A Novel Approach to Chronic Diseases Grounded in Safety

The Chronic Diseases Our Products Manage

Atopic Dermatitis


Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, often chronic skin disorder that is characterized by areas of severe itching, redness, and scaling and often appears as a rash normally on the cheeks, arms and legs. The most common form of atopic dermatitis is eczema. Symptoms of atopic dermatitis include:

  • Dry, scaly skin
  • Redness and rash
  • Itching
  • Cracks behind ears or on fingers

AD is common in children, but can occur at any age and currently affects more than 18 million U.S. adults. Atopic dermatitis is long lasting (chronic) and tends to flare periodically.
The exact cause of atopic dermatitis is unknown; however, experts believe that a combination of genetics and other factors are involved.



EpiCeram® is a prescription-only topical skin-barrier-repair product for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Osteoporosis/Osteopenia


Osteoporosis is a progressive bone disease that is characterized by a decrease in bone mass and density which can lead to an increased risk of fracture. Bone supporting structure (microarchitecture) deteriorates, and mineralization is impaired. Osteopenia and osteoporosis represent degress of bone loss. Osteoporosis is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a bone mineral density of 2.5 standard deviations or more below the mean peak bone mass (average of young, healthy adults) as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Osteopenia is defined as a bone mineral density of between 1 and 2.5 standard deviations below peak bone mass. The term "established osteoporosis" includes the presence of a fragility fracture. The disease may be classified as primary or secondary. It is most commonly seen in women after menopause but may occur in either gender with advancing age, a family history of osteoporosis or an association of other risk factors including medications such as corticosteriods.

We are all making bone and breaking down (resorbing) bone all the time. That is how we maintain healthy bone. Cells that make bone are called osteoblasts (OB); cells that resorb (breakdown) bone are called osteoclasts (OC), and they "talk" to each other. The OC dig a little hole and tell the OB to fill it up with new fresh bone. This process is called bone turnover. When OC activity exceeds that of OB, there is net bone loss leading to osteoporosis.

There are several ways to improve bone mass including lifestyle changes such as proper diet (bone-building minerals, vitamins, and protein), weight-bearing exercise and prevention of falls. Available medications act to reduce the amount of bone resorbed, increase the amount of new bone produced, and/or improve the efficency of bone mineralization. Almost all marketed osteoporosis medicines work by only one of these mechanisms. The ideal medicine would operate through all of these mechanisms.



Fosteum Plus® is a prescription medical food product for the clinical dietary management of the metabolic processes of osteopenia and osteoporosis under a physician's supervision.

Rheumatoid Arthritis


Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing inflammation of the joint lining. This inflammation of the joint lining (called the synovium) can cause pain, stiffness, swelling and redness in and around the joints, especially in the hands and feet. If left untreated, it can cause damage to cartilage and bones resulting in loss of normal movement and joint deformity, which can negatively impact quality of life. Because RA occurs through-out the body, other organs such as the skin, heart, lungs, and eyes may also be affected.

Although RA is a chronic disease, the severity and duration of symptoms vary greatly over time. People living with RA experience periods of increased disease activity, called “flare-ups”, alternating with periods when the symptoms fade or disappear, called “remission”. While each individual’s journey with RA is different, it is a serious disease and should be treated as early as possible to preserve joint function, help relieve symptoms, and improve quality of life.



Rheumate® is a prescription medical food product for the clinical dietary management of the metabolic effects of methotrexate therapy to be used under a physician’s supervision.

Chronic Venous Disease


Chronic Venous Disease (CVD) is a disease in which blood flow through the veins is slowed. This increases the pressure in the veins and is called venous hypertension (which is not the same as the arterial hypertension, for which people may take blood pressure medicine). When venous pressure is high, blood remains in contact with tissues longer and gives up more oxygen and picks up more waste products, many of which are acids. The combination of high venous pressure and more acidic blood (called venous acidosis) causes a chain of events leading to inflammation in and around the veins weakening the vein walls and the supporting tissue, allowing the veins to dilate. This, in turn, reduces blood flow, further increases venous pressure, and makes venous blood more acid, thus creating a self-perpetuating cycle leading to progressive venous insufficiency.

Many apparently different conditions actually are due to CVD. These include a sense of heaviness in the legs (heavy leg syndrome), swelling (edema), spider veins, varicose veins, statis dermatitis (woody appearance and hyperpigmentation in the lower leg), venous skin ulcers, hemorrhoids (varicose veins of the anal canal), and other related conditions.

Historically products used for CVD have used more of a mechanical approach such as compression hose, wound care and/or surgical intervention. The ideal approach would to complement these with a product that address the underlying mechanisms and metabolic processes associated with CVD.



Vasculera® is a prescription medical food product for the safe clinical dietary management of the metabolic processes of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) under a physician's supervision.