Saturday, June 20, 2015

Grocery group fighting Vermont GMO labelling law





MONTPELIER, Vt.— Claiming "enormous challenges" and fines of up to "$250,000 per day," the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has sent a letter to Vermont Gov. Shumlin, in which the multi-billion dollar Washington D.C.-based lobbying group suggested the burden on food manufacturers of complying with Vermont's GMO labeling law by July 1, 2016, might be so onerous as to prevent food companies from selling their food in Vermont.


This is the latest effort of the giant lobbying group to prevent the law going forward. The Grocery Manufacturers Association and several other trade organizations filed a lawsuit against the state one month after the labeling law passed in May 2014. The association contends, among other arguments, that the law violates the U.S. Constitution by compelling manufacturers to "convey messages they do not want to convey."

 But Vermont’s GMO Labeling Law still stands after U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss ruled against the Grocery Manufacturers’ Association (GMA) and other interested food groups’ request for a preliminary injunction that would stop the GMO labeling law from going into effect in Vermont next summer. The ruling brings Vermont one huge step closer to being the first state in the Union to mandate that foods containing genetically modified organisms disclose that information on product labels.

 The GMA was disappointed that the judge ruled against the preliminary injunction against Vermont’s GMO labeling law, according to U.S. News. “Manufacturers are being harmed, and they are being harmed now,” the GMA said. “Act 120 is unconstitutional and imposes burdensome new speech requirements on food manufacturers and retailers.”

 The GMA was joined in the lawsuit by the Snack Foods Association, the International Dairy Foods Association and the National Association of Manufacturers, according to U.S. News. Together the plaintiffs allege that Vermont’s GMO labeling law is unconstitutional and violates the industry’s First Amendment rights. Because the judge partially granted some requests by the industry against the Vermont labeling law and Vermont’s Attorney General William Sorrel finalized rules regarding the GMO law this month, the case will likely go to trial, according to North Country Public Radio.

Though an automatic win would be preferred by many anti-GMO advocates, some are saying that a trial would bring a lot of facts about GMOs further into the public spotlight.

Connecticut and Maine have also passed GMO labeling laws, but these states’ laws require a neighboring state to go first. The GMA’s lawsuit was expected and planned for. GMO labeling supporters came together last year and raised funds to support “Vermont’s Food Fight,” and even big names in the industry like Ben & Jerry’s teamed up to raise funds to support the State of Vermont’s legal battle.

“The safety of food products, the protection of the environment, and the accommodation of religious beliefs and practices are all quintessential governmental interests, as is the State’s desire ‘to promote informed consumer decision-making,'” the judge wrote, dismissing the industry groups’ claims that Vermont’s GMO labeling law violates First Amendment rights and dismissing additional claims that Vermont’s law violated the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

"Indicative of increasing desperation, the GMA's recent letter takes hyperbole to a new height of ridiculousness, said Ronnie Cummins, international director of the Organic Consumers Association (OCA).

"That's why the OCA has called on consumers across the country to thank Gov. Shumlin for having the courage to stand up to Monsanto, and to challenge the junk food industry to go ahead, stop selling your toxic Twinkies in Vermont! We also call on lawmakers in other states, especially Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York, to stop stalling on GMO labeling laws, and to have the courage to stand in solidarity with Gov. Shumlin and Vermont lawmakers," Cummins said.

 The GMA's letter was signed by GMA President and CEO Pamela Bailey. So far, Vermont is the only state that has passed a strong, stand-alone GMO labeling law.

Maine and Connecticut have passed laws, but they are ineffective, as they require four or five additional (and in the case of Maine, contiguous) New England states to pass similar laws in order for theirs to take effect.

The OCA supported a bill (LD 991) in Maine this year that would have removed the "trigger" clause so that Maine's original bill (LD 718) could be enacted without waiting for other states.

Unfortunately, Maine lawmakers chickened out, claiming they need to "wait and see" what happens in Vermont.

 The GMA promptly sued the state of Vermont, a week after Gov. Shumlin signed the state's GMO labeling bill into law. District court judge Reiss's ruling rejected the GMA's request for an injunction in order to keep the law from taking effect on July 1, 2016. The judge's 84-page decision affirmed the constitutionality of Vermont's law.

Meanwhile, H.R. 1599, a federal bill introduced by Rep. Mike Pompeo, is making its way through Congress. H.R. 1599, dubbed the DARK (Deny Americans the Right to Know) Act would not only preempt Vermont's GMO labeling law, but would prevent any state or local government from passing GMO labeling laws or GMO crop bans. The bill would also weaken the system for approving new GMO crops.

 "Sixty-seven countries that represent 65 percent of the world's population have already embraced transparency through GMO labelling," said Cummins. This latest ploy by the GMA to intimidate Gov. Shumlin and Vermont lawmakers is, frankly, pathetic."

See DAVE GRAM.  (April 28, 2015). Industry seeks to block GMO food labeling. Burlington Free Press. http://bfpne.ws/1zgFcsY

Fixing Health Care After King v. Burwell 

Six Reforms To Improve Obamacare for Patients and Taxpayers: NCPA

Dallas, TX  – In light of the Supreme Court's pending ruling on King v. Burwell, Congress must prepare reforms to the Affordable Care Act that will pass the president's desk, says NCPA Senior Fellow John R. Graham in a  new report.

"Victory in King v. Burwell will not allow Congress to repeal and replace Obamacare. Nevertheless, it opens the door to some reform. Congress will succeed if it proposes changes that win President Obama signature, and remove at least one of Obamacare's harmful effects," says Graham. "Falling for the defeatist notion that President Obama will veto any reform proposed by this Congress is unworthy of a Congress that has promised to fix health care."

Graham's report suggests six reforms that could remove some of the Affordable Care Act's most harmful features:


  • Reforming premium tax credits so that beneficiaries are not penalized if they work more hours and increase their incomes.
  • Combine Obamacare's tax credits and cost sharing subsidies so beneficiaries can decide themselves how much to pay directly for health goods and services versus how much to pay in premiums to health insurers.
  • Allow beneficiaries to buy health insurance from brokers or agents and claim tax credits without having to go through the broken government exchanges.
  • Remove federal mandates on health insurance, such as age bands and mandated benefits, which increase costs, especially for young adults.
  • Remove the mandates on individuals and employers to purchase government-compliant health insurance.


