Getting some natural vitamin D on a gorgeous day. Ten to 15 min. sunlight is safe daily.
Exposure is best after 5 p.m. or before 8 a.m. when it’s less harsh.
Healthy Benefits of Vitamin D:
Sun’s UV rays help your body produce it naturally, which is vital for blood cells, bones and your immune system. It also helps you take in and use certain minerals, like phosphorus and calcium.
At all times, but especially during flu season and Covid19, it’s important to keep your immune system strong.
Foods high in D are fatty fish, like salmon & tuna, and egg yolks.
People age 1 to 70 need 600 IU daily. People over age 70 need 800 IU daily for optimum health. You can find supplements.
Symptoms you may have a vitamin D deficiency are:
Fatigue Lethargy Hair loss Depression Slow wound healing Weight gain Muscle or bone pain Decrease in bone density Increases your risk for colds, flu & other illnesses like Covid19
According to a 2011 study, 41.6% of adults in the US are deficient. This number goes up to 69.2% in Hispanics and 82.1% in African-Americans.
7 common risk factors for vitamin D deficiency:
🌞 Having dark skin. 🌞 Being elderly. 🌞 Being overweight or obese. 🌞 Not eating much fish or dairy. 🌞 Living far from equator where there is little sun year-round. 🌞 Always using sunscreen when going out. 🌞 Staying indoors.
So, find an outdoor space that’s empty or with only a few people social distancing, so you can get outside and enjoy the sunshine. Preventing illness by maintaining daily healthy habits is one of the best defenses you have against any illness.
It’s worth repeating: Exercise daily, eat nutritious foods, avoid processed foods, sugar and alcohol, stay hydrated with water, get enough sleep, read to keep your mind active and limit your time on social media, so you have time to take care.
Keep your pantry stocked with healthy foods and snacks during this time. The healthier you eat, the less you will crave the bad for you stuff or you will at least limit it one day a week. Your mind and body will thank you later.
If you haven’t had healthy habits your whole life, it’s never too late to start. Take it one day at a time. It takes a few weeks (sometimes months) for you to begin feeling your best mentally, physically and spiritually.
Start by removing one unhealthy habit. Then, another. Be patient with yourself.
Read stories from women who turned to VIVA EVE for help with fibroids. Success Stories
Nehal Farouky, Co-Founder and President, VIVA EVE (right)
Nehal Farouky, Co-founder and President of VIVA EVE was recently interviewed by Maria Dorfner on BOLDTV Health about what sets VIVA EVE apart from other fibroid clinics.
“At our practice, we’ve designed a truly inclusive care process that provides patients with empathy, support, education, and a wide range of treatment options,” says Nehal. “Our commitment to deliver quality in everything we do is reflected not only during the patient’s time with their doctor, but in all areas of our patient experience.”
Fibroids are abnormal uterine growths that develop in more than half of the female population in the U.S. by age 50. Mild fibroid symptoms can give way to more serious medical conditions. While they’re rarely life-threatening, fibroids can make life uncomfortable to say the least, causing:
Heavy, prolonged or painful periods with or without clotting.
Weak bladder control or frequent urination because of bladder pressure.
Anemia (low blood count) that can lead to a lack of energy and fatigue.
Lower back pain and pain in the back of the legs.
Constipation.
Women are most susceptible to getting uterine fibroids when they are of childbearing age. Unfortunately, research indicates that on average, women wait 3.5 years before seeking help. The scope of this unspoken problem was what inspired the practice to integrate a personable, warm, comforting ethos.
VIVA EVE’s empathic approach to patient care can be felt within their office space. From waiting room to consultation rooms, patients are treated to a spa-like atmosphere with thoughtful, modern touches including spacious bathrooms with bidets, fruit-infused water and free phone charging stations.
“When we originally set up our practice, our first goal was to design a space that patients enjoy being in,” says Nehal. “We know that going to an OB/GYN isn’t the most fun activity, so we did what we could to alleviate that stress.”
In addition to the office’s pleasant amenities, patients are examined in state-of-the-art consultation rooms. Tablets and medical touch screens are used to educate patients and explain different procedures. Certain diagnostic testing is also done in-office, such as sonograms, bloodwork, biopsies, and pap smears.
Apart from the amenities offered at their facility, VIVA EVE’s team of fibroid experts work together to give patients more choices than most standard OB/GYN offices. They offer both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options so that each woman can choose the right treatment according to her needs.
“Our unique combination of doctors from different specialties allows us to provide each patient with an individualized treatment plan that suits their needs. It’s hard for other clinics to have the same perspective as a group of experts dedicated to treating fibroids.”
Throughout the treatment process, patient care is coordinated, tracked and managed by VIVA EVE’s patient care team. This specially trained team onboards patients and remains closely involved in moving the patient along the funnel to success.
“Our patient care representatives are truly there to assist patients in any way possible,” says Nehal. “They will check to find out the insurance details of prospective patients, address questions and concerns, and touch base with patients between visits.”
Currently, VIVA EVE has one location in Forest Hills, Queens – but expansion is on the horizon, with plans to move to Manhattan some time this year.
“Our mission is to provide as many women as we can with the support and care they need to regain control of their lives,” says Nehal. “By adding a location in Manhattan, we hope to provide women across the tri-state area with greater access to fibroid treatment.”
By putting patients first, VIVA EVE has become renowned for the level of care they offer – with no plans to slow down any time soon.
Nehal Farouky, Co-Founder and President, VIVA EVE
How VIVA EVE helped other women:
Read stories from women who turned to VIVA EVE for help with fibroids. Success Stories
VIVA•EVE offers informative ebooks. Feel free to click below.
Uncomfortable with a Hysterectomy? 4 Easy Steps to Seeking Alternatives: bit.ly/2D8GRX3
Diabetes is a growing world-wide epidemic, but there’s good news. Research shows choosing healthy habits makes a positive difference.
RESEARCH SHOWS CHOOSING HEALTHY HABITS MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
CLEVELAND CLINIC’S DOCTOR MARY KELLIS DID NOT TAKE PART IN THE STUDY, BUT SAYS MAKING HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHOICES CAN SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER RISK FOR TYPE-TWO DIABETES.
CG: Dr. Mary Kellis/Cleveland Clinic
“What they found was that people who had the healthiest lifestyle, had a seventy-five percent reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who had the least healthiest lifestyle.”
[00:09]
RESEARCHERS ANALYZED DATA FROM STUDIES WHICH INCLUDED ABOUT ONE MILLION PEOPLE.THEY FOUND THOSE WHO DID NOT SMOKE, DID NOT DRINK ALCOHOL, EXERCISED, HAD A HEALTHY DIET AND WERE NOT OVERWEIGHT, HAD THE BEST CHANCES OF AVOIDING TYPE TWO DIABETES.
