Cancer
Specialist Attacks Complementary Treatments
A
cancer specialist has launched an attack on the alternative medicines
industry for their ‘vile and cynical exploitation’ of patients.
Professor Jonathan Waxman of Imperial College London, UK, writes in a
recent issue of the British Medical Journal that up to 80 per cent of
cancer patients use complementary treatments or a special diet. Shark
cartilage is one popular and controversial treatment.
But this approach may ‘delay the institution of conventional therapy’
he warns.
The market for alternative medicine in the UK is worth 250m pounds, with
sales predicted to increase. But ‘the rationale for the use of many
of these approaches is obtuse - one might even be tempted to write misleading,’
Professor Waxman says.
Many such products are classed as food supplements, so don't have to be
tested as rigorously as pharmaceutical drugs, he writes, and are easily
accessible to patients.
They make persuasive claims to cure – ‘if you eat this, take
that, rub with this, manipulate this bit of your cranium, avoid this,
and really believe this then we can promise you sincerely that you will
be cured’.
Professor Waxman is also concerned that diets may lead to deficiencies
or vitamin overdose. He believes: ‘We know that once cancer has been
diagnosed no change in diet will lead to any improvement in cancer outcomes.’
Such approaches are taken because the patient wants to feel more in control,
he writes, or due to pressure from families, friends or others with a
vested interest. Legislation is needed to protect this vulnerable section
of our society - reclassifying these agents as drugs would be a good start,
he concludes.
Waxman, J. Shark cartilage in the water. British Medical Journal, Vol.
333, 25 November 2006, p. 1129.
Alternative
Medicine is Defended by Cancer Expert
Therapists
have defended their use of complementary medicines after a cancer expert
said patients needed protection from ‘exploitation’.
Professor Jonathan Waxman, of Imperial College London, wants laws against
‘the snake oil salesmen that peddle cures and exploit the desperate’.
But Dr George Lewith, who has studied the use of complementary medicine,
said most patients find it ‘helpful’.
He said professor Waxman's view was interesting but it was a personal
one.
In an article for the British Medical Journal Professor Waxman said: ‘Claims
made by companies to support the sales of such products may be overtly
and malignly incorrect.’
He
called for them to be reclassified as drugs, rather than food supplements,
so they would be subject to pharmaceutical testing.
Professor Waxman also said that when treatments are unsuccessful ‘the
patient has failed, not the alternative therapy, and the patient has let
down the alternative practitioner’.
Dr Lewith, of Southampton University, worked on a government-funded study
on the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in cancer patients
that was published earlier this year.
He said their information showed that CAM was used for around 30% of cancer
patients.
‘Our.. survey did not find these patients are anti-conventional medicine
or using wacky diets,’ he said.
Responding to the call for legislation to regulate the industry Dr Lewith
said: ‘You're starting from an assumption that is not grounded in
fact.’
Supporting Dr Lewith, Beverly Martin, a trustee of the charity the Institute
for Complementary Medicine (ICM), said the treatment of cancer requires
‘training of the highest standard’ whether conventional or complementary.
‘There are published cases suggesting the great benefit to some patients
of naturopathic treatment including radical detoxification and dietary
changes,’ she said.
The
CMA Weighs in to Cancer Debate
As President of the world's largest and best respected professional membership
body for qualified complementary practitioners and properly established
and recognised training colleges - The Complementary Medical Association
(CMA) - I can only respond to Professor Waxman's reported comments with
a sense of disbelief. He has surely been misquoted - if not, his comments
are very misguided and poorly thought out.
In the USA for example, world leading oncologists are calling for MORE
complementary medicine for their patients - as they have actually spent
the time to investigate it properly and have found that patients do better
when they use approaches like nutrition, massage, psychotherapy etc. In
fact, in the UK, GP Magazine reported recently that over 70% of doctors
would like to be able to refer their patients to complementary medical
practitioners.
As for Professor Waxman's comment that a change in diet will not help
- perhaps he does not understand that vitamins have, in recent years been
scientifically proven to be essential to life and that 50% of cancers
can be prevented by eating higher levels of fruits and vegetables? Who
is funding this man's research? Scratch the surface and you'll find the
pharmaceutical industry - without a doubt - for whom complementary medicine
is a big competitor.
Professor Jayney Goddard
President, Complementary Medical Association
http://www.The-CMA.Org.UK
Info@The-CMA.Org.UK
Alternative
Cancer Treatments by Om Prakash
Alternative
Cancer Treatments are increasingly being used for treating cancer patients.
The treatments are either used a sole therapy or in combination with traditional
therapies to cure cancer. These treatments are based on the fact that
our own immune system provides the first and best defense against cancer.
In alternative cancer treatments vaccines stimulate patient's immune system
to recognise and destroy tumor cells. The treatments are customised according
to the patient ailing with cancer.
Some of the therapies used in an alternative cancer treatment programme
are:
1. Dendritic Cell Therapy
Cancer occurs when the immune system fails and comes across tumour cells.
Macrophage or monocyte is an immune cell that comes in contact with th
cancerous or precancerous cell. (Pre)cancerous cell signals the macrophage
of any unhealthy cell. Macrophage breaks the cell into little pieces with
the help of little packets of enzymes. The little pieces are then either
moved to another type of immune cell or transformed to what is call a
'Dendritic Cell'. These cells are found in all tissues of the body. The
very first dendritic cell discovered occurs throughout the skin and is
called a Langerhan's cell. Dendritic cells are helpful in switching on
an immune response and these stimulate the T-cells to become active against
tumours.
Experiments have proved that these dendritic cells with tumour antigens
can provide effective response against cancer. It is possible to produce
large number of dendritic cells from the circulating blood of cancer patients,
find source of tumor antigen and mature them.
Dendritic cell therapy is very effective when used with other types of
immune therapies. The therapy itself is also useful for patients with
high risk of recurrence once the tumour is removed by surgery.
2. Coley Vaccine
This Vaccine was developed by William Coley, a surgeon in 1893 at the
New York Cancer Hospital. Coley discovered that when his vaccine caused
a fever, the cancer shrank and number of immune cells increased dramatically.
Usually, fevers are suppressed with medicinal drugs like acetaminophen,
aspirin or ibuprofen. But studies have shown that suppressing a fever
not only makes the infection worse but also spreads it. Coley recognised
the beneficial effects of fever in cancer patients. He also discovered
that when he stopped injecting the vaccine too early, the cancer started
growing again. Thus, immune cells could be stimulated to fight the cancer
for a limited time only. So, he used repeated injections to stimulate
the immune system continuously.
Though it is called Coley's vaccine, it does not work to prevent an infection.
Rather, it induces an immune response. Similarly, Coley's toxins are not
toxins though they contain endotoxins and exotoxins. Under the therapy,
Coley's toxins are injected into the affected tissues. Injection makes
the cancer tissue necrotic which is then removed by drains.
Injections are repeatedly given either daily or after every two days,
however this varies from person to person.
3. Heat Shock Antigen Cancer Vaccine
Immune therapies for cancer stimulate white blood cells to attack cancer
cells. Vaccines reprogram patient's immune system to recognise and attack
the cells having the cancer fingerprint. Heat shock antigen vaccine captures
the particular cancer's 'fingerprint,' which contains unique antigens.
The personalised vaccine treats immune systems of cancer patients with
little or no side effects.
HSAV is made from patients' tumours and heat shock proteins that are produced
by patients' white blood cells. Part or all of the cancerous tissue is
removed through surgery. White blood cells contain heat shock proteins
that are purified and mixed with purified antigens from the tumour. The
mixture is filtered and put into vials. The final product is tested for
quality and sterility.
