Friday, June 24, 2011

Wellness Update: Australia: Healthzone Limited

Healthzone Limited (ASX: HZL; OTCQX: HLTZY), Australia's leading natural products distributor, franchise retailer and producer of health, beauty and natural products, today announced that Executive Chairman, Peter Roach, has purchased 813,131 shares of Healthzone Ltd stock at AU$0.40 per share in a private transaction from an existing investor.

About Healthzone Limited

Healthzone Ltd operates a portfolio of distribution, consumer product and retail business and is the largest operator in the Australian Wellness sector with significant and growing Asian and China wellness market interests. Each business provides immediate opportunities for earnings growth through business development and integration. Healthzone's businesses are comprised of three principal activities; Health and Beauty distribution; Health and Beauty Products, and Health Food Retail. For further information please visit www.healthzone.com.au

Wellness Update: South America: Walk with A Doc! and be Healthy!

The hot new health program is called Walk With A Doc and it's taking off for good reason.

It helps people lose weight. It prevents or reverses the effects of dozens of diseases, including arthritis, depression, diabetes, heart attack and stroke. It provides fast answers to health questions, turns doctors and patients into friends, and it's free.

Easy, too.

All it takes is a physician who's willing to lace up a pair of sneakers, head to a mall or a park and go for a walk with two or 250 people at a time.

And it was founded by a doc from Ohio.

Dr. David Sabgir grew up in Worthington, outside Columbus; graduated from Miami University in Oxford and the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo; and completed his internship, residency and fellowship at the Ohio State University Medical Center before going into private practice in Columbus in 2003.

He launched Walk With A Doc with a 2.2-mile hike through Sharon Woods Metro Park, just north of the state capital, on April 9, 2005.

The reason was simple.

Telling people to get out and exercise wasn't working.

"And I was pretty good at telling them to do it," Sabgir says before trying out his pitch again, explaining how walking can lower cholesterol, reverse diabetes and wipe out sleep apnea; how it makes people feel good, boosts their self-esteem, transforms their lives.

Then one Saturday morning while lifting weights with a buddy he started thinking: "All I'm doing here is helping myself. Maybe I could help five or 10 more people if we went to the park and walked."

He talked to his nurse, Mollie Bangert, who designed a flier and posted it in their office. And the two of them began spreading the word to their patients, who loved the idea.

They called the office to ask if they could bring their husbands, their grandkids, their dogs. But Sabgir was worried. He knew their record when it came to following through. If 50 or 60 people showed up for the first walk, he'd be happy.

When he got there that Saturday morning, 101 people were waiting.

Over the next six weeks, the number of walkers varied. One Saturday there'd be 50 people, the next 140. But a core group returned each week. And new people showed up every time.

http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2011/06/walk_with_a_doc_program_has_oh.html

Wellness Update: North America: Cutting-edge Nutritional Systems for Obese

Toronto -- Achieving fitness goals is an obstacle for millions of people suffering from obesity. As a result, diabetes, heart disease and strokes are few of the physical consequences. Fortunately, to address the growing obesity epidemic in North America, many health and wellness organizations have developed cutting-edge nutritional systems.

One of the fastest growing wellness companies, Visalus Sciences created the Body by Vi™ Challenge to replenish the body with vitamins, nutrients and minerals.

The product is powered by the latest technology and fitness best practices including Kosher certified meal replacements with tri-sorb protein, chelated multi-vitamins, and patented anti-aging formulas. Body by Vi Challenge is designed from the ground up to transform an individual's well-being and enforce healthier choices.

The Challenge encourages participants to prioritize their fitness goals for a minimum of 90 days.

As an incentive for participants achieving their fitness goal, Visalus also offer rewards including $100,000 for Hollywood makeovers, cruises and other fun prizes.

To learn more about the Body by VI Challenge please visit http://myeverlastinghealth.myvi.net/challenge

http://www.emailwire.com/release/66673-ViSalus-Sciences-Combat-High-Obesity-Rates-With-The-Body-By-Vi-Challenge.html

Wellness Update: Africa: United States First Lady Michelle Obama will travel to Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa, and Gaborone during her June

Focusing on youth leadership, education, health and wellness, the trip is a continuation of her work to engage young people at home and abroad, from mentoring students in the US and encouraging them to gain international experience, to encouraging young people to excel academically, serve, and lead during her visits to Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, India, Mexico and the United Kingdom (UK).

Accompanying her will be her mother, Marian Robinson and her daughters, Malia and Sasha Obama.

According to a news release from the US Embassy in Gaborone, this visit will underscore that the US has an important stake in the success of Africa's many nations and underscore the historic connections between the American people and those who live on the African continent. South Africa is a vital global partner for the US, as political leader and economic engine on the continent, and a historic example of democratic transition in Africa and around the world. Botswana's enduring democracy, bolstered by its commitment to using its vast natural resources to invest in its people and grow its economy, models the potential for good governance, and strong institutions to advance prosperous and stable societies.

