From couch potato to go-getterbecaleb
Do you love curling up after a long day to binge-watch your favourite TV show? We know the feeling! With wintery weather and the abundance of warm blankets and comfort food it’s no wonder exercise is the last thing on our minds. That is until spring arrives and the summer holidays get tantalizingly closer. By then, the pressure to get fitter and healthier feels less like fun and more like a dreaded New Year’s resolution. So instead of holding out for nicer weather, why not go out there and get a head start today?
We’ve all heard about the benefits of regular exercise, from preventing chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes to improving your mood, memory, strength and flexibility. Despite this the thought of signing up for a new gym contract or committing to Pilates three times a week is a daunting prospect. Thankfully there’s a host of experts who agree starting out slowly and making small changes to our everyday habits is a better strategy than entering a marathon and hoping for the best.
Because the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, we’ve rounded up some of the best ways to find and keep your exercise mojo…
- Get by with a little help from your friends
Find a buddy who already exercises regularly and join them for a workout or two. They’ll be able to offer advice on everything from training tips to how avoid injury. Or find a friend who’s also just getting started. You’ll be able to motivate each other to keep going – especially on the days you’d rather sleep stay in bed for that extra hour.
- Treat yourself to some gorgeous new gear
The old saying of fake it till you make it definitely applies here! Instead of donning that ancient tracksuit spoil yourself with some colourful fitted tees and leggings. Looking the part will make feeling the part that little bit easier.
- Take advantage of tech
Transform your smartphone into your very own personal coach by picking any one of the many amazing health and fitness apps on offer. You’ll be able to keep track of workouts and personal goals all while getting motivational reminders to keep at it. You could also treat yourself to a nifty new fitness watch like Fitbit, Garmin or Polar where you’ll get tons of helpful info on your heartrate and how many calories you’ve burned after each workout.
- Write it out
There’s no doubt that heading out for a morning jog will sometimes feel about as fun as having root canal. To keep motivated write down how you feel after every workout and glance back at it whenever you’re feeling low on motivation. Chances are you’ll find glowing statements about how fabulous and energised you felt that heading out to do it all again won’t feel like a chore.
- Remember why you started
Whether it was to fit into those jeans you’ve been eyeing, run around the block without losing your breath, or just to prove you could. Go back to the reason you started… And then think about how far you’ve already come!


Yoga @ The OC
Vinyasa Flow Yoga
Session 2: 8 Weeks, Classes Begin April 18th, 19th & 20th 2023
5 Class Times to Choose from:
Tuesday 6:30 pm
Tuesday 8:00 pm
Wednesday 6:30 pm *NEW* Beginner Class!
Thursday 6:30 pm
Thursday 8:00 pm
Vinyasa Flow Yoga is a dynamic, creative & joyful practice focusing on breath-synchronized movement & easily adaptable to different skill & fitness levels.
Each 1 hour class begins with a guided mediation in the beautiful Convent Chapel, followed by 45 minutes of breath synchronized movement designed to gently increase strength & flexibility… each session completes with a 10 minute Savasana, deep relaxation, followed by herbal tea & cucumber water.
€100.00 / 8 Classes (1 class per week)
To Book, Contact Christine: 052 74 65565
(A €50 deposit is required at the time of booking with the blance of €50 due on the first night of class)
New to yoga …
What to wear… layered, breathable, stretchy fabrics, exercise clothing.
What to bring… yoga mat, bottle of water, small towel.


Panic attacks can be scary and overwhelming. If you commonly suffer from panic attacks, there are things that you can do to help cope with them and to avoid the overwhelming feelings. This article is filled with valuable information that may help you manage your panic attacks a little better.
Some processed foods, and many fast food items, can actually trigger panic attacks. I won't name the company, but there is a type of fried chicken that would cause my heart to start palpitating within 30 minutes of eating it! Stick to wholesome, fresh foods you prepare yourself to avoid an attack.
Panic attacks are terrifying because the person experiencing them has the sudden overwhelming fear that they are going to die. The important thing to remember about panic attacks is that you can control them cognitively. Your brain is taking normal everyday stimuli (a shift in the road while driving, for example), and interpreting them in a fearful way. You can course-correct this fearful interpretation by trying to recall what the source of that stimulus could be. This will reduce your fear and your panic should subside somewhat.
As you use a breathing technique during a panic attack, really concentrate on your breathing. Imagine the life being breathed into your body as you breathe in, and then the toxic thoughts and feelings going back out when you breathe out. Really visualize a glowing light going in and nasty dark smoke coming out.
A useful tip for dealing with panic attacks is to change the way you live. Incorporate regular exercise into your life to eliminate extra adrenaline in the blood stream. Steer clear of smoking, drinking and processed food items, and you will stand a better chance of preventing panic attacks.
See if your friend can come and talk to you face to face. Doing so will help you improve your mood very fast.
To prevent your panic attack from worsening, avoid doing anything that might exacerbate your anxiety. For example, some people seem to think that you can be scared out of a panic attack as if it were the hiccups. In truth, putting yourself in an even more fearful situation will likely only lengthen and worsen the attack.
When you start having negative thoughts that would usually lead to a panic attack, shut them down. Say NO every time one comes up and think of the complete opposite. If you fear death, think about life. If you fear failure, go do something you know that you're really good at.
If you are experiencing a panic attack, you can try splashing your face with cold water. This will stimulate a dive sensation in your brain which will tell your body to slow down and relax. This is an easy way to help get your body to relax a bit.
Don't just listen to music when you're having a panic attack, get up and dance! Dance is a great way to exercise and get rid of the adrenaline absorbed by your body, ending your attack in a most enjoyable way. If you know that you get to dance when you have an attack you won't feel so scared about it!
After you have read these tips, you can start seeing all of the different treatments and medications that are available to you. There is a lot of information, but with a doctor's help, you can most likely find something that can work for you. So, try applying these tips to your treatment and start feeling the panic dissipate.


Becoming flatfooted can be a real health issue for people. The advice from healthcare experts is to pay attention to foot pain, and when it happens, to seek help right away. In the last 20 years, adult-acquired flatfoot has become a more commonly recognized health issue. The cause is a dysfunction of the ankle tendon that attaches to the bones on the inside of your foot. The function of this posterior tibial tendon (PTT) is to maintain the foot arch and provide strength during push-off when you walk. When the PTT is not functioning correctly, you tend to lose your arch, or become more flatfooted. This problem occurs about three times more often in women than in men, especially after the age of 40. Initially, PTT dysfunction is associated with pain on the inside of the ankle, swelling and sometimes a limp. If left unchecked, the arch appears to collapse and the pain on the inside of the ankle worsens. Eventually, if left unchecked, patients will begin to feel pain on the outside of the ankle, too.
As the name suggests, adult-acquired flatfoot occurs once musculoskeletal maturity is reached, and it can present for a number of reasons, though one stands out among the others. While fractures, dislocations, tendon lacerations, and other such traumatic events do contribute to adult-acquired flatfoot as a significant lower extremity disorder, as mentioned above, damage to the posterior tibial tendon is most often at the heart of adult-acquired flatfoot. One study further elaborates on the matter by concluding that ?60% of patients [presenting with posterior tibial tendon damage and adult-acquired flatfoot] were obese or had diabetes mellitus, hypertension, previous surgery or trauma to the medial foot, or treatment with steroids?.
In many cases, adult flatfoot causes no pain or problems. In others, pain may be severe. Many people experience aching pain in the heel and arch and swelling along the inner side of the foot.
The adult acquired flatfoot, secondary to posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, is diagnosed in a number of ways with no single test proven to be totally reliable. The most accurate diagnosis is made by a skilled clinician utilizing observation and hands on evaluation of the foot and ankle. Observation of the foot in a walking examination is most reliable. The affected foot appears more pronated and deformed compared to the unaffected foot. Muscle testing will show a strength deficit. An easy test to perform in the office is the single foot raise. A patient is asked to step with full body weight on the symptomatic foot, keeping the unaffected foot off the ground. The patient is then instructed to "raise up on the tip toes" of the affected foot. If the posterior tibial tendon has been attenuated or ruptured, the patient will be unable to lift the heel off the floor and rise onto the toes. In less severe cases, the patient will be able to rise on the toes, but the heel will not be noted to invert as it normally does when we rise onto the toes. X-rays can be helpful but are not diagnostic of the adult acquired flatfoot. Both feet - the symptomatic and asymptomatic - will demonstrate a flatfoot deformity on x-ray. Careful observation may show a greater severity of deformity on the affected side.
Non surgical Treatment
Conservative (nonoperative) care is advised at first. A simple modification to your shoe may be all that???s needed. Sometimes purchasing shoes with a good arch support is sufficient. For other patients, an off-the-shelf (prefabricated) shoe insert works well. The orthotic is designed specifically to position your foot in good alignment. Like the shoe insert, the orthotic fits inside the shoe. These work well for mild deformity or symptoms. Over-the-counter pain relievers or antiinflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen may be helpful. If symptoms are very severe, a removable boot or cast may be used to rest, support, and stabilize the foot and ankle while still allowing function. Patients with longer duration of symptoms or greater deformity may need a customized brace. The brace provides support and limits ankle motion. After several months, the brace is replaced with a foot orthotic. A physical therapy program of exercise to stretch and strengthen the foot and leg muscles is important. The therapist will also show you how to improve motor control and proprioception (joint sense of position). These added features help prevent and reduce injuries.
If conservative treatment fails surgical intervention is offered. For a Stage 1 deformity a posterior tibial tendon tenosynovectomy (debridement of the tendon) or primary repair may be indicated. For Stage 2 a combination of Achilles lengthening with bone cuts, calcaneal osteotomies, and tendon transfers is common. Stage 2 flexible PTTD is the most common stage patients present with for treatment. In Stage 3 or 4 PTTD isolated fusions, locking two or more joints together, maybe indicated. All treatment is dependent on the stage and severity at presentation with the goals and activity levels of the patient in mind. Treatment is customized to the individual patient needs.