4. Cytokines Cancer Vaccine Treatment
Cytokines, also known as immune hormones can both enhance and suppress
immunity. For cancer treatments, cytokines enhance immunity. FDA has approved
two cytokines, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-alfa 2b, to be used
against certain cancers. Combinations of cytokines deliver better results.
For example, Interleukin-2 stimulates white blood cells to divide. A very
high dose of it will be required if it is used individually.
However, that can cause negative side effects. The solution to this can
be the use of natural combination produced by white blood cells.
By using the combination, the dose of IL-2 can be lowered. Effects of
heat shock protein vaccines and dendritic cell vaccines can be enhanced
when given with natural cytokine combination.
5. Photodynamic Cancer Therapy
Photodynamic therapy is a revolutionary medical technology that uses light
to induce reactions in patient's body. The therapy can destroy unwanted
tissues without affecting normal tissues. A drug called a photosensitiser
is injected into patient's body. The drug makes cells more sensitive to
light and eventually destroys the cell. The drug has no effect until exposed
to a particular type of light.
6. Immuno-Augmentive Therapy
The prime objective of IAT is restoring the immune system to enable it
to destroy cancer cells. The therapy restores cancer patient's immune
competency so that it can control cancer. Once the natural immune system
is restored, patient's own body becomes capable of treating itself. IAT
treatment is not a cure for cancer but a means of restoring natural balance
of the system.
Om Prakash makes it easy and provides alternative cancer treatment for
treating cancer patients. To recieve free part mini-course visit the http://www.immunemedicine.com.
About The Author
Om Prakash is a writer and researcher in the field of alternative health
and nutrition. Information about alternative cancer treatment used in
this article is from the ITL Cancer Clinic which has excelled in treating
cancer through alternative methods with negligible side effects.
London Family Fined £56,000 for Selling Unlicensed Medicines
A
husband and wife, together with their son, from Streatham in London were
fined £51,000 and £5,000 costs on 27th November at Inner London
Crown Court for illegally selling and supplying unlicensed steroid creams.
This follows a joint prosecution by the Medicines and Healthcare products
Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Lambeth Trading Standards.
Mick Deats, Head of Enforcement and Intelligence at the MHRA said, 'This
family have put the public at risk by selling potent unlicensed medicines
masked as skin lightening creams. Steroid creams are not cosmetics and
it is imperative that the public, particularly those amongst the Asian,
African and Afro-Caribbean communities, are aware of the dangers of the
long-term use of steroid creams. These should only be prescribed by a
doctor with considerable experience of dermatology because of the risks
of internal absorption. These products can thin the skin and, in some
cases, remove several layers of dermis.'
On sentencing, His Honour Judge Quentin Campbell said, 'Public safety
is more important than filling up your private purses.'
Enforcement officers from the MHRA, together with Lambeth Trading Standards
Officers, visited the family’s hair product and cosmetic shop called
Ace Afro Hair and Beauty in Brixton on 16th February 2006. During the
visit a number of steroid based creams were seized. These steroid creams,
used to treat conditions such as eczema and acne, are unlicensed medicines.
Hassan Akhtar (49), Mubashir Akthar (25) and Nasira Akhtar (46), of 16
Woodfield Avenue, London SW16 1LG, pleaded guilty to offences under the
Medicines Act 1968 and Trade Marks Act 1994 at Inner London Crown Court
on 25th September 2006.
While
figures show 80% of us are suffering from back pain at some point in our
lives, many people are still unclear on how best to tackle this problem.
Back pain is one of the biggest causes of occupational ill-health in Britain,
and it is estimated to cost society over £2.5 billion a year.
The Health and Safety Executive's Better Backs campaign has been launched
to reduce the incidence and impact of back pain in the workplace.
Supporting HSE's Better Backs campaign is Colin Natali, a consultant surgeon
at the Royal London Hospital and leading expert in treating back pain.
Mr Natali comments, 'The Health and Safety Executive have taken the right
approach in tackling back pain as they are showing that the best advice
to sufferers of back pain is to stay active and in most instances to attempt
to work through it.'
In support of the HSE's Better Backs campaign and to help suffers of back
pain understand some of the more complex information available, Mr Natali
has helped to debunk some of the most common myths surrounding back pain.
Some of the most common myths about back pain include:
Myth 1: Workers with desk jobs don't get back pain
Saying that workers with desk jobs don't get back pain simply isn't true.
According to a survey done on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive,
51% of office workers suffer from back pain at least once a year. Office
workers should be more conscious about the way that they are sitting,
and should position themselves so that all limbs are at an approximate
90 degree angle.
Myth 2: My doctor said I should not go to work
While going to work is something you should discuss with your doctor,
it is the belief of many medical practitioners and, health professionals
that back pain sufferers should stay active. Many patients cannot work
because of lifting, bending and long period sitting. It is surprising
just how useful a simple talk with your line manager or boss to see whether
things can be modified at work to allow you to carry on working. After
all, it is better to be at work safely than being at home in bed.
Myth 3: Carrying a heavy bag will give me back pain
A lot depends on how you carry it. If you have to carry a laptop around
with you in the day, carry it in a rucksack firmly over both shoulders
to ensure that one side is not significantly weighed down. Don't carry
around what you don't need either - if you can keep a spare power cable
or pair of trainers at work, do so.
Myth 4: Exercise is bad for me
Supported by the Better Backs campaign is the belief that exercise can
be beneficial in treating back pain, and there is an indication that patients
who keep active do better than those who take to their bed.
Myth 5: Flat shoes or high heels?
High heels aren't good for you though and do not help keep good posture.
Use a flat pair of shoes or trainers when walking, and change into something
more glamorous when you get into the office.
Myth 6: I should lie down all the time
It is not necessary for sufferers of back pain to lie down all the time.
In fact, moving around and getting up may be painful, but there is evidence
that this is the best course of action. Staying active reduces the risks
of venous thrombosis in your legs (DVT's) and allows the spine to start
working more efficiently.
Myth 7: I should not lift anything
Advice that you shouldn't lift objects if you have back pain in all except
the most serious cases is wrong. Keeping the body moving and using the
back in a normal manner is very important - obviously there is sensible
lifting and provided you are careful there is no reason why anyone cannot
lift objects properly. More information can be found on the HSE's website
at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg143.pdf
Myth 8: A Chiropractor is better than an Osteopath
The arguments will rage on. Both groups, provided they have received proper
training help people with back pain. Some feel one group is better than
the other, but provided they help and do not harm, it is a case of whatever
works for you.
To find out more about how to tackle back pain go to http://www.betterbacks.hse.gov.uk
or you can call the HSE Infoline on 0845 345 0055.
UK
Ministers Not Giving Up over EU Vitamin, Mineral Levels
The
setting of maximum vitamin and mineral levels across the EU is still a
hot topic in the UK House of Commons, with a new motion put down recently
calling on ministers to do all they can to protect the natural health
products industry and consumers.
The setting of the levels, which forms part of the 2002 supplements directive
and forthcoming legislation on fortified foods, has been an emotive topic
as member states have dramatically different ideas about the best way
to proceed.
The UK and The Netherlands are traditionally two of the most lenient markets.
High dose products account for 12 to 15 per cent of the £220m UK
vitamin and mineral market, and the UK industry and would suffer a severe
blow if the EU legislation were to proscribe the sale of high dose products.
The early day motion (EDM), put down by opposition shadow health minister,
Stephen O'Brien MP had cross-part support. It was intended to ‘remind
the Prime Minister of his own observation that this legislation is 'wholly
out of proportion' and of his commitment to ensure that United Kingdom
consumers do not lose their access to safe and popular higher potency
food supplements’.
