The official trailer for Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of One Piece, chronicling the adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates, has finally arrived, just one month ahead of the series’ debut. And judging by the trailer, One Piece is looking to take fans on a high seas adventure with plenty of thrills and laughs.
Accompanying the trailer, One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda wrote a letter expressing his excitement for the project, which read, in part, “I’ll say this. There were no compromises on this show! There was so much that went into it–all of the efforts by the actors, the building of the world and the costumes, presenting things in a way that can only be done in live action, the dialogue–and the entire process of so many people putting their heads together was a festivity in and of itself. The producers and the crew are pros at live action, and frankly, they’re ONE PIECE superfans too. By now I just love the production team and cast so much that I can’t wait for them to get the acclaim they deserve from everyone around the world.” With that sort of endorsement and such a promising trailer, fans of One Piece are most certainly ready to walk the plank – or at least plop on the couch for a binge. In the meantime, Eiichiro Oda urged the eager to “have some tea while you wait!”
Devotees of the manga – which is the best-selling comic series ever – had been eagerly anticipating the release date for quite some time now. With the release announced for August 31st, all they have to do now build anticipation for the show, which “follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew as they explore a fantastical world of endless oceans and exotic islands in search of the world’s ultimate treasure known as “One Piece” to become the next Pirate King.” The cast includes Iñaki Godoy, Mackenyu, Jacob Romero Gibson, Emily Rudd, and Taz Skylar.
The release of the trailer coincides with One Piece Day, an annual celebration of the release of the original manga, which debuted on July 22nd, 1997.
Are you excited for the live-action One Piece series? How do you think it will compare to the source material? Let us know below!
While he spent more time with Batman than Iron Man, director Christopher Nolan has praised the move to cast Downey Jr. in the title role.
Although he had been on a minor roll by 2008, starring in Zodiac, A Scanner Darkly and, uh, The Shaggy Dog, Robert Downey Jr. was far from being a box office draw. So it was a major risk for Jon Favreau to even consider casting Robert Downey Jr. in the movie that would launch the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Iron Man. It of course paid off in huge dividends and the casting has been cited as a major reason for the MCU’s success. Now, it’s someone with ties not to Iron Man but Batman that has praised the move.
Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Christopher Nolan lauded director Jon Favreau for taking the risk of casting Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man aka Tony Stark. “I thought when [Jon] Favreau had the insight to cast him as Iron Man…It’s one of the greatest casting decisions in the history of movies. And you look at what that did and where that went with everything. And I think that was Jon just knowing what an incredible actor, what incredible potential it was from Downey. And then the movie star charisma, that wonderful charisma comes into play.” However, Nolan also noted that the star had to tone down that charisma to play Lewis Strauss – a key antagonist to J. Robert Oppenheimer – urging Downey Jr. to instead “lose yourself in this real life human being.”
With Iron Man headlined by Robert Downey Jr., the movie would go on to be the second-highest grossing movie of 2008, behind only Nolan’s The Dark Knight, something of a miracle considering the actor’s reputation at the time and that many didn’t think Iron Man had quite the box office appeal of any of the bigger Marvel properties. Yet, it clearly did, putting the wheels in motion for the most profitable franchise in movie history. As Marvel president Kevin Feige put it, “I do think, still, the biggest risk — which seems outrageous to say now — was casting Robert Downey Jr. It was both the biggest risk and the most important thing in the founding of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Without Robert, we wouldn’t be sitting here today. I really believe that.” Downey Jr. would go on to play the character multiple times, including in his own trilogy and the four Avengers movies. One wonders if it would have turned out that way had Timothy Olyphant gotten the part…
What is your favorite performance from Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man? Let us know below!
The Bubba Ho-Tep episode of WTF Happened to This Adaptation? was Written and Narrated by Andrew Hatfield, Edited by Mike Conway, Produced by Lance Vlcek and John Fallon, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian. Here is the text of Hatfield’s script:
Sometimes you find out that your favorite movies were adaptations of novels. While everyone knows when they are getting a Stephen King adaptation, a lot of the time you won’t know that a movie is based on an existing story until you get hit with it in the credits. Bubba Ho-Tep (watch it HERE) is one of those properties. All of the advertising and certainly the feeling of the movie is that it’s a Bruce Campbell and Don Coscarelli movie, but the short story was written by Joe R. Landsdale. The movie was the little indie that could that was destined for cult fame and make its way to multiple special edition releases but it’s time to look at its genesis and see where it all came from.
