End of 2008 eBlast from Alliance for Natural Health

23rd December 2008

2008 has been a year in which most people concerned over threats to natural health, be it the consumption of wholesome organic foods, the use of high dose vitamins, herbal products or the continuation of the great and ancient traditional medinal cultures like Ayurveda or Traditional Chinese Medicine, have realised that international collaboration and joined-up strategies are key.  Globalisation is the name of the game when it comes to those interests that oppose natural health in favour of pharmaceutical-based or allopathic approaches, so we need to respond, using the resources at our disposal, as efficiently as possible.

Some have likened it to a David and Goliath battle.  We often see it as a two-fold strategy that involves working to create the legal and scientific framework for natural health, while at the same time firing tactical torpedoes at the most sensitive parts of the machine that opposes natural health.  This machine appears in many forms, and includes rabid skeptic scientists and doctors, significant parts (but by no means all) of the orthodox medical profession, all of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies and sectors of government that are often closely aligned to the pharmaceutical industry.

The most powerful weapons we have, in our view, need to be deeply rational and need to have a strong scientific and legal base.  They need to encompass the principles of sustainability. Above all, they need to make common sense.  Trying to fight chronic diseases using pharmaceutical drugs, rather than lifestyle-based and nutritional approaches, doesn't make sense. The same could be said for using anti-retroviral drugs against HIV/AIDS as the primary approach.

2009 is a year where the stakes will be raised even higher.  The European Commission is now hinting at a much stronger assault against high dose vitamins and minerals in Europe than many had thought, and ANH is preparing a strong case to the European Commission and the European Food Safety Authority which will be submitted in January.  But there are challenges everywhere—with the decisions that will be taken in Europe, Canada, the USA and New Zealand—having a great impact on other parts of the world where regulatory regimes affecting natural health are becoming increasingly, and disproportionately, stringent.  These decisions will also greatly affect the many facets of the international food guideline and standard system of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Apart from the last news and features from 2008, that you'll find below, we very much look forward to keeping you appraised of developments in the ANH next year.  We also want to thank those of you who have helped us in our work this year—we are truly grateful for your support. Without it, we cannot function, and with more support, we can have greater impact.

Seasons greetings from the ANH Core Team—and the very best wishes for the New Year!

ANH Feature: Focus on Ayurveda – Part 1

Read Part 1 of the ANH's feature taking in the visit to Varanasi as part of its information gathering, network strengthening tour of India. This forms an integral part of ANH's ongoing campaign to nurture traditional medicinal cultures and prevent their fragmentation through the needless ignorance of regulators.

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ANH Review: EFSA—are you trying to poison us?

EFSA, the supreme authority on food safety in Europe has just handed down a controversial opinion green-lighting calcium fluoride in "food supplements". Given EFSA's typically precautionary approach on valuable nutrients, some of which are in the process of being banned, the ANH was forced to carry out an in-depth review of EFSA's decision.

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UK County Council rejects proposal to mass fluoridate water supply

Read how the UK County Council of Hampshire's Scrutiny Commitee have voted against mass fluoridation of the county's water supply, despite pressure from government bodies.

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ANH Feature: St John’s Wort works as well as drugs – with far fewer side-effects

A recent Cochrane review of 29 trials, covering 5489 patients, concluded that the St John’s Wort extracts tested "...are superior to placebo in patients with major depression". No wonder this innocent herb has been banned as a food supplement in some EU Member States. It is quite clearly too effective for its own good!

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