In the News
ANH-USA Files Lawsuit to Reverse FDA’s Effective Ban On Homeopathy
Mayo Clinic Diet Responders Achieve Up to 13% Body Weight Loss in 6 Months, Surpassing Results of GLP-1 Medications
Gene Therapy Automatically Converts Omega-6 to Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Body
FutureCeuticals Announces Publication of Groundbreaking Study on CognatiQ®'s Same-Day Cognitive Benefits
Adding Vagus Nerve Stimulation to Training Sessions May Boost How Well Sounds Are Perceived
MegaFood Partners with Global Public Health Nonprofit, Vitamin Angels, to Provide Life-Changing Essential Vitamins and Nutrients to More Than 600,000 Women and Children Worldwide
Natrol® Brand Unveils New Sleep Spiral Survey Discovering Root Causes of Sleep Challenges for Women
ANH-USA Files Lawsuit to Reverse FDA’s Effective Ban On Homeopathy
The Alliance for Natural Health (ANH) USA filed a complaint yesterday with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia that aims to reverse the FDA’s effective ban on homeopathic drugs used by millions of Americans.
FDA guidance published in December 2022 effectively made all homeopathic drugs currently used in America illegal. The guidance requires that all homeopathic drugs go through the same new drug pre-market licensing system used for pharmaceuticals. This system is entirely unjustified and is neither technically, nor economically, feasible for the vast majority of manufacturers.
If the FDA enforces its own guidance, millions of Americans will lose access to their homeopathic drugs of choice, and an industry valued in excess of $4 billion-a-year will be destroyed.
ANH-USA and leading homeopathic drug maker, Meditrend Inc., have brought the lawsuit, arguing the FDA’s guidance is unlawful and that it contravenes previous decisions made by Congress.
“The FDA’s guidance is a stunning example of agency overreach”, said Jonathan Emord, Esq., General Counsel of ANH. He continued, “Not only has the FDA ignored the careful consideration given to this unique category of drugs by Congress, it has violated the law, notably the Administrative Procedure Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020.
The Supreme Court’s decision earlier this year to overturn the Chevron doctrine that has allowed, for some 40 years, government agencies to ignore the rule of law while protecting special interests, gives us a unique opportunity to reset the balance for individual rights, liberty and consumer choice.”
The full complaint can be accessed from this link.
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Rob Verkerk, Ph.D., Executive and Scientific Director of ANH added: “The FDA has had to greatly exaggerate safety concerns over homeopathic products to justify its approach. Copious evidence shows that these are among the very safest healthcare products in use. What the FDA should have done is follow the remit given by Congress and develop a new regulatory framework suitable for homeopathics. Fortunately, our friends at Americans for Homeopathy Choice have now created a bill for this purpose and we are hopeful that our lawsuit will give us the momentum needed to ensure the FDA’s attacks on homeopathy are eliminated once and for all.”
Find out more by downloading the ANH Media Pack, “Stop the FDA Ban on Homeopathy.”
Mayo Clinic Diet Responders Achieve Up to 13% Body Weight Loss in 6 Months, Surpassing Results of GLP-1 Medications
Digital Wellness performed an analysis of deidentified user data from The Mayo Clinic Diet, revealing that responders to The Mayo Clinic Diet (i.e. those in the top 20% for weight loss) can lose up to 13% of their body weight, approximately 28 pounds, in the first 6 months of the program, and potentially lose weight faster than adults starting weight-loss medications. The analysis offers hope that significant weight loss can be achieved when GLP-1s aren't an option.
The Digital Wellness analysis involved 12,678 records of participants, and highlights behaviors that led to sustainable habit change and an average loss of 10 pounds or 4.8% of body weight in the first month of the program. An average person starting GLP-1 medications for weight loss have been cited as averaging approximately 2.3% of their body weight in this same period. The same participants on The Mayo Clinic Diet that lost 10 pounds in their first month, also went on to lose approximately 28 pounds at 6 months on the program or 13% of their body weight. This weight loss was also shown to be maintained at 12 months.
"Early weight loss may be a signal that you can be successful with lifestyle alone," said Dr. Donald Hensrud, M.D., M.S., the medical editor of The Mayo Clinic Diet. "Adults who do not want or cannot tolerate weight-loss medications can achieve significant results from a healthy weight loss program."
