Lloydspharmacy has warned that the number of people protecting themselves against seasonal flu has fallen this year, possibly the result of a misguided belief that the swine flu jab will protect against winter flu.
As of 6th November there had only been a 54% uptake in people aged 65 and over, and only 27% uptake by people aged 55 - 65 to date, of the seasonal flu vaccine. This is a big reduction compared with the 73.5% uptake in 2008 by over the 65s and 73.9% in 2007.
According to research conducted by Lloydspharmacy almost 40% of people wrongly believe that the swine flu vaccine will also protect them against seasonal flu. Even more worryingly, more than half (52%) of the over 65s - one of the groups most vulnerable to winter flu - thought they would be protected against both strains if they had had the swine flu vaccination.
People over the age of 65 qualify for a free NHS seasonal flu vaccination as do people with conditions such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, chronic liver disease, lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment) or removal of the spleen, or if they are a resident of a nursing or residential home. Anyone who is the main carer for an elderly or disabled person and whose wellbeing may be put at risk if the carer falls ill, is also eligible for a free vaccination from their GP.
Others who are not eligible for free NHS treatment can still have an online consultation with a doctor and be vaccinated at high street pharmacies for a fee of £5, with Lloydspharmacy offering a seasonal flu vaccination service in 260 of its pharmacies.
Seasonal flu is responsible for the deaths of about 8,000 people in the UK a year and tends to affect the more vulnerable or elderly people. Last week the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control forecast that the swine flu and seasonal flu strains could claim 40,000 lives each across Europe this winter.
The World Health Organisation has urged national governments to put in place plans to vaccinate at least 75 per cent of people most at risk of seasonal flu by 2010**.
"Whilst there is still time for vulnerable people to get themselves protected before late November (when the Winter flu season reaches its peak) we would certainly expect to see a higher uptake by this time of year," said Clare Kerr, head of clinical services at Lloydspharmacy.
Monday, December 07, 2009
New Product to combat obesity without surgery
Fulfill Plus is taken as a capsule, one hour before meals with a litre of water. Once in the body, it swells to take up around 50% of the stomach volume and so leaves the patient feeling fuller. Over time, the body learns to eat less food. This is similar to the effect of a Gastric Band, but without invasive surgery: instead of physically restricting the stomach from the outside, Fulfill Plus fills it up on the inside.
The active ingredients are not digested or absorbed and have the added benefit of reducing LDL cholesterol, while at the same time promoting “good” HDL cholesterol. Because it is derived from plants, Fulfill Plus is suitable for vegetarians.
Fulfill Plus has been licensed in numerous European countries and will be released in the UK from January 2010.
• It has no unpleasant side effects
• Does not require a prescription and will be available over the counter
• Suitable for vegetarians
• Reduces LDL cholesterol
Holland and Barrett is the latest national retailer to commit to selling Fulfill Plus as soon as it is available in the UK in January 2010. www.fulfill-plus.co.uk
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Action Duchenne applauds publication of internationally agreed Standards of Care for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
First step is taken towards bringing an end to the current ‘postcode lottery’ of care for those living with Duchenne
Action Duchenne today announced its delight that a long awaited document setting out standards of care for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) has been published online by the Lancet Neurology. The document, entitled Diagnosis and management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, is a major international consensus publication resulting from an extensive study by 84 experts in DMD care. It was led by the American Centers for Disease Control and funded under the US MD Care Act, with expert panels covering the range of specialties required for multidisciplinary care from around the world. Kate Bushby, Professor of Neuromuscular Genetics at Newcastle University, UK was the managing editor.
The process to develop the Standards of Care took three years, in which time the panel of experts gathered evidence from literature, as well as using a special methodology called the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method as an unbiased way to build consensus. In total the expert panels considered more than 70 thousand different clinical scenarios. Prof. Kate Bushby said, “The process has been extremely rigorous to ensure that the resulting document carries as much credibility and weight as possible. The Standards of Care document will help to build the case for multi-disciplinary teams, so that for instance, heart and lung specialists, along with others, are included within effective treatment programmes for all Duchenne patients.”
Nick Catlin, CEO of Action Duchenne commented, “We are delighted that these Standards of Care for Duchenne are now being published because the care and treatment received makes such a huge difference to length and quality of life for our children. It is now crucial that the NHS agrees to adopt these recommendations. Action Duchenne has been working hard lobbying government ministers in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Northern Ireland to bring about an end to the current ‘postcode lottery’ approach to health care for boys and young men living with Duchenne. The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign has also been doing some great preparatory work with NICE.”
Mr Catlin continued, “This document will give health service professionals a solid baseline from which to work to improve care for our children. In addition it will go a long way to support Action Duchenne’s calls for all those living with Duchenne to receive care from a multi-disciplinary team based at a Centre of Excellence within 50 miles of their home.”
The online publication of the Standards of Care on the Lancet Neurology website will be the first phase of the dissemination. The document will be published in two parts across the January and February issues of the Lancet Neurology printed journal. In close collaboration with patient advocacy groups worldwide, the full academic publication is also being transformed into a comprehensive “family guide” by TREAT-NMD (www.treat-nmd.eu), a network formed to advance diagnosis, care and treatment for people with neuromuscular diseases worldwide. The ‘family friendly’ booklet version will explain the range of care recommended for each aspect of the condition in easy to understand language. Once written the booklet will be available for download from the Action Duchenne and TREAT-NMD websites and distributed through national patient registries like the UK DMD registry (www.dmdregistry.org).
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most severe form of the condition, affecting around 3,500 people in the UK and about 40,000 people worldwide. It has no cure and is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene that prevent correct reading of the genetic code, the result of which is that the essential muscle protein dystrophin is not produced. This results in progressive muscle wasting, severely limiting mobility in teenage patients (boys and men) and leading to premature death in their twenties from respiratory or cardiac problems (the heart muscle is directly affected by the genetic defect).
