Medicines for good health

LINks will be set up in England from April 2008 to give individuals and groups a stronger voice in how their local health and social care services are delivered. By talking directly to the service providers and saying what they want, the community is much more likely to receive better care.

What is a LINk?

Sometimes the people who use services don’t feel they have a strong enough voice to change aspects of their health or social care. The introductions of LINks are part of a wider process to help the community have a stronger local voice.
What a LINk will do

Run by local individuals and groups, a LINk will:

* ask what local people what they think about local healthcare services and provide a chance to suggest ideas to help improve services;
* investigate specific issues of concern to the community;
* use its powers to hold services to account and get results;
* ask for information and get an answer in a specified amount of time;
* be able to carry out spot-checks to see if services are working well (carried out under safeguards);
* make reports and recommendations and receive a response;
* refer issues to the local ‘Overview and Scrutiny Committee’.

An example

A number of people raise the issue of GP opening hours with a LINk. The local surgery say they want to open during the evening and at weekends but they have limited resources.

The LINk offers to help the surgery find out the hours that will best suit local people. The LINk surveys the community and asks for their views. It also asks LINks in other areas how they have dealt with the issue.

The LINks research finds that those who work would prefer more early morning appointments, so they can see a GP but not be late for work.

As a result, the surgery decides not to open one afternoon during the week so that they are able to open more early morning appointments. They also start a call-back service, so people can have quick telephone consultations.

A LINk will be independent; they will be hosted and supported by a community organisation with experience of engaging people.
Anyone can be part of a LINk

A LINk will ask the community what they think. It’s up to you how and when you get involved - you can just comment on issues when contacted or you can get more involved for example, helping to raise awareness of an issue or helping to find solutions (for example, meeting providers, being part of a working group).
How much time will it take?

There are so many ways you can be involved. You can take a few minutes to answer a survey or take longer to represent the community when a health or social care service is being discussed with service providers.
How is a LINk run?

The Department of Health will provide money to each local council, who will then give it to a ‘host organisation’. A host organisation will:

* tell the community that a LINk has started;
* hold meetings so people can hear about what the LINk will do;
* encourage local groups, individuals and organisations to get involved – especially those who are not always heard;
* help decide how the LINk will be run;
* be responsible for and keep records of how the money is spent – but the LINk members decide what the money is to be spent on.

Getting started

At the start of April 2008, host organisations should start work in most areas of England, setting up a LINk. Opportunities exist for individuals and local groups to help plan a LINk or to get involved after April. To find out what is happening in your area, contact your nearest local council with social services responsibility.

Find out how you can access your medical records, how much it will cost you and how to access someone else's medical records if you need to.
How to access your records

Your doctor's surgery holds your medical records while a hospital holds records of any treatment you have had there. You have the right to view these under the Data Protection Act 1998. You can simply ask your GP, surgery staff or health authority, if you can inspect your medical records. Check with them, but there is usually a charge (see 'How much it will cost' below) and you may be asked for proof of identity.

However, it is recommended that you apply for access in writing by sending a letter by recorded delivery, including any payment and the required proof of identity. You should receive a response no later than 21 days after your application was received, although by law (according to the Data Protection Act) the hospital or surgery has 40 days to respond to a request in writing.

If the records are held at a hospital, you should address the letter to your hospital Patients Services Manager or Medical Records Officer.

Your records, when presented to you, should be in a format that you understand.

* More about accessing your medical records;

If access to records is denied

You will not be allowed access to your records:

* if healthcare professionals believe that information in the records is likely to cause serious harm to the patient or another person
* details about third parties are included in the records - these may be removed

However, if you are denied access you can approach the Information Commissioner's Office if you think the organisation has breached the Data Protection Act.

* Visit the Information Commissioner's Office website;

How much will it cost?

It will cost you:

* £10 for information held in a computerised format
* up to £50 for manual records

Accessing someone else's records

If you are applying for medical records on behalf of someone else, you will need their consent or a power of attorney.

* Managing your affairs and enduring power of attorney (over 50s section)

Getting more information

The Patients Association has produced a booklet called 'How to obtain access to your medical records' which you may find helpful. It takes you through the necessary steps and includes examples of the kind of letter you will need to send to gain formal access.

Retail health clinics are all the rage these days, but not everyone sees their popularity as a positive

In a world where dinner comes in a paper bag handed through a drive-thru window at McDonald’s and ATM’s man virtually every street corner, retail medical centers are giving new meaning to one-stop shopping. In addition to bread, orange juice and toilet paper, people can add flu shots, routine blood tests and treatments for a variety of other everyday ailments to their grocery lists.

With hair and nail salons, vision centers, restaurants and banks already opening shop right inside big box stores like Wal-Mart, it should come as no surprise that the health industry would be next in line, but the thought of retail clinics is a little unnerving to many primary care physicians. In Colorado alone, there are 15 SmartCare Family Medical Centers in Wal-Mart Supercenters, including ones in Loveland, Greeley and Brighton.

“SmartCare is another option for access to health care for the community located where people live, work and shop,” said Rebeca Imgrund, chief nurse practitioner from SmartCare Family Medical Centers. “It’s very convenient when you have an acute condition.”

The first SmartCare clinics opened in 2006 and the Greeley and Loveland clinics have been open just over a year. The clinics, which are staffed by nurse practitioners, require no appointment and charge about $65 for an average visit. By not having physicians on staff, the clinics are able to keep the cost down and do not require as much expensive medical equipment. Common things like the stomach flu, coughs, sore throats and physicals are the types of things these retail clinics treat. For more complicated things, patients are referred to primary care physicians.

