain and almost immediate cosmetic improvement."
Problem: Puffy Eyes
Solution: The key to reducing the puffiness of puffy eyes is having something cool applied to them. "A cool compress or cooled cucumber slices applied for 5 to 10 minutes can constrict blood and lymph vessels," says Dr. Shah. You can also use cool tea bags, which contain tannins that will help reduce swelling. And since puffy eyes can be caused by a high salt diet or alcohol, try to cut out both before an important occasion.
Problem: Sunburn
Solution: Take a cool bath or shower. Set the water to a cool temperature that's just below lukewarm and relax for 10 to 20 minutes. The temperature will ease the pain, and the water will stop your skin from becoming as irritated. Repeat as often as you need to. Avoid using soap, bath oils, or other detergents as you bathe - they'll irritate your skin and possibly make it even worse. If you have blisters forming on your skin, take a bath instead of showering. The pressure from the shower might pop your blisters. When you get out, don't rub your skin dry with a towel. Instead, let yourself air dry, or pat the towel over your skin in small, gentle movements. Apply cold compresses to your skin. If you're not in a situation where you can bathe, or you'd just prefer not to, you can instead apply cold, wet compresses to your skin. Dampen a washcloth or other piece of fabric with cold water and lay it over the affected area for 20 to 30 minutes. Re-wet it as often as you need to. Apply aloe vera to burned skin. Using the pads of your fingers, gently apply the aloe to your sunburn. Don't "rub it in" all the way, like you might with a regular lotion. Leave it a bit goopy and moist on top of the burn - this helps prevent the skin from drying out and becoming more irritated. Reapply as often as necessary. Treat inflammation with cortisone cream (optional). Cortisone creams contain a small dose of steroids that can work to reduce inflammation to your sunburn.
Problem: Too much filler
The Solution: Dr. Shah suggests doing fillers no sooner than 1 month before a big event to allow time for healing and touch ups. One of the reasons Dr. Shah leans toward hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm and Perlane is because they are easily reversed with Hyaluronidase. This product dissolves and degrades the Restylane, Juvederm or Perlane so as to reverse the results of the initial injection. It's a great insurance policy when choosing a practitioner. Make sure yours has it at his/her disposal. Most patients find the immediate results of soft tissue filler treatments very satisfying. If an undesirable result occurs, your treatment provider should be able to discuss and carry out all of the treatment options. Removing the effects of a "filler" treatment can be difficult. This is why any filler treatment needs to be done carefully, conservatively and only by very experienced and Board -Certified Specialists. Hyaluronic Acid based dermal fillers have the additional benefit of being partially or completely reversed with time or with the injection of a commercially available enzyme known as Hyaluronidase.
About Dr. Manish Shah
Plastic Surgeon Colorado | Dr. Manish Shah, M.D. | Denver
Manish Shah, M.D., F.A.C.S. was born in Canada and raised in the Washington, D.C. area. He graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania, receiving a degree in biomedical engineering. He then completed his medical training at the University of Virginia, earning his Medical Doctorate. During this time he also completed a one-year fellowship in microsurgery research at the New York University School of Medicine / Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery. As a prelude to his plastic surgery training, Dr. Shah completed a rigorous five-year training program in General and Trauma Surgery at Emory University and the Medical College of Georgia. His formal training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery was completed at the Univ. of Tennessee College of Medicine – Chattanooga Unit. After completing his plastic surgery training, he moved to New York City when he was selected for the prestigious Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship at Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital. He underwent extensive, advanced training in aesthetic surgery of the face, breasts, and body at the hands of some of the most renowned cosmetic surgeons in the world. This fellowship is widely considered to be the best of its kind in the world. Dr. Shah is one of only a select few plastic surgeons in the country who have undergone formal post-graduate training in aesthetic surgery.
Dr. Shah’s specialties include revision facial aesthetic surgery, rhinoplasty (“nose reshaping”), and aesthetic surgery of the breast (breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction). He is, however, well-trained in all areas of aesthetic surgery.
Dr. Shah’s aim is to obtain a natural appearing transformation that complements the real you!
Dr. Shah is a past Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center based at Denver Health Medical Center, the Rocky Mountain region’s only academic Level I trauma center. He is a past Chief of Plastic Surgery at Denver Health Medical Center. He also maintains a private practice in Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery on the Dry Creek Medical Center campus (DTC/Denver) and up in the Aspen Valley (Basalt – in the office of MDAesthetics – Tim Kruse, M.D.).