-ends-
Action Duchenne today announced its delight that a long awaited document setting out standards of care for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) has been published online by the Lancet Neurology. The document, entitled Diagnosis and management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, is a major international consensus publication resulting from an extensive study by 84 experts in DMD care. It was led by the American Centers for Disease Control and funded under the US MD Care Act, with expert panels covering the range of specialties required for multidisciplinary care from around the world. Kate Bushby, Professor of Neuromuscular Genetics at Newcastle University, UK was the managing editor.
The process to develop the Standards of Care took three years, in which time the panel of experts gathered evidence from literature, as well as using a special methodology called the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method as an unbiased way to build consensus. In total the expert panels considered more than 70 thousand different clinical scenarios. Prof. Kate Bushby said, “The process has been extremely rigorous to ensure that the resulting document carries as much credibility and weight as possible. The Standards of Care document will help to build the case for multi-disciplinary teams, so that for instance, heart and lung specialists, along with others, are included within effective treatment programmes for all Duchenne patients.”
Nick Catlin, CEO of Action Duchenne commented, “We are delighted that these Standards of Care for Duchenne are now being published because the care and treatment received makes such a huge difference to length and quality of life for our children. It is now crucial that the NHS agrees to adopt these recommendations. Action Duchenne has been working hard lobbying government ministers in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Northern Ireland to bring about an end to the current ‘postcode lottery’ approach to health care for boys and young men living with Duchenne. The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign has also been doing some great preparatory work with NICE.”
Mr Catlin continued, “This document will give health service professionals a solid baseline from which to work to improve care for our children. In addition it will go a long way to support Action Duchenne’s calls for all those living with Duchenne to receive care from a multi-disciplinary team based at a Centre of Excellence within 50 miles of their home.”
The online publication of the Standards of Care on the Lancet Neurology website will be the first phase of the dissemination. The document will be published in two parts across the January and February issues of the Lancet Neurology printed journal. In close collaboration with patient advocacy groups worldwide, the full academic publication is also being transformed into a comprehensive “family guide” by TREAT-NMD (www.treat-nmd.eu), a network formed to advance diagnosis, care and treatment for people with neuromuscular diseases worldwide. The ‘family friendly’ booklet version will explain the range of care recommended for each aspect of the condition in easy to understand language. Once written the booklet will be available for download from the Action Duchenne and TREAT-NMD websites and distributed through national patient registries like the UK DMD registry (www.dmdregistry.org).
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most severe form of the condition, affecting around 3,500 people in the UK and about 40,000 people worldwide. It has no cure and is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene that prevent correct reading of the genetic code, the result of which is that the essential muscle protein dystrophin is not produced. This results in progressive muscle wasting, severely limiting mobility in teenage patients (boys and men) and leading to premature death in their twenties from respiratory or cardiac problems (the heart muscle is directly affected by the genetic defect).
-ends-
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Carehomejobs.com - the first jobs board to take the nursing home sector seriously
The official launch of Carehomejobs.com (http://www.carehomejobs.com) is due in January 2010. It’s been live in beta version for just over a month. And yet it already has a few thousand jobs for carers, managers and registered nurses in care homes across the UK. Plus, it already boasts some household brand names advertising their nursing positions.
Co-founder and director, Matt Farrah, is unequivocal about the reason why the site’s got off to such a flying start: “The demand for registered nurses and nursing managers in care homes is substantial. How we correctly staff the institutions that offer care over the coming years is a serious subject.
“I think we’ve enjoyed such amazing early success because we’re the first jobs board to take the industry seriously.”
It’s difficult to quantify the exact size of the care home industry. Yes, there are many thousands of elderly care homes. But it’s a complex field covering care home, nursing home, domiciliary and residential care organisations. And it’s not all about elderly dementia patients either.
Matt believes the care industry is going to be one of the most important job sectors of the next decade: “Care, whether it’s learning disability care or care of the elderly, is a critical issue for everyone. We’ve a massive population which is relatively wealthy, increasingly more able to pay for care and proportionately getting older. We expect care and demand quality care when we get it. It’s why it makes headline news every week.”
As one of the directors also behind the jobs board Nurses.co.uk (http://www.nurses.co.uk) , we asked Matt why he wanted to branch out into another niche within the nursing industry?
“They are two very different sites. Care homes is not a sector within acute nursing. A critical care nurse does not have the skills to work with dementia patients, or vice versa.”
As a director who attends nursing events, Matt believes specialist job boards should play a crucial role within the industry they serve. “I attend industry events as often as I can. I think it’s important. I meet student nurses at career fairs and talk to hiring managers. Those conversations teach me a lot.”
“What fascinates me is the recruitment of experts – bringing the right people to the right jobs as efficiently as possible. I think it’s because we try to understand the jobseeker and put their skills first that we’ve enjoyed so much early success.”
Co-founder and director, Matt Farrah, is unequivocal about the reason why the site’s got off to such a flying start: “The demand for registered nurses and nursing managers in care homes is substantial. How we correctly staff the institutions that offer care over the coming years is a serious subject.
“I think we’ve enjoyed such amazing early success because we’re the first jobs board to take the industry seriously.”
It’s difficult to quantify the exact size of the care home industry. Yes, there are many thousands of elderly care homes. But it’s a complex field covering care home, nursing home, domiciliary and residential care organisations. And it’s not all about elderly dementia patients either.
Matt believes the care industry is going to be one of the most important job sectors of the next decade: “Care, whether it’s learning disability care or care of the elderly, is a critical issue for everyone. We’ve a massive population which is relatively wealthy, increasingly more able to pay for care and proportionately getting older. We expect care and demand quality care when we get it. It’s why it makes headline news every week.”
