FDA Specialist Says Blood
Pressure Meds Cause Cancer
A
recent Wall St. Journal article refers to the FDA as "the U.S.
drug-safety agency."
I doubt the WSJ writer was trying to be funny. But that's hilarious.
The article looks at a surprisingly public interoffice squabble at the FDA. It's an important showdown because it reveals the shocking lack of urgency when it comes to warning consumers about safety issues.
Yes -- even with an issue as important as cancer risk.
The agency infighting concerns a popular class of blood pressure drugs. They're called ARBs. They go by the brand names Cozaar, Diovan, Avapro, and others. Millions take these drugs every day. In fact, in the U.S. alone, patients shell out more than $7 billion for them every year.
In other words, ARBs are Big Business. And if you want to know what the FDA really is, it's "the U.S. Drug-Business agency."
Results from several trials link ARB use to cancer, especially lung cancer. One researcher spells it out bluntly... "I have no doubt that ARBs increase cancer risk."
A senior cancer specialist at the FDA wants to issue a warning. And that's it. He's not trying to ban the drug. He's not calling for special panels. But he and others say the cancer evidence is solid and the risk is significant. So consumers deserve a warning.
And what are his bosses doing? They're trying to shut down the effort. And put a kibosh on any warning. Somehow, news of this office head-butting leaked out, along with some sniping e-mails.
In one e-mail, an official said that even if there were a 30 percent higher risk of cancer, "I doubt there would be much enthusiasm for basing a regulatory decision (labeling or otherwise)."
Huh! Imagine that! There doesn't seem to be much "enthusiasm" for a cancer safety warning at the "drug-safety agency!" (You can bet Merck and other ABR makers spent a lot of money ensuring this lack of enthusiasm.)
If you have high blood pressure and you take one of these ARB drugs, that's YOUR potential cancer risk they're bickering over.
So consider this your official warning... because I'm pretty sure it's the only one you're going to get.
I doubt the WSJ writer was trying to be funny. But that's hilarious.
The article looks at a surprisingly public interoffice squabble at the FDA. It's an important showdown because it reveals the shocking lack of urgency when it comes to warning consumers about safety issues.
Yes -- even with an issue as important as cancer risk.
The agency infighting concerns a popular class of blood pressure drugs. They're called ARBs. They go by the brand names Cozaar, Diovan, Avapro, and others. Millions take these drugs every day. In fact, in the U.S. alone, patients shell out more than $7 billion for them every year.
In other words, ARBs are Big Business. And if you want to know what the FDA really is, it's "the U.S. Drug-Business agency."
Results from several trials link ARB use to cancer, especially lung cancer. One researcher spells it out bluntly... "I have no doubt that ARBs increase cancer risk."
A senior cancer specialist at the FDA wants to issue a warning. And that's it. He's not trying to ban the drug. He's not calling for special panels. But he and others say the cancer evidence is solid and the risk is significant. So consumers deserve a warning.
And what are his bosses doing? They're trying to shut down the effort. And put a kibosh on any warning. Somehow, news of this office head-butting leaked out, along with some sniping e-mails.
In one e-mail, an official said that even if there were a 30 percent higher risk of cancer, "I doubt there would be much enthusiasm for basing a regulatory decision (labeling or otherwise)."
Huh! Imagine that! There doesn't seem to be much "enthusiasm" for a cancer safety warning at the "drug-safety agency!" (You can bet Merck and other ABR makers spent a lot of money ensuring this lack of enthusiasm.)
If you have high blood pressure and you take one of these ARB drugs, that's YOUR potential cancer risk they're bickering over.
So consider this your official warning... because I'm pretty sure it's the only one you're going to get.
Can Vitamin D Stop
Parkinson’s?
I've seen some amazing vitamin D studies over the past 10 years. But this one
might top them all.
Researchers gave vitamin D or a placebo to more than 100 Parkinson's patients. They also gave each subject a battery of tests before and after the one-year intervention.
Parkinson's worsened in placebo group subjects. In the D group, there was no change.
On the surface, that might not seem like news. But what it means is that 1200 IU of vitamin D a day halted the progress of the disease.
That's huge!
Past research has linked low D levels to Parkinson's risk. But I believe this is the first to show that the vitamin might be a powerful intervention.
More research is necessary. But in the meantime, there isn’t much downside to taking a D supplement. And the list of benefits is a long one.
One important note... In this study, they used the natural form of D... D3. That's the only form that should be used for best absorption and results.