DOCTOR KELLIS SAYS WHEN IT COMES TO DIABETES RISK, IT’S IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT DIET. SHE SAYS EATING A DIET HIGH IN WHOLE GRAINS AND FIBER, AND LOW IN REFINED SUGARS IS KEY.
CONSUMING TOO MANY REFINED SUGARS,SUCH AS WHITE BREADS, PASTAS, RICE AND SWEET DRINKS, CAN CAUSE INSULIN LEVELS TO SPIKE VERY QUICKLY AND RESULT IN CHANGES IN BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS.DOCTOR KELLIS SAYS IF YOU’VE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH PRE-DIABETES, IT DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN YOU’LL GET DIABETES –BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO TURN THINGS AROUND.
CG: Dr. MaryKellis/Cleveland Clinic
“You can definitely prevent progression to diabetes. Importantly, we found that even losing five to seven percent of your weight can substantially reduce your risk to develop diabetes.”
DOCTOR KELLIS ADMITS IT CAN FEEL OVERWHELMING TO KNOW YOU HAVE TO MAKE MULTIPLE LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO ACHIEVE YOUR HEALTH GOALS.
SHE RECOMMENDS TAKING BABY STEPS AND TACKLING ONE NEW HEALTHY HABIT AT A TIME.COMPLETE RESULTS OF THE STUDY CAN BE FOUND IN DIABETOLOGIA.
Basically, it describes the effects on the body and mind when a person is sedentary.
Disuse syndrome was first characterized around 1984 and, since that time, has received much attention in relation to back pain problems, other chronic pain disorders, and other illnesses. It has been generalized beyond chronic pain problems and some feel it is related to “the base of much human ill-being.”
This disuse of our bodies leads to a deterioration of many body functions. This is basically an extension of the old adage “Use it or lose it.”
There are several physical consequences from disuse. These occur in many body systems, most notably those of the muscles and skeleton, cardiovascular, blood components, the gastrointestinal system, the endocrine systems, and the nervous system. For instance, consider the following:
In the musculoskeletal system, disuse of muscles can rapidly lead to atrophy and muscle wasting. If you have ever had an arm or a leg in a cast, you will be familiar with the fact that the diameter of the affected limb may be noticeably smaller after being immobilized for some time.
Cardiovascular effects also occur due to disuse including a decrease in oxygen uptake, a rise in systolic blood pressure, and an overall blood plasma volume decrease of 10 to 15 percent with extended bed rest.
Physical inactivity also leads to nervous system changes, including slower mental processing, problems with memory and concentration, depression, and anxiety.
A key factor in chronic pain
Many other detrimental physiological changes also occur. Disuse has been summarized as follows:
“Inactivity plays a pervasive role in our lack of wellness. Disuse is physically, mentally, and spiritually debilitating.”
Many experts believe that the disuse syndrome is a key variable in the perpetuation of many chronic pain problems.
The disuse syndrome can result in a myriad of significant medical problems and increase the likelihood of a chronic pain syndrome developing or becoming worse.
Unfortunately, common attitudes and treatments in the medical community often lead to more passive treatment without paying attention to physical activity and exercise (of any type).
The disuse syndrome can also lead to a variety of emotional changes that are associated with an increased perception of pain.
So, if you are suffering from disuse syndrome, you may be wondering what you can do about it. It can be overwhelming for some people in chronic pain to consider how to get moving. See Chronic Pain Coping Techniques – Pain Management
“Research has demonstrated that disrupted sleep will, in turn, exacerbate chronic back pain.3 A lack of restorative sleep also hampers the body’s immune response and can affect cognitive function. Thus, a vicious cycle develops in which the back pain disrupts one’s sleep, and difficulty sleeping makes the pain worse, which in turn makes sleeping more difficult, etc.”
You may have heard that doctors are getting away from prescribing opioids for chronic low back pain. New guidelines from the American College of Physicians (ACP) advise doctors to start with options that don’t involve any type of medication.
This breaks from the World Health Organization tiered medication scale favored in the past. The scale previously focused on drugs that included opioids.
“We interpret the new guidelines as saying, ‘Try a number of non-pharmacological options before starting the use of long-term medication for low back pain.’ That’s a positive step,” says spine specialist E. Kano Mayer, MD.
While the ACP reviewed lots of studies to formulate its guidelines, he notes that it failed to look at how long each intervention was effective or at outcomes other than pain reduction.
“Cleveland Clinic spine specialists favor the active, rather than the passive, therapies recommended,” says Dr. Mayer. “We prefer that you do things actively to control pain and improve function, rather than waiting for things to be done to you.”
What to try first for your back pain
Cleveland Clinic spine experts support the following ACP recommendations, he says:
Physical therapy “Cleveland Clinic very much advocates active physical therapy,” says Dr. Mayer. An exercise prescription can help to ease back stiffness and strengthen muscles that support the spine.
Acupuncture This ancient Chinese technique involves inserting hair-thin needles at key points to ease pain. “Acupuncture is better at relieving the radiating leg pain that can accompany low back pain. We often recommend acupuncture because relieving pain allows you to exercise and be active,” says Dr. Mayer.
Exercise Individual, group or supervised exercise can make you sore at first. “But it can help improve your core strength, spine flexibility, endurance and balance,” he notes.
Yoga and tai chi
Practicing these meditative forms of exercise from ancient India and China “has shown good benefit for those with low back pain, improving their function, endurance and symptoms,” says Dr. Mayer.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
“Research shows this popular form of talk therapy improves coping, lessens social isolation and decreases the social impact of pain on your life,” he says. Combining psychological therapy with physical therapy and social work support is also beneficial.
Biofeedback Placing electrodes at certain points allows you to control and release tension in your back muscles. “This improves function, positional tolerance and muscle pain,” says Dr. Mayer.
Stress management and mindfulness Relieving stress and focusing on the present help to take your mind off pain.
Progressive relaxation Gradually releasing tension in each part of the body can be helpful in easing pain, especially before bed.
Remedies less likely to help
Cleveland Clinic spine specialists generally do not support the use of passive treatments for low back pain.
“Chronic use of low-level laser therapy, ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and spinal manipulation may only help in the short term,” Dr. Mayer points out. “We don’t want you to waste your money on treatments unlikely to provide more than a day of benefit.”
When you may need medicine
If non-drug interventions don’t help, the ACP recommends first trying non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, indomethacin or meloxicam. While NSAIDs provide some pain relief, they may put you at risk for GI bleeding or kidney damage.