As one of the directors also behind the jobs board Nurses.co.uk (http://www.nurses.co.uk) , we asked Matt why he wanted to branch out into another niche within the nursing industry?
“They are two very different sites. Care homes is not a sector within acute nursing. A critical care nurse does not have the skills to work with dementia patients, or vice versa.”
As a director who attends nursing events, Matt believes specialist job boards should play a crucial role within the industry they serve. “I attend industry events as often as I can. I think it’s important. I meet student nurses at career fairs and talk to hiring managers. Those conversations teach me a lot.”
“What fascinates me is the recruitment of experts – bringing the right people to the right jobs as efficiently as possible. I think it’s because we try to understand the jobseeker and put their skills first that we’ve enjoyed so much early success.”
Which workers are the least healthy in Britain?
Chefs have topped a poll of the unhealthiest workers in Britain.
Those who work in the hospitality industry eat more junk food and ready meals, smoke more cigarettes and drink more alcohol than any other profession. (EDITOR: Worse than... journalists?!)
Researchers revealed that, despite working in a kitchen, the average chef has 12 snacks of crisps, chocolate bars or biscuits each week, and at least one ready meal or takeaway.
On top of that they smoke an average of 58 cigarettes per week and sup eight alcoholic drinks.
The stats emerged in a study of 3,000 workers by leading healthcare cash plan provider Medicash.
Second place went to farmers, who smoke 51 cigarettes a week and chomp their way through 14 unhealthy snacks.
Electricians, insurance workers and builders are also among the unhealthiest workers in the UK.
Those who work in advertising were found to have the healthiest lifestyle, smoking an average of just nine cigarettes and sipping just six alcoholic drinks a week.
Teachers followed close behind in second place, followed by those in HR, accountants and lawyers.
Peter Lauris, sales & marketing director for Medicash, said: ‘’It may be surprising to see chefs at the top of the list, since you would expect them to be in the know when it comes to preparing a nice, healthy meal.
‘’But in reality, it’s probably the last thing they feel like doing when they get home from work. After spending the day in the kitchen for work, I imagine they simply want to put their feet up when they get in at night.
‘’So instead, this research shows that they are enjoying a diet of junk food and ready meals, and the cigarettes and alcohol on top of that are only adding to their health woes.’’
Researchers found that the average Brit enjoys 11 snacks, such as chocolate and crisps, and has one take-away or ready meal a week.
On top of that, the average Brit gets through six alcoholic drinks a week and smokes three cigarettes a day.
We then exercise just twice a week.
The study also found that the nation’s lifestyle could be having an effect on our heath with the average Brit suffering from seven different bugs and colds in the past year.
Some have felt so bad, they have paid two trips to the doctors and taken three days off work because they were feeling under the weather.
But it was also revealed that the average adult hasn’t been to the dentist for almost nine months, despite check-ups being recommended every six months.
Almost one in five even admitted they haven’t been for two years or more.
More than a third blamed their absence from the dentist’s chair on the cost saying they simply can’t afford to go.
Another 24 per cent aren’t registered with a dentist and can’t find one which will take them.
It’s not just our teeth we are neglecting though as a quarter of Brits haven’t had their eyes tested for three years or more – a year over the recommended two-year check up period.
And while 31 per cent didn’t realise they were meant to get their eyes tested regularly, 12 per cent said they couldn’t afford the cost of the test and glasses.
Peter Lauris, sales & marketing director for Medicash added: ‘’The study highlights how some people’s jobs can have a negative impact on their lifestyle if it results in them eating poorly and drinking and smoking too much. For those who work in a sector renowned for unsociable hours they must try to make a conscious effort to be healthy and invest in their health. Healthy people are more happy and productive.”
TOP TEN UNHEALTHIEST PROFESSIONS
1. Chef
2. Farmer
3. Electrician
4. Insurance worker
5. Builder
6. Banker
7. Call Centre worker
8. Truck driver
9. Engineer
10. Travel agent
TOP TEN HEALTHIEST PROFESSIONS
1. Ad rep
2. Teacher
3. Human resources assistant
4. Accountant
5. Lawyer
6. Secretary
7. IT worker
8. Researcher
9. Nurse
10. Shop assistant
Those who work in the hospitality industry eat more junk food and ready meals, smoke more cigarettes and drink more alcohol than any other profession. (EDITOR: Worse than... journalists?!)
Researchers revealed that, despite working in a kitchen, the average chef has 12 snacks of crisps, chocolate bars or biscuits each week, and at least one ready meal or takeaway.
On top of that they smoke an average of 58 cigarettes per week and sup eight alcoholic drinks.
The stats emerged in a study of 3,000 workers by leading healthcare cash plan provider Medicash.
Second place went to farmers, who smoke 51 cigarettes a week and chomp their way through 14 unhealthy snacks.
Electricians, insurance workers and builders are also among the unhealthiest workers in the UK.
Those who work in advertising were found to have the healthiest lifestyle, smoking an average of just nine cigarettes and sipping just six alcoholic drinks a week.
Teachers followed close behind in second place, followed by those in HR, accountants and lawyers.
Peter Lauris, sales & marketing director for Medicash, said: ‘’It may be surprising to see chefs at the top of the list, since you would expect them to be in the know when it comes to preparing a nice, healthy meal.
‘’But in reality, it’s probably the last thing they feel like doing when they get home from work. After spending the day in the kitchen for work, I imagine they simply want to put their feet up when they get in at night.
‘’So instead, this research shows that they are enjoying a diet of junk food and ready meals, and the cigarettes and alcohol on top of that are only adding to their health woes.’’
Researchers found that the average Brit enjoys 11 snacks, such as chocolate and crisps, and has one take-away or ready meal a week.
On top of that, the average Brit gets through six alcoholic drinks a week and smokes three cigarettes a day.