While participants on The Mayo Clinic Diet regularly track their weight, the responders distinguished themselves through five specific habits that contributed to their average 13% body weight loss:
Use a Trusted Meal Plan: Responders referred to The Mayo Clinic Diet meal plan 39-69% more than other participants. The Mayo Clinic Diet's meal plans are clinically backed by Mayo Clinic physicians and dietitians.
Track Food and Drinks Regularly: Responders recorded an average of five entries per day in their first month on the program, 29% more than others.
Sugar and Alcohol Mindfulness: Responders avoided these substances about 14% more than other participants, particularly in the first two weeks.
Vegetables and Fruit Snacks: Using veggies and fruit as a main source of snacking was practiced 12% more than others.
Dining Out: Responders were 11% more likely to avoid dining unless the menu fit their diet plan.
"Practicing healthy habits is not about perfection," said Tara Schmidt, Lead Dietitian for The Mayo Clinic Diet, Host of the Mayo Clinic On Nutrition podcast and co-author of The Mayo Clinic Diet: Weight-Loss Medications Edition. "Responders didn't completely avoid sugar or alcohol, for example—they just practiced these habits more consistently than other members."
About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and provides compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.
Link: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/
Gene Therapy Automatically Converts Omega-6 to Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Body
According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 20% of children and teens are considered obese. Research shows it can have a dramatic impact on a variety of health conditions, including arthritis, heart conditions and other metabolic problems, and the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends early and intensive treatment to combat obesity. Over the last four years, Shriners Children's St. Louis researchers have been working to develop a new way to prevent the effects of childhood obesity.
Using gene therapy, Shriners Children's St. Louis Director of Research Dr. Farshid Guilak and Senior Scientist Dr. Ruhang Tang have discovered a revolutionary new way to convert harmful fatty acids into beneficial ones, making it possible for children battling obesity to lower the risk of other health problems, particularly arthritis.
"We've learned that the number one preventable risk factor for arthritis in children is being overweight," said Dr. Guilak. "Our typical response is simply telling kids to lose weight, without addressing the larger issue. Childhood obesity has become an epidemic, and as a result, arthritis is becoming increasingly common in children. One of our key findings is that it's not just the obesity itself that's harmful, but also the diet. The types of fatty acids children consume play a significant role in a child's weight gain. And once children are obese, it opens the door for other significant health problems that can be hard to reverse."
Dr. Tang said their gene therapy technique involves utilizing an inactive virus, adeno-associated virus (AAV), to deliver the gene for a specific enzyme into cells. The new gene therapy automatically converts highly inflammatory Omega-6 fatty acids to Omega-3 fatty acids, which are better for the body's metabolic health. Dr. Guilak said Omega-6 acids, which come from fatty foods and vegetable oil such as in fried foods, tend to promote inflammation and can lead to health issues such as arthritis, heart disease, and metabolic problems. Omega-3s, as found in fish and certain nuts, can support a healthier metabolic profile by improving insulin sensitivity, promoting fat metabolism, and reducing inflammation and the risk of obesity-related diseases. Dr. Natalia Harasymowicz, co-lead of the study, said that their gene therapy was also able to lower the number of pro-inflammatory cells that are crucial in promoting obesity-related inflammation and arthritis.
In this study, the researchers studied a type of arthritis that is very common in children, termed "post-traumatic arthritis", caused by injury to the knee such as a tear in the meniscus tissue that serves as a stabilizer and cushion in the knee. The team found that one injection of the gene therapy significantly decreased the effects of a high-fat, omega-6-rich diet on overall metabolic health and knee arthritis. Of particular interest was the finding that diet-induced obesity led to premature "aging" in these mice, which was prevented by gene therapy.
"What we are observing is that obesity results in old knees in young patients", said Dr. Guilak. "The modern diet, especially in the United States, tends to be high in Omega-6s and low in Omega-3s, which can lead to an imbalance, especially for kids. The gene therapy we developed will automatically convert omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in your body, effectively turning bad fats into good fats. Arthritis can be a very painful and debilitating condition for children so we're hopeful that this research will help reduce the risk of it developing and make treatments more effective. The implications for how this research might be used in the future are vast but we're excited about the potential for it to help kids lead healthier lives."
