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Letter to Editor
New York Times
To the Editor:
Mr. Hurley’s essay contains inaccuracies and misleading information.
He overstates the number of adverse events related to dietary supplements at the national poison control center, incorrectly inferring that all reports (exposures) are poisonings -- a conclusion that cannot be drawn from this database.
He discounts the benefits of the clinically-documented herbal supplements black cohosh, saw palmetto and St. John’s wort, simply due to the negative outcomes in one high-profile, government-funded trial for each -- trials which are inconsistent with the majority of published studies supporting their safety and efficacy. He failed to mention that the glucosamine-chondroitin trial did show significant benefit for patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis, those in greatest need for relief.
Dietary supplements provide significant value in helping to maintain wellness, prevent disease, and treat medical conditions. Their benefits must be evaluated rationally, based on the totality of the historical, scientific and clinical evidence, not one negative study.
Sincerely,
Mark Blumenthal
Founder and Executive Director
American Botanical Council
Editor, HerbalGram
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