Lactic acid

• This Notice of Allowance is expected to result in the issuance of a U.S. patent once administrative processes are completed.
• The allowed claims cover methods of contraception with a composition that encompasses Phexxi® (lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate) vaginal gel.
• The patent, when issued, will be Evofem's fifth patent for Phexxi in the United States.
• "This patent allowance attests to the innovation Phexxi brings to contraception and a woman's ability to protect herself from unintended pregnancy with no hormones."

• TAIPEI, April 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SYNPET, a subsidiary brand of SYNBIO TECH, a leading lactobacillus manufacturer based in Taiwan, is proud to announce its participation at the upcoming Petfood Forum 2024.
• At Petfood Forum 2024, SYNPET will showcase its headlining product:
  GABA 20: A postbiotic designed for pets to boost immunity, reduce stress and aggressive behavior.
• "We are thrilled to participate in Petfood Forum 2024 and introduce our innovative probiotic solutions to the pet food industry," said Tammy Chang, Vice President of SYNBIO TECH.
• For media inquiries or to schedule an interview with SYNPET representatives at Petfood Forum 2024, please contact:

• Phexxi is the first and only locally-acting contraceptive gel approved by the FDA.
• It is applied zero-to-60 minutes before intercourse and works, without hormones, by maintaining the natural vaginal biome with a pH that is naturally inhospitable to sperm.
• The renegotiated rebate improves Evofem's rebate on Medi-Cal prescriptions by 7.4%, while affording price protection to Medi-Cal against future Phexxi WAC increases.
• Medi-Cal beneficiaries may receive one box of 12 single-use Phexxi applicators per dispensing, and up to three boxes in any 75-day period.

• An experimental study, released today, looks into whether apple cider vinegar could be effective for weight loss, reduce blood glucose levels and reduce blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides).
• The results suggest it could reduce all three – but it might not be as simple as downing an apple cider vinegar drink a day.

What did they do?

• A control group consumed an inactive drink (a placebo) made (from lactic acid added to water) to look and taste the same.
• The study was also double-blinded, which means neither the participants or the scientists involved with collecting the data knew who was in which group.

So, what did they find?

• After a period of three months apple cider vinegar consumption was linked with significant falls in body weight and body mass index (BMI).
• On average, those who drank apple cider vinegar during that period lost 6–8kg in weight and reduced their BMI by 2.7–3 points, depending on the dose.
• The authors also report significant decreases in levels of blood glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol in the apple cider groups.

Is this good news?

• Firstly, study participants were aged from 12 to 25, so we can’t say whether the results could apply to everyone.
• And while the researchers kept records of the participants’ diet and exercise during the study, these were not published in the paper.
• This could be important and influence results if people who did not lose weight quit due to lack of motivation.

Read more:
Turns out the viral 'Sleepy Girl Mocktail' is backed by science. Should you try it?

Any other concerns?

Apple cider vinegar is acidic and there are concerns it may erode tooth enamel. This can be a problem with any acidic beverages, including fizzy drinks, lemon water and orange juice. To minimise the risk of acid erosion some dentists recommend the following after drinking acidic drinks:

Read more:
Apple cider vinegar: is drinking this popular home remedy bad for your teeth? A dentist explains

Down the hatch?

• This study provides us with some evidence of a link between apple cider vinegar and weight loss.
• This would provide more robust evidence that apple cider vinegar could be a useful aid for weight loss.

Evangeline Mantzioris is affiliated with Alliance for Research in Nutrition, Exercise and Activity (ARENA) at the University of South Australia. Evangeline Mantzioris has received funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, and has been appointed to the National Health and Medical Research Council Dietary Guideline Expert Committee.