The safety of herbal supplements
With nearly one-fifth of Americans using herbal supplements for a myriad of conditions and cures, the U.S.Government has a big problem on its hands. That problem... is to determine the safety of herbal supplements. With the recent pulling of subtances such as ephedra and the like, consumers are becoming far more safety concious concerning the substances they've been putting in their bodies to alleviate pain from shingles, cure acne, and improve their libido's and sex drive. The Institute of Medicine has entered into the ring calling for more federal regulatory oversight to determine herbal product safety and quality of the nutrition supplement itself, which of course places it squarly between patients and their doctors as the national gatekeeper for holistic health. The Institute was so adamant about their position along with the possible safety concerns for consumers, they've created a 327-page report, urging that complimentary and alternative medical procedures, such as herbal remedies and acupuncture, be required to meet the same standards of effectiveness as conventional medical treatments. Dr. Stephen E. Straus, director of the government's National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, said requiring the same research standards "will further the scientific investigation of this new field, increase its legitimacy as a research area and ultimately improve public health." In the U.S., the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act allows sale of supplements unless the Food and Drug Administration can prove them harmful. In addition, the law does not require the makers to report any adverse consequences from utilizing the supplement or herb. Herbal Supplement UseWhile the Institute of Medicine report said 18.9 percent of Americans reported in 2004 that they had taken a herbal supplement in the past year, a similar report by Harvard Medical School found that about 35 percent of Americans have used some form of alternative medicine. The biggest change was an increase in use of herbal supplements over the five years, the study said. With individuals taking more control over their lives and their health, natural remedies and alternative medicine does have its appeal. It's essential however, to ensure that natural ... equates to not only effective, but also healthy.
Drew Voight
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