"Even if the Supreme Court rules in favor the government and Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell, these reforms would solve some of the problems created by the Affordable Care Act, while helping fulfill the goals of increasing health insurance coverage and reducing costs to consumers, employers and taxpayers," says Graham.

Reforming Obamacare: How Congress, and the President, Can Win after King v. Burwell: http://www.ncpa.org/pdfs/JGraham_KingBurwell.pdf 

The National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy research organization, established in 1983. We bring together the best and brightest minds to tackle the country's most difficult public policy problems — in health care, taxes, retirement, education, energy and the environment. Visit our website today for more information.

Supporters of the Medical Device Tax Repeal Contributed 21 Times More Money Than Opponents


This week the House of Representatives passed H.R. 160, the Protect Medical Innovation Act, which would repeal a 2.3 percent tax on medical devices. Congress included the tax in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010. The tax is expected to raise $26 billion over the next 10 years.

Repealing the tax has been a major legislative goal of the medical device industry. Supporters of the tax, including organizations like the National Physicians Alliance and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, have argued the tax does not hurt device manufacturers.

MapLight analysis of campaign contributions to members of the House of Representatives from the political action committees (PACs) and employees of industries supporting and opposing H.R. 160 from October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2014. Contributions data source: OpenSecrets.org.
I
ndustries supporting the medical device tax repeal gave 21 times more ($19.5M) to current members of the House of Representatives compared to industries opposing the bill ($942K).

Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN), the sponsor of the medical device tax repeal, received $109,049 from the medical supplies manufacturing and sales industry, more than any other member of the House.

Top 10 Recipients of Contributions from the Medical Supplies Manufacturing & Sales Industry


In addition to campaign contributions, the medical device industry has spent millions of dollars lobbying Congress and federal agencies.


To see how much each company has spent on lobbying since 2008, please click here to view our comprehensive federal lobbying database. 

Fireworks safety tips for a safe July Fourth





Fireworks on the Fourth of July are as American as apple pie. Carol Cunningham, MD, Emergency Medicine Physician at Akron General Health System urges using common sense when it comes to handling fireworks to celebrate our country's birthday.

On average, about 200 people every day go to the emergency department with fireworks-related injuries around the 4th of July holiday, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). More than half the injuries were burns. For example, a sparkler can burn at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit - which is as hot as a blow torch.

Almost half (41 percent) of fireworks injuries are to a person's hands, fingers or arms. One-third (38 percent) of them are to a person's eyes, head, face and ears (CPSC).

Firecrackers on Chinese New Year  - Photo by Amythyst Lake

If fireworks are legal in your community, The American College of Emergency Physicians strongly suggests that you do not use fireworks at your home. If you do use them, however, these do's and don'ts will help make it a safer experience.


  • DO - Have knowledgeable supervision by an experienced adult if you choose to use fireworks.
  • DO - Buy fireworks from reputable dealers.
  • DO - Read warning labels and follow all instructions.
  • DO - Keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher on hand.
  • DO - Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
  • DO - Dispose of all fireworks properly.
  • DON'T - Give any fireworks, including sparklers, to small children; older children should be supervised by a responsible adult.
  • DON'T - Light fireworks indoors or near other objects.
  • DON'T - Place your body over a fireworks device when trying to light the fuse and immediately back up to a safe distance after you light it.
  • DON'T - Point or throw fireworks at another person, ever.
  • DON'T - Try to re-light or pick up malfunctioning fireworks.
  • DON'T - Wear loose clothing while using any fireworks.
  • DON'T - Set off fireworks in glass or metal containers - the fragments can cause severe injury.
  • DON'T - Carry fireworks in a pocket.

"The safest and only thing you should do is watch a professional fireworks display managed by experts who have proper training and experience handling these explosives," says Dr. Cunningham.

Sydney Fireworks - Anthony Cramp Photo 2010


About Akron General Health System

Akron General Health System, an affiliate of Cleveland Clinic, is a not-for-profit health care organization that has been improving the health and lives of the people and communities it serves since 1914. Akron General Health System includes: Akron General Medical Center, a 532-bed teaching and research medical center, and Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation, the area's largest provider of rehabilitation services; Akron General Partners, which includes Partners Physician Group, the Akron General Health & Wellness Centers, Lodi Community Hospital, Community Health Centers and other companies; Akron General Visiting Nurse Service and Affiliates; and Akron General Foundation. Recently, U.S. News & World Report ranked Akron General Medical Center as the fifth best hospital in Ohio for the second year running. In 2013, the American Nurses Association bestowed the prestigious "Magnet" status on the more that 1,000 nurses from Akron General Medical Center, Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation and the Health System's Health & Wellness Centers. For more information about Akron General Health System, visit akrongeneral.org.


AUTHOR AND PSYCHOLOGIST DR. CONSTANCE VINCENT'S NEW BOOK "NOT GOING GENTLY" DETAILS HER COURAGEOUS FIGHT AGAINST ALZHEIMER'S FOR HER MOTHER… AND HERSELF

"Vincent is an adept writer, both when it comes to engrossing storytelling and in delivering medical facts with significant weight… A quick, emotional, and educational memoir about Alzheimer's." – Kirkus Featured Review
"A highly candid and intimate memoir that chronicles the many challenges facing those touched by Alzheimer's disease. It is impossible not to be moved by Dr. Vincent's heartfelt account…" – Dr. Kirk Erikson, associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh and author of a key brain study

San Francisco, CA- Dr. Constance Vincent's Not Going Gently is more than just a poignant mother-daughter memoir of a loved one slowly slipping away. The book interweaves story and science into a unique first-person, very informed account of her mother's personal experience living with Alzheimer's, intertwined with her own determined and dogged professional research into the disease, to perhaps get a glimpse of what she might expect in her own future.

"For baby boomers – or anyone else – concerned about memory loss, the big fear is always "What if I'm getting Alzheimer's?" And if you have dementia in your family, you have even more reason to worry," says Dr. Vincent, a retired psychologist based in Northern California. "But here's the Catch 22. The disease has a 'head start' of twenty or more years ravaging your brain before you recognize the damage, and then it's too late for help. You have to take preventive measures to stop it now, before symptoms appear."

While much of what information exists about Alzheimer's tends to focus on only one aspect of the disease from either a scientific or personal perspective, Not Going Gently melds the two in an all-inclusive portrait of the disease. The book respectfully and honestly addresses this devastating illness that affects millions of people and their loved ones, while also offering hope through groundbreaking prevention plans.