We then exercise just twice a week.
The study also found that the nation’s lifestyle could be having an effect on our heath with the average Brit suffering from seven different bugs and colds in the past year.
Some have felt so bad, they have paid two trips to the doctors and taken three days off work because they were feeling under the weather.
But it was also revealed that the average adult hasn’t been to the dentist for almost nine months, despite check-ups being recommended every six months.
Almost one in five even admitted they haven’t been for two years or more.
More than a third blamed their absence from the dentist’s chair on the cost saying they simply can’t afford to go.
Another 24 per cent aren’t registered with a dentist and can’t find one which will take them.
It’s not just our teeth we are neglecting though as a quarter of Brits haven’t had their eyes tested for three years or more – a year over the recommended two-year check up period.
And while 31 per cent didn’t realise they were meant to get their eyes tested regularly, 12 per cent said they couldn’t afford the cost of the test and glasses.
Peter Lauris, sales & marketing director for Medicash added: ‘’The study highlights how some people’s jobs can have a negative impact on their lifestyle if it results in them eating poorly and drinking and smoking too much. For those who work in a sector renowned for unsociable hours they must try to make a conscious effort to be healthy and invest in their health. Healthy people are more happy and productive.”
TOP TEN UNHEALTHIEST PROFESSIONS
1. Chef
2. Farmer
3. Electrician
4. Insurance worker
5. Builder
6. Banker
7. Call Centre worker
8. Truck driver
9. Engineer
10. Travel agent
TOP TEN HEALTHIEST PROFESSIONS
1. Ad rep
2. Teacher
3. Human resources assistant
4. Accountant
5. Lawyer
6. Secretary
7. IT worker
8. Researcher
9. Nurse
10. Shop assistant
Monday, November 30, 2009
Britain could cough up to £42 billion a year thanks to the common cold
Survey of 3000 British people released today reveals the real cost of a cold – and it affects more than just your health
Although we’re moving out of recession, we’re still not completely out of the red when it comes to our noses. Research released today has revealed that the common cold could be costing the nation an average £157.37 per day – that is a whopping, £42.3 billion a year collectively, and could mean an average personal cost of £54 per cold.
The survey, conducted by Vicks First Defence Micro-Gel Nasal Spray, assessed the average Briton’s attitude and management of a cold. It took into account the amount of money we spend on cough & cold remedies, painkillers and added comforts such as hot baths, food and entertainment to help make us feel better when we fall victim to the common cold.
Alison Steed, a financial expert, said: “It’s shocking that something as common as a cold can burn such a large hole in our pockets – leaving us financially worse off by as much as £54 per day, not to mention the overall cost to the economy. But besides the financial cost, no-one wants to be out of action with a cold in any case. So you should try to keep yourself healthy, and make sure you are doing everything you can to either protect yourself from catching a cold, or avoid the possibility in the first place.”
The cost of staying at home
The results showed that 71% of Brits surveyed would stay at home for one day to get over a cold to avoid causing the spread of germs in the workplace. A day home from the office might relieve the temptation to splurge on lunch or buy a round after work but the survey has revealed staying at home is just as, or even more expensive, given the accumulative cost of all the products purchased and the facilities used to relieve the symptoms of a cold.
• 76% spend money on food such as soup and fruit
• 32% prefer comfort food such as biscuits, chocolate and takeaways
• 22% will turn the heating up
• 15% will soak themselves in a bubble bath
• 13% will surf the internet, chat on the phone or watch TV
• 14% stack up on magazines
• And over one fifth (21%) admitted they would buy wine or whiskey to help relieve their cold symptoms.
The potential cost of a cold to the economy
62% of British people surveyed also think a cold can halve their productivity, which is bad news for businesses. Furthermore, if 71% of the current residential population (est 61,383,000 ) take at least one day off work, and with the average daily wage estimated at £95.80 , there could be a potential loss of £42,339,538,000 per year on sick days taken due to a cold. This comes at a huge cost to the economy, especially as it is estimated that adults catch an average of two to four colds a year.
What could be the answer?
Don’t let the common cold burn a hole in your wallet, Vicks First Defence Nasal Spray is clinically proven to help STOP a cold in its tracks and at a ONE OFF cost of £6.99 can you afford to risk catching a cold?
Vicks First Defence Micro-Gel Nasal Spray is clinically proven to help stop a cold from developing full blown symptoms. When used when you feel at risk of catching a cold, the unique Micro-Gel spray, can trap and inactivate the cold viruses at the back of the nose helping to flush them out. Furthermore, Vicks First Defence Nasal Spray now has an added Money Back Guarantee*, so if you are not completely satisfied, you can get your money back – it’s as simple as that. So, now you can defend yourself (and your pocket) against the onset of the seasonal common cold.
Vicks First Defence Nasal Spray – Attack is the Best Form of Defence.
*Offer valid until 28.02.10. Terms & conditions apply. Customers must be 18 or over. Refund, to be requested via post, will be the amount as per the ticket receipt sent in, along with written explanation of the dissatisfaction. Allow 6-8 weeks for handling. Visit www.vicks.co.uk for more details.
(EDITOR: Vicks point out that Vicks First Defence Micro-Gel Nasal Spray is not recommended for use in flu)
Although we’re moving out of recession, we’re still not completely out of the red when it comes to our noses. Research released today has revealed that the common cold could be costing the nation an average £157.37 per day – that is a whopping, £42.3 billion a year collectively, and could mean an average personal cost of £54 per cold.
The survey, conducted by Vicks First Defence Micro-Gel Nasal Spray, assessed the average Briton’s attitude and management of a cold. It took into account the amount of money we spend on cough & cold remedies, painkillers and added comforts such as hot baths, food and entertainment to help make us feel better when we fall victim to the common cold.
