Praluent® (alirocumab) significantly reduced risk of cardiovascular events in high-risk patients, and was associated with lower death rate

ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial met its primary endpoint, demonstrating that high-risk patients who added Praluent^® (alirocumab) to maximally-tolerated statins experienced significantly fewer major adverse cardiovascular events compared to those on maximally-tolerated statins alone
For the first time, adding a lipid-lowering therapy to maximally-tolerated statins was associated with reduced death from any cause
More pronounced effect observed in patients with baseline LDL-C levels at or above despite maximally-tolerated statins, who are at high risk of suffering a future event; in this group, Praluent reduced risk of major adverse cardiovascular events by 24% and was associated with a 29% lower risk of death overall
In this 18,924-patient, long-term trial, the safety profile of Praluent was consistent with previous trials and no new safety issues were observed

LAVAL, QC, March 10, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial met its primary endpoint, showing Praluent^® (alirocumab) significantly reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients who had suffered a recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) event such as a heart attack. Results from the trial was presented today during a late-breaker session at the American College of Cardiology's 67^th Annual Scientific Session (ACC.18) in Orlando, Florida and are available here.

Logo: Sanofi Canada (CNW Group/Sanofi Canada) (CNW Group/SANOFI)

Key findings include:

On the primary endpoint, Praluent reduced the overall risk of MACE by 15% (HR=0.85, CI: 0.78-0.93, p=0.0003). The MACE composite endpoint includes patients who experienced a heart attack, ischemic stroke, death from coronary heart disease (CHD), or unstable angina requiring hospitalization.
Praluent was also associated with a lower risk of death overall, known as "all-cause mortality" (HR=0.85; CI: 0.73-0.98, nominal p=0.026), and there were also numerically fewer CHD deaths (HR=0.92; CI: 0.76-1.11, p=0.38).
In a pre-specified analysis, the patients with baseline LDL-C levels at or above 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L) experienced a more pronounced effect from Praluent, reducing their risk of MACE by 24% (HR=0.76, CI: 0.65-0.87). In a post-hoc analysis of this group, Praluent was associated with a lower risk of death from any cause by 29% (HR=0.71, CI: 0.56-0.90).
The analyses described above include the results from 730 patients (8%) in the Praluent group who continued to be assessed in the Praluent arm despite stopping active Praluent therapy, as specified in the protocol for patients with persistent LDL-C readings below 15 mg/dL.
For those in the Praluent treatment arm, approximately 75% of patient time was on the 75 mg dose.
There were no new safety signals in the trial, with injection site reactions experienced more commonly in the Praluent group compared to patients on maximally-tolerated statins alone (3.8% Praluent; 2.1% placebo). There was no difference in neurocognitive events (1.5% Praluent; 1.8% placebo) or new-onset diabetes (9.6% Praluent; 10.1% placebo).
"This trial was consistent with earlier statin trials, showing the greatest benefit in patients with higher cholesterol levels at baseline," said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer, Regeneron. "Many patients who have survived a recent heart attack or other coronary event are unable to reach an LDL cholesterol goal of less than 100 mg/dL, and have an urgent need for new therapeutic options because of their increased risk of another event. In this trial, such patients who received Praluent on top of maximally-tolerated statins had important reductions in their risk."

"Not all patients with heart disease are the same. Through this trial, we have been able to identify high-risk patients treated with optimal statins who still have an urgent need for additional treatment options," said Elias Zerhouni, M.D., President, Global R&D, Sanofi. "With nearly 90 percent of the patients in this trial on high-intensity statins, the data demonstrate that a precision-medicine approach in the field of cardiovascular disease may further advance how we better treat high-risk patients."

"The results of this study, the only one specifically designed to evaluate the long-term clinical benefit of Praluent initiation with patients post acute coronary syndrome, demonstrate the value that Praluent can bring to the health of those who are unable to reach their LDL-C health goals," claimed Niven Al-Khoury, President, Sanofi Canada. "With over 60 years of experience working to understand and support the healthcare needs of patients, bringing valuable solutions is core to our purpose."

About ODYSSEY OUTCOMES
ODYSSEY OUTCOMES (n=18,924) assessed the effect of Praluent on the occurrence of MACE in patients who had experienced an ACS between 1-12 months (median 2.6 months) before enrolling in the trial, and who were already on maximally-tolerated statins. All patients were randomized to receive Praluent (n=9,462) or a placebo (n=9,462) and were treated for an average (median) of 2.8 years, with some patients being treated for up to five years. Approximately 90% of patients were on a high-intensity statin.

