Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Various Email Questions I Ask, and Pertinent Only Sections of the Replies, from Sources


I will be adding to this post.

Email: I asked Health Canada via email (an online report - you check for privacy, hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/compli), if glutathione is approved in Canada for injections. I had read this article, sciencebasedmedicine.org/are-skin-light. I sent them the article, and the second of the four links below: two, three and four, I found through research.
Reply: This is what Health Canada replied in their email to me. All bolding is by me.
"To date, Health Canada has not approved any Glutathione IV products nor have authorised its sale in Canada."
More details from the email
"Ingredient Glutathione is classified as a natural health product (NHP) under Schedule 1, item 2 (an isolate) of the Natural Health Products Regulations. According to the definition of NHP, under Schedule 2, item 5 (A substance that is administered by puncturing the dermis), substances which are administered intravenously are excluded natural health product substances and would be regulated under the Food and Drug Regulations as drugs."

Which means: (not a quote from the email reply) The advertising used some of the regulations but not the CORRECT one. That appears to me to be - VERY MISLEADING!

See Also 
Philippines
2011
"DOH-FDA Advisory No. 2011-004 || Safety on the Off-Label Use of Glutathione Solution for Injection (IV) ...
Warning to the Public:"

And 2014
"FDA Advisory No. 2014-022 || Consumer Information - Findings on Health Products Used by Spas and Beauty, Skin or Wellness Clinics"
"The use of glutathione as systematic skin whitening agent has no approval from the FDA"

And 2014
"FDA Advisory No. 2014-045 || Public Warning against Advertisement, Promotion, Offer for Sale and Use of “LUXXE WHITENING, ENHANCED GLUTATHIONE”"
http://www.fda.gov.ph/advisories/163488-fda-advisory-no-2014-045


And 2013
U.S. FDA
"Inspections, Compliance, Enforcement, and Criminal Investigations"
http://www.fda.gov/iceci/enforcementactions/warningletters/2013/ucm354493.htm
"Your products identified above are not generally recognized as safe and effective for the above-referenced uses and, therefore, the products are “new drugs” ... New drugs may not be legally marketed in the U.S. without prior approval from FDA ... FDA approves a new drug on the basis of scientific data submitted by a drug sponsor to demonstrate that the drug is safe and effective. Furthermore, your ... products are offered for conditions that are not amenable to self-diagnosis and treatment by individuals who are not medical practitioners. Therefore, adequate directions for use cannot be written so that a layperson can use these drugs safely for their intended purposes. ... these products are misbranded ... in that the labeling for these drugs fails to bear adequate directions for their intended uses." 

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

New Research on Hair Restoration or Growth


I will be adding to this post - See also updates in this post
http://ktanihairsense.blogspot.ca/2013/12/new-research-on-hair-restoration-or.html

2016
Create NEW hair follicles for previously NOT luxurious hair? NOT YET! The research is linked.

2016
"Patient information: Hair loss in men and women (androgenetic alopecia) (Beyond the Basics)"
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/hair-loss-in-men-and-women-androgenetic-alopecia-beyond-the-basics
Science+current treatments minus all fraud!

2015

"Using stem cells to grow new hair"
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-01/smri-usc012715.php 
The research is linked in the article. Still early days, also only on mice so far but promising. 

2016

"Hair loss", color and bolding added by me, @MayoClinic
"Some studies report ... alopecia areata may be helped by lavender oil ... thyme, rosemary ... cedar wood. Further study is needed." = UNPROVEN

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Various Email Questions and Replies


I will be adding to this post. 


Email Reply: Is brushing damp to wet hair damaging?
Yes! http://www.pantene.com/en-ca/hair-science/Pages/wet-hair.aspx

"Wet hair ... is very fragile ... easier for ... breakage to occur. Brushes have many teeth ... likely to hit a snag ... pull hair to a breaking point ... best way to detangle ... a wide-toothed comb or pick

Email Reply: blow drying?
http://www.pantene.com/en-ca/hair-science/Pages/wet-hair.aspx
"hair brush to blow-dry ... wet hair ... use ... vented brush that has the fewest teeth possible"


Email Reply: "cheese cake" for those on restricted diets/not, 2013, no bake, gluten-free, dairy-free http://blog.freepeople.com/2013/07/vegan-cheesecake-4th-july/

"Maple Syrup: Healthy or Unhealthy?", 2015
"number of antioxidant substances found in maple syrup, but the amount is still low compared to the large amount of sugar." "maple syrup ... poor source of nutrients compared to vegetables, fruits ... if you’re going to eat it, make sure to do so in moderation only." "Maple syrup is about 2/3rds sucrose (as in table sugar) ... 100 grams ... around 67 grams of sugar."
1/2 cup? Lots!