EDMs are a mechanism for putting pressure on the government and an opportunity
for members to show their support for issues. If there are enough signatories,
they can be debated in the House of Commons.
The MPs behind the motion believe that these objectives will not be achieved
unless the UK government redoubles its lobbying efforts in Brussels and
with other member states.
UK passions were particularly piqued this summer with the publication
of a discussion document by the EC which included several possible approaches
to the setting of levels - but excluded the two tier model put forward
by the UK last year, that would allow members states to keep higher doses
on the market as long as they were labelled as such.
Neither did it include the significant body of work conducted by the UK's
Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals (EVM).
A letter from EC Commissioner Markos Kyprianou to Austin Mitchell, MP,
said that models included in the annex were intended only as examples
of different approaches that can be used.
‘The Commission will consider with utmost care all existing national
rules and data in the exercise of establishing maximum amounts of vitamins
and minerals in food supplements. In particular, the UK Expert group on
Vitamins and Minerals (EVM) report [drawn up by the FSA in 2003] will
constitute a valuable source of scientific information,’ he wrote.
Moreover, he pointed out that the EVM report was used to inform the Danish
budget and the ERNA-EHPM' models, both of which were included in the model.
This is not the first time that O'Brien has spoken out about level of
UK pressure. In July he In a letter to Conservative commons yesterday,
O'Brien urged support for two other EDMs on the subject - one of which
was cross-party and the other ‘a stronger attack on the Prime Minister
and the FSA for failing to lobby effectively on behalf of consumers in
the UK’.
The new motion called on ministers to ‘leave no stone unturned in
their efforts to defend the interests of the United Kingdom specialist
natural health product industry and its consumers'.
‘With the Minister for Public Health, Caroline Flint MP, speaking
at the Parliamentary Reception of Consumers for Health Choice on 28th
November, the timing of the Motion could not be better,’ said Chris
Whitehouse, managing director of industry lobby group, The Whitehouse
Consultancy.
What is more, it coincides with a conference taking place in Brussels,
at which the first review of responses to the EC discussion document will
be presented and the next steps in the process outlined.
The UK's response to the document, in which it stood by the EVM findings
and stressed the need for consumer choice, was informed partly by two
meetings held by the Food Standards Agency.
Croydon
Vegetarian Health Food Shop Wins Award
An
independent Croydon wholefood store and natural health centre, offering
everything from nutritious health food to nutritionists and other therapists
has won a Surrey Best of Health and Beauty Award.
There's been an independent health food store in Croydon's now forgotten
High Street for as long as most people can remember. Certainly long before
the Whitgift and Centrale shopping centres reached their present day domination
of Croydon's busy shopping experience.
Retailing is tough enough these days but the independent whole food and
health food business is one of the toughest of all. Whilst pharmaceutical
companies, government and the EU try to outlaw food supplements, vitamins
and herbal remedies used for thousands of years the supermarkets have
meanwhile extended their range of organic, vegetarian and vegan products.
Oasis Natural Health Food Store and Yoga and Natural Health Centre can
be found at 96/98 the High Street Croydon. The company says that it has
most likely survived for four reasons. ‘Our customer service is exemplary.
Our product knowledge due to our staff training policy is outstanding,
our diligence at sourcing products we don't already stock is invaluable
and our staff all seem to have a clear passion for healthier natural foods
and healthy living.’
The company sells almost everything from dairy free live yoghurt and ethical
cosmetics through to probably the world's healthiest chocolate - sugar
free with added hempseed for essential fats and amino acids. It's a Croydon
hotspot for a healthy lunch where you can grab a bottle of Goji berry
juice, a wheat free sandwich or pie and a dairy free ice cream and still
escape with change from a fiver.
Oasis
Natural Health is run by a group of vegetarian, mainly female Buddhists,
so you won't find any butcher's products as you do at shops such as Planet
Organic and Fresh and Wild - the sausages, rashers, mince, burgers, chicken,
and even Scottish haggis on sale at Croydon's healthy Oasis are all gourmet
lower fat vegan versions.
The company’s ethical commitment to the people of Croydon's health
and wellbeing doesn't stop at the food however. It has a therapy centre
with yoga and clinic rooms above the shop. Baby and pregnancy yoga is
offered and many therapies such as acupuncture, holistic massage, aromatherapy,
reflexology, homeopathy and Alexander technique.
The team at Oasis has even managed to entice London nutritionists Yvonne
Bishop-Weston and Penny Crowther to offer Nutrition therapy to the people
of Croydon for £30 less than their Harley street price.
Solutions for skin and digestive conditions are offered, infertility,
pregnancy, hormone issues, blood sugar imbalances, stress and weight management,
as well as a comprehensive range of biochemical tests. Everything from
basic food intolerance and allergy testing right through to homocysteine,
hormone, amino acid and essential fat profiles and thyroid function tests
are offered.
Croydon shoppers are encouraged to explore further afield than the Whitgift
and Centrale and discover the treasures beyond the Post Office at Surrey
Street fruit and veg market and Croydon's healthiest award winning Oasis
at 96 the High Street.
London Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston said today ‘The team at
Oasis so deserve this award. They have been working so hard for so long
to provide this personification of healthy living for the residents of
Croydon.
Recognition for their efforts and diligence is long overdue. It's a truly
delightful place to work and shop’
Contact Tel: 020 8688 6167
Oasis Website http://www.oasisyoga.org
Yvonne Bishop-Weston Website http://www.foodsforlife.org.uk
Tel 0871 2884642
135
Degree Sitting is NOT Best ...
The
Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA)'s senior Ergonomist Levent
Çaglar disputes as alarmist last week's reporting in the national
media that sitting up straight is not the best position for office workers,
but slouching and especially leaning back 135 degrees is good.
Levent Çaglar, an Ergonomist who has practiced for over 20 years
in this field, comments: ‘This is a misguided health scare which
creates confusion among office workers and if such a suggestion is adopted
would result in an untold number of neck problems. I feel duty bound to
try to dispel such incorrect claims and for the press to endorse slouching
postures as good working postures is WRONG.’
The study, conducted at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen, Scotland, was presented
on 27th November at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of
North America (RSNA). Researchers told the Radiological Society of North
America that the best position in which to sit at your desk is leaning
slightly back, at about 135 degrees and it was presented to the press
as a new discovery.
‘Ergonomically
speaking, opening up the angle between trunk and the thighs in a seated
posture is a good idea and it will improve the shape of the spine, making
it more like the natural S-shape in a standing posture. Research from
Denmark some twenty years ago (The Seated Man: Homo Sedens, 1985 by Dr
A C Mandal) showed this to be correct and in fact when the angle between
trunk and thighs is at about 135 degrees one does not need to have a backrest
and would automatically sit upright. There were similar earlier findings
reported since 1950's by Grandjean (Switzerand) and Dr Corlett (UK).’
Çaglar continues: ‘Not only was nothing new discovered in
the recent study, but the researchers were also naïve in suggesting
that people should lean back to 135 degree angle between their thighs
and backs whilst their thighs remained horizontal.
Such postures cause key problems for people working at a desk with a computer:
* People cannot maintain this posture for any length of time as they would
tend to slide out of the chair, unless the seat pan also tilted backwards
by at least 5 degrees
* If one had to look at a screen in such a posture, the head would have
to tilt so far forward that it would crush the chest, cause breathing
difficulty and in no time at all extreme neck and shoulder pain. This
could only be avoided if the computer screen is hung from the ceiling
and few organisations would be prepared to do this
* Utilising this posture the head needs to be supported, so all chairs
would have to come with neckrests
* Ergonomically, such leaning back postures are referred to as relaxing
postures, clearly not working posture. Working postures, where people
are usually more alert, are those where the back is about vertical or
slightly leaning back (by about 5 to15 degrees).’
