Author: drinkcfadmin

Five Surgery Success Stories: What Physicians & Patients are Saying About ClearFast Preop Drink

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date March 15, 2018
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Five Surgery Success Stories: What Physicians & Patients are Saying About ClearFast Preop Drink

Undergoing surgery can be daunting—but, with the ClearFast Preop Drink, it doesn’t always have to be. From reducing post-op nausea and vomiting to speeding up the recovery process, ClearFast has a number of proven medical benefits for patients undergoing anesthesia.

There’s countless research that points to why ClearFast makes for safer, easier, less-stressful surgeries—but, while we love immersing ourselves in research studies and medical journals, nothing makes us happier than hearing from patients and physicians who have their own surgery success stories. Today, then, we’ve rounded up our favorite ClearFast Amazon reviews and client testimonials. Read on for what ClearFast users are saying about the difference our ClearFast Preop Drink made in their surgery or colonoscopy experience.

“Helped Nurses Get my IV the First Try”

“I used this because it was recommended by a friend before surgery. I think it really helped, I’m usually a very difficult person to start IVs on and the nurses got it on the first try! That was worth it right there, also my anesthesiologist said that was a great idea and that he has heard good things about the product. I had a 10 am procedure so hunger wasn’t really an issue, but I didn’t feel hungry and my recovery went so well the doctor said I could go home when he was planning on keep me overnight.” – Read Brian D’s full review here

“This Made My Colonoscopy Prep So Tolerable”

“I was scheduled for a colonoscopy, but clear up to a week before, I gave serious thought to canceling. I have hypoglycemia and was worried about my symptoms if I go without protein for longer than 2 hours. By chance I found this and after reading reviews i decided to go ahead with the procedure and try this. I used Suprep (2 doses 8 oz each devided) As per instructions i had a sip of ClearFast with each sip of prep. Then also per ClearFast instructions, I drank one 2 hours before procedure, so 3 altogether. The combination of the smaller quantity prep and the ClearFast gave me the best colonoscopy prep I’ve ever had. I always dread the prep part, but it was no big deal. I barely had any hypoglycemia symptoms at all.” – Read the full review here

“Works Great!”

“I used two bottles of ClearFast. I drank one just before my eating cut off time and the other before the clear liquid cut off time. ClearFast worked just as advertised! I woke up after my surgery feeling good, voice was strong and in my right mind. It took a couple of weeks for all the surgery drugs to wear off but I was able to eat and function well considering the surgery I had. I will definitely use it again whenever I have surgery.” – Read the full review here

“Will Always Repeat this Routine in the Future!”

“I despise the oral bowel prep. Last time, I drank ClearFast PreOp along with my prep…I ‘chased’ each 8 oz. dose of the prep solution with a few sips of ClearFast PreOp to get rid of the awful aftertaste. I had a full bottle of ClearFast PreOp following the full prep and a third dose at two hours before the colonoscopy. I felt great and will always repeat this routine in the future! For my last colonoscopy, I was stuck 7 times for my IV as I was so dehydrated. This last experience was a “1 stick miracle”! I have highly recommended ClearFast PreOp to any eligible patient.” – Read the full review here

“The Way of the Future in Pre-Op Care”

“As a physician and surgeon myself, I wholeheartedly endorse this product. It is really the first of its kind in the US, and it has been a huge success in my experience. Not only do I use it for all of my own surgical patients, but I have used it as a patient myself before a procedure. It makes a tremendous difference. The drink actually tastes pretty good, especially chilled overnight, but the best thing is that you go into surgery without the starving or thirst feeling, and you are much calmer, more relaxed, and you get through it much better. I think this should be the way of the future for preop care. There is plenty of scientific evidence supporting its use; we just have to convince our anesthesiologists that it’s time to drop the “old school ways” of nothing to eat or drink after midnight, and adopt the new evidence-based practices.” – Read the full review here

Alright, I want my own ClearFast Preop Drink surgery success story!

Ready for less painful IV “sticks,” easier and quicker recovery, and to finally wake up from surgery feeling strong…rather than sick to your stomach, hungry, and dehydrated? Talk to your doctor about ClearFast and then order your ClearFast here to get a major leg up on the recovery process. (Pssst…ClearFast isn’t just for surgery, learn how customers are using ClearFast’s medical-grade hydration for everything from exercise recovery to carb-loading to hangover cures here.)

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions about the process at all.

For Med Pros

Stop Fasting Before Surgery: The Surgery-Smart Shift Taking Place Across the Medical Field

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date March 8, 2018
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Stop Fasting Before Surgery: The Surgery-Smart Shift Taking Place Across the Medical Field

We get this question all of the time: Should I fast before surgery? You’d probably be surprised to learn that doctors are beginning to answer that all-important question with a resounding NO. (And we second that!) More and more so, modern medical research is pointing to the fact that fasting before surgery is not exactly the best advice to dish out to patients anymore. Today, we’re talking why this is the case and what you should do to properly prep for surgery instead. We’ll cover:

Why fasting before surgery is outdated
Preparing for surgery with clear liquids instead
The benefits of prepping for surgery with the right clear liquids

Now, let’s dig in…

Should I fast before surgery?