Get your word of power and protect your soul as we find out what happened to Bubba Ho-Tep.
Movie
Bubba Ho-Tep is an independent horror film made by some of the most beloved indie filmmakers of all time. The short story was released in 1994 and director Don Coscarelli had wanted to make it for some time. He knew Sam Raimi who would introduce him to Bruce Campbell and after reading the story and knowing Dons work, Bruce had only one question: are we going to show the penis? He loved the out there idea and agreed to make the movie. Bruce is one of the most beloved horror stars of all time and for good reason. In addition to his turn as barely hero Ash Williams in the 3 original Evil Dead movies and the way better than we deserved TV show, he also showed up in the first 2 Maniac Cop movies, and Sundown: A Vampire in Retreat. Of course, there is so much more. Xena and Hercules, Brisco County, Sam Axe, and all of his legendary voiceover work both in video games and cartoon shows. While he may be forever linked to Ash and Evil Dead, his resume and talent for other genres is limitless. He even directed a couple feature films and multiple TV show episodes.
While Campbell’s mummy fighting Elvis is the main attraction, the rest of the cast is perfect and a lot of fun. Emmy nominated and acting legend Ossie Davis plays an apparently still alive but dyed JFK. Campbell jokes in an interview that he used to ask Davis everyday what he was doing here in this movie but that he was also just the nicest guy. Honestly if you are willing to suspend your disbelief for Elvis being alive and fighting a soul sucking mummy, why not JFK too. While Davis was an active actor for over 50 years, he did things he wanted to do rather than what he felt he had to do. We would show up in prestige projects like Roots and Do the Right Thing, and also pulp like today’s movie and Avenging Angel. He would really stamp into the minds of the 90’s generation with things like Grumpy Old Men and the original TV version of The Stand which is where I first saw him.
The rest of the cast is rounded out with small parts from Ella Joy as the nurse, Harrison Young as Elvis’s roommate, Daniel Roebuck as a hearse driver, and of course Reggie Bannister as the administrator of the rest home in east Texas. Roebuck started off slow and I first noticed him in The Fugitive and its sequel U.S. Marshalls but he shows up everywhere and is a true horror aficionado and collector in the same vein of David Dastmalchian. I talked about Reggie in my Phantasm III video but he’s just a cool hippie that ended up in most of Don Coscarelli’s work as well as a ton of other horror work. While he is and always will be tied to Phantasm, its always fun to see him show up in things like this or Wishmaster.
Coscarelli started his career with writing and directing Jim, The World’s Greatest in 1975 where he first worked with both Reggie Bannister and Angus Scrimm. Apart from the Phantasm movies, his career has included the Lance Henricksen starring Survival Quest and, more relevant to today, has an episode of Masters of Horror which is also based off a story by today’s author. The only thing he has coming up is the long in development prequel Bubba Nosferatu. The movie had a small budget and only barely made it back but was a success with critics and audiences and has been released multiple times including the coveted 4k. The success is in no small part to Campbell bringing one of the few prints with him on his book tour and showing it off while building word of mouth. I was lucky enough to see it in theaters in Costa Mesa California and fell in love with it.
The Book
Bubba Ho-Tep was first published in August of 1994. Its first appearance was actually in a collection of Elvis fiction called The King Is Dead but has been included in different collections by the author since then. Critics thought that Lansdale was too graphic in his writing and considered it the worst or one of the worst stories in the entire collection. The author of the story, Joe R. Lansdale, was born in Gladewater, Texas in October of 1951. This story specifically was inspired by the first time Lansdale saw the original Universal Mummy film and figured that Imhotep would be a Bubba if he ever ended up in Texas. Joe started writing and would have his first novel, Act of Love, published in 1981. It’s a serial killer story that would jump start him into horror but also other genres as well. As for Bubba Ho-Tep, the movie’s popularity and proposed sequel would eventually lead to Lansdale writing a follow up novella called Bubba and the Cosmic Bloodsuckers. There would also be comics that feature Elvis with who else? Ash Williams teaming up.