What others like Mandal have been suggesting is that people should adopt
postures where their backs are nearly vertical but the angle between their
backs and thighs are opened up to about 120 to 135 degrees, by sitting
on seats where the seat pad tilts downwards at the front edge.
This is fine for working at a preferably tilted desk or at a computer
workstation for short periods. However, one cannot lean back to adopt
a relaxing posture, which we all need to do now and then when working,
without tending to slide off the seat.’
The solution is double sloped seats with a slope forwards at the front
and a slope backwards at the rear half of the seat which would accommodate
both sitting with opened up trunk for working and 105 degree between trunks
and torso for relaxing or listening in the chair. In addition to the furniture
which allows upright (slightly relaxed) postures, this type of double
sloped seating is included in the new European standard for furniture
in schools.
So called 90-degree upright sitting postures where the angle between thigh
and torso is about 100 to 105 degrees do not necessarily cause back pain
provided that the lumbar or the pelvis is supported correctly and adequately
and that people do not sit for extended periods.
Levent Çaglar concludes: ‘Regardless of the types of seats
we sit on, humans are not designed to sit down for extended periods. It
is a much better solution to alternate between sitting and standing during
the course of the working day and when sitting down we should be using
dynamic chairs, which allow the body to move, tilt back and forwards regularly.
Movement and dynamism is the key to comfortable sitting.’
For further ergonomics guidance about comfortable sitting and furniture,
please contact Levent Çaglar at LCaglar@fira.co.uk
or 01438 777700.
23
complaints objecting to a poster, tube card and magazine ad for Flora
(Unilever Bestfoods UK Ltd), Crawley, West Sussex were upheld in one of
the two objections according to information published by the Advertising
Standards Authority (ASA).
Complaint:
A poster, tube card and magazine ad, for Flora, showed two corn cobs,
one of which had a knob of Flora on it. Text under the first cob stated
‘Healthy’. Text under the second, Flora covered cob, stated
‘Healthier’. Text at the foot of the ad stated ‘It's true,
not all fats are bad. Adding a knob of Flora to your food* really is healthier,
because it's rich in heart healthy oils Omega 3 and 6 and low in bad saturated
fats’; smallprint stated ‘*As part of a healthy diet’.
Dairy Crest, The Food Commission and members of the public challenged:
1. whether the ad was misleading, because they did not believe that adding
Flora to a vegetable made it healthier than a plain vegetable and
2. the claim that Omega 3 and 6 oils, as found in the product, were ‘heart
healthy’.
Adjudication:
1. Upheld
Unilever said recommendations on fat intake in relation to cardiovascular
health advocated a diet that was low in saturated fatty acids (SAFA) and
trans fatty acids (TFA) and high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)
and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). They explained that PUFA Omega
3 and Omega 6, ingredients in Flora spreads, were fatty acids necessary
for growth, development and health but could not be synthesised in the
body and had to be obtained from the diet. They believed Flora spreads
were an important dietary source of PUFAs because they could be consumed
daily and therefore provide a regular intake of the fats. They said Flora
spreads were also a healthier alternative to butter, which was high in
saturated fat.
Unilever argued that the simultaneous consumption of a small amount of
fat, preferably ‘good’ fat such as PUFA, with vegetables, increased
the absorption of micro nutrients from the vegetables. They said they
acknowledged the importance of a controlled calorie intake, to maintain
a healthy weight, and said they had therefore included clarifying text
that stated ‘As part of a healthy diet’. They said they understood
that the Department of Health was planning to extend the 'five a day'
logo to processed foods that contained a portion of fruit and vegetable.
They believed that because Flora spreads were a dietary source of PUFAs,
as well as a source of vitamins, A, B, D and E, adding a knob of Flora
spread to a vegetable, as part of a healthy diet, was healthier than a
vegetable on its own.
Unilever supported their argument with references to various pieces of
published, scientific research which the ASA sent to an independent expert
for analysis.
We understood from our expert advice that a key Government dietary message
was to encourage an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption to at
least five portions per person, per day. The expert said the Department
of Health currently had strict criteria for what counted as a portion,
and this took into account the fat content. She explained that fruit and
vegetables with added fat, salt or sugar should be eaten in moderation
because of the added nutrients.
Our expert said current official dietary messages recommended a reduction
in total fat, which could help to decrease calorie intake and assist with
weight control and the management of obesity, both risk factors for cardiovascular
diseases. She said it was not possible to judge the impact of adding PUFA's
to vegetables without reference to the overall composition of the diet.
The expert said she did not believe that encouraging the consumption of
additional fat in the diet led to health benefits.
We noted the ad had compared a plain corn on the cob with one with melted
Flora spread. While we acknowledged that replacing butter with a polyunsaturated
spread was likely to be a healthier alternative, we did not consider that
adding a fat to a plain vegetable would have a similar effect. Although
the ad included text that stated ‘As part of a healthy diet’,
we concluded that the text, ‘healthier’, under the picture of
the corn with melted Flora on it, misleadingly implied that adding additional
fat to a plain vegetable was better for health than eating the vegetable
on its own. Because it was not, we told Unilever not to repeat the approach.
On this point, the ad breached CAP Code clauses 3.1 (Substantiation),
7.1 (Truthfulness) and 50.1 (Health products).
2. Not upheld
Unilever said choosing the right type of fat was as important as reducing
the total amount of fat in the diet, because fats had different effects
on the balance of cholesterol-carrying lipoproteins in the blood. They
said data from long-term studies had shown that PUFAs, and more specifically
fatty acids such as Omega 3 and 6, could reduce the risk of heart disease.
They said using high PUFA margarine instead of butter had also been shown
to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
Unilever said current evidence indicated that Omega 6 and Omega 3 were
shown to be heart healthy. They did not believe there was any compelling
evidence or argument to restrict the intake of Omega 6, and insufficient
data to conclude that it counteracted the benefits of Omega 3.
The ASA understood from expert advice that all polyunsaturated fats, which
included Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, could help to reduce cholesterol and
were thought to have heart health benefits when used as a substitute for
saturated fats. The expert explained that Omega 6 fatty acids had been
shown to decrease both total and LDL cholesterol. She said that the inverse
relationship of Omega 3 (a-linolenic acid) with cardiovascular disease
risk was probably mediated through a variety of mechanisms.
We noted that although the benefits of a specific ratio of Omega 3 and
6 were still the subject of ongoing research and debate, polyunsaturated
fats generally were known to help reduce cholesterol and help reduce cardiovascular
disease risk. We considered that most readers would infer from the claim
‘... rich in heart healthy oils Omega 3 and 6 and low in bad saturated
fats’ that the fatty acids in Flora, when consumed as part of a healthy
diet, helped to maintain heart health in a way that saturated fats did
not. We concluded the claim that the oils in Flora were heart healthy
was acceptable.
On this point, we investigated the ad under CAP Code clauses 3.1 (Substantiation),
7.1 (Truthfulness), and 50.1 (Health products) but did not find it in
breach.
FTC
Targets Seller of Pills Promoted for Height, Weight, and Bone Improvement
On
November 28th, 2006, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that
a Florida business and its owner, who marketed purported height-enhancing
pills for kids and young adults, will pay $375,000 to settle charges that
their advertising claims were deceptive. The FTC charged the defendants
with making false and unsubstantiated claims for HeightMax, as well as
for two other supplements, Liposan Ultra Chitosan Fat Blocker and Osteo-Vite.
