It seems that the busier we get, the harder it is to stay healthy. There are many times when my family eats things that perhaps are not the best choices, and on busy weeks we do it more than one night during that week. I always feel bad about this, but there are times when cooking a healthy meal is simply out of the question. I have to find some healthier recipes that I can cook rather quickly. Until then though, we tend to make the best out of the time we have. Many have this problem, and they turn to health supplements to try to balance out the effects of a bad diet.

There are many great health supplements out there, but you do have to be careful what you take. Many think that because something saying ‘natural’ on the bottle that they can just take it without really doing any research into what they are putting into their body. You can get someone in the store to help you decide what health supplements you may need, but that does not mean that they are safe for everyone to take whenever they think they need them. Most of the ‘natural’ supplements you find on the shelves have not been tested, and may be unsafe to take. Ephedra was something that many people took before it was abruptly pulled from the shelves due to deaths.

Some health suppliments might interact with prescription medications, and that can have a very bad outcome. There are some that will cause a reaction that can lead to death. Not all things that grow in nature are meant to go into our bodies when we are taking something else. I have seen many stories on my local news about people who have taken natural health supplements and have then ended up in the hospital fighting for life.

If you are taking anything, make sure you talk to your doctor before you think about buying any health supplements. They will be able to tell you what you can take and what you should avoid. Make sure you listen to what they say, and read up on anything that you want to take. Your doctor might even have suggestions on what health supplements he or she thinks will do you the most good, and ones that you might want to consider taking along with a good exercise and eating program.

First Trial Assessing Therapeutic Benefit of Two Different Dosage Regimens of Disease Modifying Therapy in People With First Clinical Symptoms Suggesting Multiple Sclerosis

GENEVA, Switzerland, December 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Serono (virt-x: SEO and NYSE: SRA) announced today the initiation of a Phase III clinical trial to evaluate the effect of two dosage regimens of the new formulation of Rebif(R) (interferon beta-1a 44 mcg, three times a week or once a week) on the time to conversion to multiple sclerosis (MS) in people with first clinical symptoms suggestive of the disease. The trial, called the REFLEX study (REbif FLEXible dosing in early MS), will involve 480 patients considered at risk of developing MS because of a recently experienced isolated demyelinating event and of typical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans. “It has been demonstrated that early treatment with interferon-beta can reduce the risk of developing multiple sclerosis. Optimizing the impact of such treatment on development of irreversible neurological damage and ascertainment of long term outcomes is still subject of active experimental and clinical research”, said Professor Ludwig Kappos, from the Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, and a member of the Steering Committee of the REFLEX study. “The REFLEX study will determine the respective therapeutic benefit of two different dosage regimens of the new formulation of Rebif(R) for people at risk of developing multiple sclerosis.”

The REFLEX study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. Study participants will receive either the new formulation of Rebif(R) 44 mcg three times a week (160 patients), or the new formulation of Rebif(R) 44 mcg once a week (160 patients), or placebo (160 patients) as a subcutaneous injection for a period of 24 months, unless they suffer from a second attack leading to a diagnosis of clinically definite MS. In this case, patients will be offered open label treatment with the new formulation of Rebif(R) 44 mcg three times a week. The primary endpoint of the study is time to conversion to MS, according to the McDonald criteria. Other endpoints will include assessments of MRI brain scans, clinical relapses and disability progression. The REFLEX study will also evaluate the effect of the new formulation of Rebif(R) on cognitive function as measured by the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT)[1]. Cognitive dysfunction can occur early in MS and impact memory, ability to process information and learning. A sub-study will assess retinal nerve fiber thickness (a marker of axonal loss) by means of optical coherence tomography (OCT). This sub-study will be conducted in selected centers, equipped with this leading edge technology. In addition, the REFLEX study will aim at identifying genetic/genomic profiles associated with disease and treatment outcomes.

The new formulation of Rebif(R) has been developed by an innovative approach, using state-of-the-art technologies. It is under regulatory review by the European Medicines Agency, the US Food and Drug Administration and other healthcare authorities, and is not currently approved.

About Rebif(R)

Rebif(R) (interferon beta-1a) is a disease-modifying drug used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and is similar to the interferon beta protein produced by the human body. Interferon helps modulate the body’s immune system, fight disease and reduce inflammation. Rebif(R), which was approved in Europe in 1998 and in the US in 2002, is registered in more than 80 countries worldwide. In the United States, Rebif(R) is co-marketed by Serono, Inc. and Pfizer Inc. Rebif(R) has been proven to delay the progression of disability, reduce the frequency of relapses and reduce MRI lesion activity and area[2]. Rebif(R) is not approved for treatment of chronic progressive MS. Rebif(R) is available in a 22 mcg and 44 mcg ready-to-use pre-filled syringe and a titration pack, and can be stored at room temperature for up to 30 days if a refrigerator is not available. Most commonly reported side effects are injection site disorders, flu-like symptoms, elevation of liver enzymes and blood cell abnormalities. Patients, especially those with depression, seizure disorders, or liver problems, should discuss treatment with Rebif(R) with their doctors.

Even though we are a advanced civilization, millions of people throughout the world are susceptible to incapacitation because of a wide range of medical, environmental, and food borne ailments, which if left untreated, could lead to serious bodily injury, or even worse, death. Fortunately, these individuals have the option of carrying a card, wearing a tag, bracelet, or necklace which speaks for them when they are unable to speak for themselves.

A medical alert tag not only lists the ailment, but it can also list your 24 hour emergency response number, which has all of your medical history in their databases. When medical staff has access to this information, it can save precious time. Some of the more common declarations you might find on medical alert tags:

ADD/ADHD
Alzheimer's, Dementia, or Memory impairment
Allergies (Food, Insect, Dust, Plants, Pollen, Pollution, Pet Dander)
Anemia
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Asthma
Autism
Bariatric surgery patients
Blood type or disorders
Blood thinners/anticoagulants (Coumadin/Warfarin)/including aspirin
Breathing disorders
Cerebral Palsy
Clinical trial patients
COPD
Cystic Fibrosis
Diabetes
Dialysis patient
Drug/Medicine allergies
Emphysema
Epilepsy/Seizures
Hearing, Visual, or Mental impairment
Heart disease (angina, atrial fibrillation, pacemakers)
Hypertension
Insect allergies
Kidney failure
Mental health patients
Multiple medications
Multiple Sclerosis
Pacemaker
Parkinson's Disease
Multiple medications
Rare diseases
Special needs children
Stroke risk
Transplant or cancer patients
Tourette Syndrome

What's really neat is that those who suffer from any of these or other ailments (particularly children), no longer have to wear a boring or awkward piece of jewelry which attracts negative attention, or promotes teasing or taunting by other children. Bands can be made with a variety of colors, character beads, crystals etc. to personalize it. The bands are made with 2 clasps, making it easy to change to match any outfit. Medical alert jewelry can now be worn with pride.

This article was authored by Patrina Roberts, President of Bellisimo Bracelets, LLC To contact Patrina, please feel free to email her at: patrina@bellisimobracelets.com.

http://www.bellisimobracelets.com

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