“Our goal is to refer them to the level of care that is appropriate,” said Dr. Brian Erling, SmartCare’s National Medical Director.

Erling, who has a background working in emergency rooms, said he would see people come into the hospital and rack up a $400 bill for a soar throat because of a lack of access. Though retail clinics attempt to address this issue, many physicians do not necessarily think it’s the best solution.

Dr. John Bender, Larimer County Medical Society president and medical director of Miramont Family Practice in Fort Collins, said there is a concern that these retail clinics will negatively impact primary care physicians.

“Considering we have had 16 primary care physicians go bankrupt, prematurely retire or close their doors and no solo clinics left in Fort Collins, the concern is that 10 years from now, when our neighbors get sick they will go to a retail clinic and when they are really sick, they will try to go to the emergency room and everyone will try to send a report back to the primary care physician who no longer exists,” Bender said. “This will adversely impact the longitudinal and continuity which is the foundation of a healthy society.”

Others, like Dr. Ken Olds of the Family Physicians of Greeley, feel that retail clinics lack the personal information needed to take care of patients.

“As a family doctor, I believe that continuity is a good idea,” Olds said. “Our physicians will take care of an entire family over a long period of time. They know about your allergies and your past health. I don’t see how a retail clinic could offer that.”

Erling said that it isn’t about taking patients from primary care physicians, but improving access for people who may not have it and making it more convenient. Imgrund agreed, adding that about 30 percent of the people who visit the clinics do not have a primary care provider and might otherwise end up at the emergency room door.

SmartCare is but one of many retail health companies that is continuing to expand across the nation with talks of expanding into Fort Collins and Colorado Springs. According to the Convenient Care Association, there are more than 200 clinics operated by over a dozen companies across America.

“The reality is there is going to be more of them,” Bender said. “The question is whether they will delay people from getting the preventative services they need from a primary care physician.”

As the retail clinic industry has continued to grow, it has also caught the eye of many lawmakers. In early December, GOP lawmakers purposefully selected a SmartCare center as the site to announce their version of health care reform.

Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, said when they rolled out their agenda, the retail clinic was a perfect fit because it makes health care more affordable and is also a great avenue for education on health-related issues.

“I think it’s a good development as long as the quality is good.” he said. “A lot of people, if they didn’t have this option would go without care.”

Dr. Edward Norman, president of Big Medical Group, met with SmartCare officials before the clinic opened in Loveland. He said the emergent medical clinic and pediatric at Skyline Center for Health, which is located next to the Wal-Mart Supercenter, has not been impacted by the retail clinic.

“If you have good doctors and well-run clinics, then you don’t have a problem,” he said.

He said that retail clinics serve a small niche right now, but could be a benefit for a city where there is poor access to primary care services. However, he doesn’t think they will be a dominant force in the medical market.

“The only emotional feeling I have is I don’t think it provides very good continuous care,” Norman said. “I think this is a form of medicine does not even attempt to do this. Medicine is more than just going to McDonald’s and getting a hamburger. You need to find a physician you trust.”

By Erin Frustaci

Computerized physician order entry (CPOE) has been a key component of patient safety since the publication of the Institute of medicine’s 1999 report, To Err is Human. This report found that in hospitals throughout the United States, up to 98,000 individuals die each year from preventable mistakes.

CPOE is more about clinician acceptance and workflow than it is about software and hardware platforms. But the ability of software and hardware to successfully support the clinician, with dependency and speed, is absolutely critical to support the CPOE effort in a hospital.

Seneca Data focuses on providing the best hardware to support CPOE deployments. Our solutions include:

- Computers on Wheels (COWS);
- Mobile Point of Care Solutions;
- Fixed Point of Care Solutions;
- Remote Access Solutions.

Whether your CPOE project is focused on simply presenting clinical results and other information to medical staff, doing electronic order entry, or both, Seneca Data solutions can support your needs!

Due to our expertise in software integration we work with Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) who focus on CPOE. Our engineering, production, and quality control processes make Seneca Data the logical choice for partners looking for stable platforms and custom image work. We will house your custom written programs and based on your specifications, we will leverage our technical expertise to co-engineer solutions specifically for your business!

by www.senecadata.com/markets

Why Seneca Data for Healthcare?

Seneca Data helps hospitals, clinics and physicians’ associations improve patient care through the use of information technology solutions. Seneca Data offers critical technologies to support key healthcare initiatives like:

* Computerized Physician Order Entry;
* Electronic Medical Record;
* Picture Archiving and Communication Systems;
* Mobile Point of Care.

Seneca Data brings innovative technology solutions to healthcare organizations to enhance patient care and patient safety while supporting regulatory compliance. We believe that the digitization of healthcare creates a more efficient clinical workflow, allowing for better staff utilization, information flow and patient care.

Electronic Medical Record

Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) are a computer-based patient medical record.

EMR facilitates include:

- A central repository of a patient’s healthcare information;
- Access of patient data by clinicians in any location;
- Ability to check for allergy and drug interactions;
- Clinical notes and prescriptions;
- Scheduling;
- Lab results and orders.

Positive benefits of EMR are obvious. Consider a patient receiving care by a number of clinicians in a variety of settings. This care may be provided by the primary care physician, a hospital team, surgical or medical specialists, physical therapists, social workers, and others. In a paper system, the patient’s medical record is fragmented, scattered, and difficult to tie together. However, with EMR, the record is digitized and centrally stored, making it available to any member of the healthcare delivery team, at any time, from any location. The security and practical hazards of a patient hand carrying his/her record from one healthcare provider to another are avoided.