From this data on maple syrup, 2014
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/sweets/5602/2
Total sugars "1 cup - 192" - half that - 96, so the above calculation is right!

So while that recipe for "cheese cake" sounds and may taste great, there is quite a bit of natural sugar in the dates - "1 date - 16g" (in the crust), and a LOT in the maple syrup!

"Dried Fruit: Good or Bad?", 2015
http://authoritynutrition.com/dried-fruit-good-or-bad/
"Dried fruit is relatively high in calories and sugar. Common dried fruits contain 38–66% sugar ... eating too much of them may contribute to weight gain and various health problems."

A dessert perspective regarding restricted diets/not
"WHO calls on countries to reduce sugars intake among adults and children", 2015 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2015/sugar-guideline/en/#.VaJnVqSQkIw.twitter
"new WHO guideline recommends adults and children reduce their daily intake of free sugars to less than 10% of their total energy intake ... further reduction to below 5% or roughly 25 grams ... per day would provide additional health benefits." 

"BELLE GIBSON AND THE FAILURE TO FACT CHECK", 2015
Sent to me via email regarding Belle's "epiphany". Note: This link is not currently working - that however does not change the following. Anyone who had an "epiphany" that led them to sell items for health or promote "medicine" with no reputable evidence? They are cashing in on quackery, and are a quack! Lately, I have read and seen quacks do just that. They have embraced "epiphanies" as yet another emotionally manipulative strategy.

Email Reply: May 8, 2016, Belle Gibson "epiphany"
Quacks I watch embraced them AFTER publicity about her!


"Pass the Salt (But Not That Pink Himalayan Stuff)", 2014, @ScienceBasedMed
"NO evidence published in peer-reviewed journals that replacing white salt with pink salt makes a ... difference or leads to any improvement in health ... it includes a number of radioactive substances like radium, uranium, and polonium. It also includes substances that act as poisons, like thallium. I wouldn’t be worried, since the amounts are so small; but if anyone believes the trace amounts of “good” minerals in Himalayan sea salt are good for you, why would they not believe the trace amounts of poisons and radioactive substances are bad for you? ... claim that it “promotes health and wellness” is false until proven otherwise by legitimate clinical studies ... I’d just as soon my salt didn’t contain uranium."
The amounts of uranium, polonium may be harmless but no thanks too! 

Some fans of pink salt attack lead in lipstick and aluminum in cookware, antiperspirants  
but are oddly silent about both substances in Himalayan pink salt. 
"Below is a spectral analysis of Himalayan pink salt as it is typically found. The list shows all the trace minerals, electrolytes, and elements contained in Himalayan salt."
http://themeadow.com/pages/minerals-in-himalayan-pink-salt-spectral-analysis

Email Reply: Hair models
Hair models usually have naturally thick hair. Hair extensions are also used in advertising.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1230008/Its-bad-hair-day-LOreal-model-Cheryl-Cole-accused-misleading-fans.html
I have seen pictures of hair models when they were younger. Some had long hair - that actually looked healthier than it looks in the ads!
"Gimpsuited greenscreen fluffer flicks shampoo model's hair"
http://boingboing.net/2014/06/26/gimpsuited-greenscreen-fluffer.html
"How 'greenscreen fluffers' create windswept effects in ads and movies"
Watch the video.

Email ?: lemon oil 4 cleaning?
"essential oil do not always possess in-vitro antimicrobial activity against different ... bacterial strains."
In vitro is in the lab under controlled conditions - means in vivo outside the lab - less so.
From same source
"Almost similar antimicrobial results were obtained from both essential oils of lemon samples by other reported results"
Reason ?
"variation of percentage of active ... ingredients depends on the extraction process, samples process and environmental conditions"

Email Reply: You create your own reality?
So everything that happens to you is your fault. Good news for ISIS/Boko Haram, etc. Quacks love it!
Quacks? That means they have nothing to prove like providing evidence the products they are shilling actually work/that they are not committing fraud. Oh and you are to blame for natural disasters too - shame on you!
Adults are responsible for their actions. Villains rarely see themselves as such because it requires a conscience, ethics most don't possess.

