Category: Brandpoint

2018-04-03T14:01:00

(BPT) – If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, you probably know it can seem like an overwhelming task. In fact, a recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll indicates losing weight is harder than ever before, and that today’s busy modern lifestyle is a key reason why.

But, don’t lose hope. Results also suggest that taking a new approach to weight loss can help, and that you can increase your chances for reaching and maintaining your weight-loss goals by getting a clear picture of the factors holding you back, and establishing a plan compatible with your lifestyle.

“The Truth About Weight Loss” survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll in October/November 2017 on behalf of Zaluvida, the makers of I-REMOVE (R), and included nearly 1,000 health care professionals [458 primary care physicians (PCPs) and 503 pharmacists], and more than 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and over.

So, what are our roadblocks?

The survey paints a picture of U.S. adults who are discouraged when it comes to weight loss, and some of the key reasons why.

Among its findings:

* 77 percent of PCPs and 81 percent of pharmacists say losing weight is harder today than it was for previous generations because of the busy, modern lifestyle of Americans.

* Too much screen time (i.e., time spent on computers, tablets and mobile phones) has resulted in Americans leading less-active lifestyles, according to 95 percent of PCPs and 97 percent of pharmacists.

* Lack of time is taking a toll as well. 97 percent to 98 percent of PCPs and pharmacists are concerned that Americans not taking time to plan healthy meals will negatively impact their weight and their family’s weight.

The result of all this? Widespread frustration. While 41 percent of Americans are now attempting to lose weight, only 29 percent of them are confident they’ll achieve their current weight-loss goals. Fifty-nine percent of them say they’re frustrated by previous attempts to lose weight — typically, they’ve tried to slim down a substantial five times in the past five years.

What’s needed? A sustainable plan, and more weight-loss options.

At least 89 percent of health care professionals surveyed say Americans need to take a new approach to weight loss that fits with today’s modern lifestyle.

Instead of embarking blindly on a goal to lose weight, they say people should develop a plan that accounts for their potential stumbling blocks — most advise that your plan should be sustainable (79 percent of PCPs and 69 percent of pharmacists), not be time-consuming (56 percent of PCPs and 55 percent of pharmacists), and not require sudden or major shifts to your daily routine (54 percent of PCPs and 53 percent of pharmacists).

You may also want to consider new options; at least 84 percent of PCPs and pharmacists say they wish they had more weight-loss options for people who are overweight but not yet obese, and 63 percent of PCPs and 60 percent of pharmacists agree that a weight-loss product/aid that fits into one’s lifestyle without unpleasant side effects would make it easier for their patients to lose weight.

One such product that’s now available in the U.S. is I-REMOVE, a weight-loss aid aimed at helping people lose weight and achieve healthier lifestyles they can sustain long-term. As the No. 1 best-selling weight-loss formula in Europe, I-REMOVE is clinically tested and shown to help with weight loss and maintenance, and can deliver up to three times the weight loss of dieting alone. Sold in the U.S. it is available nationwide at Walgreens and other retailers.

Consult with your health care professional before embarking on any weight-loss plan.

For more survey results, visit www.weightlossfindings.com.

For more information about I-REMOVE, visit https://www.i-remove.com.

About the National Survey “The Truth about Weight Loss”

The survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Zaluvida between October 13 and November 6, 2017. The consumer arm of the survey included a total of 1,005 U.S. adults ages 18+, of whom, 713 are currently trying (n=429) or have ever tried (n=284) to lose weight. The professional arm of the survey included 961 U.S. adults ages 18+ who are primary care physicians (n=458) or pharmacists (n=503). For complete research method, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact press@i-remove.com.

2018-04-03T10:35:00

(BPT) – Major life events like childbirth, aging and menopause can cause unwanted changes to a woman’s body. These tend to include a woman’s overall vaginal health that can impact her daily life in terms of work, travel, sports and also, her sex life.

Fortunately, there is an innovative, non-surgical treatment that can restore confidence by helping women of all ages feel more like their younger, more vital and sensual selves. This non-invasive procedure reverses the changes in vaginal tissue that are often associated with aging, childbirth and menopause. With the Juliet^™ laser, women can feel and see improvement after every treatment as the vagina is restored to a more youthful state.

Bay Area medical device company, CUTERA^®, recently launched the Juliet^™ laser, an innovative system that provides women renewed confidence, quality of life and enhanced sexual function. This quick, painless treatment is performed in your provider’s office and takes approximately 15 minutes and can be performed without anesthesia, incisions or downtime. The Juliet laser works by delivering two passes of laser energy to the vaginal area. The first pass stimulates the remodeling of collagen while the second pass stimulates the damaged tissue. As a result, women experience an overall improvement in vaginal rejuvenation.

