Most Recent Articles
Published: November 26, 2009
Obesity is an ever growing problem with numerous health issues associated with it. One of those issues is called fatty liver. Fatty liver, also called steatosis, is the collection of excessive amounts of triglycerides and other fats inside liver cells. When fatty liver is left untreated, it can contribute to many other illnesses. But, a recent animal study indicates that coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) might hamper the development of fatty liver that is related to obesity.
Published: November 26, 2009
We’re becoming complacent about the threat of swine flu. After all, many cases have turned out to be relatively mild even though there are a lot of them and the spread is breathtakingly fast. Even so, in most cases, serious outcomes such as deaths and hospitalizations have been easily explained by the patients’ pre-existing conditions. But there are some facts that you should be aware of in regards to the H1N1 flu.
Published: November 23, 2009
There is great concern about how the seasonal flu, and even more about the swine flu. Those in authority are using the media to advocate getting flu shots. They are being administered at grocery stores, college campuses, pharmacies, and some employers are even providing them on site. However, these flu shots may be causing more harm than good on a variety of levels.
Published: December 08, 2009
Europe is effectively the most influential entity at Codex and the EU Food Supplements Directive is essentially the de facto blueprint for the Codex Guidelines for vitamin and mineral supplements.
As a result of international trade agreements such as the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement), Codex texts, guidelines and standards are effectively mandatory for all WTO Members.
Published: December 07, 2009
A great deal of discussion is taking place within the natural products industry on this subject. Arguably, there appears to be no single and categorical obligation for governments to adopt Codex standards and guidelines.
However, the preamble to the SPS Agreement (to which all WTO Members are signatories) specifically mentions Codex and states that WTO Members (and hence all SPS signatories) desire:
"To further the use of harmonized sanitary and phytosanitary measures between Members on the basis of international standards, guidelines and recommendations developed by the relevant international organizations, including the Codex Alimentarius Commission."
Published: December 04, 2009
Originally designed by military and business leaders from the pharmaceutical industry in Germany shortly after World War II, historically, Codex was evolved from a collection of standards and product descriptions for a wide variety of foods developed in the Austro-Hungarian Empire between 1897 and 1911. Austria subsequently pursued the creation of a regional food code, the "Codex Alimentarius Europaeus" between 1954 and 1958.
Published: December 03, 2009
The European Union is without doubt the single most powerful influence on international Codex conferences and discussions. European Council documents acknowledge the increasing legal relevance that the various Codex Alimentarius guidelines and standards have acquired:
"... by virtue of the reference made to the Codex Alimentarius in the WTO Agreements and the presumption of conformity which is conferred on relevant national measures when they are based on such standards, guidelines or recommendations adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Likewise, we also acknowledge that one of the objects of the Codex Alimentarius Commission is to harmonise worldwide health standards."
Published: December 02, 2009
In the United States, the European Food Supplements Directive and Codex would appear to be completely irrelevant largely due to massive efforts that lead to the passage of the Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994.
In fact, Codex is barely even on the radar as a real threat to the natural health industry in the U.S. DSHEA is perceived to be an unbreakable steel barrier to Codex or Europe's legislative influence or any other "foreign" attempt to breach America's "safe haven" status for the natural health and nutritional innovative industries.
Published: December 01, 2009
Part One: A storm is brewing...
The future of each nation's natural health industry, nutritional innovation and each individual's personal freedom of choice regarding access to a wide range of vitamin supplements, amino acids, herbs and ancient and modern traditional medicines, appears with little doubt to be at genuine risk in the not-too-distant future. One can later speculate and even try to reason the intentions and motivations that have brought about this situation; however, it is certain that the situation exists and is no accident of circumstances.
Published: November 19, 2009
Probiotics are becoming a large topic of conversation in the medical field as well as among researchers and scientists everywhere. Probiotics, also known as the “good” or “friendly” bacteria, have been under the spotlight by researchers questioning how beneficial they would be as a treatment for autism.
