Bertie Stringer

The ASA are telling off supplement companies about their adverts for menopause targeted products. https://lnkd.in/eMBN_a48 🥳Yay for the ASA! (And don't stop there - it's not just menopausal women that are targeted with supplement advertising that's a bit dodgy!) Laura Wyness, PhD, RNutr, and I have been championing the myth busting around menopause for quite a while - we dedicate a chapter in #eatingwellformenopause to the topic and have a short on-line course that tackles beauty aspects of menopause and the myths & marketing. The downside of the more open conversation on menopause is the ramping up of menopausal women as a target group for marketing. If women are struggling with symptoms, marketing with promises and a bunch of testimonials vouching for a product especially when there are scientific references being made, it's very easy to be swayed. Not everything out there is bad. But here are my top tips: If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. The most important thing when trying anything is to be sure that it will do you no harm. That includes spending money that you can't afford on something that has little evidence of benefit. The "you" is important. Everyone is different. Some supplements interact with medications, are not advised if you are at risk or suffer from a condition or illness, some people will feel great and others will experience side effects....listen to your doctors and you body (and your purse). Pharmacists often know a lot about herbals and supplements. Natural does not always equal safe and while a little might be helpful that does not mean more will be better. Conversations with trained menopause specialists with recognised qualifications are important - make sure there is some concensus to the information from respected authorities and organisations. #women #menopause #supplements #myths #marketing #WHOFides #

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Do we really have a superfood which is beneficial for everyone? Can we say polyphenols confer the same health benefit to everyone? If someone tells you eggs are healthy for everyone, pomegranate is beneficial for everyone, remember god has given us two ears for a reason For long we have believed that bacteria are bad for us & it was reinforced by Germ Theory. Scientists believed that most of the infectious & episodic diseases were caused by bacteria & that all microbes are harmful. This brought medical innovation- antibiotics which killed all the microbes including those who were there to drive our wellness journey. Harming the microbial ecosystem is one of the many reasons why we are dealing with a range of chronic diseases. This was further reinforced with the rise of exponential & computational technologies which found that we inherit 23,000 genes while plants have almost double of what we carry. It was hard to believe given that human biology is the most complex machinery. Later it was found that there are 40 trillion microbes living on & inside the body right from mouth, gut, vagina, skin, scalp & more expressing 2 million genes & accounting for 99 % of our biology. Now this started making sense so much so that it has now been found that these microbes play a key role in various biochemical processes including the most important one the absorption of various food substrates Microbes are transient- where we live, with whom we live, our environment, nature & what we eat alters our microbial makeup. No two people share more than 5% microbes in common Whatever we eat, we are feeding our microbiome & polyphenols are no different Polyphenols molecules-flavonoids, catechin & more have complex structure & high molecular weight which makes them less bioavailable in the small intestine. Gut microbes synthesise them into postbiotics/bioactive compounds which offer numerous health benefits to us including regulating our glycemic response, overcoming oxidative stress, reducing inflammatory markers, neuro-protective benefits & more. For instance, fruits such as pomegranate, blackberries & nuts such as almond contain ellagic acid but to confer the benefit of this important molecule, it has to be biotransformed into Urolothin A. if you gut does not specific microbes active & expressing right set of genes, you will not get benefit of ellagic acid no matter how much of pomegranate, grapes or almonds or their supplements you consume. Understanding your unique biochemistry is important. Think if anyone tells you blackberries, pomegranate or eggs are good for you. You need to measure your unique biochemistry to understand which specific food are beneficial for you : https://lnkd.in/grcra-Jr Citation  https://lnkd.in/giPucYsn https://lnkd.in/gaufvsJ6 #gutmicrobiome #type2diabetes #cardiovasculardiseases Sakshi Bali Shashi Shekhar M. Dr Kamal Karnatak