He would have other works made into shows or films with his longest running series, Hap and Leonard, being made into a series starring Michael K Williams and James Purifoy as the titular mystery solvers. While the show would last 3 seasons, the books have 25 entries from 1990 to 2022. Bubba Ho-Tep would actually be his first work to be adapted but it was followed by the premiere episode of Masters of Horror, Incident On and Off a Mountain Road with Don Coscarelli directing again. After that we would see Christmas with the Dead, star studded drama Cold in July, and the previous mentioned Hap and Leonard. For those of a certain generation, he also wrote a handful of episodes for Batman: The Animated Series, or the greatest cartoon ever. He still writes and is very active with his most recent novel, The Donut Region, being published in 2023 as well as a collection of crime stories also published this year.
What is the Same?
Literally almost everything is the same here. The story, which is only 36 pages, is followed nearly identically in the film. Both open in a nursing home with an elderly and sick and apparently still alive Elvis Presly waxing philosophically on life, death, fame, and other topics. His roommate Bull dies, and his daughter comes to collect some of his things. She ends up throwing away a purple heart and a picture of the man before Elvis chides her for not coming in and missing his own estranged daughter. The nurse, who apparently has breasts like grapefruits, patronizes Elvis and we learn that he switched places with an Elvis impersonator named Sebastian Haff.
They had a contract that stated Elvis could go back any time he wanted but the contract was destroyed, and Elvis had an accident while performing a show playing Sebastian playing Elvis. He hurt himself and fell into a coma and they claim that he came to not all there. Things start to go bad at the retirement home when Elvis hears something at night. He goes to investigate and finds the gentleman who claims to be JFK on his floor. JFK explains that they took a piece of his brain and replaced it with sand while also dying him black. JFK wakes up Elvis and they discover hieroglyphics on the bathroom wall before actually seeing the Mummy who is terrorizing their little community. They figure out that he is a soul sucker who came here from a botched robbery and bad storm and their neighbor known as Kemosabe dies trying to save his roommate.
They devise a plan to stop the creature with gasoline and matches late at night and while they are successful, they both die in the process but neither has their soul taken. The story, and even much of the dialogue, is taken exactly as how it is written. From Elvis’s inner monologues to some of the best one liners, they all come directly from Lansdale’s words. The descriptions of the characters, their rooms, where all the action takes place, and the names are all taken from the page directly to the screen. Of course, with the story only being 36 pages, there needed to be some additions to make it into a feature film.
What Changed
Nothing much was changed. In fact, mostly we were given some new characters and drawn-out scenes to get from a 36-page story to a 90ish minute film. They kind of swapped a character with a thieving old woman in the movie that doesn’t exist in the book and the sex changed Dillinger character from the book nowhere to be found in the movie. Reggie Bannister plays an unnamed administrator in the movie for a couple scenes and while the “white coats” are mentioned in the book, there aren’t any individual scenes with them in it.
The nurse that takes care of Elvis gets more of a personality and an extra scene while the titular Bubba has a few changes. His hat in the book is actually part of his ethereal living shadow that seems to have a mind of its own. In the movie, we get some effects to show his magic, but he actually has a companion scarab beetle that does reckon and attacks him. This is absent from the story but does a good job fleshing out his powers and gives Campbell more time to chew scenes. Finally, while the movie doesn’t hold back on gross sound effects and language, the short story goes above and beyond with language and descriptions of less than pleasant subjects.
Legacy
While the short story is a fun and quick read, the movie was lightning in a bottle that brought together two of the best independent horror filmmakers of all time. Campbell owns the role like it was written expressly for him and it gives Coscarelli a notch on his belt that isn’t Phantasm related. The movie didn’t make a ton at the box office, but it wasn’t widely released nor was it expected to and has continued to gain new fans with each successive release. The movie would be watched based on its pedigree but it’s safe to say that the story is now finding new readers because of its movie counterpart. Buy your edition of choice to keep this movie rolling but don’t sleep on Lansdale either. He’s a prolific writer that works in enough genres where you are bound to find something you like. Next time you visit an elderly loved one, be sure to check the surrounding area for Ho-Teps, Bubbas or otherwise.
A couple of the previous episodes of WTF Happened to This Adaptation? can be seen below. To see the other shows we have to offer, head over to the JoBlo Horror Originals YouTube channel – and subscribe while you’re there!
LOS ANGELES, July 25, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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Rythmia Life Advancement Center, the leader in transformational retreats and recipient of over 2,300 five-star reviews on TripAdvisor, is excited to announce the appointment of celebrated author Jack Canfield to its Board of Directors, effective as of July 2023.
