Libertas News
Women With Peripheral Artery Disease Lose Ability To Walk Short Distances And Climb Stairs Sooner Than Men - 07 Feb 2011
Small calf muscles may be a feminine trait, but for women with peripheral artery disease (PAD) they're a major disadvantage. Researchers at Northwestern Medicine point to the smaller calf muscles of women as a gender difference that may cause women with PAD to experience problems walking and climbing stairs sooner and faster than men with the disease.
The study was published in the February 2011 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Peripheral artery disease affects eight million men and women in the United States. The disease causes blockages in leg arteries, and patients with PAD are at an increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke, said Mary McDermott, M.D., professor of medicine and of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and physician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
McDermott and a team of researchers observed 380 men and women with PAD for four years, measuring their calf muscle characteristics and leg strength every year. Oxygen is needed to fuel calf muscles, and blockages in leg arteries prevent oxygen from reaching the calf muscles of people with PAD.
The researchers also tracked whether or not the patients could walk for six minutes without stopping and climb up and down a flight of stairs without assistance every year.
"After four years, women with PAD were more likely to become unable to walk for six minutes continuously and more likely to develop a mobility disability compared to men with the disease," said McDermott, lead author of the study. "When we took into account that the women had less calf muscle than men at the beginning of the study, that seemed to explain at least some of the gender difference."
Interestingly, men in this study experienced a greater loss of calf muscle annually than the women. But the men had more lower extremity muscle reserve than the women. That may have protected men against the more rapid functional decline women experienced.
"We know that supervised treadmill exercise can prevent decline, so it's especially important for women with PAD to get the diagnosis and engage in walking exercise to try and protect against decline," McDermott said.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/printerfriendlynews.php?newsid=215778
Resveratrol’s health benefits linked to fat hormone control
January 11, 2011
The potential health benefits of resveratrol may be due to is ability to activatethe powerful fat controlling hormone adiponectin, according to a new study.
Researchers from the University of Texas found that the antioxidant compound resveratrol stimulates the expression of adiponectin – a hormone released from fat cells, which plays an important role in the regulation of insulin sensitivity and energy
The new study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, reports that resveratrol stimulates the expression and protein clustering (multimerization) of adiponectin in specialized fat cells through the activation of a protein known as disulfide bond-A oxidoreductase- like protein (DsbA-L).
“Our study uncovers a novel mechanism by which resveratrol exerts its health beneficial effect,” said senior author Dr Feng Liu, professor of pharmacology at UT.
“The results from these studies should be of interest to those who are obese, diabetic and growing older,” he added.
They said the finding that resveratrol promotes adiponectin expression provides a novel mechanism by which resveratrol exerts its health beneficial functions.
Anti-oxidant
Resveratrol – a powerful polyphenol and anti-fungal chemical – is often hyped as the major bioactive compound in grapes and red wine – and has particularly been associated with the so-called 'French Paradox' which describes the low incidence of heart disease and obesity among the French; despite their relatively high-fat diet and levels of wine consumption.
Interest in the compound exploded in 2003 when research from David Sinclair and his team from Harvard reported that resveratrol was able to increase the lifespan of yeast cells. The research, published in Nature, was greeted with international media fanfare and ignited flames of hope for an anti-ageing pill.
According to Sinclair’s findings, resveratrol activated a gene called sirtuin1 (Sirt1), which is also activated during calorie restriction in various species, including humans.
However, recent studies have suggested that resveratrol may exert its beneficial functions via Sirt1-independent mechanisms.
Professor Liu said that adiponectin has a wide range of beneficial effects on obesity-related medical complications, and noted that both adiponectin and resveratrol display anti-obesity, anti-insulin resistance and anti-aging properties.
Whilst recent research has identified that the expression DsbA-L – a protein that is known to regulate the expression of adiponectin – is significantly reduced in obese human subjects and mice.
Novel mechanism
The researchers reported that resveratrol significantly enhanced the levels of DsbA-L in animal cells.
Prof Liu told NutraIngredients-USA.com that this suggests that the promoting effects of resveratrol on adiponectin multimerization and expression are mainly mediated by up-regulating DsbA-L.
