According to a research conducted at the Mayo Clinic points to a mind-body connection through nerves, hormones, and chemicals in the brain and body. Hypnosis is best used in conjunction with other forms of therapy. The Mayo Clinic lists the following benefits of hypnosis: changing negative habits (stop-smoking), reduce stress and anxiety, control pain, relieve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), lower blood pressure, reduce frequency and intensity of migraines, treat asthma, and heal skin disorders.

Kerala’s state promoted fisheries co-operative Matsyafed has developed a marine-based health product, that it claims would help in reducing obesity, as reported by the Press Trust of India (PTI). Extracted from the exoskeleton of fresh marine prawns, crabs and lobsters (chitosan), the product named ‘Chitone’ would hit the Indian market in December and its production has already started in agency’s Neendakara plant in Kollam.

Children’s National Medical Center in collaboration with researches from New York University have found laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Lap band) to improve the health of morbidly obese adolescents. The participants showed significant decreases in total and android fat mass 2 years after surgery. Android fat has been linked to the development of obesity-related illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, and insulin resistance.

Japan’s Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. will pay as much as $1 billion to Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. to co-develop the U.S. company’s obesity treatments. The purchase may help Takeda buffer losses after Actos, its top seller with $4 billion generated for the year ended March 31, loses patent protection in January 2011. The drugmaker needs products to replace sales lost when U.S. regulators delayed approval of a combination diabetes therapy that includes Actos.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said two Vicks products sold over-the-counter to treat the common cold and flu that contain vitamin C violate agency rules. A warning letter was sent to Vicks owner Procter & Gamble Co. (PG) that “Vicks DayQuil Plus Vitamin C” and “Vicks NyQuil Plus Vitamin C” cannot be marketed as a combination drug and dietary supplement. The FDA suggested Procter & Gamble would have to seek agency approval.