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Sept. 23, 2020
 
 
FITNESS & WELLNESS
 
 
Improving immunity through exercise — new advice on lowering infection impact
Medical Xpress
New advice to help healthcare professionals promote exercise as a way of improving immunity has been launched by medical experts and exercise scientists. The aim is to guide GPs, nurses and other clinical practitioners to reinforce the benefits of physical activity and structured exercise, particularly in the wake of lockdown measures imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Can you build muscle mass through swimming?
The Good Men Project
When we think of building muscle mass, lifting weights is typically the first thing that comes to mind. However, if you want all the benefits of strength training without the impact and strain on your joints and bones, swimming is the perfect solution. Gliding through the water increases flexibility and strengths all the muscles in the body. Swimming is a great way to reduce body fat and gain muscle mass.
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Yoga must be part of your anti-aging exercise regime
Longevity Live
Yoga has come a long way. You could say that once upon a time it was considered a rather alternative activity. Largely the domain of yogis’, hippies and free spirits. Thankfully, today the world has come to realize that yoga is not just great for your emotional and spiritual well-being. Indeed, it is a fantastic go to, anti-aging exercise regime.
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DIET & NUTRITION
 
 
Eating healthy foods may be more important than how much you weigh
Science Alert
For many of us, weight loss — with a goal to be healthier overall — has proven notoriously hard. Factors outside our control, from genetics and reliance on certain medications, to time and money restraints, can make it even tougher.
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A Pesco-Mediterranean diet and intermittent fasting can help your heart
Healthline
Heart disease is one of the most common illnesses in the United States, and it also happens to be one of the most deadly. Diet is one of the biggest factors in determining heart health, and a recent study published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology indicates that one diet in particular, specifically the Pesco-Mediterranean diet, combined with intermittent fasting may lower the risk of heart disease.
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Why does high carb/low fat diet reduce risk of metabolic diseases?
NutraIngredients.com
Consuming a high level of carbs and a low level of fats can regulate a gene in the body that can reduce your risk of obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases, a meta-analysis has concluded.
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RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
 
 
Exercise amount impacts A1C reduction in T2D population, study finds
AJMC
Individuals with type 2 diabetes who complete a higher volume of exercise training exhibit more improved glycemic control compared with individuals who exercise less frequently, according to a study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
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Just this many minutes of exercise will boost your brain, study says
Yahoo Life
There's nothing worse than settling in to get some work done and realizing you've got a major case of brain fog. In most cases, that's the point when a quick cup of coffee comes in. But according to a recent study, you might be able to replace the caffeine with just two minutes of exercise to give your brain the boost it needs.
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Study: Mediterranean diet may protect against rheumatoid arthritis
Pharmacy Times
The Mediterranean diet — which is rich in olive oils, cereals, fruits, vegetables, fish and a moderate amount of dairy, meat and wine — may help protect against rheumatoid arthritis, according to a new study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
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VITAMINS & PHARMACEUTICALS
 
 
There's only weak evidence for vitamin-D as a COVID-19 preventative — but scientists are trying to learn more
Time
To protect himself from COVID-19, Dr. Anthony Fauci has long said he’s skipping hugs and handshakes, wearing a mask and staying off of planes. Last week, he acknowledged adding another step to protect his health: taking supplements of vitamin-D.
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Health in a pill: Here’s how vitamins can help you build immunity and stay strong
YS Weekender
Do you really need vitamins? Are they effective? Are they helpful to your body? How do you know if they are safe for you? These are some of the questions most of us are baffled about. During immune challenged times like this pandemic, make sure that you are not deficient in any vitamin as this is critical to protecting yourself.
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Calcium and vitamin D 1st to reduce fracture risk?
Rheumatology Network
Drug therapy appears to be the first-line option for reducing fracture risk in osteoporosis, but it is not always feasible, and increasing calcium, vitamin D and protein intake may be a more practical option. Alongside regular physical activity, a balanced nutrient intake is essential for the reduction of osteoporosis risk.
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NAMCP UPDATES
 
 

LivaNova PLC, a market-leading medical technology and innovation company, today announced the publication of a new study in the International Journal of Bipolar Disorders that showed adding Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy (VNS Therapy®) to treatment as usual (TAU) significantly improves outcomes in patients with treatment-resistant bipolar depression (TRBD). The study examined patients from a five-year prospective registry and found 63% of TRBD patients treated with adjunctive VNS Therapy in addition to TAU had a significant reduction in depressive symptoms, as measured by a 50% or greater reduction in the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), compared with 39% of patients in the TAU alone group. Click here to view the entire press release. Click here to view the entire press release.


Additionally, LivaNova PLC announced a publication in Contemporary Clinical Trials, which details the design for “A Prospective, Multi-center, Randomized Controlled Blinded Trial Demonstrating the Safety and Effectiveness of VNS Therapy® System as Adjunctive Therapy Versus a No Stimulation Control in Subjects With Treatment-Resistant Depression” or the RECOVER clinical study. RECOVER is currently under way as part of a Coverage with Evidence Development framework of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) National Coverage Determination process. Click here to view the entire press release.