CardioLog – iPhone Application
CardioLog is the must-have app for Adult Cardiology trainees. This time saving app has all the features you expect in a cardiology application and is available free for the iPhone users.
CardioLog simplifies the documentation process and makes it painless to maintain your cardiology patient log. Easily add new patients, keep track of all procedures and access summary reports. Features:
- Includes all procedures in Australia’s Advanced Training program in Cardiology
- Track all patient numbers by procedure
- Photo capture option
- One-click export to spreadsheet
App Store Link


The USC Skin of Color and Pigmentary Disorders Program specializes in comprehensive, personalized and culturally sensitive care for a broad variety of medical and cosmetic conditions that disproportionately impact the skin of color population, which includes people of African, African American, Caribbean, Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern, Native American and mixed-race backgrounds. These skin conditions require targeted clinical knowledge and a specialized treatment approach.
As a recognized leader in academic medicine, Keck Medicine of USC has gathered an exceptional team that includes a board-certified dermatologist, who specializes in ethnic skin and pigmentary conditions. By combining clinical expertise with the latest research-based therapies, our team offers treatment plans tailored to your individual skin.
Whatever skin condition you may be experiencing, the team at the USC Skin of Color and Pigmentary Disorders Program will provide a complete assessment and treatment plan.
Our program provides both medical and procedural treatments, using the most advanced technology. Our team has expertise not only in ethnic skin and pigmentary conditions but also in performing procedures safely in darker skin types.
The comprehensive approach to care at the USC Skin of Color and Pigmentary Disorders Program enables our team to expertly evaluate, diagnose and treat patients with a broad range of medical and cosmetic dermatologic conditions that affect pigmentation and particularly impact the skin of color population.
Our goal is to provide world-class, individualized and comprehensive care to patients with medical or cosmetic conditions affecting skin color and to spearhead advancements in diagnostic and treatment options.
Whether your skin color or pigmentation condition is mild or severe, our specialized team will work with you to create a custom treatment plan to help alleviate your symptoms, improve your quality of life and aid you in looking your best.


The Argan tree is a rare species found almost exclusively in south-west Morocco, for centuries the Berber people of the region harvested its fruit for food and to extract it’s precious oil, a laborious process of cracking and grinding roasted argan nuts that could take twenty hours to produce a single litre. Modern Argan Oils produced solely for cosmetics are manufactured through a cold-press method that preserves the rich nutrients.
The Berber discovered many benefits to Argan Oil and applied it to their skin, to protect them from the harsh mountain wilderness.
Argan oil contains a high concentration of essential fatty acids and vitamin E, two key parts of the skin’s lubricating layer, these components help the skin stay hydrated and prevent moisture loss.
Benefits of Argan oil
- moisturises the skin
- treats acne
- anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
- heals skin infections
- prevents and reduces stretch marks


NEW, Improved replenishing moisturizer to increase skin smoothness and density.
ENERGIE PURE GOLD is rich in Caviar to smooth and replenish, Hyaluronic acid to plump and deeply hydrate and precious, 23 carat gold to energize cells. Helps skin retain moisture and smoothness even in cold weather. ENERGIE PURE GOLD's light, fragrant formula absorbs effortlessly, smoothing and replenishing after the very first application.
Proven in third party clinical trials to neutralize 75% of free radicals on skin • Increases skin hydration by over 40% after 3 months of use • Improves skin density by over 44% after 3 months of use • Natural ingredients, no parabens, chemical or mineral sun filters.
Apply to clean and toned skin in the morning under make-up. For best results, use in conjunction with deW BEAUTY SHOT superfruit beauty drink.
23 Carat Gold, Hyaluronic acid, Pearl


Advancing health equity for all our communities.
Our primary focus is on enhancing oral health while also fostering community development, underpinned by a commitment to health equity. We achieve this by not only deploying advanced solutions but also actively engaging in change management and advocacy efforts.
Our approach involves providing specialized training to empower oral health professionals, nurturing the growth of students in the field of dental public health, and serving as facilitators for transformative shifts within the oral health landscape.
Through collaborative endeavors and proactive advocacy, we aim to uplift marginalized populations, ensuring that the potential of innovative technologies leads to tangible improvements in oral health and overall community well-being.
Empower Communities with Innovative Technologies:Our vision is to empower underserved communities with cutting-edge technologies that improve oral health and overall well-being.
Catalyze Transformative Change:Our vision is to be catalysts for transformative shifts in the oral health landscape, ensuring that advanced solutions lead to tangible improvements in the health and lives of communities we serve.
Advance Health Equity:We aim to foster health equity by actively advocating for marginalized populations and creating a society where everyone has equal access to quality oral health care.


If you have been thinking about or looking into the possibility of undergoing breast augmentation surgery, it is of course important that you first understand everything about it. I underwent this surgery just last year after thinking long and hard about the decision for almost 18 months. As it turned out, I was absolutely over the moon with my procedure and the results and it has left me feeling far more confident and much happier in myself. The breast augmentation OC offers, at least in terms of options, is incredible and it can be difficult to pick the right clinic, after researching heavily, I finally found a clinic which made me feel comfortable, and who could deliver the results that I was looking for.
Aside from picking the right clinic, here is some important information which you need to know if you are planning cosmetic surgery.
This is a cosmetic surgery procedure which is for women who wish to enhance the size of their breasts, reduce the size of their breasts or for women with mis-shaped breast or sagging breasts as a result of age, sudden weight loss or pregnancy.
In terms of you being a solid candidate for breast augmentation surgery, you need to be a person in good health, both physically and mentally, you cannot have the procedure done if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and finally that your breasts are fully developed.
How Much Does It Cost?
Naturally this is something that will change from surgeon to surgeon but the average cost of breast augmentation surgery is $3,719. The difference in terms of price which you may see, is because of a number of factors such as skill level of the surgeon and their experience, geographical location and sometimes going to a chain of clinics could also come with higher costs.
Is It Safe?
The idea of cutting your breast open and inserting a foreign object may sound scary but this is an incredibly safe procedure which is carried out thousands of times each year. Techniques and research advancements have meant that not only is the procedure itself very safe, but so too are the implants which are placed inside the breast tissue.
What Recovery to Expect
After the procedure you may feel some slight pain in the breast area, you will be sent home with a gauze dressing and a stretchy bandage. The recovery time after breast augmentation surgery is actually very quick, with many women returning to work just a few days after the operation. You may be prescribed pain meds, and the recommendation is that you avoid lifting or carrying and over-exertion.
Whilst many clinics will offer this procedure, it is still important that you find the right clinic for you. This is just as much about finding the clinic which you feel comfortable with, as it is about you finding the best price, and the best surgeon. Expect to spend a lot of time researching the best place for you.


Auckland Cricket and Cancer Society
Get SunSmart this summer!
Last season Auckland Cricket formed a partnership with Cancer Society Auckland to help them promote some of their key messages.
We all know the slip, slop, slap and wrap message by now (and if you don't click here) but did you know that the Cancer Society sunscreen can provide you with some of the best protection out there?
This season Auckland Cricket is exclusively using Cancer Society sunscreen as our official sunscreen and with the help of Cancer Society Auckland and Brand Support we'll be supplying clubs with over 350 tubes of sunscreen this summer.
And the Aces will be out there sporting the best in sunscreen protection for sportspeople with the Ultra Active range - click here to find out more about this product.
Auckland Cricket CEO Mark Cameron was delighted with the announcement.
"We understand that cricket exposes players to risks from the the effects of the sun so it's excellent news that we're able to provide our clubs with some great protection and at the same time strengthen our relationship with Cancer Society Auckland."
Likewise Cancer Society Auckland CEO John Loof was pleased to be getting the sunscreen message to Auckland's cricket playing public.
"A lot of what we do is about creating behaviours and we hope that providing people, and especially children, with the reminder to take some sunscreen to the cricket we'll be helping create some lifelong habits."
Remember that with every purchase of Cancer Society sunscreen a portion of that dollar value goes to the Cancer Society to assist in the work that they do both in cancer research and in assisting those affected by the disease.
So this summer if you're running low on sunscreen and you need some more grab one with the little daffodil on the pack and you'll be doing yourself and your kids a favour as well as helping out the Cancer Society.


