Vivacare Partners with Text4baby to Provide Pregnant Patients and New Moms with Text Messages that Promote Maternal and Child Health

Berkeley, CA (PRWEB) December 06, 2011

Vivacare announced that it has partnered with text4baby, the first free texting service to provide health information to pregnant women and new moms from pregnancy through a baby?s first year.

Vivacare, a provider of Web-based patient education services to physicians and other health professionals, will offer the text4baby service as part of its service offering to ob-gyns, pediatricians and family physicians.

Doctors enroll with Vivacare to gain access to a collection of personalized and customizable patient handouts that can be easily added to their own practice Websites. Handouts cover a wide range of maternal and child health topics, including pregnancy, prenatal care, prenatal tests, labor and delivery, child development, and vaccinations.

A new text4baby patient handout (?eHandout?) has been created for use by the doctors' patients that describes the text-messaging service and the benefits of enrolling. The new eHandout also includes links to the Text4baby Website for new or expecting moms to learn what to expect. The Text4baby eHandout will be provided as an option for display on the websites of physicians who specialize in women?s health or pediatric care.

?Our enrolled physicians and office staff will be pleased to offer their patients such an innovative and easy-to-use service that promotes maternal and child health?, said Dr. Mark Becker, pediatrician and founder of Vivacare. ?Vivacare seeks to make the physicians? own website the go-to place for health information. The delivery of innovative services, such as text4baby, is an important step in fulfilling that goal.?

?Every woman deserves access to information that will help her give her baby the best possible chance at a healthy start in life,? said Judy Meehan, CEO, National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition. ?It?s partners like Vivacare that are making it possible for text4baby to deliver health messages to those who need them most.?

Women who sign up for the service by texting BABY to 511411 (or BEBE for Spanish) receive three free SMS text messages each week timed to their due date or baby?s date of birth. These messages focus on a variety of topics critical to maternal and child health, including birth defects prevention, immunization, nutrition, seasonal flu, mental health, oral health, safe sleep, and more. Text4baby messages also connect women to prenatal and infant care services and other resources.

According to the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition, each year in the U.S., more than 500,000 babies are born prematurely and an estimated 28,000 children die before their first birthday. The infant mortality rate in the U.S. is one of the highest in the industrialized world, and for the first time since the 1950s, that rate is on the rise. Research shows Over 85% of Americans own a cell phone and 72% of cell users send or receive text messages.

Text4baby is made possible through a broad, public-private partnership that includes government, corporations, academic institutions, professional associations, non-profit organizations, and more. Founding partners include National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition, Voxiva, CTIA - The Wireless Foundation, and Grey Healthcare Group (a WPP company) and text4baby?s Founding Sponsor, Johnson & Johnson. Federal government partners include the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Defense Military Health System, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Free messaging services are generously provided by participating mobile operators, including Alltel, Assurance Wireless, AT&T, Bluegrass Cellular, Boost Mobile, Cellular South, Cellcom, Centennial Cellular, Cincinnati Bell, Cricket, Metro PCS, nTelos, Nex-Tech Wireless, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless, and Virgin Mobile USA.

About Vivacare

Vivacare provides patient education services at no cost to physicians to improve clinical care, office workflow and patient satisfaction. The patient education service is presently available to health professionals within 12 medical specialties, including allergists, dermatologists, and primary care physicians.

Health organizations that value the physician-patient relationship, such as pharmaceutical firms, health agencies and patient advocacy groups, are invited to make information regarding their products or services available through Vivacare, enabling physicians to efficiently deliver the information patients at the point of care. Vivacare has implemented programs that support the management of patients with asthma, epilepsy, and rosacea.

About the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition

The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB) is the only coalition of its kind, which acts as a catalyst for change by creating partnerships among community groups, nonprofit organizations, professional associations, businesses and government agencies. The Coalition promotes optimal health for mothers and babies, and works to strengthen families and build healthy communities.

For more information about Vivacare, visit http://www.vivacare.com, or call (510) 848-8192.

