Jason Johnson wrote:

But with the same argument who is at fault for deaths from herbal
treatments?  Recently I heard a doctor say that a woman patient was
bragging that she never took any "Medicine".  Then found she was taking
some 50 different herbal mixtures.  Chew some birch bark for pain (it
contains aspirin).

FDA fees is a difficult area.  The question is why should the public pay
for research of every drug any company or individual might like to have
certified?

Baycol is not a good example.  All statins are noted as having
notoriously dangerous side effects.  Anyone taking them must recognize
the danger from kidney and liver damage. They are used by individuals
who would rather take a pill rather than change their lifestyle.

And remember that several of those that died taking Baycol were also
taking Gemfibrozil.

I suppose a problem with SP is that there are hundreds of various
mixtures that would either have to be eliminated.  A similar situation
exists when aspirin is mixed with various other ingredients such as is
done with Alka-seltzer.   At the request of the FDA they pulled their
cold medicine version that contained phenylpropanolamine.

When taking SP you must take the word of the manufacturer as to what it
contains.

Hello,
You made some good points. I should have made it more clear that I was
referring to studies like the one done related to Saw Palmetto. The drug
companies should conduct studies related to new types of medications.
However, the FDA should do a better job of monitoring the validity of
those types of studies. I have read that the FDA done almost no monitoring
related to the abortion pill---is it called RU-46 or something like that.
5 women have died as a direct result of taking that pill. Of course,
people that take supplements should see their doctors at least once a year
for a physical exam. If they develop any medical problems--they should see
their doctors ASAP. If health food nuts refuse to see their doctors, they
are putting their health and life at risk. I take lots of supplements but
see my doctor once every three months. I try to avoid medication  but do
take medication if the supplements don't solve the problem. I check my BP
every day and rarely ever have to take a blood pressure pill due to my
exercise and diet program. I stopped taking statins due to liver problems.
Jason

Jason Johnson wrote:

OK to take it but be certain the doctors know.

http://www.priory.com/med/saw.htm

Finasteride also lowers it.  I think the rule is to double PSA readings
for those taking Finasteride.

Yes, My father got it at about age 90.  He died from complications of a
fall.   My mother from a heart attack at age 85, complicated by diabetes.


  My mother-in-law died from Alzheimer's at age 91.  Harder on her
husband than her.  He kept thinking she could recover.  She was truly a
vegetable the last couple weeks.  She forgot how to swallow her food.

There are some advantages of dying before the age of 60--it means that we
will miss out on all of those age related diseases like Alzheimers (my
family calls it "oldtimers disease") and osteoporosis. I never want to
have to wear diapers. I am sorry about what happened to your father and
mother-in-law. It must have been hard on your family.
Jason