Seneca Data supplies the tools necessary for healthcare facilities to successfully deploy an EMR system.

Email healthcare@senecadata.com to learn more.

Aerotherapy. Among the hundred or more types of healing offered to the sophisticated is aerotherapy. Obviously, aerotherapy means treatment by air, but in this instance hot air is particularly concerned. The patient is baked in a hot oven. Heat relieves pain and produces an increased flow of blood to the part heated. The blood aids in removing waste products and brings to the part the substances that overcome infection. There is nothing essentially wrong about hot air therapy.

Since the time of Hippocrates and indeed even in Biblical legend men have availed themselves of the healing powers existing in nature. The light and heat of the sun, the burning steam from natural hot springs, the dry air of the desert, and even the buffeting of the waves of the sea have been used for physical stimulation in overcoming disease. It has remained for the astute commercial minds of our progressive land to incorporate these qualities for their personal gain.

Aerotherapy as one department of physical therapy be-comes a cult when it is used to the exclusion of all other forms of healing. In New York a progressive quack established an institute equipped with special devices for pouring hot air over various portions of the body. He issued a beautiful brochure, illustrated with the likenesses of beautiful damsels in various states of negligee, smiling the smile of the satisfied, under his salubrious ministrations. In this document appeared incidentally the claim that hot air will cure anything from ague to zoster. The same claim has been made by the faith healers and the apostles of manipulation. But the first call it Christian Science and the second call it chiropractic.

Before the discovery of antibiotics, sulphur was the leading anti-bacterial drug. Every Queensland household in the 19th century would have a kilo or two of sulphur flowers for burning, and a few bottles of sulphurous acid for gargling.

Diphtheria was one of the greatest killers of the 19th century and the one and only line of defence against Diphtheria was sulphur. First the patient’s room was sealed tightly, and while the patient was still in it, ½ kilo of sulphur was burnt in the room. Next, the tonsils were brushed with sulphurous acid. Great care had to be taken to make certain that sulphurous acid and not sulphuric acid was used. There were many cases of patients’ throats being burnt out, because of this mix up. The patient then gargled a mixture of sulphur and water before going to bed with a few teaspoons of sulphur folded in their pyjamas. This cure was hard on the patients but spare a thought for the rest of the household and the neighbourhood for that matter. During diphtheria outbreaks the suburbs reeked of sulphur.

The great child killer of the 19th century was croup. The most dreaded sound a mother could hear was the sharp cough of the croup. Mothers were desperate for cures. One mother wrote to the newspapers with her cure. Her pen name was ‘Experienced” and with good reason. She had beaten off over twenty attacks of the croup with her cure. First the patient was given an enema made of mustard, salt and water. Next a mustard plaster was applied to the throat and chest and the patient was placed in a hot bath and covered to the neck with a blanket. After the bath the patient was wrapped in blankets, kept in bed, and after a few days, the patient would be right as rain.

Skin cancer ravaged our forebears just as much as it does today. One cure shows what a different world it was then. Spirit of salt applied once a day for a week would turn the cancer black and it would drop off within a few days. Ah, if it only could be so simple.

You see in every site and discussion board where people blog diet pills and make statements of the best diet pills that are available in the market, which they have not yet tried. For those individuals who have serious weight problems, you need to see a doctor and perhaps get prescription diet pills and phentermine diet pills. But ultimately to speak the truth, there is no magic pill to lose all of your weight. The best diet pills are those that fit your metabolism, which you maintain with a balanced diet and regular exercise.

People may make a big fuss about phentermine diet pills and ephedra diet pills, but what it comes down to is working diet pills for you that you take along with good nutrition and fitness. The best diet pills that worked for me was Hydroxicut Hardcore from Muscle Tech. I took this pill thirty minutes before meals, along with regular cardio exercises and lots of protein. I have found these pills to work, it has helped me boost my metabolism and slim down my overall complexion.

Please be aware that the FDA recently overturned the federal judge's ruling to allow Ephedrine sales in the U.S. The FDA has put a complete stop to Ephedrine sales, not allowing any companies to sell the wildly popular supplement. Advantra-Z® is now the supplement of choice- giving energy to help you lose weight without any side effects. Advantra-Z is commonly found in Nuphedrine, a fine alternative for those who've been using Ephedrine.

Recognized as one of the most effective dietary supplements available today, the Ephedra Diet Pill offers an all-natural, power-packed capsule to help you lose weight safely and more quickly than you ever thought possible. You'll be hard-pressed to find a supplement that can provide the results of the Ephedra Diet Pill without a prescription.

It was re-introduced to the market and became more popular than ever. (However, the FDA has since banned Ephedrine sales in the U.S.) Bringing back former believers and finding its way to new, people are raving about the successful results they're finding thanks to the Ephedra Diet Pill. Ephedrine is the controversial dietary supplement that was banned following a Utah judge ruling. However, an overturn deemed Ephedra safe to consume and was not available in doses larger than 10mg capsules. The battle over Ephedrine continues as it has once again been removed from the market.

Ephedra is just another name for Ephedrine-P57, the only dietary supplement with both Hoodia and Ephedrine, two natural herbal ingredients when paired together offer a powerful natural solution to weight loss. There is no other product available on the market, with or without a prescription, that claims the results that the Ephedra Diet Pill can. It's sure to be the answer you've been looking for.

