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Nutrition is key in delaying the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, there are few data available on the level of adherence to nutrition guidelines and recommendations among patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD (NDD-CKD). Melanie Betz, MS, RD, CSR, CSG, LDN, and colleagues conducted an analysis to examine the prevalence of patient adherence to nutrition recommendations and whether knowledge of dietary recommendations improves adherence. Results of the analysis were reported Knowledge of Renal Diet Restrictions and Adherence to Guidelines in the Journal of Renal Nutrition [www.jrnjournal.org/article/S1051-2276(20)30212-0/fulltext].

Eligible patients with NDD-CKD and glomerular filtration rate <45 mL/min/1.72 m2 were recruited from an urban, outpatient nephrology clinic. Patients completed an online Food Frequency Questionnaire to assess level of adherence to guidelines. A CKD knowledge Questionnaire was used to examine knowledge of renal diet restriction and food sources of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.

Sixty-three patients completed both the Food Frequency Questionnaire and the CKD Knowledge Questionnaire. Patients were consuming excess protein (average intake of 1.16 g/kg; 65% to 81% of patients intake above goal), sodium (average intake of 3117 mg; 67% to 91% of patients intake above goal), and phosphorus (average intake of 1153 mg; 59% to 70% of patients intake above goal). Among patients without hyperkalemia, only 32% to 43% of patients consumed adequate potassium. There was no significant difference in the amount of potassium consumed between the group with hyperkalemia and the group without hyperkalemia (2327 vs 2564 mg; P=.36).

There were no associations between awareness of diet restriction guidelines and reduced intake of phosphorus (785 vs 907 mg; P=.21), protein (54.5 vs 57.0 g; P=.71), or potassium (1793 vs 2076 mg; P=.27). There was no correlation between greater knowledge of nutrient food sources and reduction in intake of sodium (r=0.078; P=.54) or phosphorus (r=0.053; P=.68), or potassium in patients with hyperkalemia (r=0.025; P=.92).

In conclusion, the researchers said, Patients with NDD-CKD consume excess sodium, phosphorus, and protein, whereas potassium intake is inadequate in people without hyperkalemia. Greater knowledge of renal diet was not associated with increased adherence to dietary restrictions. Instruction efforts should go beyond providing nutrient-based diet information, and instead emphasize health food patterns and incorporate counseling to promote behavior change.

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As we head into our 40s and 50s, things begin to change really change. By the time we reach our 60s, we question why everything seems to have gone south. The reason why your body feels and looks different is that it is different. Our bodies stop producing the human growth hormones they produced when we were younger. Thankfully, sermorelin can replenish insufficient HGH levels. Revive Medical Center uses this treatment to help their patients rebuild and repair damaged and weakened cells.

Although it takes a few months of treatments to really experience the benefits of sermorelin, many of our patients feel that the benefits are worth the wait. The results of sermorelin therapy include

This might sound too good to be true but when you think about how sermorelin works, it makes perfect sense. Sermorelin encourages your pituitary gland to produce HGH, the hormone it produced when you were younger. It helps your body restore the hormone levels lost during the aging process.

This anti-aging treatment comes with minimal side effects, which also makes it appealing to patients. Sermorelin is administered through an injection, and some patients report discomfort at the injection site. There might be some minor pain, redness, and/or swelling. On rare occasions, a handful of patients have also reported itching and difficulty swallowing, suggesting an allergy to the treatment.

Other rare side effects include dizziness, flushed skin, headaches, insomnia, and restlessness. These side effects are uncommon, and wed be happy to discuss any concerns you might have about the sermorelin treatment before you begin the program. In most cases, sermorelin is a more effective anti-aging treatment with fewer side effects than other HGH replacement therapies.

If you are interested in learning more about sermorelin anti-aging treatments, call Revive Medical Center at 678-701-6397.

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What Are the Benefits and Side Effects of Sermorelin ...

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Metabolic Renewal is a weight loss program designed specifically for women.

The program aims to boost your metabolism by modifying your diet and exercise routine based on your specific hormone type. Yet, the science behind these claims is suspect.

Despite several downsides, it has become popular among those looking to enhance their energy levels, curb cravings, and promote overall health.

This article examines the pros and cons of Metabolic Renewal to determine whether you should give it a try.

BOTTOM LINE: While Metabolic Renewal may promote short-term weight loss, many aspects of the plan arent backed by evidence. Additionally, its difficult to sustain long term and may lead to weight regain once you resume a normal diet.

Metabolic Renewal was designed by Dr. Jade Teta, an integrative physician who specializes in natural health and fitness. The program is intended to optimize womens metabolism using Dr. Tetas 4 M framework Mindset, Movement, Meals, and Metabolics.

The idea that seven distinct hormone types exist is central to the program, as well as that determining your specific hormone type may enhance your metabolism.

Metabolic Renewal offers a 12-week meal plan with recipes tailored to your hormone type.

It also includes access to a collection of 15-minute workouts, along with guidebooks on balancing hormone levels and eliminating belly fat.

Metabolic Renewal is a weight loss program that claims to optimize womens metabolism based on hormone type.

