HEALTH

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Friday warned consumers about a counterfeit product represented as "ExtenZe," which is the name of an authentic dietary supplement for male sexual enhancement.

The counterfeit product looks similar to the actual product, but either contains tadalafil, or a combination of tadalafil and sildenafil, all active ingredients in FDA-approved prescription medicines for erectile dysfunction.

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Monday named Taylor Wallace to the post of senior director, scientific and regulatory affairs.

“Dr. Wallace’s background will nicely complement that of our well-established scientific team, and we’re looking forward to the fresh perspective his background will provide,” CRN president and CEO Steve Mister said. “We were impressed with the amount of work he has published in his short career along with the relationships he has built within the scientific research community.”

WASHINGTON — More than 25% of American women are focused on and proactive about their health and well-being, according to a national study released last week by “Life…supplemented.”

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. — According to a report in the May issue of Cell Metabolism, while drugs known as thiazolidinediones, or TZDs, are widely used in diabetes treatment, they have effects on the kidneys that lead to fluid retention as the volume of plasma in the bloodstream expands.

"TZDs usually increase body weight by several kilograms," stated George Seki of the University of Tokyo. "However, TZDs sometimes cause massive volume expansion, resulting in heart failure."

NEW YORK — Diabetics that have trouble sleeping likely experience high insulin resistance and have a more difficult time controlling the disease, according to study findings published in the June issue of Diabetes Care.

Researchers said they monitored the sleep of 40 subjects with diabetes for a duration of six nights and also measured the subjects' insulin and glucose levels during clinical examinations. The subjects also reported if they generally suffered from symptoms of such sleep disturbances as insomnia, snoring or sleep apnea.

WASHINGTON — More than 800 drugs are in development for diseases that affect women, according to a pharmaceutical industry lobbying group.

SAN FRANCISCO — Joint Juice earlier in the week announced a partnership with National Football League Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana on the Joint Juice challenge.

To kick off the partnership, Joint Juice and Montana launched a contest: “Do What You Love with Joe Montana.” Americans who share their joint health success stories will be entered to win an all-expenses-paid trip to spend an afternoon doing their favorite activity with the legendary football star, as well as $5,000 in cash.

WASHINGTON — The Health Choices Coalition sent a letter to members of Congress, urging them to repeal legislation that limits coverage of over-the-counter medicines.

The coalition is looking to Congress to repeal a provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that prevents consumers from using their flexible spending accounts to purchase OTCs without first getting a doctor's prescription. Members of the Health Choices Coalition are urging Congress to take action in order to allow consumers to use their FSAs for OTCs.