Sick and tired or feeling sick and tired is the thought that Dr. Fragomeni would like the people to ponder. He is board certified in natural medicine as well as metabolic and functional medicine. He is a strong believer in the innate ability the body possesses to heal itself when we get to the root cause of diseases and conditions. Specifically, he educates practitioners, patients and coaches on methodologies, protocols and behavioral medicine approaches that help improve outcomes of various disease states that fall predominantly on the cardio metabolic disease spectrum.
Below are the questions Dr. Fragomeni and his profound answers.
How did you become involved with Natural Medicine as well as Clinical and Herbal Innovations Inc.?
My Dad suffered a massive coronary at the age of 56 and died in my arms after ongoing administration of CPR. Obviously, in that moment, I was crushed. For a long time, I blamed myself for not having the skills that I may have learned if I had stuck with the plan of going to medical school immediately after attending college. Eventually, I came to understand, that what really killed my father was the fact that he was a typical average American suffering through life on the Cardiometabolic Disease Spectrum. He was overweight, did not exercise, ate the Standard American Diet, did not handle stress well, and was on meds for hypertension (high blood pressure) and dyslipidemia (poor cholesterol regulation).
I began to ask myself the question many people do, “Is it just about genetics?” “Am I destined for the same fate?” Luckily, what we know now, is that genes only contribute roughly 20% to most disease states, whilst epigenetic influences (how we live our lives) are responsible for the other 80%. This is good news! An awful lot can be done to improve your health if you are on the cardiometabolic disease spectrum. Furthermore, I began to form an opinion that the traditional approach of allopathic medicine was typically not getting to the root cause of most disease states (diagnosis), and often resorted to a “pill for an ill” approach. I knew there had to be a better way, and I found a teacher close to home.
Unlike the story of my dad’s life journey, my grandfather thrived until his passing in his mid 90’s. With the diametrically opposed example of his life experience as a guidepost, I began exploring the areas of what now would be labeled as lifestyle medicine. He was a role model, my greatest teacher, and he was adamant that to live a life of health and wellbeing, one must live a balanced life. I remember cleaning out his house after he passed, and finding countless books from the likes of Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, Albert Ellis, and many books on his favorite topic of plant biology and gardening. However, the most notable books that drew my attention were several written by Andrew Weil, the Godfather of Integrative Medicine Model that is finally gaining traction today.
Almost 30 years later, after a successful career as an analyst and business development leader for two major financial firms, I made radical changes in my life. I left my former career behind after my youngest finished college, and finally dug into my lifelong passion to learn more about clinical nutrition, and the intertwined fields of anti-aging, metabolic, functional, and natural medicine. During my studies it became very apparent that the black and brown skinned populations were suffering disproportionately from cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Children in these populations are targeted by the expert advertisers pushing fast food, highly processed foods, and sugar laden beverages. The results are alarming. Far too many children are diagnosed every day with “adult-onset diabetes.” Obesity rates for the Hispanic and Black communities are 12-15% higher than the Caucasian population and almost 60% of Black adults have high blood pressure. My mission became clear, “How could I serve the underserved populations, and prevent someone else from having their father pass the way mine had.”
Last year a colleague of mine introduced me to the founder and several key individuals involved in Clinical and Herbal Innovations Inc. As I learned, they had developed a flagship patented product (Panoxol™) that was showing great promise in supporting folks on the cardiometabolic spectrum. Naturally, I had a high level of interest in learning more about the product and the company. Many of the folks involved are Black. The inventor of the patented formulation (John Richards, MD) is a Black Medical Doctor who served as the Chief Medical Officer for the Department of Energy under three presidents. The focus and charter of the company is built upon a mission to help those in the aforementioned communities. The more I got to know about the product, company and individuals involved, it became a simple decision to join the company as Chief Science Officer and help drive our common mission to achieve better health outcomes in those oft underserved communities.
Tell us the story behind the development of this formulation which eliminates the feeling of being sick and tired.
