A clever way to get consumers to buy into chelation or colon cleanses? Who knows. All you herbivores and vitaphiles out there better be careful with your 'safe' stuff. Don't kill the messenger, this article is courtesy of the Old Gray Lady. I am just sorry to see verification of what I have long suspected.
Nearly all of the herbal dietary supplements tested in a Congressional investigation contained trace amounts of lead and other contaminants, and some supplement sellers made illegal claims that their products can cure cancer and other diseases, investigators found.
Herbal Supplements Often Have Contaminants, Study Finds - NYTimes.com
Replies
54
SoWal Expert
Didn't we have a huge thread full of outrage that the FDA would even consider regulating these products? ;-)
SkunkyAuthor
Didn't we have a huge thread full of outrage that the FDA would even consider regulating these products? ;-)
http://www.sowal.com/bb/politics-current-events/45409-mccains-freedom-destroying-bill.html
Beach Fanatic
A clever way to get consumers to buy into chelation or colon cleanses? Who knows. All you herbivores and vitaphiles out there better be careful with your 'safe' stuff. Don't kill the messenger, this article is courtesy of the Old Gray Lady. I am just sorry to see verification of what I have long suspected.
Nearly all of the herbal dietary supplements tested in a Congressional investigation contained trace amounts of lead and other contaminants, and some supplement sellers made illegal claims that their products can cure cancer and other diseases, investigators found.
Herbal Supplements Often Have Contaminants, Study Finds - NYTimes.com
Dude, I grow my own herbs
I've never done a colon cleanse or chelation or taken St John's Wort, but I have taken other herbs - but not many. (menopause progesterone cream did wonders for me) Also, I take zero zilch nada when it comes to otc or prescription drugs. I rely on my food and exercise program.
I still don't trust any study done by those who put Vioxx on the market ;-) But it is worth noting that we should all be careful with what we put in our bodies - whether it is from the pharmacy or the health counter.
Thanks for the article.
G
SoWal Insider
The study was probably conducted by the same goons who ran clinical trials on children with mercury amalgams and stated there was no difference in toxicity between the children with composite fillings over a 5 year period; just about every European Country and Japan have banned mercury amalgams due to their toxicity. Also, probably the same goons who have banned certain pesticides for use at home due to toxicity, especially to young children, but allowed them to be used in our fruit and vegetable supply and now it's being linked to ADHD. :roll:
You are exposed to higher levels daily to metals like arsenic, mercury, lead, aluminum and cadmium, which are prevalent in many parts of environment from the fish you eat, drinking water, antiperspirant, building materials........
Tell me Skunky, if a patient came in to you who is in constant pain but gets major relief from a supplement with Turmeric, Boswellia, Devil's Claw, Ginger and Yucca, along with Bromelain and Quercetin sold by a company like this one, (whose major purchasers and referrers are Physicians) would tell them how unsafe it might be and write them a prescription for addictive pain killers instead?
Thanks for reminding me I need to take my Chlorella.
Cheers...Signed,
One herbivoric vitaphilia who could give a rat's toot what our government has to say about what I consume.
Metals like arsenic, mercury, lead, aluminum and cadmium, which are prevalent in many areas of ou
You are exposed to higher levels daily to metals like arsenic, mercury, lead, aluminum and cadmium, which are prevalent in many parts of environment from the fish you eat, drinking water, antiperspirant, building materials........
Tell me Skunky, if a patient came in to you who is in constant pain but gets major relief from a supplement with Turmeric, Boswellia, Devil's Claw, Ginger and Yucca, along with Bromelain and Quercetin sold by a company like this one, (whose major purchasers and referrers are Physicians) would tell them how unsafe it might be and write them a prescription for addictive pain killers instead?
Thanks for reminding me I need to take my Chlorella.
Cheers...Signed,
One herbivoric vitaphilia who could give a rat's toot what our government has to say about what I consume.