The researchers reported that the stimulatory effect of resveratrol was not affected by knocking out Sirt1 – thus confirming a novel, Sirt1 independent mechanism for the actions of resveratrol – but was reduced by the suppression of DsbA-L expression.
Critical role
“We have shown that resveratrol plays a positive role in regulating adiponectin expression and multimerization in adipocytes via a Sirt1-independent mechanism,” said the researchers.
They added that DsbA-L plays “a critical role” in promoting the effects of resveratrol on adiponectin, which in turn provides beneficial metabolic effects.
Prof Liu said that the discovery of such a novel mechanism for the benefits of resveratrol may help in the development of therapeutic treatments for metabolic diseases, but added that further research is needed to quantify any dose / response relationship between resveratrol intake and DsbA-L and adiponectin activation.
By Nathan Gray, 11-Jan-2011
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry
Published online ahead of print, 10.1074/jbc.M110.188144
“Up-regulation of Adiponectin by Resveratrol: The essential roles of the Akt/Fox01 and AMP-activated protein kinase signaling pathways and DsbA-L”
Authors: A. Wang, M. Liu, X. Liu, L.Q. Dong, R.D. Glickman, T.J. Slaga, Z. Zhou, F. Liu
http://www.nutraingredients.com
Resveratrol shows metabolic benefits for obese: Study
By Stephen Daniells, 11-Oct-2010
Daily intakes of resveratrol – a compound from red wine – may improve the metabolic profile of people with obesity, according to a new study from Denmark.
Writing in the International Journal of Obesity, researchers from Aarhus University report that resveratrol changed the production of certain compounds called adipokines from human fat cells, and produced an anti-inflammatory effect.
The study is reported to be the first to in vitro suggest resveratrol has anti-inflammatory effects on adipokine expression and secretion in human fat tissue.
“Small interfering molecules such as resveratrol are in this matter hypothesized to possess beneficial effects and might improve the metabolic profile in human obesity,” wrote the researchers, before adding that the results need to be replicated in vivo.
Resveratrol’s rosy potential
Resveratrol, a powerful polyphenol and anti-fungal chemical, is often touted as the bioactive compound in grapes and red wine, and has particularly been associated with the so-called 'French Paradox'. The phrase, coined in 1992 by Dr Serge Renaud from Bordeaux University, describes the low incidence of heart disease and obesity among the French, despite their relatively high-fat diet and levels of wine consumption.
Interest in the compound exploded in 2003 when research from David Sinclair and his team from Harvard reported that resveratrol was able to increase the lifespan of yeast cells. The research, published in Nature, was greeted with international media fanfare and ignited flames of hope for an anti-ageing pill.
According to Sinclair’s findings, resveratrol could activate a gene called sirtuin1 (Sirt1 – the yeast equivalent was Sir2), which is also activated during calorie restriction in various species, including monkeys.
Since then studies in nematode worms, fruit flies, fish, and mice have linked resveratrol to longer lives. Other studies with only resveratrol have reported anti-cancer effects, anti-inflammatory effects, cardiovascular benefits, anti-diabetes potential, energy endurance enhancement, and protection against Alzheimer’s.
Metabolic syndrome
The new study sought to investigate if the compound’s anti-inflammatory benefits extended to the low-grade inflammatory state associated with obesity. This is “characterized by abnormal levels of circulating proinflammatory factors and an abnormal production of bioactive factors/adipcytokines from the adipose tissue”, explained the researchers, and these adipocytokines are “suggested to have direct implications for the development of the metabolic syndrome”.
Led by Jen Olholm from the Department of Endocrinology at Aarhus University Hospital, the researchers examined the effects of resveratrol (Cayman Chemical) on levels of adipcytokines – particularly interleukin 1beta (IL-1B) – in human adipose tissue explants.
When human fat cells were exposed to IL-1B, the researchers noted increases in the secretion of pro-inflammatory compounds, including IL6, IL8, MCP-1. However, when the cells were simultaneously exposed to resveratrol, a 16 to 36 percent reduction in the expression of these cytokines was observed.
