Mountain Valley MD Proceeding With Pre-Clinical Cancer Trials, Files Related Cancer Patent
Ivectosol™ being tested to target certain cancers to pursue novel human intratumoral injection and intravenous infusion
TORONTO, May 3, 2021 /CNW/ - Mountain Valley MD Holdings Inc. (the "Company" or "MVMD") (CSE: MVMD) (FRA: 20MP) (OTCQB: MVMDF) is pleased to announce that the Company has filed a novel cancer adjuvant patent and is proceeding with pre-clinical trials with third-party cancer Contract Research Organizations (CROs) in triple-negative breast cancer, metastatic melanoma, and lung carcinoma.
Summary
MVMD files cancer patent for direct intratumoral injection, intravenously, infusions or instillations as adjuvants for broad chemotherapeutic to immunotherapeutic cancer regimens.
The Company is proceeding with three separate pre-clinical trials with specialized third-party cancer CROs: (1) triple-negative breast cancer; (2) metastatic melanoma; and (3) Lewis Lung Carcinoma as a proxy for non-small cell lung carcinoma.
The Company believes the research will have near-immediate application to direct human trials based on safety and efficacy of ivermectin.
"The extensive research supporting the drug ivermectin as effective in the inhibition of proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenic activity in a variety of cancers, and as an initiator of immunogenic cell death, is overwhelming," stated Mike Farber, Director of Life Sciences at Mountain Valley MD. "Imagine what is possible when you have the world's only human injectable form of ivermectin that can be directly injected into a tumor or provided through more bio-available forms such as intravenously. We believe this will be groundbreaking research with near-immediate application to be able to proceed directly to human trials based on the safety and efficacy of ivermectin."
Leading up to the implementation of pre-clinical trial cancer research, MVMD has been extensively researching the drug ivermectin, including its impact on cancer, and has included numerous abstracts at the end of this media release. All of the research articles cited involve either existing oral ivermectin in a murine model or the in-vitro testing of ivermectin utilizing organic solvents for solubilization that would be prohibited in a human intravenous or intratumoral administration.
As cited by Pharmacological Research in January 2021*, Ivermectin has powerful antitumor effects in a variety of cancer cells and promotes programmed cancer cell death, including apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis. The research also identifies how ivermectin has been shown to inhibit tumor stem cells and reverse multidrug resistance.
MVMD filed its cancer adjuvant patent, Novel Injectable, Infusable, Instillable Ivermectin Adjuvant for Cancer Therapies for its solubilized ivermectin (Ivectosol™). The patent-pending adjuvant utilizes the Company's advances in macrocyclic lactone solubility to consider Ivectosol™ as a viable adjuvant for numerous cancer therapies. MVMD's solubility technology applied to the ivermectin drug is the only form in the world that uses strictly excipients that are currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), making it a leading candidate for human injection or intravenous infusion.
The pre-clinical trials that are being conducted are designed to prove the utility of Ivectosol™ to synergize and improve various cancer regimens currently in use and as a potent enhancer of current immunotherapies and chemotherapies for difficult to treat cancers.
Study One: Triple-negative breast cancer
Study will test the effectiveness of Ivectosol™ combined with checkpoint inhibitor that would be equivalent to either OPDIVO or Keytruda for disease progression and complete response rate
Arms in the study will look at single checkpoint inhibitor, oral IVM + checkpoint inhibitor and intratumoral IVM + checkpoint inhibitor
Estimated initial readouts/analysis – 2nd week of June, 2021
Complete readout with flow cytometry and statistical evaluation estimated mid-July, 2021 with possible abstract submission in August, 2021
Study Two: Metastatic melanoma
Study will test the effectiveness of Ivectosol™ intratumoral combined with checkpoint inhibitor for disease progression and complete response rate
Arms in the study will look at single checkpoint inhibitor, oral IVM + checkpoint inhibitor and intratumoral IVM + checkpoint inhibitor
Estimated initial readouts by end of June, 2021
Complete readout with flow cytometry and statistical evaluations estimated end of July, 2021 with possible abstract submission in August, 2021
Study Three: Lewis lung carcinoma as a proxy for non-small cell lung carcinoma
Study will test the effectiveness of Ivectosol™ intratumorally combined with checkpoint inhibitor for disease progression and complete response rate
Arms in the study will look at single checkpoint inhibitor, oral IVM + checkpoint inhibitor, intratumoral IVM + checkpoint inhibitor, navalbine + intratumoral IVM
Estimated initial readouts by end of June, 2021
Complete readouts with flow cytometry and statistical evaluation estimated by end of July, 2021 with possible abstract submission in August, 2021
All three studies will assess tumor growth and metastases through bioluminescence imaging, a non-invasive optical imaging modality designed to visualize and quantify bioluminescent signal in tissues. The Company is also actively pursuing a pre-clinical trial for bladder cancer and is currently assessing the best option to proceed through the evaluation of CRO proposals.