The operation advertised HeightMax dietary supplements in English and
Spanish on the Internet and radio. Ads also appeared in the back pages
of magazines such as Newsweek, Rolling Stone, and Maxim. The FTC complaint
charged that claims for the pills were unsubstantiated or false and that
the defendants invented William Thomson, a supposed expert who appeared
in the ads. According to the complaint, the ads for HeightMax Concentrate
and HeightMax Plus misrepresented that:
- HeightMax increases height in users ages 12-25 over what they would
achieve without the product;
- HeightMax causes users to grow an additional 2 to 3 inches in 6 months;
- Clinical tests prove that: HeightMax increases the height of teenagers
and young adults; and Regular use of HeightMax for 6 months causes a 10%
to 25% gain in height, and use for more than a year causes a 20% to 35%
gain in height;
- HeightMax increases lean body mass and reduces body fat in users ages
12-25; and William Thomson, an expert with a Ph.D. in Biochemistry, created
HeightMax after years of research and clinical trials.
The FTC complaint also alleged that the defendants made unsubstantiated
or false claims for Liposan Ultra Chitosan Fat Blocker, a weight loss
supplement, and Osteo-Vite, marketed to older consumers for bone-building.
To settle the charges, defendants Sunny Health Nutrition Technology &
Products, Inc. and its owner, Sunny Sia, will pay $375,000 in consumer
redress. The settlement also holds the defendants potentially liable for
$1.9 million in the event that they misrepresented their finances. The
order to settle the FTC's charges requires that claims for any dietary
supplement, food, or drug must be true, non-misleading, and substantiated.
In addition, it prohibits the defendants from misrepresenting endorsements,
including the existence or expertise of any endorser.
Web: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/11/heightmax.htm
FDA
Warns Mangosteen Juice Maker of Drug Promotions
On
September 20th, 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent
a Warning Letter to the makers of Xango, a mangosteen juice product. The
letter advised that distributors of the product were using brochures making
health claims restricted to the promotion of drugs.
Health claims listed in brochures included anti-inflammatory, anti-Parkinson,
anti-Alzheimer, and anti-depression effects, as well as cancer prevention,
weight loss, and many others.
The FDA requested that Xango LLC, International advise the FDA of the
specific steps it will take to prevent distributors from promoting the
product in this manner.
ConsumerLab.com to-date has not conducted a Product Review of mangosteen
supplements. The Xango product has, however, been voluntarily tested for
athletic banned substances. It passed this testing and is listed at
http://www.consumerlab.com/results/bannedsub.asp.
For more information about the FDA warning, see the link below.
http://www.fda.gov/foi/warning_letters/g6024d.htm
Expose
Charlatans Industry Association Says
With
over 75 per cent of Canadians using natural health products, consumers
are becoming increasingly educated about what these products can and cannot
do. However, some consumers continue to look for ‘miraculous cures’
when traditional medicine can no longer present a viable option and unfortunately,
one too many practitioners or companies are willing to provide what usually
is too good to be true.
The CBC, in its French current affairs show, Zone Libre focused on those
people who are willing to take advantage of the less fortunate.
A two-part series, that aired November 17th and 24th, 2006, Zone Libre
focused on the natural health products industry and the alternative health
practitioners in Quebec and promoted the idea that consumers turn to the
industry only as a means of last resort and that ‘charlatans’
are ready to take advantage at every turn.
The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) reminds consumers that Health
Canada introduced regulations in 2004 to ensure natural health products
sold in Canada were safe, had evidence to support their claims and contained
what was on the label. The federal regulations, strongly supported by
industry, provide a means to weed out the products making misleading and/or
false health claims.
‘As a result, Canada is regarded worldwide as an innovative leader
in the regulation of natural health products (NHPs),’ says Valerie
Bell, President of the non-profit association that represents over 85
per cent of the retailers and supplies in the industry.
‘If nothing else, the Zone Libre documentary has created dialogue
among consumers, industry, academia and health practitioners about products,
roles and responsibilities. The CHFA supports the need to eliminate misleading
practices and products from our industry.
‘As such, we strongly urge the naturopaths in Quebec to continue
to lobby for the establishment of standards for their profession as other
provinces have done or are doing. For example, the naturopathic and homeopathic
health care practitioners in Ontario and British Columbia have accredited
professional programmes with excellent educational standards. Recently,
the Ontario government announced that it will make Traditional Chinese
Medicine (TCM) a regulated health profession, the second province in the
country after British Columbia to do so.
‘The CHFA, on the other hand, provides educational seminars, workshops
and courses such as the Certified Natural Products Advisor (CNPA) course
to help ensure natural product retailers remain on the leading edge of
science and current business practices. The CNPA course is a science-based
educational programme designed and written by the Canadian College of
Naturopathic Medicine. Retailers do not diagnose or treat diseases but
rather educate consumers about products and provide guidance in their
product selection. Consumers are referred to their qualified health practitioners
for diagnoses of medical conditions.
‘By 2010, the date the industry has to ensure full compliance with
the Natural Health Products Regulations, consumers will see an eight-digit
product licence number preceded by the distinct letters NPN on their favourite
natural health products; in the case of a homeopathic medicine, the letters
DIN-HM.
This is their assurance that the product has been reviewed and approved
by Health Canada.
‘Over 75 per cent of Canadians take natural health products, not
as a means of last resort but as a ‘first resort’. Indeed, a
survey done by Health Canada last year indicates the majority of Canadians
agree that NHPs can promote health or treat illness and think their use
will increase over the next 10 years.
‘Clearly, we need to push for standards and oversight of health care
professionals, to continue to educate consumers about what natural health
products can and cannot and ensure the full implementation of the Natural
Health Products Regulations.
‘Educated consumers, knowledgeable retailers and a regulated industry
will increase confidence and help ensure the future vitality and success
of the natural health products industry in Canada.
‘The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) is Canada's largest
national trade association representing the natural products industry.
Its members include over 85 per cent of the retailers, suppliers, wholesalers,
distributors, and manufacturers that are involved in a variety of industry
sub-sectors such as vitamin and mineral supplements, herbals, homeopathics,
sports nutrition products, natural foods and organic products. We believe
that Canadians deserve access to safe and efficacious natural health products.
‘The CHFA exists to empower and support our members by acting on
their behalf to secure a fair regulatory environment, hosting forums that
showcase innovative products, delivering ongoing vital and relevant education,
and providing valuable member services. This ensures that our industry
is sustainable and stronger both culturally and financially.’
Australian
Govt Launches Alternative Medicine Study
Herbal
and other alternative medicines are about to be put to the test, with
the Australian federal government committing $5 million to determine whether
they really work.
Australians spend about $1 billion each year on complementary medicines
including vitamins, homeopathic medicines and traditional Asian and indigenous
medicines.
But current regulations do not require manufacturers of many alternative
medicines to prove they have any beneficial effect, only that they are
safe.
Health Minister Tony Abbott said the government would provide $5 million,
to be allocated through the National Health and Medical Research Council,
for projects investigating the use and effectiveness of complementary
and alternative medicines.
About 50 per cent of Australians use at least one non-prescribed complementary
medicine.
Complementary medicines must be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration
(TGA). Those the TGA considers high risk - based on the toxicity of ingredients,
dosage, potential side-effects and whether the medicine is intended to
treat a serious disease - have to prove they are effective and back up
their claims with research.
Those considered low risk are tested only for their quality and safety.
The federal government last year announced a major overhaul of the regulatory
regime for the complementary medicines industry to restore consumer confidence.
It was sparked by the mass recall of 1,600 complementary medicines and
the eventual collapse of major supplier Pan Pharmaceuticals.
At the time, the government said it would review homeopathic and herbal
medicines, raw herbs and other ingredients used in the production of medicinal
compounds, and crack down on claims made about alternative medicines.
