Not so fast!

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" HSI - Jenny Thompson " <hsiresearch

HSI e-Alert - Not so fast!

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 10:30:00 -0400

 

 

 

HSI e-Alert - Not so fast!

 

Health Sciences Institute e-Alert

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April 24, 2006

 

Dear Reader,

 

We're getting close. But we're not out of the woods yet. The good news

is that all women who took a moment to write the FDA to describe their

personal experiences with bio-identical hormone replacement therapy

(BHRT) have made a huge difference. The bad news is that the FDA still

hasn't torn up Wyeth's absurd petition.

 

I tend not to assume the FDA will get it right, but my Magic 8 Ball

tells me: " The outlook is good. "

 

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Business - as usual

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Imagine a hat shop where all the hats are one-size-fits-all. But right

across the street is a shop that carries hats of all sizes. So what

are you going to do...purchase a hat that may be a terrible fit, or

walk across the street for a hat that's just right for you?

 

That's one of the basic differences between pharmaceutical hormone

replacement therapy (HRT), and bio-identical HRT. One is designed to

treat menopausal women with a one-size-fits-all synthetic treatment,

as if all women had the same symptoms and the same hormone levels. The

other matches symptoms and hormone levels with the right amount of

hormones, derived from estrogen-like plant compounds that are

identical to natural hormones in the body.

 

In the e-Alert " Where's the Shame? " (2/7/06), I told you about a

petition submitted to the FDA by representatives for Wyeth

Pharmaceuticals. The petition calls for broad restrictions on

bioidentical hormones. This is supposedly a safety issue, but Wyeth

just happens to manufacture the synthetic HRT drugs Premarin and

Prempro. Bio-identical HRT has become Wyeth's primary competitor in

the wake of numerous studies that have revealed the dangers of

synthetic HRT.

 

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Voices being heard

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Now for the good news. When the FDA invited comments about Wyeth's

petition, they received well over 2,000 testimonials from women who

have used bio-identical hormones with safe and effective results. The

response has been impressive enough to extend the deadline for

comments. Women now have until May 4, 2006 to submit their personal

commentary.

 

According to an article In Business Week, FDA officials informed Wyeth

that they have so far been unable to reach a decision because of

" complex issues requiring extensive review and analysis by Agency

officials. "

 

Here's a sampling of comments received by the FDA, illustrating some

of those complex issues:

 

* " I have been using bio-identical hormones for two years now and

it has vastly improved the quality of my life. "

* " My wife has been taking bio-identical hormones for 5 years.

Since she went through surgical menopause at a young age, BHRT has

been a blessing. "

* " I have been taking bioidentical hormones for more than two

years. It has been a tremendous comfort to me as it alleviates a

myriad of symptoms associated with perimenopause. "

* " I have been taking bioidentical hormones for approximately 6

months...my quality of life is much better on the BHRT than the

previous 10+ years that I was on conventional HRT. "

* " I have been taking bio-identical hormones for over 12 years.

They have been a tremendous comfort to me as they help to eliminate my

hot flashes, and assist with the hormone balance that is so critical

in keeping flare-ups from occurring with my CFS and FMS Syndromes. I

took Premarin for over ten years. I experienced excessive weight gain

and bloating and mood swings. "

* " Without bio-identical hormones, I will suffer agonizing,

debilitating migraines several times a month. I did try traditional

medications for two years and saw several doctors and a neurologist

who specialized in migraines. I found relief from my migraines the

first month I used a bio-identical progesterone cream. I have more

energy now and rarely suffer from a migraine. "

* " I have been using bio-identical hormones for two years now. I

am extremely grateful to these doctors and pharmacists for their

knowledge, understanding, guidance and perseverance in helping me to

overcome endometrial hyperplasia in a safe, healthy and natural

treatment. "

* " We might ask, 'What will be next?' We will be told that we

cannot take fish oil in place of chemical drugs? Will we be forced to

buy drugs to lower cholesterol because oat meal has been declared a

'banned substance'? "

 

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Time to act

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If you've used bio-identical HRT and would like to submit a comment to

the FDA, you still have more than a week to do so. And it's easy. You

can use the link below, which will direct you to a sample text. Just

fill out the form and your message will be e-mailed to the FDA.

 

http://www.citizens.org/preserve-access-to-bhrt

 

Let your voice be heard. And please pass this e-Alert on to any women

you know who have stories to share. It's our best chance to keep this

important therapy available and out of the hands of the prescription

drug lords.

 

************************************

 

....and another thing

 

You might be due for a dietary change if you have an overpowering

desire to murder someone.

 

According to ongoing research from the National Institutes of Health

(NIH) and Oxford University, omega-3 fatty acids may help the brain

suppress murderous impulses. As detailed in a New York Times article

earlier this month, a 2001 NIH study found an association between high

omega-3 intake and lower murder rates.

 

More recently, Oxford scientists enrolled about 230 British prisoners

who were given an omega-3 supplement or placebo. Results showed a

significant drop in assaults and other antisocial behaviors in the

omega-3 group, but little change in the placebo group. Further Oxford

research is now underway, and similar trials are being conducted in

Norway and Holland.

 

According to the Times, a study in Finland revealed that prisoners

with a record of violent crimes tended to have low levels of omega-3

fatty acids. In a follow up study, symptoms of anger were cut in half

when omega-3 supplements were given to subjects with a history of

substance abuse.

 

The Finland team theorizes that omega-3s prompt neuron growth in the

frontal cortex, the area of the brain that manages impulsive behavior.

 

To Your Good Health,

 

Jenny Thompson

 

************************************

 

Sources:

 

" Hormone Battle: Big Pharma vs. Small Biz " David E. Gumpert, Business

Week, 4/13/06, businessweek.com

" Seeking FDA Actions to Counter Flagrant Violations of the Law by

Pharmacies Compounding Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Drugs " FDA Docket 2005P-0411, fda.gov

" Does Eating Salmon Lower the Murder Rate? " Stephen Mihm, The New York

Times, 4/16/06, nytimes.com