BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gelesis, a biotechnology company developing a novel hydrogel platform technology to treat obesity and other chronic diseases related to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, announced today that it has received approval to market Plenity, a novel weight loss treatment, in Europe. Gelesis received a Conformit Europenne (CE) mark for Plenity as a class III medical device indicated for weight loss in overweight and obese adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25-40 kg/m2, when used in conjunction with diet and exercise.

Seventy percent of the western world is affected by overweight or obesity and there are few non-invasive, non-systemic solutions without major risks, says John Wilding, M.D., FRCP, a clinical researcher Obesity, Diabetes and Endocrinology at the University of Liverpool and the incoming president of the World Obesity Federation. Through my participation in the clinical trial, I saw firsthand the impact Plenity can have. The CE mark will further broaden access to a weight loss option that can impact tens of millions of patients globally.

The CE mark indicates that Plenity has been assessed to meet health and safety standards for products sold within the European Economic Area (EEA), as required by the European Medical Device Directives. Gelesis will now be able to market Plenity throughout the EEA and in other countries that recognize the CE mark.

Obesity is a global public health crisis, and too many individuals have struggled to lose weight on their own, without an effective therapeutic intervention to help them. We believe Plenity is a highly differentiated option for this serious public health issue, said Yishai Zohar, founder and chief executive officer of Gelesis. Receiving the CE mark is an important milestone for the Gelesis team and for our hydrogel technology platform.

Gelesis plans to bring Plenity to the U.S. first, where it is now available by prescription to a limited extent while the company ramps up its commercial operations and inventory for a broad launch in 2021.

About Plenity

Plenity is an oral, non-systemic, superabsorbent hydrogel which has received FDA clearance as an aid in weight management in overweight and obese adults with a BMI of 2540 kg/m2, when used in conjunction with diet and exercise. It is made by cross-linking two naturally derived building blocks, modified cellulose and citric acid, that create a three-dimensional matrix. Plenity particles rapidly absorb water in the stomach and homogenously mix with ingested foods. Rather than forming one large mass, it creates thousands of small individual gel pieces with the elasticity (firmness) of solid plant-based foods (e.g., vegetables) without caloric value. The Plenity hydrogel increases the volume and elasticity of the stomach and small intestine contents and induces a feeling of fullness and satiety. Once it arrives in the large intestine, the hydrogel is partially broken down by enzymes and loses its three-dimensional structure along with most of its absorption capacity. The released water is reabsorbed in the large intestine, and the remaining cellulosic material is eliminated through the bodys natural digestive processes. Plenity is considered a medical device because it achieves its primary intended purpose through mechanical modes of action consistent with mechanobiology constructs. For more information, visit myplenity.com.

Important Safety Information

For the safe and proper use of PLENITY, refer to the U.S. Instructions for Use or the EU Instructions for Use.

About GelesisGelesis is developing a novel hydrogel platform technology to treat overweight and obesity and chronic diseases related to the GI pathway. Gelesis proprietary approach is designed to act mechanically in the GI pathway to potentially alter the course of certain chronic diseases. In April 2019, Gelesis received FDA clearance for its lead product candidate, Plenity, as an aid for weight management in overweight and obese adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25-40 kg/m2, when used in conjunction with diet and exercise. Plenity is currently available in limited supply in the U.S. Additionally, Gelesis is developing its second investigational candidate, Gelesis200, a hydrogel optimized for weight loss and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. Novel hydrogel mechanotherapeutics based on the Gelesis platform technology are also being advanced in other GI inflammatory conditions, such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC). Gelesis was named one of Fast Companys Most Innovative Companies for 2020.

The Gelesis executive and advisory team includes some of the worlds leading experts in obesity, materials science, chronic disease research, and commercialization. Gelesis was co-founded by PureTech Health (LSE: PRTC). For more information, visit gelesis.com or connect with us on Twitter @GelesisInc.

