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Eating disorders have the highest mortality ratesof any kinds of mental illness. They dont discriminate, affecting people of all ethnicities, sexualities, gender identities, ages and backgrounds. However, one group is disproportionately affected by these disorders: people on the autism spectrum.

Eating disorders in autistic people are poorly understood, but they tend to be more severe and long-lastingthan they are in others. The longer a person lives with their eating disorder, the harder it is to recover. This may partly explain why some studies suggest autistic people have a poorer prognosis in therapy.

Longer-lasting eating disorders are associated with a higher death rate. The fact that autistic people are vulnerable to chronic eating disorders, alongside other mental illnesses, may be one reason why they die one to three decades earlier, on average, than non-autistic people.

So why are autistic people especially vulnerable to eating disorders? At least two reasons have been suggested.

One general and major risk factor for developing an eating disorder is dieting. For people who might already be genetically vulnerable to eating disorders, dieting seems to kick-start something in the brain that can develop into the disorder.

While autistic people arent more likely to diet than the average person, certain traits of autismincluding attention to detail, determination and intense fixated interests may make them better able to maintain the restrictions needed for long-term weight loss when they choose to diet.

The cognitive rigidity that we see in autistic people may also make it easy for them to get stuck in patterns of eating behavior, while their preference for sameness may cause them to have a limited diet to begin with. For some autistic people, insensitivity to hunger, gastrointestinal problems and sensitivity to tastes, smells and textures make eating difficultanyway.

Moreover, because autistic people are often bullied and socially isolated, dieting and weight loss may give them back a sense of control, predictability, reward and self-worth. Eating disorders may even numb feelings of anxiety and depression.

A core trait of people with eating disorders is that they find it difficult to identify and cope with emotion. As autistic people struggle with emotions in similar ways, our research team wondered whether this might help explain why they are more likely to have eating disorders.

The personality trait characterized by an inability to identify and describe emotions is called alexithymia. Being alexithymic is like being emotionally color-blind, and it ranges from subtle to severe. While one alexithymic person might find it hard to pinpoint what emotion theyre feeling, another might notice physical signs such as a racing heart and identify that theyre feeling angry or frightened.

Alexithymia is associated with many negative outcomes like suicide and self-injury. In part, this may be because people who cannot identify or express their emotions find it hard to soothe themselves or get support from others.

To see whether alexithymia might contribute to eating disorders in autism, we looked at eating-disorder symptoms and autistic traits in the general population. Autism is a spectrum condition, so everyone has some level of autistic traits but it does not mean that everyone is actually autistic. Nevertheless, these traits can tell us something about the nature of autism itself.

In two experiments with 421 participants, we found that higher levels of autistic traits correlated with higher levels of eating-disorder symptoms. We also found that higher levels of alexithymia wholly or partly explained this relationship. Our results suggest that having higher levels of autistic traits alongside difficulties identifying and describing emotions may make these people more vulnerable to developing eating-disorder symptoms.

Interestingly, we found differences between male and female participants. While alexithymia was related to eating-disorder symptoms in women, there were no links between alexithymia and eating-disorder symptoms in men. Since the male group was small, however, we couldnt be sure these findings would hold up in a bigger sample.

This research cant show conclusively that alexithymia causes eating-disorder symptoms in people with autistic traits, or indeed in autistic people. It might be that the relationships work backwards and eating-disorder symptoms give rise to alexithymia and to autistic traits.

However, first-person accounts from autistic people are consistent with the idea that alexithymia might play a role in their eating disorders. One participant even described how restricting her calorie intake reduced internal sensations that unknown to her, since she was unable to identify themcaused her much anxiety.

If supported by further research, these findings have potential implications for treatment. Clinicians already know that therapies need to be tailored differently for autistic and non-autistic patients, but how best to do so remains uncertain. Preliminary research like this study may offer some clues by highlighting alexithymia as a potential target. Alexithymia is not currently addressed by clinicians either in autistic people or in those with eating disorders.

As there are many negative outcomes associated with being autisticsuch as high suicide rates and a heightened risk of eating disordersit will be important to explore how much alexithymia, not autism itself, contributes to these negative outcomes. Focused interventions to treat alexithymia might potentially reduce these risks.

This story originally appeared on The Conversation. It has been slightly modified to reflect Spectrums style.

More here:
Autism and eating disorders may have an emotional connection - Spectrum

With the rising threat of climate change, people around the world are increasinglyrecognizing the importance of large-scale sustainability. In a recent poll of American and Australian citizens, 93% of respondents expressed concern for the environment and indicated that they are ready to act. Sustainable habits that individuals themselves can undertake include recycling, driving less, avoiding single-use plastics, and adopting a plant-based diet.