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The down side of men’s pharma. Great article in today’s Wall Street Journal Journal about the negatives of TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) and steroids that doesnt get widely talked about. According to UK Anti Doping research, there’s over 1M men in the UK on steroids. With more than half of them admitting it’s for vanity reasons. The majority do not realise the drugs they are taking cause infertility and other side effects. Some long term and serious. I myself as a nutritionist in my hormonal health clinic have seen men lactating from taking synthetic hormones. This to due to them becoming oestrogen dominant as a result of messing with the delicate balance of hormones that needs very close attention when medicating - legally or illegally. As testosterone and sperm levels are at all time global lows, with nutrient deficiencies, obesity, environmental toxins and poor lifestyles all drivers - none of which are fixed by meds or PEDS (performance enhancing drugs), men need to seriously think about how best to support their health. There are no quick fixes. This why Sheldon Stringer and I alongside fellow mens health co fertility Lily Elsner & Nick Shipley continue to champion men’s hormonal health. Advocating and lobbying for more attention and education about the dire state of mens hormonal health. There so much work still be done. Hoping that we can start shifting the dial by getting these topics out on the open. #menshealth #testosterone https://on.wsj.com/4gg40Yx

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HCPs- Last chance to book you place for tomorrow's menopause education webinar https://lnkd.in/dGhqdBTP Heart disease in menopause - what every woman needs to know with Dr Suzanne Steinbaum. 4 facts to tell your female patients: · 1 in 33 women will die of cancer · 1 in 3 women will die of heart disease · 70% of them don’t they have heart disease · 80% of heart disease is preventable Hot flashes and night sweats – they are the hallmark symptoms of menopause. But there's something else happening to women entering their late 40s and early 50s that they can't see or feel and may not even know about: Their cardiovascular disease risks are rising. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, who typically develop the condition several years later than men. But women are largely unaware of their risk for heart disease, which is more likely to kill them than all forms of cancer combined. According to the most recent American Heart Association survey, awareness that heart disease is the leading cause of death among women actually fell between 2009 and 2019, particularly among Black, Hispanic and younger women, for whom primary prevention may be most effective. This webinar opens up the honest conversation about why women’s heart disease has been on the rise for the past 30 years. Dr Suzanne Steinbaum will talk candidly about love, diet, sex, menopause, aging, hormones and how all of us can counsel women to take good care of their heart. About Dr Suzanne Steinbaum Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum is a leader in preventive cardiology, now in private practice in New York City. She is the CEO and Founder of Adesso. She launched heart disease prevention programs at Mt. Sinai Heart, Northwell Lenox Hill, and Beth Israel. Dr. Suzanne is the CEO/Founder of Adesso, a technology-based prevention model. She published Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum’s Heart Book: Every Woman’s Guide to a Heart Healthy Life, and has been a national spokesperson for the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women program for over 18 years. This exclusive webinar is for Health Care Professionals only.

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Series Introduction: “I Have a Dream - Transforming CBMP Healthcare for All” In 2018, the UK experienced a historic, pivotal shift in the healthcare sector; Billy’s case led to the legalisation of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBPMs) for specific conditions, offering hope to thousands. Yet, six years later, we must stop and ask ourselves: how much progress has really been made? In this 10-week series, “I Have a Dream,” I will examine the journey of cannabis-based medicines in the UK. We will confront the victories, the struggles, and the untold stories along the way. We will hear from patients, dive deep into data and expert opinions, and explore the policies shaping this movement. Together, we will envision a future where healthcare is truly for everyone. What You Can Expect: 1. Misinformation: Debunking myths with verified data. 2. Misleading Practices: The harm of poor industry practices, the inconsistent supply and quality of CBMPs and the role of unethical lobbying. 3. Industry Scalability: Why the sector's growth is stunted, using real-life examples. 4. Patient Choice: Addressing the gap between prescriptions and patient access. 5. Consistency: How vertically integrated clinics provide quality care. 6. Tracking Outcomes: Looking at the data clinics use to improve patient well-being. 7. Accessibility: Creating a seamless, patient-centered experience. 8. Value in Care: The important role of specialised consultants. 9. Open Forums: The need for unbiased patient platforms. 10. Regulatory Challenges: How regulations have impacted patient care. Join me next week as we kick off with series 1. Let’s turn this dream into reality!

