A recent media release by the Complimentary Healthcare Council of Australia urges consumers not to panic.

Consumers need not panic over media reports stating multivitamin use increases the risk of developing breast cancer after a study published this month claimed there may be an association with the commonly consumed product. 

The Swedish study carried out in over 35,000 women, was conducted via a self-administered questionnaire that provided information on multivitamin use and incidence of breast cancer with a follow-up period of 10 years. 

Whilst the study has been published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the Complementary Healthcare Council (CHC) has some concerns over limitations to the study. 

“The manner in which the study was conducted means that key factors such as the  bioactivity of the ingredients within the multivitamin has not been evaluated, thus, not giving a complete picture of the overall results” said Dr Wendy Morrow, Executive Director of the Complementary Healthcare Council (CHC).  

Throughout the study, dietary supplement use was solely assessed through a self-administered questionnaire which may have resulted in individuals being incorrectly classified based on answers provided and may have skewed results.  

“Of further concern is that information on the brands of multivitamins taken by the participants was not collected; therefore the study was unable to determine whether there may be an association with one particular dietary supplement product or ingredient(s) at certain doses which has resulted in the assumption of multivitamins being the risk factor.” Dr Morrow said.  

The CHC highlights that in the study, ‘multivitamin users’ were noted to have greater breast density (this is when the breasts have relatively less fat and more glandular and connective tissue) than ‘non-users’. This is important to consider in relation to the outcome, as greater breast density is well known to be associated with a relatively higher risk of developing breast cancer. 

The CHC would also like to reinforce that Swedish dietary supplements are not regulated to the same high standard as those in Australia. Without knowing which brand or combination of ingredients were being consumed it is difficult to conclude whether there may have been other factors contributing to the suggested association such as the manufacturing methods used or excipients (an inactive substance used as a carrier in complementary medicines) within the supplements.  

“The CHC believes that more detailed information is needed before any strong association can be made between an increased risk of breast cancer and multivitamin consumption.” said Dr Morrow. 

The CHC advises consumers who are concerned or have questions about the research to seek information from their healthcare professional.  

Media Contact: Dr Wendy Morrow - 0407 072 151

8 April 2010

There  is considerable debate about the safety profile of parabens.

What are they?

Parabens are a group of chemicals widely used as preservatives in food, cosmetic and therapeutic products.

Why Do We Need Preservatives in Cosmetics?

Preservatives are substances that kill bacteria and fungi or at the very minimum, make it difficult for "living things" to survive. Bacteria, fungi, yeast and other potentially dangerous microorganisms typically avoid waterless compounds and also substances with a relatively high pH, but thrive in humid environments. For this reason, soaps and oil-based skin care applications do not generally need preservatives. However, creams, lotions and products where water is present need to be protected against bacterial growth in order that they can achieve acceptable shelf lives..

The Debate.

On one side we have the cosmetic industry which believes parabens, like most cosmetic ingredients, are safe based on their long term use and safety record.

On the other side we have various public interest organisations which raise awareness about the safety of cosmetic ingredients.

So what has caused that debate:

• In 2004, a UK study established the presence of intact parabens in human breast tumours (Darbre et al. 2004). This study utilised a small sample (20 people) and no healthy breast tissue or other tissues from affected women were analysed. Furthermore the source(s) of the parabens found in the breast tumours and routes of exposure were not identified.
• Subsequent studies have confirmed the ability of parabens to be absorbed systemically from topical application – paraben levels were shown to increase in blood and urine of healthy young men following topical application of parabens in cream cosmetic formulation (Janjua et al. 2007).
• Data from other published sources indicate that parabens demonstrate weak oestrogenic activity in some experimental animals. Such activity is linked to increased risk of cancer albeit at a much higher level of exposure than typically found in cosmetics.

Reasonable conclusions might include:

• That these research results alone are insufficient to establish that parabens do increase the risk of cancer.
• Further research is required so that some conclusive evidence can be provided about the safety of parabens.

What does it all mean?

Much of this is difficult for the average consumer to understand. A healthy scepticism of the views of the cosmetic industry and the various regulatory bodies might be suggested. Conversely the evidence against is limited and the matter really comes down to one of personal choice.

As long as there is some level of suspicion that parabens could be implicated in poor health outcomes, Herb Valley is committed to moving towards paraben free products where there are viable alternatives. We have been working with our formulation experts to bring you products that are just as effective, whilst minimising the inclusion of ingredients that might be subject to some suspicion.

For the past couple of years we have been helping out Lorraine Gaffney a Queensland naturopath who works with young girls.