But its important to keep in mind that identifying a problem is just the first step of a much larger project: Changing your lifestyle to incorporate sustainable habits can prove to be a bit more challenging. To better ensure success as you work to incorporate more sustainable habits into your daily life, consider digging a little deeper into the science behind habit formation.

It is generally accepted that habits have three distinct components: Trigger, action, and reward. When youre working to form a new habit, its crucial that you focus on how each component relates to your end goal.Our reward centers primarily fuel change, so you must be sure to reward yourself every time you reach a goal or milestone.

The human bodys rewards center essentially runs on dopamine, a powerful neurotransmitter. There are plenty of ways to give yourself a temporary dopamine boost, most of which have negative repercussions. Whats more, the rewards from smoking a cigarette,drinking alcohol, or overindulging in a rich dessert tend to fade quickly.

Conversely, dopamine cultivated via positive habits such as regular exercise and plant-based eating builds up over time. When it comes to sustainable habits, youre building a strong reward-based foundation every time you bring along reusable totes, take the bus to work, or choose themeat-free option at lunchtime.

Forming sustainable habits starts with your triggers or cues. In regards to adopting a healthier, more sustainable diet, identify the cues or triggers that cause you to crave unhealthy foods. Triggers are highly individualized and can come from both internal and external sources.

Where sustainable habits can help improve your overall health, triggers typically have the opposite effect and can negatively affect you both mentally and physically. According to Bradley University, Physical health can associate significantly with a persons mental health. The good news is that adopting sustainable habits, no matter how small, may induce increased feelings of optimism, life satisfaction, and happiness, as you work to change the world for the better.

Major lifestyle changes cant occur in a bubble, nor should you go at it alone. Those pursuing a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle may lean on healthcare professionals or loved ones for support. Sometimes, we need a second voice to give us a much-needed boost on challenging days.

Ultimately, however, successfully building sustainable habits comes down to your motivation and willingness to change. Simply put, if youre not willing to make the (often difficult) changes to better your life and health, as well as the health of the planet, then youre unlikely to succeed in the long-term. Further, you need to be the spearhead of your own change, especially if your ultimate goal is to foster a sustainable mindset over the long term. In fact, progress towards a self-determined behavioral goal supports patients sense of autonomy and sustains interest, U.K. researchers found.

When implementing lasting change, repetition is key: In fact, repeating your actions consistently is key to the promotion of long-term behavioral changes. Start by setting an attainable goal thats challenging but not overwhelming, and start small. If your goal is to adopt a plant-based diet, for example, choose one or two days per week as meat-free days, and be consistent.

Again, make sure not to skip the reward step. Every time you achieve your goal, reinforce the behavior with something positive perhaps treat yourself to a spa day, or reward yourself with a decadent dessert made with locally sourced ingredients.

As you work to cultivate sustainable habits, try not to feel as though youre missing out on something. Positivity is key when youre working to develop a healthier relationship with food, and in turn, with the natural world. If you primarily look at your evolving habits in a negative light, youll likely end up doing more harm than good, and you may even abandon your goals altogether.

So, to make the habit of sustainability stick, stay positive. Rather than viewing a reduction in single-use plastics or processed foods as a sort of deprivation, focus on how your new sustainable habits can make your life better. For starters, think of the numerous ways in which sustainable eating makes a positive impact on both the planet and your local community. And dont be afraid to seek out encouragement from outside parties if you need extra support.

In this way, positive thinking and sustainability can exist in a sort of symbiotic relationship: As you continue to form sustainable habits, youll stimulate your brains dopamine receptors, reinforcing the myriad positives of cultivating sustainability in every aspect of your daily life.

See the original post here:
How to Form Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Habits That Will Stick - The Beet

In mid-July, Burger King announced it would start adding lemongrass to its cows' diets to combat the methane emissions they produce during digestion.

During the complicated bovine digestive process, the grass they eat is broken down, fermented and released. With the millions of cows across the world raised for dairy and meat production, these burps have become a massive problem. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, methane from cow burps is responsible for 39 percent of greenhouse gas production related to the global livestock industry. And according to FoodTank, this accounts for 26 percent of the United States total methane emissions.

Burger King said its lemongrass feed program could reduce methane created by cows by about 33 percent. Scientists dove deeper into the fine print of the unpublished research, discovering that Burger Kings holy-grail lemongrass only reduces cow-produced methane emissions by about 3 percent. Burger King hasnt responded to that criticism. Still, it is promising that the huge casual restaurant company is at least somewhat caving to the pressure from investors and consumers to address this issue, opening the door for other more efficient feed additives.