While you should always follow your doctor’s surgery prep instructions, time and time again, modern research points to the fact that medical professionals should no longer instruct patients to fast before surgery and instead should instruct them to carb-load with a clear, specially formulated pre-op drink.

It’s Common Sense…

So why the shift? Let’s start with the common-sense factor: your body is preparing to undergo some serious stress (surgeries, no matter how simple or quick, always put stress on our bodies, after all), AND on top of that, you’re supposed to enter into that scenario starved and dehydrated?

It doesn’t make much sense when you think about it.

You wouldn’t starve yourself in the hours leading up to a big hike, long bike ride, or marathon. You wouldn’t deprive yourself of nutrition right before a big test or game day. Surgery is more stressful on our bodies than any cycle ride, hike, marathon, or game day—so it makes sense that medical professionals are realizing we need to properly prep our bodies for the inevitable stress we’ll undergo during surgery…rather than depriving our bodies of the things they need most (hello, nutrition and hydration!).

The research is clear…

Let’s start by talking about the reason doctors once prescribed fasting before surgery, a practice that dates back over 150 years: research papers were once published that led medical professionals to realize having food in your stomach before surgery could cause you to aspirate (aspiration is essentially the entry of your stomach contents/food into the lower respiratory tract and lungs, which can be very dangerous during surgery). Because of this, medical professionals implemented a sweeping rule: no food or drink after midnight before surgery (commonly known as the “NPO after midnight” rule).

By the year 2000, however, a collection of over 30 independent studies proved that patients who drank clear fluid before surgery actually had emptier stomachs than those who didn’t eat or drink anything—which ultimately reduced their risk of aspiration. In fact, an article published by the University of Minnesota Health Center in 2015 states, “A number of studies show that patients do much better if they’re allowed to drink up to two hours before surgery. They use less IV fluid, and depending on what they drink, they have better metabolism. It’s also less difficult to control a patient’s sugar levels following surgery.”

What should I do instead of fasting before surgery?

Instead of fasting before surgery, medical professionals recommend hydrating and nourishing with a clear liquid that contains at least 45 grams of complex carbs (and no simple sugars, like those found in sports drinks) and that has an osmolarity level that allows for timely gastric emptying (in other words, the beverage needs to be formulated to clear from your stomach fast).

ClearFast is the only domestically produced pre-surgery drink of this kind: it’s rich in maltodextrins and healing properties (zinc & L-citrulline), is clear and colorless, is free of simple sugars and colored dyes (like those found in sports drinks) and is trusted by medical professionals across the US, who regularly use ClearFast as a key part of preparing patients for surgery (not to mention it’s pretty darn tasty and gluten-free, too!).

What are the benefits of drinking a clear liquid before surgery instead?

Drinking ClearFast not only makes for a less stressful surgery experience, but it also:

Reduces your risk of post-op nausea and vomiting
Reduces dehydration and hunger
Makes for easier, less painful IV “sticks”
Gives you an edge on recovery

Alright, I want some ClearFast for my surgery!

Ready to wake up from surgery feeling strong and recovery-ready…rather than sick to your stomach, stressed, and dehydrated? Talk to your doctor about ClearFast and then order your ClearFast Preop Drink here to get a major leg up on the dreaded surgery and recovery process. And, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all.

Wellness + Medical Tips

Life Hack for Hydrating Fast: 3 Unexpected Ways Consumers are Using ClearFast

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date March 1, 2018
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Life Hack for Hydrating Fast: 3 Unexpected Ways Consumers are Using ClearFast

ClearFast was developed and formulated to offer medical-grade nutrition before surgery…so, needless to say, we were recently surprised to learn that so many of our customers have figured out how to use ClearFast, not just pre-surgery, but as an overall lifehack for hydrating fast. Today, we’re going to touch on:

Using ClearFast for exercise in place of sugary sports drinks
Using ClearFast when you have a cold or the flu
Using ClearFast as an immune booster when you travel

Now, let’s dig in…

From globetrotters to carb-loaders, it turns out the ClearFast community has come up with tons of interesting, effective ways to use our product. (You all are so smart!) Read on for 3 unexpected ways to use ClearFast for nourishing, recovering and hydrating fast.

Using ClearFast After Exercise

From cyclists to hot yogis, we’ve found that many of our customers are active exercisers who use ClearFast for hydrating fast and overall recovery after exercise. With complex carbs for nourishment, electrolytes for hydration, Vitamin A for tissue function, and Zinc & L-Citrulline for healing, it’s easy to see why ClearFast is great post-yoga, post-cycle, post-run or post-sweat of any kind! It helps your body replenish and repair, while offering the hydration and complex carbs that sugary sports drinks can’t match. Plus, it’s gluten free and clear and colorless (so you don’t have to worry about ingesting bright-blue or neon-orange dyes).