"Ivermectin is a Nobel prize winning global blockbuster drug with unprecedented potential. Overcoming its number one limitation of solubility using FDA approved excipients has opened up significant applications across multiple human and animal health lanes for Mountain Valley MD and our partners," stated Dennis Hancock, President and CEO of Mountain Valley MD. "Driving innovation in cancer research to support positive outcomes for increased survival rates, productivity, and improved quality of life for the global population is directly aligned with our mission of more life, less death. We couldn't be more honoured to drive forward this important work."
According to the World Health Organization, cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020**. The World Cancer Day foundation estimates the total annual economic cost of cancer at approximately US$1.16 trillion***.
NOTE: All of the articles cited below involve either oral ivermectin in a murine model or the in-vitro testing of ivermectin utilizing organic solvents for solubilization that would be prohibited in a human intravenous or intertumoral administration.
Ivermectin, a potential anticancer drug derived from an anti-parasitic drug. Authors: Mingyang Tang, Xiaodong Hu, Yi Wang, Xin Yao, Wei Zhang, Chenying Yu, Fuying Cheng, Jiangyan Li, Qiang Fang Pharmacological Research, Issue 163: 105207, Jan 2021 Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7505114/
Ivermectin as an inhibitor of cancer stem-like cells. Authors: Guadalupe Dominguez–Gomez, Alma Chavez–Blanco, Jose Luis Medina–Franco, Fernanda Saldivar–Gonzalez, Ytzel Flores–Torrontegui, Mandy Juarez, José Díaz–Chávez, Aurora Gonzalez–Fierro, Alfonso Dueñas–González Molecular Medicine Reports. February 2018 Link: https://www.spandidos-publications.com/mmr/17/2/3397
Ivermectin suppresses tumour growth and metastasis through degradation of PAK1 inOesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Authors: Liang Chen, Shuning Bi, Qiuren Wei, Zhijun Zhao, Chaojie Wang, Songqiang Xie Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, March 2020 Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jcmm.15195
Ivermectin converts cold tumors hot and synergizes with immune checkpoint blockade for treatment of breast cancer Authors: Dobrin Draganov, Zhen Han, Aamir Rana, Nitasha Bennett, Darrell J. Irvine, Peter P. Lee. NPJ Breast Cancer, Volume 7, Article number: 22 (2021) Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41523-021-00229-5
The Multitargeted drug Ivermectin: from an antiparasitic agent to a repositioned cancer drug. Authors: Mandy Juarez, Alejandro Schcolnik-Cabrera, Alfonso Duenas-Gonzalez AM J Cancer Research: 2018 Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5835698/
Continuous high-dose ivermectin appears to be safe in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia and could inform clinical repurposing for COVID-19 infection. Authors: Claudio Galvao de Castro Jr., Lauro Jose Gregianin, Jan A. Burger Leukemia & Lymphoma: 2020, Volume 16, Issue 10 Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10428194.2020.1786559
Repurposing anthelmintic agents to eradicate resistant leukemia. Authors: Caterina Mezzatesta, Liridon Abduli, Anna Guinot, Cornelia Eckert, Denis Schewe, Marketa Zaliova, Luciana Vinti, Blerim Marovca, Yi-Chien Tsai, Silvia Jenni, Julia Aguade-Gorgorio, Arend von Stackelberg, Martin Schrappe, Franco Locatelli, Martin Stanulla, Gunnar Cario, Jean-Pierre Bourquin, Beat C. Bornhaus Blood Cancer Journal: 2020 Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41408-020-0339-9.pdf
The Company is not making any claims that Ivectosol™ is an effective treatment for any form of cancer, or any other medical condition, at this time.
ABOUT MOUNTAIN VALLEY MD HOLDINGS INC Mountain Valley MD is building a world-class biotech and life sciences company organization centred around the implementation of its patented Quicksome™ oral drug formulation and delivery technologies and its Quicksol™ solubilization technology for macrocyclic lactones, to innovate industry leading products that are sought out globally.
MVMD's proposition for delivering Quicksome™ formulations that have rapid onset, high bioavailability, low variability and precision dosing is core to the Company's success across key health and wellness categories. Consistent with its vision towards "Helping People Live Their Best Life", MVMD applies its Quicksome™ and Quicksol™ technologies to its ground-breaking work for advanced delivery of vaccines and pharmaceutical drugs as well as the development of products for pain management, weight loss, energy, focus, sleep, anxiety, and more.
The Company's patented Quicksome™ desiccation technology utilizes advanced liposomes and other stabilizing molecules to encapsulate and formulate active ingredients into highly efficient product formats that are consumed orally. The result is a new generation of product formulations that are capable of delivering vaccines, drugs and nutraceuticals into the body faster, with greater impact, efficiency and accuracy.
The Company's patented Quicksol™ solubilization technology covers all highly solubilized macrocyclic lactones (including the drugs Ivermectin and Selamectin). MVMD's solubility technology applied to the Ivermectin drug is the only form in the world that only uses excipients that are currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), making it a leading candidate for human injection and sublingual applications as well as significantly broader husbandry and companion animal treatments based on its low viscosity.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "should", and similar expressions. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information.
The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company.
The Company is making forward-looking statements, including but not limited to its planned pre-clinical trials with third-party cancer CROs in triple-negative breast cancer, metastatic melanoma, and lung carcinoma.
The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.
SOURCE Mountain Valley MD Holdings Inc.
