Commission E, for those who claim that 90% of all supplements

[HysteryDiagnosis]

have no research to back up their claims.


http://www.herbalgram.org/iherb/commissione/history.html


The German Legal and Regulatory Environment and the History and Background of Commission E

Legal History

In contrast to other countries in Europe, herbal medicines have a special status in Germany, beginning with the Imperial Decree of 1901 that permitted the trade of many botanical drugs outside pharmacies. This was incorporated into Articles 29 - 31 of the First Medicines Act (AMG) of 1961 (Schilcher, 1998b).

The legal basis for modern drug laws in Germany is based on European Community Directives 65/65/EEC issued in 1965, plus Directives 75/318/EEC and 75/319/EEC, issued in 1975. Under the terms of these directives all member states of the European Community pledged to establish a formal review of all medicinal products on the market at that time and to assure that they met appropriate standards for quality and purity. Products were to be reviewed for safety and efficacy and re-registered by 1990 in Germany.

Consequently, on August 24, 1976, Germany passed the Second Medicines Act (Arzneimittelgesetz 1976, or AMG 76), which went into effect January 1, 1978, and required that the entire range of medicines in the pharmaceutical market (including conventional drugs, as well as medicinal plants and phytomedicines) be reviewed by scientific committees. AMG 76 includes special sections on phytomedicines: Article 22 Abs. 2 Nr.2, Section Article 25 Abs., Article 36, Article 44, and Article 45.

In 1978 the Minister of Health established a series of commissions to review various categories of drugs, including an expert committee for herbal drugs and preparations from medicinal plants, Commission E. These commissions were situated at the Bundesges-undheitsamt (BGA), the Federal Health Agency, charged with reviewing and approving the safety and efficacy of all drugs. In 1994 the BGA became the Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte (BfArM), the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices.

[Warpy]

1. Supplements are great for people on deficiency diets

like dieters and the sick. They're not magic, though.

Taking more than the RDA of water soluble vitamins gives you expensive urine. Taking megadoses of oil soluble vitamins and some minerals can make you sick.

If you feel a boost when you're taking high dose vitamin supplements, it's likely the placebo effect. The effect is real. Attributing it to the contents of the pill you're popping is not.

If you get the effect from popping vitamins, that's great. I made my living selling supplements for a great many years and my best friend still does. Just be aware that there can be too much of a good thing and stay away from megadosing oil soluble vitamins.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

3. Agreed.... on the other hand, supplements that and or enhance

immune system parameters such as glyconutrients, would have helped those who have passed due to bacterial infections for which there seemingly were no effective therapies available.


http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2001/Apr-22-Sun-2001/living/15843088.html

[Danieljay]

2. I don't question the research..I question the dosages from an unregulated supplement industry

One study showed that 80% of over the counter supplements tested had little if any of the actual 'herb' in it.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

4. Which is why standardized herbal extracts (if herbs are what

you are into) is the way to go. Too bad some/many companies try to get away with what they can.