Using ClearFast with the Cold or Flu

Liquids are the thing we need most when we’re feeling under the weather—but are the simple sugars from sports drinks really all that great for your already weakened body? The short answer is no (and you can read more about why sports drinks don’t cut it here). Plus, when we’re sick our appetite tends to be suppressed, so we need an easy solution for hydrating fast and nourishing ourselves. While water’s always great (can’t argue with good ol’ H20), it doesn’t offer all of the nourishment you need when you’re living off of a diet of crackers and soup. With 44 grams of complex carbs and an easy-to-drink taste, ClearFast is a great solution for those who need quick hydration and nourishment…but who can’t exactly keep down a gallon of water and a steak dinner. Plus, ClearFast contains Zinc & L-Citrulline, which help promote healing.

Using ClearFast when you Travel

Suitcase? Boarding pass? I.D.? ClearFast? Loaded with electrolytes, drinking ClearFast before or after you hop on a plane is a great way to combat the dehydration that occurs as a result of plane rides. Plus, the selenium in ClearFast helps promote immune function—so you can rest easy knowing you’re extra protected from that germ-laden tray table (we know, it makes us cringe too). We can’t promise it will make the kid behind you stop kicking your seat…but we’re working on that next. Promise.

A Solution for Hydrating Fast…

Overall, from a post-hot yoga pick-me-up to an immune boost before plane rides, we were so surprised (and delighted!) to hear all about the different ways the clever ClearFast community is using our preop drink. After all, the strength your body needs to enter surgery is often the same strength your body needs after a seriously sweaty workout, while recovering from the flu, on a germ-laden plane, or even—yes—on the morning of a rough hangover (paired with a greasy cheeseburger, of course). It’s all about nourishment, hydration, complex carbs and steering clear of added dyes and simple sugar.

Ready for a simple solution for nourishing and hydrating fast when you need it most…whether that’s before surgery or after cycling? Order your ClearFast Preop Drink here, or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions about how to use ClearFast at all.

For Med Pros

Osmolarity & Preop Carb Loading: ClearFast vs. Traditional Sports Drinks

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date February 22, 2018
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Every day, we’re learning more about why fasting before surgery isn’t a physician’s friend. More and more modern medical research is leading hospitals and medical professionals to one conclusion: they have to hydrate and nourish their patients before surgery for better outcomes.

Inevitably, some people immediately think of sports drinks for pre-surgery nourishment and hydration—but the truth is sports drinks don’t even come close to cutting it. They’re inadequate for enhanced recovery, don’t nourish, aren’t clear & colorless, and have a high osmolarity that delays gastric emptying (which reintroduces the danger that the traditional “no food or drink after midnight” rule was trying to avert). Plus, not only is the osmolarity higher, but the standard size sports drink is 20 oz vs. ClearFast’s 12 oz. Learn more about ClearFast’s benefits (as compared to leading sports drinks below), and be sure to check out our blog post on why sports drinks don’t cut it for enhanced recovery.

For Med Pros Presurgery Nutrition

The Most Effective ERAS Drink: Ensuring the Preop Drink You Recommend Delivers the Right Results

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date February 15, 2018
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The Most Effective ERAS Drink: Ensuring the Preop Drink You Recommend Delivers the Right Results

An evidence-based program borrowed from Europe and the UK, Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Programs (or ERAS® Programs) are becoming increasingly popular in luminary hospitals across the United States. A major component of these programs is prepping patients for surgery with the right ERAS drink. Today, we’ll cover:

Why ClearFast is the most compliant ERAS drink
The benefits of ClearFast as an ERAS drink, including:
- It’s complex carbohydrate-rich and rich in maltodextrins
- It’s rich in healing properties (zinc & L-citrulline)
- Clear and colorless, ClearFast is free of simple sugars and colored dyes (unlike sports drinks)
- It is trusted by medical professionals across the US, who use ClearFast as a key part of their ERAS Programs.
Why taste and ease-of-use are imperative for improved patient outcomes

Now, let’s dig in…

ERAS® Programs are comprised of 17 key elements for perioperative patient management—like pre-admission counseling and short-acting anaesthetic agents—which, when combined, work to ensure a better surgical outcomes, enhanced recovery after surgery, and increased patient satisfaction overall.

One of the most important of the 17 elements is preoperative carbohydrate loading using a compliant ERAS® drink. It’s not an exaggeration to say that, without that, the results of your ERAS program will be limited at best. Today, then, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about choosing the right ERAS drink for your patients—ultimately ensuring safer, more effective surgeries and happier patients across the board.

The Most Compliant ERAS Drink

The most important part of any ERAS program is compliance. If the preop recommendations you’re making aren’t ERAS-compliant (i.e. recommending a preop beverage that doesn’t provide patients the proper amount of nutrition and hydration in the proper form), the results of your program will be extremely limited, at best.

