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Innovations

Geriatric Times

July/August 2002

Vol. III

Issue 4

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Liquid Supplements Provide Alternative Delivery Method

Doctors and scientists agree: vitamins and minerals are essential to good health. And, while it is best to obtain these nutrients from food sources, that is not always possible. In fact, due to diminished food intake and changes in metabolism, older people tend to have an increased need for dietary supplementation. Yet pills may be difficult to swallow and the nutrients within the pills may not be easily absorbed, especially by older patients.

To help solve these problems, Remington Health Products, LLC, has developed three liquid formulations for calcium, colloidal minerals and joint care. Known as Drinkables and available in 16 oz. containers, the line of liquid supplements is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, according to the manufacturer; the statements made by the company have not been reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The company examined liquids as an alternative to pills because bioavailability is considered very good with liquid supplements, as the vitamins and minerals are already dissolved. Similarly, the slightly acidic nature of the liquids also enhances nutrients' bioavailability. Compliance is believed to increase with liquid nutrient regimens, as these regimens tend to cause fewer stomach disturbances. Their convenience is a further bonus; as a liquid, pill cases and food to aid in digestion would no longer be required.

The vanilla-flavored calcium formulation, Calcium 3, consists of 600 mg calcium malate, 200 mg calcium citrate and 400 mg tricalcium phosphate. It also contains 400 IU vitamin D3, 600 mg magnesium citrate, 3.6 mg manganese gluconate, 80 mcg vitamin K, 5 mg sodium borate and 4 mg zinc gluconate. The formula is designed to be taken twice daily, since the best daily dosage of calcium is about 1200 mg but the human body cannot absorb more than 600 mg at one time.

Liquid Joint Care consists of several supplements that may be effective in alleviating symptoms of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, including 2000 mg glucosamine HCl, 1200 mg chondroitin sulfate, 500 mg methylsulfonylmethane and 50 mg collagen. Each one-ounce dose of this citrus-flavored drink also contains 60 mg vitamin C.

Liquid Colloidal Minerals is a wild-berry-flavored supplement that contains 74 negatively charged major and trace minerals from land and sea sources. This formula also includes vitamin C and antioxidants, and it utilizes aloe vera to aid in the delivery of the supplements. Similar to the joint care product, the manufacturer suggests a once-daily one-ounce serving.

Based on consumer demands, the manufacturer initially expects to release the Calcium 3 and Joint Care Drinkables in July -- HAD

Prime ECG System Improves Detection of Heart Attacks

In March, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted clearance to Meridian Medical Technologies Inc. to market the Prime ECG electrocardiac mapping system in the United States.

Prime ECG is an 80-lead, non-invasive body mapping system that covers a patient's entire torso. This increased diagnostic detection area is designed to produce a more complete picture of the heart's electrical activity than the 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) most commonly used today. The Prime ECG system consists of an easy-to-apply disposable electrode vest. Proprietary software processes electrical signals within minutes and displays them in full-color images designed to be more easily interpreted than a standard ECG pattern.

Results of an international, multicenter clinical study of 1,237 adults who presented to emergency departments with chest pain were presented earlier this year at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting. Researchers confirmed that the Prime ECG was significantly more sensitive for detecting acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions (MIs) than the standard 12-lead ECG. Prime ECG correctly identified MIs in 90% to 100% of heart attack victims, compared to a detection rate of between 57.1% and 75.6% for standard ECGs. In particular, posterior MIs, which are commonly missed by standard ECG, were detected by the Prime system.

It is estimated that up to 160,000 heart attack victims are released from hospitals each year without having received necessary life-saving treatment. Earlier and more accurate detection of heart attacks and other heart problems may lead to drug treatment within the first few critical hours, when it is most beneficial. Improved detection may also reduce the need for unnecessary hospital admissions and thereby reduce health care costs -- JH