Metals like arsenic, mercury, lead, aluminum and cadmium, which are prevalent in many areas of ou
Banned
SkunkyAuthor
The study was probably conducted by the same goons who ran clinical trials on children with mercury amalgams and stated there was no difference in toxicity between the children with composite fillings over a 5 year period; just about every European Country and Japan have banned mercury amalgams due to their toxicity. Also, probably the same goons who have banned certain pesticides for use at home due to toxicity, especially to young children, but allowed them to be used in our fruit and vegetable supply and now it's being linked to ADHD. :roll:
You are exposed to higher levels daily to metals like arsenic, mercury, lead, aluminum and cadmium, which are prevalent in many parts of environment from the fish you eat, drinking water, antiperspirant, building materials........
Tell me Skunky, if a patient came in to you who is in constant pain but gets major relief from a supplement with Turmeric, Boswellia, Devil's Claw, Ginger and Yucca, along with Bromelain and Quercetin sold by a company like this one, (whose major purchasers and referrers are Physicians) would tell them how unsafe it might be and write them a prescription for addictive pain killers instead?
Thanks for reminding me I need to take my Chlorella.
Cheers...Signed,
One herbivoric vitaphilia who could give a rat's toot what our government has to say about what I consume.
Metals like arsenic, mercury, lead, aluminum and cadmium, which are prevalent in many areas of ou
I'd tell them pain is subjective, the placebo effect is real and caveat emptor, as always. The herbal/vitamin thing is a bunch of crap, sorry. Furthermore, it is apparently dangerous. Believe who you wish, big pharma, big herb or big brother.
Banned
Edited
SoWal Insider
That's why you go to consumerlab.com before you buy anything.
SoWal Insider
I'd tell them pain is subjective, the placebo effect is real and caveat emptor, as always. The herbal/vitamin thing is a bunch of crap, sorry. Furthermore, it is apparently dangerous. Believe who you wish, big pharma, big herb or big brother.
Sloan Kettering Cancer Center didn't scientifically find that that the herb Turmeric could cause a placebo effect at all, but I am guessing you do not believe them either. From their web site shown below!
Clinical Summary
Derived from the rhizome and root, turmeric is used as a spice and coloring agent, and in traditional medicine in Asia. The active constituents are thought to be turmerone oil and water soluble curcuminoids, including curcumin. Turmeric may help alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (9) as well as quiescent ulcerative colitis (10). Data from an epidemiological study are suggestive of improved cognitive performance in elderly Asians who consume turmeric in the form of curry powder (11); however, no benefits of curcumin supplementation were detected in patients with Alzheimer's (12). In another study, turmeric extract was found to be safe and equally effective as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for the treatment of osteoarthritis of knee (34).
In vitro and animal studies suggest antiproliferative and preventative effects of turmeric against cancer (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (35). Furthermore, curcumin was shown to induce apoptosis in human colon cancer (14) and promyelocytic leukemia cells (15). Curcumin potentiated gemcitabine action in both in vitro and in vivo studies of pancreatic cancer (17). In a phase II trial in pancreatic cancer patients, down-regulation of NF-kappa B and cyclooxygenase-2 were observed (29).
Oral administration is well tolerated, but bioavailability is relatively low (1) (2) (29). Following absorption, curcuminoids are rapidly metabolized.
Animal studies indicate that curcumin may inhibit cyclophosphamide in treating breast cancer (16), but results from a recent, phase I trial found a combination of curcumin and docetaxel to be safe (36). More research is necessary, but it is advisable for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to limit intake of turmeric. Patients with gastrointestinal disorders or those predisposed to kidney stone formation (13) should use this supplement with caution.
SkunkyAuthor
Sloan Kettering Cancer Center didn't scientifically find that that the herb Turmeric could cause a placebo effect at all, but I am guessing you do not believe them either. From their web site shown below! I also hope you weren't mocking chronic Lyme disease when many FB people changed their avatars to Lyme green for May- Lyme awareness month and you and nurses took a photo with a green tint, because I am certain you believe it doesn't exist. I may be an idiot in your book, but I know mocking intonations when I see them.
Clinical Summary
I'm not calling anyone an idiot, and I certainly understand that medicines can be derived from all manner of plants;that is beyond debate.