In late 2018, the National Association of Managed Care Physicians (NAMCP) decided to create the Value Based Care Council (VBCC). The VBCC mission supports empowering medical directors with information and resources to assist them in making value based decisions that support achieving the Triple AIM of improved outcomes and the patient experience while reducing overall costs. The goal is to improve the integration of cost, quality, and access in the clinical decision making process so as to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of extracting value from the associated spend in order to optimize outcomes.

Pursuant to the above, and in response to an unmet need in the marketplace, the VBCC developed a short form in order to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency with which value propositions can be shared between industry and the medical leadership of various payers throughout the country. This same short form provides a concise and consistent manner with which value propositions can be shared and provides the ability to align expectations prior to actually conducting conversations or having a meeting regarding a product or service.

The Product Value Proposition Customer Engagement Short Form can be found on the NAMCP website (www.namcp.org) in the Value Based Care Council subsection of the Councils tab, under tools and resources. Please contact Will Williams at wwilliams@namcp.org with questions or for additional information.


Jazz Pharmaceuticals is excited to announce the approval of ZEPZELCA™ (lurbinectedin) for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic small cell lung cancer (SCLC) with disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. ZEPZELCA is a second-line therapy that has been studied in both platinum-sensitive and -resistant SCLC patients. Please click here for more information.


Takeda Pharmaceuticals is part of, "The Fight Is In Us", an initiative to maximize the individual and societal benefit of COVID-19 plasma. The campaign will focus on recruiting COVID-19 survivors to donate their plasma at licensed blood and plasma donor centers.
  • If you’ve recovered from #COVID19, your immune system has antibodies that could be used as a treatment. See if you can help others by donating plasma www.TheFightIsInUs.org. #TheFightIsInUS

  • The antibodies that helped you or someone you know fight off COVID-19 may be able to help others. Visit www.TheFightIsInUs.org to see if you qualify to donate plasma. #TheFightIsInUs
You are a survivor, now you could be a hero. Plasma from recovered #COVID19 patients could play a key role in creating a potential therapy for coronavirus. Learn how you can donate at www.TheFightIsInUs.org #TheFightIsInUs


Biodesix, Inc., a leading diagnostic company in lung disease, recently announced a partnership with Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO and BIOb) to bring a COVID-19 Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) test to the FDA for an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) approval to support the escalating need for testing in the U.S. Two studies published this month, ahead of peer review, reported that ddPCR testing showed superior sensitivity and precision for clinical detection of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) compared to existing test methods that are performed using qPCR. Biodesix currently has a focus on lung disease and offers other diagnostic testing for lung cancer utilizing the ddPCR platform.Click here for more information.


"Modeling Cost-Effectiveness of On-Demand Treatment for Hereditary Angioedema Attack" was recently published in the Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy's February 2020 issue. Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare disease that causes painful and potentially fatal episodes of swelling (attacks). HAE attacks can be unpredictable and the need to treat sudden attacks promptly and effectively is critical to minimize risk of hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality. A cost-effectiveness model was evaluated that considers evaluation of on-demand medications, healthcare utilization and patient well-being. For access to the publication, please click here.


Biodesix, Inc. announced initiation of the next phase of their biomarker development program with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and Pfizer Inc. The companies have completed initial discovery and development of a new proteomic test that identifies likely responders to the anti-PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor (BAVENCIO®) (avelumab). Development efforts will now focus on transferring the test into Biodesix's CLIA lab in Boulder, CO for clinical phase test validation. The new test was developed through retrospective analysis of the circulating proteome of cancer patients treated with the investigational drug candidate, utilizing the proprietary Biodesix Diagnostic Cortex™ artificial intelligence (AI) platform. Click here to read the full press release.


The NAMCP Medical Directors Institute recently held the first meeting of its Executive Leadership Council (ELC) at the recent Fall Managed Care Forum. The NAMCP Medical Directors Institute decided in late 2018 to create the Value Based Care Council (VBCC) with a mission to empower medical directors with information and resources to assist them in making value based decisions that support achieving the Triple AIM of improved outcomes and the patient experience while reducing overall costs. Click here to view an overview of the genesis, formation, and work of NAMCP's Value Based Care Council. Please click here to view the press release.


LivaNova PLC (NASDAQ:LIVN), a market-leading medical technology and innovation company, today announced the first patient enrolled in "A Prospective, Multi-center, Randomized Controlled Blinded Trial Demonstrating the Safety and Effectiveness of VNS Therapy® System as Adjunctive Therapy Versus a No Stimulation Control in Subjects With Treatment-Resistant Depression" (RECOVER). The study will evaluate Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy (VNS Therapy) for Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) in accordance with the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) National Coverage Determination as part of its Coverage with Evidence Development Program. The first patient was enrolled by Dr. Azfar Malik in St. Louis. Click here to read the full press release.


Biodesix, Inc. this week highlighted findings from multiple studies demonstrating the significance and clinical utility of its VeriStrat® blood-based proteomic test as a predictive biomarker for patient survival outcomes and as a diagnostic tool to improve the clinical management of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This information is vital to implementing optimal treatment strategies for patients and supports disease state monitoring. To date, VeriStrat testing has helped more than 50,000 patients in determining the best treatment for their lung cancer. Click here to see the full press release.
 
 
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