Kevin Tarr wrote: > -- Kevin Tarr wrote: > > This research is in mice, but if it proves effective > > for humans, it will be a great help. > <snip> > > (MSN article, so advertisements present) > > > > Looks like the whole thing is an advertisement. They > > probably already have a warehouse full of Ginseng > > berry extract. > > > > Kevin T. > > Garbage in garbage out > > <raises eyebrow> > Actually, Kevin, 'alternative medicine' is _not_ just > garbage; some of the herbs/plant products _do_ have > health/medical benefits and uses. People seem to > forget that many of our current drugs are derived from > plants or microbes (aspirin and penicillin, frex). > The problem with many herbal/alternative products is > lack of decent research; frex there is some evidence > that glucosamine is helpful for arthritis, but the > 'studies' re: chondroitin are very poorly done. > > Debbi > who is healthily skeptical, but not deliberately blind > > I'm trying to say this in a non snide condescending way. It may read that > way, but I mean it truthfully. > > So we have drug companies which have spent billions of dollars to cure > baldness and give a formally impotent man blue steel for three hours but > the biggest health problem facing America is going to be solved by ginseng > berries, something which have been around for forever? Sorry, I'll file > that under C for crackpot along with coral calcium and omega-3 fatty acids > from fish oils. > > Not saying that breakthroughs can't come from nowhere, but I'd bet dollars > to donuts that ginseng berry extract will be touted as the 'new diet > miricle drug' and on the shelves before next summer.
I think the article leads to misinterpretation, as is probably intended with the suggestive style it is written in. If I read correctly the berries have an effect on weight in mice. Logically one could conclude that it migh at least have some effect in people as well. But that still is in research. One of the things I do understand is that the berries are good for your health (as are more natural herbal remedies) although probably not to the miraculous extent the article wants us to believe. So most probably an obese person will not miraculously get slim without any further effort like regular workouts, permanent change of diet and total change of attitude, etc.. Therefor it is only possibly a smal part of a cure for obesitas but not *the* miracle medicine. People just like to believe in miracles but that doesn't make them happen all by themselves. You have to work for it. <grin> One of the things that bugs me with 'herbal/natural remedies' is that a lot of them that would be perfectly OK to use in addition to or in stead of modern medicine are pulled into this shady realm of miracles and wonders. Thereby reducing their use in serious applications to zero with the same credibillity level. Then again miracles and wonders pay better then say a supportive therapy with some serious research behind it ever would, so you can't blame them for trying. ;o) Sonja GCU I love those 'miracle' drugs _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
