FDA and FTC issue warning letters regarding fraudulent H1N1 supplements

The FDA and the FTC have issued joint warning letters to a few websites that promote products related to H1N1. The subject is specifically: "Unapproved/Uncleared/Unauthorized Products Related to the H1N1 Flu Virus; and Notice of Potential Illegal Marketing of Products to Prevent, Treat or Cure the H1N1 Virus"

Here are some of the websites that have received these FDA warning letters:

• Weil Lifestyle LLC (http://www.drweil.com)
• http://www.novalisintegra.com
• SKW Ventures (http://skinwearusa.com)
• Viraban (http://www.viraban.com)
• and others
  

Here's a list of the FDA warning letters: http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/2009/default.htm

When herbal treatments "cause harm"

The phrase "Above all, do no harm" is usually attributed to the Hippocratic Oath. Many patients often think that herbal treatments can't possibly cause harm because they're "all natural." The reality is that some herbal therapies have very active ingredients that can have significant pharmacological effects. (remember that opium and marijuana are both "natural" plants)

CNN has a story about this topic titled, "Herbs, vitamins that can hurt you." In that story, you'll read about an individual who ended up taking an overdose of vitamin B6. Dr. Roberta Lee, vice chairwoman of the Department of Integrative Medicine at the Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan, comments: "A lot of people think herbs are safe because they come from nature, and they are safe if used properly," Lee said. "But you can still get into trouble with them."

According to the CNN story, here's a list of herbs and supplements that can be dangerous if taken the wrong way: either in high doses, in combination with certain drugs or before surgery.

1. St. John's wort
2. Kava
3. Fish oil
4. Artemisinin
5. Various herbs when taken before surgery

Herbs and vitamins are not harmless substances. Make sure to always tell your healthcare provider about any herbs, vitamins, or supplements you may be taking.

Alternative Cancer Care in Mexico

According to CNN, there are many cancer patients escaping to oasis-type of cancer centers in Mexico to receive alternative care for their illness. To many, the idea of receiving alternative medicine for cancer may sound absurd. It may be OK to take some herbs and vitamins for benign conditions such as headaches and arthritis. But for cancer? Can alternative therapies like herbs, vitamins, meditation, and relaxation cure malignant tumors? If they do, are we simply seeing cases of spontaneous regression where the body destroys cancer by sensing that something is wrong?

The idea of complementary medicine for cancer has been a really controversial topic lately because of the story of Danny Hauser, a 13-yr-old cancer patient who is receiving chemotherapy because of a court order. He's also receiving alternative medicine, including acupuncture, vitamins, and minerals (among others). Does he have the right to choose what type of cancer care he wants? This gets into the ethics of autonomy, but it gets complicated because Danny is not an adult. Hence, in the world of medical ethics, he doesn't have the same type of autonomy as an adult. It may not sound fair, but the world of ethics doesn't always revolve around fairness (depending on your point of view).

So, if an adult chooses to forego Western medicine for cancer and decides to receive alternative care in Mexico, that's OK (from an ethics standpoint). However, if a child chooses to forego Western medicine for life-threatening cancer, that's when we have some serious ethical issues. That's where the ethics committees get involved and pulls in the judicial system when needed. How do we really know what the child wants? What if the child is only 2 or 3 years old? Do parents have the right to determine what is best for the child? At what age should a child have autonomy over medical treatment decisions?

Maybe you don't like to think about any of these complex ethical issues. If you're an oncologist looking for some lucrative opportunities in a resort-like (think all-year vacation) setting, then take a look at the Oasis of Hope Hospital in Tijuana.

To read the CNN piece about alternative cancer care in Mexico, click here. Image source: CNN

Herbal Nutritional Supplements in Medicine

I was trying to explain the concept of herbal nutritional supplements to someone the other day. This person really didn't seem to understand that herbal agents are not the same as prescription medications. We were talking about a bottle of 81 mg baby-strength aspirin that you can purchase at your local drug store. You don't need a prescription since this is an over-the-counter medication. However, Bayer has a new bottle of 81 mg aspirin called "Bayer with Heart Advantage." This is a bottle of aspirin that also includes a supplement called phytosterols, a natural plant-based supplement that are also known as plant sterols.

Some people are fanatical about nutritional supplements and they even become Herbalife distributors. I personally think you can have quite a successful business in this industry because there are so many people who want to engage in holistic medicine, complementary medicine, alternative medicine, herbals, nutritional supplements, and much more. Many clinicians are members of the American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA) and may even achieve board certification. Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit? Want to learn how to become an Herbal Life distributor? You don't need an MBA to build a successful business that integrates the distribution of herbal nutritional supplements.