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Progress update! It's hard being 1st to market. In our case, taking men's hormonal health into the 21st Century and levelling the gender playing field to give men access to similar natural products for similar hormonal challenges to women, which they have in abundance - yet are not readily available to men. Here's some of the challenges. Investors don't have any comparisons to benchmark you. Retailers don't have a category for you. Media don't feel your subject is mainstream. Consumers need you to educate them. Men's personal health still has stigma. Meaning your job as a consumer start up in a very tough economic climate is even harder than most. Expensive and slow. Two words that send shivers down all founders spines! Would I change our position for anything? No. Here's why. Men's hormonal health is in ruins. Testosterone and sperm levels have halved in 50 years. Pharma products (heavily invested in yet only serve 10% of men with hormonal health issues) are not dealing with the root cause. Tablets, injections and creams are not slowing down the drivers of rapid deceleration of men's health that's leading to serious health issues. Obesity, nutrient deficiencies, metabolic disease, xenoestrogens, pesticides, toxins, lack of sleep, prescription drugs, alcohol and so many more external factors are ruining men's endocrine systems. Natural approaches to these drivers offer only massive health benefits at a cellular level with no adverse affects. The reality is that there are glaring black holes in men's hormonal health which are becoming more obvious after the cycle of heavy investment in menopause and femtech which as seen us women reap the benefits. This creates enormous opportunity for brave, mission based brands like ours who are driven by passion to drive change and make a difference to men's health. There wasn't a menopause market until someone started it and its now worth billions and continues to bloom so we take comfort in the same steps towards Andropause and men's hormone health going mainstream. Which is why we delight in seeing our products and mission get recognition as we strive to take natural testosterone health mainstream. Small changes change everything. 🙌 https://lnkd.in/ePmtnPsy

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Journal Entry 005 of an Emerging Tech Founder: [SPiR Health] Ever since https://spir.health/ went live, we’ve been getting some amazing feedback and suggestions (not enough though). The website shows that this product is BOTH niche AND nuanced; although it’s not a secret that the site is still trying to explore its je ne sais quoi. The only thing is, all these suggestions makes you — as the founder — realize that people mainly filter their current experiences through their common/past experiences. Originally I thought during this product-market fit stage, I could simply ask supporters for feedback to execute. Now while that’s been partially the case, it’s become apparent that I need to stay on the path of executing on the novelty of the vision but without creating so much friction where users experience fatigue in their learning/change curve. Perspective: The majority of the time, when communicating your product, people are only able to comprehend at the level of what they have seen before. This suggests taking measures like leveraging overused layman terms… even if you know the lack of accuracy won’t do your product justice… for now. It’s all a puzzle, especially if you’re niche + nuanced. #PeakINSPiRED #JourneyToThePeak #SPiRHealth

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Great article in today’s Independent highlighting the campaign by an alliance of healthcare professional groups, including Plant-Based Health Professionals UK, asking the government to stop supporting misleading campaigns promoting meat consumption that conflict with their own healthy eating guidelines. Link to full article in comments #plantbased #healthpromotion #eatwelllivewell

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Law Promotes Bad Nutrition Advice 😟 🤳🏻 Health care professionals can’t make health claims when discussing food products, but influencers can! 💩 Yes, you’re more likely to hear crap advice from a celebrity who's being paid than from a credible impartial expert. 📜 Article 12(c) of the 2006 EU Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation prohibits authorised health claims in adverts by individual doctors and health care professionals. ⚖️ This legacy law includes product labels, print adverts, broadcast, in-store promotions, blogs and social media. 👩‍⚕️ Experts can advise on dietary guidelines and public health messages, but can’t recommend brands or advise on health claims – authorised or otherwise. 🌍 Although this is just UK and EU legislation, social media is global – people watch videos produced by European health professionals all over the world. 🤷‍♀️ Many health professionals are confused and don’t know what they can and can't say, and so don’t bother to comment. 📝 As one paper argued, consumers are better protected by health claims made by professionals who are guided by codes of practice rather than by unqualified, unregulated influencers. ⚖️ Of course, there are qualified professionals who misuse their authority – anyone can succumb to their biases and make ridiculous claims. 📱 With so much nutrition misinformation on social media, how can you tell what’s credible? 🔍 Cross check what you see, no matter the source. Yes, that includes what I say! #nutrition #nutritionadvice