Dr. Guilak is also the Mildred B. Simon Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Washington University in St. Louis and co-Director of the Washington University Center of Regenerative Medicine. His team is working with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to head into clinical trials in the next 3-5 years.
This research was supported by Shriners Children's and the National Institutes of Health.
Ruhang Tang, Natalia S. Harasymowicz, Chia-Lung Wu, Yun-Rak Choi, Kristin Lenz, Sara J. Oswald, Farshid Guilak. Gene therapy for fat-1 prevents obesity-induced metabolic dysfunction, cellular senescence, and osteoarthritis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, Oct. 14, 2024.
About Shriners Children's
Shriners Children's improves the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, conducting innovative research, and offering outstanding education programs for medical professionals. Children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care, regardless of the families' ability to pay, and receive all care and services in a compassionate, family-centered environment. For more information, please visit shrinerschildrens.org.
FutureCeuticals Announces Publication of Groundbreaking Study on CognatiQ®'s Same-Day Cognitive Benefits
FutureCeuticals proudly announces the publication of another new scientific article, once again validating the cognitive performance benefits of its patented ingredient, CognatiQ®. The results of the study, conducted at Auburn University and published in the journal Nutrients, demonstrate CognatiQ's benefits for cognitive performance in a large, diverse and healthy group of subjects.
The study is the very first of its kind to challenge the effectiveness of a cognitive performance ingredient in an at-home setting intended to mimic actual, real-life conditions rather than the highly controlled laboratory settings traditionally used by researchers.
The paper reports that a single, 200mg serving of CognatiQ significantly improved cognitive performance just one hour post-ingestion, directly impacting "working memory," considered among the most important elements of memory and reported to be crucial for reasoning, comprehension and decision-making. Tested measures showed drastic improvements from a single dose, ranging from 25% to as much as 80% improvement. Targeted benefits described in the paper included focus, accuracy and concentration, achieved while helping to alleviate the impacts of mental fatigue.
"Working memory" is a well-known term for neurologists and neuroscientists, but the term has recently experienced a resurgence in the public discourse, thanks in part to New York Times best-selling author, Dr. Richard Restak, world-renowned neurologist. The New York Times recently published a book review reporting Dr. Restak's conclusion that working memory "is the most critical type of memory," particularly as we age.
"We are pleased the world is finally beginning to realize what neurologists have known for a long time: working memory is among the most crucial parts of our brain function," shared J. Randal Wexler, who leads FutureCeuticals' R&D Department.
"The findings reported in this most recent paper directly link a single dose of CognatiQ to very significant improvements in working memory. We believe these findings demonstrate that CognatiQ can provide large, noticeable changes in cognitive performance, quickly," declared Mr. Wexler.
Visit futureceuticals.com/cognatiq to learn more.
About FutureCeuticals
FutureCeuticals is a family-owned leader in the research, development and manufacture of fruit, vegetable, and grain-based powders and extracts for the functional food, beverage and dietary supplement markets. We unlock the synergistic power of plants through the discovery and research of innovative and nutritious plant-based ingredients. CognatiQ® is available exclusively from FutureCeuticals.
Adding Vagus Nerve Stimulation to Training Sessions May Boost How Well Sounds Are Perceived
Just as a musician can train to more sharply distinguish subtle differences in pitch, mammals can improve their ability to interpret hearing, vision, and other senses with practice. This process, which is called perceptual learning, may be enhanced by activating a major nerve that connects the brain to nearly every organ in the body, a new study in mice shows.
Led by researchers at NYU Langone Health, the investigation centers on the vagus nerve, which carries signals between the brain and the heart, digestive system, and other organs. Experts have long explored targeting this nerve with mild electrical pulses to treat a wide variety of conditions ranging from epilepsy and depression to posttraumatic stress disorder and hearing disorders. Results of such efforts have been mixed, however, and the underlying mechanisms that might lead to improved hearing had until now remained unclear.