Not Going Gently is an easy-to-read, warmly emotional memoir on love, aging and loss that contrasts Dr. Vincent's mother Madeline's touching and dramatic story with her own normal age-related memory changes and research into the disease.

About The Author:
Constance is a psychologist and former university professor who studies the individual's innate capacity to realize his or her full potential – mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Inspired by the quotation attributed to Socrates, "An unexamined life may not be worth living," she is also aware of the warning from Dr. Schweitzer and others that "an unlived life" may not be worth examining. Seeking to both live fully and examine deeply, Constance's widely varied interests, circumstances, and experiences reflect her philosophy. She lives in Northern California.
Book: www.amazon.com/Not-Going-Gently




SUMMER OF CREATIVITY GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR YOUNG CHANGEMAKERS
Disney | ABC Television Group Supports 125 Youth-Led Service Projects with $500 Grants

Washington, D.C. – As school lets out for the summer, Youth Service America (YSA) is calling on kids to make this a Summer of Creativity. YSA, through support from Disney | ABC Television Group will award Summer of Creativity Grants to young change-makers who have ideas and projects that positively impact their community. 

Youth ages 5-18 in the U.S. are eligible to apply for Summer of Creativity Grants by submitting service project ideas that will make a difference in their local communities. One hundred and twenty five winners will be awarded individual $500 grants to implement their projects. Select grantees will have a chance to be recognized on Good Morning America or their local ABC affiliate. Applications will be accepted through August 10, 2015, at YSA.org/BeInspired.
2014 grant-awarded projects included:
  • Warm Winters, a program run by a 14-year-old to collect coats, hats, and gloves left at ski resorts to help keep the homeless warm.
  • Shred Kids Cancer, a campaign organized by a 14-year-old to fundraise for research to help find cures for pediatric cancer.
  • Braeden's Brown Bags, a foundation founded by a 10-year-old to provide healthy meals to kids in need.

"With half the world's population under the age of 25, our future depends on helping young people to find their voice, take action, and make a positive impact in their communities. We know that young people are uniquely suited to help solve problems - if given the opportunity," said Steven A. Culbertson, President and CEO of YSA. "We need youth to be leaders and problem solvers today, not just the leaders of a distant tomorrow. Disney ABC Television Group's Summer of Creativity is about shining a bright light on the incredible power of youth to use their ingenuity to change the world."
For more information and to apply, visit www.YSA.org/BeInspired

YSA (Youth Service America) helps young people find their voice, take action, and make an impact on vital community issues. YSA activates, funds, trains, and recognizes young people ages 5-25 and their adult partners. For more information, visit www.YSA.org.

Disney ABC Television Group's Summer of Creativity recognizes young people who are harnessing the power of creativity and service to positively impact people, communities and the planet. YSA, supported by Disney | ABC Television Group and Disney Friends for Change, will award $500 Summer of Creativity Grants to young change-makers who are taking action and caring for the world we share. Youth ages 5-18 are encouraged to apply before August 10 by visiting ABC.com/BeInspired or YSA.org/BeInspired.

Friday, June 19, 2015

Tips for consumers to take control of their health and wellness

Are You in the Driver's Seat When it Comes to Your Health?
By Dr. Chad Larson



Dr. Chad Larson
Now more than ever people are taking charge of their own health because of easy access to the Internet that allows more people to be armed with knowledge about their health. For medical professionals this is both good and bad. It's good in that people feel more empowered than ever about their health, but bad in that access to all of that information can lead to self-diagnosis of their own ailments, which is potentially problematic. That said, taking control of one's own health by working in conjunction with a healthcare provider is the first step to improve a person's overall health.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself and tips to make sure you are in the driver's seat when it comes to your health:

1)      Are you getting an unclear diagnosis from your healthcare professional? 
If you aren't feeling well and your doctor doesn't know why, no one is in the driver's seat to your health. Due to scheduling demands, most medical professionals have a limited amount of time to spend during a patient's visit. If there isn't a clear way to diagnose your health concern with a blood test or other procedure, sometimes a process of elimination is used as a way to identify what's wrong. With all of this guesswork, it's no wonder patients often feel uncertain and uneasy with their diagnosis. In order to take charge in this situation, I suggest partnering with your healthcare provider to search for what types of tests would assist in pinpointing a clear diagnosis. There are several websites that are patient-friendly and that give consumer information about why a patient may feel unwell. Ask your healthcare provider for some options. Or, depending on your symptoms, start by searching for possible dietary and environmental triggers (often overlooked by your doctor) or use search terms such as "immunology" and "sensitivities." 

2)      Are you researching your family health history?
Do you know if your mother or father suffered from any autoimmune disorders? Do you know if they were allergic to or had food sensitivities? Write down and keep handy your health history as it pertains to your relatives. According to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, 54 million people have autoimmune diseases, many of which go undiagnosed. If you have a history of autoimmune disease in your family, you are more likely to develop one yourself, according to the national institutes of health. Tracing your family health history is important and highly recommended when you want to be more in control of your health and your risk factors to disease.


3)      Are you tracking what you eat?
With genetically modified foods, increased use of pesticides, and glue or gum additives in food, food reactivity is becoming more commonly tied to feelings of overall unhealthiness. Gluten and other foods can have a huge impact on health. Ask your healthcare provider if what you are experiencing is possibly a reaction to what you are eating. This is one easy way to identify the cause of some common health issues such as brain fog, bloating, tiredness and joint pain. 


4)      Do you follow a successful exercise routine?
Exercise is a great way to get on the road to being a healthier version of yourself. Exercise has a positive effect on many chronic health concerns, including body weight issues. Conversely, remaining overweight or obese can lead to major problems like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Talk to your healthcare provider about your health and about beginning an exercise routine.

With so much information about health at your fingertips, it is easy to get overwhelmed and frustrated by not knowing why you are feeling unhealthy. Remember that partnering with your healthcare provider and being an advocate for yourself is the first step on the road to wellness. The questions to consider and tips above can help empower you to a healthier and happier lifestyle while putting you in control of one—if not the most—important things in your life – your health. 

