Sinking Time Between Writing Binges
After numerous false starts, lots of deleting, and a great deal of pacing while reading aloud, I think I've finally settled into the right voice for the stress book. I want this and the other texts in the series to be conversational and easy to read as well as educational. I want them to have the same tone as the in-person workshops.
The other challenge is ensuring any discussion of natural substances--vitamins, minerals, and herbs--remains within the parameters set out by the regulations of the Food and Drug Administration.
Y'see, the only substances that can legally treat, cure or prevent disease are FDA-approved drugs, but other substances can make general statements regarding structure and function. General Mills was one target of FDA intervention for making claims about the cholesterol-lowering abilities of Cheerios. It's acceptable for Cheerios to claim adding oat fiber to the diet could lower cholesterol; it's unacceptable to tell consumers clinical research showed Cheerios provided specific reduction within a specific time frame. The validity of the research was of little concern; stating specific results in connection with a specific product is what turned Cheerios from a breakfast cereal into an unapproved drug.
As long as those regulations stand in place, the prevailing disconnect between overall health and nutrient intake will remain, and consumers will get roped into paying high prices for "functional" foods. (Activia, forex.) Instead, we will continue with the current system that allows for research into natural substances --hat cannot be used in conjunction with selling those substances--and results in the production of synthetic mimics that can be approved as drugs.
I'm often asked if I would then support FDA approval for supplement claims that would put them on equal footing with drugs. Frankly, under current standards, that's completely unworkable unless they drop the exclusivity of drug = treatment and prevention.
I grow in my garden coneflowers, oregano, lavender, sage, thyme and parsley. (Hmm. Why am I missing rosemary?) Clover, dandelion, thistle and alfalfa pops up here and there. My neighbor has a willow tree. I have a pair of pine trees. All have medicinal properties. Could I continue growing them if they became approved drugs subject to regulation? Or could I grow them, but not give them to others? Or would they only be considered drugs if made them into teas and tinctures, or if I encapsulated them?
What about restaurants that use herbs in bulk? Would they have to account for every leaf and stem? Would adding parsley to a platter become a form of practicing medicine? Good lord, can you imagine having to track salmon sales in order to know who took the omega-3 fish oil drug?
And what about wine (resveratrol) and beer (hops)? Would the ATF have to hand over regulation to the FDA, or would the two agencies have joint responsibility?
Gah. Enough of that, Blair. Get back to work.