Mr. Canfield, with the distinct accolade of having the most concurrent New York Times best-sellers, has significantly impacted the Rythmia community through his ongoing guest speaker engagements. He joins a distinguished board that includes Rev. Michael Bernard Beckwith, Martin Luther King III, Toni Ko, Kelly Slater, César Millán, Earl Koskie, Gerard Armond Powell, Dr. Jeff McNairy, Brandee Sabella, Gerard Powell II, and Patrick Powell.
"We're thrilled to have Jack Canfield joining our board," says Gerard Armond Powell, CEO of Rythmia Life Advancement Center. "His recognized expertise as a motivational coach, success expert, accomplished trainer, and skilled entrepreneur will greatly contribute to enhancing our guests' experiences, enabling them to surpass their personal and professional goals."
As an organization dedicated to facilitating transformative personal growth and delivering lasting results to participants since 2016, Rythmia is set to benefit from Canfield's expertise to further enhance its track record of extraordinary results. "Rythmia provides a unique platform for individuals to discover their true potential, casting aside societal constraints to shape a world that nurtures everyone," Canfield commented. "What can be achieved here in just four days might take up to 10 years in traditional psychiatric therapy."
Rythmia places a strong emphasis on the safety of its guests. As the first plant medicine retreat in the world to be medically licensed, Rythmia provides a secure and supportive setting for all individuals to commence their journeys of transformation.
Jack Canfield will further share his insights as a guest speaker at Rythmia on two occasions in 2024 - February 4-11 and June 16-23.
For further details about Rythmia Life Advancement Center, please visit www.rythmia.com.
ABOUT JACK CANFIELD
Jack Canfield, known as America's #1 Success Coach, is a bestselling author, professional speaker, trainer, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of the Canfield Training Group, which trains entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders, and motivated individuals on how to accelerate the achievement of their personal and professional goals.
He has conducted live trainings for more than a million people in more than 50 countries around the world. He holds two Guinness World Record titles and is a member of the National Speakers Association's Speaker Hall of Fame.
Jack is the coauthor of more than two hundred books, including, The Success Principles™: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, The Success Principles Workbook,and The Chicken Soup for the Soul® series, which includes 40 New York Times bestsellers and has sold more than 500 million copies in 47 languages around the world.
Jack is a featured teacher in the movie The Secret, and has appeared on more than a thousand radio and television shows, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Oprah's Super Soul Sunday, The Today Show, Fox & Friends, and Larry King Live.
Rythmia Life Advancement Center seamlessly integrates the time-honored wisdom of plant medicine with an innovative modern approach to deliver a highly effective pathway to lasting personal growth and change. Since 2016, over 15,000 guests have completed the program, with 97% reporting a life-changing miracle - defined as a profound shift or transformative event that dramatically improves an individual's life. Medically licensed, Rythmia provides the highest standards of safety and care within its stunning setting, complete with luxury accommodations and amenities, in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. For further information and/or reservations, call (888) 443-5566 or visit www.rythmia.com/
Contact Information:
Jennifer Sodini
Director of Marketing [email protected]
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 25, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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Shannan Mann has won the 2023 Irene Adler Prize for her essay, "All Blue, Ana." Mann, who will receive $1,000 toward her education, is seeking her B.A. at the University of Toronto (English Specialist). This is the first year that the annual essay competition - founded in 2017 - has welcomed entries from contestants worldwide as well as the U.S. and Canada.
The Irene Adler Prize offers a $1,000 scholarship to a woman pursuing a degree in journalism, creative writing, or literature at a recognized post-secondary institution. As of 2023, the prize money pool has expanded to include up to two $250 honorable mentions.
"Shannan's essay powerfully and poetically documents the challenging experience of childbirth," said prize founder Lucas Aykroyd. "In a year that witnessed compelling entries from countries as diverse as Australia, India, and Nigeria, this essay inspired by Maya Angelou's philosophy of resilience stood out."
Honorable mentions went to Sophia DuRose ("Music, Baby!"), who is pursuing her M.F.A. in poetry at Temple University, and Madison Kunz ("A Swing-Set Goodbye"), who is doing her B.A. in English literature at Queens University.
Aykroyd is an award-winning Vancouver writer and public speaker whose work has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Toronto Star, Ms. Magazine, and Shondaland. He has covered women's hockey for IIHF.com at six Olympics and serves as the editor-in-chief of WomenSport International's newsletter. Aykroyd holds an M.A. in English literature from the University of Victoria, which gave him the Distinguished Alumni Award.