Methane from cow burps is responsible for 39 percent of greenhouse gas production in the global livestock industry.

Researchers and startup companies have recognized the enormous opportunity associated with addressing the cow methane issue by changing their diet and are working on natural feed additives to reduce methane emissions from cows. Here are five companies racing to offer options for farmers. Each offer natural additives. Synthetic additives are on the market for methane reduction, but they cannot be used by organic farmers.

Blue Ocean Barns is one of two companies on this list working with Asparagopsis taxiformis, a red seaweed. Blue Ocean Barns trials at the University of California, Davis and other peer-reviewed studies on the seaweed have shown just a small sprinkling of the additive to the cows diet can reduce methane emissions from 50 to 90 percent.

"Weve met with over 50 ranchers, dairy producers, processors and food companies," said Joan Salwen, founder of Blue Ocean Barns. "All of them really want to see the carbon footprint from livestock go down and not by 20 or 30 percent, but really dramatically. None of them could have envisioned the 80 percent reductions that were proving."

The seaweed prevents hydrogens from binding to carbon atoms in the gut, which creates methane.Instead, the cow releases carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas.

Blue Ocean Barnshas been growing seaweed for two years, including on an oceanfront parcel in Hawaii with hundreds of acres available for cultivation. It plans to have products available by the end of 2021, focusing on California, where farmers are mandated by law to reduce methane emissions and where it already has connections through UC Davis. It has garnered investments from large dairy producers such as Mars, which awarded Blue Ocean Barns $200,000 to conduct a pilot with the company, and Land O'Lakes.

Symbrosia is also working on red algae. It, too, is only in the research phase and is completing its first trial on a sheep farm in New York. In Hawaii, Symbrosia is working on growing the algae, which can be quite finicky and difficult, and figuring out how to scale production. To get certified by the Food and Drug Administration, it will need enough product to run a full commercial trial. Symbrosia also has access tooceanfront property for growing.

"We're really familiar with the entire value chain and what this means to all the stakeholders," said Alexia Akbay, founder and CEO of Symbrosia. "We can bring the value the whole way through the supply chain. We really understand how to market the product and what we need to do on the technology to make it a marketable opportunity."

Alltechs product, Yea-Sacc, is already commercially available. This product, a yeast culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, doesnt directly reduce methane gas production. Instead, it increases the efficiency of cow milk production. Adding the yeast to the cow's diet creates a healthier gut microbiome, allowing the cow to turn grass into milk easier and quicker.

Alltech claims that Yea-Sacc provides higher sustained milk production per cow, therefore reducing the greenhouse gas emissions per unit of product. However, this approach might just lead to more, highly efficient cows and methane production could remain stable.

Mootral, a Swiss agriculture company, has developed a garlic and citric acid natural feed supplement to reduce methane emissions from cows. The allicin in the garlic and the citrus extract in orange inhibits methane production in the rumen by as much as 23 percent, according to a UC Davis study.

While the seaweed additive might have better reduction rates, according to Mootral CEO Thomas Hafner, it is years away from marketability. Whats more, those startups will have to overcome scaling obstacles in growing the seaweed, he said.

"[Mootral has an advantage] simply because we can tap into an existing supply chain," Hafner said. "We can tap into the existing garlic industry. Have them grow our particular species that gives us a higher yield of active components. But there are 26 million tonnes of garlic being produced every year. If we were to serve 200 million cows, we were using 3 percent of that."

Mootral is exploring partnerships with brands all over the globe, including Brades Farm, which produces climate-conscious milk perfect for baristas.

Agolin has had a methane-reducing product on the market since 2008, however it markets the additive to farmers as a milk production booster. The product is a blend of essential oils from herbs such as cilantro that create a healthier, more productive and less methane-producing gut biome in the cow.

"It's adjusting the profile of the rumen microbiome," said Michael Roe, commercial director of Agolin. "It's suppressing some microbiomes, which allows others to proliferate. We're not interfering directly with chemical processes, I would say more sort of shifting the population profile within the rumen very slightly."

An animal research trial showed an 8.8 percent reduction in methane per day; other studies showed a 15 to 20 percent reduction per kilogram of milk production.

The next step for Agolin, and any methane-reducing additive product, is to get its methane claims verified by the FDA and be able to market the product as methane-reducing. No company has gotten this stamp from a regulator yet.

"For whatever company breaks through, it would pave the way for others," Roe said. "It's also a challenge for the FDA. They've never made an [methane-reducing] approval. How are they deciding to assess these products? The challenge is on both sides. The companies have to have a good enough dossier that can get through, and the FDA has to decide where the bar should be."

