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Public release date: 23-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Nathaniel Dunford ndunford@thoracic.org 212-315-8620 American Thoracic Society

ATS 2012, SAN FRANCISCO Weight loss improved both metabolic parameters and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in obese children in a new study from researchers in Belgium, confirming links between metabolic dysregulation, SDB and obesity.

"SDB is highly prevalent in childhood obesity, and may be a risk factor for the metabolic syndrome. In our population of 224 obese children and adolescents, 30% had SDB, which was significantly correlated with metabolic parameters, including aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) and HDL cholesterol at baseline," said Stijn Verhulst, MD, MSc, PhD, coordinator of the pediatric sleep lab at the Antwerp University Hospital, Belgium. "After weight loss, all metabolic parameters improved, and just 24% of the study group had residual SDB."

The results will be presented at the ATS 2012 International Conference in San Francisco.

Median age of the children in the study was 15.5 years (range 10.1-18.0). Participants underwent baseline sleep screening and those with diagnosed SDB underwent additional sleep screening four-six months after weight loss treatment. A fasting blood assay was performed at baseline and at four-six months.

Mean BMI at baseline was 36.4 kg/m2. After a six-month weight loss program that incorporated diet, increased physical activity and psychological support, mean BMI was reduced to 29.2 kg/m2. ASAT improved after weight loss in parallel with an improvement in oxygen saturation during sleep, while HDL-cholesterol mainly improved with lowering BMI.

"The association between SDB and metabolic parameters in children remains controversial," said Dr. Verhulst. "This study confirmed the independent effect of nocturnal hypoxia on HDL-cholesterol and liver enzyme levels in morbidly obese teenagers with SDB at baseline. We also confirmed that weight loss has a high success percentage in the treatment of SDB in obese teenagers. Furthermore, both weight loss and the consequent improvement in SDB both drive improvements in metabolic dysregulation."

"Because of the high dropout rate after six months and the relatively limited number of subjects with residual sleep apnea, these findings need to be confirmed in a larger study," Dr. Verhulst concluded. "Furthermore, it remains important to study the mechanisms linking SDB with these metabolic parameters in obese teens and to study the long-term effects of SDB on future metabolic and cardiovascular morbidity."

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Weight loss improves SBD and metabolic dysregulation in obese children

LOS ANGELES, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ABC's "20/20" recently aired a special, entitled "Losing It: The Big Fat Money Pit," that examined the burgeoning weight loss industry as a whole. Many of the methods discussed from dieting to pills and surgery have been popularized by celebrities who get paid as much as $60,000 for each pound that they lose for their endorsements. There are two important takeaways from this in-depth look at the industry. First, anyone interested in losing weight should ignore the celebrity commercials, billboards and unsubstantiated claims. Instead, it is vital to do some of your own legwork and find a method based on peer-reviewed research (they are out there!). Secondly, and this is really important for long term success, stop thinking of any single method as a silver bullet. Sustainable weight loss demands long-term commitment from the patient even when it comes to proven methods such as bariatric surgery and no responsible physician will tell you otherwise.

The "20/20" special examines many different weight loss solutions, from perennial favorites (with dubious efficacy) like diet pills, as well as "fat camps" for the ultra-wealthy and even feeding tubes. The special also touches on Lap Band surgery, highlighting individual cases of negligence while responsibly pointing out that, when done right, this procedure is very safe and can offer dramatic weight loss results. The key is to carefully select a doctor who has a solid reputation and a proven track record of success. At Dr. Feiz & Associates, a well-known weight loss surgery center in Beverly Hills, Dr. Michael Feiz has maintained a complication rate far lower than the national average, and has never had a single mortality. Nevertheless, he believes strongly in educating anyone interested in the procedures that he offers (the Lap Band, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric bypass) about ALL the potential risks and benefits. Responsible surgeons like Dr. Feiz are rightly appalled by some of the stories of misleading advertising and neglectful care that have found their way onto the airwaves. He and his team of medical professionals have dedicated themselves to raising the standard of care for the entire industry.