The first step of Metabolic Renewal is to determine your hormone type using their online quiz, which collects information about your age, menstrual cycle, medical history, and health goals.

A guide called The Hormone-Balancing Roadmap provides detailed information on how to follow the plan depending on your hormone type.

Meal plans are based on what Dr. Teta calls the 3-2-1 Diet, which provides three meals per day, two of which contain only protein and vegetables and one of which offers a small portion of starch.

The program includes a detailed meal plan with recipes, but youre permitted to create your own meals based on the 3-2-1 Diets principles, adding snacks as needed.

Metabolic Renewal also includes a 12-week workout plan thats divided into 4 phases. Throughout the program, youre required to exercise for 15 minutes 3 times per week using the plans Intelligent Workouts, which claim to combine resistance and cardio training.

On your days off, youre encouraged to walk for a set amount of time thats determined by your hormone type. Doing so is said to help maintain any changes to your metabolism.

Furthermore, Metabolic Renewal offers a private online community for its customers.

Metabolic Renewal provides a custom meal plan and exercise regimen based on your supposed hormone type.

Metabolic Renewal doesnt eliminate any foods outright but encourages a low carb, high protein diet. Fruits, grains, fats, and oils can all be enjoyed in moderation.

While no foods are banned, you should limit processed foods and items high in carbs and sugar.

Metabolic Renewal doesnt eliminate any foods outright but encourages you to restrict your intake of processed and high carb foods. Instead, youre meant to emphasize vegetables and high quality proteins.

Although Metabolic Renewal hasnt been studied specifically, it may offer several health benefits.

Several aspects of the program may aid short-term weight loss.

For starters, Metabolic Renewal encourages a diet rich in unprocessed whole foods, including meat, fish, poultry, and vegetables.

These foods are not only often lower in calories than processed foods but also rich in important nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Additionally, some research links a lower intake of processed foods to a decreased risk of obesity (1).

Metabolic Renewal is also low in carbs, with most meals consisting of vegetables and a source of protein. Some studies show that low carb diets promote short-term weight loss and fat loss (2, 3).

Whats more, increasing your protein intake may keep you feeling full for longer, which likewise supports weight loss (4).

Metabolic Renewal doesnt require you to count calories, measure your food, or track macronutrients. It also offers several ways to customize your meal plan, making it a good fit for those who prefer more flexibility.

In fact, you can easily swap in other recipes from the meal plan or create your own meals using the basic principles of the diet.

Plus, it offers options for paleo, keto, vegan, and vegetarian diets.

Although no studies have examined Metabolic Renewal, its very flexible and may promote weight loss at least in the short term.

Although Metabolic Renewal may offer some benefits, theres no evidence to support many aspects of the plan.

The idea that there are seven specific female hormone types isnt backed by science.

In fact, most of the benefits of this program are likely due to its diet and lifestyle changes not optimizing female metabolism.

The programs quick, 15-minute workouts that take place 3 times per week are said to maximize efficiency without stressing your metabolism.

While this idea may appeal to some people, it may be unsuitable for those who are more physically active or prefer certain workouts, such as cardio or weightlifting.

Metabolic Renewal retails for $67, which includes either online access or the printed program and set of DVDs.

This price tag is higher than many other programs, so its an important consideration for those on a tight budget.

Keep in mind that Metabolic Renewal is a short-term program designed to be followed for 12 weeks.

Although many short-term diets lead to rapid weight loss, youre likely to regain weight after you resume a normal diet. Thats partly because brief dietary changes dont often translate to long-term lifestyle habits (5).

Several core elements of Metabolic Renewal are scientifically suspect, including the concept of specific hormone types. Furthermore, the diet is expensive and may lead to weight regain.

Metabolic Renewal provides a 12-week meal plan, although you can still create your own meals using the basic principles of the diet.

Here is a sample 3-day meal plan for Metabolic Renewal.

The sample menu above details some of the meals that you can enjoy on Metabolic Renewal, including breakfast smoothies and dishes packed with veggies and protein.

Metabolic Renewal is a program intended to optimize womens metabolism by making changes to their diet and exercise routine.

Although the diet is very flexible and may lead to short-term weight loss, many aspects are rooted in unfounded health claims. Furthermore, its short-term nature makes weight regain likely once you resume a normal diet.

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In severely obese patients with previous myocardial infarction (MI), metabolic surgery (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy) was associated with a lower risk of heart attack and new onset heart failure, according to study results published in Circulation.

Not only are obese individuals nearly 6 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes (T2D), severe obesity now puts those with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at a high risk of death. With the increasing prevalence of obesity there is an expected increase in obese patients with T2D and cardiovascular disease (CVD), the authors wrote.

Using large, well-established Swedish nationwide registries, the researchers investigated the association between metabolic surgery and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with MI and obesity (body mass index [BMI] >35).

A total of 509 patients who had undergone metabolic surgery between 2007 and 2018 after MI were included in the observational matched cohort study. Data were gleaned from the Swedish Web-System for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-Based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies, or SWEDEHEART, registry and the nationwide Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry. Participants were matched 1:1 based on sex, age, year of MI, and BMI to a control with MI from SWEDEHEART who did not undergo metabolic surgery.

