Alternative Treatments Are They Safe?
Supplementation - Good For You?
By Trina L.C. Schiller
These days, with the rising cost of medical care, and the apparent desire to live as long as humanly possible, many people are seeking out natural remedies and supplements to either augment existing treatments, or replace them altogether. But is this really a wise thing to do? Just because something is, "natural," does that mean it is safe?
By Trina L.C. Schiller
These days, with the rising cost of medical care, and the apparent desire to live as long as humanly possible, many people are seeking out natural remedies and supplements to either augment existing treatments, or replace them altogether. But is this really a wise thing to do? Just because something is, "natural," does that mean it is safe?
Some of the most popular house plants that people keep in their homes are poisonous. They are of nature, they are nice to look at and they are natural air filters, but they can also be deadly if ingested. So, just because something is natural does not mean it is safe for human consumption.
Many people who suffer from terminal illnesses seek out alternatives to traditional treatments, in desperation. However, some of the alternative treatments available can be more harmful than helpful. Some herbal supplements can reduce the effectiveness of certain medications, and can even result in death.
Of those people seeking alternative methods of treatment, most of them do not tell their doctors about the supplements and concoctions they're taking. This can have devastating results, by working against the medical treatments the patient is currently involved in, or causing damage to other bodily systems. Communication with your physician about herbal supplements and alternative treatments, is critical!
Many of these alternative methods of treatment [dietary supplements] are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, for use in this country, and many of them have actually been banned in other countries throughout the world.
These natural dangers are not just a concern for those dealing with terminal illnesses either. More and more weight loss, stress management and sports fitness products are being pumped into the U.S. from foreign countries, which use potentially dangerous herbs and extracts. So, not only are the manufacturers of these products taking advantage of the terminally ill, but they're cashing in on people who are desperately trying to lose weight, get in shape and relax. They are completely aware of the dangers involved in the consumption of their products. That is why a majority of these products are manufactured out side of the U.S. and available only through the Internet, or by mail-order.
Any product that claims to cure any disease, even obesity, is considered a drug, and must be approved and regulated by the FDA before it can be sold in the United States. And this is how these companies bypass this regulation:
They make their curative claims in their advertising, and place their disclaimers in small print on the product containers. The disclaimers look something like this: This product has not been approved by the FDA to treat or cure any disease or illness. That disclaimer is all well and good for those products which are safe to use, but it is a also allows for unsafe products to make their way into the homes of unsuspecting people.
The manufacturers of these products don't have the resources to test the safety of the ingredients going into them, and subsequently, into your body. They also count on the fact that most consumers don't read labels, or research products before using them. They don't care about the people using their product, they only care about the money coming in from the sale of their products.
Many of the ingredients that go into dietary supplements have been either proved or linked to kidney and liver failure, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.
Everyone has been made aware of the dangers in taking ephedra, yet it is still sold, over the counter in convenience stores across the country as an asthma reliever, and a stimulant. Other manufacturers include it in their weight loss products, hiding it under other names, like ma huang. This particular natural substance has caused the deaths of teenagers, by causing heart attacks in otherwise normal healthy bodies. Why are teenagers using ephedra? To lose weight, or to generate increased stamina for sports.
Consumer Reports Magazine, an independent consumer testing laboratory, conducted a study on common dietary supplements and found a shocking number of them to be dangerous. The following list is what they [Consumer Reports] consider to be the Dirty Dozen:
Definitely Hazardous
* Aristolochic acid (Aristolochia, birthwort, snakeroot, snakeweed, snagree root, sangrel, serpentary, wild ginger).They list this as having caused documented human cancers, and it is linked to kidney failure.
Very Likely Hazardous -- These are banned in other countries, have an FDA warning, or show adverse effects in studies:
* Comfrey (Symphytum officinale, ass ear, black root, blackwort, bruisewort, consolidae radix, consound, gum plant, healing herb, knitback, knitbone, salsify, slippery root, symphytum radix, wallwort). Abnormal liver function or damage, often irreversible; deaths reported.
* Androstenedione (4-androstene-3, 17-dione, andro, androstene). Increased cancer risks and decreases in "good" HDL cholesterol have been reported.
* Chaparral (Larrea divaricata, creosote bush, greasewood, hediondilla, jarilla, larreastat). Abnormal liver function has been linked to use.
* Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys, wall germander, wild germander). Abnormal liver function has been linked to use.