It planned to establish new guidelines to help verify claims and monitor
them more stringently.
Earlier this year, an elderly Brisbane man died after swallowing 10,000
times the daily dose of an antioxidant recommended as an alternative prostate
cancer treatment on the internet.
The 75-year-old man found websites discussing the benefits of selenium,
an essential but highly toxic trace element found at low levels in seafood,
grains and eggs and marketed as a health supplement in Australia.
But the man mistakenly purchased sodium selenite powder used primarily
as a supplement for livestock, and suffered a cardiac arrest and died
six hours after ingesting 10 grams.
Medicine
Man Caught by New Curbs on Ancient Cures
Chinese
medicine clashed with demands to protect endangered wildlife when a Sydney
court jailed a prominent traditional medicine practitioner for 18 months
for importing endangered species.
Central Local Court heard on November 29th that Yu Long Yu, 49, of Edensor
Park, was a Chinese medicine practitioner, as his father and grandfather
had been. But when customs officers seized prohibited tiger, rhinoceros
and musk deer materials from Yu's home, and more than 200 kilograms of
pangolin (anteater) scales and the plant aucklandia lappa from a shipping
container in September 2003, Yu faced different problems to his forefathers.
Character witnesses - including Alan Bensoussan, director of the Centre
for Complementary Medicine Research at the University of Western Sydney
- told the court Yu was ‘absolutely exceptional’.
‘There are very few clinicians of his ilk in Australia,’ Professor
Bensoussan said of his friend and sometime business associate of 20 years.
He said Yu was devoted to his family and his practice. ‘I really
am surprised ... this has got this far,’ he said. Patients gave evidence
about Yu's expertise with herbal remedies and willingness to treat them
free of charge if they were in difficult circumstances.
Yu's barrister, James Conomos, said his client would not reoffend. Chinese
medicine had existed for millenniums, he said, and ‘what [practitioners]
have to learn is ... you have to balance out therapy, traditional medicine,
with the needs of the planet’. Sentencing his client would not deter
‘buccaneers’ who tried to smuggle wildlife for profit, he argued.
But Magistrate Brian Maloney rejected that Yu had not known the shipping
container had species banned under the Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. He said Yu had tried to
pull the wool over officials' eyes. ‘Although [Yu] was out to help
others ... he was propagating the decimation of protected species.
Anybody in the chain of events, from the poacher in the forest to the
Chinese apothecary, from anybody else as an end user, has to be deterred,’
he said.
He fined Yu a total of $6000 and said Yu should be released from jail
after six months. Mr Conomos asked that Yu be granted bail pending an
appeal. Yu was released on bail and given 48 hours to hand his passport
over to the court.
Ravi
Shankar Conferred Doctor of Philosophy Honour
Noted
spiritual leader and founder of the 'Art of Living' foundation Sri Sri
Ravi Shankar has been bestowed with Doctor of Philosophy honour by a University
in recognition of his services to alternative medicine.
The degree in Holistic Medicine was conferred on him by the Open International
University for Complementary Medicine at the 44th World Congress on Alternative
medicine held in Colombo, Sri Lanka recently.
The art of living course, popular in India and abroad, has given a holistic
dimension to healthcare by reviving ancient healing techniques and practices
and presented them in a way that is suitable for modern lifestyles.
The Open International University was founded in 1962 under the tutelage
of World Health Organisation to advance scientific study and professional
practice of medicines and to promote and disseminate knowledge of medicines.
The award was received by first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, a disciple of
the spiritual guru on his behalf.
Duke
Integrative Medicine Opens Holistic Centre
Duke
Integrative Medicine on Thursday 30th November officially opened a first-of-its-kind
medical building - in Charlotte, Carolina - dedicated solely to the practice
of integrative medicine. The new facility will operate as a ‘living
laboratory’ to explore and demonstrate innovative models of care
by offering patients a new approach to treating the whole person, officials
said.
‘Duke
is a true pioneer in the field of integrative medicine. We have an opportunity
to look at patients from the whole-person concept, and not just as molecules
and cells,’ said Victor J. Dzau, MD, chancellor for health affairs
and president and CEO of the Duke University Health System.
‘Duke Integrative Medicine will allow Duke to develop a new form
of care and train the next generation of health care providers who will
believe in and practice this approach. Our vision is to make this model
of care available to all patients, regardless of their socio-economic
status.’
Whether suffering from a chronic condition, recovering from surgery or
wanting to learn about healthy aging, Duke Integrative Medicine offers
a variety of paths to personalised health planning and coaching to help
patients reach an optimal level of health. Patients and members of the
community can visit the centre for a comprehensive health assessment,
individual therapeutic treatments or to attend educational workshops and
seminars on a variety of health-related topics, including the centre's
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Programmes.
‘We believe there is a powerful relationship between the mind, body,
spirit and community and we want to shift the focus of medical care to
a health orientation rather than a disease-based model of care,’
said Tracy W. Gaudet, MD, executive director of Duke Integrative Medicine
and assistant professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at Duke University
Medical Centre. ‘The research, education and clinical work we conduct
here will explore new ways of strengthening today's health care system,
and demonstrate that when patients and providers work together to address
the whole person, patients heal faster and more effectively reach their
optimal level of health.’
The $11 million for the building was funded entirely by the Christy and
John Mack Foundation. The foundation president, Christy Mack, will chair
the National Board of Advisors for Duke Integrative Medicine. She is the
co- founder and president of The Bravewell Collaborative, and a graduate
of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. John Mack is chairman
and chief executive officer for Morgan Stanley. He is a graduate of Duke
University and a member of the Duke Board of Trustees.
‘Integrative medicine is the care of health, not just the management
of disease,’ said Christy Mack. ‘It is patient-centred care
administered in a healing partnership between the patient and the health
care provider. Within this healing partnership, the patient becomes educated,
empowered, proactive and responsible for his own health and wellness.
That is Duke Integrative Medicine's promise, and we are honoured to be
a part of it.’
Designed by Duda/Paine Architects in Durham, the 27,000-plus square foot
building is strategically located in close proximity to medical and educational
facilities and is situated next to the Duke Forest.
‘We designed this place to embrace and serve a health care experience
that is unlike any other,’ said Turan Duda, partner, Duda/Paine Architects.
‘How society defines wellness is changing. The visionaries behind
Duke's carefully crafted integrative medicine program have taken this
transformation to its logical conclusion. Our mission as architects has
been to forge a similar paradigm shift to create a new kind of facility.’
The building features a variety of rooms - from sun-filled and grand to
intimate and sheltering - that are tailored to the treatments and healing
work that will take place in them, Duda said. Included are a sitting room/library
and indoor and outdoor meditation spaces, as well as therapeutic treatment
rooms, conference and workshop spaces, fitness facilities, and a state-of-the-art
kitchen for healthy cooking
demonstrations and guest meals. The building and grounds are integrated
to create a sense of connectedness between the indoor spaces and the surrounding
woodlands and streams of the Duke Forest, he added.
The building is located on the Duke Medicine Centre for Living campus
in Durham. Staff at the centre includes practitioners in family medicine,
psychiatry, pediatric care, obstetrics and gynaecology, nutrition, acupuncture
and massage therapy. Professional chefs, physical trainers, psychologists
and health coaches are also part of the team.
For more information, contact Chris Yankee at 919-684-9821, Alisa Harrison,
APCO Worldwide at 202-778-1487 or visit
http://www.dukeintegrativemedicine.com
Sharjah
International Holistic Health Centre Opens
HH
Sheikh Mohammed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry
of Health, and Director of the Sharjah Medical District, inaugurated Sharjah
International Holistic Health Centre 'SIHHC', the first of its kind in
the region.