Researchers gave vitamin D or a placebo to more than 100 Parkinson's patients. They also gave each subject a battery of tests before and after the one-year intervention.
Parkinson's worsened in placebo group subjects. In the D group, there was no change.
On the surface, that might not seem like news. But what it means is that 1200 IU of vitamin D a day halted the progress of the disease.
That's huge!
Past research has linked low D levels to Parkinson's risk. But I believe this is the first to show that the vitamin might be a powerful intervention.
More research is necessary. But in the meantime, there isn’t much downside to taking a D supplement. And the list of benefits is a long one.
One important note... In this study, they used the natural form of D... D3. That's the only form that should be used for best absorption and results.
"Over-the-counter"
doesn't mean "safe."
Unfortunately, once something ends up off the Rx-only list, it tends to get eaten like candy.
But new warnings about NSAIDs make it clear: this stuff can be very dangerous.
A 2011 study was massive. It included more than 83,000 heart attack patients and linked NSAID use to a sharp increase in death risk. And this risk developed within just one week of beginning NSAIDs.
Yup...just 7 days.
And now a new study is just as disturbing.
This one looked at 100,000 heart attack patients. Those who used NSAIDs were much more likely to have another heart attack within five years. And the death toll is shocking.
About 12% of patients who didn't use NSAIDs died within five years. Among NSAIDs users, 20% died. Now that difference may not seem so dramatic at first glance. But it's a 67% increase in the risk of death.
When people think of NSAIDs, they usually think of ibuprofen or COX-2 inhibitors. But remember, aspirin is also an NSAID.
Unfortunately, this "therapy" is common among heart attack survivors.
Remember that even if you can grab it without talking to a pharmacist, these are powerful medications that should be taken only when (really) needed -- and are not safe for preventive use.
Unfortunately, once something ends up off the Rx-only list, it tends to get eaten like candy.
But new warnings about NSAIDs make it clear: this stuff can be very dangerous.
A 2011 study was massive. It included more than 83,000 heart attack patients and linked NSAID use to a sharp increase in death risk. And this risk developed within just one week of beginning NSAIDs.
Yup...just 7 days.
And now a new study is just as disturbing.
This one looked at 100,000 heart attack patients. Those who used NSAIDs were much more likely to have another heart attack within five years. And the death toll is shocking.
About 12% of patients who didn't use NSAIDs died within five years. Among NSAIDs users, 20% died. Now that difference may not seem so dramatic at first glance. But it's a 67% increase in the risk of death.
When people think of NSAIDs, they usually think of ibuprofen or COX-2 inhibitors. But remember, aspirin is also an NSAID.
Unfortunately, this "therapy" is common among heart attack survivors.
Remember that even if you can grab it without talking to a pharmacist, these are powerful medications that should be taken only when (really) needed -- and are not safe for preventive use.
Consumer
alert: Most common vitamins, including children's vitamins, found to contain
GMOs
Natural News just completed an investigation showing that many common vitamins and multivitamins are contaminated with GMOs. This is also true of many "health food" items and even some superfood powders.
Natural News just completed an investigation showing that many common vitamins and multivitamins are contaminated with GMOs. This is also true of many "health food" items and even some superfood powders.
The GMO ingredients to watch out for
usually come from corn. Here's a partial
list of the GMO corn-derived ingredients used in many vitamins
and health products:
* Maltodextrin
* Sucrose
* Ascorbic acid (synthetic vitamin C)
* Citric acid (used in many drink powders)
* Corn syrup
* plus aspartame, which is also
genetically modified from a bacteria source.
Very few vitamin companies use non-GMO ingredients. As most of you know I have highly recommended
Standard Process brand supplements, which are non-GMO, organic and only utilize
whole food ingredients. Whole food vitamins are far more effective than
synthetic vitamins, which can even be harmful.
In addition to some good information on which ingredients are
typically GMO, the article below also describes a line of non-GMO supplements
from MegaFoods which would be a good alternative to Standard Process if you are
looking for a good quality supplement.
For
more information on GMOs in your vitamins please read the article at this link:
http://www.naturalnews.com/041416_GMO_vitamins_maltodextrin.html
As
usual, if you have any questions on vitamins or other health issues just send me an email and I will help provide information.
Until
next time, stay healthy and happy
JD
Roma
The information on this blog is provided for educational
purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care, and
medical advice and services are not being offered. If you have, or suspect you
have, a health problem you should consult your physician (preferably a
Naturopath).
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