Metagenics announces 2011 schedule for educational programs in lifestyle medicine

Metagenics Inc., a nutrigenomics and lifestyle medicine company dedicated to reducing chronic illness and improving health, announced today the 2011 schedule for educational programs in lifestyle medicine as well as for certification programs for its FirstLine Therapy®, a turnkey, lifestyle medicine program.

"The National Institutes of Health, the Center for Disease Control and other healthcare organizations recommend lifestyle medicine as the first line of therapy before turning to prescription drugs, for conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes," said Dr. Jeff Bland, PhD, FACN, FACB, the chief science officer for Metagenics, Inc. "Unfortunately, most practitioners do not have the training or resources to comply with this recommendation. Our educational programs arm them with the knowledge they need to practice lifestyle medicine, while the FirstLine Therapy model makes it practical and financially viable for them to do so. As a result, these healthcare professionals are able to help patients make real changes in their lives and health, and to combat the epidemic of chronic illness we are currently facing."

This year's programs include both live events and webinars presented by leading lifestyle medicine practitioners, physicians, nutritionists, and researchers in the area of nutrigenomics - scientific research into the use of nutrition to positively impact gene expression. Topics covered include:

• Advanced clinical therapies for women's health and approaches to manage female hormonal complaints and age-related health issues.
• Clinical breakthroughs in the toxicity-disease connection and the influence of environmental toxins.
• Maintaining a healthy hormone balance and improve quality of life.
• Nutrition and health pros and cons of breakfast.
• Certification for FirstLine Therapy (www.firstlinetherapy.com).

FirstLine Therapy provides healthcare practitioners with the tools they need to treat patients with lifestyle medicine in order to avoid or reduce risk factors for chronic illness. A key component of FirstLine Therapy is a lifestyle educator, who coaches patients on diet, nutritional products, and exercise. The program also incorporates scientifically-validated medical foods, as well as bioelectrical impedance technology to measure body composition and other health status indicators.

Source: Metagenics, Inc.