Richters HerbLetter
Date: 2001/08/31
Contents
1. Study Indicates Alternative, Complementary Medicine is Here to Stay
2. Survey: 1% of Americans Used Ephedra Products for Weight Loss
3. World Health Organization and Novartis to Fight Drug-Resistant Malaria
4. Feverfew Could Be Source of Novel Anti-inflammatory Drugs
5. Study Confirms Antibacterial Activity in Goldenseal
6. Catnip's Powerful Pong Repels Mosquitoes
7. Sap from Rainforest Tree Improves Digestive Health
8. Increased Crop Research in Nova Scotia, Includes Aromatic Herbs
9. Colchicine Traced to Gingko Biloba Preparations Found in Placental Blood
10. Group Debunks Research Suggesting Presence of Colchicine in Ginkgo
11. Third Party Testing Discredits Ginkgo Study
12. Leading Herbal and Nutritional Associations Challenge Ginkgo Study
13. Supplements Lure Athletes, Skirt FDA
14. Athletes Urged to Check Ingredients of Sports Supplements
15. Health Canada Advising Not to Use Products Containing Aristolochia
16. Canadians Warned Not to Use Pediatric Product 'Tao Chih Pien'
17. Family Physician Launches Web Site on Ephedra 'Killer Herb'
18. Asthma, Not Ephedra, Caused Football Player's Death
19. Agencies Team Up in War Against Internet Health Fraud
20. Herbal Viagra Web Sites Stretch the Truth
21. Utah Herbal Company Agrees to Stop Using Comfrey
22. Liverite Maker Settles FTC Charge of False Claims
23. U.S. Department of Agriculture to Enforce Phytosanitary Regulations
24. Thai Herbal Products Producers Want Export Regulations Relaxed
25. Battle Growing Over Patented Broccoli Sprouts
26. Sprout Growers Win Broccoli Lawsuit
27. First Ever Alternative Medicine Exhibition in Kenya
28. Native American Sage Speaks about Use of Natural Medicines
29. Grenada Offers Sun, Sand and Spice
30. Sex Drive Flagging? Pop Peru's "Miracle" Maca
31. Korean Government to Invest $1 Billion in Ginseng
32. Korean Sartups Battle for Cholesterol Reduction Market
33. Malaysia Music "Cult" Members Face Herbal Dose
34. Shanghai Hosts Rhubarb Symposium
35. First Chinese Herbal Medicine Anticancer Research Conference
36. International Symposium on Chinese Wolfberry
37. Herbal Medicine Market in Russia is Growing
38. 'Love Potion' Now Found in Stores
39. Swedish Energy Drink 'Niagara' Gets Name Changed to NEXCITE
40. Altoids Breath Mints Placed First at Gilroy Garlic Festival
41. Spicy Food Adds Spice to Your Love Life
42. Capturing the Scents of Summer in a Jar
43. Obituary: Professor Varro E. Tyler, 1926-2001
44. Herb Business News
1. Study Indicates Alternative, Complementary Medicine is Here to Stay
BOSTON, Aug. 20, Ascribe News -- Will the demand for complementary and
alternative medicine fade or is it here to stay? While U.S. medical
schools are developing complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) course
work, and managed care organizations are providing some coverage for CAM
therapies, little data existed to answer this question. Until now. A new
study by Harvard Medical School researchers, looking at trends over the
past half-century, suggests that CAM is indeed here to stay for the
foreseeable future.
The study, which appears in the August 21 Annals of Internal Medicine,
examined trends in the use of 20 different CAMs, covering everything from
acupuncture to yoga, among representative sociodemographic groups across
the continental U.S. "The findings really dispel two ideas, namely that
complementary and alternative medicine is just a passing fad, and that it
is used by one particular segment of society," said Ronald Kessler, Harvard
Medical School professor of health care policy, who authored the study
through the Harvard Medical School Division of Research and Education in
Complementary and Integrative Medical Therapies and the Center for
Alternative Medicine Research and Education at Beth Israel Deaconess
Medical Center.
The use of alternative treatments was independent of gender, ethnicity, and
level of education. Regional trends and city versus rural differences were
also absent. Most of the 20 therapies have steadily increased in popularity
since the 1960s, with the largest overall growth rate occurring during the
transition from the 1960s to the 1970s.
Data compiled from over 2,000 interviews did show a trend towards the use
of these therapies in younger respondents; by age 33, 7 out of 10 post-baby
boomers (born 1965-79) had used some type of CAM, compared to 5 out of 10
baby boomers (born 1945-64), and 3 out of 10 pre-baby boomers (born before
1945). However, in all age groups the use of CAMs has steadily increased
since the 1950s.
Some individuals reported using alternative therapies for many years. Of
those respondents who had tried an alternative therapy, almost 50 percent
were still using it 11 to 20 years later. This persistence is consistent
with findings in a previous study that suggested most CAM therapies are
used -- at least in part -- as preventative measures or as part of a
regular fitness program.
While all therapies showed increased usage over the decades, the study
yielded interesting insights into the timing of societal adoption of
particular therapies. In the 1960s, four particular therapies increased
markedly -- commercial diet programs, lifestyle diet therapy, megavitamin
therapy, and self-help groups. The 1970s showed increased use of
biofeedback, energy healing, herbal medicine, and imagery. During the
1980s, massage and naturopathy increased, while yoga decreased in
popularity. The 1990s showed particular increased adoption of aromatherapy,
energy healing, herbal medicine, massage, and yoga.
The authors caution that while the data indicates that the demand for
alternative medicine will continue and may well grow, their analysis cannot
predict dramatic events that may tip prevalence patterns in one direction
or another.
The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the John E.
Ferzer Institute, the American Society of Actuaries, Friends of Beth Israel
Deaconess Medical Center, the Kenneth J. Germeshausen Foundation, and the
J.E. and Z.B. Butler Foundation.
Harvard Medical School has more than 5,000 full time faculty working in
eight academic departments based at the School's Boston quadrangle or in
one of 47 academic departments at 18 affiliated teaching hospitals and
research institutes. Those HMS affiliated institutions include:
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women's
Hospital, Cambridge Hospital Center for Blood Research, Children's
Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care,
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Joslin Diabetes Center, Judge Baker
Children's Center, McLean Hospital, Massachusetts Eye and Ear
Infirmary, Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Mental Health
Center, Mount Auburn Hospital, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Spaulding
Rehabilitation Hospital, Veterans Administration Medical Center
(Brockton/West Roxbury).
2. Survey: 1% of Americans Used Ephedra Products for Weight Loss
By Heidi Michels Blanck, Laura Kettel Khan, Mary K. Serdula
CHICAGO, Aug. 22, Journal of the American Medical Association -- Context:
Lifestyle changes to lose weight can be difficult; hence, both
prescription and nonprescription diet products are appealing. Usage
patterns of the nonprescription products phenylpropanolamine (PPA) and
ephedra are of particular interest because of recent safety concerns.
Objective: To estimate the prevalence of overall and specific
nonprescription weight loss product use by demographic characteristics,
prescription diet pill use, diabetic status, and lifestyle choices.
Design and Setting: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a
random-digit telephone survey conducted in 1998 in 5 states: Florida,
Iowa, Michigan, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Participants: Population-based sample of 14,679 noninstitutionalized
adults 18 years or older.
Main Outcome Measures: Prevalence of nonprescription weight loss product
use in 1996-1998.
Results: Seven percent reported overall nonprescription weight loss
product use, 2% reported PPA use, and 1% reported ephedra product use.
Overall use was especially common among young obese women (28.4%).
Moreover, 7.9% of normal-weight women reported use. There was no
difference in nonprescription weight loss product use by daily consumption
of fruits and vegetables; however, more users than nonusers reported being
physically active (for those who exercised 30 minutes 5 times per week,
odds ratio, 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.0). Among prescription
weight loss product users, 33.8% also took nonprescription product.
Conclusions: With increasing rates of obesity, nonprescription product
use is likely to increase. Clinicians should know about their patients'
use of both prescription and nonprescription weight loss products.
[JAMA. 2001;286:930-935]
3. World Health Organization and Novartis to Fight Drug-Resistant Malaria
By Makalo And Faal
BANJUL, Gambia, Aug. 10, The Independent -- The World Health Organisation
and the Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis have agreed to provide
developing countries with a new treatment for drug-resistant malaria at
affordable prices.
According to a press release by WHO, the drug co-developed by Novartis, will
serve as a powerful tool against an illness that affects over 300 million people
and kills move than one million each year. The release stated that in the last
ten years, the malaria parasite has grown increasingly resistant to the most
common treatment, Chloroquine. It disclosed that a combination of a Chinese herb
derivative, known as Artemether, and Lumefautrine has demonstrated cure rates
above 95 percent even in areas of multi-drug resistance. The release stated that
Novartis would supply the new therapy, called Coartem to WHO for use in
developing countries at a cost amounting to less than $2.50 per full treatment
for adults and considerably less for children.
"These kinds of private public partnership are keys to the fight against
diseases of poverty. The resources, know-how and technologies are there, we just
need to put them at the disposal of the poorest", the release quoted Dr. Gro
Harlem Brundthand, Director General of WHO. The release said as part of the
agreement, WHO will appoint a group of experts to review requests for supplies
and distribute the drug through governments of malaria-endemic countries, and
that they also plan to collaborate in research to improve treatment regimens in
African countries.
Malaria re-emerged as a public health crisis at the end of the 20th century.
In 30 years the death rate in Africa had increased by almost 50 percent. Despite
efforts to combat it malaria continues to account for at least 20 percent of
under-fives mortality in Africa and constitutes 10 percent of the continent's
overall disease burden. Malaria causes 30-50 percent of in-patient admissions,
incurs 40 percent of total public health expenditures and up to 50 percent of
outpatient visits in malaria endemic areas.
"The fact is that malaria is a bigger killer of young children in Africa than
HIV/AIDS. Together with AIDS and TB malaria is a major barrier to economic and
social development", the release quoted David Almick Manager of the Roll Back
Malaria Project.
4. Feverfew Could Be Source of Novel Anti-inflammatory Drugs
NEW HAVEN, Conn., Aug. 8, Ascribe News -- Yale researchers have shown for
the first time that a component of the medicinal herb feverfew targets a
protein called IkappaB Kinase and halts that protein's role in the
inflammation process.
"The results pave the way for the development of novel anti-inflammatory
drugs for a variety of illnesses and symptoms, such as headache, swelling,
redness and inflammation," said Craig Crews, associate professor of
molecular, cell and developmental biology, chemistry and pharmacology at
Yale.
Feverfew, which is commonly used as an alternative medicine for migraine
headaches, and some other anti-inflammatory medicinal herbs, are rich in a
group of compounds thought to mediate the anti-inflammatory nature of
these plants. The anti-inflammatory component in feverfew is called
parthenolide.
Led by Crews, the research team set out to identify the molecular basis of
parthenolide's anti-inflammatory activity. Through a combination of
chemical and biochemical approaches, the team made a derivative of
parthenolide, which they used to look for proteins that bind to
parthenolide. They found that IkappaB Kinase was one such binding protein,
which is responsible for inflammation.
"We showed that the binding disrupted the protein's ability to function,
and we also were able to identify the part of the protein to which the
compound binds," said Crews, whose study results are published in the
August issue of Chemistry and Biology. "Now that we have identified one
inhibitor of this protein, that information can be used to develop
additional inhibitors. This is important because a single inhibitor may
not always make a successful drug due to side effects, so it's always
useful to have a series of inhibitors."
Other Yale researchers on the study included Benjamin H.B. Kwok, Brian
Koh, MacKevin I. Ndubuisi and Mikael Elofsson.
5. Study Confirms Antibacterial Activity in Goldenseal
By F. Scazzocchio, M.F. Cometa, L. Tomassini, M. Palmery
STUTTGART, Aug. 1, Planta Medica -- The antibacterial activity of extract
and isolated major alkaloids (berberine, beta-hydrastine, canadine and
canadaline) of Hydrastis canadensis L. (Ranunculaceae) was evaluated
against 6 strains of microorganism: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25 993 and
ATCC 6538P), Streptococcus sanguis (ATCC 10 556), Escherichia coli (ATCC
25 922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27 853). Bactericidal activity was
evaluated by contact test by measuring the "killing time" on a low density
bacterial inoculum, and bacteriostatic activity in liquid medium by M.I.C.
values. The results provide a rational basis for the traditional
antibacterial use of Hydrastis canadensis.
[Planta Med 2001 Aug;67(6):561-4. Antibacterial Activity of Hydrastis
canadensis Extract and Its Major Isolated Alkaloids]
6. Catnip's Powerful Pong Repels Mosquitoes
By Andrea Graves
Aug. 28 -- Mosquitoes hate the aroma of common garden catnip, new research
shows. And not only are the extracts safe, they are more effective than
Diethyl-m-toluamide, or DEET, the chemical used in most commercial insect
repellents.
Catnip is one of several plants used in folk medicine to ward off insects,
but most people turn to DEET when they want serious deterrence. Now
researchers at Iowa State University, Ames, have shown that a relatively weak
solution of catnip extract repels mosquitoes as effectively as a DEET
solution ten times more concentrated.
To test the effect, they put groups of 20 mosquitoes in a glass tube which
had filter paper in one end treated with either a catnip extract or DEET. Ten
minutes later, just over half the insects remained at the end containing
DEET-treated paper. In contrast, an average of only 25 per cent remained
closer to paper treated with the most potent catnip compound, a monoterpene
called nepetalactone.
"Essential oils of plants have huge potential for insect control", according
to entomologist Joel Coats, who was part of the Iowa team. "And they are very
safe for mammalian use."
The team has previously shown that nepetalactone repels flies and
cockroaches. They are applying to patent the compound as a repellant, and
hope to register it as a biopesticide with the US Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
Highly volatile
"We haven't yet tested whether it will work against mosquitoes when on human
skin," says Coats. "But our results are directly relevant to repellency on
things like clothing and tents."
However, the duration of the effect is crucial, according to Jose Ribeiro, a
medical entomologist of the US National Institute of Health, Bethesda. "To
have a smell things have to vaporise, but if they vaporise too fast the
effect is lost", he explains.
DEET is known to have a long-lasting effect and Coats admits that
nepetalactone is more volatile than DEET. "That is something that can be
worked on in a slow-release formula", he says.
"Anything that is as good or better than DEET is welcome, because DEET has
some side effects", says Ribeiro. DEET is classified as "moderately toxic" by
the EPA and can harm birds, fish and aquatic invertebrates. However, the EPA
believes it does not present a health concern to the general US population.
7. Sap from Rainforest Tree Improves Digestive Health
PITTSBURGH, Pa., Aug. 21, Internet Wire -- Digestive health is
something no one wants to talk about but tens of millions of Americans
seek help for it.
According to Roberta Lee, MD, an internist and specialist in botanical
medicine at the Continuum Center for Health & Healing at Beth Israel
Medical Center in New York, a natural option for digestive health has
been developed, and from an entirely natural source. Croton lechleri,
made from tree sap, is a natural botanical derived from the South
American rainforest. For centuries, indigenous populations have used
Croton lechleri to help with upset stomachs and for digestive health.
Recently, Croton lechleri has been studied in controlled clinical trials
and Dr. Lee, who has had extensive clinical experience with the
supplement, says the results surpassed even her expectations..
In a recently presented study, researchers from the University of Texas
at Houston assessed the safety and efficacy of Croton lechleri. This
double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study evaluated 169
people with acute complaints.
Patients received 250 mg of Croton lechleri or placebo four times daily
for two days. Virtually all patients who received the active product
improved dramatically within hours, and more than 90 percent experienced
partial or complete benefits within 24 hours.
"In addition, Croton lechleri works directly at the tissues," said Dr.
Lee. In the clinical studies, patients rated Croton lechleri higher than
other products on satisfaction scales.
Croton lechleri has just been introduced in the United States by General
Nutrition Centers -- GNC -- in a new product called Bowel Support to
promote digestive health. With the availability of Bowel Support, GNC
enhances its brand of Preventive Nutrition® products, a portfolio of
scientifically based supplements, minerals, and herbs. Supported by a
multi-million dollar research commitment, these products will address
health issues -- from eye, bone, and prostate health to liver function --
in standardized formulations.
General Nutrition Companies, Inc. (GNC), based in Pittsburgh, PA, is the
largest nationwide specialty retailer of vitamin, mineral and herbal
supplements, sports nutrition as well as many personal care and related
products. GNC operates more than 4,500 retail outlets throughout the
United States and 26 foreign markets including Puerto Rico, Canada and
Mexico. GNC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Numico N.V., a
worldwide market leader in specialized nutrition that includes infant and
clinical nutrition and nutritional supplements. Headquartered in
Zoetermeer, The Netherlands, Royal Numico's family of companies includes
Boca Raton, Fla.-based Rexall Sundown, Inc., a major supplier of
vitamins, herbal and nutritional supplements to the food, drug and mass
market, sports nutrition leaders MET-Rx and Worldwide Sport Nutrition,
and Unicity Network, the company's multi-level marketing operation which
encompasses the former Enrich International and Rexall Showcase
International network marketing organizations.
8. Increased Crop Research in Nova Scotia, Includes Aromatic Herbs
TRURO, N.S., Aug. 30, AgriFutures Nova Scotia -- Agri-Futures Nova Scotia
announced this week that it is contributing $180,000 in support of cropping
systems research in Nova Scotia over a four-year period. The research
projects are a joint undertaking between East Coast Commodities Inc., and
the Nova Scotia Agricultural College.
The contribution, which will be used to hire a technician and
some additional labour to support the cropping systems research, is being
made through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Canadian Adaptation and
Rural Development (CARD) program. The program is administered in the
province by Agri-Futures Nova Scotia.
East Coast Commodities has already established a Research Chair inCropping
Systems at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, now filled by Dr. Valtcho
Jeliazkov, and will provide support for research projects.
"We are fortunate to have Dr. Jeliazkov appointed as Chair of Cropping
Systems," said Findlay MacRae, CEO of East Coast Commodities. "He brings a
tremendous amount of scientific knowledge and practical expertise to the
position."
Dr. Jeliazkov has set up projects to address specific industry needs.
These include:
- development of profitable and sustainable cash cropping systems
involving such high value crops as carrots, corn and soya beans;
- the evaluation of crop performance, soil conservation and
nutrient utilization in no-till grain and forage based rotations;
- conserving soil, water and air quality and thus improving the
sustainability of major cropping systems in the Maritimes;
- the evaluation of the potential for the production of up to
eighteen different crops for their aromatic oil content.
"We are especially excited about the aromatic crops research," said
Charles Keddy, Chairman of Agri-Futures Nova Scotia. "These crops have
the potential not only to provide new crops for Nova Scotia farmers but
also to provide new further processing opportunities for the rural
community."
The oils extracted from aromatic crops are used in health foods and
medicines. The crops being evaluated include such common herbs as dill,
fennel and basil as well as several crops that would be new to the
region.
Created in the 1995, the $60-million-per-year CARD fund is the Government
of Canada's initiative to foster the increased long term growth,
employment and competitiveness of Canada's agriculture and agri-food
industry and agricultural rural areas. CARD supports change by providing
the necessary skills and knowledge to assist the sector in adapting to a
new world economy and in capturing market opportunities. Since its
inception in 1997, Agri-Futures Nova Scotia has allocated $2.75 million
to projects in CARD funding.
9. Colchicine Traced to Gingko Biloba Preparations Found in Placental Blood
WESTPORT, Conn., Aug. 29, Reuters Health -- During an analysis of human
placental blood, investigators in Michigan detected the presence of
colchicine in several samples. This potentially teratogenic plant alkaloid
was traced to the mothers' use of gingko biloba supplements, they report in
the September issue of Chemical Research in Toxicology.
Dr. Howard R. Petty, of Wayne State University in Detroit, and associates
were conducting an analysis of neonatal neutrophil function when they
encountered an unknown compound in pooled blood from 30 pregnancies. After
they identified it as colchicine, they analyzed individual blood samples
from 24 patients and found colchicine in 5 women.
Colchicine concentrations ranged from 49 ug/L to 760 ug/L in five women
who had used herbal supplements during their pregnancy. The remaining
patients, whose blood contained little or no detectable colchicine, denied
having used such supplements.
The investigators analyzed commercial ginkgo biloba purchased in the
Detroit area and found a mean of 26 ug colchicine per tablet of the gingko.
Dr. Petty and his associates point out that biological effects in vitro
have been observed for colchicine concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 40
mg/L, which includes the range observed in their patients.
Based on these data, the investigators warn that fetuses of mothers who use
high levels of herbal supplements may be vulnerable to the antimitotic
effects of colchicine.
[Chem Res Toxicol 2001;14]
10. Group Debunks Research Suggesting Presence of Colchicine in Ginkgo
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 30, PRNewswire -- Research that incorrectly suggests
that colchicine has been detected in a ginkgo dietary supplement is flawed
and erroneous, according to the American Botanical Council (ABC). The
controversial study, published Chemical Research in Toxicology August 20,
2001, claims that pregnant women who consume ginkgo extracts (Ginkgo
biloba) may run the risk of accumulating the natural chemical colchicine
(see below) in their placentas, thereby causing potential harm to the
fetuses.
ABC has determined that the original research study and resulting paper is
seriously flawed and that the resulting false alarms generated about ginkgo
are groundless and unwarranted.
"Ginkgo does not contain colchicine and there is no credible scientific
evidence that it does," said ABC founder and Executive Director, Mark
Blumenthal. "Furthermore, the levels of colchicine claimed to have been
found in the placental samples would likely have been lethal, if accurately
reported."
