JERRY SCHWARTZ was thinking about Adhd....76 and keyed into cyberspace:
JS>[Dec 14, 96 - 10:01] Jane Kelley of 1:138/255 wrote to Jerry
JS>Schwartz: 
JS>JS>>Perhaps I don't understand what you're referring to.  Are you
JS>JS>>talking about the natural herbs and other things such as
JS>JS>>Garlique?  Or are you saying  that Shiff et al produce purified
JS>JS>>and standardized supplements?  Can you  give me some examples?
JS>JK> I am talking about all herbal remedies that come in bulk form
JS>JK> such as the teas or soy protein that comes in bulk which provides
JS>JK> amino acids. 
JS>JK> The manufacturers must make certain that each pill is exactly the
JS>JK> same as the one before and after it.
JS>Huh?  As far as I know, the manufacturers of herbal remedies are
JS>under no such strictures beyond the normal requirements that would
JS>apply across the board to food stuffs of all kinds.  They can't sell
JS>camel dung as chamomile, and the weight must match the package, but
JS>that's about all.  Whether you buy a bag of dried leaves or a bottle
JS>of capsules, there is no regulation of bioavailability or anything
JS>like that so far as I know. 
JS>In fact, when the FDA tried to have its power extended to regulate
JS>supplements such as you describe, there was a hue and cry that
JS>"they're trying to take your vitamins and supplements away."  Whether
JS>a particular company does its best or not, the industry as a whole is
JS>unregulated. 
Hue and cry? Hardly. That is a gross understatement. These folk kicked 
and screamed, bought congresscritters (Orrin Hatch of Utah, who, 
incidentally owns a share in one of the companies) wined and dined the 
Republicans, etc. They spent enough money to have all of their products 
undergo clinical trials for safety and efficacy.
Then the new law came into effect. It was supposed to be "consumer 
friendly" and it really is "buyer beware".
                   ===>Mark Probert<===
              email at MSProbert@aol.com
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