The guaranteed formula found in the Ephedra Diet Pill promises you'll boost your metabolism, increase energy levels and burn fat more quickly. Plus, the high-quality, natural ingredients are second-to-none. What makes this supplement so successful, is that its active ingredient (P57 found in Hoodia) tells the brain that you're not hungry at a rate 10,000 times stronger than your body's natural responses. You don't feel hungry and are less likely to give into snacks and cravings. You'll burn calories, melt fat and lose weight rapidly- and unveil a brand new healthier, better looking you.

The 7-Keto DHEA in this product is manufactured by Humanetics Corporation - Humanetics owns a patent (#5,296,481) for 7-Keto for use in effecting weight loss AND preventing weight gain. The basis of this patent was Humanetics' discovery that 7-Keto is a potent activator of three key thermogenic enzymes - enzymes known to play important roles in converting stored body fat to energy. In addition, Humanetics only sells 7-Keto to companies that enter into a licensing agreement - this ensures 7-Keto products are not mis-branded, adulterated and no potentially unsafe ingredients enter the market.

As with any supplement, another important consideration is safety. Prior to any commercial sale of 7-Keto, Humanetics Corporation commissioned a series of comprehensive toxicology studies conducted using pharmaceutical industry protocols.

The range of testing included four pre-clinical toxicology evaluations and concluded in a Phase I safety trial in humans. The results of these tests were published in Clinical Investigative Medicine 2000 and the conclusion of the principal scientist was that "7-Keto...which is not converted to estrogens or androgens, was found to be safe and well-tolerated...at doses up to 200mg/d..."

Comprehensive toxicology and safety studies are essential to ensuring the basic premise of safety for any ingested product and the research into safety of 7-Keto demonstrates that it can be used safely.

EphBurn25 is AE Labs newest weight loss product - standardized to provide 25mg of ephedra (from 312.5mg Ma Huang extract) per capsule!

What is the ECA Stack? ECA is an acronym for Ephedra, Caffeine, & Aspirin. EphBurn25 contains these exact ingredients in the right amounts - Ephedra / Ma Huang Extract, Aspirin precursors from White Willow and pharmaceutical grade Caffeine. It also contains other proven fat loss ingredients such as 10mcg of chromium, which helps keep blood sugar stable and metabolize more stored fat for fuel.

EphBurn25 is the classic ECA Stack you've been looking for! It's a complete diet pill standardized for 25mg ephedra per serving - it works well for women and men! This combination of ingredients- the ECA Stack - is highly effective for fat loss and has been proven in various studies to help increase fat loss by stimulating your body's metabolism through a thermogenic effect.

Hoodia PureTM is the MOST concentrated WHOLE PLANT hoodia supplement on the market! So, it's little wonder why it consistently receives favorable feedback from our customers (click 'Reviews/Results' for more info). Hoodia PureTM delivers the herbal power of 100% pure Hoodia gordonii, with nothing removed except water. So, why is this preparation so important?

Well, while Hoodia Pure consistently receives strong feedback (yes, it really does work well), as a stand-alone supplement/ingredient we've found 'hoodia diet pills' receive somewhat mixed reviews. We believe this is due to the fact that it's not currently possible for hoodia extracts to be standardized for the p-57 molecule - the 'active constituent' in hoodia causing appetite suppression. Consequently, many 'hoodia' products are very likely under dosed OR lack the p-57 molecule entirely since they are not comprised of the entire hoodia plant (some products only use hoodia root, for instance).

Keep in mind that the research done on hoodia where the p-57 molecule was discovered used an extract of the WHOLE PLANT. We recommend Hoodia Pure over other hoodia products even though it's a few dollars more per bottle - and believe it works - because it's sufficiently dosed and properly prepared - a single capsule contains the equivalent of 5,000mg of the WHOLE HOODIA PLANT.

ALRI Venom Diet pills Hyperdrive

Venom from ALRI is a product created for those adults who need the best environment for dramatic results through responsible application of a highly advance formula. At ALRI we do not screw around. Love us or hate us, everyone agrees that our products work and at the suggested supplemental dosages. So, what sets Venom apart from the rest? Anyone can mix a bunch of compounds or herbs together and shove it into a capsule. All too often this is followed by ads that promise the world but deliver next to nothing. This is not to say that all products in this category are bad, just that 'some' create doubt upon those that perform as intended. So let's look at the research supporting the value of the synergistic ingredients formulated for Venom.

What Were Our Design Goals?

* Increase your stamina and energy
* Suppress your appetite
* Increase your calorie expenditure
* Improve your long term performance
* Improve your mental focus

Cocoamine (Only From ALRI). Cocoamine is a trademarked and patent pending proprietary, unique cocoa extract that provides the health benefits of chocolate without any of the unhealthy ingredients (you know, like sugar and fat). Please do not confuse Cocoamine with the patented ingredient Chocomine. Our Cocoamine is a unique matrix standardized for nearly 98% actives. Try it before you judge it! Cocoamine contains several natural occurring substrates, including methylxanthines (theobromine, caffeine, and theophylline), biogenic-amines (phenylethylamine, tyramine, octopamine and synephrines), amino acids (phenylalanine, tryptophan, tyrosine, others), minerals (with a high content of magnesium) and several beneficial antioxidants. *You may think you have used a product similar to this, but one dose of Venom will show you how wrong you are. (Please start with only one capsule!)