The new centre provides diagnosis and treatment using both traditional
and alternative medicine. ‘SIHHC’ is characterised by using
modern and sophisticated devices, in order to provide health services
with the highest standards of quality for patients.
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, commented: ‘The opening of
Sharjah International Holistic Health Centre is a great opportunity to
provide advanced medical services through a combination of traditional
medicine, which depends on evidences and proofs, and Alternative Medicine
to access to the best medical results bearing in mind ‘Accuracy and
Medical Honesty’, thus the Emirate of Sharjah is the first to embrace
a holistic medicine in the country.’
HH
Sheikh Mohammed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry
of Health, and Director of the Sharjah Medical District, inaugurated Sharjah
International Holistic Health Centre 'SIHHC'
However,
the concept of holistic medicine is to merge between traditional and alternative
medicine to reach best medical results, which will have a positive effect
on patients.
'SIHHC' consists of a number of medical clinics such as; Internal Medicine,
which includes endoscopies and ultrasonic devices, Pediatric, General
Medicine, Dentistry, Clinical Nutrition and Dieting, in addition to the
Iridology Diagnostic Clinic, through which specialists can identify weaknesses
and strength in the human body by scanning the iris, using special camera
and study the resulted images.
'SIHHC' is one of the most prominent medical centers in the Emirate of
Sharjah, with its experienced medical crew, in addition to a number of
latest medical diagnostic devices.
Some of the most important devices used in both traditional and alternative
medicine are Gastroscopy, Colonoscopy, Ultrasound 3D, Colon Hydrotherapy,
Iridology, Fat Analyser, and Fat Destructor, also available a most recent
dental clinic of its kind.
Dr. Haiman Nahal, 'SIHHC' General Manager, add: ‘One of the most
important reasons behind establishing ‘SIHHC’, is our desire
to clarify the importance of holistic medicine as a term that combines
different types of medicine, and to demonstrate the interrelationship
between traditional and alternative medicine which complement each other,
taking into account humanitarian and medical aspects in treatment.
‘We are planning to host global scientific expertise to follow-up
with scientific developments in the holistic medicine at global level.’
It is noteworthy that 'SIHHC' is one of the official sponsors of Sharjah
Second World Complementary Medicine Conference, which will be held at
the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Sharjah, in the period between
26 and 28 of the coming February, Dr. Haiman Nahal is the Head of the
Scientific Committee of the Conference.
Related site: http://www.holistichealthuae.com
Sanctuary
Plan for all Traditional Docs
Backlane
traditional medicine practitioners in the Malaysian backwaters are often
perceived in negative light. This may soon be a thing of the past following
plans to house all traditional/complementary medicine (T/CM) practitioners
of various disciplines under one roof that will be known as the ‘Malay
Traditional Medicine Sanctuary’ (MTCS).
The blueprint for the establishment of the MTCS, a collaboration between
the Health Ministry and T/CM industry leaders, was endorsed recently by
the Ministry's T/CM Division, said Datuk Seri Prof. Dr Razali Bolhi, who
is a member of the division's Criteria and Standard Programme for T/CM
Practices.
He was speaking at a press conference recently in conjunction with a forum
on the registration of T/CM practitioners in the State in line with the
introduction of the Traditional/Complementary Medicine Act next year.
‘With the establishment of such a Sanctuary, these T/CM practitioners
will no longer have to run for shelter when it rains, or constantly run
away from the local authorities' enforcement personnel, as they will be
legalised and regulated.
‘It will also improve their income when the Sanctuary is listed under
the tourism directory,’ said Dr Razali, who is also the Borneo Indigenous
Holistic Healers Foundation President.
He said the main aim behind the establishment of the Sanctuary was to
better preserve the fast-diminishing 'cultural heritage' in terms of traditional
medicine practices that were handed down from one generation to another,
besides better regulating them in line with the Government's aspiration
to promote 'Health Tourism' in Malaysia.
He said the Working Committee for the implementation of the blueprint
had recently identified a suitable commercial building located in the
business district of Kuala Lumpur, to turn it into such a Sanctuary.
On how soon such sanctuary could be set up in Sabah, he said it largely
depends on the enthusiasm and commitment of the local T/CM practitioners.
However, he is convinced that once established it would help to better
promote Sabah, especially in terms of health tourism.
On the registration exercise for all T/CM practitioners in the country
including Sabah and Sarawak, he reiterated that it was vital that they
register themselves.
Failure to do so, he said, may result in their operations being affected
when the Act, the draft of which is expected to be ready by end of this
month for preview, comes into force once it is tabled and passed in Parliament.
They would not be recognised by the Ministry and not allowed to practice.
The deadline for registration is March 2007.
So far, only around 200 registrations have been received by the Division
from T/CM practitioners in Sabah.
Dr Razali said the Act also covers those who are operating from five-star
hotels or resorts, as long as they consider themselves practitioners of
traditional/complementary/manipulative medicines.
He said the registration exercise first and foremost aims to identify
the actual number of authentic T/CM practitioners in the country and to
better document and preserve such practices as part of the nation's cultural
heritage.
Besides this, it also aimed to better regulate the industry pertaining
to manipulative treatment such as 'shiatsu', 'reflexology' etc, and to
shed them of the negative impression that the public has on them i.e.
as a front for vice activities.
Ultimately, the registration exercise aimed to better protect both the
T/CM practitioners and their users by ensuring a safe and ethical practice
by the industry players.
Besides, it would also protect the interest of the local practitioners
following the influx of foreign practitioners from countries as China,
Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia who are far more advanced and established
in the T/CM industry.
Also present were Rose Academy of Healing Therapies Managing Director,
Dr Dorothea M. Justin, Borneo Herbal Corporation (Sabah) Sdn Bhd Director,
Dr Benedict Topin, Sabah Homeopathy Medical Doctor Association President,
Dr Edwin @Richard Sunpong, and Borneo Traditional Medicine Centre President,
Dr Ismail Idris.
All of them are pro tem members of the Federation of Traditional Malay
Medicine of Malaysia (Putramas), Sabah chapter.
Planet
Organic Health Corp Announces First Quarter Sales Results
Planet
Organic Health Corp, Canada's leading natural products retailer, reported
on 28th November consolidated sales for the quarter ended September 30th,
2006 of $11.1 million compared to $8.4 million for the same period last
year, an increase of 32% or $2.7 million.
The Planet Organic Market division showed a 32% increase in same-store
sales growth for the 13-week quarter ended September 30th, 2006. Same-store
sales increased to $7.6 million compared to $5.7 million for the same
period last year for the five locations in the comp. The market division,
which has a total of six locations comprising 46,534 square feet, generated
revenues of $7.7 million for the quarter.
‘The market division continues to perform,’ reports Darren Krissie,
co-founder/CFO. ‘Virtually all the growth was from same-store-sales
increases!’
‘We just opened our new Calgary location on October 4th, which has
exceeded our expectations. Our first Toronto location opens early in the
New-Year,’ reports Mark Craft, co-founder/President of the Market
division.
Sangster’s Health Centres - another division of Planet Organic
Health Corp - also reported sales results for the 13-week quarter ending
September 30th, 2006. Total system sales increased by 13% to $3.9 million
compared to $3.4 million in the same period last year. This increase was
driven by the acquisition of the Newfound Health chain. Same-store sales
growth increased 1.2% to $2.6 million over the same quarter last year.
System sales are net retail sales from all corporate and franchised stores.
Of the 50
locations under the Sangster's banner, 32 are part of the sales comp calculation
totalling 25,000 square feet. The total square footage for all 50 locations
is 39,523.
