Guest guest Posted December 29, 2004 Report Share Posted December 29, 2004 " HSI - Jenny Thompson " <HSIResearch House of Cards Tue, 28 Dec 2004 08:25:11 -0500 House of Cards Health Sciences Institute e-Alert December 28, 2004 Dear Reader, Here's an interesting quote from the HSI archives: " The FDA has ordered Merck to halt all promotion of Vioxx because the ads minimize the popular drug's safety risks – particularly a startling increased risk of heart attack. " That quote comes from an e-Alert I sent you more than three years ago. No, that's not a typo: THREE years. On the heels of a 2001 study that showed certain Vioxx users might have a sharply increased risk of heart attack, the FDA had just ordered Merck – the maker of Vioxx – to stop advertising the drug without a proper warning. Almost exactly three years later Merck pulled Vioxx from the market, admitting that the risk of heart attacks was unacceptable. Sound familiar? Last week, Pfizer representatives announced that they would stop advertising Celebrex on the heels of a study indicating that the drug may increase heart attack risk. Somehow I have a feeling that Celebrex isn't going to hang in there for another three years. --------------------------- Arranging deck chairs on the Titanic --------------------------- If you've been following the news (and how could you avoid it?) you know that the roof is caving in for this class of drugs (COX-2 inhibitors) that millions of people have been using to manage pain associated with arthritis. But Merck and Pfizer aren't the only giants taking a hit. Last week, over-the-counter painkiller naproxen (the brand name is Aleve) got caught in the crossfire when a study that compared Aleve to Celebrex was halted, citing evidence that Aleve may also trigger heart attacks and strokes. Meanwhile, FDA officials are trying to carry on as if this were all business as usual. But I can't recall a time when they've appeared quite so flat-footed in their feeble defense of the agency's review procedures. On the Today show last week (it was a busy week!), Dr. Lester Crawford – the FDA's longtime acting commissioner said, " We probably need a new generation of these kinds of drugs. " I guess he's imagining some sort of " New and Improved! " COX-2 inhibitors. Well... Let us know how that goes for you, Dr. C. In the meantime, people who are in pain need safe alternatives now. --------------------------- A little needling --------------------------- You might wonder if I'm enjoying a " told you so " moment, but that's not the case at all. For HSI members, nothing has changed really. We've known for years that COX-2 inhibitors and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Aleve posed a variety of unhealthy side effects. So while TV network news anchors wring their hands over consumer confusion and frustration, we continue to look for effective arthritis and osteoarthritis treatments that aren't harmful. For instance, in an issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine published just last week, researchers at University of Maryland School of Medicine reported on a study of 570 subjects with knee osteoarthritis. All the subjects were over the age of 50, and all reported " significant pain. " Divided into three groups, subjects received acupuncture treatment, " placebo " acupuncture (where fake points were used), or general instructions on how to manage pain. At the end of the 14-week trial period, subjects in the acupuncture group reported a 40 percent reduction in pain compared to the other two groups. The acupuncture subjects also had a significant improvement in knee mobility and function. Side effects? None. --------------------------- Plenty of options --------------------------- But maybe you aren't a fan of needles. No problem. In the e- Alert " Sir2, With Love " (4/8/03), I told you about an anti- inflammatory nutrient called nicotinamide (a derivative of niacin – also known as vitamin B3). When researchers at the National Institutes of Health compared the effects of nicotinamide to placebo, the arthritis patients who received nicotinamide supplements improved by almost 30 percent in a variety of areas, such as arthritis impact and pain, as well as joint range of motion and flexibility. In these same areas, the placebo group deteriorated by 10 percent during the 12-week study. And in the e-Alert " Tremors & Aftershocks " (10/18/04), I told you about a study in which cod liver oil was shown to be very effective in reducing the amount of enzymes that are known to trigger the cartilage damage typical of osteoarthritis. Over the years, HSI has written about many natural arthritis therapies. In July 2000, we covered Ayurvedic herbal formulas like Boswellia, an anti-inflammatory. And in a 2001 e-Alert, I told you about Lyprinol, a natural remedy proven to inhibit one of the biochemical pathways required for inflammatory response. So there's no need for consumers to be frustrated or confused. If they're willing to venture off the path of mainstream medicine they'll find natural treatments that can be effective without endangering their lives. ************************************************************** ....and another thing It seems there is no end to questions about vitamin C. In an HSI Forum thread titled " Vitamin C for Constipation, " a member named Dan notes that very large doses of vitamin C can loosen the bowels. His question: " Why not use 'large' doses (let's say 2-3 grams at a time) of Vitamin C to relieve constipation? I have never heard anything bad about taking a lot of vitamin C, and it must be better for you than Ex-Lax and the other OTC stuff. Any thoughts? " Yes there are. Here's a thought from a member named Marilyn: " It is a common practice in Europe to use vitamin C to relieve constipation! And as you said much better than the chemical way. " In previous e-Alerts, HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., has told us how vitamin C should only be taken to " bowel tolerance. " But is it safe to purposely exceed bowel tolerance? When I put this question to Dr. Spreen he confirmed that vitamin C has been used as constipation relief for years. In fact, it's an excellent (and fast) bowel cleanse if the dosage is high enough and is taken for several hours in order to fully flush the bowel. And as a bonus, the vitamin C also has a detoxifying effect. If there's a downside, it's this: You need to take quite a large dose. Dr. Spreen: " Just 2-3 grams won't do it, in my experience, for a patient with bad constipation. It can, in fact, require 2-3 grams of C PER HOUR for several hours to get the job done. If you're ill with other maladies the dose can go up, while for a healthy person (who maybe just overdid the low- fiber refined pasta, bread, and cakes for too long) the dose may be far lower before loosening the stools. " Perhaps an easier solution (though not taking advantage of the other benefits of vitamin C) would be the use of magnesium supplements. This nutrient is the closest thing to 'dial-a-stool' I've ever seen, as some amount taken at bedtime will cause a normal movement in the morning. I usually start with 500 milligrams orally (any type), and keep increasing the amount each night until the desired effect is reached. " For those who try the vitamin C method, Dr. Spreen has one more note: Things can get a little " breezy. " He writes, " The gas it generates before loosening the stools can really get your attention. " A small price to pay to get things moving again. To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson Health Sciences Institute ************************************************************** Sources: " Over-The-Counter Pain Reliever Linked To Heart Attack In Study " The Associated Press, 12/20/04, thewbalchannel.com " FDA Debate " Today Show, NBC, 12/21/04, msnbc.com " Effectiveness of Acupuncture as Adjunctive Therapy in Osteoarthritis of the Knee " Annals of Internal Medicine, Vol. 141, No. 12, 12/21/04, annals.org " Study: Acupuncture Aids Arthritis in Knee " Reuters Health, 12/20/04, msnbc.msn.com Copyright ©1997-2004 by www.hsibaltimore.com, L.L.C. The e-Alert may not be posted on commercial sites without written permission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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