Updated 08/12/20 to clarify Blue Ocean Barns' and Symbrosia'sseaweed growing infrastructure.

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5 feed companies that could relieve the cow burp methane problem - GreenBiz

Photo: Matt Miller

As lockdowns and restrictions have come and gone and come again, one thing is certain; people are traveling less this year for obvious reasons. At this point in the pandemic, everyone is settling into their own comfort zone in terms of traveling to other cities and states to ride, or riding with other people. Some are going further afield than others, but for the most part, everyone is staying closer to home.

Its a great time to get in deeper touch with your home states trails, and to check off those bucket list rides that have been pushed aside over time. Its more economically sound, which is good since many have been financially impacted by the pandemic, but still allows for an adventure and exploration, and you can support economies in your state while mitigating the potential spread of the coronavirus.

One adventurer, Greg Hill, who is a ski guide for the company 57Hours and a summertime mountain biker, put himself on a distance diet this summer of 300-miles, or about how far a tank of gas in your car will take you.

Hill became an assistant ski guide in 2005 and a full ski guide in 2012, certified by the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. He guides for 57Hours, a site and app that connects mountain bikers and other adventurers to guides in areas they might be visiting. Hitting Crested Butte or Squamish, and want to make the most out of a visit? Find a guide through the 57Hours app who will make sure you get on the right route.

We asked Hill about how he was implementing his adventure diet this summer, and how hes still getting into the mountains as an emissions-free explorer.

What is an emissions-free explorer and how do you make it work?

I am exploring the concept of sustainable adventure, finding all the different ways that we can lower our carbon footprints while continuing to adventure. Emissions-free basically means that all my trailheads for adventures have been accessed with an electric car, which is typically charged with hydroelectricity. Nothing is perfect, nor am I, but 99% of my adventures since 2017 have been electrically charged.

It is impossible to be completely emission-free, because of all the clothing and equipment we use, but we still have lots of choices that we can make to be more sustainable.

How has coronavirus altered your travel plans for the summer?

I have been working on a few projects that I was planning on starting this summer, but since I cannot travel they have been kiboshed! Instead I am focusing on local adventures, and looking deeper into my backyard.

What does the 300-mile Adventure Diet mean, and why is it a good idea right now?

The 300-mile Adventure Diet is a challenge to stick to a 300-mile radius for any adventures (the approximate distance that one full tank of gas will take you). By driving within this radius, there will be minimal contact with others: one gas station visit (or in my case, a car charge), a stay at one hotel, bed and breakfast, or even better, tenting in a campground.

The idea is to use one campground or hotel as the adventure base and to explore from there. Its smart to plan ahead, and I plan to bring all of my food with me so that I am not shopping and wandering around too much.If we all stay in our communities and surrounding areas, we can minimize our touchpoints and help prevent the spread of the virus. Another advantage by stayingclose to home is investing our money in our local communities.

How long do you plan to stick with this travel radius?

This is an idea I am exploring. I luckily live in a great area that has lots to do within a 300 mile radius so I hopefully can keep this up for a while!

How can those that have to travel to destinations, or those who dont have great access to more adventurous terrain be successful with the 300-mile limitation?

This is the true challenge, recognizing that adventure lies at every doorstep, and that we need to rethink our habits. My kids often dream of other places and how great they are, yet they do not romanticize our own backyard. Adventuring where you live may not involve summiting huge peaks, but Im certain that within a 300-mile radius lies lots of unexplored places and adventures.One thing I want to make sure people realize is that keeping it local doesnt mean losing out on adventure, it just challenges you to get creative.

How can 57Hours help folks that are still sticking close to home for the year?

57Hoursis a great resource to help people discover whats in their own backyard, and connect them with certified guides to safely try a new activity.Going on a guided adventure to try a new activity can easilybe done with social distancing. Try your hand atmountain biking, climbing, hiking, surfing, or even kiteboarding.

Doing one of these outdoor activities with a guide is definitely the way to go, because they know all of the best secret routesthat arent astraffickedas the well known adventure spots in an area to keep you away from the crowds. 57Hours makes it easy to adventure locally because you can plug in your location to see all of the activities available nearby, and theyll connect you with a guide who will have everything ready to go and sanitized, and take you to less populated areas.

Visit link:
The Case for Staying Within 300 Miles of Home for Mountain Biking This Summer - Singletracks.com

NEW YORK - AzurRx BioPharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: AZRX) ('AzurRx' or the 'Company'), a company specializing in the development of non-systemic, recombinant therapies for gastrointestinal diseases, today announced positive results from the first five patients in its Phase 2 combination therapy trial of MS1819 for the treatment of severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF).