Dr. Shah is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Shah is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Texas A&M Health Science Center report highlights new ways forward for rural health care
BRYAN, Texas — The A&M Rural and Community Health Instituteat the Texas A&M University Health Science Centerreleased a report this week outlining new ways forward for rural Texas communities facing or experiencing a hospital closure. The Episcopal Health Foundation (EHF), Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the T.L.L. Temple Foundation sponsored the report, titled Optimizing Rural Health: A community health care blueprint.
Through a series of focus groups and other research, a Texas A&M team, in collaboration with EHF, compared the health care needs of three communities with the current services available. What they found was that the true issue for rural health care is not necessarily the lack of a full-service hospital nearby, but instead the need to work with communities to balance needs, capacities and resources to optimize health care delivery and preserve access to health care.
The report includes a blueprint for each participating community based on their individual needs and circumstances. Additionally, the A&M Rural and Community Health Institute prepared community presentations to share research results and answer community members’ questions.
Although each community is unique, the commonalities discovered in this research are “lessons learned” for rural communities in Texas and across America.
For example, in one community, the hospital had closed, but was in the process of reopening. Therefore, the plan for that community involved ways to make the reopening successful and involve the community in the process.
In another community, in which there was no plan to reopen their closed hospital, the blueprint suggested ways to prioritize needed services, such as mental health and sports medicine, to help advance the health of the community even without the inpatient beds that were in the now-closed hospital.
The themes of this recent research are intertwined and can increase awareness and actions toward optimized rural health care. The report notes that if communities can be aware of their hospitals’ vulnerability, they can be proactive to identify options for health care access.
“The question becomes, ‘How can we deliver care in rural areas on a high-quality basis and do so even if there is not a hospital in town?’” Dickey said. “We need to be thinking about alternatives.”
“The goal is ‘right-sizing' healthcare delivery in rural communities in a way that provides quality services for families living there,” said Elena Marks, EHF’s president and CEO. “In some areas that includes a hospital, but these blueprints show that communities may be able to find new and sometimes more effective ways of offering affordable access to the services families need the most.”
The Rural and Community Health Institute will also be amplifying these research results from Texas to a much broader scale: the nation.
This fall, the Rural and Community Health Institute was awarded a five-year grantfrom the Vulnerable Rural Hospitals Assistance Program, funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The grant funded the creation of the Center for Optimizing Rural Health, a technical advisory center for the nation, to actively help rural communities maintain their hospital or create other means of access to care after hospitals close.
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About Texas A&M University Health Science Center Texas A&M University Health Science Center is transforming healththrough innovative research, education and service in dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health and medical sciences. As an independent state agency and academic unit of Texas A&M University, the health science center serves the state through campuses in Bryan-College Station, Dallas, Temple, Houston, Round Rock, Kingsville, Corpus Christi and McAllen. Learn more at vitalrecord.tamhsc.edu or follow @TAMHSC on Twitter.
Volcani Center Announces Significant Breakthroughs in CTCL Skin Cancer Cannabis Treatment Development in Cooperation With MedC Biopharma Corporation of Canada
RISHON LE-ZION, Israel, Dec. 17, 2018 /CNW/ - Volcani Center announces today its preparation of patents for the treatment of Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL), a class of non-Hodgkin lymphoma - a cancer of the immune system. CTCL is classified by the FDA as an Orphan Disease, and as such products developed for this disease have the potential to achieve orphan status designation which can accelerate licensing and create a seven-year exclusivity window.
Headed by Professor Hinanit Koltai, the patents are based on a unique formulation of active compounds selectively extracted from the cannabis plant, which have highly cytotoxic activity against malignant T-cell lines.
Further development and distribution are via an exclusive global licensing agreement signed by the ARO via Kidum with cannabis pharmaceutical company MedC Biopharma Corporation of Canada, which has invested in the development of CTCL treatments at ARO to secure the exclusive global license for the CTCL patents, a significant milestone in its efforts to further its aims to become the largest repository of IP in the Pharma Cannabinoids arena.