* Kava (Piper methysticum, ava, awa, gea, gi, intoxicating pepper, kao, kavain, kawa-pfeffer, kew, long pepper, malohu, maluk, meruk, milik, rauschpfeffer, sakau, tonga, wurzelstock, yagona, yangona). Abnormal liver function has been linked to use.
Likely Hazardous -- These have adverse-event reports or theoretical risks.
* Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium, green orange, kijitsu, neroli oil, Seville orange, shangzhou zhiqiao, sour orange, zhi oiao, zhi xhi). High blood pressure; increased risk of heart arrhythmias, heart attack, and stroke are risks associated with use.
* Organ/glandular extracts (brain/adrenal/pituitary/placenta/other gland "substance" or "concentrate"). Theoretical risk of mad cow disease, particularly from brain extracts.
* Lobelia (Lobelia inflata, asthma weed, bladderpod, emetic herb, gagroot, lobelie, indian tobacco, pukeweed, vomit wort, wild tobacco). Difficulty breathing and rapid heart rates are thought to be associated with this.
* Pennyroyal oil (Hedeoma pulegioides, lurk-in-the-ditch, mosquito plant, piliolerial, pudding grass, pulegium, run-by-the-ground, squaw balm, squawmint, stinking balm, tickweed). Liver and kidney failure, nerve damage, convulsions, abdominal tenderness, burning of the throat are risks; deaths have been reported.
* Scullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora, blue pimpernel, helmet flower, hoodwort, mad weed, mad-dog herb, mad-dog weed, quaker bonnet, scutelluria, skullcap). Abnormal liver damage.
* Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe, johimbi, yohimbehe, yohimbine) Blood pressure changes, heart beat irregularities and heart attacks have been reported.
"Experts say it's important to tell your doctor about any dietary supplement you may be taking. Not only do many supplements have significant side effects, but they may also interfere with the effectiveness of prescribed medications, such as birth control pills."
Not all herbal supplements are dangerous. You should always consult with your physician before using any dietary supplement, health drink, or exercise program, to ensure a healthy result.
For more information on safe dietary supplements please contact the author here: http://triizine.quikonnex.com
SOURCES: Consumer Reports, May 2004. News release, Consumer's Union. FDA. Institute of Medicine.
The WebMD Archives http://www.webmd.com/content/article/84/98372.htm
Other recommended reading:WebMD Articles RM Barry Articles
Copyright © 2006
The Trii-Zine Ezine
www.ezines1.com
About the Author:
Trina L.C. Schiller
Publisher - The Trii-Zine Ezine - Internet marketing and home business resources and information. Serving online professionals since 2001.
http://www.ezines1.com/triizine
http://www.trinaschiller.ws
Keywords: dietary supplements, herbal supplements, alternative treatments
Many people who suffer from terminal illnesses seek out alternatives to traditional treatments, in desperation. However, some of the alternative treatments available can be more harmful than helpful. Some herbal supplements can reduce the effectiveness of certain medications, and can even result in death.
Of those people seeking alternative methods of treatment, most of them do not tell their doctors about the supplements and concoctions they're taking. This can have devastating results, by working against the medical treatments the patient is currently involved in, or causing damage to other bodily systems. Communication with your physician about herbal supplements and alternative treatments, is critical!
Many of these alternative methods of treatment [dietary supplements] are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, for use in this country, and many of them have actually been banned in other countries throughout the world.
These natural dangers are not just a concern for those dealing with terminal illnesses either. More and more weight loss, stress management and sports fitness products are being pumped into the U.S. from foreign countries, which use potentially dangerous herbs and extracts. So, not only are the manufacturers of these products taking advantage of the terminally ill, but they're cashing in on people who are desperately trying to lose weight, get in shape and relax. They are completely aware of the dangers involved in the consumption of their products. That is why a majority of these products are manufactured out side of the U.S. and available only through the Internet, or by mail-order.
Any product that claims to cure any disease, even obesity, is considered a drug, and must be approved and regulated by the FDA before it can be sold in the United States. And this is how these companies bypass this regulation:
They make their curative claims in their advertising, and place their disclaimers in small print on the product containers. The disclaimers look something like this: This product has not been approved by the FDA to treat or cure any disease or illness. That disclaimer is all well and good for those products which are safe to use, but it is a also allows for unsafe products to make their way into the homes of unsuspecting people.
The manufacturers of these products don't have the resources to test the safety of the ingredients going into them, and subsequently, into your body. They also count on the fact that most consumers don't read labels, or research products before using them. They don't care about the people using their product, they only care about the money coming in from the sale of their products.