Study in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) Reports Significant Improvement in Bladder Cancer Detection – 99% of Malignancies Found
JAMA Reports that the NMP22® BladderChek® Test is Better at Detecting Bladder Malignancies than Current Technologies
NEWTON, Mass. —January 17, 2006 — A simple point-of-care urine test, the NMP22 BladderChek Test, was found to significantly increase the detection of recurrent bladder cancer, finding 99% of the malignancies when used with cystoscopy, according to a report in the January 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
The lead author, H. Barton Grossman M.D. at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center stated, “This study confirms the prior BladderChek investigation published in JAMA early last year— NMP22 BladderChek combined with cystoscopy detects significantly more cancers than cystoscopy alone. Because bladder cancer has a very high recurrence rate, we need to monitor patients vigilantly. Adding the NMP22 test to routine monitoring provides an extra measure of confidence. This test has important advantages over other methods: it provides results while the patient is at the doctor’s office and as a molecular marker it can detect cancers that might be missed visually without requiring intact cells. No other test is FDA approved for both diagnosis and monitoring that can be used during a patient visit and costs less than cytology.”
When used in combination with cystoscopy, a visual examination of the bladder, the NMP22 BladderChek test detected 99% of bladder malignancies compared to 91% for cystoscopy alone. The BladderChek test was positive for 8 of 9 cancers not seen by cystoscopy, including seven tumors that were aggressive or advanced. The BladderChek test also detected four times as many cancers as the commonly used laboratory based urine cytology test.
The authors of the study, who include clinical investigators at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, the University of Miami School of Medicine, the University of Rochester Medical Center, Rhode Island Hospital, and community based clinicians, recommended using the NMP22 BladderChek® Test in the routine monitoring and management of bladder cancer patients. They noted that it is an inexpensive and a cost-effective tool, proven to detect significantly more cancers than urine cytology, and at half the cost. When combined with cystoscopy the NMP22® test improves the detection of cancer. Unlike all cell-based urine tests it does not require laboratory time and facilities and expert analysis. This point-of-care test provides unambiguous results during a patient’s visit.
“NMP22® BladderChek® Test is an important tool for doctors—early detection of bladder cancers, both initial and recurrent, improves treatment options and patient outcome,” said Edward Messing M. D., Chairman of the Urology Department at the University of Rochester Medical Center. “Delay of diagnosis of an aggressive bladder cancer even by a few months can affect prognosis. The AUA guidelines for evaluation of patients with blood in the urine recommend using a urine test as back up to cystoscopy. We use the NMP22 test in our practice, and will include it in an upcoming National Cancer Institute (NCI) study for monitoring bladder cancer recurrence after treatment.”
Bladder cancer has the highest rate of recurrence of any malignancy, with the cancer recurring in 50% to 90% of patients, depending on the aggressiveness and extent of the initial tumor. Patients are rigorously monitored throughout their lives for new malignancies. A combination of methods is used to monitor patients since no single method is 100% accurate in detecting the cancer.
The prevalence of bladder cancer in the United States is higher than lung cancer; and its prevalence in women is similar to the number of women with cervical and ovarian cancers. Currently there are 500,000 Americans with a history of bladder cancer.
Developed and commercialized by Matritech (Amex: MZT), a leading developer of protein-based diagnostic products for the early detection of cancer, the NMP22 BladderChek Test is the only noninvasive point-of-care assay approved by the FDA as an aid in both the initial diagnosis and monitoring of bladder cancer. Using only four drops of urine, the test detects elevated levels of the nuclear matrix protein NMP22 and results are available during the patient visit.
“Bladder cancer is the second most common urologic malignancy in the U.S. after prostate cancer,” notes investigator and author Mark Soloway M.D., Chairman, Department of Urology at the University of Miami School of Medicine. “We have made dramatic changes with the use of PSA, an early detection program, and tremendous public awareness. Unfortunately, we have not done the same with bladder cancer. One quarter of all bladder malignancies are still first diagnosed after they have become invasive, so treatment is more difficult and prognosis is worse. This hasn’t changed in 20 years. The NMP22 BladderChek test is an important step forward. Not only has it been demonstrated in two large studies to improve detection of new and recurrent cancers, it provides an easy and inexpensive way for primary care doctors to screen patients we know are at higher risk for bladder cancer: people who smoke, are exposed to chemicals or have blood in their urine.”
Because of the high recurrence rate of bladder cancer, patients who have had the disease are typically evaluated for new tumors every three months for the first two years after surgery, twice a year for the next two years, and yearly after that, until a recurrence is diagnosed, at which point monitoring resumes at three month intervals. Early detection is key to extending and providing quality of life for patients, and reducing treatment costs. The five year survival rate is 94% for patients diagnosed with early stage, or noninvasive cancer, while patients with metastatic or advanced stages of the disease have as low as a 6% chance of surviving five years.
“I was diagnosed with bladder cancer ten years ago,” said Sylvia Ramsey, a professor at the Georgia Military Community College-Augusta, GA, and a leading bladder cancer patient advocate. “But, for a year, I was told I only had a bladder infection. Finally, I was referred to a urologist.” Professor Ramsey added, “Each day I am grateful that I am one of the lucky ones. Even though I am cancer free, it is a constant and vigilant process to make sure I stay that way. My urologist and I have a regular set of appointments to keep monitoring me. Ten years ago there was no BladderChek® Test. Today, what a difference! When I speak or write about bladder cancer, I urge people at risk for this cancer to be aware of its symptoms and ask their doctor about being tested. Now with the BladderChek Test, hopefully, the bladder infection that is really cancer will be found earlier.”
Bladder cancer has the highest cost per patient of all cancers from diagnosis to death, with estimated annual direct costs of bladder cancer management at $4 billion. Because of the frequent recurrences and need for rigorous monitoring, this cost per patient from diagnosis to death, ranges from $96,000 - $187,000. The average Medicare reimbursement for urine cytology is approximately $56, and $24 for the NMP22 point-of-care assay. Using these costs, the estimated savings to the medical system would be $16 million per year for one monitoring visit for each of the current 500,000 patients with a history of bladder cancer using the NMP22 test instead of cytology. Actual savings would be higher since people with a history of bladder cancer often have more than one monitoring evaluation annually.
The direct cost of treatment for patients with metastatic genitourinary cancer has been estimated to be more than six times greater than for those patients with localized disease for the same period of time. The challenge, therefore, is to improve detection of bladder cancer without increasing discomfort or cost to the patient.
Costs of detecting a case of bladder cancer using the BladderChek test have been estimated to be $2,625. This cost is comparable to accepted cancer screening tests such as mammography, PSA, and colonoscopy. For women undergoing mammography screening, the cost per breast cancer detected can be as high as $14,000. Prostate cancer screening with PSA leads to costs of nearly $3,000 per cancer detected; colorectal cancer screening has a broader range of $2,000-$5,000 per cancer detected.
About the Study
The study included 668 patients with a history of bladder cancer and was conducted at 23 clinical sites in nine states, including academic, private practice and veterans’ facilities. The study was designed to investigate whether the NMP22 point-of-care test could improve detection of recurrence of a bladder malignancy in the routine monitoring of patients with a prior history of bladder cancer. Patients provided a urine sample for analysis of NMP22 protein and cytology prior to cystoscopy. Testing for the NMP22 tumor marker was conducted in a blinded manner.
About the NMP22® BladderChek® Test
The NMP22® BladderChek® Test was developed and commercialized by Matritech, a leading developer of protein-based diagnostic products for the early detection of cancer. In June 2005 the Company announced that more than 600,000 BladderChek® Tests had been sold and Matritech expects to reach a cumulative one million units sold by early 2006. In May, 2005 the NMP22®
BladderChek® Test was featured in a number of platform presentations at the 100th annual meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA); these included clinical trial results and a cost impact analysis that demonstrated the costs of detecting a case of bladder cancer using the BladderChek® Test are similar or less than currently accepted cancer screening methods such as mammography, PSA, and colonoscopy. Additionally, the NMP22® BladderChek® Test was part of the curriculum in an AUA sponsored CME course on bladder cancer based on information presented at the annual meeting.
The NMP22® BladderChek® Test detects elevated levels of the NMP22 protein in a single urine sample. Most healthy individuals have very small amounts of the NMP22 protein in their urine, but bladder cancer patients commonly have elevated NMP22 protein levels, even at early stages of the disease. The NMP22® BladderChek® Test, a painless and non-invasive assay, is the only in-office test approved by the FDA for the diagnosis of bladder cancer. The BladderChek® Test, which is reimbursed by Medicare and other medical insurers, is more cost effective than cell-based laboratory cytology tests. It is approved for use in a physician’s office with results available during the patient visit, allowing a rapid, accurate and cost-effective way to aid in the detection of bladder cancer. NMP22® Tests have been approved by the FDA four times for two formats and claims, most recently in April 2003 for point-of-care use for diagnosis.
About Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is the fifth most common malignancy in the United States. There are over 500,000 people in the U.S. who have had bladder cancer, making it more prevalent in the population than lung and bronchial cancers. The American Cancer Society estimates that over 63,000 new cases of bladder cancer were diagnosed in the United States in 2005 (over 47,000 men and 16,000 women), and over 13,000 people died of the disease (nearly 9,000 men and 4,000 women). Worldwide it accounts for 330,000 new cases and 100,000 deaths each year. It is also one of the most chronic cancers, recurring in almost 70% of patients. The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine, a condition referred to as hematuria.
Bladder cancer is diagnosed primarily in men age 60 and older (it does occur at younger ages) and roughly twice as frequently in white men as in black men. Men are three times more likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer than women, but a greater percentage of women are diagnosed at an invasive stage of the malignancy. Among U.S. males, the incidence of new bladder cancer cases is almost as large as the incidence of colon cancer.
The most common risk factor for bladder cancer is smoking. Smokers are more than twice as likely to develop bladder cancer as nonsmokers. In the United States, smoking is estimated to be associated with about 50% of bladder cancer deaths among men and 30% among women.
Occupational exposures to chemicals (aromatic amines) used in dry cleaning facilities and the production of dyes, paper, rope, apparel, rubber and petroleum products have been associated with increased risk for bladder cancer. Other industrial exposures implicated as risk factors for developing bladder cancer include combustion gases and soot from coal, chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, and chlorination by-products in heated water.
If diagnosed in its early stages, bladder cancer has a five-year survival rate of 94%. If diagnosed at an advanced stage, however, the five-year survival rate can be less than 10%. It has been estimated that this year in the United States about 25% of bladder cancer patients will be diagnosed after their disease has become invasive or metastatic, significantly lowering the five year survival rate.
Among U.S. women, according to the most recent SEER data, the prevalence of bladder cancer (140,000) is similar to the number of women with cervical (184,000) and ovarian (159,000) cancers. The five year survival rate of women is less than the ten year survival rate of men. Diagnosis in women may be delayed because symptoms are misinterpreted or attributed to other causes. This delay is correlated with a disproportionately higher death rate among women. In 2005 women accounted for one in four new bladder cancer diagnoses, but one in three bladder cancer deaths.