Regarding the question of the absence of colchicine in ginkgo, Blumenthal
confirmed this information with Norman R. Farnsworth, Ph.D., Distinguished
Research Professor of Pharmacognosy and Senior University Scholar at the
College of Pharmacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Prof.
Farnsworth was emphatic that colchicine is not a constituent of ginkgo.
At ABC's request, Prof. Farnsworth conducted a comprehensive search of the
scientific literature for any research paper that might support the
possibility that colchicine occurs in ginkgo. According to the NAPRALERT
database at the University of Illinois (the world's largest computer
database on scientific articles on herbs, their chemistry, pharmacology,
toxicology and clinical studies), no scientific evidence in the published
literature supports the suggestion that colchicine is an ingredient in
ginkgo.
Prof. Farnsworth shared the results of his search with Blumenthal on
August 10:
"The NAPRALERT database of the world literature on natural products
revealed that colchicine has been reported in 91 species of the Lily family
(Liliaceae), comprising 28 genera. It also occurs in one species of the
Araceae (Arisaema curvatum) and is reported in one species of the
Asteraceae (Compositae), i.e., Saussurea sacra. Based on biogenetic
considerations, colchicine should never be found outside of the
Monocotyledoneae (e.g., Araceae, Liliaceae) and thus the report of its
occurrence in Saussurea sacra (Asteraceae) is an anomaly that has not been
duplicated by other reports on the chemistry of this species. Thus,
colchicine has never been reported as a normal constituent of Ginkgo biloba
nor would it be expected or predicted to be present."
Farnsworth also questioned the scientific validity of the study and the
editorial process it underwent to be published. "Anyone who thinks that
colchicine can be found naturally in ginkgo is not qualified to be a peer
reviewer of this paper," he said, referring to the editorial process for
scientific journals in which papers are reviewed by independent experts to
determine their scientific merit and the accuracy of their conclusions
prior to publication.
"Ginkgo is probably the world's best well-researched herbal product," said
Blumenthal. "There are more than 120 clinical studies on ginkgo documenting
its safety and efficacy for a variety of uses, from improving circulation
to reducing cognitive disorders in the elderly. If ginkgo contained a
toxic compound like colchicine, scientists would have known this a long
time ago."
Blumenthal also noted that when the story was published, the world's
foremost researcher and producer of ginkgo extract, based in Germany,
conducted special tests on three separate samples of ginkgo leaf and three
additional samples of ginkgo extract. Chemical analysis designed
specifically for the presence of colchicine found absolutely no trace.
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) and the National
Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA) conducted independent analysis of
leading ginkgo supplements sold in the U.S. Reports released today
confirmed the absence of colchicine. The Council for Responsible Nutrition
(CRN) also released its own findings that showed no traces of colchicine in
ginkgo according to an independent third-party testing laboratory.
ABC also questions the accuracy of reports of the colchicine levels in the
women's placental blood. ABC Advisory Board member Jerry Cott, Ph.D.,
formerly the head of the Psychopharmacology Research Program at the
National Institutes of Mental Health, indicated that the probability that
the reported levels of colchicine were accurate is highly questionable. Dr.
Cott suggested that the levels of colchicine reported in the study were so
high they could be considered lethal. "With such high levels of colchicine,
neither the women nor the fetuses should have been able to survive," he
said.
Colchicine is a biologically active alkaloid found in several species of
plants including the autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale). Colchicine has
been used in conventional medicine as a treatment for gout. Other medical
uses are minimal due to its toxicity. The plant is considered toxic
although it has been used in traditional medicine since the days of the
Greek physician Hippocrates, some 2,500 years ago.
Founded in 1988 in Austin, Texas, the American Botanical Council is the
leading independent non-profit research and education organization that
educates the public on the responsible and scientific use of medicinal
plants. Its peer-reviewed quarterly journal HerbalGram has been published
since 1983 as a reliable and authoritative source of herb and medicinal
plant research, regulatory and market issues, native plant conservation and
other general interest aspects of herb use. Information for consumers and
healthcare professionals about herbal medicine may be found on the
organization's website http://www.herbalgram.org.
Notes to this release:
The information in this release is based on the original research article
that appeared in the American Chemical Society's journal Chemical
Research in Toxicology by Petty et al., Identification of Colchicine
from Placental Blood from Patients Using Herbal Medicines, published
August 20, 2001.
A second article discussing the Petty et al. paper appeared a week
earlier on Monday, August 13, 2001 in Chemical & Engineering News
(Borman S. Toxin Reported in Supplements. C&EN. August 13,
2001;79(33):33-34.). This story also reported concerns from two
prominent scientists about the flaws in the study: Joseph Betz, Ph.D.,
Vice-President for Scientific and Technical Affairs at AHPA and
formerly with the Food and Drug Administration, and John Cardellina,
Ph.D., Director of Botanical Science and Regulatory Affairs at CRN,
formerly with National Cancer Institute.
11. Third Party Testing Discredits Ginkgo Study
WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, PRNewswire -- Multiple analyses of ginkgo powdered
raw material and extract from several sources by third party laboratories
have effectively discredited the purported major findings of a study
reported in the journal Chemical Research in Toxicology. Laboratory
analyses of five different ginkgo sources have been analyzed by three
different methods including the one used in the study, "Identification of
Colchicine in Placental Blood from Patients Using Herbal Medicines" by
Petty et al. No trace of colchicine has been found in any of the samples.
The study is a perfect example of the confusion that can be generated by
not adhering to the principles of scientific objectivity, because the
manuscript suffers from numerous omissions and deficiencies, several of
which undermine the credibility of many of the authors' statements and
conclusions. Thomas L. Kurt, M.D., M.Ph., clinical professor at the
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, summarized his review of
the study, "There are numerous problematic errors in the work as reported
that are simply untenable."
John Cardellina, Ph.D., vice president, botanical science and regulatory
affairs at the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) finds the report
puzzling, "Ginkgo has been examined in more than 30 randomized, blinded,
controlled studies, and more than 100 other clinical and pharmacological
studies and found to be safe and efficacious, with no mention of
colchicine. Data indicating high daily doses of up to 1600 milligrams per
kilogram in animal studies did not elicit teratogenic effects
(malformation of fetus) or affect reproduction, nor was there any
evidence of mutagenicity in any in vitro tests."
Beyond the unsubstantiated claim of colchicine in ginkgo supplements,
there are serious concerns about the actual blood analyses and results.
There is a considerable body of published data on the bioavailability,
pharmacokinetics and toxicology of colchicine in humans. The vast
majority of those reports, which includes data on pregnant women
chronically treated with therapeutic doses of colchicine for Familial
Mediterranean Fever, conflicts directly with the findings reported in the
study. Dr. Richard Kingston of the PROSAR International Poison Center and
the University of Minnesota, reviewed the paper in question and noted
that the levels of colchicine reported in placental blood " ... would
likely be incompatible with life for the fetus and the mother, if they
were accurate."
"For the authors to say 'such supplements should be avoided by pregnant
women or those trying to conceive because the colchicine in them could
affect the viability of a fetus' as quoted in Chemical and Engineering
News, is an unacceptable leap, given the questions raised about this
report, and its conflict with the existing scientific literature with
colchicine," said John Cordaro, president and chief executive officer of
CRN. "Even so, warning statements, especially in regard to pregnancy and
nursing, are already included on most ginkgo products. As always, the
dietary supplement industry remains committed to full resolution of any
questions about the safety of products in the marketplace," Cordaro
added.
In addition to CRN's analysis of ginkgo raw materials and extracts, the
American Herbal Products Association and the National Nutritional Foods
Association have begun analyses of finished ginkgo products, and have not
yet found a product with colchicine present.
The authors do themselves and any potential readers a disservice by
stating that dietary supplements are unregulated and that the safety and
efficacy of herbal medicines have not been verified by appropriate
randomized, controlled clinical studies. There is a considerable body of
clinical and pharmacological evidence supporting the safety and benefit
of the leading herbals in the marketplace, including ginkgo, perhaps the
most studied of all the herbals. Dietary supplements are vigorously
regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade
Commission.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) is a science-based trade
association founded in 1973 and represents more than 110 companies in the
dietary supplement industry, including ingredient suppliers and
manufacturers. CRN members adhere to a strong code of ethics, comply with
dosage limits and manufacture dietary supplements to high quality
standards under good manufacturing practices.
12. Leading Herbal and Nutritional Associations Challenge Ginkgo Study
WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, PRNewswire -- The American Herbal Products
Association (AHPA) and the National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA)
have sharply criticized and initiated analyses to refute the findings of
a new study that attributes the presence of the alkaloid colchicine(1) in
pregnant women to the use of the herbal supplement ginkgo. The study,
"Identification of Colchicine in Placental Blood from Patients Using
Herbal Medicine," by Petty et al., was recently published in the journal
Chemical Research in Toxicology.
"Let's be absolutely clear; ginkgo does not naturally contain the
alkaloid colchicine," said Joseph M. Betz, Ph.D., vice president for
scientific and technical affairs at AHPA. "Since colchicine is not a
constituent of the plant, its presence in the tested product, if
confirmed, would either indicate contamination or adulteration of the
product or of the laboratory equipment," added Betz. "Another strong
possibility is that the researchers' analysis of their test results were
seriously flawed."
The study analyzed blood samples from 24 pregnant women and several
apparently randomly chosen herbal products. The authors reported
significant levels of the potentially toxic colchicine in both the
placental blood of five of the 24 women and in a commercially available
ginkgo sample.
According to Phillip Harvey, Ph.D., R.D., director of science and quality
assurance at NNFA, "The high blood levels of colchicine reported are
puzzling. If the reported placental levels were accurate, the mothers and
the babies would likely have been poisoned. It seems that there is some
sort of analytical interference that gave them artificially high levels."
Jerry Cott, Ph.D., noted neuropsychopharmacologist and former chief of
the psychopharmacology research program at the National Institute of
Mental Health, reinforced this conclusion.
"Even a cursory examination of the medical literature would have alerted
the researchers that the levels they measured were well above the lethal
level," Cott said. "It is also important to note that the study reported
that women who did not take herbal supplements were also found to have
detectable levels of colchicine in their placental blood. If ginkgo were
the source of the colchicine, one is left to wonder where the 'little
colchicine' in the placental blood of non-supplement users came from."
AHPA and NNFA have organized an independent analysis of the top selling
ginkgo finished products. Although analyses will be completed next week,
preliminary results confirm that colchicine is not present in ginkgo.
"We are not surprised that the preliminary indications we have from a
variety of testing methods confirm that colchicine does not naturally
occur in ginkgo and is not present in the top selling ginkgo products,"
said Harvey. "We are confident that next week's final results will
exonerate ginkgo."
In addition to AHPA's and NNFA's analysis of ginkgo finished product, the
Council for Responsible Nutrition, another industry trade group, just
completed analyses of raw materials and extracts and also found no trace
of colchicine in any ginkgo samples.
Dietary supplements, including ginkgo products, must be manufactured in
accordance with standards established by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA). If colchicine were actually present in any ginkgo
product it would be subject to immediate seizure by FDA. To reinforce the
federal regulations, NNFA has developed its own voluntary "Good
Manufacturing Practices Certification" program that requires supplement
manufacturers to apply even more stringent standards to their production
methods.
Based on their report, the study's authors recommend that pregnant women
avoid the use of ginkgo.
"It is misguided for these researchers to urge pregnant women to
discontinue their use of ginkgo based on concerns for a toxin that simply
does not exist in this herb," said Betz. "Advising a pregnant woman to
inform her health care practitioner about ingesting any active
ingredient, however, whether a specific foods, medicine or herb, is sound
advice."
Founded in 1983, the American Herbal Products Association serves its
members by promoting the responsible commerce of products that contain
herbs. For more information, contact www.ahpa.org.
The National Nutritional Foods Association (www.nnfa.org) is the nation's
largest and oldest non-profit organization dedicated to the natural
products industry. NNFA represents more than 4,000 retailers,
manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors of natural products,
including foods, dietary supplements, and health and beauty aids.
(1) The compound colchicine occurs naturally in a number of plants that
belong to the lily family (most notably the Autumn crocus Colchicum
autumnale), and the substance has been used to treat rare health
conditions such as gout and Familial Mediterranean Fever. It has
essentially been removed from clinical use due to its toxic and
teratogenic effects.
13. Supplements Lure Athletes, Skirt FDA
By Julie Deardorff and Geoff Dougherty
CHICAGO, Aug. 28, Chicago Tribune -- The high-voltage mixture of ephedra
and caffeine was once considered such a dangerous combination that products
containing both ingredients were pulled from store shelves in the early
1980s.
Today, athletes are regularly gulping down the ancient Chinese herb
ephedra and caffeine in the form of legal dietary supplements, hoping to
find a new springboard to glory.
Changes in federal law and an increasingly competitive sports culture
have combined to fuel a boom in dietary supplements that many consider
dangerous.
Increasingly, athletes are turning to products like Ripped Fuel, Ultimate
Orange and Xenadrine, which are classified as supplements but contain the
stimulant ephedrine, also known as ma huang.
Studies have found that some people who take ephedrine experience effects
that can lead to a heart attack or stroke, and the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration has been trying to get it restricted for the last five
years.
Makers of the supplements maintain the products are safe if used
properly, and some manufacturers include voluntary warning labels about
the potential health risks.
The popularity of the products is soaring. Changes in the laws in the
mid-1990s made it nearly impossible for the FDA to regulate supplements
such as ephedrine, androstenedione and creatine, and ever since, the
industry has experienced an upsurge.
Unlike over-the-counter cold medicines, nutritional supplements_whether
it's an herb or amino acid_do not have to be tested for safety before
they go into stores.
In 1994 Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act,
creating a new category of products called dietary supplements. Before
the law was passed, manufacturers and suppliers of nutritional
supplements had to prove their safety claim to the FDA before it could be
marketed. But the new category left the FDA with virtually no control
over supplements. Under the law the FDA can only intervene after a
product has been shown to be harmful.
Critics say lax standards put consumers in an extremely dangerous
situation, especially in the American sports culture, where athletes and
coaches will try almost anything to gain a competitive advantage, even if
it's at the expense of their own safety.
"Most of the logic behind this is that young folks can't even imagine
dying," said David Hill, exercise physiologist at the University of North
Texas.
The recent death of Northwestern University football player Rashidi
Wheeler, who collapsed during a workout Aug. 3, has focused attention on
athletes' increased use of supplements and the risks that go along with
those containing stimulants such as the energy-boosting ephedrine and the
muscle-building creatine.
While Wheeler died of bronchial asthma, according to a coroner's
preliminary report, teammates said he might have taken Ultimate Orange, a
popular supplement containing ephedrine and caffeine.
"I think players want to try to get an edge in whatever way they can,"
said Jonathan F. Katz, a clinical sports psychologist based in New York.
"Supplements are the new fad, the new rage."
Ephedra has been used to treat allergies and asthma. But when used with
other substances, such as caffeine, the ancient plant has dangerous
effects.
Ephedrine, found in some supplements widely available in health food
stores, has been linked to at least 80 deaths since 1994, according to
the FDA, and has been targeted in numerous lawsuits against
manufacturers.
The International Olympic Committee and the National Collegiate Athletic
Association have restricted use of supplements containing ephedrine, and
the National Football League and its players union recently agreed to
prohibit players from endorsing many of the products.
Yet in a world where athletes are willing to take illegal substances such
as steroids to boost performance, many believe the rising popularity of
supplements is not surprising.
"It's a double-edged sword," Katz said. "Athletes hear a mixed message:
Get better, get stronger but don't abuse your body. It's a little
difficult for someone in his or her late teens or early 20s to know where
that line is."
Athlete's Views
Former NU football player David Beazley, who graduated in 1996, said he
sometimes took Xenadrine, a supplement containing ephedrine, despite
having a heart condition that made taking the substance especially risky.
Though Beazley worried about his health, limiting himself to a quarter of
the dose taken by other athletes, he saw the supplement as a necessary
risk_and one that seemed remote.
"It's just one of those things. You sacrifice to perform at your best,"
he said. "As an elite athlete you feel kind of indestructible. Nothing is
going to happen to you."
Beazley said coaches distributed supplements containing creatine, an
amino acid made in the liver and kidneys and found in meats, milk and
fish, which has neither been banned nor restricted by the NCAA. But they
did not hand out ephedrine, he said.
"For the larger guys (like linemen), dietary supplements are a common
thing. They were provided to us by the training staff. In most cases it
was almost a requirement for the bigger guys to take it.
"Absolutely, the majority of the guys were taking something."
Jason Eberhart, a former University of Illinois football player, said he
took a supplement containing creatine to gain weight after a demoralizing
freshman season. "I got thrown around a lot," Eberhart said.
"I gained weight_a lot of weight," Eberhart said. "I went from 255 to
280. That's hard to do."
Because of the fame and money available to professional athletes, said
North Texas' Hill, those in college are willing to try anything that
might gain them attention from scouts.
"It's easy for me to understand why people do it," he said. "They see
very little risk and the potential for huge gain. As long as athletes get
paid what athletes get paid, people are going to do whatever it takes to
get there."
Said San Diego sports psychologist Robert Nideffer: "These are
high-drive, highly competitive people who want to get an edge."
Once, after Nideffer had delivered a continuing-education lecture to
doctors about problems associated with performance-enhancing substances,
"a physician asked me what (steroids) he could get for his son."
"Within the sports world I've talked to lots and lots of athletes who
wouldn't use (supplements) if they didn't feel they had to stay
competitive," Nideffer said.
Inducement from coaches and other players can turn an athlete toward
supplements, said Eddie O'Connor, a sports psychologist in Grand Rapids,
Mich., who has consulted with NU athletes. If a new running back is
competing for playing time with two others who are taking supplements,
it's hard to say no, he said.
"How else can you compete but join the system?" O'Connor said.
Plethora of Products
Both ephedra and its derivative, ephedrine, are generally safe if used
properly and conservatively. But the herb's energy-producing properties
have been attacked by the FDA. Also some states, including Florida and
New York, are banning sales of high-dosage products, while others are
requiring warning labels.
With so many different products on the market, confusion reigns over what
constitutes a dietary supplement, what is safe and what is regulated by
the FDA.
Since 1994 a dietary supplement has been defined as a product containing
one or more of the following ingredients: "a vitamin, mineral, herb or
other botanical, an amino acid, a concentrate, metabolite, constituent,
extract or combination of these ingredients." Sports nutrition products
such as ephedrine, androstenedione and creatine account for less than 10
percent of the $16.7 billion dietary supplement market_vitamins and
minerals account for about 45 percent of sales.
But critics contend the so-called performance enhancers are by far the
most troubling.
"Creatine_there are a lot more questions than answers about it. It seems
athletic trainers are dealing with more heat cramps, heat illness and
strains. It has not been reproduced in scientific research," said Jon
Almquist of the National Athletic Trainers Association.
"Ephedrine_anything that has that substance is a cause of concern."
Ephedra, which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more
than 4,000 years, contains two alkaloids, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine,
which today are used in many over-the-counter cold and allergy
medications.
About 12 million Americans use ephedra products for non-medicinal
purposes, including weight loss, increased energy and enhanced sexual
prowess, according to the industry-sponsored Ephedra Education Council.
While ephedrine expands breathing passages, it also constricts blood
vessels and increases arterial blood pressure, possibly leading to severe
hypertension, heart attack or stroke.
"It's not just the ephredine, it's the ephredine, the caffeine and other
natural chemicals found in these products," said Dr. Bill Gurley,
associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of
Arkansas College of Pharmacy and frequent critic of products containing
ephedra. "The whole concoction can exacerbate the situation and makes the
products more potent than they would be by themselves."
[Chicago Tribune correspondents Robert L. Kaiser and Marlen Garcia
contributed to this report.]
14. Athletes Urged to Check Ingredients of Sports Supplements
CHICAGO, Aug. 13, PRNewswire -- The Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Association's (BCBSA) Healthy Competition Foundation has re-issued an
educational advisory to help athletes identify potentially dangerous
sports supplements by brand name. The one-page health warning urges
athletes of all ages to consult with a doctor before taking sports
supplements of any kind, especially those containing ephedra,
androstenedione, creatine or related substances, and lists the brand
names of common supplements with these products.
"Young people, in alarming numbers, are taking unregulated sports
supplements with little to no scientific evidence of their safety or
health consequences," said Allan Korn, MD, Chief Medical Officer of the
Healthy Competition Foundation and BCBSA. "Recent deaths on the practice
field that may be linked to supplement use make it even more important to
inform athletes about what's in products with suggestive names, like
Ultimate Orange and Ripped Fuel."
The Food and Drug Administration has been warning consumers since 1996
not to take dietary supplements containing ephedra, an amphetamine-like
stimulant that can have potentially dangerous effects on the nervous
system and heart. Possible adverse effects of ephedra range from
dizziness, headache, gastrointestinal distress, irregular heartbeat, and
heart palpitations to heart attack, stroke, seizures, psychosis and
death. Ephedra is often marketed to athletes as an energy booster, but
many experts believe its potential side effects far outweigh any benefit.
The product may be listed as an ingredient under any of the following
names: ephedra, ephedrine, ma huang, Chinese ephedra, ma huang extract,
ephedra sinica, ephedra extract, ephedra herb powder or epitonin.
Several recent studies have shown that taking androstenedione (andro) can
dangerously raise hormone levels in men. Increased testosterone levels
can cause potentially serious negative health effects, including
increased risk of heart disease, testicular cancer, behavioral problems,
infertility and stroke. One study by University of Iowa researchers
revealed that 100 mg of androstenedione taken three times daily increased
estrogen by up to 80 percent, caused enlargement of the prostrate and can
cause a 10- to 15-percent increase in heart disease by lowering HDL or
"good cholesterol" levels.