Dr. Larson, advisor and consultant to Cyrex Laboratories, holds a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Southern California University of Health Sciences. He is a Certified Clinical Nutritionist and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He particularly pursues advanced developments in the fields of endocrinology, orthopedics, sports medicine, and environmentally-induced chronic disease. Cyrex is a clinical immunology laboratory specializing in functional immunology and autoimmunity. Cyrex offers multi-tissue antibody testing for the early detection and monitoring of today's complex autoimmune conditions. Cyrex develops innovative testing arrays through continuous collaboration with leading experts in medical research and clinical practice. Cyrex differs from other labs by offering four pillars of excellence, including antigen purity, optimized antigen concentration, antigen-specific validation and parallel testing technology. Cyrex is based in Phoenix, Arizona and is a CLIA licensed laboratory. For more information please visit joincyrex.com/patients.


News Briefs from the Endocrine Society


Journal of Clinical Endodcrinology
& Metabolism (JCEM)
1. Prenatal DDT Exposure Tied to Nearly Four-fold Increase in Breast Cancer RiskFifty year-long study first to directly connect breast cancer risk to in utero chemical exposure
Women who were exposed to higher levels of the pesticide DDT in utero were nearly four times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer as adults than women who were exposed to lower levels before birth, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM)A more estrogenic form of DDT that is found in commercial DDT, o,p'-DDT, was largely responsible for this finding.

Despite being banned by many countries in the 1970s, DDT remains widespread in the environment and continues to be used in Africa and Asia. Many women who were exposed in utero in the 1960s, when the pesticide was used widely in the United States, are now reaching the age of heightened breast cancer risk.

DDT was among the first recognized endocrine disruptors, according to the introductory guide to endocrine-disrupting chemicals published by the Endocrine Society and IPEN. DDT and related pesticides can mimic and interfere with the function of the hormone estrogen. Past studies have found DDT exposure is linked to birth defects, reduced fertility and increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.

"This 54-year study is the first to provide direct evidence that chemical exposures for pregnant women may have lifelong consequences for their daughters' breast cancer risk," said one of the study's authors, Barbara A. Cohn, PhD, of the Public Health Institute in Berkeley, CA. "Environmental chemicals have long been suspected causes of breast cancer, but until now, there have been few human studies to support this idea."

The case-control study is prospective, having tracked the daughters of women who participated in the Child Health and Development Studies (CHDS) for 54 years beginning in utero. CHDS studied 20,754 pregnancies among women who were members of the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan from1959 through 1967. CHDS participants gave birth to 9,300 daughters during that period.

For the analysis published in JCEM, researchers used state records and a survey of CHDS participants' grown daughters to determine how many were diagnosed with breast cancer by age 52. To determine levels of DDT exposure in utero, the researchers analyzed stored blood samples from CHDS to measure DDT levels in the mothers' blood during pregnancy or in the days immediately after delivery. The researchers measured DDT levels in mothers of 118 women who were diagnosed with breast cancer. The scientists identified 354 daughters who did not develop cancer to use as controls and tested their mothers' blood for comparison.

The researchers found that independent of the mother's history of breast cancer, elevated levels of o,p'-DDT in the mother's blood were associated with a nearly four-fold increase in the daughter's risk of breast cancer. Among the women who were diagnosed with breast cancer, 83 percent had estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer, a form of cancer that may receive signals from the hormone estrogen to promote tumor growth.

Researchers also determined that exposure to higher levels of o,p'-DDT was associated with women being diagnosed with a more advanced stage of cancer. In addition, the scientists found women with greater exposure to o,p'-DDT were more likely to develop HER2-positive breast cancer, where the cancer cells have a gene mutation that produces an excess of a specific protein. Basic research studies where breast cancer cells were exposed to DDT have found the pesticide activated the HER2 protein.

"This study calls for a new emphasis on finding and controlling environmental causes of breast cancer that operate in the womb," Cohn said. "Our findings should prompt additional clinical and laboratory studies that can lead to prevention, early detection and treatment of DDT-associated breast cancer in the many generations of women who were exposed in the womb. We also are continuing to research other chemicals to see which may impact breast cancer risk among our study participants."

Other authors of the study include: Michele La Merrill of the University of California, Davis, in Davis, CA; Nickilou Y. Krigbaum, Lauren Zimmermann and Piera M. Cirillo of the Public Health Institute in Berkeley, CA; and Gregory Yeh and June-Soo Park of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control in Berkeley, CA.

The research was supported with funding from the California Breast Cancer Research Program, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the California Public Health Department, the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Program of Cancer Registries.

The study, "DDT Exposure in Utero and Breast Cancer," will be published online at http://press.endocrine.org/doi/10.1210/jc.2015-1841, ahead of print.
2. Maternal Stress Alters Offspring Gut and Brain through Vaginal Microbiome
Stress may have negative immunologic, nutritional and metabolic effects
Changes in the vaginal microbiome are associated with effects on offspring gut microbiota and on the developing brain, according to a new study published in Endocrinology, a journal of the Endocrine Society.The neonate is exposed to the maternal vaginal microbiota during birth, providing the primary source for normal gut colonization, host immune maturation, and metabolism. These early interactions between the host and microbiota occur during a critical window of neurodevelopment, suggesting early life as an important period of cross talk between the developing gut and brain.

"Mom's stress during pregnancy can impact her offspring's development, including the brain, through changes in the vaginal microbiome that are passed on during vaginal birth," said one of the study's authors, Tracy Bale, PhD, of the University of Pennsylvania. "As the neonate's gut is initially populated by the maternal vaginal microbiome, changes produced by maternal stress can alter this initial microbe population as well as determine many aspects of the host's immune system that are also established during this early period."

In this study, researchers utilized an established mouse model of early maternal stress, which included intervals of exposure to a predator odor, restraint, and novel noise as stressors. Two days after birth, tissue was collected from the moms using vaginal lavages and maternal fecal pellets and offspring distal gut were analyzed. Offspring brains were examined to measure transport of amino acids. Researchers found stress during pregnancy was associated with disruption of maternal vaginal and offspring gut microbiota composition.

These findings demonstrate the important link between the maternal vaginal microbiome in populating her offspring's gut at birth, and the profound effect of maternal stress experience on this microbial population and in early gut and brain development, especially in male offspring.

"These studies have enormous translational potential, as many countries are already administering oral application of vaginal lavages to c-section delivered babies to ensure appropriate microbial exposure occurs," Bale said. "Knowledge of how maternal experiences such as stress during pregnancy can alter the vaginal microbiome is critical in determination of at-risk populations."