To more closely examine whether vagus nerve stimulation can boost perceptual learning, the study team trained 38 mice to tell apart musical tones. At first, performance improved for all animals, which made fewer and fewer mistakes over time. However, while those without the treatment maxed out after about a week of training, rodents that received nerve stimulation continued to get better at the task, making roughly 10% fewer errors on average for most tests than they did prior to simulation. In addition, mice in this group made half as many mistakes as their counterparts on the most challenging assessments, in which they needed to distinguish very similar tones.
"Our findings suggest that activating the vagus nerve during training can push past the limits of what animals, and perhaps even humans, can learn to perceive," said study lead author Kathleen Martin, BS, a graduate student at the Neuroscience Institute at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
In a second part of the investigation, the researchers assessed how and where vagus nerve stimulation affects the brain. The results revealed that the technique boosts activity in the cholinergic basal forebrain, a region involved in attention and memory. When the team instead suppressed this area during nerve activation, rodents did not gain additional learning benefits.
In addition, the team showed that vagus nerve stimulation increased neuroplasticity, a process in which brain cells become more able to adapt to new experiences and form memories, in the auditory cortex, the brain's main center of hearing. This can lead to long-term cellular changes that allow new skills to endure well after training occurred, says Martin.
She notes that targeting the vagus nerve to boost hearing has previously been controversial among experts, with past studies in animals failing to show significant improvements.
The new study, which published online Sept. 16 in the journal Nature Neuroscience, suggests that the method can indeed work, although results took longer to show up than researchers initially expected, the authors say. This delay, Martin adds, might in part arise because the electrical pulses used in the technique can distract test animals, which may need time to adjust to the sensation.
The authors note that using vagus nerve stimulation to enhance hearing has potential applications far beyond maximizing musical ability. Perceptual learning is a key component of both understanding a new language and adjusting to cochlear implants, neuroprosthetic tools used to restore hearing loss. Notably, patients often take months to adjust to these devices and many continue to struggle with conversations even after years of use.
"These results highlight the potential of vagus nerve stimulation to speed up hearing improvements from cochlear implants," said study senior author Robert Froemke, PhD. "By boosting perceptual learning, this method might make it easier for implant recipients to communicate with others, hear cars approaching, and engage more effectively with the world around them."
Froemke, the Skirball Professor of Genetics in the Department of Neuroscience and Physiology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, says that the electrical stimulator devices currently used to activate the vagus nerve are only a few centimeters across and can be implanted in an out-patient surgical procedure. Some devices, such as those used to ease migraines, are even less invasive and are simply held against the skin of the neck.
Based on their findings, the researchers next plan to test vagus nerve stimulation in rodents with cochlear implants to see if it improves their function, says Froemke, also a professor in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
Also a member of NYU Langone's Neuroscience Institute, Froemke cautions that since the vagus nerve is much larger and more complex in humans than in mice, the effects of stimulating it may differ and therefore warrant further testing in human patients.
Funding for the study was provided by National Institutes of Health grant DC012557. Further study funding was provided by the United States Department of Defense and the National Science Foundation.
In addition to Martin and Froemke, other NYU Langone researchers involved in the study are Eleni Papadoyannis, MA; Jennifer Schiavo, PhD; Saba Shokat Fadaei, MS; Habon Issa, BS; Soomin Song, PhD; and Sofia Orrey Valencia, BS. Other study co-investigators include Nesibe Temiz, PhD, at the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research in Basel, Switzerland; Matthew McGinley, PhD, at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Tex.; and David McCormick, PhD, at the University of Oregon in Eugene.
MegaFood Partners with Global Public Health Nonprofit, Vitamin Angels, to Provide Life-Changing Essential Vitamins and Nutrients to More Than 600,000 Women and Children Worldwide
In honor of National Kid's Health Month (October), MegaFood, a certified B Corporation and 1% for the Planet Member that crafts supplements made with real food, is proud to announce its partnership with Vitamin Angels, a global public health nonprofit working to improve nutrition and health outcomes for the most nutritionally vulnerable groups – pregnant women, infants, and children – by delivering evidence-based nutrition interventions. As part of its partnership, MegaFood has donated $150,000 to provide more than 600,000 women and children worldwide with life-changing essential vitamins and nutrients.
