With the Tylenol recall in full swing, now is the time to jump aboard the all-natural bandwagon.

If you’ve ever thought, hinted at, or seriously considered adopting the all-natural way to live and treat conditions, no time is as good as now.  I know that sounds trite and tired, but I say that not because it’s a good motto to live by, but because the circumstances are ripe for it.  Because if you haven’t already heard, there’s a huge recall on over-the-counter pills like Tylenol, Motrin, St. Joseph’s Aspirin, Benadryl, even Rolaids.

According to multiple reports filed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, pills and antacids like these have caused dozens and dozens of adverse reactions all across the country, including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and severe stomach pain.

McNeil, the maker of these medicines, believe they know the source of what’s causing these adverse reactions:  A disgusting wood pallet that the medicines were shipped on leaked a chemical.  Whatever the chemical was, it had a distinct and offensive odor.

Now, we all make mistakes, so we shouldn’t cast aspersions too quickly.  But what makes this instance so outrageous is that McNeil had this same problem two years ago—the very same one!  So you’d think that McNeil would take the appropriate measures in ridding their facilities of the offending wood pallets that leak this mysterious chemical.

No such luck, as it happens.

You can bet that heads will be rolling at McNeil as someone clearly dropped the ball on this one.

McNeil has gone ahead and posted all of the offending products on their web site, complete with the box labeling, product description and UPC codes.  You’d be wise to take a look to make sure you don’t have any of these products lying around your house or lurking in your medicine cabinet.

In the meantime, why not use this incident as a springboard to start taking natural herbs that can treat headache, natural supplements that can help ease the pain of arthritis, and natural elixirs that relieve allergies?

They work, and what’s more, they’re guaranteed not to cause any adverse side effects:  one of the many hallmarks to all natural living and supplementing.

Sources:
mcneilproductrecall.com
drugwatch.com

Overuse of acetaminophen-based medicines like Tylenol can lead to liver problems.

For a pounding headache, millions upon millions of Americans turn to pills like Excedrin, the pill that bills itself as “the headache medicine.”  And for millions of Americans, pills like these do the trick—24 billion doses of acetaminophen medicines sold last year alone is a testament to that fact.

And even though pills like these will continue to be sold by the billions for years on end for headache relief, our livers will suffer as a consequence if bought and consumed as prevalently as they are now.

Did you know that the most common cause of liver failure is the overuse of acetaminophen-based medicines like Tylenol?  That’s right.  It’s not due to excessive alcohol consumption, malnutrition, or diseases like Hepatitis B.  Nope.  Liver failure’s most frequently caused by people popping too many Tylenol.

So it was a long time coming when an FDA panel recommended this week that pharmaceutical companies lower the recommended dosages of acetaminophen found on bottles of Tylenol and the like.  This panel is different from the FDA, so the FDA isn’t recommending lowering the dosage.  Just why the FDA isn’t recommending lowering the dosage is anyone’s guess.

Something else that’s anyone’s guess is whether pharmaceutical companies will take the panel’s advisement into action.  You’d think they would, especially considering that thousands are hospitalized every year because of overuse of over-the-counter medicines like these and that hundreds of people have been given liver transplants due to acetaminophen overuse.

Despite these worrisome warning signs, they appear loath to make any adjustments, as the maker of Tylenol issued a statement recently saying, in part, that “…the safety and efficacy of acetaminophen has been established in over 150 clinical studies” and that it’s the “pain medicine that doctors recommend most.”

That’s all well and good, but what they don’t seem to realize is that acetaminophen is a lot like high fructose corn syrup – it’s everywhere!  So when people are taking one medication that contains acetaminophen for a cold, and then start taking Tylenol for a headache, all that acetaminophen has to go somewhere.  And where does it go?  The liver, where the overconsumption of it can’t be metabolized properly, ultimately leading to the failure of one of our most vital organs.

Some may consider this bad news.  “What will we do for our headaches?” some might wonder.  Well, naturally, there are “natural” solutions to headaches.   And while the alternatives aren’t as plentiful or as prevalent as acetaminophen is in over-the-counter medicines, there’s more than one to choose from.

Some of the most common natural herbs and spices include skullcap, which is really great for stress-related headaches.  Another is curcumin, the herb found in the curry spice turmeric.  The properties of curcumin help to shield the brain’s pain receptors.  One other is capsaicin.  Capsaicin is neither an herb nor a spice, but rather a compound that gives chili peppers their spice.  Capsaicin is good for other pain problems, too, like the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Acetaminophen has been used entirely too much for entirely too long.  Sadly, it took liver failure to bring it to everyone’s attention.  Perhaps now people will do what they should have been doing a long time ago and turn to natural treatments for headache relief.

Sources:
voices.washingtonpost.com
examiner.com
basilandspice.com
altnature.com

Zicam nasal gel may damage sense of smell.