Other authors of the study include: Eldin Jašarević, Christopher Howerton and Christopher Howard of the University of Pennsylvania.

The study, "Alterations in the vaginal microbiome by maternal stress are associated with metabolic reprogramming of the offspring gut and brain," will be published online at http://press.endocrine.org/doi/10.1210/en.2015-1177, ahead of print. 

3. Hormone Fluctuations Disrupt Sleep of Perimenopausal WomenStudy finds sleep interruptions worsen during certain phases of menstrual cycle
Women in the early phases of menopause are more likely to have trouble sleeping during certain points in the menstrual cycle, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.During perimenopause – the earliest stage of the menopausal transition – women may have irregular menstrual cycles due to the body's fluctuating hormone levels. Symptoms such as sleep disturbances and hot flashes typically begin three to five years prior to the onset of menopause, when a woman is in her 40s, according to the Hormone Health Network.

The study examined how hormone fluctuations affected sleep during the luteal and follicular phases of the menstrual cycle. The luteal phase occurs prior to menstruation. The follicular phase refers to the two weeks after menstruation.

"We found that perimenopausal women experience more sleep disturbances prior to menstruation during the luteal phase than they did during the phase after menstruation," said one of the study's authors, Fiona C. Baker, PhD, of the Center for Health Sciences at SRI International in Menlo Park, CA, and the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. "Measures of electrical brain activity found that the hormone progesterone influences sleep, even at this late reproductive stage in perimenopausal women."

The laboratory study examined sleep patterns in 20 perimenopausal women. Eleven of the participants experienced difficulty sleeping at least three times a week for at least a month, beginning with the onset of the menopausal transition.

The women each slept in a sleep laboratory twice – once in the days leading up to the start of the menstrual period and the other time several days after the menstrual period. Researchers used an electroencephalogram (EEG) to assess the women's sleep and brain activity. Each participant also completed a survey regarding their sleep quality in the month prior to the laboratory testing and underwent a blood test to measure changes in hormone levels.

Researchers found women had a lower percentage of deep, or slow-wave, sleep in the days before the onset of their menstrual periods, when their progesterone levels were higher. The women also woke up more often and had more arousals – brief interruptions in sleep lasting 3 to 15 seconds – than they did in the days after their menstrual periods. In contrast, sleep tends to be stable throughout the menstrual cycle in younger women.

"Menstrual cycle variation in hormones is one piece in the overall picture of sleep quality in midlife women," Baker said. "This research can lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms behind sleep disturbances during the approach to menopause and can inform the development of better symptom management strategies."

Other authors of the study include: Massimiliano de Zambotti, Adrian R. Willoughby, Stephanie A. Sassoon and Ian M. Colrain of the Center for Health Sciences at SRI International.

The study, "Menstrual-cycle Related Variation in Physiological Sleep in Women in the Early Menopause Transition," will be published online at http://press.endocrine.org/doi/10.1210/jc.2015-1844, ahead of print.

4. New from the Hormone Health Network: Exercise Anytime, Anywhere
Work out at work! The Hormone Health Network's newest infographic, "Exercises: Anytime, Anywhere" provides examples of simple physical activities that you can do no matter where you are, and how exercise can help those with diabetes. Go online to see the entire Infographics series. 
# # #
Founded in 1916, the Endocrine Society is the world's oldest, largest and most active organization devoted to research on hormones and the clinical practice of endocrinology. Today, the Endocrine Society's membership consists of over 18,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in 122 countries. Society members represent all basic, applied and clinical interests in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is based in Washington, DC. To learn more about the Society and the field of endocrinology, visit our site at www.endocrine.org. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/EndoMedia.

Spring allergies abound – 6 tips to stop the sneezing

Akron General expert provides tips on how to find relief from allergies




The arrival of spring may bring warmer weather, but that warm, dry breeze also carries pollen. And for the more than 50 million American allergy sufferers, that means it is time to stock up on tissues and allergy medicine – it is spring allergy season.

Unfortunately this spring it is not just pollen that has us sneezing. "We are already seeing more intense mold-related allergy symptoms this spring, especially itchy, watery eyes," says Bela B. Faltay, MD, Chief of Service, Allergy, Akron General Health System. "This is likely due to the volume of snow that has made the ground very moist."

"The late onset of warm weather causes the different species of trees to pollinate at the same time rather than in a gradual sequence," explains Dr. Faltay. "Much like last year, it will also increase the overlap between the tree and grass seasons. For patients allergic to both tree and grass, this can be much more intense."

"Typically grass allergy season occurs later in the spring and into early summer," says Dr. Faltay. "But if the weather remains cool and wet, it may extend the grass season."

If you are an allergy sufferer, and all too familiar with the symptoms of sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes, Dr. Faltay offers these 6 quick tips to help find relief:

  1. Be prepared. Start over-the-counter and prescription preventative allergy medicines early to reduce or even prevent allergy symptoms.
  2. Break out your shades. Wear sunglasses when outdoors to minimize the amount of pollen getting in your eyes.
  3. Turn on the air. Close your windows and turn on the air conditioner (or heater, depending on weather conditions) at home and in the car.
  4. Know the pollen count. Limit time outdoors on high pollen days.
  5. Scrub up. Wash your hair after spending time outdoors.
  6. Get electric. Use your clothes dryer - don't hang clothes outdoors to dry.
What's up doc? Dr. Faltay recommends that you visit your physician if over-the-counter allergy medicine is not relieving your symptoms, or if you have to take them on a prolonged basis for relief.

About Akron General Health System
Akron General Health System, an affiliate of Cleveland Clinic, is a not-for-profit health care organization that has been improving the health and lives of the people and communities it serves since 1914. Akron General Health System includes: Akron General Medical Center, a 532-bed teaching and research medical center, and Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation, the area's largest provider of rehabilitation services; Akron General Partners, which includes Partners Physician Group, the Akron General Health & Wellness Centers, Lodi Community Hospital, Community Health Centers and other companies; Akron General Visiting Nurse Service and Affiliates; and Akron General Foundation.

Recently, U.S. News & World Report ranked Akron General Medical Center as the fifth best hospital in Ohio for the second year running. In 2013, the American Nurses Association bestowed the prestigious "Magnet" status on the more that 1,000 nurses from Akron General Medical Center, Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation and the Health System's Health & Wellness Centers.

For more information about Akron General Health System, visit akrongeneral.org.


Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Becomes First Pediatric Rehabilitation Program to utilize Esko Robotic Exoskeleton

Center for Advanced Technology and Robotic Rehabilitation Patients Now Using Ekso™ Robotic Exoskeleton
Device has enabled over 21 million steps globally


ATLANTA – In an effort to remain a leading specialist in pediatric rehabilitation, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is the first pediatric hospital in the U.S. to offer patients enhanced neuro-rehabilitation services through the use of Ekso Bionics' patented technology. Children's is incorporating Ekso—a wearable robot—or exoskeleton— into its Center for Advanced Technology and Robotic Rehabilitation to continue offering the latest technology to help children and teens recover from injuries or disorders that have hindered their motor skills.


The exoskeleton enables patients with lower-extremity paralysis or weakness to stand and walk with minimal assistance. Using motors and sensors, along with the patient's assistance with balance and positioning, the exoskeleton allows the child to walk over ground with an efficient, repetitive gait pattern, helping the body re-learn proper step pattern and weight shifts. The exoskeleton can provide therapists with immediate feedback from each step the patient takes showing how much work the machine is doing verses how much work the child is doing.

"Neuroplasticity is the adaptive capacity of the central nervous system to respond to repeated changes in stimuli, which it may do by reorganizing its structure, function or neural connections," Joshua Vova, M.D., Medical Director of Rehabilitation Services, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. "In effect, it can help patients recovering from stroke, brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries to learn to walk again, with a proper gait pattern which may help to minimize compensatory behaviors."

Physical and Occupational Therapists at Children's Center for Advanced Technology and Robotic Rehabilitation use technology to help children and teens perform important repetitive movements in different ways. This can help children with impairments build strength and coordination. It can also allow the therapists to work with patients on skills he or she may not be able to perform otherwise. Research shows that therapy with repetitive and random patterns helps the brain and spinal cord work together increasing strength, coordination, function and independence.

"We are excited to work with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta to offer leading treatment options for many patients who best benefit from technology assisted therapy. Neurorehabilitation and the increasing importance of neuroplasticity is key to regaining as much of a person's abilities as possible and improving functional outcome, and it's a significant measure of our success to be a part of that," said Nate Harding, CEO and co-founder of Ekso Bionics.  "Working together with Children's is a reflection of our shared commitment to augment human capability."

About Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta has been 100 percent dedicated to kids for 100 years. A not-for-profit organization, Children's is dedicated to making kids better today and healthier tomorrow. Our specialized care helps children get better faster and live healthier lives. Managing more than 870,000 patient visits annually at three hospitals and 25 neighborhood locations, Children's is the largest healthcare provider for children in Georgia and one of the largest pediatric clinical care providers in the country. Children's offers access to more than 60 pediatric specialties and programs and is ranked among the top children's hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report. With generous philanthropic and volunteer support since 1915, Children's has impacted the lives of children in Georgia, the United States and throughout the world. Visit www.choa.org for more information.


Photo caption: Chip Madren, now 18 years old, is approaching his five year milestone of being diagnosed with an aggressive, cancerous brain tumor that left him unable to walk, talk or swallow. Following years of physical and occupational therapy, Chip has regained his ability to swallow, talk and now walk. Chip is one of many patients now benefiting from the use of the exoskeleton in Children's Center for Advanced Technology and Robotic Rehabilitation. 

Bascom Palmer Researchers Discover Protein that Leads to Glaucoma

(Miami, FL)  A team of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute researchers have discovered the protein cochlin, most recognized in concentrated levels within the inner ear, is present in the eye and has an effect on glaucoma.  The interdisciplinary team at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine found that levels of cochlin, a protein product of the COCH gene, rise just prior to the elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eye.  An increase in IOP is a common precursor to glaucoma, an eye disease that affects more than three million Americans.

Sanjoy K. Bhattacharya, Ph.D., M. Tech, professor of ophthalmology; Jianhua (Jay) Wang, M.D., Ph.D., M.S., associate professor of ophthalmology; and Giovanni Gregori, Ph.D., research associate professor of ophthalmology, measured cochlin in experimental models and found peak levels of the protein precede clinical glaucoma symptoms. "The ability to detect and quantify cochlin in the local tissues of the eye prior to clinical detection of the disease offers potential diagnostic and prognostic value," says Bhattacharya. "This discovery paves the way for physicians and researchers to record levels of protein and lipid biomarkers in the eyes for progressive blinding eye diseases such as glaucoma." The findings were shared in the June 5, 2015 online edition of Scientific Report, a Nature Group publication.

Bhattacharya's research concentrates on the cell biology of the trabecular meshwork, an area of tissue in the eye responsible for draining the aqueous fluid from the eye.  An imbalance in the fluid can result in elevation of intraocular pressure, which damages the optic nerve and results in gradual vision loss associated with glaucoma. Vision loss from glaucoma is irreversible.

Wang, an ophthalmologist and engineer, develops state-of-the art imaging equipment that provides clearer images and detailed information about the eye.  This advanced equipment allows researchers to analyze and evaluate cross-sectional images of the entire retinal layer of the eye.  For these studies supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants, Wang specifically designed and built a sophisticated optical coherence tomography (OCT) instrument combining two different approaches, (spectroscopic and magnetomotive).  This specialized instrument, available only at Bascom Palmer, was used to detect the levels of cochlin. Utilizing his mathematical expertise, Gregori extracted relevant information from the large sets of data that were sorted, analyzed and quantified for the study. Working with the Bascom Palmer team, were Ayman Aljohani, a clinical postdoctoral fellow and Teresia Carreon, a University of Miami graduate student in research.

The research is funded by NIH grants totaling $1.5 million.   The findings may be found online at: http://www.nature.com/srep/2015/150605/srep11092/full/srep11092.html

About Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine – part of UHealth – the University of Miami Health System, is ranked the best eye hospital in the nation, as published in U.S. News & World Report.  As the largest ophthalmic care, research and educational facility in the southeastern United States, it treats more than 250,000 patients with nearly every ophthalmic condition each year and more than 12,000 surgeries are performed annually. To date, the Institute has trained more than 900 physicians, clinicians and researchers, many of whom now lead academic and clinical ophthalmology centers worldwide. With nearly 80 faculty members and 1,200 staff, the Institute demonstrates exceptional expertise in every ophthalmic subspecialty. Founded in 1962, Bascom Palmer has patient care facilities in Miami, Palm Beach Gardens, Naples, and Plantation, Florida. 