We know that proper preop nutrition and hydration is a key element of ERAS programs, replacing the outdated no food or drink after midnight rule. But, just as important to note is the fact that not just any beverage will work when it comes to proper preop carbohydrate loading. They key to this ERAS program element is preparing patients with complex carbohydrate-rich beverages that contain primarily maltodextrins, rather than simple sugars like the fructose found in sports drinks. Sports drinks, in other words, simply aren’t an option for enhanced recovery—after all, it doesn’t take a medical degree to know that you shouldn’t prepare patients for anesthesia with dyed, neon-colored, simple-sugar water. ClearFast, on the other hand, is the only domestically produced ERAS drink of this kind that is delicious, rich in maltodextrins & healing properties (zinc & L-citrulline), clear and colorless, free of simple sugars and colored dyes; it is trusted by medical professionals across the US, who regularly use ClearFast as a key part of their ERAS Programs.

The Importance of Taste & Ease of Use

Ease of use and flavor are extremely important when it comes to ERAS compliance—and, without proper compliance, your ERAS program won’t deliver the results you’re hoping for. A recommendation, after all, is only as good as far as it’s followed. What good does it do to recommend a preop drink if your patients don’t actually drink it, or worse, can’t follow the instructions properly and end up taking the drink incorrectly? One of the major problems with using other preop carbohydrate beverages on the market as part of your ERAS program is that they tend to be extremely foul tasting and complicated to use. ClearFast is distinct as an ERAS drink in that it receives rave reviews, time and time again, from patients who find it easy to use and pleasing to drink. One of our favorites comes from a patient who wrote of ClearFast’s taste, “Thank you so much for introducing me to ClearFast PreOp. Having to go through my first colonoscopy, my worst fear was not only having to drink the solution, but doing so on an empty stomach with the possibility of being nauseous! Sipping on ClearFast PreOp after each glass made it bearable, as it tastes good! And, it was comforting to know that it was full of nutrients.”

It’s important to note that, if your solution to foul-tasting preop drinks is to send patients to the store to search for an appropriate additive, you’re asking for trouble. Patients can easily get confused and can end up choosing the wrong item or misunderstanding your instruction all together. You don’t want a patient showing up for surgery, turning to you and saying, “Doc, I mixed that drink you recommended up in a protein shake.. that’s fine right?”

Overall, getting the most out of your hospital’s ERAS program all comes down to proper compliance. A key part of this is ensuring the ERAS drink you recommend checks all of the necessary boxes for proper preoperative carbohydrate loading. ClearFast, then, is the only domestically-produced preop drink on the market that contains 50 full grams of complex carbs (ERAS programs recommend 45+), is rich in maltodextrins, is clear and colorless, is free of simple sugars and colored dyes…and is tasty and easy for patients to use.

Ready to improve outcomes for your patients and your hospital with the right ERAS drink? Recommending ClearFast for preoperative carbohydrate loading is the most compliant choice you can make when it comes to preop nutrition and hydration as part of an ERAS program. Order your ClearFast Preop Drink here, or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all. We’re always here and happy to help!

Healing Tips Preparing for Surgery

4 Things No One Tells You About Surgery: Surgery Scheduling & Prep Tips for Better Outcomes & Faster Recovery

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date February 1, 2018
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4 Things No One Tells You About Surgery: Surgery Scheduling & Prep Tips for Better Outcomes & Faster Recovery

Going under the knife is something most of us will experience at least once in our lives—and it tends to be an experience we all dread. According to data from the American College of Surgeons, Americans undergo an average of 9.2 surgical procedures per lifetime, which is why it’s so important that we know everything there is to know when it comes to proper surgery scheduling and prep. Today, then, we’ll cover four major surgery prep tips, including:

Squat: the most common execution mistakes – bodybuilding – 2021 pct after steroids female culturism: francesca petitjean.

Why you schedule your surgery for the morning
Why you should avoid weekend surgeries
Which month is the worst for surgery outcomes
Why fasting before surgery is outdated (and how to safely nourish before surgery instead)

Now, let’s dig in…

Ready for a behind-the-medical-curtain look at surgery prep tips no one tells you? We’ve rounded up our top four tips for patients preparing for surgery below. Read on for some seriously empowering knowledge for that upcoming procedure.

Mornings are Best

When it comes to surgery scheduling, the time of day you choose can make a huge difference in your surgical outcome and recovery. In fact, researchers conducting a 2006 Duke University study found that surgeries scheduled between 3 and 4 p.m. had a higher rate of post-op vomiting, nausea, and pain. That same study found that patients experiencing anesthesia-related problems increased from just 1% at 9 a.m. to 4.2% at 4 p.m.

There are two main reasons researchers speculate this is the case—the first, according to a CNN article, has to do with your body’s natural circadian rhythms, which regulate your sleep/wake cycle and brain activity. These rhythms dip between 3 and 5 p.m. every single day (think of that all-too-familiar mid-afternoon crash so many of us experience at the office). You certainly don’t want your body “crashing” during surgery—the natural sleepiness we experience during that time frame every day, researchers suspect, could play a role in the poor outcomes of late-afternoon surgeries.

Many suspect the second reason for poor surgical outcomes during this time frame has to do with medical professionals changing shifts. Nurses, anesthesiologists, and other members of surgical teams typically start their shift around 6:30-7 a.m. This means they switch shifts right around the 3 p.m. mark—often in the middle of surgery. Unfortunately, these shift changes can lead to miscommunications or important information getting lost in translation. There’s also the theory that surgeons are simply tired after a long day of back-to-back surgeries and, as such, are more prone to making mistakes as the day goes on. Whatever the reasons, though, the research is clear—mornings are the absolute best time to schedule your surgery.

