The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to buy or eat three red yeast rice products promoted and sold on Web sites. The products may contain an unauthorized drug that could be harmful to health. The products are promoted as dietary supplements for treating high cholesterol.

The potentially harmful products are: Red Yeast Rice and Red Yeast Rice/Policosonal Complex, sold by Swanson Healthcare Products, Inc. and manufactured by Nature’s Value Inc. and Kabco Inc., respectively; and Cholestrix, sold by Sunburst Biorganics. FDA testing revealed the products contain lovastatin, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Mevacor, a prescription drug approved for marketing in the United States as a treatment for high cholesterol.

“This risk is even more serious because consumers may not know the side effects associated with lovastatin and the fact that it can adversely interact with other medications,” said Steven Galson, M.D., M.P.H., director of FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

These red yeast rice products are a threat to health because the possibility exists that lovastatin can cause severe muscle problems leading to kidney impairment. This risk is greater in patients who take higher doses of lovastatin or who take lovastatin and other medicines that increase the risk of muscle adverse reactions. These medicines include the antidepressant nefazodone, certain antibiotics, drugs used to treat fungal infections and HIV infections, and other cholesterol-lowering medications.

FDA has issued warning letters advising Swanson and Sunburst Biorganics to stop promoting and selling the products. Companies that do not resolve violations in FDA warning letters risk enforcement actions, such as an injunction against continuing violations and a seizure of illegal products.

The FDA warning letters state that the products Red Yeast Rice, Red Yeast Rice/Policosonal Complex, and Cholestrix, sold on the firm’s websites, are unapproved new drugs that are marketed in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The warning letters are available on FDA’s Web site: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/wlcfm/recentfiles.cfm.

FDA advises consumers who use any red yeast rice product to consult their health care provider if they experience problems that may be due to the product.

http://www.fda.gov

By way of The Healthy Holistic Living Blog

Even low levels of weekly exercise drive down blood pressure and boost overall fitness, suggests a small study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

To stave off ill health, adults are currently recommended to indulge in 30 minutes of moderately strenuous exercise on at least five days of the week.

But few people meet these recommendations, with lack of time cited as the most common reason for failing to do so.

The study authors invited 106 healthy but sedentary civil servants between the ages of 40 and 60 to take part in an exercise programme for 12 weeks. Some 44 people were randomly assigned to 30 minutes of brisk walking on five days of the week. A further 42 were given the same programme, but for three days of the week. And the remainder were not asked to change their current lifestyle.

Pedometers were used to help participants monitor their walking and every participant recorded how long they walked for.

Blood pressure, blood cholesterol, weight, hip and waist girth, and overall fitness (functional capacity) were all measured at the start and finish of the 12 week study. Most people (89%) lasted the course.

There were no changes in any of the measures among the non-walkers. But systolic blood pressure and waist and hip girth fell significantly in both groups of walkers. Overall fitness also increased in the walkers.

Falls of a few mm in blood pressure and shrinkage of a few centimetres in hip and waist circumference are enough to make a difference to an individual’s risk of dying from a cardiovascular disease, say the authors. Furthermore, the findings show that moderate intensity physical exercise below the recommended weekly levels still makes a difference to health, they add.

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by BMJ-British Medical Journal.

By way of The Healthy Holistic Living Blog

Staying healthy in today’s world is becoming increasingly hard. We are faced with pollution, preservatives and new strains of disease that we had never seen before. I hate to sound like a pessimist but staying healthy has never been more important.

Digesting the right nutritional supplements will give you piece of mind and keep you healthy. Anti aging oxygen therapy also is a great way to stay healthy.There is no debate behind the potential benefits of using an antioxidant rich nutritional supplement. If you have not heard of allicin then you have been missing a key element in the fight against bacteria.