As second-line drugs, the ACP recommends duloxetine (an antidepressant) or tramadol (a novel opioid, but still subject to abuse).
Due to their serious side effects and addictive nature, opioid medications (morphine, oxymorphone, hydromorphone, tapentadol) should be used only as a last resort when patients fail all other therapies, the ACP advises. The rule of thumb: Use the lowest possible dose of opioid for the least amount of time.
If you’ve been suffering with long-term low back pain, it’s worth exploring these non-drug treatment options before resorting to pills. You’re likely to find your quality of life improving.
How Doctors Are Treating C-section Pain — Without Opioids
A Q&A examining the reasons behind this change and what it means for new mom + their babies
As the opioid epidemic rages on, some doctors are facing the problem head-on by looking in the mirror — reducing the amount of opioids and opioid prescriptions given out after surgeries, including cesarean sections.
Anesthesiologist Eric Chiang, MD, is on the frontlines, helping spearhead a change in pain meds prescribed after C-section at Cleveland Clinic. He explains the reasons behind this trend — and what it means for both mom and baby.
Q: Why are doctors reducing opioid prescriptions to treat pain after a C-section?
A: In the U.S., for the last two decades and continuing to today, we’ve focused on opioids as the main pain medicine. And not just for after C-sections — for after any surgery.
But this single-minded approach has led to excessive prescribing, which fuels the opioid crisis: Overprescribing means people are frequently left with extra pills. The meds are often diverted and sold on the street. A lot of people are exposed to these narcotics, which eventually lead them to heroin and other drugs.
Overprescribing has become a habit for doctors. There was pressure to prescribe them. There was pressure from the government on treating pain. And there’s been a demand for these medications from patients. Culturally, American patients think opioids are a stronger pain medicine. It all snowballed.
Although opioid use is on the rise around the world, the U.S. remains an extreme outlier. In other countries, Tylenol® and Motrin® are the first-line drugs. You hear statistics about how the U.S. has 5% of the world’s population and uses 80% of the world’s opioids. It’s totally true.
Q: What opioids have doctors traditionally prescribed during C-section recovery?
A: One of the main pain meds we used to give after C-section is Percocet®. It was very common to prescribe Percocet after any kind of surgery. Percocet is a combination drug. It’s an opioid (oxycodone) plus 325 milligrams of Tylenol. Vicodin® is similar — it’s an opioid (hydrocodone) plus Tylenol.
One problem is that if you prescribe Percocet to your patients, it becomes their go-to pain medicine. If they have 2 out of 10 pain, they’re going to take Percocet. If they have 10 out of 10 pain, they’re going to take Percocet.
We have had tremendous success by separating these drugs instead of giving a combination pill. This approach provides options: The patient can maximize non-narcotic medications (4,000 mg acetaminophen plus Motrin) and only take opioids if she really needs it — if she has “breakthrough” pain.
What happens if you prescribe a combination pill? Patients will have to make complex calculations and keep track of dosages. “How much Tylenol is in that Percocet? How much is in this pill that I’m going to take now? How much am I getting over 24 hours? I can’t go over 4,000 milligrams.” In our experience, patients end up taking Percocet for all pain, increasing their exposure to opioids unnecessarily.
Q: What pain meds do the doctors in your program prescribe after C-sections? What have been the results?
A: One of the objectives of our project at Cleveland Clinic was to try to address over-prescription. We made Tylenol and Motrin our primary pain meds after C-section. There are very few side effects, and they’re not opioids.
We have patients take Tylenol and Motrin around-the-clock, alternating them every three hours. Patients can use oxycodone in addition to the Tylenol and Motrin if they really need it. We let the patients decide.
When we did this, patients decided they didn’t want or need opioids:
Opioid use on our postpartum floors went down by 70% almost overnight.
Now, almost half of our C-section patients never get any intravenous (IV) or oral narcotics.
Previously, even if a patient did not use opioids during their hospital stay, we gave them an opioid prescription when we discharged them. We are trying to change this practice — patients who don’t need opioids in the hospital are no longer sent home with a prescription for them.
For patients who do need opioids in the hospital, we now sending them home with five oxycodone pills. For comparison, in 2016, C-section patients were going home with around 32 pills. We also give people prescriptions for three days of Tylenol and Motrin, emphasizing that these are their primary pain medicines for C-section recovery.
Q: How does reducing opioid prescription after C-section help both mother and baby?
A: Women need effective pain relief after childbirth because they need to take care of an infant. They need to learn how to breastfeed. Poorly controlled pain is also associated with postpartum depression.
Our patients are doing much better and are better able to care for their babies. They have fewer problems with issues associated with opioids. Patients are:
More awake.
Less nauseous.
Walking around more.
Recovering faster.
Passing their bowel movements sooner.
Patients have more control as well. They’re not left feeling like their only option is a narcotic pain med after C-section. They can decide what they want to take and if they’re going to take an opioid.
It’s also better if the baby is not exposed to opioids through breast milk. While all of the oral medicines we use are generally considered safe for breastfeeding, we prefer for the baby to get Motrin or Tylenol than oxycodone. Opioids can be a risk because they can cause respiratory depression — a decrease in the drive to breathe, both with the mother and the baby.
Blood pressure. High blood pressure is the second most common cause of kidney disease. High blood pressure may also happen as a result of kidney disease.A blood pressure of 140/90 or higher is called high blood pressure. If you have diabetes or kidney disease a target less than 130/80 is recommended. Keeping blood pressure under control is important to lower risk of kidney disease, heart and blood vessel disease, and stroke.
TEST 2: URINALYSIS
Urinalysis. A urinalysis is a test that checks a sample of your urine for the amount of protein, blood (red blood cells and white blood cells) and other things.Protein and red and white blood cells are not normally found in the urine, so having too much of any of these may mean kidney disease.Having protein in the urine is one of the earliest signs of kidney disease especially in people with diabetes.Several other tests can be done to check for protein in urine. One of the tests is called the protein to creatinine ratio. It is the most accurate way to measure protein in the urine. A value of 200 mg/gm or less per day is normal.
A value higher than 200 mg/gm is too high.
Another test, called the albumin to creatinine ratio, is good for people at increased risk for kidney disease—people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or family history of diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease.
A value of less than 30 mg/gm per day is normal for the albumin to creatinine ratio; a value of 30 mg/gm per day or higher is high and may be a sign of early kidney disease.
With either of these tests, you don’t need to collect a 24-hour urine sample, which may be hard to collect.