How Mindfulness Can Help You Get Your Picky Eater to Try More Foods



Do You Mind?
By Justine and Le-Anne Noble




Practicing mindfulness is quickly gaining popularity in America. Based on Buddhist principles, being mindful is living in the moment and fully experiencing external sensations as well as your emotions and internal thoughts.  While practicing mindfulness can be challenging for a child, an aspect of it, opening up your senses, is a tool that parents can use to introduce their child to new things.

Kids can be very picky eaters. Every parent knows the difficulty of trying to get their child to try new foods. A lot of children won't stray too far from chicken tenders and french fries. This can make ensuring that they are receiving the proper nutrients difficult. As a parent you want your child's diet to be made up of a nice variety of natural and whole foods. The body needs a lot of different nutrients, and the best way to get them is from a well balanced diet.

So, how do you get your picky eater to try new things? This is where one of the principles of mindfulness comes in. When practicing mindfulness, you focus on the senses and fully experience everything you see, hear, touch, smell and taste. Observe these things without judgement. So, it's simply "This is sour," not "I don't like this." You can use this idea to your advantage a few different ways.

1 - Next time you are in the produce section of the grocery store, invite your child to join you in selecting different kinds of produce. Grab a fruit or vegetable that they have never had before or that they won't try. Together, make observations about the food. Feel the texture of its skin or its leaves. Listen for the sound it makes when you rub it, shake it, or thump it. Look at its bright colors or odd shape. And don't be afraid to give it a good smell.  Take turns describing what you are experiencing. After exciting these four senses, your child is more likely to have an interest in discovering that fifth sense of taste.

Photo thanks to kidscost.com


2 - While preparing a meal, invite your child to join you. As the two of you prepare the meal, take time to observe and enjoy the way your senses are involved. Listen to the sound of a sauce simmering or carrots being chopped. Look at how beautiful a salad is or how artistic a plate presentation can be. Notice how wonderful the kitchen begins to smell. Feel the sensation of cutting through a bell pepper (under close adult supervision, if you feel like your child can handle it) or of grabbing a handful of rice before it's cooked. Taste the ingredients you use, and see how the flavors change as you add different things. Getting children's senses involved like this and making them a part of the cooking process will make them much more excited to try new things.

3 - Make mindfulness a game. Have your child taste and smell a spice or herb you are going to use in one of the parts of the meal. Then, see if he can tell which part of the meal you used it in.  Or have your child taste the different ingredients you are using, and see if they can determine whether the ingredient is sweet, sour, bitter, or salty (or umami, if you're up for the challenge).  Play a guessing game by blindfolding your child and letting them touch, smell, hear, and taste a fruit or vegetable. Then, see if they can guess what it is.

Whether mindfulness is something you practice in all aspects of your life or not, the principle of opening up the senses is a useful tool when it comes to exploring new and unusual foods. When you introduce your child to the way different foods affect the senses, you spark their curiosity.  This curiosity can lead to a desire to try new things, and will make eating a more enjoyable experience. The more a child enjoys eating a variety of foods, the healthier that child will be.

Justin Noble is a certified nutrition coach, children's book author, and long time lover of children's stories. Raised in the Texas Hill Country, Justin relocated to New York City where he was inspired with the idea behind the My Body Village series, co-created with wife Le-Anne. Le-Anne Noble has a BA in creative writing and a BA in theatre performance from Western Michigan University, and received her MFA in acting from the University of Florida. For more information about the Nobles and Arties' Party Featuring The Vita-Men! please visit http://www.MyBodyVillage.com


Making good choices about anesthesia, from the June 2015 Harvard Women's Health Watch

Boston, MA —From stitching up a cut to bypassing a coronary artery, most operations aren't possible without anesthesia. It is designed to keep you comfortable during a procedure that otherwise might be hard to tolerate physically, emotionally, or both. There are many types of anesthetic available, and the type chosen can affect your recovery. While doctors make some of the decisions about which type of anesthetic to use, patients often have a say, too, according to the June 2015 Harvard Women's Health Watch.
"Anesthesiologists have four goals: to see that you have no pain, that you're drowsy or unconscious, that your body is still so that the surgeon can work on it, and that you aren't left with bad memories of the procedure," says Dr. Kristin Schreiber, an anesthesiologist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital.
There are four main types of anesthesia:
·         Local anesthesia. Anesthetic medication is injected near the area to be treated. Its effect is limited to a fairly small area.
·         Regional anesthesia. Anesthetic medication is injected near clusters of nerves to numb a larger area, or region, of the body.
·         Neuraxial anesthesia. Anesthetic medication is injected near the spinal roots, numbing an even larger part of the body than regional anesthesia. Epidural and spinal anesthesia are included in this category.
·         General anesthesia. A combination of intravenous and inhaled drugs brings on unconsciousness and the inability to feel pain.
Regional and neuraxial anesthesia can also induce different levels of sedation. Minimal sedation means being relaxed but aware of what's going on. Moderate sedation causes a "twilight sleep" — drifting in and out of consciousness, but able to easily be aroused. Deep sedation is similar to the effects of general anesthesia — being fast asleep and unlikely to remember anything.
Read the full-length article: "What you should know about anesthesia"
Also in the June 2015 Harvard Women's Health Watch:
  • 7 lessons from the proposed nutritional guidelines
  • When is a fainting spell worrisome?
  • What to do for shoulder pain
  • Keeping one step ahead of toenail fungus
Harvard Women's Health Watch is available from Harvard Health Publications, the consumer publishing division of Harvard Medical School, for $20 per year. Subscribe at www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/womens or by calling 877-649-9457 (toll-free).



Onxeo consolidates its industrial property with a US patent protecting Validive® until 2029

Paris (France), Copenhagen (Denmark) Onxeo S.A. (Euronext Paris, NASDAQ Copenhagen: ONXEO), an innovative company specializing in the development of orphan oncology drugs, today announced the allowance by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) of patent covering its product Validive® until September 2029. Validive® is based on Onxeo's mucoadhesive technology Lauriad® and has obtained positive Phase II results last year in the prevention of severe oral mucositis in patients treated for head and neck cancer. This allowed US patent claims a new use of clonidine, the active principle of Validive®, in the treatment of oral mucositis. Moreover, this treatment with clonidine formulated in Onxeo's mucoadhesive technology Lauriad® is also covered by the patent.