From human cell to human being
“Our results show that resveratrol ameliorates the proinflammatory response in human adipose tissue and increases adiponectin expression changes, which is hypothetically beneficial, as adipose tissue from obese individuals with metabolic syndrome, expresses lower adiponectin levels and higher levels of proinflammatory adipokines,” wrote the researchers.
“We are aware that it is difficult to compare in vitro incubations and in vivo conditions, and especially it is difficult to know whether the concentrations used in our study are a meaningful in a clinical setting.
“It is known that orally administrated resveratrol is rapidly absorbed and then quickly metabolized, but the local concentration of resveratrol in different tissue compartments are unknown and it is also not known if glucuronidated resveratrol can be locally de-glucuronidated and thus reach a higher local concentration.
“However, the concentration used in our in vitro experiments (50 mM) is similar to most other reports on resveratrol effects in different cell types,” they added.
Source: International Journal of Obesity
Volume 34, Pages 1546-1553; doi:10.1038/ijo.2010.98
“Anti-inflammatory effect of resveratrol on adipokine expression and secretion in human adipose tissue explants”
Authors: J. Olholm, S.K. Paulsen, K.B. Cullberg, B. Richelsen, S.B. Pedersen
Link: http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Resveratrol-shows-metabolic-benefits-for-obese-Study/?utm_source=Newsletter_Product&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2BProduct
Libertas Health Company Announces Addition of Dr. Stephen Williams to Scientific Advisory Board
September 30, 2010
Libertas Health Company is proud to announce the addition of Dr. Stephen Williams, MD, MPH, FACC to its Scientific Advisory Board. Dr Williams is an Asst. Professor of Medicine and the Director of the Vascular Medicine Center – Peripheral and Cardiac Intervention at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.
Dr. Williams attended Harvard Medical School and later completed his residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and fellowships at Texas Heart Institute and University of California at San Francisco. After time on the medical staff at Stanford University, he joined Cardiology Department at Johns Hopkins.
Libertas Health Company is proud to add Dr. Williams’ dedicated interest of vascular biology and keen interest in cardiovascular disease prevention to our Scientific Advisory Board team as we further develop our product family.
Resveratrol supplements could improve heart health: Study
By Nathan Gray, 07-Sep-2010
Daily supplements of resveratrol may improve vascular function and lead to improved cardiovascular health, according to new research.
The study published in Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases, is the first research to evaluate the acute effects of resveratrol supplementation on circulatory function, revealing that resveratrol improves flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) - a marker of cardiovascular function.
“Oral resveratrol supplementation elicited an acute dose related improvement in endothelium-dependent vasodilatation, as demonstrated by significant increases in FMD at each dose relative to the placebo,” wrote the researchers, led by Dr Narelle Berry from the University of South Australia.
The study used DSM’s ResVida resveratrol ingredient, and DSM supported the study.
Risk factor
Flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery is a marker of blood vessel function and cardiovascular health, and is recognised as an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
Impaired FMD is associated with several cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension and obesity, and is characterised by structural and functional changes to the blood vessel endothelium.
Various food ingredients, including polyphenols, and isofolavones , have been suggested to improve FMD.
The cardiovascular benefits of resveratrol - a polyphenol compound from red wine - have been suggested include, suppression of platelet aggregation, enhanced antioxidant status, and increased NO availability.
A key mechanism behind blood vessel endothelial dysfunction is suggested to involve the impaired release of nitric oxide (NO), causing blood vessels to constrict. Increased availability of resveratrol is suggested to increase NO production.
This study investigated if oral supplementation of resveratrol can enhance FMD, and assessing any potential dose-response relationship for this effect.
The research compared supplements of 30, 90, and 270 mg resveratrol with placebo in 19 overweight or obese subjects.
Proportional increases
The study revealed increasing doses of resveratrol were associated with proportional increases in plasma resveratrol concentrations.
Resveratrol was also seen to significantly improve FMD compared to placebo.