The special also points out the tragic phenomenon of "yo-yo dieting," where people lose weight with one method, regain the pounds, and then go searching for the next big thing. Many of these methods are scams, but even if they offer what they promise to offer, lasting success demands total commitment from the patient. Dr. Feiz and his team foster long-term relationships with their patients, helping oversee proper nutritional and exercise regimens after the operation is finished. This is the only way to keep off the pounds and achieve a healthy lifestyle. "Easy fixes" make for great sound bites, but experienced and responsible surgeons like Dr. Feiz know better, and that is why they have seen so much success with their patients.

To learn more about Dr. Feiz & Associates, visit online at http://www.drfeiz.com, and contact them for a FREE consultation.

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Weight Loss: Separating Fact from Fiction

SEATTLE Even a moderate amount of weight loss can significantly reduce levels of circulating estrogens that are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, according to a study by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center the first randomized, controlled clinical trial to test the effects of weight loss on sex hormones in overweight and obese postmenopausal women, a group at elevated risk for breast cancer.

The findings by Anne McTiernan, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues are published online ahead of the May 21 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, a publication of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Based on previous research, our results suggest that losing just 5 percent or more of ones weight could cut by a quarter to a half the risk for the most common, estrogen-sensitive breast cancers, said McTiernan, director of the Hutchinson Centers Prevention Center and a member of its Public Health Sciences Division. McTiernan cautions that these findings only apply to overweight or obese women who are not taking hormone-replacement therapy.

Epidemiologists have long noted a link between obesity and increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. A relationship between body fat and estrogen production is thought to contribute to this risk.

The study was based on data from 439 overweight-to-obese, sedentary, Seattle-area women, ages 50 to 75, who were randomly assigned to one of four groups: exercise only (mainly brisk walking), diet only, exercise plus diet and no intervention. At the end of the study, participants on the diet-only and diet-plus-exercise arms lost an average of 10 percent of their starting weight, which was the goal of the intervention.

The study measured the effects of diet- and exercise-related weight loss on blood levels of several types of sex hormones, including three forms of estrogen (estrone, estradiol and free estradiol); two types of testosterone (total testosterone and free testosterone); a steroid necessary for the production of sex hormones (androstenedione) and sex hormone binding globulin, or SHBG, a protein that binds to sex hormones and therefore makes them less biologically active. High levels of SHBG are associated with reduced breast cancer risk. Free estradiol and free testosterone are forms of the hormones that are not bound to SHBG and therefore are more biologically active.

At the end of the study, the researchers found significant reductions in hormone levels among the women who received the dietary weight loss intervention, with the most striking results among those who both dieted and exercised: Estrone levels decreased 9.6 percent with diet and 11.1 percent with diet plus exercise. Estradiol levels decreased 16.2 percent with diet and 20.3 percent with diet plus exercise. Free-estradiol levels decreased 21.4 percent with diet and 26 percent with diet plus exercise. SHBG levels increased 22.4 percent with diet and 25.8 percent with diet plus exercise. Free-testosterone levels decreased 10 percent with diet and 15.6 percent with diet plus exercise.

The researchers found that losing as little as 5 percent of ones total body weight had a beneficial impact on hormone levels, and the effect increased with the amount of weight lost.

The amount of weight lost was key to changes in hormone levels, McTiernan said. The biggest effect was through diet plus exercise; exercise by itself didnt produce much of a change in weight or estrogen. However, exercise has many important benefits for those on a weight-loss program, she noted. Exercise prevents loss of muscle and bone, and it helps keep off the weight long term. I recommend women both diet and exercise, because in the long run that should help keep weight down and therefore keep estrogens down, she said.

This is the first study to show that losing weight through a healthy diet that included reducing calories, reducing fat and increasing vegetables, fruits and fiber significantly lowers blood estrogen levels in postemenopausal women, McTiernan said. This shows that its never too late to make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk for breast cancer.

