Posted by Larry Hoover on November 25, 2004, at 6:34:20
In reply to Tryptophan was prescribed by my Pdoc, posted by jasmineneroli on November 12, 2004, at 0:08:28
> Hi Everyone:
> My Pdoc (I'm in Canada) prescribed L-Tryptophan for me, since I've had side effects to all classes of AD's that I've tried (2 SSRI's, SNRI, RIMA, Remeron). This is pharmaceutical grade tryptophan, made in Canada. I'm assuming that it maybe superior to any health food OTC brand. At least in terms of guaranteed content ("purity" & accurate amount, which is important for accurate dosing).
>
> My Pdoc believes it's more effective than 5htp, simply because it's a pharmaceutical grade. We had a very good discussion about alternate therapies. He thinks that many good (effective) substances, have not been given a true trial, and used as treatments by doctors, because so many of the OTC health food products have been shown to have huge variances in ACTUAL content (he cited St. John's Wort and 5htp). And the fillers used have actually prevented adequate absorption etc. Without a reliable, tested content, he maintains, most studies on their efficacy cannot be trusted.
>
> In other words, the 5htp that Mary has bought in Illinois, doesn't compare to the 5htp that Joe bought in Toronto.I just want you to know that's changing in Canada. New federal regulations governing Natural Health Products are gradually phasing in starting Jan. 2004. By the end of 2005, all manufacturers/suppliers of Canadian NHPs must employ "good manufacturing practices", which include the following rules about purity and content:
44. (1) Every natural health product available for sale shall comply with the specifications submitted in respect of that natural health product under paragraph 5(i) and with every change to those specifications made by the product licence holder.
(2) The specifications shall contain the following information:
(i) detailed information respecting the purity of the natural health product, including statements indicating its purity tolerances;
(ii) for each medicinal ingredient of the natural health product, detailed information respecting its quantity per dosage unit and its identity, including statements indicating its quantity and identity tolerances;
(iii) if a representation relating to the potency of a medicinal ingredient is to be shown on a label of the natural health product, detailed information respecting the potency of the medicinal ingredient, including statements indicating its potency tolerances; and
(iv) a description of the methods used for testing or examining the natural health product.(3) The specifications and every change to those specifications shall be approved by a quality assurance person.
> Whilst the industry is unregulated, it will be hard to find doctors to support the use of these products, because they don't fit the scientific model doctors are used to. MKB may well be right in his caution.
So, Canadian supps/herbs are indeed regulated. I'm sure retailers will be able to sell old stock, but any new products will soon enough be reliable.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:414892
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20041123/msgs/420059.html