The Irene Adler Prize is named after the heroine of the 1891 Sherlock Holmes detective story "A Scandal in Bohemia" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
For more on the Irene Adler Prize, the 2023 winning essay, and past winners, see:
Happy Head's™ Dermatologists Have Developed a First-of-Its-Kind Hair Growth Formula With Latanoprost, Finasteride and Minoxidil
LOS ANGELES, July 25, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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Happy Head™ today announces the launch of its newest innovation, a topical hair growth formula with latanoprost. Designed by board-certified dermatologists and hair restoration experts, this revolutionary formula combines the strongest hair growth medications on the market. The exclusive offering is the first of its kind to infuse clinically proven latanoprost with powerful hair growth ingredients finasteride and minoxidil.
"At Happy Head™, we're always looking for innovative ways to solve hair loss. Latanoprost is a successful hair growth ingredient you'll find in products like Latisse for eyelash growth. To improve the results of latanoprost for scalp growth, we've combined 0.005% latanoprost with 8.0% minoxidil and 0.3% finasteride. This new topical solution is a great option for those who haven't seen success with other active ingredients," said Dr. Ben Behnam, M.D., FAAD, and co-founder of Happy Head™.
Happy Head's™ new latanoprost formula will expand the company's product offering for a new hair growth option. Latanoprost enhances the growth phase of hair follicles, especially when combined with the strongest hair growth medicines on the market — finasteride and minoxidil. Dermatologists say three to six months of daily topical latanoprost, finasteride, and minoxidil use will not only help regrow lost hair, but also prevent further hair loss.
Previously, latanoprost was only used for eyelash growth products and not widely available for scalp regrowth treatment. But a new study showed that latanoprost increased hair density in as little as 24 weeks. Happy Head's™ dermatologists have cracked the code to unlock the potential of topical latanoprost for millions of customers looking for a clinically proven growth alternative.
Hair loss is a huge problem that can cause intense psychological distress. Over two-thirds of men will experience hair loss by the age of 35, but it's not just men who are dealing with this problem. Over 40 percent of Americans who experience hair loss are women.
Because hair loss affects so many people, this combination of ingredients in one convenient topical formula will provide customers with an even more powerful, clinically proven treatment with a lower risk of side effects. Happy Head™ is gearing up for several exclusive product launches this year that will continue to solidify its leadership in the telemedicine space.
About Happy Head™
Happy Head™ is a telemedicine provider of dermatologist-prescribed, customized hair growth medicine and treatments. Founded in 2021, Happy Head™ specializes in customized formulas to prevent and treat hair loss in both men and women. Happy Head's™ products are backed by some of the best dermatologists and hair restoration experts in the industry. The company hopes to help people who struggle with hair loss to not only regrow their hair, but also regain their confidence and sense of self often caused by hair loss.
AI-Driven Care Gap Program Has Delivered $45 Million in Revenue Since Launch
Get Well Get Well provides enterprise patient engagement and navigation solutions for hospitals and communities around the world.
BETHESDA, Md., July 25, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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Get Well, the global leader in digital patient engagement, today announced first-year results on a breakthrough Retention and Growth program created for Adventist Health leveraging conversation AI, virtual navigators and online self-scheduling. To date, the program has reached nearly one million consumers.
During the pandemic, millions of healthcare consumers did not receive primary and secondary care due to fear and access challenges. Consequently, annual visits and preventative screenings were missed while fee-for-service providers experienced significant drops in volume and revenue. Adventist Health recognized the need to implement a digital-first engagement-and-access strategy that would lift the burden off its care teams and meet consumer expectations for a personalized, self-service experience.
"We chose Get Well due to their track record of innovation in digital patient engagement at scale and willingness to partner together," explained Jennifer Stemmler, chief information and digital officer at Adventist Health. "We went after a big goal in a moment of need for consumers and a business challenge for our organization coming out of the pandemic. The results speak for themselves: nearly one million patients contacted via 15 programs, 12 care gap areas targeted, $45 million in revenue generated since launch. The speed to market, the commitment to driving business objectives, and the deep expertise of the Get Well teams were the driving forces behind the program's success."
Integration with Oracle Cerner to identify and outreach to qualifying consumers and streamline access back into care
Personalization of patient outreach through embedded links with curated selection of provider profiles for the patient based on zip code and other parameters
Get Well Navigators to augment AI with live consumer interactions
"We have prepared for 20 years to take on projects of purpose, scale and impact with partners such as Adventist Health," said Michael O'Neil, Get Well founder and chief executive officer. "At Get Well, we know both high tech and high touch is required to help consumers navigate to the best care. Even more motivating than the business results is the continual stream of 'patient love and loyalty' stories about the great care people are receiving at Adventist Health. The double bottom line is real and compelling."