Unlike ephedra and andro, the health effects caused by the use of
creatine have not been scientifically examined, but a growing number of
athletes and doctors have noted negative consequences. Anecdotal and
preliminary evidence gathered by trainers, physicians, coaches and
athletes suggests a possible link between creatine and cramping,
diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, dehydration, muscle strain, high blood
pressure, incontinence and abnormal liver and kidney function.
"The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association wants young athletes, their
coaches and parents to understand the potential risks of using certain
supplements," Dr. Korn said. "The Healthy Competition Foundation urges
young athletes to abstain from using ephedra, andro or creatine and
reminds athletes, coaches and parents that skill, dedication and hard
work are the most important qualities for success in sports and in life."
To help the public identify products containing ephedra, andro and
creatine, the educational advisory contains the names of some of the
widely marketed products in each substance category. The Healthy
Competition Foundation is distributing the advisory to schools nationwide
this fall through local Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies and also has
posted the document for anyone to download and distribute free of charge
at its web site http://www.healthycompetition.org. Coaches and parents
are encouraged to duplicate and circulate the information to friends,
colleagues and teammates.
The Healthy Competition Foundation is a nonprofit corporation founded in
1999 by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and is dedicated to
educating the public about the potential dangers of performance-enhancing
drugs in athletic competition. The Foundation is reaching out to
America's young people through public events, grassroots activism, public
service announcements and the Internet. For more information or to take
the "Healthy Competition is Drug Free" pledge online, visit
http://www.healthycompetition.org .
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is an association of
independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans that
collectively provide health care coverage to 81 million -- more than one
in four -- Americans. For more information on the Blue Cross and Blue
Shield Association, visit http://www.bcbs.com .
Sports Supplement Health Warning
Many dietary supplement products available over the counter or on the
Internet contain androstenedione (andro), creatine or ephedra. These
products are not regulated or tested by the FDA and some have been
reported to cause negative health consequences ranging from cramps or
headaches to kidney problems and acne.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association's Healthy Competition
Foundation supports drug-free competition without the use of these
products. The Foundation recommends that people of all ages consult with
their doctors before taking a supplement containing andro, creatine,
ephedra or related substances.
To help you identify these substances listed below are the names of some
of the widely marketed products in each category.
Androstenedione: 3-Andro Xtreme, Andro-Gen, Andro-Stack, Androstat, Animal
Stak, Nor Andro Ripped Fuel Stack, Nor-Stak, Nor-Tek. Related compounds
include 19-norandrostenedione, androstenediol, and
dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
Creatine: Animal Max, ATP Advantage, Cell-Tech, Creaject, Crea-Tek,
Creatigen, Creatine Booster, Creatine Fizz Fuel, CreaVate, Effervescent
Creatine Elite, LifeSmart's Creatine Chews, Mass Action, Micronized
Creatine, Perfect Creatine, Phosphagen, Power Creatine, SyntheVol, Teen
Advantage Creatine Serum, Xtra Advantage Creatine Serum.
Ephedra (Ma Huang): 3-Andro Xtreme, Adipokinetix, Amphetra-Lean, Animal
Cuts, BetaLean, Clenbutrx, Diet Boost, Diet Fuel, Dyma-Burn Xtreme,
Dymetadrine Xtreme, Energel, Herbal Phen-Fen, Herbalife, Hydroxycut,
Metabolife 356, Metab-O-Lite, Metacuts, Ripped Force, Ripped Fuel,
Thermadrene, ThermaPro, Thermo Speed, Trim Fast, Ultimate Energizer,
Ultimate Orange, Ultra Chromaslim, Xenadrine RFA-1, Yellow Jacket
For more information about the potential health risks of performance-
enhancing drugs and supplements, visit the Healthy Competition Foundation
online at http://www.HealthyCompetition.org .
15. Health Canada Advising Not to Use Products Containing Aristolochia
OTTAWA, Aug. 17, Health Canada -- Health Canada reminds consumers not to
use products labelled as containing Aristolochia, which is considered to be
potentially toxic. Aristolochia is an herb which produces aristolochic
acid and has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Aristolochic acid can cause cancer, changes in human cells and kidney
failure.
Health Canada first issued a warning on Aristolochia in November 1999. At
that time, Health Canada asked retailers, manufacturers and importers to
discontinue sale of certain products that were analyzed and found to
contain aristolochic acid. However, a recent market survey in Canada showed
that some products labelled as containing Aristolochia are still being
found on the shelves.
Health Canada is currently investigating these products, as well as
products labelled to contain other herbs such as Stephania, Clematis,
Akebia and Asarum for the presence of aristolochic acid. Aristolochia might
have been used as a substitute for these herbs in some traditional Chinese
medicines under the traditional name of Mu Tong. Consumers are therefore
advised not to use products labelled to contain Mu Tong or any of the herbs
listed above.
Health Canada is also taking further action with manufacturers to prevent
the sale of products which may contain aristolochic acid. A Customs Alert
has been re-issued, to ensure that products containing Aristolochia do not
enter Canada.
There have been numerous international reports of death or injury from
kidney failure due to ingestion of products found to contain aristolochic
acid. Other countries, including the United States and member states of the
European Union, have taken regulatory action to address the risk of
aristolochic acid to consumers.
To date, no reports of adverse or toxic reactions related to products
containing aristolochic acid have been reported in Canada.
16. Canadians Warned Not to Use Pediatric Product 'Tao Chih Pien'
OTTAWA, Aug. 24, Health Canada -- Health Canada warns consumers not to use
the pediatric product TAO CHIH PIEN, as recent tests have shown that it
contains aristolochic acid. Aristolochic acid can cause cancer, mutations
in human cells and is known to cause end-stage kidney failure. Tao Chih
Pien is sold in the form of tablets, and is said to be a diuretic and
laxative.
The Tao Chih Pien product is not labelled to contain Aristolochia.
However, in Chinese characters only, it is labelled to contain Mu Tong (a
traditional term used to describe numerous herbs, including Aristolochia,
that sometimes may be used interchangeably in traditional Chinese
medicines).
The product packaging is white and yellow, with the words TAO CHIH PIEN
(For babies) in English. It is manufactured by TianJin Medicines & Health
Products Import and Export Corp in China.
Health Canada has requested that importers immediately stop the importation
and sale of this product, that the product be recalled to the retail level
and that retailers remove the product from store shelves. To this end,
Health Canada has also issued a Customs Alert for this product.
Health Canada advises individuals who have purchased this product not to
consume it and return it to the place of purchase. Those who may have
consumed this product should contact their health care professional.
Health Canada issued a warning on Aristolochia in November 1999 and a
reminder in August 2001. This particular product was analyzed and found to
contain aristolochic acid, as part of the ongoing market survey associated
with the earlier August advisory. To date, no reports of adverse or toxic
reactions related to products containing aristolochic acid have been
reported in Canada.
17. Family Physician Launches Web Site on Ephedra 'Killer Herb'
WEST LORNE, Ont., Aug, 2, Canada NewsWire -- "Ephedra is a Killer Herb"
contends Dr Stephen Jones a family physician at the West Elgin Community
Health Centre located in West Lorne just southwest of London, Ontario. Dr
Jones is also an instructor at the University of Western Ontario. To warn
Canadians he launched a website today (www.geocities.com/dsrjones2000)
regarding the potential killer hazards of this common weight loss herb.
Dr Jones has a background in Biochemistry (Queen's) studied medicine at
McGill University before settling near London, Ontario. In 1992 he compiled
a herbal database for Health Canada. "It was out of this knowledge I became
alarmed," he said in an interview from West Lorne. "There is one Texas study
that shows that there were 500 adverse events over a 20 month period."
Symptoms varied from headache to anxiety to stroke and heart attacks. Eight
people died during this time. "If this study was applied to the Canadian
population then 450 people would have adverse reactions and 7 people would
be dying each year," he said. "Health Canada has to act now by withdrawing
this lethal herb!!!"
Dr Jones' crusade started 10 weeks ago when he contacted a senior Health
Canada official voicing his concerns. While sympathetic the official
reported few adverse events in Canada. "This is probably due to physician
ignorance regarding herbal remedies," explains Dr Jones. Apparently the FDA
was about to remove Ephedra last November when PPA, an over the counter
decongestant was pulled from the nation's pharmacy shelves. Since then the
FDA has been bogged down in administrative proceedings. "Health Canada will
follow an FDA recall but won't initiate one itself, fearing litigation from
the Herbal Manufacturers," he said.
Dr Jones has written Letters to the Editor, contacted Members of
Parliament, Leaders of the main federal parties as well as Federal Health
Minister Hon. Allan Rock. "I requested a meeting with Mr Rock over 2 weeks
ago but was snubbed," Dr Jones said. "I guess he really doesn't care about
the health and safety of Canadians."
"I am now taking my concerns to the press and through the modern use of
the cyberspace," Dr Jones explained. "Each day this herbal remedy is on the
market, Canadians are exposed to potential lethal side effects," he said. "I
won't rest until a complete ban is implemented," he concluded.
18. Asthma, Not Ephedra, Caused Football Player's Death
CHICAGO, Aug. 21, Natural Products Insider -- Chronic asthma, and not
ephedra abuse, was determined to be the cause of the Aug. 3 death of a
Northwestern football player. Cook County Medical Examiner Edmund
Donoghue released the autopsy report Monday, which stated that even though
Rashidi Wheeler had banned stimulants in his system, it was Wheeler's
bronchial asthma that caused his death.
The coroner turned up both ephedrine and pseudoephedrine in Wheeler's
system, although Donoghue told the Associated Press (AP) that the
stimulants were "well below toxic or lethal levels." The National
Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) put ephedra on its list of banned
substances in 1997.
According to the AP, Wheeler's family has asked Rev. Jesse Jackson and
attorney Johnnie Cochran Jr. to look into the school's role in his death,
since it allegedly took paramedics 40 minutes to reach Wheeler.
19. Agencies Team Up in War Against Internet Health Fraud
By Linda Bren
WASHINGTON, Aug. 24, FDA Consumer Magazine -- These health product
claims found on the Internet can provide hope for those suffering from
painful or debilitating diseases. But they are false claims, leading to
false hopes. They are also fraudulent, illegal, and the cause of recent
government enforcement actions against the companies that made them.
In the ongoing war against Internet health fraud, federal and state
government organizations have united, in an effort dubbed Operation
Cure.All, to crack down on unscrupulous marketers who use the Internet
to prey on the sickest and most vulnerable consumers.
Operation Cure.All, a partnership of the Federal Trade Commission, the
Food and Drug Administration, Health Canada (the Canadian federal
health department), and various state attorneys general and state
health departments, combines a law enforcement effort with a consumer
education campaign.
Almost 100 million adults in the United States use the Internet to find
health-related information, according to a poll conducted by the market
research firm Harris Interactive. "The Internet provides many benefits.
But, its unique qualities--including its broad reach, relative
anonymity, and ease of creating new Web sites or removing old
ones--pose new enforcement challenges," says Bernard A. Schwetz,
D.V.M., Ph.D., acting principal deputy commissioner of the FDA. "FDA
and the FTC are working together to protect the public from those who
try to take advantage of consumers through this new technology."
In June, the FTC, which developed and leads Operation Cure.All,
announced enforcement actions against six companies that fraudulently
marketed health products on the Internet. These actions mark Operation
Cure.All's fourth group of targeted enforcement efforts to address
marketing of unproven health products on the Internet.
Five of the companies have agreed to settle the charges. Settlements
included such actions as removal of all unsubstantiated claims for
products, warnings about potential dangerous interactions with some
prescription drugs, a notice to purchasers with an offer for a full
refund, and agreement to pay fines for consumer redress. The FTC has
filed a complaint in federal district court against the sixth company.
Among the many false and unsubstantiated claims challenged in these
recent cases were promises that:
* People could cancel their surgery, radiation or chemotherapy in
favor of herbal cures that cost hundreds of dollars;
* A device that delivered mild electric current would kill the
parasites that cause such serious diseases as cancer and
Alzheimer's; and
* Those with HIV or AIDS could use St. John's wort as a safe
treatment for the disease. (The FDA and FTC warn that St. John's
wort may have potentially dangerous interactions with other
medications, including some proven HIV/AIDS medications.)
"It's bad enough when someone, with little or no evidence, touts
unproven remedies to vulnerable populations such as people infected
with HIV or AIDS," says Walter H. Carr, partnership council chairman of
the National AIDS Health Fraud Task Force Network. "It's even more
frightening when they do so despite--and without so much as a mention
of--emerging risks that those remedies pose to the very people to whom
they are pitching their sale. St. John's wort and protease inhibitors:
They don't mix."
Since the launch of Operation Cure.All in 1999, the FDA and FTC have
won a number of battles against Internet health fraud. The FDA's
efforts to curtail online marketing of unapproved drugs have resulted
in at least 12 product seizures, 11 product recalls, 43 arrests, and 22
convictions. The FDA continues to investigate more than 80 incidences
of Internet health fraud and unapproved drug products.
Since 1999, the FTC has brought 13 law enforcement actions against
Internet marketers for unsubstantiated health claims. One case resulted
in a $1 million settlement with the maker of a shark cartilage product
promoted as a cure for cancer. Another settlement required consumer
refunds for electronic devices and herbal remedies that were sold as
cures for cancer, AIDS, Gulf War syndrome, and many other diseases. All
were required to remove their bogus claims from the Web. In addition,
the FTC estimates that more than 100 other Web sites have taken down
their sites or removed their claims after the FTC contacted them.
"Consumers should avoid Web sites that promise quick and dramatic cures
for serious diseases," says Howard Beales, director of the FTC's Bureau
of Consumer Protection. "And they should always consult a physician or
other health-care professional before using any product or treatment."
How to Report Suspicious Claims
The FTC and FDA encourage people to report suspicious health claims.
Since January 2000, the FDA has checked out more than 3,000 tips
submitted by consumers about suspicious online prescription Web sites,
according to Tom McGinnis, R.Ph., the FDA's director of pharmacy
affairs.
To file a complaint regarding a possible fraudulent, deceptive, or
unfair business practice, call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP
(1-877-382-4357), or use the complaint form at www.ftc.gov.
If you find a Web site you think is illegally selling human drugs,
animal drugs, medical devices, biological products, foods, dietary
supplements, or cosmetics over the Internet, use the complaint form at
www.fda.gov/oc/buyonline/buyonlineform.htm.
Be Suspicious
Promoters of fraudulent health-care products often use similar claims
and practices to lure consumers into buying their goods. The FTC and
FDA advise consumers to be suspicious of:
* Claims that the product is "natural" or "non-toxic," suggesting it
does not have side effects. "Natural" or "non-toxic" does not
necessarily mean safe. Some "natural" supplements contain potent
stimulants; others can result in negative interactions with
medicines.
* Testimonials from people who claim amazing results. Testimonials
often are undocumented and are not a substitute for scientific
proof.
* Claims that a product is a "scientific breakthrough," "miraculous
cure," "secret ingredient" or "ancient remedy."
* Claims that the product is an effective cure for a wide range of
ailments.
* Claims that use impressive-sounding medical terms.
* Claims that the product is available from only one source, and
payment is required in advance.
* Claims of a "money-back" guarantee.
* Web sites that fail to list the company's name, physical address,
phone number or other contact information.
[From the Sept.-Oct. edition.]
20. Herbal Viagra Web Sites Stretch the Truth
By Jonathan Landreth
NEW YORK, Aug. 26, Reuters -- "Be the biggest man your lover has ever
had!" urges the animated Web site for an herbal pill called LONGitude,
created by a "former Viagra pharmacist" to increase penis size, or your
money back, guaranteed.
But companies selling herbal pills for enhanced sexual performance may
soon be facing the wrath of U.S. regulators, as well as possible legal
action from the legitimate maker of Viagra, the world's largest
drugmaker, Pfizer Inc.
"We have arrested and charged people claiming a new product will change
the structure or function of your body in a way that only approved drugs
can," said Laura Bradbard of the Food and Drug Administration.
The Internet pitch artists are taking aim at the anti-impotence drug
Viagra's nearly $2 billion annual sales, making dubious claims that their
drug is safer than the pharmaceutical and even adds an extra dimension.
The Web site for LONGitude -- www.longitudecapsules.com -- is registered
to Scottsdale, Arizona-based company CP Nutritionals Direct, and tells
visitors that 67 percent of women are unhappy with their partner's penis
size -- a problem for which they claim to have a remedy.
Wild claims are nothing new with herbal medicines. They are regulated
less strictly than drugs in the United States and allowed to go to market
without FDA approval as long as they carry a disclaimer on their label
that reads: "This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or
prevent any disease."
But in recent years, the FDA has stepped up investigations of the
mushrooming number of herbal medicines being marketed online and
recommends on its Web site -- www.fda.gov -- that consumers avoid doing
business with sites that offer no access to a registered pharmacist to
answer questions.
Big Claims Made Online
With no pharmacist contact number on its site and no prescription
required, LONGitude is nonetheless billed as "clinically analyzed." It is
offered with a 30-day money-back guarantee that two pills a day for three
to four months will increase a user's size by 26 percent, according to
the Web site.
Take LONGitude, it says, and get erections like a "length of steel pipe."
LONGitude has no side-effects, the site claims, adding, however, that the
user's partner may "gasp, almost in disbelief ... with a slight look of
FEAR in her eyes."
Made from a blend of ingredients including zinc, pumpkin seed and oat
straw, LONGitude also includes the more exotic muira pauma, yohimbine,
nettle leaf, and oyster meat, the Web site says.
Before the introduction of Viagra, the root extract yohimbine, which acts
as a stimulant, was among the few FDA-approved medications for treating
impotence.
Between March and July 1998, sixty-nine people in the U.S. died after
having taken Viagra. Of these, cause of death was unmentioned or unknown
for 21, two patients had strokes, and 46 suffered cardiac arrest. But
yohimbine, though herbal, can be equally dangerous if taken in high
enough doses, experts say. "These companies are playing on the fear of
cardiac arrest that scared Viagra patients for a time. But those fears
have been disproved time and again and these companies are going to sell
their herbal pills, take your money, then close up shop." said Dr. Andrew
McCullough, director of Male Sexual Health & Fertility at New York
University Department of Urology.
"This stuff is bogus. There is no scientific evidence that it works."
McCullough said.
CP Nutritionals was not available by telephone for comment.
Another herbal anti-impotence pill, Biogen 14, from Cincinnati-based
Lifekey, also offers a 100 percent money-back guarantee if for $49.95, it
fails to "enhance your sex drive, give you stronger erections and
increase your semen output by 581 percent," a company saleswoman who
declined to be named said in a telephone interview.
The company is currently offering two bottles for free for each customer
who buys three.
Pfizer on the Offensive
Pfizer said it will vigorously defend the use of its trademarked brand on
the LONGitude Web site and look into CP Nutritional's claim that
LONGitude was created by a pharmacist who had worked on Viagra.
Customers, in the meantime should think twice before buying herbal
alternatives, said Pfizer spokesman Geoffrey Cook.
"It's a situation of 'buyer beware,' and the best route has always been
to see your physician," Cook said, adding that Viagra costs about $9 for
an effect that lasts about four to six hours.
"Folks who are going to look for pharmaceutical products on the Internet
need to make sure that the pharmacy they're going to is a licensed
pharmacy in their state," Cook said.
21. Utah Herbal Company Agrees to Stop Using Comfrey
By Dawn House
SPRINGVILLE, Utah, Aug. 22, Salt Lake Tribune -- A Springville manufacturer
has agreed to stop using the herb "comfrey" in pills and capsules it sells
under its own label and in herbal supplements it markets to companies
throughout the United States.
Comfrey should not be ingested, used as a suppository or applied to open
wounds because the herb can cause liver damage, illnesses or death. And
when taken externally, herbal products containing comfrey should have
warning labels, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
In July, the FTC filed a civil action against Norman and Ruth Bacalla and
Christopher Enterprises, doing business under the name The Herb Shop
Connection, which has retail stores in Springville and Orem.
Norman Bacalla said Tuesday that he has since sold the shops, but his
firm continues to manufacture herbal products under the Christopher name
and for five or six companies that have a variety of private labels.
"We no longer use comfrey in any of our formulas that are to be taken
internally and we have warning labels on products for external use," he
said. "Now the government wants to fine us $100,000, and that seems like
a great injustice to me."
The FTC said the Bacallas sold a variety of products containing comfrey
to consumers nationwide by mail, telephone, on the Internet and through
distributors, retails stores and health-care practitioners.
"The Internet is a powerful tool for consumers searching for health
information," said Howard Beales, director of the FTC's Bureau of
Consumer Protection. "Unfortunately, unscrupulous marketers also use it
to peddle products with unproven and false claims."
The suit against Christopher Enterprises is part of a national sting
"Operation Cure.All" to combat Internet health fraud, said FTC attorney
Judith Shepherd, a Texas-based federal attorney who is handling the Utah
case.
The FTC contends that the Bacallas said in advertising materials that
when taken orally, their comfrey products could cure asthma, colds,
coughs, lung congestion, sore throats, emphysema, bronchitis,
tuberculosis, broken bones, curvature of the spine, polio, multiple
sclerosis and spinal cancer. The ads also falsely stated that comfrey was
safe for pregnant women and children, according to the commission.
The advertisements also contained a variety of testimonials that included
unsubstantiated claims of the wondrous health effects from using comfrey,
said FTC attorneys. One woman claimed that her daughter's tooth grew back
after she drank comfrey tea. Another mother said she routinely
administered comfrey cough syrup to her young daughter. Still another
women claimed that the herb cured her insomnia.