Spring into Summer with NewKetotallyDelicious Recipes fromFolios Cheese Wraps®
Edison, NJ: May 2021 – As the days grow longer and flowers start to bloom, spring is sprung, and we are celebrating the returning warmth of the sun with some deliciously creative Folios Cheese Wraps® recipes. If you follow a keto or low-carb diet, you know just how hard it is to stay on track, especially during the spring into summer season, while also eating fun foods that you truly love to eat. Can’t eat sugar, carbs, or your favorite foods, such as wraps, chips, and pizza anymore? Folios Cheese Wraps® is your new best friend and can be wrapped, stuffed, rolled, melted, crisped, and baked into some Ketotally and ahhhhh-mazing, drool-worthy, creative recipes for spring, Mother's Day, or any day!
Folios Cheese Wraps® are keto-approved, lightly baked sheets of cheese that can be used for so much more than your typical wrap. Yes, you read that right, a wrap made of 100 percent all-natural cheese that are lactose and gluten-free, made without wheat, starch, fillers, or added sugar and are only 1g of carbs! They are the first and only keto-approved cheese wrap on the market and #1 cheese wrap nationwide, becoming a staple in the kitchens of the keto, allergy-friendly, and low-carb diet communities and for anyone looking to shake things up for a deliciously creative, convenient, and cheesy twist to enjoy cheese in any recipe, every day.
Folios Cheese Wraps® are available in three exciting flavors: Jarlsberg®, Parmesan, and Cheddar. Since true keto products must be low-carb and high in protein and fat, with 13g of protein and only 1g of carbs, Folios® has you covered and is a wonderful alternative to wraps, tortillas, and many other high-carb foods. Folios® can be crisped to make a savory taco shell, cheese bowl, pizza, or chips, melted into a mouthwatering burrito, enchilada, or omelet, rolled into a low-carb wrap, folded into a keto lasagna, or eaten straight out of the package as a low-carb, high-protein delicious cheese snack.
We love seeing all the creative ways or Community uses Folios, so we want to know: #HowDoYouFolios?
Looking for some delicious, low-carb recipes for spring and Mother’s Day holidays and recipe inspiration? Check out recipes both created by us and our amazing community here.
Makes 1 Bowl 1 Parmesan Folios cheese wrap® 1 sliced strawberry Small handful of blueberries Small handful of pomegranates Sugar-free whipped cream Dash of cinnamon Dash of monk fruit
DIRECTIONS
Set your oven to 375 degrees
Season your Folios parmesan wrap with cinnamon and monk fruit sweetener.
Cook wrap for 6 minutes for a softer churro bowl and 8 minutes for a harder churro bowl.
Take out of oven and let the wrap cool and harden over a bowl to take its shape for a few minutes.
Once hardened, fill your parmesan Folios churro bowl with sugar-free whipped cream, strawberries, pomegranates, and blueberries and top with more cinnamon.
Enjoy!
FOLIOS CHEESE WRAPS AVOCADO “TOAST”
We heard a rumor; cheese is the new bread. Sorry, bread, but our cheesy, Folios avocado “toast” is all the buzz.
1 Folios cheese wraps® 1 avocado 6 slices of bacon ¼ cut tomato Dash of salt and pepper
DIRECTIONS
Make Folios “toast” by crisping 1 Folios Wrap for 1 -1.5 minutes in a microwave or until golden and crispy.
Once cooled, cut into quarters to make 4 pieces of cheese toast.
Slice 1 whole avocado and spread throughout the 4 pieces of Folios toast.
Top with tomato, bacon, and seasoning.
Valerie Liu, Marketing Manager at Norseland, says, “The first ever 100 percent cheese wrap— Folios Cheese Wraps® continues to be a huge hit with consumers looking for healthy wrap alternatives.” She adds, “We are so inspired by our ever-growing community and all of the creative ways they are using Folios in their kitchens, from pot stickers to crepes to keto sushi.”
Folios Cheese Wraps® are available online and in stores across the U.S. They can be found in a 10-count pack at Costco for $8.99 and all other retailers nationwide in a 4-count pack with prices ranging from $4.99 to $5.99.
Folios Cheese Wraps® make delicious, keto-approved recipes without the fear of eating too many macros. To learn more about Folios Cheese Wraps® ™ and get recipe inspiration, visit the website at www.cheesefolios.com or become a part of the Folios community on Instagram (@FoliosCheeseWraps) and Facebook (@FoliosCheeseWraps). Share your favorite Folios™ recipes on social media and use #HowDoYouFolios #FoliosCheeseWraps for a chance to be featured on our website recipe page and social media channels. We love our Folios community!
Canadian Celiac Association is Setting the Record Straight
Celiac Disease is Not Pretend
TORONTO, May 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- May is Celiac Awareness Month and the Canadian Celiac Association (CCA) is setting the record straight for Canadians suffering with celiac disease.