Phenylethylamine (PEA) is an endogenous neuroamine that increases attention and activity in animals. It is also your body's most powerful natural stimulant. It's unique in that PEA improves mood as rapidly as amphetamines but does not produce tolerance. Okay, natural PEA is good. And synthetic amphetamines is bad. Though they share many common positive effects, the latter is not a good option due its own negative affects. Got it? Another interesting reality found in PEA research is its unique ability to stimulate striatal acetylcholine release. Big deal? Well, this neurotransmitter positively affects everything from libido to the sense of hunger with benefits to mood, focus and stress. Okay, and a positive effect upon erectile function has been noted in other studies.

Caffeine is an interesting and well known compound, certainly nothing new to the supplement industry. But there is some valuable research that shows a lot of potential benefits. Yes, everyone already knows that it is noted as a compound that increases energy significantly. In one rat study and several human studies, caffeine has been shown to have appetite suppressive value. Naturally most dieters cheat and can use all the will power they can get. Another study has shown caffeine to decrease fat redeposit and aid thermogenesis through fat oxidation. In part this appears to result in suppressed leptin (you know, the fat regulating hormone).

Tyramine, Octopamine and Synephrines all have a positive effect upon beta-3 receptors thus increasing the rate of thermogenesis and your metabolic rate. Many have compared the effects to those of ephedra - mostly in a positive sense. Let me explain that a little better. Several studies have found that patients who achieve only small weight loss during dietary therapy, and have a tendency to regain weight, are characterized by lower energy expenditure, lower sympathetic activity, and a reduced ability to mobilize fat stores, compared with patients who are more successful at losing weight. It is reasonable to improve or normalize these traits by supporting the dietary approach with pharmacological manipulation of central and peripheral pathways. Agents that stimulate adrenergic neurons are particularly suitable because they offer mechanisms for temporarily inhibiting hunger and for stimulating energy expenditure, lipolysis and fat oxidation.

Sympathomimetic compounds can reduce appetite and increase energy expenditure. Energy expenditure can be increased by 5-10% via stimulation of a combination of beta-adrenoceptors; beta3-adrenoceptors may predominate during chronic use. This increased energy expenditure increases the relative proportion of fat oxidation; as this is not fully compensated by increased energy intake, a negative energy balance occurs. This mechanism may be responsible for the long-term weight loss efficiency of agents like, ephedra, octopamine, tyramine and synephrines.

Both individually and combined the combination of these multiple ingredients produces a unique effect. Research has substantiated the many positive user feed-back factoids about Cocoamine, including increased energy, appetite suppression, lipolysis (fat burning), improved mood, improved concentration, increased alertness, improved physical performance, aphrodisiac properties, and health benefits. When correctly processed, all of these benefits become a reality.

So What Else Is In It?

The need for extreme appetite suppression seems to be a large factor in the out come of any diet intended to help lose body fat. So we added hoodia. One study appears to have explained why people report long term hunger suppression with the use of hoodia. It seems likely that increased ATP content/production in the hypothalamus may be a signal for energy-sensing of satiety. Next we included 5-HTP which acts as a precursor for serotonin (mood enhancement), ALA (Alpha Lipoic Acid) to aid in insulin mediation, guggulsterone extracts to support thyroid activity, Rhodiola to increase support for ATP and cAMP production, B vitamins to support energy pathways and capsiate for thermogenesis, lypolysis and anti-oxidant value.

Okay, Capsiate is kind of cool so I want to say a little more about it. Everyone in hard core bodybuilding has heard of the fat loss compound DNP. Well, it works by making the mitochondria burn more calories in effort to make ATP by uncoupling the process with a compound called UCP-1 and UPC-2, and it is very dangerous. Better options? A single dose of capsiate temporarily raised both UCP1 mRNA in brown adipose tissue and UCP3 mRNA in skeletal muscle. These results suggest that UCP1 and UCP2 may contribute to the promotion of energy metabolism by capsiate, but that thyroid hormones do not. In short, a smarter and naturally occurring option. Yes, both human and rat studies. Sometimes all of the right ingredients can be in a product but the correct amounts and standardization can blow the whole outcome. It is all about the correct amounts of each substrate and that each acts in synergy with one another without counteracting another...that makes the product gold or a rip-off.

What Does ThermoLean Offer You?

* Boosts your metabolic rate so you burn more calories;
* Increases your energy;
* No jitters - just a warming feeling as your metabolism is on fire;
* And it helps to control/reduce your appetite!

If you're not currently satisfied with how quickly your results from dieting and/or exercising are coming along - perhaps you've even hit a plateau you need to break through - then you also know that if you don't make a change things aren't going to be any different one, two or even three months from now.

Clearly, you must do something different - try something new - if you want a different result. A better result. And sooner!

While we all have our own reasons for wanting to lose weight/fat and our own ideas about what that specifically means - the bottom line is that ThermoLean can help you get there - and faster!

So, consider what would happen if you could lose weight each week - each month. Because you're reading this, we're willing to bet that you're already doing the hard part - exercising and/or dieting - so why not have more to show for your efforts?

► User Reviews / Results - What are other customers saying about their results?

Wonder how quickly you'll lose fat, feel your clothes fitting looser and see the scale (your weight) decrease when you start on your bottle of ThermoLean?

OK, so we all know individual results vary - that's a given - but we can tell you with absolute confidence that if you take Thermolean, create a calorie deficit (we suggest 500 calories/day - not much - a medium order of fries contains 400 calories and 30 minutes of jogging burns 250 calories - it's easier with the appetite suppressing and energy boosting effects of ThermoLean) - less than a month from now you'll be MORE than happy with your weight and fat loss results!