TEST 3: GFR
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR). GFR is estimated from results of a serum (or blood)creatinine test. The GFR tells how well your kidneys are working to remove wastes from your blood. It is the best way to check kidney function.A serum (or blood) creatinine test alone should not be used to check kidney function. GFR is calculated using the serum creatinine and other factors such as age and gender. In the early stages of kidney disease GFR may be normal. A value of 60 or higher is normal (GFR decreases with age).A GFR number of less than 60 is low and may mean you have kidney disease.Check with your doctor about having the GFR test (a GFR calculator can be found at NKF’s web site)If you are at increased risk for kidney disease (have diabetes, high blood pressure, or family history of diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease), you should find out if you have kidney disease.
A Nephrologist specializes in kidneys, but most people see a Specialist after kidney disease has progressed. More General Practitioners need to check the health of people’s kidneys, so things can be detected early.
The above 3 tests can give you peace of mind. Also, I’ve blogged a lot about Nutrition. You can search under the word Kidney in this blog to find Kidney friendly foods.
For information on upcoming NKF kidney health screenings in your area, visit the KEEP (Kidney Early Evaluation Program) Web site at:
If you have already been diagnosed with kidney disease contact The Flood Sister’s Kidney Foundation at floodsisterskidneyfnd.org for a wealth of information.
Studies show when grandma and grandpa take an active role in their grandchildren’s lives, EVERYONE benefits.
According to Cleveland Clinic family medicine physician Neha Vyas, M.D., one big benefit grandparents can get comes from chasing after little ones.
Children running
“We have noticed that grandparents who are involved in grandchildren’s, or surrogate grandchildren’s lives, are more active. They are entering their elderly years without as many aches and pains, because they have something that keeps them young and keeps them mobile.” – Neha Vyas, M.D.
Children playing
In addition to keeping grandma and grandpa on the move, research has shown that involved grandparents report having more meaning in their lives, as well as lower levels of stress and depressive mood.
When it comes to mom and dad, Dr. Vyas says having grandparents nearby can help ease the burden of child-caring, and overall stress.
And for grandchildren, research haws shown kids who get to spend a lot of time with grandma and grandpa tend to have fewer emotional and behavioral problems.
Kids soccer football – small children players exercising before match on soccer field
For families who are separated by geographical distance, Dr. Vyas said the technologically savvy can use videoconferencing apps to keep in touch.
NATIONAL LAMPOON’S VACATION, Anthony Michael Hall, Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Dana Barron, 1983
If not, calling on the phone and writing letters helps keep the lines of communication open too.
Dr. Vyas says it helps to be specific – tell grandparents your child’s teachers’ names and their friends’ names. This helps the grandparent and grandchild feel even more connected.
Kids gym class and excercise in gymnasium
If grandparents are very far away, and frequent visits are not possible, Dr. Vyas said it’s important for kids to be able to see what grandma and grandpa look like.
“It’s important to have lots of pictures – not just in the digital realm – but to print out those pictures and have them around your house, so that grandchildren can see what their grandparents look like, and to have that exposure on a day-to-day basis,” she says.
But, of course, Dr. Vyas admits nothing beats an in-person visit, so it’s good to try to plan a trip to grandma’s house whenever possible.
“There is some unconditional love between grandparents and grandchildren and when they go to grandma and grandpa’s house the rules may change, and that’s okay. As long as they’re temporary. Kids are good at compartmentalizing and realizing that there may be some rules that apply in one person’s house, and other rules that apply in their parents’ house.” -Cleveland Clinic family medicine physician Neha Vyas, M.D.
HAPPY GRANDPARENT’S DAY!
Dedicated to my own beautiful grandparents who gave me the gift of health benefits.
SathyaElumalai, Founder and CEO of Aidar Health, wants to make using his simple device part of your daily routine, like brushing your teeth, as a preventative measure in health, even if you don’t live with a chronic health condition.
For those that do, it can be a lifesaver. Even if you’re healthy it can be a lifesaver by detecting something early. We’ve all known otherwise healthy people who have a heart attack, stroke or even get diagnosed with cancer at a late stage.
Early detection still remains one of the best ways to prevent a fatal diagnosis.
The device called MouthLab is the first 30-second non-invasive, tricorder-style handheld device to record all your vitals.
You can use it within the comfort of your own home without the need of other devices.
“Although half of the US population have chronic conditions, the problem is, everyone is subject to multiple chronic conditions. Providing only what is essential for your one condition, is not going to really help you. Every year, patients develop other conditions.”
-Sathya Elumalai
Sathya learned this first-hand from his own experience with his Mom.
“My mom suffers from multiple chronic conditions. It started off with diabetes, and then moved on to heart condition, and then, all other complications associated with it. So, what MouthLab can do is help you predict complications early.” -SATHYA
MouthLab measure all these different parameters each day, so if you find something wrong, it can be detected early.
“Let’s say you’re diabetic, but if you see some problems within your heart condition, like blood pressure or or heart rate, that can be captured at a very early stage.” -SATHYA
It not only helps patients, but helps providers take care of patients at an early stage.
Specifically, the MouthLab device measures:
Your Temperature
Your Blood Pressure
Your ECG
Your Blood Oxygen Saturation
Your Pulse Rate
Your Breathing Rate and Pattern
Your Lung Function lung function (technically called FEV1. FEV1 or FVC)
And soon…Your Dehydration Level and Glucose
Sathya Elumalai, MS, MBA, Founder and CEO of Adair Health, is a medical device executive with over 15 years of experience working with payers, providers, pharmaceutical companies, and patients. At Multisensor Diagnostics (MDx), Elumalai has developed a revolutionary tricorder-style rapid medical assessment device and artificial intelligence-enabled triaging system for efficient home management of chronic disease.
In addition to his efforts at MDx, Elumalai also serves as an advisory board member at Rutgers University, as a PCORI Ambassador, and PCORI merit reviewer. Elumalai holds a dual master’s degree in public health and healthcare management from Johns Hopkins University.
He is also a certified professional in healthcare quality and safety with over 10 years of diverse leadership experience at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institute. Elumalai is a proven leader recognized for building scalable processes, integrating analytics into decision making, improving customer satisfaction, and driving large-scale digital transformations in health care.
Messinas is the global maker of Pulverize, the only safe, tested and trusted weedkiller. Contact: james@messinas.com
One Day After We Post about Pulverize, a safe alternative to Roundup.
We spoke to James Messina following Bayer’s announcement today and he had this to say:
“Speaking for a company who’s already selling an effective weed killer line that uses ingredients found in nature and others that are approved for organic gardening, with availability in more than 8,000 retailers in all 50 states, we are flattered to see that big companies are taking notice of the blueprint we’re laying out.”
