Posted on January 15th, 2010 by Craig Maltby, Editor
The H1N1 chatter is returning…along with a lot of immune health misinformation
I’m seeing some local news stories this week announcing an oversupply of H1N1 vaccine, available free in most places, and being distributed to anyone and everyone, not just kids and young adults. In Iowa, there some 60,000 doses available right now and more in the supply chain. The Iowa state epidemiologist has stated that nearly 50% of the state population still has not been exposed to H1N1 through vaccines or natural exposure. Some are speculating on a potential second wave of H1N1.
On the other end of the spectrum, Europe is launching an investigation in charges that the whole H1N1 pandemic scare was a fraud fueled by pharma companies eager to cash in on vaccines and related medical products. That’s kind of hard for me to buy, but film follows:
From the world of nutritional supplementation, it’s probably good to review a statement issued late last year from leading nutritional products trade groups warning that any supplements or non-prescription health products claiming to ward off or “treat” H1N1 is patently misleading and should be pulled off shelves. Totally agree on that one. I’ll continue with my immune balance supplementation, knowing that I’m helping support my general immune health but not insuring anything at all in terms of H1N1 avoidance or refuge from any other disease for that matter. Here’s the statement published in NutraIngredients.com:
Four major US supplement trade associations have issued a joint statement reaffirming an earlier condemnation of companies marketing dietary supplements as treatments for swine flu or H1N1.
They said they were not aware of, “any scientific data supporting the use of dietary supplements to treat the H1N1 virus (popularly known as “swine flu”), and recognize that federal law does not allow dietary supplements to claim to treat any diseases, including H1N1.”
The four groups: The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA); the Natural Products Association (NPA); the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN); the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) – along with the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) – condemned dietary supplements marketing in the H1N1 area.
The groups noted that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have issued 147 warning letters since May to companies marketing products
These products include air filters, face masks, shampoos as well as food supplements.
The groups recommended:
* Marketers and retailers of dietary supplements not stock or sell any supplements that are presented as treating or curing H1N1
* Marketers and retailers not to promote any dietary supplement as a cure or treatment for H1N1
Whilst condemning the practice, the groups noted that there are many dietary supplements that, “have much to offer in terms of enhancing general immune function.”
“However, therapies for the treatment of swine flu should only be recommended by qualified healthcare professionals or public health authorities,” they said.
January 16th, 2010 at 12:15 am
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January 16th, 2010 at 9:19 am
Very interesting article, and fun to read, nice video.
The information provided by you is very good,Keep going Thank you.
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