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Gelesis Receives Approval to Market PLENITY in Europe as a Weight Loss Treatment - Business Wire

Losing belly fat requires determination and quite a lot of effort. There are loads of ways to lose weight. However, losing the last few percents of body fat in order to live the dream and get a six pack can be almost as challenging as losing two stones of weight. There can be a variety of reasons why you can't get rid of belly fat and certain research suggests some degree of insulin resistance might be among the culprits.

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Despite what you might think, insulin resistance is not exclusive to people with diabetes and it's not necessarily related to a sugar-heavy diet either.

Theoretically, anyone can develop insulin resistance by maintaining an unhealthy diet and this could lead to type 2 diabetes down the line. Even if it doesn't reach that level of bad, it can cause problems, including making it harder to lose weight.

The good news is that for many people, insulin resistance can be improved by tweaking your diet which in turn can help you shed those extra few pounds that stands between current you with a pot belly and future you having a six pack.

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PLEASE NOTE: The below suggestions could improve insulin resistance and general health but if you are at all concerned about your health or physical wellbeing, we recommend consulting a medical professional before you start a new diet. This is especially true for people with preexisting medical conditions. Please be sensible.

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Having a healthy balanced diet can help

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Insulin is a hormone, generated by the pancreas, and its main function is to regulate nutrients in the blood, sugar among other things. Eating food stuff high in carbs and especially sugary food will make sugar levels rise in your blood. This in turn will trigger your pancreas to create more insulin.

Overeating and consuming high-carb food items often can make your cells not react to insulin properly. When this happens, your pancreas will keep on pumping insulin to your bloodstream in order to regulate sugar levels but your cells won't respond to it. All the excess sugar in your blood will be left undigested and stored in your body as fat.

Read more about insulin resistance on WebMD

When you have a big meal yet you still crave for something sweet afterwards can be sign of insulin resistance. Feeling bloated by the end of the day despite not having anything bloating could also be a sign that your body can't digest carbs properly.

If your digestive system is resistant to insulin, you will frequently feel hungry, even while your body fat level rises. Increased insulin production could also damage your pancreas and lead to developing type-2 diabetes. Even in its less malign form, it can prevent you from getting a six pack. Yes, even if you've been following our 15-minute six-pack workout.

We have been simplifying the process here but the bottom line is, insulin resistance can make your body less efficient at digesting carbs, resulting in you craving more food. You will feel more hungry and store more fat around your waistline as your body stores away all those undigested sugars.

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Regular exercise has a myriad of health benefits, from better sleep to improved metabolism, all of which can improve insulin sensitivity. During exercising, your muscles use carbohydrates as fuel, preventing sugar to be moved to fat storage (we are simplifying the process here).

Combine regular exercising with protein-rich calorie-deficit diet and you will see weight loss very soon.

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Increasing your fibre intake can help you feel fuller for longer which in turn can make you eat less. Swapping some high-GI carbs bread, pasta etc out for low-GI, high-fibre carbs oats, legumes etc can improve metabolism and it is better for your general health too.

When you eat high-fibre food, make sure you also drink plenty to help your body shift the soluble and insoluble fibres in your metabolic system.

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Apple cider vinegar could potentially aid weight loss and lower blood sugar levels as well as help improving insulin resistance.

A study quoted by Healthline found that "consuming apple cider vinegar increased insulin sensitivity by 34% during a high-carb meal in people who were insulin resistant and by 19% in people with type 2 diabetes."

Despite the recent resurgence in interest in cider vinegar which has been used in folk remedies for generations it is worth pointing out that one isolated study does not prove its effectiveness for weight loss. Also, most studies have found no evidence for the various other health claims made about cider vinegar, mainly in the Daily Express.

However, you could try to use apple cider vinegar alongside a sensible diet and regular exercise, and see if it has additional positive effects for you. We seriously doubt it is of any use on its own, but maybe it will turn out to be the magic ingredient for you.

Do not start guzzling it like Evian and then come crying to us when you get indigestion, kidney problems, bad teeth and complaints from friends that you smell like chips from a fish and chip shop. All things in moderation.