Alison Steed, a financial expert, said: “It’s shocking that something as common as a cold can burn such a large hole in our pockets – leaving us financially worse off by as much as £54 per day, not to mention the overall cost to the economy. But besides the financial cost, no-one wants to be out of action with a cold in any case. So you should try to keep yourself healthy, and make sure you are doing everything you can to either protect yourself from catching a cold, or avoid the possibility in the first place.”
The cost of staying at home
The results showed that 71% of Brits surveyed would stay at home for one day to get over a cold to avoid causing the spread of germs in the workplace. A day home from the office might relieve the temptation to splurge on lunch or buy a round after work but the survey has revealed staying at home is just as, or even more expensive, given the accumulative cost of all the products purchased and the facilities used to relieve the symptoms of a cold.
• 76% spend money on food such as soup and fruit
• 32% prefer comfort food such as biscuits, chocolate and takeaways
• 22% will turn the heating up
• 15% will soak themselves in a bubble bath
• 13% will surf the internet, chat on the phone or watch TV
• 14% stack up on magazines
• And over one fifth (21%) admitted they would buy wine or whiskey to help relieve their cold symptoms.
The potential cost of a cold to the economy
62% of British people surveyed also think a cold can halve their productivity, which is bad news for businesses. Furthermore, if 71% of the current residential population (est 61,383,000 ) take at least one day off work, and with the average daily wage estimated at £95.80 , there could be a potential loss of £42,339,538,000 per year on sick days taken due to a cold. This comes at a huge cost to the economy, especially as it is estimated that adults catch an average of two to four colds a year.
What could be the answer?
Don’t let the common cold burn a hole in your wallet, Vicks First Defence Nasal Spray is clinically proven to help STOP a cold in its tracks and at a ONE OFF cost of £6.99 can you afford to risk catching a cold?
Vicks First Defence Micro-Gel Nasal Spray is clinically proven to help stop a cold from developing full blown symptoms. When used when you feel at risk of catching a cold, the unique Micro-Gel spray, can trap and inactivate the cold viruses at the back of the nose helping to flush them out. Furthermore, Vicks First Defence Nasal Spray now has an added Money Back Guarantee*, so if you are not completely satisfied, you can get your money back – it’s as simple as that. So, now you can defend yourself (and your pocket) against the onset of the seasonal common cold.
Vicks First Defence Nasal Spray – Attack is the Best Form of Defence.
*Offer valid until 28.02.10. Terms & conditions apply. Customers must be 18 or over. Refund, to be requested via post, will be the amount as per the ticket receipt sent in, along with written explanation of the dissatisfaction. Allow 6-8 weeks for handling. Visit www.vicks.co.uk for more details.
(EDITOR: Vicks point out that Vicks First Defence Micro-Gel Nasal Spray is not recommended for use in flu)
Sunday, November 29, 2009
A New Choice for a Healthier New Year
{{Chlorella has been valued for its health enhancing powers for decades in the Far East}}. Particularly popular in health-obsessed Japan, it is a natural food that not only cleans out the body, but also strengthens the immune system.
What is so special about Chlorella?
One of the original foundations of life on earth and one of nature’s richest sources of food, Chlorella is a single-cell plant that thrives in sun-drenched, clean water pools.
• Powerful Detoxifier
It is particularly good at capturing toxins such as mercury and other heavy metals like aluminium and cadmium. Each cell acts like a dustbin trapping the toxins inside and carrying them out of the body. If they are not removed, metals tend to remain in the colon, reducing the gut’s ability to absorb vitamins. They have also been linked to a range of diseases from irritable bowel syndrome to Alzheimer’s.
• Protein Rich
Chlorella is around 60% protein, twice that of soya beans, and contains 19 amino acids, including all the essential ones.
• Great source of B12 and other vitamin and minerals
There is more vitamin B12 in Chlorella than beef liver. B12 prevents anaemia, promotes growth in children and helps maintain a healthy nervous system.
• Antioxidant
It contains high levels of beta carotene, an antioxidant that research has linked with reducing the risk of cancer and other diseases.
• Strengthens the Immune System
Chlorella is very rich in chlorophyll, nearly 50 times the amount found in alfalfa. Chlorophyll is known to boost the immune system by promoting T-cell activity, which enhances the body’s ability to fight off infection. Chlorella has been shown to stimulate the production of interferon, believed to be one of the most potent natural defences against cancer.
• Unique
Yet another beneficial chemical in its armoury is a unique substance called Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF), which is used by the plant to help it reproduce rapidly. When eaten, CFG is believed to have a healing quality by speeding up the repair of damaged human tissue.
Chlorella has only recently become available in the UK and Organic Chlorella from Nature Complete is the only brand that is certified by the Soil Association.
Available in Waitrose and The Nutri Centre and selected health food stores, also available online at www.naturecomplete.com
or www.bodykind.com
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Action Duchenne and Duchenne Ireland funds further research for exon skipping therapies
Recent successful trials of RNA-based drug provide foundations for new therapies for more patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Action Duchenne and Duchenne Ireland have awarded new funding to support further drug development towards clinical trials in exon skipping. The funding awarded to Dr. Matthew Wood at Oxford University and Dr Mike Gait at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge (both members of the MDEX Consortium), will be used for two development projects.
The projects will investigate methods for the improved delivery and reduced dosage of Antisense Oligonucleotids (AO) to all muscle groups. Specifically, one project will investigate exon skipping for the heart muscle and the second will support further work into developing ‘multi-exon’ skipping treatments .The teams will be working with AVI BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVII), a developer of RNA-based drugs. Recent clinical trial results published by AVI BioPharma on drug AVI-4658 for exon skipping as a therapy for boys affected by DMD, suggest that this approach could provide possible treatment for affected individuals.