This year Lorraine is running a 1 day seminar titled “Illuminate” for girls in school years 8-10. This is a one day seminar that starts off with an energetic half hour mini-workout. Followed by speakers on:

• self-esteem
• healthy food for healthy mood and mind
• the importance of a skin-care routine
• dating and ‘expecting respect’
• healthy body image and a positive outlook on life
• question time

We look forward to helping Lorraine out in the future.

Only 2 weeks to the Grand Finale of the 2009/10 JT Cycles Triathlon Series on Sunday, 28 March 2010.

Series Winners will be presented with a Trophy on the day. There are several age groups where competitors need to compete in the final event to be eligible, so check out the Leader Board on the website to see your ranking.

The inaugural 'Swim 'n Spin' was a huge success and will be held again at this event. So if you have a running injury or are keen to do a longer swim and cycle but find the run just too hard consider this event.

Competitors do the Challenge 800m Swim and 25.2k Cycle and finish with a very short run/walk to cross the finish line.

As the footy season kicks off that day with the Power playing at Footy Park, we will endeavour to start the race a few minutes earlier, so ensure you attend race briefing at 8.15am and are ready to race immediately following the briefing.

It would be fabulous to see you all on the 28th and break the series record, so don't delay, enter online now at - www.gattisports.com.au

We take great delight in supporting community organisations no matter how large or small they might be.

Recently we provided raffle prizes to the Elizabeth Bowling Club.

Dear Paul

On behalf of the Elizabeth Bowling Club I wish to thank you for your kind donation of Herb Valley Products to be offered as raffle prizes during one of up coming tournaments.

Your generous support, which is very much appreciated, will receive recognition on the day of the tournament and in the Club Newsletter.

Yours sincerely 

Rita Hams

Publicity Officer

The Complementary HealthCare Council of Australia reponds to recent mdeia regarding the safety of complementary medicines.

Herbal remedies scare report: let's get the facts straight

Setting the record straight on the recent scare report on herbal medicines by a South Australian academic, the Complementary HealthCare Council of Australia (CHC) said today that much of the report was ill-informed, misleading and irresponsible — and most importantly, not relevant to complementary medicine products sold in Australia, which are among the most tightly regulated in the world.

The organisation warns Australian consumers to be aware of the real dangers of buying herbal or other complementary medicine (CM) products when overseas or via websites based in other countries, where safety and quality standards often are considered to be inferior to those imposed in Australia.

The full text of this can be found at www.chc.org.au Herbal remedies scare report: let's get the facts straight

A Day at the Races

Project Dolphin Safe and South Australian Seabird Rescue would like to invite you to our annual fundraising event - A Day at the Races - with hats and horses, sunshine and champers.

Last years Project Dolphin Safe event was a roaring success raising over $55,000. Pure Envy diamonds were won, balloons were popped, people flew around the room to the smooth tunes of Lucifers Lounge and held their sides as Gerry O kept us laughing and perhaps on the edge of screaming "too soon!".

It will be an afternoon to remember with a fabulous 3 course meal and 4 hour drinks package.

The day includes fashion parade by Tanya Powell, live body painting by Emma Hack, bookie Hollywood Syd and live/silent auctions.

Where: South Australian Jockey Club (SAJC), Morphettville Racecourse, Adelaide

When: Saturday, 6th February, 2010

Time: 12:00 - 17:00

Book your tables of 10 ($100pp) by contacting Tiffany Cowling by phone on 0410 943 873 or by email. Individual seats are available.

Vitamin E and pregnancy

Recent Dutch research published in International journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology points towards some potential problems with high vitamin E levels during pregnancy. This included  high dietary intake or through supplementation.

This research showed that mothers with high dietary Vitamin E intake had a 70% increased risk of having a child born with a heart defect. High dietary intake plus supplementation increased the risk up to 9 fold.

Vitamin D

Along with the well known effects of Vitamin D deficiency on bone deposition evidence is emerging that Vitamin D is important in many more areas than this.

Some Californian research found a link between low D levels and obesity although they weren’t able to come up with a reason why this might be so. It might be as simple as higher D levels might be an indicator of more time spent outside, presumably exercising. However there might be more to it.

Similarly, an English study found a correlation between low D levels and poor scores in a standardised assessment of mental function in people over the age of 65 years. Again no cause and effect could be guessed at and more work needs to be done here.

Migraine

A select group of people with a specific mutation in a gene that leads to migraine can get some relief with Vitamin B and folic acid supplementation. It appears that the defect  increases levels of homocysteine in these people and the supplementation brings these levels down towards normal.