Incredibly, the venom of a Southern copperhead snake may hold a cure for cancer.  The saliva of a gila monster could help diabetics produce their own insulin. Puffer fish might provide relief for sufferers of chronic pain. Today, scientists are learning that venoms have a flipside buried deep in their chemistry - lifesaving components with promising medical uses and impressive new possibilities - new drugs, new cures, new ways to save lives.

For instance, researchers have discovered that molecules called peptides, secreted by rain forest frogs to ward off predators, have the potential to:

• Dramatically reduce high blood pressure
• Stop blood clotting, an effective tool in the fight against Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and heart disease
• Tackle conditions that are resistant to treatment by conventional antibiotics
• Help tackle cancer tumors and leukemia and protect bone marrow against damage during chemotherapy

Peptides obtained from the Giant Mexican Leaf Frog have been found to reduce blood pressure by 50% when administered in very low doses under laboratory conditions. This unlocks the potential for new drugs to help people suffering from high blood pressure.

The same frog also produces a peptide which stops blood from clotting, opening the way for new treatments for Deep Vein Thrombosis - also known as ‘economy class syndrome‘ - lethal blood clots affecting passengers on long haul aircraft flights.  Until this is perfected, don’t forget to wear your travel socks.

A Tree Frog from Australia has peptides which are effective in tackling conditions which are resistant to conventional antibiotics, an increasingly alarming problem in medicine. The peptides work in a novel way embedding themselves in the membrane of the bacteria and effectively bursting the cell. Bacteria cannot become resistant to them.

Molecules from a North American Pond Frog are similar to messenger molecules in the human body which are known to stimulate or inhibit the growth of cancer tumors. This could lead to the development of treatments for tackling tumors. Other potential uses are in the fight against leukemia and reducing the damage to bone marrow from chemotherapy treatment.

If we can use the biological weaponry evolved in the frog’s venom to fight against cancer, heart disease and neuro-degenerative diseases, this could be a giant leap forward for medicine.

To learn more about these amazing discoveries in nature, checkout The Venom Cure on PBS.

If you have diabetes, you know you have to carefully monitor your blood, exercise, eat well and of course wear diabetic socks from BrightLife Direct!

We love helping you take care of your feet, and we want the rest of you to be fit and healthy too.   To that end, check out the diabetic friendly recipes at AllRecipes.com.  They have a great selection of diabetic friendly recipes for entrees, snacks, and desserts using fresh summer ingredients.

Ai Miyazato who turned 25 on Saturday, won the ShopRite LPGA Classic on Sunday and is now the #1 ranked female golfer in the world according to the Rolex Rankings released today.  And she did it wearing compression socks!

At any age, and in any weather, compression socks can improve your performance.

From an interview done yesterday with LPGA.com (to read the full interview, click here)

Q. I’m sure you get asked this all the time. The socks, are they comfortable? Were they comfortable today in 100 degree heat? Is that your trademark? Sometimes golfers have their look.
AI MIYAZATO: Yeah. It was pretty hot today. I thought maybe I got wrong message today. But these are compression socks as well, so it helps my muscles, and you won’t get tired towards the end of the round. So it helps me a lot and (through interpreter) and if they can become my trademark, that would be great, too.

If you suffer from edema and/or lymphedema, summer heat and humidity are not your friends.  We recently came across this very useful article,  Swelling & Summer in the South, about the effects of summer heat and humidity on the lymphatic system.   Written by Dr. Madeline Chatlain, CDT-LANA, OTR/L, owner of Hilton Head Occupational Therapy, Myofascial Rehabilitation and Lymphedema Services in Hilton Head, SC, it has some very useful suggestions to help control summer swelling.

An interesting note from the article we weren’t aware of, DEET the active ingredient in many insect repellents can severely damage compression stockings.

SIGVARIS has become the exclusive supplier of graduated compression socks and stockings to LPGA’s Brittany Lincicome.  SIGVARIS and Brittany will collaborate on educating the golf community (golf professionals and recreational golfers) on all the benefits of graduated compression socks, both on and off the golf course. SIGVARIS offers both medical compression socks and stockings as well as life-style compression socks like their Athletic Recovery Sock for sports, travel and professions requiring prolonged sitting or standing.

“I was unaware of the differences that a graduated compression sock could make in my performance, but my recovery is quicker from my workouts and that allows me to focus on my golf game. SIGVARIS graduated compression socks work wonderfully and make my legs feel energized and lighter,” says Brittany Lincicome.

SIGVARIS recently wrapped up a golf trial involving graduated compression socks and their effect on golfers when used during an 18-hole golf round. An impressive 94% of the test-golfers (n=36) said they would recommend the SIGVARIS Compression Golf Socks to their fellow golfers and colleagues.

Wearing compression during and after strenuous exercise or competition may help flush out lactic acid and also provide symptomatic relief of delayed onset leg muscle soreness. Graduated compression socks can also be worn to help support, by stimulating blood circulation, recovery from sports injuries. Graduated compression stockings should always be worn for longer air-travel to prevent blood stasis, and if cleared by a physician, during pregnancy to relieve swollen ankles and leg edema.

If you already know about Orthaheel you’ll be delighted to learn that we just received 7 new Spring/Summer styles in 16 new colors.  If you are not familiar with Orthaheel, read on.

