XTEND-15sec-NEWSt
24th September 2003
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Dramatic Increase in Eye Disease...n1
A new study shows the general deterioration in the eye health of older Americans.
Results from approximately 10,500 patients available for analysis in 1999 showed that age-related macular degeneration increased from 5 per cent to 27.1 per cent between 1991 and 1999. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus increased from 14.5 per cent in 1991 to 25.6 per cent by 1999, with diabetic retinopathy among persons with diabetes mellitus increasing from 6.9 per cent to 17.4 per cent.
Primary open-angle glaucoma increased from 4.6 per cent to 13.8 per cent. The percentage of glaucoma suspects increased from 1.5 per cent to 6.5 per cent, as did the percentage of narrow-angle glaucoma (0.7-2.7 per cent).
Overall, the proportion of subjects with at least one of these three diseases increased from 13.4 per cent at the beginning of the study, to nearly half of the surviving Medicare beneficiaries (45.4 per cent), reported the researchers in the latest issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.
Several trials have suggested that the antioxidant lutein, found abundantly in dark green leafy vegetables and in a variety of supplements and fortified foods, may help reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) among older Americans who have a higher risk of developing the disease.
In one Harvard study, a diet of 6 milligrams of lutein per day led to a 57 per cent lower prevalence of AMD, leading the study's authors to suggest a diet high in lutein to lower the risk of contracting AMD.
"Lutein's ability to filter blue light and quench molecular free radicals appears to play a role in maintaining healthy macular pigment and reducing oxidative stress in the eye's retina, which has been linked to AMD," said Dr Rodney Ausich, president of Kemin Foods, producer of the purified lutein FloraGLO.
An estimated 25 million to 30 million people worldwide are afflicted with AMD, according to consumer education group AMD Alliance International.
Warren Matthews comments: You may recollect that we dealt with the subject of eye health in the Sept 10th edition of Xtend-Your-Life. This study just reinforces the importance of taking preventative measures at the earliest possible age. Although specific mention is made of Lutein which is a very important nutrient for your eyes it is only one of several that include Bilberry extract, Zeaxanthin and selenium. (All in Xtend-Life Total Balance).
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Hemp Industry Faces Final Ruling...n2
Lawyers representing 250 hemp companies will make their final arguments before a court of appeal in San Francisco tomorrow, in an attempt to hold off a ban on hemp foods by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The Hemp Industries Association (HIA) argues that the DEA attempt to ban hemp foods, which contain several valuable nutrients, misinterprets legislation in place to combat street drugs.
If the final rule issued by the DEA in March takes effect, it would see a US ban on hemp seed and oil, with severe repercussions for the multimillion-dollar hemp food industry.
The DEA's rule is similar to an interpretative rule issued in October 2001 that was held off by a Ninth Circuit Stay issued on March 7, 2002. On June 30, 2003 the hemp industry won a further phase in the battle with the Ninth Circuit invalidating the interpretative rule. In April this year the HIA and the Organic Consumers Association gained another stay from the Ninth Circuit to prevent the DEA's final rule.
The US hemp industry claims that it voluntarily observes reasonable THC limits similar to those adopted by European nations as well as Canada and Australia. These limits protect consumers from workplace drug-testing interference. It also says that sterilized hemp seed and oil are exempt from the Controlled Substances Act under the statutory definition of marijuana, just as poppy seeds are exempted under the statutory definition of the opium poppy.
Hemp seed oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and protein and is a growing category in the natural products industry. Earlier this month a hemp-derived product, Nutiva's Organic Hemp Protein Powder, won the new product showcase award in the supplements category at Natural Products Expo East. Other hemp food makers at the exhibition included French Meadow Bakery, Gertrude & Bronner's Magic Alpsnack, North American Hemp Co and Nature's Path Foods.
The DEA rule would also affect the numerous personal care products that now use hemp oil as a key ingredient.
A decision on the final rule is expected in the next six months.
Warren Matthews comments: We included this article just because I think that this whole issue is ridiculous. There have been occasions over recent months in which products made of hemp have been removed off supermarket shelves because of the indirect association of hemp with marijuana. The reality is that the commercial hemp plant is far removed from the plants used for producing marijuana. It is an extremely versatile plant with a multitude of uses and is environmentally friendly and renewable. The oil that is produced from it has good health benefits. I personally don't use marijuana so I am not supporting the use of hemp products from that viewpoint. I just think that it is crazy to waste so much resources on arguing about something that is harmless (and potentially beneficial) just because of the paranoia of a small number of biased individuals.
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California Close to Ephedra Ban!n3
TheThe California Senate yesterday passed legislation by Senator Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco) to ban ephedra-containing supplements from store shelves.
The bill passed 26-13 in the 40-member Senate, with all 25 Democrats and Republican Bruce McPherson supporting the legislation. It now goes to Governor Davis who is expected to complete the ban.
"We can't afford to put any more consumers at risk," said Speier. "Ephedra is dangerous, even deadly. It is neither safe nor effective."
Similar bans of the controversial weight loss supplement have already come into force in Illinois and New York.
Earlier this year the Food and Drug Administration proposed a warning label for ephedra (already law in California) and although it has announced no further decision since closure of the 30-day comment period in April, FDA commissioner Mark McClellan recently said that the agency's final decision was near.
The herbal has however remained under media scrutiny with the much-publicized death of Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler, whose heat stroke was linked to ephedra, and a hearing in July called by the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on government oversight, which heard from industry, government and scientists, as well as professional sports leagues, and the parents of two people whose deaths were linked to ephedra.
Governor Davis has until October 12 to decide whether to sign or veto the bill (SB 582). Proponents of the ban expect him to pass it because of the intense criticism he has received over his handling of the issue. If signed, the legislation would become effective on January 1, 2004.
San Diego-based Metabolife, whose executives refused to testify at the July hearing, still maintains that the herb is safe to use as directed.
Warren Matthews comments: Should it be banned? I don't know, because I have not studied ephedra in depth as we don't use this herb. There is no doubt that in some circumstances that certain forms of ephedra can indeed be dangerous. But, that same argument can also be applied with a lot more validity to many other substances, particularly non prescription over the counter drugs.
I accept that the public needs to be protected from potentially dangerous substances but what I am increasingly observing throughout the world is a quiet behind the scenes movement against all natural substances. A typical example is the recent recall of hundreds of health supplements manufactured by Pan Pharmaceuticals in Australia. Warnings were issued about these products which were recalled as a result of sloppy manufacturing procedures by this company.
What was not widely reported is that the recall was prompted by an adverse report from an over the counter pharmaceutical product manufactured by the same company. The pharmaceutical product was not recalled but all the supplements were and they were destroyed in spite of independent laboratories establishing that there had been no cross contamination as alleged. In one bureaucratic action dozens of Australian companies lost millions of dollars and were put out of business and the Australian public denied choice.
I agree totally that any product that is not 100% as represented should be recalled... but the law should be even handed and apply to all products whether they are supplements, OTC's or pharmaceutical drugs.
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Important notice: All material provided within XTEND-15sec-NEWS is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not to be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken solely on the contents of this publication. Consult your physician or a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health and wellbeing or on any opinions expressed within this newsletter. The information provided in this newsletter is believed to be accurate based on the best judgment of the editor but the reader is responsible for consulting with their own health professional on any matters raised within.
