Healthcare spending in Canada declining

The question is whether it is permanent or temporary     By Livio Di Matteo Expert Advisor EvidenceNetwork.ca Contact Livio THUNDER BAY, ON/ Troy Media/ - In the wake of new health expenditure data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), the evidence continues to mount that Canadian public health expenditure growth is moderating. Moreover, adjusting for inflation and population growth, per capita provincial and territorial government health expenditures have actually declined since their peak in 2010. From a high of $3,915 (2012 dollars), real provincial and territorial government health spending per capita has declined by 3.9 per cent to reach an estimated $3,762. This decline, however, is not evenly distributed across health expenditure categories or jurisdictions. When health expenditure categories are examined, the largest drop in real per capita provincial/territorial government health spending is for capital spending, with a drop of 28 per cent since 2010. Capital spending represents an easy target for government restraint, given that postponing capital projects, such as new buildings or diagnostic equipment, often does not have an immediate impact on service delivery. Next largest is real per capita drug spending, dropping 11.3 per cent, which is remarkable given drug spending was once one of the fastest growing components of provincial government health spending. According to CIHI, drug expenditure has been affected by jurisdictions introducing generic pricing controls combined with patent expirations and fewer new drug introductions. Smaller declines are in the areas of hospital and other institutional spending and administration. However, physicians, other professionals and public health appear to have escaped the decline. Real per capita physician spending is up 3.0 per cent since 2010 while spending on other professionals is up 12.5 per cent and public health spending rose one third of one per cent. Situations also vary across the provinces and territories when it comes to health spending change, reflecting the diversity of the federation. Eight out of 10 provinces and two of the three territories saw declines in real per capita government health spending. The percentage change in real per capita government health spending since 2010 ranges from declines of nearly 7 per cent each in Alberta and Ontario and 5 per cent in New Brunswick, to increases of 0.5 in British Columbia, 3 in Nova Scotia and 7 per cent in the Northwest Territories. This diversity may be a function of differential rates of population aging and population growth as well as underlying economic performance and its effects on own source government revenues. The healthcare cost curve is being bent in a manner not seen since 1992 to 1996 when real per capita provincial and territorial government spending dropped nearly 8 per cent. This decline followed a severe recession and fiscal restraint in the face of mounting deficits that was augmented by reductions in federal cash transfers for health with the introduction of the Canada Health and Social Transfer. A key difference today is that federal health transfers continue to rise though their rate of growth will decline after 2017. The key question is whether the current decline represents a permanent bending of the healthcare cost curve or a temporary pause. In the wake of the spending decline from 1992 to 1996, real per capita government health spending grew as the economy recovered and federal transfers enriched after the 2004 Health Accord. Indeed, real per capita provincial and territorial government spending grew 50 per cent between 1996 and 2010. A similar rebound is unlikely this time. Starting in 2017, the growth of federal health transfers will be linked to the national rate of economic growth and inflation with a floor of 3 per cent. Governments are likely implementing cost-control measures in advance of the day when federal transfer growth slows from the annual 6 per cent increases of the Health Accord. However, the effort to restrain health expenditure costs given slower growth in both the economy and federal transfers will be counter-balanced by the aging of the population and continued medical product innovation. While there has been a slowdown in drug innovation that has affected the growth of drug spending, this may change. As well, though aging has been a modest contributor to health spending growth to date, this may not continue. The Canadian population is aging but the front end of the baby boom bulge is just entering the age 65 to 69 category. Per capita provincial/territorial health spending in 2012 was $4,620 for those aged 60 to 64 and $16,231 for those aged 80 to 84. The effects of aging are not fully upon us yet. As a result, real per capita provincial government health spending will eventually resume growth but probably at a lower rate than that which characterized the period 1996 to 2010. Livio Di Matteo is an expert advisor with EvidenceNetwork.ca and a Professor of Economics at Lakehead University.

Troy Media Marketplace © 2014 - All Rights Reserved

Flat Tummy Water

Experts in Health Fields for 34 Days of Radio Conversation: Health Challenges 2015

Dr. Jeanette Gallagher is launching 34 days of life changing conversations about health challenging topics from disease to death and spirituality to anti aging. The guests will be exploring health, life and spirituality evolving over the last few decades and how we can feel present in the moment to live a full holistic life. -- Women, the lives we lead have changed. Our physical health is challenged with serious disease and debilitation. We became caregivers of loved ones; both young grandkids, older loved ones, family and friends. The beliefs we grew up with in the mid 1900’s are now challenged in regards to money, health, life, death, spirituality, and we sometimes feel like we are splitting at our seams. Many times we do not know how to put the pieces back together. Our biggest fears are being alone, no one to care for us when we might need it and what do we do when we are sick, be it mind, body or spirit. Dr. Jeanette is seeking experts in the following fields to take part in this life changing conversation over the radio: Dementia Vascular and heart disease Breast health Diabetes Gastrointestinal disease Geriatric medicine Energy medicine Plant food diet Gluten/allergy/lactose/sugar diet plans Flower essences and herbals Compassion/Empathy End of Life documents Botanical medicine Thyroid disease Lung safety and health Breast implants/plastic surgery Complications of surgeries with age Oils: coconut, hemp Greens: matcha, blue green algae Omega oils: 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 Food activism Rural health Your medical chart info Wills/POLST/DNR/AND Experts are physicians, practitioners, alternative health providers, companies that offer these services or products and researchers. To apply for a guest option on Radio Health Blast 2015, send an email to info@drjeanettegallagher.com Dr. Jeanette Radio has 200 shows over the last two years with thousands of listeners per month. Shows are on www.blogtalkradio.com/dr-jeanette-gallagher and www.SedonaTalkRadio.com Past guests include: MD’s, ND’s, supplement companies, whole food options, authors, alternative health practitioners, global wellness suppliers, non-profits and world life activists.