The trial was designed to maintain patients' LDL-C levels between 25-50 mg/dL (0.6 -1.3 mmol/L), using two different doses of Praluent (75 mg and 150 mg). Praluent-treated patients started the trial on 75 mg every 2 weeks, and switched to 150 mg every 2 weeks if their LDL-C levels remained above 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) (n=2,615). Some patients who switched to 150 mg switched back to 75 mg if their LDL-C fell below 25 mg/dL (0.6 mmol/L) (n=805), and patients who experienced two consecutive LDL-C measurements below 15 mg/dL (0.4 mmol/L) while on the 75 mg dose (n=730) stopped active Praluent therapy for the remainder of the trial.

About Praluent
Praluent inhibits the binding of PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) to the LDL receptor and thereby increases the number of available LDL receptors on the surface of liver cells, which lowers LDL-C levels in the blood. The use of Praluent to reduce the risk of MACE is investigational and has not been evaluated by any regulatory agency.

Praluent is approved in more than 60 countries worldwide, including the U.S., Japan, Canada, Switzerland, Mexico and Brazil, as well as the European Union (EU).

This medicinal product is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new safety information. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions.

The effect of Praluent on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has not been determined.

For the product monograph: http://products.sanofi.ca/en/praluent.pdf

About Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc
Regeneron (NASDAQ: REGN) is a leading biotechnology company that invents life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led by physician-scientists for 30 years, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to six FDA-approved treatments and over a dozen product candidates, all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye disease, heart disease, allergic and inflammatory diseases, pain, cancer, infectious diseases and rare diseases.

Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through its proprietary VelociSuite^® technologies, including VelocImmune^® to yield optimized fully-human antibodies, and ambitious initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center, one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.

For additional information about the company, please visit www.regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.

About Sanofi
Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN) (NYSE: SNY) is dedicated to supporting people through their health challenges. We are a global biopharmaceutical company focused on human health. We prevent illness with vaccines, provide innovative treatments to fight pain and ease suffering. We stand by the few who suffer from rare diseases and the millions with long-term chronic conditions.

With more than 100,000 people in 100 countries, Sanofi is transforming scientific innovation into healthcare solutions around the globe.

Sanofi entities in Canada employ close to 1,900 people. In 2016 we invested $130 million in R&D in Canada, creating jobs, business and opportunity throughout the country.

Sanofi, Empowering Life

SOURCE SANOFI

86 Unbelievable Facts About Running (Infographic)

Each day, millions of people from all around the world go for a run. Some run marathons, some go out for a jogging session, and some venture into the mountains for an uphill sprint. However, all of these runners have one thing in common; they are all healthy.

It’s no secret that running is one of the healthiest activities that you can take on. From the numerous cardiovascular benefits to the powerful calorie-burning properties, regular running will help you keep your body healthy and in shape for many years to come. Moreover, running is an activity for people of all ages. The youngest marathon finisher was only five years old at the time of the race, and the oldest one was 101.

However, like every other dynamic activity, running requires preparation, adequate equipment, and caution. While running itself has no downsides, running-related injuries are more common than you may think. In fact, 65% of all runners suffer an injury within their first year of running.

So, as quality equipment is key, make sure you buy a pair of legitimate running shoes – Nike is an outstanding brand offering just that! Warm up properly, play some music over your headphones, and you are ready for a run. But before you do all that, make sure you read the other running facts in the infographic below; you will be motivated even more.

Losing weight and staying fit and healthy are consistently among the top 10 New Year’s resolutions, but 80 percent of people fail to keep their resolutions longer than six weeks. March is about the time that most resolutions will be abandoned - mainly because they haven’t produced any immediate results. Dianna Forsberg (http://diannaforsberg.com), international fitness model and health and wellness coach, outlines the best ways to stay on track to reach your fitness goals in the New Year.

1. Reality check. Recognize the stressors in your life. Don’t ignore them. When we ignore them, we continue to use those “coping mechanisms”, which is usually consuming junk food, unhealthy beverages and we hardly make time to workout because we are lacking energy.

2. Write out your desired goals. It can be as small as incorporating more fruits and vegetables. Working out 30 min a day, 3 times a week. Lose 5-10 lbs with 4-6 weeks. Whatever YOUR goal is, write it down.

3. Find a support system. Everyone wants to feel better and do better. The average person is happy to lose 5-10 lbs and maintain it. Talk to your close friends about your goals. Make a Facebook post and see who wants to join you. We are more likely to commit when we have an accountability partner.