Latest generation of haemophilia A treatment – emicizumab
Which assay type is at present the only one to be used for determining the emicizumab concentration?
One-stage APTT-based factor VIII assay
Factor VIII chromogenic assay with coagulation factors of human origin, e.g. BIOPHEN™ Factor VIII:C
Factor VIII chromogenic assay with coagulation factors of bovine origin, e.g. SIEMENS Factor VIII Chromogenic Assa
That's the correct answer!
Please try again
Please try again
Please select at least one answer
Scientific background information
Haemophilia A (HA) is a congenital bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency or complete absence of coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). This X-linked disorder represents the majority of the inherited deficiencies of clotting factors, occurring in approximately one per 5,000 male births, without racial predilection.  Based on the residual endogenous FVIII concentration HA is classified into three classes (Table 1).
Table 1 Haemophilia classification
|Severe||< 1 % of the norm|
(< 0.01 IU/mL)
|Spontaneous bleeding in joints, muscles or gastrointestinal tract|
|Moderate||≥ 1 to 5 % of the norm|
(≥ 0.01 to 0.05 IU/mL)
|Rare spontaneous bleeding in joints, mostly bleeding after trauma|
|Mild||≥ 5 to 40% of the norm|
(≥ 0.05 to 0.40 IU/mL)
Bleeding after injury or surgery, rare bleeding tendency in daily routine
Although the bleeding phenotype may be rather heterogeneous, even in severe haemophiliacs, this classification reflects the severity of clinical symptoms, with spontaneous joint and muscle bleeds being largely confined to patients with severe haemophilia.
The treatment of HA patients has changed over the decades and brought improvements for those affected. In recent years, (recombinant) FVIII concentrates were the drug of choice; now, with emicizumab, a new generation of HA medication has emerged.
Emicizumab is a humanised, modified, monoclonal immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) antibody with a bispecific antibody structure. It substitutes for part of the cofactor function of activated factor VIII (FVIIIa) by bridging activated factor IX (FIXa) and factor X (FX) to restore effective haemostasis in HA individuals. It is indicated for routine prophylaxis to prevent or reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes in adults and children of all ages (neonates and older), with and without FVIII inhibitors. The drug has no structural relationship or sequence homology to FVIII, so does not trigger or enhance the development of direct FVIII inhibitors. [4, 5]
Managing emicizumab in clinical practice
After an initial weekly dose of the drug over a period of four weeks, the treatment regimen may be changed to a maintenance dose every two or four weeks.  Although emicizumab reduces the frequency of bleeds significantly, bleeding episodes persist under certain conditions, and this may require additional haemostatic treatment with bypassing agents such as activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC, FEIBA®, Shire, Dublin, Ireland), recombinant FVIIa (rFVIIa, Novoseven®, Novo Nordisk, Bagsværd, Denmark), or the substitution of (recombinant) FVIII concentrates. Combined treatment of emicizumab with aPCC has been associated with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), venous thrombosis and skin necrosis.  To date, no comparable side effects with co-administration of emicizumab and rFVIIa or FVIII concentrates have been observed. But the mechanism that causes TMA and skin necrosis is unclear, and parallel treatment with bypassing agents should be considered carefully or preferably stopped 24 hours before emicizumab is started.
Anti-drug antibody (ADA) formation is commonly observed (e.g. with monoclonal antibodies) and the presence of ADA may alter the pharmacokinetics (PK) and/or pharmacodynamics (PD) and can affect drug efficacy as well as patient safety. During certain clinical studies (e.g. HAVEN 1-4), but also during first routine use, several cases of ADA-positive patients were reported. Even though most of the ADA were transient, few of the ADA were classified as having neutralising potential, which lead to the treatment being discontinued because of the loss of its efficacy.
Regular monitoring of HA individuals under emicizumab treatment is not needed.  However, the drug has a long half-life, so the treatment recommendations described in guiding documents should be observed for six months after stopping the drug.  This may require additional drug monitoring by lab tests after drug administration has been ended.
Managing emicizumab in laboratory practice
The requirements for a laboratory to test the drug activity are challenging. Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) or activated clotting time (ACT) present overly shortened clotting times with emicizumab, which does not require activation by thrombin. One-stage APTT-based FVIII assays show normal or strongly elevated results in HA individuals receiving emicizumab. [4, 9] However, this may be overcome by calibrating the assay with a commercially available emicizumab calibrator in a modified FVIII clotting assay.
A suitable alternative to APTT-based factor assays might be single factor assays utilising chromogenic or immuno-based methods to monitor the coagulation parameters during treatment. FVIII chromogenic assays are manufactured with either human or bovine coagulation proteins. However, both types respond differently to emicizumab.
Since FVIII chromogenic assays with coagulation factors of human origin, e.g. BIOPHEN™ Factor VIII:C (HYPHEN BioMed (a Sysmex Group company), Neuville-sur-Oise, France), are responsive to emicizumab, this assay type is at present the only one to be used for determining the emicizumab concentration. However, results must be considered carefully, as this assay type may overestimate the clinical haemostatic potential of the drug, specifically when measuring endogenous or infused FVIII activity in the presence of emicizumab. [4, 11]
On the other hand, FVIII chromogenic assays with coagulation factors of bovine origin, e.g. SIEMENS Factor VIII Chromogenic Assay (SIEMENS Healthineers, Erlangen, Germany), are unresponsive to emicizumab and may be used to assay endogenous or infused FVIII activity in case of combined therapy with FVIII concentrates. [4, 12] Because emicizumab remains active in the presence of FVIII inhibitors and produces false negative results in clot-based Bethesda tests, bovine-based FVIII chromogenic assays may be used for patients with inhibitors against FVIII, too.  Alternatively, a modified BIOPHEN™ FVIII:C assay, in which human FX is replaced with a bovine FX, can be used.
For the time being, there are no commercially available assays for the determination of ADA against emicizumab. Nevertheless, besides the determination of the emicizumab concentration using FVIII chromogenic assays with coagulation factors of human origin, APTT assays and/or one-stage APTT-based assays might provide evidence of the presence of ADA. While evaluating a reported loss of efficacy due to ADA, a prolonged conventional APTT assay and/or a low clot-based FVIII activity in an individual treated with emicizumab is an indicator for the presence of a neutralising ADA directed against emicizumab.
Table 2 summarises the available HA assays and their usability in HA patients under emicizumab treatment. Table 3 summarises the effects of emicizumab on other assays.
Table 2 Usability of haemophilia A assays in individuals treated with emicizumab [4, 10]
Suggested use in individuals treated with emicizumab
One-stage APTT-based FVIII assay
APTT-based Bethesda assays
Activated clotting time (ACT)
FVIII chromogenic assay, bovine origin
FVIII chromogenic assay, human origin
Immuno-based FVIII assays
Table 3 Effect of emicizumab on other assays [10, 11]
Effect on results
One-stage APTT-based factor IX assay
Factor IX chromogenic assay
One-stage APTT-based factor XI assay
One-stage APTT-based factor XII assay
Protein C (clotting) assay
Protein C chromogenic assay
Protein S (clotting) assay
Free-Protein S antigen assay
One-stage PT-based factor II assay
One-stage PT-based factor V assay
One-stage PT-based factor VII assay
One-stage PT-based factor X assay
FXIII chromogenic assays
Anti-Xa activity assays
Plasminogen activity and antigen assays
vWF activity and antigen assays
↑↑ Severe overestimation
- Not influenced
↓↓ Severe underestimation
 Mannucci PM, Tuddenham EG. The hemophilias – from royal genes to gene therapy. N Engl J Med. 2001; 344(5):1773–1779.
 White GC, Rosendaal F, Aledort LM, Lusher JM, Rothschild C, Ingerslev J. Definitions in Hemophilia. Recommendations of the Scientific Subcommittee on FVIII and Factor IX of the SSC of ISTH. Thromb Haemost 2001; 0:560.
 Coppola et al. Treatment of hemophilia: a review of current advances and ongoing issues. Journal of Blood Medicine, 2010; 1:183-195.
 Hemlibra® – Product Information. Annex 1 – SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS. European Medicines Agency. EMA/162298/2019. First published: 01.03.2018. Last updated: 05.06.2019.
 Hemophilia.org, MASAC Recommendation on the Use and Management of Emicizumab-kxwh (Hemlibra®) for Hemophilia A with and without Inhibitors. December 7, 2018.
 Oldenburg J, Mahlangu JN, Kim B et al. Emicizumab Prophylaxis in Hemophilia A with Inhibitors. N Engl J Med. 2017; 377:809‐818.
 Collins et al. Treatment of bleeding episodes in haemophilia A complicated by a factor VIII inhibitor in patients receiving Emicizumab. Interim guidance from UKHCDO Inhibitor Working Party and Executive Committee. Haemophilia. 2018; 24:344-347.
 Paz-Priel et al. Immunogenicity of Emicizumab in People with Hemophilia A (PwHA): Results from the HAVEN 1-4 Studies. Blood 2018; 132:633.
 Hemophilia.org, MASAC Safety Information Update on Emicizumab (HEMLIBRA®). April 24, 2018.
 Shinohara et al. Evaluation of Emicizumab Calibrator and Controls with a Modified One-stage FVIII Assay on an Automated Coagulation Analyzer. Poster PB1305 presented at the ISTH congress 2019.
 Adamkewicz et al. Effects and Interferences of Emicizumab, a Humanised Bispecific Antibody Mimicking Activated Factor VIII Cofactor Function, on Coagulation Assays. Thromb Haemost 2019; 119:1084-1093.
 Hemophilia.org, MASAC Update on the Approval and Availability of the New Treatment: Emicizumab (Hemlibra®), for Persons with Hemophilia A with Inhibitors to Factor VIII: Interim Guidance on Acute Bleed Management and Use of Laboratory Assays. November 24, 2017.
 Amiral J et al. FVIII and Variant Chromogenic Assays for Measuring Emicizumab and FVIII Inhibitor Antibodies in Human Plasma. Poster PB0228 presented at the ISTH congress 2019.