MedC's investors include one of Canada's leading LP & pharmaceutical cannabis company, AgMedica Bioscience. MedC has also forged a partnership with Nextage Innovation (a subsidiary of Nextar Chempharma Solutions) Israel, As MedC's exclusive partner for the development of cannabis-based Rx products including for the development of the CTCL treatments.
Located at the Volcani Center, near Tel-Aviv, ARO is the country's leading cannabis research powerhouse with a repository of IP developed by a team of scientists, whose research has identified multiple effective compositions of cannabinoids and terpenes in the past years.
Clinical trials for a cannabis-based medication developed specifically for CTCL are planned to begin in the beginning of 2019.
Professor Hinanit Koltai, at Volcani Center, said, "We are delighted that our collaborative efforts with MedC will provide them with the IP that will help pave the way in treating CTCL."
Avi Drori, Chairman of MedC Corp (Canada), said, "We are pleased that our investments in the development of cannabis-based medication for CTCL has matured into breakthrough discoveries and resulting patents. We look forward to commencing clinical trials, so we can finally bring hope to patients world-wide seeking a cure for this terrible disease".
Located agriculture campus in Rishon Letzion, near Tel-Aviv, Volcani Center's six institutes are responsible for Plant Sciences, Animal Science, Plant Protection, Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Engineering, and Postharvest and Food Sciences. ARO also operates four research stations, in various parts of the country, and serves as a testing center for agricultural produce and equipment.
About MedC Bio Corporation of Canada
MedC Biopharma Corporation of Canada was established by the Drori brothers in 2016 with the sole aim of developing and commercializing Pharma Cannabis related intellectual property. The company has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with world renown National Medical Cannabis Research Lab at Agricultural Research Organization (ARO) Volcani, State of Israel.
SOURCE ARO Volcani and MedC Bio Corporation of Canada
New Service from Medela Connects Moms to Breastfeeding Support in Seconds
24/7 LC™ Offers Instant Video Chats with Lactation Consultants through MyMedela®
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Dec. 17, 2018 /CNW/ - For many new mothers, breastfeeding support and guidance can be the difference between breastfeeding their babies and the need to formula feed. In Canada, over 93,000 babies do not receive breast milk until the recommended six months of age. This puts our country significantly below the World Health Organization's breastfeeding guidelines. To make sure breast milk feeding moms have access to the help and information they need, Medela has announced 24/7 LC™, a membership service available through the award-winning MyMedela app. In partnership with Pacify Health, a leading telemedicine service, 24/7 LC™ offers moms an instant video connection to a professional lactation consultant through their smartphone anytime they need it.
"Medela is widely known for its research and technological contributions to lactation but what some moms need most is support," said Steve McCormack, managing director of Medela Canada. "As natural as breastfeeding is, sometimes a little additional support or encouragement from an experienced lactation professional makes all the difference to establish a successful, long term breastfeeding journey."
Now through the MyMedela app, 24/7 LC™ offers moms the opportunity for unlimited, instant access to real-time consultations using video chat any time they have a question or issue related to breast milk feeding. Calls are typically answered in less than 30 seconds, and users have access 24-hours a day, so they can get the answers they need on their schedule. When a call comes into Pacify, the LCs do not know how the mother has reached them, be it via a government program, or the MyMedela app. The ONLY information that the LC receives, is the first name of the mother and her preferred language of communication i.e. English, French.
Medela is such a strong believer in this service and its ability to help moms, that they have included it as a free of charge service with their premium double pumps, Sonata and Freestyle. The service can also be purchased separately and at discounted rates for other Medela pumps.
"We're thrilled to partner with Medela to support new mothers," said Melanie Silverman, chief clinical officer at Pacify. "As any mom will tell you, your breast pump may come with instructions, but breastfeeding doesn't. There are so many moms out there who need in-the-moment support but don't have great options for finding it – now they do."
In addition to 24/7 LC, Medela is committed to offering educational resources to all moms to encourage breast milk feeding through their free award-winning MyMedela App. The app tracks nursing and pumping sessions, as well as feedings and growth, and features breastfeeding education based on where mom is in her breastfeeding journey. Moms using the Sonata® Breast Pump also have a connected experience that streamlines tracking through the app with automatically uploaded pumping sessions.