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Ace your weight loss and reveal your six pack with THIS bit of scientific insight - T3

SEATTLE, June1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --LEVL, an FDA registered device that allows users to calculate, monitor and predict fat loss through a single breath, is working with CoachCare to further their service integration to address the increased consumer interest in telemedicine and virtual health in light of COVID-19.LEVL's fat metabolism insights seamlessly integrate with CoachCare's custom patient mobile app, clinical dashboard, and proprietary scales and trackers that deliver 24/7 insight into a patient's progress to monitor all aspects of their weight loss program.

"Understanding how individuals burn fat is a critical piece of the weight loss journey and each person's road to success," said Brent Hixson, LEVL CEO. "Our integration with CoachCare ensures that this journey can continue from home by providing LEVL users better access to virtual health to support their success."

With LEVL, users can accurately predict individualized fat loss by measuring acetone in the breath. The device indicates low levels of ketones as the body shifts into an elevated fat metabolism state, making it a useful tool for any prescribed diet. Based on 50 years of breathscienceresearch, LEVL combined with the remote access of CoachCare allows clinicians and their patients to see personalized, real-time data about how much fat the body is burning per day and week. It complements any weight loss program and is covered by insurance.

"CoachCare's integration of LEVL furthers our ability to support better patient outcomes for weight loss patients from their own homes," said Andrew Zengilowski, CoachCare's CEO and Co-Founder. "LEVL adds a critical measurable component to help patients see significant results."

Data from a LEVL device, which works with any prescribed diet, can be tracked directly through the LEVL iOS or Android app, and is fully integrated into the CoachCare app and dashboard along with several other patient metrics, to provide a complete picture of the patient's weight loss journey.

About LEVL:LEVLis an FDA cleared and HIPAA compliant device that supports weight loss through a non-invasive measurement of ketones using breath. The LEVL device enables users to identify how a prescribed diet and exercise plan impacts fat metabolism in real-time, enhances patient care by giving clinicians the ability to remotely monitor and keeps patients motivated with daily feedback. All it takes is a simple breath. For more information visit their websitehere.LEVL test reimbursements are available but vary by state and provider.

About CoachCare:CoachCare's comprehensive, HIPAA-compliant suite of virtual tools, including real-time messaging, video conferencing, screening, content sharing and connected devices, is the closest your patients can get to an in-person visit, all from the safety and comfort of their own homes.Request more informationhere.

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LEVL And CoachCare Partner To Further Virtual Health For Weight Loss Market - Chinook Observer

Want to get rid of belly fat fast? Here are 5 effective weight loss drinks to boost your metabolism  |  Photo Credit: iStock Images

New Delhi: Losing those extra pounds, especially around the middle, can be a real challenge for many people trying to get a smaller waist fast. But adding certain foods and drinks to your diet can help you achieve your dream body. In fact, there are heaps of beverages that can help you burn belly effectively when paired with exercise and other lifestyle changes. Here are some of the best weight loss drinks to add to your daily diet to boost your metabolism and accelerate your fat loss journey.

Water

Drinking plenty of water will help you get a flat tummy faster than expected by keeping you full in between meals and increasing the number of calories you burn. Research suggests that you can pump up your resting energy expenditure (the amount of calories burned while being still) up to 24-30 per cent within 10 minutes of drinking water. Water is actually the best and the cheapest fat burner that is easily available and so important to your overall health. It flushes toxins from your body, boosts metabolism and helps maintain the balance of body fluids.

Apple cider vinegar

One of the most popular weight loss drinks, apple cider vinegar (ACV) can benefit your waistline in a number of ways. The acetic acid, the main ingredient in apple cider vinegar, can improve weight loss by boosting metabolism, increasing the fat-burning process and suppressing appetite. Studies in animals showed that acetic acid can help prevent weight gain and decrease fat accumulation in the belly and liver.

Green tea

Green tea is one of thehealthiest and most effective drinks for weight loss. It is packed with nutrients and antioxidants that are beneficial for your health. Research suggests that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), potent antioxidants, can increase fat burning and boost metabolism. Green tea also contains caffeine that boosts energy levels and improves performance during exercise, thereby contributing to better weight loss.