Aroma Skimmed Milk Powder is made from fresh, pasteurized, non – flat milk without preservative or other chemical interference. The agglomerated powder is spray dried and processed to produce a structure that dissolves in water immediately, for your convenience. Retaining the properties of fresh milk, Aroma Skimmed Milk Powder contains lactose, milk proteins and milk minerals as well.
|NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION||per 100 Gm of this product (Approx.)|
|Total Carbohydrate||51.0 Gm|
|Protein (Min.)||34.0 Gm|
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Medically reviewed by, Russell Braun RPH
Constipation can be a hard thing to bring up to your doctor. Many people will try to treat constipation on their own with home or over the counter remedies.
What do you do when those won’t cut it?
There are new options for patients who seek relief from chronic constipation. Since Trulance and Linzess both are prescription only, you will have to talk to your doctor. Which one should you ask for depends on a few key factors.
What are they used for?
Trulance and Linzess are used to treat two different types of constipation called chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and constipation from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C).
Chronic idiopathic constipation simply means they don’t know what causes you to have constipation, but it occurs frequently.
Constipation from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) is caused by the immune disease IBS. Most people will have diarrhea from IBS, but for some constipation occurs too.
According to the American College of Gastroenterology, it is estimated that 10-15 percent of the U.S. adult population suffers from some form of IBS. However, the number of patients who have been diagnosed is far smaller at 5-7 percent.
Things to remember before you try either drug
#1 There might be other reasons for the constipation
CIC means chronic idiopathic constipation. The word idiopathic is medical jargan for don’t know the cause. Many people have idiopathic constipation, but many also have a known reason for the constipation.
Medications can cause constipation. Opiods or drugs used to treat pain are the primary culprit, but there are many other drugs that can cause to constipation. Tell your doctor if you take an opiod as they may want to use an entirely different drug than either Linzess or Trulance.
Any medication that can dehydrate you can also cause constipation. That would include diuretics often prescribed for high blood pressure. Many other drugs called anticholernergics can also lead to constipation and there are used to treat a wide array of health issues. Make sure you review your medication list with your doctor and pharmacist before starting any new drug treatment for constipation.
Disease states can also cause constipation. Neurologic diseases can damage the nerves in your digestive tract. Polyps and tumors can lead to blockages causing constipation. Make sure you rule out any of these types of causes before you decide to ask for a very expensive medication to treat constipation.
#2 Look at your diet and lifestyle
Constipation can be down right uncomfortable. If left go long enough it can become dangerous. If you are prone to bouts of constipation you need to look at your lifestyle.
There are two very important things to remember if chronic constipation is an issue for you.
- Drink plenty of water.
Experts recommend drinking 100 ounces of water per day. Many people would have constipation concerns resolved if they followed that simple recommendation.
2. Stay active
A moderate level of activity is also going to help your digestive tract to continue to push the food through the system. Your intestines are a very long system for absorbing things we need from the food we eat. Moving around helps push food through that system so that you are not only relying on the walls of your intestines to do all the work.
#3 Try more cost effective over the counter options
Over the counter laxatives can be an effective way to treat occasional constipation. This is especially true when you pair them with increased activity and more water consumption.
Laxatives work in three ways
- Stimulate the muscles in your bowel to move faster
- Increase the amount of fluid that enters the bowel
- Increase the bulk of the stool by absorbing water into the stool
Stimulant laxatives include: bisacodyl, senna
Osmotic laxatives include: polyethelene glycol, magnesium citrate
Bulk forming laxatives include: psyllium, methylcellulose
Bulk forming laxatives are products thathave fiber in them and they are safe for use on a regular basis.
Osmotic laxatives are good at getting fluid into the stool, but could cause electrolyte imbalances if used daily. Stimulant laxatives are powerful in the effect they have on bowel wall muscle. If used repeatedly the bowel can become dependent on them. Therefore you should not use these types more than a few times per week.
#4 Both are expensive, which is better?
Trulance and Linzess both work in the same way in your body. They are called guanylate cyclase-C agonists. These drugs cause water to be pulled into your intestines which helps to relieve the constipation.
Both drugs can cause diarrhea to occur due to the nature of how the cure constipation, so it is important to know what your doctor wants you to do if that happens to you.
Trulance is the brand product that is available for sale today. The chemical name of Trulance is plecanatide. Trulance was approved by the FDA in 2017 and that means no generic is available at this time.
Trulance comes in one strengths as a 3mg tablet. The good news is you only have to take it once daily and it can be taken with or without food.
Improvements in the number of bowel movements per week are usually seen within the first week.
Linzess is also a brand only product. The chemical name of Linzess is linaclotide. It was approved by the FDA in 2012 and has no available generic. However, a generic manufacturer has applied for a patent to make a generic. After some court proceedings that action has been delayed until 2030! For more information on Linzess see 9 best tips on Linzess cost and generic availability.
Linzess comes in different strengths and is dosed based on the condition and severity. It comes as capsules that are available as 72mcg, 145mcg and 290mcg strengths.
Linzess must be take on an empty stomach 30 minutes before a meal.
Common side effects of both drugs:
- Abdominal pain
- Sinus or upper respiratory infection
Linzess has also been known to cause heartburn, vomiting and headache.
Trulance has been shown to increase some liver function tests.
How do I choose which one is right for me?
Both drugs have been proven to be effective.
In the clinical trials submitted to the FDA for Trulance, it was found to be effective. In those taking Trulance, 21% responded vs only 11% for the placebo. The numbers for the Linzess trials were almost identical. Both seem to increase the number of bowel movements by about 1.5 times each week.
Keep in mind that the over the counter laxatives are also effective and are likely to produce an similar increase in bowel movements per week. No direct studies between Trunlance or Linzess and the laxatives have been done at this point in time.
No single medication is effective for every patient. Even if you tried and failed one of the drugs it does not mean the other drug might not work for you.
It would be wonderful if a clinical trial was done comparing the two drugs head to head, but that isnt likely to happen due to the risk for the manufacturer who has the inferior product.
#5 Competition and misleading infromation
The pharmaceutical companies that make these drugs are in extreme competition for market share. There is a lot of advertising on television direct to patients about these drugs and they want to convince you their drug is better.
You may find things on the internet about these drugs that are misleading. If you see things stating there are clear advantages of one over the other, be wary of the source.
#6 Which drug is on formulary?
If you have health insurance that covers prescription drugs, then checking your formulary before you even talk to your doctor is a must. Since both drugs are in the same class and work the same, your insurer will have one that is on formulary and one that is not, or less preferred.
That can be a huge issue for you if you get the pharmacy to find the doctor wrote for the drug that is not on your formulary. You will quickly learn how expensive these medications are.
Formulary status of a drug can change at any point. Also, keep in mind that just because the drug might be covered by the formulary it might not be preferred. The more preferred the drug is the less you pay out of pocket.
It is definitely worth your time to look at the website for you health plan or call the number on your prescription drug card to determine what is the most preferred option for you. It can save you big time in the long run.
Once you decide you want to take the plunge and try either Trulance or Linzess, you will want to check on samples. Both drugs are brand name and therefore your doctor should have samples.
Try samples for a trial period to see if it works so you can avoid paying for a prescription if you don’t like that drug. Check out top 5 reasons to bullet journal medication effects to see how you can determine if the drug works while you have samples.
#6 Cash price
According to GoodRx, the cash price for these drugs are listed below.
Trulance 3mg 30 tablets
Linzess 72mcg, 145mcg and 290mcg 30 capsules of any strength
If you are not wanting to pay over $400 for a months supply then I recommend you check out the points below.
#7 Patient Assistance Programs (PAP’s)
Most people do not realize that assistance is available for free through many foundations for medication. Both Trulance and Linzess have a PAP program.
Your doctor will have to fill out paperwork for you to qualify for this assistance. If you are approved it could save you thousands of dollars as the medication is provided to you at no cost.
Trulance only offers the patient assistance for those who are uninsured. However, those on Medicare Part D are eligible.
Linzess provides assistance for Medicare Part D if they have been denied or are ineligible for a low income subsidy. They also say that other insured patient should contact the program for details.
Details on both programs can be found at Needymeds.org. Along with patient assistance programs they have money saving options for patients on many items such as medical supplies, medical transportation, etc.
#8 Copay coupon card
Both manufacturers offer copay coupons to help offset the cost of the drug. Keep in mind Medicare, Medicaid or other federal or state health plan patients are not allowed to use copay coupon cards!
Linzess costs around $442 cash price for a 30 day supply. The Linzess Savings program could get your copay down to $30. In fact, they also offer a 90 day supply for as little as $30 option also.
You have to register for a savings card like the one pictured above and if you are eligible you can get a new card right away.
The Trulance card provides up to a 90 day supply for no more than $25. If you enroll in the mobile savings to go program, the manufacturer will provide you the coupon on your mobile phone. In addition, they will send you texts to let you know when the prescription is ready at the pharmacy.
You can obtain a card via your mobile phone, email or print one out here.
#9 Check with insurance before using a copay coupon card
The coupon cards will not allow you to get the drug at this price forever! They will have maximum amount it will pay and then you will be stuck with the high copay after that point. This is why I recommend trying other steps before the manufacturer coupon card.
If you have a high deductible health plan (HDHP) you may have another problem. While this copay card is paying if your insurance has a copay accumulator program then the amount paid by the coupon will not count toward your deductible.
A copay accumulator is a fancy way to say they do not count the coupon toward your deductible, see the example below.
Your deductable is $1500, the card pays $200 per month while you pay $50 for six months.
$200 x 6 month = $1200 from copay coupon card
$50 x 6 months = $300 from you paying copay
$1200 + $300 = $1500
You might think your deductible has been met, however with a copay accumulator you would still owe $1200!
$1500 deductible minus $300 you actually paid, which is $1200.
What was your experience?
Please comment below if you have tired either Trulance or Linzess. The feedback helps other readers gain insight into how these drugs might work for them.
Click here to get Dr. Jason Reed’s exclusive list of medication questions you MUST ask your doctor, for FREE!
Share your story!
Have you used Trulance or Linzess? How well did it they work for you? Please chime in below with your comments and thoughts below.