Resveratrol supplementation increased blood plasma concentrations from 4.1 in placebo to 7.7 after 270 mg resveratrol, and a significant linear relationship was found between resveratrol dose and acute FMD responses.
“Whilst the FMD assessment does not reveal whether resveratrol is acting on the endothelium or on vascular smooth muscle to enhance vasodilatation, there is evidence to suggest that resveratrol can increase endothelium-derived NO bioavailability,” wrote the authors.
The researchers note their results suggest that resveratrol could play a role in the reported cardiovascular health benefits of grapes and red wine.
“Further research is warranted to confirm the sustainability of the effect of resveratrol on FMD,” they added
Source: Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2010.03.003
“Acute resveratrol supplementation improves flow-mediated dilatation in overweight/obese individuals with mildly elevated blood pressure”
Authors: R.H.X. Wong, P.R.C. Howe, J.D. Buckley, A.M. Coates, I. Kunz,N.M. Berry
http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Resveratrol-supplements-could-improve-heart-health-Study
Resveratrol’s anti-inflammatory power gets human data boost
By Nathan Gray, 03-Aug-2010
New research has observed the suppressive effects of resveratrol on inflammation and oxidative stress in humans – the first time such effects have been observed.
Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are part of the root causes of many diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance, auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease.
The new study, published early online in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, investigated the effects of resveratrol-containing Polygonum cuspidatum extract (PCE) on oxidative stress and inflammation, by measuring its suppressive effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and a range inflammatory mediators.
The study, led by Prof. Paresh Dandonda from the University at Buffalo, suggests that resveratrol may reduce oxidative stress and inflammation through increased expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and a reduction in pro-inflammatory molecules.
“These comprehensive suppressive effects on ROS generation and inflammation are consistent with an anti-aging action of resveratrol” wrote the researchers.
Promise of long life
Resveratrol, a powerful polyphenol and anti-fungal chemical, is often suggested to be the bioactive compound in grapes and red wine.
Interest in resveratrol exploded in 2003 when research from David Sinclair and his team from Harvard reported that it was able to increase the lifespan of yeast cells. The research, published in Nature, was greeted with international media fanfare and ignited flames of hope for an anti-ageing pill.
Since then studies in nematode worms, fruit flies, fish, and mice have all linked resveratrol to longer lives. Other studies on resveratrol have reported anti-cancer effects, anti-inflammatory effects, cardiovascular benefits, anti-diabetes potential, energy endurance enhancement, and protection against Alzheimer’s.
Inflammatory effects
The aims of the new study were to investigate the effect of PCE on oxidative and inflammatory stress in normal human subjects. The researchers wrote: “There is data showing the anti-inflammatory effects [of resveratrol] in vitro, but there is no data demonstrating this in humans”
In the study, 20 healthy participants were randomized to receive placebo or PCE (containing 40mg resveratrol) over a six week period.
Researchers observed that the resveratrol rich PCE suppressed reactive oxygen species generation, and also suppressed binding of the pro-inflammatory cytokine NFkB. The study also saw a significant reduction in the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6, two major pro-inflammatory cytokines that are regulated by NFkB.
In parallel to these effects, the study witnessed a reduction in the expression of two major pro-inflammatory molecules (JNK-1 and IKKβ), leading to an anti-inflammatory response. The study also saw a reduction in the expression of SOCS-3, a protein that is modulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines.
“The observations suggest a potent anti-inflammatory effect of PCE containing resveratrol.”
Comprehensive effect
The results demonstrated in the research are the first time that such findings have been seen in humans, but are consistent with potential antiatherogenic and antiaging effects of resvertatrol. Concluding that PCE “has a comprehensive suppressive effect on oxidative and inflammatory stress.”
Prof. Dandona said that whilst the results of the study are promising, one drawback is that the research did not eliminate the possibility that something other than resveratrol was responsible for the observed anti-inflammatory response from PCE.
"The product we used has only 20 percent resveratrol, so it is possible that something else in the preparation is responsible for the positive effects. These agents could be even more potent than resveratrol. Purer preparations now are available and we intend to test those."