Four hundred and sixty-five patients underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass while 44 had sleeve gastrectomy. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) follow-up time was 4.6 (2.7-7.1). Analyses revealed no significant differences regarding stroke (0.91 [0.38-2.20]) or new-onset atrial fibrillation (0.56 [0.31-1.01]) between the 2 groups.

However, the researchers found:

Compared with controls matched for age, sex, BMI, and year of MI, patients undergoing metabolic surgery had less than half the long-term risk of the composite of all-cause death, MI, or stroke, all-cause death alone, and MI alone, the authors wrote.

Metabolic surgeries are rarely used in patients after they've had an MI due to concerns the beneficial effects will not outweigh the risks of perioperative complications and long-term adverse effects. In the current study, the rate of serious complications post surgery was similar to that in patients without previous MI.

Overall, our data indicate that metabolic surgery may be an important secondary prevention strategy in the growing population of severely obese individuals with established coronary artery disease. The results also suggest the benefit of metabolic surgery on MACE is not caused by a greater weight loss alone, but also by cardiometabolic effects of the surgery.

Lack of data on socioeconomic status and the observational nature of the study mark limitations, and the findings ought to be confirmed in a randomized, controlled trial.

Reference:

Nslund E, Stenberg E, Hofmann R, et al. Association of metabolic surgery with major adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with previous myocardial infarction and severe obesity. Circulation. Published online October 26, 2020. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.120.048585

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Weight Reduction Surgery Associated With Reduced Risk of Second Heart Attack in Obese Patients - AJMC.com Managed Markets Network

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Among severely obese patients with a previous MI, bariatric surgery is associated with a lower risk of major adverse outcomes over the next several years, according to a Swedish registry study.

Patients who underwent either Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy had lower risks of MACE and several stand-alone cardiac endpoints through nearly 8 years of follow-up compared with MI patients who didnt undergo bariatric surgery, researchers led by Erik Nslund, MD, PhD (Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden), report.

An encouraging finding, Nslund told TCTMD, was that postoperative complications did not occur at a higher-than-expected rate in the patients with a prior MI.

The study, published online October 26, 2020, ahead of print in Circulation, was based on high-quality registry data from Sweden, he added, but its still subject to limitations inherent to observational analyses.

These data imply that if you have had a prior MI, and youre sufficiently obese to be qualifying for bariatric surgery, or metabolic surgery as we call it, then you should undergo the surgery, Nslund said. It implies that, but in order to prove it then we need to do a randomized controlled trial.

The effect of bariatric surgery in terms of primary prevention of CVD in patients with severe obesity is relatively established, according to the authors, who point out that there are limited data on the use of weight-loss surgery for secondary prevention of CVD.

To examine the impact of bariatric surgery in patients with a prior MI, the investigators linked data from the SWEDEHEART registry and the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry. The analysis included 509 patients with prior MI who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (91%) or sleeve gastrectomy (9%) and were matched to an equal number of patients with prior MI who did not undergo weight-loss surgery. Mean age was 53, and 57% of patients were men. The average time from MI to either surgery or the start of follow-up was a little over 4-and-a-half years.

The surgical group was less likely to have an ejection fraction below 40% (7% vs 12%), previous heart failure (10% vs 19%), A-fib (6% vs 10%), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (4% vs 7%).

Postoperative complications within 30 days occurred in 8.4% of patients, with 3.8% having complications that were considered serious. One patient died from a CV event related to massive postoperative bleeding, for a 30-day mortality rate of 0.2%.

As expected, bariatric surgery led to a significant drop in weight, with median body mass index declining from 40 kg/m2 at baseline to 29 kg/m2 at 1 year and 28 kg/m2 at 2 years. The percentage of weight lost was 28% and 29%, respectively, at those time points. By 1 year, substantial proportions of patients also had remission of diabetes (52.3%), hypertension (24.7%), dyslipidemia (35.6%), and sleep apnea (66.1%).

Over up to 8 years of follow-up (median 4.6 years), patients who underwent bariatric surgery had significantly lower rates of MACE (18.7% vs 36.2%; adjusted HR 0.44; 95% CI 0.32-0.61), death (11.7% vs 21.4%; adjusted HR 0.45; 95% CI 0.29-0.70), MI (5.4% vs 17.9%; adjusted HR 0.24; 95% CI 0.14-0.41), and new-onset heart failure compared with the nonsurgical group (2.0% vs 4.9%; P = 0.03, with not enough events for multivariable adjustment).

There were no significant differences between the surgical and nonsurgical groups in terms of stroke (3.5% vs 5.4%; adjusted HR 0.91; 95% CI 0.38-2.20) or new-onset A-fib (8.7% vs 9.9%; adjusted HR 0.56; 95% CI 0.31-1.01).

Overall, our data indicate that metabolic surgery may be an important secondary prevention strategy in the growing population of severely obese individuals with established coronary artery disease, the investigators say. They propose that the lower risk of MACE after surgery is caused not only by a larger and more sustainable weight loss, but also by other cardiometabolic effects of metabolic surgery.