Welcome to Centre Cares !
The Centre Cares website is run by CTC Prevention Coalition of Centre County. We work to end substance use and abuse in Centre County Pennsylvania.
A message to students
Life is fun; it is an adventure. We live in a world with unbelievable and possibly endless opportunities. During this journey, you will encounter...Read more
Our overriding mission is to collectively promote a comprehensive community-based strategy that addresses....Read more
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Learn about volunteer opportunities within Communities That Care.Read more
The Communities That Care weekly column is published each Wednesday by the Centre Daily Times. Writers are community members who address a wide array of parenting and prevention issues of interest to readers throughout the county. Topics vary each week and include substance abuse, bullying, school issues, parent-child communication, internet safety, mental health, community events for families, and more. If you are interested in submitting an article for consideration for publication in the column, please see CDT CTC Column Writers’ Guidelines.
Read previously published news articles by Communities That Care that were published through Centre Daily Times newspaper.
~New Interactive Web Resource from The Treatment Research Institute and The Partnership at Drugfree.org Helps Educate Parents on State-By-State Penalties for Providing Alcohol to Teens~
New York, May 22, 2013 – While many parents may think that allowing their teens and their teens’ friends to drink at home under adult supervision keeps kids safe and leads to healthier attitudes about drinking, the truth is that there are serious negative consequences for both parents and teens. The Partnership at Drugfree.org and The Treatment Research Institute (TRI) today announced the launch of a new, interactive web resource for parents and caregivers to help inform them about one of those negative consequences: parents’ legal liabilities if they serve alcohol to teens.
Recognizing the value, particularly at prom and graduation season, of giving parents and caregivers free access to this important information, “Underage Drinking In The Home,” provides a state-by-state outline of the legal liabilities for adults who serve alcohol to minors. This new resource was created as part of the Parents Translational Research Center, a collaboration between The Treatment Research Institute and The Partnership at Drugfree.org, and the first ever National Institutes of Health-funded initiative focused on developing research-based resources for parents around issues of adolescent substance use/abuse.
Unfortunately, many parents subscribe to common myths and misperceptions related to underage drinking:
Myth: Some parents think that providing alcohol to teens at home decreases the risk for continued drinking as teens get older, and subsequent drinking problems later in life. Truth: The opposite is true – parents should be aware that supplying alcohol to minors actually increases, rather than decreases the risk for continued drinking in the teenage years and leads to subsequent problem drinking later in life.
Myth: Young people from European cultures whose parents give them alcohol at an early age learn to drink more responsibly than their American counterparts. Truth: A greater percentage of European youth report drinking regularly (in the past 30 days) versus American youth, and for a majority of European countries, a greater percentage of young people report having been intoxicated before the age of 13 than is the case in the U.S. The World Health Organization cites global longitudinal studies that found the earlier young people start drinking, the more likely they are to experience alcohol-related injury and alcohol dependence later in life.
Myth: Some parents believe that being ‘too strict’ about adolescent drinking during high school will cause teens to drink more when they first leave the home and do not have as much parental oversight. Truth: New research from The Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) reveals that teens who perceive their parents to be more permissive about alcohol use are MORE likely to abuse alcohol and to use other drugs.
Myth: Parents who serve alcohol to teenagers at home are under no legal jeopardy. Truth: A majority of states have civil and or criminal penalties for adults who serve alcohol to underage kids at home.
New Web Resource Helps Educate Parents on State-By-State Liabilities of Providing Alcohol to Teens
The new resource, which can be found at socialhost.drugfree.org features an interactive map of the United States and explains each state’s “social hosting” laws in detail, while outlining the civil and criminal penalties for adults who serve alcohol to minors. For the purposes of this tool, social hosting was interpreted as broadly as possible: defined as “when an individual over the legal age (18 or 21) serves, furnishes or permits the possession or consumption of alcohol to a person underage (generally 20 years or younger) on property for which s/he has responsibility.”
The launch of the resource comes amid prom and graduation season, already underway across the country, and a time when many parents will face the decision of whether or not to allow underage teens to drink alcohol in their homes.
Underage drinking continues to be a pervasive problem among American youth. According to the latest Monitoring The Future study of 8th, 10th and 12th graders:
- Nearly half of teens (44 percent) have consumed alcohol within the past year, while more than one in four teens (26 percent) reports having been drunk in the past year.
- More than a quarter of teens (26 percent) said they had consumed alcohol within the past month, while more than one in seven (15 percent) reported being drunk in the past month.
- One in seven teens (14 percent) said they have had five or more drinks in a row within the past 2 weeks.
- More than three-quarters of 10th graders (78 percent) say it is fairly or very easy to get alcohol if they want some and more than half of 8th graders (58 percent) say the same.
Leaders in the Treatment of Substance Abuse and Addiction, Parents and Coaches Weigh in on Underage Drinking:
“Adolescence is a time of growth and great potential but it is also a time of risk-taking and experimentation with drugs and alcohol, which can quickly get out of hand. At no other time in human development is the risk for developing a substance use disorder so high. As parents help their children navigate the often tricky waters of this developmental period, especially regarding substance use and its potentially devastating consequences, being armed with accurate information is their best line of defense. Our goal through this collaboration, and the development of this tool and others like it, is to provide critical, research-based information to parents about the realities, liabilities and potential consequences of adolescent substance use.” – Kathleen Meyers, PhD, Senior Scientist at the Treatment Research Institute.
“Childhood drinking is foremost a health issue. Many well-intentioned parents think that supplying alcohol for their child to drink at home may teach them how to ‘drink responsibly’ and might prevent them from drinking elsewhere. But the truth is that early consumption of alcohol in any context increases the likelihood of harmful effects in the long run. What’s more, studies have shown that when parents supply alcohol to their kids, it actually increases the risk for continued consumption during childhood and lifetime problem drinking. Drinking in the home does not prevent children from drinking outside the home or with their friends.” – Steve Pasierb, President and CEO of The Partnership at Drugfree.org.
“As someone, but especially as a mom, in recovery from alcohol abuse, I know firsthand that drinking at an early age can have some pretty serious consequences. There really is no safe way for teenagers and underage kids to drink alcohol. Parents – even well-intentioned parents – who allow kids to do so in their homes are under the false sense of security that it’s less dangerous. But there’s more harm than good in their actions.” – Melissa Gilbert, actress, bestselling author and spokesperson for The Partnership at Drugfree.org.
“MADD knows from previous research that parents are the number one influence on their children’s decisions about alcohol, so it’s imperative that we as parents have frequent conversations with our kids about the dangers of underage drinking. Parents need to clearly define their expectations about not drinking alcohol before age 21, and then be consistent by never providing alcohol to someone who is underage.” – Jan Withers, National President of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). MADD is a nonprofit that works to protect families from drunk driving and underage drinking.
“As a parent and coach, I have personally seen the effects of underage drinking and how it has impacted players in their performance – often as a result of families turning a blind eye or allowing players to consume alcohol at an early age. The effort to counsel young athletes on the physical and mental impacts of alcohol is challenging when they go home to face non-supportive parents. All athletes, including teen athletes face personal challenges, but our goal is to captivate them through sports, hopefully enough, to help them better understand and avert their various detractions.” – Ed Spencer, Teen Recreation Director for mid-size community in New Jersey, member of the board of Education, AAU basketball coach and father.
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, please call the Parents Toll-Free Helpline at 1-855-DRUGFREE. To learn more visit drugfree.org.


If you manage a facility that staffs nurses, therapists, pharmacists, and other clinical professionals, you certainly understand the challenges of finding and keeping health care talent. And if you’re not currently using a health care staffing agency to find the best possible candidates in the briefest amount of time, you could be missing out on the best candidates.
Arbor Associates can help you find the best talent for your staffing needs. Arbor is a leading health care staffing agency that provides fully licensed, highly motivated, and ready-to-work employees who require little, if any, time to catch up. As the clinical job market becomes increasingly competitive, the benefits of partnering with a health care staffing agency are also increasing.
A Variety of Candidates for a Variety of Roles
Arbor Associates has in-depth knowledge of the health care industry. This understanding of the industry allows the professionals at Arbor to make sure that a candidate is the right fit for a position. Arbor can extend your reach in new ways and double the size of your network from which you source talent. Even if the position is tough to fill, there’s an excellent chance that we have experience handling it. With an extensive vetting process that includes resume reviews, interviews, and aptitude tests, you can be sure that our candidates are a viable hiring option.
We know where to find health care workers, including those who might not be actively seeking a job but might consider a change if the right opportunity presents itself. Additionally, our team has the experience to spot the red flags and potential problems. By working with Arbor, you can lower your risk of hiring a bad fit.
Arbor Associates provides flexible staffing solutions for your facility by offering candidates temporarily or for temp-to-hire positions. Your organization can increase or decrease its staffing levels depending on fluctuating patient censuses. This level of flexibility lowers the costs of running your organization and reduces overall expenses. With a lean budget, you get more return on your staffing investment. Instead of spending considerable time recruiting, reviewing applications, and interviewing candidates, let Arbor provide your organization with the health care professionals you need when you need them.
An Excellent Way to Augment Your Staff
If you want to augment your existing staff, partnering with Arbor Associates can help you accomplish this goal. Whether it’s filling a temporary job for a few months or finding a permanent placement at your facility, Arbor can help your facility adjust its workforce during critical times. The highly experienced staff at Arbor Associates are constantly seeking ways to refine their process to deliver the best service for all their clients. With the national shortage of health care professionals, the need for a long-term staffing solution is apparent. Contact Arbor Associates today and let us help your health care organization flourish!