Contact Information

Dr. Jeanette Holistic Wellness and Radio Dr Jeanette Gallagher 504.376.3658 Contact www.blogtalkradio.com/dr-jeanette-gallagher www.drjeanettegallagher.com

Home CEO Academy™ Empowering Moms with Organization, Life Enjoyment and Encouragement

ON THIS. Web Curriculum Launches to Empower Busy Women and Benefit Several Charities   Tampa, FL – October 2014 – Juggling work, household duties, after-school activities, finances, meal planning and so much more, today’s women are busier than ever. This superwoman mentality, however, often comes at the expense of an unbalanced life. Home CEO Academy was founded as a means of putting moms’ overbooked agendas back into equilibrium with a focus on organization and health for a greater enjoyment in life. Officially debuting on November 17, 2014, the company will unveil a five-part total life organization program, with 5 courses and 35 corresponding classes. A fun but results-oriented program, the courses include a Foundations course and such courses as Harmonious Hottie (becoming the Chief Executive Organizer), Buff Babe (becoming the Culinary and Exercise Officer), Sexy Beast (becoming the Chief Encouragement Officer), and Cheerleader, where members receive encouragement for a variety of life situations whether they are at a crossroads in life, or starting or ending a relationship, or just want to celebrate a big accomplishment.  Learn more HERE. Established as a social enterprise, all proceeds from The Home CEO Academy will be contributed to the Adsila Retreat, a nonprofit retreat which facilitates, among others, healing retreats for the survivors of human trafficking and annual planning retreats for solutions-oriented nonprofits providing human services in distressed communities.  See more HERE. According to a recent Daily Mail (http://dailym.ai/1CrVavT) article, “Mothers get just 17 minutes of ‘me time’ to themselves each day.” In fact, “The hectic lifestyles of mothers emerged in the study and found a frazzled 51 per cent regularly go whole weeks without even a single minute relaxing on their own.” The Home CEO Academy program is entirely self-paced so that courses can be completed in as little as 20–30 minutes per week over a 35-week period or as quickly as 30 days. “Too many programs these days are do, do, do,” explains Home CEO Academy’s founder Maraya Pearson. “We do things too, but with a whole different, refreshing, restful angle. We drop the anxious, striving energy for a confident, restful optimism and humor that it will get done, and we’re having fun doing it at the same time.”  Access to the course work is based on various levels ranging from $9.99 to $49.99 monthly. However, anyone who signs up is afforded free sample access to five of the classes (the first video in each course). All proceeds from the Home CEO Academy go directly to the Adsila Retreat charity, a nonprofit free retreat facility serving 20 of the world’s most gifted nonprofits. PREORDER HERE For more information on how to get off the overstressed-mom seesaw and back into life balance, visit Home CEO Academy online at http://healthyhomeceo.com/. Interested media may arrange a meeting with company management by calling (512) 294-6218. ### About Home CEO Academy™ Home CEO Academy strives to help busy moms juggle all their home and family responsibilities while, at the same time, balance their physical, spiritual and emotional needs, the needs of others and the need to develop their gifts and abilities. The company is designed to assist home chief executive officers in getting more out of life. To that end, its mission is to eradicate problems like clutter, filing backlogs, unruly closets, lack of counter space, forgetting important events, unproductive weeks and scattered, incomplete projects, with the goal of leaving overburdened home CEOs freer to enjoy what matters most. 100% of all proceeds from the HomeCEO Academy go directly to the Adsila Retreat charity. Adsila’s aim is to grow the impact of 20 of the nation’s most talented charitable non-profit organizations so they can further broaden their impact in their communities and the world.

TLC for Holiday Feet

No one wants soreness or injuries to slow them down, so it’s important to care for your feet so they can carry you through all those seasonal celebrations and chores. It is possible to shop without dropping and enjoy the holidays more with less pain.  Lou Paradise, president and chief of research at Topical BioMedics, the makers of Topricin Pain Relief and Healing Cream, offers tips to keep feet happy and healthy so you can get through the season without suffering. 

Treat Feet Right:

--When shopping or doing errands, leave heels at home and wear comfortable shoes.  Athletic shoes, flats, or low-heeled boots with good arch support and padded soles help increase comfort and prevent ankle and foot pain that results in wearing heels.  For specific footwear recommendations, click the following link to see which types of footwear have received the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance and Seal of Approval for promoting foot health.    http://www.apma.org/learn/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1108&navItemNumber=535
--If shoes feel tight, use a shoe stretcher to make them more comfortable before heading out the door.
-- Distribute the weight of shopping bags evenly on both sides of your body.  Lighten your load by making frequent trips to the car to drop off packages.

--Whenever possible use a shopping cart to avoid stressing your back with heavy packages, and ask for assistance lifting heavy objects. 
--When walking, keep your back straight and relaxed; try not to slouch as it shifts your weight forward and puts you off balance.

--Women should opt for carrying a small backpack rather than a heavy purse.

--Keep your energy up by taking frequent breaks to enjoy a snack, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and rest your feet.  During your break, try to elevate your feet to help reduce any swelling.    
--Apply Topricin Foot Therapy Cream before heading out for a heavy-duty day of holiday shopping, hours of travel, or a night on the town,ssaging it onto legs, ankles, feet and all around your knees.  This quickly helps to maximize the body’s healing and repairing process to keep you comfortable.  Massage again when you return home.    
--After a long, punishing day on your feet, take off your shoes and exercise them.   Stretching is a good way to avoid muscle cramps.  You can stave off toe cramps by raising, pointing and curling your toes for five seconds. Repeat 10 times. Rotating your ankles can also help relax feet. Cup your heel and turn each ankle slowly five times to loosen ankle joints.
-- Soak your feet in a warm Epsom salt bath, dry, and massage in Topricin Foot Therapy Cream for soothing relief.  Running your feet over a reflexology roller, golf ball, or tennis ball after applying Topricin gives feet a great massage. 
--See your doctor or podiatrist immediately if you have concerns about any foot issues.