The problem is, and this has been my point for years, having been round and round with SOWAL supplement/herb/vitamin advocates, is that herbs, vitamins, tonics, teas and all other manner of 'natural' remedies are NOT by default safe products because they are sold without a prescription! It seems that 'big herb' has fostered an image of product wholesomeness (akin to the consumer's perception of farming practices based on food label art depicting small, rural farms when in reality most of the farm products we consume are from megafactory farms, the point made in the film Food Inc.) that is inconsistent with reality. Like so many of our goods today, these products are made in China for goodness sake! I was amazed to learn that almost 100% of vitamin C supplements are manufactured in China...China, the same country that routinely puts toxic amounts of lead and cadmium in kids toys! If I routinely consumed vitamins and supplements and discovered that nearly every sample tested in a congressional inquiry was tainted with lead, I would feel really sick and pissed off right now.
I know you like to use these products but I have to tell you, I will no longer take any of this stuff and will advocate anyone to cease and desist consumption of vitamins and supplements unless there is documentation of domestic manufacture and wholesomeness. It simply makes no sense to consume these products at this point as there is almost never demonstrable benefit and now the very real risk of harm. Additionally, I advocate a strong tightening of laws overseeing this out of control industry to protect people who will continue to use these products. I would suggest that if you want to consume turmeric you patronize your local Indian restaurant, not the supplement store.
Beach Fanatic
I'd tell them pain is subjective, the placebo effect is real and caveat emptor, as always. The herbal/vitamin thing is a bunch of crap, sorry. Furthermore, it is apparently dangerous. Believe who you wish, big pharma, big herb or big brother.
So you don't think that any vitamins are worthwhile? What about folic acid for pregnant women? What about the way Native Americans treated illness and infection with echinacea? What about supplementing Vit D for people in less sunny climates? People have been using herbs for eons for healing. Granted, there are some "snake oil" salesmen out there, but the consumer needs to become educated about what they are taking and do their research. I never put anything in my body without thorough research and that would include anything on a prescription pad too (can't tell you how many people just faithfully "pop" whatever their doctor gives them without question or research)
OTC medications - and I believe they are regulated - can be very dangerous. And people pop Tylenol left and right -
According to the FDA, taking too much acetaminophen will kill you and the government agency also admits this chemical is the leading cause of liver failure in the U.S. Acetaminophen is responsible for 56,000 emergency room visits and 456 deaths annually, according to studies done between 1990 and 1998. In spite of this, billions of doses are sold each year.
The FDA rarely admits the damage the drugs they`ve approved do. In fact, in recent years, the drug approval agency has been in the spotlight for doing precisely the opposite; they`ve been caught hiding this information from public view. FDA Admits Drug in Tylenol and Excedrin is Main Cause of Liver Failure in U.S.
We must become educated consumers no matter what we are taking I'll give you that. But to say that herbs and vitamins are crap is just wrong. The FDA rarely admits the damage the drugs they`ve approved do. In fact, in recent years, the drug approval agency has been in the spotlight for doing precisely the opposite; they`ve been caught hiding this information from public view. FDA Admits Drug in Tylenol and Excedrin is Main Cause of Liver Failure in U.S.
G
Beach Fanatic
I was amazed to learn that almost 100% of vitamin C supplements are manufactured in China...China, the same country that routinely puts toxic amounts of lead and cadmium in kids toys!
My bottle of Vit C says United States.
I think people should read the article you posted and learn from it. Become safe consumers. But not dismiss the fact that certain herbs and supplements, along with a good diet and exercise, have their place.SkunkyAuthor
So you don't think that any vitamins are worthwhile? What about folic acid for pregnant women? What about the way Native Americans treated illness and infection with echinacea? What about supplementing Vit D for people in less sunny climates? People have been using herbs for eons for healing. Granted, there are some "snake oil" salesmen out there, but the consumer needs to become educated about what they are taking and do their research. I never put anything in my body without thorough research and that would include anything on a prescription pad too (can't tell you how many people just faithfully "pop" whatever their doctor gives them without question or research)
OTC medications - and I believe they are regulated - can be very dangerous. And people pop Tylenol left and right -
According to the FDA, taking too much acetaminophen will kill you and the government agency also admits this chemical is the leading cause of liver failure in the U.S. Acetaminophen is responsible for 56,000 emergency room visits and 456 deaths annually, according to studies done between 1990 and 1998. In spite of this, billions of doses are sold each year.We must become educated consumers no matter what we are taking I'll give you that. But to say that herbs and vitamins are crap is just wrong.
