The Original Tuck-Away Belt

For over 15 years, the Tuck-Away Belt has provided peritoneal dialysis patients with comfort and support for thier catheter. The Tuck-Away Belt is simple to use, and available in black or white, and in 4 different sizes. Made in Canada.

• Small 26–32”
• Medium 32–42”
• Large 40–50”
• XL 48–58”

Tuck-Away Belts are machine washable can be put in the dryer or steam ironed.

The Reluctant Donor

Author Suzanne Ruff comes from a family that has been plagued by kidney disease for generations. In her lifetime, she has lost her mother, several aunts and uncles, and cousins to Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), the most common of all life-threatening genetic diseases. Both of her sisters inherited the disease. She did not. When her younger sister fell ill shortly after their mother’s death in 2003, Ruff decided to do something about it. She had always been afraid of doctors and needles, but says with God’s help she found the courage to save JoAnn’s life by donating a kidney. In the months leading up to the surgery, which took place on Oct. 19, 2004, Ruff spent a lot of time journaling, and published a book based on her notes and memories. Her hope is that The Reluctant Donor (Beaver’s Pond Press, April 2010, $14.95) will find its way into the hands of others who are facing a difficult life-and-death decision, and help them find the courage they need to get through it.

Theraworx™

Theraworx is an all-natural solution designed to cleanse and nourish the skin. The skin-healthy formula lasts for hours after skin application, providing long-lasting moisture and protection. Containing no alcohols, it leaves your skin soft and comfortable rather than cracked and dry. Patented in 2002, this product has blossomed into a full line of skin-healthy products safe for the entire family, but strong enough for the clinician.

Theraworx is a skin-healthy solution to cleanse, moisturize, and protect your skin. The science behind the magic is multi-factorial and was designed over a period of years. First created by a dermatologist a decade ago, it has undergone a creation of its own. With ingredients included by category to perform numerous tasks, its base solution can be safely manipulated to become an entire line of products dedicated to meet the needs of the times.

Each ingredient is critical along with the methods used to provide a stable, reliable product. Theraworx is distributed only after undergoing a unique treatment process. This allows us to provide a product free of chemicals and alcohols so often used to prevent bacterial growth. Each ingredient is added in clinically significant amounts to assure function, not simply to look good on the label.

TOPICAINE® Anesthetic Gel

ESBA Laboratories has manufactured TOPICAINE® Anesthetic Gel since 1995. TOPICAINE is preferred for pain relief by both physicians and patients worldwide. An over-the-counter product, it is accessible to everyone and can be purchased directly from ESBA Laboratories by calling 800-677-9299. Orders are sent out within one business day. Pricing is very reasonable and a discount program is in place for dialysis patients.

TOPICAINE is a non-oily, translucent gel containing Lidocaine 4% in a drug delivery system with skin permeation enhancers and soothing agents. Applied 30 to 60 minutes, numbing effects will last approximately twice the application time (1–2 hours).

TOPICAINE showed the highest level of anesthetic efficacy overall in an independent clinical study conducted at the Department of Dermatology, New York University.

Vital4Cholest™

Vital4Cholest™ is a powerful combination of four natural ingredients (policosanol, phytosterols, citrus polymethoxylated flavones, and palm tocotrienols) to help maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.

Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol which include two servings of foods that provide a daily total of at least 0.65 g of phytosterol esters or 0.4 g of free phytosterols per serving in two meals may reduce the risk of heart disease. A daily serving of Vital4Cholest supplies 800 mg of free phytosterols.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

VitalOils1000™

Numerous studies associate a diet rich in Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) with multiple health benefits, especially better cardiovascular health. In fact, the FDA permits the following qualified health claim: “Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA + DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.” Because of increased evidence for the cardiovascular benefits of fish oils, the American Heart Association recommends that those with heart disease consume 1000 mg (1 gram) of EPA+DHA per day. For patients who need to lower triglycerides, they recommend 2 to 4 grams of EPA+DHA per day provided as capsules under a physician’s care.

