Chiropractic treatment has been available in Thailand since 1993, with 21 local and foreign chiropractors — most practicing in Bangkok and Pattaya.
Now, 14 years later, Bangkok’s The Nation newspaper reports that testing for certification of chiropractors took place last week. Continue reading Chiropractic now recognized in Thailand
Chinese exports have been under scrutiny since the discovery of melamine in shipments of feed and pet food sent to the US.
Ongoing inspections in China have revealed an alarming list of substances, include paraffin wax, dyes, and formaldehyde in biscuits, flour, and seafood, according to the Chinese newspaper, People’s Daily. Continue reading Update: China’s response to the food export scandal
And compliance with the law is encouraging.
According to an article in MedicalNewsToday.com,
Sounds like it’s not that hard to change.
7/1/07 10:24 JR
It’s is the third time this year the FDA has identified a “natural” product sold via the Internet for the treatment of impotence (erectile dysfunction) that was adulterated with the prescription drug tadalafil (Cialis). Continue reading Consumer alert: FDA recalls Long Weekend
Has your worst nightmare become real, or is this the start of sanity for the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA)?
It’s not necessary to comment on this. More importantly… Continue reading FDA takes control
Researchers have cloned a gene from wild wheat that increases its protein, zinc, and iron content. The impact of this research could improve nutrition, worldwide.
Continue reading Increased protein and mineral content from genetically engineered wheat
This survey explored the beliefs and practices of family medicine physicians regarding the use of nonconventional treatment for menopausal symptom management. Continue reading No surprise: Healthcare providers recommend the CAM they know
Ingestion of chan su, a Chinese topical anesthetic and purported aphrodisiac, can cause a dangerous reaction similar to digoxin toxicity. Continue reading Digoxin-like toxicity cause by the Chinese herbal medicine, chan su
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers to avoid using tubes of toothpaste labeled as made in China.
The warning comes after toothpaste containing diethylene glycol, or DEG, was detected in a shipment seized at the border and in products sold at two stores. Continue reading Consumer alert: Toothpaste made in China
This is apparently in response to the pet food scandal and the food poisoning linked to Chinese imports. Continue reading China sentences former drug regulator to death
Schisandra sphenanthera (Nan Wu Wei Zi, lemon-wood) is “commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs.” I found no clinical study in humans to support the many claims for this Chinese herbal medicine.
Now, there’s a report of a drug interaction with tacrolimus (Prograf) — a drug used to suppress the immune system in order to prevent organ rejection of liver, kidney, or heart transplants. Continue reading Transplant patients are cautioned about taking Schisandra
The Zoft Gum Company, which makes several herbal supplement chewing gums (eg, breast enlargement, weight reduction) has introduced a new gum to help manage the symptoms of menopause.
There are no studies of this gum for treating menopausal symptoms in women. And the discussion of the gum’s ingredients on the Zoft website is misleading.
This summary should provide balance. Continue reading Zoft Menopause Gum
The US House of Representatives has passed legislation to expedite expansion of chiropractic benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system. The bill was approved 421:1. Continue reading Making chiropractic care benefits available to vets
Here is an update to an earlier post where many scientists and advocates of evidence-based medicine claimed that giving homeopathy scientific status in the UK is unjustified.
An article in The Guardian reports an intensified effort to stop homeopathic treatment from being funded by the NHS (National Health Service) in the UK. Continue reading Ganging up on homeopathy in the UK
An article in Mayo Clinic Proceedings recently reported a disconnect between consumers’ use of herbals to treat certain conditions and the scientific support for their use.
The authors suggested that healthcare professionals take a proactive role in educating their patients. The results from this survey suggest doctors are not prepared for this responsibility without further training. Continue reading Are physicians prepared to educate patients about dietary supplements?
Negotiations to create the Australia New Zealand Therapeutic Products Authority (ANZTPA) have been ongoing for more than a decade.
According to The New Zealand Herald, all medicines, medical and surgical devices and complementary/alternative medicines would be regulated by this agency. Continue reading Australia and New Zealand move toward combined drug/herbal regulation
Researchers from the Mayo Clinic want to know why so few people use herbals in accordance with their evidence-based (read, proven) uses?
I think the answer is obvious, but they wrestle with this question nonetheless. Continue reading Disconnect between the uses vs the scientific evidence supporting herbals
For years, US inspection records show, China has flooded the United States with foods unfit for human consumption.
Here’s the latest from The Washington Post. Continue reading More problems with tainted Chinese imports
The Guardian reports and Clayton Cramer’s blog has summarized the research on a potential link between an omega-3 fatty acid deficiency and increased violence.
Here’s the evidence so far.
It’s business as usual. Market a product to enhance virility, illegally add Viagra, and sell it without a prescription as a “natural” product.
It’s a cruel joke. Continue reading Consumer Alert: True Man and Energy Max