It’s the first state to outlaw a vegetable oil. Continue reading California bans trans fats
Category Archives: CAM Politics
Debate: Don’t be fooled into legalizing marijuana
Earlier this year, a study published by researchers at Texas A&M Health Science Center concluded, “Consistent with other studies of the liberalization of cannabis laws, medical cannabis laws do not appear to increase use of the drug.”
Gee wiz. I guess that’s the end of that debate. Not really, as I debate the issue with a valued reader of this blog. Continue reading Debate: Don’t be fooled into legalizing marijuana
Regulating CAM in the UK
Medical News Today reports that the Department of Health Steering Group recommends to regulate acupuncture, herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine.
It’s recommended that this happen as soon as possible. Continue reading Regulating CAM in the UK
Misperceptions by a homeopathic physician
Geoff Woodin, a homeopathic physicians from the UK, has an us-vs-them view of homeopathy and allopathic medicine.
It’s not surprising given the onslaught of criticism targeting his field in the UK. However, his perspective of allopathic medicine is inaccurate, I believe. Continue reading Misperceptions by a homeopathic physician
Time to Talk
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has launched an educational campaign to encourage the discussion of CAM use.
The program is aimed at patients, healthcare professionals, and professional and community organizations. Continue reading Time to Talk
Chiropractic and the Pentagon
The American Chiropractic Association reported “The US House of Representatives has approved a directive that orders the Pentagon to make chiropractic care a standard benefit for all active-duty military personnel.” Continue reading Chiropractic and the Pentagon
FDA wants to establish offices inside China and India
Asia Food Journal reports that the US Food and Drug Administration has received approval from the US State Department to establish 8 full-time FDA positions at US diplomatic posts in the People’s Republic of China.
All this is depends on authorization from the Chinese government. Continue reading FDA wants to establish offices inside China and India
Everybody wants to certify dietary supplements
Will different certification programs and seals of approval help consumers select the highest quality supplements or just add to the confusion?
We probably won’t know for a while. In the mean time, here are three players in the field.
Continue reading Everybody wants to certify dietary supplements
Natural Products seal of approval
Debra Short, president of the Natural Products Association, tells us “People want natural products because they are good for them and good for our environment.”
Blah, blah, blah.
But a reader comments and links to a good blog on the topic.
Judging organic food based on miles to grocery store
A study from the University of Alberta concluded that the environmental impact of food-miles racked up by organic produce when making the trip from farm to grocery store cancels out the benefits of growing it according to organic principals. Continue reading Judging organic food based on miles to grocery store
Closing homeopathic hospitals in the UK
Here’s the latest on the controversy over homeopathy in the UK. Continue reading Closing homeopathic hospitals in the UK
CAM: Is it good or bad for ya?
Professor Edzard Ernst (photo) from the Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter & Plymouth UK has published an editorial in the British Medical Journal.
He sums up the state of the debate and makes a few surprising comments. Continue reading CAM: Is it good or bad for ya?
Consumer alert: 12 dietary herbal supplements
Caught in the act by the FDA, Herbal Science International, Inc. (aka Jen-On Herbal Science International, Inc.) is recalling 12 dietary supplements that contain ephedra, aristolochic acid, or human placenta.
Human placenta! Continue reading Consumer alert: 12 dietary herbal supplements
Can homeopathic products contain active substances not in homeopathic dilutions?
Not according to the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Care Products.
L. Ramon Cuesta Laso and Mara Teresa Alfonso Galn reviewed Spanish and European Union legislation and other sources regarding this topic.
Their conclusion? Continue reading Can homeopathic products contain active substances not in homeopathic dilutions?
Banned in Boston
Boston on Thursday became the latest city to ban artificial trans fats from food served in restaurants and grocery stores.
It’s no longer news, except for this quote. Continue reading Banned in Boston
BBC cancels CAM website
NaturalNews.com reports that the BBC discontinued the complementary medicine section of its Health Website. Continue reading BBC cancels CAM website
More on teaching CAM in medical schools
Medscape printed an article last year that was critical of CAM and any role it might have in the education of medical students. I summarized it here.
Now, a reasoned reply has been published. Continue reading More on teaching CAM in medical schools
How long does it take to get a CAM to market?
In a previous post I quoted from a Chinese medicine website that proclaimed “after sifting through more than 1,000 plants for 13 years, the researchers found 150 herbs with medicinal properties that appeared active in fighting HIV … From there, they selected the bark from white mulberry roots and four other Chinese plants as basic elements of their compound drug.” Continue reading How long does it take to get a CAM to market?
Marijuana available from vending machines in California
Here’s a CBS video on the subject.
It saddens me, but it’s instructive regarding the bias at CBS. Notice there’s no attempt to balance the report with any of the risks of marijuana or the lack of science on its “benefits.”
Go here for balance. Continue reading Marijuana available from vending machines in California
The cannabis experience in oncology
In September 2003, the Dutch government legalized a medicinal cannabis product for clinical research, drug development, and prescription use by patients.
Here’s what has happened since then. Continue reading The cannabis experience in oncology