Commenting for TCTMD, Nieca Goldberg, MD (NYU Langone Health, New York, NY), said this study is a very interesting look at procedures that we do for weight loss that shows, first, that it was done safely in people with previous MI, but [it] also showed a reduction in new cardiovascular events.

She added, I want to caution and say that this study was a good start, but even the researchers said more studies to look at the benefits and risks of the procedure in terms of cardiovascular risk, larger studies, are needed. So right now, I think that for people who fit a category for being a candidate for bariatric surgery should see that there is improvement in cardiovascular risk factors.

Asked whether there are any specific concerns about taking patients who have had an MI in for bariatric surgery, both Goldberg and Nslund said they would be worked up to ensure they were fit for surgery like any other patient, with Goldberg saying that physicians would check for active cardiac symptoms, level of heart function, and blood pressure control. Both pointed out that surgeons wouldnt typically perform bariatric surgery on a patient who has had an MI within the past 6 months.

This is not a question of taking these people immediately to the operating room, Nslund said. Its a matter of waiting until their cardiac health is sufficiently good for us to operate upon them and then doing the surgery.

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You may have seen the ads on TV spruiking a revolutionary weight loss program known as Noom.

Noom is a subscription-based weight loss program and claims to shift the focus on weight loss from rigid dieting and calorie counting to a holistic lifestyle approach, utilising psychological tools to support behavioural change.

With plenty of testimonials to support its use, Noom has taken the weight loss world by storm, or so it seems.

So what is this program, is it all that it is cracked up to be and is it helpful for Australians? We take a closer look at Noom and the functionality the application offers.

READ MORE: Love your toast? All the healthier (and lower cal) toast alternatives, ranked by calories

Marketed as the 'last weight loss program you will need', Noom is a mobile-based weight loss program that helps users implement a low-calorie, nutrient-dense eating plan with the help of virtual 'coaches' to support you in reaching your weight loss goals.

With a monthly subscription fee, users have access to the Noom data base, which classifies foods into high-, medium- and low-calorie options using a traffic light system, and encourages the Volumetric's approach, in which low-energy-density foods or green foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables are encouraged over more higher fat and calorie foods or red foods. The program is low calorie (roughly 1100-1200 calories per day),which easily explains its reported weight losses of -1kg each week.

READ MORE: Mayr Method: The program behind Rebel Wilson's 20kg weight loss

While the Volumetrics approach is a safe and effective approach to weight loss, it does fail to consider the nutritional benefits associated with nutrient-rich but energy-dense foods such as nuts, good oils, and avocado.

These higher fat foods are classified as red foods on the program, and as such advised to be consumed sparingly in the diet. This is a relatively old-school approach to nutrition and weight loss, with more recent recommendations pointing to the importance of including good fats in the diet to help optimise nutrient intake and support blood glucose control and fullness in between meals.

Along with basic dietary advice, users are supported by online coaches and can track food, activity and weight loss progress using the tools applications. There are also lots of tips, tools and quizzes for those seeking more health, diet and exercise related information.

READ MORE: The Sirtfood diet: The program behind Adele's staggering weight loss

While the specific selling point of Noom is that its focus is on building sustainable lifestyle habits to support weight control via the ongoing support of health coaches, these coaches are somewhat elusive.

As opposed to an actual person sitting there ready to answer your questions and offering support, the coaches appear to be automated replies generated in response to word cues that come from user questions. As such responses, tips and motivational quotes are somewhat generic and almost patronising.

Most significant to my experience was that the response time to enquire in a virtual sense was significant and extremely frustrating. In researching this piece, it took several attempts to make direct contact with someone at Noom and even when the response came it was a general directive back to the site, rather than a personalised response. Anyone who is focused on weight loss will know the enormous difference between individualised advice that comes from a human being, and that generalised by autobots. They're not the same thing.

READ MORE: The Dubrow diet: The cult weight loss program invented by reality stars

Most important to know is that when you're offered advice from a Noom coach, it's not advice from a qualified professional such as a psychologist, dietitian or exercise specialist. As such, it tends to be generalised and may or may not prove overly useful to an individual.

Another significant frustration when trying the program is that it's not easy to see exactly how much a subscription will cost. At first users are offered a trial period for which they can pay what they deem suitable followed by ongoing subscriptions at different price points, ranging from $60 a month to $199 for a year. While this is not overly expensive compared to one-on-one weight loss appointments with a professional, for any subscription to be worthwhile you need to utilise the functionality of the app to reap all the potential benefits, and the time this takes is not insignificant. For those who are already busy, or not overly apt at using mobile devices, this is a potential barrier to getting the most out of the program.

READ MORE: Which diet is best for you? Keto, Paleo, CSIRO, fasting, VLCD

Overall Noom is a reasonable online weight loss program. It has research to support its effectiveness, is not overly expensive and may offer a number of mobile tools that support you in building healthy habits long term that support weight control. But if you think you are paying for your own personal dietitian or diet coach, you will be disappointed, especially if you expect a decent answer to a real-life question with any urgency.