HOW TOPRICIN WORKS AND USAGE:

Don’t pop a chemical pain pill or just soak your feet in Epsom salts—soothe pain and pamper your feet and legs with Topricin Foot Therapy Cream.
Topricin Foot Therapy Cream specifically targets ankle and foot pain, and is patented for the topical treatment of pain associated with neuropathy.   The product’s fourteen natural biomedicines naturally support and assist the body by helping the subcutaneous skin layers of the feet drain toxins and excessive fluids from the tissues that increases blood flow and helps heal the damage that is causing the pain.

Apply Topricin Foot Therapy in the morning before putting on shoes, periodically throughout the day whenever possible, and again at night to maintain healthy, pain-free feet. As an added plus, Topricin Foot Therapy Cream is moisturizing, so it soothes dry, cracked skin.

Topricin Foot Therapy also relieves foot pain symptoms associated with Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, sprained and swollen ankles, forefoot pain, blisters, aching feet, flat feet, hammertoes, corns and calluses and other painful foot conditions and injuries.

Free of parabens and petroleum, Topricin Foot Therapy is safe and natural and doesn’t use any volatile oils such as camphor, menthol, petroleum or lanolin, fragrances or irritating chemicals.  The cream is fast absorbing, odorless, and greaseless and will not stain clothing.

Topricin Foot Therapy is formulated for maximum absorption.  Free of side effects, it can be applied many times, as needed, to relieve foot pain.  It will not interference with other medications, and is safe for diabetics.   
To learn more about Topricin Foot Therapy Cream, go to http://www.topricin.com.

About Topical BioMedics

20 years in business and a Certified B Corporation, Topical BioMedics is a research and development leader in topical patented natural biomedicines for pain relief. The company’s flagship product, Topricin® Pain Relief and Healing Cream, was introduced in 1994 and is now a leading natural therapeutic brand. A combination biomedicine formula, Topricin has been awarded a patent for the treatment of pain associated with fibromyalgia and neuropathy, and was listed among the Top 100 Green Products of 2012 by Healthy Holistic Living. 
The Topricin family of natural healing products also includes Topricin Foot Therapy Cream, specially formulated to treat painful foot and ankle issues and conditions, and Topricin for Children, which received the Parent Tested Parent Approved Seal of Approval (with 5% of sales donated to pediatric cancer foundations). Made in the U.S.A., all Topricin products are federally-regulated over-the-counter medicines with no known side effects, no parabens, petroleum, or other harsh chemicals, no grease, and no odor.
For over 20 years, the company has assisted hundreds of thousands of people suffering with pain and those addicted to painkillers to achieve fully restored and robust healthy living. Unfortunately, millions of people continue to suffer in pain, with many experiencing the hazardous side effects of OTC chemical pain pills or negative effects of narcotic Rx painkillers—an epidemic that turns the lives of American families upside down and is undermining the very fabric of our country. 

Because of the company’s experience in addressing these challenges, it has launched its “Get Relief, Give Relief” initiative:  for every Topricin product purchased directly from the company, it will donate a tube of Topricin to a free pain clinic or charitable organization.  To participate in “Get Relief, Give Relief,” order from www.topricin.com or call 1-800-LES-PAIN (537-7246).
Topical BioMedics now offers TopTrack, a new app for on-the-go pain tracking and monitoring.   TopTrack is available free of charge for iPad via the App Store, and will roll out on additional devices in the coming months. http://bit.ly/1rIQD89

Topricin is available in independent pharmacies, natural food and co-op stores nationwide, including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Pharmaca, The Vitamin Shoppe, Fred Meyer, Wegmans, CVS (Foot Care Section), Walgreens (Diabetic Section), and other fine retailers, as well as directly from the company.

For more information visit http://www.topricin.com.

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Topricin for pain relief gift giving

GIVE THE GIFT OF PAIN RELIEF...ORDER NOW AND SAVE!   It's that time of year again-and we're pleased to once again offer you our "BOGO" (Buy One, Get One)  with Free Shipping Extravaganza!

Remember to check out our Deluxe Spa Gift Sets--perfect for everyone on your gift-giving list! When you buy $160 of our Topricin Family of Products (any sizes / combination) we will DOUBLE YOUR ORDER FOR FREE! This is a 50% savings--making it an ideal time to order Topricin for yourself and for gift giving! Use PROMO CODE GIVE2014 to enjoy the saving! Orders Less than $160 Receive 25% discount. You can use the code GIVE25 if ordering less than $160.00 and you will receive a 25% discount. Visit Topricin at www.topricin.com to enter the code now for this offer! Offer Expires: 12/31/2014 And we are excited to announce something extra special this year:   Our Get Relief, Give Relief initiative.   For every Topricin product that you purchase from  us, we will give a FREE tube of Topricin to a FREE pain clinic or other charitable cause to help a person in need so they can live a pain-free life.   The holidays are the perfect time of year to give the gift of pain relief to those you  love and at the same time help someone in need. In the spirit of the season and into the New Year, it is truly our pleasure to donate Topricin on your behalf.   Just click here to learn more.  We thank you for your generosity!   Topricin makes the ideal gift or stocking stuffer for the family and friends. Place your BOGO order today! OFFER VALID UNTIL DECEMBER 31,2014

New Vim® Pink Flower™ Cream:

New Vim® Pink Flower™ Cream: Save $1 off participating Vim® products!   Vim® Cream Cleaner removes the dirt you never thought you’d get rid of. Its microparticles and degreasing agents penetrate and lift up the dirt all around your home, bringing back the shine. Try NEW Vim Pink Flower™ Cream!

