Consensus Builds on High-Dose Vitamin D for Breast Cancer Prevention–Despite IOM Report

Despite the Institute of Medicine’s recent report, many nutrition-minded oncologists believe high-dose vitamin D supplementation—upwards of 4,000 IU/day—has potential to markedly reduce risk of primary breast cancer as well as breast cancer recurrence, with minimal risk of toxicity.

Who’s in Bed with the IOM? Vitamin D Report Prompts Conflict of Interest Suspicion

The Institute of Medicine’s Nov. 30 consensus statement claiming most Americans do not need supplemental vitamin D—a position that runs counter to the views of many clinicians and researchers⎯has some folks wondering if committee members had preexisting biases or vested interests against supplementation.

It turns out that at least two members of the committee hold patents on synthetic vitamin D analogs in development or already on the market as prescription drugs, and significant relationships with companies involved in vitamin D drug development.

Nutritional Medicine A Textbook by Alan R. Gaby, MD

Written for busy practitioners who need reliable but clinically-relevant information to guide patient care, Dr. Alan Gaby’s new, Nutritional Medicine, extensive combines literature reviews, case reports, thorough background material and a lifetime of clinical experience. Here are a few excerpts from this landmark textbook.

Gaia’s “Meet Your Herbs” Sets New Standard for Quality Control

Gaia Herbs, based in western North Carolina, has had a longstanding commitment to organic farming and rigorous quality control in the making of its botanical medicines. The company’s new “Meet Your Herbs” enables practitioners and consumers trace each product from farm to pharmacy.

Integrative Medicine Leaders Foresee Increased Regulation of Supplements

Grassroots pressure forced Sens. John McCain and Byron Dorgan to withdraw their bill to tighten supplement industry regulation. But leaders in the field say the war has only just begun. Rep. Henry Waxman, an outspoken critic of supplements, has written language in the Wall Street Reform bill that would give the Federal Trade Commission new authority over the industry. Meanwhile Rep. Ron Paul is pushing bills that would curb federal power over health information.

FDA to Docs: See Something? Say Something!

A new program from the Food & Drug Administration is calling on physicians to report about misleading messages from pharmaceutical company reps, especially during private “detailing” visits.

New FDA Data Underscore Supplement Safety & Fast Action When Problems Arise

The first wave of data from FDA’s new Adverse Events Reporting System for dietary supplements shows two important things: The system works, enabling the FDA to act quickly when there’s evidence of life-threatening side effects; and serious adverse events are rare given how widely supplements are used.

Vitamin E Tocotrienols Prevent Post-Stroke Neuronal Death

A new study

shows that tocotrienols, an important component of naturally occurring Vitamin E, can prevent neural damage following ischemic stroke, potentially improving post-stroke outcomes.

Assessing & Treating Bone Loss: Seven Tips For Improving Outcomes

Because of its very slow, insidious nature, osteoporosis is challenging to evaluate. Long-term daily drug therapy carries significant risk of side effects, a big price tag, and major compliance challenges. The key is to determine early on who is at greatest risk for fracture, and who truly needs intensive therapy.

To Prevent Osteoporosis, Concentrate On Vitamin D, Not Bisphosphonates

The evidence supporting widespread use of bisphosphonate drugs for preventing osteoporosis fractures is pretty weak, while the data in favor of vitamin D supplementation is increasingly strong. Doctors who advocate “evidence-based medicine” need to rethink the role of drugs in treating women with osteoporosis.