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As healthcare professionals we strive day in day out to support and improve a population in failing health. Our efforts undermined by the toxic food on our tables, the toxic soil in which it’s grown and raised and the toxic soup within which we live. “At a time when cancers and other chronic diseases are on the rise, we should be doing everything we can to reduce our chemical exposure. In reality, we have no idea what this ongoing exposure to tens – or even hundreds – of different chemicals is doing to our health over the long term.” “Safety limits have been undermined for a worrying list of pesticides,” said Nick Mole from Pan UK. Scientists concluded in 2022 that global chemical pollution had passed the safe limit for humanity. “… a history of setting weaker safety standards than European counterparts (is) due to the influence of US and corporate lobbying”. Strikingly, the UK chose to adopt the Codex MRLs only where they offered lower protection to consumers. Where the Codex standard was stricter, the HSE decided to retain the weaker British MRL. People deserve better. Breast Cancer UK Pesticide Action Network UK James Bethell https://lnkd.in/etJp_ze3

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The epic confusion IUI Vs IVF – Which one to choose? Well, we thoroughly researched, spoke to many doctors and couples going through infertility to bring you the framework https://bit.ly/3AZmHQ7 #infertility #infertilitysisters #infertilitysucks #fertilitydost

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Last week, UK media broke news of the first new treatment for asthma attacks in 50 years. Benralizumab, an injection that targets white bloods cells that cause inflammation in the lungs, is already used in severe cases, but could soon be used routinely to treat around 2 million asthma and COPD attacks in the UK each year. How soon? That’s the kicker. The drug still has to go through Phase III trials and – if approved – will likely then face NICE review because monoclonal antibodies are expensive. Bottom line: it will be years before this ‘game-changing’ treatment will be routinely available to patients. This is a familiar story for breakthrough medicines, which often grab big headlines early doors only to take years to reach the patients that need them. The issue isn’t the regulatory scrutiny – that’s essential. No, it’s what happens after approval that so often disappoints. In Europe, the average time to patient access from market authorisation is 531 days, with the lag between approval and availability ranging from 4 months (Germany) to 2.2 years (Poland). Just wow. As this brilliant EFPIA report shows, there are lots of reasons why patients don’t get timely access to approved medicines, even ones recommended by HTA bodies. Some of those reasons simply boil down to suboptimal engagement between front-line pharma execs and healthcare payers – and they can be overcome with the help of good data and agile strategy. It’s something to think about as we move into 2025. Message me if you'd like visibility of a particular therapy area...

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While England was the first country in the world to offer diabetes prevention programmes at a national level, let's face it: looking at completion rates of existing programmes - averaging below 30% - we haven't cracked the code on diabetes prevention yet. Good news? We’re getting closer. Our Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Decathlon programme (see here: https://lnkd.in/eD5vq7XQ) with NHS South West London (HIN evaluation ongoing), involving 70 participants with an average age of 56 at risk of Type 2 Diabetes, delivered some truly outstanding results: 👉 The programme boasted a retention rate exceeding 90% 👉 Participants achieved an average weight loss of 3 kg, with one participant losing a remarkable 10.3 kg 👉 Daily step counts increased by 45% 👉 Up to 75% of users on our programme were from the BAME and lower socio-economic population The secret? The trial embraced the concept of 'financial prescribing’, encouraging healthcare professionals to refer patients to non-medical interventions, like Sweatcoin, and offer financial rewards for maintaining an active lifestyle. Could this 'pay for results' model be the future of preventative health, helping to achieve long-term sustained participation? The results speak for themselves. Stay tuned for more exciting updates about similar trials, as we near the finish line with Guy's and St Thomas'​ NHS Foundation Trust’s Type 2 Take 2 programme for young adults… .  #DiabetesPrevention #Type2Diabetes  #NHS  #Sweatcoin