About Get Well
Get Well provides enterprise patient engagement and navigation solutions for hospitals and communities around the world. Our products empower healthcare organizations to deliver patient-centered experiences that drive retention and growth, increase patient satisfaction, improve clinical quality and reduce cost of care. Learn more at getwellnetwork.com or follow Get Well on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Star Trek is about to boldly go where few shows have gone before, as the Paramount+ series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will have a musical episode next month. That’s right, things are about to get funky on the Enterprise!
Revealed at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, “Subspace Rhapsody” – the seventh and penultimate episode of season two of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – will feature 10 original songs in addition to a spin on the show’s theme song. The episode is set to air on August 3rd, with the season finale (“Hegemony”) airing the week after.
This season of Strange New Worlds has been earning plenty of praise, with our own Alex Maidy saying it’s “looser and more fun” than the first. That seems to be holding true, as it’s not every year we get a musical episode of a show…Still, Strange New Worlds is far from being the only series to have a musical episode, with the gimmick being employed in shows like Scrubs, The Flash, Grey’s Anatomy, Daria, and the reigning champ, Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s “Once More, With Feeling”.
Strange New Worlds follows Captain Christopher Pike, a storied character in the Star Trek universe, having been first introduced in an unaired pilot before being replaced by Captain James T. Kirk. The character would get a more prominent screen time later on with J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness (Bruce Greenwood) and the series Star Trek: Discovery, where he was portrayed by Anson Mount, who also plays him on Strange New Worlds. As per Paramount+, “In season two of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise, under the command of Captain Christopher Pike, confronts increasingly dangerous stakes, explores uncharted territories and encounters new life and civilizations. The crew will also embark on personal journeys that will continue to test their resolve and redefine their destinies. Facing friends and enemies both new and familiar, their adventures will unfold in surprising ways never seen before on any Star Trek series.”
How do you think the musical episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will turn out? What is the best of its kind in television history? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below!
OCALA, Fla., July 25, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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Fortifeye Vitamins, a leading innovator in the field of eye health, is delighted to announce the launch of its revolutionary product, Fortifeye Next Gen Zinc-Free Macular Defense Formula. This cutting-edge supplement represents a significant advancement in the fight against age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and addresses the specific needs of individuals with sensitivity to zinc. This formula has been available in select busy macular degeneration eye centers and retina centers for the last two years and is now available to the public.
Age-related macular degeneration is a prevalent eye condition that affects millions of people worldwide, leading to vision impairment and a decline in overall quality of life. While zinc has been a traditional component in supplements targeting AMD, some individuals may experience sensitivity or adverse reactions to zinc-containing formulas. Recognizing this concern, Fortifeye Vitamins has developed a groundbreaking solution with the launch of their zinc-free Macular Defense Formula.
Dr. Michael Lange, Board Certified Optometric Physician, Certified Nutrition Specialist and host of popular syndicated talk show called "Ask the Dr", believes most of us get adequate amounts of zinc in our diets and it isn't necessary in a vitamin. However, he says certain exceptions are vegetarians, alcoholics, people on diuretics and those with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. These, along with a few other groups, may need additional zinc and this should be monitored by their physician.
Fortifeye Next Gen Zinc-Free Macular Defense Formula harnesses the potential of various essential vitamins, minerals, and natural antioxidants, meticulously chosen for their visual support and overall health benefits. The carefully balanced ingredients include B Complex, eight variations of Vitamin E, D3, C, saffron, resveratrol, pine bark extract, black currant fruit extract, lutein, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, grape seed extract, coenzyme Q10, taurine, acetyl L carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid, bilberry, and curcumin derived from the turmeric root.1
Lutein and Zeaxanthin, included within the formula's innovative microbeadlet delivery system, play a vital role in replenishing macular pigment density, offering protection against harmful blue light, and serving as potent antioxidants to counteract free radicals. Scientific research indicates that as macular degeneration advances, macular pigment density diminishes, making these carotenoids essential for supporting eye health. These carotenoids also bring valuable nutritional support to the brain.2
To promote the health of mitochondria, responsible for ATP (energy) production and neuroprotection, the formula incorporates Acetyl L Carnitine, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Astaxanthin, and CoQ10. Furthermore, all eight forms of vitamin E (four tocopherols and four tocotrienols) optimize the neutralization of free radicals.