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Moderate Weight Loss Reduces Levels of Sex Hormones Linked with Increased Risk of Breast Cancer

SEMINOLE, Fla., May 20, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Obese patients and others suffering from a variety of related health concerns in the St. Petersburg area of Florida can now benefit from qualified nutritional counseling in addition to chiropractic care at Seminole Chiropractic Wellness Center. Chiropractor Dr. Randal Butch stated his concern for patients struggling with weight loss when he said, "We help our patients lose excess pounds and achieve successful long-term weight loss by offering them customized detox plans as part of our nutritional counseling program. Our chiropractic care also provides relief for weight-related discomfort and injuries."

Patients can benefit from Dr. Butch's counseling services on the topics of proper diet and nutrition. Any excess weight causes stress and strain on the body's internal organs, as well as its muscles and skeletal structure. In order to lose weight and acquire better health, it is important to lose those excess pounds and keep them off.

Seminole Chiropractic Wellness Center patients can expect a comprehensive discussion about medical history and lifestyle, followed by an exam upon their first consultation with Dr. Butch. He factors in different personal health information to develop the most relevant, personalized plan to meet patient's weight loss goals and to improve diet habits. A customized wellness plan helps the patient focus on making better and healthier choices in his or her diet. The plan also addresses other important components for success, such as the best nutritional supplements to take, ways to avoid or relieve stress, and strategies to lose weight and keep it under control.

Dr. Butch takes a strong stand against fad diets or behaviors that actually contribute to poor health and failed efforts to lose weight and keep it off. He's said, "Slimmer does not always means healthier. It is not wise for patients to starve themselves by following these 'fad' or 'crash' diets that do more harm than good."

In some cases, Dr. Butch will recommend that an obese patient follows a healthy detox plan, which will help flush out toxins from the body, preparing it for a new and healthier caloric intake. Along with this plan will be information about portion control and nutritious food choices, as well as foods to definitely avoid. Dr. Butch also includes in the plan recommendations for exercises and lifestyle coaching.

Dr. Butch has been a licensed chiropractor since 1987. In addition to his counseling services focused on diet and nutrition, he primarily uses the Palmer technique of chiropractic methods, which includes hands-on procedures such as adjustments and spinal manipulations, massage therapy, and physical therapy or physiotherapy.

For more information about the Chiropractic Wellness Center, nutritional and weight loss counseling service patients may visit http://www.chiropractorstpete.com.

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Nutritional Counseling for Weight Loss Available at Seminole Chiropractic Wellness Center

Got a success story of your own? Send it to us at success.stories@huffingtonpost.com and you could be featured on the site!

Name: Tammy Garcia Age: 29 Height: 5'5" Before Weight: 204 pounds

How I Gained It: I was never really a thin person, but I grew up doing ballet and other various forms of dance since I was 3 years old, so I was a healthy size up until I graduated from high school. At that point, I quit dancing, started college and I let the freshman 15 get to me. But it didn't stop there. I kept gaining weight through my time in college, and graduated at about 155 pounds. Once I graduated from undergrad, I moved away from home. That was the first time I was required to do all my own shopping and cooking, and it did not go well. Have you ever noticed that the foods on sale are the unhealthy ones? Chips, sugary cereals, cookies, bagels -- I got caught in that trap. I got caught in the "I'm too busy to cook between work during the day and school at night, so I'll just have fast food" mentality.

After four years of eating unhealthy and focusing more on work and grad school studies than on making sure I was healthy, I had allowed myself to get to over 200 pounds. Only once did I even try to lose weight. In 2009, when I couldn't fit into a bridesmaid dress I had just ordered about two months before, I knew I needed to do something about it. I tried a fad diet plan I was recommended. It worked in the short term, and I lost almost 30 pounds and ended up having the dress taken in for the wedding. But then I moved to a small, backwoods town. I stopped the fad diet, and I allowed those excuses to be in charge again. It was back to fast food and making excuses that it was "too hard" to find the healthy foods in a small southern town that didn't believe in eating healthy. So that weight came right back on in a matter of a few months.

Breaking Point: My breaking point came in August of 2010 when it was time for me to buy some new pants. My work pants were old and they were getting kind of tight so I went shopping for some new ones. But I couldn't fit into a size 14, and I struggled to fit in a size 16. I refused to buy pants that were a size 16 or bigger. It would have been the biggest size I would have ever bought and I just couldn't allow myself to do it. I had simply had enough of being big. I had enough of being unhealthy. I wanted something better for myself. I knew that I had lost weight before, so I was sure I could do it again.