In fact, chances are you'll be MORE than happy even if you encounter the slight inconvenience of others asking you for advice on what you're doing. Can you blame them? They're just doing what we all know works - one of the best ways to find out what produces results is to ask others - who've gotten the results you want - exactly what they're doing.

On that point - want more specifics about what to expect? To find out what our other customers have to say about their results with ThermoLean click on the 'Reviews/Results' tab (above)! Our order system automatically emails customers about 30 days after ordering, to ask how they liked the products - the feedback posted is from their responses.

As you consider what ThermoLean will do for you, please understand that buying yourself a bottle is just part of what's required to get the results you've just read about.

Of course, ThermoLean is a great product as many of our customers will tell you, so you should have high expectations, but, it won't work by itself - in much the same way that a supercharger adding 100 horsepower will dramatically boost a sports car's performance, BUT ONLY if the engine is running and you get behind the wheel.

So, as we mentioned above you'll also need to create a calorie deficit to get the best results - cut back on calories a bit and/or add in some exercise - ideally both. ThermoLean will do the rest - it will certainly "supercharge" - speed up and enhance - your fat loss!

► Ingredient Details - What's in it & how does it work so well?

ThermoLean's unique formulation offers you a powerful and highly effective tool to assist you in reaching your weight loss goals.

So, let's review the key ingredients and how they'll help you lose fat!
# Synephrine HCL: This compound is effective at enhancing fat loss for two key reasons - first, it stimulates beta-3 receptors with minimal impact on the other receptor sites.

Here's the benefit to you - stimulation of beta-3 receptor sites causes lipolysis - the breakdown of fat - so your body begins to burn stored fat as fuel. What this also means is that synephrine provides a stimulatory effect, boosting your metabolic rate without significantly affecting your heart rate or blood pressure (since it only stimulates beta-3 receptors).

So, like ephedra, synephrine has stimulatory effects BUT not to the same degree - it's more mild - instead of getting the anxious jittery type of energy associated with ephedra and ephedrine, you'll get more of a clear, focused energy.

Second, synephrine adds value to the ThermoLean formula as an appetite suppressant. This can help out a lot when dieting! In fact, some believe that synephrine's appetite suppressing effects may outweigh its metabolism boosting benefits - you'll have to be the judge of that, but either way, this compound has a lot to offer.
# Synthetic Guggulsterones: Ever notice how some people can eat like horses but not gain weight because they have "a fast metabolism"?

Here's what you need to know - your overall metabolic rate is controlled by your thyroid gland AND there are two main types of thyroid hormone it produces - they're called T4 and T3. While it's true that T4 does burn some fat/increase metabolic rate, T3 is the stronger and more effective thyroid hormone and it's created from the conversion of T4 to T3.

Guggulsterones are included because they enhance conversion of T4 to T3 which in turn increases your metabolic rate! As an added benefit, guggulsterones have been proven to decrease LDL cholesterol (aka "bad" cholesterol) and triglyceride levels while either not effecting (in some studies) or slightly increasing HDL cholesterol (aka "good" cholesterol) levels (in other studies).
# Yohimbine HCL: This is a pretty unique compound and highly effective for fat loss - especially when it comes to that "stubborn" fat.

In women this would include thighs/hamstrings, buttocks, hips and triceps (though not limited to these places). In men the areas vary more but in general include the abdominal area ("love handles"), chest, buttocks and thighs. The reason it's harder to lose fat in these places is because fat cells here typically have a much higher number of alpha 2 receptors.

What does this mean and how does yohimbine help? Alpha 2 receptors are like "off switches" for fat cells and fat loss - yohimbine helps you burn that "stubborn" fat by blocking the alpha 2 receptors - preventing the fat burning switches to be set to "off" in these cells. As an added benefit, it also has mild appetite suppressing effects.
# Caffeine: It's a basic part of most thermogenic stacks - and for good reason - it produces metabolism boosting effects by raising cyclic AMP levels. It's also well known as a compound that significantly increases overall energy levels.

But, did you know several studies have shown caffeine has a suppressive effect on appetite? That's right!

Also, when used in conjunction with other thermogens (such as the above) it has been shown to be even more effective. Further, studies have demonstrated that caffeine decreases fat redeposit and aids thermogenesis by causing fat oxidation - helping you burn more fat!
# Bioperine: This patented extract enhances fat loss because it enhances the bio-availability of certain supplements through increased absorption.

When you take the above ingredients and then add in bioperine, everything works that much better - the other compounds are more efficiently absorbed and utilized in the body.

Some researches have speculated that based on bioperine's ability to create a more efficient/enhanced means of nutrient transportation into the bloodstream, it may exert a positive effect on thermogenisis - leading to an even more (however slightly) elevated metabolic rate.

But again, bioperine's real, proven value - and the primary reason for its inclusion in ThermoLean - is its ability to enhance the absorption and therefore efficacy of the other key ingredients.

Makes sense why it's our top seller and customers keep coming back to reorder more - ThermoLean is a highly effective fat loss, appetite suppressing and energy boosting formula!

For complete label info click the 'Label Info' tab (above).

► FAQs - Frequent Questions:
# How do I take it?

Follow the instructions and precautions/warnings listed on the bottle. It's quite strong, so do not use it for more than 60 days without a two week break before resuming. That said, here are some specific guidelines:

- ThermoLean Dosage for Fat Loss: Take 2 capsules 30 minutes before breakfast or morning workout and 2 more capsules in the afternoon. BUT, start off with only 2 capsules on your first two days (1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon) and increase dosage by 1 capsule every two days until maximum dosage of 4 capsules per day is reached. Do not take within 6 hours of sleep!

