Consumer Health Features
Dr. Kenneth Rybicki creates NeoVitin supplements after pancreatic cancer recovery
By April MacIntyre Jun 5, 2012, 21:32 GMT
Kenneth J. Rybicki, M.D., Ph.D., an internist in St.Louis, Missouri, has formulated a precise cocktail of antioxidants after his own battle with pancreatic cancer.
One of the doctors aligned with premiere American concierge care company, SignatureMD, has created a specialty supplement for all to take, especially those concerned about cancer prevention.
Kenneth J. Rybicki, M.D., Ph.D., an internist in St.Louis, Missouri, has formulated a precise cocktail of antioxidants after his own battle with pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Rybicki took time out of his work day to share his experience with Monsters and Critics:
"In February of 2002 I was experiencing abdominal pains that I thought were related to a gallbladder problem. I am an internal medicine physician and had my nurse draw lab tests which showed some abnormalities. I went to the hospital to get an ultrasound and saw the pancreatic mass during the procedure. A CT scan confirmed that this was cancer. I knew that pancreatic cancer was almost always fatal. At the time, my chances for 5 year survival was less than 1%. Nevertheless I decided to take an aggressive approach. I underwent a “whipple” procedure. This was a complex procedure that was complicated by the cancer being very close to a major artery. I needed a vein transplant into this area. The surgery took 13 hours. After recovering for 5 weeks, I underwent 6 weeks of triple-chemotherapy combined with radiation treatments."
The chemo took a huge toll on Dr, Rybicki. "All of these treatments were very debilitating. I lost almost 80 pounds. I became very weak and fatigued. I was determined to regain my strength and energy. I began my own medical literature review on vitamins and supplements. I came up with a program that included general vitamins and minerals. I also added four anti-oxidants. I chose the antioxidants because I believed they had benefits with helping build up strength, energy and to help fight disease. I also began an exercise program. I slowly regained strength. I continued this vitamin/supplement regimen. As I gradually recovered, many of my patients would ask me what supplements I took. I would tell them, but it was difficult to get them all without going to the health stores. It was also cumbersome to take all of these supplements."
Dr. Rybicki offered his vitamin combination for retail sale. "I decided to formulate the vitamins and supplements into one product and market it. I have always wanted to donate more to cancer research and have used a lot of the proceeds from the sale of NeoVitin to fund cancer research.
Today Dr. Rybicki is active in his practice and enjoys good health. "I am doing well and I am cancer free after ten years. I take NeoVitin every day and I run half marathons and marathons to raise money for cancer research. I have run over twenty half marathons and two marathons in the past five years. My family and I have raised over $75,000 for pancreatic cancer charities in that time."
We asked Dr. Rybicki some questions regarding NeoVitin, made here in the USA:
Monsters and Critics: What do people do wrong, in your opinion, when investing in supplements?
Dr. Rybicki: Most people believe anything they read, particularly on the internet. They need to try to do their own research about any supplement and claims that are made about their benefits. There are not any truly well-controlled scientific studies on virtually any supplements.
Some are studied more than others anecdotally, but there are no long-term, well controlled scientific studies to back many of the claims made. Similarly, there is very little quality control on many vitamins and supplements bought on the internet. Many have no true active ingredients.
Vitamins and supplements made in the United States are now regulated -but not approved by- the Food and Drug Administration. The manufacturers are require to document that their products truly contain the supplements that the list on the bottle. There are also several national groups that independently test supplements for quality. For example, NeoVitin is manufactured by a contract lab in New York that participates in GMP (good manufacturing process) certification. This company independently tests their supplements to confirm the ingredients.
M&C: How did your create the vitamins? Did you work with a chemist or nutritionist?
Dr. Rybicki: I developed the supplement NeoVitin on my own. I am Physician and also have a Ph.D. in medical research. My research was in the cardiovascular field, but when I was sick with cancer, I began my own extensive medical literature search to find natural agents that I believed would help me re-gain strength, energy and to help me fight disease in general.
After doing this research I formulated NeoVitin. Then I discussed the project with several large pharmaceutical companies. I did not want them to produce the vitamin, I just wanted their recommendations on a reputable contract lab to produce the product. I then picked a lab in New York, contacted them and discussed the formula with their chemists. I found out that they were able to manufacture the product to my specifications and we started the project.
M&C: What charities does your vitamin line help and why did you select them?
Dr. Rybicki: We have supported the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, a national charity based in California. We also donate directly to research labs at the Washington University School of Medicine/Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis.
We have also given donations to the American Cancer Society. We have donated to “Camp Courage” in Greenville South Carolina. This is a camp for children and teens with cancer.
I chose these charities because of their commitment to help cancer patients
M&C: Why do you prefer being a concierge care physician?
Dr. Rybicki: I have always had a very busy Internal Medicine practice (except when I was out with cancer). In the recent years the economics of running a medical practice have become more and more difficult.
Reimbursements from medicare and insurance companies have gone down while expenses have skyrocketed. Doctors have had to see more and more patients daily just to get by. I got really frustrated at seeing 30 patients a day and getting to spend only a few minutes with each of them.
I was exhausted at the end of a busy day and did not feel that my patients were getting all they should from me. The concierge model has allowed me to decrease my patient panel size and spend a lot of quality time with each patient.
I can spend 90 minutes with each patient for their check ups and 30 minutes for a routine visit. I can spend a lot of time with patients discussing fitness, diet, prevention and wellness.
Patients have unlimited access to me. They can call anytime on my cell phone with even the simplest of question. I have had time provide a lot of screening tests and follow-up with my patients. My patients are very happy and healthier.
Ingredients and Dosages recommended are 2 Tablets/Day
Daily Value and Ingredient Amounts are based on 2 tablet serving size.
1 Bottle Contains 60 Tablets - 30-day Supply
Ingredient Amount Daily Value
Vitamin A 3500IU 70%
Vitamin B6 2mg 100%
Vitamin B12 10mcg 166%
Vitamin C 60mg 100%
Vitamin D 400IU 100%
Vitamin E 40IU 133%
Folic Acid 400mcg 100%
Thiamine 1.5mg 100%
Nacin 40mg 200%
Calcium 200mg 20%
Biotin 50mcg 17%
Riboflavin 1.5mg 88%
Magnesium 50mg 13%
Manganese 2mg 100%
Chromium 100mcg 83%
Copper 2mg 100%
Molybdenum 75mcg 100%
Selenium 30mcg 43%
Iodine 100mcg 67%
Boron 150mcg *
Proprietary Blend 1165mg
Curcumin
Green Tea Extract
L-Carnitine
Ginseng Extract