Email Reply: Quacks quoting love, forgiveness platitudes

Seen that 2. 1st is a universal ploy, everyone needs love. 2nd hedging their bets.
"hedge your bets" ... to reduce or mitigate your risk." 
Source: http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/42054/the-meaning-and-origin-of-hedge-your-bets

Email Reply: Naturopath testing for food "sensitivity"/intolerance/allergies
G(IgG) testing offered is not supported period. Text bold added by me.
"There is no body of research that supports the use of this test ... person with a true immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergy ... at significant risk for life-threatening anaphylaxis, may ... not have elevated levels of specific IgG to their particular allergen ... may be inappropriately advised to reintroduce this potentially deadly item into their diet. ... CSACI ... formal statement supporting opinions ... by the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology ... and by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology ... warn about the inappropriate measurement of food-specific IgG or IgG4 to suggest the presence or potential of adverse reactions to food. ... blood testing of any kind cannot substitute for consultation with a trained and accredited medical professional such as an Allergist/Immunologist for the diagnosis and management of adverse reactions to food."
Source: 2012 - http://www.aacijournal.com/content/8/1/12

Email Reply: Quinoa and celiac disease

“further studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of quinoa consumption.”
This is the full text of the 2012 study, referred to in the link above, that also discusses celiac disease and oats. Just Control f, and type oats.
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/96/2/337.full
And there are other issues regarding quinoa reported online on several websites, not about just one brand.
It is wise if you have a strong negative reaction to any food, to have a consultation with a qualified medical specialist. See the email reply above this one. 

Email Reply: Flower waters and food

For food use, all I have seen are preserved with a dated shelf life (which is for unopened bottles only). Opened bottled water has a shelf life of 2 weeks or so, if kept refrigerated. They are regulated under food safety laws, e.g. http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/non-federally-registered/safe-food-production/guide/eng/1352824546303/1352824822033#s1-1-4
Flower waters and cosmetics? 
They are not regulated under food safety laws. Preservation is also necessary despite claims to the contrary. They cannot replace medicine!
Source: 2006 - http://www.naturalingredient.org/hydrosol_martin_watt.html#safety
See Also 2006 - Scroll down text to read "Possible microbiological dangers of hydrolysates or hydrolysats"
books.google.ca/books?id=rGQps
Bottom line: Do hydrosols for cosmetic use present contamination risks? Yes! Ask for microbiological purity testing evidence, and proceed with caution if you buy them. 

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Known Allergens in Cosmetics


Awareness of known allergens means easier identification of one in a product, and testing you for it, if a reaction occurs.

2014
"Contact reactions to lipsticks and other lipcare products"
http://dermnetnz.org/reactions/lipstick-reaction.html

alba cera (Cera alba) = beeswax

Interactions and cautions are included below.

2014
Natural Standard: Propolis - Propolis is in alphabet listings
Grade C - "C (Unclear or Conflicting  Scientific Evidence)" = unproven effectiveness

2014
Natural Standard: Beeswax - Beeswax is in aplhabet listings
Grade C - "C (Unclear or Conflicting  Scientific Evidence)" = unproven effectiveness

Sunday, November 30, 2014

The Toxicity of Herbs and Oils: Pets - A Departure from My Usual Posts for Those Who Have Pets


Neem oil: animals
I knew toxicity existed for neem (aka: margosa, Azadirachta indica, A. indica) oil and mice from the research I had previously done for the post below this one, 2008 http://medind.nic.in/ibv/t08/i1/ibvt08i1p56.pdf, . However, it is not the only one, and mice are not the only animals affected.

Bold and color added to text by me.

