"Natural" Alternative Medicines Cheat

[luchog]

A bunch of TCM remedies peddled in the UK were siezed by authorities when it was discovered that they contained prescription medications like Sildenafil along with their "traditional, natural" components. Nothing new here, of course, just the latest example.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6087260.stm

Inspections carried out by the health department found five products containing Sildenafil, one of the main ingredients of Viagra.

The adulterated items had names like Dragon Power and King 100% Natural Male Tonic.

[joobz]

A bunch of TCM remedies peddled in the UK were siezed by authorities when it was discovered that they contained prescription medications like Sildenafil along with their "traditional, natural" components. Nothing new here, of course, just the latest example.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6087260.stm
what's the "natural" component of Dragon Power?

Powdered Dragon?

The part I never understand is that if something "natural" has a real appreciable phamacological effect, by law, it must become regulated (at least in america).

[supercorgi]

The part I never understand is that if something "natural" has a real appreciable phamacological effect, by law, it must become regulated (at least in america).

Not necessarily. My brother's latest kick is Red Rice Yeast which he's trying to get everyone in the family to take. According to this website (http://heartdisease.about.com/cs/cholesterol/a/Nrxcol_rry.htm):

Red rice yeast reduces cholesterol levels because it contains, among many other chemicals, one of the statin drugs. (The statin drugs, the most effective cholesterol-lowering agents used in medicine today, were originally derived from yeast products.) Red rice yeast just happens to contain one of the most popular statin drugs on the market today – lovastatin.

The article goes on to sensibly point out:

Because lovastatin is an effective cholesterol-lowering agent, red rice yeast really does lower cholesterol levels. But lovastatin is a serious drug, with potentially serious side effects, and one (especially if one were the FDA) could argue that it is best not to get such a drug from unregulated sources. If you want to take a statin drug, you should consider getting it from your doctor – the person who can tailor the dosage you need, and provide the appropriate follow-up (including blood tests to look for signs of muscle or liver damage,) to minimize the risk of side effects.

I tried to explain this to my brother and sister-in-law but they insist red rice yeast is better than a statin drug because it's "natural." :rolleyes:

[joobz]

Not necessarily. My brother's latest kick is Red Rice Yeast which he's trying to get everyone in the family to take. According to this website (http://heartdisease.about.com/cs/cholesterol/a/Nrxcol_rry.htm):



The article goes on to sensibly point out:



I tried to explain this to my brother and sister-in-law but they insist red rice yeast is better than a statin drug because it's "natural." :rolleyes:

I'm sure it does contain statins, but enough to have any pharacological effect? If so, it should become regulated cause as you point out, over medication can be highly dangerous.

Again, it isn't the big bad pharma companies keepin the man down. It's doctors and the FDA being truly concerned about the well being of the population.

[Zep]

And as for this "food" business, well, that's the biggest drug of all! Everyone is into it, even babies, and it does incredible stuff to their bodies every day! Some people swear by it, and it's God's own difficulty getting them off once hooked...

[Mongrel]

I've got another person to add to my "straight talking people I like list" :) (from the BBC article)

"My general advice would be if you want magic, go to a magician. If you want medicine go to a doctor or a pharmacist."

[supercorgi]

I'm sure it does contain statins, but enough to have any pharacological effect? If so, it should become regulated cause as you point out, over medication can be highly dangerous.

Yes it does - that's why it really is effective in lowering cholesterol. But since it is "natural" different preparations could have wildly different concentrations of the active ingredient - there's really no way to tell how much of the statin compound that you're actually getting whenever you take a dose.

[luchog]

what's the "natural" component of Dragon Power?

Powdered Dragon?

With most TCM it's a combination of various herbal and animal-based preparations. With impotence treatments, a lot of the preparations involve bits from various endangered animals as well.

I'm sure it does contain statins, but enough to have any pharacological effect? If so, it should become regulated cause as you point out, over medication can be highly dangerous.

But in the US, herbal medicine isn't regulated the way that mainstream medicine is; though some states are better at this than others.

It is perfectly possible for an herbal medicine to have potentially toxic quantities of a bioactive active compound, either through design or simply product inconsistancy. Wormwood oil is commonly available through many "natural" medicine purveyors, despite the fact that it contains potentially toxic amounts of thujone (as recreational-drug-seeking morons seem to discover at least once a year or so). Compounds containing Ephedra are also pretty common, despite the fact that it's known as a potent and potentially dangerous stimulant (and is commonly used in some "bathtub meth" formulae).