Dr. Richards and his nephew Keith Matthews were asked to help a friend of the family who had long been suffering with non-responsive hypertension. He (let’s call him patient zero) had become increasingly frustrated with traditional medicine and had begun researching alternative therapies that may help lower his blood pressure. As you could imagine, this would be a daunting task for anyone, let alone a lay person. As serendipity would have it, the three came together and started exploring natural remedies. In short, after a ton of trial and error, the final combination of natural ingredients including two amino acids was arrived at.
It was theorized that this combination may possibly support many of the symptoms experienced by those on the cardio metabolic disease spectrum, including hypertension. The arduous work paid off, and remarkably, his numbers came down, he started to have more energy, lost weight, and finally felt that he had taken back control of his health. In full disclosure, I am not claiming that what worked for “patient zero” will work for everyone suffering with cardio metabolic sicknesses.
If this story resonates, and you are interested in exploring any alternative treatment protocol, please check with your doctor beforehand. Astoundingly, several years later, after a bit of back and forth with the US Patent office, a patent was issued for the trios’ formulation which is now called Panoxol™. This is remarkable given the standards that must be met to receive a patent. Few supplement companies are able to attain the status of having a patented supplement formulation.
How do I know if I should consider using this product, and do I need a prescription?
Firstly, this is a supplement, and it does not require a prescription from your doctor. As I mentioned above, do not start any new protocols, or stop the use of any medication without a conversation with your doctor. Furthermore, I am not making any claims that Panoxol™ will treat or prevent a specific disease or condition. Disclosures aside, Panoxol™ can either be utilized as a centerpiece in a natural medicine protocol, or as an ancillary component to a traditional prescription regimen. Virtually anyone on the cardio metabolic disease spectrum or who does not want to progress onto the spectrum may want to consider Panoxol™. Furthermore, the formulation in part may help support healthier levels of Nitric Oxide which is a big part of supplementation by many athletes and exercise enthusiasts.
You have mentioned the cardio metabolic disease spectrum. How do I know if I am on it?
That question merits a bit of discussion. Certainly, if you are on medications for high blood pressure, poor cholesterol regulation or insulin/sugar dysregulation, then you are on the spectrum. Sadly, many people have much disdain and angst around going to the doctors and discovering what their numbers are. In fact, it is this aversion that has led to high blood pressure being described as the “silent killer.” Out of sight and out of mind is not a good approach. Please get yourself tested and know your numbers and what they mean. Here is a bullet list of conditions to help define whether this applies to you.
- 20-30lbs overweight
- Edema
- Hypertension
- Dyslipidemia
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Cognitive Decline
- Poor Circulation
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Lack of Energy
- Easily Winded
This is only a partial list. Sadly, almost 70% of Americans are likely on the “spectrum”.
What are the ingredients in the Panoxol™?
The current formulation is called Panoxol Plus™, and it contains eight ingredients which are listed in bullets below. Interestingly, this formulation is made up of a full complement of ingredients that allow the health practitioners, who may not be well schooled in natural medicine, easy access to a robust protocol in a bottle. This patented formulation seeks to address and support several of the areas of concern for those on the cardio metabolic disease spectrum. It can either be used alongside existing prescription medications or as a centerpiece in natural medicine regimen.
(From here forward we will refer to the “spectrum” as the CMDS)
Panoxol Plus™ Ingredients
Vitamin D-125mcg
Cayenne-580mg
L-Citrulline-500mg
L-Arginine-500mg
Red Yeast Rice-300mg
Horse Chestnut-250mg
Gingko Biloba-120mg
Fulvic Acid-1mg
Can you tell us about each ingredient and what area they may support for those on the CMDS?
I want to be very clear. I am not making specific claim about our formulation treating, preventing, or curing any specific condition. The underlying ingredients have been very well researched over the years. More importantly, all ingredients have been utilized either individually or as part of a natural medicine treatment regimen. A common theme with many of the ingredients, that has been pointed to in numerable research papers, is their role in addressing inflammation. Some clinicians argue whether inflammation comes before or after certain disease states. Nonetheless, inflammation is either at the root cause, or has an exacerbatory effect on the conditions that most people are seeking treatment for by a doctor. Also, several of the ingredients support processes that should increase overall Nitric Oxide levels.