The FDA rarely admits the damage the drugs they`ve approved do. In fact, in recent years, the drug approval agency has been in the spotlight for doing precisely the opposite; they`ve been caught hiding this information from public view. FDA Admits Drug in Tylenol and Excedrin is Main Cause of Liver Failure in U.S.
G
In fact, you are right. I do tell postmenopausal women to take a calcium + Vitamin D supplement. I will have to try to figure out which are domestically produced. As far as folic acid, sorry, but until a prenatal vitamin or folate tab is known to be produced in a safe plant, it is not worth it. Luckily folic acid is added to a wide variety of foods and is available naturally in others, so there probably will not be an epidemic of neural tube defects.
I might be wrong, but I bet that the label on your Vitamin C simply displaying a company name headquartered in the USA does not specifically mean it was produced in the USA.
As far as echinacea, in studies not designed by manufacturers it doesn't seem to do much other than separate consumers from their money. There was a great study probably 8-10 years ago where college kids (volunteers!) were infected with Rhinovirus, and one group was given echinacea, the other a placebo and there was absolutely no benefit in the treated group versus the placebo group. Paying $8-10 on something that is probably manufactured in China in order to 'cure' a self limited condition makes no sense.
I have only seen one case of tylenol induced hepatitis, and that was in an alcoholic who was taking tylenol, some cold remedy that contained tylenol and drinking like a fish. It resolved in a few days. I have seen many cases of people who have tried to kill themselves with tylenol by intentionally overdosing, and in each instance they were unsuccessful. All in all, acetaminophen seems to me to be a safe product when used as intended. Even though Tylenol's safety is a red herring in this thread, I do find it interesting that the manufacturer pulled their product recently after concern over product wholesomeness. I wonder if any manufacturer or seller of of vitamins and herbs will do the same since it appears their products may be tainted. I will not hold my breath...
Beach Fanatic
In fact, you are right. I do tell postmenopausal women to take a calcium + Vitamin D supplement. I will have to try to figure out which are domestically produced. As far as folic acid, sorry, but until a prenatal vitamin or folate tab is known to be produced in a safe plant, it is not worth it. Luckily folic acid is added to a wide variety of foods and is available naturally in others, so there probably will not be an epidemic of neural tube defects. (I never took any - I relied on lots of leafy green veggies and that is what I would recommend, but a lot of health care professionals don't even bring that up or they do push the prenatals with FA)
I might be wrong, but I bet that the label on your Vitamin C simply displaying a company name headquartered in the USA does not specifically mean it was produced in the USA. (you know, I am going to contact them and find out. It says "manufactured by NOW Foods, Bloomingdale, IL 60108 and then it says "made in USA" - I'll let you know what they say)
As far as echinacea, in studies not designed by manufacturers it doesn't seem to do much other than separate consumers from their money. There was a great study probably 8-10 years ago where college kids (volunteers!) were infected with Rhinovirus, and one group was given echinacea, the other a placebo and there was absolutely no benefit in the treated group versus the placebo group. Paying $8-10 on something that is probably manufactured in China in order to 'cure' a self limited condition makes no sense. (tell that to the Native Americans who used it for snake-bite and I grow my own root) ;-)
If I have a tummy ache I totally rely on mint from my garden and chamomile.
I wouldn't say though that someone taking turmeric or curamin is only receiving a placebo effect. That's not fair to the person suffering. I've read countless tales of people finding their only hope in curamin (which does have its side effects too of course) and they thank their lucky stars they have it.
Edited
Banned
What about cranberry juice for prevention of bladder and urinary tract infections? That's really all I care about. I switched over to Sam Adams Cranberry Lambic for the supposed benefits, and that stuff is awful!