VitalOils1000™ is the first and only omega-3 fish oil product with a full 1,000 mg of DHA + EPA in a single enteric coated soft gel. The DHA to EPA ratio is 3:1 in order to provide us with what we typically get in eating healthful fish, such as salmon. It is enteric coated for enhanced absorption and easier digestion; those who experience upset stomach and nausea with fish oil supplements should find VitalOils1000 easy to digest and free from the fishy aftertaste. Individually sealed for freshness and purity, VitalOils1000 is molecular and fractionally distilled to remove mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, dioxins, furans, and other heavy metals and toxins. Rosemary extract and vitamin C are added for antioxidant protection.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

VitalProteinRx™ Protein Bars

With kidney failure, you need high-quality protein to stay healthy and live longer. The best serum albumin (protein) level is 4.0 g/dL or higher. VitalRemedyMD has a new protein supplement that you don’t have to drink—and it tastes great!

VitalProteinRx™ Protein Bars are a state-of-the-art medical food.* Each tasty bar packs 20 grams of bioavailable protein, more than a serving of fish, chicken, or beef.

Designed for people on dialysis, each bar has less than 1 gram of sugar. The Chocolate Brownie bar has just 105 mg sodium, 240 mg potassium, and 10% of your daily phosphorus; the Lemon Zest bar has 140 mg sodium, just 45 mg potassium, and 10% of your phosphorus limit; and the Peanut Butter bar has 230 mg sodium, just 135 mg potassium, and 15% of your daily phosphorus.

*Note: Medical foods must be used by people who are under a doctor’s care.

VitalRemedyMD donates part of the proceeds of these bars to the non-profit Medical Education Institute, Inc., who runs this website.

VitalRenew™

VitalRenew™ is an anti-aging formula designed to support healthy mitochondrial function, protect cells against free radical damage, and provide increased energy.

L-carnitine is an amino acid-derived compound necessary for transport of long chain fatty acids as fuel into the mitochondria. L-carnitine’s central role in muscle function has drawn the attention of clinicians and researchers to clinical applications related to this role and its ability to increase energy. Studies have found feeding older animals L-carnitine results in a return of liver and heart mitochondria to a more youthful state.

Alpha lipoic acid is a highly effective nutritional antioxidant in bolstering cellular and tissue levels of glutathione. As dihydrolipoic acid, alpha lipoic acid is one of very few antioxidant molecules small enough to penetrate the mitochondria directly and protect against age-related mitochondrial decay.

CoQ10 is an antioxidant and is essential for the conversion of the food we eat into energy. Organs that have tremendous energy requirements such as the brain, heart and kidneys, possess much greater numbers of the energy-producing mitochondria and thus need more CoQ10. With age, the level of CoQ10 has been found to decrease, affecting the body’s energy production.

Resveratrol, a polyphenol present in red wine, has been thought to be responsible for the cardiovascular benefits associated with moderate wine consumption. New research suggests that by regulating a gene associated with aging, resveratrol could promote longevity.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D is not only important for proper absorption of calcium and the maintenance of bone health, but also for maintaining healthy joints, a healthy cardiovascular system, and healthy moods. In addition, vitamin D plays an important role in regulating cell division and differentiation and supports immune system function through its effects on macrophages, natural killer cells (NK), and T cells. Scientific data indicate that vitamin D also has a role in helping to maintain breast, prostate, colon, and kidney health.

Vitamin D is not found naturally in many foods. In fact, most of the vitamin is produced as D3 in our bodies by the action of sunlight on 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin. As people age, they often lose the ability to make vitamin D.

Low levels of vitamin D are common, especially in older people and those living in the northern latitudes. Supplementing with vitamin D3 becomes critical. A recent review in the New England Journal of Medicine criticized current recommended intakes for vitamin D for being inadequate, suggesting they be increased to at least 800 IU of vitamin D3 per day. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is preferred to vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), as it has been shown to raise blood levels 70% better than D2.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Winco Hemodialysis Recliners

Winco offers recliners that provide the features required in dialysis centers with amazing comfort, contemporary style, and a modern form suited for the home. Coverings are available in a wide pallet of colors to match any décor and are stain resistant, easily cleaned, and easily disinfected with built-in antimicrobial properties. Model 6700 features durable and comfortably-contoured urethane arms to help protect the upholstery while providing a sleek and modern finish. Our model 6940 offers the same benefits, with the additional feature of swing-away arm construction on each side allowing easier transition from a wheel chair and enhanced cleaning accessibility. Winco clinical recliners feature a unique banding support system with no springs, wood, or other hard surface to create discomfort over time. All models are available with heat-only or heat-and-massage options.