Healthy by Nature radio show this week: John Woodward, MD and Hugh Woodward discuss the battle constantly going on inside us between the forces that build us up (anabolic) and those that tear us down (catabolic). We’ll relate that to the effect hormones have on which wins. In the second half of the program we’ll have open lines with show favorite, Rich Snyder, DO, author of What You Must Know about Kidney Disease: A Practical Guide to Using Conventional and Complementary Treatments. We can cover high blood pressure or whatever you like. Call the show with questions at 1-800-281-8255. Click here to find podcasts, show archives and ways to listen nationwide.
 
The rest of the story
Recently the Chicago Tribune published a scary sounding article entitled, “Dietary supplements: Manufacturing troubles widespread, FDA [Food and Drug Administration] inspections show.” The subhead read: “Agency has found violations of manufacturing rules in half of the firms it has inspected.”  LINK. As Paul Harvey would have said, here is some of the “rest of the story”:

Restaurants in Plano, TX are extremely clean and safe or they get shut down. But, this week I spoke with a high ranking official in the local Health Department. I asked him if any restaurant that they regulate had ever received a perfect inspection report. He said he didn’t think such a thing exists. (Inspectors live to find something to report.) So, using the Chicago Tribune’s apparent logic, you should never eat in our fair city, Plano, because 100% of the restaurants have had a problem noted in their inspections.

The nutritional supplement industry strives for excellence. They began developing a code of good manufacturing practices (GMP’s) and means of inspection back when I was trade association president in the early 1990’s. I’ve toured many supplement manufacturers and was extremely impressed with the exhaustive quality control measures especially in the larger ones. (Their labs look like CSI.)

When major supplement legislation was passed in 1994, Congress told the FDA to create GMP guidelines and we applauded. The FDA did issue guidelines…13 years later!
The agency started inspecting against those new rules 4 years ago. It seems logical that there might have been some needed adjustments to the new rules that would be brought to light with those early rounds of inspections. Given the strict, expansive, complicated new rules that are very expensive to implement, the surprise is that in 4 years, 1/2 of the manufacturers got a good report card!

One wrong word on a label (e.g. listing a factual but unapproved benefit) can result in an FDA warning letter. Of course, since most journalism seems to have become “infotainment’ in an effort to sell newspapers, the Tribune picked the most disgusting example it could, probably with the enthusiastic help of the FDA that is typically brazenly antagonistic to the industry.

Hey, isn’t this FDA (busy calling the shots on all details of manufacturing), the same one that runs around saying that nutritional supplements are NOT regulated?

It is also ironic that Daniel Fabricant, head of the FDA’s Division of Dietary Supplement Programs, the one who sounded so shocked in the article, is the very same guy, who until a little over a year ago was Vice President of Global Government and Scientific Affairs for the Natural Products Association (NPA). That is the trade association representing those supposedly naughty manufacturers. He was the person most responsible for seeing that companies understood and implemented the new rules. Upon leaving that post, he was quoted as saying “I am grateful for the opportunities I had at NPA and feel immensely proud of all that has been achieved during my time at the association on the scientific, regulatory and government affairs fronts.” (Hmmm. That was right after he was passed over for the top job at NPA. Is it possible that he is now spitting out some sour grapes?)

Naturally, in any field there are always a few outliers that don’t know how to do things properly or just don’t care to. That seems especially true with upstarts in the lucrative fields of supplements for weight loss supplements, male enhancement, joint pain and body building. That’s why, in accepting sponsors, our Healthy by Nature show always aims for the highest quality company in each category. We then double check them. Supplements can greatly improve your life and even save it…if they are what they are supposed to be.

Next week I think I will talk a bit about some fundamental differences between drugs and dietary supplements.
 

LAST WEEK’S SHOW
(LINK to archive.) Kari Allen is a former drug rep with an inspiring health story. (Today she is the inn keeper at Towering Oaks Resort.)  Mary Ellen Dorey is an expert in the interesting field of aromatherapy. Her company: LINK. Rick Winstel is a professional personal trainer. He told us the value of strength training, common mistakes people make in the gym and what listeners can do at home without joining a gym. He made this great offer: He will give Dallas-area listeners 4 free training sessions at Just Fitness in Plano (NW corner of Coit and Spring Creek). Call him at 469-213-9221. Even without taking advantage of that, the gym will give you 30 days free membership. Use their great equipment and attend Zumba classes or whatever you like. Just tell them you heard about it on Martie’s show.

Please help spread the good word-forward this newsletter to friends and family.
My first book : Natural Alternatives to Nexium, Maalox, Tagamet, Prilosec & Other Acid Blockers. Subtitle: What to Use to Relieve Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and Gastric Ailments.

My latest book: Aloe Vera-Modern Science Sheds Light on an Ancient Herbal Remedy

The information contained in this newsletter has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The contents are for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.

Copyright 2012 Martie Whittekin, CCN