Telephone Knee Pain Study - Volunteers Needed!
We are looking for volunteers to participate in an Australia-wide research study.
This study will compare two different forms of telephone-delivered support and advice for people aged over 45 with painful knee osteoarthritis to find out which one works best for managing arthritic symptoms, and why.
You will receive support and advice for managing your knee pain over the telephone, over a period of six months.
You may be eligible if you are aged over 45 years and have had knee pain for more than three months.
You cannot participate in this study if you:
- have had a knee replacement in your most painful knee
- have had any knee surgery within the last 3 months or are on the waiting list for surgery
- if you suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis
To register your interest for this study, go to:
This project is funded by: Medibank Health Research Fund and the National Health and Medical Research Council, with in-kind support from Arthritis & Osteoporosis Victoria, the Australian Physiotherapy Association and HealthChange Australia.


Are you looking for dermatology services in Bucks and Montgomery counties? If so then you should consider Alpha Dermatology. It’s easily one of the leading dermatology practices in South-East Pennsylvania. Fun Fact: The human body has about 35 billion skin cells. If you’re looking for a dermatologist in the region it can be tough to sort through them. The good news is Alpha is easily one of the best options when looking for skin care services. This can help to deal with skin issues from cosmetics to cancer. This can help to protect the body’s first line of defense against various factors.
It can be difficult to sort through the various options when picking a dermatology practice. For example, there are 7,800+ dermatology practices throughout the USA or about 155 per state. It can sometimes be tough to sort through the various options and pick the right one for your wants and needs. When picking a dermatology practice there are various factors to consider. They include the doctors’ experience, services offered, and insurance carriers. These issues can help you pick the right option to provide the best results whether you want a Botox injection or skin cancer screening. Alpha can offer such services.
What Exactly Is Dermatology?
This is a branch of medicine that deals with skin conditions and other related body parts like hair and sweat glands. There are different branches of dermatology related to skin conditions, cosmetic procedures, the immune system, and so on. In fact, there’s even an area of dermatology that focuses on the effects of the immune system on skin health.
Statistics show that many people visit a dermatologist at least once during their lives. During teen/young adult years the main skin-related problem people deal with is acne. While older adults can also have acne it’s most common among younger people. In some cases, people have severe cases of acne that might require treatments to deal with the conditions.
Other people visit dermatologists for cosmetic treatments. This can include different treatments like injections that help the skin to look and feel younger. Skincare is one of the most common areas involving anti-aging treatments. While Botox has become a popular treatment there are also various other options for cosmetic treatments.
Dermatologists can also deal with various skin conditions. Some of the most common ones include acne, moles, and cysts. About 80% of cysts are non-cancerous. However, some have cancer cells so they should be treated to deal with those issues.
Skin cancer is easily one of the most serious conditions that dermatologists have to deal with. It’s important for people to be screened regularly for this condition. It’s also important to take steps using sunscreen, sunglasses with UV protection, and others to help protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
Like other types of treatments, it’s important to get treatments for serious skin conditions as soon as possible. This can help to prevent them from getting worse. In the case of skin cancer, it’s critical to treat the cancer cells/tumors to prevent them from spreading to other body parts.
What Is Alpha Dermatology?
This is the most complete dermatology practical located in Pennsylvania’s Bucks/Montgomery Counties. If you’re in South-East Pennsylvania then you should consider this practice for various dermatology services.
Alpha offers knowledgeable/experienced skincare experts. The practice offers a full range of various dermatology services like skin cancer screening, laser treatments, Botox injections, and skin cancer treatment/surgery.
The dermatology practice offers various kinds of services including:
- Growth removal (cysts)
- Skin disease treatments
- Mole removal
- Acne/acne scar treatments
- Laser treatments for scars
- Lesion treatments
The practice also offers a wide range of cosmetic treatments. They include Botox and others. These procedures are performed by dermatologists who are board-certified. The physician has performed thousands of treatments so it makes this option a good one.
Another plus of Alpha Dermatology is it accepts policies from various health insurance providers include: Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Medicare, and United Healthcare.
If you have any questions you can call Alpha. Meanwhile, you can also schedule an appointment online for convenience. This allows you to benefit from any of the practice’s services, which is a plus over other practices that don’t offer the service.
Alpha’s website provides all the resources prospective customers need. For example, you can find information about the practice itself. There’s also information about the services offered, payment policies, and insurance forms. This is all critical information to provide customers with the best service possible.
When available of dermatology services it’s important to have critical information about various issues. That includes ones related to services, insurance, and payments. It’s critical to secure the funds required to pay for various skincare services, for example.
This involves different issues related to ones like insurance premiums and services covered. For example, many health insurance policies don’t cover cosmetic treatments. So you should know whether or not your insurance provider would cover various Alpha services.
Top Issues for Picking a Dermatologist
This is important to determine whether or not the practice accepts your health insurance provider. If you’re planning on paying using other methods you’ll want to know whether they’re accepted by the dermatology practice.
The USA spent $3.5 trillion in healthcare costs during 2018. This means there are many financial sources to help cover the costs of skin care treatments. So it’s critical to know whether or not you can pay using certain methods and through health insurance providers.
The old saying “location, location, location” certainly applies when picking a dermatologist. This is related to various factors. You’ll want a practice that’s relatively close for convenience. This is especially true if you require treatment with multiple sessions. In that situation, you won’t want to travel to the other side of the state each time you need a skin care treatment.
The web and social media have made it easier than ever to read reviews for all sorts of services including dermatologists. Make sure to research the general experience past customers have had. There’s always going to be unhappy customers. However, if most reviews for a particular practice have been negative it’s a red flag.
Make sure to consider the experience of the dermatology practice itself and the doctors working there. Experience is always important when receiving skincare treatments whether it’s for medical conditions or cosmetic improvements.
It’s important to determine the purpose of finding a dermatologist. Alpha Dermatology include various ones like cosmetic, medical, or surgical. These are some of the main purposes of finding a dermatologist. For example, you can find a practice that specializes in different services like cosmetic or medical.
In different situations, you’ll need one or multiple types of services. So it’s critical to think about the particular service(s) you require so you can pick a dermatologist practice like alpha dermatology.


Brampton: With over 50,000 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine delivered in Peel, anticipated increases in supply now support the addition of new groups eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.
This update specifies which groups are now eligible for vaccination and how they can register through outreach or selfservice appointment booking.
Please note that vaccine supply continues to limit the number of appointments available. In the weeks to come, with more supply arriving in Peel, appointment availability will improve.
New: Seniors 80+ are now eligible to book appointments and receive vaccine in Peel;
Vaccine supply is improving and Peel’s hospital partners are able to open a limited number of spots in their clinics for vaccination of adults over the age of 80. Residents of Peel that meet this age criteria, based on year of birth (i.e. born 1941 or earlier), can visit the following websites to book in at their clinic of preference.
These websites will remain active until a centralized Provincial booking system launches.
Any resident of Peel (including Brampton, Mississauga, and Caledon) born in 1941 or earlier, can visit the following websites to book or pre-register at their clinic of preference.
Please note that appointments may be limited due to supply.
• Brampton – William Osler Health System vaccine clinic: Book appointments online using the booking portal (launched March 1, 2021) at https://www.williamoslerhs.ca/patients-andfamilies/preparing-for-yourvisit-or-stay/coronavirus-information-for-patients-families/
• Mississauga – Trillium Health Partners vaccine clinic: pre-registration for appointments for adults 80+ THP Vaccination Registration (trilliumhealthpartners.ca) Supply at Region of Peel-run community clinics remains limited and currently being prioritized to high-priority workers. When supply improves, a program to support housebound seniors and online boking for 80+ will be launched at these community clinics. High-priority groups also continue to access vaccine:
Active, front-line, and patientfacing workers in the following areas, who live or work in Peel, are currently prioritized to receive their COVID-19 vaccines, and are being contacted directly with instructions on how to book an appointment:
• Long-term care homes
• Retirement homes
• Acute care/hospital settings
• Team supporting outbreak
• COVID-19 assessment centres
• COVID-19 vaccine clinics
• Mobile testing teams
• Firefighters and police providing medical first response
• High-risk community-based
providers serving specialized patient populations
• Assisted living
• Correctional facilities
• Hospices and palliative care
• Supportive housing
• Primary care and community-based physicians, including their office staff
• Dentists, dental hygienists and their office staff.
Dr. Lawrence Loh, Medical Officer of Health, Region of Peel, said: “We continue to ramp up our system here in Peel to deliver more vaccines, every day. We’re excited to be able to start vaccinating our community, offering protection to those who are rendered most vulnerable by age. While supply and appointments remain limited, we continue to ask for patience.”


