A major new study suggests that people living close to busy roads may have a higher chance of suffering dementia.

Research published in the medical journal Lancet indicates that as many as 11% of dementia cases among people living up to 100 meters from a highway with significant traffic could be due to vehicle emissions as well as other pollutants or traffic noise.

According to the Lancet, the researchers tracked all adults aged between 20 and 85 living in Ontario, Canada - approximately 6.6 million people - for over a decade from 2001 to 2012. The prestigious medical publication noted that ‘the risk of developing dementia reduced as people lived further away from a main road - with a 7% higher risk in developing dementia among those living within 50 metres, a 4% higher risk at 50-100 metres, a 2% higher risk at 101-200 metres and no increase in risk in those living more than 200 metres away’.

Lead author Dr Hong Chen, Public Health Ontario, Canada, was quoted in the Lancet as saying: “Increasing population growth and urbanization has placed many people close to heavy traffic, and with widespread exposure to traffic and growing rates of dementia, even a modest effect from near-road exposure could pose a large public health burden”.

Blueair, a world leader in indoor air purification technologies, believes that one immediate solution to contaminated air at home or work in urban areas with heavy traffic is to use an air purifier meeting high standards for removing airborne pollution such as those set by AHAM, the U.S. Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.

AHAM says room air cleaners that are certified through its Certification Program 'have been certified and verified by an independent laboratory, assuring consumers that the product will perform according to the manufacturer’s product claims for suggested room size'. The AHAM program also verifies the reduction of three common household particulates: tobacco smoke, dust and pollen, which are commonly referred to as the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR).

Ascensia Diabetes Care receives Health Canada approval for the app-enabled CONTOUR® NEXT ONE blood glucose monitoring system

A REMARKABLY ACCURATE METER THAT SEAMLESSLY INTEGRATES WITH SMART MOBILE DEVICES TO MAKE CONNECTED MANAGEMENT EASY FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES

Ascensia Diabetes Care today announced the approval of the CONTOUR® NEXT ONE blood glucose monitoring system (BGMS) in Canada, one of the next steps in the evolution of self-monitoring of blood glucose. As part of the system, the CONTOUR® NEXT ONE meter and CONTOUR® DIABETES App seamlessly connect to allow the app to capture the meter's remarkably accurate blood glucose readings.

The system features an easy-to-use wireless-enabled smart meter that links to a smart phone via Bluetooth™. The CONTOUR® NEXT ONE meter connects to the CONTOUR® DIABETES App, a mobile app that collects, stores and analyzes patient blood glucose readings from the meter. The app combines these with other data input by the patient to provide detailed information about their condition that can help them understand how their daily activities may impact their blood glucose results, including alerts for critical high or critical low readings. The blood glucose measurements and patterns that are identified can also be shared with healthcare professionals to help support management plans.

Not only does the CONTOUR® NEXT ONE system simplify diabetes management and help make it easier for more people with diabetes to use their smartphone to manage their condition, it has also been demonstrated to be one of the most accurate systems to date provided by Ascensia Diabetes Care.

"At Ascensia Diabetes Care we are dedicated to helping improve the lives of people with diabetes. The launch of the CONTOUR® NEXT ONE blood glucose monitoring system is the latest of our high quality solutions to meet the needs of the diabetes community," explained Russ Newsome, Region Head of North America, Ascensia Diabetes Care. "The value for both patients and healthcare professionals in having easy access to highly accurate data that tracks their condition over time could be significant," he added.

Published study data has shown the CONTOUR® NEXT ONE meter to be remarkably accurate. Canadian industry standards for blood glucose meters have an acceptable error range of 15%¹ from lab readings. That means that readings on a meter can be 15% higher or lower, compared to the lab. CONTOUR® NEXT ONE meter results go beyond the industry standards, by coming within 8.4% of a lab reading.¹

The CONTOUR® DIABETES App presents blood glucose readings in a simple, intuitive and easy-to-review way, which may help improve a patient's engagement with and understanding of their results. The system is also designed to evolve in the future, bringing new capabilities and features to help people with diabetes manage their condition.

