Post about "nutrition"

Where You Live Makes a Difference When Buying Individual Health Insurance in Pennsylvania

Aetna (southeastern PA including Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley) is one of the largest health insurance companies in the country. They have over 150 years experience in the insurance industry. That is why 40 million members access health insurance through Aetna nationwide.Aetna offers a wide array of health insurance options to individuals and families in Eastern Pennsylvania. Aetna offers affordable insurance plans in every U.S. state. Here are some of Aetna’s plans:o PPO (Preferred Provider Organizations). PPOs give you the flexibility and freedom to get care from any physician or hospital – you’ll have insurance coverage with all health care providers. But if you choose doctors in the Aetna’s nationwide network, you’ll save money on your health care costs.o Preventative and Hospital Care. These plans provide coverage for routine physicals, hospital admission, and outpatient surgeries – with flexible deductibles.o HSA Compatible. Many of Aetna’s health plans are compatible with Health Savings Accounts – where you can save money tax-free for your health care expenses.Capital Blue Cross (Harrisburg, Lancaster, Central PA and the Lehigh Valley) offers health insurance plans in Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley. They have an extensive network of Physicians and Hospitals. For great value and access in Harrisburg, Lancaster, Allentown, Bethlehem or Easton you should consider Capital Blues.First Priority Health, (Northeastern PA, the Wyoming Valley) administered by Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The name Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania is synonymous with quality health care coverage. For more than 70 years, residents in 13 counties of northeastern and north central Pennsylvania have enjoyed the security and peace of mind that comes from enrolling in a First Priority Healthplan.Geisinger Health Plan (Northeastern PA, Poconos, Lehigh Valley and Central PA) a not-for-profit health maintenance organization (HMO) serves the health-care needs of members in 42 counties throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Begun in 1985, the Health Plan has steadily evolved into one of the nation’s largest rural HMOs by providing high quality, affordable health-care benefits.
If you’re looking for comprehensive health insurance coverage at a competitive cost, the smart choice is Geisinger Health Plan. They offer coverage for businesses of all sizes and individuals & families.Golden Rule, a United Healthcare Company, (Southeastern PA including Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley and Erie) is providing quality, affordable health plans with a host of different coverage types. Individuals and Families of all backgrounds have an opportunity to get quality health insurance at a rate they can afford. The UnitedHealthOne health insurance plans are popular because many of the plans offer the same or similar coverage as United HealthCare’s group plans. Golden Rule health insurance provides excellent value to individuals and families. More and more people in Philadelphia, Allentown, Erie and throughout the Lehigh and Delaware Valley are turning to UnitedHealthOne administered by Golden Rule for affordable health care coverage.Health America One (Central and Western PA including Pittsburgh) is committed to maintaining excellence, respect, and integrity in all aspects of their operations and their professional and business conduct. They strive to reflect the highest ethical standards in their relationships with members, providers, and shareholders.HealthAmerica plans are a smart choice for individual and family insurance coverage. This carrier offers a range of deductibles and coinsurances. Health America One offers members clear, affordable coverage, easy to understand plans that are designed by your needs and lifestyle, low co-pays and deductibles, and wellness and preventive programs.Independence Blue Cross (Southeastern PA including Philadelphia) provides HMO, POS and PPO plans for individuals and families living in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

FDA Regulation of Nutritional Supplements

Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), manufacturers of nutritional supplements are responsible for ensuring that their products are safe before they are marketed. Manufacturers of nutritional supplements do not need to provide information to the Food and Drug Administration Board, before they can get a product out on the market. They also do not need the board’s review and approval of the supplement’s ingredients before selling these products.FDA regulation of nutritional supplements is different from those covering “conventional” foods and drug products; it takes on a post-marketing responsibility by way of monitoring safety and product information.1. Monitoring safetyFDA regulation of nutritional supplements involves monitoring the safety of a supplement product that is out on the market. Before the FDA can take action to restrict the use of a nutritional supplement, it has to show the hazards associated with the use of the said nutritional supplement.FDA regulation of nutritional supplements can be initiated in the form of studies, reviews, reports, scientific literature, and public comments. This was what happened in 1997, when the FDA proposed to limit the amount of ephedrine alkaloids (also known as ephedra, Chinese ephedra, Ma huang, and epitonin) in dietary supplements, as it was found to cause a range of side effects such as dizziness, nervousness, changes in heart rate and blood pressure, chest pain, stroke, hepatitis, seizure, psychosis, and even death. For more information on other potentially dangerous dietary supplements, you can visit the FDA website.2. Product informationFDA regulation of nutritional supplements also includes, to an extent, the monitoring of the truthfulness of label claims. FDA regulation of nutritional supplements requires that the labels of dietary supplements include the statement of identity, the net quantity of contents, the structure-function claim: “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease,” the directions for use, the Supplement Facts panel (includes serving size, amount, and active ingredient), the other ingredients in descending order of predominance and by common name or proprietary blend, the name and place of business of manufacturer, packer or distributor, and the address to write to for more product information.3. Best practicesFDA regulation of nutritional supplements also includes establishing good manufacturing practices, or GMPs, for manufacturers of nutritional supplements. To be sure that the ingredients packed inside the marketed nutritional supplement product are the right ingredients and amount, choose a manufacturer that is GMP-compliant.