Research to date has demonstrated that Antisense Oligonucleotides – can restore the production of dystrophin protein to affected tissues. Called ‘exon skipping’, the parts of the genetic code affected by a mutation are “patched” by AO’s so that that the code can be correctly read. Drug AVI–4658 is designed to skip exon 51 of the dystrophin gene. Skipping this exon enables restoration of dystrophin production that may potentially improve or significantly slow the disease process, thus prolonging and improving the quality of life for the affected patient.
The new research will investigate the possibility of ‘multi’ exon skipping, thus enabling more exons to be targeted with the treatment of AOs (not just exon 51) and benefiting larger groups of patients.
According to Dr. Matthew Wood; “Although more than 80% of Duchenne boys could potentially benefit from the “exon skipping” approach, each exon targeted requires a unique AO, and thus treating all the different mutations known to cause DMD requires the development of large numbers of AOs, each treating only a small subset of the patient population.
“With this new round of funding we can build on the great work that has been achieved so far and develop the treatments further to benefit more groups of DMD patients. It is scientifically very challenging, but if this new work is successful, we may be able to develop treatments with one Antisense Oligonucleotide that can potentially skip multiple exons. This will enable us to develop treatments for all of the DMD cases that could benefit from AO therapy. This will also reduce development time by five to ten years and speed up the process of making the treatment commercially viable, enabling more patients to receive treatment therapies much sooner.”
The funding will also support development of special peptides that will increase the effectiveness of oligonucleotides in the heart and reduce weakening of the heart muscle. It is hoped that the tests will provide further data on the heart’s ability to be treated by exon skipping. Currently oligonucleotides pass into other muscles more easily, it is believed, due to their ’leaky’ nature, whereas the heart has a stronger and more complex barrier.
Nick Catlin, CEO of Action Duchenne said; “We are delighted that we can provide further funding to build on the progress that AVI and the Consortium have made in the trial of AVI-4658 and the potential for exon skipping drugs. The success to date provides a fantastic foundation on which to carry out further research and widen the opportunities for more DMD patients to benefit from an effective therapy for this disease.”
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most severe form of the muscular dystrophy condition, affecting around 3,500 people in the UK and 40,000 people worldwide. It has no cure and is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene that prevent correct reading of the genetic code, the result of which is that the essential muscle protein dystrophin is not produced. This leads to progressive muscle wasting, severely limiting mobility in teenage patients (boys and men) and resulting in paralysis and premature death in their twenties from respiratory or cardiac problems (the heart muscle is directly affected by the genetic defect).
Action Duchenne and Duchenne Ireland have awarded new funding to support further drug development towards clinical trials in exon skipping. The funding awarded to Dr. Matthew Wood at Oxford University and Dr Mike Gait at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge (both members of the MDEX Consortium), will be used for two development projects.
The projects will investigate methods for the improved delivery and reduced dosage of Antisense Oligonucleotids (AO) to all muscle groups. Specifically, one project will investigate exon skipping for the heart muscle and the second will support further work into developing ‘multi-exon’ skipping treatments .The teams will be working with AVI BioPharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVII), a developer of RNA-based drugs. Recent clinical trial results published by AVI BioPharma on drug AVI-4658 for exon skipping as a therapy for boys affected by DMD, suggest that this approach could provide possible treatment for affected individuals.
Research to date has demonstrated that Antisense Oligonucleotides – can restore the production of dystrophin protein to affected tissues. Called ‘exon skipping’, the parts of the genetic code affected by a mutation are “patched” by AO’s so that that the code can be correctly read. Drug AVI–4658 is designed to skip exon 51 of the dystrophin gene. Skipping this exon enables restoration of dystrophin production that may potentially improve or significantly slow the disease process, thus prolonging and improving the quality of life for the affected patient.
The new research will investigate the possibility of ‘multi’ exon skipping, thus enabling more exons to be targeted with the treatment of AOs (not just exon 51) and benefiting larger groups of patients.
According to Dr. Matthew Wood; “Although more than 80% of Duchenne boys could potentially benefit from the “exon skipping” approach, each exon targeted requires a unique AO, and thus treating all the different mutations known to cause DMD requires the development of large numbers of AOs, each treating only a small subset of the patient population.
“With this new round of funding we can build on the great work that has been achieved so far and develop the treatments further to benefit more groups of DMD patients. It is scientifically very challenging, but if this new work is successful, we may be able to develop treatments with one Antisense Oligonucleotide that can potentially skip multiple exons. This will enable us to develop treatments for all of the DMD cases that could benefit from AO therapy. This will also reduce development time by five to ten years and speed up the process of making the treatment commercially viable, enabling more patients to receive treatment therapies much sooner.”
The funding will also support development of special peptides that will increase the effectiveness of oligonucleotides in the heart and reduce weakening of the heart muscle. It is hoped that the tests will provide further data on the heart’s ability to be treated by exon skipping. Currently oligonucleotides pass into other muscles more easily, it is believed, due to their ’leaky’ nature, whereas the heart has a stronger and more complex barrier.
Nick Catlin, CEO of Action Duchenne said; “We are delighted that we can provide further funding to build on the progress that AVI and the Consortium have made in the trial of AVI-4658 and the potential for exon skipping drugs. The success to date provides a fantastic foundation on which to carry out further research and widen the opportunities for more DMD patients to benefit from an effective therapy for this disease.”
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most severe form of the muscular dystrophy condition, affecting around 3,500 people in the UK and 40,000 people worldwide. It has no cure and is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene that prevent correct reading of the genetic code, the result of which is that the essential muscle protein dystrophin is not produced. This leads to progressive muscle wasting, severely limiting mobility in teenage patients (boys and men) and resulting in paralysis and premature death in their twenties from respiratory or cardiac problems (the heart muscle is directly affected by the genetic defect).