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Mediterranean Diet an Enjoyable Alternative to a Low-Fat Diet for Heart Health

Hoboken, NJ (PRWEB) March 26, 2007

If you've ever tried to follow a low-fat diet to improve your heart health, but found it too restrictive, a new study shows there's a valid and very palatable alternative -- the Mediterranean diet.

The Mediterranean diet, which previous studies have shown reduces the risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, is also as effective at reducing heart attacks and strokes as the American Heart Association's low-fat diet a new study has found.

The study, presented Sunday at an American College of Cardiology conference, involved 202 heart attack survivors who were divided into three groups. One group was put on the Mediterranean diet rich in fat from olive oil, nuts, and fatty fish like salmon; one group was put on a low-fat diet; and the other group simply got "the usual advice in the hospital -- that was it," according to lead researcher Dr. Katherine Tuttle of Providence Medical Research Center and Sacred Heart Medical Center.

After four years, 83 percent of those on the Mediterranean diet or low-fat diet had survived second heart attacks, strokes and heart-related hospitalizations, compared to only 53 percent in the other group.

"Hopefully people will now realize that they don't have to restrict fat in order to reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes -- as long as they choose the right kind of fats," said Trudy Thelander, co-founder of MediterrAsian.com (http://www.mediterrasian.com) and co-author of The MediterrAsian Way, a cookbook and lifestyle guide based on the diets and lifestyles of Mediterranean and Asian cultures.

"Fatty foods like olive oil, nuts and fatty fish were on the banned list for many years for heart patients and those trying to reduce their risk of heart disease, but these foods have been eaten and enjoyed for centuries throughout the Mediterranean region where heart disease rates are traditionally very rare," said Thelander. "So it's good to see that the Mediterranean diet is finally being recognized by modern medicine as a more palatable alternative to a stricter low-fat diet."

Two heart-healthy Mediterranean recipes. From The MediterrAsian Way (John Wiley & Sons, 2007)

Mediterranean-Style Grilled Marinated Salmon

Serve these simple and stylish salmon steaks with a crisp salad and fresh crusty bread.

Serves 4

5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Four 6-ounce (180g) uncooked salmon steaks

Lemon wedges, for serving

Mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper in a bowl until well combined. Marinate the salmon steaks in the mixture, covered, in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Cook the salmon on a hot grill for 3 minutes on each side, brushing with the marinade. Serve the salmon with lemon wedges for squeezing.

Shrimp, Tomato, Pea, and Basil Risotto

Risottos are usually quite time-consuming to make because you have to stand over the cooking pot and stir constantly while regularly adding small amounts of stock. In some parts of Italy they've discovered that you don't have to go to such trouble in order to end up with a delicious creamy risotto. By simply adding all the ingredients to the pot, then covering with a lid, the risotto will cook by itself without the need to stir at all. In this risotto, tangy tomatoes and flavorful basil combine exquisitely with shrimp and peas.

Serves 4

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 onions, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 cups arborio rice

4 ripe tomatoes, diced

1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed

1 cup white wine

4 cups fish, chicken, or vegetable stock

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

32 large uncooked shrimp (prawns), peeled

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil

2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Heat 4 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and cook the onions, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and rice and cook for 1 minute, stirring to coat the rice with oil. Add the tomatoes, peas, wine, stock, salt, and pepper, bring to a boil, cover with a lid, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer gently for 15 minutes without lifting the lid. Remove the lid, quickly place the shrimp on top of the rice, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Stir the basil, cheese, and reserved olive oil through the rice and serve.

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Give the Gift of Optimal Health This Holiday Season with Canfo Natural Products

El Monte, Ca (PRWEB) December 01, 2011

This holiday season give yourself and your loved ones the gift of natural mood enhancement, improved skin, nails and hair, and overall kidney support with Canfo Natural Products NoWorries?, BeautifyMe? and NoStone?.

The full line of Canfo premium herbal formulas are part of a line of 100-percent natural supplements that enhance your state of well-being by carefully blending state-of-the-art science and eco-friendly manufacturing processes with proven, centuries-old formulas. All Canfo products are safe, fast-acting, effective, and time-tested formulas comprised of the finest quality, pesticide-free, wild-crafted, hand-picked herbs. All products are non-GMO, organic, vegan** and gluten-free.

