Doctors, nurses more likely to use supplements than prescriptions
National Enzyme News
Written by Bryan Scribner
Friday, 18 April 2008
Forty percent of doctors and 32 percent of nurses take no prescription medications while 72 percent and 89 percent, respectively, use vitamins, minerals, herbs or other supplements, according to the “Life…supplemented” Health Care Professionals Impact study.
The latest statistics from the Council for Responsible Nutrition’s wellness campaign were revealed in a mid-April story from Vitamin Retailer magazine. In late 2007, Enzyme Experts first reported on the study.
In addition to using supplements, 79 percent of physicians and 82 percent of nurses said they recommend them to patients.
What’s more, new results from the survey indicate most doctors and nurses engage in healthful lifestyle choices, with 82 percent and 87 percent eating balanced diets, according to Vitamin Retailer. Seventy-three percent of doctors exercise regularly, while 67 percent of nurses do the same.
Last Updated ( Friday, 18 April 2008 )
Consumption of refined carbs linked to cancer
National Enzyme News
Written by Bryan Scribner
Friday, 11 April 2008
Esophageal cancer has now been linked to intake of total and refined carbohydrates, according to an early April Reuters story.
On April 7, a story at Enzymes Work discussed the increasing prevalence of esophageal cancer in the U.S., which has been associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and a condition called Barrett’s esophagus. In the past 20 years, esophageal cancer has increased six-fold.
Now, researchers at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland assert that esophageal cancer is “strongly correlated” with carbohydrate consumption, Reuters reports. The study compared about 30 years of esophageal cancer data with food consumption patterns during the same period.
The story mentioned that GERD is linked to obesity and high carbohydrate intake. It also goes on to explain that refined carbohydrates with low nutrient levels, as opposed to those carbohydrates found in whole grains, were implicated in the study.
While it’s advisable to limit intake of refined carbohydrates, they sometimes cannot be avoided in our modern diets. Unfortunately, some people might have a tough time digesting carbohydrates.
Fortunately, WellZymes™ Carbohydrate Digestion contains a comprehensive blend of natural enzymes that aid in the digestion of carbohydrates, protein, fat and fiber. Specifically, Carbohydrate Digestion has greater amounts of digestive enzymes responsible for breaking down starch and fiber.
Also in the WellZymes™ line, Gastric Ease™ is formulated to promote thorough digestion of foods while it provides soothing herbs to help relieve symptoms of gastrointestinal irritation.
Prescription safety, FDA drug policy at forefront
National Enzyme News
Written by Bryan Scribner
Monday, 07 April 2008
Once again, prescription drugs are making headlines because they either carry the potential for dangerous side effects or are just plain ineffective.
The latest drug to fall into this category, Vytorin, failed to reduce the likelihood of heart disease in a clinical trial, according to a March 31 CBS/Associated Press story. Zetia, also for the treatment of high cholesterol, is a component of Vytorin.
The CBS story said drug makers waited for two years to release results of the study. Meanwhile, sales of the two drugs have added up to $5 billion.
A late March report in the Kansas City Star said the clinical trial showed the drugs might actually speed fatty plaque growth in arteries.
Late March and early April reports also mentioned other pharmaceuticals that have shown poor or dangerous results.
According to MSNBC:
Avandia, a diabetes drug, might increase heart attack risk;
Antidepressants might have no more of an affect than placebo;
And a drug used for breast cancer, Avastin, didn’t provide any benefit for overall survival.
The Washington Post reported:
Vioxx, a painkiller pulled off the market, increased the risk of heart attack and stroke;
Diabetes medication Rezulin was pulled because it caused liver problems;
And Baycol, for cholesterol, was withdrawn for causing muscle damage.
In addition, Novartis’ drug Zelnorm, for irritable bowel syndrome, in 2007 was linked to heart attack and stroke risk. The product is now available only to hospitalized patients or to those that have life-threatening illnesses, according to a Reuters story.
Drugs approved too quickly?
Research from Harvard, reported in the Washington Post story, indicates that drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration right before deadline were four to fives times more likely to later be withdrawn or carry with them significant safety warnings. The on-deadline drugs were compared with drugs that more quickly reached FDA approval.
The FDA deadline for drug approval is 10 months, according to the Post.
Another story from CNN mentioned the use of Vytorin and Zetia significantly increased in the U.S. when they were featured in a $200 million advertising campaign. Sales were four times lower in Canada, where drug ads aren’t allowed.
According to a recent Consumer Reports poll, 87% of respondents were in support of legislation that would mandate FDA contact information be placed on televised drug ads. Two members of Congress on April 2 urged the FDA to put such a policy in place, according to an early April story in the Los Angeles Times.
Consumers not likely to report dangerous side effects
The Consumer Reports poll found that of the 16% of respondents who said a drug side effect sent them to a doctor or hospital, only 35% were aware they could report their experience to the FDA, according to the Times.
Congress passed legislation at the end of 2007 that requires FDA contact information in print ads.
For natural, safe and effective support, there are several enzyme-based nutritional supplements that could serve as alternatives to sometimes risky pharmaceuticals.
WellZymes™ Cardiovascular Health provides herbs, nutrients and enzymes for maintaining healthy blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. From your health care practitioner, be sure to ask about BioSET™ Vascular Maintenance,™ which is indicated for high blood levels of cholesterol and/or triglycerides.
E-mail Bryan Scribner at
Last Updated ( Monday, 07 April 2008 )
Choose natural aids for irritable bowel syndrome
National Enzyme News
Written by Bryan Scribner
Friday, 04 April 2008
As drug maker Novartis announced in early April a voluntary restriction on its irritable bowel syndrome medication, other reports on the condition underscored the benefits of choosing natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals.
Novartis’ drug, Zelnorm, is now available only to hospitalized patients or to those that have life-threatening illnesses, according to a Reuters story. Although Novartis did not give a reason for the voluntary restriction, clinical trials in 2007 linked Zelnorm to heart attack and stroke risk.
Zelnorm is for IBS patients who suffer from constipation as their main symptom, Reuters reports.
In the April issue of alive, a Canadian health and wellness magazine, a feature on irritable bowel syndrome explains symptoms of the condition affect 20 percent of North American adults. The story claims an increased consumption of fiber, as well as probiotic bacteria, can help relieve constipation symptoms of IBS.
To get more fiber into the diet, be sure to ask your health care practitioner about BioSET™ Colon Fiber.™ Indicated for chronic constipation, Colon Fiber™ contains oat fiber, flaxseed and prune fiber.
The story in alive magazine reports the American Dietetic Association recommends 20 grams to 35 grams of fiber daily for adults.
In addition, Colon Fiber™ provides apple pectin, which might help protect against colon cancer, according to a late March story at nutraingredients.com.
In consumer and professional lines, Enzymes, Inc., provides probiotic products that help restore flora balance in the colon and inhibit potentially harmful tissue changes. WellZymes™ Colon Health contains a blend of more than 3 billion viable probiotic organisms.
*The information contained on this site is
not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice provided
by a physician or other healthcare professional. Readers are asked to consult
other sources as well as to obtain direct consultation with a physician when
making decisions about their health care.