Allicin comes from garlic extracts and is considered on one the most potent antibacterial agents. There is an amazing product called Alligin that contains a true amount of allicin, which is not common in nutritional supplements. For more information on this nutritional supplement, visit www.oxygenmiracles.org

By way of Health Benefits of Antioxidants

In a movie "Sunday Bloody Sunday", made many years ago, there is a scene of a young woman, dumped by her boyfriend, crying and eating a pan of oven hot brownies. She is so desperate to eat them that she burns her fingers scooping them out of the pan and as she eats, her tears fall onto the uneaten portion.

Although people who never need to eat when upset might find her activities bizarre, the rest of us who have reached for food when stressed will understand her behavior perfectly. We know, from our own experience, that soon she will feel a little better. The boyfriend may not come back but she will begin to cope and as the movie goes on, that is exactly what she does.

It is interesting that in this movie scene and in countless novels dealing with people eating when dealing with stress, the foods consumed are always carbohydrates: a plate of pasta, bowl of mashed potatoes, a pizza or bread and jelly or a handful of cereal. The carbohydrates may contain a lot of fat. Ice cream is a popular choice as is chocolate. But whether the food is high or low in fat, its main ingredient is starch, sugar or a combination. People in emotional extremis do not reach for Brussels sprouts, tofu, cottage cheese or egg white omelets. Nor do they throw a steak on a grill or open a can of tuna fish.

When comfort is needed, comfort foods are eaten. And comfort foods mean carbohydrates. The reason for this goes beyond the fact that the taste of chocolate is probably more appealing than the taste of cottage cheese or Brussels sprouts. Taste really is irrelevant although it might play a role in deciding to eat dark rather than milk chocolate or choosing a flavor of ice cream.

The fundamental reason carbohydrates have earned the designation "comfort foods" is that they really do comfort. If Brussels sprouts or a grilled steak had the same impact on our mood as carbs, then no doubt we would see the heroine of the movie digging into a plate of cooked sprouts or lighting up the grill when boyfriend leaves the apartment.

Carbohydrates comfort because when they are eaten the brain makes serotonin. Serotonin is the chemical in our brain that restores our emotional well-being. Stress of any kind takes its toll on serotonin and leaves us feeling sad, anxious, angry, overwhelmed and even extremely tired. When serotonin is increased, these feelings diminish and may go away entirely. They are replaced by feelings of calmness, ability to cope, energy and focus. Serotonin won’t make the cause of the stress go away but allows us to deal with it.

Of course the problem of eating one’s way through missing boyfriends, audits from the IRS, teenage children, exams, and unexpected visitors is consuming too many calories. There is no pill to take to increase serotonin (antidepressants simply make the serotonin in the brain more active, they do not increase the amount). And the foods traditionally associated with diets such as vegetables, fruit and lean protein do not allow any serotonin to be made.

Fortunately carbohydrates can both comfort and fit into a diet plan. Brownies, ice cream, chocolate, cookies, pizza and other carbohydrates with high fat contents have to be avoided because they do contain too many calories. But any carbohydrate that has only tiny amounts of fat or none at all will serve to make new serotonin. A sweet potato for example, or a bowl of rice, cup of oatmeal or cinnamon toast and jam are excellent comfort foods. Because they contain little or no fat they are rapidly digested and serotonin is made quickly. Not only will this new serotonin bring about a feeling of tranquility, it will also shut off any additional eating. And that is a comfort in itself.

By way of Passion for Health

Many of us use health supplements to enhance our health and make up for deficiencies in our body. I do not believe in artificial vitamins and those made from abnormal or inorganic substances. It is important to follow a healthy daily eating regimen and consult a doctor to determine the chemical deficiencies in our bodies. I also know of many who buy supplements online and infact some online stores such as shopping.com allows the consumer to shop and compare vitamins and supplements from various merchants, as well as make a comparison on prices. Consumers may also read about reviews from the merchant stores.

Whenever buying supplements, always read the product information carefully and understand the roles of different vitamins and its functions before making any purchase.

By way of Live Life… Organics & Your Health.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued a suite of Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) for ginkgo biloba, one of the most popular dietary supplements in the marketplace, with annual worldwide sales estimated at $1 billion.