- ThermoLean Dosage for Extreme Fat Loss: Take 2 capsules 3 times daily 30 minutes before a meal. BUT, start off with only 2 capsules on your first two days (1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon) and increase dosage by 1 capsule every two days until maximum dosage of 6 capsules per day is reached. DO NOT EXCEED 6 CAPSULES PER DAY. Do not take within 6 hours of sleep!

- ThermoLean Dosage for Increased Energy: Take 2 capsules 30 minutes prior to a workout - do not take within 6 hours of sleep!

If you have a sensitive stomach, take ThermoLean with food. Also, for most, a single bottle will provide at least a 30 day supply (varies up or down per above suggested use).
# What can I take along with ThermoLean to improve my results?

ThermoLean is fairly strong and most people will get good results just taking it alone and including some diet restriction and exercise. But, if you're near (or over) 30 years of age you'll find you get greatly improved results when you combine ThermoLean with 7-KETO DHEA.

What is 7-KETO DHEA? It's a non-stimulatory, non-hormonal dhea derivative that has many favorable effects - not least of which is that it will further boost your metabolic rate (by the way, that's a claim which has been clinically proven). Find out more...
# How stimulatory is ThermoLean - will it make me jittery?

ThermoLean is indeed fairly stimulatory, but, most people will find that it does not make them overly jittery as other diet products can. In fact, the stimulation that it provides tends to feel more natural and more even.

You'll also find the stimulatory effect of ThermoLean is very helpful when you're working out - especially when doing cardio.
# What else should I do/take with ThermoLean to get the best results?

As discussed above, you should be sure to create a calorie deficit - cutting back on your food intake and/or exercising - ideally both - to create a deficit of at least 500 calories/day.

This is a comfortable deficit for most people and you'll be pleased with how quickly the results come. And again, if you're 30 years of age or over, be sure you consider adding in 7-KETO DHEA.

► Ordering - How can I get a bottle now?

Your fastest option is to order online through our secure checkout system - just press the 'Add to Cart' button (located near the top or also below, on this page) and proceed to checkout.

Alternatively, you can call our 24/7 order hotline and place your order toll free: 800-986-2231 (live service 24/7!). Either way, we'll get your order processed and shipped to your door ASAP!

So, what are you waiting for? Buy yourself a bottle and get started on your way to losing weight and unwanted fat this month!

ThermoLean is guaranteed in stock & most orders ship the same day! Express (2nd Day Air) shipping is available!

We are well under way in 2008 and with the new year comes new resolutions. How many of you have resolved to lose a few pounds? The start of a new year always sees a spike in the sales of hoodia diet pills and this year will be no different. What will be different, however, is the prices dieters pay and the type of hoodia they get in their supplements.

The prices of hoodia diet pills reduced significantly in 2007 and it looks as if they will continue to be relatively low in 2008. Hard to believe, isn't it? Since they were introduced on a mass scale in 2004, we have seen double digit increases in the prices but in 2007 and 2008 prices have actually come down.

Instead of paying almost $60 for a bottle of premium high-quality hoodia diet pills, as was the price earlier in 2007, you can now get that same bottle for just a little over $43 with various discounts and sales. That is significant price drop and it great news for dieters.

How has this happened? The introduction of cultivated hoodia gordonii has contributed to the slump in price. Originally all authentic hoodia diet pills were made from wild grown hoodia gordonii. The supply of wild grown hoodia was very scarce so the price of it was very high – almost $300 per kilo. Today, wild grown hoodia has been replaced with cultivated, or commercially farmed, hoodia so supplies have increased slightly. The result has been a slight decrease in the price of raw hoodia. The prices currently fluctuate around $200-$250 per kilo.

The other contributing factor to the price decline is that the popularity of hoodia has dropped significantly since its peak in 2005. When hoodia gordonii was introduced to the mass market in 2004 it was all the rage in the weight loss industry but after 2005 the demand for it dropped. With a slight increase in supply of raw hoodia and a decrease in demand the price of hoodia supplements could only go one direction – down!

As mentioned, the type of hoodia found in supplements in 2008 and in the foreseeable future will be different than in year's past. Up until recently, wild grown hoodia gordonii was the primary source of hoodia used in diet pills. With the wild supply all but gone for now, almost all supplements with hoodia contain the cultivated, or farmed, variety.

Some claim that wild grown hoodia is more potent, and therefore more effective, then the cultivated version. Others say there is no difference. Regardless of what the truth is, the implications could be that despite purchasing 100% authentic hoodia diet pills, their effectiveness could be less than they used to be. Dieters taking hoodia supplements will want to keep this in mind. If they find the supplements purchased today aren't as effective as they used to be, they may need to increase their dosage.

Overall, things look good in 2008 for those interested in hoodia diet pills. The prices have come down and will likely remain that way throughout the year. The only negative is that today's supplements may not be as effective as those in the past. That's not to say they don't work, it simply means you may need to take more to get the same effect.

The question is, is wild grown hoodia gordonii really more potent than cultivated hoodia? Visit here to find out which hoodia diet pills are the most potent.

By Travis Van Slooten.

Most people who wear glasses don't maintain a regular schedule of getting eye exams. As long as they can see, they consider another eye exam a low priority. In fact, many only have an exam when their glasses break or wear out. By handling your eye care this way, you're not doing yourself any favors, and in the end you'll spend more money than you would have for annual exams.