I would rather drink that citrusy Blue Moon weasel piss whatever you call it.
I would rather drink that citrusy Blue Moon weasel piss whatever you call it.Banned
If I have a tummy ache I totally rely on mint from my garden and chamomile.
I wouldn't say though that someone taking turmeric or curamin is only receiving a placebo effect. That's not fair to the person suffering. I've read countless tales of people finding their only hope in curamin (which does have its side effects too of course) and they thank their lucky stars they have it.
Why is it unfair to tell a patient the effect is only due to placebo? You're essentially telling the patient he's getting better, no longer needs treatment, and will now have a little more time and money on his hands. Sounds like progress to me.
SkunkyAuthor
If I have a tummy ache I totally rely on mint from my garden and chamomile.
I wouldn't say though that someone taking turmeric or curamin is only receiving a placebo effect. That's not fair to the person suffering. I've read countless tales of people finding their only hope in curamin (which does have its side effects too of course) and they thank their lucky stars they have it.
Gidget, there is a huge difference between you picking something out of your garden and enjoying it (we have mint, too) and something grown lord knows where, processed according to unknown standards and possibly tainted. Apples and oranges.
FYI, I tried to call Bayer today (maker of the ubiquitous Flintstones vitamins) to see where the pills are actually made. The company has a New Jersey address. Unfortunately, the customer service line is closed on the weekend and the website did not mention it. I will report back with an update.
Beach Fanatic
Gidget, there is a huge difference between you picking something out of your garden and enjoying it (we have mint, too) and something grown lord knows where, processed according to unknown standards and possibly tainted. Apples and oranges.
FYI, I tried to call Bayer today (maker of the ubiquitous Flintstones vitamins) to see where the pills are actually made. The company has a New Jersey address. Unfortunately, the customer service line is closed on the weekend and the website did not mention it. I will report back with an update.
Yeah, but you said "the herb/vitamin thing is a bunch of crap" - so are you saying herbs are crap or that herbs that are manufactured in loose ways are crap. That's why I wrote that.
Beach Fanatic
When science clashes with beliefs? Make science impotent
This has NOTHING to do with this thread - so you are telling me that I, who understand and believe in evolution and I, who understand and believe in man's hand in global warming am not scientific because I believe that when if I take an herbal supplement or a vitamin I am building health?
There's a balance here when it comes to herbs and vitamins. Yes, making sure our sources are clean sources is important. And making sure we don't buy into all the hoopla about herbs AND prescribed drugs is important. We must do our research. But to dismiss ALL claims when it comes to herbs and vitamins is wrong.
Beach Fanatic
What about cranberry juice for prevention of bladder and urinary tract infections? That's really all I care about. I switched over to Sam Adams Cranberry Lambic for the supposed benefits, and that stuff is awful!
My friend's husband was diagnosed with gout. The thing that really got his uric acid levels down was black cherry juice.
Beach Fanatic
Skunky = I might be wrong, but I bet that the label on your Vitamin C simply displaying a company name headquartered in the USA does not specifically mean it was produced in the USA..Ok Skunky, I told you I would contact the company on my bottle of Vit C. I did.
Here's what I found out from NOW Foods
GMP Certification
The Natural Products Association (formerly NNFA) has recertified NOW? Foods, Bloomingdale, IL as an "A-rated" GMP facility. This follows another rigorous inspection by an independent auditor for the Natural Products Association.
NOW Foods? 250,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art manufacturing facility with complete Quality Assurance and Quality Control systems and processes has been GMP certified and ?A-rated? by NPA/NNFA since 2000. Today, NPA GMP Certification includes all requirements for the new FDA dietary supplement cGMPs, and more.
NOW?s GMP certification covers standard operating procedures, employee training, product specifications, expiration dating, vendor certifications and much more. Standard operating procedures include sampling and testing incoming materials according to NOW Foods specifications, inspecting manufacturing processes, and testing finished products to specifications. Tests include organoleptic evaluation (human senses such as sight, taste, smell), physical testing of tablets and capsules, chemical identity of ingredients, potency and contamination testing by the company?s in-house state-of-the-art analytical testing lab, as well as microbiological testing by NOW Foods? in-house rapid analysis microbiological lab.