Fleas In Your Reno Home May Be A Bigger Problem Than You Think
If you have a pet, you've probably dealt with a flea infestation at some point. It is a common problem for residents of Reno who live with dogs and cats. Flea infestations are so common that many people don't realize there is a risk involved. While most flea infestations can come and go without incident, some can present a threat to your health and the health of your pets.
How Fleas Impact Your Health
Most diseases that can be spread by fleas can't be transmitted to humans, but you should be aware of the few that can.
Murine typhus — This is a disease caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi. Fleas can contract this bacteria from rats, opossums, and other animals. If an infected flea bites your dog, cat, or you, this sickness can spread. This bacteria is spread by contact with flea feces. Since fleas excrete feces while feeding, bite wounds can immediately become infected.
Bartonellosis — There are several illnesses caused by Bartonella bacteria, such as cat scratch fever. If your cat is bitten by an infected flea, you can become sick from contact with your pet, specifically their saliva. You can also get it from a bite or scratch from your pet. Fleas commonly contract this bacteria from rodents.
Tularemia — This is caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis, and the symptoms are flu-like in nature. You can get this directly from a flea that has been infected. Fleas pick this bacteria up from mice, rats, and some other animals.
Plague — While not as deadly as it once was, the plague is still a threat and it can be miserable to get. This is spread by rats.
Did you notice a thread in the above descriptions? Mice and rats are directly linked to the spread of many flea-borne diseases. If you have a flea infestation, it is important that you check to see if you also have a rodent infestation because this can put your family and your pets at serious risk.
How Fleas Impact Your Health
There are many ways a flea can make your pet sick. You've probably dealt with some of them, especially if you've ever picked up a stray animal. Two of the first things you have to do with a stray is treat it for fleas and treat it for tapeworms. What you might not know is that the animal gets these worms by accidentally ingesting fleas as it chews at them. Fleas are the root problem.
Another common ailment that pet owners must deal with when it comes to flea infestation is flea allergy dermatitis. This condition is caused by a sensitivity to the saliva of fleas. This can lead to irritated skin, dry patches, hair loss, and even open wounds on the skin.
How To Detect Fleas Early
One of the ways you can protect your pets and yourself from fleas is to address flea infestations early. At the first sign of scratching, check your pet for fleas or flea dirt. You can do this with a pet comb.
What To Do About Fleas
If you detect fleas, give your pets a flea bath or apply products prescribed by your veterinarian. After you've done this, vacuum your rugs, clean your floors, and clean all areas where your pets sleep. Be sure to get the gaps and cracks. You may also need to wash all of your bedding, especially if your animals lay on your bed.
This may correct your flea infestation. If it doesn't, you may need to have your home treated. In light of the many ways fleas can impact your health, we recommend contacting a licensed pest professional. For assistance, in Reno, contact Natura Pest Control. We can give you the support you need to make sure those fleas are quickly eliminated. We can also assist you with rodent issues that could be bringing fleas into your home and exposing you and your pets to the illnesses listed above.
Fleas aren't just a nuisance. They can be a threat to your health, the health of your family, and the health of your pets. Get effective flea control to address flea infestations in your Reno home. Reach out to Natura Pest Control today.


About Atlas Villas Memory Care
Atlas Villas Memory Care
Welcome to Atlas Villas Memory Care!
At Atlas Villas Memory Care, we are dedicated to providing exceptional care and support for individuals with memory-related challenges. Located at 1825 Main Street in Centerville, MN 55038, our facility offers a warm and welcoming environment designed specifically to meet the unique needs of our residents.
We understand that memory loss can present significant challenges for both individuals and their loved ones. That's why our highly trained and compassionate staff are committed to creating a safe and nurturing atmosphere where residents can thrive. We specialize in memory care services and employ evidence-based practices to enhance quality of life and promote overall well-being.
At Atlas Villas Memory Care, we believe in a person-centered approach that respects the individuality and dignity of each resident. Our dedicated team takes the time to get to know our residents on a personal level, tailoring care plans to their specific preferences and needs. By fostering meaningful connections and engaging activities, we strive to create a sense of purpose and fulfillment for every resident.
Our state-of-the-art facility is designed with the latest advancements in memory care in mind. From secure living areas to promote safety, to comfortable and inviting common spaces, every aspect of Atlas Villas Memory Care is thoughtfully crafted to provide a supportive and enriching environment.
We also prioritize open communication with families, recognizing the importance of involving loved ones in the care process. We encourage family involvement and provide regular updates on our residents' well-being, ensuring peace of mind for everyone involved.
Whether you or your loved one requires short-term respite care or a long-term memory care solution, Atlas Villas Memory Care is here to help. Contact us today at [phone number] to schedule a visit and experience our compassionate care firsthand. We look forward to welcoming you into our community.


The health/cost paradox - Our daily bread
The Department of Health has called for a reduction in the amount of salt in bread as a means to address high blood pressure. This is part of the recent preventative health push of the Department.
South Africans consume an average of 9.8g of salt per day - twice the recommended level - and bread is a high salt product. There are apparently 200mg of salt per slice of bread - so to reach the recommended level of 3g per day, you’d have to eat 15 slices of bread a day. (source)
While this might seem like a hell of a lot of bread to eat per day, in our AFSUN research we found many households surviving on just bread and sweet tea. Bread is staple for many urban households.
The problem is that in order to make these changes, there will be costs. You can’t simply remove the salt. The salt is not only a flavorant, but also impacts the texture, production method and shelf-life of the product. Both Tiger Brands and Pioneer foods have argued that this will add significant cost to the end product (link). Of course, the bread companies have been less than transparent with their pricing in the past (Link)
With food prices set to escalate (link) and many households (up to 80% in low income areas of Cape Town) already struggling with food security, what is the likely impact? How do households below the breadline cope with potentially increased bread prices? How do we balance long term health and short term food security?
University of Cape Town


Green coffee extract
A large part of the world population is struggling to shed some extra pounds. Sedentary lifestyles and lack of time in this fast paced world has made weight loss even more difficult. Due to this, people have taken to weight loss supplements that can help reduce weight without any significant efforts. However, most of these products prove to be ineffective and some of them dangerous too.
Lately, a new weight loss supplement has taken the health and diet enthusiasts by a storm. It has shown effective results, and has been clinical tested. Yes, the product in question is the green coffee extract. Green coffee is the raw or unroasted form of the usual coffee that we drink, however it does not taste half as good because it lacks the characteristic flavour of the coffee that comes only after the beans have been roasted.
Leaving the taste component aside, green coffee offers many health benefits which make it a product worth trying. Green coffee extract contains a chemical called chlorogenic acid, which is not present in the roasted coffee. This chemical is responsible for all the health benefits that green coffee offers.
Chlorogenic acid helps reduce weight by inhibiting the absorption of glucose in the body. It also increases the metabolic rate of the body, which means your body burns more calories than usual even if you keep other factors like diet and exercise unchanged. Once your body is absorbing less glucose, and has a higher metabolic rate; it tends to burn the fat deposits. This leads to effective weight loss.
Green coffee extract also helps fight free radicals in the body. The anti oxidant properties of this weight loss supplement helps fight signs of aging. So, you can expect a slimmer, healthier and a younger looking body once you start taking the green coffee bean extract. It is also beneficial for those people who have diabetes, because it regulates the release of insulin the body. So, the diabetics can get benefited from the dual effects of insulin regulation and weight loss.
Green coffee extract is known to increase immunity and fight diseases like cancer. It improves the blood circulation in the body, and builds the muscle tone. The weight loss benefits of the green coffee extract have been clinically proven in an experiment conducted by a team of scientists from the University of Scranton. In this experiment, a group of 16 obese individuals was divided into sub groups and alternating high, low and placebo doses of green coffee extract were given for a period of 12 weeks. At the end of experiments the subjects had lost 10 percent of their body weight.
This experiment, coupled by endorsement from the popular TV show host Dr. Oz went a long way in popularizing green coffee extract as an effective weight loss supplement. The best part about this product is that no side effects have been reported so far and those who have used this product are all praises about this product. The recommended daily dosage of green coffee extract is 800 mg.
The pills are easily available online, but it should be ensured that only pure coffee bean extract is bought. Check out the following link to buy the best available green coffee extract pills.


Ryu and Chun-Li DLC available from October 12
Capcom has partnered with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation to release two new character costumes for its flagship scrapper Street Fighter V: Champion Edition. The limited-time DLC skins will be available to purchase from October 12 for exactly one month, with all proceeds raised from sales being donated to the BCRF and its tireless research.
“This year, breast cancer became the most common cancer worldwide, impacting 2.3 million people,” said BCRF President Myra Biblowit. “The need for better, more effective treatments have never been greater. We’re grateful for the opportunity to highlight this critical need through Capcom’s wide reach. Through this partnership, we are poised to make a direct and tangible impact on advancing lifesaving science — together.”
The two new skins — worn with pride by Street Fighter‘s iconic heroes, Ryu and Chun-Li — feature the pink, white, and black color scheme associated with the BCRF. An alternate look reverses the color highlights for each character. Available to purchase for $5.99 each or $9.99 as a pairing, Capcom will donate 100% of the DLC’s sales to the BCRF, promising a minimum donation of at least $25,000 USD for this important cause.
Founded in 1993, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to the curing of breast cancer. All of the foundation’s earnings and donations are invested in the study and research of breast cancer treatment, as well as awareness programs designed to educate the public about the disease — the most predominant form of cancer in the current age. If you’d like to learn more about the foundation and its work, or make a contribution directly to the cause, please visit the official Breast Cancer Research Foundation website.
The Street Fighter V Breast Cancer Research Foundation DLC will be available from October 12 until November 12.