In a simultaneous action with the FTC nationwide sting, the Food and Drug
Administration has issued a warning to trade associations and other
industry groups advising that comfrey should not be used in supplements
because it contains the toxic substances pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which
can cause liver damage and other health hazards.
The warning is posted on the FDA's Web site at www.cfsan.fda.gov.
Consumers also may visit the FTC's Web site to report complaints or for
more information, at ftc.gov. Attorney Shepherd said businesses also
should visit the Web site for information on herbal product
advertisements that are appropriate and legal.
22. Liverite Maker Settles FTC Charge of False Claims
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21, AP -- The maker of Liverite dietary supplements is
settling federal charges that it falsely claimed its products could work
wonders, from preventing serious liver diseases such as cirrhosis and
hepatitis to curing hangovers.
Liverite Products Inc., based in Tustin, Calif., and four people who run
the company and developed its Web sites will pay $60,000 and be prohibited
from making such claims in the future without scientific evidence,
according to the settlement announced Tuesday by the Federal Trade
Commission.
On its Web sites and product packaging, and through radio and print
advertisements, the FTC alleged the company falsely claimed clinical tests
proved Liverite products are "the ultimate liver aid." The advertisements
said the products would prevent and treat hangovers and alcohol-induced
liver diseases and would alleviate the toxic side effects of various
drugs, such as painkillers, allergy medications, immuno-suppressants and
anabolic steroids.
The company used sophisticated technology to draw people to its Web sites,
the government said. When people searched for health information online
using search terms such as AIDS, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver disease,
hidden pieces of text called metatags would send them to the Liverite
sites.
While agreeing to the settlement, the company does not admit wrongdoing.
Liverite Products said in a statement that it disagrees with some of the
FTC's claims but made a "prudent business decision" to settle and to
change its advertising. Clinical studies to test claims about the product
will continue, it said.
"We will endeavor to continue working with the FTC to ensure that only
scientifically substantiated claims are made and to ensure that consumers
are properly informed," the statement said.
The products, which include Liverite, the Ultimate Liver Aid; Liverite 3
in 1 for Men; Liverite 3 in 1 for Women; and Liverite Sports, are sold at
several retail chain drug stores, by telephone and at three Web sites:
and Their primary ingredient is extract of beef liver, the FTC said.
The settlement, approved 5-0 by the commission, was filed with the U.S.
District Court in Santa Ana, Calif., on Monday. The court must approve the
settlement.
23. U.S. Department of Agriculture to Enforce Phytosanitary Regulations
By Conrad Richter
Aug. 1 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last month that it
will enforce existing but unenforced regulations concerning the importation
of plants and seeds into the United States. Beginning September 23, all
plant and seed shipments into the U.S. must be accompanied by a valid
phytosanitary certificate issued in the country of origin.
Observers say that that change in policy will effectively block importation
of many of the less common flowers, vegetables and herb plant and seeds.
Thousands of varieties are brought into the U.S. each year in quantities
too small to justify the cost of a phytosanitary certificate or from
countries where obtaining a phytosanitary certificate is too difficult.
The policy change will make it next to impossible for U.S. citizens and
businesses to buy seeds from foreign suppliers because the cost of issuing
phytosanitary certificates for every seed packet imported will be
prohibitive.
"There is no doubt that this will have a huge impact on niche industries
such as mailorder seed houses specializing in seeds of rare plants," said a
representative of a Canadian seed company.
According to the policy announcement published in the Federal Register on
July 23, "this action is necessary in order to more effectively mitigate
the risk of introduction of foreign plant pests associated with the
importation of these commodities into the United States."
Critics say that the policy change is ham-fisted and will cause greater
harm than it seeks to prevent because it will deny gardeners, plant
enthusiasts and commercial growers access to thousands of species and
varieties of plants, the vast majority of which pose no risk of harbouring
diseases or pests dangerous to the U.S.
In background information provided in the policy announcement, the USDA
says that over 694 million plants were imported into the U.S. in 1999
compared to 456 million in 1993, a 52% increase. Seed imports increased
38% from 8.7 kilograms in 1997 to 12 million kilograms in 1999. These
recent increases lead some observers to wonder if the real reason for the
change in policy has more to do putting up a barrier against foreign
imports to protect the domestic horticultural industry than about keeping
pests and diseases out.
The policy change will mean that foreign exporters will have to arrange for
and either pay for or charge their U.S. customers the cost of getting a
phytosanitary certificate for each shipment entering into the U.S. For
example, Mexico charges $24.86 (U.S.) for each certificate issued and
Canada charges $11.25 (U.S.). These new costs, along with the
administrative costs and delays, will make it impossible for most small
seed companies to sell seeds to U.S. gardeners.
An inspector of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency which is responsible
for issuing phytosanitary certificates in Canada said that the CFIA is
already overloaded with existing inspections of large commercial shipments
and does not see how it will be possible with current staffing levels to
inspect many thousands of small shipments going to the U.S.
In the background information, the USDA admits that it does not know what
percentage of plant material entering the U.S. is not accompanied by a
phytosanitary certificate. "We do not maintain such data," the policy
statement says. But based on "informal observations" by its own
inspectors, the USDA believes that most shipments of plant material are
already accompanied by phytosanitary certificates. It does acknowledge
though that American small businesses and home gardeners will be the most
affected by the new policy.
[Policy announcement published in the U.S. Federal Register, Vol. 66, No.
141.]
24. Thai Herbal Products Producers Want Export Regulations Relaxed
By Chatrudee Theparat and Phusadee Arunmas
BANGKOK, Aug. 6, Bangkok Post -- Herbal products have lucrative export
potential that could help offset sluggish receipts from industrial goods,
but red tape is getting in the way.
The government must speed up the issuing of quality guarantees, says
Somkiart Pumeechaiwong, a producer of herbal products who warns that
the country has lost opportunities to rival countries because of
paperwork barriers.
"It is difficult for Thai producers, since a number of their products
have to wait a long time for examination and certification by the Food
and Drug Administration and Medical Science Department," said the
managing director of Green and Klean Thai Herbs.
Mr Somkiart, who left his furniture business to sell herbs, said the
market had grown dramatically as people worldwide were increasingly
concerned about their health.
Thailand, China and India have the highest potential for developing,
producing and exporting herbal products.
Mr Somkiart suggested the government establish a special institute to
certify the products as the Food and Drug Administration and Medical
Science Department lack manpower.
Mr Somkiart said that only two of his products had completed the
approval process since he launched his new business three years ago.
Three years was too long to wait, he said, but government guarantees
were essential to reassure consumers.
The company's products are available in Thailand and are exported to
Japan, Taiwan and South Korea.
It is awaiting certification for three herbal products: soap, face
cleansing cream and shampoo, all of which are by-products of shrimps,
crabs and other shellfish, as well as herbs.
The products would have a bigger market in Asia if their quality was
officially endorsed, he said.
However, an official at the Medical Science Department said the delay
in certifying the three lines was because the products were not purely
herbal goods but cosmetics made using scientific processes.
The company's factories were too small and did not meet the
department's standards for the products concerned, the source said.
Even so, Green and Klean Thai Herbs exports herbal products to
Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, the Middle East and Cambodia but in small
volumes as some markets require quality certificates.
Mr Somkiart said the company also made Beijing grass capsules and
instant Beijing grass tea.
However, it has been unable to obtain endorsement of the products
because the FDA says that Beijing grass is not on its list of herbs.
The company has 20 rai of Beijing grass in Surin province, where it
hired local people to plant the crop.
It plans to employ wives of soldiers in the area to make special
packaging for the products by using Thai fabric.
Patcharee Srichienspim, the company's assistant marketing manager,
said the firm hoped to increase its sales in the region as its
cosmetics were ideally suited to Asian complexions.
25. Battle Growing Over Patented Broccoli Sprouts
By Jane Dornbusch
BOSTON, Aug. 8, Boston Herald -- Along with crunchy granola, sprouts once
stood as the culinary embodiment of love and peace. But now, sprout seeds
are sowing dissent and anger; some say it's nothing less than war, waged
on America's farmers. At the heart of the unlikely battle are broccoli
sprouts. In the early '90s, researchers at Johns Hopkins University found
that sulforaphane glucosinolate, a naturally occurring compound in
cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, kale and Brussels
sprouts, is a powerful antioxidant that could play a key role in
preventing cancers. Further research revealed that broccoli sprouts - tiny
plants only a couple of days old -- contain a much higher concentration of
SGS than mature broccoli.
The findings were duly reported in the media and quickly forgotten by a
fickle public. But Johns Hopkins sought and received a patent for the
broccoli sprouts, which are now exclusively licensed and sold by Brassica
Protection Products under the brand name BroccoSprouts.
"The idea of preventing cancer before it starts is a powerful concept,"
says Tony Talalay, Brassica's CEO. (Talalay's father, Dr. Paul Talalay,
was a member of the government-funded research team that discovered the
sprouts' high SGS content.) Talalay says that, unlike other health-food
fads that have come and gone -- oat bran, anyone? -- broccoli sprouts'
cancer-fighting properties are "not cure du jour." The research in both
human and animal studies, he says, bears out the claim that SGS is
effective in preventing cancer.
While performing their research, says Talalay, the scientists found that
certain types of broccoli contain higher levels of the compound than
others; the same proved to be true for the sprouts. The patented
BroccoSprouts product, says Talalay, is guaranteed to contain a high and
consistent level of SGS -- achieved, says Talalay, by using a particular
type of seed and growing under controlled conditions. Only 19 growers in
the country are licensed by Brassica to grow BroccoSprouts.
Talalay is a true believer who says he's "pretty religious" about getting
his recommended 4 ounces of BroccoSprouts a week. But he, along with the
other Brassica principals (Johns Hopkins owns part of the company), also
believes the patent gives the company the exclusive right to grow broccoli
sprouts -- any type of broccoli sprouts, under any conditions. The company
has lawsuits pending against five sprout growers; a sixth was settled out
of court.
That's got the rest of the sprout-growing industry steamed. "Our
position," says Jay Louie, president of the International Sprout Growers
Association, "is that each sprout grower should have the right to grow
whatever sprouts he or she desires to grow.
The process of growing sprouts is in the public domain, and we can never
quite understand how the U.S. Patent Office issued this patent in the
first place."
Brigid Quinn, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, says
that while she is not supposed to talk about individual patents, this one
did meet the four fundamental criteria laid out by the office: "(Patents)
have to be new, useful, nonobvious and fully disclosed in writing." Quinn
acknowledges that others have been skeptical about the BroccoSprouts
patent. "It went through the process of re-examination because someone
felt it wasn't new or wasn't nonobvious," she said. "It went through
another examination, and it was held up."
Louie questions the patent because the researchers didn't create anything
new. "They discovered -- underscore `discovered' -- a compound that is
inherent in that sprout that evidently shows some chemoprotective
propensity... I'm not an expert on trademark issues, but sprouts have
been grown for decades. The process of growing sprouts is in the public
domain, and Johns Hopkins, in their patent, has not done anything to
alter, change or do anything to a broccoli seed that would entitle them to
a patent. Take a broccoli seed and water it, it's going to become a
sprout."
Talalay says that specific production methods help to ensure
BroccoSprouts' high levels of SGS. "We have carefully specified our
growers, the seed they use, the conditions under which they grow them."
But at least one licensed BroccoSprouts grower, who has been in the sprout
business for 20 years, says his methods are no different now from what
they were before becoming a licensee. Dick Blackwell, president of API, in
Bridgeport, Conn. -- the company that grows BroccoSprouts for New England
- says BroccoSprouts are handled "really the same way" all his other
sprouts have been for two decades.
Talalay says that the scientists' discoveries created a market for
broccoli sprouts that didn't previously exist: "Nobody was growing them
for years and years; we have no evidence that people grew them before
then." But Louie characterizes that as a "farfetched generalization."
Roche Bros., an area supermarket chain, has been carrying BroccoSprouts
for about four weeks, and produce director Paul Kneeland says the response
has been strong and positive.
Acknowledging that the price of BroccoSprouts is a bit high -- about $3
for a 4-ounce container -- Kneeland says that's typical for products
positioned as "health food." For now, he says, the chain won't be carrying
another brand of broccoli sprouts, because with shelf space at a premium,
"putting duplicate items out there doesn't really do it."
One grower who says he's been raising broccoli sprouts before the patent
was issued is Greg Lynn of Harmony Farms, near Seattle. "I was invited by
the Johns Hopkins people to join them as a licensed grower in 1998," says
Lynn. "I looked very carefully at the program and the claims of the
patent and I made the decision that their claims were fraudulent. And
since they hadn't developed their own seed variety, but were using seeds
in the public domain, I prepared myself for a legal battle." And a legal
battle he got: Lynn is one of the producers currently being sued for
patent infringement by Brassica.
Lynn is unconvinced by the research that high levels of SGS are more
beneficial than moderate levels. "If someone is making a claim that high
levels of anything do a better job than low levels, I want to see proof -
especially if I am being asked as a consumer to pay more than for other
products in the marketplace."
Robert Sanderson, president of Jonathan Sprouts, in Rochester, also was
approached by Brassica. "We were part of the program for a while," says
Sanderson, "but I didn't want to compete on the basis of this patent...
I couldn't in good conscience put other people out of business on the
basis of a patent I didn't think was valid." He continues to grow broccoli
sprouts and hasn't yet been ordered by Brassica to stop. But if the patent
holders prevail in the current lawsuits, he says, he will surely be sued -
or forced to become a licensee.
That's what's happened to a number of independent sprout growers, says
Sanderson, and while it's been divisive in the industry, Sanderson has
sympathy with those who have become Brassica licensees. "They're saying
they had to do it or lose their business, or get sued... I think a
number of them don't think the patent is valid, but they have to go along
with it for business reasons. One I spoke to recently said it's secondary
to the fact that Brassica has vastly superior resources and it's foolish
to resist them; it's good money after bad."
Quinn, of the patent office, points out that new and useful discoveries --
as opposed to inventions -- are frequently granted patents. She further
cautions that patent law is highly technical and often counterintuitive.
Still, says Lynn, it's a dangerous precedent -- and "one that should scare
the bejeezus out of the farm community." If the sprout growers should
ultimately lose in court, "It will change the nature of farming forever...
The marketplace will see an influx of higher-priced, value-added products.
It'll be a whole new ballgame for farmers, and a more expensive ballgame
for consumers."
Company OKs Home Growing
Brassica Protection Products, the company that grants growers licenses to
grow BroccoSprouts, is trying to protect its patent by suing commercial
growers of nonlicensed broccoli sprouts. But can it also stop individuals
from buying broccoli seeds and sprouting them in big jars in their home
kitchens, as many people have done for years?
"Technically, if you were growing them at home, you'd be infringing (on
our patent)," says Tony Talalay, Brassica CEO. However, the company
doesn't discourage home sprouters, he says.
In fact, the company allows home sprouters, unlike commercial sprouters,
to purchase the same seed it uses for BroccoSprouts. Caudill Seed Co., of
Louisville, Ky., has an exclusive agreement with Brassica and is forbidden
to supply commercial sprout growers with broccoli seed. But, says Talalay,
"People can order seeds and sprouting kits from them."
26. Sprout Growers Win Broccoli Lawsuit
COOKEVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 11, SproutNet -- The lawsuit brought on by
Brassica Protection Products and Johns Hopkins University against five
commercial sprout producers has "ended" with a verdict in favor of the
sprout producers.
Five sprout companies and one seed company were sued by BPP and JHU for
infringing on three patents by producing broccoli sprouts that are
particularly high in biochemicals that prevent cancer. Those companies
included Banner Mountain (CA), Edrich Farms (MD), Harmony Farms (WA) and
Sunrise Farms (WI). It also included ISS for selling seed, and ISS's
sprouting division, Sungarden Sprouts for selling sprouts. In a summary
judgment, the Honorable Judge William M. Nickerson of the US District Court
of Maryland ruled that all three of the broccoli sprout patents are invalid.
The growers presented the question to the court "Can a plant (broccoli
sprouts), long well known in nature and cultivated and eaten by humans for
decades, be patented merely on the basis of recent realization that the
plant has always had some heretofore unknown but naturally occurring
beneficial feature?". The court answered the question with a definitive
"no".
Summary judgment is rarely issued by a court. Patents enjoy a presumption
of validity which can only be overcome by clear and convincing evidence. In
order for the growers to get a summary judgment they needed to submit such
clear and convincing evidence of invalidity so as "no reasonable finder of
fact could conclude otherwise".
If there were any doubt about any issues of fact, the court would need to
rule in favor of Brassica. In this case, the growers presented such a clear
and concise representation of the facts that the court determined them to be
undisputable.
The patents were written in such a confusing, convoluted way that it took
this defendant a month of studying to realize that they did not say
anything. The attorneys for the growers were able to show the court that
the golden patents were actually painted bricks.
In his court brief accompanying the ruling, Judge Nickerson, wrote, "The
facts relevant to the construction and the validity of the Plaintiffs'
patent claims are fairly uncomplicated and largely undisputed. Plaintiffs
do not dispute that the prior art taught that cruciferous seeds, including
broccoli, can be germinated and consumed as a food product in the sprout
stage... Plaintiffs also do not claim that their patents involve doing
anything to alter or modify the natural seeds. They are simply germinated,
harvested and eaten."
He continued, "In construing the claims at issue here, the Court finds that
they describe nothing more than germinating sprouts from certain
cruciferous seeds and harvesting those sprouts as a food product... Phrases
in the claims such as, 'rich in glucosinolates,' or 'containing high Phase
2 enzyme potential and non-toxic levels of indole glucosinolates and their
breakdown products and goitrogenic hydroxybutenyl glucosinolates,' simply
describe the inherent properties of certain cruciferous seeds..."
"Plaintiffs attempted ... to argue that the claim language, 'identifying
seeds which produce cruciferous sprouts... containing [the desired
properties]' introduces a new 'selection' step that was not a part of the
prior art. All this step entails, however, is choosing to do something
over another, in this case, choosing to grow broccoli instead of
cauliflower sprouts instead of cabbage, cress, mustard or radish sprouts.
Any process could be prefaced by a similar 'selection' step. Certainly,
that one first chooses to perform a particular process cannot be enough to
make the process 'New'... Thus, the Court finds that the patents-in suit
are invalid by anticipation."
Brassica has until August 24 to decide if they wish to appeal the ruling.
27. First Ever Alternative Medicine Exhibition in Kenya
By Henry Neondo
NAIROBI, Aug. 13, African Church Information Service -- Kenya's Traditional
Medicine Development Agency, TRAMEDEA, will during August 22-25 host the
first ever Alternative Medicine exhibition in the capital, here.
Patrick Omari, the agency's public information officer, said the exhibition
would bring together both local, regional and oriental alternative medicine
practitioners. These will include practitioners in the herbal medicine
homeopathy, ayurvedic and acupuncture, he said.
Omari said the exhibitors are to display their working tools, technology
behind their medicine as well as progress in research made by individuals as
well as regional research institutions.
He added that Kenya's institutions of research such as Kenya Agricultural
Research Institute KARI, Kenya Medical Research Institute KEMRI, Kenya Forest
Research Institute KEFRI and the Intermediate Technology Development Group ITDG
would be taking part in the exhibition, which would include a conference.
Omari said that the government health policy makers, researchers, alternative
medicine practitioners both African and Oriental, business people and patients
are expected to participate at the exhibition.
This exhibition comes at a time when there is a global interest in the
indigenous knowledge as it is no longer a secret that majority of poor Kenyan
who live on less than a dollar a day are opting in large numbers for herbal
medicine to manage or treat diseases particularly malaria and the opportunistic
diseases associated with HIV/AIDS.
There is also increased donor community interests in the alternative
medicine, particularly within the Commonwealth region and the World Bank.
Omari said the exhibition is therefore "aimed to inform and let the
practitioners be aware of the trends in the world of traditional medicine in
which they operate and take complete care of the indigenous knowledge to which
they are the custodians for the future generations".
28. Native American Sage Speaks about Use of Natural Medicines
By Roberta Avery
RAPID CITY, S.D., Aug. 31, Indian Country Today -- The voice that boomed
out across the pow wow field was strong and vibrant belying the fact it
belonged to a man in his 84th year.
Bear Heart, a shaman visiting Canada from New Mexico in early July, said
that when he heard that drums were returning to the original site of an
Ojibwe village on the shores of Lake Huron for the first time in 150 years,
he felt he had to be there.
"I was in the area for a wedding and they honored me by allowing me to
speak at the pow wow," said Bear Heart, a Muskogee Creek Indian from
Oklahoma whose non-Indian name is Marcellus Williams.
Bear Heart told those gathered on the land that is now a park in the city
of Owen Sound, Ontario, he was filled with joy that he could attend the
Return of the Drums pow wow.
Many call Bear Heart a medicine man, but that's not how he refers to
himself.
"Only the Creator can heal. All I can do is make someone ready for the
healing," he said in an interview.
In his 83 years on this planet he said he has seen belief in the old ways
come full circle. When he was a young man, mainstream physicians had no
time for natural medicines.
"The MDs used to frown on it, now many are embracing the idea," said Bear
Heart, a member of a natural medicine advisory committee for Johns Hopkins
Hospital.
One thing that gives Bear Heart the greatest joy in his life is that the
United States Pharmaceutical Department has now accepted 637 Native
American herbs for use in modern medicine.
"That makes me feel very good, but a lot of our medicines have
disappeared."
For example he knew a really good medicine for diabetes. "But the land
where I used to get it has been sold and bulldozed over to build a shopping
mall and I don't know of any other place where it grows."