The authors state that “Longer term studies are required to determine whether these effects are durable and whether higher doses will produce a greater effect.”
Source: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 10.1210/jc.2010-0482, “An Antiinflammatory and Reactive Oxygen Species Suppressive Effects of an Extract of Polygonum Cuspidatum Containing Resveratrol”, Authors: H. Ghanim, C.Ling Sia, S. Abuaysheh, K. Korzeniewski, P. Patnaik, A. Marumganti, A. Chaudhuri, P. Dandona
http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Resveratrol-s-anti-inflammatory-power-gets-human-data-boost/?utm_source=Newsletter_Product&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2BProduct
Libertas Vascular Health was developed around the synergy of Rhodiola and Cordyceps to support P.A.D. patients in walking and exercise programs before and/or after endovascular or surgical procedures, just as the combination of these botanical supplements are often used to support tri-athletes in training and endurance events. See more on exercise programs for P.A.D. in the article below.
New Exercise Toolkit Provides A Guide For Peripheral Arterial Disease Professionals
Medical News Today
08 Jul 2010
The Vascular Disease Foundation (VDF) announced the launch of its new "Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Exercise Training Toolkit: A Guide for Health Care Professionals." This toolkit was developed jointly by the Vascular Disease Foundation (VDF) and the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).
This valuable new resource is now available to help health professionals develop supervised exercise programs for patients with intermittent claudication (leg discomfort from poor blood supply). Clinical practice guidelines for adults with PAD stress the importance of supervised exercise to improve functional capacity, decrease symptoms and achieve systemic risk-reduction benefits.
According to Dr. Marjorie King, chair of the toolkit writing group, a board member of VDF and a past president of AACVPR, "Most physicians recognize the importance of regular supervised exercise to improve symptoms of lower extremity claudication, but they may not be aware that cardiac rehabilitation, medical fitness, and wellness programs in their community can provide these services. The toolkit was developed so that a physician's recommendation of "get out and walk" can be accompanied by a referral to a program that follows evidence-based principles and protocols."
The toolkit includes information for exercise and rehabilitation professionals to implement appropriate and safe supervised exercise programs. It also includes practical tools such as sample brochures plus participant and staff education materials. The tool kit can be accessed at http://www.vdf.org/rehab-toolkit/index.php.
Source: American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Vascular Disease Foundation
Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/194135.php
FREE P.A.D. Screening This Weekend in New Orleans (July 2-3, 2010):
Dr. Desmond Bell and a team of Save A Leg, Save A Life Foundation volunteers (with the help of the Louisiana Department of Health) will be offering a free P.A.D. (Peripheral Arterial Disease) screening at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center located on the Riverfront in New Orleans, Louisiana, from 10am to 5pm Friday and Saturday during the Essence Music Festival weekend. Dr. Bell and the team will be performing screenings on attendees for Diabetes and P.A.D.
If you or a loved one is at risk for P.A.D. and/or Diabetes, please drop in to visit them.
P.A.D. risk factors include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and lack of physical activity.
Typical Symptoms of P.A.D. include:
• Claudication: pain, fatigue, heaviness, weakness, or cramping in muscles of the leg during walking and exercise that goes away with rest
• Sores, wounds, or ulcers that heal slowly or not at all, on toes, feet, or legs
• Color changes (blueness or paleness) or lower temperature (coolness) when compared to the other limb
• Poor hair and nail growth on feet or legs.
Why should I be concerned with P.A.D.?
P.A.D. is a marker for systemic atherosclerotic disease. Persons with P.A.D., compared to those without, have four to five times the risk of dying of a cardiovascular event, resulting in a two to three times higher total mortality risk.
Fore more information on Save A Leg, Save A Life Foundation, and on P.A.D., please visit the links below:
www.savealegsavealife.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lafayette-LA/Save-A-Leg-Save-A-Life-Foundation/115894302012?ref=ts
www.libertashealth.com
High-Altitude Research Advances Low-Altitude Medicine
06 May 2010
High altitude medicine is a "natural research laboratory" for the study of cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology. As such, it can shed light on conditions and diseases that mimic the low oxygen content of the atmosphere at the top of mountains. Yves Allemann, MD, FESC, Swiss Cardiovascular Center, University Hospital, Bern, and Urs Scherrer, MD, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, have assembled an international group of leading authorities to contribute to a special issue of Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases dedicated to high-altitude medicine and novel insights into disease mechanisms provided by high-altitude research.