Avoid Weekend Surgeries

In addition to the time slot, the day of the week you schedule your surgery for can make a huge difference in your outcome and recovery as well. According to a British Medical Journal study, patients who underwent surgery on Fridays were 44% more likely to have complications than those who underwent surgery on a Monday. Medical professionals and researchers have speculated this is due to the fact that hospitals tend to be understaffed on the weekends—as well as the fact that experienced doctors with seniority tend to opt for a regular weekday work schedule, leaving the weekend shifts for their less-experienced, “newbee” counterparts.

Steer Clear of the Month of July

The worst month to schedule your surgery for? According to researchers from Johns Hopkins: July. Their study of nearly 3,000 surgeries found a higher rate of post-op complications during July than any other month of the year. Why exactly is July such a bad month for surgery scheduling? Researchers speculate it could have to do with that fact that July is the month when that year’s graduating medical students begin working as residents. So, we recommend you opt for a bright beach vacation instead of the operating room during this sunny, summer month.

Fasting Before Surgery is Outdated

Fasting before surgery is a no-brainer, right? Not so fast—according to modern medical research, fasting before surgery isn’t exactly your friend. More and more medical studies are confirming that preparing for surgery with the right preop drink (rather than abstaining from all liquids and nourishment) actually makes for a safer, more comfortable experience before, during, and after surgery—which is why so many medical professionals are changing their tune when it comes to fasting as part of surgery prep. The outdated “no food or drink after midnight” rule has actually been shown to have adverse affects on a patient’s ability to recovery quickly—after all, it makes sense that heading into a physically stressful event starved and dehydrated would be a recipe for discomfort, stress, and an increased hospital stay.

Top-rated hospitals and doctors across the world are now recommending patients prepare for surgery with a clear, complex carb-rich beverage like ClearFast. This allows a patient to safely hydrate and nourish before surgery—a simple step that has been proven to reduce pre-surgery stress, reduce post-op nausea and vomiting, decrease the risk of post-op infection, and ultimately shorten the time between going under the knife and getting to go home.

Overall, setting your body up for surgery success comes down to being proactive. Take care when scheduling your surgery—opt for early time-slots and try to schedule for the beginning of the week if possible (and always avoid the month of July). With your doctor’s approval, you can also work ClearFast into your surgery prep routine for a simple and easy way to get a major leg up on the dreaded recovery process. Order your ClearFast Preop Drink here, or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions about the process at all.

For Med Pros

Preoperative Carbohydrate Loading: Four Reasons Sports Drinks Don’t Cut it for Enhanced Recovery

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date January 18, 2018
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Preoperative Carbohydrate Loading: Four Reasons Sports Drinks Don’t Cut it for Enhanced Recovery

When first learning about preoperative carbohydrate loading and its role in enhanced recovery after surgery, many medical professionals think, “Carb loading? Hydration? Sports drinks do that!” Well, not exactly—in fact, sports drinks don’t check any of the boxes needed for better patient outcomes. Today, we’ll cover:

The reasons sports drinks don’t work for enhanced recovery, including:
- They contain zero complex carbs, (preop carb-loading with complex carbs is a key component part of any ERAS® program)
- The have high osmolarity (which leads to delayed gastric emptying)
- They contain colored dyes (ClearFast is clear and colorless)
- Providers aren’t protected (Unlike ClearFast, sports drink companies will not support off-label use in the case of an insurance claim)

Now, let’s dig in…

It’s a pretty common mindset to think that sports drinks will work for pre-op carb loading—one that even the most seasoned medical pros may have—when your ERAS® program is in its infancy. But, while it’s alluring to think you’ve solved a major problem with an inexpensive household beverage, sports drinks actually aren’t a solution for enhanced recovery at all.

Today, we’re breaking down what you need to look for in the right pre surgery drink for your patients. Read on for our top four reasons sugary sports drinks don’t cut it when it comes to safe and effective preop carb loading.

They Contain ZERO Complex Carbs

Sports drinks are sugar water. True preoperative carbohydrate loading is one of the key components of any ERAS® program—but its benefits are all tied to complex carbs, not simple sugars. This is a key difference between typical sports drinks and the ClearFast presurgery drink. Sports drinks contain zero complex carbs and, as such, don’t actually act as presurgery nutrition at all. In order to meet the pre-op nutrition and hydration recommendations of the ASA®, preop carb loading should always be done with complex carbohydrate-rich beverages that contain primarily maltodextrins, not simple sugars like the fructose found in household sports drinks. With preop nutrition benefits tied directly to 45+ grams of complex carbs, ClearFast contains 50 full grams of complex carbs and is the only domestically produced beverage of this type used in Enhanced Recovery Protocols in luminary hospitals across the U.S.