Author Susie Burrell is a leading Australian dietitian and nutritionist, founder of Shape Me, and prominent media spokesperson, with regular appearances in both print and television media commenting on all areas of diet, weight loss and nutrition.

Love your toast? All the healthier (and lower cal) toast alternatives, ranked by calories

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Noom diet: The virtual weight loss program taking the world by storm explained - 9Coach

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First Posted: Oct 26, 2020 01:35 PM EDT

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If you find maintaining a healthy weight difficult, you can take comfort in knowing that you are not alone. According to a study published by The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), an independent population health research institute in Seattle, WA, over 160 million people in America are either overweight or obese. And many of these same individuals are struggling with health problems related to their weight.

As a matter of reference, the National Institutes of Health noted that individuals who are overweight are obese are more likely to develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease. Excess weight can also lead to elevated blood glucose levels, which, in turn, can give way to diabetes, the study further noted. If there is a silver lining in all of this, it is that more people are taking steps to safeguard their health by losing weight.

Traditional Ways to Lose Weight

There are just as many ways to lose weight as there are people who are overweight or obese. And the argument could be made that some ways are better than others. Along with exercise, many individuals will choose one of many popular diets to shed unwanted pounds, some of which include the Mediterranean and Weight Watchers, both of which were named the best diets of 2020 by U.S. News and World Report.

While these diets are great, some people find that they don't lose much weight following them. And the weight that they did lose didn't stay off for very long. For these reasons, many people turn to dietary supplements to help them shed unwanted pounds, with some of the more notable ones being green tea extract, vitamin D, glutamine, caffeine, and raspberry ketone supplements.

How Effective are Mainstream Diets and Supplements?

If you're among the over 160 million people in America trying to lose weight, you might be curious about the success rate when it comes to mainstream diets and supplements. And if so, you might find this information interesting. A recent study found that individuals following a Mediterranean diet, a diet low in saturated fats and carbohydrates, lost as much as 22 pounds in one year.

A separate study related to the Weight Watchers diet noted found that most individuals were able to lose approximately 8 percent of their body weight in 6 months. However, it is worth mentioning that only 11 percent of those who followed this diet managed to keep the weight off long-term, according to Dennis Gage, a physician with Park Avenue Endocrinology and Nutrition in New York City. Rounding things out with dietary supplements, a study published by the Mayo Clinic found that individuals who took dietary supplements, namely raspberry ketones, lost about 4.2 pounds in 8 weeks.

Scientific Studies Reveal a Revolutionary Way to Lose Weight

For those who have tried to lose weight by exercising, dieting, and taking supplements but have been unsuccessful, you should know that all hope is not lost, especially for individuals age 40 and over. Current data shows that most middle-aged individuals have low human growth hormone (HGH) levels. Of course, this is not entirely surprising given that HGH levels gradually start declining from the age of 30.

For those who are perhaps not aware, one of the ill-effects of low growth hormone levels is an increase in visceral fat, especially around the abdomen. For many middle-aged individuals, visceral fat makes up the majority of their excess weight. What's more, it is a form of body fat that generally does not come off easily.

That said, science has identified a new supplement known as Resurge that could very well be the answer for older adults who are overweight or obese and want to slim down. There is also evidence that shows it could help younger individuals shed unwanted pounds as well.

But, it would be fair enough to say, that for people with tested and proven human growth hormone deficiency the most effective type of treatment is hgh injections with such brands as Genotropin, Norditropin, or Humatrope which is affordable enough in costs around US.

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Weight loss supplements: Are they effective? - Science World Report

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By Stephanie Bowens| StarNews Correspondent

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is one of the most common, yet treatable, causes of infertility in women. PCOS affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing age, according to the Office On Womens Health, and women who have the condition experience hormonal imbalance and metabolism problems that may affect their appearance and overall health.

Dr. Nicholas Bodenheimer, DO, an obstetrician-gynecologist withNovant Health OB/GYN Bolivia, said hes treated many women who have PCOS. He said the condition is typically characterized by hyperandrogenism, or elevated levels of androgens, such as testosterone, irregular or no menstrual periods and polycystic ovaries revealed on an ultrasound. Bodenheimer said despite the name, you dont have to have polycystic ovaries or small cysts on yourovaries to be diagnosed with PCOS. He recommends women discuss their concerns with a gynecologist.

1. Imbalances of hormones, including insulin and testosterone, play key role in PCOS symptoms.

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. However, PCOS is associated with insulin resistance, obesity and high levels of androgens.

Androgens, often called male hormones, are hormones, such as testosterone, that are important for normal male sexual development, but women also make small amounts of androgens. Androgens control development of male traits, and women with PCOS have more androgens than normal.

Normally, in healthy women testosterone is largely bound by a protein called sex hormone binding globulin, leaving just a very small amount of freely circulating bioactive free testosterone. However, insulin resistance can disrupt this, and Bodenheimer said many women with PCOS have insulin resistance. Insulin resistance can cause a low level of sex hormone bind globulins, Bodenheimer said. So, if you have a low level of that you have an increase of testosterone in the body which can lead to hyperandrogenism.

Insulin resistance refers to when the bodys cells do not respond normally to insulin, a vital hormone that regulates blood sugar (glucose) in the body.