“While Bayer takes years to reinvent the wheel, we want consumers to know that PULVERIZE Weed Killers are available today to provide an alternative to the active ingredient glyphosate found in products like Roundup and others. While we may not have their advertising budget, there is a family standing behind these products ready to meet the groundswell of change the public is demanding for effective alternatives, and we’re excited at the brand we’re delivering.” – CEO of Messinas, James Messina
FOLLOWUP INTERVIEW with James Messina, CEO, Messinas:
When did you learn about Bayer’s announcement to invest $5.6B in an alternative, safe weed killer?
JAMES MESSINA: Laying in bed this morning. I was scrolling through the news and sent my team a text of the article screenshot at 5:58 am.
What was your initial reaction to the news?
JAMES MESSINA: I laughed and thought, “I can just see the headline now…’NEW FROM THE MAKERS OF GLYPHOSATE!’ It’s a poorly vailed attempt at righting the ship.
What else do you think about it?
JAMES MESSINA: Personally I don’t think change ever comes from those in power; not governments, not companies…there’s no incentive for those who are in power to change the status quo. They have everything to loose.
I think this is a PR move meant to address the continued assault on their company, their products and their stock price. I think they’ve blown this so bad that the only thing left is for them to get out of it and get back to their core business with a fund set up for the lawsuits…other than that, I just don’t see a way for them to regain the public’s trust.
Why would they start from scratch rather than acquire a trusted brand like yours already in existence, even if you wouldn’t sell? Announcement says development would take years. Makes no sense.
JAMES MESSINA: It makes perfect sense if you know anything about ego. I’ve dealt with this before. Big companies feel like this: with all of our resources and all of our expertise and all of our MONEY, how can we not find this solution internally?!
Why on earth should we pay 100x when we can do it for 10x? BOr worse, they think let’s steal this idea and make them sue us. They’ll run out of money fighting us before they could ever beat us.
Again, I’ve seen this, I’ve lived this, and I’ve fought against these types. Corporate folks who spend their whole lives in big companies have no appreciation for the work small companies do. They don’t understand our motivation.
If you’re making a great living in a machine, you don’t believe small company people who work overtime without overtime pay. You don’t think a guy in his garage can be better than a million dollar lab. It’s like they speak a completely different language.
Is Bayer aware of your product? Have you made them aware of it?
JAMES MESSINA: Oh yeah…check this out. In May of 2018, we got an order through our website from someone at MONSANTO! They used their work email and had the PULVERIZE product sent to their corporate offices. Seeing this, I sent them a letter with it:
MONSANTO Attn: Dan Wright / Paul Ratliff 800 N Lindberg Blvd, Q220 Saint Louis, MO 63167
RE: ORDER NUMBER 10126 FOR PULVERIZE WEED & GRASS KILLER
Dan/Paul,
I wasn’t sure who to address this to, as both of your names were on the order that was forwarded to me, but I wanted to personally thank you both for your interest in Messinas Pulverize® Weed & Grass Killer.
Should either of you or others at Monsanto wish to connect and discuss these products or other Messinas items, please let me know.I would be happy to make myself available.
All my best,
James Messina President
Dan Wright is a Senior Science Fellow at Bayer
Paul Ratliff is Product Development Manager at Monsanto
What is the date of that letter?
JAMES MESSINA: Recent. May 10, 2018
So, Monsanto is aware of you. Did they place an order with you?
JAMES MESSINA: Yes! They ordered two bottles of Pulverize on May 9th, 2018 at exactly 11:05 a.m. and we sent them the products.
Wow. What do you think their motives were? Stealing your secret sauce *laughter*?
JAMES MESSINA: I think they became aware of the product and wanted to evaluate how well it worked. I think they also wanted to send a message to use that we are on their radar. That’s why I sent a note back –to let them know I’m aware and am not going away.
Let me ask you, based on everything we now know about Roundup –do you think there is anything Bayer can do to get back in the public’s good graces? Clearly, the public isn’t buying their announcement today as being a genuine concern for their health and safety.
JAMES MESSINA: I believe that trust is something that is very hard to rebuild for big companies, especially when their motivation comes into question. Had Bayer acted before the first lawsuit in the US, when countries in Asia and Europe started to question the product’s safety, it would have felt different.
Had Bayer moved to re-evaluate the claims of Roundup, or release a statement about their interest in finding organic alternatives, before a jury awarded a couple in California damages in excess of $2,000,000,000, it would have felt different. But they didn’t.
They came out after more than $2.25 billion dollars in damages were awarded in three trials, after more than 13,000 other law suits are still yet to be decided and after multiple countries restricted and/or banned the sale of their product.
It would appear that their motivation may not be as altruistic as people would wish it to be; appearing to be motivated by a stock price that has wiped 45% of their value off the books.
What’s most interesting is that this issue was not Bayer’s problem, originally; it wasn’t until they purchased Monsanto, the maker of glyphosate and Roundup’s trademarks. They brought this fox into their henhouse, and it’s been a problem since the very beginning.
Thank you for your time.
You can view Health Correspondent, Maria Dorfner‘s full interview with Messina on BOLDTV
Photo Courtesy: ASCHA STEINBACH/SHUTTERSTOCK / Farmer sprays crops in Germany.
Wall Street Journal
By Ruth Bender and
Jacob Bunge
BayerAGBAYRY -1.53% plans to invest €5 billion ($5.64 billion) on developing new ways to combat weeds over the next decade, as the German chemicals and pharmaceuticals giant seeks to win back trust in its business in the wake of thousands of lawsuits alleging its Roundup herbicide causes cancer.
A big legal fight over the blockbuster weedkiller—inherited with its takeover of Monsanto Co. last year—has plunged Bayer into one of the worst crises in its 155-year history. The company has lost the first three jury trials to plaintiffs claiming Roundup gave them non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with the highest award topping $2 billion. In response, its shares have almost halved over the past year.
BREAKING NEWS today. Bayer announced it will spend $5.6 Billion to create a safe, organic weed killer. It will take years to reach market.
“My two cents: My question to Bayer is why the need to develop your own when one (Pulverize by Messinas) already exists? Do you really care about people’s health or is this about caring about your own image and profits?
I have to say this reminds me of Coca-Cola getting into the water business ONLY after sales for a healthy alternative to toxic soda exceeded sales of soda. The public then learned their water was tap water.
When brands can’t be trusted to put people before profits –people really need to be careful, especially when it comes to health. You can’t replace or buy that back once damaged.”
-Maria Dorfner, CEO, NewsMD
Here’s all you need to know about glyphosate, the main chemical ingredient in Roundup, that is now infiltrating our food. LiveLoveFruit did extensive research to uncover where it’s hiding.
