Some Supplements Can Damage Eyes
"New York (Reuters Health) - Many herbal remedies and nutritional supplements can damage the eyes, including some alternative therapies that are used by people trying to correct eye problems, new research reports.
"According to a review of reported cases and medical literature, commonly used supplements including chamomile, ginkgo biloba, licorice, vitamin A and echinacea can cause a myriad of eye problems.
"Study author Dr. Frederick Fraunfelder explained that supplements become dangerous to the eyes when people take them in large doses. They can cause problems including severe conjunctivitis, eye irritation, retinal bleeding and temporary loss of vision, the study found ...
"Fraunfelder, who is based at the Casey Eye Institute in Portland, Oregon, explained that most people are unaware of how damaging supplements can be to the eyes. 'Most consumers assume because a product is naturally occurring it is safe,' he said.
"As a result, about forty percent of people who use alternative therapies do not discuss them with their doctors." [My emphasis]
Full text
"New York (Reuters Health) - Many herbal remedies and nutritional supplements can damage the eyes, including some alternative therapies that are used by people trying to correct eye problems, new research reports.
"According to a review of reported cases and medical literature, commonly used supplements including chamomile, ginkgo biloba, licorice, vitamin A and echinacea can cause a myriad of eye problems.
"Study author Dr. Frederick Fraunfelder explained that supplements become dangerous to the eyes when people take them in large doses. They can cause problems including severe conjunctivitis, eye irritation, retinal bleeding and temporary loss of vision, the study found ...
"Fraunfelder, who is based at the Casey Eye Institute in Portland, Oregon, explained that most people are unaware of how damaging supplements can be to the eyes. 'Most consumers assume because a product is naturally occurring it is safe,' he said.
"As a result, about forty percent of people who use alternative therapies do not discuss them with their doctors." [My emphasis]
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Nora posted item above at 1:54 AM | Permalink
1 Comments:
Vee, if you have any evidence that Frederick Fraunfelder of the Casey Eye Institute in Portland, Oregon is connected to the "medical industrial complex conspiracy" or indeed that his claims are "ridiculous", I'll be glad to hear it. You say, "moderation is the key. That doesn't mean all naturals should be indicted". He didn't "indict all naturals", and he is specifically talking about "large doses". There is evidence (which can be found on the net) that taking unmonitored doses of vitamins and other supplements can be dangerous, especially if people don't bother to mention them to their doctors (and the majority of us have to attend a doctor at some stage of our lives). A recent Horizon documentary on the BBC indicated that long term intakes of Vitamin A at around twice the RDA, may be linked to weaker bones (osteoporosis) and an increased risk of bone fracture. Evening Primrose Oil shouldn't be taken by women suffering from, or recovering from, breast cancer, as it encourages production of oestregen. Ginkgo biloba shouldn't be taken by heart patients who are on Aspirin or Warfarin, as it thins the blood and can double the effects of blood thinners. Neither should it be taken by people with gum disease. There are many other examples like this on the web.
Prescription drugs have to be issued by pharmacies with a patient leaflet listing all known side-effects and interactions. Unfortunately, supplements don't. And the major problem, as I highlighted in the post, is that far too many people are not informing doctors of the supplements that they are taking. I'm taking supplements myself, but all 4 of my doctors (that's including specialists) are aware of what I'm doing and I've checked that the supplements are safe given my conditions and my medications.
As for GM foods and damage from prescription drugs: We do hear about them. I've posted about and against GM crops here before, because I abhorr the whole idea. And e.g.it was widely publicised that Vioxx (the arthritis drug) was recently taken off the market as it was found to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. In Europe all additives are given an E number, so we can check at any time as to what colourings and flavourings etc. are added to our food. I don't know if that applies in the US. My understanding is that Monsanto decided to discontinue investment in their latest crop because in Europe all GM ingredients have to be listed on foods, and consumers in Europe wouldn't buy such foods. So Monsanto knew it wouldn't sell -- at least here.
PS Opium and tobacco are naturally occurring too, but that doesn't make them safe.
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