Orthaheel is the footwear solution for people who ordinarily cannot wear flip-flops or sandals because they require extra support around the foot and ankle.  Orthaheels have a built-in orthotic and are recommended by the American Podiatric Medical Association.  They are clinically proven to reduce pronation and relieve associated heel and ankle pain.  Because of the support provided by unique biomechanical orthotic technology in the footbed, Orthaheel footwear helps improve natural foot function and provides well-being with every step.  By restoring the foot’s natural alignment, the feet, ankles and legs are able to function dynamically as they were intended.

Orthaheel shoes and sandals always receive very high marks from our customer reviews.  Particularly from people who normally suffer from plantar fasciitis, knee, heel and lower back pain.

Orthaheel products are backed by BrightLife Direct’s 30-day ”Walk Pain Free” guarantee.

One reason that many people wear compression hosiery is to aid in the prevention or treatment of blood clots (thrombosis).  Since March is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) month we thought we would share some very basic information about blood clots that we received from the National Alliance of Thrombosis and Thrombophilia.

Thrombosis is the medical term used to describe a blood clot.  Generally, this term is used to refer to blood clots that occur in the veins of the body (DVT or PE described below).

Thrombophilia is a medical term used to describe a predisposition to developing blood clots.

Q. What is a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?

A.  A DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) is a blood clot that forms in the leg veins, typically beginning in the calf  veins.

Q. What is a Pulmonary Embolism (PE)?

A.  A PE (Pulmonary Embolism) is caused by a blood clot, typically in the leg, groin, or pelvic veins (and occasionally in the upper extremity veins) which breaks free and travels to the lung arteries.

Q. What is the relationship between a DVT and a PE?

A.  A DVT is often the source of a clot that travels to the lung arteries and becomes a PE.

Q. What fraction of people with a DVT get a PE?

A. The risk varies depending on the location of the clot. The risk for a PE increases the higher up in the leg the DVT occurs. For example, a calf DVT has a lower risk of breaking off and becoming a PE than a clot behind the knee or one in the groin or pelvic veins. Essentially, the larger the vein with the clot, the greater the risk of  developing a PE.

Q .What fraction of people with a PE have an identifiable DVT?

A. One-third to two-thirds.

Q. What is the frequency of clots among men and women?

A. About equal.

Q. What is the rate of death in people who have a PE?

A. This depends upon age, health, and underlying medical conditions, as well as the cause of the PE.

Compression socks are becoming more and more popular in athletic circles for their health benefits. No longer are they something to be avoided because they aren’t perceived as “cool”, in fact, they are now seen as a great accessory to anyone who is serious about performance and well-being.

Compression socks are designed to act as support systems for your legs and feet by improving circulation, controlling your body’s temperature, lessening fatigue, and giving good support to your muscles and ligaments. They are more than tight socks - they are designed with high quality materials and stitching for maximum comfort and what is referred to as graduated compression. This means that they are tighter at the ankle and less tight at the top. This improves blood circulation to your heart - an obvious benefit to athletes. In addition, many athletes find that compression will aid in muscle recovery after a rigorous workout or event, because it flushes lactic acid from the muscles.

Whether you are a recreational athlete or a serious competitor, be sure to include compression socks in your list of must-have gear and equipment. They provide circulatory support that has been proven medically and can allow faster recovery time for your aching, sore and tired muscles.

Economy Class Syndrome refers to the situation of being trapped on an airplane in a rigid seat with little leg room or room in the cabin to walk around. Not only is this an uncomfortable situation, it can also be dangerous to your health. Sitting for extended lengths of time can impede blood flow in your legs causing swelling, fatigue and even blood clots. Travel socks are very helpful to use in these situations because they counteract this problem. They are medically designed to apply gradual compression to promote good circulation in your legs and feet. They are tightest around the ankle and the pressure lessens up the leg. This stops blood from pooling or clotting. For this reason, travel socks are also great for alleviating the pain and discomfort of varicose veins and can prevent muscles from going into spasm.

Some of the features that travel socks have are a comfortable fit, tops that don’t bind or pinch the legs, but which stay up, and smooth seams. They come in all kinds of colors and styles for men and women, and are generally available in either a spandex and/or cotton nylon blends. Be sure to keep a few pairs on hand for whenever you need to travel to counteract the discomfort and risk of economy class syndrome!

People who suffer from aching legs will tell you that it is no small thing to suffer from. It impacts nearly every aspect of their life, from sitting to sleeping, to walking and standing. It is something that is very common, but thankfully, easily treatable with proper shoes and support socks. Interestingly enough, people often overlook or discount these simple solutions, thinking that relief could not come from anything that isn’t more invasive or costly.

Purchasing a good pair of shoes with ample support and cushioning for each of your activities such as walking, running, and going out, will go a long way to alleviate the discomfort of aching legs. Go through your old shoes and get rid of anything that is poorly or cheaply made, has too high a heel, is too soft to provide any real support, or that is just ill-fitting. Replace them with proper, well-made shoes that provide good arch support and ample cushioning.

In addition, you should invest in a number of pairs of compression hosiery - also known as support hose or socks. If you have any swelling in your lower legs, it is best to put your hose on in the morning when swelling is at its least.  Wear them anytime you are out and about, where you have to stand or walk for an extended period of time. This is especially important for people in occupations where standing or walking a lot is the norm.

Proper shoes and socks are a small investment for a troublesome problem!