2. Irregular menstrual cycles are common symptoms of PCOS.

Higher than normal androgen levels in women can prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation) during each menstrual cycle.

Bodenheimer said PCOS symptoms that often bring patients in to see him include excessive facial hair growth, absence of a menstrual period, irregular menstrual bleeding, or unsuccessfully trying to get pregnant for over a year. We see a lot of different types of clinical manifestations from PCOS, but probably the most common we see are menstrual disorders, Bodenheimer said. That can range from irregular menstrual periods to heavy menstrual periods to someone who is not having any menstrual periods. If we see women who are anovulatory, meaning they arent having regular menstrual cycles, that can lead to infertility.

Bodenheimer said usually in a 28-day cycle around cycle day 14 a woman ovulates so an egg is released. If someone is not ovulating, the egg is not released, he said. Thats how that leads to infertility.

Bodenheimer said there are various treatment options for infertility caused by PCOS.

3. PCOS often causes abnormal hair growth.

Bodenheimer said, for women with PCOS, increased levels of testosterone in the body can lead to excessive hair growth on their arms and face as well as acne. According to OWH, the excessive hair growth is called hirsutism and affects up to 70 percent of women with PCOS, causing them to have too much hair on the face, chin, or parts of the body where men usually have hair, and acne can appear on the face, chest, and upper back.

According to the OWH, other symptoms of PCOS include thinning hair, hair loss on the scalp or male-pattern baldness, weight gain or difficulty losing weight and darkening of skin, particularly along neck creases, in the groin, and underneath breasts.

4. Research has linked PCOS to other health problems, such as hypertension and sleep apnea.

According to OWH, studies have found links between PCOS and diabetes, high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol, sleep apnea, depression and anxiety and endometrial cancer. OWH indicates more than half of women with PCOS will have diabetes or prediabetes before age 40, and women with PCOS are at higher risk for high blood pressure compared with women of the same age without PCOS.

Problems with ovulation, obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes, which are all common issues in women with PCOS, increase the risk of developing endometrial cancer, according to OWH.

Additionally, Bodenheimer said, For women with PCOS who do get pregnant we see increased risk of gestational diabetes as well as hypertensive disorders such as preeclampsia.

5. PCOS treatment focuses on managing symptoms.

Bodenheimer said treatment for PCOS focuses on treating and managing patients symptoms. When developing a treatment plan, the physician typically considers the patients symptoms, their plans for having children, and the patients risk of long-term health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.

If patients desire future fertility and are planning to become pregnant, then we see if they are ovulating or not, and we can usually do that by checking lab work, he said. If we are treating someone with PCOS who is not ovulating, we can treat them with medicine to help them ovulate, he said.

But Bodenheimer said one of the risks of using fertility drugs include pregnancy with multiples, such as twins.

If they are not desiring fertility in the immediate future, then we try things like birth control pills to help regulate those menstrual periods, Bodenheimer said.

He said he also sometimes discusses lifestyle modifications, including diet and weight loss. Some studies show losing five to 10 percent of their current body weight may induce spontaneous ovulation again, he said.

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PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 28, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scout Bio, a biotechnology company focused on revolutionizing pet medicine by delivering a pipeline of one-time therapeutics for major chronic pet health conditions, today announced it has initiated two pilot clinical studies to demonstrate effectiveness of an AAV expressing a GLP-1 analog (SB-009) in treating diabetic felines.

Scout Bio envisions two potential therapeutic applications for SB-009. First, to replace daily insulin injections with a single injection of SB-009 to treat feline diabetes and second to significantly increase the percentage of cats entering remission when SB-009 is given with insulin.

The two initiated pilot clinical studies will investigate each of these two potential treatment paradigms.

Mark Heffernan, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Scout Bio remarked, This one-time injectable therapy for feline diabetes has the potential to provide a convenient single treatment that is an alternative to the burden of twice daily insulin injections. We believe SB-009 has the potential to be a blockbuster product for animal health and that our pipeline of gene therapy products for pets will disrupt and grow major markets.

SB-009 was developed under a collaboration between scientists at Scout Bio and the University of Pennsylvanias Gene Therapy Program, where the protein was engineered to improve potency, circulating accumulation kinetics and manufacturability. The design of SB-009 makes the clinical dose both affordable and commercially attractive.

Matthew Wilson, VP Product Discovery and External Innovation said, This is a further example of our strong collaborative relationship with UPenns Gene Therapy Program and Scouts internal capabilities of executing preclinical research to rapidly identify highly potent AAV gene therapies. In less than 12 months after initiating a discovery program, we are now in a position to transition into patients.

Scout Bio has conducted robust preclinical studies with various GLP-1 constructs in rodents and healthy cats. Key findings include:

Dr. Anne Traas, Scout Bios Chief Development Officer reflected, Owners can be devastated to learn their pet has this life-threatening disease and unfortunately, many are unable to give twice daily insulin injections and have to make the difficult choice to euthanize their beloved pet. A one-time safe and efficacious therapy, given by a veterinarian, that eliminates the need for insulin and worry of hypoglycemia, would greatly improve the current treatment paradigm and result in an improved quality of life for diabetic cats and their owners.

Feline diabetes, a severe disease lacking recent innovation, remains a major challenge for veterinarians and owners to safely and effectively manage. Diabetes in most cats is similar to type 2 diabetes in people. Insulin resistance, caused by factors such as obesity, leads to Beta-cell disfunction (the cells that produce insulin). Cats become insulin dependent when blood sugar levels rise, commonly 3-10 times normal, leading to the development of clinical signs which can seriously and negatively impact both the owner and the cat. The most common signs are increased drinking, increased urination and weight loss despite ravenous appetite.

About SB-009 SB-009 is a recombinant AAV gene therapy viral vector utilizing a novel capsid expressing an engineered feline GLP-1 agonist for the treatment of feline diabetes. GLP-1 has been shown to be a safe and highly efficacious molecule in the treatment of humans with type 2 diabetes and SB-009 is the first gene-therapy delivered GLP-1 to be studied in clinical studies in cats with a view to treat the disease.

The expressed feline GLP-1 analog protein functions by stimulating the beta-cells in the pancreas to produce more insulin and may also have an effect in decreasing insulin resistance. GLP-1 receptor agonists do not decrease glucose levels in animals with normal blood glucose, so there is expected to be a very low, or no risk of hypoglycemia.

About Feline DiabetesMost diabetic cats appear to have disease similar to human type 2 diabetes, which is primarily defined as a combined problem with insulin production by the beta-cells in the pancreas, as well as a decrease in the sensitivity to the normal action of insulin (insulin resistance). In cats, one of the most common factors contributing to insulin resistance is obesity which reduces insulin sensitivity.

Lack of insulin production and decreased sensitivity to insulin causes the glucose (sugar) in the blood to become very high leading to the clinical signs. Very high levels of blood glucose also hurt the beta-cells in the pancreas, leading to further reductions in insulin production.

Substantial progress has been made in the treatment of human type 2 diabetes, even in the early stages of the disease. However, insulin therapy remains the only FDA-approved treatment for diabetes in cats.

About Current Treatment | Feline DiabetesCurrent therapy aims to replace the insulin that the cats body no longer makes by injecting insulin twice daily. Giving insulin in the right amounts may bring the blood sugar levels down. If the blood glucose can be brought under control for the majority of a 24-hour period each day, then the clinical signs will be reduced to manageable levels. Too much insulin can cause the blood sugar to drop to dangerous levels (hypoglycemia), so there has to be a careful balance made between maintaining ideal blood glucose levels andadministering too much insulinwhich may result in life threatening low blood sugar levels.

Often owners find the prospect of administering injections to their cats daunting and the strict regimen of twice daily injections and feedings can be difficult to fit into a busy lifestyle. Unfortunately, not treating the cats is simply not a viable option and usually results in a rapid decline in physical health. Even with insulin treatment, some cats diabetes is not well controlled, resulting in the continuation of clinical signs and/or euthanasia.

About Diabetic RemissionGood control of blood glucose may also allow the beta-cells to rest. That rest may increase their capacity to regain some of their insulin-secreting ability. Insulin administration helps to decrease and control the excess blood glucose levels and complement whatever insulin producing ability the cat has left. In some cases, cats regain enough function to allow the insulin injections to stop. This is called diabetic remission. A cat is determined to be in remission when blood sugar is normal and there is complete correction of clinical signs once insulin has been discontinued.

About Scout BioScout Bio is a biotechnology company focused on revolutionizing pet medicine by delivering a pipeline of one-time therapeutics for major chronic pet health conditions. Scout Bios therapeutics are designed to induce long-term expression of therapeutic proteins in pet patients using AAV vector technology. Scout Bio has an exclusive research and development collaboration with the University of Pennsylvanias Gene Therapy Program. Scout Bios innovative partnerships build on a 20-year history with AAV leaders and is complemented by Scout Bios global leaders in gene therapy research and development. Scout Bio is a private company headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For more information, see http://www.scoutbio.coFor further information, please contact:

Investors:Sarah McCabeStern Investor Relations, Inc.212-362-1200sarah.mccabe@sternir.com

Media:Fran Gaconnier214.417.4142Fran.gaconnier@scoutbio.co

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Scout Bio Advances Novel Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Feline Diabetes - BioSpace

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Oh, January the month of the clean slate. The kick-off of a new year is certainly the most popular time for making resolutions, forging fresh starts, and going dry.

In case you arent familiar with the basics of Dry January: Its when someone decides to go the whole month without consuming any alcohol. Thats right not a drop.

Cutting back on alcohol consumption at the start of a new year has been an increasingly popular trend. And with 1 in 5 Americans participating in Dry January 2019 and the #DryJanuary hashtag showing up in nearly a quarter of a million social posts at the time of this article, it shows no sign of slowing.

Theres no shame in wanting a break from booze or at least a reset with improved health habits in mind. But participating in Dry January the right way takes a plan.