Bear Heart, who lives in Albuquerque and has told his story in his book,
"The Wind Is My Mother," is a man of many contrasts.
Strong and vibrant, he has never spent a day in the hospital, but at heart
he is a gentle, family man fiercely proud of his daughter and his six
grandchildren, four of whom live with him.
Bear Heart gained much of his knowledge about Native American teachings at
the knees of his elders as he grew up in what is now Okemah, Okla.
However, in the forward to his book he acknowledges he owes much of his
knowledge to "individuals who are not Native American."
He's a shaman who practices many of the ceremonies and traditions that have
been part of the fabric of his people's lives for centuries, but he's also
an ordained Baptist minister who attended the seminaries in Philadelphia
and Boston.
Bear Heart doesn't believe there is any conflict between being a Christian
minister and being a medicine man.
"Many of the teachings of Christ are related to healing, so why not
practice our healing as well?" he asked.
He visited the Owen Sound area on the pow wow weekend to conduct a
Christian wedding for a family friend.
Much of Bear Heart's teaching demonstrates the traditional Native American
wisdom, but he said he believes much of it can be applied today to live a
balanced, peaceful life.
He credits his vibrant good health to a following a motto of "All things in
moderation."
"Water is good for you, we can't live without it. But try drinking a
bucketful at one time and see what happens. You have to have some wisdom."
29. Grenada Offers Sun, Sand and Spice
By Paisley Dodds
GOUYAVE, Grenada, Aug. 13, AP -- Gliding into one of this island's many
tranquil ports, it's hard to imagine anything beyond the smell of the sea,
the hum of boat engines and the rhythm of the fishermen.
But away from the lap of the turquoise waters lies a lush interior of green
mountains, wooden houses, waterfalls and dense nutmeg-scented forests,
which give Grenada its nickname, "Spice Island."
Grenada offers visitors white sand beaches in the capital of St. George's;
posh hotels that overlook the bay; delicious Caribbean cooking; rugged
hikes through mountains; charming guest houses, great scuba diving and
history.
Grenada, however, is perhaps most well known for the bloody 1983 coup that
prompted the United States to invade the island.
After former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop fled to Fort Rupert, a police
and military installation, the revolutionaries stormed the building. A
firing squad then executed Bishop and his Cabinet.
The United States, fearing Grenada would become a political satellite of
Cuba with an airfield capable of sending Cuban jets deep into South
America, invaded six days later with wide support.
But the backbone of Grenada has always been its spice.
In the 1600s, expensive nutmeg was guarded jealously by Dutch colonizers
bent on maintaining a monopoly while the British and French plotted to
steal fertile seeds.
Some say the popular spice, used to flavor everything from apple pie in the
Western Hemisphere to curries in the East, was brought to this Caribbean
island by an Indian doctor who used the nuts in homeopathic remedies.
Others say it ended up on Grenada's shores after pirates looted a ship from
the spice's native Indonesia.
The tale given the most credence in this former French and then British
colony, however, is that the trees arrived in the middle 1800s with local
planters returning from Indonesia, where they had been taken to help expand
cocoa production.
Whatever the case, Grenada is now the world's largest producer of nutmeg
after Indonesia.
"This island is so beautiful and seeing the spices where they are grown,
it's just incredible," says Damien Maeder, 50, of Mulhousa, France, bending
down and taking a deep breath of grated nutmeg that a barefooted spice
vendor has spilled into her palm.
Gouyave (pronounced GWAHV), about 15 miles (24 kilometers) north of the
capital of St. George's, has become a major gathering point for people on
the island, whether they be nutmeg farmers or tourists.
To the east are white sand beaches, to the west, 75-foot (23-meter) nutmeg
trees and flowering bougainvillea. The town itself is sedate -- small dusty
streets, a couple of brightly colored wooden stores and a local liquor
store where people sip Carib beer to break the heat.
But what most people come for is the nutmeg.
At the 200-year-old Dougaldston Estate, about five minutes from the town
center, cocoa and other spices are processed. The dilapidated farm is in
the middle of a lush forest and about a half-hour drive from the popular
tourist destination of Concord Falls.
Visitors get to feel the branches of a nutmeg tree, are shown how to shave
off the bark of the cinnamon tree and how to take slivers of the cocoa bean
to make rich hot chocolate. The last part of the demonstration, given by
tour operators, involves a jar of rum and spice.
"Ooh la-la," exclaims Maeder, inhaling the intoxicating brew.
At the heart of Gouyave's activity is a three-story wooden warehouse where
the country's estimated 7,000 nutmeg farmers sell their bags of nutmeg and
mace, the lacy red sheath that blankets the nut. More than 130 people work
at the plant, where the nutmeg is weighed, shelled and shipped to Europe
and the United States.
"It's my job to separate the good nuts from the bad ones," says Lydia
Harris, 43, one of dozens of women who earn $10 a day (19 Eastern Caribbean
dollars) for work that often leaves them coated with a mixture of dust and
nutmeg powder. "I'm so accustomed to nutmeg I don't smell it anymore."
Once the nutmeg is sorted, it's thrown into vats of water to determine
which nuts have more oil, considered the highest quality.
The next step is separating the different qualities of mace. Number one
quality -- the brightest shade of red -- is used in cooking. Number two,
which is a little darker, is used as a preservative. And number three, the
deepest shade of red, is used mostly as an industrial lubricant.
Visitors to the plant can see firsthand how the nutmeg ends up on
supermarket shelves, or they can go directly to the tiny store that sells
bags of nutmeg, nutmeg-flavored hot sauce and rum punch mix.
Also for sale are bags of black pepper, cinnamon, clove and ginger. they
are all locally grown but on this 12 by 21-mile (19 by 34-kilometer) island
nutmeg is king.
"My grandmother used to get the nutmeg from the forests and almost everyone
in my family has worked with the spice in some sort of way," said Delta
Duprey, a 70-year-old spice vendor at the Dougaldston Estate. "I guess you
could say nutmeg has become part of our culture."
30. Sex Drive Flagging? Pop Peru's "Miracle" Maca
By Jude Webber
LIMA, Peru, Aug. 15, Reuters -- It looks like a tiny brown turnip, has a
strong smell and what some consider a disgusting taste, but Peru's "miracle"
maca can boost your sex drive by up to 200 percent, according to a study
presented on Wednesday.
The powerful plant, cultivated for more than two millennia in the harsh
high Andes at altitudes of more than 13,200 feet (4,000 m), is the basis of a
nutritional supplement often dubbed "Peruvian ginseng" which, the study found,
can also cut stress, boost energy and well-being and increase fertility.
Scientist Gustavo Gonzales of Peru's Cayetano Heredia University, who led
what the scientists say is the world's first study into maca's effect on humans,
told a news conference the three-month trial involving 12 volunteer men pointed
to an 180-200 percent lift in libido and up to a doubling of sperm production.
The study -- funded by Peruvian pharmaceuticals company Hersil, using the
high-tech maca pill it developed with La Molina National Agrarian University --
also found maca reduced blood pressure and had no adverse effect on the heart.
"It's a miracle (product)," said Fernando Cabieses, a professor and
authority on maca, a plant he said was a nutritional gem for people of all ages.
The studies were preliminary and not subject to independent review and
confirmation, factors which may influence the degree to which the research is
accepted by other scientists. But experts said the data so far were promising.
"According to reports from the international medical community, the plant
definitely has energy-giving properties, boosts physical and sexual performance
... Preliminary reports are promising," Julio Castro, dean of Peru's College of
Doctors told, Reuters. He said, however, fuller studies were necessary.
For Peru -- which gave the world potatoes and the malaria treatment quinine
-- maca is a unique and little-touted treasure that could prove a big
moneyspinner in a growing world trend for natural remedies and alternative
medicines.
Peruvians consume maca boiled and in powder or tablet form. It is also
starting to be exported, notably to eastern Europe, and the market is growing in
the United States.
Jose Luis Silva, deputy general manager of Hersil, said that Peru's maca
exports were currently worth some $2 million to $3 million while Korea's exports
of red ginseng were worth $2 billion.
"If Peru exported at least 5 or 6 percent of what Korea does ... maca would
be the second most important agricultural crop after coffee," he said.
Achieving that was a feasible goal within five years "if the government
promotes exports and foreign markets," he said. Peru is currently the world's
only maca producer although Silva said he understood Bolivia had also begun
planting.
Fast Food for Lackluster Libidos
According to Spanish chroniclers, Inca warriors took maca to prime
themselves for their expansionary missions and athletes, particularly those in
endurance sports, have long sung the praises of the native Peruvian plant.
A relative of turnips, mustard and cabbage, maca -- lepidium meyenii or
lepidium peruvianum in Latin -- is rich in phosphorus, calcium, protein, iron,
natural fiber and mineral salts, according to La Molina National Agrarian
University.
The "blind" clinical trial -- in which some men were fed dummy pills and
others maca -- measured hormone levels and other physical indicators and used a
series of existing psychological tests to determine the plant's properties. No
side effects were seen, Gonzales said.
He said maca produced an increase in sex drive within two weeks. Although
it also appeared to boost the production and movement of sperm, Gonzales said
more research was needed as the test had been restricted to a very small sample.
Gonzales said initial findings had been presented to a meeting of Latin
American reproductive investigators in May and further trials -- including on
women -- were in the pipeline.
Meanwhile, lackluster lovers should not rush to throw away their Viagra.
Maca may boost desire but does not share the wonder drug's erection-enhancing
properties, Cabieses said.
[Additional reporting by Teresa Cespedes]
31. Korean Government to Invest $1 Billion in Ginseng
SEOUL, Aug. 21, AsiaPulse -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry plans
to invest 1.25 trillion won (US$971.25 million) in the ginseng industry by
2010 to foster Korean ginseng as one of the country's major export items,
the ministry said Tuesday.
The ministry hopes to boost the country's ginseng exports to US$200 million
per year by 2010.
It also unveiled a set of measures to build up the industry, including the
establishment of a ginseng distribution center in Kumsan, South Chungchong
Province and enhancement of the ginseng distribution network.
The measures adopted by the ministry also calls for expansion of the
registration of the "Korea Insam" brand that differentiate Korean ginseng
from ginseng produced by other Asian countries.
The ministry also said it will seek international standards for ginseng
from the Codex Alimentarius Commission -- the joint food standards scheme
of the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization.
It will run advertisements on Star-TV in Hong Kong from September and October
and buy billboard space at roads to Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong.
32. Korean Sartups Battle for Cholesterol Reduction Market
SEOUL, Aug. 21, AsiaPulse -- Ten local startups are competing to bite off
more of the cholesterol-reducing substance market, industry sources said
Tuesday.
S&P Korea has succeeded in developing a concoction from gourd, wild garlic
and six herbs to reduce cholesterol in fat, tissue and blood.
The biotech firm has already applied for a patent in the United States and
Europe, and will cooperate with pharmaceutical firms for its commercial
use.
S&P Korea says animal tests prove the substance reduces cholesterol and
neutral fat gain in the human body.
Goofoo Co., a biotech venture established by research fellows at the Korea
Food Research Institute, developed "Cholstop," an extract from ten herbal
medicines and released a new product "Chol 200" in early August.
According to animal tests, Cholstop reduced heart-debilitating low density
cholesterol (LDL) by 16 per cent and raised health-promoting high density
cholesterol (HDL) by 22 per cent after four weeks of use.
Another biotech venture, Bio Max, used mandarin orange peels to create
"JBB-1" which reduces cholesterol and has already secured an approval from
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The firm also developed a new synthetic product, NG-0006, that has strong
anti-cholesterol agents.
Eugene Science has had success selling its new health drink "Cholzero,"
registering sales of 3 billion won (US$2.33 million) in the first half of
the year.
Korea Bio Polymer Co. released its anti-cholesterol drink "Antichol" which
contains the new biological substance "Polymann" obtained from brown seaweed and
kelp.
33. Malaysia Music "Cult" Members Face Herbal Dose
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 13, Reuters -- A Malaysian state will treat youths it
says belong to a Satanic heavy metal music cult with a herbal remedy to
improve their brains, an official said on Monday.
"This herb is to stimulate the brain so that students can concentrate on
their studies," Kedah state executive councillor Fadzil Hanafi told
Reuters.
He said about 150 alleged "Black Metal" members from 15 schools would
begin the programme -- which a private firm is said to have successfully
used to treat drug addicts -- on Tuesday.
Last month the government said it had unearthed a cult whose members it
said practised animal sacrifice and destroyed religious texts.
A news conference chaired by Minister of National Unity and Social
Development Siti Zaharah Sulaiman showed pictures of youths dressed in
black leather, heavy-metal garb, some with faces painted black and white,
reminiscent of the 1970s rock band Kiss.
Some school officials in Kedah have carried out strip searches on pupils
in checks for tatoos, crucifixes worn upside-down and other symbols they
said would identify students as cult members.
Fadzil said the herbal treatment will also help youth to shift their focus
to desireable activities.
34. Shanghai Hosts Rhubarb Symposium
SHANGHAI, Aug. 11, Xinhua -- The Third National Rhubarb
Symposium opened Saturday in this east China metropolis, to explore the
potential one of the most widely-used medicinal plants in the country.
The three-day symposium has attracted scores of eminent scholars in the field
of traditional Chinese medicine from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and some
foreign countries. They have submitted over 150 theses on their latest research
achievements.
Sources said that there are about 60 kinds of rhubarb in the world, and over
40 of them grow in China.
It is said that man has been eating and cultivating rhubarb for some 4,700
years. The past few years have witnessed an astonishing growth of interest in
rhubarb's curative properties, especially in the case of chronic diseases.
Chinese rhubarb is mainly grown in Qinghai Province in the northwest.
35. First Chinese Herbal Medicine Anticancer Research Conference
BEIJING, Aug. 1, AsiaPort -- Recently, the first Herbal Medicine and
Anticancer International Conference convened in Italy Florence, Li
Pingping, director of Herbalist Doctor Sectionof Beijing Knubbly Hospital
won great concerns from the attenderswith her address.
At the conference, Li Pingping introduced the Chinese traditional
medicine's functions and mechanism research in restricting knubbly growth,
releasing the noxious and side effect of radiotherapy and chemotherapy and
increasing immunity. At the same time, she introduced the philosophic and
factual theory of Chinese medicine, thinking mold of treating disease, the
issue caring about the improvement of patient's symptom and Western medicine
life quality.
There were 150 deputies from more than ten countries attending the
international conference on herbal medicine and cancer.
[From Health News, Page 3, Monday, July 30]
36. International Symposium on Chinese Wolfberry
YINCHUAN, Aug. 7, Xinhua -- An international symposium on the Chinese
wolfberry plant and its products opened Tuesday in this capital of the
Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, in northwest China.
Sources said that about 200 researchers, investors and business people
from the U.S., Germany, Japan and other countries are participating in the
two-day event.
The organizers will also arrange trade and business talks on wolfberry
fruit, a special product in Ningxia and well known as a nutritious Chinese
medicinal herb.
The participants will visit Chinese wolfberry bases and processing
projects.
The regional government has decided to speed up the herb-based industry as
an effort to promote local economy.
Chinese wolfberry, a major farm product of Ningxia, is widely used in
traditional Chinese medicine. It is exported to many countries.
37. Herbal Medicine Market in Russia is Growing
ST.PETERSBURG, Russia, Aug. 13, A&G News -- The rate of growth of this
market exceeds the rate of growth of the whole pharmaceutical market 1.5
times and is about 15% annually. The share of the herbal medicines is not
more than 1.5 percent of the total volume of the pharmaceutical market of
Russia. In European countries similar products occupy about 10% of the
total volume of the pharmaceutical market. Taking into consideration the
present rate of growth in demand for herbals, the Russian market will in
near future reach this proportion. The total volume of herbal medicines in
Russia is $22-23 million. About 25% of all the Russian herbal medicines
are sold in Moscow and St.-Petersburg. Moscow's market in retail prices is
more than $4 million, St.-Petersburg's is $1.5 million.
38. 'Love Potion' Now Found in Stores
By Jennifer Wig
CARBONDALE, Ill., Aug 22, Daily Egyptian -- It looks like water, pure and
simple. It tastes like a "berry wine cooler without the alcohol." But
drinking the blue-bottled potion could boost a woman's libido.
For others it's a jolt of energy. Niagra, a product produced by Nordic
Drinks in Sweden, is supposed to be the woman's equivalent of Phizer's
Viagra for men.
Reports of its success are mixed because the product is not sold
everywhere. With the exception of the Internet and some stores in
Chicago, the nearest retailer to carry the product is DermaCare in Herrin.
The contents include water, sugar and caffeine equivalent to one cup of
coffee. Also mixed within the beverage are a dietary supplement and herbs
including ginseng and daminana extract. The herbs from South America are
the key to the aphrodisiac quality.
DermaCare, 220 N. Park Ave. in Herrin, has sold Niagra since April for
$4.75 per bottle. DermaCare Manager Tracy Walker said the response has
been "fun."
While DermaCare or any other retailer cannot sell Niagra with the
guarantee that it will increase sexual drive, Walker and Assistant Manager
Jennifer Chaney have had positive results with the concoction.
"If you were tired and you had a lot going on, it could definitely enhance
energy," Chaney said. She added that the jolt of caffeine in Niagra makes
her flush.
Walker said although the first time she tired Niagra nothing happened, she
has felt some energy effects from subsequent uses of the product. She said
one woman comes in weekly to purchase seven bottles, drinking one every
morning just to give her energy for the day.
Both report that women have a better response to the beverage than men and
that for many working women around 40 to 50 years old, it has proven
useful. Once consumed, the sensation will appear within 20 to 30 minutes
and the effect will last for three or four hours.
Chaney said many women will find it beneficial at the end of the day when
looking for the energy to care about having sex.
"For some people it's more psychological," she said, comparing it to a
placebo. Chaney used it before a workout and had excellent results with
endurance and stamina.
"I was in a better mood. I definitely felt a sense of well being," she
said.
Retailers have to pass criteria in order to sell Niagra, which is why it
can be difficult to obtain. One of the criteria includes spending at least
$3,000 on an opening order. The demographics in the retailer's location
are examined as well, to ensure that enough women of the right age group
are available for purchasing the product. The retailer must also
understand advertising policies, which do not allow the product to be sold
as guaranteed.
DermaCare has sold nearly 1,400 bottles since April, soliciting bottles on
a daily basis. A cafe in Little Rock, Ark., has sold hundreds of thousands
of bottles since the product was released and has since become a major
U.S. distributor.
The drink has met all the FDA requirements and does not interfere with any
medication being taken by the consumer. Women do not need a prescription
to get Niagra.
39. Swedish Energy Drink 'Niagara' Gets Name Changed to NEXCITE
STOCKHOLM, Aug. 1, PRNewswire -- Today is day one for NEXCITE, the
romantic drink from Sweden, designed to replace Nordic Drinks'
controversial energy drink "Niagara" in the sexy blue bottle. The drink
first became popular at Sweden's Ice Hotel's Absolut Ice Bar where they
mix half Absolut vodka and Niagara, on ice -- or rather in a glass made of
ice called the 'From Russia with Love' arctic martini a sexy good night
drink. Mats Selin of Stockholm, Sweden, who co-owns Niagara, said,
"Niagara, now known as NEXCITE, launched live on Good Morning America on
July 16th, and been featured on GMA three times."
However, the drink was not a hot seller in the Land of the Midnight Sun
where few Swedes bought the drink until a few bottles of this so-called
energy drink made its way from Sweden to the Land of Opportunity, better
known as Arkansas, where the drink became a world-wide hit among women, it
was touted by the press as the Female Viagra, not a blue pill but a blue
sparkling drink called 'Niagara'. Pfizer officials, noting that sexually
dysfunctional men might also buy such a product, quickly sued the
distributor to stop selling the drink which might be confused with Viagra,
which could cut into Viagra's potential sales that could top $5 billion;
last year alone, Pfizer rang up more than $1 billion in Viagra sales.
"Niagara is not going to replace Viagra, but as an herbal energy drink, it
holds the promise of more than just refreshment," says Richard H. Davis,
President of Beverage Marketing USA, Inc. "In no way would anyone confuse
a soft drink with a prescription drug from your Medical Doctor. Nordic
Drinks never compared the drink to Viagra. Despite the media hype and an
up-coming movie, it's still just a soft drink."
Pfizer had no comment on the name change in the Swedish Energy Drink saga.
Davis also noted that it was a smart move to stay neutral and change the
drink's name to NEXCITE with no love lost for Pfizer. MTPI and
Magic-House is launching NEXCITE, a new brand name for the drink known as
Niagara. Its brands include Nice Energy Drinks. For more information,
please visit http://www.NordicDrinks.com or http://www.Magic-House.se .
40. Altoids Breath Mints Placed First at Gilroy Garlic Festival
GILROY, Calif., Aug 8, Business Wire -- Altoids breath mints placed first
in the Amici's Poll of popular breath freshening remedies conducted at the
internationally attended 23rd Gilroy Garlic Festival, Director of Voting
Peter Cooperstein announced today.
Manufactured in Great Britain and sold domestically in distinctive tins,
Altoids garnered 7,207 votes, 21.4% of the 33,634 ballots cast. Certs placed
second with 5,612 votes and Tic Tac was third with 3,657 mentions.
Dentyne Gum drew 1,276 votes to place fourth and IceBreakers Mints
completed the top five with 1,020 tallies.
After several years of providing a complimentary breath enhancement to
the throngs of visitors annually attending America's premier food festival,
the directors of Garlic Festival 2001 opted to seek public input on breath
freshening products. The Festival aligned with critically acclaimed Bay Area
pizza restaurant Amici's East Coast Pizzeria to coordinate the voting
procedure.