Resveratrol, a potent polyphenol found predominantly in red wine, exhibits remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Numerous studies have demonstrated the potential benefits of resveratrol for various health conditions, including macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Astaxanthin, naturally occurring in the ciliary body of the eye, provides remarkable benefits, including reduced eye strain, improved accommodation, and enhanced choroidal circulation. Additionally, it has shown potential benefits for skin health, brain, muscle endurance, and muscle recovery.
The inclusion of saffron, recognized as the most expensive spice globally, provides health benefits for overall well-being and ocular health. Recent clinical studies have demonstrated that saffron can enhance visual acuity, making it an essential addition to the formula.
Clinical studies have substantiated the beneficial effects of Black Currant Fruit Extract, including improved blood flow to the eye, alleviation of dry eye symptoms, and enhanced dark adaptation.
Pine Bark Extract, another newly added ingredient, is rich in antioxidants, exhibiting anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Studies have shown its clinical efficacy in reducing intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma and enhancing retinal circulation in early-stage diabetic retinopathy.3,4
Bilberry, rich in potent antioxidants called anthocyanins, serves as both an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent, supporting a healthy retina and improving tear secretion. Bilberry has also been shown to lower intraocular pressure especially when combined with pine bark extract.5
Grape seed extract, abundant in anthocyanins, flavonoids, and oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), safeguards the body against oxidative stress and inflammation, showing potential protective effects against cataracts and retinal health.
Taurine, highly concentrated in essential organs like the eyes, brain, muscles, and heart, acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, supporting overall health in the eyes, central nervous system, and immune system.
To prioritize safety and address potential risks associated with excessive Vitamin A intake, this new formula does not contain Vitamin A or beta carotene, ensuring optimal absorption of essential nutrients. Beta carotene actually attaches to binding sites on lutein and zeaxanthin, blocking the absorption of these beneficial carotenoids. Fortifeye was the first in the eye industry to remove all beta carotene in their macular degeneration vitamins 15 years ago.2
Dr. Michael Lange of the Lange Eye Institute, Board Certified Optometric Physician, Certified Nutrition Specialist and founder of Fortifeye Vitamins, expressed his excitement about the launch of Fortifeye Next Gen Zinc-Free Macular Defense Formula, stating, "We are thrilled to introduce this groundbreaking formula that addresses the needs of individuals with macular degeneration. Fortifeye is committed to providing cutting-edge solutions for maintaining and preserving eye health, and this zinc-free formula represents a significant step forward in our mission."
Fortifeye Vitamins maintains its commitment to the highest standards of product quality and safety. The Next Gen Zinc-Free Macular Defense Formula is produced under strict Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in FDA-registered facilities, ensuring consistent potency, purity, and efficacy.
Fortifeye Next Gen Zinc-Free Macular Degeneration Formula is now available for purchase on the official Fortifeye website and through authorized retailers. For more information or to place an order, please visit www.fortifeye.com.
HOUSTON, July 25, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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Golden Gift, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in support of the therapeutic use of blood plasma from young donors in treating age-related conditions, has shared an early announcement of significantly beneficial clinical trial evidence for Fresh Frozen Plasma (yFFP) Treatments. Chronic conditions developing in our aging population are now currently accounting for 90% of the United States' health care costs. A frightening fact for the youth of our country is that health care expenses for these patients are expected to reach $5 trillion by 2025. Who will pay for it? Band-aid medication is not the answer. In fact, the greatest risk factor for disease is the degeneration of the body that develops as we age. The real resolution of age-associated diseases arises from insights into understanding and supporting the fundamental biology of age changes.
All animate and inanimate matter have the same universal molecular etiology. The science of physics indicates that genes do not drive the aging process, but the general loss of molecular organization does. Every organ and blood vessel in our body as we undergo our basic metabolism, replacement, and repair, experiences a movement towards spreading out or loss of energy. For example, hot coffee gets cold, balls roll down hill and 3-dimensional complex molecules cannot be created with accuracy indefinitely. Therefore, large organs and metabolic functions fail, and can no longer support the existence of the organism.
Age changes occur in every multicellular animal. As the system starts to lose the ability to create complex matricellular proteins, non-structural proteins that support cell function, it begins losing the ability to 'run the system' - your body. Longevity is determined by the ability to maintain the potential energetics of all molecules.