Lemon water

Another popular home remedy, drinking lemon water is linked to a plethora of health benefits. In fact, a tall glass of warm lemon water first thing in the morning is how celebrities and fitness enthusiasts swear by. Lemons are rich in vitamin C and other essential nutrients that may support heart health, promote fat loss, reduce the risk of cancer and other health problems. Drinking lemon water also improves your digestion naturally as it contains soluble fibre.

Ginger tea

Who doesnt know about this immunity-boosting tea? The popular herbal tea can help treat a range of ailments, from nausea, colds to arthritis. The age-old remedy may promote fullness, increase metabolism and decrease appetite, all of which help with weight loss.

Try replacing high-calorie drinks such as soda with these nutrient-packed beverages to get rid of belly fat and maintain a healthy weight.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

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Want to get rid of belly fat fast? Here are 5 effective weight loss drinks to boost your metabolism - Times Now

Weight loss is a long-term process that requires you to do an array of things including hitting a gym, having the right food, and avoiding certainlifestylehabits like smoking, drinking etc. One thing that people usually do not know is that eating at specific times of the day is as important as having the right meal when you are trying to lose weight. Feeding yourself at any time may hamper your weight loss regime. To burn calories effectively, you need to know when to eat and when not to. Also Read - Weight Loss: Roti vs. Rice, What's Healthier to Eat When You Are Trying to Shed Those Extra Kilos?

This way of dieting will not only help you shed those extra kilos but also allow you to eat whatever you wish to. Yes, you read it right. You do not need to ditch your favourite food items for getting the body of your dreams. This method of dieting is called intermittent fasting. Its basic principle is to restrict the intake of calorie for a stipulated duration. Also Read - Weight Loss: Consume Jaggery With Warm Water to Detoxify Your Body And Shed Those Extra Kilos

If you wish to followintermittent fasting, you need to divide a day/week into fasting and eating periods. There are 5 ways to follow intermittent fasting. The first one is to do it through zero-calorie restriction. It requires you to fast on one day and feast on the other day. Days when you are fasting, your food intake should be minimal and it should only include liquids. Also Read - Weight Loss: Here is How This Super-Food Can Help You Shed Those Extra Kilos

The second way to follow intermittent fasting is with calorie restriction. This method requires you to fast on one day and feast on another. And, you should only have water and herbal teas on the day of fasting. Your calorie intake should be zero on that day.

The third form of intermittent fasting asks you to follow time-restricted feeding. You need to eat only during the set 6 to 8 hours of the day and avoid having anything during the rest of the day. Doing this will improve your metabolism and will help your body burn calories more effectively.

The fourth intermittent dietary pattern allows you to have food for 5 days a week and fast for 2 days. You should restrict your calorie intake to 600 calories on the days of fasting and can have anything when you are allowed to eat.

The fifth and the most popular intermittent fasting method requires you to fast once a week or a month. During the rest of the days, you should eat moderately.

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Weight Loss: Eat at These Specific Times of The Day to Get The Body of Your Dreams - India.com

With so much misinformation surrounding obesity, Dr. Catherine Varney is careful with her words. First of all, she clarifies that her patients are not obese, but rather have obesity, which is a disease and not a lack of willpower.

What is clear: Obesity can make us sick and make it harder to fight COVID-19.

Obesity is the underlying cause of all these chronic diseases that were seeing in primary care diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Theres nothing obesity doesnt touch even depression, anxiety, sleep apnea, PCOS [polycystic ovarian syndrome], fertility and osteoarthritis. If we can get obesity under control, we can get all these other things under control, says Varney, a UVA Health family medicine physician who is also board-certified in obesity medicine.

Preliminary studies are showing that obesity is second only to older age as the main driver for people needing hospital care due to COVID-19, partly explaining why some younger people are experiencing severe disease. While fighting COVID-19, some of Varneys patients had to be placed face-down on a ventilator to relieve pressure from the extra weight on their chest that would make breathing even more difficult.

As an expert who stays current on obesity science, Varney shared some facts, common misconceptions and hope for anyone struggling with obesity, applicable during this pandemic and beyond.