The Festival drew 127,719 attendees July 27-29 at Christmas Hill Park
here and securing a 26% voter turnout satisfied Amici's president
Cooperstein, who personally coordinated the project.
"For three days the Garlic Festival entertained 120,000-plus guests from
across the globe, served them a wide assortment of foods spiced with over
four tons of garlic and we secured the opinion of a quarter of that
audience," Cooperstein explained. "I believe that can be considered a solid
measure."
"Oral care and breath freshening have become some of the hottest
categories in consumer products in the past year, so it shouldn't come as
any surprise that the vote attracted so much interest," said Jack Neff, who
covers personal care products for Advertising Age. "The fact that Altoids
won shows how well candy makers have captured the hearts and minds of
consumers and should give makers of mouthwash and traditional breath mints
some cause for concern."
Voters nominated 52 commercially available products as well as several
home remedies including parsley, peaches and tea with honey.
Scope, BreathSavers, Eclipse Gum, Binaca and Listerine rounded out the
top 10 mentioned products. Numbers 11-20 were Smint, Winterfresh Gum,
Mentos, Trident, Lifesavers, Extra, Starbucks Mints, Wrigley's Gum, Big Red
and Polar Ice.
41. Spicy Food Adds Spice to Your Love Life
LONDON, Aug. 8, World Entertainment News Network -- Spicy Chinese or Thai
food is the number one choice for a first dinner date, according to a new
survey. The key to a man's heart may really be through his stomach, with a
'pulling menu' proving more popular than a short skirt in the dating game,
the study claims. The research, commissioned by British food company
Sharwood's, showed that 72 percent of the British public cook a special
dish when they want to impress potential partners. Of the 1,000 people
questioned, 64 percent spend more time dreaming up the perfect menu than
co-ordinating their outfit, regarding their choice of food as revealing
just as much about their personality. But while 68 percent agreed that a
home-cooked meal was more romantic than eating out, 80 percent said that
cooking on a first date could look over-keen. With food as the new
foreplay, 67 percent of women admitted to judging their date's long-term
potential by his kitchen prowess. And men who are nowhere to be seen when
help is needed in the kitchen prove a big turn-off for 65 percent of
women, with men who do not praise their culinary efforts unlikely to be
invited back by 69 percent.
42. Capturing the Scents of Summer in a Jar
By Carole McCray
BOSTON, Aug. 22, The Christian Science Monitor -- Make your own potpourri,
and you will capture the essence of a summer garden year-round.
For me, making a potpourri begins with the gathering of fragrant flowers,
which I consider the most pleasant of tasks. I fill my basket with scented
geranium leaves, rose petals, mint leaves, spiky lavender blooms, rosemary, and
lemon verbena leaves, all used to create potpourris to scent my indoors.
Potpourris are made most often by air drying a mixture of fragrant herbs,
flowers, leaves, spices, and other ingredients. Placed in a decorative container
such as a glass jar, a beautiful bowl, or box -- which is left open -- the
potpourri emits a special aroma that's one of a kind.
Each batch is different, depending on what plants are used in it. Or you can
use the same ingredients in many batches of potpourri, creating a "signature"
scent of your own.
As far back as the Middle Ages, housewives practiced the art of making
potpourris. They gathered and dried herbs and spices, and later measured them
into pleasing, fragrant mixtures. In addition, they also soaked dried herbs such
as lavender in liquid to make floral water to scent the laundry.
Today, there's a resurgence of interest in this ancient art.
Wherever you reside, whether you have a garden or not, flowers and herbs are
available to help you can create your own sweet blend. Flowers from a roadside
stand, a florist, or a friend's garden are good sources for materials from which
to produce potpourris.
Follow these simple steps for harvesting and air-drying herbs and flowers:
1. Cut and gather herbs and flowers on a sunny day after the dew has dried.
If it has rained, wait two days before gathering the plants.
2. Gather flowers just after they have opened, so the essential oils are not
lost.
3. Gently remove the petals of the flowers, the flower heads, and the leaves
of the herbs.
4. Place petals, leaves, and flower heads on paper towels in a single layer
on a drying screen in an airy, sunless room. (I prefer the linen or bedroom
closet, an attic, or under a bed for drying herbs.) My drying screen is made
from window screening tautly attached to a rectangular wooden frame. Two or
three layers of cheesecloth attached to a wooden frame also works.
5. Don't crowd petals, flowers, and leaves on the rack; allow air to
circulate around them to prevent mildew. In about two weeks, they should be as
dry as cornflakes.
Once materials are dry, store them in large, clear glass containers out of
direct sunlight until you are ready to assemble them into potpourri.
Other methods of drying are oven drying and microwave drying. According to
Edward Werner Cook at Caprilands Herb Farm in Coventry, Conn., these methods are
not as effective as air drying.
"The volatile oils are lost if you microwave, and the color is not preserved
as well as when you air dry," he says.
Mr. Cook also suggests that you avoid air-drying in a kitchen or basement,
because of the dampness.
Key elements for successful potpourris are color, texture, and fragrance.
Kathleen M. Gips, author of "Flora's Dictionary: The Language of Herbs and
Flowers" and owner of the Village Herb Shop in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, believes
more people are looking at potpourris not only to impart a pleasing fragrance in
the house, but also for how the color of it can complement a particular room in
the home.
Lindley Jayne, owner of the Sandy Mush Herb Nursery in Leicester, N.C.,
points out that flowers provide the color and herbal leaves impart the scent.
To provide the particular colors you'd like, look to these plants:
Yellow/orange -- pansy, goldenrod, marigold, tansy, santolina, calendula,
strawflower, and statice.
Pink/lavender -- rose, geranium, globe amaranth, bee balm, heather, lavender,
yarrow, and strawflower.
Red/purple -- bee balm, salvia, rose, globe amaranth, and statice.
Blue -- bachelor button, mint, salvia, borage, and hyssop.
White -- bee balm, mint, yarrow, straw-flower, camomile, and statice.
Plants that will provide texture to potpourris include artemisia, baby's
breath, grasses, palm, small pine cones and pods, and rose hips.
These fragrant herbs and flowers are popular in potpourris: anise hyssop,
artemisia, bayberry, scented geraniums, lavender, lemon balm, lemon verbena,
mints, pine, rosemary, roses, salvia, santolina, tansy, thyme, allspice, anise,
bay, cardamom seeds, cloves, coriander seeds, ginger, frankincense, myrrh,
nutmeg, orange or lemon peel, and sandalwood.
When you think of fragrance, favorite scents may come to mind. There are five
basic scents -- woodsy, spicy, exotic, citrus, and floral. Some examples of herbs
or flowers in each category are:
Woodsy -- rosemary, pine needles, and thyme.
Spicy -- allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, anise, and basil.
Exotic -- frankincense, myrrh, and sandalwood.
Citrus -- lemon balm, lemon thyme, lemon verbena, orange and lemon peel.
Floral -- rose-scented geranium, rose, sweet pea, lavender, lily of the
valley, and carnation.
According to Victorian tradition, not only did certain flowers convey
meanings, so did various colors. Assembling a potpourri with a special message
adds another dimension to the finished product.
The following colors symbolize various sentiments:
White -- protection, peace, happiness
Green -- prosperity, beauty, youth
Pink -- love, fidelity, friendship
Red -- strength, courage
Yellow -- wisdom
Purple -- power
Blue -- peace
Orange -- success
Whichever colors you choose, your potpourri will remind you of lovely
gardens, even during stark winter days. Simply lift the lid and catch a whiff of
summer captured in a jar.
Friendship Potpourri
The following potpourri is one I have made with flowers and colors to convey
a birthday message to a dear friend. I have also made it to mark an anniversary,
celebrate a new home, and express my condolences.
1 cup of pink rose petals (love, fidelity, and friendship)
1 cup lavender (devotion)
1 handful rosemary leaves (remembrance)
1 cup blue statice (everlasting love and peace)
1 handful basil leaves (good wishes)
1 cup lemon-rose scented geranium leaves (true friendship)
5 drops of rose oil
4 tablespoons ground orris root (can be obtained from a pharmacy or herb
shop; it is a fixative to retain the mixture's fragrance)
Using a wooden spoon -- not metal -- mix the contents in a nonmetallic bowl.
Add drops of rose oil and mix again. Place the mixture in a large, airtight
glass container for about six weeks.
Stir or shake the mixture occasionally to heighten the scent.
Then transfer your potpourri to a decorative bowl, box, or jar with a lid.
The mixture can also be inserted into sachets for adding scent to dresser
drawers, clothes closets, bed linens, desk drawers, and stationery.
When the fragrance fades, an additional drop or two of rose oil will revive
the potpourri.
43. Obituary: Professor Varro E. Tyler, 1926-2001
By Mark Blumenthal
AUSTIN, Tex., Aug. 22, American Botanical Council -- It is with the
deepest of sorrow and regret that I inform you that our good friend and
mentor Varro Tyler passed away this morning.
Professor Tyler, or Tip as he was affectionately known to his many friends
and colleagues, was a true giant in the field of pharmacognosy and herbal
medicine education in the U.S. and abroad. His many accomplishments,
books, articles, and professional presentations are well known to all in
the herbal field.
As many people know, he had a distinguished career in academia he was the
Dean of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences at Purdue University
for 20 and Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs and Provost at
Purdue for five years before retiring several years ago. He held the Lilly
Distinguished Chair in Pharmacognosy and still remained active at Purdue
as Dean and Distinguished Professor of Pharmacognosy Emeritus.
After retirement, his life became busier, with an almost peripatetic
travel schedule to deliver speeches as professional conferences all across
the U.S. and internationally. As busy as he was, he seemed to always find
time to help his friends, edit an article, mentor someone on their book,
and so on. He was always the consummate gentleman and diplomat, and his
generosity of spirit was boundless.
Despite experiencing several health challenges in the past decade -- most
recently multiple myeloma in the past few years, he was undaunted
nevertheless in continuing to pursue his goal to establish rational
herbalism as an appropriate healthcare modality in the U.S.
Tip and his wife Ginny had just celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary
in Austria and had just returned to their home in West Lafayette, Indiana
last night. He passed away early this morning in his home office.
Among his many roles, board positions, and consultancies, Prof. Tyler was
a Trustee of the American Botanical Council and actively assisted us with
our publications and related educational efforts, much of which have been
patterned after his goals and objectives. For example, he was the
motivating force behind our publication of the English translations of the
German Commission E monographs. His loss will be deeply felt by all of us
here at ABC as well as those in the pharmacognosy and medicinal plant
communities.
Anyone wanting additional information regarding memorials is invited to
contact the American Botanical Council for further information.
44. Herb Business News
Aloecorp: Announces Opening of Sales Office in China
BROOMFIELD, Colo., July 17 -- Aloecorp, the world’s leading vertically
integrated supplier of Aloe Vera raw materials, recently announced the
opening of a new corporate sales office in Haikou City on Hainan Island in
the People’s Republic of China. The sales office will offer many services,
with its primary focus being that of better serving Aloecorp’s customers
based in the Pacific Rim. The office will be known as the Aloecorp Haikou
Branch Office (HBO).
In addition to the newly formed sales office, Aloecorp is presently
completing negotiations to purchase 1,000 acres of cropland on which to
grow and harvest raw Aloe Vera plants. Finalization of the land purchase is
scheduled for this summer, with planting to begin immediately thereafter.
The plantation is located on the southern part of Hainan Island in the
Sanya City area.
Harvesting of the raw Aloe Vera will begin approximately 18 months after
the planting operation has been completed. An on-site processing plant,
similar to those currently in use by Aloecorp on its plantations in Mexico
and Texas, will be opened in the second half of 2002. “Because aloe
degrades within the first 24 hours of harvesting, it is critical to begin
processing as soon as possible,” stated Mick Anderson, President of
Aloecorp. “Aloecorp has always been committed to providing the industry’s
best quality Aloe Vera. We are extremely excited to be able to expand our
worldwide facilities into the Pacific Rim,” Anderson said.
Jeff Han will serve as General Manager of the Haikou Branch Office.
Previously, Han served as Executive Assistant to B. William Lee, Chairman
of the Board, Nam Yang Aloe.
“Our primary mission in opening the Haikou Branch Office of Aloecorp is to
better serve our Pacific Rim customers,” said Anderson. “In addition, we
will be looking to expand our customer base and ensure that both our
current and new customers will receive value and benefit from the freight
savings realized by having our planting, harvesting and processing
facilities in a much closer geographical region.”
Aloecorp has been working closely with the Hainan government in the Haikou
City and Sanya City areas. Anderson guarantees that Aloecorp will be able
to successfully duplicate and transfer all corporate technology from its
United States operations to those in the Haikou Branch Office.
Anderson also announced that the International Aloe Science Council (IASC)
has selected the new Aloecorp HBO office to house the Council’s regional
operating facility. Aloecorp will provide office space at its HBO at no
charge to the IASC and will act as a conduit between the Council and Hainan
Island for furthering the scientific testing, validation and educational
knowledge of Aloe Vera. The National Aloe Industry Society of China, a
regional sub-office of the IASC, is also being formed in Beijing and Hainan
Island.
The IASC is a non-profit trade organization for the worldwide Aloe Vera
industry. Its membership includes Aloe growers, processors, finished goods
manufacturers, marketing and insurance companies, equipment suppliers,
printers, sales organizations, physicians, scientists and researchers.
“Aloecorp has always had a close and supportive relationship with the
IASC,” said Anderson. “We are excited about the opportunity to share our
new Hainan Island facilities with the IASC and to assist the organization
in its desire to grow its membership and continue its its mission of
providing valuable Aloe Vera research and information to the world.” The
IASC is hosting its annual Scientific Seminar in Seoul, Korea in September
2001.
About Aloecorp
Aloecorp is a multinational company that believes in providing only the
best biologically active Aloe Vera raw material worldwide. That goal is
largely achieved through internal cooperation and harmony, coupled with the
determination to maintain innovative leadership in the industry. Aloecorp’s
corporate philosophy is to “bring the best of nature to mankind.” This
desire to merge the inherent quality of Aloe’s natural benefits with the
scientific technology of Aloe Vera is the driving force behind all aspects
of Aloecorp’s business.
Since its inception in 1988, Aloecorp has been the world’s leading
vertically integrated supplier of raw Aloe Vera materials. All of
Aloecorp’s raw Aloe Vera materials have been scientifically tested for
biological activity and quality and have been certified pure by the
International Aloe Science Council. Aloecorp provides raw Aloe Vera
materials to finished goods manufacturers in the nutritional and dietary
supplement, functional food, cosmeceutical, personal care and
pharmaceutical industries.
====
American Wild Woodland Ginseng: Files for Chapter 11 Protection
VANCOUVER, B.C., Aug. 1, Market News Publishing -- American Wild Woodland
Ginseng Corp. (the "Company") announces that it has filed for creditors
protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the United
States, in order to provide the Company with more time to evaluate
financing and restructuring opportunities.
The Company has been engaged in efforts to raise new financing and to
restructure its financial position for a significant time now. Discussions
aimed at raising new financing are ongoing with several potential
investors. The Company is also negotiating the restructuring of its debt
with its secured creditor, Firstar Bank, USA, and its unsecured creditors.
While market prices for the Company's product, North American woodsgrown
ginseng, continue to be strong, the Company does not currently have
sufficient mature product to meet cash flow requirements and to repay
existing debt. During the fall of 2002, the amount of fully mature and
harvestable (7-year-old) woodsgrown ginseng grown by the Company will
increase substantially and, based on current pricing, positive cash flow
is projected from that and future harvests.
The Company is an agricultural company that cultivates, harvests and
markets the herb ginseng for the world market. Utilizing a natural method
of cultivation in a forest setting, the Company's woodsgrown ginseng
targets the niche between the existing markets for ginseng that is grown
commercially and ginseng that grows in the wild.
====
CVT: Announces Results of its COLD-FX(r) Studies in High Performance Athletes
VANCOUVER, B.C. Aug. 8, Market News Publishing -- CV Technologies Inc.
announced at the First International Scientific Congress on Nutrition and
Athletic Performance held during the IAAF World Championships in Athletics
in Edmonton the results of its recently completed studies for COLD-FX(R),
a multi-component nutraceutical. In the first study the consumption of
COLD-FX was evaluated, in Canadian High Performance Athletes, for its
effect on doping control urinalysis. The results indicate that under the
strict International Olympic Committee guidelines COLD-FX does not cause a
positive doping urinalysis. In the second study, COLD-FX was successfully
evaluated for its effectiveness on members of the Edmonton Oilers NHL
hockey club. In this study COLD-FX was shown to be a natural
immuno-enhancer that allowed the players to maintain excellent health and
thus perform at peak athletic performance. The first study was conducted
at the National Centre for Agri-food Research in Medicine, St. Boniface
General Hospital Research Centre in Winnipeg under the auspices of the
University of Manitoba and in association with the Centre for Substance
Use in Sports and Health. Dr. Grant Pierce, Director of the National
Centre and Professor of Physiology at the University of Manitoba, says
"This is a significant study, for CV Technologies Inc., but also because
it represents critical information for all athletes who want to use
nutraceutical products to maintain their health in order to perform at
peak athletic performance. It is vital that these athletes have confidence
that the product they ingest is safe and does not contain or simulate IOC
banned substances within their bodies. It is only from data generated by
studies like this one that athletes will receive this assurance."
The potential positive impact on the sports community by offering an
alternative choice for athletes for the promotion of health during the
cold-and-flu season, that will not interfere with doping test results,
will be significant.
CVT is developing in tandem a corresponding candidate pharmaceutical to
COLD-FX, for a cold-and-flu indication. This product recently successfully
completed a FDA regulated Phase II clinical trial, the results of which
indicate a significant decreased incidence of laboratory confirmed acute
respiratory illness when compared to placebo.
CV Technologies (CVT) is an international science and technology company
that conducts evidence-based, primary scientific research and clinical
trials in order to establish a solid foundation for commercialization of
nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products.
CVT has a uniquely qualified team of phytochemists, biologists and
pharmacologists, working in several full-scale laboratories, and in
cooperation with satellite facilities around the world. Utilizing the
Company's proprietary ChemBioPrint(TM) technology, CVT scientists obtain
specific chemical and biological profiles of proprietary natural products
and determine their mechanisms of action and optimal dosages. The result is
the development of nutraceuticals and candidate therapeutic products that
are certified biologically active and consistent batch to batch.
CVT markets its natural products in Canada under its HerbTech(R) brand
name and supplies proprietary ingredients to national and international
markets. The Company currently holds 22 patents, which includes 12 U.S.
patents. An additional 39 patents are pending worldwide. Two Patent
Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications have also been filed.
====
Etera: Online Plant Seller Files for Bankruptcy
By Tricia Duryee
SEATTLE, Aug. 2, Seattle Times -- Etera, an online gardening center that
operates 23 acres of greenhouses in Mount Vernon, is searching for a
strategic partner to help it reorganize its finances after filing for
Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last week.
The company, started in 1998 by Carl Loeb, was hurt in part by a weak year
in horticulture and consequently missed sales projections by more than 50
percent, or $13 million, said interim Chief Executive Paul Abramowitz, who
was brought in to manage the bankruptcy.
Loeb was unavailable for comment.
The company started as a nursery that grew perennials and other plants
with a patented technology. The plants are grown in a coconut-fiber pot
that biodegrades when buried.
The other portion of the business was online and assisted small garden
centers with building and managing a Web site.
"It's a great company," said Jim Francis, who used Etera's services as
owner of the Moongate Nursery in Redmond. "It went wrong the same way
(failed retailer) Garden.com did. There are certain things that people
won't buy online. I think plants are one of them."
Francis thought the site was a good deal. Gardeners could buy
Moongate-brand merchandise through his Web site, but it was Etera that
handled the inventory, billing and shipping. For every sale, Francis
received a percentage off the top, and Etera got the rest.
Francis said the money he made from Etera's online services have more than
paid for the thousands of plants he has bought from Etera. He didn't see
how the arrangement could be very profitable for Etera when it had to foot
the costs of finding vendors, handling the shipping and billing.
"I imagine it's a very thin margin," said Francis, who retired three years
ago from Microsoft as a software developer.
The number of employees at Etera has trickled down from 380 employees
(including seasonal workers) to 40, who now water and care for the plants.
In court papers, the company listed the amount of assets as unknown.
Etera has a long list of creditors. The largest are trucking companies,
including Arctic Express of Ohio for more than $538,000 and K.J.
Transportation of Philadelphia for more than $481,000, court papers show.
Since 1998, the company burned through more than $70 million in venture
capital, Abramowitz said. OVP Venture Partners of Kirkland was one of the
investors.
"I'm hoping someone will buy Etera.com and that they will stick with
growing," Francis said. "The plants are great, and I'd hate to see the
availability disappear because they overextended ... online."
====
First DataBank: Licenses Complementary and Alternative Medicine Databases
SAN BRUNO, Calif., Aug. 17, PRNewswire -- First DataBank Inc. and
Healthnotes(R), Inc. have jointly announced a recent agreement enabling
First DataBank to incorporate Healthnotes' extensive databases on
complementary and alternative medicine information into their drug
knowledge base products. The agreement will significantly enhance First
DataBank's existing alternative therapy content, and expand coverage for
both patient and professional users of information on herbal remedies,
nutraceuticals and dietary supplements.
"An educated patient," said James L. Wilson, First DataBank Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, "is one who usually takes a
more active role in their own healthcare. This saves time both for them
and their doctors, encourages their compliance and reduces costs
associated with medication errors. We believe this applies to patients
uniformly, regardless of whether they're taking prescription medications
or alternative medicine agents."
