Cardiovascular Disease Risk Improves with Healthy Diet and Phytonutrient-Based Medical Food

New research presented at the American Diabetes Association (http://www.diabetes.org/)’s 70th Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Florida on June 27, 2010, suggests that a medical food developed by Metagenics, Inc. (http://www.metagenics.com/) called UltraMeal® PLUS 360° (http://www.metagenics.com/products/a-z-products-list/UltraMeal-Plus-360-deg-Medical-Food) enhances the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk-lowering benefits of a Mediterranean-style low-glycemic-load diet.

A Mediterranean-style low-glycemic-load diet emphasizing “good” fats, whole grains, fresh produce, and fish, has been shown to be effective in addressing metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that affects nearly a third of adults in the U.S. and increases their risk to develop cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and many other chronic diseases. Metabolic syndrome is defined as the presence of three or more of the following: elevated blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, central obesity (“apple shape”), elevated blood triglycerides, and low HDL (“good cholesterol”).

The key ingredients in UltraMeal PLUS 360° are soy protein (shown to have cholesterol-lowering effects and which may be more beneficial than animal protein in reducing the risk of heart disease); plant sterols (shown to promote healthy cholesterol levels); and hops rho iso-alpha acids and acacia proanthocyanidins (which function as selective kinase response modulators).

Recently, a team of researchers from the University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville, FL (http://www.hscj.ufl.edu/medicine/research-affairs/search/details.asp?view=d&id=2008-X-0054) compared the effects of two dietary interventions on CVD risk factors in 47 women with metabolic syndrome. In the 12-week, two-arm, randomized, parallel group study, participants received a Mediterranean-style, low-glycemic-load diet alone or in conjunction with UltraMeal PLUS 360°.

Both groups experienced improvements in the following markers of CVD risk:

- Improvements in total cholesterol, LDL-C, apolipoprotein B (apoB) and non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) compared to baseline.
- Reduction in total LDL particle number
The group that additionally received UltraMeal PLUS 360° experienced:

- Reductions in triglycerides, apoB/apoA-1, cholesterol/HDL, and small LDL particle number
- Greater reductions in total cholesterol, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, apoB, total LDL particle number, and small LDL particle number
According to lead researcher, Mark McIntosh, MD (http://www.hscj.ufl.edu/emergency-medicine/bio.asp?id=1141), “All of our subjects benefited from switching to this heart-healthy diet for 12 weeks. But those who received the medical food which contained the plant sterols, hops rho iso-alpha acids and acacia proanthocyanidins experienced additional benefits. We believe this combination of healthy eating and targeted nutrients offers an effective therapeutic option for clinicians whose patients suffer from metabolic syndrome.”

The study was conducted by Dr. McIntosh, Colleen J. Kalynych, Clare Vukich, Vivek Kumar, Michelle Lott (all of the University of Florida College of Medicine/Jacksonville) and Robert Lerman (of MetaProteomics, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Metagenics, Inc.) and sponsored by Metagenics, Inc.

Free Eye Care Available For Seniors

Imagine not being able to read the newspaper, watch television, or drive your car. These are a few of the things many seniors have trouble doing due to various eye diseases. In fact, by the age of 65, one in three Americans has some form of vision impairing eye disease. However, with the U.S. economy experiencing a major downturn, senior communities on fixed incomes are struggling to pay for health care.

In light of this, EyeCare America (www.eyecareamerica.org) is reminding seniors, ''Don't Lose Sight of Your Independence.'' The national health campaign is intended to remind the senior community about the value of eyesight and encourage seniors 65 and older to visit EyeCare America’s online referral center at www.eyecareamerica.org to see if they qualify for an eye exam and care, often at no-out-of-pocket cost.

“I had excellent care and I now have 20/20 vision and it is so very good,'' said Melva Rayles, an EyeCare America patient from Warner, Oklahoma. ''Now I can do all of my crocheting and knitting. Thank you all so very much for giving me my eyesight back so that I can do the things I love most, seeing my husband, children, grand children and my great grand children. They are not a blur anymore.”

The program provides a comprehensive eye exam and care for any disease detected in the initial visit for up to one year, at no out-of-pocket cost, for seniors who are without an ophthalmologist (a medical eye doctor). To see immediately if you, a loved one or a friend, 65 and older, is eligible to receive a referral for an eye exam and care, visit www.eyecareamerica.org.

EyeCare America, a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, operates one of the largest programs of its kind in American medicine. All eligible callers receive a referral to one of 7,000 volunteer ophthalmologists. Volunteer physicians agree to accept Medicare or other insurance as payment in full, resulting in no out-of-pocket cost to the patient. Eligible individuals without insurance are seen at no charge.

EyeCare America is designed for people who:

- Are U.S. citizens or legal residents
- Are age 65 and older
- Have not seen an ophthalmologist in three or more years
- Do not belong to an HMO or the VA

HIV Prevention Advice

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) today announced the launch of its newly redesigned HIV/AIDS prevention website at www.wemakethechange.com. The website was originally developed to complement the We Make the Change program, a statewide media campaign designed to increase awareness about HIV/AIDS and its impact on minority communities. The website serves as a portal for Florida’s Hispanic, African-American, Haitian and MSM (Men Who Have Sex with Men) populations to access resources regarding HIV/AIDS prevention.



The redesigned website provides a user-friendly experience and more enhanced features that can help Floridians learn about the various HIV/AIDS prevention opportunities available throughout the state. Some of the new features include a comprehensive press room, the latest news and articles regarding HIV/AIDS prevention, downloads for community outreach efforts and e-features like community stories and volunteer opportunities.

WeMaketheChange.com also provides extensive information regarding the numerous We Make the Change community initiatives such as Stop the Spread (http://www.stopthespread.com/), Sistas Organizing to Survive, Man up, Latinas Unidas Contra SIDA and the AME faith-based initiative. Various county-specific and noteworthy programs are also highlighted.

“The campaign has grown tremendously over the past 10 years and we are excited to relaunch a web component that reflects the campaign’s growth and success,” said April Hogan, Bureau of HIV/AIDS, HIV Prevention Program Supervisor. “It’s a great one-stop resource for HIV prevention information.”

We Make the Change is a multi-faceted, nationally recognized awareness program. The campaign includes event outreach, both traditional and nontraditional advertising, online components, text-messaging service to help identify local testing centers, and community based programs.