4. Invest in a trainer, consultant or health and wellness coach to help you succeed. Seeking professional help from a third party usually works best. In most cases, we tend to take advice and guidance better from a professional.

5. Meal prep once or twice a week to save time. Plan your workouts. Figure out if you will workout before or after work. Stick to the plan. Once you remove the junk from your regime, just say NO! Reach for healthy snacks like unsalted almonds, banana, a green apple, cucumber slices, hard boiled eggs, fresh berries, etc.

6. Now that you have recognized what wasn’t working just a few short weeks ago. Now it’s time to truly commit, be consistent and get it done!

March 7, 2018 (Waterloo, ON) - Local not-for-profit STEM Camp looks to Dragons’ Den for help to solve Canadian Girls in STEM issue

For a full Media Kit with pictures goes to Newsroom.

Content:

It is well known that Canada does not come close to gender parity in STEM-related fields.¹ Why is this? And, why is this an issue? According to STEM Camp CEO, Kevin Cougler, the answer to the first question is a challenge but the answer to the second question is simply that it’s a numbers game.

“If we look at gender parity as a purely mathematical concept, we would begin by agreeing that, if we aren’t attracting enough girls to STEM careers it is a potentially untapped market”, indicates Cougler. “Why wouldn’t we want the best and brightest minds in our STEM fields? The more girls we can inspire to consider these careers the better chance we have of finding the best people.”

Cougler feels the Dragons could help. “Not attracting girls to STEM careers is a generational and national challenge. The Dragons’ Den is a national program that could bring much needed attention to this issue. With the help of the Dragons we may be able to inspire parents to talk about the career opportunities available for their girls and the importance that STEM education will play in a future where 80-90% of jobs will require STEM skills” stated Cougler. “That’s what today was all about in our quest to be chosen for CBC’s Dragons’ Den.”

STEM Camp is a Canadian not -for-profit summer camp that was started by Cougler in 2013 with a mission to inspire and prepare today’s youth for a future of STEM careers. At the camp, youth participate in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities that are designed to be fun and engaging. Since 2013, STEM Camp has grown from 2 locations and 80 campers to 77 locations and an estimated 15,000 campers during the summer of 2018. Cougler was joined today by his father Ron, Executive Director, and their new friends Blaine and Rosie who participated in a contest where they had to convince their parents that they should be the first girl to go to the moon. They convinced their parents but also STEM Camp!

It is of interest to note that STEM Camp’s enrolments of girls has seen a steady increase each year, bringing girls one step closer to gender parity. While Cougler still doesn’t know the answer to question one (1) above, he is encouraged by the small contribution his summer STEM Camp is making to the problem. Learn more from STEM Camp’s website², Facebook. Instagram and Twitter.

Resources

¹ http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/75-006-x/2013001/article/11874-eng.pdf

² Website: stemcamp.ca

STEM Camp Contact Information

Larissa Mendonca, Marketing and Communications Coordinator

STEM Camp

t: 519-475-6600 x11

e: lmendonca@stemcamp.ca

World Kidney Day focuses on women's health

Canadian kidney organizations call for education, engagement and research investments

MONTREAL, March 7, 2018 /CNW/ - One in 10 Canadians has kidney disease. Are you, or is someone you know affected?

The Kidney Foundation of Canada (CNW Group/Kidney Foundation of Canada)

This World Kidney Day, March 8^th, The Kidney Foundation of Canada along with the Can-SOLVE CKD Network and the Canadian Society of Nephrology are urging Canadians to learn more about their kidney health. Ask your doctor about a simple blood test that can identify common kidney problems, and have your blood pressure monitored regularly.

"This year, World Kidney Day falls on the same date as International Women's Day, offering a unique opportunity for us to focus on women's kidney health," said Elizabeth Myles, Executive Director of The Kidney Foundation of Canada. "The Kidney Foundation of Canada, in partnership with Can-SOLVE CKD and the Canadian Society of Nephrology, encourage and empower women to educate themselves to maintain a kidney healthy lifestyle."

Through the theme of this year's World Kidney Day, "Kidneys and Women's Health – Include, Value, Empower", the international organization is calling for affordable and equitable access to kidney health education, care and prevention for all women and girls globally.

Four million Canadians live with chronic kidney disease (CKD). An estimated 3,000 Canadians die from kidney disease each year. It is the 9^th leading cause of death for women in this country. Indigenous peoples, children, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.