“Today’s woman strives to both look and feel good, and their sexuality is an important part of their lives,” reports Dr. James Mirabile, a Board-Certified Gynecologist in Overland Park, Kansas. “The Juliet laser is turning back the clock on feminine aging. Some women are even showing improvement in symptoms after a single treatment with best results achieved after two to three sessions. Lubrication, vaginal laxity and tone can be vastly improved. Sex becomes comfortable again as Juliet treats burning, itching, dryness and painful intercourse, with results continuing to improve in the months that follow. It is the treatment of choice for women experiencing menopause to help restore their self-confidence. Our patients tolerate the procedure very well and are extremely pleased with the results we can achieve,” he said.

According to Dr. Samuel Lederman, Co-Director of Laser Skin & Wellness in Palm Beach County, Florida, “With the Juliet laser, we have found that dramatic improvements can occur in quality of life and our patients are genuinely excited about the results. Women who have had two or three children are amazed by the changes they experience. Post-menopausal women are delighted with the reduction in the symptoms of feminine aging that can be achieved with this revolutionary in-office procedure. Because Juliet’s beneficial effects continue to improve over time, many women report further clinical benefits in three or more months after they have been treated,” he said.

The Juliet laser is a safe and effective treatment for many of the symptoms typically associated with diminished estrogen production from aging, changes after childbirth, as well as after breast cancer treatments or hysterectomy.

To find a Juliet provider near you, visit the Cutera Treatment Finder.

2018-04-03T10:01:00

(BPT) – Can cutting back on whole grains be bad for your gut and deadly to your health? Though some popular diets promote the elimination of grains, a recent report from the American Institute for Cancer Research suggests this may be ill-advised.

Researchers say 47 percent of colorectal cancers can be prevented with lifestyle changes, such as adding whole grains to your diet and exercising more. Eating three daily servings of whole grains reduces the risk of colorectal cancer by 17 percent, the report says.

But the link between whole grains and cancer may be confusing. After all, the major benefit of whole grains is fiber, and fiber is fiber, right?

Here’s the paradox about fiber: Americans have increased their consumption of fiber, including whole grains. In spite of that, bowel cancer is still one the most common types of cancer. Not all fiber is alike. Understanding how whole grains and their fiber types go to work in the gut may hold the key to reducing the risk of colorectal cancer.

A new kind of super-grain

First, we turn to the humble barley grain. It may be on the verge of a big moment. Australian researchers spent 30 years breeding a variety of barley that contains more of the properties believed to reduce colon cancer. The result is a so-called super-grain called BARLEYmax.

What’s special about BARLEYmax? This non-GMO grain has twice the fiber as most other whole grains, including wheat. It’s also chock-full of a unique type of fiber called resistant starch. Scientists believe resistant starch plays an important role in keeping the gut environment healthy. BARLEYmax has four times as much resistant starch as wheat and oats, and scientists believe it’s this resistant starch that may be the key link to fighting colorectal cancer.

What do resistant starches do?

Why did the Australian researchers want to develop a grain that was high in resistant starches? Dr. David Topping, who headed the research team, points to previous research showing the link between diet and colorectal cancer.

Africans have a lower fiber intake compared to Americans and Australians, yet their bowel cancer rates are much lower, he reports. On the surface, this appears to diminish the role of fiber. Here’s the kicker: The African diet is much higher in resistant starches and fermentable fibers than American and Australian diets.

According to Topping, that highlights the key determinant of better bowel health and fighting cancer is that we eat enough of the right fiber types, from whole grain sources, rather than to focus only on the amount of fiber we eat.

How do resistant starches work?

We’ve all heard about how important it is to make sure the gut is inhabited by the right kinds of bacteria. But it’s not as simple as taking a probiotic supplement or eating yogurt for breakfast. Gut bacteria need food to thrive, and that’s where resistant starches come in.

In the gut, resistant starches are a food source for healthy gut bacteria, and these bacteria keep the gut environment healthy. When diets are low in resistant starches, it creates a “hungry gut bacteria population.” But increasing the availability of fermentable fiber-rich whole grains that feed the gut microbiota can potentially make us healthier.

Good sources of good fiber

It’s exciting to hear that boosting your intake of resistant starches can have such a profound effect on your well-being and health. Getting the right foods that “feed” your gut has been tricky because, frankly, many are not appealing to American tastes.

Green bananas are a prime example. Although resistant starches are abundant in foods like cooked and cooled potatoes, barley and oats, these have to be eaten cold to get the full benefits, because these starches break down when heated.

Australian natural foods company Freedom Foods is the first breakfast manufacturer to bring the unique BARLEYmax grain to the U.S. under their Barley+ line of Toasted Mueslis and nutritional bars. The format, which is much closer to American-style granola but without all the sugar, will provide Americans with a much more accessible way to access resistant starch than some of the more obscure sources currently available.

Barley+ Toasted Muesli and Barley+ Snack Bars are now available at grocers and other retailers. To learn more about the mueslis and snacks, visit freedomfoodsus.com.