2018
"Cats..Essential Oils"
https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/documents/cats-and-essential-oils
"lack..information..many essential oils on..health..pets..reported cases..harm..death..Dogs..also susceptible..cats..much more so..Eucalyptus..Rose..Rosemary..Avoid..use..oils on..lists pending further research" https://twitter.com/ktanimara/status/1074440898212057088

2018
"Neem" 
"Azadirachta indica A...Neem..margosa..Arishtha..Praneem..inadequate clinical trials to support specific therapeutic doses..safety and efficacy in pregnancy..lactation is lacking. Avoid use..Severe poisoning in infants..reported." https://twitter.com/ktanimara/status/1067472752288780288

2014
"ESSENTIAL, 'HERBAL', OIL POISONING", color and bolding added by me Note: the link is not currently on that server.
"Essential Oils, volatile oils extracted from plants ... components of 'herbal' medicines such as flea or tick treatments or other products can be toxic in dogs and/or cats. Melaleuca (Tea Tree) Oil, Neem (Margosa) Oil, Pennyroyal Oil, Potpourri Oil, Pine Oil, Peppermint Oil, Cinnamon Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Clove Oil, Thyme Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Rosemary Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, and d-Limonene have been in products associated with signs of toxicity."

2012. from the link above "Retrospective study from 2006 to 2008."
"Adverse reactions from essential oil-containing natural flea products exempted from Environmental Protection Agency regulations in dogs and cats", color and bolding added by me
"Dogs and cats can experience significant adverse effects when exposed to plant-derived flea preventatives even when used according to label directions.

"Essential Oil and Liquid Potpourri Toxicity in Dogs and Cats", color and bolding added by me
"Essential oils are the concentrated liquids (volatile organic compounds) of plants. ... use in aromatherapy ... alternative medicine ... in cleaning products, food and drink flavorings, herbal remedies, ... personal care products ... Many liquid potpourri products and essential oils, including oil of cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, tea tree (melaleuca), wintergreen, and ylang ylang, are poisonous ... Both ingestion and skin exposure can be toxic. ... Essential oils and liquid potpourris contain chemicals ... rapidly absorbed orally or through the skin. Many of these chemicals are metabolized through the liver. ... cats lack some of the enzymes necessary to effectively metabolize these chemicals. ... can also irritate or burn the skin and mouth. ... Only a couple of licks or a small amount on the skin could be harmful."

2014
"Understanding the toxicity of lilies
http://aercmn.com/blog/posts/understanding-the-toxicity-of-lilies/#.Vq-maumFQ9Q.twitter 
"many common lilies are extremely toxic to cats ... All parts of the plant are toxic ... leaves, stems, pollen" 

I have seen raw garlic recommended online for flea and tick control - Toxic!
2013
"Hidden Dangers in the Kitchen: Common Foods Toxic to Dogs and Cats"
http://www.vetfolio.com/toxicology/hidden-dangers-in-the-kitchen-common-foods-toxic-to-dogs-and-cats 
"Most cases of toxicosis are attributed to a single episode of accidental ingestion of raw onion or feeding of foods containing onions or garlic."

2001
"Herbal and Other Natural Products Pose Intoxication Risks to Pets"

Email Reply: Reports online neem oil, pets
I found this among others like it when I decided to research neem oil and pets. 
https://www.amazon.com/review/RFWWC4IGYD8IM/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt/175-8014626-5235322#RFWWC4IGYD8IM

Monday, November 24, 2014

Neem Oil (Margosa Oil) Safety and Uses


I will be adding to this post.

Neem, 2018 
"inadequate clinical trials to support specific therapeutic doses … poisoning … infants … oral … oil … seizures, coma, hepatoencephalopathy, and death … Management of poisoning … largely symptomatic … no specific antidote available"

hepatic encephalopathy
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000302.htm
"Loss of brain function occurs when the liver is unable to remove toxins from the blood … Causes … include … Poisoning by different toxins or medicines"


2014
"Neem Oil Poisoning as a Cause of Toxic Encephalopathy in an Infant"
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12098-013-1327-x/fulltext.html
"Poisoning is usually accidental by nasal or oral administered to infants and children for cough and cold, pain abdomen, and deworming; or rarely suicidal ... Even small doses can cause toxicity include vomiting, drowsiness, generalized seizures, coma, and severe metabolic acidosis especially in infants and young children ... Prognosis is usually good, however, delayed milestones, long term neurodeficits, recurrent seizures, abnormal ... (EEG), and deaths have been observed ... Since neem oil is commonly used as traditional medicine in India, its poisoning is not uncommon. ... pediatricians should be aware of this condition and public should be educated regarding the safe use of neem oil."