In the primary efficacy analysis, patients receiving MS1819 in combination with PERT therapy achieved a clinically meaningful improvement in the coefficient of fat absorption (CFA) at each of the three dose levels, with no adverse safety events reported. Additionally, patients showed improvements in the key secondary endpoints, including body weight, stool consistency and reductions in the number of bowel movements and the incidence of steatorrhea.

Results from the initial five patients in the trial show an improvement in CFA above 80% (the FDA's measure for adequate nutrition) across all dose levels and on all visits. Mean CFA at the 700mg/day, 1200 mg/day and 2240 mg/day doses of MS1819 plus standard of care were 88.4%, 87.2% and 86.5% respectively, compared to baseline level (78.4%). This represents an average increase of 9 points in CFA during the trial.

'We are thrilled to see such consistently positive responses from these initial patients in our ongoing Phase 2 combination therapy trial with MS1819. EPI is a very challenging disease with many CF patients unable to achieve healthy nutrition even when using the maximum number of allowed or tolerated PERT capsules, especially those in the moderate-severe categories,' said James Sapirstein, Chief Executive Officer of AzurRx. 'We look forward to completing treatment of all patients and announcing top line data in 2021.'

Dr. James Pennington, Chief Medical Officer of AzurRx added, 'To see these results in the first five patients is quite compelling. With its safety and efficacy profile, MS1819 has the potential to meaningfully improve the quality of life for many patients with severe EPI. The pill burden of PERT therapy alone is quite challenging for most patients, and for severe EPI patients the symptoms of the disease can be debilitating. We believe that a small daily dose of MS1819, when added to their daily dose of PERT, has the potential to safely help CF patients meet their nutritional needs, decrease abdominal pain and alleviate multiple morbidities caused by severe EPI. We are excited to continue developing this exciting therapy and are committed to bringing this therapy to market.'

The Phase 2 clinical trial of MS1819 in combination with PERT therapy in the treatment of CF patients with severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is a multi-center study designed to investigate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of escalating doses of MS1819, in conjunction with a stable dose of PERTs in order to increase the patient's CFA levels and relieve abdominal symptoms. The study is expected to enroll 24 patients, 12 years of age or older, with severe EPI, with the goal of having at least 20 patients completing. Patients enrolled in the study receive escalating doses of 700mg, 1200mg, and 2240mg of MS1819 once a day for 15 days per dosing level, in addition to their standard PERT therapy. Baseline CFA is established by measuring CFA levels while on standard of care therapy only, before beginning combination therapy. Eligibility requires a CFA of less than 80%. The primary efficacy endpoint of the trial is improvement in CFA; secondary endpoints of the study are improvements in the stool weight, stool consistency, number of bowel movements, the incidence of steatorrhea, and increase of body weight.

About the MS1819 Combination Therapy Study

The digestive standard of care for both CF and chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients with EPI are commercially-available PERTs. Ideally, a stable daily dose of PERT will enable CF patients to eat a normal to high-fat diet and minimize unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms. In practice, however, a substantial number of CF patients do not achieve normal absorption of fat with PERTs(1,2). Achieving an optimal nutritional status, including normal fat absorption levels, in CF patients is important for maintaining better pulmonary function, physical performance and prolonging survival. Furthermore, a decline of body mass index around the age of 18 years predicts a substantial drop in lung function(3,4).

A combination therapy of PERT and MS1819 has the potential to: (i) correct macronutrient and micronutrient maldigestion; (ii) eliminate abdominal symptoms attributable to maldigestion and (iii) sustain optimal nutritional status on a normal diet in CF patients with severe EPI. Planned enrollment is expected to include approximately 24 CF patients with severe EPI, with study completion anticipated in 1Q 2021.

About MS1819

MS1819 is a recombinant lipase enzyme for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency associated with cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis. MS1819, supplied as an oral non-systemic biologic capsule, is derived from the Yarrowia lipolytica yeast lipase and breaks up fat molecules in the digestive tract of EPI patients so that they can be absorbed as nutrients. Unlike the standard of care, the MS1819 synthetic lipase does not contain any animal products.

About Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

EPI is a condition characterized by deficiency of the exocrine pancreatic enzymes, resulting in a patient's inability to digest food properly, or maldigestion. The deficiency in this enzyme can be responsible for greasy diarrhea, fecal urge and weight loss.

There are more than 30,000 patients in the U.S. with EPI caused by cystic fibrosis according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and approximately 90,000 patients in the U.S with EPI caused by chronic pancreatitis according to the National Pancreas Foundation. Patients are currently treated with porcine pancreatic enzyme replacement pills.

About AzurRx BioPharma, Inc.