They Have High Osmolarity

Osmolarity affects gastric emptying times, and higher osmolarity can mean delayed emptying. The normal osmolarity of tissues, cells and fluids in the human body is around 280-300 mOsm. A typical sports drink has an osmolarity of around 330 mOsm, which can lead to delayed gastric emptying. ClearFast, on the other hand, has an ideal osmolarity of 270 mOsm and is formulated to safely clear from the stomach in around 90 minutes, making it an ideal choice for preoperative carbohydrate loading.

They Contain Colored Dyes

The research on this one is essentially unanimous: the benefits of hydrating and nourishing before surgery preoperative carbohydrate loading are tied to three main things: complex carbs, a minimal amount of simple sugars, and NO colored dyes. Dyes can mimic the appearance of internal bleeding which can cause a surgeon to immediately stop the procedure. While nearly every single sports drink on the market contains colored dyes, ClearFast is completely clear and colorless.

Providers Aren’t Protected in the Case of “Off-Label Use”

Unlike ClearFast, sports drink companies will not support off-label use in the case of an insurance claim. This means providers will not be protected when recommending sports drinks for preoperative carbohydrate loading, as these drinks are not insured for presurgery use, and sports drinks companies do not advocate for their product’s use as a preop drink.

Overall, while well-meaning physicians may jump to sports drinks as a solution when first researching preop drinks for their Enhanced Recovery Program, the unfortunate truth is these beverages do nothing to improve patient outcomes…not to mention the fact they don’t satisfy the ASA® guidelines for clear liquids. Saving your hospital a few dollars doesn’t really matter in the long run if you’re not ultimately solving problems and improving outcomes. ClearFast, unlike popular sports drinks, is precisely formulated for presurgery use—it contains 50 grams of complex carbs, is clear and colorless, has ideal osmolarity, is safe and is used by hundreds of thousands of patients.

Ready to improve outcomes for both patients and your hospital? Recommending ClearFast for preoperative carbohydrate loading is a simple solution that can solve an array of patient problems. Order your ClearFast Preop Drink here, or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all.

Wellness + Medical Tips

3 New Year’s Health Resolutions that Delve Deeper Than Diet

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date January 4, 2018
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health resolutions clearfast preop drink

3 New Year’s Health Resolutions that Delve Deeper Than Diet

It’s officially a brand-new year—which means health resolutions are abound! We’re all about scaling back on pizza, skipping the extra salt, and avoiding those late-night sweet snacks, but there’s also so much more to leading a healthy lifestyle than just our diet choices. Today, we’ll cover:

The importance of getting that check-up you’ve been putting off
Why visiting the dentist tells you about much more than your teeth
The importance of scheduling that screening, procedure or dreaded colonoscopy

Now, let’s dig in:

So much of our overall health revolves around how often we do (or don’t) make it to a medical professional’s office. Below, we’re breaking down our top 3 New Year’s Health Resolutions that delve far deeper than diet. Read on, and get ready for a healthy, happy 2018:

Get That Much Needed Medical Check-Up

Regardless of whether you’re a gym rat or a professional Netflix surfer (or both), there tends to be one aspect of our health that so many of us (even health nuts) avoid: getting regular medical checkups. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to add getting an annual exam to your 2018 health resolutions list, as it plays such a key role in your overall health. It’s a great way to get a bird’s eye view of everything that’s going on with your body—your doctor will record your height, weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol—which then gives you a baseline to use in the future for insightful comparison. Plus, with 7 out of 10 U.S. deaths caused by chronic disease, early detection is absolutely key…and an annual medical exam is really your best bet for finding anything life-threatening when it’s still treatable.

Visit the Dentist

One of the most common healthcare mistakes people make is avoiding going to the dentist. In fact, according to a 2010 study, only 59% of respondents visited a dentist at least once a year (as compared to 73% who visited a general medical provider). We’ve all been there—we get the postcard in the mail or a voicemail on our phone saying it’s time for our annual cleaning, and we think, I’ll call them and schedule that next month…or maybe the month after…only to eventually find that an entire year has gone by without getting a dental cleaning or oral checkup. The dentist’s office isn’t fun, which is why so many of us avoid it—but it is absolutely imperative to our overall health. Our mouth gives doctors tons of information about what’s going on with the rest of our body. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, more than 90 percent of all systemic diseases produce oral symptoms. Plaque buildup in our mouth can also lead to an array of other health problems. In fact, according to recent research, there may be a link between oral problems and medical issues like poorly controlled diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In short, the 60 minutes you’ll spend in the dentist’s chair is so worth the endless health benefits of a clean, healthy, plaque-free mouth.

Schedule the Procedure or Screening You’ve Been Avoiding

Whether it’s getting wisdom teeth removed, scheduling a mammogram, or preparing for a colonoscopy, a large majority of us have something we know we need to do that we’ve been putting off (and off…and off). We encourage you to turn that beat around in 2018 and take control of your health by finally picking up the phone and scheduling that pesky procedure you’ve been avoiding. Nothing will feel better than knowing you’ve finally checked that dreaded item off of your healthcare to-do list. Plus, that medical screening or procedure you’ve been avoiding may just end up saving your life or providing you with imperative medical information about your overall health.