How I Lost It: I had family coming into town in about two months and so I created an eight-week challenge for myself. It was "Operation Make Pants Not Fit in a Good Way in Eight Weeks." I realized this time that I didn't want a gimmicky fad diet. I wanted something that I would be able to maintain for the rest of my life. I wanted to really learn how to live healthy instead of relying on some sort of pre-packaged nonsense that wouldn't really teach me how to eat in the real world.

I knew the best way to do that would be to cut out fast food, cook healthy meals at home and start exercising. I went to the bookstore to buy some healthy food cookbooks, hit Amazon.com to buy some workout videos and the sporting goods store for some exercise clothing. I joined the site Livestrong.com to track my calories and joined a group challenge.

At first, I only did cardio (I didn't have a gym membership, I had my workout videos and an elliptical machine at home, but no weights). By the time my family came into town, I was able to buy a size 12 pair of pants, and I had lost around 20 pounds. I was proud, but I knew there was a long way to go. So I kept at it, adding in weight training with a nice little set of weights my husband bought for me and learning how to make more and more healthy meals using fresh ingredients. Now, I sit down with my husband every Sunday and we plan out our meals for the week, and then hit the grocery store together. When we plan vacations, we make them active vacations where we can go hiking in the mountains, for example. It makes it so much easier being in this new lifestyle journey together.

I've been maintaining my current weight for almost a year now, but I've worked on getting stronger. I'm always challenging myself to lift more weight or go one more rep when I'm weight training. I've done the Insanity program and I throw in those workouts on my cardio days and it's still a challenge. I'm always pushing myself to go further, harder and longer.

The biggest realization I've had, and why I've been able to maintain this time around, is that I've realized there is no "easy" way to lose weight. There's no magic pill, no magic "diet," nothing like that. It's a matter of working out, staying active and eating healthy. It really is a lifestyle, not something you do for a little bit and then go back to what you were doing before. It is simple, but it takes dedication and commitment to make the changes that are necessary. It takes time and effort. But the rewards are more than worth it. I've gone from not being able to fit into a size 14 to wearing a size 0 or 2. I am happier, more positive, less sick, in pain less and I just feel better all around.

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Weight Loss Success: Tammy Garcia Ditched The Fad Diets And Lost Nearly 80 Pounds

Dr. Nilesh A. Patel, FACS, of Texas Bariatric Specialists is pleased to announce the opening of his newest office in Laredo, Texas. The new Laredo clinic is the tenth location of Dr. Patels highly successful medical weight loss practice, and will dramatically improve access for Laredo patients to high quality weight loss surgery and bariatric care.

Laredo, TX (PRWEB) May 16, 2012

Dr. Nilesh A. Patel, FACS, of Texas Bariatric Specialists is pleased to announce the opening of his newest office in Laredo, Texas. The new Laredo clinic is the tenth location of Dr. Patels highly successful medical weight loss practice, and will dramatically improve access for Laredo patients to high quality weight loss surgery and bariatric care.

Dr. Patel is a member of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), a faculty member of the American College of Surgeons and lectures for the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons. He has performed over 2,500 successful bariatric procedures, resulting in patient weight loss exceeding national benchmarks for success. The author of over 25 peer-reviewed articles in surgical journals on bariatric surgery and other surgical procedures, Dr. Patel is a recognized national expert and regular lecturer on minimally invasive weight loss surgery.

Texas Bariatric Specialists (TBS) focuses on delivering long-term weight loss solutions, and is committed to providing quality, compassionate care with the most advanced, safest and medically effective weight loss options available for their patients. Services include Lap Band, Gastric Bypass and Gastric Sleeve surgeries, as well as the revision of failed weight loss surgery. In addition, TBS offers both pre- and post-operative counseling and support through a behavioral weight loss psychologist, nutritional counseling through a certified dietician/nutritionist, a nutritional resource store, insurance concierge services and affordable financing options. Medically successful non-surgical weight loss programs are also available.