First DataBank has licensed three products from Healthnotes. Clinical
Essentials and Safetychecker offer healthcare professionals a series of
fully referenced monographs on botanical medicine, clinical nutrition,
and drug-nutrient interactions and depletions. Written by pharmacists and
physicians with years of clinical experience in complementary and
alternative medicine, these monographs offer balanced, unbiased analyses
of current research, and what that research means for today's pharmacists
and their customers.
The third Healthnotes' product, called Quick!Reference, consists of
concise patient-education information sheets that can be quickly produced
at the point of care. These sheets, which are clinically accurate yet
easy to read, reassure patients and their families when they have
questions or concerns about advice they've gotten from their pharmacist
or physician.
According to Schuyler W. Lininger, Jr., President and CEO of Healthnotes,
"In the past few years, the volume of research surrounding complementary
and alternative medicine has exploded, both in traditional and
alternative medicine journals worldwide. In recent years, our
interdisciplinary teams, led by physicians and pharmacists, have
evaluated over 100,000 journal articles a year on clinical research of
alternative therapies. Our unique mission is to create-for consumers and
healthcare practitioners alike-the right tools to assess the pluses and
minuses of using herbal remedies and dietary supplements."
When First DataBank has integrated the Healthnotes databases into various
knowledge base products, such as the National Drug Data File(R) Plus,
healthcare professionals will have much more convenient access to this
information from within their own pharmacy or clinical decision-support
systems. With a single-source reference tool, they will not waste time
switching between different drug information sources, or interrupting
their usual workflow. Healthcare system developers will also find they
can connect to this complementary and alternative medicine content from
their customers' workflow systems via standard drug code links, or First
DataBank proprietary drug identifiers. These First DataBank products are
expected to be released in the spring of 2002.
About Healthnotes, Inc.
Healthnotes, Inc. is the leading provider of scientifically validated,
credible information on complementary and alternative medicine. Available
in electronic form for healthcare professional and patient audiences,
Healthnotes products are used by intranet and Internet sites worldwide.
Founded in 1986, Healthnotes is a privately held company headquartered in
Portland, Oregon. For more information, visit www.healthnotes.com.
HEALTHNOTES is a registered trademark of Healthnotes, Inc.
About First DataBank
A wholly owned subsidiary of The Hearst Corporation, First DataBank is a
leading provider of online drug, medical and nutrition information. For
more than two decades, we have delivered the most comprehensive, accurate
and reliable knowledge bases, powerful interactive software and clinical
decision-support information to the healthcare industry. First DataBank
is headquartered in San Bruno, California; and has offices in
Indianapolis, Indiana; St. Louis, Missouri; and Exeter, England. For more
information, visit www.firstdatabank.com.
====
Forbes Medi-Tech: Receives Grant to Study
Cholesterol-Lowering Sterol-Based Pharmaceuticals
VANCOUVER, Aug. 13, Forbes Medi-Tech -- Forbes Medi-Tech Inc. and the
University of British Columbia (UBC) have been awarded a Collaborative
Research Grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to
study the mechanism of action of sterol-based pharmaceuticals on cholesterol
absorption with a focus on Forbes' phytosterol analogue FM-VP4 and related
compounds.
The planned three-year joint research project will cost up to $1 million.
The CIHR grant amounts to approximately $280,000. Forbes Medi-Tech will fund
the balance of the project costs through the use of the Company's new
laboratory facilities on the UBC campus, the provision of staff and
scientific supplies. UBC-based research will be conducted in the Faculty of
Pharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.
"Forbes is honored to be recognized by the Canadian Institutes of Health
Research for our research initiatives in the area of cardiovascular
disease," said Tazdin Esmail, Chairman and CEO of Forbes Medi-Tech Inc.
"Receiving this competitive peer reviewed grant further acknowledges the
scientific merit of our joint research efforts with UBC to develop new
therapeutics from plant sterols."
The primary focus of the research project, which is being funded under the
CIHR/ University-Industry Research Program, is to identify the mechanism(s)
of action by which phytosterols and phytosterol analogues inhibit
cholesterol absorption and help prevent cardiovascular disease.
The CIHR grant was awarded to Dr. Kishor M. Wasan, Associate Professor,
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, and Dr.
Haydn Pritchard, Professor, Department of Pathology, UBC, and Vice
President, Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Forbes Medi-Tech Inc.
Dr. Wasan will act as Principal Investigator on the project and Dr.
Pritchard will act as Co-Investigator.
Phytosterols, also known as plant sterols, are a naturally occurring class
of compounds found in the cells and membranes of plants. Phytosterols have a
similar molecular structure to cholesterol. Unlike the statin class of
cholesterol-lowering medications, which work by inhibiting a key enzyme in
the body necessary for the production of cholesterol, phytosterols block the
absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine causing excess cholesterol
to pass through the body thereby lowering blood cholesterol levels
significantly.
Pre-clinical studies previously conducted by Dr. Wasan and Dr. Pritchard on
Forbes' phytosterol analogue FM-VP4 have confirmed the pharmaceutical's
ability to significantly lower total and LDL (low-density lipoprotein)
cholesterol levels in animals with no observable toxicity. Research on
FM-VP4 and related compounds will be primarily conducted at Forbes
Medi-Tech's 10,000 sq. ft. research laboratories on the UBC campus.
"I am delighted that Forbes and UBC have jointly secured this grant from
CIHR," said Angus Livingstone, Managing Director of UBC's
University-Industry Liaison Office. "This is a prime example of how
academia, private industry and government can work together to bridge the
gap between scientific innovation and commercial success."
"Not only is cardiovascular disease the leading cause of death in Canada, it
also places the greatest economic burden on our health care system," said
CIHR President Dr. Alan Bernstein. "If successful, the knowledge gained
through this novel industry/academic collaboration will allow us to take a
significant step forward in our fight against this disease and further
Canada's international reputation as a leader in the field of cardiovascular
research."
CIHR is Canada's major federal funding agency for health research. Its
objective is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of
scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation
into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and
products and a strengthened Canadian health care system.
CIHR University-Industry Programs are designed to help academic researchers
interact with Canadian companies with an interest in health research and
development. The program promotes a wide variety of peer reviewed research
projects jointly funded by Canadian companies and CIHR.
The University of British Columbia, opened in 1915, conducts upwards of
4,000 research projects annually and its researchers attract more than $165
million in funding annually.
Forbes Medi-Tech Inc. is a diversified health sciences company dedicated to
the research, development and commercialization of innovative nutraceutical
and pharmaceutical products derived from nature. By extracting plant sterols
from wood pulping by-products, Forbes is developing cholesterol-lowering
agents to be used both as functional food ingredients and pharmaceutical
therapeutics in the battle against heart disease. Forbes is also developing
innovative fermentation technology that converts plant sterols into
pharmaceutical fine chemicals, essential in the production of various
pharmaceutical steroids such as contraceptive agents and
anti-inflammatories. Phytrol(TM) is a registered trademark of Forbes
Medi-Tech Inc.
====
GNC: Settles Three Lawsuits Launched by Franchisees
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 15, Business Wire -- General Nutrition Companies, Inc.
today announced that it has reached settlement of three lawsuits that
sought class action status for all of GNC's U.S. franchisees.
The agreement provides franchisees as a group with credits of approximately
$4.2 million for use over 24 months for GNC products purchased through the
company's wholesale distribution affiliate along with system enhancements,
including the continuation of some that were already in place.
Mike Meyers, President and COO of GNC, said "Our franchisees are critical to
the growth of the GNC brand, and we are committed to meeting their needs as
members of one of the best franchising systems in the world. We entered into
this agreement to provide a business solution for our franchisees that resolves
lengthy legal actions that benefit nobody. While GNC does not admit to any
wrongdoing or taking any actions against the interests of our franchisees, our
franchising system continues to evolve and we believe that the changes spelled
out in this agreement will benefit both GNC and our franchisees. We are pleased
to bring this matter to a successful conclusion."
"At the same time," he added, "this is the latest, most significant step in
the `New Deal' that GNC's new management team announced at our 11th annual
franchise convention in June. Our commitment to a long-term partnership with our
franchisees is demonstrated by the cutting-edge programs that were put into
place in the first seven months of this year, including the elimination of the
co-op ad structure; the expansion of GNC's national ad campaign; enhancements to
the GENESIS franchisee intranet; extended payment terms on products purchased
from GNC; free shipping of special orders placed electronically between the
standard two-week shipments; free product samples when we launch new GNC brands;
new science-based products; the re-launch of GNC's popular Preventive Nutrition
line; and the launch of the ProPerformance Elite Series."
Notice of the proposed settlement will be sent to all U.S. franchisees. The
settlement is available to any U.S. GNC franchisee who does not opt out of the
settlement.
In the settlement, the company committed to improving its franchisees'
business through the following:
-- Providing each franchisee wholesale credits on purchases of GNC's
private label products in the amount of $125 per store a month for
24 months, or approximately $4.2 million for the franchise system
as a whole. The company and its franchisees continue to recognize
the importance of GNC brands in the success of GNC stores.
-- Protecting franchisees from any increases in franchise renewal fees by
placing a cap on what franchisees will pay for one five-year renewal term.
The company expects all franchisees will take advantage of this offer by
renewing the initial term of their franchise agreements.
-- Foregoing franchisee royalties on products, if any, promoted by GNC in
Let's Live Magazine, a third-party publication sent to active GNC Gold Card
members, at a retail price below their GNC wholesale cost.
-- Providing through the company's new Intranet communications system
immediate electronic notice of discontinued products, and a minimum 20-day
notice concerning system-wide price reductions for a majority of all
discontinued products.
-- Crediting franchisees for any discontinued products inadvertently
shipped as part of a store opening order and limiting less-popular products
in opening-store inventories.
The company also reaffirmed its commitment to helping franchisees improve
their businesses by:
-- Extending through 2003, franchisees' current wholesale cost for GNC Gold
Cards.
-- Continuing for at least three years from the date of implementation a
new franchisee wholesale loyalty reward program that provides rebates to
franchisees.
-- Restating in writing GNC's longstanding policy that franchisees may buy
direct from third-party vendors.
Russ Cooper, Senior Vice President and General Manager of GNC Franchising,
Inc., said, "These are changes that will benefit both GNC and our
franchisees while strengthening the franchising system itself. GNC remains
committed to the letter and the spirit of our franchising mission
statement: To be a worldwide leader in franchising by developing the
world's highest quality support services, and awarding license agreements
to qualified candidates who share our growth and customer service
objectives.
Cooper added, "This settlement goes a long way toward resolving the
business disputes and litigation involving franchisees, about 1 percent of
our more than 1,400 U.S. franchise locations. We firmly believe that going
to court is always the least desirable way to resolve business differences
between a franchisor and its franchisees. Signing this agreement is not in
any way an admission of wrongdoing by GNC. We appreciate the efforts made
by legal counsel on both sides in bringing this to a successful conclusion.
Our goal now is to continue building on the system enhancements that have
been put into place this year that contribute directly to sales and
profitability for all of our franchisees."
General Nutrition Companies, Inc. (GNC), based in Pittsburgh, PA, is the
largest nationwide specialty retailer of vitamin, mineral and herbal
supplements, sports nutrition as well as many personal care and related
products. GNC operates more than 4,500 retail outlets throughout the United
States and 26 foreign markets including Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico. GNC
is a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Numico N.V., a worldwide market
leader in specialized nutrition that includes infant and clinical nutrition
and nutritional supplements. Headquartered in Zoetermeer, The Netherlands,
Royal Numico's operations include manufacturing facilities in more than 50
countries and research facilities in The Netherlands, Germany, the U.K. and
Australia. In addition to GNC, Royal Numico's family of companies includes
Rexall Sundown, Inc., a major supplier to the mass market based in Boca
Raton, FL, sports nutrition leaders MET-Rx and Worldwide Sport Nutrition
and the multi-level marketing operation of Unicity Network (encompassing
the multi-level operations and products of Enrich International and Rexall
Showcase International).
====
Hain Celestial: Fourth Quarter Revenue Expected Up 13%
UNIONDALE, N.Y., Aug. 20, PRNewswire -- The Hain Celestial Group today
announced that it expects revenue for the fourth quarter to increase 13
percent, compared with the year-ago quarter. The Company also said that, as
a result of higher marketing expenditures, and increased production costs
for its Terra brand, it expects to report earnings per share of $0.07 --
$0.12 for the fourth quarter of 2001, ended June 30, 2001.
Overall earnings growth was impacted by: incrementally increased consumer
marketing and advertising costs for the Company's Westsoy brand, as part of Hain
Celestial's strategy to transition from trade-focused to consumer-oriented
marketing; the launching of an immediately redeemable consumer coupon campaign
in the quarter resulting in significantly higher than anticipated coupon
redemption; the previously-announced one-time cost from realizing a unique
opportunity to gain shelf space for Terra Chips; and higher than expected
production costs for Terra Frites and Terra Chips, due to increased
manufacturing in Europe at a higher cost in order to meet the rapidly increasing
demand for these products.
"The long-term actions we are taking to position Westsoy and ensure we are
able to satisfy consumer and customer demand for Terra are the right strategic
moves," said Irwin Simon, chairman and chief executive officer. "The
implementation of our previously announced shift in advertising strategy from
trade to consumers will result in some overlap in spending, as we saw in the
fourth quarter. The opening of our Moonachie, NJ, facility for Terra Chips by
the end of September will enable us to meet existing and new demand for Terra
Chips and Terra Frites from the many points of distribution, while reducing the
higher manufacturing costs that we incurred this quarter. We are confident that
these actions will enable us to maintain our profitable growth in the upcoming
quarter and throughout fiscal 2002 at the levels that our shareholders expect."
Mr. Simon also highlighted strong performances from all of Hain Celestial's
rocket brands in the quarter, including growth in Terra Chips (38 percent),
Earth's Best Natural (14 percent), Health Valley (11 percent), and Celestial
Seasonings teas (18 percent), compared with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000.
Westsoy was essentially flat compared with the year-ago quarter, but Mr. Simon
noted that the brand was increasing market share and consumption. During this
period, consumption of Westsoy aseptic soy grew 16.7% while Westsoy's market
share increased 4.9 points. The Company also saw tremendous recognition of its
refrigerated soy, with these products picked up by 3,300 new stores in the
fourth quarter.
The Company reiterated that it remains comfortable with consensus earnings
estimates for fiscal 2002 of $1.05 -- $1.15 per share and revenues of $480-$500
million.
The Hain Celestial Group will announce fourth quarter and fiscal year 2001
earnings during the first week of September.
The Hain Celestial Group, headquartered in Uniondale, NY, is a natural,
specialty and snack food company. The Company is a leader in 13 of the top 15
natural food categories, with such well-known natural food brands as Celestial
Seasonings(R) teas, Hain Pure Foods(R), Westbrae(R), Westsoy(R), Arrowhead
Mills(R), Health Valley(R), Breadshop's(R), Casbah(R), Garden of Eatin(R), Terra
Chips(R), DeBoles(R), Earth's Best(R), and Nile Spice. The Company's principal
specialty product lines include Hollywood(R) cooking oils, Estee(R) sugar-free
products, Weight Watchers(R) dry and refrigerated products, Kineret(R) kosher
foods, Boston Better Snacks(R), and Alba Foods(R). The Hain Celestial Group's
website can be found at http://www.hain-celestial.com.
====
Hauser: Reports Fiscal 2002 First Quarter Sales, Profit Decline
BOULDER, Colo., Aug. 13, Primezone -- Hauser, Inc.
today reported its financial results for the fiscal 2002 first quarter
ended June 30, 2001.
For the fiscal 2002 first quarter, net loss narrowed to $618,000, or
$0.12 per share, from a net loss in the corresponding quarter a year ago
of $1.9 million, or $0.40 per share. Loss from operations was $178,000,
compared with loss from operations of $2.0 million in the same quarter a
year ago. Total revenues were $15.8 million, compared with total revenues
of $21.7 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2000.
Kenneth Cleveland, president and chief executive officer, said, "Our
results reflect the excellent progress we have made reducing costs and
operating more efficiently. We will continue to build upon our improving
financial performance and strong science capabilities."
Hauser, a Customer Connected(SM) company headquartered in Boulder,
Colorado, is a leading supplier of herbal extracts and nutritional
supplements. The company also provides interdisciplinary laboratory
testing services, chemical engineering services, and contract research
and development. The company's products and services are principally
marketed to the pharmaceutical, dietary supplement and food ingredient
businesses. Hauser's business units include: Botanicals International
Extracts, Hauser Laboratories, Shuster Laboratories and ZetaPharm.
====
Hauser: Plans to Divest Hauser Laboratories
BOULDER, Colo., Aug. 21, Primezone -- Hauser, Inc.
announced today it has retained Oberman Associates Inc. to manage the
sale of its Hauser Laboratories division.
Hauser Laboratories provides analytical and expert services to meet the
advanced chemical and material needs of biopharmaceutical, infrastructure
and electronics industries. Hauser Laboratories is established as a
leader in the development of analytical standards for nutraceuticals and
medical devices. It also provides methods development, testing and
failure analysis for pipelines and cables, fuels and contaminants, and
industrial and consumer products.
Hauser Laboratories is located in Boulder, Colorado.
"The sale will permit Hauser to focus its resources on the production and
marketing of bulk herbal extracts and nutritional substances. We believe
that there are other parties that can realize greater value given from
Hauser Laboratories, leveraging its sector leadership, proprietary
analytical and validation methods, and customer relationships," according
to Kenneth Cleveland, Hauser's president and chief executive officer.
====
Hauser: Plans to Divest Hauser Contract Research Division
BOULDER, Colo., Aug. 21, Primezone -- Hauser, Inc.
announced today it has retained First Analysis Securities Corporation to
manage the sale of its Hauser Contract Research division.
Hauser Contract Research's proprietary expertise and technologies focus
on the extraction, purification, chemical modification and production of
high value fine organic chemicals from natural sources in a fully
compliant GMP environment. Using this expertise Hauser Contract Research
provides contract process research, process development, manufacturing,
microbiological and analytical method development, and all related
regulatory services to developers and manufacturers of pharmaceutical and
natural products, predominantly in pharmaceutical, personal care, dietary
supplements, functional food additives and chemical specialties. Its
operations are located in Boulder, Colorado.
Kenneth Cleveland, president and chief executive officer, said, "The sale
will permit Hauser to focus its resources on the production and marketing
of bulk herbal extracts and nutritional substances. We believe there are
other parties which can realize greater value from Hauser Contract
Research, especially leveraging its expertise and operations in natural
products and compliance tools to significantly reduce time-to-market."
====
Herbalife: Flexes Its Power to Save Energy
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 7, Business Wire -- Herbalife International of America
has signed on to the State of California's Flex Your Power energy
conservation plan. The plan seeks to gain corporate support for
significant energy savings during the state's ongoing power crisis. The
company's formal acceptance of the plan's Declaration of Action is just
another step in a corporate-wide energy conservation plan that has been
going on for months, according to John Price, Senior Vice President for
Worldwide Administration and Technology. Herbalife has reduced its
electricity consumption by 20 percent in two of its LA-area facilities
since January 2001, Price said, which more than meets the target of the
program. The company isn't happy to stop there, however. Further steps
will be taken to reduce energy use even more, especially for the remainder
of the critical summer period, Price added.
The Flex Your Power Campaign includes some of the biggest companies in
California and seeks to encourage enough energy conservation by corporate
participants to close about half of the 4000 to 5000 megawatt gap between
available supply and demand. Herbalife is convinced California's business
community can achieve this and encourages all firms, large and small, as
well as individual consumers, to do their part to save energy -- this will
increase supply and lower costs for everyone in the state.
Herbalife International, Inc. markets nutritional, weight management and
personal care products in 51 countries worldwide. Herbalife products are
available only through a network of independent distributors who purchase
the products directly from the Company.
====
Imperial Ginseng: Long-Term Debt Converted to Equity
VANCOUVER, B.C., Aug. 15, Market News Publishing -- Imperial Ginseng
Products Ltd. is pleased to announce that pursuant to the terms of its
previously issued bonds, holders of $160,000 convertible bonds have
exercised their right and converted their bonds, plus accrued interest of
approximately $33,026, to 193,026 Preferred Shares of Imperial.
The Preferred Shares are units consisting of Class "A" Preferred Shares of
the Company and Royalty Participation Units. The Class "A" Preferred Shares are
non-voting, convertible shares issued with an average dividend rate of 12.5% at
a price of $1 per share. The Class "A" Preferred Shares are convertible to
common shares of the Company at a price of $0.20 per common share with such
conversion price increasing by $0.25 per common share on January 31 of each year
starting January 31, 2002. Common shares of the Company issued as a result of
any conversion of the Preferred Shares would be subject to a one-year hold
period expiring August 15, 2002.
The 193,026 Royalty Participation Units issued as part of the units on a one
for one basis with the Class "A" Preferred Shares, carry a royalty entitlement
consisting of the proceeds from one-half acre of ginseng from each of the 2004,
2005, 2006 and 2007 harvests per 1 million Royalty Participation Units.
The Preferred Shares, subject to certain restrictions and penalties are,
after December 31, 2001, retractable at the option of the holder and are
redeemable by the Company. Dividends on the Class "A" Preferred Shares are
cumulative and, like the royalty due on the Royalty Participation Units, can be
paid, at the option of the Company, in cash or common shares of the Company
priced at their then current price.