As many of you know by now – and as I’ve written in the past – I’m not exactly the president of the Food and Drug Administration’s fan club.  In fact, I just recently criticized them for not cracking down on the prevalence of GMOs in food, something that many within the FDA were trying to crack down on in the 1990s, but apparently gave up on.

But just as every cloud has its silver lining, the FDA occasionally casts that ray of sunlight on drug companies that are all too often shrouded in mystery as to their side effects (though they’re now required to state the side effects in commercials).

So it is with Zicam, a supposed-cold reliever that’s taken to alleviate symptoms associated with nasal congestion.

And “supposed” is the operative word here, because while it takes away the congestion, Zicam takes it a step further:  it takes away your sense of smell!!

According to a multitude of complaints filed to the FDA, Zicam Cold Remedy nasal gel has caused serious problems for a lot of people who’ve used it.  Many of them are no longer able to smell quite like they used to prior to their using it, and in some cases, can’t smell at all!  And those who’ve lost their sense of smell entirely lost it after their first dosage.

Approximately 130 people have reported this nasal puzzle since 1999.  But that’s a very unofficial number, as those are only the cases that have been reported to the FDA.  Who knows how many people suffer from anosmia overall, thanks to Zicam’s zany “remedy.” (anosmia is the medical term used for loss or impaired sense of smell).

Matrixx, the maker of Zicam, denies these claims, saying the links made to anosmia and Zicam’s use are “misleading” and “scientifically unfounded.”

Their denials weren’t enough to salvage their stock price, though, as shares of Matrixx took a nosedive, falling 55 percent in a single day (closing at $8.56).  Trading is now halted on Matrixx shares per the FDA’s warning.

See, occasionally, the FDA bites the bullet and clamps down on dangerous over-the-counter drugs.  They could be doing more, but I suppose it’s only fair that I give them credit when it’s due.

If you really want to combat a cold, arm yourself with what I like to call “The Mangano Common Cold Defense Arsenal.” You can find more in-depth information on this cold-weaponry here, but the arsenal includes zinc, vitamin C, Echinacea, goldenseal, and garlic.

Successful battles are won with a great defense, and when it comes to “cold war” battles, these defense mechanisms will have cold symptoms raising the white flag of surrender.

This report shows why it’s important to steer clear of Zicam and other over-the-counter drugs that so often do more harm than help; sapping your sense of smell is just the latest example.  You’ll never find that with natural supplements like these.

The only thing they’ll sap is a cold’s ability to wreak havoc on your immune system.

Sources:
money.cnn.com

The anemia drugs Aranesp, Epogen, and Procrit are under close watch by the FDA as there are studies and reports stating they may be causing cancer. These drugs are erythropoiesis, which are stimulating agents (ESAs). They are meant to boost the production of red blood cells and the FDA already has out a black box warning out for these types of drugs due to the high risk of cancer.

Although these types of drugs have not yet been banned from the market, the FDA is advising doctors and patients to  carefully review the risks of ESAs and what harm versus what good they can do. The studies the FDA are reviewing, eight in total from the creators of the ESAs, is that tumors grow much faster and their survival rates are much lower for patients suffering from breast, cervical, lung cancers and more taking ESAs.

Frank Mangano’s commentary:

It will be several months or even a year before the FDA makes a decision on the production and distribution of anemia drugs so in the meantime it is important to make the right decision on your own. If you and your doctor are deciding whether or not anemia drugs are right for you, you need to consider these studies. Is it worth it to possibly develop cancer from this drug? The answer is no.

There are some natural alternatives for anemia which are just as effective and far less dangerous options. Iron supplementation can be prescribed by a naturopathic doctor. Dietary sources of iron and Vitamin C are very important healing alternatives for anemia and these can be included in your daily dieting habits. You can find high levels of iron in kidney beans, pinto beans, blackstrap molasses, almonds, leafy greens and more. You should take Vitamin C in a natural health supplement in doses of 250-500mg to aid in the absorption of iron.

The blackstrap molasses is a great source of iron and a natural herb supplement, which has been known to have many healing properties. It can be taken in the form of an herbal tea. All you need is 1tsp per day in boiling hot water. It is extremely important to maintain a high dosage of Vitamin C through your diet with citrus fruits and by taking a supplement to properly distribute and absorb the high amounts of iron being put in your body.

There is absolutely no reason to take anemia drugs which could potentially cause you to develop a life threatening case of cancer. With so many natural and easily accessible alternatives which you simply include in your diet on a daily basis, there are no risks and better results.

While this improves the overall health of Americans, a few groups of individuals actually suffer loses from this kind of eye opening. Two of those groups are the FDA and Big Pharma. The reason is very simple. In the multi billion dollar pharmaceutical industry, drug manufactures make money in one way, through people taking medication. Any time an alternative to medication is presented as an option to someone; this causes Big Pharma to lose money.