An increase in the popularity of gluten-free and gluten-reduced diets has driven accelerated product demand and availability, but it has also decreased general awareness of the severity of the disease and overall empathy towards those who suffer from it. This May the CCA and partner Promise Gluten Free will set the record straight, launching a compelling video with eight-year-old Sadie. Watch it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E542CnpeE_E
“I have a disease. It’s not that rare, either. But it’s a disease other people pretend to have. They tell their friends and co-workers they have it. Some even really think they have it. But they don’t feel like I do. They don’t experience the pain that goes along with it. The weakness. The malnourishment. Their growth isn’t stunted like mine. And doctors didn’t lead them into believing it’s something else. And the more people who pretend to have it, the more people think I’m just pretending. Can you guess what it is?” – Sadie Thiffault, eight years old, a Canadian living with celiac disease.
To counter the misconceptions about celiac disease, the CCA is encouraging Canadians to visit ItsNotPretend.ca where they can learn more about the signs and symptoms of the condition.
“We encourage those who believe they may have an issue with gluten to try our symptom checker and then have a discussion with their doctor,” says CCA National Executive Director Melissa Secord.
Currently, it takes 9.6 years on average for a person with celiac disease to be accurately diagnosed after experiencing their first symptom and 3.5 years from their initial physician visit.1
Throughout the month of May, the CCA is offering cooking demos, educational webinars, daily recipes, and more to celebrate Celiac Disease Awareness Month. On Sunday May 16, the international celiac community is coming together to #ShineALightOnCeliac. Iconic buildings and destinations across North America including Toronto’s CN Tower, Niagara Falls, Montreal’s Olympic Stadium and Vancouver’s Science World will be just some of the locations illuminated in green to raise awareness for celiac disease.
To learn more about Celiac Awareness Month and the #ShineALightOnCeliac initiatives, visit ItsNotPretend.ca.
Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder triggered by the consumption of foods containing gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye and barley), affects 1 in every 133 Canadians, but currently about 80 percent of individuals with celiac disease remain undiagnosed.2
About the Canadian Celiac Association
The Canadian Celiac Association / L’Association canadienne de la maladie coeliaque, a volunteer-based federally registered charitable organization, empowers people who are adversely affected by gluten. It was founded in 1973 and continues to be a source of science-based information, fostering research and encouraging mutual support among the gluten-free community. The association serves people with celiac disease, dermatitis herpetiformis and gluten disorders through its affiliated chapters across Canada.
About Promise Gluten Free
Promise Gluten Free (GF) is a family business with over 50 years of baking experience. Their family of bakers have spent years crafting, tasting and refining their recipes so customers can enjoy GF baking without compromising on taste or quality. Made in a dedicated GF facility, Promise GF’s extended range of products include healthy breads, delicious brioche, decadent cakes and sweet treats, available online and in select retailers across Australia, Europe and North America.
Delay to celiac disease diagnosis and its implications for health-related quality of life | BMC Gastroenterology | Full Text (biomedcentral.com)
Choung et al. Less hidden celiac disease but increased gluten avoidance without a diagnosis in the USA: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 2009 to 2014. Mayo Clin Proc. 2018 June; Page 1-15.
M
Former Deputy Coroner Offers Captivating Look Inside Mysterious Profession
Los Angeles, CA, May 3, 2021 — Death is life’s great equalizer, and for former deputy coroner Donna Francart, shepherding survivors through the aftermath of a loved one’s unexpected passing was a calling she felt compelled to answer — at all hours — for nearly nine years.
In her new book, I've Seen Dead People: Diary of a Deputy Coroner, Francartgives readers a rare look inside the complex emotional, physical and mental ups and downs of one of society’s most mysterious — and to some, macabre — professions.
As a deputy coroner, Francart worked medicolegal death investigations, which are those involving suspicious, violent, unexplained or unexpected deaths. She was often the bearer of bad news, notifying family members of the deceased and sitting with them as they processed a spectrum of emotions, from shock and disbelief to pain and sorrow.
With I've Seen Dead People, Francart shares her unfiltered thoughts and emotions as she navigates a world most of us cannot imagine — a world Francart was drawn to out of a genuine desire to help others during their darkest hours.
“Every single one of us on this earth deserves to die with dignity and respect,” she says. “If our lives are robbed from us by the hands of another, our voices must be heard, to tell the truth and seek justice. Every one of us was a mother, a father, someone's brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin. Everyone is someone,and that is how I handled every single case that I was on.”
Lacking access to structured debriefings, Francart turned to journaling as a way of privately unpacking the profound grief she faced in her role and preserving her own mental well-being. As she did, she found herself in a conundrum of perplexing relationships with both the living and the dead.
I've Seen Dead People also chronicles everyday moments, as Francart tried to provide as normal an upbringing as possible for her two sons. Along the way, they all learned to share their space with the many spirits that Francart encountered, and to embrace the beauty of life.
“One thing is guaranteed, you will walk away with your eyes opened a little more, your heart more giving and your life more cherished,” she adds.
Author Donna Francart was born and raised in the Midwest. She served as a deputy coroner for nearly nine years beginning in 2007 and assisted with more than 2,000 death investigations. She now shares her life with her two adult sons, their two better halves and one granddaughter.
I've Seen Dead People is her first book and has been adapted into a screenplay by Frank Burmaster and Gary Revel, with plans to develop it for a feature film. Revel owns Jongleur Books, a publishing company associated with Mother Nature Festival Live Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to stop global warming.
IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's Unites Canadians Virtually this May
Annual fundraiser brings help and hope to the escalating number of people impacted by dementia
TORONTO, May 3, 2021 /CNW/ - Canadians will come together to celebrate the 2021 IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's on May 30th. The IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's is Canada's biggest fundraiser in direct support of the more than half a million Canadians living with dementia.
While the pandemic negatively impacted so many services across the country last year, Canadians came together to participate in the first ever virtual walk, raising more than $5.1 million dollars. These funds allowed the Alzheimer Society to move services online and continue to support people living with dementia and their caregivers from coast to coast. But more funds are needed to meet the growing demand for life-changing support, including counselling, day programs and respite for caregivers.
"This year's Walk has taken on even more importance given that the pandemic has resulted in increased isolation and demand for our support and services," said Ronan Ryan, CEO, Alzheimer Society of Canada. "Our clients and their caregivers count on Canadians to walk for their loved ones and raise crucial funds to fight dementia. We're so grateful for the passion and commitment of our walk participants last year, and we're asking them to join us again."
By joining a local walk, participants make a positive difference in the lives of people living with dementia and their families. Here's how to get involved:
"IG is proud to support the Alzheimer Society and their efforts to raise awareness and funds to find a cure," said Damon Murchison, President and CEO, IG Wealth Management. "We all know someone who has been touched by dementia and are aware of the significant impact it can have on those coping with the disease, their families and caregivers. Our employees and consultants look forward to the Walk every year and are committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work."
About the Alzheimer Society
The Alzheimer Society is Canada's leading nationwide health charity for people living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Active in communities across Canada, the Society provides information, programs and services to those living with a diagnosis and their caregivers. The Alzheimer Society Research Program is Canada's leading funder of research into better understanding the causes of dementia, improving treatment and care, and towards finding cures.
About IG Wealth Management
Founded in 1926, IG Wealth Management is a national leader in delivering personalized financial solutions to Canadians through a network of Consultants located across Canada. In addition to an exclusive family of mutual funds and other investment vehicles, IG offers a wide range of other financial services. IG Wealth Management has nearly $107 billion in assets under management as of March 31 2021 and is a member of the IGM Financial Inc. (TSX: IGM) group of companies. IGM Financial is one of Canada's premier financial services companies with approximately $248 billion in total assets under management as of March 31, 2021.
SOURCE Alzheimer Society of Canada
7 SURPRISING CAUSES OF BACK PAIN
Permission to use content: You may post this information as soon as you wish provided you quote Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo. If you wish to conduct an interview for original quotes, please email: Katie@kmrcommunications.com
Most of us know the usual culprits of back pain; stress, excess body weight, improper lifting technique, and poor posture. While these are the typical causes, unexpected issues can be causing all that agony. Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non organic - meaning they are not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture or cancer (Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29573870/). We spoke to Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo, NYC area Orthopedic and Spinal Surgeon to discuss the surprising factors that could be causing your back pain.
Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo can address the following and more:
1. Smoking
Smoking increases brain activity that makes people less resilient when it comes to responding to back pain. Smoking also causes premature aging of discs by decreasing blood supply to the discs in the back, thus leading to pain in the lower back.
2. The incorrect mattress
Old mattresses start to form dips from years of use. The dips in the mattress cause the spine to curve, leading to constant stiffness or pain. A mattress that is too firm can cause strain on pressure points in the knees, hip, shoulders, and back, which can cause backaches. If the mattress is too soft, your spine is not supported well enough, and the spine can fall out of alignment.
3. Your purse or wallet
Structural imbalances in the spinal column can occur when you sit on your wallet. This can happen because one side of your body is higher than the other, and an excess amount of physical stress is placed on the lower spine. This can lead to lower back pain and numbness. Carrying a heavy purse or bag on one shoulder can also cause a neck and spinal tilt that can lead to backaches. Remove your wallet from your back pocket when you are sitting down, and regularly switch your purse from one shoulder to another.
4. Your wardrobe
There are unexpected items in your wardrobe that could be causing your back pain. Skinny jeans, heavy bags, strapless bras, high heels, and backless shoes are all clothing items that may be influencing your pain. Try to limit the amount of time you spend in these clothes to promote optimal wellness.
5. Dehydration
When you are dehydrated, the spinal discs lose water, and your spine is in distress. When this happens, the spine takes on the full shock of your movements, which can lead to pain. Avoid drinks with caffeine and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
6. Your cell phone
Constantly hunching your neck over to look down at your phone compresses and tightens the muscles and tendons in the front structure of your neck. This creates imbalance and results in reduced mobility, shoulder and neck pain, a curvature formation at the upper back, and even headaches.
7. Incorrect ergonomic work set up
Many people have been working from home due to the pandemic. Working from home has led to slouching and hunching in front of our handheld laptops or work from home setups. Slouching can lead to neck and shoulder pain, back problems, and stiff hips. Make sure to sit all the way back in a computer chair and keep your thighs horizontal to your knees at hip level.