AzurRx BioPharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: AZRX) is a biopharmaceutical company specialized in the research and development of non-systemic biologics for gastrointestinal disorders. The Company is focused on the development of its lead drug candidate, MS1819. AzurRx is currently conducting two Phase 2 clinical trials of MS1819: the OPTION 2 monotherapy trial, and the Combination therapy trial, consisting of MS1819 in conjunction with porcine-derived pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, the current standard of care. The Company is headquartered in New York, NY, with scientific operations based in Langlade, France and clinical operations in Hayward, California.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain statements relating to future results which are forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts, but instead represent only the Company's belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. It is possible that the Company's actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements, including whether results obtained in preclinical and nonclinical studies and clinical trials will be indicative of results obtained in future clinical trials; whether preliminary or interim results from a clinical trial such as the interim results presented will be indicative of the final results of the trial. Additional information concerning the Company and its business, including a discussion of factors that could materially affect the Company's financial results, including those related to the clinical development of MS1819, the results of its clinical trials, and the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the Company's operations and current and planned clinical trials, including, but not limited to delays in clinical trial recruitment and participation are contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 under the heading 'Risk Factors,' as well as the Company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or correct any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently occur or of which we hereafter become aware.

Contact:

Tel: (646)-699-7855

Email: info@azurrx.com

Original post:
AzurRx BioPharma : Announces Positive Interim Data from First Patient Cohort in Phase 2 Clinical Trial of MS1819 in Combination with PERT Therapy -...

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Doctors Advice [run with column head]

Learn to tell the difference

One of my favorite movies is Jurassic Park. The author of the book that inspired the movie, the late Michael Crichton, was also a medical doctor. Like all of us who are medical doctors, he was trained in basic science, the science of modern medicine.

Jurassic Park was an amazing story of one mans attempt to bring back to life prehistoric dinosaurs. If you saw the movie, you know some really bad things happened.

Michael Crichton showed people what could happen when people tampered with science. He also firmly believed that when non-scientists, like politicians and the media, start messing with science, all hell can break loose as it did in Jurassic Park.

Dr. Crichton once wrote about the frightening, real-life example of what happened in the early 1900s when politicians, the media and others promoted fake science. His example was about eugenics. This fake science claimed some people, like Blacks and Jews, were inferior and should not be allowed to reproduce.

Eugenics was gladly accepted by scientists, universities, politicians and the press. In fact, Planned Parenthood was created from the false science of eugenics. In 1939, founder Margaret Sanger wrote in a shocking letter to Clarence Gamble, We do not want word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population

Eugenics was also used by Nazi Germany as an excuse to murder millions of innocent people. All in the name of fake science.

Politically driven science

But, what does this have to do with the COVID-19 virus? It is certainly not eugenics. Like the false science of the past, we must always be alert to detect politically driven science from true medical science.

One recent controversy between political science and medical science was over the use of an old medication with a long name. Its called hydroxychloroquine or HCQ.

HCQ has been prescribed safely and effectively millions of times for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and malaria. In 2005, scientists published a study that showed HCQs weaker cousin, chloroquine, could stop coronaviruses like COVID-19.

In March of this year, a French researcher showed that HCQ with an antibiotic and zinc was effective against cases of COVID-19. In July of this year, Henry Ford Medical Group and Mount Sinai Hospital showed that HCQ dropped the COVID-19 death rate by 50%!

Sounds good so far.

Unfortunately, when President Trump spoke in defense of HCQ, politicians and those with an agenda against the president said that the opposite was true about HCQs use and safety. Cable news networks like to broadcast negative stories such as claiming that, after decades of safety, HCQ was suddenly dangerous.

The use of HCQ for COVID-19 was quickly silenced. A number of brave doctors, who only cared about their patients and not anyones political agenda, still used HCQ with antibiotics and zinc for COVID-19. These doctors got positive results in stopping COVID-19 in their patients.

A fellow Black female physician, Dr. Stella Immanuel, from Houston, Texas has successfully treated hundreds of COVID 19 patients with HCQ. In a recent tweet Dr. Immanuel wrote:

I refuse to be chained by fake science. I have successfully treated over 250 patients with HCQ, zpack [antibiotic] and zinc. No deaths. All thesestudies by big pharma [major drug companies] is fake science.

She also wrote, Physicians failed America. We allowed bureaucrats, politicians and fake news media to dictate how we treat patients. We attacked each [other] & cowered in fear. Many [patients] died when there is a cheap, safe and effective treatment for COVID-19. Shame on us doctors.

The cost of HCQ is about $20.