Mindfulness is the New Weapon Against Obesity

White Plains Group Uses Small Changes to Get Big Results Scarsdale, NY, November 16, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Integrated Peace Arts, a non-profit organization, will be offering the Mindful Life Weight Loss Program beginning January 2 through March 6, 2015. Mindful Life Weight Loss helps Westchester residents lose weight through the ancient practice of mindfulness. Responding to statistics that 85% of people who lose weight ultimately gain it back, the program uses a comprehensive, behavioral approach to target lasting weight loss. Mindful Life Weight Loss helps participants to make small changes in habits across multiple areas of their lives. According to founder Kim Gold, "This isn't the next new diet. We help people to understand weight loss in the context of their whole lives, and see how each area of their lifestyle interacts with other areas. Mindfulness is the tool that helps people gain greater awareness and make effective changes. The medical establishment is beginning to recognize the importance of this approach." Stating that "the best diet is the one you don't notice," the program touts a slow and gradual approach to change. Gold and her co-founder Steve Kanney promise a highly personalized experience, and are known for their caring and warm approach. The Mindful Life Weight Loss program is taught in a 10 class series that outlines the basics of the system. Participants also attend unlimited group sessions. Group sessions are the backbone of the program. According to Kanney, "The research shows that groups are crucial to weight loss success. Groups also allow for members to build community, brainstorm, and help others. Helping others is one of the best ways to help yourself." Gold describes mindfulness as "awareness mixed with compassion" and points out that the compassionate aspect of the program helps people to be kinder to themselves, and to increase their self-care. According to Gold, "there is a lot of shame, blame, and judgment out there when it comes to obesity, and we can all use more compassion." The program arose out of Gold and Kanney's work teaching the Japanese martial art of Aikido. They found that people would begin training in Aikido to lose weight, but then habits in other areas of their lives undermined those efforts. Kanney combined his decades of expertise in meditative disciplines with Gold's knowledge of systems-based behavioral change from her Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and the Mindful Life program was created. "We began the program to fill a need, and were inspired by how well people responded to it," said Gold, "We are very excited to be expanding our offering through Integrated Peace Arts to reach a greater cross-section people." Classes are offered at 77 Tarrytown Road, Suite 1W, in White Plains on Fridays from 8:30 to 9:30 pm. The cost is $50 for 10 weeks with a sliding scale available based on income. Group sessions are included during this period. Additional details can be found at their website weightlosswestchesterny.com. Contact Steve Kanney either through the website or at 914-648-0492. Integrated Peace Arts is a 501 (c) (3) corporation that promotes the nonsectarian principle of peace. Through various outreach programs, IPA helps Westchester County NY residents learn how to discover greater effectiveness, peace and happiness in their daily lives. Current IPA program offerings include: Mindful Life Weight Loss, Aikido Westchester NY program for children with special needs, financial education, coexistence with wildlife, and animal rescue.

Contact Information

Integrated Peace Arts Steve Kanney 914-713-3480 Contact http://integrated-peace-arts.org http://weightlosswestchesterny.com

Electric Car Value Chain Upended on Way to $188 Billion

By Dr Peter Harrop, Chairman, IDTechEx

 

The market for hybrid and pure electric cars homologated as such is set to be $188 billion in 2025 according to IDTechEx analysis.

 

However, the world has changed for cars overall and now big is not always beautiful for mainstream car manufacture. EVs will reflect this. Although Sergio Marchionne boss of Fiat Chrysler famously said six million units a year is needed for a car maker to be profitable, his head of research Pietro Perlo left to successfully make small pure electric vehicles in a start-up. The car company that has shocked the industry by proving it wrong about the viability of pure electric cars is Tesla in the USA - a start up with better technology.

 

Trading up is easier than trading down

 

At the other side of the world, Donald Wu in Taiwan is global leader in little single-seat mobility vehicles for the disabled having sold nearly one million of them. He said he would be better able to make electric cars than the big car companies and he is proving it by making and selling several home grown models. Also in Taiwan sit the 100 pure electric cars that giant Toyota made before giving up in frustration at their poor cost-performance. Executives from small Taiwanese manufacturers are now driving these cars and they figure they can solve the problems.

 

Bucking bronco

 

Small companies are sometimes better at riding the bucking bronco of accelerating technical change particularly because, paradoxically, the megatrends in cars make them simpler. These include conventional to hybrid to pure electric and mechanical parts experiencing simplification then elimination. Electrics and electronics are merging into transmission or wheel or at least into the motor and battery housing - it does not stop there.

 

Structural electronics we see in the antennas and heaters in the windshield are transmogrifying into the supercapacitor trunk lid. Another version of structural electronics is the in-mold electronics in a shaped sheet of plastic starting to replace big wired components in dashboards and overhead control consoles and expected to replace all that dangling copper wiring. See the new IDTechEx report, Structural Electronics 2015-2025.

 

Value chain upended

 

Big is beautiful is now only a half truth in Japan. Suzuki and Daihatsu, dwarfed by the big boys, make most of the nicely profitable tiny "kei" cars for Japan and India. Little Mazda led the electrification of conventional cars with its alternator/ supercapacitor energy harvesting and its unique stop-start. Mitsubishi, small as a car maker though part of a big group, innovates strongly and its latest pure electric car is doing well. Little Subaru outsells Volkswagen in the USA. Indeed, the Economist notes that the small Japanese motor companies make bigger percentage profits than the big ones. Who will make all those millions of e-rickshaws, e-tuk tuks and MicroEV "cars" needed in the Philippines, Indonesia and India? You guessed it. The car value chain has been upended. Nowadays, it is often the case that different people make the car and they use different parts.

 

Much of the car industry may be going the way of huge factories making steel or telephone exchanges. They were replaced by small ones.

 

For more see the new IDTechEx report, Future Technology for Hybrid and Pure Electric Cars 2015-2025" www.idtechex.com/evcars and remember. The only dinosaurs that survived were the ones that became silly little birds - with better technology.

 

About IDTechEx

 

IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its Research and Events services, helping you profit from emerging technologies.