Saying to someone eat less and exercise more doesnt work, Varney said. She explains: When were actively losing weight, our body thinks were dying, so it will fight tooth and nail against our best efforts. The closer someone gets to their weight-loss goal, the harder it becomes. This is why a lot of people give up. Your body doesnt like change, so you rarely hear patients say, I was overweight once. Its always, Ive struggled with this my whole life.

What they dont realize is that theyre fighting against a brain that has evolved to want them to eat whenever it passes by something high-calorie or dense with nutrition because we dont know when its going to come again. It is the caveman mentality and were surrounded everywhere by high-calorie foods, but never times of famine.

Exercise only helps 3% to 5% with losing weight, but is important with maintaining weight once the pounds are shed, Varney said. Exercise can even be dangerous, so its not always initially part of her prescribed treatment plan.

For some patients, I dont prescribe exercise until they lose a certain amount of weight, she said.

What works for one person might not work for another, due to a complicated system of genetics, metabolism, environment and other conditions a patient may have, Varney said. Still, studies show that low-carb for the first six months is the best diet for weight loss. But for weight maintenance, theres not much difference between low-fat and low-carb.

Several drugs are FDA-approved for weight loss. Introduced in 1959, phentermine is one of the most effective drugs, Varney said. It suppresses the appetite while patients are making lifestyle changes and the body is getting used to how much food is acceptable. It brings a little increase in metabolic rate, and importantly, quiets the brain. If youre inside the head of someone with obesity, you wouldnt believe how much they are constantly being yelled at to eat, eat, eat!

Phentermine is FDA-approved only for short-term use (up to three months), but a recent study showed that those who took it every day for two years saw no increase in cardiovascular risk.

Under close watch, we can keep patients on these short-term drugs for longer. There can be complications, but very rarely, Varney said.

Phentermine, she adds, is not dangerous like fenfluramine, which was pulled off the market years ago after it was found to damage the heart valve. Another drug, diethylpropion, is closely related to amphetamines, but it is not speed and not addictive, Varney said. I had a patient whose provider told them, That stuff is no better than what you can get on the street. There is definitely a bias against weight-loss medication thats been around since the 1960s.

A recent drug to be FDA-approved for weight loss is Saxenda. Introduced as a diabetic drug, it was later found to quiet the link between the stomach and brain, Varney noted.

Ive had one patient lose 100 pounds. I have another patient where shes just been gaining and gaining over the last 10 years and finally, we put the finger in the dam and she lost about 3% of her body weight, Varney said. This doesnt sound like a lot, but shes not gaining any more and thats huge.

Genetically, it might be very hard for someone to reach an ideal weight, but the real goal is just improvement of health. Studies show that just a 10% reduction of body weight is huge in regard to decreased risk of heart attack or stroke. You get the best benefit from weight loss at the first 10%, so losing 18 pounds if youre 180 is a big step.

Some patients need medication, surgery or other prescribed measures to take and keep the weight off, Varney said. When someone loses an extreme amount of weight in a short time (think Biggest Loser), they can develop a slow metabolism that persists for years. One Biggest Loser participant, for example, was found to burn 800 calories a day six years after participating in the show. His metabolism was nowhere near normal for a man his size.

Maintaining board certification in obesity science requires continuing education on a yearly basis. This is because obesity science is changing rapidly, Varney said. The diet and medication regimens that I was prescribing five years ago are completely different from what Im prescribing now. For a long time, it was low-fat, low-fat, low-fat, and now we have 73 good peer-reviewed studies that show low-carb diet is best for weight loss.

With obesity underlying most health issues, Varney one of several UVA Health doctors with board certification in obesity medicine called for more physicians to become similarly certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine.

UVA physicians who have been certified are working on creating an obesity clinic, and collaborate closely with Dr. Pete Hallowell and Dr. Bruce Schirmer, who oversee the UVA Health weight-loss surgery program.

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Facts and Myths About Obesity, Emerging as a Key Factor in COVID-19 Hospitalization - University of Virginia