So, what do you do if your doctor is afraid to use HCQ? Many are. Your doctors responsibility is to treat you when you are sick. Yours is to keep from getting sick. Three important things you can do for your own health are:

Strengthen your immune system

Your immune system was created to fight off bacteria and viruses to protect you. Of the nearly nine million children under 18 in California, thankfully not one child has died of COVID-19. And these kids have been to the grocery store, Target and Walmart.

A major difference between the immune system of a child and an adult is that adults have often had many rounds of antibiotics and drugs, lost sleep, been stressed, used alcohol and cigarettes, and have had poor diets. All of these weaken the immune system.

Strengthen your immune system with:

(Always double-check with your doctor for doses.)

Practice basic safety

Know real science from political science

That happened to HCQ. Eventually, the virus will fade. Well get through this. Until then, strengthen that immune system, practice safety, and be on guard for political science vs. medical science.

Editors note: Hydroxychloroquine is not FDA approved to treat COVID-19. Before starting any medication, consult your doctor.

Dr. Alyse Hamilton is the founder and medical director of the Advanced Health and Vitality Center in Edina, Minnesota. Dr. Hamilton offers her patients positive results from her exceptional professional training and an extraordinary passion to providesafe, proven and effective treatments for adrenal insufficiency, thyroid disorders, chronic fatigue and pain, menopause, andropause (male menopause),fibromyalgia and age-related conditions.

She partners with her patients to guide them to true health from the inside out. Her goal is to ensure that her patients reclaim their energy, memory and vitality so that they can once again enjoy the things that are missing in their lives. Her practice also offers IV nutritional support with the Myers Cocktail and Glutathione, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and the Riordan protocol for high dose Vitamin C infusion therapy.

See the article here:
Medical science and political science are not the same thing - MSR News Online

Obesity during pregnancy can negatively affect baby - 5 tips to avoid maternal weight gain | Photo Credits: Canva 

New Delhi: One of the main concerns of new moms is that they want to lose the weight they have gained during the pregnancy, and get back in shape. Taking notes from celebrity moms, people wish to get back to their slim bodies as soon as possible. However, not only do experts say that this can be unhealthy for them, but it is also recommended to keep a check on your weight during the pregnancy, as it can not only have an effect on your own health but also on the health of your baby.

According to a recent study published in the journal Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, linked high body mass index (BMI), an indicator of obesity, to changes in two brain areas, the prefrontal cortex and anterior insula.

According to studies, maternal obesitycan lead to negative health effects for both the mother and the child. Thematernalrisks duringpregnancy such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia can increase due to obesity. Thefetusis also put at a risk for stillbirth and congenital anomalies.Obesity during pregnancycan also affect overall health for the mother and the child in the future.

Studies show that the risk of gestational hypertension can also increase due to obesity during pregnancy. Both gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension increase the risk of permanent health troubles like diabetes and heart health issues in the future. Another study shows that maternal obesity can also interfere with the weight estimations of the fetus.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a professional healthcare provider if you have any specific questions about any medical matter.

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Obesity during pregnancy can negatively affect baby - 5 tips to avoid maternal weight gain - Times Now

McDonalds has announced the return of six of their menu favourites and theyre available from tomorrow.

The fast-food chain has been adjusting to new ways of working throughout the Covid-19 crisis and now theyre ready to expand their limited menu.

From Thursday, customers can again order a double quarter pounder with cheese, a chicken legend and apple pies, among more.

A McDonalds spokesperson said: We are able to test returning familiar favourites to the menu whilst still enabling our employees to work safely.

The following items return to its menu on Thursday:

The spokesperson added: The Apple Pie and Chicken Legend range have been among the most frequently requested missing items from the menu.

Whilst the Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, which proved incredibly popular in August 2019, returns for the long-haul and benefits from the Governments VAT reduction, available now for 4.29.

As the weather turns cooler, the iconic Apple Pie returns to the menu in the UK and Ireland, joined by the popular Millionaires Donut and Toffee Latte.

With thanks the Governments Eat Out to Help Out Scheme, choosing to sit down and have a coffee break in over 1,200 restaurants will see customers enjoy a McCaf black coffee and a donut for less than 1.30.

The company says it is maintaining its commitment to ensuring customers can make informed decisions when ordering.

The spokesperson added: Carrot sticks also make a welcome return to the menu and enable customers to have a lunchtime treat for under 2 AND under 600 calories a Crispy Chicken Sweet Chilli Chicken Wrap, Carrot Sticks and a Diet Coke, all form part of these bundles and with the Wrap of the Day promotion, stacked with the Governments Eat Out to Help Out Scheme, it is too good an offer to pass up!

