NCAHF Newsletter articles from May 1996

NCAHF Newsletter archives from May 1996

Researchers say harm by faith healing is greater than by satanic rituals. (child abuse caused by religious authorities)(adapted from the Journal of Social Issues, 1995:51,2:85-111)
May 1, 1996... University of Chicago psychologist Bette Bottoms, et al, studied 3 types of child abuse: physical, sexual and medical neglect by religious authorities. The researchers surveyed over 19,000 mental health professionals to identify clinicians who...

The Death of Truth.
May 1, 1996... The Death of Truth (Bethany House, 1996) is written by scientists and theologians from a Christian perspective, but the information that it contains is valuable to anyone who wants to understand the thinking behind much of today's "alternative"...

Vinegar remedy gone, but not forever. (vinegar and fruit juice mixture disapproved as health remedy)(adapted from FDA Consumer, January-February 1996 and Consumer Reports, July 1995)(includes comment)
May 1, 1996... A recent court order resulted in the destruction of 13,320 half-gallon bottles of Jogging in a Jug--a mixture of grape and apple juices, and vinegar--because the product became an unapproved new drug due to health claims made by promoters. Jack...

A "Columbus Award" to Evan Shute, MD as evidence mounts that vitamin E protects against heart attacks.
May 1, 1996... Professor William Jarvis has pursued the idea that "Yesterday's quackery is going to be tomorrow's scientific medicine" for more than 25 years. Nearly every quack invokes "the Galileo ploy" claiming to be an innovator ahead of the times. Jarvis...

Mannatech. (company promotes self as "nutraceutical frontrunner")
May 1, 1996... A new multilevel firm is promoting itself as a "nutraceutical frontrunner" ("nutraceutical" is a marketing term for foods that favorably alter the structure or function of the body beyond what normal foods can do). The company's lead product,...

Is the claim that natural products cannot be patented true?
May 1, 1996... The oft repeated retort as to why herbal companies cannot afford to properly test and market their remedies is that herbs are natural substances and, therefore, cannot be patented. They say without patents to protect their investment, no company...

Growth hormone limited in value for rejuvenation. (human growth hormone)
May 1, 1996... Howard Turney has been promoting the use of human growth hormone replacement as a method of rejuvenation for older men through his company the El Dorado Rejuvenation & Longevity Institute. Turney organized a network of 38 physicians who supply...

Antifluoridationists, The Flat Earth Society, Holocaust deniers, and those who say we never landed on the moon.
May 1, 1996... Times have changed. Antifluoridationism, which was once the leading bellwether of antiscience terrorism and proquackery sentiment, appears to now have taken its rightful place along side the flat earth society, holocaust deniers, and those who...

Use of alternative health care by Canadian children.
May 1, 1996... Pediatricians at the University of Montreal studied the use of alternative medicine (AM) by children attending the general outpatient clinic of Montreal University Hospital. The study covered a 4-month period (Jan-Apr '92). 1,911 questionnaires...