"We are proud to partner with 1% for the Planet environmental partner, Vitamin Angels, to address the unique nutritional needs of our most vulnerable populations," says Matt Smith, VP of Marketing at MegaFood. "At MegaFood, we are plant-powered and planet-first, upholding the high standards of efficacy, quality and social and environmental impact, verified through our B Corporation Certification and 1% for the Planet membership, to create a healthier world for people and the planet. Together, this partnership will help deliver essential vitamins and nutrients that will enhance nutrition and health outcomes for women and children worldwide fostering a healthier future for all."
This partnership comes at a critical time, with the World Food Program predicting a 20% surge in hunger and malnutrition by 2050 due to the adverse effects of climate change. Nutrition plays a key role in addressing these impacts, and for over 50 years, MegaFood has been using science to harness the power of plants to create the most effective vitamins and supplements – such as its leading and clinically studied Blood Builder® iron supplements, its Men's and Women's One Daily multivitamins, and its pre- and postnatal Baby & Me 2™ line. Together, MegaFood and Vitamin Angels will increase access to solutions that support optimal nutrition for moms and kids globally by amplifying this partnership and raising awareness for the cause through an integrated marketing campaign set to launch in Q2 of 2025.
"At Vitamin Angels, we believe that every child should have the chance to live a healthy and productive life. MegaFood's plant-powered and planet-first heritage not only aligns with our mission to help at-risk populations in need, but addresses the intersection of nutrition and sustainability," says Howard Schiffer, Founder of Vitamin Angels. "Together, we can be part of the generation to end malnutrition and help create a healthier planet for all."
At MegaFood, philanthropy is a crucial part of its business model. In 2023, MegaFood gifted $1.2 million in financial donations, product donations, sponsorships, and grants to like-minded organizations that are helping to create a healthier planet. As MegaFood continues to grow, so does its ability to support issues and organizations aligned with its mission. Looking ahead, the brand will continue to support its partners like Vitamin Angels and other organizations to help create a healthier future for all.
To learn more about MegaFood, visit megafood.com. For more information about Vitamin Angels, visit vitaminangels.org.
Natrol® Brand Unveils New Sleep Spiral Survey Discovering Root Causes of Sleep Challenges for Women
According to findings from Natrol®, the nation's leading sleep aid brand^, and its new Sleep Spiral Survey*, 45% of women ages 40 - 60 say they are losing more than two hours of sleep a night due to spiraling thought while 10% of women report they are losing four or more hours of sleep a night. The survey was conducted as part of Natrol's commitment to supporting sleep health, helping consumers live a life more present by sleeping more and spiraling less.
"Women are juggling more than ever – caring for their children, supporting their significant other, looking after aging parents, managing their career, balancing friendships and finances – all while trying to prioritize their own health," said Rebekah Lyle, Chief Marketing Officer at Natrol. "Getting restorative sleep can be difficult, often leading to overthinking at night and entering a sleep spiral that's hard to escape, leaving them feeling drained the next day. As sleep experts, we wanted to better understand how often this happens, for how long, and the most common stressors that cause women to have spiraling thoughts that result in hours of lost sleep."
Natrol's Sleep Spiral Survey identified the frequency and real-life pressures that lead to sleepless nights. According to its findings, seven in ten (72%) women report having trouble falling asleep at night and almost nine in ten (87%) have trouble staying asleep during the night.
Some additional staggering findings from Natrol's Sleep Spiral Survey include:
One in three (31%) of women ages 40-60 say that their difficulty sleeping is worse now than it was one year ago. Half (56%) believe their sleep quality is about the same as last year. Only one in ten (13%) feel like their sleep quality has improved over this time.
About half of women (50%) said personal finances are the most likely stressor preventing them from falling asleep every night or at least very often.
"We uncovered that one in four women are very often simply giving up trying to fall asleep at night because of spiraling thoughts, so it's apparent that many are struggling with significant sleep challenges that can impact their next day and the days ahead," remarked Lyle. "The findings from the Sleep Spiral Survey highlight that women need effective strategies and solutions that can help them regain control of their sleep and overall well-being."
For consumers looking to sleep more and spiral less, Natrol products are available on Amazon. To find additional retailers near you, visit www.Natrol.com and follow along on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok.