- Hot Summer Days: Stock up on nutritious, quick, cool, refreshing protein drinks you can carry with you without worrying about heat spoilage. We offer Concentrated Fruit Drinks, Shake N Go Powders, packaged cereals and crunchy soy snacks.
- New Supplement at an Introductory Price: As many of you know, we are no longer able to provide patients with the beneficial Herbal Antioxidant supplement with green tea extract; however, we have found a replacement called TheraFlavone. It will also replace the Resveratrol antioxidant which will provide a cost savings because it combines the benefits of both in one tablet. TheraFlavone, is a concentrated multiflavonoid supplement containing Pycnogenol, Red Grape Extract, Green Tea Extract, Ginkgo Biloba, and other beneficial phytonutrients. Price - 60 capsules for $46, 10 cents less per tablet than the other two combined. But for a limited time, they will be offered at an introductory price of $36/bottle.
- Protein Bar Specials: For a limited time, Peanut Butter & Jelly Protein Bars, Coconut Almond Bar and Crisp N Crunch Peanut Bars for LCD and Maintenance Only on sale for $10/box of 7.
- Special of the Month: Take advantage of our seasonal products on sale this month. 20% off Creamy Tomato soup, Cream of Pea soup, Tex Mex Chili, and Chocolate Soy Snacks. Hurry in and purchase - while supplies last.
FROM THE DOCTOR Ed J. Hendricks, M.D.
New Obesity Drug Approval
Last month, Dr. Hendricks attended the FDA Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Committee meeting in Washington, DC., as a voting member in recommending approval of a new drug called Qnexa, a fixed dose combination of phentermine and topiramate for weight loss and maintenance. His summary below:
In the next to last step in the FDA new drug approval process, the FDA convenes a panel of experts to review clinical trial data and advise the FDA whether or not to approve. In an all day session, the panel reviews data presented by the FDA and by the drug company applying for approval. At the end of the day, the panel members vote Yes to recommend approval or No to recommend no approval. On July 15, I served on the panel that considered the new drug application for Qnexa.
The clinical trial data presentations were very convincing that Qnexa is both effective and safe. I voted Yes. Unfortunately the vote was 6 Yes to 10 No, a split vote giving the FDA a mixed message. FDA staff will take the panels advice into consideration in the next few months before issuing their decision by October 28.
The majority of experts on the advisory panel, as is typical, were either government or university staff and not actively treating obesity. They gave scant attention to the effectiveness of Qnexa focusing on what I thought were largely theoretical safety issues. Phentermine has been in use since 1959 and topiramate has been used for treating epilepsy since 1996. In spite of the fact that the adverse side effects of both drugs are well known after having been used widely for 51 and 14 years respectively, the majority of the panelists were afraid that some new unsuspected side effect might appear with Qnexa. The FDA staff, perhaps having better common sense, may still approve the drug.
THE NUTRITIONIST Paula Hendricks, BS, Nutritionist-C
Make your food your medicine. Hippocrates
You get up in the morning, fill a glass with water, take your prescription medications for hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and high cholesterol, and follow it up with a bowl of high fiber cereal, fruit, and toast just like the doctor ordered. Your doctor has recommended a high fiber diet, and reduced your intake of fat and red meat in the hope that these, along with the medications will get your hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol under control. He hopes you will lose weight on this regimen and your arthritis will diminish as well. Fast forward three years. You are still on your meds, you have gained more weight, and you are frustrated. What is wrong with this picture?
In the absence of a diet with optimum intake of animal protein, less carbohydrate than protein, adequate fat, and proper supplementation of vitamins and minerals, your body will never respond the way you want it to. Your illnesses will not go away, your doctor will recommend more medications at ever higher doses and you will not feel as young, healthy, and full of energy as you should. As Hippocrates said, make your food your medicine. We advise you to eat protein every day at every meal and snack, to eat fat to help absorb the nutrients from the food, and to choose healthy, fresh, low-glycemic carbohydrates. Choose the right medicine for your body good food.
Recipe of the Month Vegetable Medley: For those of you fortunate enough to have fresh summer squash growing in your backyard this summer, or able to visit a farmers market, you will love this recipe. A friend made this for us, and I knew this would be a recipe to share with patients. The medley makes a great side dish with a lean protein serving, for a picnic, or poolside party. This meal can be enjoyed on any of the Key Diets. Pick up a copy in the office today or download at our website.
30 gram Protein Recipe Cereal with Vanilla Milk: Miss cereal with milk for breakfast? Try a package of Cinnamon Vanilla Protein and one carton of Vanilla RTD in a bowl together.