Once you read this check your pantry at home and make healthier choices now that you know. If you want to keep yourself, your family and children healthy know the facts.
Let’s face it TV segments are 2 to 5 minutes tops, so you’re not getting all you need to know in one place. Roundup was first registered in the United States in 1974. We’ve all been exposed to it.
New York City parks and playgrounds use it. When we’re out nature thinking we’re doing something healthy –we’re unknowingly being exposed to toxins. Now that all government official know and all consumers know and The World Health Organization has deemed Roundup toxic –sales of it need to STOP.
SHAME on BAYER for making it a part of their portfolio. We will not stop until it is banned everywhere.
We are grateful to those lawmakers taking a stand. NYC Councilman Ben Kallos has introduced a bill to ban it in all New York City parks and playgrounds. We appreciate his efforts on behalf of public safety and health. It’s not just this generation that is harmed. Glyphosate has been proven to harm DNA that affects future generations. It’s poison.
We are also grateful for Mother’s Across America, who are taking an active stand against it. They continue to grow and will continue their mission of eradicating Roundup from store shelves –educating all consumers about it.
Updated June 13, 2019 to reflect latest EWG test results in late May.
Concern over glyphosate in food is on the rise after Monsanto was found guilty in covering up their cancer-causing product, Roundup. Monsanto has been under scrutiny ever since they were ordered to pay $289 million in damages to plaintiff, Dewayne Johnson.
Just after the first successful trial in taking down Monsanto, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) published a haunting reporton the levels of glyphosate in food. According to the independent laboratory tests commissioned by the EWG, popular oat cereals, oatmeal, granola and snack bars come with a heavy dose of the cancer-causing weedkiller, Roundup.
Why Should We Care About Glyphosate in Food?
Glyphosate is the main ingredient found in the popular weed-killer Roundup. Back in 2015, a famous study published by the International Agency for Research of Cancer (IARC) came to the conclusion that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic to humans (1).”
The link between glyphosate and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is particularly strong. One study, published in 2008 by Swedish researchers, found that exposure to glyphosate tripled the risk of a subtype of non-Hodgkin called small lymphocytic lymphoma (2).
Another study published in 2003 showed a suggestive link between glyphosate-based herbicide use and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The more pesticides a subject used, the more non-Hodgkin lymphoma incidences increased. Subjects who used five or more of the nine pesticides were “twice as likely to be NHL cases than controls (3).”
Aside from cancer, glyphosate has been associated with a host of health issues, like kidney disease (3), reproductive problems (4), liver damage (5) and birth defects (6).
Glyphosate also interferes with the ability of a plant to uptake nutrients from the soil. Glyphosate, which is a patented chelating agent, binds with nutrients in the soil, and prevents plants from absorbing them. It also acts as an antibiotic (7), which can kill bacteria both in the soil, and our own guts (both of which are incredibly important for plant and human health).
Regardless of the evidence, Monsanto still states that “Glyphosate has a 40-year history of safe and effective use. In evaluations spanning those four decades, the overwhelming conclusion of experts worldwide, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has been that glyphosate can be used safely.” Despite the lawsuit, it seems Monsanto is still in denial.
Products and Brands Filled with Glyphosate
Aside from the EWG report on glyphosate in food, other companies have also done independent testing for glyphosate residues in everyday food products. In 2016, Food Democracy Now! and The Detox Project commissioned tests that found high levels of glyphosate in many American foods – even products that are certified organic or non-GMO.
Below is a complete list of foods that contain glyphosate residues. I’ve combined data from both the report EWG released, as well as the reports released from Food Democracy Now! and the group’s “Detox Project.”
Beer
– Tsingtao Beer
– Coors Light
– Miller Lite
– Budweiser
– Corona Extra
– Heineken
– Guinness Draught
– Stella Artois
– Ace Perry Hard Cider
– Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
– New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale
– Sam Adams New England IPA
– Stella Artois Cidre
– Samuel Smith’s Organic Lager
Glyphosate contamination cannot be removed by washing (it is absorbed into the plant while it’s growing). It also is not broken down by cooking or baking.
In order to avoid glyphosate in food, follow the pointers below:
1. Always Look for Non-GMO Project Verified
If you’re purchasing a processed food item (that is, something boxed, bagged or canned), you can make sure it doesn’t contain GMO ingredients by looking for the Non-GMO Project Verified symbol (see below).
The best way to ensure your products are GMO and glyphosate-free is to look for organic products with this Non-GMO verified label. That way, you know you’re eating a good product.
2. Certified Organic is Better Than Non-Organic
By purchasing certified organic foods, you’ll be rest assured that your food doesn’t contain any glyphosate-containing chemicals.
Unfortunately, glyphosate use is so rampant, that some organic foods may contain small amounts of glyphosate residues.
Damaging herbicide drift can travel far, especially when it is applied in mornings when the spray gets hung up and moves with the air mass across fields (due to air temperature differences) (8).
Glyphosate also leaks into the watershed, which means it travels far, and can contaminate surrounding organic fields.
This is probably why Bob’s Red Mill Organic Oats were found with small levels of glyphosate residues. Their response to this?
“Because we at Bob’s Red Mill are dedicated to bringing all of our customers natural, healthy products, whether organic or conventional, we have inquired directly with farmers and with our suppliers to determine if glyphosate desiccation is used by the farmers supplying our products.
The majority of our conventional wheat is grown close to home in the Pacific Northwest where growing seasons are typically longer and the practice of desiccation is as such rarely used.
We’ve been told desiccation is not a practice used by our individual farmers. The growing, harvest and communal storage practices sometimes used by the wheat industry in general make it nearly impossible, however, for our multi-source suppliers to guarantee the practice of glyphosate desiccation is not used with all of the conventional wheat the suppliers sell to us.
We are able to assure our customers, however, that glyphosate desiccation is not a practice used for our organic products as the use of glyphosate is not permitted at any time in the cultivation of our organically grown ingredients. Our Customers who desire to be certain that glyphosate has not been used may wish to choose instead from our extensive line of certified organic products.” (source)
They then go on to state: “We are able to assure our customers, however, that glyphosate desiccation is not a practice used for our organic products, as the use of glyphosate is not permitted at any time in the cultivation of our organically grown ingredients. Our customers who desire to be certain that glyphosate has not been used may wish to choose instead from our extensive line of certified organic products.”
However, their organic products do contain glyphosate, as pointed out in the studies above. As a result, Bob’s Red Mill is facing a federal class action lawsuit.
