SAN CLEMENTE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On March 1-4, in Boston, Mass., Metagenics, Inc., a nutrigenomics and lifestyle medicine company focused on improving health, will launch the first of eight FirstLine Therapy® Certification programs to be held in 2012. These programs prepare physicians, osteopaths, naturopathic physicians, functional medicine providers and their staffs to practice lifestyle medicine with a complete practice management system from clinical tools and protocols to business office management. A particular focus for FirstLine Therapy is the treatment of metabolic syndrome, a condition that affects one in three U.S. adults and increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
“Lifestyle medicine therapies are the recommended approach to treat many common health issues associated with metabolic syndrome,” said Jacob J. “Jack” Kornberg, M.D., FACS, Director of Professional and Clinical Services for Metagenics. “However, healthcare practitioners are not trained in how to actually follow these recommendations in their practices. The FirstLine Therapy program gives them all the tools they need to comply with these recommendations, and to help their patients achieve better health by addressing the cause, not just the symptoms, of their condition.”
“The future of health in our country will become more focused on preventative medicine and nutrition that help to stop chronic illness before it begins,” said Ted Brooks, M.D., senior partner at Derry Medical Center. “FirstLine Therapy is a restorative lifestyle program that puts patients back in control of their health. It is important that providers are educated about this treatment to better serve and care for their patients.”
Metabolic syndrome is defined as the presence of at least three of five symptoms: high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, high blood sugar, abdominal obesity or low HDL cholesterol. Research has shown that people with metabolic syndrome are twice as likely to have heart disease and five times as likely to develop diabetes.
Metagenics’ FirstLine Therapy program offers an evidence-based, clinically effective system to achieve optimal patient and practice success. The certification programs will cover the most effective ways to prescribe and personalize the FirstLine Therapy program to patients, the key functional biomarkers and laboratory values for assessing these patients, and how to conduct and read bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to monitor body composition for patient tracking and motivation—all in a case study and workshop-based format. This program also provides a structured system to teach patients behavior modification for a lifetime approach to healthy living, including recommendations for phytonutrient-rich eating, exercise and stress management. FirstLine Therapy also incorporates products such as Metagenics’ UltraMeal® Plus 360˚ medical food, which was demonstrated in a recent multicenter clinical trial at the Universities of Florida, Connecticut and California to resolve metabolic syndrome 40 percent faster in conjunction with the FirstLine Therapy food plans compared to diet alone.
To assist practitioners in making the change, Metagenics is now offering a complimentary post-certification support program via phone, online and email notifications to help them successfully implement the FirstLine Therapy program into their practice.
The certification programs are open to prescribing healthcare providers and designated Lifestyle Educators who help educate, motivate and monitor metabolic syndrome patients. The programs will be held in the following locations throughout 2012:
1. Boston, MA, from March 1-4
2. San Diego, CA, from April 19-22
3. Kansas City, MO, from May 17-20
4. New York, NY, from June 7-10
5. Toronto, ON, from July 19-22
6. Atlanta, GA, from September 20-23
7. San Francisco, CA, from October 19-21
8. Vancouver, BC, from November 8-11
The speaker team of experienced clinicians, FirstLine Therapy Program developers and implementation experts presenting this program include: Kristi Hughes, ND, the Associate Director of Medical Education at the Institute for Functional Medicine; Kenneth Browning, DO, a family medicine practitioner for over 25 years; Lyra Heller, MA, co-founder of Metagenics and co-architect in the development of the FirstLine Therapy curriculum; and Chris Katke, co-founder of Metagenics and FirstLine Therapy educator.
To learn more about the FirstLine Therapy Program or to register for a certification program, visit www.metagenics.com/flt or call 800-692-9400 (U.S.), 800-268-6200 (Canada).
About Metagenics, Inc.
Metagenics, Inc. (www.metagenics.com) is a nutrigenomics and lifestyle medicine company focused on improving health. Founded in 1983, Metagenics serves more than 75,000 healthcare providers worldwide through premium quality, science-based medical foods, nutritional formulas and lifestyle therapy programs to help their patients achieve a lifetime of good health. Metagenics’ scientific staff—among the largest in the nutrigenomics industry—has published more than 80 articles in peer-reviewed journals and has been awarded more than 50 international or domestic patents. The company’s educational arm, Metagenics University, collaborates with renowned medical experts to annually deliver more than 200 events designed to help healthcare professionals stay on the leading edge of lifestyle medicine and incorporate nutrition into their clinical practice.
Metagenics maintains its corporate headquarters in San Clemente, CA; R&D headquarters in Gig Harbor, WA; and operating subsidiaries in Brussels, Belgium, and Brisbane, Australia.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent any disease.