 

We provide independent research, business intelligence and advice to companies across the value chain based on our core research activities and methodologies providing data sought by business leaders, strategists and emerging technology scouts to aid their business decisions.

 

IDTechEx Events provide an analytical, commercial outlook, taking into account market requirements, competitive technologies and development roadmaps. Attendees are presented with the full, diverse range of technologies; but the main thrust is always on end-user needs and commercialization strategies.

 

Contact Us

 

t.henry@idtechex.com

UK: +44 (0)1223 812300

USA: +1 617 577 7890

Japan: +81 90 5566 1533

Human Clinical Study Indicates FruiteX-B® Calcium Fructoborate in Combination with Glucosamine and Chondroitin Provides Fast-Acting Joint and Flex Benefits

 -- FutureCeuticals, Inc. today (MOMENCE, Ill., Nov. 6, 2014) announced publication of the results of a successful human clinical study on FruiteX-B® Calcium Fructoborate, a patented mineral complex.

The double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the effects of FruiteX-B with a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin versus glucosamine and chondroitin alone on joint health and flexibility. Outcome measures included the widely-used WOMAC and McGill questionnaires, standard indices of joint and flex comfort. 
Over 14 days, subjects in the FruiteX-B, glucosamine, and chondroitin group experienced a 24% improvement in WOMAC scores and a 25% improvement in McGill scores.  Subjects taking the glucosamine/chondroitin combination alone did not experience any significant improvements.  Statistics were independently reviewed by the Department of Statistics, School of Information and Computer Science, University of California at Irvine.
"This study shows that in the context of the widely used combination of glucosamine and chondroitin, FruiteX-B continues to provide the significant benefits for joint health documented in previous research on this remarkable mineral complex," said Hartley Pond, the company's Vice President of Sales.  "The results in the FruiteX-B, glucosamine, and chondroitin group align with previous studies published earlier this year and in 2012.  In all instances, FruiteX-B delivered significant, fast-acting improvement that people feel."
"With an advantageous serving size and price, FruiteX-B is capable of delivering the now requisite "take-it, feel-it" experience while enhancing the sustained, slower-onset, long-term relief afforded by the stand-by ingredients," Pond added. 
Source: "Journal of Aging Research and Clinical Practice." Published online ahead of print: (http://www.jarcp.com/all-issues.html?article=242)
Article: Short-term efficacy of a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate compared to a combination of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and calcium fructoborate (cfb) on improvement of knee discomfort conditions in healthy subjects.  A comparative, double-blind, placebo controlled acute clinical study.
Authors: Zbigniew Pietrzkowski, Michael J. Phelan, Robert Keller, Cynthia Shu, Ruby Argumedo, Tania Reyes-Izquierdo
FruiteX-B® Calcium Fructoborate is manufactured under US Patent #5,962,049 and issued and pending foreign patents and is available exclusively from VDF FutureCeuticals, Inc.
About FutureCeuticals, Inc.FutureCeuticals, Inc. is a vertically integrated functional food ingredient, product development, and bioanalytical research and discovery company with farms and facilities in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, California, and Europe.

CONTACT: Andrew Wheeler, awheeler@futureceuticals.com 

Old Orchard Brands Turns Celebrated Seasonal Treats Into New Line of Juice Beverages, Including Apple Pie, Caramel Apple and Apple Cherry Cobbler

Just in time for the cooler weather and the upcoming holiday season, leading juice innovator Old Orchard Brands introduces a new line of limited-edition fruit juice cocktails that celebrate the iconic flavors of fall. Apple Pie, Caramel Apple and Apple Cherry Cobbler fruit juice cocktails are sold in convenient, multi-serve 64-ounce bottles with a suggested retail price of $1.99 per bottle.

 To celebrate the launch, Old Orchard plans to give away hundreds of bottles for free to randomly selected winners. In addition, one lucky winner will receive a year's supply of free juice. Visit www.OldOrchard.com/holiday or follow the hashtag #FlavorsOfFall for entry information.

Old Orchard Brands' fall seasonal juices first appear in stores in November
 and will remain on salethrough December. Apple Pie is currently available
 at grocery stores nationwide while Caramel Apple and Apple Cherry Cobbler 
will be found exclusively at Walmart.

The limited-edition juices replicate classic fall treats, pairing seasonally-appropriate
spices and flavors with the refreshment of Old Orchard's popular apple juice cocktails.
"We're known as a premium juice brand, certainly, but also as category innovators,"
said Mark Saur,  founder and CEO of Old Orchard Brands.
"We had a lot of fun recreating the classic flavors of the season as ready-to-drink
 juices, and we believe our fans will find they evoke the spiritof the season in a
fun, refreshing way." Apple Pie is a special apple juice cocktail featuring hints
of cinnamon, vanilla bean and nutmeg.Caramel Apple's creamy caramel taste
 complements the flavor of crisp fall apples. Apple Cherry Cobbler features
a blend of late summer cherries, a hint of lemon and the sweetness of juicy red apple.

About Old Orchard BrandsEstablished in 1985, Sparta, Michigan-based
Old Orchard Brands is one of the fastest-growing fruit juice brands in the
United States. The company offers consumers 40 frozen concentrate flavors
and 60 bottled varieties in a range of 100 percent fruit juices and blends,
premium and organic juices, fruit juice cocktails and low-sugar fruit juice cocktails.

In addition, Old Orchard offers a number of non-juice items including iced coffee and tea
 beverages from concentrate. The company is known for its innovative and value-added
products that target the needs of today's health conscious consumers.
For more about Old Orchard, visit www.oldorchard.com.

CONTACT: Matt Jackson, Lambert, Edwards & Associates, 616-233-0500
 mjackson@lambert-edwards.com

Fall into Natural Healing, Natural Wellness!