"We have demonstrated that in recent years, the scope of high-altitude research has broadened considerably, because it has become clear that high-altitude offers a unique opportunity to study fundamental mechanisms of disease," according to Guest Editors Allemann and Scherrer. "During the past decade, high-altitude studies have elucidated fundamental novel mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of lung edema and hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. The new knowledge generated by these high-altitude studies has already been transferred to the bedside of patients having these problems at low altitude. Second and equally important, we have shown that high-altitude exposure facilitates the detection of vascular dysfunction in humans. Capitalizing on this observation, high-altitude exposure of young apparently healthy children has allowed demonstrating fetal programming of vascular dysfunction at a very early stage. We predict that high-altitude exposure, real or simulated, will become an important tool for the detection of early vascular dysfunction in humans."
At high altitude, lack of oxygen principally affects the respiratory, cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, and renal systems. At low altitude, the same effects may occur, not due to ambient lack of oxygen, but as the result of hypoxemia, deficient oxygenation of the blood, which is the consequence of an organ insufficiency, usually the heart or the lung.
Allemann and Scherrer observe that "the ultimate goal of most high-altitude researchers is not only to understand physiologic (mal)adaptation to hypoxia for the benefit of the millions exposing themselves to high altitude, but to think beyond that, imagining how the knowledge gained from field research at high altitude may be applied to the much larger number of patients with hypoxia/hypoxemia-associated diseases."
Read full articlie...
April 3, 2010
Libertas Health Company, LLC today announced the launch of it’s new website and of the company’s two products focused on supporting peripheral vascular and cardiovascular health: Libertas Vascular Health and Libertas Red.
Libertas Vascular Health is designed specifically for those concerned with the effects of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), a form of Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD). Our natural supplement uniquely combines essential B vitamins known to support vascular health with the key ingredients, Rhodiola and Cordyceps.
PAD is a condition that afflicts an estimated 12 million Americans, and occurs when plaque accumulates in the arteries and blocks blood flow in the legs. These blockages can result in claudication, severe leg pain, limited physical mobility, and may ultimately lead to amputation.
Recently, we’ve seen an abundance of very relevant research on the positive effect all natural, non-prescription supplements have on cardiovascular health. Libertas Red is designed to be an all-natural, supplemental cardiovascular protectant that provides a spectrum of well-recognized ingredients to support cardiovascular health. Containing Resveratrol, Grape Seed Extract, Red Yeast Rice, and Vitamin D, Red provides both anti-oxidant properties and cardiovascular health support that we all seek in a natural dietary supplement as a possible alterative to prescription medications.
About Libertas Health Company, LLC
Founded in early 2008, Libertas Health Company, LLC was established to provide the highest quality of a uniquely balanced combination of vitamins, herbs, and natural supplements to optimize cardiovascular health, and support the tissues that arteries nourish. The medical community today is shifting toward more of a preventative medicine focus, driven by the integration of natural nutritional supplementation. Libertas leads this trend through the development of thoughtful, science-backed, disease-focused nutritional supplements. Headquartered in Fairhope, Alabama, Libertas sells its unique supplements throughout North America.
The Libertas team brings dedicated and extensive experience in both cardiovascular medicine and endovascular product launches, from the perspective of both a health care professional and industry professional. Libertas Health Company was formed after we recognized a void in all-natural nutritional supplement offerings related to Peripheral Arterial Disease. PAD results from plaque that accumulates in the arteries and blocks blood flow in the legs. These blockages can result in severe pain for patients and very limited physical mobility. Through Libertas, we continue to promote cardiovascular disease awareness and PAD education and outreach. It is with great pride and focus that we launch our first two products, Libertas Vascular Health and Red. For more information, please visit our website at www.libertashealth.com.