More and more food companies jumped on this trend of “functional” food. (Un)fortunately their marketing was much mor successful then the science backing up their health claims.

Now, after so many negative EFSA rulings, the “non-functional” food industry is blaming EFSA for being too strict, for requiring clinical studies and for applying a “pharmaceutical approach”.

Ups, we all thought that there actually was scientific evidence for industry claims. What kind of evidence ? Animal studies, cell cultures? Monographs on composition, health magazines ?

EFSA does not apply a pharma approach, but a scientific approach to check the efficacy of “functional food”. A scientific approach is also applied in the assessment of drugs, that is correct. Maybe this is rhe reason why industry blames EFSA for applying a ” pharma approach”, because both (drugs and fiunctional foods) require a scientific approach to find out of they work as claimed (?)

What’s wrong wwith that ?

For instance, some of the most exciting research is coming out on curcumin and vitamin D. Curcumin has been recently found to be beneficial to prevent and reverse the plaques of Alzheimer’s Disease:

According to researchers from UCLA School of Medicine, UC Riverside, and the Human BioMolecular Research Institute, a combination of vitamin D3 and curcumin may help clean-up the amyloid plaques of those with Alzheimer’s. In a newly published study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, researchers found that a combination of Vitamin D3 and curcumin stimulates some of the white blood cells, called macrophages, to engulf and digest the amyloid plaques in patients with Alzheimer’s.

Though this study presents a preliminary finding, it shows promise for an effective treatment for AD. It is estimated that by 2030 close to half the population in this country over 85 years of age will have AD. Therefore, any potentially effective treatment that is devoid of the side effects, typically in current treatments, must be vigorously studied further.

The cost savings for caring for the elderly, and the prevention of pain, suffering, and inconvenience for the patients and their families could be monumental.

So, for prevention of Alzheimer’s rather than waiting for more studies, most people should be using curcumin and vitamin D3 now! Curcumin is an antioxidant that has been determined to be safe, even with many medications, and has demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity. Vitamin D3 has been found to have a multitude of health benefits for every cell and system of the body. Thus, from a healthy-aging perspective, these two are beneficial anyway. Also, if anyone suffers from arthritis or other inflammation, curcumin is a safe and effective option.

Dr. Douglas Husbands, DC, CCN, ABAAHP
http://www.drhusbands.com

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Regulation/Court-rules-against-FTC-in-supplement-ad-case

“A US District Court has ruled against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and in favor of a supplements firm, in a landmark case that found FTC’s criticism of the company’s advertising was simply a “difference of opinion”.”

What I like about DSHEA is that it protects the individual consumer’s freedom of choice. I can research a company’s claim, and consult a healthcare professional, but in the end it’s my decision whether or not to take a supplement.

As probiotics, I have seen as many research results that have claimed an opposite conclusion. But, in general, I ask my doctor on most of these subjects as they come up and he simply says , with a few unique exceptions, eat less and focus on better balanced foods and diet.

To quote Marion “health claims are about marketing, not health”. It seems that we would be better off trusting the medical professionals to our health and should expect the advice from them, not from a multi-million dollar “for-profit” ad campaign, eh?

This post was mentioned on Twitter by nyusteinhardt: Europe rejects droves of health claims http://ff.im/-aYosw...

Here’s one study:
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/335/7610/80

“The July 14, 2007 issue of the British Medical Journal reported the conclusion of researchers at Imperial College and Hammersmith Hospital in London that consuming probiotic bacteria, such as are found in yogurt, kefir, and probiotic supplements, helps prevent diarrhea associated with antibiotic use.”

Probiotics assist immune function by inhibiting harmful bacterial growth, promoting good digestion, and maintaining proper pH.