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Optical Express sponsors the Kirsty Clubs Angel Ball 2009
Optical Express has donated free laser eye surgery to the Kirsty Club's annual Angel Ball, in an effort to support the Francis House Children's Hopsice in Manchester. Held on Saturday, November 21st at the Hallmark Hotel, the event raised funds for the Hospice, a centre which provides support and care for terminally ill children and their families. The free surgery, available to be redeemed at any of Optical Express' clinics across the UK and Europe, was raffled off among other prizes.
The star-studded event was hosted by Mike Sweeney. Other attendees included supermodel Caprice, singer Russell Watson, actor and singer Richard Fleeshman, and actors Sue Jenkins, David Fleeshman, William Roach and Denise Welch, among others.
Held annually since 2006, the Angel Ball was originally part of the campaign Kristy's Appeal, designed to raise £5 million for the Francis House. After meeting this goal, the charity Kristy's Club was founded, to provide continued support for the growth and ongoing running of the Hospice.
The namesake of the campaign and charity is Kirsty Howard, a young Briton living with a rare and unnamed condition where her heart is back to front, causing her internal organs to be misaligned. This inoperable condition requires constant treatment, including a steady supply of oxygen. In 1999, at the age of 3, Kirsty was given just six weeks to live. She celebrated her 14th birthday this September. She has won numerous awards for her courage and charity work, including the 2001 Child of Courage Award, the 2002 Pride of Britain Award, and the 2004 Helen Rollason Award.
Joanna Patterson, marketing assistant for Optical Express, commented on the significance of supporting such an event: "Kirsty's Club is such a great cause, and one that we were more than happy to support. Kirsty and all of the work that she has done to raise money for Francis House is inspirational, to say the least, and we were glad for the opportunity to contribute."
Francis House Children's Hospice, the brainchild of Sister Aloysius, was opened in November 1991 by the late Princess Diana of Wales.
FACT FILE:
The Optical Express Group was founded in 1991 and is now a global leader of selected healthcare services, specialising in opticians services. The group covers optical stores, refractive laser eye surgery, glasses, contact lenses as well as dental clinics.
Optical Express provides trained specialists to help patients determine which laser eye surgery treatment is best suited to their unique needs and offers the most advanced eye surgery treatments such as LASIK eye surgery and LASEK as well as Advanced CustomVue Wavefront and Intralase.
The star-studded event was hosted by Mike Sweeney. Other attendees included supermodel Caprice, singer Russell Watson, actor and singer Richard Fleeshman, and actors Sue Jenkins, David Fleeshman, William Roach and Denise Welch, among others.
Held annually since 2006, the Angel Ball was originally part of the campaign Kristy's Appeal, designed to raise £5 million for the Francis House. After meeting this goal, the charity Kristy's Club was founded, to provide continued support for the growth and ongoing running of the Hospice.
The namesake of the campaign and charity is Kirsty Howard, a young Briton living with a rare and unnamed condition where her heart is back to front, causing her internal organs to be misaligned. This inoperable condition requires constant treatment, including a steady supply of oxygen. In 1999, at the age of 3, Kirsty was given just six weeks to live. She celebrated her 14th birthday this September. She has won numerous awards for her courage and charity work, including the 2001 Child of Courage Award, the 2002 Pride of Britain Award, and the 2004 Helen Rollason Award.
Joanna Patterson, marketing assistant for Optical Express, commented on the significance of supporting such an event: "Kirsty's Club is such a great cause, and one that we were more than happy to support. Kirsty and all of the work that she has done to raise money for Francis House is inspirational, to say the least, and we were glad for the opportunity to contribute."
Francis House Children's Hospice, the brainchild of Sister Aloysius, was opened in November 1991 by the late Princess Diana of Wales.
FACT FILE:
The Optical Express Group was founded in 1991 and is now a global leader of selected healthcare services, specialising in opticians services. The group covers optical stores, refractive laser eye surgery, glasses, contact lenses as well as dental clinics.
Optical Express provides trained specialists to help patients determine which laser eye surgery treatment is best suited to their unique needs and offers the most advanced eye surgery treatments such as LASIK eye surgery and LASEK as well as Advanced CustomVue Wavefront and Intralase.
Competition - Win a Wii Black Edition + Wii Fit with Healthy Direct
Healthy Direct is offering everyone the opportunity to get into shape this Christmas by giving their Facebook fans the chance to win a new black Nintendo Wii, bundled with Wii Fit Plus, a balance board, Wii Sports Resort and a Motion Plus Controller.
Four runners-up will also be entitled to a 50% off voucher to use on their next order.
If you are not already a fan of Healthy Direct on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/HealthyDirect), to enter you need become a fan and post on their wall giving reasons as to why you love Healthy Direct. Your post should begin “I love Healthy Direct because…’. Staff at Healthy Direct will then choose their favourite posts and select one each week for the duration of the competition (ending midnight 17th December) amounting to five in total.
The best post out of the final five will win the Nintendo Wii bundle, posted to them in time for Christmas (provided they supply delivery details in time) and the remaining four finalists will receive a 50% discount voucher to use on their next order.
By becoming a fan of Healthy Direct on Facebook, not only will you be able to enter the competition to win a Wii, you’ll receive the latest offers and sale news about Healthy Direct.
There are plenty of reasons to love Healthy Direct, including their fantastic high quality range of vitamins and supplements such as Glucosamine, Omega 3 Fish Oil, Ginkgo Biloba, Co Enzyme Q10 and many more, all at consistently low prices.
The competition ends on midnight 17th December so make your post now to be in with a chance of winning this great prize!
Offering you the best quality supplements at the best prices. Healthy Direct, For Healthy Savings.
For further information contact Healthy Direct:
Email: customercare@healthydirect.com
Web: http://www.healthydirect.com
Four runners-up will also be entitled to a 50% off voucher to use on their next order.