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_{¹ Christiansen M et al. Accuracy and user performance evaluation of a new blood glucose monitoring system in development for use with CONTOUR® NEXT test strips. Poster presented at the 15th Annual Meeting of the Diabetes Technology Society (DTS); 22–24 October, 2015; Bethesda, Maryland, USA.}

About Ascensia Diabetes Care

Ascensia Diabetes Care is a global specialist diabetes care company, dedicated to helping people living with diabetes. Our mission is to empower people living with diabetes through innovative solutions that simplify and improve their lives. We use our innovation and specialist expertise in diabetes to develop high quality solutions and tools that make a positive, daily difference for people with diabetes.

Home to the world renowned CONTOUR^TM portfolio of blood glucose monitoring systems, our products combine advanced technology with user-friendly functionality that help people with diabetes to manage their condition. We are committed to continued research, innovation and development of new products and solutions. As a trusted partner in the diabetes community, we collaborate closely with healthcare professionals and other partners to ensure our products meet the highest standards of accuracy, precision and reliability, and that we conduct our business compliantly and with integrity.

Ascensia Diabetes Care was established in 2016 through the sale of Bayer Diabetes Care to Panasonic Healthcare Holdings Co., Ltd. Ascensia Diabetes Care products are sold in more than 125 countries. Following the close of the transaction in all countries, Ascensia Diabetes Care will have around 1,700 employees and operations in 38 countries.

For further information please visit the Ascensia Diabetes Care website at www.contournextone.ascensiadiabetes.ca.

CONTOUR® is a registered trademark of Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG.

The Bluetooth™ word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks herein is under license.

SOURCE Ascensia Diabetes Care

Pain Relieving VibraCool® Debuts During Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

Makers of Buzzy® Needle Pain Relief to attend runDisney Health and Fitness Expo for product demonstrations and sales

MMJ Labs, LLC, industry leaders in non-invasive pain relief, will debut their newest product, VibraCool® Massaging Ice Therapy, at the runDisney Health and Fitness Expo in Orlando, Fla. VibraCool® is the wearable pain therapy device that provides simple, serious relief for IT Band pain, carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, and other painful overuse conditions and injuries. Expo attendees will have the opportunity to experience the instant pain therapy of VibraCool® at the booth throughout the event. Runners will be able to purchase the product for use on pre- and post-race aches and pains -- and beyond. Product demonstrations, raffles and sales will take place in Booth 605 in the Stadium Exhibition area during expo hours from January 4-7, 2017.

Team members will be interacting with attendees to help them find the VibraCool® model that best fits their needs. The innovative pain relief product is offered in three configurations to treat areas where pain is common: Plantar Fasciitis/Neck/Shoulder, Wrist/Elbow, and Knee/Ankle.

VibraCool®’s Cool-Pulse™ technology is what makes it so effective for runners of all levels -- from 5k first-timers to Dopey Challenge takers. One push of a button leverages the physiologic pain relievers of high frequency massage and ice in a product optimized for athletes and chronic joint pain sufferers. VibraCool®’s intense 20-minute frozen solid ice packs decrease inflammation, pain and swelling. Vibration massages muscles, mechanically loosening stiffness and improving blood flow. For post-workout aching, using VibraCool’s massaging alone before a workout can prevent delayed onset muscle soreness. The design also features a neoprene compression strap so VibraCool® can move with you during therapy or recovery.

Make the VibraCool booth your go-to stop at the Expo for pre-race muscle prep and post-race recovery. To learn more about VibraCool®, visit www.VibraCool.com, or the needle product line Buzzy® and DistrACTION® cards at www.buzzyhelps.com. Engage in conversations about pain relief with VibraCool on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

SOURCE Iovate Health Sciences International Inc.

The White Studio releases ankle-biters into the wild

Flexibility in motion

• The White Studio launches the first wood and cork tool designed to help increase over-splits
• Just as unique and individual as The White Studio Flexibility Wheels
• A valuable aid for anybody on a journey to improve flexibility

DECEMBER 2016, Northamptonshire, UK – British wellbeing hub The White Studio announces the launch of the latest tool crafted to improve fitness fans’ and gymnasts’ flexibility: handcrafted, made-to-order over-split stands affectionately nicknamed “ankle-biters”.