In addition to advancing her international youth engagement agenda, the First Lady's events will amplify President Barack Obama's support for democracy, development and economic opportunity across Africa. During her trip, Obama will deliver the keynote address to a US-sponsored Young African Women Leaders Forum in South Africa.

Forum participants include young women from across sub-Saharan Africa who are leading or involved in social and economic initiatives in their own countries. The Forum will build on the Obama Administration's ongoing engagement with the next generation of African leaders and the momentum of the August 2010 President's Forum with Young African Leaders held at the White House.

Wellness in Europe: ELIQUIS(R) (apixaban) Meets Primary and Key Secondary Endpoints in Phase 3 ARISTOTLE Study Detailed results to be presented at Eur

ELIQUIS(R) (apixaban) Meets Primary and Key Secondary Endpoints in Phase 3 ARISTOTLE Study

Detailed results to be presented at European Society of Cardiology Congress 2011

Bristol-Myers Squibb CompanyBMY +5.73% and Pfizer Inc. PFE +1.82% announced today topline results of the Phase 3 ARISTOTLE trial of ELIQUIS(R). In this study of patients with atrial fibrillation and at least one additional risk factor for stroke, ELIQUIS met the primary efficacy objective of non-inferiority to warfarin on the combined outcome of stroke (ischemic, hemorrhagic or unspecified type) and systemic embolism. In addition, ELIQUIS met the key secondary endpoints of superiority on efficacy and on ISTH (International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis) major bleeding compared to warfarin.

ELIQUIS, a new oral direct Factor Xa inhibitor, is being developed by the alliance of Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer.

The companies expect to submit regulatory filings in atrial fibrillation in the U.S. and Europe in the third or fourth quarter of 2011.

The detailed results of the ARISTOTLE study will be presented during the "Hot Line" session on August 28, 2011, at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2011 in Paris.

About ARISTOTLE

ARISTOTLE, a double-blind, multicenter, head-to-head Phase 3 trial, randomized 18,201 patients with atrial fibrillation from over 1,000 centers in about 40 countries. Patients were randomized to receive either ELIQUIS 5 mg twice daily (2.5 mg twice daily in selected patients) or dose-adjusted warfarin (titrated to a target INR range of 2.0 to 3.0).

About ELIQUIS

ELIQUIS is the approved trade name for apixaban in Europe and the proposed trade name in the U.S. and other countries. ELIQUIS is not approved for the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer recently announced the first regulatory approval for ELIQUIS for the prevention of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) in adult patients who have undergone elective hip or knee replacement surgery in the 27 countries of the European Union (EU).

ELIQUIS is being investigated within the EXPANSE Clinical Trials Program, which is projected to include nearly 60,000 patients worldwide across multiple indications and patient populations and includes a total of nine completed or ongoing, randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trials, including ARISTOTLE.

In addition to stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation and the prevention of VTE in patients who have undergone total hip or total knee replacement surgery, ELIQUIS is being investigated in Phase 3 trials for the treatment of VTE and the prevention of VTE in hospitalized acutely ill medical patients.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/eliquisr-apixaban-meets-primary-and-key-secondary-endpoints-in-phase-3-aristotle-study-2011-06-22?reflink=MW_

Wellness in Asia: World's 1st Online Portal for Spa and Wellness therapies launched in Bali, Indonesia

Medical evidence for spa and wellness therapies

The world’s first online portal dedicated to the medical evidence that exists for 22 spa and wellness therapies,Spaevidence.com, was launched at the Global Spa Summit in Bali, Indonesia. The new portal consolidates clinical evidence about 22 key spa therapies, including yoga, reflexology and aromatherapy, from four existing databases: Natural Standards, the Cochrane Library, Pub Med and the Trip Database. The portal has been developed with support from Dr. Ken Pelletier, Dr. Daniel Friedland, Dr. Marc Cohen and Nader Vasseghi. Among the therapies are lesser known ones such as ear candling, qi gong and music therapy. For each therapy it gives links to databases, research and ongoing trials.

Under the 2011 banner of “Engage the Change: The Customer. The Money. The Future,” delegates attended dozens of presentations and panels exploring smart new ways to engage with consumers; enter new markets; embrace new technologies; implement new business, tourism and wellness concepts; and pursue new investments.

There are at least 75,000 spas across the world, the number being difficult to determine as where a hotel with health leisure facilities ends and a spa/wellness centre begins is a matter of debate. Spas are seen as a leader in promoting both medical tourism and wellness tourism.

The release of new industry research is a hallmark of every summit, and the ten research reports available online include:
• GSS: “Wellness Tourism and Medical Tourism – Where Do Spas Fit?”
• Coyle Hospitality Group: “Priorities of Today’s Spa Consumers”

http://www.imtj.com/news/?entryid82=294797