Canfo NoWorries? is the happy emotion formula that supports natural mood enhancement, helps restore calm and relaxation, and supports natural stress relief.* NoWorries takes a unique approach to mood enhancement. Rather than involving and affecting serotonin release, NoWorries instead focuses on the promotion of natural stress relief through the facilitation of liver function. Even a healthy liver requires natural support and because the liver helps provide filtered blood to all cells of the body, improved liver health and function can greatly influence mood.

Canfo BeautifyMe? is the secret beautifying formula. Beauty is simply a reflection of the body's condition: every woman has the ability to become beautiful. Hair, skin, and nails are often the most obvious reflection of the body?s condition. When the body and, more specifically, when a woman's reproductive system is deprived of nutrients, hair often appears less full and vibrant; nails have bumps and ridges and are even brittle; skin becomes drier and more prone to inflammation. BeautifyMe works to replenish and enhance the reproductive system and its ability to absorb and maintain nutrients.* As the reproductive system more efficiently absorbs nutrients, the byproduct is a healthy, replenished body with healthy, hair, skin and nails.

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With a commitment to enhancing the consumer?s state of well-being, Canfo is equally dedicated to the highest standards of environmental practices and sustainability, promoting personal well-being and protecting Mother Earth at the same time. All product labels, brochures, and flyers are printed with 100-percent renewable wind energy. Canfo only uses FSC-certified sources, which boast responsible forest management, including sustainable, verified logging activities. All products are manufactured in GMP-certified (Good Manufacturing Practice) facilities. Implementing fair trade practices, Canfo works diligently to empower local communities and to support fair trading practices.

Let Canfo Natural Products enhance your holiday season with a sense of natural mood enhancement, the secret beautifying formula and overall kidney support with Canfo Natural Products NoWorries?, BeautifyMe? and NoStone?.

Canfo products are available at canfo.com. For news updates, information, and special offers, follow Canfo Natural Products on Twitter @CanfoNaturalP and Like the company on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/canfonaturalproducts.

About Canfo Natural Products

Canfo Natural Products, blending state-of-the-art science and eco-friendly manufacturing processes with proven, centuries-old formulas, offers a line of 100% natural herbal supplements that enhance your state of well-being. Canfo products are comprised of the finest quality, pesticide-free, wild-crafted, hand-picked herbs. All the products are safe, fast acting, effective, and time-tested herbal formulas. Canfo believes in products that are non-GMO, organic, vegan** and gluten-free.

The Canfo line includes EyeCare?, the eye health formula designed for the heavy computer user that supports overall eye health and function*; FlushMe?, the 2-day quick cleanse formula that helps you feel lighter and more energetic*; BeautifyMe?, the secret beautifying formula for women that improves the look of skin, nails, and hair*; DePuff?, the water retention formula that helps regulate water retention, puffiness, and bloating throughout the body*; GlucoseShield?, the blood sugar support formula that supports healthy pancreatic function*; LungCare?, the breathe easy formula that helps to combat harsh air and polluted environments and a cleanse for smokers*; NoStone?, the kidney support formula that promotes kidney cleansing function*; NoWorries?, the happy emotion formula that supports natural mood enhancement, helps restore calm and relaxation, and supports natural stress relief*; and OralEase?, the oral health formula that helps relieve canker sores and promotes oral health and freshens breath.*

Canfo Natural Products is committed to globally advocating the highest environmental manufacturing and packaging standards. All product labels, brochures, and flyers are printed with 100% renewable wind energy. Canfo only uses FSC-certified sources, which boast responsible forest management, including sustainable, verified logging activities.

All products are manufactured in GMP-certified (Good Manufacturing Practice) facilities. Implementing fair trade practices, Canfo works diligently to empower local communities and to support fair trading practices. Experience Canfo?s years of passion, innovation, and scientific research, sealed into each and every bottle.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

**All of our products are vegan EXCEPT OralEase?, which contains pearl powder.

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