The ankle-biters rise the point of stretching by providing a natural curvature on which the user’s ankle rests during stretching and training routines; they are designed by the same team which produces The White Studio flexibility wheels, the first and only yoga wheel made in the UK with natural, sustainable materials and to the user’s specification.

The inspiring principles behind both ideas are the same: the human body can curve around the flexibility wheel and the ankle-biter in various poses, resulting in a range of stretches to the back, neck, shoulders and limbs.

The White Studio ankle-biters increase stretching efforts by fitness practitioners, yogis, gymnasts and dancers: anybody whose lifestyle would benefit from more flexibility, supple limbs, control over one’s body, a healthy and strong back, spine and joints, is an ideal owner and user. All ankle-biters are bespoke and can be any width (i.e. made to suit the individual). Because The White Studio has total control over the materials used, the ankle-biters are as strong and as light as they can be, and come (uniquely in a market which offers virtually no guarantees) with a written and dated warranty.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, The White Studio provides tutorials, help, support and advice about how to use the ankle-biters and flexibility wheels, to the individual or even to establishments like gyms. The company is in the process of producing Instructor Courses (three levels, Beginners, Intermediates and Advanced, supported by manuals and ‘live’ workshops) with certificates showing attainment of the highest standards. There is no other manufacturer or business which offers the entire package, alongside a professional lifetime of continuous development and drive to perfecting one’s abilities.

The White Studio Managing Director Simon Lines says: “we are delighted to announce the launch of the ankle-biters, which join our bespoke range of Flexibility Wheels. Our products are born from an unwillingness to accept second best: yoga and other fitness practitioners do not strive to be ‘mediocre’, so why accept products that are? Both our flexibility wheels and the new over-split stands will never replace the cheap plastic counterparts, just as the bicycle will never replace the car. However, not unlike the bicycle, our products allow those who truly care to become just that tiny bit closer to achieving a harmonious lifestyle.”

All The White Studio ankle-biters are handmade in the UK, come with a 1-year limited written warranty and are tested to a maximum loading of 150kg. They are made-to-order, can be specified in a variety of colours, individual engraving/widths and are priced from £55.

Website: www.thewhitestudio.life
Twitter handle: @thewhite_studio
Instagram: TheWhiteStudio
FACEBOOK page: https://www.facebook.com/TheWhiteStudioLife

Long wait times make destination healthcare attractive to Canadians

SOURCE Health City Canada

Drug for narcolepsy could help food addicts lose weight

Overweight people could be given help with the discovery that a drug used for sleep disorder could also reduce the impulse for food.

There are many factors that cause obesity but there is a growing weight of evidence that shows obesity is not just caused by a behavioural disorder, such as a lack of self-control, but that many overweight people are physically addicted to foods rich in fat and sugar.

When we eat food that tastes good we get a powerful release of dopamine in the pleasure/reward section of the brain, but food addicts have been found to have a deficiency in a certain type of dopamine so that their sense of reward and pleasure is diminished, thus they have to eat more to reach the same level of pleasure as anybody else.

Scientists have also found impulsive behaviour is a factor in leading to food addiction and Ivo Vlaev, of Warwick Business School, plus Myutan Kulendran, Laura Wingfield, Colin Sugden, and Ara Darzi, of Imperial College London, discovered that a drug called Modafinil, usually used for narcolepsy, shift work disorder and excessive daytime sleepiness, can reduce impulsivity and thus food addiction.

“We found Modafinil, which is already on the market, did reduce people’s impulsive behaviour,” said Professor Vlaev.

“It has been shown to reduce impulsiveness in a variety of disorders such as alcohol dependence, schizophrenia and ADHD. Food addicts suffer from the same neurobiological conditions so we believe it will help food addicts as well and our initial tests have backed up that theory.

“This could have important implications for people who are obese. There is mounting evidence to show that there is a substantial number of obese people who are food addicts because they have an inability to control their impulsive actions and this drug has shown it can give them more control, which will help overweight people lose weight and so improve their health.

“Food addicts know they need to lose weight, but the desire for more food is overwhelming, leading to a spiral of depression that can lead to psychological issues as well as health problems.”

The drug, which is sold under a wide variety of brand names around the world, was one of two drugs tested by researchers, the other being Atomoxetine. Both drugs have been used for impulsive conditions, including ADHD.

