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S.L.E. Lupus Foundation and Lupus LA Hail First FDA-Approved Drug for Lupus in 50 Years

March 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

New York, NY (PRWEB) March 10, 2011

The New York City-based S.L.E. Lupus Foundation and its West Coast division Lupus LA welcome the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) historic approval of BENLYSTA® (belimumab) for systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), which is now the first new treatment approved for the chronic autoimmune disease in more than half a century.

“I’ve been waiting for this day since I was diagnosed with lupus more than 40 years ago,” said Susan Golick, co-founder of the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation. “When my father Morrie and I started this organization in 1970, lupus was often a death sentence. We made it our mission to be a motivating force to the patient and medical communities, working to improve the lives of people with lupus while fighting for a cure. It’s been a long and frustrating journey, but we haven’t given up, and now we can be confident that industry and scientists aren’t giving up either. This is the start of a new era.”

The FDA announced on Thursday that BENLYSTA, developed by Human Genome Sciences (HGS) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), is approved for treatment of people with active systemic lupus. This decision followed its Arthritis Advisory Committee’s 13-2 vote on November 16, 2010 to recommend the drug’s approval.

BENLYSTA is the first targeted biological agent developed specifically for systemic lupus. Through multiple clinical trials, the drug proved to be effective in ameliorating the signs and symptoms of lupus, with few side effects. With its use, many study participants were also able to lessen their use of damaging corticosteroids (prednisone) and other medicines.

“After decades of suffering from harsh drugs with devastating side effects, people with lupus now have real options for safer and more effective treatments,” added the Foundation’s Executive Director Margaret Dowd. “This is a huge step forward for the lupus community and a victory for the 1.5 million Americans who struggle with lupus daily. Now we can stop looking back on the dearth of treatments over the past decades, and look forward to new research and accelerated drug development that will give us myriad therapies, more precise care, and a cure.”

“The wait is over, and the lupus community can now rejoice over today's historic approval, which marks a major milestone in lupus research and treatment,” said Richard Furie, MD, chief of the division of rheumatology and allergy-clinical rheumatology at North Shore-LIJ Health System in New York. “Not only does this approval add a new medication to the physician's toolbox, but it will also serve as a catalyst for yet more sorely needed drug research and development in lupus.”

About Lupus:

Lupus—systemic lupus erythematosus—is a chronic and often disabling autoimmune disease that is estimated to affect more than 1.5 million Americans. Ninety percent of people living with lupus are women, with the majority being of childbearing age. People with lupus suffer from symptoms including fever, intense fatigue and exhaustion, joint pains, cognitive problems and skin rashes. No two cases of lupus are alike, and the effects of the disease can range from kidney disease, premature heart disease, stroke or lung inflammation.

About the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation:

The S.L.E. Lupus Foundation, headquartered in New York City with a West Coast division in Los Angeles, is the country’s preeminent nonprofit organization providing direct patient services, education, public awareness and funding for novel lupus research on the national level. Learn more at LupusNY.org.

About Lupus LA:

Lupus LA, the West Coast division of the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation founded by renowned physician and author, Daniel J. Wallace, MD, serves the needs of people with lupus and their families in Los Angeles County and across southern California. Lupus LA raises awareness, conducts advocacy and community outreach, and supports novel lupus research on the national level. Learn more at LupusLA.org.

Filed Under: General Health, Health Care

Weight Control Registry Reveals Secrets to Lasting Weight Loss

March 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Indianapolis, IN (Vocus/PRWEB) March 09, 2011

For the millions of Americans who struggle to lose weight and keep it off, there may be help. According to a report published by the American College of Sports Medicine in the March/April issue of ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal®, the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) has identified methods that thousands of individuals have used to successfully maintain weight loss.

“By studying people who have succeeded in losing weight and keeping it off, we have identified many commonalities behind successful weight loss,” said James O. Hill, Ph.D., co-founder of the NWCR.

More than 6,000 people have joined the NWCR. Nearly all (89 percent) have combined diet and exercise to achieve their successful weight loss. Most participants, 98 percent, exercise at home, and several participants, 40 percent, exercise with a friend. Walking is the most popular form of exercise among NWCR participants.

“One of the most important predictors of continued weight maintenance is sustained high levels of physical activity,” said Dr. Hill, who is also the executive director of the Anschutz Health & Wellness Center, a new health promotion and disease prevention center scheduled to open in spring 2012 at the University of Colorado. “Successful weight loss maintenance depends on sustaining the healthy lifestyle behaviors for which NWCR members are most known.”

Individuals looking to maintain weight loss should follow these seven tips, suggested by the NWCR:

1. Be active. More than half (54 percent) of NWCR members expend more than 2,000 calories each week. This equals about 200 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise.

2. Turn off the television. About 63 percent of NWCR members watch television for fewer than ten hours per week.

3. Enjoy a low-calorie, low-fat diet. The average NWCR member consumes 1,380 calories per day, and less than 30 percent of these calories come from fat.

4. Keep your diet consistent. Resisting the urge to “splurge” on holidays or weekends, NWCR members eat the same foods on a regular basis.

5. Eat breakfast. Most NWCR members (78 percent) eat breakfast each day. This helps curb hunger and overeating later in the day.

6. Show some restraint. NWCR members exert great control over their eating habits, and they rarely overeat.

7. Keep track of your progress. Weighing in at least once a day and keeping track of food intake is essential for most NWCR members.

The National Weight Control Registry was founded in 1994 by Dr. Hill and Rena Wing, Ph.D., to identify individuals who maintain substantial weight loss and to determine the strategies that help these individuals succeed. All of the study participants are 18 years or older and have maintained weight loss of at least 30 lbs. for more than one year.

For ACSM’s recommendations on long-term weight loss, view the 2009 “Appropriate Physical Activity Intervention Strategies for Weight Loss and Prevention of Weight Regain for Adults” Position Stand.

The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 40,000 international, national, and regional members and certified professionals are dedicated to advancing and integrating scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine.

The Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, part of the Anschutz Medical Campus at the University of Colorado Denver, is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to helping individuals make necessary and lasting changes for healthier living and disease prevention. Its innovative programs will combine four existing areas of expertise – nutrition, physical fitness, weight management and integrative medicine – to provide a comprehensive approach to help people achieve their greatest possible health.

ACSM’s Health and Fitness Journal® is an official publication of the American College of Sports Medicine, and is available from Lippincott Williams & Wilkins at 1-800-638-6423.

Filed Under: Exercise, General Health