About the Doctor
Gbolahan Okubadejo, MD, FAAOS, leads The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care, with offices in the greater New York City area, as a spinal and orthopedic surgeon. Board-certified and fellowship-trained, Dr. Okubadejo specializes in the treatment of degenerative spinal disease, spinal deformity, and cervical, lumbar, and thoracic conditions.
Dr. Okubadejo earned his undergraduate degree at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and his medical degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. He completed his internship and orthopedic surgery residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Dr. Okubadejo completed a spinal surgery fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh.
Dr. Okubadejo is a published research author and has presented his findings at several major spinal conferences around the globe. While a surgical resident, he won the Leonard Marmor Surgical Arthritis Foundation Resident Award for the best research project. In 2017, Dr. Okubadejo formed company 360 Dynamized Core, which is focused on creating innovative, spine safe core fitness products and routines. The first patented product, 360
CoreBoard, launched to the market in 2020. Find out more at 360coreboard.com
Dr. Okubadejo believes in the power of preventive care, minimally invasive surgical procedures, open communication with patients, and personalized care. When he’s not caring for patients, he enjoys traveling, learning about different cultures and the arts, and playing golf.
Tap into Trauma’s Emotional Energy and Use it to Power a Fulfilling Future
Los Angeles, CA, May 3, 2021 — Trauma doesn’t have to lead to a lifetime of weakness or hardship. In fact, trauma can lead to greater resilience and higher levels of achievement than we thought possible.
Dr. Randall Bell, widely considered the world’s top authority in the field of post-traumatic thriving, shares a process for not only surviving trauma but also thriving in the aftermath in his latest book, Post-Traumatic Thriving: The Art, Science, & Stories of Resilience.
“It can’t happen to me” is one of life’s greatest lies, he notes. But if or when it does happen, it’s possible to harness the emotional energy generated by the traumatic event — whether it was losing a loved one, surviving a natural disaster or being a victim of violence — and use it to heal and grow in entirely new directions.
“How do you take that energy from the trauma and tap into it to do something really remarkable that you wouldn’t have done otherwise?” asks Dr. Bell.
In Post-Traumatic Thriving, he shares stories of real people (many of them, like Leo Fender, are familiar) who have done exactly that, including:
• A deaf man with a glass eye invented the electric guitar and became a household name, remarkably wealthy and most importantly, happy.
• A convicted murderer took responsibility for the damage he caused, graduated with honors from college, became a minister and turned around the hearts of the most hardened criminals.
• A girl born with cerebral palsy landed the world’s first starring role on national television and spoke at the White House three times.
• A woman hid in a basement for years and lost her entire family in the Holocaust. She eventually found true love and paints stunning artwork.
• The sister of a murder victim helped millions of women in toxic domestic relationships.
• A woman’s car crash resulted in an addiction to prescription drugs, a divorce, a loss of her children and a cot in a homeless shelter. She has rebuilt it all back and more.
• A man set to go to the Olympics had his hopes dashed by Jimmy Carter and went on to build a worldwide business empire.
Dr. Bell juxtaposes outcomes of scientific studies with these stories to reveal common denominators among “thrivers.” He divides his insights into three sections: The Dive Stage, The Survive Stage and The Thrive Stage, and outlines a step-by-step process toward authentic healing.
As a socio-economist, Dr. Randall Bell has consulted on more disasters on earth than anyone in history. His clients include the Federal Government, State Governments, International Tribunals, major corporations and homeowners. Dr. Bell believes that “the problem is not the problem — the problem is how we react to the problem.”
Often called the “Master of Disaster,” Dr. Bell is squarely focused on authentic recovery and resilience. His research has been profiled on major television shows and featured in numerous magazines and the international media. More information can be found at www.posttraumaticthriving.com.
Post-Traumatic Thriving: The Art, Science, & Stories of Resilience
Screening healthcare workers could serve as early warning system for future viruses, RCSI research
DUBLIN, May 3, 2021 – New research has shown that COVID-19 infections in healthcare workers during the first wave of the pandemic provided an accurate sample of the general population, suggesting that data from healthcare workers could be used to estimate the severity of future viruses more quickly.
The study, led by researchers from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences in collaboration with IBM Research, is published in PLOS ONE.
The researchers analysed the infection data from healthcare workers and the progression of the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak using the reported daily infection numbers in Ireland. Using similar data in four other countries (Germany, UK, South Korea and Iceland), computer models showed how the disease progressed in different countries related to their approach to testing, tracing and lockdown restrictions.
Healthcare workers in Ireland made up 31.6% of all test-confirmed infections while only representing 3% of the population. However, the researchers found that the healthcare worker data closely related to that of the entire population after using software to create a more accurate picture of how widespread the disease was.
This suggests that governments could use data from only healthcare workers to inform decisions on whether to implement restrictions, wide-scale testing and contact tracing for future viruses.
“As we have seen with the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing countermeasures early can save lives and reduce the spread of the disease,” said RCSI Professor of Chemistry Donal O’Shea, who led the work.
“However, wide-scale testing can take time to set up, delaying decisions and costing lives. While the healthcare population is no longer an accurate sample of the general population for COVID-19 due to different vaccination rates, governments could use data from their healthcare worker population to make informed decisions on what measures to implement earlier when future viruses emerge.”