The good news is that organic foods contain much lower levels of glyphosate compared to their conventional counterparts. This one example doesn’t mean that organic products are bad. Bob’s Red Mill didn’t take their standards seriously when it came to organic products, so all we can do is hope that other companies do.
3. Grow Your Own & Farmer’s Markets
Another great way to ensure your food is grown glyphosate-free is by growing your own food (or sourcing it from farmers you trust at farmers’ markets). By growing your own food, you’ll feel more self-reliable, which is a super great feeling. You’ll also become more connected to the food you eat, as you’ll appreciate the time it took to grow that squash or tomato!
4. Look for Glyphosate Residue Free Labels
The Detox Project, a research and certification platform that uses an FDA-registered food-testing lab to test for toxic chemicals launched their own “Glyphosate Residue Free” label. This label offers more transparency and assures the purchaser that they’re not getting any glyphosate in the food they’re buying.
While these labels aren’t mainstream, the Detox Project is working with food manufacturers and grocery chains to get this label on more products.
Carly Fraser has her BSc (Hons.) Degree in Neuroscience, and is the owner and founder at Live Love Fruit. She currently lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with a determined life mission to help inspire and motivate individuals to critically think about what they put in their bodies and to find balance through nutrition and lifestyle. She has helped hundreds of thousands of individuals to re-connect with their bodies and learn self-love through proper eating habits and natural living. She loves to do yoga, dance, and immerse herself in nature.
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“When We Tell Stories…People Listen.”
Messinas is the global maker of Pulverize, the only safe, tested and trusted weedkiller. Contact: james@messinas.com
CBS THIS MORNING interviewed Dr. Agus, an oncologist for his expert opinion on glyphosate. Let’s just say it’s not a chemical he wants in his own body.
Dr. David Agus, a cancer specialist, joined “CBS This Morning” Thursday to sort out the claims. He says, “We just don’t know” exactly how glyphosate will impact the human body in the long run.
“The problem is when you eat something, say, glyphosate, there’s a 10, 20-year lag before disease and the intervention.”
Agus explains glyphosate emerged in the 1960s as a pipe cleaner, and then started being used as a weed killer. But in the 1990s, “usage went through the roof.”
When asked if he’d willingly put the chemical in his own body, Agus says he “certainly wouldn’t.”
Watch the complete interview with CBS THIS MORNING here:
Maria Dorfner has been covering Medical/Health since 1993 after 10 years of working behind-the-scenes at major networks. She created, produced and co-hosted 7 half-hour health programs airing on CNBC, which she helped launch in 1989. Original programs include Healthcare Consumers co-hosted with Jay Michaels, Healthy Living, Lifestyles and Longevity and more.
She produced medical segments for NBC and NBC Miami, helped launch MedPage Today (sold to CNN), is the co-founder of The Cleveland Clinic News Service (CCNS) and the founder of NewsMD, a full-service production company specializing in health. She produced 21st Century Medicine for DISCOVERY and has been a trusted go-to source in health news for networks. She has also helped raised millions for non-profits and hospitals in need through volunteer work and working on capital campaigns.
She has travelled extensively interviewing a Who’s Who in Health and has produced successfully syndicated major talk shows. She was awarded a Medical Reporting Scholarship from the American Medical Association, won a Media Recognition Award from the American Heart Association, a Freddie Award for Excellence in Medical Reporting and more. She is in Who’s Who in American Women.
She is currently producing Late Night Health radio with host, Mark Alyn and an Executive Producer with NewsMD and AJA Creative Media, working alongside 4X Emmy-award-winning producer, Alex J. Aguiar. Please follow BOLDTV, founded by Carrie Sheffield, a co-production with Al Roker Productions, where Maria will be contribute health stories.
She is the author of 3 books. Healthy Within, PRESSure: Break Into Broadcasting and a family recipe cookbook called, Health Heart and Humor in an Italian-American Kitchen. Books are available on Amazon.
Maria began her career as an intern at NBC on the TODAY SHOW in 1983, while an undergraduate at Pace University, where she majored in English and Political Science. She served as Director of Communications for Ailes Communications, a political consulting firm and producer of programming. NBC awarded her a graduate scholarship to Columbia University. She was Miss Pace University and a Sigma Tau Delta National Honors student in English and a member of the Intercollegiate Model City Council in New York City.
Her lifelong mission in life is to educate and empower people to lead healthier lives.
Thrilled to learn about FRESH FRIG health vending kiosks becoming popular by demand. I’ve always been disappointed when I go to a vending machine and there are no healthy choices or the ones deemed healthy are simply better than the alternative.
People usually go to a vending machine when they can’t get to a store or a dining area at a school or workplace is closed. No one should feel held hostage to unhealthy choices.
It’s even worse when that vending machine is located within a hospital, school, workplace or gym –all places you expect to care about your health and wellness. There are some vending machines that toss in a few items you know are loaded with sugar or carbs as there are a lot of fake “healthy” foods out there. So, it’s refreshing when a real healthy choice is available.
I interviewed Brad Callow, the CEO of 6AM HEALTH, who says his mission has always been to help people live healthier. He says he’s interested in psychology and behavioral economics. He knows from observation that people will make healthier choices or poorer choices depending on their environment.
So, he first started a delivery company called 5AM Juice to deliver a healthier choice.
He laughs as he recalls friends telling him the number 5 in the name looked like the letter “S” and people kept asking why he started a company called Sam Juice.
Then, he thought it’d be better to bring healthier foods to highly trafficked areas, like colleges, hospitals, airports, malls and large office parks.
So far, so good. He placed them at Tuck University and there is one in South Station in Boston.
Callow says,
“You can reserve items in advance. If you know you’ll be arriving at Penn Station in New York City and there is a FRESH FRIG there, you can pre-select what you’d like from your phone. Scan upon arrival.”
The FRESH FRIG is provided to locations free of cost as long as there are guaranteed sales from being in a highly trafficked area.
Fresh food selections include veggie salads and high protein items. They also include beverage choices of green juice, carrot apple juice, cleanse juice and coffee as well.
Individual item costs in the kiosk are from $6. – $9. which may seem high, but most nearby establishments charge $10. and above when open.
New “Healthy Vending Machine” Company 6AM Health Partners with Tuck Student Team
A team of Tuck students is working with 6AM Health, a specialty food business founded by Brad Callow T’13, to help bring the company to scale.
The first 6AM Health fresh fridge was installed in March in Tuck’s PepsiCo Dining Room.
MEDIA | INVESTOR INQUERIES: Contact Brad@6amhealth.com
Brad Callow T’13 is quick to find the common thread in his post-MBA career: health care.