As we embark on a brand-new year, we hope you’re inspired to use this fresh-start as an opportunity to take stock and get serious about your health resolutions in 2018! Remember, the best healthcare approach is comprehensive one—one that balances diet, lifestyle, and proper medical care. Happy (and Healthy) New Year, from the entire ClearFast Team!

Preparing for Surgery Presurgery Nutrition

Hunger and Our Emotional State: Why Fasting Before Surgery Isn’t Always Your Friend

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date December 21, 2017
No Comments on Hunger and Our Emotional State: Why Fasting Before Surgery Isn’t Always Your Friend

Hunger and Our Emotional State: Why Fasting Before Surgery Isn’t Always Your Friend

There’s a reason “hangry” has become a well-known term in our culture (merriam-Webster even added the oh-so-real adjective to its list of Words We’re Watching). Today, we’re covering “hangry” as it relates to surgery (and your recovery). We’ll break down:

The symptoms of hunger
Why entering surgery hungry is never a good idea
Why medical professionals are now recommending pre-op carb-loading with a beverage like ClearFast in place of fasting after midnight

As any restaurant host knows, hungry people can be easily (and quickly) agitated. Even those iconic Snickers® advertisements remind us time and time again: “You’re not you when you’re hungry.” Hunger and our emotional state are most definitely connected—as anyone who’s ever skipped their lunch break can attest to—and we’re now beginning to learn how hunger plays an important role in medical procedures and surgery. In fact, when it comes to fasting before surgery, an array of modern medical research points to the fact that being hangry in the waiting room may mean an uncomfortable surgery experience—and lower patient satisfaction—overall.

The Symptoms of Hunger

We all know the symptoms of hunger well—irritability, headaches, forgetfulness, dizziness…the list goes on. According to the New York Times article, A Serving of Reality with Surgical Fasts, which reported on a medical study of 155 patients, “The consequences of prolonged fasting are not trivial. Besides hunger, thirst and irritability, the researchers noted that some fasting patients also suffered from headaches, dehydration, low blood volume and low blood sugar. A third of patients failed to take crucial medications the day of surgery because they had been told not to swallow anything after midnight.”

Hunger and Surgery

Now, think about the emotional state surgery puts you in—you’re stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, nervous for what’s to come, and probably even a little bit frightened (going under can be scary, after all!). When we follow the antiquated fast-from-midnight rule, we pile hunger—and all of its symptoms—on top of an already heightened and stressed-out emotional state. It’s like sending our body to battle with no armor: The battle may be inevitable—but there are certainly proactive steps we can take to better prepare ourselves for the stressful event that’s to come…properly nourishing our body being a critical one.

The Solution

To reduce the problems posed by fasting before surgery, more and more research is now pointing to the fact that foregoing traditional fasting-from-midnight and opting for a complex carb-rich, clear preop drink like ClearFast instead may be the key to better surgery outcomes. ClearFast is essentially a “liquid food,” so it works to safely hydrate and nourish patients before anesthesia—which ultimately makes for less patient stress, a more comfortable surgery experience, enhanced recovery after surgery, and higher patient satisfaction overall.

In fact, a medical study focusing on the effects of oral carbohydrate with amino acid intake before surgery, found that, in addition to an array of other benefits, intake of a preoperative carbohydrate drink “can provide better preoperative mental health compared with complete fasting.” According to another controlled study, researchers also found that patients in the pre-op area who drank ClearFast were 5.5-6.5 times more likely to describe themselves as “comfortable” than their cohorts who underwent traditional fasting before surgery. All of this tell us that hungry people are not happy—and that being hungry (and irritated…and dehydrated…and uncomfortable) before surgery is no longer a required part of the process. We now know that patients can safely consume the ClearFast preop drink before heading into surgery—leading to less stress and a better surgery experience overall!

Ready to take proactive steps to help reduce the stress and discomfort that accompanies old-school fasting before surgery? Talk to your doctor to ensure ClearFast is right for your surgery, then order your ClearFast Preop Beverage here, or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all. We’re here to help replace stressful surgeries with seamless ones…one hangry patient at a time.

Presurgery Nutrition

Preparing for Surgery with Diabetes: Drinking ClearFast for a Safer Surgery

Post author By drinkcfadmin
Post date December 12, 2017
No Comments on Preparing for Surgery with Diabetes: Drinking ClearFast for a Safer Surgery

Preparing for Surgery with Diabetes: Drinking ClearFast for a Safer Surgery

For the over 30 million people in the U.S. who have diabetes, the thought of preparing for surgery with diabetes can be frightening to say the least—but it doesn’t always have to be, especially when you’re armed with knowledge. Today, we’re breaking down:

Why fasting before surgery for diabetics isn’t always safe
Safe pre-op carb-loading for diabetics
The benefits of drinking ClearFast before surgery as a diabetic, in order to:
- Protect your critical glycogen stores
- Take into account your dietary needs
- Reduce your chance of pre-op complications
- Reduce your chance of post-op complications

Now, let’s dig in…

The inherent stress that comes along with surgery, coupled with pre-op fasting and post-op complications, can make managing your diabetes and controlling your blood sugar all the more difficult. But, more and more research has recently shown that preparing for surgery with diabetes can be made more comfortable and safe with the simple addition of a clear, complex-carb preop drink like ClearFast. Today, then, we’re breaking down the ins and outs of preparing for surgery with diabetes—and talking safe preop carb-loading for diabetics:

Why Fasting Before Surgery for Diabetics Isn’t Always Safe:

The idea of fasting before surgery is an old and outdated one—recent clinical studies and findings from numerous medical professionals show that fasting before surgery actually adds stress and decreases the safety of patients preparing for surgery. This is particularly true for those with diabetes, as diabetic patients are often the most adversely affected by prolonged fasting.