Topricin Natural Healing Newsletter

Travel Tips for the Holidays from the Jinja Jewelry Family

-- The Jinja Jewelry brand was established through a love for travel, especially to places far away with unique cultures and diverse people. Founder Don and Elaine Helmig and their friend Joy Daniels all came together after developing a lifelong attachment to the island of Bali and the Balinese people. They formed an extended family over in Bali and then started their own line of coral and sterling silver jewelry, all handmade in Bali. The Jinja Jewelry family loves sharing stories of their travels to Bali and beyond, and now they are sharing their own personal travel tips for those looking to go abroad for the holidays.

1. Pack wisely.

Many people make the mistake of over packing when they are traveling abroad but the truth is you should always pack light and only bring the absolute essentials. Small toiletries and personal items can be found anywhere you go – hotels, airports, tourist shops, etc. Skip those and bring a comfortable pair of shoes, waterproof jacket or poncho, and clothes that you can wear several times during your trip. Leave some space in your suitcase for fun souvenirs!

2. Choose an off-peak day to travel.

Around the holidays, everyone chooses the same days to fly out, which causes chaos in the airport and huge traffic jams. If you can, try to avoid traveling on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, which is considered the biggest travel day of the year. Sometimes it’s better to fly on the actual day of the holiday to avoid the long security lines and mobs of people.

3. Give yourself plenty of time.

Do not leave packing for the very last minute because you will end up feeling rushed and stressed out and forget some important items. Leave the house early so you have extra time to deal with issues like icy roads and long security lines. If you find yourself at your gate early, grab some lunch and magazines or a book and use the extra time to relax before your flight.

4. Ship out holiday gifts.

If you’re planning on traveling with gifts to bring to friends and family, consider shipping out the gifts earlier before you travel. This will ensure that the recipient receives the gift in time and that it won’t accidentally get lost with your baggage. If you still plan to bring your gifts with you in your luggage, don’t wrap them until you’ve arrived at your destination. TSA will most likely have to unwrap any gifts to inspect them so wait to wrap them up.

5. Bring snacks and charge your electronic devices.

Delays are to be expected when you’re traveling during the holidays and the winter months, so it’s a good idea to pack plenty of snacks with you to give you energy and save money at the airport. Also have your electronics fully charged so you don’t have to wait around to find a free outlet at the airport to charge your phone. It’s also helpful to pack some battery chargers or power packs with you to keep your devices juiced up. Having a smartphone or tablet can be a lifesaver when you’re stuck on an airplane or your flight is delayed a couple of hours.

To schedule an interview with Elaine Helmig, Co-Founder of Jinja Jewelry, please contact Tasha Mayberry, Public Relations, at tasha@myprgenie.com or call 207.317.6099.

About Jinja Jewelry

Jinja Jewelry is proud to offer a large selection of handmade jewelry from Bali including necklaces, pendants, bracelets, earrings and rings. Jinja Jewelry draws inspiration for its beautiful, high quality coral and silver jewelry from local and global trends in affordable jewelry and accessories. By purchasing Jinja Jewelry our customers are helping to support the talented people of Bali and providing their families with a safe and secure future. These exclusive designer creations cannot be found anywhere else! Shop online at www.jinjajewelry.net.

To learn more about Jinja Jewelry please go to http://myprgenie.com/company/profile/jinja-jewelry.

GoodLife Fitness and the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre are advancing their work to link physical activity with cardiac rehabilitation and prevention.

GoodLife Fitness and Peter Munk Cardiac Centre collaborate further to improve heart health across Canada

Dr. Paul Oh named GoodLife Fitness Chair in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention

– The teams at GoodLife Fitness and the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre (PMCC) have been hard at work for the last two years building a solid foundation for their unique, first-of-its-kind public/private collaboration to advance cardiac care and preventative programs. 

Today, they are thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Paul Oh as the inaugural GoodLife Chair in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention.  

Currently Medical Director of the University Health Network (UHN) Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Program, Dr. Oh will lead a comprehensive research program that will include investigating best practices in cardiac rehabilitation and analyzing cardiovascular databases to better understand long-term patient outcomes.

The collaboration brings together two leading Canadian health and wellness organizations to further enhance the world-class care cardiac rehabilitation patients receive at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, as well as develop an innovative approach to the continuum of care for patients with cardiac disease. 

GoodLife Fitness has committed $5 million to the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre with the goal of transforming the lives of Canadians affected by heart disease and helping prevent this reality for many.   

The collaboration supports the following resources: 

- GoodLife Fitness Centre of Excellence in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine, which is internationally recognized for excellence in heart health and exercise and drives care and research in post-acute cardiovascular health and secondary prevention. 

- GoodLife Fitness Chair in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention. 

- An innovative club-based program developed by Peter Munk Cardiac Centre cardiac rehabilitation experts along with GoodLife fitness experts, that will help patients transition into the community and achieve life-long success in their cardiac rehabilitation and health. 

Media Alert

What: 

An event to recognize GoodLife Fitness for its role in establishing the GoodLife Fitness Centre of Excellence in Rehabilitation Medicine at PMCC. The event will mark the official announcement of the inaugural GoodLife Chair in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention. 

When: 

Monday, November 3, 2014; 6p.m. – 8p.m.; 6:30p.m. Remarks

Where: 

DeGasperis Conservatory, Toronto General Hospital

Who: 

David Patchell-Evans; Dr. Barry Rubin, Chair and Program Medical Director, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, UHN; Dr. Paul Oh, GoodLife Chair in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention; Mr. Jim Leech, C.M., Chair, Board of Directors, Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation. 

