Science versus Politics

You are a Champion!

Quality science versus the politicians in the war on Obesity:

America has a serious obesity problem and Ph.D’s in Nutrition have been fighting an uphill battle for years. Over the years there have been several ephedra studies with similar conclusions to the above study.

Study Conclusion:

“A dietary supplement containing a low potency ephedra/caffeine mixture appeared safe and effective in causing loss of weight and body fat, and improving several metabolic parameters, including insulin sensitivity and lipid profiles when tested under physician supervision. Such supplements could be a useful tool to assist with weight loss.”

Of course, thousands of people already knew this because (like me) they used the particular product in this study for years. In fact, the herb ephedra has had documented use for well over 5,000 years. We admit that this product is not for everybody but how did this quality product go from warning labels to being completely banned?

Short History:

The conflict is long and the story is involved but the end of ephedra involved the media hype surrounding the death of a Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler. While thousands of people have used various low dose ephedra products without incident for years, and various companies have made millions of dollars from the sell of these products, the only company (in the fragmented Nutrition Industry) that would continue to fight the FDA decision in court was a Utah based company named Nutraceutical Corp. with the assistance of attorney Jonathan Emord. While they won in the lower courts they could not win the FDA appeal or get a hearing before the Supreme Court. The suit contended that the FDA would not follow the laws passed by Congress (the major reason for the suit). Also, the FDA was charged as being inconsistent in its application because ephedra can still be obtained in tea bags, and synthetic drugs with some similar properties (cold medicines) can be obtained over-the-counter without prescription.

The FDA and the powerful House Committee on Energy and Commerce, under the chairmanship of Billy Tauzin Rep. 3rd Louisiana Congressional District, seized upon the Bechler moment to kill ephedra with its hearings. “This powerful committee is arguably the broadest (non-tax-oriented) jurisdiction of any Congressional committee.”

The rest of the story: “On January 3, 2005, the same day he left Congress, Tauzin began work as the head of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, a powerful trade group for pharmaceutical companies…. He is represented as the one single factor that has prevented the United States of America from adopting a publicly funded health care system for all (according to Wikipedia).”

Is ephedra/caffeine dead from now on? Scientist in major Universities know how very effective ephedra/caffeine is for sustained energy and weight management. Not only have they studied this they have thousands of testimonies of people who have used the products over a long period of time (outside of formal studies). And so, they need not be convinced and we suspect they will continue to have their influence. On the other hand, the unorganized Nutrition Industry cannot hope to have the influence and associations developed in congress by powerful interest groups and lobbyist for decades. Many consumers were outraged at the ephedra hearings, even to this day, but it takes more than outrage. Perhaps one day ephedra will get its day in court. Certainly this is a Constitutional issue regarding the basic freedoms and rights of citizens in a non socialist capitalist society.

While the Nutrition Industry is supported by the science it doesn’t have the funding to overcome powerful lobby groups, controlled (for profit) media, and fee based political government associations. Of course the industry (like the food industry) should continue to be monitored to insure safe and quality products. Americans, that believe in the freedom provided by the Constitution, will have to organize to get the scientific arm of government uncontrolled by the agenda of their political bosses and powerful special interest groups with large advertising budgets.