Patients who have chronic renal failure may be familiar with the chronic kidney failure diet. This diet has become so popular nowadays due to the increasing cases of people with chronic renal failure. This diet for kidney failure when followed can help reduce the progression of your kidney disease.

Chronic renal failure is a result of progressive, irreversible loss of kidney function. It is generally a disease that slowly develops over months and years depending on the insult done to the kidneys and the extent of damage.

CRF has many causes including glumerolunephritis, nephrosclerosis, obstructive kidney diseases such as kidney stones and birth defects, diabetes mellitus and systemic lupus erythematosus, and most recently discovered illicit drugs and excessive analgesic use.

Regardless of the cause, the result will be the same: retention of nitrogenous wastes, fluid imbalances, electrolyte deficiencies and more. All of which affect multiple body systems.

It is vital to prevent progression of any kidney disease to chronic renal failure as this would eventually lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This is the stage where most Americans with kidney disease fear most.

The chronic kidney failure diet depends on the patients, treatment method, medical condition and nutritional status of the patient. The following should guide you about your specific regimen. Get your Diet Kidney Failure Patients @ http://beat-kidney-disease.blogspot.com and beat your Kidney Disease forever!

Dietary intervention is necessary with deterioration of renal function and includes careful regulation of your protein intake, fluid intake to balance fluid losses, sodium intake to balance sodium losses and some restriction of potassium. At the same time, adequate caloric intake and vitamin supplementation must be ensured.

The allowed protein intake that you consume must be of high biologic value (dairy products, eggs, meats). High biologic value proteins means those that are complete proteins and supply the essential amino acids necessary for growth and cell repair. There are many kidney disease diet out there that can also help you identify foods which are of high biologic value.

Usually, the fluid allowance is around 500 mL more than the previous day's 24- hour urine output. Calories are supplied by carbohydrates and fat to prevent wasting. Vitamin supplementation is necessary because a protein-restricted diet does not provide the necessary complement of vitamins. Additionally, the patient on dialysis may lose water-soluble vitamins from the blood during the dialysis treatment.

Chronic kidney failure diet is so much more than what is stated above. It doesn't end there. To emphasize it enough, it must be implemented as immediately as possible to prevent further damage to the patient's kidneys. Get your Diet Kidney Failure Patients @ http://beat-kidney-disease.blogspot.com and beat your Kidney Disease forever!

If you are one of the many who are looking for ways to lose weight fast and healthy, you may find a lot of solutions in the market today that promise fast and easy weight loss. However, it is important that if you want to lose excess weight to be healthy, it is important that you also consider healthy ways to shed off those extra pounds.

Here are some tips that you might find useful in your quest to keep a healthy weight.

- Find ways to increase your metabolism through exercising or working out. If you are in a neighborhood that can allow you to do jogging or cycling or swimming, then at least 30 minutes of these activities can help you a lot in speeding up your metabolism and helping you lose weight as well. If you are living in a neighborhood that does not allow you to do these activities, then you can hit the gym for some exercises that allow you to do some exercising.

- Make that big switch to go for healthier food choices. Cut down on processed foods as well as fast foods. Also cut down on those unhealthy foods that are high in saturated fats. They often put your health at risks. Go for fruits and vegetables instead. If you can go organic, that would be a lot healthier. Fruits and vegetables are rich in fiber that will help you feel fuller for a long time aside from the fact that they are packed with good vitamins and minerals to help you stay healthy and without adding to your excess fats. Get Internet #1 – Healthy Meal Plans To Lose Weight Fast @ http://dietcure01.webs.com and start keeping slim without cutting food!

- Just move. You don't have to go to the gym if you don't want to. Just increase your activities that involve moving. Get out of that couch and forget about TV. The last thing you would want to do if you want to get rid of extra fats is to be a couch potato. To complement your other efforts to lose weight fast and healthy, do the household chores, wash the car, walk the dogs… there are actually a number of things you can do to help increase your metabolism and melt those extra fats away!