In the paper Pharmacological manipulation of impulsivity: A randomized controlled trial published in Personality and Individual Differences, the scientists conducted a series of trials on 60 men aged between 19 and 32, with 20 taking a placebo, 20 Atomoxetine and 20 Modafinil.

The tests revealed that those who had taken Modafinil had a significantly reduced level of impulsiveness, whereas Atomoxetine produced no difference compared to the placebo group.

“Modafinil was found to have an effect on impulsivity in healthy individuals and so would be able to have an even bigger effect on food addicts, who are lacking in certain types of dopamine,” said Professor Vlaev.

“This drug could be a real help to those people struggling to control their desire for food even though they know they should lose weight.

“The drug improves self-control, which is a key factor in determining obesity, so our hypothesis is that this drug should help in treating the disease.”

Pregnant women should increase vitamin D levels - new studies suggest

TORONTO, ON – New studies have shown how important it is for pregnant women to have optimal blood levels of vitamin D to help lower the risk of their babies developing multiple sclerosis and autism.

A newly published study in Neurology from Danish researchers has found that babies born within the lowest quintile of vitamin D levels had twice the risk for future multiple sclerosis (MS) as infants born in the highest quintile. This led the researchers to conclude that low concentrations of neonatal vitamin D are associated with an increased risk of MS.

Earlier this year, a study published in JAMA Neurology on data from the Finnish Maternity Cohort also found that maternal vitamin D deficiency during early pregnancy was associated with a 2-fold increased risk of MS in the offspring compared with women who did not have deficient vitamin D levels.

Adding further support for increased vitamin D supplementation for pregnant women is a new study published in Molecular Psychiatry on autism. The large population-based cohort of mothers and their children found that gestational vitamin D deficiency was associated with an increase in autism-related traits in 6-year-old children linking gestational vitamin D deficiency and altered brain development. The authors concluded: “It is feasible that a safe, cheap and publicly accessible vitamin D supplement in at risk groups may reduce the prevalence of this risk factor. Just as prenatal folate supplementation has reduced the incidence of spina bifida, we speculate that prenatal vitamin D supplementation may reduce the incidence of autism.”

Dr. Reinhold Vieth, Scientific Advisor for the Vitamin D Society and retired professor at the University of Toronto, says that in addition to lowering the risk of developing multiple sclerosis and autism, a clinical trial now shows that risk of premature birth is lower if American women raise their blood vitamin D levels that match amounts that are naturally present in the blood of women living in the tropics.

“Getting vitamin D levels of pregnant women that are ‘natural for human beings’ will have a beneficial effect on infant health that will last a lifetime,” says Dr. Vieth.

Vitamin D scientists recommend that everyone including pregnant women reach a vitamin D blood level of between 100-150 nmol/L. Pregnant Canadian women, especially through winter, should consider taking up to 4,000 IU/d of vitamin D3 supplement for the best health of their future baby. You should test your 25(OH)D blood level after 3 months and see if the 100 nmol/L level has been achieved. If not adjust your dosage.

At the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), The Protect Our Children NOW! Program was launched by GrassrootsHealth and MUSC in 2015. The program helps pregnant women achieve a vitamin D level of greater than 100 nmol/L and frequently requires doses of 4,000 IU/d. It is expected to produce best practice procedures that can be replicated by hospitals worldwide and is based on research conducted by Dr. Hollis and Dr. Wagner of MUSC.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) and Health Canada have recommended that the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of vitamin D for pregnant women is 4,000 IU/d. This represents the maximum daily intake that is unlikely to cause adverse health effects. Previous randomized controlled trial studies have proved the safety and effectiveness of pregnant women taking 4,000 IU of vitamin D3 supplementation per day.

“This new research adds valuable scientific evidence proving the importance for pregnant women to have optimal vitamin D levels between 100-150 nmol/L for the health of their new infant,” says Perry Holman, Executive Director of the Vitamin D Society. “The Vitamin D Society encourages medical professionals to advise pregnant women to take up to 4,000 IU of vitamin D3 supplementation per day and to reach the required serum level. It’s a safe, easy and inexpensive way to help ensure that they give their infant the best chance for a healthy life. This change to current clinical practices could help prevent future cases of multiple sclerosis and autism in Canadian infants.”