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❌The worst justification I've heard for multiple IVF cycles is this: "Your body responds better by the third cycle." Really? NOT REALLY!🤔 This explanation is often given because many IVF clinics don't fully understand how to prepare your body and mind for optimal conception. They've resorted to this poor rationalization. After a decade of trying to conceive, I got pregnant with twins on my first IVF cycle. Why?❓ Because I dedicated two years to preparing my body and mind through Ayurveda, herbs, therapies, and yoga. And I did this even when I was considered 100% healthy. Every savvy woman knows that significant results require substantial effort, applied consistently over an extended period. It's not about multiple IVF attempts; it's about comprehensive preparation. If you're ready to prepare your body and mind optimally for pregnancy over the next 90 days, let's talk. Book your No-Obligation Fertility Assessment call via this link: https://lnkd.in/eq34M32E Don't settle for multiple cycles. Invest in yourself first. #FertilityJourney #IVFPreparation #HolisticFertility #naturalfertilityaccelerator #ashishvedafertility #ivf #ivfbaby #ivfuk #pregnancymassage #pregnancy #holistichealth

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Welcome to I Had a Dream Series - Installment 5. Patient Choice: Addressing the gap between prescriptions & patient access. The UK’s prescription cannabis saga isn’t a neat little story. Despite being legalised back in 2018, plenty of patients are still stuck in the waiting room. Prescriptions? They’re there. Access? Thats a whole other story. What’s holding things up, & how can we make CBPMs a real option, not just a pipedream? Reality: Picture this - a doctor writes a prescription for CBMPs. Patient contacts the pharmacy and they're met with a wall of obstacles. Inconsistent availability, stock shortages, poor quality. What’s the point of a prescription if the medication isn’t accessible? The Cost Conundrum: Imagine shelling out up to 2k a month to keep epilepsy in check for your kid, only to have the prescriber nudge you toward their business partner’s pharmacy for extra £’s. Families are left doing some serious juggling, deciding between paying for medicine or buying groceries. Limited Patient Choice & the Consequences: When prescriptions slip out of reach, patients are left between a rock & a hard place: Some might take a detour to the black market, while others ration doses, stretching their meds. Sometimes these solutions come with a serious health price tag leading to patients' mental health deteriorating. A ripple effect, & it doesn’t just hit patients, it sends shockwaves through the whole healthcare system right up to government level. Potential Solutions & Bridging the Gap: Let’s clear the hurdles to affordable healthcare. Transparency - Patients deserve to know exactly what their CBPMs will cost upfront, no surprises. Second, let’s empower healthcare providers and cultivation facilities to team up, making affordable alternatives the go to. The big picture: policy reform. Kids needing CBPM’s for epilepsy shouldn’t face outrageous costs. Why pay 2K monthly when adults can get it for less? It’s time to push for fair CBPM pricing & quality control. Empowering All Patients to Take Charge of Their Health: Bridging the gap between prescriptions & actual patient access isn’t just about making CBPM’s affordable. There’s the cannabis naive patients & let’s be real, these patients have it tough! They’re scrolling social media, dipping their toes in patient groups, only to freeze up. Why? We’ve got brands like ‘F..k Around and Find Out’ and ‘Tyson 2.0’ (yep, with gummies shaped like a bitten ear) alongside clinic owners like Big Narstie, happily puffing away on camera. Now, ask yourself: are these really the ambassadors of healthcare we were looking for? For many patients, it’s a major turn-off. Patients are new to cannabis, and they tell me that the in your face, recreational vibe actually stopped them from trying what could be a life-changing treatment. Not exactly the welcoming message they need, right? Patient-centred service & consistent quality supply is the secret for good CBPM healthcare. Let’s do it!

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Interesting read from BBC on fermentation and the health benefits of fermented foods in general. With Fermedics - Unlocking nature’s potency we take this one step further, our innovative approach focuses on "Naturally boosting botanical ingredients by fermentation," unlocking the full potential of medicinal plants for your health. Find out more at www.fermedics.com and increase your quality of life through fermented botanicals. #Fermedics #fermentation #fermentedingredients #botanicals #botanicalIngredients #brandedIngredients #healthandnutrition #healthandwellness #nutraceuticals #foodsupplements #gut health #microbiome

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