- Don't skip meals especially breakfast. Skipping meals can only lead you to overeat on your next meal and that is never helpful for you weight loss goals. Also make sure that you hydrate yourself with plenty of water everyday to fuel up your body functions including your metabolism.

- Do not crash diet. Crash dieting can be harmful to your health and this is surely not the healthy way to lose extra weight. Keep in mind that losing weight takes time, thus you have to be careful with those claims of weight loss in days. Of course, it takes time to have all those fats being deposited in your body and if you want to lose them, it will also take time as well. However, with the proper strategies and your determination to shed those extra fats off, all your efforts get results. Get Internet #1 – Healthy Meal Plans To Lose Weight Fast @ http://dietcure01.webs.com and start keeping slim without cutting food!

DSM Nutritional Products triumphed at this year's HiE Excellence Awards with Fruitflow® – the first natural, scientifically substantiated solution for the promotion of healthy blood flow.  As well as winning the Most Innovative Health Ingredient Award, DSM also won an Excellence Award in the category of Heart Health.

"We are absolutely delighted that the uniqueness of Fruitflow® has been recognised by the industry with this prestigious award," said Will Black, VP of new nutritional ingredients at DSM Nutritional Products.  To date Fruitflow® is the only ingredient with an approved health claim from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) under Article 13.5, opening the way for it to be marketed with the claim: "Helps maintain normal platelet aggregation, which contributes to healthy blood flow", a claim some believe will save lives.

Commenting on DSM's entry, Henry Dixon chair of an international panel of judges said, "DSM's entry shows the world what this industry is capable of and the importance of the job we are doing.  Not only did their entry for Fruitflow® show in-depth consumer insight, ground-breaking science and clear positioning, but also the opportunity for manufacturers to address the issue of heart health, a significant and real global health issue."

In a new format to the awards, companies were invited to compete in five separate categories, with one award being made in each category and one overall winner.  The categories were: Heart health; digestive health; nutrition for the young and old; sports performance and weight management.  Danisco won the award in the digestive health category for Grinsted® Fibreline, its healthier bread technology.  In their award statement, the judges have high praise for the ingredient system, which they stated "brings the benefits of fibre to a broader audience, enabling bakers to create products with real processing and health benefits."  Innophos succeeded in the nutrition for young and old category with VersaCal Clear; and Chr. Hansen's L. Fermentum PCC won in the category of sports performance, finally bringing the benefits of probiotics to the sports industry, supporting the immune health of athletes.  No award was made in the category of weight management as the judges, while praising the potential of the entries, felt that none of entrants met their strict criteria.  

Teaming up with the Union for Ethical Bio Trade for the first time, this year saw the launch of the Biodiversity Awards.  The Biodiversity Leadership award went to Coop Switzerland, with Lotus Foods and Marks & Spencer being given honourable mentions.  Unilever's allanblackia project won the Biodiversity Innovation award, with a honourable mention being given to Ecoflora.

The IUFost Award for Young Scientist of the Year was given to Peng Zhou, with the IUFost Lifetime Achievement Award going to Professor Ralph Blanchfield, MBE, Consultant in Food Science, Food Technology and Food Law.

UBM Portfolio Director Greg Cherry said, commenting on this year's Hi Excellence Awards, "The level of innovation shown at this year's Awards highlights the fact that despite the economic downturn and the environment created by increased European Health Claims Legislation, innovation is still alive and ongoing."  

The Hi Excellence Awards are held every two years as part of Health ingredients Europe and Natural ingredients, the only global nutraceutical, functional & supplement ingredients events dedicated to showcasing the world's most innovative ingredients. This year's event was held in Madrid from the 16-18 November. More information can be found at www.ingredientsnetwork.com/hieurope.

SOURCE UBM

Today, childhood obesity contributes to a number of potential health risks. Written in an easy to read format, with lively, colorful characters, 'In Moderation' is a children's book that provides simple advice that can significantly reduce over consumption and prevent childhood obesity. Publisher Lessons for Children, LLC has also partnered with the USDA's MyPyramid to improve family nutrition, end childhood obesity and promote the Dietary Guidelines for Americans through the Food Pyramid. By working together, immediate changes can be made where family members work, live, and play, which can have lasting impact on child and family health.