A free seminar introducing Dr. Patel and detailing the multiple weight loss programs and services offered to the Laredo community will take place on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 (11:00am) at the new Texas Bariatric Specialists location, 6999 McPherson Avenue, Suite 108 in Laredo. Space is limited, so attendees are encouraged to register early online by visiting http://www.TexasBariatricSpecialists.com or http://www.LaredoWeightLoss.com.

About Texas Bariatric Specialists

Founded by Dr. Nilesh A. Patel FACS, a nationally recognized and fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon who has performed over 2,500 successful weight loss surgeries resulting in patient weight loss exceeding national benchmarks for success, Texas Bariatric Specialists (TBS) is a holistic weight loss practice focused on delivering long-term weight loss solutions for patients. Dr. Patel specializes in surgical weight loss procedures including Lap Band, Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve and the revision of failed weight loss surgery. With a commitment to surgical expertise, compassionate care and exemplary preoperative and postsurgical consultative services, Dr. Patel and staff at Texas Bariatric Specialists ensure successful weight loss management for their patients through long-term relationships to support good health. Offices are located across major cities throughout Texas including San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christi, New Braunfels/Seguin, Boerne, Killeen, Temple, Del Rio and Laredo. For more information, or to book a free seminar, please visit http://www.TexasBariatricSpecialists.com or http://www.LaredoWeightLoss.com .

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prwebLap_Band_Laredo/Lap_Band_Surgery_Laredo/prweb9514514.htm

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Nationally-recognized Surgeon Nilesh A. Patel, MD of Texas Bariatric Specialists Opens Laredo Office

Posted at: 05/15/2012 9:42 PM | Updated at: 05/16/2012 10:28 AM By: Heather Mills, KOB Eyewitness News 4

Two-thirds of Americans are overweight, or obese. As you know, that can lead to lots of health problems down the road.

While that should be enough to scare us into making better choices, sometimes it's just our vanity that convinces us to make changes.

With swimsuit season right around the corner, KOB Eyewitness News 4 set out to compare two very talked about diets to see what you're really getting.

We've all heard it before, calories in, calories out. "You didn't put it on overnight. You're not going to take it off overnight," said Weight Watchers meeting leader Carlyn Chiado.

In case you haven't heard this before, Natalie Furst, a dietitian with Lovelace Hospital says all those "fad" diets, like low-carb and fat-free, aren't sustainable long-term. It's simple, she says. "It's how much they're eating, not just what they're eating."

But, there are programs out there designed to enact lifestyle changes. So how do they stack up? We looked into Weight Watchers and the HCG Diet. Both programs tout lifestyle changes and both have been around about 50 years.

Weight Watchers is a points-based system. "Weight Watchers gives you so many choices and it's up to you to pick which choice works for you," said Chiado. She says the program also offers accountability with weekly meetings. "It teaches you to eat and live beyond these walls."

The goal is to lose about 1/2 pound to two pounds a week. The cost comes out to about $10 a week, depending on which program you choose.

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The latest craze in rapid weight loss

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire -05/16/12)- Thanks to two recent studies published in The New England Journal of Medicine, researchers and surgeons have established a tangible link between bariatric surgery and the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Doctors with the Bluepoint Surgical Group, a team of bariatric surgeons in Northern, VA and Washington, DC, say the new findings suggest weight loss procedures are the most effective therapies for type 2 diabetes in obese and morbidly obese patients and should be considered sooner and more often by patients battling with the disease. The Bluepoint Surgical Group says it is encouraged by the results of these trials and hopes they help patients find the most successful treatments for type 2 diabetes on their return to a healthier life.

As the first head-to-head studies to compare bariatric surgery versus medical therapy, The New England Journal of Medicine reports that bariatric surgery procedures such as gastric banding or gastric sleeve have proven to be superior to medical treatment such as pharmaceuticals in producing the remission of type 2 diabetes. One study, conducted by the Cleveland Clinic, shows within one year type 2 diabetes remission rates with bariatric surgery were 40%, compared to 12% for patients treated with the best pharmacotherapy available. A similar two-year study from the Catholic University of Rome, Italy and New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center experienced remission rates of about 85% for bariatric surgery (75% gastric bypass, 95% biliopancreatic diversion) and zero for medical therapy in patients with BMI greater than 35. Dr. Amir Moazzez and Dr. Denis Halmi of the Bluepoint Surgical Group say they have seen similar results from their patients who have undergone surgical treatment through weight loss surgery in Washington, DC.