Many spectacle wearers don't really pay too much attention to the frequency of their eye exams. Often they will only return to their eye doctor when their current pair of glasses is in need of repair or replacement. Contrary to belief, eye exams are very important for many reasons and it is critical to your eye health to have them examined once a year.

An optician or ophthalmologist is a health professional who is specially trained to look for and treat disorders of the eyes. Eye disorders such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other problems can destroy vision, cause blindness, and undermine a person's overall health. If you are having problems with your eyes and think you might need glasses in Raleigh, schedule a professional exam right away.

During an eye examination, the optician or ophthalmologist may be the first to notice certain signs or symptoms indicating the possible presence of a serious medical condition or disorder. Your eye specialist can then refer you to a medical doctor for diagnosis and treatment. If you have a medical condition such as diabetes or Bells Palsy, an optician or ophthalmologist can help monitor that condition's impact upon your eyes and ensure that they are minimally affected by that medical condition in the future.

Besides these important reasons to get an annual eye exam, it is also important to keep in mind that your prescription for lenses in Raleigh will not last forever. Your eyes are always in the process of changing, which is why it is important to get new lenses in Raleigh every year. Many people have such significant vision changes that their prescription changes from year to year.

Those who wear their same lenses in Raleigh many years after receiving their prescription without going in to see an eye care professional generally have trouble with many things such as blurred vision, trouble with focusing, eye and headaches, and various other difficulties. The reason for this is that when your prescription becomes outdated, your eyes have to struggle with proper focus, leading to the many physical consequences.

It is good practice to see an optician or ophthalmologist annually if you wear glasses. Continuing to wear glasses with an outdated prescription can cause your vision to worsen over time. When your eye care provider recommends getting new lenses or eyewear in Raleigh, do so as soon as possible.

By Tom Garimentis.

Can your Dreams Help you Succeed in Life?

Dreams are something that we all experience - even if we don't remember them. But are they really significant in the real world? Many people do believe that the ability to remember and interpret your dreams can help you solve problems in the waking world, confront and conquer repressed feelings and issues that you avoid or are afraid to deal with in the waking world, and can to put your best foot forward.

Throughout the years, dreams have played a significant role in the lives of many people. Military, political, and spiritual decisions have been made because of a dream. In some tribes, the crossover from childhood to manhood includes retreating into the mountains to commune with the spirit world through dreams. The dreams are believed to reveal to the young man what his mission in this life will be - the path that he should take for his journey through his life on earth.

Dreams are the brain's way of sorting all of the information taken in during your waking hours. Even though there are constant noises going on in the background, the brain only is alert to the most important events - everything else is stored away to be dealt with at a later time - and that occurs in our dreams.

Dreams offer you a chance to take a close look at yourself and see what you are really made of - what your true desires are. Dreams can also provide you with a means to face the things that you do not like about yourself and learn to alter these aspects of your personality into something that is positive and more productive in your waking life.

Some people base all of their personal, business, and social decisions on the meaning of their dreams. They learn to manipulate their dreams in order to focus on upcoming events that could change their lives.

Sigmund Freud, one of the greatest minds of the 19th century, revolutionized he study of dreams. He called dreams the "royal road to the unconscious". Freud's initial assessment of dreams was that all dreams were of a sexual nature. While he later gave up that theory, he clung to the theory that dreams are a wish fulfillment - a way for our conscious minds to become aware of the fears and desires buried in our unconscious minds.

Carl Jung studied under Freud. His views on dreams greatly contrasted those of Freud - to the point that they parted company and went their separate ways in their studies of dreams. Jung believed that dreams were more spiritual in nature. Like Freud, Jung believed that dreams were a "window to our unconscious" - a way of communicating and acquainting ourselves with the unconscious. Through our dreams, we can learn to understand our true feelings and find solutions to problems we are facing in our waking life. Jung believed that our dreams "serve to guide the waking self to achieve wholeness" - a unity of body, spirit, and mind.

Your dreams can help you reach a desired unity of body, spirit, and mind by revealing to you the path in life that will lead to happiness. Many times we may take a job because the pay is good, the benefits are good, and the "social status" we are searching for are a result of this job. But, if the job does not make us happy - if the job is not the career that we truly desire - are we denying ourselves the satisfaction that comes from feeling successful? Often, the answer is yes.

Being successful means different things to different people. But to most people, being successful means that we are achieving our goals in a personal, professional, and social aspect. Your dreams can actually help you to attain success. Dreams allow you to learn to understand your true desires and equipped with this understanding, you can begin reaching for your goals. Dreams can help you face aspects of your personality that you may not like - and once you have faced them, you have the power to allow the best you to shine through.

Throughout the history of man, even during Biblical times, dreams have played a significant role. God often appeared in the dreams of His people. Many people have been warned of medical problems in their dreams - and sometimes were able to make changes that helped them avoid the medical problem. Dreams are way to create a unity in mind, body, and spirit - thus creating a way for us to achieve success in our lives. Dreams are one of the free resources available to aid us in choosing the path in life that will fulfill all of our desires.

By Jim Eastman.

Medicine is the science and "art" of maintaining and/or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of patients. The term is derived from the Latin ars medicina meaning the art of healing.

The modern practice of medicine occurs at the many interfaces between the art of healing and various sciences. Medicine is directly connected to the health sciences and biomedicine. Broadly speaking, the term 'Medicine' today refers to the fields of clinical medicine, medical research and surgery, thereby covering the challenges of disease and injury.