**Interview footage with Dr. Paul Oh is available for media use at: http://youtu.be/tPX3ys2-P3U

Quotes from special guests: 

David Patchell-Evans, Founder & CEO, GoodLife Fitness 

"At GoodLife, we are excited to see our collaboration with UHN and the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre grow and evolve," said Founder & CEO, David Patchell-Evans. "As a leader in the health and fitness industry in Canada and global advocate for exercise as an important contributor to overall health, we understand the significant benefit that innovative collaborations like ours will have on the quality of life and health outcomes of all Canadians. We are pleased to welcome Dr. Paul Oh to the GoodLife family, as the GoodLife Chair in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention. We are confident that with his leadership and expertise  the work done through the GoodLife Fitness Centre of Excellence in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Medicine and the research that his team will undertake will make an incredible impact felt around the world by heart patients and their families.” 

“I am very proud to have one of the great leaders and role models at GoodLife join us here today. Heather Evans has been a General Manager with us in Calgary for a number of years. She, along with her seven siblings have all experienced heart disease. Unfortunately, two of her siblings have passed away and another just received a quadruple bypass. Heather has made a significant impact on me and is a passionate advocate for the many benefits of exercise.”

Heather Evans, General Manager, GoodLife Fitness

“Exercise saves lives,” said Heather Evans, GoodLife Fitness General Manager. “It is exercise that is truly keeping me alive and well and strong. The only time that I have issues is when I don’t exercise. I believe that GoodLife and our teams are just like paramedics and doctors – they save lives. I will fight heart disease every day by going to GoodLife and staying active.” 

Dr. Paul Oh, GoodLife Chair in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention

“I am most looking forward to taking on this exciting new role as Chair, supporting our unique and important collaboration with GoodLife, while continuing to build on the significant efforts to foster an environment where rehabilitation is the natural next step for all cardiac patients in recovery,” said Dr. Paul Oh, Medical Director, Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Program, UHN. “Statistics show only one third of heart patients who are recommended for cardiac rehab following a serious heart event and subsequent hospital stay actually take part in this critical form of therapy. Given the host of well-documented, life-prolonging benefits of cardiac rehab, coupled with the climbing rates of heart disease in Canada and worldwide, we need to dramatically increase those numbers through greater awareness and better access to a wider network of support including cardiac rehab-trained fitness professionals in the community---which we are now able to provide through this Centre of Excellence.” 

Dr. Barry Rubin, Chair and Program Medical Director, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, UHN 

“We conducted a broad and extensive search over many months for the best candidate with the precise blend of proven medical expertise, extraordinary vision and superior leadership skills necessary to head this uniquely-structured Centre of Excellence. Dr. Oh is far and away the ideal choice for GoodLife Chair,” says Dr. Barry Rubin, Medical Director, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre. “His appointment furthers a long and globally-recognized history of excellence in care at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, which serves as the last stop for heart patients before their journey moves to a recovery and rehabilitation phase. A smooth and fluid transition from hospital bed to exercise environment with key support structures in place is pivotal to a patients’ success in maximizing and maintaining their heart health on their own, into the future.” 

-30-

About GoodLife Fitness

Proudly Canadian since 1979, GoodLife Fitness is the largest fitness company in Canada. GoodLife is the largest privately owned fitness club chain by a sole owner and the fourth largest overall in the world. With over 320 clubs from coast-to-coast, including 70 Énergie Cardio and EconoFitness Clubs in Quebec, approximately 13,000 employees and more than 1 million Members, GoodLife is helping to transform the health and wellness of 1 in 35 Canadians every day. Motivated by GoodLife's purpose of giving every Canadian the opportunity to live a fit and healthy good life, David Patchell-Evans, Founder & CEO, strives to develop innovative partnerships and collaborations in all areas of health, fitness and wellness and continues to play a significant role in the healthcare system in Canada. GoodLife has achieved Platinum Status Canada's Best Managed Companies, as well as Platinum Level Canada's 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures.   Fit4Less by GoodLife is GoodLife's low cost and high value fitness club. It makes high quality fitness affordable and provides even more Canadians the opportunity to achieve their health and fitness goals.

About the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre

The Peter Munk Cardiac Centre is the premier cardiac centre in Canada. Since it opened in 1997, the Centre has saved and improved the lives of cardiac and vascular patients from around the world. Each year, approximately 55,000 patients receive innovative and compassionate care from multidisciplinary teams in the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, and the Centre trains more cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons and vascular surgeons than any other hospital in Canada. The Centre is based at the Toronto General Hospital and the Toronto Western Hospital - members of University Health Network. www.petermunkcardiaccentre.ca 

About Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation

Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation raises funds for research, education and the enhancement of patient care at Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital as well as their respective research arms, Toronto General Research Institute and Toronto Western Research Institute. www.tgwhf.ca

Media Contacts:

Krista Maling

GoodLife Fitness

kmaling@goodlifefitness.com

519-661-0190, ext. 302

Joseph Bentley Traditional Garden Tools Now Available in North America

Distribution partnership brings high quality garden and leisure products to the U.S. Growe Industries is pleased to introduce the Joseph Bentley line of traditional garden tools to the U.S. market through a distribution partnership with Solus Garden & Leisure, the UK's leading supplier of garden, leisure and home products. Joseph Bentley's comprehensive range of high quality hand tools is tailored to appeal to the most discerning and demanding of gardeners. Established in 1895, the Joseph Bentley name has a well-earned reputation for quality. These tools are carefully constructed of high quality stainless steel and solid hardwood. With a lifetime guarantee and an attractive price point, Joseph Bentley traditional garden tools feature modern design and function while retaining a look of heritage and style. The range is inspired by years of experience and every tool comes with a high level specification, proven design and attention to detail as a standard.

