With FDA’s Approval of Epidiolex, CBD Supplements Face Uncertain Fate

By Erik Goldman, Editor

With the long-anticipated approval of Epidiolex, a proprietary form of cannibidiol (CBD) for two rare forms of childhood epilepsy, the Food and Drug Administration has put into question the future availability of CBD as a non-prescription dietary supplement.

The landmark approval, announced on June 25, is the first time the agency has approved any product derived from cannabis, which the federal government still classifies as a Schedule 1 narcotic.

The move is a big win for Greenwich Biosciences, a subsidiary of GW Pharma, the English drug company that developed Epidiolex. It’s also a potential win for families of children with Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes—two severe forms of epilepsy for which there were no reliably effective drugs.

Wholesome Rx: Prescribe Produce, Not Pills

Written by By Ellen Kanner, Contributing Writer

“Eat more fresh produce.” It’s an easy bit of medical advice to give. Yet it’s advice millions of Americans aren’t able to follow, even if they want to. A non-profit group called Wholesome Wave is working to make it a little bit easier for both practitioners and patients, by creating a system that allows doctors to literally prescribe produce for patients and their families in underserved communities.

Joe Pizzorno - The Toxin Solution

Written by Meg Sinclair

For decades, Dr. Pizzorno has been at the forefront of a movement to build bridges between naturopathic, functional, and mainstream medicine. In recent years, his attention has been focused on the myriad ways that environmental toxins are damaging personal and public health, and on developing practical strategies to help people reduce their toxic loads.

His recent book, The Toxin Solution, presents a harrowing picture yet offers good clinical guidance on how to manage the onslaught. Consider the following:

•   94% of Americans are exposed to enough polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to double their lifetime risk of asthma.
•   60% of US women carry loads of PCB187 sufficient to double their risk of breast cancer.
•   33% of Americans have lead levels high enough to double the risk of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
•   25% are exposed to enough aluminum to double Alzheimer’s risk.

Holistic Primary Care had the honor of hosting Dr. Pizzorno at our 2017 Practitioner Channel Forum. He shared his research on the role of common toxins in chronic disease and his field-tested therapeutic strategies. Watch the full-length session from HPC’s video archive:

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