How long can one continue to make the necessary complex structures as the laws of physics work to break us down? Waves of changes in the dysfunctional proteome of the blood in the fourth, seventh, and eighth decades of life reflect this degeneration: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31806903. As less optimal complex usable proteins begin to circulate through the blood stream, the body becomes less efficient and as a result, we age, and we get sick: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31932806.
The removal of old cells and other debris, such as through the apheresis process, may in-fact, slow degeneration, and create some immune modulation, and cell stimulation. Everyone can use modalities of calorie restriction, exercise, and supplements to enhance the functions of their cells. However due to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, eventually complex molecules within the milieu cannot be produced any longer and must be replaced: https://nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1196/annals.1395.001
Young blood plasma, collected from sex-identified individuals between the ages of 18 - 25, reverses age-related profiles and initiates systemic rejuvenation by introducing 10K proteins, 5K peptides, 45 cytokines, 50 sex matched hormones and 1.84 billion exosomes per ml, along with minerals and gut microbiota metabolites from healthy volunteer donors at the peak of their reproductive maturity. What your body can no longer make, you can replace and really slow the aging process, enhance fitness, and ward off disease.
This concept is illustrated in patients with cardiac disease. Those with heart failure will produce higher levels of BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) due to the stress on the muscle and overall cardiac function. A 79-year-old male had his BNP drop from over 1,300 pg/ml to 705 pg/ml after a 2-liter exchange, and a 71-year-old male with severe heart failure saw his BNP drop from 6,800 pg/ml to 715 pg/ml with 1-liter of his old plasma out, and 3-liters from young donors in, over two days.
Aging is now understood as a gradual, progressive deterioration simultaneously affecting different organ systems. Those with a faster 'Pace of Aging' tend to experience more rapid aging-related declines in physical and cognitive functions, have a higher predisposition to disease, and an accelerated time to death. We call these epigenetic changes. "Genetics loads the gun, but environment shoots it."
Evidence suggests that interventions to slow Pace of Aging will slow the progression to disease development and works to extend health/life span. The DunedinPACE is a highly accurate and reliable single-time-point measure of methylation that quantifies an individual's Pace of Aging by evaluating their present state health to different biological processes of a population that was followed for age changing markers over time.
Epigenetic changes that slow aging are difficult to realize and maintain. Prolonged significant calorie restriction was shown to reduce DunedinPACE by only 2-3% after two years: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43587-022-00357-y. Clearly, an overall healthy exercise plan as part of anyone's lifestyle has also been proven to reduce the rate of aging. However, due to the laws of physics, interventions without adding young molecules only work to a point.
A DunedinPACE of 1 was established to reference an average rate of 1 year of biological aging per year of chronological aging. Among Dunedin Study participants, the range of values extends from just above 0.6 (indicating an aging rate nearly 40 percent slower than the norm) to nearly 1.4 (indicating an aging rate 40 percent faster than the norm).
Sensitive to all interventions, the DunedinPACE very importantly allows testing of treatments intended to extend health span and lifespan in humans. For example, a 67-year-old male participating in our study with Parkinson's disease received 2.5-liters of young Fresh Frozen Plasma (yFFP) through three exchanges within thirty days. In four months, his DunedinPACE was reduced by 18% to 0.82.
A similarly significant outcome was realized in four months by a 78-year-old female with a family history and personal signs of dementia. She received 1.8-liters of young plasma in two-infusions, reducing her DunedinPACE by 17% to 0.78.
Making an early announcement of significantly beneficial clinical trial documentation from an ongoing study is important from many viewpoints: clinicians practicing evidence-based medicine; future patients to whom the studies apply; patients currently participating in clinical trials; and scientists, investigators, and regulators who strive to balance continuing studies with disseminating data in confirmation of therapeutic advances as quickly as is reasonable.
Our Investigational young Fresh Frozen Plasma (yFFP) Treatments Study continues to treat patients in the major cities in Texas by more than a dozen IRB-registered Co-Investigators. Additional outcomes will be presented at RAADfest in September and at the A4M World Congress in December.
All research in the United States involving human subjects must be reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB), unless specifically exempted by a federal regulation. Review boards protect the rights, privacy, and health of the research subjects in determining research will be conducted in a safe and ethical manner.
The Institute of Regenerative and Cellular Medicine Barbara Krutchkoff, PhD., Executive Director [email protected] / Phone: (888) 664-8893
