Dr. Jeffrey Bland Appointed as President of Newly Formed Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute (PLMI)

Bland’s Role to Focus on Gaining Worldwide Adoption of Lifestyle Medicine Approach

ALISO VIEJO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jeffrey Bland, PhD and Metagenics, Inc., a nutrigenomics and lifestyle medicine company focused on improving health and reversing chronic illness, today announced the formation of a new organization, the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute (PLMI). The PLMI, founded by Dr. Bland, will be a not-for-profit organization focused on promoting the importance of personalized lifestyle medicine as the safest and most effective approach to the management of early stages of chronic illness. To help reach its goal of reducing the rising global burden of chronic illness, Metagenics is providing the founding grant to the new organization.

“Forming this institute is an exciting step forward in helping to pave the way for personalized lifestyle medicine to be viewed as a key element in global healthcare systems.”

“With its rich 30-year history in developing science-based nutritional therapeutics to improve health and reduce chronic illnesses, Metagenics recognizes the years of contribution that Dr. Bland has made to the evolution of the company as its Chief Science Officer, and is the right person to launch this innovative and revolutionary institute,” commented Fred Howard, Chief Executive Officer of Metagenics. “Forming this institute is an exciting step forward in helping to pave the way for personalized lifestyle medicine to be viewed as a key element in global healthcare systems.”

Dr. Bland, who has been the Chief Science Officer for Metagenics for the past 12 years, is an internationally known research scientist and educator in lifestyle and functional medicine. He will lead the Institute in its mission to integrate the principles of personalized lifestyle medicine into healthcare systems around the world.

Dr. Bland brings a unique background as the President of the PLMI:

• More than a decade as Chief Science Officer and principal of Metagenics, and President of its research division MetaProteomics, shaping its scientific and clinical research and development in the field of nutrigenomics
• Chief Executive Officer of KinDex Therapeutics, a biotechnology company
• Research director at the Linus Pauling Institute for Science and Medicine
• Co-founder of the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM)
• Founder of HealthComm International, a company that trained healthcare providers on the application of functional medicine in clinical practice (and merged with Metagenics in 2000)

The PLMI will collaborate with some of the most dedicated and well-regarded thought leaders and decision makers in lifestyle medicine, each to serve an active role in the development of the organization. The PLMI will work to engage researchers, clinicians, health science educators, patient advocacy groups, medical institutions, medical societies, and regulatory and legislative groups to help move its mission forward and further the adoption of lifestyle medicine worldwide. The PLMI will provide educational resources that will facilitate the successful adoption of this approach to the global community through its website (www.plminstitute.org).

“I could not be happier to join forces with some of the most dedicated and well-regarded thought leaders and decision makers in the evolving discipline of lifestyle medicine to share information and foster scientific support for this field,” said Dr. Bland. “This institute will unite researchers, clinicians, health science educators, patient advocacy groups, medical institutions, medical societies, and regulatory and legislative groups to further the adoption of lifestyle medicine.”

“Within this role and my deep involvement and dedication to educating, publishing and advocacy through the institute, I believe I will make the greatest contribution toward my personal and professional mission: improving health through nutrigenomics and lifestyle medicine,” Dr. Bland concluded.

In his new role, Dr. Bland will continue to serve on the Metagenics Board of Directors. He will provide continuing medical education programs sponsored by Metagenics and other organizations that promote the delivery of personalized lifestyle medicine as the best initial approach for the prevention and management of chronic disease.

The PLMI is based in Seattle, WA, and can be reached at 206-922-2915 or [e-mail].

About Metagenics, Inc.

Metagenics, Inc. (www.metagenics.com) is a nutrigenomics and lifestyle medicine company dedicated to helping people live happier, healthier lives by realizing their genetic potential. Founded in 1983, Metagenics serves more than 75,000 healthcare providers worldwide through premium quality, science-based medical foods, nutritional formulas, and lifestyle therapy programs such as FirstLine Therapy to help their patients achieve a lifetime of good health. Metagenics’ scientific staff—among the largest in the nutrigenomics industry—has published more than 80 articles in peer-reviewed journals and has been awarded more than 50 international or domestic patents. The company’s educational arm, Metagenics University, collaborates with renowned medical experts to annually deliver more than 200 events designed to help healthcare professionals stay on the leading edge of lifestyle medicine and incorporate nutrition into their clinical practice.

Metagenics maintains its corporate headquarters in Aliso Viejo, CA; R&D headquarters in Gig Harbor, WA; and operating subsidiaries in Brussels, Belgium and Brisbane, Australia.

About the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute (PLMI)

The PLMI (www.plminstitute.org) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the safe and effective use of lifestyle medicine, including healthy eating plans, nutritional supplements and medical foods, moderate exercise, and stress reduction, for reducing the global burden of chronic illness. The PLMI collaborates with leading medical experts, scientists, educators, advocacy groups, medical institutions, medical societies and legislative groups to further its mission to integrate the principles of personalized lifestyle medicine for the prevention and management of chronic illness into healthcare systems worldwide.

The PLMI maintains its corporate headquarters in Seattle, WA.