In his first few jobs, this is clear. He began working in the therapeutics space, and then switched to diagnostics and health care technology. But in 2017, he went in a different direction. That’s when he founded 6AM Health, a specialty food business that focused on green juices. He soon expanded to fresh salads and meals, delivering them directly to his customers in the Boston Metro area before 6 a.m. For Callow, food is the first medicine—both preventative and healing.
“I realized that problems like obesity have a lot of co-morbidities,” he says, “so if we use food to minimize obesity, we can prevent a lot of other diseases at the same time.”
Instead of selling food to individual customers through a subscription delivery service, 6AM Health will begin installing “fresh fridges”—think healthy vending machines—at locations across the Northeast.
Now Callow is partnering with Tuck students on a First-Year Project (FYP) to take his company to scale. As he learned more and more about the food industry, he discovered that success is mostly about logistics. You can have the freshest, best-tasting food, but without an efficient way to deliver it to customers, it’s not worth much.
So instead of selling food to individual customers through a subscription delivery service, 6AM Health will begin installing “fresh fridges”—think healthy vending machines—at locations across the Northeast.
The first one was installed in March at Tuck, in the PepsiCo Dining Room. He’s counting on the First-Year Project students to bring an entrepreneurial focus to the Fresh Fridge, testing pricing and product combinations and solving logistical problems.
“Having the FYP team will be incredibly helpful,” Callow says. “What we need to do is continue learning and sorting out what people like and don’t like. And I would love this to eventually be something like TuckStuff or theBOX, where it’s student-run and it becomes a permanent operation there.”
Callow is counting on the First-Year Project students to bring an entrepreneurial focus to the Fresh Fridge, testing pricing and product combinations and solving logistical problems.
Elizabeth Kachavos T’20 knows theBOX well: she’s worked there since arriving at Tuck last summer. The FYP with 6AM Health was a natural choice for her, since she’s interested in the food industry and looking for more opportunities for real-world learning in that sector. “We’ve seen there’s a great demand for healthier fresh food on campus—especially on the weekends when the dining hall is closed,” she says. “I’d love to play a role in increasing those options at Tuck.”
Another member of the FYP team is Elisa Scudder D’14, T’20. She gravitated toward 6AM Health because she’s interested in product entry strategy and market entry.
“This fits that niche perfectly,” she says. “It’s not too early-stage: the business model is set up but it’s just expanding into this new market.”
Scudder is also excited about working on a project that can have a real impact on campus. “We’re going to physically see what we’re working on and hear our classmates talk about how they like it or don’t like it,” Scudder says.
HAVING THE FYP TEAM WILL BE INCREDIBLY HELPFUL. WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS CONTINUE LEARNING AND SORTING OUT WHAT PEOPLE LIKE AND DON’T LIKE. AND I WOULD LOVE THIS TO EVENTUALLY BE SOMETHING LIKE TUCKSTUFF OR THEBOX, WHERE IT’S STUDENT-RUN AND IT BECOMES A PERMANENT OPERATION THERE.
At first, the Fresh Fridge will be stocked with food prepared at 6AM Health’s kitchen outside Boston, and will be re-stocked every week. During the course of the FYP, Callow hopes the team can find a more local farm to partner with, and the most efficient and cost-effective way to prepare and package the items. It might involve working with the Byrne servery, or the team from theBOX.
“This FYP is really about e-ship,” Callow says. “What’s the best, most sustainable way to keep this going? I’m also just fired up to work with Tuckies.”
This story will appear in the summer 2019 issue of Tuck Today magazine.
Check Out This Healthy Food Vending Machine Coming to South Station
Waltham-based meal prep company 6AM Health is making moves with what they’re calling a Fresh Fridge.
by TESSA YANNONE
While vending machines have traditionally had a bad reputation for stocking unhealthy snacks, sodas, and candies the wellness world is busy revamping them. Last week, this one was installed at Brandeis University with healthcare products like condoms and Plan B. And at the beginning of May, meal prep company 6AM Health is installing one at South Station with a ton of healthy food.
The Waltham-based meal delivery service has been delivering healthy fare to the Boston area since 2017. Their process works much like any other meal prep service. You choose from a menu of pre-made meals and snacks like fresh salads, overnight oats, grain bowls, and juices. Then, they’ll have them delivered to your door-step before you even rise in the morning. Hence the name, 6AM Health.
Owner and founder, Brad Callow tells me the initial idea for the company was that if they can change people’s environment, by providing easy access to affordable and healthy food, they can help them make better nutrition choices. But they quickly realized just how much running around the city they were doing. And they saw a need for something just a little more convenient. Enter: the healthy food vending machine.
On May 6, whether you’re traveling out of town or commuting through South Station, you’ll be able to easily purchase meals or snacks from 6AM Health in a vending machine.
They’re calling it a Fresh Fridge and each item is packaged in mason jars, making it easy to eat on the go. And they’re not just stopping with one fridge. Callow says they hope to have 30 all around the Boston area by the end of June. Right now, there is currently one at Dartmouth in New Hampshire. And later this week a few more will be installed at places like the North Shore Mall.
Inside the vending machine you’ll find everything you see on their online menu. Callow explains that since things like salads have a shorter shelf life, there is some more maintenance involved in re-stocking and keeping the food fresh. They do plan to re-stock it every day.
“Grab-and-go food doesn’t need to be fast food or something that’s crappy for you,” he says. “Food is super impulsive. If we place these Fresh Fridges in convenient locations we can change the way people eat on the go.”
Eventually, the whole operation will be even more convenient with a mobile app, currently in the works. Through the app, customers will not only be able to find the nearest Fresh Fridge to them but they will also be able to search and reserve certain menu items at a specific location. So, if you’re really craving a buffalo chicken bowl you can be sure that when you get to the fridge there’s one waiting for you.
And the best part? Bowls and salads will cost you around $7-$8 and a 10 ounce juice will only put you back $5. Compare that to a $10+ Sweet Green salad and a $6.50 small juice from Jugos. You can also request to have a Fresh Fridge at your office, park, or building if you want.
This new concept checks all the boxes on convenience, accessibility, and affordability. And we’re totally here for it—just as long as the juices remain cold and the salads stay crunchy.
MEDIA | INVESTOR INQUERIES: Contact Brad@6amhealth.com
Foll
Early kidney disease can and should be treated to keep it from getting worse.
Sathya Elumalai, MS, MBA, Founder and CEO of Adair Health, is a medical device executive with over 15 years of experience working with payers, providers, pharmaceutical companies, and patients. At Multisensor Diagnostics (MDx), Elumalai has developed a revolutionary tricorder-style rapid medical assessment device and artificial intelligence-enabled triaging system for efficient home management of chronic disease.
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