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McDonald's is bringing back six fan favourites to its menu - and theyre available from tomorrow - Grimsby Live

My daughter went to the city centre at the weekend and was quite shocked apparently at how quiet it was which if it continues will have implications for retail jobs unfortunately.

One thought was thought if many office workers are working from home, this will damage weekday trade for shops too. Not all workers will need or want to return to their offices as many have worked efficiently and safely at home, often balancing child care into the bargain. It remains the be seen if this is sustainable for them and their employers remains to be seen. However there have been mutual benefits for both and another option to be developed in the future. Certainly these changes together with the growing interest in online shopping must have implications for the future of city centres. Better technology has facilitated more working from home resulting in the reshaping of work/life balance and leisure time.

Already we see speculation about some offices being converted into housing and city centres being more cycle and pedestrian friendly and greater emphasis on them being more centres of leisure too. Time will tell of course if these temporary measures to protect employees and organisations become permanent. Certainly people restricted for long periods will also rethink their personal priorities too as employers reshape their future strategies. After so many deaths it will be surprising if the pandemic did not influences our future behaviour and priorities. Certainly I, for one, and others coming out of self isolation will be all too aware of keeping fitter and alert to avoid being susceptible to another wave of Coronavirus.

Even walking more and reflecting on our diet would help as not all leisure facilities will be fully open for some time, though many parks/walks are a bonus in living in Sheffield. Certainly we should keep an eye out for flu vaccines to make an informed decision to having one or not. Finally we can still enjoy the new freedoms but given what we have been through will exhibit a sensible amount of caution.

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A routine medical visit includes a blood pressure check, a temperature reading and depression screening, but most people may be surprised to realize theres often little discussion about nutrition.

Thats concerning given that a poor diet is the biggest risk factor for dying of heart disease and other illnesses, accounting for 11 million deaths around the world per year, research has found.

Now a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association is urging doctors to explore their patients eating habits during routine checkups.

This was honestly a call to action We want to encourage (physicians) to have diet be part of the conversation and not something that we ignore, Maya Vadiveloo, lead author and assistant professor of nutrition and food sciences at the University of Rhode Island, told TODAY.

Clinicians really do want to talk about diet; they recognize how important it is. With COVID, its becoming something people are talking about because obesity is related to more significant health complications.

So whats stopping doctors from delving into diet? A lack of training is one reason, the statement noted. Many physicians dont get a lot of instruction about nutrition and obesity prevention in medical school, leading to persistent gaps in this part of their training, studies have found.

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Doctors also often dont have the time to ask during whats already a whirlwind visit. Some feel a sense of futility if they do bring up the subject.

But doctors really can make a difference because patients see them as a very trusted source of advice, Vadiveloo said.

An important step to get the conversation started is an automatic dietary screener that would be part of the routine visit, the statement noted. This would be a quick questionnaire patients can fill out at the start of the checkup that will assess their total diet, calculate a score and alert the doctor about any red flags.

The AHA statement reviewed 15 such screening tools already available and although it didnt endorse a specific one, the authors highlighted a few that could be helpful. They included the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener, which asks 14 questions about daily consumption of olive oil, fruits, vegetables, nuts, wine, fish and other foods.

Since nutrition is not a standard topic thats currently addressed during routine medical visits, your doctor may or may not bring it up. If this is a topic you want to discuss, Vadiveloo recommended simply speaking up.

Because doctors are very receptive to this conversation, just say, Id like to make sure that Im meeting my dietary recommendations. Do you have any advice or information that I can look at, or somebody who I can talk to to help make sure my diet is on track? she advised.

What happens next can vary depending on your doctors experience and his or her practice. Some doctors are comfortable giving advice themselves; others can refer you to experts within their medical group or an outside registered dietitian.

Vadiveloo, who is an RD, said anyone can book a well discussion about their eating habits with a registered dietitian but they may have to pay for it out of pocket. Insurance may not cover the visit unless its tied to a particular health condition.

To avoid fad diets, experts urged people do their own research to stick with trusted sources of nutrition advice such as the American Heart Association, the governments MyPlate program and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, which also offers help in finding a local registered dietitian.

A study in American Family Physician, the journal of The American Academy of Family Physicians, recently called diet the single most significant risk factor for disability and premature death.

With such recognition, Vadiveloo was optimistic diet would soon be a standard topic of conversation during routine health visits.

Were starting to see that its almost like a perfect storm where theres interest, there are tools and there can be partnerships developed to really move diet to the forefront of one of the health signs that we should really be monitoring, tracking and talking about with patients, she said.

A. Pawlowski is a TODAY contributing editor focusing on health news and features. Previously, she was a writer, producer and editor at CNN.

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