Many of the ingredients that go into dietary supplements have been either proved or linked to kidney and liver failure, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.
Everyone has been made aware of the dangers in taking ephedra, yet it is still sold, over the counter in convenience stores across the country as an asthma reliever, and a stimulant. Other manufacturers include it in their weight loss products, hiding it under other names, like ma huang. This particular natural substance has caused the deaths of teenagers, by causing heart attacks in otherwise normal healthy bodies. Why are teenagers using ephedra? To lose weight, or to generate increased stamina for sports.
Consumer Reports Magazine, an independent consumer testing laboratory, conducted a study on common dietary supplements and found a shocking number of them to be dangerous. The following list is what they [Consumer Reports] consider to be the Dirty Dozen:
Definitely Hazardous
* Aristolochic acid (Aristolochia, birthwort, snakeroot, snakeweed, snagree root, sangrel, serpentary, wild ginger).They list this as having caused documented human cancers, and it is linked to kidney failure.
Very Likely Hazardous -- These are banned in other countries, have an FDA warning, or show adverse effects in studies:
* Comfrey (Symphytum officinale, ass ear, black root, blackwort, bruisewort, consolidae radix, consound, gum plant, healing herb, knitback, knitbone, salsify, slippery root, symphytum radix, wallwort). Abnormal liver function or damage, often irreversible; deaths reported.
* Androstenedione (4-androstene-3, 17-dione, andro, androstene). Increased cancer risks and decreases in "good" HDL cholesterol have been reported.
* Chaparral (Larrea divaricata, creosote bush, greasewood, hediondilla, jarilla, larreastat). Abnormal liver function has been linked to use.
* Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys, wall germander, wild germander). Abnormal liver function has been linked to use.
* Kava (Piper methysticum, ava, awa, gea, gi, intoxicating pepper, kao, kavain, kawa-pfeffer, kew, long pepper, malohu, maluk, meruk, milik, rauschpfeffer, sakau, tonga, wurzelstock, yagona, yangona). Abnormal liver function has been linked to use.
Likely Hazardous -- These have adverse-event reports or theoretical risks.
* Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium, green orange, kijitsu, neroli oil, Seville orange, shangzhou zhiqiao, sour orange, zhi oiao, zhi xhi). High blood pressure; increased risk of heart arrhythmias, heart attack, and stroke are risks associated with use.
* Organ/glandular extracts (brain/adrenal/pituitary/placenta/other gland "substance" or "concentrate"). Theoretical risk of mad cow disease, particularly from brain extracts.
* Lobelia (Lobelia inflata, asthma weed, bladderpod, emetic herb, gagroot, lobelie, indian tobacco, pukeweed, vomit wort, wild tobacco). Difficulty breathing and rapid heart rates are thought to be associated with this.
* Pennyroyal oil (Hedeoma pulegioides, lurk-in-the-ditch, mosquito plant, piliolerial, pudding grass, pulegium, run-by-the-ground, squaw balm, squawmint, stinking balm, tickweed). Liver and kidney failure, nerve damage, convulsions, abdominal tenderness, burning of the throat are risks; deaths have been reported.
* Scullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora, blue pimpernel, helmet flower, hoodwort, mad weed, mad-dog herb, mad-dog weed, quaker bonnet, scutelluria, skullcap). Abnormal liver damage.
* Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe, johimbi, yohimbehe, yohimbine) Blood pressure changes, heart beat irregularities and heart attacks have been reported.
"Experts say it's important to tell your doctor about any dietary supplement you may be taking. Not only do many supplements have significant side effects, but they may also interfere with the effectiveness of prescribed medications, such as birth control pills."
Not all herbal supplements are dangerous. You should always consult with your physician before using any dietary supplement, health drink, or exercise program, to ensure a healthy result.
For more information on safe dietary supplements please contact the author here: http://triizine.quikonnex.com
SOURCES: Consumer Reports, May 2004. News release, Consumer's Union. FDA. Institute of Medicine.
The WebMD Archives http://www.webmd.com/content/article/84/98372.htm
Other recommended reading:WebMD Articles RM Barry Articles
Copyright © 2006
The Trii-Zine Ezine
www.ezines1.com
About the Author:
Trina L.C. Schiller
Publisher - The Trii-Zine Ezine - Internet marketing and home business resources and information. Serving online professionals since 2001.
http://www.ezines1.com/triizine
http://www.trinaschiller.ws
Keywords: dietary supplements, herbal supplements, alternative treatments
Comments
No comments yet
Add Comment