The bolding and color of text in all quotes is by me. The information speaks for itself. These are not studies. They are case reports. The information in this post is not new in that references of other case reports go back years! The question is Why is neem oil still being promoted with no cautions as if there are none? The short answer is it is not as profitable to include them. For those who promote health fraud, the lack of cautions does not surprise me in the least. They buy fake followers, reviews, and comments to stoke their ego, and further their agenda (sales), with no regard for consumers. However, they cannot buy credibility, and it cannot be faked. Credibility comes with reputable evidence, which they cannot produce about what they promote because it does not exist. It is also being reported in scientific literature, that within alternative therapy communities there is a lack of or underreporting of adverse events, that are nonetheless observed! 


2014

"A rare case of toxic optic neuropathy secondary to consumption of neem oil", Full text
http://www.ijo.in/article.asp?issn=0301-4738;year=2014;volume=62;issue=3;spage=337;epage=339;aulast=Suresha

2013

"A Systematic Review of the Reporting of Adverse Events Associated With Medical Herb Use Among Children"
"There is considerable need for improvement in reporting adverse events in children following herb use."

2013

"Neem oil poisoning: Case report of an adult with toxic encephalopathy", Full text
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3841499/

2013

Neem oil
"Herbal remedy is natural and safe"--truth or myth?"
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24974507
MYTH!

2013

"Hepatotoxic Botanicals - An Evidence-based Systematic Review", Under Margosa oil
http://ejournals.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/JPPS/article/viewFile/17973/15135
"The hepatotoxicity of herbs was extensively acknowledged. ... Further scientific studies with high and good quality are needed to identify toxic compounds and understand the exact mechanism of hepatotoxicity-induced by herbs."
Table 1 lists the botanicals discussed in detail, Pages 402-404. Just: control f, type 402, and hit enter to access it quickly (you have to scroll up a bit to start at the Table beginning). A control f keyword or number search is a great way to find, or check if something you are looking for is in a long document. If what you are looking for is in the document more than once, hitting enter repeatedly will take you to all locations.


2012
"MARGOSA (NEEM) OIL POISONING"
"The easy availability of margosa oil and its promotion without proper warning of these life threatening side effects warrant legislative measures and active awareness. This is a potentially toxic chemical and should be used with vigilance." Amen to that!

2008
"Neem Oil Poisoning" - reference #6 in above link and heartbreaking!, Full text
http://medind.nic.in/ibv/t08/i1/ibvt08i1p56.pdf
"Exact toxicity level doses for humans are not known."

2015 - regarding skin, scalp issues - neem - STILL unproven effectiveness, and safety - neem aka Azadirachta indica, A. indica

"Antifungal activity by ethanolic extracts of medicinal plants against Malassezia furfur: A potential application in the treatment of Dandruff", color and bolding added by me
"Dandruff is one of the most afflicting problem confronted in healthcare and cosmetics. Malassezia sp. is an opportunistic pathogen on the normal skin flora which is a causative of dandruff under unfavourable conditions. Traditionally dandruff is treated using a large number of medicinal herbs but the complete cure is far from reach. The present investigation dealt with study of the potentiality of Evolvulus alsinoides, Lawsonia inermis, Hibiscus rosasinensis, Azadirachta indica and Murraya koenigii against Malassezia furfur. ... The work was also emphasized in determining the minimum fungicidal concentration of each plant extracts against Malassezia sp. to know the efficiency of the herbs in treating dandruff. The results obtained were promising that it would help in formulating a polyherbal mixture to treat dandruff and enrich hair growth." = UNPROVEN
Related
Neem, curry leaf extracts, against selected bacteria and fungus, also 2015, color and bolding added by me
"further studies need to be done ... for the fungal pathogen ... all 3 extracts of A. indica were ineffective"

When it comes to product safety BOTH short-term AND long-term safety data needs to be compiled, and confirmed - NOT just what was observed in one short study! For example, probiotics "the data on safety, particularly long-term safety, are limited", 2016, 

Natural Standard - neem oil uses - All grade C: "Unclear scientific evidence for this use" = UNPROVEN EFFECTIVENESS!

2011 
http://www.davidsnaturalmarket.com/ns/DisplayMonograph.asp?storeID=cf1d83c59a914deeb1f49f78c9be5747&DocID=bottomline-neem#EVIDENCETABLE