About Medela
Medela is first and foremost a company dedicated to helping moms feed breastmilk to their babies for as long as they choose. We support this goal by continuously investing in lactation research, new product development and new technologies and have been doing so for more than 50 years globally, 25 years in Canada. A key aspect of our past and present success is a relentless focus on research-based medical technology, which will ensure, on an ongoing basis, innovations in the fields of Breastfeeding.
Thanks to Medela's investments, our research in the lactating breast and infant sucking behaviour has changed clinical practice worldwide. Lactation professionals are now better able to help moms with breastfeeding issues. Medela also invests heavily into research to help the most helpless of babies – the preterm infant to promote better outcomes for these vulnerable babies.
Launched in 2014, Pacify Health, Inc. was founded on the idea that more can be done to use mobile technology to help families access excellent pediatric care, regardless of their circumstances. Pacify's industry-leading mobile platform provides instantaneous, 24/7 support for new mothers. Pacify mothers use the app to connect via video-visit with clinicians including nurses, nutritionists and lactation consultants. There are no appointments or scheduling, and calls are answered in an average of less than 30 seconds. Pacify is available directly to consumers as a membership or baby shower gift, and also works with health plans and public health programs to support mothers at no cost to them. Mothers using Pacify have expressed greater satisfaction and engaged more with the platform compared any alternative support services.
Medela wordmark and logo are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. 24/7 LC is a trademark of Medela.
SOURCE Medela Canada
Resolution: Make 2019 Your Healthy Brain Year
By Eddie Fatakhov M.D. (a.k.a. Dr. Fat-Off)
Before 2018 is firmly in the rearview mirror most people around the world will participate in the honored tradition of defining their New Year’s resolutions. While there are many intentions that might be spoken but not kept, there is one that is well worth the effort. If you follow through on one resolution this year let it be improving your overall brain health.
Here are 4 simple ways and 4 tasty foods that will help clear your brain fog in 2019 to ensure your new year is the best, and most productive, it can be.
4 SIMPLE WAYS TO BOOST YOUR BRAIN POWER
Some of the easiest ways to enhance brain function can be found in simple lifestyle changes. Making lifestyle changes are a great way to improve overall health but the following methods are especially beneficial to the brain.
1.) Get more sleep
Sleep is an amazing tool that is too frequently neglected. If you can add more sleep into your daily routine you will find a marked improvement in your overall ability to concentrate, make decisions, and manage stress.
2.) Speaking of reducing stress…
A simple way to eliminate stress is to start by recognizing and addressing it. It’s easy to say “work, kids, and life stress me out” but if you take a second to identify these stresses individually you will find that they are easier to manage. When the stress creeps up try breathing. Breathing exercises can instantly extinguish your stress fuses.
3.) Exercise - It’s not what you think
Like lifestyle change, exercise is key to overall health but the amount of exercise needed to
give you clarity is fairly small. Brain benefitting exercise can be as simple as walking for a few minutes or taking the stairs. Try setting a timer for ten minutes while working on an intense work project. If you take time to stand, stretch, and move when the timer goes off you could find that your mental clarity improves when you resume.
4.) Diet makes a difference
Help your brain with what you eat. If you eat processed, high in sugar, or fast food you are adding obstacles for brain function.
4 FOODS TO BOOST YOUR BRAIN POWER
While there is no food to make your brain function like a well oiled machine all day, there are some that have benefits such as added energy. This increase in energy can be the kick your brain needs to stay on task, work harder, and smarter.
1.) Vegetables - the greener the better
Vegetables make great daily snacks, not only for your waistline but also for your energy. Not all vegetables are created equal so look for the ones with the most chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is what makes plants green. It is also a great tool for getting oxygen into your blood, providing our cells with a good source of energy, which is great for brain function. Here are some good-for-your-brain greens: kale, Swiss chard, wheatgrass, and arugula. There are also some nutrient-rich algae to consider such as spirulina and chlorella (available in supplemental powders - add them to smoothies or fruity yogurt).
4. Carbs! The good-for-you kind
A lot of messaging says to ditch the carbs but in the process you are losing some serious brain support fuel. You can have carbs as long as they are the right ones. Think complex carbs a.k.a. - steel-cut oats, sweet potatoes, and whole wheat bread. These carbs give you glucose energy but have a low glycemic index (GI) - the rate at which food sugar enters cells. Low GI foods are better for keeping energy higher longer.
3. Fatty Acids
DHA Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish - salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, and trout) and brain function go hand in hand. DHA is not something we naturally create in our bodies but adding it through our diet can support vital brain function like memory.
