Ideal Protein announced today the appointment of its inaugural medical advisory board. Members include Ideal Protein’s resident medical advisors Tran Tien Chanh, M.D., Ph.D., co-founder of Ideal Protein, board-certified cardiologist Douglas W. Rothrock, M.D., as well as eight practitioners from a range of medical specialties including gastroenterology, obstetrics and gynecology, endocrinology and pharmacology.

“The creation of this medical advisory board is an important strategic step for Ideal Protein and for population health,” said Olivier Benloulou, President and CEO of Ideal Protein. “Multiple physician specialties find their patients impacted by the health and financial consequences of the obesity epidemic. Our goal is to support these physicians in helping them guide their patients to achieve a healthy weight, and as a result improve patient health outcomes.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 69 percent of US adults over the age of 20 are overweight or obese1, and The American Medical Association has officially labeled obesity as a disease.2 Additionally, one in three adults have metabolic syndrome, which increases the risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.3

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention underscores the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle as key for reducing risk factors associated with these conditions.4

Benloulou emphasized, “Ideal Protein is in the unique position of being able to provide a comprehensive weight loss method that focuses not just on weight loss, but on the positive lifestyle changes needed to maintain results after dieting.” He also noted, “Each health professional on the medical advisory board is a highly experienced, respected expert in their chosen specialty. Their individual and collective contributions will play an important role in providing strategic guidance and advice to Ideal Protein on the management of weight loss, and as a result, bettering the health of thousands of people at risk of health complications due to excess weight.”

The medical advisory board members are: Tran Tien Chanh, M.D., Ph.D.; Douglas W. Rothrock, M.D.; Linda Anegawa, M.S., M.D., F.A.C.P.; Kelly G. Bagnell, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.; Thomas C. Blevins, M.D., E.C.N.U., F.A.C.E., F.N.L.A.; Michael P. Ciell, R.Ph.; Ann K. Kuenker, D.O.; Douglas G. Matzner, D.C., F.I.A.C.A.; Ashok Rai, M.D. and Karen Riley, R.Ph., B. Sc. Phm, Pharm D., B.C.P.S, C.G.P, B.C.A.C.P, C.D.E.

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1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health: United States, 2014 (Table 59). Selected health conditions and risk factors, by age: United States, selected years 1988–1994 to 2011-12.
2 American Medical Association. June 18, 2013. AMA Adopts New Policies on Second Day of Voting at Annual Meeting. Press release.
3 American Heart Association. March 9, 2015. About Metabolic Syndrome. Web.
4 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. NHLBI Obesity Education Initiative Expert Panel on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults.
 

About Tran Tien Chanh, M.D., Ph.D.

Tran Tien Chanh, M.D. is an award-winning graduate of the Faculty of Medicine in Paris. Early in his career, Dr. Tran Tien became interested in nutrition, and as a result, developed the Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method and authored several books on the protein diet.

About Douglas W. Rothrock, M.D.

Douglas W. Rothrock, M.D. is board certified in Cardiovascular Medicine and Internal Medicine. Dr. Rothrock co-owns Prescott Cardiology and The Heart Shop in Prescott, Arizona. He currently serves as the Ideal Protein of America Senior Medical Advisor.

About Linda Anegawa, M.S., M.D., F.A.C.P.

Linda Anegawa, M.S., M.D., F.A.C.P. is the founder of OSR Weight Management-Hawaiʻi Metabolic Medicine, an obesity-focused specialty care practice utilizing the Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method. Dr. Anegawa is double-board certified in Obesity Medicine and is an Internal Medicine Fellow, American College of Physicians.

About Kelly G. Bagnell, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

Kelly G. Bagnell, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. is a practicing OB/GYN in Polson, Montana. Dr. Bagnell received her doctoral degree from Creighton University in Omaha, NE.

About Thomas C. Blevins, M.D., E.C.N.U., F.A.C.E., F.N.L.A.

Thomas C. Blevins, M.D. is in private practice at Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology in Austin, Texas. Dr. Blevins is board certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism, and Lipidology. He is a Fellow of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) and of the National Lipid Association.

About Michael P. Ciell, R.Ph.

Michael P. Ciell, R.Ph. is a registered pharmacist. He joined Ideal Protein’s start-up team in 2006 and helped launch the company. He currently serves as Senior Scientific Advisor at Ideal Protein.

About Ann K. Kuenker, D.O.

Ann K. Kuenker, D.O. is board certified in Family Medicine and has been practicing in the Traverse City, Michigan area for nearly 30 years. Dr. Kuenker’s practice focuses on wellness and prevention. For the last eight years, she has offered the Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method at her offices in Traverse City, Elk Rapids, and Petoskey, Michigan.

About Douglas G. Matzner, D.C., F.I.A.C.A.

Douglas G. Matzner, D.C., F.I.A.C.A. is the Director and driving force behind Matzner Clinic of Chiropractic Medicine, Champaign, Illinois. Dr. Matzner is a Board Certified Diplomate of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners.

About Ashok Rai, M.D.

Ashok Rai, M.D. is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Prevea Health in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Dr. Rai serves as a Board member for several local, regional & national community and medical organizations including serving on the Board of Directors for the American Medical Group Association (AMGA) where he is currently the Board Treasurer. In addition to his leadership role and community involvement at the local and national level, Dr. Rai also continues to care for patients as a hospitalist.

About Karen Riley, R.Ph., B. Sc. Phm, Pharm D, B.C.P.S, C.G.P, B.C.A.C.P, C.D.E.

Karen Riley, RPh B. Sc. Phm, Pharm D, BCPS, CGP, BCACP, CDE is the Professional Pharmacy Services Consultant for Ideal Protein, and Clinical Assistant Professor with the University of Florida College of Pharmacy. She is a member of the Ontario College of Pharmacists Council and Ministry of Health Pharmacy Council. She is the pharmacist consultant and developer of the Hogan Pharmacy Ideal Protein program.

About Ideal Protein

The Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method is medically designed and developed and is consistent with evidence-based guidelines for weight loss management and maintenance. Created over 20 years ago by Dr. Tran Tien Chanh, The Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method maximizes the body’s ability to burn fat by restricting carbohydrate intake, particularly high glycemic carbohydrates and maintaining normal protein intake in order not to lose muscle mass. The Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method is exclusively available from Ideal Protein’s approved health care professionals and trained coaches. For more information visit our website www.IdealProtein.com.