Health News and Scoops

Would you believe that rather than the doctors and physicians themselves, it is the patients who believe that the health industry can only get better.

A new national study among 2,547 physicians and consumers revealed that consumers have a more positive outlook on the future of health care reform in the U.S.

The study was conducted by HCD Research and the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion (MCIPO) during April 10-12, to obtain physicians’ and consumers’ perception of U.S. health care reform. Respondents were also asked to provide their perceptions of specific health care-related industries and professions.

The study will be conducted on a monthly basis among physicians and consumers to measure perceptions of the health care reform process in the United States. Each month, an overall metric score will be reported for physicians and consumers to monitor trends and perceptions. The metric is comprised of two questions.

One question measures the perceived progress of health care reform; and the other question determines whether respondents perceive that health care reform is heading in the right direction. The metric is reported on a scale ranging from -100 points to +100 points.

Physicians and consumers were also asked to provide favorability ratings for the following industries/professions related to health care. The ratings are based on a scale ranging from -100 points to +100 points, with -100 representing “not at all favorable” and +100 representing an “extremely favorable” rating.

Source

D-Psoria products are the first topical, non-prescription cosmeceuticals for the redness, scaling and flaking associated with severe skin conditions. Developed by Astrel Genome Ltd., D-Psoria is being marketed in the U.S. by MediNiche Pharmaceuticals, St. Louis, Missouri.

D-Psoria products were developed in conjunction with doctors, estheticians and ayurvedic (science of life) natural principles. All products utilize natural ingredients, unique herbal extracts and key minerals, that when applied topically are designed specifically to help regenerate new, healthy skin.

D-Psoria is ideal for use by patients and consumers that wish to try a natural product as an alternative prior to considering prescription drug therapy. It is being promoted to medical and skincare professionals for recommendation to patients and consumers as a pre-pharmacotherapy consideration.

(Source) Press

Ultragen Ltd, the home beauty innovators, launches TriPollar STOP, a skin anti aging device to the Hungarian market in partnership with Eurowares Trading Kft.

The TriPollar STOP, a hand held anti aging skin renewal device, aimed primarily at the females segment, was launched at the beginning of September 2008 in the UK’s most prestigious department stores followed by France in October 2008. The device, which enables consumers to treat aging skin on the face, neck, décolletage and hand area with TriPollar energy adjusted for home use to tighten aging skin, reduces wrinkles and fine-lines and boost collagen levels is the first product to market which brings clinically proven TriPollar results to the home environment.

(Source) Press

A lawsuit was filed against Denny’s this week by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a nonprofit organization that serves as “a strong advocate for nutrition and health, food safety, alcohol policy, and sound science.” The organization has sued Denny’s for extreme sodium levels found in the food.  Although Denny’s management argues that anyone can simply go to their website to find the nutrition facts about their food, the CSPI wants more.  The lawsuit is calling for Denny’s to display the sodium content right on the menu, along with warnings to the customers about the effects of high sodium.  Unfortunately for the circulatory systems of many frequent Denny’s customers, Denny’s has refused these changes and asks that they be allowed to lower the sodium amounts in the food themselves.  Or in other words, Denny’s wants to take as long as possible to do anything about the situation.

The Center for Disease Control warns adults not to exceed 1,500mg of sodium each day.  To give you an idea of where the CSPI is coming from, on particular Denny’s dish called “Moons Over My Hammy” contains 2,580mg of sodium (item seen in picture on the right).  This item is not one of those extreme “lumberjack” breakfasts that you might have seen before; it is just a ham, egg, and cheese sandwich.  Customers who were interviewed about the Denny’s food, and who were told about the amount of sodium they were eating, unanimously agreed that they would not have ordered those dishes if they had known about the amount of sodium.

Denny’s is not backing down, however, and in response to the CSPI action the chain has relased the following statement:

“Denny’s believes the lawsuit filed by CSPI is frivolous and without merit, and the company will fight it aggressively in court. With hundreds of items on the menu, Denny’s offers a wide variety of choices for consumers with different lifestyles, understanding that many have special dietary needs. In June 2009, the company launched Better for You items, allowing guests to replace favorites with lower-sodium and fat alternatives. Additionally, earlier this month, Denny’s launched a Better for You kids menu. All nutrition information is available online at www.dennys.com.”

This story could go either way.  For one, we should all be educated enough to know that eating at any restaurant chain is not good for your health.  Denny’s does not make any promises to consumers that their dishes are healthy; they just promise that they taste great.  On the other hand, I think that people are going to eat there regardless of sodium content, so they should display the sodium content on their menus if anything to avoid liability.  After someone eats the food, the damage is done.  Consulting the website will not help at that point.  No one is telling Denny’s to get rid of any food options, and I believe that many people will still eat them no matter what, but at least they are keeping their customers informed.  The moral of the story? Eat breakfast at home. Save your money, save your arteries.