It is difficult for adults, let alone children, to resist treats. Fortunately, one of the keys to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not avoidance, but moderation. To purchase a copy of 'In Moderation' please visit http://www.lessonsforchildren.com for details. Contact your local libraries and independent book stores in order to request and reserve a copy of 'In Moderation'. Please direct all questions, comments and concerns to info@lessonsforchildren.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Antonio Braccioforte graduated in 2003 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Community Health. After working in various aspects of healthcare, Antonio has refocused his energy toward helping children learn life lessons through reading books. Antonio has been married since 2005 and had his first child in 2009.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Matthew Keown received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Aside from illustration, he is the author of Joe Mahoney, a weekly comic strip that can be found at www.lakehopatcongnews.com.

In Moderation | Published by Lessons for Children, LLC | Author Antonio Braccioforte | Illustrations by Matthew M. Keown | Full-color illustrations throughout | ISBN 978-0-9827739-0-1 | LCCN 2010907613 | $11.95 | Soft cover | 20 pages | Ages 4 and up | Printed & Distributed by Lightning Source | Publication Date: November 2010 | http://www.lessonsforchildren.com

CONTACT: Michelle Braccioforte of Lessons for Children, LLC, +1-847-769-6424, michelle@lessonsforchildren.com

SOURCE Lessons for Children, LLC

As millions of Americans will soon be eating an unhealthy amount of food this holiday season, Hudson Institute Visiting Fellow Hank Cardello — author of Stuffed: An Insider's Look at Who's (Really) Making America Fat — offers a solution to our obesity crisis: Change the food companies. 

"Over the past thirty years, nothing has worked to fix our obesity crisis — regulations have failed to arrest rising obesity rates, and consumers don't stick with diets or exercise," says Cardello. "The only way to fix America's obesity problem is through the source — big food corporations."

Cardello, a former executive at some of the world's largest food and beverage companies — including Coca-Cola, Sunkist, Canada Dry, Anheuser-Busch, and General Mills — directs Hudson's newly launched Obesity Solutions Initiative. Hudson's Obesity Solutions Initiative, the first of its kind, focuses on advancing pragmatic market-based solutions to pressing societal problems related to food. Hudson's effort bridges the gap between the public health community's push to reverse the obesity epidemic and the food industry's aim to grow their bottom lines.

Cardello proposes a whole new approach to solving childhood and adult obesity. He suggests that:

    * Instead of taxing sodas and fatty foods, incentivize corporations to sell products with fewer calories;
    * Instead of banning ads aimed at children, use marketing to promote healthier foods;
    * Instead of attacking their profits, show corporations how they can make more by selling more nutritious products.

"Altruism hasn't worked; it's time to point business in the right direction," says Cardello.
 

He is available to comment: 919-929-0102 or hcardello@hudson.org.

Hudson Institute is a nonpartisan policy research organization dedicated to innovative research and analysis that promotes global security, prosperity, and freedom. http://www.hudson.org

For More Information:

Hank Cardello, 919-929-0102, hcardello@hudson.org

Communications Department, 202-974-6456, communications@hudson.org

SOURCE Hudson Institute

The SENSA® Weight-Loss System continues its commitment to giving back with the launch of its "Share Because You Care" charity contest. As part of the SENSA® CARES charity initiative, "Share Because You Care" empowers users to support their favorite causes for the opportunity to win $250 for the non-profit organization of their choice, plus an additional $250 for themselves.

The contest is intended to provide a platform for SENSA® users to share the cause they feel passionate about with other like-minded individuals. In order to be eligible for the prize, all applicants must submit the name of their favorite non-profit organization, an original essay on why they believe in the cause and an original photo relevant to the cause. All approved entries will be posted on the SENSA® Facebook page from November 15 to December 10. The winner will be determined by votes from SENSA® Facebook fans and announced the week of December 13.

"We are proud to offer our customers a chance to get more involved and raise awareness for the causes that matter most to them," says Kristin Chadwick, President of SENSA. "SENSA is dedicated to making a difference, and 'Share Because You Care', along with our other SENSA CARES initiatives, enable us to give our customers the tools to make a positive impact."

The "Share Because You Care" charity contest can be found at www.facebook.com/sensa.

About SENSA®

Based on over 20 years of his research linking human olfactory senses to appetite and overeating, Dr. Alan Hirsch developed the SENSA® Weight-Loss System. SENSA® consists of patent pending blends of scented Tastants that you sprinkle on food, and are designed to stimulate the olfactory senses and trigger satiety. SENSA® has become a leading weight-loss tool to encourage portion control without restrictive dieting, stimulants or pills.  www.trysensa.com

SOURCE SENSA Weight-Loss System

With the issue of obesity, especially among young people, on the national political agenda, there is heightened awareness of the struggle, corresponding health issues and the associated costs to our health care system.  Provista, one of the country's leading supply chain improvement companies, and its contracting company Novation conducted a survey to determine how our nation's universities and colleges are accommodating these obese students.  The results, a snapshot of U.S. colleges and universities, reveal that 21 percent have seen an increase in morbidly obese students and that nearly 80 percent have some type of fitness program and 44 percent have a weight loss program on campus.

"Each year, Novation surveys the members of VHA Inc. and UHC around their ability to care for the morbidly obese population in the health care arena.  This is the first time Provista has surveyed its higher education members," said Eleanor Waddell, vice president at Provista.  "We wanted to determine the issues our colleges and universities are encountering when working with morbidly obese patients and the programs that they're implementing to help combat the problem."

All of the respondents indicated that durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs are available in their student health centers.  The cost of a bariatric wheelchair is more than $1,000 while a standard chair is $150, representing a significant investment in resources by the organizations.

Additionally, respondents indicated that a key issue for their organization is the lack of training for staff on how to handle this population in the dorm room, the cafeteria and the class room. Nearly 91 percent have no formal training for staff. And more than 90 percent have no plans for any renovations to accommodate these students.

Other key findings from the survey include:

• 57% of the respondents use chairs, 43% use beds, and 29% use toilets and desks to accommodate morbidly obese students in their facilities.
• 32% of the respondents indicate that their student health centers are equipped to handle morbidly obese patients.
• 100% of the respondents indicate that durable medical equipment is available in their student health centers.
• Other bariatric equipment that is available in their student health centers are beds (60%), lifts (40%) and transfer devices (20%).
• 75% of the respondents indicate that beds account for the highest total cost and/or the greatest increase in spending at their facilities followed by furniture which is 50%.
• 20% of the respondents indicate that their facilities provide special meals/supplements for morbidly obese students.
• 91% of the respondents indicate that they have not invested in the physical renovation for their facilities to accommodate morbidly obese students and 9% plan to invest in the physical renovation.
• Only 9% of the respondents indicate that their facilities have offered training for staff regarding special procedures for dealing with morbidly obese students while 91% have not.

Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide and, with increasing prevalence in adults and children, authorities view it as one of the most serious public health problems of the 21st century. Morbid obesity is diagnosed by determining Body Mass Index (BMI) with normal BMI ranging from 20-25. An individual is considered morbidly obese if they are 100 pounds over their ideal body weight, has a BMI of 40 or more, or is 35 or older and experiencing obesity-related health conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

About Provista

Based in Irving, Texas, Provista is a supply chain improvement company serving more than 20,000 colleges and universities, corporations and health care organizations nationwide. Together, Provista and its supply contracting company, Novation, provide over $35 billion in annual purchases providing significant value to their membership. Provista is owned by VHA Inc. and the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC), two national health care alliances.

SOURCE Provista

A report card released today evaluates the critical players impacting our food choices and their contributions to our nation's public health over the past five years. 

In 2005, the National Fruit & Vegetable Alliance (NFVA) – led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) – developed a National Action Plan, providing a new and comprehensive approach for improved public health through increased fruit and vegetable consumption. Five years later, the Alliance has released a new Report Card to evaluate progress made by schools, restaurants, supermarkets, and federal and state governments in its 2010 National Action Plan (NAP), as well as a set of forward-looking strategies to close the persistent, ongoing gap between actual and recommended consumption.

The NAP report card finds that the average American's fruit and vegetable consumption remains far below recommended levels, despite repeated warnings from high-level federal officials about the impact of diet-related disease. In fact, only six percent of individuals achieve their recommended target for vegetables and only eight percent achieve their recommended target for fruit in an average day. And while food consumed away from home makes up about a third of the average American's daily calories, it accounts for only 11 percent of all fruit and vegetable consumption. To put this in perspective, eight of the states with the lowest fruit and vegetable consumption are also in the top 10 states with the highest obesity rates. 

"A diet high in fruits and vegetables helps maintain a healthy weight and reduces the risk of several serious, chronic diseases. The NFVA report card illustrates the continued need to make our homes, worksites and communities places where the choice of healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables becomes the easiest choice," said William Dietz, M.D., Ph.D., director of CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. "We need to continue our effort in making the healthy choice the easy choice."

The report card assigned an 'A' grade to the WIC Fruit and Vegetable Vouchers program, which was introduced as part of a special supplemental program for Women, Infants and Children. WIC allowed broad inclusion of fruits and vegetables, which had been previously excluded for 30 years. School food and restaurant menus received a 'C' grade for making slight progress over the past five years, particularly with greater availability and variety in fruit and vegetable choices in fast food establishments and cafeterias. Last, a failing grade was assigned to the healthy food advertising category, due to the decrease in nutritious food advertising over time. 

"The data clearly indicates that resolving our public health crisis depends on the consistent success and efforts of the many stakeholders involved in America's food choices and eating habits," said Elizabeth Pivonka, Ph.D., R.D., president and CEO of PBH.  "From both the private and public sectors, organizations across the spectrum have a vital role to play in making increased fruit and vegetable consumption a reality for all Americans."

In a set of forward looking strategies, the report issued recommendations, that when taken together, would begin to close the gap that exists between actual and recommended fruit and vegetable consumption in this country, they include: 

    * Increasing the accessibility of fruits and vegetables in communities, schools, worksites and restaurants;
    * Strengthening nutrition education programs and promotion efforts that give consumers the skills and motivation they need to make better food choices; and
    * Aligning federal funding priorities to be consistent with federal Dietary Guidelines. 

"Healthy decisions should not be hard decisions, but for most Americans this is the reality. We need to focus our efforts on promoting healthful foods," said Christine Tobin, RN, MBA, CDE, President, Health Care & Education of the American Diabetes Association.  "Chronic and preventable diseases are linked to obesity and poor diets. It's time to step up our prevention efforts."

For more information, read the 2010 National Action Plan Report Card Executive Summary, the Full Report Card, or view the Grades Only.

Distributed by PBH on behalf of NFVA.
 

About National Fruit & Vegetable Alliance

National Fruit & Vegetable Alliance (NFVA) is an alliance of public and private partners working collaboratively and synergistically to increase nationwide access to and demand for all forms of fruits and vegetables for improved public health. The Alliance is co-chaired by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH), with PBH as secretariat. To learn more, visit www.NFVA.org.

SOURCE Produce for Better Health Foundation

Active seniors in Palm Beach County now have the same opportunity to look as fit as their youthful counterparts by removing stubborn fat bulges from their love handles, back fat and abdomen. Dr. Steven Hacker, recognized by his peers as one of the top dermatologists in Florida, is introducing the brand new fat removing technology to active seniors, athletes, runners and gym enthusiasts.

"'Popsicle panniculitis' refers to the phenomenon noticed by Harvard researchers when children lose fat in their cheeks after sucking a Popsicle," said Dr. Hacker.  The FDA approved Coolsculpting is based upon the research at Harvard and enables Dr. Hacker to treat active seniors that want to look as fit and trim as possible. Over 30,000 patients have been treated with Coolsculpting.

Coolsculpting™ works via cryolipolysis. Cryolipolysis is the selective targeting, freezing and killing of fat cells. The eradicated fat cells are eliminated naturally through the body. Patients can expect a 20-25% reduction of fat in treatment areas with a single treatment. Dr. Hacker cautions, "This is not intended to be a weight loss procedure. It is for my active patients that don't want surgery but can't get rid of their localized fat bulges no matter how hard they exercise and diet."

This is how Dr. Hacker does it. The non-surgical procedure lasts 1-2 hours in his office. No anesthesia is necessary. Patients return immediately to their daily activities, including exercise. Patients watch movies, work on laptops, listen to iPods and nap during the procedure.

To learn about Coolsculpting, visit www.CoolsculptingDelray.com or call 561.276.3111.

About Dr. Hacker

Dr. Steven Hacker, a Phi Beta Kappa, was barely twenty when he was one of twelve students selected to enter medical school through the prestigious Junior Honors Medical Program. For the last ten years his peers have voted him a Castle Connolly Florida "Top Doctor". As an author, he is published in textbooks, and more than twenty peer-reviewed medical journals. Dr. Hacker's cosmetic expertise includes non-invasive Coolscultping™, Botox™, Juvederm™, Restylane™ and in-office TCA peels. His exclusive dermatology practice is located in Delray Beach. For information about Dr. Hacker call 561.276.3111 or visit www.PalmBeachDermasurgery.com .

VIVUS, Inc. (Nasdaq: VVUS) today announced that data on QNEXA®, an investigational drug candidate, will be featured in a poster presentation at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions, being held November 13-17, 2010 in Chicago, IL.

Following are details about the presentation:

American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2010

The poster presentation session will occur on Wednesday, November 17, 2010, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm in Hall A2 at the McCormick Place Convention Center.  Dr. Michael H. Davidson will be at the poster (Board # 2036; Abstract # 13009) from 9:30 to 11:00 am.  

About QNEXA Controlled Release Capsules

QNEXA [kyoo-nek-suh] is an investigational drug being developed to address weight loss, type 2 diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea. QNEXA is a once-a-day, proprietary, oral, controlled-release formulation of low-dose phentermine and topiramate, which together decrease appetite and increase satiety (the sense of feeling full), the two main mechanisms that impact eating behavior. In phase 2 and 3 clinical data to date, patients taking QNEXA have demonstrated statistically significant weight loss, glycemic control, and improvement in cardiovascular risk factors, when used in combination with a diet and lifestyle modification program.

About Obesity

Approximately one-third of American adults (more than 72 million people) are obese, and many more are overweight with co-morbidities. Obesity is a chronic condition defined by having excess body fat. Obesity significantly increases the risk of developing many different diseases and health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, some cancers and osteoarthritis. According to a report in The Lancet in 2009, morbid obesity shortens life expectancy by approximately 10 years, and moderate obesity shortens it by approximately 3 years.

In August of this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) called attention to the "major public health problem" of obesity by issuing a national report citing the lack of progress against goals established 10 years ago by the federal government. The CDC reported that all 50 states failed to meet the "Healthy People 2010" goal of lowering the obesity rate to 15%, and some states actually reported a significant increase in obesity rates.

About VIVUS

VIVUS is a biopharmaceutical company developing therapies to address obesity, sleep apnea, diabetes and male sexual health. The company's lead product in clinical development, QNEXA®, completed phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of obesity and an NDA was filed and accepted by the FDA.  VIVUS received a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the FDA and at the present time is preparing a written response to address the FDA's requests for information included in the CRL.  QNEXA is also in phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea. In the area of male sexual health, VIVUS is in phase 3 development with avanafil, a PDE5 inhibitor being studied for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

For more information about the company, please visit www.vivus.com.

SOURCE VIVUS, Inc.