A prolonged fast ultimately sends your body into a catabolic state, which means your body uses up its glycogen stores when it needs energy before surgery and then moves on to breaking down healthy fat and muscle tissue as an alternative energy source when it runs out of glycogen stores. This isn’t ideal for the average, everyday patient—let alone for someone managing diabetes. For diabetics, this catabolic state can lead to serious complications like hyperglycemia and even ketoacidosis.

In addition to these complications, things as simple as post-op nausea and vomiting (a common experience for patients waking up from surgery), increased stress (something we all experience before and after surgery), and a decrease in activity level after surgery can make monitoring and managing your blood sugar all the more difficult for diabetics. Minimizing these factors is key when it comes to preparing for surgery with diabetes.

The Benefits of Safe PreOp Carb-Loading for Diabetics:

As any diabetic knows, prolonged fasting is one of the quickest ways to throw your blood sugar completely out of whack. Add stress hormones and pre-surgery anxiety on top of that and you’ve got a recipe for disaster for diabetics undergoing surgery. Though it may seem counterintuitive at first, according to a number of medical studies, pre-op carb-loading for diabetics is actually one of the safest, most effective ways to manage blood sugar levels before, during and after surgery. Consider the following benefits:

It protects your critical glycogen stores: By providing your body the complex carbs it needs for energy, drinking ClearFast before surgery helps to ensure your body isn’t using up all of those ever-important glycogen stores. This ultimately helps you proactively manage your blood-sugar levels, rather than being at the mercy of a from-midnight fast (and the negative side effects such a fast can have on your health).

It takes into account a diabetic’s ongoing nutritional requirements: Let’s face it—fasting for hours upon hours isn’t exactly a practical option for diabetics, who have constant and critical nutritional requirements. By working ClearFast into your surgery prep routine and closely monitoring your blood sugar levels as part of the prep process, you’re working with—rather than completely ignoring—your body’s critical nutritional requirements.

It reduces your chance of pre-op complications: Prolonged fasting before surgery for diabetics can mean a dangerous drop in blood-sugar levels, which ultimately leads to complications like hypoglycemia and even ketoacidosis (a serious complication that occurs when your body isn’t producing enough insulin). Preparing your body for surgery with ClearFast helps to reduce the risk of your body using up all of those important glycogen stores and ultimately ending up in one of these two unhealthy and risk-prone states.

It reduces your chance of post-op complications: Numerous studies have found that pre-op carb-loading with a complex-carb, clear preop drink like ClearFast can reduce your risk of post-op insulin resistance and post-op infections, as well as reduce the occurrence of post-op vomiting—all of which make managing your blood-sugar difficult, posing particular danger for those with diabetes. These same studies have found the old-school fasting-from-midnight instruction to be antiquated and even unsafe, espeically in regards to the development of post-op insulin resistance. In fact, according to a lecture published in the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, “The increased uptake of glucose in non-insulin-sensitive cells is involved in the development of several of the most common postoperative complications, including infections and cardiovascular problems. Many of the perioperative treatments in use are outdated, and modern care involves a multimodal approach with several treatments, such as preoperative carbohydrate treatment instead of overnight fasting.” Just like this finding states, when we’re able to avoid or reduce the risk of these complications through preop carb treatment, we end up with a much easier and shorter recovery period—which ultimately means getting to go home (and get the heck out of the hospital!) much quicker.

So, Can I Drink ClearFast if I’m Diabetic?

Lots of recent research points to the fact that, not only is preop carb-loading not bad for diabetics undergoing surgery, but it actually proves extremely beneficial. Because diabetics are always monitored extra closely before, during and after surgical procedures, the addition of ClearFast won’t vastly change the treatment plan for a diabetic at all. It won’t require tons of extra monitoring, but instead integrates seamlessly into your doctor’s, surgeon’s and anesthesiologist’s treatment plan. That being said, we always recommend asking your doctor if ClearFast is right for your particular surgery. We have tons of preop carb-loading resources for medical professionals on our website, which he or she can refer to for additional information.

Overall, preparing for surgery with diabetes comes down to being proactive about your health and practical about your unique nutritional needs, rather than being at the mercy of an antiquated from-midnight fast. Be sure to talk to your doctor about ClearFast, and, with their approval, order your ClearFast Preop Drink here to get a major leg up on the dreaded surgery and recovery process. As always, reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions about our preop drink at all!

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