Nitric Oxide is often called the miracle molecule and has many crucial functions in the cardiovascular system including lowering blood pressure. Lastly, several of the ingredients have quite a bit of research supporting their use in managing cholesterol, better circulation, edema, hunger, and blood sugar.
Vitamin D has been associated with immune function, blood pressure regulation, inflammation marker improvement, and acts as a cell membrane antioxidant.
Cayenne has been associated with blood vessel health, inflammation, satiety, increased metabolism, and blood sugar regulation.
L-Citrulline has been researched for its efficacy enhancing increased blood flow, insulin regulation, lower blood pressure, and erectile dysfunction, as well as increasing Nitric Oxide levels.
L-Arginine has been associated with increased Nitric Oxide levels, encouraging endothelial lining healing in the vascular system, increased blood flow, and insulin regulation.
Red Yeast Rice is well researched for its use in treating dyslipidemia and contains the compound (monacolin K), which is the ingredient in the prescription cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin.
Horse Chestnut is associated with improving leaky veins, chronic venous insufficiency, edema, swelling, pain, and increasing blood flow.
Gingko Biloba is associated with inflammation, improved circulation, hypertension, anxiety, depression, and tinnitus. It possesses high levels of antioxidants and helps promote Nitric Oxide levels.
Fulvic Acid is associated with helping regulate inflammation, immune health, brain health, insulin regulation and increased muscle strength. It is a mainstay in Ayurvedic Medicine for its use in treating diabetes.
In summation the combination of ingredients aims to support; de-inflammation, restoration of vascular integrity, boosting Nitric Oxide levels, improving blood flow, and regulation of cholesterol levels.
Has the company conducted any studies?
Yes, we have! More importantly, we plan to do more well powered studies as the product rolls out to more practitioners who may be interested in using the product for their patient populations. Suffice it to say, we already have practitioners using the product with a range of success. If you are a clinician or alternative health provider, and have interest in participating, please feel free to reach out to me, or our team. I have included links to both a landing page summation of the one study we have completed thus so far, as well as the actual study. Although it was not a double-blind placebo-controlled methodology, it did show positive correlation with the end point of reducing blood pressure. We will be doing more population-based studies in the near future. Click to check the study here.
Are there any side effects or drug interactions I need to be concerned about?
If you are currently on any medication for a related condition or diagnosed disease on the CMDS, consult with your physician. You and your physician are best suited to make any decisions about dosage, medications, and any known interactions, as well as any that may be discovered in the future. Currently, I do not know of any negative side effects from the ingredients at the formulated dosage levels. Typically, the methodology that is followed by most practitioners is to start with lower doses, and slowly increase over time to identify any personal reaction to the underlying ingredients. I cannot emphasize enough the importance to follow any regimen you have been prescribed until you meet with your physician.
Besides Clinical and Herbal Innovations involvement in underserved populations is there any other charitable work that the company is involved with?
Ultimately, we are looking to set up a master foundation that will help us spread our contributions and resources to many different communities and populations. For now, we are very involved with the HollyRod Foundation for autism and Parkinson’s research. Fifteen percent of all net proceeds from our joint ventures are donated to the organization which was founded in 1997 by actress Holly Robinson Peete and her husband former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete. We are immensely proud to be partnered with two amazing people and their organization. For further information about the magnificent work they do, please click on this link.
How can people reach you or someone from your organization to learn more? Any parting thoughts?
Now more than ever you need to be the one that is most interested in your health. If you are not satisfied with the outcomes, you have been receiving, and really want to change for the better, it all starts by doing one small thing differently each day. For some that may mean eating a little healthier, sleeping for a minimum of eight hours or going out for a walk. For others, it may be simply incorporating an intelligent plant-based supplement into your regimen that may be able to support a healthier lifestyle.
You can know more about Panoxol by visiting panoxol.com. If anyone needs to reach me directly, I can be emailed at [email protected].