Stainless Steel Digging Spade You'll never go back to flimsy triangular shovels again once you use England's finest -- the digging spade from Joseph Bentley. This stainless steel and ash wood tool makes short work of slicing into hardened soil, backfilling, and planting. Sturdy, very comfortable to use, and made to last for countless seasons, it's the best garden tool you can find. You'll wonder how you ever got by without it! The digging spade stands nearly 42 inches high and features a polished head of stainless steel set with tread edges so you can really slice through the soil as you work.The wishbone-shaped grip of the handle is strong and comfortable. Only the finest materials and workmanship go into Joseph Bentley tools, and it shows. Though it weighs less than 5 pounds, this tool is ultra-sturdy. It stands a bit taller than many others, which makes the work easier (and minimizes the strain on your back!). It's ideal for any garden job involving turning the soil, from planting to integrating compost to spreading mulch. The ash wood used in the handle of this tool is FSC certified, so you know it was sustainably harvested. The Joseph Bentley signature is etched into a brass badge on the handle. Trust your garden and your time to the British favorite for quality tools!

Stainless Steel Midi 3-Prong Cultivator Recently cited by a British gardening magazine as the absolute best cultivating tool! This long-handled steel and wood tool cultivates the soil to a depth of 3 inches. Named the best all-around garden tool by one of Britain's leading gardening magazines, this long-handled cultivator really does do it all. Designed as a combination rake and fork, it smoothes, lifts, aerates, weeds, combs, and digs. Whether you're transplanting seedlings in spring, cleaning up the vegetable patch in autumn, or reviving your mulch in midsummer, rely on this top-quality tool from Joseph Bentley of England! Constructed of stainless steel and sustainably harvested (FSC certified) oak, this durable and elegant tool will last you for countless seasons in the garden. It stands 24½ inches high, with an 18-inch contoured handle that feels comfortable in your hand and results in less fatigue during a long day of gardening. The curved, pointed, strong prongs of the cultivator are 3 inches long after the bend, so they can dig to a depth of several inches in the soil or mulch. These sharp points are great for piercing stubborn soil and cutting furrows for sowing, while the shape of the blades enables them to snag and lift weeds, tangled roots, and other debris smoothly and easily from the soil. And the 18-inch handle lets you park yourself in one place and garden a big sweep in all directions. This "midi" cultivator is easy to use and very durable. The handle is contoured to fit your hand nicely, so you experience less fatigue over the course of a long day in the garden. It cleans in a snap and won't break or bend even in rough use. There's even a leather hanging strip so you can put it right onto your belt or hang it in the potting shed. Joseph Bentley has been the most respected name in British garden tools for more than a century, and superior materials and craftsmanship are among the reasons why. The prongs and shaft are ultra-sturdy stainless steel, while the handle is FSC certified oak. Add it to your garden tool shed this season, and we predict you'll make Joseph Bentley your preferred source of all gardening equipment!

Stainless Steel Hand-held Daisy Grubber Less than 2 inches wide, it targets just the root, not the whole garden! Deep taproots are no problem for this little powerhouse! The design of this garden tool is so ingenious! The forked point of polished stainless steel grabs a taproot at the base and secures it, while the wider, curved shaft above twists into the soil so you dig deep instead of wide. The result? You can burrow down with laser accuracy and rip out that troublesome weed at its base, instead of merely cutting off the top growth and watching it spread a little more each time it grows back! The daisy grubber comes to us from England (as you might guess from its name -- here we might be more likely to call it a "dandelion yanker"!) where it is a favorite tool of gardeners. It's just so precise -- you get just the root you want, without disturbing nearby plants. And it digs deep -- at 17 inches long, this is one tool that can travel far down into the soil to remove troublesome weeds at their source. Of course, the daisy grubber is also useful for drilling deep, slender holes in the soil, such as are used to set bamboo stakes and other supports. It's ideal for reaching down through the dense branches of a shrub and plucking out a sucker or other volunteer without harming any of the foliage. The polished stainless steel keeps soil from adhering to it as it is withdrawn, so you get a very tiny hole that fills in with the first watering. Nice! The daisy grubber is constructed of ultra-durable polished steel and FSC certified oak, with a contoured handle that's easy to grip and very comfortable. It even includes a leather carry strap, perfect for hanging it from your garden belt or above the potting bench. And it comes from Joseph Bentley, the best name in British garden supplies since 1895. There's no substitute for quality, and you will find this to be one of your finest as well as your favorite garden tools. Add it to your wheelbarrow this season!

Stainless Steel Hand-held Weeding Knife Digs out weeds, lifts out moss between stepping-stones, and reaches tricky places! Stainless steel and oak construction will last a lifetime! You may feel like the Grim Reaper as you wield this fabulous tool, but rest assured that all your reaping will be benign! The weeding knife from Joseph Bentley is a fantastic hand tool for lifting out weeds, digging up moss and other unwanted plants between paving-stones, and generally reaching very tight spots inaccessible to most other tools! The sharp, scythe-shaped blade at the end of the tool is great for digging deep in the cracks and joins of the pavement, reaching beneath rocks and other garden presences, and lifting out offending weeds by the roots. If you have a full, bushy plant that tends to get weeds right near the central stem, you can angle the weeding knife right down to the exact spot without disturbing a branch on your plant! And for bigger jobs, use the long knife edge of the blade to slice and sweep! The hand-held weeding knife is made from polished stainless steel and FSC certified oak. It is nearly 12 inches long and 3 inches wide, not including the handy leather strap for carrying and storing this tool. Best of all, it is manufactured by Joseph Bentley, England's premier source of garden tools since 1895. Ultra-dependable and attractive as well as ergonomically designed, it will last you a lifetime.

Stainless Steel Dutch Hoe The Joseph Bentley Dutch Hoe offers a classic weeding tool in a high quality build, ensuring that this timeless tool will last a lifetime. The head of this traditionally styled dutch hoe features a bevelled edge, making it ideal for cutting down small weeds and easily breaking up surface soil. The polished stainless steel head ensures minimal soil adhesion while you work. The hoe head meets with an extra-long shaft of FSC Certified oak wood, letting you work from an upright position while boasting that traditional charm lying at the heart of the Joseph Bentley name

Learn more about Joseph Bentley Traditional Garden Tools and download a product catalog at.http://www.josephbentleyus.com.