The NIST reference materials are designed to help researchers validate the accuracy of analytical methods for flavonoids and terpene lactones (plant constituents that may be associated with the perceived effectiveness of ginkgo) as well as toxic elements in ginkgo*. In addition to supporting measurements associated with clinical trials or verifying product label claims, the reference materials also can be used by dietary supplement manufacturers to improve product consistency.

The fruits and seeds of the female ginkgo are used for a variety of purposes in traditional Chinese medicine. In the West, dietary supplements are more commonly formulated from ginkgo leaves and standardized leaf extracts. They are used in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, fatigue and tinnitus (ringing in the ears); for memory improvement and for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, although these uses have not been backed by rigorous clinical trials.

Ginkgo biloba contains a family of chemical constituents known as ginkgolides which have been associated with reduced platelet aggregation. The National Institute of Health’s (NIH) National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) notes promising results in a number of areas, but says “larger, well-designed research studies are needed.”

The new ginkgo reference materials include: SRM 3246 Ginkgo biloba (leaves); SRM 3247 Ginkgo biloba Extract; and SRM 3248 Ginkgo-Containing Tablets. In addition, the three ginkgo SRMs are available packaged together as SRM 3249. The reference materials come with certified values for five terpene lactones, three flavonoid aglycones and four potentially toxic trace elements (arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury).

The goal of NIST’s ongoing effort with dietary supplements such as ginkgo biloba is to provide tools to the dietary supplement industry and measurement communities that will lead to improved quality of dietary supplements and the studies of their efficacy, as well as to ultimately reduce public health risks that could potentially be associated with the use of these products.

Support for the development of the gingko-related SRMs was provided in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER).

* C.A. Rimmer, S.B. Howerton, K.E. Sharpless, L.C. Sander, S.E. Long, K.E. Murphy, B.J. Porter, K. Putzbach, M.S. Rearick, S.A. Wise, L.J. Wood, R. Zeisler, D.K. Hancock, J.H. Yen, J.M. Betz, A.N. Pho, L. Yang, C. Scriver, S. Willie, R. Sturgeon, B. Schaneberg, C. Nelson, J. Skamarack, M. Pan, K. Levanseler, D. Gray, E.H. Waysek, A. Blatter and E. Reich. Characterization of a suite of ginkgo-containing standard reference materials. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. Published online: 7 July 2007. DOI 10.1007/s00216-007-1398-5.

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by National Institute of Standards and Technology.

By way of The Healthy Holistic Living Blog

Does size matter? To a certain extent, it does. It’s not because you can’t fit into that Size 8 dress or look great in the latest hipster jeans, so being overweight is not just about your physical looks but it concerns your health. Over the years, we have heard much about the health risks of being overweight and obesity. Not only will it increase the risks of heart attack, it can cause cardiovascular disease, cancer, gallstones, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and a host of other ailments.

If you are concerned about weight loss issues and how it can affect your health, I’ll like to point you to LookCut.com, a weight loss portal that focuses on your total fitness and health. At LookCut, you find informative articles and resources focusing on how nutrition, diets, health supplements, fitness and your lifestyle can affect your weight loss goals. Do you know that sleep deprivation can slow down your weight loss plans? According to an article, sleep deprivation can affect your blood sugar regulations, encourage more eating and thus, promote weight gain. The webstore offers health supplements and products that promote wellness, health and longevity, fat burning, strength and muscle building.

So don’t just think about short term weight loss but focus on building your health and fitness levels, which ultimately lead to long term results that last.

By way of Live Life… Organics & Your Health.

In the last few months, I have heard so much about shopping with coupons and the savings and perks that come along with coupon deals. So I decided to go hunting for some organic products coupon codes. Unlike most coupon sites, DealLocker.com is a cool one that makes searching for your desired coupons so easy.

Upon landing on the home page, I entered the keyword ‘organic’ and coupons for dozens of relevant stores appeared. After looking through the list, I was glad to find a few organic stores including Gaiam, The Green Loop, Our Green House, Homemade Baby and many more! Among these, I took a closer look at Gaiam, which happened to one of my favourites.