"Our GMP certification by the NPA is a cornerstone of our commitment to quality,? said Michael Lelah, Ph.D., NOW Foods Technical Director. ?As industry leaders in analytical and microbiological testing, we have the technical and professional personnel, lab facilities, standards and procedures to ensure the highest quality products. Our quality commitment also includes continuous improvement programs to get even better."
At NOW foods your concern for safety is our concern for safety. We take countless steps to ensure we select safe ingredients and we follow those ingredients through the manufacturing process to finished packaging, testing each step of the way for contaminants and imperfections. Ensuring safety requires robust and rigorous systems and processes. Our state of the art facility and equipment and our dedicated professional staff work hard to ensure product safety for everyone.
Some examples of the many systems and processes NOW has put in place to ensure product safety.
- We examine the toxicological and safety data for our ingredients when formulating our products. Our scientists work to ensure that products are formulated at safe ingredient levels.
- We work with trusted, high quality raw material suppliers. We determine their commitment to safety and audit all of them to ensure that they too have systems and processes for safety and quality.
- We test all our products and ingredients for adulterants and contaminants. This includes testing for heavy metals, microbiological contamination, cross contamination and for specific allergens and gluten. We test our water and air to insure there is no outside contamination coming in and we test to make sure our equipment is clean and sanitized. Click here to learn about our testing capabilities and expertise.
- Our manufacturing processes follow dietary supplement cGMPs and we are certified by the National Products Association. We use HACCP (Hazard Analysis Contamination Control Point) systems to identify potential hazards and to put in place barriers to prevent them from occurring. These hazards include metals, glass, pests and microbial contamination.
- Our manufacturing control systems are automated. Our electronic MRP (Manufacturing Resource Planning) system is designed to ensure that the correct materials are used in production with measures such as bar codes to double check accuracy. We have many other checks and balances in manufacturing including separate QC inspection processes.
- Our QC inspectors accept or reject raw materials, in-process materials, and finished products, based on meeting specifications. Our QC inspectors work independently from our manufacturing personnel so as to eliminate any conflict of interest.
- NOW products are packaged in containers designed to protect their integrity. We strive to ensure the safety and freshness of all our products through their shelf life.
- We make sure that all necessary cautions and warnings are placed on product labels, and that any allergens are clearly identified. We have a rigorous label approval process designed to best comply with all relevant laws and regulations and we exceed federal requirements for allergen labeling by also including corn and gluten. As an added layer of caution, NOW is a peanut-free processing facility.
The relationships that we have forged over the years are rooted in a collective desire to provide today?s health-seeking consumers with superior health products. With assistance and input from nearly a dozen different departments, we work closely with our raw material providers to ensure product quality from the very start. Strong attention to detail and consistent scrutiny in choosing our raw materials are visible throughout each phase of the manufacturing process. This constant scrutiny is of immeasurable worth when it comes to ensuring that the NOW products on your shelves have been carefully tended to; from the moment they arrive at our facility to the time they are shipped to our customers.
Testing 1-2-3
The role of microbiology in quality control at NOW? Foods is expanding daily to encompass a wide variety of quality and safety issues.
Incoming raw materials and natural food products as well as any supplements formulated and manufactured off site are tested for the presence of undesirable microbes. Materials that do not meet NOW?s stringent specifications are returned to the vendor with an explanation detailing the reason for refusal.
To ensure all products manufactured at NOW remain free of biological contaminants, various sites throughout our manufacturing plant are monitored regularly for the presence of unwanted microbes.
In addition to ensuring quality and safety, NOW?s microbiologists are also directly involved in the formulation of active bacteria products such as probiotics containing acidophilus.
NOW Foods has made substantial investment in the development and staffing of an in-house laboratory to meet ever-increasing demands for accurate product analysis of herbal and nutritional raw materials as well as finished consumer products.
Our expert team of highly qualified scientists and technicians work in tandem to develop new and improved analytical methods with the highest accuracy and precision possible to ensure NOW Foods? products will remain among the best the market has to offer.