Healthy's - Planet's seven corporate health centres reported sales
of $856,000 for the 13-week quarter ended Sept 30th, 2006. This represents
a 4% increase over the same period last year when it was privately owned.
‘We are very excited about launching our new brand and store design
for the Healthy's division,’ reports Ameen Ferris, President of Healthy's.
‘We are confident this will drive top and bottom line growth.’
Trophic Canada - a division of Planet Organic Health Corp, reported
sales results for the 13-week quarter ending September 30th, 2006. Net
sales for the quarter increased by 13% to $1.7 million. ‘Another
great quarter for Trophic,’ reports Krissie. ‘We continue to
capitalise on vertical integration synergies and Trophic's sales channels
throughout Canada.’
POHC consolidated sales are after consolidation entries. Segmented sales
by division are prior to consolidation entries, reflecting their net sales
to the industry and to related parties. Percentages are rounded. These
figures are subject to final adjustments.
About Planet Organic
Planet Organic Health Corp., is a natural products industry company, comprising
manufacturing, distribution and retail. Recently recognised as one of
the Top 50 Companies on the TSX Venture Exchange, where it is listed as
a Tier One company, Planet operates seven natural food supermarkets throughout
Canada under the Planet Organic Market banner. The company also operates
50 natural health outlets under the Sangster's Health Centre banner and
7 natural health outlets under the Healthy's banner. Another POHC company,
Trophic Canada is the country's leading manufacturer of natural supplements.
The Company has a total of 64 stores throughout the country.
Web: http://planetorganichealthcorp.com
China
Medicine Reports Third Quarter Results
China
Medicine Corporation, a leading distributor of medical products, traditional
pharmaceutical and Chinese medicines, herbs and dietary supplements on
4th December reported third quarter financial results for the period ending
September 30th, 2006.
Key Financial Indicators
(All numbers in thousands, except per share amounts in USD)
Q3 2006 Q3 2005 Percentage Change
Revenues $ 6,367 $ 2,576 147.2%
Cost of goods sold $ 4,490 $ 1,716 161.6%
Gross Profit $ 1,877 $ 859 118.3%
Total Operating
Expenses $ 217 $ 217 0.3%
Operating Income $ 2,890 $ 1,095 163.8%
Net Income $ 2,277 $ 1,506 51.3%
Fully Diluted EPS $ 0.29 $ 0.23 26.1%
Financial Results
For the third quarter ended September 30th, 2006, the Company reported
revenue of $6.4 million as compared to $2.6 million during the third quarter
last year, representing a 147.2 percent increase. Revenue growth was driven
by a substantial increase in product sales, specifically related to the
acquisition of distribution rights for three new products acquired in
the second half of 2005 and an overall increase in the number of new distribution
customers. Gross profit was $1.9 million as compared to $0.9 million during
the third quarter last year, representing an increase of 118.3 percent.
Gross margins for the quarter were 29.5 percent as compared to 33.3 percent
last year with the year over year decrease primarily related to lower
medicine prices on certain products as mandated by the Chinese government
beginning in early 2006.
‘During the third quarter we generated higher overall revenues as
a result of our expanded product portfolio and increasing customer count,’
commented Mr. Senshan Yang chairman and CEO of China Medicine Corporation.
‘The secular trend towards increased domestic consumption of pharmaceutical
products continues as growing numbers of Chinese citizens become more
health conscious and have more disposable income to treat their ailments.
Based on our diversified product portfolio we believe we are fairly well
positioned to participate in this future growth.’
‘We are actively looking to expand our proprietary product offering
to complement our existing distribution business and take advantage of
a growing push towards the use of Chinese based herbal remedies in the
market,’ commented Ms. Huizhen Yu Chief Financial Officer of China
Medicine Corporation. ‘We believe our own internally developed products
address large and growing market opportunities with the increase in this
business having favourable long-term margin implications for the Company.
As we progress toward 2007 our goal is to have a larger contribution of
proprietary products as a percentage of our overall revenue.’
China Medicine is a distributor of medical products, traditional
pharmaceutical medicines, traditional Chinese medicines, Chinese herbs
and dietary supplements to over 28 provinces and 2,500 customers within
China.
The Company sells more than 1,100 products and is actively building a
pipeline of proprietary traditional and Chinese herbal remedy products
targeting oncology, high blood pressure and the removal of Aflatoxins
from food and animal feed. For more information visit the Company's website
at http://www.chinamedicinecorp.com.
Loneliness and Debt Top Festive Worries - Samaritans Christmas Support: a Call every Six Seconds
The
festive season will see a rise in Samaritans‚ calls from isolated
and lonely people. While many people enjoy getting together with family
or friends, Christmas is a time when those alone feel even more left out.
Samaritans will take a call every six seconds this Christmas and New Year.
Samaritans is there for anyone who feels they need emotional support at
any time of the day or night. It's a difficult time, especially
for those who have lost someone close, for the elderly living alone, and
for people living far away from their own families, including those working
here from abroad.
Christmas is also a 'time for giving' - and Samaritans expects that
calls to the charity about debt worries rise significantly at Christmas
time as people try their best to provide their families with the best
they can - and are often tempted beyond their means.
Renowned TV money saving expert Martin Lewis said: 'Sadly, Christmas has
become a consumer festival, and shops and adverts pump out a 'spend, spend,
spend' message. This puts many into debt, and leaves those with less cash
feeling worried that they can't give their family every last dream present.
'Therefore many ask 'How do I have a great Christmas on the cheap?' Actually
it's more important to ask yourself 'What can I afford to spend this Christmas?'
- and then plan your activities around that. Christmas is just one day,
and it's far more important to have a financially fit New Year.
'For people experiencing severe debts already, the one thing I've never
heard of is a debt case that isn't solvable, somehow. No matter how bad
you think your case is, there's a path. Samaritans can help with how you
feel, then once you're feeling ready there are some great non-profit debt
counselling agencies who can take you step-by-step through dealing with
your problems. Give the Consumer Credit Counselling Service or Citizens
Advice Bureau a call too. If you're worried about telling your partner,
speak to these people first, then you can take your partner a solution,
rather than a problem.'
As always, Samaritans is open throughout the Christmas period - Christmas
Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day - just like every
other day of the year. Its 17,000 volunteers offer confidential, non-judgemental
support to everybody, everywhere in the UK and Ireland.
Samaritans has a third party referral system - if anyone has concerns
that they know someone who might need emotional support they can contact
Samaritans and as long as they give their details, volunteers will make
contact with the person to see if they would like our support. This would,
as usual, be done confidentially without any 'report' being made back
to the initial caller.
Rebecca Seedhouse, Samaritans Deputy Director of Fundraising and External
Relations said: 'For some people the bright lights of Christmas can actually
emphasise any problems they may have. Seeing everyone else apparently
having fun all around them can be really tough, especially if they are
on their own, or even if they are with family and friends.
'People can contact Samaritans about a variety of emotional issues and
the sooner you make contact, the better' is the message of this year's
Samaritans‚ Winter Campaign, just launched to the advertising industry.'
Last year, 92% of contacts to Samaritans were by phone - a total 2.4 million
calls in all. In 2006, as for every day of every year, the lines are open
24/7. This season, Samaritans expects more calls and emails than ever
before and trained volunteers will be there to answer every one of them.
For 24 hour support contact Samaritans in five ways:
Telephone 08457 90 90 90 -
UK
Telephone 1850 60 90 90
- Republic of Ireland
Email
jo@samaritans.org
Write
Chris, PO Box 9090, Stirling, FK8 2SA
Drop in
to your local branch - we have 202 around the UK and Ireland
Website
http://www.samaritans.org