The term Dry January was registered as a trademark by the British charity Alcohol Change UK in 2014. The campaign had kicked off in 2013 to great success. Alcohol behavior expert Dr. Richard de Visser surveyed participants of the first Dry January and found that 7 out of 10 continued with safer drinking practices 6 months after the campaign ended.

From there, Dry January took off. In 2015, Alcohol Change UK partnered with Public Health England, which started the craze that would lead to Dry January being recognized worldwide.

Were not gonna lie: Dry January has a mixed reputation. A quick Google search will generate just as many negative experiences as positive ones. And your participation in Dry January may come with differing opinions from your inner circle.

But, as with most things in life, all that really matters is whether Dry January is the right choice for you.

Theres evidence that going alcohol-free for a stretch can bring financial savings and weight loss in addition to health benefits. The first step is determining what your goals are.

A survey of 800 Dry January participants found that the alcohol-free month led to financial savings (for 88 percent of those surveyed), a better sense of control (80 percent), improved sleep (71 percent), increased energy (67 percent), and weight loss (58 percent), among other effects.

If you rarely drink alcohol, you may not notice many immediate benefits of Dry January (other than crushing a goal!). But it can have a major upside if you typically drink more than the recommended limit of one drink per day for women and two for men even if you go beyond this number only occasionally.

One of the first things you may notice after participating in Dry January is increased focus, since high levels of alcohol consumption are related to decreased mental performance. According to a 2009 research review, heavy social drinkers may have difficulty recalling verbal or visual information.

Plus, since alcohol is a depressant, going booze-free can have positive effects on mood and mental health. This is especially good in January to help combat those winter blues.

Saying so long to alcohol means saying so long to hangovers and the headaches, nausea, dehydration, mood changes, and other negative effects they might cause.

You may also notice that youre sleeping better in general. Alcohol is a common culprit for sleep disruptions, and studies have shown that it can decrease sleep quality by as much as 39.2 percent.

Dry January can also come with some immune system benefits, which are always more than welcome in the middle of winter. Research shows that drinking alcohol directly suppresses the immune system and increases the risk of infectious diseases.

In terms of more long-term benefits, avoiding alcohol for only 30 days may not come with substantial changes. But its a great reset and an opportunity to be extra mindful, which can lead to healthier drinking habits in the future.

Dry January-ers also commonly report weight loss. Alcohol (especially sugary mixed drinks) can be very high in calories, since it contains 7 calories per gram almost as many as a gram of fat.

Alcohol provides your body with calories but barely any nutrients. In a 4-year study of nearly 5,000 people with diabetes and higher body weights who were trying to lose weight, alcohol consumption was associated with less weight loss.

High alcohol consumption is linked to cardiovascular disease and cancer, so developing healthier drinking habits is always a good thing when it comes to your overall health.

Abstaining from alcohol also gives your liver some much-needed relief. In 2013, the staff of New Scientist conducted a small study and found that participating in Dry January reduced liver fat by 15 percent. But more research is needed to confirm the specific benefits.

Dry January isnt for everyone. If you feel that you may have a larger issue with alcohol consumption, stopping cold turkey is not recommended, as it can come with withdrawal symptoms. In that case, its best to seek professional help with your approach.

Otherwise, there are plenty of tips and ways to safely and easily participate in Dry January.

Just as your body needs to be conditioned for a race, it also needs to be conditioned to go without alcohol. Once you commit to participating in Dry January, try to avoid heavy or binge drinking beforehand. Let others know what youre doing so you have some accountability.

Speaking of accountability, it helps to rally some friends who are curious about Dry January and want to participate alongside you. Join some Facebook groups or connect with others using the hashtag #DryJanuary.

Realistically, it probably wont be easy. There will be temptations during the month. But you can avoid triggers by tweaking some decisions here and there.

This doesnt mean you have to stop being social it just means you have a chance to get creative. Instead of heading to the bar, take time to visit a museum, learn something new, have movie or craft nights, or work out with friends.

There are plenty of other beverages to drink while socializing that feel fun, like creative alcohol-free cocktails, CBD drinks, or kombucha. Many people find that carbonated drinks are more fun than the plainer options like water (just opt for the low-sugar options).

Understand that its OK to say no. Sure, it may seem awkward at first to be sober around your friends while theyre drinking, and they may not fully understand your choice. But thats OK. You can stand firm in your decision and give yourself the space to see the process through. You are in control.

Participating in or successfully completing Dry January is an accomplishment in itself and one that can lead to healthier habits, more control, and better responses to peer pressure. But no one says you have to stop there. If you choose to, you can take the benefits far beyond the 31-day challenge and into the rest of your year.

Carrying forward what you like from your experience is completely within your control, but will take continued planning and consistency. If you want to push your plan to 2 months, 6 months, or longer, you have a blueprint to follow. If you simply want to make Dry January an annual tradition, you know how to approach it from a prep standpoint.

Also, maintaining the support system youve formed is vital. Even if you dont want to make it a whole dry year, any progress you strive for will be easier with support.

Bottom line: If youre considering a break from alcohol, Dry January can provide perspective on your relationship with alcohol and the role it plays in your life.

Continued here:
Dry January: How to Participate and What It Means for Your Health - Greatist

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