"By involving patients, many of whom are women, in identifying research questions and contributing to the network's work as a whole, we are working to make a real difference in the statistics and the lives of Canadians living with kidney disease," said Dr. Adeera Levin who, along with Dr. Braden Manns, are Co-Leads of the Can-SOLVE CKD Network. "In support of the unique health issues of women and girls living with kidney disease, the network has recently appointed Dr. Sofia Ahmed as Sex and Gender Lead. In this role, Dr. Ahmed will advise our research teams on issues related to sex and gender as they carry out their work."

Women are more at risk for certain kidney diseases, such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and both acute and chronic kidney infections. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can affect a woman's ability to start a family, and raise healthy children. Pregnancies among women with kidney disease carry different risks, depending on levels of kidney function, and can lead to serious health complications such as pre-eclampsia, and preterm births.

"There is no cure for kidney disease, and it has devastating consequences on the quality and quantity of life for those affected," said Dr. Deborah Zimmerman, President Elect of the Canadian Society of Nephrology (CSN). "Kidney disease impacts women of all ages, limiting their ability to build a career and start a family. Well-earned retirement may be replaced by treatment schedules that interfere with the ability to travel and enjoy grandchildren. We need to find better ways to minimize the tremendous burden of symptoms, and simplify treatments. Helping the patients of today and tomorrow requires a renewed investment in research."

To find out if you have any of the risk factors for kidney disease, take this short quiz: www.kidney.ca/risk

The Kidney Foundation of Canada (KFOC) is the national volunteer organization committed to eliminating the burden of kidney disease through funding and stimulating innovative research; providing education and support; promoting access to high quality healthcare; and increasing public awareness and commitment to advancing kidney health and organ donation. Since 1964 The Kidney Foundation of Canada has contributed over $119 million to medical research projects to ensure that treatment options and patient results continuously improve.

The Can-SOLVE CKD Network is a pan-Canadian patient-oriented kidney research initiative established in 2016 to help transform treatment and care for Canadians living with, or at risk of developing kidney disease. The network is funding 18 research projects, with questions based on key issues identified by patients. The Can-SOLVE CKD Network is also working to address the gaps in kidney health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in this country.

The Canadian Society of Nephrology (CSN) is a society of physicians and scientists specializing in the care of people with kidney disease, and in research related to the kidney and kidney disease. Their vision is that all Canadians with or at risk of kidney disease will receive optimal patient-centered care and achieve best outcomes. Members of the CSN support innovative research to improve outcomes for patients with kidney disease. The Society also holds workshops and training programs for nephrologists. This year the CSN is marking a milestone 50^th Anniversary.

Learn more
www.kidney.ca/world-kidney-day-2018
www.cansolveckd.ca/world-kidney-day-2018
www.csnscn.ca

Can-SOLVE CKD Network (CNW Group/Kidney Foundation of Canada)

Canadian Society of Nephrology (CNW Group/Kidney Foundation of Canada)

SOURCE Kidney Foundation of Canada

Baylis Medical wins Best Managed Companies award

TORONTO, March 8, 2018 /CNW/ - Baylis Medical Company is proud to announce that it has been named a 2018 winner of Canada's Best Managed Companies, one of the country's leading business award programs honouring excellence in Canadian-owned and managed businesses.

Baylis Medical Company has been named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies. (CNW Group/Baylis Médical)

Established in 1993, Canada's Best Managed Companies recognizes those that demonstrate innovation in management and business practices, and sustained growth. This year, Best Managed companies were selected on the basis of having a clear strategy and vision, investment in capability and commitment to talent.

Behind Baylis Medical's success is a long-standing culture of empowering employees across all departments to take an innovative approach to their work. The company fosters an environment focused on learning, continuous improvement and employee development.

"We are thrilled to have won this designation," said Deb Douma, Director of Human Resources at Baylis Medical. "We operate under the deep-rooted belief that Baylis is at its best when our employees are at their best. This makes it all the more important to give them the tools and confidence to continually contribute to our ultimate goal: developing innovative solutions that improve the lives of people around the world."

This focus has resulted in rapid growth for Baylis Medical. The company is expanding its range of products to deliver added value to patients and physicians. It is also increasing its employee-base, including its sales team, as it expands into new and existing international markets.

"Having the in-house expertise allows us to efficiently identify issues faced by physicians and their patients, and deliver innovative solutions more rapidly. Being named one of Canada's Best Managed Companies validates our employee-centric approach to business," said Kris Shah, President of Baylis Medical.

Canada's Best Managed Companies' awardees will be honoured at the annual winners' gala taking place on April 11 in Toronto.