To assist in this mission, NOW?s recently renovated and expanded laboratory facilities feature state-of-the-art testing equipment including high performance liquid chromatographs (HPLC), a new Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) and an ultraviolet/visible spectrometer (UV/VIS). Primary analyses are also performed in house using Gas Chromatography (GC)and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (GCMS).NOW?S analytical chemists are also second to none and widely recognized as being among the industry?s best and most accomplished.
Waiting to back this up with a phone call after holiday
From Skunky: FYI, I tried to call Bayer today (maker of the ubiquitous Flintstones vitamins) to see where the pills are actually made. The company has a New Jersey address. Unfortunately, the customer service line is closed on the weekend and the website did not mention it. I will report back with an update.BAYER? I wouldn't buy anything or take anything from them if I could help it!
I think we are on the same page about the blanket idea that many do have when it comes to herbs and vitamins and that is that because it is "natural" it is ok.
We have to do our research and START with a fit body by way of good foods and exercise. Then add what is needed after we have all the facts. The article is good skunky but the idea that ALL herbs and supplements are "crap" is just as extreme as saying that all are safe.
(Thank goodness for cut and paste
)G
Beach Fanatic
Oops forgot to add that you might have to rethink antibiotics too skunky
More than 100 antibiotics enable China to establish complete industrial chain
With more than 100 antibiotics in production, China has now taken the lead worldwide in total production volume of antibiotics.
and...
FDA Scrutiny Scant In India, China as Drugs Pour Into U.S. - washingtonpost.com
In India, which has more plants making drugs and drug ingredients for American consumers than any other foreign nation, it conducted a handful.
More than 100 antibiotics enable China to establish complete industrial chain
With more than 100 antibiotics in production, China has now taken the lead worldwide in total production volume of antibiotics.
and...
FDA Scrutiny Scant In India, China as Drugs Pour Into U.S. - washingtonpost.com
In India, which has more plants making drugs and drug ingredients for American consumers than any other foreign nation, it conducted a handful.
SoWal Expert
Very interesting to read that - it would appear that Skunky's warning was spot on and that is one of the few companies trying to do the right thing/position themselves for when it all hits the fan.
The example they gave of accepting only 4/45 batches - even from their trusted suppliers - should give everyone pause as to just what is being sold in stores.
I was always told that it was better to get your vitamins from a natural source - like fruits and vegetables - than in pill form. Partly because the pills were so skewed in their doses, partly because they weren't regulated, and partly because it was better to eat right than to pop a pill to make up for bad nutrition.
The example they gave of accepting only 4/45 batches - even from their trusted suppliers - should give everyone pause as to just what is being sold in stores.
I was always told that it was better to get your vitamins from a natural source - like fruits and vegetables - than in pill form. Partly because the pills were so skewed in their doses, partly because they weren't regulated, and partly because it was better to eat right than to pop a pill to make up for bad nutrition.
Banned
This has NOTHING to do with this thread - so you are telling me that I, who understand and believe in evolution and I, who understand and believe in man's hand in global warming am not scientific because I believe that when if I take an herbal supplement or a vitamin I am building health?
There's a balance here when it comes to herbs and vitamins. Yes, making sure our sources are clean sources is important. And making sure we don't buy into all the hoopla about herbs AND prescribed drugs is important. We must do our research. But to dismiss ALL claims when it comes to herbs and vitamins is wrong.
It has everything to do with this thread. If the shoe fits wear it.
SoWal Insider
I've seen Gidget and she is the picture of health. I'll take some of whatever she is taking. She looks and lives in a healther manner than 90 percent of the people I know. Science has its flaws just like everything else and that includes medical science.
I check my sups from consumer labs, because I don't always eat right and I have problems with dairy, so I need calicum if I don't get enough from greens and veggies. During the winter I add Vit D.
To call anyones beliefs crap as a blanket statment is crappy in itself.
I check my sups from consumer labs, because I don't always eat right and I have problems with dairy, so I need calicum if I don't get enough from greens and veggies. During the winter I add Vit D.
To call anyones beliefs crap as a blanket statment is crappy in itself.
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