In addition to fish DHA can be found in seeds such as flax, chia, and hemp. These are easily added to salads (really green salads), yogurt, smoothies, or cereal. Another great source of DHA comes from the tasty walnut.
4.) Foods high in benefits and nutrients
Here are some foods that are growing in popularity for their health (and brain) benefits due to increased energy and more.
Maca Maca (a kale cousin) is common in Peruvian cooking for its many health benefits such as increased libido, lower blood pressure, and increased energy and endurance. As we have already discussed, increased energy can be a big brain benefit. If maca is utilized as a daily supplement positive side effects can be seen. Because it’s often offered as a nutty flavored powder maca is easily incorporated into most beverages or breakfast cereal.
Bee Pollen Bee Pollen is very high in B vitamins and all amino acids. This is important because B vitamins and amino acids are big energy creators due to the fact that they increase red blood cell count which, in turn, increases oxygenated blood.
Chocolate
Before your chocolate bar becomes a sweet treat it starts as cacao (the raw bean form). This natural bean is packed with brain powering magnesium and phenylethylamine compounds (PEA) that stimulate the central nervous system. This all adds up to more focus! Cacao also contains flavonoids - brain good antioxidants. To get the best form of cacao look for organic or vegan chocolate bars. They usually have what you want without all the additives.
Eddie Fatakhov, M.D., a.k.a. Dr. Fat-off, is a Board-Certified Physician, Nutritionist, and Best-Selling Author of "The Doctors' Clinic-30 Program. His latest book is “Dr. Fat-Off Simple Life-Long Weight-Loss Solutions.”
One Woman's Mission To 'Quiet The Anger' And Reduce Stress As We Approach The New Year
Charlotte, NC, December 14, 2018 ― Charlotte pastor and face of the popular Car Chronicles Movement, Jameliah Young-Mitchell has penned The Death of the Angry Black Woman—a book published by Warren Publishing that discusses stereotypes faced by African-American women. The book released at #1 on Amazon.com for New Releases in the Anger Management category.
Anger can get the best of many women, but when anger erupts into rage and leads to shouting, fighting, and name-calling, it's time to look within and make a change. The Death of the Angry Black Woman boldly acknowledges stereotypes faced by women in the black community and uncovers the seeds that lead many to live anger-filled lives. Instilled with Biblical scripture and jaw-dropping honesty, this debut book from Pastor Jameliah Young-Mitchell, the voice behind the popular Car Chronicles Movement, will empower you to bury your anger, reject false labels, and embrace the new you.
"I wrote this book for all the women out there who are dealing with anger that they have yet to find the source of,” said Young-Mitchell. "Many women in the black community come from backgrounds of abuse, mistreatment, violence––and they become fighters. Through my book I hope to be that voice in their head, the one we all hear but rarely acknowledge, encouraging them to move on, let go of anger, reject hateful labels, embrace their powerful femininity, and live the life God intended them to live.”
Pastor Jameliah Young-Mitchell is the daughter of the late Evangelist Violetta B. Young and Pastor James I. Young, and grew up in Brooklyn, NY, as the youngest of four kids. She has preached across the United States and internationally and is the pastor of Unity Church Charlotte. Young-Mitchell is an experienced keynote speaker for women's empowerment, teen and youth mentoring, corporate America, and relationships. She is the voice behind the popular Car Chronicles Movement where she can be seen live on Facebook Monday through Friday at 7:30 a.m. Young-Mitchell is the proud mother of a son and daughter and resides in Charlotte, NC, with her husband, Calvin W. Mitchell.
The Death of the Angry Black Woman is available at warrenpublishing.net, Amazon.com, or wherever books are sold. Jameliah Young-Mitchell is available for book signings and interviews.
The Death of the Angry Black Woman
978-1943258-92-5
Released: 2018
Soft Cover
$15.00
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TIP SHEET:
Select excerpts from many five-star reviews on Amazon.com:
"This book is an awesome read! The transparency and life examples of Pastor Jameliah Young- Mitchell gives [sic] the reader a firsthand view of what an overcomer looks like. There is something for everyone to learn and apply to their lives to become better people.”