About Canada's Best Managed Companies

Canada's Best Managed Companies continues to be the mark of excellence for Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $15 million. Every year since the launch of the program in 1993, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies have competed for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates their management skills and practices. The awards are granted on four levels: 1) Canada's Best Managed Companies new winner (one of the new winners selected each year); 2) Canada's Best Managed Companies winner (award recipients that have re-applied and successfully retained their Best Managed designation for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review); 3) Gold Standard winner (after three consecutive years of maintaining their Best Managed status, these winners have demonstrated their commitment to the program and successfully retained their award for 4-6 consecutive years); 4) Platinum Club member (winners that have maintained their Best Managed status for seven years or more). Program sponsors are Deloitte, CIBC, Canadian Business, Smith School of Business, TMX Group and MacKay CEO Forums. For further information, visit www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca.

About Baylis Medical Company Inc.

Baylis Medical develops and markets high-technology medical devices used in the fields of electrophysiology, interventional cardiology, interventional radiology, and spinal procedures. Our vision is to develop and market innovative medical therapies while Improving the Lives of People Around the World. The company has offices in Montreal and Toronto (Canada), Boston (USA), London (UK), and Munich (Germany). For more information, visit www.baylismedical.com.

PRM-00305 EN J-1,2,3 V-1 © Baylis Medical Company Inc., 2018. The Baylis Medical logo is a trademark or registered trademark of Baylis Medical Company Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Baylis Médical

Overcoming barriers to cervical cancer screening: New health innovation project empowers women to collect their own samples at home

MARKHAM, ON, March 8, 2018 /CNW/ - As the world celebrates International Women's Day, a team of Ontario health innovators is working to expand access to culturally safe HPV screening among new Canadians and Indigenous Peoples.

Although cervical cancer is highly preventable, only 61 per cent of eligible women in Ontario are currently getting screened with a Pap test. Barriers such as lack of awareness, transportation and cultural sensitivity remain, particularly for vulnerable communities. International research shows self-sampling is an effective way to empower women and reduce cervical cancer deaths among under and never screened populations.

Designed in Ontario, Eve Kit is a personal health screening system that allows women to collect their own sample, mail it to the lab for testing, and access their results through a secure website. In addition to privacy and convenience, Eve Kit offers validated diagnostic testing and is Health Canada licensed.

Building on the success of self-sampling programs globally, the health innovation team will work closely with community members to design a new culturally safe HPV testing program that aligns with Cancer Care Ontario's screening guidelines and is closely integrated with primary care for appropriate follow-up. The new model will provide evidence and insights to support broad adoption of HPV self-sampling within the public health care system.

The project is being led by Saint Elizabeth Health Care and includes partner organizations Eve Medical, Women's College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care, N'Mninoeyaa Aboriginal Health Access Centre, Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services, Roche Diagnostics and Mount Sinai Services.

The Government of Ontario recently announced grants for 12 new projects through its Health Technologies Fund. HTF is a program of the Government of Ontario's Office of the Chief Health Innovation Strategist (OCHIS), administered by the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE). The grant for this project totals $469,000, with matching in-kind contributions from the partner organizations.

QUOTES:

"This project embodies the kind of collaboration that we need to innovate in health care – especially for underserved groups. It has been amazing to see a solution progress from need, to idea and development, and now community partnership and demonstration."
Jessica Ching, CEO, Eve Medical

"Health innovation is about empowering people and designing processes and experiences that work for them. With broad adoption, this proven patient-centred approach can help to reduce health inequities and improve access to care for underserved communities."
Shirlee Sharkey, CEO, Saint Elizabeth Health Care

FAST FACTS:

Cervical cancer is preventable when detected early
There are 1,550 new cases of cervical cancer in Canada every year (Canadian Cancer Society, 2017)
Immigrant and Indigenous women have lower rates of screening than the general population, putting them at increased risk for cervical cancer
Many women, particularly those in hard-to-reach groups, prefer self-sampling to the Pap test, based on its convenience and privacy

About Saint Elizabeth
Saint Elizabeth is a national social enterprise providing home care, health solutions and education to people where they are and when they need it. With Canadian roots and more than 100 years of expertise, the not-for-profit charitable organization is accelerating health care innovation to support healthy lives globally. Through its team of 9,000 health leaders, Saint Elizabeth delivers 20,000 care exchanges daily, totaling 50 million in the last decade alone. Learn more at saintelizabeth.com or find us on social media.

