Alternative Products Attacked by Australian Professor

Wednesday, March 29th 2006

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Dr. John Dwyer, Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the University of New South Wales, Australia, writing in the Sydney Morning Herald of 25/01/06, launched a diatribe on dietary supplements, complementary and alternative medicines (CAM), the health of Australia, "nonsense techniques" and health claims. He supports and endorses the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Take a look at their "system" watched over by their TGA and consider what is in store for New Zealand under a joint ANZ agency.

In this most scientific of all ages, to use Dr. Dwyer's term, Australian hospital patients are at the greatest risk of becoming sicker in hospital than patients anywhere else in the world according to the WHO World Health Report, all thanks to conventional medicine. According to the report, nearly 17 percent of patients suffer "measurable" harm while undergoing "scientific" treatment in healthcare facilities in Australia.

This correlates with results from the Quality in Australian Health Care Study (QAHCS), which noted that 16.6 percent of hospital admissions were caused by modern medical intervention, resulting in temporary disability in 47 percent of patients and death in about five percent. Medication error, alone, has been estimated to result in at least 80, 000 hospital admissions and costs of at least $350 million per year in Australia.

Dr. Dwyer's ignorance can be seen in his statement that vitamin deficiency is rare in Australia. Dr. John Catford, Victoria's director of public health, has noted that, "At least 10 percent of the total burden of disease in Australia is attributable to poor nutrition."

Regarding B vitamins, Fletcher and Fairfield wrote in their landmark review in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2002, that "suboptimal intake of some vitamins, above levels causing classic vitamin deficiency, is a risk factor for chronic diseases and common in the general population." They further remarked that, "Suboptimal folic acid levels," along with suboptimal levels of vitamins B6 and B12, are risk factors for cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, breast cancer and neural tube defects (NTDs). They concluded, with qualifications, that, "It seems prudent for all adults to take vitamin supplements."

In truth, the world needs less, not more, overly restrictive, nanny state health regimes dedicated to "protecting" consumers from that which promotes health and to abrogating consumers' free access and rights to products and services which consumers themselves choose - not merely those which restrictive agencies allow them to have.

Reproduced unabridged from the April - June 2006 issue of Health and Herbal News, with the kind permission of Health and Herbs International Ltd.

The following products are all useful Health Supplements :

Astra Forte
Colloidal Silver
Dual Tab
Folic Acid 800mcg
Formula VM 2000
Multi-Vite
Myco Defence
Sir Bob Charles Sportsvel Deer Velvet
Vitamin B6 100 mg

Related health information can be found here:

Allergies
Antibiotic Use
Antioxidants
Calcium Deficiency
Co-enzyme Q10 is of fundamental importance for cellular energetics
Common Cold
Echinacea - a potent weapon against infection
Immunity
Magnesium
Mineral Power

Related articles can be found here:

Alternative Therapies May Be Integrated By Government

Bitter pill: Govt surrenders $200m industry to Australian control

Doctors recommend a multi-vitamin a day

Govt Suffers Setback on Trans-Tasman Plans

Is it really "all in your food"?

Medical Slips Highlighted

New Zealanders need zinc

NZ Health Trust Newsletter

If you need help or advice, you are welcome to email our naturopathic team with your health question.

Disclaimer: The health information presented here has been written for the New Zealand health consumer. It is of a general nature and is only intended to provide a summary of the subjects covered. The information is not intended to be comprehensive or to provide medical advice to you. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, no responsibility or liability is accepted, and no person should act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided. All health ailments should be treated by a qualified health professional.

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