====
NatureSmart: Lays Off Workers
By Susan Glairon
BOULDER, Colo., Aug. 23, Daily Camera -- Nearly all 400 employees of
NatureSmart in Thornton, formerly Amrion, have been laid off, said a
NatureSmart employee who lost her job and Whole Foods Market Inc.,
NatureSmart's previous owner.
Kate Lowery, a spokeswoman for Texas-based Whole Foods, said NatureSmart
employees were laid off. She later retracted her statement, saying she
couldn't speak for the company's new owner. Until 1999, Amrion was based in
Boulder.
NBTY Inc., based in Bohemia, N.Y., purchased NatureSmart for $28 million in
cash and announced the sale May 10, Lowery said. NBTY makes, wholesales and
retails vitamins, herbs and amino acids and operates approximately 500
Vitamin World and Nutrition Warehouse retail stores.
Less than one week after the companies finalized the sale, NBTY told
NatureSmart's employees it was laying them off. But if employees remained
as long as necessary, the company promised them severance packages, said
Joanne Wortman, a former senior Oracle database administrator for
NatureSmart.
Employees signed a confidentiality agreement regarding the amount of
severance pay.
"It was nice to have the extra income, but at the same time, it only
prolonged the inevitable," Wortman said.
When the sale was finalized, there was no company welcome and the new
owners weren't there, she said: "Everyone thought it was just a buyout
and within a few days, they laid everyone off."
Wortman continued working at NatureSmart until Friday, when the company
told everyone to go home, she said.
NBTY could not be reached for comment.
Whole Foods bought mail-order vitamin business Amrion in 1997 and moved
the company from Boulder to Thornton in 1999.
This wasn't the first time Amrion employees faced layoffs. When
Broomfield-based Gaiam Inc., a lifestyle company that sells health
products, merged Internet operations with Whole Foods' e-commerce
business, WholeFoods.com., last year, Whole Foods laid off 177 employees
in Thornton who either worked on Wholepeoples.com's Web site or worked
for Amrion.
[Camera Business Writer Matt Branaugh contributed to this report.]
====
Neopharmica: Herbal Relief for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
PORTOLA HILLS, Calif., Aug. 7, PRNewswire -- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
(IBS) is the most common digestive disorder seen by doctors. IBS is
considered a "functional" ailment because standard diagnostic procedures
such as x-ray, colonoscopy and blood analysis fail to disclose any
structural or biochemical abnormalities. Abdominal pain, cramps, gas,
bloating, diarrhea and constipation are its more common symptoms. Indeed,
people with IBS always need to be near a bathroom. In addition, their
stomachs feel like they're tied up into knots. IBS affects 20 percent of
Americans -- some 54 million people, affecting three times more women than
men. It ranks second behind the common cold in causing missed days from
work.
Neopharmica, a California corporation has launched a product into the US
market that significantly reduces the symptoms of IBS. This product, known
as BowelSoothe(TM), is a 100% natural, contemporary Asian herbal product
dispensed in more than 1,000 hospitals in Asia for about 15 years.
Documented clinical studies in over 10,000 subjects shows an overall
effective rate of 97%. BowelSoothe(TM) is the first dietary supplement of
its kind that is clinically proven safe and effective for IBS. Because its
legal status is a dietary supplement and not a drug, it is available
directly through Neopharmica at www.neopharmica.com without a doctor's
prescription.
Dr. Stephen Paul, a 26-year veteran of the supplement industry describes
the characteristics of IBS. He explains, "It is a multifaceted condition
with physical and stress-related dimensions. Dietary and lifestyle
changes usually don't help much. Everything from prescription medications,
psychotherapy, hypnosis and behavior modification are often used to try to
reduce symptoms of IBS. People suffering from IBS are desperate for
relief. They often become frustrated, feel isolated, and are forever in
search of the 'cure'. The real bottom line is being able to improve the
quality of life for these ill-fated sufferers. BowelSoothe(TM) will have a
favorable health promoting and positive economic effect in the US, as it
has done in Asia for over 15 years in millions of people."
====
Omni Nutraceuticals: Reports 50% Sales Decline in Second Quarter 2001
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 16, PRNewswire -- Omni Nutraceuticals, a leading
formulator and supplier of natural consumer health products and OTC
pharmaceuticals, announced today its results for the second quarter, ended
June 30, 2001. The second quarter net sales were $4,561,000 compared to net
sales for the same quarter in 2000 of $10,846,000. The net loss was
$1,006,000, or $0.03 per share with 35,280,720 shares outstanding, compared
with a net loss of $1,146,000 or $0.04 per share with 32,028,218 shares
outstanding for the second quarter of 2000.
Klee Irwin, President and CEO commented on the results, "We are
continuing with our strategy to decrease unnecessary costs and expenses
while increasing some of our margins. Our recently completed second
quarter results have shown gross profit margins increased to 48.7% from
38.6% for the same period last year, partially due to a decrease in total
selling, general and administrative expenses, which were $3,018,000
versus $4,471,000 for the same period in 2000, an improvement of 32%.
Sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2001
decreased by $832,000 or 49.3% to $857,000 from $1,689,000 for the
comparable period in 2000. Some of the other cost reductions included
commissions $125,000 and salaries and wages $174,000. Interest expense
for the three months ending June 30, 2001 decreased by $233,000 to
$403,000 from $636,000 for the comparable period in 2000. This decrease
is the result of lower short-term interest rates. Also due to the
divestitures in February 2001 of HealthShop.com, HealthZone.com,
Smartbasics.com and Vitamindiscount.com the business model has changed
from prior years and comparisons to some of the past reported quarterly
and yearly figures should take this into account."
Mr. Irwin commented further. "Recently, on July 25th, 2001, we were
notified that Media Networks has been awarded a Stipulated Judgment of
$437,000 by Los Angeles County. This has caused us to be in default with
one of our bank agreements. However, we are pursuing other sources of
financing through our corporate relationships, as well as current and
past funding sources."
About Omni
Omni Nutraceuticals is a leading formulator and supplier of high quality
natural health, herbal and nutritional supplement products for consumers.
Its product lines include popular brand name market leaders such as
Nature's Secret(R), Irwin Naturals, System-Six, Harmony Formulas(R), Dr.
Linus Pauling Vitamins, and Inholtra(R). These products are sold through
mass retail and specialty natural health, nutrition and food retail
stores worldwide.
====
Pharmavite: Names ACNielsen Preferred Provider of Market Research
SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Aug. 8, Business Wire -- ACNielsen U.S., an operating
unit of ACNielsen, a VNU company, announced today that Pharmavite
Corporation has selected the market research leader as its new preferred
provider of syndicated market research.
Pharmavite, manufacturer of Nature Made(R) vitamins and Nature's
Resource(R) herbal supplements, will rely on the ACNielsen Scantrack(R)
retail measurement service for product sales information and the ACNielsen
Homescan(R) consumer panel for insights about its customers.
"Throughout the decision-making process we were extremely impressed with
ACNielsen's people and products," said Mike Miller, Pharmavite director of
syndicated data. "Beyond their analytic capabilities, the ACNielsen team
servicing our account proved to us that they understand our business and
are committed to helping us succeed."
"We are extremely pleased to have won Pharmavite's confidence," said Steve
Carroll, ACNielsen senior vice president, manufacturer client service.
"Pharmavite has a 30-year history of providing the highest quality
nutritional supplements. We look forward to helping the company build on
its momentum as a true leader in helping people live healthy lives."
Besides the Scantrack retail measurement service and the Homescan consumer
panel, other ACNielsen products Pharmavite will utilize include:
-- ACNielsen Strategic Planner(TM), an online syndicated database that
provides product sales information nationally, regionally and by major
markets
-- ACNielsen Account Planner, a syndicated database showing product sales
by retailer
-- KnowledgeWorks(TM), for advanced analytical insights into issues such
as pricing, assortment, and marketing mix
ACNielsen, a company of VNU N.V., is the world's leading market research
firm, offering measurement and analysis of marketplace dynamics, consumer
attitudes and behavior, and new and traditional media in more than 100
countries. Clients include leading consumer product manufacturers and
retailers, service firms, media and entertainment companies and the
Internet community.
====
Phillips Health: Helps Fight Malnutrition Worldwide
POTOMAC, Md., Aug. 1, Internet Wire -- Doctors' Preferred, Inc. (DPI), one
of the nation's largest direct mail vitamin distributors and a subsidiary
of Phillips Health, LLC, has donated $1.2 million dollars of nutritional
supplements to Vitamin Angel Alliance, an international philanthropic
organization that fights malnutrition in communities that are medically at
risk.
Nearly one quarter of all humanity, or 1.4 billion people, live in
absolute poverty, which makes about one person in seven--857 million
people--chronically undernourished, according to Vitamin Angel
Alliance. Millions of children die or go blind each year because of
vitamin deficiencies.
"Phillips Health and Doctors' Preferred are delighted to offer key
nutriceutical products to people who would otherwise have no way to
receive these important building blocks of good health," says Edward
Hauck, Phillips Health executive vice president. "As a company that
publishes five of the best-read U.S. newsletters on natural health
solutions, Phillips Health exists to educate the public about their
options for enhanced well-being through its publications; and, its
subsidiary, DPI, exists to offer supplements of the highest quality to
assure that people have what they need to achieve wellness. This
donation enables us to share this wellness with a Third World
populace."
From donations such as that given by Phillips Health/DPI, the Vitamin
Angel Alliance can support many nutritional needs of various
health-care organizations, especially for children and women. The 2001
Phillips Health/DPI contribution specifically includes more than
50,000 units of multiple vitamins and assorted supplements.
"This is the second time Phillips Health has worked with Vitamin Angel
Alliance," Hauck says. "In 1999, Phillips Health/DPI donated $1.4
million in supplements to the organization. By participating again
this year, we are expanding the number of ways people can benefit from
our nutritional solutions, and we are honored to join the other
organizations who support the excellent work the alliance is doing."
Phillips Health, LLC, a Phillips International, Inc., company, is the
recognized leader in providing authoritative health solutions to the
consumer marketplace. The company produces newsletters, special
reports and online resources for its team of prominent health experts,
who each offers safe, natural and effective ways to solve and prevent
health problems. The newsletters and educational Web sites are: Health
& Healing written by Julian Whitaker, M.D., (www.drwhitaker.com); The
Sinatra Health Report -- An Insider's Guide to Smart Medicine written
by Stephen Sinatra, M.D. (www.drsinatra.com); Alternatives by Dr.
David Williams (www.drdavidwilliams.com); The Lark Letter by Susan
Lark, M.D. (www.drlark.com); and Health Wisdom for Women by Christiane
Northrup, M.D.
Phillips Health subsidiary, DPI, a thriving vitamin and nutritional
supplement business, provides a variety of herbs and nutritionals as
well as an automatic replenishment program that allows customers to
devise a suitable, personalized regimen. DPI markets brands formulated
exclusively by individual doctors--all of whom are leaders in the
field of complementary and alternative medicine. These include Dr.
Whitaker's Healthy Directions brand, Dr. Sinatra's Advanced
BioSolutions brand, Dr. Lark's Menopause/Perimenopause Multinutrient
and Dr. Williams' Mountain Home Nutritionals brand.
Phillips International (www.phillips.com) is a private company based
in Potomac, Md., with annual sales of $245 million. One of the leading
publishers in America with a fast-growing Internet business, Phillips
International provides a wide variety of products and services for the
health and investment marketplaces.
====
Rocky Mountain Ginseng: Four Year, 1000 Retail Store Expansion
VANCOUVER, B.C., Aug. 20, Business Wire -- Rocky Mountain Ginseng, Inc.'s
Company President, Mr. Brian Hodge, announced today that the company is
embarking on a four year, 1,000 retail store expansion program.
It is expected that one-third of the stores will be company-owned. The
company is actively seeking franchisees for the remaining two-thirds of the
store expansion program.
Mr. Hodge stated that having a production facility and available nutritional
supplements (known as healthy food products in China) combined with the right to
establish company-owned stores and franchised stores anywhere in China has
prompted the company to enter the retailing field in a major way. Profit margins
are significantly higher and inventory financing is much lower than in
wholesaling, he said.
Establishment of a solid base of retail stores will provide a marketing
network and enable the company to seek alliances with nutritional supplement
manufacturers worldwide. With China's forthcoming entry into the WTO it will be
easier for foreign companies to enter the Chinese market.
Rocky Mountain Ginseng, Inc.'s head office is located in British Columbia,
Canada. The Company exports American ginseng to its facilities in Fuzhou, China
where it manufactures and processes America ginseng products. Rocky Mountain
Ginseng, Inc. holds exclusive world processing and distribution rights to
several innovative value added ginseng products developed in North America.
Rocky Mountain Ginseng, Inc. purchased a drug manufacturing facility in
February 1999, now known as Rocky Mountain (Fuzhou) Drug Co. Ltd. This
acquisition included all necessary drug and hygiene licenses allowing the
Company to import, export, manufacture and distribute ginseng products in all
provinces of China. The company has also recently obtained the right to
establish company-owned stores and franchised stores anywhere in China.
The Company currently produces traditional ginseng products for the Chinese
Market, which includes selling to its wholesale customers and through its retail
stores, with the Chinese factory employing 42 people in processing, sales,
accounting and management. Rocky Mountain (Fuzhou) Drug Co. Ltd. is the first
wholly owned Canadian Company in the Fujian province.
====
Rocky Mountain Ginseng: Retains Consulting Firm
VANCOUVER, B.C., Aug. 15, Business Wire -- Rocky Mountain Ginseng, Inc., is
pleased to announce they have retained the services of the financial
consulting firm PMR and Associates of San Diego, CA.
PMR and Associates provides consulting services to private and public
companies in areas ranging from corporate finance, acquisitions, business
development and investor relations. Under the leadership of Patrick M. Rost, PMR
and Associates has developed a strong track record in creating shareholder value
for numerous NASDAQ and OTC clients by integrating a broad range of services
into the corporate strategy of its clients.
Mr. Rost is a graduate of the Catholic University of America, Columbus School
of Law in Washington D.C. and the Notre Dame London Law Centre, Concannon School
of International Law and Finance. He has previously served on the board of
directors of several organizations, including the American Liver Foundation (San
Diego Chapter) and the Scripps Memorial Hospital Steven's Cancer Center annual
fund raising event. After finishing his legal career with one of the top law
firms in the country, Mr. Rost joined a holding company as the Director of Legal
Affairs and Business Development. He played a major role in several acquisitions
and initiated business development resulting in a revenue growth from $15
million to $75 million before he began his own firm.
"I'm excited about working with the management of RMGS and assisting them
with strategic planning and enhancing shareholder value," stated Mr. Rost.
====
Shaklee: Selects Altura International for Membership Benefits Program
PLEASANTON, Calif. and MONTEREY, Calif., Aug. 20, PRNewswire -- Health and
wellness company Shaklee Corporation has selected Altura International to
implement a custom Web-based shopping portal to support over 500,000 Shaklee
independent distributors in their purchasing and recruitment efforts. E-commerce
shopping solutions provider Altura International designed and built the portal
and will provide ongoing management support.
The Shaklee Catalog City site will offer Shaklee distributors a three-level
incentive plan for their own purchases online as well as purchases made by
customers they refer to the site. Located at http://shaklee.catalogcity.com ,
it allows registered users to link to over 400 premier merchants in a variety of
categories, from fashion to home furniture. This exclusive shopping site will
greatly expand the amount and type of products Shaklee distributors currently
market to their customers beyond Shaklee's existing product lines of over 250
nutritional and herbal supplements, personal care and household products. This
program is available to all Shaklee US distributors as a new membership benefit
that requires no additional sign-up fee.
"Shaklee was seeking a partner with a proven track record in the e- commerce
shopping category that could design a scalable solution to manage the tremendous
traffic our site delivers. We needed a complete turn-key solution, while at the
same time the ability to tailor the product line to the needs of our customers,"
said Michelle Yeh, Vice President of e-Business at Shaklee.
The Shaklee shopping portal will feature a shopping solution based on
Altura's powerful and flexible e-commerce technology platform, the Altura
Merchant Operating System (AMOS), which provides shoppers a universal shopping
cart platform that enables the discovery, selection, and purchase of products
from multiple merchants in one easy check out process. Based on this
partnership, Shaklee members will have direct access to Altura's hundreds of
name brand merchant partners and more than 300,000 products through this co-
branded shopping site.
Lee Lorenzen, president and CEO of Altura International and its flagship
portal CatalogCity.com said, "We're excited to partner with Shaklee to implement
our proven e-commerce shopping platform directly benefiting their most valued
asset -- the worldwide network of distributors that propel Shaklee's success.
Our custom tailored shopping application for Shaklee will prove to be an
invaluable tool for their distributors and will provide them supplemental
revenue as well. Our partnership with Shaklee further strengthens our
leadership role as the e-commerce solutions provider of choice for the rapidly
growing community and affinity market segment."
Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Pleasanton, California, Shaklee
Corporation is recognized as an industry pioneer and a trusted name in health
and wellness that manufactures and distributes products in the United States,
Canada, Mexico, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore. Shaklee is a long-standing and
respected leader in the network marketing industry, with product lines including
nutritional supplements, personal care and household products as well as home
water treatment and air treatment products. Not available in stores, products
are sold directly to consumers through a network of independent distributors.
Shaklee products reflect the company's commitment to the highest quality,
service and customer satisfaction, backed by a 100% guarantee.
Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., one of the largest and most profitable
pharmaceutical companies in Japan with operations worldwide, purchased Shaklee
Corporation in 1989. The alliance has proven beneficial to both firms, enabling
them to monitor and evaluate global developments in science and technology and
to offer high quality products that continue Shaklee's tradition of health,
wellness and commitment to the environment.
====
Twinlab: Names Joseph Sinicropi Chief Financial Officer
HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., Aug. 24, Business Wire -- Twinlab Corporation today
announced the appointment of Joseph Sinicropi, age 47, as Chief Financial
Officer.
Mr. Sinicropi assumes the position from John Bolt, who has resigned to
pursue other opportunities.
Joseph Sinicropi is a seasoned executive with over sixteen years
financial experience, which includes over six years with SI Corporation
(formerly Synthetic Industries Inc. and currently part of Investcorp's
investment portfolio). Mr. Sinicropi joined Synthetic Industries Inc. in
1995 as Chief Accounting Officer. He was named Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary in February 1996 and elected to SI's Board of Directors in
2001, a position in which he will continue to serve. Prior to joining SI,
he was a senior audit manager in the international accounting firm of
Deloitte & Touche LLP from 1985 to 1995.
Mr. Sinicropi received a B.A. degree in Economics from Fordham University
and is a graduate of St. John's University with an M.B.A. in Accounting.
He is also a Certified Public Accountant.
Commenting on the announcement, Ross Blechman, Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer of Twinlab, stated, " Our Board and senior
management team are pleased to welcome Mr. Sinicropi who will bring
insight and further improvements in the important areas of tactical and
strategic financial management and control. He will be active in
designing Twinlab's long term financial strategy and we look forward to
the many important contributions we anticipate he will make."
Twinlab Corporation, headquartered in Hauppauge, N.Y., is a leading
manufacturer and marketer of high quality, science-based, nutritional
supplements, including a complete line of vitamins, minerals,
nutraceuticals, herbs and sports nutrition products.
====
Vitamin Shoppe: Expands into Atlanta Market
NEW YORK, Aug. 13, Business Wire -- The Vitamin Shoppe(TM), one of the
nation's most complete resources for name brand vitamins, nutritional
supplements, books, herbs and other health-related products, expanded its
retail operations to the Atlanta market opening new stores in Duluth and
Buckhead.
"We were attracted to the overall demographics of the Atlanta market, which
fit our model of seeking densely populated areas that display above average
income and education levels," said Corey Bialow, Director of Real Estate &
Construction. "Prior to this opening, The Vitamin Shoppe established a dominant
presence in every major metropolitan area on the East Coast with the exception
of the Atlanta market. Our entree into the Atlanta region completes our
geographic dominance of the East Coast and gives us an opportunity to look at
establishing a presence in some of the smaller adjacent areas such as the
Carolinas and Tennessee."
"In addition to opening these two new stores, we are aggressively pursuing
additional locations throughout the Atlanta Metropolitan Area," added Bialow.
"We have proven our ability to succeed in the Southeast, after opening 13 new
stores in the state of Florida within the past 12 months. We are looking to
build upon this success as we enter the Atlanta market and continue to expand
The Vitamin Shoppe throughout the country."
The Vitamin Shoppe offers customers discounted pricing, excellent customer
service and a superior selection of more than 18,000 items from over 400
national brands, including The Vitamin Shoppe(R) Brand. Other popular name
brands offered at The Vitamin Shoppe include: Twinlab, Country Life, Gary Null,
Natrol, EAS, Met-Rx, Nature's Way, Solgar, Atkins, among hundreds of others.
"Since The Vitamin Shoppe began in 1977, our goal has always been to offer
health-minded customers the largest selection of vitamins, minerals and
supplements at discounted prices," commented Larry Paul, Director of Retail
Operations for The Vitamin Shoppe. "From current bestsellers like Glucosamine,
Xenadrine, Coenzyme Q10, MGN3, Creatine and Ginkgo Biloba to supplement bars,
nutrition shakes and everything you need for bodybuilding, if you want it, we've
got it. And now, when Atlanta-area customers are looking for the place to buy
the best names in products for healthy living, they have their local Vitamin
Shoppe stores in Buckhead and Duluth."
The Vitamin Shoppe established its first retail store in 1977 in New York
City. Since then, the North Bergen, New Jersey-based company has grown into one
of the country's largest vitamin retailers with more than 90 stores in eleven
states, a huge monthly catalog with significant national distribution and an
extensive website (www.VitaminShoppe.com) with thousands of daily visitors.
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