Natural Supplements Under Siege for Telling the Truth

Evidently it is becoming a crime to tell the truth about natural supplements. The federal government seems to retain the rights as to what and what cannot be said regarding supplements. Manufactures are not permitted to say which diseases or conditions their supplements can help, even when there is proof produced through scientific research. Currently there are three extremely important legislative items that will put an end to controlling statements on supplements, allowing the manufactures to inform the public of the health benefits the supplements produce.

Right now the U.S. Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act states that anything in which cures, treats, mitigates, diagnoses or prevents disease is a drug. Take green tea for example, it does contain cancer prevention compounds however, it cannot be stated as such because then it would be declared an unauthorized drug. This then leaves supplement manufactures, farmers and vitamin developers keeping quite due to the government censorship about the health benefits their product can provide persons. Pharmaceutical companies can put forth claims on medications and yet they do not get censored if they do it takes a very long time for the government to notice, not to mention some health disasters they cause persons before they are removed off the market if they are removed.

In 1994, Congress had passed Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHAE), which efficiently stopped the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) plans to omit any access to dietary supplements. Natural health advocates all over the nation had cheered in its victory. This prominent stand which lead to the passing of DSHAE is noted as one of the greatest achievements in political efforts started by the American public to maintain and keep health freedom, which allows persons to buy vitamins, herbs, supplements and natures super-foods.

Americans having the capability to either buy or sell vitamins and herbal supplements in this day and age is of vital importance. However, not being able to label these products as to their true health benefits is a disservice to Americans. Manufactures of these products are not permitted to even link their product to scientific studies that prove the benefits of these products. By the FDA not permitting the scientific information of benefits leave Americans unaware of the health benefits these products actually can provide.

Once again health advocates now have the chance to gain another victory that will allow the free speech for health, however this will entail the effort of as many persons as possible to help.

Bills needing help to be passed

The Free Speech About Science Act of 2010(H.R.4913) is one of the three bills before the committee which is in dire need of pressure from the American pubic to keep it alive. The bill was brought forward by Representative Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and is cosponsored by Jared Polis(D-CO), this bipartisan bill will modify the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to allow the free exchange of legitimate scientific proof revealing that food, herbs and vitamins do have therapeutic abilities.

The Freedom of Health Speech Act (H.R.3394), sponsored by Representative Ron Paul(R-TX), is very much alike the first bill that halts the FTC from having the right at will and immediately bring court action against food and supplement manufactures for stating legitimate health benefits. This bill will then force the FDA to prove that the claim is not true before prosecuting the company which produced it. Right now vitamin and supplement companies can end up in FTC court even though they had not committed any crimes or wrong doing.

Lastly, is the Health Freedom Act (H.R.3395), which will control the FDA from abuse of authority by way of claims of false advertising brought against food and supplement manufactures. Just like the previous bill H.R.3394 this bill places the burden of proof on the FDA to prove to a court that the claim is untrue before prosecuting a company for making claims.

Action immediately is needed

These three bills if they are passed would bring about major changes as to the way the federal government acts towards food and supplement manufactures. The truth of the benefits provided by food and supplements would be able to become known. Persons will gain the knowledge in truth and be able to change their dietary habits. The dependency on harmful drugs and costly surgeries will decrease, bringing about significant lower health care expenses and give improvement in life span, productiveness and overall happiness among the general populace.

Citizens for Health

Citizens for Health, a non-profit natural health advocacy group, has complied an efficient tool that helps you contact your congressmen directly about these bills. The tool is available at True Health Claims.

It is also being asked that upon writing your congressmen in support of the bills but also see if they would cosponsor them.

Taking a look at the proof

Whole Grain

In May of 2007, news was released that whole grains have health benefits confirmed by a study.

Wake Forest University School of Medicine researchers had stated that consuming 2.5 servings of whole grains each day is linked to a 21% lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Their findings were based on examination of seven different studies which had consisted of 285,000 persons.

According to U.S. News and World Report they rank Wake Forest School of Medicine 18th in primary care and 44th in research among the nation's medical schools It also ranks 35th in research funding by the National Institutes of Health.

Cherries

"Wear Red" has become the universal chant for the promotion of heart health in the month of February. Then health and nutrition experts stated that we should also "eat red" to protect our hearts. What is all the hype about? Science had advocated the pigments which make the red color in a lot of fruits and vegetables such as cherries, are strong disease fighting antioxidant that may actually decrease inflammation linked with hardening of the arteries and decrease certain risk factors in heart disease.

University of Michigan had revealed in a study that cherry enriched diets in animals had lowered blood cholesterol levels in whole and had aided in the reduction of fatty acids which is one of the main risks in heart disease.

Dried cherries are certified by the American Heart Association.

Herbs and spices improve health benefits

Suzanna Zick, N.D., M.P.H., nautropathic physician and researcher with the University of Michigan Health System, advocated adding herbs and spices to the diet for overall health benefits.

Some ingredients sited were:

Garlic which aides in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, to achieve the maxim benefit it is suggested three medium cloves a day.

Rosemary is a strong antioxidant to aide with memory. Research is being conducted to determine if it has any cancer prevention qualities.

Substitute cinnamon and nutmeg for sugar.

Cinnamon

Dr. Richard Anderson, a diabetes expert from the Department of Agriculture, had discovered a few years back that cinnamon aides in the stabilization of blood sugar levels by improving the quality of insulin in the body. Now he has determined that cinnamon also can aide in Alzheimer's Disease. Cinnamon seems to have the ability to block tau filaments that are linked to the developing of Alzheimer's.

Blueberries

Blueberries have made their through health headlines in the last couple of years. Seems this dark purple berry is a host to an assortment of health benefits.

Scientific studies have included the following benefits:

Perform as an anti-inflammatory agent against the Cox-2 inhibitor which are used for conditions such as menstrual cramps, osteoarthritis and sports injuries.

Protects against macular degeneration of the retina.

Reduces risks in certain types of cancers.

Butterbur

In 2000, a double-blind, placebo-control study had revealed that butter bur can greatly reduce migraine pain.

A double-blind study in 2002 had revealed that butter bur was just as effective as cetirizine which is used for allergies like the brand name Zyrtec.

Echinacea

In both years 1997 and 1999 had shown major benefits for those with respiratory infections. In 2000, its effectiveness was established again this time for reducing the duration of respiratory infection and also has been established to provide benefits to decrease the severity of colds.

Borage

In the years 1990 and 1993 borage seed oil was shown to reduce inflammation in joints by noted decreases. In 2000, it was found that mixed with primrose oil it had displayed positive results for rheumatoid conditions.

Conclusion

If there is all of this scientific evidence available which proofs health benefits of food, herbs and supplements why should the manufactures not be allowed to note these benefits on their products.

FDA is a known stickler for scientific proof, yet it seems when it is presented on products such as herbs it's a great big NO to list the benefits. Drug manufactures are out promoting there benefits however, you do not notice them promoting what can occur if you use the medications. Those dangers are printed on a sheet in rather small print for you to learn about which occurs after you have the medication.

If the FDA has their way Popeye will not be doing much good in promoting spinach, Bugs Bunny who always eats carrots will end up holding medication instead. It seems the government forgot one very important thing, herbs, supplements and food was used in medicine long before the pharmaceutical company had ever existed.

Supplements and herb stores in or around Detroit area:

Nutritional Supplement Detroit
Burroughs Street
Detroit
313-759-7024

Nature's Products
20020 Conanat Street
Detroit
313-891-3900

GNC
3031West Grand Boulevard
Detroit
313-667-1712

Old Tyme Pure Herbs
2170 East Jefferson Avenue #304
Detroit
313-969-0150