At this point, the FDA (a government agency designed to protect Big Pharma from any losses that approved drugs like Vioxx which killed nearly 50,000 Americans), gets involved on some level.

In the past, the FDA has taken drastic measures to both deter people from treating themselves with natural alternatives while simultaneously taking action to get people to use prescription medications which are can be extremely harmful and in some cases fatal.

With the awareness of the public with regard to alternative treatments and the risks of prescription drugs growing to the point that it is currently at, the FDA has now decided to take the most drastic step to date to stop Big Pharma from losing money regardless of how deadly the products they manufacture are.

On April 30th 2007 (less than a week away) the FDA will begin reclassifying almost every single vitamin, supplement, herb and even vegetable juice as FDA-regulated drugs. Massage oils and massage rocks will be classified as “medical devices” and require approval from the FDA. The document is called Docket No. 2006D-0480 - Draft Guidance for Industry on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Products and Their Regulation by the Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA is accepting feedback from the public on this issue until April 30th so it is crucial for all of us including myself to take whatever action we possibly can. I have found two courses of immediate action we can take. 

First, you can write your opinion to the FDA on their website by clicking here.

Then, you can sign a petition provided by the Natural Solutions Foundation that states you want Complementary and Alternative Modalities (“CAM”) to be freely available. Sign the petition by clicking here.

We can also write to our local government representatives with actual letters (not e-mails) voicing our opinions on the attempt to destroy our means of healing ourselves naturally without harmful drugs and outright rob us of our freedom.

I personally invite you to post your thoughts, feedback and opinion on this topic by leaving your reply below…

“FDA has determined that the balance of benefits and risks for Ketek do not support continued approval of Ketek for these generally nonserious and often self-limited illnesses,” said Dr. John Jenkins, director of the agency’s Office of New Drugs.

The drug will still be permitted for the treatment of pneumonia Read my article on Overcoming a Life-Threatening Infection With The Help of Home Remedies.

After 5 Ketek patients died, a Senate Finance Committee investigated whether faulty data and fraud were a part of the FDA’s approval process for the drug.

Ketek will now carry a “black box” warning against its use by patients with the neuromuscular disorder myasthenia gravis under the FDA’s new rules. Because of it’s thick black border which makes it stand out, the “black box warning” is the strongest warning that the can be put on a drug by the FDA. Any further concern requires a ban on the drug.

Prior to the black box warning, Ketek already carried a bold warning about possible damage to the liver. Other possible side effects, including blurred vision and loss of consciousness have now been added to list.

At the head of the Senate’s investigation was Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa. The Senator has been less than satisfied with FDA’s approval of the drug but did express satisfaction with the new rules. “When the spotlight was turned on the questionable way in which Ketek got approved … the FDA was held accountable,” he said.

Big deal. A black box warning? This stuff puts people in black boxes. It should be thrown off the face of the earth, no less banned.

This is nothing more than a measure the FDA has taken to avoid banning the drug and taking money away from Big Pharma. It’s like a judge giving a murderer probation instead of imprisonment because the convict somehow earns money for him.

Folks, don’t be fooled into believing that prescription med’s are the only way to treat pneumonia. Click here to learn about natural remedies to treat pneumonia.

The FDA claims they reason why they are moving forward with taking action on the above mentioned matters is to address “inequities in access” that, previously, have possibly caused people that were extremely ill to be denied experimental drugs.
 
“We expect that clearly articulating procedures and standards for expanded access will result in more patients with serious or immediately life-threatening diseases or conditions getting the earliest possible access to these therapies,” the FDA said.
 
Dr. Rachel Behrman, deputy director of the FDA’s office of medical policy, stated “We are not talking about the temporary relief of minor pain,” “We are talking about serious diseases.”
 
The FDA’s supporters of the decision to increase access to experimental drugs say the FDA hasn’t taken enough steps to help patients gain quick access to unapproved drugs. One supporter in particular, is Frank Burroughs of the Abigail Alliance for Better Access to Developmental Drugs who says his daughter died in 2001 when she was unable to obtain the experimental cancer drug Erbitux.
 
The bottom line is this. There are safe, natural ways to effectively treat & prevent every illness, disease, infection or ailment. However, the FDA and the Big Pharmaceutical companies will have you believe otherwise. Why? Well, they are both in business to make money. And unfortunately, prescription drugs are the means in which they acquire money.
 
This is nothing more than a method to expand the opportunity to make more money from prescription drugs that no one even knows much about.
 
I think Mike Adams, author of “Take Back Your Health Power,” said it best when made this statement: “It effectively creates a loophole that allows drug companies to avoid the entire drug approval process and start treating large numbers of patients like experimental guinea pigs.”