SOURCE Saint Elizabeth Health Care

Obesity and mental health identified as top health concerns facing Ontario school-aged children

Ophea led survey sheds light on parental attitudes toward Health and Physical Education, health issues, physical activity, healthy schools, and safety

TORONTO, March 8, 2018 /CNW/ - Parents believe that Ontario schools have an important role to play in the health and well-being of their children, according to a recent survey commissioned by Ophea. The survey looked to better understand parental perspectives on pressing health issues and the important role schools play in supporting their children.

Ophea (CNW Group/Ophea)

The provincially representative survey, which included more than 600 parents of school-aged children across the province, found that obesity (37 per cent) and mental health (32 per cent) were the top health issues identified facing Ontario children. Concerns have risen significantly about mental health (increase of 22 per cent) and addiction (increase of 9 per cent) since Ophea's last survey in 2010. Today, most parents (79 per cent) believe that the H&PE curriculum helps to address these concerns.

"Ontario schools have an important role to play in the health and well-being of our children, whether it is physical activity, health education, addressing mental health issues or discussing diet and nutrition," said Chris Markham, Executive Director and CEO of Ophea. "Though the majority of parents are satisfied with the Health and Physical Education offered at school, we see that there are concerns about the minimal amount of time dedicated to these programs. We should be challenging ourselves to ensure this is a priority."

In 2014, the Ontario government committed to encouraging 60 minutes of daily physical activity for children, and through this survey, 99 per cent of parents strongly agree about the importance of that goal. Most parents (89 per cent) also agree that schools have a critical role to ensure children are physically active during the regular school day. However, it was found that only one quarter of parents (26 per cent) report that their children are active to that standard, and the reported level of physical activity declines with the age of the child.

"Beyond health professionals and themselves, parents see teachers as the most trusted source of health information for their children," says Lori Lukinuk, President of Ophea's Board of Directors. "We call upon education partners to work with Ophea to support our schools to continue to be healthy schools - accepting and caring about physical safety and encouraging involvement amongst all students."

Ophea remains committed to working with school boards, government & non-governmental organizations, and private sector organizations to ensure the health of Ontario school-aged children is top of mind. For more information including the full survey report and infographic highlights, visit www.ophea.net/advocacy.

About the Survey
A survey of 651 Ontario-based parents of school-aged children was completed online between October 23 and October 31, 2017, by Environics Research Group.

About Ophea
Ophea is a not-for-profit organization that champions healthy, active living in schools and communities through quality programs and services, partnerships and advocacy. Ophea's vision is that all children and youth will value and enjoy the lifelong benefits of healthy, active living. To learn more about Ophea visit www.ophea.net.

Change Your Eating, Change a Whole Lot More

“When you change your eating, it’s not just your eating that will change,” says Cassandra Ohlsen, MD, author of the recently released book, Enlightened Eating: The Eightfold Path to Health.

“The United States is one of the fattest and least healthy populations nations in the world”, she says. “We want the pleasures of the foods we like, and then we want a quick fix -- a pill -- to counteract the harm we’ve done to ourselves by eating them.”

But nutrition science is confusing and the hefty advertising budgets of the food industry can derail people. The incredible number and range of studies and science about food and diet is sometimes contradictory. People eat for countless reasons, including stress relief, to relieve fatigue, to comfort themselves, to accompany the alcohol they drink, to please others, to be included in family gatherings and social situations, to celebrate their heritage...seldom is it simply for health.

“What we eat impacts everything: from how much we weigh, to how we feel, how much we sleep, and our bodies ability to switch on disease-preventing genes and switch off disease-causing genes.

“The bottom line however is simple - The best fix is to change how you eat and switch to a plant-based, whole foods diet,” she says. “Instead of overeating high-calorie, fat-laden, prepared, processed, and unnatural foods, indulge yourself by eating nutrient-rich, calorie-sparse natural foods -- vegetables fruits, beads and whole grains.”

Dr. Ohlsen offers a guide is all about navigating this path and you don’t have to be a Buddhist to receive the benefits of their principles.

“You can change your health by changing what you eat”, she says, “as well as how to change how you think and act with regard to food. You can transform your relationship with food and change from the inside out.”

Here are a few of her recommendations.

Thinking specifically about what you want--not what you don’t want. Getting to a new way of eating requires a new way of thinking. Since solutions always begin with thought, problems have to be solved first in our mind. Begin by doing the following:

Name what you want to change. Perhaps there was a diagnosis of a serious medical problem and the issue is at least partly a result of the way you’ve been eating. Or maybe it’s simply time to improve or preserve your health, and to do that there needs to be a change in diet. Or maybe one might want to contribute to preserving the environment and stop contributing to the abuse of animals through factory farming. Name it.

