Category: Uncategorized

Genetically Altered Animals and Foods—AAHF Looks at the Issues

On February 6, the FDA made history by approving the first drug made with materials from genetically engineered (GE) goats. Last month the Agency issued guidelines covering how it will regulate products from genetically altered animals, despite controversy about this technology. The bottom line is that this stamp of approval comes with little knowledge of… Continue reading Genetically Altered Animals and Foods—AAHF Looks at the Issues

Chemicals in Our Children

In 2001, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, which unveiled the first available benchmarks for a few of the thousands of chemicals to which we are all exposed. The report is based on blood/urine samples taken in twelve US locations from about 3,800… Continue reading Chemicals in Our Children

When is a Vitamin Not a Vitamin? When the FDA Says So!

In September of 2005, Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) senior vice president of scientific and international affairs, John Hathcock, PhD, wrote a letter to the FDA stating that “Pyridoxamine is unequivocally a dietary ingredient because it is one of the three primary natural forms of vitamin B6, and it is one of the two predominant… Continue reading When is a Vitamin Not a Vitamin? When the FDA Says So!

Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research

Columnist George Will in the January 29 issue of the Washington Post first noted that “The stimulus legislation creates a council for Comparative Effectiveness Research. This is about medicine but not about healing the economy. The CER would identify (this is language from the draft report on the legislation) medical ‘items, procedures, and interventions’ that… Continue reading Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research

FDA, Time to Follow Your Own Rules and Respond to the Citizens for Health Petition regarding Splenda

The FDA has a petition pending before it. It is FDA Docket No. 2006P-0158. The petition was filed on April 7, 2006, by Citizens for Health. The FDA acknowledged the petition the day it was filed. The petition asked that the FDA revoke its approval of sucralose (also known as Splenda).

Do You Want Your Medical Records Online? The Economic Stimulus Bill Puts Your Privacy at Risk

It is time to make your voice known. As the new Obama administration rolls up its collective sleeves, the details of the coming economic stimulus bill have become known. A key issue for everyone is the privacy of your medical records. AAHF has written an excellent position paper on medical privacy.

Institute of Medicine Has Announced the Next Vit D Food and Nutrition Board. Guess Who is Left Out?

Vitamin D has been called the “buzz” vitamin of 2008. It’s early 2009 and current medical research demonstrating the benefits of optimal vitamin D supplementation is still coming in. Vitamin D has now been found to help diminish age-related mental decline, and vitamin D deficiency is linked to erythropoietic protoporphyria photosensitivity, a metabolic disorder characterized… Continue reading Institute of Medicine Has Announced the Next Vit D Food and Nutrition Board. Guess Who is Left Out?

“It is Imperative that FDA Take Immediate Steps” to Fix the Broken Review System for Medical Devices

The figure is staggering, the implications sobering. Senator Charles Grassley has revealed that a prominent University of Wisconsin researcher and surgeon has received $19 million over five years from Medtronic, one of the country’s largest medical device manufacturers. Sen. Grassley is investigating potential conflicts of interest in medicine.