Integrative Medicine Leaders Foresee Increased Regulation of Supplements

Grassroots pressure forced Sens. John McCain and Byron Dorgan to withdraw their bill to tighten supplement industry regulation. But leaders in the field say the war has only just begun. Rep. Henry Waxman, an outspoken critic of supplements, has written language in the Wall Street Reform bill that would give the Federal Trade Commission new authority over the industry. Meanwhile Rep. Ron Paul is pushing bills that would curb federal power over health information.

 

 

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FDA to Docs: See Something? Say Something!

A new program from the Food & Drug Administration is calling on physicians to report about misleading messages from pharmaceutical company reps, especially during private "detailing" visits.

 

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New FDA Data Underscore Supplement Safety & Fast Action When Problems Arise

The first wave of data from FDA's new Adverse Events Reporting System for dietary supplements shows two important things: The system works, enabling the FDA to act quickly when there's evidence of life-threatening side effects; and serious adverse events are rare given how widely supplements are used.

 

 

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Vitamin E Tocotrienols Prevent Post-Stroke Neuronal Death

A new study

shows that tocotrienols, an important component of naturally occurring Vitamin E, can prevent neural damage following ischemic stroke, potentially improving post-stroke outcomes.

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Assessing & Treating Bone Loss: Seven Tips For Improving Outcomes

Because of its very slow, insidious nature, osteoporosis is challenging to evaluate. Long-term daily drug therapy carries significant risk of side effects, a big price tag, and major compliance challenges. The key is to determine early on who is at greatest risk for fracture, and who truly needs intensive therapy.
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To Prevent Osteoporosis, Concentrate On Vitamin D, Not Bisphosphonates

The evidence supporting widespread use of bisphosphonate drugs for preventing osteoporosis fractures is pretty weak, while the data in favor of vitamin D supplementation is increasingly strong. Doctors who advocate “evidence-based medicine” need to rethink the role of drugs in treating women with osteoporosis.
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An Irish Seaweed Harbors Healthful Minerals for Osteoarthritis

A new, mineral-rich nutraceutical derived from a species of Irish marine algae has shown promise for improving joint function and reducing the need for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis.

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Beyond NTDs, Folic Acid May Also Prevent Congenital Heart Problems

Folic acid supplementation before and during pregnancy is widely recommended for preventing neural tube defects. New data indicate that it can also reduce the risk of cleft lip and congenital heart defects. At the other end of the age spectrum, folic acid in combination with vitamins B6 and B12 can reduce a woman’s risk of age-related macular degeneration.

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Vitamin D Deficiency Predicates Poor Outcomes in Breast Cancer

A new prospective study of 512 women with early-stage breast cancer suggests that those with the low serum vitamin D levels were more likely to die of their cancers than those with sufficient D levels. [ ...Read More]

Ubiquinol, the “Other CoQ10” May Help When Standard Forms Don’t

Clinical research on CoQ10 continues to point toward new uses including blood pressure reduction, glycemic control and potentially reducing risk of neurodegenration. CoQ10 in its reduced form, known as ubiquinol, often improves outcomes in conditions like as severe heart failure, when the more common ubiquinone form, has proven ineffective.

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