Reflect on how you got to this place. What created this problem? Was it due to mindlessly overeating? If you have high cholesterol is it because you're eating too much animal fat? Did you experience some kind of childhood trauma, or do you sometimes have bouts of depression? Only by knowing the reason behind the problem can you then actively change it.

Visualize the new behavior in your mind before you practice it. Visualize yourself choosing more plant-based foods and enjoying the tastes and textures of the food. Do this in as much detail as possible. See the colors, hear the crunch or other sounds associated with eating delicious food. Feel the enjoyment and the satisfaction of eating nutritious foods, and the good feelings that come from treating your body well.

Say positive statements aloud to yourself. This might include, “I see myself eating more healthfully each and every day. I am in the process choosing foods that are better for me and the environment. I see myself becoming healthier, thinner, and more fit. I love feeling good that I’m making positive choices, and not adding to the suffering of animals.”

We become what we envision. Focus on the present moment and observe our thoughts and guide our minds. Do our thoughts work against our new way of eating, or do they encourage us in it? Do we tell ourselves we’re happy with our new eating, or tell ourselves we’re deprived? If the latter, we are much less likely to stick with it.

Create the thoughts that will lead to that next action. Many of us want to change something but don’t know how. To change our eating habits (or any habits for that matter), identify the problem, look for the causes, eliminate them, and live with the solution through our plans, thoughts, actions, and daily awareness.

Once you begin to take control of your mind, it’s time to take control of your food.

How to transition to plant-based eating.

Tip: Think differently about what you already eat.

1. Consider fruits, vegetables, beans and grains as the main focus of a meal rather than side dishes. This not only helps with the transition, it also automatically increases the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat daily.

Fruit: It’s satisfying, contains no salt or fat, provides a lot of great nutrition.

What to do: Have it washed and cleaned and available at all times for snacks. Throw it in a backpack, lunch box, briefcase, desk drawer or in the car. Throw into smoothies. Make it easy to grab a piece of fruit, rather than a sugar-filled energy bar or candy bar.

Salads: Make them a more prominent part of your meal.

What to do: Throw in more veggies, make it larger, add more protein or fruit -- apples, berries, and dried fruits such as raisins, cranberries, and dates. Beans, nuts, hummus, edamame and tofu are good protein additions to salads. Experiment. You’ll surprise yourself at how good and satisfying salads can be.

Sandwiches: Create a salad between two pieces of bread.

What to do: Load it up with raw vegetables--lettuce, tomato, avocado, cucumber sprouts, or whatever veggies you love. Add a dip for extra flavor.

Snacks: When you’re hungry, go for something that will nourish you, not chips or candy or cheese.

What to do: Stuff raw vegetables with nut butter or soy cream cheese or hummus. Raw veggies can be used with many different types dips. Beans can be mashed or pureed and used as a dip with veggies, or as a sandwich spread or eaten with vegetables as a light meal.

2. The Square Meal Plan

Imagine a square divided into quarters. In one corner there are dark-green leafy and other vegetables. In another corner there are legumes such as nuts, beans peas, tofu, or peanut butter. Fresh fruits are in the third corner, and some kind of whole grains are in the forth. Eating this way, you’ll be sure to get all the vital nutrients you need, including protein.

A whole foods, plant-based diet, along with Buddhist psychology changes everything. It gives you a new way of reasoning, overcoming obstacles, and eliminating impulsive behaviors. It will help you to:

Know when to stop eating
Become aware of the space between thought and action, allowing you to make good decisions
No longer consume anything mindlessly -- food, alcohol, TV or anything else
Become aware of the now
Accept responsibility for how you live
Feel wonderful knowing you didn’t cause any other living being to suffer for your food
Feel lucky to be able to eat in such a way that you no longer have to worry about weight
Know that eating has become a very spiritual thing

“Let us eat in such a way that we keep our compassion alive, reduce the suffering of living beings, preserve our planet, and reverse the processes of global climate change”

--Thich Nhat Hanh

***

Enlightened Eating: The Eightfold Path to Health

Cassandra Ohlsen, M.D.

