Tag: FDA (Page 4 of 6)

Antibiotic Use in Livestock Coming Under Scrutiny

January 9, 2012 / Staff

The Food and Drug Administration is calling for restrictions in use of antibiotics in animals.

Crowded and filthy conditions call for the use of the drugs to prevent illness in the animals which could be passed on to humans.

However, it seems that the antibiotics are indeed being passed on to humans and helping to create super-bugs which are becoming increasingly drug resistant.

Some 80 percent of antibiotic drugs in the United States were sold for use in food animals, according to the FDA. Many of those are used to help animals grow faster and prevent infections from breaking out on big farms. Today’s announcement on cephalosporins doesn’t affect those antibiotics in feed.
Still, the more the cephalosporins are used, the greater the chances that they will stop working because bacteria can become resistant to them.

Quality Control

antibiotic use in farm animals antibiotics drug resistant bacteria factory farms FDA Food and Drug Administration

The HCG Weight loss Miracle is Illegal says the FDA

December 6, 2011 / Staff

Over the counter HCG weight loss products have caused a sensation yet have not been proven either safe or effective by the FDA.

The startling and drastic weight loss experienced by users have caused high demand for the products which are selling on-line and in drug stores. The manufacturing of these products, however, are not regulated by any public health governing body.

“These HCG products marketed over-the-counter are unproven to help with weight loss and are potentially dangerous even if taken as directed,” said Ilisa Bernstein, acting director of the Office of Compliance in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “And a very low-calorie diet should only be used under proper medical supervision.”
The FDA says people on such diets have an increased risk of heart arrhythmia’s, electrolyte imbalance and gallstones. Currently no HCG products for weight loss have been approved by the agency.

Quality Control, Research, Wellness

diets fad diets FDA FDA on new drugs HCG HCG weight loss public health public safety

Ersatz Chicken Cause Illness

December 6, 2011 / Staff

Imitation meat products cause allergic reaction and illness but not any more so than soy products, nuts, shellfish dairy or eggs.

The FDA has stepped in, however, has found no reason extend warnings against Quorn.

Quorn products, sold at popular grocery chains including Whole Foods, come in the shape of artificial “Chik’n” patties or nuggets – or even cylindrical beef approximations or turkey “roasts.” The main ingredient is a so-called mycoprotein — protein extracted from a microscopic fungus. Quorn has sparked a yum or eww debate among vegetarians since it hit the U.S. market nearly a decade ago.

It is best to keep in mind that imitation anything is usually filled with preservatives, and artificial colors and flavors therefore raising the chances of having and adverse reaction to something in the preparation

Nutrition, Quality Control

FDA food allergies fungus imitation meat meat substitute Quorn Quorn Chick'n

An Effective Drug for Effortless Weight loss?

November 10, 2011 / Staff

A weight loss pill which generates results in without any effort is a dream come true, for many.

Although the trials have been successful in monkeys it still needs to be tested on humans.
The researchers, headed by the husband and wife team Wadih Arap and Renata Pasqualini, have been working on the project for years. In 2004 the research team proved the drug could bring substantial weight loss in mice. Now, after the highly successful results in monkeys, they have applied for FDA approval to begin trials in people, possibly within a year.

The “couch potato” weight loss pill could be on the way.

Nutrition, Quality Control, Research, Wellness

diet drugs for weight loss FDA FDA new drugs Nutrition obesity pharmaceuticals weight loss weight loss pill

The Science of Beauty

November 5, 2011 / Staff

The beauty quotient continues to expand making even brown eyes a condition to be fixed according to pharmaceutical companies.

The “lifestyle” drug market — which was estimated to surpass $29 billion in 2007 — pits problems of a social or cosmetic nature against conditions threatening physical health or well-being.

In a world where baldness and frown lines are medical conditions to be cured the boundaries of real illness and self improvement have become quite blurred.

“The debate is often framed here between treatment and enhancement,” said Dr. Joel Lexchin, a professor of health policy and management at York University in Toronto. “They’re taking what is traditionally considered normal human variation and trying to homogenize the way people look. On an individual level, people can do probably whatever they want, but on a collective level, we have to think about whether producing drugs that enhance people is really the best use of our resources.”

Quality Control, Research, Resources, Wellness

Cosmetic drugs FDA lifestyle drugs pharmaceuticals