Dr. Halmi and the rest of the Bluepoint Surgical Group say the implications of the two studies will have enormous effects on the future of diabetes treatment. While weight loss surgery procedures have always been known to produce significant results in life expectancy (89% improvement according to the latest study from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery), he says patients are also able to reduce the risk of more serious health complications such as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and now diabetes, a correlation he is eager to explore both at his practice and through further research.

"Research like this helps patients make informed decisions about bariatric surgery. The article here adds credence to the fact that the surgery does more for the patient than just aid in weight loss, if often times reduces other life-threatening conditions the patient may have," says Dr. Halmi.

Because of the gravity of the decision to undergo weight loss surgery, the Bluepoint Surgical Group strongly urges patients to consult with a board-certified and experienced bariatric surgeon before deciding on a procedure, whether it be a gastric bypass or revisional bariatric surgery. Dr. Halmi says through partnership with a dedicated and knowledgeable practice, patients can make a serious difference in their lives. Now equipped with further evidence pointing towards the benefits of bariatric procedures, he adds that he is excited about the future of weight loss surgery and hopes to continue pursuing the highest quality care for his patients in eliminating both type 2 diabetes and obesity.

About Denis J. Halmi, MD, FACS

Dr. Denis Halmi completed his surgical residency at the Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York. Board-certified in general surgery, he has completed over 1,500 gastric bypass surgeries and over 100 laparoscopic gastric bands. Dr. Halmi is the Medical Director of the Weight Loss Surgery Center at Potomac Hospital and a designated Center of Excellence Surgeon by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

About the Bluepoint Surgical Group

As a Designated Center of Excellence by the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons, the Bluepoint Surgical Group is comprised of a team of bariatric, general, and laparoscopic surgeons focusing on a range of procedures including colon/rectal surgery, weight loss procedures, and several plastic surgery options. Doctors with the practice have performed over 2000 weight loss operations and also offer long term weight management assistance programs through dietary education, nutritional counseling, and support groups.

The Bluepoint Surgical Group has three locations in the Washington, DC area: 3620 Joseph Siewick Drive Suite 200 in Fairfax, VA, reachable at (703) 620-3211; 2280 Opitz Blvd Suite 320 in Woodbridge, VA, reachable at (703) 878-7610; and 125 Hospital Center Blvd Suite 207 in Stafford, VA, reachable at (540) 318-6135. It can also be contacted online via the website bluepointgroup.com or the Bluepoint Surgical Group Facebook page.

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Washington, DC Weight Loss Surgeons Discuss New Link Between Obesity Surgery and Diabetes Treatment

By Jordo Bivona - May 14, 2012 | Tickers: ARNA, OREX, PFE, VVUS | 0 Comments

Jordo is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinions of our bloggers and are not formally edited.

Within the next year, VIVUS (NASDAQ: VVUS) may make the transition from a development stage start-up with no product revenue to a full-fledged pharmaceutical company with two approved drugs in large markets.

Vivus is on the verge of marketing drugs for some of the most common chronic conditions affecting world populations, including obesity, diabetes, sleep apnea and male erectile dysfunction (ED). The company is developing Qnexa for the first three indications. It has tested avanafil for ED.

The companys lead drug Qnexa is actually a combination of two drugs, phentermine and topiramate, each of which has been approved for treatment separately. Phentermine is an amphetamine that suppresses appetite, and is already used to treat obesity. Topiramate is an anti-convulsive agent used to treat epilepsy. As an obesity drug, topiramate probably promotes a feeling of satiety.