About the Vitamin D Society:

The Vitamin D Society is a Canadian non-profit group organized to increase awareness of the many health conditions strongly linked to vitamin D deficiency; encourage people to be proactive in protecting their health and have their vitamin D levels tested annually; and help fund valuable vitamin D research. The Vitamin D Society recommends people achieve and maintain optimal 25(OH)D blood levels between 100 – 150 nmol/L (Can) or 40-60 ng/ml (USA).

To learn more about vitamin D, please visit www.vitamindsociety.org

About GrassrootsHealth:

GrassrootsHealth is a US based non-profit public health research organization dedicated to moving public health messages regarding vitamin D from science into practice. It has a panel of 48 senior vitamin D researchers from around the world contributing to its operations. If you’d like to learn more about GrassrootsHealth Protect our Children NOW! Project, please contact Jen Aliano, Project manager, at jen@grassrootshealth.org or visit www.grassrootshealth.net.

Study Urges Public Health to Embrace Sunlight Benefits

Just weeks after research warned Canadians that vitamin D deficiency was costing Canadian healthcare $12.5B annually by leading to a higher risk of developing life-threatening illnesses, a new study from the US is supporting the Canadian research and challenging conventional sun exposure advice. The study calls for public health organizations to re-evaluate their current message of sun avoidance and to promote non-burning sun exposure for vitamin D and other health benefits.

The recently published study, written by one of the most qualified and diverse groups of researchers in the fields of pigment cell research, photobiology, melanoma research, dermatology and vitamin D, “The Risks and Benefits of Sun Exposure 2016” by David G. Hoel, Marianne Berwick, Frank R. de Gruijl and Michael F. Holick, has found that insufficient sun exposure is an emerging public health risk.

Published in Dermato-Endocrinology, the report says that the current state of the science behind the risks and benefits of sun exposure suggests that public health advice should be changed to recommend that all men, women and children accumulate sufficient non-burning sun exposure to maintain their vitamin D blood levels at 75 nmol/L (30 ng/ml) especially in northern climates. The research goes further, reporting about the positive benefits of vitamin D and outlines how many other photoproducts produced by sunlight exposure are beneficial to our health.

In Canada, lab tests relied upon by doctors, consider the sufficient vitamin D blood level range to be between 75 to 150 nmol/L or higher in some provinces. Currently 65% of Canadians, or 2 out of every 3, do not meet the 75 nmol/L vitamin D blood level and have insufficient vitamin D levels.

“The results of our study show that to live a healthier life, it’s important for North Americans to increase their vitamin D levels through non-burning sun exposure,” says Dr. Michael Holick, Scientific Advisor for the Vitamin D Society and Professor of Medicine at Boston University Medical Center. “Insufficient sun exposure has become a major public health problem, demanding an immediate change in the current sun-avoidance public health advice. Generating vitamin D with non-burning exposure to the sun every day or under artificial UVB sources can help prevent the development of serious diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis and others. Remember that the UV index must be above 3 and your shadow shorter than you are to produce vitamin D from the sun.”

A new Canadian study reported that increasing vitamin D intake could spare 23,000 Canadians premature deaths annually and save Canada $12.5 billion in healthcare spending and associated costs. The study found that Canadians vitamin D levels have been dropping  due to lower sunlight exposure putting more people at risk of life-threatening illnesses.

“More and more research is being published urging individuals to increase their vitamin D levels through non-burning sun exposure,” says Perry Holman, Executive Director of the Vitamin D Society. We need to start looking at UV exposure differently and embrace the benefits while controlling for the risks of overexposure.”

Canadians can get their vitamin D levels checked by their physicians, or online, through a simple 25(OH)D blood test to ensure they aren’t deficient.

About the Vitamin D Society:

The Vitamin D Society is a Canadian non-profit group organized to increase awareness of the many health conditions strongly linked to vitamin D deficiency; encourage people to be proactive in protecting their health and have their vitamin D levels tested annually; and help fund valuable vitamin D research. The Vitamin D Society recommends people achieve and maintain optimal 25(OH)D blood levels between 100 – 150 nmol/L (Can) or 40-60 ng/ml (USA).

To learn more about vitamin D, please visit www.vitamindsociety.org