After significant countries in Asia, this allowance from the USPTO strengthens significantly the patent protection of Validive® and its value. Oral mucositis is a radio/chemotherapy related condition occurring very frequently in patients undergoing head and neck cancer treatment. With no curative or preventive treatment currently, oral mucositis represents a serious unmet medical need for the patients. 
The incidence of head and neck cancer in the US is estimated to expand from 55,000 cases in 2015 to 68,000 in 2029, an attractive market of about 350-400 million.

"The new US patent protection is a key strength reinforcing the product's potential, while also reflecting and acknowledging the innovation represented by Validive®product formulated with our Lauriad® mucoadhesive technology", comments Judith Greciet, CEO of Onxeo.

About oral mucositis
Oral mucositis is a particularly invalidating pathology induced by radio/chemotherapy treatments and very frequent in patients with head and neck cancer. It may induce intense oral pain and eating disability requiring enteral or parenteral nutritional support. Thirty per cent of patients need to be hospitalized as a result and symptoms can force patients to stop treatment for an undefined period thus reducing treatment efficacy. Oral mucositis has currently no validated curative or preventive treatment.

About Validive®
Validive® (clonidine Lauriad®) is developed for the treatment of severe oral mucositis induced by radiotherapy or chemotherapy in patients suffering from head and neck cancer. This is a new therapeutic application of clonidine based on the mucoadhesive technology Lauriad®. Clonidine stimulates the alpha-2 adrenergic receptors traditionally used to treat high blood pressure. It stimulates these receptors in the brain. This leads to a decrease in peripheral resistance and thus a lowering of blood pressure, as well as a reduction in heart rate and renal vascular resistance. However, clonidine also acts as an agonist of the alpha-2 adrenergic receptors on leucocytes and macrophages, thereby decreasing the expression of the pro-inflammatory genes and the release of cytokines IL6, IL1β and TNFβ. This effect leads to a reduction in the pro-inflammatory mechanisms. It also acts on the anti-inflammatory mechanisms by increasing the release of TGF β.

The final positive results of the Phase 2 clinical trial,  comparing the efficacy and safety of Validive® versus placebo in the prevention of radio-chemotherapy induced severe oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients, were presented in session poster at the 2015 annual ASCO meeting. They found that severe oral mucosits developed in fewer patients receiving Validive® than in patients receiving placebo, 45.3% and 60.0% respectively (p = 0.064).  Furthermore, patients receiving Validive® who developed severe oral mucositis did so at a higher median radiation dose (60.0 Gy) compared to patients receiving placebo (48.0 Gy) (HR = 0.754; p = 0.211), indicating that Validive® prevents the onset of severe oral mucositis over a wider radiation dose range.

About Onxeo
Onxeo has the vision to become a global leader and pioneer in oncology, with a focus on orphan or rare cancers, through developing innovative therapeutic alternatives designed to "make the difference". The Onxeo team isdetermined to develop innovative medicines that provide patients with hope and significantly improve their lives.

Key orphan oncology products at the advanced development stage are:
Livatag® (doxorubicin Transdrug™): Phase III in hepatocellular carcinoma
Validive® (clonidine Lauriad®): Phase II in severe oral mucositis: Positive final results
Beleodaq® (belinostat): registered in the US in peripheral T-cell lymphoma
For more information, visit the website www.onxeo.com


Remove Uninvited Pests from the Summer Barbeque with FlyPunch!®

Aunt Fannie's™ natural, non-toxic pesticide provides protection from seasonal pests

Greenville, SC (June  2015)  - Imagine the scene of an all too often culinary crime.  Arrangements have been made; the backyard is well prepared. A hot, seasoned grill, open bottles of wine and beer, and summer's bounty; ripe, sweet fruits, fresh vegetables, and a vast assortment of homemade pies on display. Unfortunately, when uninvited guests arrive, often in swarms, a summer party is ruined or worse. Troublesome fruit flies are an unwelcome addition to any party, as they are also known carriers of disease causing bacteria such as E.coli and other food borne illnesses[1].
What is a good host supposed to do?

Prevent a Fruit Fly Assault, Naturally.

Aunt Fannie's FlyPunch! (www.auntfanniesco.com) is an effective, non-toxic fruit fly solution that is affordable, easy, and safe for use around food. As the end-of-summer harvest approaches, fruit fly infestations are likely to show up at barbeques, but also in home gardens and kitchens. Instead of reaching for outdated, harmful vapors or toxic pesticides, grab a jar of FlyPunch! Just set it near the flies, sit back, and watch it go to work.
"Living in South Carolina has its perks, but summer fruit flies are definitely not one of themI wanted a fly-free kitchen, but wasn't comfortable using the toxic sprays and harmful pesticides commonly found on the shelves today, and so FlyPunch! was born," explains Aunt Fannie's CEO and founder, Mat Franken. "It's a fast, easy-to-use, effective solution to fruit flies, and most importantly safe around food."
FlyPunch! comes in a 6oz. ready assembled Dive Jar that is affordably priced at $7.99.  FlyPunch! is sold at most leading health food stores and available directly at: www.auntfanniesco.com/buy-flypunch/.

Summer barbeques are special occasions when family and friends can gather for good food and should not be ruined by something so easily addressed as fruit flies.  FlyPunch! provides an easy, fast, and non-toxic solution to protect the party from germ spreading pests without using dangerous chemicals, vapors or strips. Dig in and have fun!

For more information about the benefits of FlyPunch! please visit: www.auntfanniesco.com.

About Aunt Fannie's
Aunt Fannie's, Inc., founded by Mat Franken in 2012, is the maker of FlyPunch!, a powerful, non-toxic, all-natural fruit fly pesticide that is fast, simple, honest and safe for use around food.
Aunt Fannie's FlyPunch! is designed for household kitchens, food service and food distribution centers, restaurants, bars, hotels, cafeterias, breweries, wineries and anywhere fresh food or produce is handled, grown or prepared.  Aunt Fannie's FlyPunch! is available at most health food retailers such as Whole Foods, Sprouts and Bristol Farms or can be ordered directly online through Amazon.com or the company's website, www.auntfannie.com.  The company headquarters are located in Greenville, S.C. and FlyPunch! is made in America. "Aunt Fannie's can help you eat clean, truly."