Weight loss is such a difficult problem because of the way that physiology works. The body runs basically on carbohydrates taken in by the diet or in short term storage as glycogen in the muscles or liver. Excess calories consumed in the diet are converted to triglycerides and stored as fat. But the fat is not used as fuel until the available glycogen has been depleted, which means that if people want to lose fat, they must be willing to function while hungry. Most people arent prepared to endure this discomfort.

Phentermine has a long history; it was part of the infamous fenfluramine/phentermine (fen-phen) combination used to treat obesity back in the 1990s. As the combo was quite successful in promoting weight loss, it became spectacularly popular, spawning weight-loss clinics that prescribed little else. Unfortunately, fenfluramine was shown to cause heart valve problems and pulmonary hypertension and so was withdrawn from the market by the FDA in 1997. At one point, Wyeth (now merged into Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) had set aside $21 billion to cover potential liability.

In December, 2011, Vivus reported the results of its SEQUEL trial of Qnexa, which showed that patients had an average 10% sustained weight loss compared to 1.8% for the placebo group. Earlier EQUIP and CONQUER studies had shown an average 14.7% weight loss.

In February of this year, an FDA panel voted 20-2 to recommend approval of Qnexa for the treatment of obesity in adults. On April 9, the FDA notified Vivus of an extended Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of July 17, 2012 for its review of the Qnexa New Drug Application. This extension gives time for a full evaluation of the risks of Qnexa. It seems likely that the FDA will approve Qnexa sometime later this year.

The FDA has only approved one drugXenical, marketed by Roche Holding AG (RHHBY.PK) -- for long term weight loss. The agency has not approved a new drug for short term weight loss since 1999. Qnexa has potential competition in Arena Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ARNA) lorcaserin and Contrave, from Orexigen Therapeutics (NASDAQ: OREX).

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VIVUS Is A Viable Long Term Investment

EAGLE, Idaho, May 13, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ellison Chiropractic in Eagle, Idaho is using Facebook to enhance patient communications. The practice regularly updates its Facebook page with wellness tips, health news, healthy meal recipes for long-term weight loss, and motivational messages. Patients can also learn more about the practice's different services, including non-invasive pain management and massage therapy.

Eagle chiropractor Dr. Craig Ellison and his wellness care team are using social media to enhance patient communications. The practice is active on Facebook, regularly posting messages for patients that range from health news updates to stress management tips.

"Wellness care is at the core of our practice," said Dr. Craig Ellison. "Our goal is to not only help patients heal after an injury, but also to provide them with the resources that they need to truly thrive. An important part of this mission is regular patient communications. We may not see our patients every day, or even every month, but through Facebook, we can easily keep in touch and share important wellness information."

Dr. Ellison emphasized that Facebook is a unique way to draw together a diverse community that's united by their passion for well-being and good health. The wellness center provides a variety of treatments, ranging from massage therapy to weight loss assistance and nutritional counseling. While these patients are all ages and come from many walks of life, according to the chiropractor, the practice's Facebook page has fostered a strong community that's committed to having health that lasts a lifetime.

"Facebook is an amazing tool for bringing our patients together to form a supportive community that's dedicated to wellness," said Dr. Ellison. "This support can really make a difference for our patients' success."

In addition to news articles and blog posts, the practice regularly shares daily inspiration quotes. "In our busy lives, it's easy to let stress overwhelm our daily routines. Stress is a major cause of chronic illness, weight gain and a serious impediment to overall well-being. A short inspirational quote, message or success story is the perfect way to remind our patients to stay focused on their long-term health goals."

The practice also posts patient care specials on Facebook, such as its recent "New Patient Referral Program." Existing patients who refer friends, family members or coworkers will now receive two complimentary movie tickets or a $20 account credit.

Ellison Chiropractic serves the Eagle, Meridian and Boise communities. The practice provides non-invasive pain management, including the Activator method of adjusting, to help patients heal after a sports injury or car accident injury. As part of the practice's commitment to wellness care, the center also provides massage therapy, lifestyle counseling, and nutritional counseling for long-term weight loss.

Prospective patients may learn more about wellness care by visiting the practice's Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ellison-Family-Chiropractic.

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Eagle Chiropractor Uses Facebook to Encourage Patients Towards Better Health

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