The research noted that very few nations were able to set up effective systems that tested the entire population, carried out contact tracing and quarantined those infected with COVID-19.
“Setting up wide-scale testing systems for healthcare workers is much easier than setting up a similar programme for everyone since the infrastructure for testing for diseases is always in place in healthcare settings,” said Dr Dan Wu, honorary lecturer in the RCSI Department of Chemistry and first author on the paper.
“A screening programme that tested all healthcare workers would have the additional benefit of catching asymptomatic spread of the disease since all healthcare workers would be tested. If governments could catch highly infectious diseases and implement countermeasures early, this could possibly prevent new viruses from erupting into another epidemic/pandemic.”
ENDS
About RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences is a world-leading university for Good Health and Well-being. Ranked second in the world for its contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2021, it is exclusively focused on education and research to drive improvements in human health worldwide.
RCSI is an international not-for-profit university, headquartered in Dublin. It is among the top 250 universities worldwide in the World University Rankings (2020) and its research is ranked first in Ireland for citations. RCSI has been awarded Athena Swan Bronze accreditation for positive gender practice in higher education.
Visit the RCSI MyHealth Expert Directory to find the details of our experts across a range of healthcare issues and concerns. Recognising their responsibility to share their knowledge and discoveries to empower people with information that leads them to better health, these clinicians and researchers are willing to engage with the media in their area of expertise.
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How are we feeling? Canadians are worried, bored, stressed, lonely and sad
CMHA and UBC release data on emotional impact of the pandemic for Mental Health Week
TORONTO and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The pandemic is taking an emotional toll on people in Canada, as 77% of adults report feeling so-called negative emotions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The five most common responses across Canada were ‘worried or anxious,’ ‘bored,’ ‘stressed,’ ‘lonely or isolated’ and ‘sad’. This is according to the third round of data from the Assessing the Impacts of COVID-19 on Mental Health national monitoring survey released today by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in partnership with UBC researchers to mark CMHA’s 70th annual Mental Health Week.
“While it’s discouraging to think that so many Canadians are feeling upset, difficult emotions may actually be an appropriate response to a major event like a global pandemic,” says Margaret Eaton, National CEO of CMHA. “It’s a sign of good mental health when someone can experience a full range of emotions, and recognize, understand and manage how they feel—even when it’s uncomfortable. Being able to make an emotional connection is also part of how we seek comfort and reassurance from people in our lives.”
Emotions represent our inner mental states. They arise in response to life events and experiences and can initiate changes in the body and in our behaviours. Some emotions are a positive experience, such as feeling calm, hopeful or secure and others are more challenging, such as anxiety, sadness, anger and hopelessness. Our emotional responses to significant events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, both reflect and contribute to our overall mental health status.
“Good mental health is not about being happy all the time but having appropriate emotional and behavioural responses to stressors and life events,” says lead researcher Emily Jenkins, a professor of nursing at UBC who studies mental health and substance use. The pandemic has caused significant loss—of loved ones, of connection, of feelings of security. This can contribute to very challenging emotions that are important to acknowledge and process. Hiding your emotions can prevent you from communicating with other people in your life and empathizing with what loved ones are going through. Sharing our very normal feelings of sadness, fear and worry is particularly important during this unusual time of stress, uncertainty and loss.”
Research shows that putting your negative emotions into words disrupts and reduces activity in the amygdala, the part of your brain that drives your responses to stress and fear. Having a specific label for what we’re feeling increases activity in the prefrontal and temporal regions of the brain. The act of naming our emotions can actually help us feel calmer and help us understand what we’re going through.1
However, it is important to know when anxious feelings become a cause for concern. Feeling anxious is not the same as having a diagnosed anxiety disorder, but our emotions give us clues to how we’re really doing. Indeed, those experiencing the most challenging emotions related to the pandemic were also the most likely to report a decline in their mental health, as well as suicidal thoughts.
“It’s time to seek help if you are feeling overwhelmed for prolonged periods of time or have persistent feelings of worry, anger or despair,” says Anne Gadermann, co-lead researcher and professor at the School of Population and Public Health, UBC. “Or, if challenging emotions are interrupting your daily functioning, negatively impacting your relationships, your ability to work or enjoy life or causing you to rely on substances to cope. If you are having thoughts or feelings of suicide, you should seek help for your mental health.”
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide rates in our society is complex; however, suicidal thoughts and feelings in the general population remain elevated at 8%, compared to 6% in the spring 2020 and 10% in the fall of 2020—substantially higher than the 2.5 per cent observed pre-pandemic in 2016.
Overall, a large number of Canadians (41%) report a decline in their mental health since the onset of the pandemic, compared to 38% in the spring and 40% in the fall of last year. Also, consistent with the first and second rounds of data, the decline is more pronounced in people who are unemployed due to COVID (61%), those with a pre-existing mental health condition (54%), those aged 18-24 (50%), students (48%), those who have a disability (47%) or identify as LGBTQ2+ (46%).
The good news is most Canadians (79%) say they are coping at least fairly well with the stress of the pandemic, using approaches such as: walking or exercising outside (51%), connecting with family and friends virtually (43%), maintaining a healthy lifestyle (40%), keeping up to date with relevant information (38%) and doing a hobby (37%).