"At first I wasn't interested in reading this book because I felt that I was not 'Angry' but as I read I discovered that I was angry and suffered some of the same things but learned how to mask the pain. This book allowed me to begin the process of a new me. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is in need of refocusing.”
"I recently joined a book club with a few other ladies and this was one of the first books recommended. I could relate to a lot of the content in the book and was able to dig a little deeper and have a little self-reflection afterwards. I highly recommend this!”
"I liked everything about the book. From the start to the end... it's a mind-blowing moment for real I tell you! This is a 10-star book.”
"This book is just awesome. It has definitely set me free, it has been a blessing to My Mind & Soul.”
"[Jameliah] is very candid in this book. She has a way of leading, teaching, and encouraging, all while openly acknowledging that she too is still learning. It is written in such a way that EVERYBODY can understand. I love it!!”
The Ultimate Manual: Decide Now To Live With Intention
Elkhart, IN, December 14, 2018 ― One of the biggest regrets people have in life is that they didn't do what they wanted to do and instead did what everyone else told them to do. But it's possible to break the cycle by simply deciding now to live a life of intention.
Craig C. Sroda, founder and former CEO of Pinnacle of Indiana, provides actionable, step-by-step instructions for living a more purpose-driven life in The Ultimate Manual — a personal life coach in a book.
With 232 pages of clear, customizable exercises, The Ultimate Manual guides readers on a journey of discovery that will provide insight into the following areas:
• Strengths
• Emotional Intelligence
• Love Languages
• Turning Points
• Life Wheel Evaluation
• Time Usage
• Core Values
• Legacy Thinking, and more
Additionally, Sroda teaches readers how to take everything they've uncovered and synthesize it into a unique, one-page life plan — a dashboard of sorts to keep front and center that will help readers stay on track and accomplish their goals.
Anyone of virtually any age who is seeking purpose and looking for affirmation for their life direction will find valuable information between the covers of The Ultimate Manual that will help them live their lives on purpose — with purpose — and minimize regrets.
Author Craig Sroda's mission is to guide people toward ways that work for them to live their lives intentionally. His goal is to influence 100,000 people to create a life plan by 2022. With the ripple effect, those 100,000 people will influence one million through their five domains of life: personal, family, vocation, community and faith.
Sroda co-founded and served as CEO of Pinnacle of Indiana — one of Indiana's largest Microsoft partners — for 18 years. His passion is helping individuals operate in their "sweet spot”— a place where their passion and strengths intersect so they can maximize their potential. Sroda's previous books include You in the Sweet Spot and Intentional Living and Leadership. After completing his first life plan and exposing priorities of his faith, his wife, three daughters and wanting to help others live on purpose, he sold his company. He is committed to helping others recognize their natural strengths and know their "why.”
The Ultimate Manual
Release date: November 7, 2018
Available from Amazon.com
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TIP SHEET:
Q & As available on request.
Reviews:
Mickey Hay, Ph.D. and Erin Cressy, Ph.D., Leadership Consultants at Cressy Consulting: "Craig Sroda is a magnificent curator of the best thinking in personal and professional development, and he brilliantly synthesizes the best of the best to create this accessible manual for anyone wanting to get and stay on purpose. Roll up your sleeves, digest every page and complete every worksheet because everything in this book has been created with thoughtfulness and heart. Use it to create a happier, sweeter, more productive and success-filled life!”
Scott Franko, Founder, Designer, Author, and Speaker at Franko Design: "I've personally experienced working with Craig as he coached me through the life plan process. You will go through that same process with Craig in this book as he guides you through the steps that will lead to more clarity and intention for you and your life. This truly is the 'ultimate manual' for taking a proactive approach to learning about yourself and how that understanding can change your life.”
Tim Leman, CEO at Gibson, author of rEvolution: Turn Crisis Into Clarity and Ignite Growth: "Craig Sroda has truly put together the 'ultimate manual' for anyone looking for an impactful yet simple guide to creating a life plan. Pulling from free tools and resources on the web, he walks you through in a step-by-step fashion a process to learn about yourself and gain clarity on what you want in life and most importantly how to go about getting it. Whether you're a seasoned professional needing a restart, a stay-at-home parent thinking about what's next or a recent college graduate, Craig's Ultimate Manual is for you!”
Possible discussion topics for Craig Sroda:
1. Understanding your strengths and passions
2. The gift of self awareness
3. Having and living an intentional life with a life plan
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