If you are not already a fan of Healthy Direct on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/HealthyDirect), to enter you need become a fan and post on their wall giving reasons as to why you love Healthy Direct. Your post should begin “I love Healthy Direct because…’. Staff at Healthy Direct will then choose their favourite posts and select one each week for the duration of the competition (ending midnight 17th December) amounting to five in total.
The best post out of the final five will win the Nintendo Wii bundle, posted to them in time for Christmas (provided they supply delivery details in time) and the remaining four finalists will receive a 50% discount voucher to use on their next order.
By becoming a fan of Healthy Direct on Facebook, not only will you be able to enter the competition to win a Wii, you’ll receive the latest offers and sale news about Healthy Direct.
There are plenty of reasons to love Healthy Direct, including their fantastic high quality range of vitamins and supplements such as Glucosamine, Omega 3 Fish Oil, Ginkgo Biloba, Co Enzyme Q10 and many more, all at consistently low prices.
The competition ends on midnight 17th December so make your post now to be in with a chance of winning this great prize!
Offering you the best quality supplements at the best prices. Healthy Direct, For Healthy Savings.
For further information contact Healthy Direct:
Email: customercare@healthydirect.com
Web: http://www.healthydirect.com
LighterLife launches listen and learn podcast service
LighterLife, the weight loss and weight-management company, has released the first of a series of monthly podcasts, designed to help people learn how to live healthier, lighter lives.
Titled 'Inside LighterLife', this is the place to listen to tips, advice and features on how to lose weight quickly and safely, as well as interviews with health experts, LighterLife Weight-Management Counsellors and real-life people who have struggled with their weight.
Unscripted, conversational and honest - like a morning TV chat show on the run - the first podcast sees host Susan Spence, a multi-skilled presenter who can also be heard on LBC, Radio Five Live and the Steve Allen Show chatting to Dr Hilary Jones about some pressing weight-related medical questions, talking to LighterLife Weight-Management Counsellor Lindsey Thompson-Wright from Loughton, Essex about the stories behind the weight loss of some of her clients and meeting with Rachel Drago, an inspirational client who tells why she believes LighterLife literally saved her life.
Rachel Drago hit the headlines a few months ago after losing five stone with LighterLife and losing 10 inches of fat off her breasts allowed her to discover a lump in her breast that was subsequently diagnosed as breast cancer. Plus listeners will be able to hear how 12 overweight men's 52 stone weight loss with LighterLife gave them the confidence to strip naked and bare all to raise money for The Prostate Cancer Charity.
Upcoming episodes of the new weight loss podcast, Inside LighterLife, will include further expert advice from Psychotherapist Annie Wilson who will discuss some of the psychological reasons behind overeating, more inspirational weight-loss stories and advice and encouragement for overweight and obese people to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Available to download free from iTunes, podcast directories and the LighterLife website, Inside LighterLife gives clients the opportunity to listen to and identify with the experiences of others on the programme. For many clients it will offer a motivational boost and for others it will provide the support they need when they are having a weak moment.
As well as allowing clients to listen and learn more about LighterLife, Inside LighterLife also offers potential clients an inside look into a programme that has helped 150,000 people lose weight and keep it off.
Sara Jamison, CEO, LighterLife commented: "Inside LighterLife is another fantastic additional service that we are offering to both LighterLife clients and all those people out there who have struggled with their weight or who are losing weight using other methods. Listeners will be able to learn more about LighterLife from the people who have actually lived, breathed and succeeded on it, have their questions answered by the experts and listen to tips and advice that will help them live lighter, happier lives and we can't wait to hear the feedback."
Titled 'Inside LighterLife', this is the place to listen to tips, advice and features on how to lose weight quickly and safely, as well as interviews with health experts, LighterLife Weight-Management Counsellors and real-life people who have struggled with their weight.
Unscripted, conversational and honest - like a morning TV chat show on the run - the first podcast sees host Susan Spence, a multi-skilled presenter who can also be heard on LBC, Radio Five Live and the Steve Allen Show chatting to Dr Hilary Jones about some pressing weight-related medical questions, talking to LighterLife Weight-Management Counsellor Lindsey Thompson-Wright from Loughton, Essex about the stories behind the weight loss of some of her clients and meeting with Rachel Drago, an inspirational client who tells why she believes LighterLife literally saved her life.
Rachel Drago hit the headlines a few months ago after losing five stone with LighterLife and losing 10 inches of fat off her breasts allowed her to discover a lump in her breast that was subsequently diagnosed as breast cancer. Plus listeners will be able to hear how 12 overweight men's 52 stone weight loss with LighterLife gave them the confidence to strip naked and bare all to raise money for The Prostate Cancer Charity.
Upcoming episodes of the new weight loss podcast, Inside LighterLife, will include further expert advice from Psychotherapist Annie Wilson who will discuss some of the psychological reasons behind overeating, more inspirational weight-loss stories and advice and encouragement for overweight and obese people to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Available to download free from iTunes, podcast directories and the LighterLife website, Inside LighterLife gives clients the opportunity to listen to and identify with the experiences of others on the programme. For many clients it will offer a motivational boost and for others it will provide the support they need when they are having a weak moment.
As well as allowing clients to listen and learn more about LighterLife, Inside LighterLife also offers potential clients an inside look into a programme that has helped 150,000 people lose weight and keep it off.
Sara Jamison, CEO, LighterLife commented: "Inside LighterLife is another fantastic additional service that we are offering to both LighterLife clients and all those people out there who have struggled with their weight or who are losing weight using other methods. Listeners will be able to learn more about LighterLife from the people who have actually lived, breathed and succeeded on it, have their questions answered by the experts and listen to tips and advice that will help them live lighter, happier lives and we can't wait to hear the feedback."
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