Canadians also report they have increased their screen time (57%), are consuming more food (28%), are doing more online shopping for things they don’t need (18%), and are using more substances like drugs and alcohol due to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic (13%).
“Mental health is something we can protect, not just something we can lose,” says Eaton. “Factors that promote well-being include big-picture things like social and economic security, freedom from violence, harm and trauma, and access to mental health resources. It also involves smaller things like making healthier daily choices, connecting with loved ones and learning more about ourselves. When we understand and work with our emotions, this helps protect our mental health—during tough times like the pandemic and throughout all the ups and downs of life.”
The focus of this year’s Mental Health Week is to promote the importance of emotions and the role that understanding them plays in good mental health. Mental Health Week is generously supported by Major Partner Shoppers Drug Mart as well as Westland Insurance, Leith Wheeler, Rogers tv and the Not Myself Today program. To get involved, you can:
Share your support on social media by downloading a toolkit and using hashtags #GetReal and #MentalHealthWeek
Donate to support CMHA mental health programs and services at www.cmha.ca/donate
Connect. If you or someone you love is struggling, please contact your local CMHAor visit the Government of Canada’s Wellness Together portal. If you are in crisis, please call 1-833-456-4566 toll free in Canada (1-866-277-3553 in Quebec) or dial 911.
About the data The survey was dispatched by Maru/Matchbox in late January, 2021 to a representative sample of 3,037 people ages 18 and up living in Canada. It is the third round of a national monitoring survey that is also aligned with work being conducted by the Mental Health Foundation in the U.K. To access a complete summary of the findings, please click here.
About the Canadian Mental Health Association Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is the most established, most extensive community mental health organization in Canada. Through a presence in more than 330 communities across every province and one territory, CMHA provides advocacy, programs and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive. For more information, visit www.cmha.ca
CDA extends Sun Awareness Week to Month of May: ‘Sun Safety for Every Day and Every Body’
OTTAWA, May 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This year, the Canadian Dermatology Association is extending activities of its Sun Awareness Week, May 3 – 9, 2021 throughout the month of May. The CDA will share important messages and ‘myth buster’ facts through its social media channels to emphasize the importance of sun safety for every day of the year and for every body.
CDA Sun Awareness Week- Reaching Canadians each year for the past 32 years! For each year since 1989, the CDA has recognized the nationwide Sun Awareness Week to educate all Canadians about the dangers of too much sun and the need to protect themselves every day from harmful UV radiation so we can stop the rising incidence of skin cancer in Canada.
This year’s Sun Awareness Week is Monday, May 3 to Sunday, May 9, with national social media activities extending throughout the month of May. Check www.dermatology.ca/SunSafety and the CDA social media channels for Sun Safety messages and facts like ‘myth busters’:
Due to public health restrictions, this year’s campaign will focus mostly on social media rather than in-person events. Week 1 will highlight sun safety and sunscreen facts. Week 2 will concentrate on other sun prevention and protection facts. Week 3 will centre on the self-identification of various skin lesions. Week 4 will feature the role of a certified dermatologist in prevention, identification and treatment of skin cancer and sun damage.
“The CDA has been at the forefront of providing credible evidence-based information about sun awareness for over 30 years. The CDA National Committee on Sun Awareness was formed in 1989 and I had the privilege of becoming the National Chair in 1990. Free public skin screenings began in 1991 and continued across the country until last year with the onset of Covid-19 pandemic,” says CDA President, Dr. Jason K. Rivers.
“Probably more than ever, we all will be craving the outdoors to enjoy the summer weather of 2021. Nonetheless, it will remain our obligation to remind everyone and everybody, regardless of skin colour, to be sun safe,” says Dr. Rivers.
The CDA continues to monitor issues regarding sun safety and sunscreens, continually assessing the science of sunscreens and the potential impact they may pose to humans, animals, and the environment.
Skin cancer (melanoma) is one of the fastest growing cancers in the world and it is one type of cancer that can be prevented. When the UV Index is 3 or higher, protect your skin as much as possible. In general, the UV Index in Canada can reach 3 or higher from 11am to 3pm between April and September, even when cloudy.
Seek shade between 11am to 3pm.
Wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-protected sunglasses.
Use SPF 30+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen.1 Apply sunscreen generously and reapply when required.
Don’t use UV tanning equipment or purposely try to get a suntan; avoid getting a sunburn.
Early detection is key. Everyone should regularly perform a skin evaluation and see a certified dermatologist if you spot something suspicious.
CDA extends Sun Awareness Week to Month of May: ‘Sun Safety for Every Day and Every Body’
The Canadian Dermatology Association, founded in 1925, represents Canadian certified dermatologists. The association provides easy access to a reliable source of medical knowledge on dermatology. CDA exists to advance the science and art of medicine and surgery related to the care of the skin, hair and nails; provide continuing professional development for its members; support and advance patient care; provide public education on sun protection and other aspects of skin health; and promote a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. By doing so, CDA informs and empowers both medical professionals and the Canadian public. To learn more about CDA initiatives visit dermatology.ca and join the conversation on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and/or YouTube.
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