For those of you who have heard of Gaiam, I like their range of organic cotton clothing, particularly the activewear and casual wear. One of Gaiam coupons offer a 15% off all purchases with no minimum which sounds like a real deal for those Gaiam fans or organic apparel advocates. Gaiam online store also offers a complete range of fitness and health products including exercise balls, yoga tools, kids yoga products, household products, air purifiers, organic skincare and healthcare…etc. Another of Gaiam coupon that works for most people offers a $25 off $150, expiring 31 Dec 2007.

What I like about DealLocker.com is that it will show coupons that work for most people, based on real shoppers’ votes and ratings. If you can’t locate the coupon codes for the store you are looking for, you can then click on ‘All Coupons’ where you will find coupons that work for ’some’ people or have expired. And if you stumble upon a good coupon deal, you can also recommend and share it on the website. Another great feature is that you can view other coupons that are related to your search on the same page and this helps to widen your shopping options. Along the way, you may find other good coupon deals that may interest you.

For those who don’t want to miss any fantastic coupon deals, update yourself with articles and news posted on the blog and be a savvy shopper. With tens of thousands of coupons in almost any category under the sun, you are spoilt for choices at these thousands of stores! So next time, do a search at DealLocker.com before buying that organic clothing or skincare product, the savings from these free online coupons may help you stretch your dollar.

By way of Live Life… Organics & Your Health.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued a suite of Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) for ginkgo biloba, one of the most popular dietary supplements in the marketplace, with annual worldwide sales estimated at $1 billion.

The NIST reference materials are designed to help researchers validate the accuracy of analytical methods for flavonoids and terpene lactones (plant constituents that may be associated with the perceived effectiveness of ginkgo) as well as toxic elements in ginkgo*. In addition to supporting measurements associated with clinical trials or verifying product label claims, the reference materials also can be used by dietary supplement manufacturers to improve product consistency.

The fruits and seeds of the female ginkgo are used for a variety of purposes in traditional Chinese medicine. In the West, dietary supplements are more commonly formulated from ginkgo leaves and standardized leaf extracts. They are used in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, fatigue and tinnitus (ringing in the ears); for memory improvement and for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, although these uses have not been backed by rigorous clinical trials. Ginkgo biloba contains a family of chemical constituents known as ginkgolides which have been associated with reduced platelet aggregation. The National Institute of Health’s (NIH) National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) notes promising results in a number of areas, but says “larger, well-designed research studies are needed.”

The new ginkgo reference materials include: SRM 3246 Ginkgo biloba (leaves); SRM 3247 Ginkgo biloba Extract; and SRM 3248 Ginkgo-Containing Tablets. In addition, the three ginkgo SRMs are available packaged together as SRM 3249. The reference materials come with certified values for five terpene lactones, three flavonoid aglycones and four potentially toxic trace elements (arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury).

The goal of NIST’s ongoing effort with dietary supplements such as ginkgo biloba is to provide tools to the dietary supplement industry and measurement communities that will lead to improved quality of dietary supplements and the studies of their efficacy, as well as to ultimately reduce public health risks that could potentially be associated with the use of these products.

Support for the development of the gingko-related SRMs was provided in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER).

For more information, see this PDF file.

* C.A. Rimmer, S.B. Howerton, K.E. Sharpless, L.C. Sander, S.E. Long, K.E. Murphy, B.J. Porter, K. Putzbach, M.S. Rearick, S.A. Wise, L.J. Wood, R. Zeisler, D.K. Hancock, J.H. Yen, J.M. Betz, A.N. Pho, L. Yang, C. Scriver, S. Willie, R. Sturgeon, B. Schaneberg, C. Nelson, J. Skamarack, M. Pan, K. Levanseler, D. Gray, E.H. Waysek, A. Blatter and E. Reich. Characterization of a suite of ginkgo-containing standard reference materials. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. Published online: 7 July 2007. DOI 10.1007/s00216-007-1398-5.

Source: John Blair
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

By way of The Healthy Holistic Living Blog