Paperback: 176 pages

Publisher: Cypress House; First edition (December 11, 2017)

ISBN-10: 187938499X ISBN-13: 978-1879384996

About the author:

Cassandra Ohlsen, m.d., is a diplomate certified in Internal Medicine. She received her medical degree from Keck School of Medicine of USC and has been in practice for over twenty years. She has also practiced in Africa and India: In 1984, she worked with Mother Teresa at her Home for Dying Destitutes and her Children’s Home in Calcutta. Dr. Ohlsen also cared for the medically underserved at a Los Angeles clinic, helping to rebuild community health after the Watts riots; in Fresno, California, where she attended to migrant farm workers; and at the Monterey County Health Department, where she took care of indigent adults and children. Enlightened Eating is her first book. http://www.drcassandraohlsen.com/

What others are saying:

“Dr. Cassandra Ohlsen is one of those rare physicians whose goal is to help you understand that what and how you eat is foundational to your personal health, the health of others we share the Earth with, and the Earth itself. If you want more energy and vibrant health, her book, Enlightened Eating, will give you that and a lot, lot more.”

John Robbins, President of the Food Revolution Network; Author of Diet For A New America and The Food Revolution

“If you are looking to improve your eating habits, Enlightened Eating is the perfect place to start. This life-changing book translates complex nutrition information into simple, practical guidance and helps you take in hand the power of good nutrition.

Neal D. Barnard, MD, FACC, Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine

How Some Executives Give Their Brain Waves A Workout

Successful CEOs and entrepreneurs, as well as ambitious middle managers, often seek ways to keep their mental faculties sharp to stay ahead of their competition.

But training your brain to perform at peak levels isn’t easy.

And that’s why some executives are turning to neurofeedback sessions – a kind of biofeedback for the brain – to improve their mind’s executive function and performance.

“Improved health and mental focus can help you balance the stressors of daily living while keeping you headed toward your goals,” says Dr. Ed Carlton, founder of the Carlton Neurofeedback Center (www.carltonneurofeedbackcenter.com) and author of the book The Answer.

“For example, for people who are seeking a promotion or a career shift, or planning to start their own business, neurofeedback training can help improve their executive function and their performance.”

Inspirational speaker Tony Robbins is a fan of neurofeedback training. So is Olympic beach volleyball champion Kerri Walsh-Jennings.

Carlton refers to neurofeedback as “fitness training for the brain,” which is perhaps why it’s appealing even to Olympic athletes.

Here’s how it works: The process begins with a brain map, which locates the specific areas that need help to function more efficiently. Once these areas are identified, neurofeedback training can improve their function. The technology uses computers to monitor brain-wave patterns while the patient relaxes and watches a movie or video. The visual and audio inputs are varied, providing feedback based on the training goals from the brain map. The results are lasting and there are no side effects, Carlton says.

While neurofeedback can be used to improve executive function, it’s also used to treat ADD and ADHD, depression, autism, seizures, traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic-stress disorder.

Carlton says there are a few important facts business executives should know if they’re interested in the benefits of neurofeedback training:

Why the brain’s executive function is important. Executive function refers to the complex neurological processes in the brain’s frontal lobe that help you plan, manage time and get organized. “This is where we learn to keep details in our head, come up with different ways to solve problems, and start and complete tasks,” Carlton says. This requires a complex set of skills such as being able to pay attention, self-monitor and regulate emotions.
How neurofeedback training helps. Neurofeedback can help you regain your focus and reduce mental clutter that can impact memory and organization. “After patients start the training regimen, many of them tell us the first thing they notice right away is that their quality of sleep improves,” Carlton says. “As training continues, performance improvements follow.”
Professional development as self-care. Neurofeedback training doesn’t alter your personality or change who you are, Carlton says. “It’s simply a training gym of sorts to help your brain make new connections that keep it in balance, which helps better regulate emotional states, improves attention and focus, and enhances working memory,” he says. “For anyone in business, all of these skills are keys to improving your performance edge, helping you break out of patterns or start new ones, and sharpening your cognitive performance over time.”

The weekly neurofeedback sessions take about half an hour and are painless and non-invasive, Carlton says. The results also last a long time.

“Once your brain learns new ways to respond,” he says, “it continues learning much the way we remember how to swim year after year.”

About Dr. Ed Carlton

Dr. Ed Carlton is founder of the Carlton Neurofeedback Center (www.carltonneurofeedbackcenter.com) and author of the book The Answer. He is a chiropractor, but prior to that worked for nine years as an engineer. Carlton’s interest in his current profession came about because of his own experience with bipolar disorder. "My first degree is engineering. Neurofeedback is a cross between medicine and engineering, using the best of both to provide relief for my patients. The Answer explains how neurofeedback stopped my bipolar symptoms, and how it can help others do the same.”