Self-Health Systems

FDA at its WORST (c)
C. Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D.

Everyone knows that the FDA is in the palm of the PharmacoMafia. Now they have done it again. They have banned a natural vitamin, Pyridoxamine, a metabolically more active form of pyridoxine or B6. B 6 is the least prevalent in nature of the basic B vitamins and in most vitamin supplements is far lower in concentration that B 1, 2, 3. Personally I prefer equal dosages of all 4 of these critical B's, with adults getting a minimum of 25 mg each daily. B 6 is particularly critical for preventing heart disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, neuropathy, and Alzheimer's. In general Pyridoxine is safe up to 1000 mg daily for one month, 500 mg daily for one month BUT must not be taken long term at higher dosages than 100 mg. Over a 6 to 12 month period, large dosages can CAUSE neuropathy! Pyridoxamine, on the other hand, can be taken in large dosages indefinitely and is of particular benefit in preventing diabetic kidney failure and some other diabetic complications.

Here is the unfortunate rub. A DRUG company spent a few million proving the benefits of Pyridoxamine in preventing diabetic kidney complications and they requested the FDA to classify Pyridoxamine as a drug! OF COURSE, the FDA promptly banned the sale of Pyridoxamine OTC!! Now you MAY be able o get it at a cost 10 or 20 times greater!
There is nothing to be gained by petitioning the FDA. Call, write , fax, email your Congress reps and INSIST that the FDA reverse this atrocity! At the same time inform your reps that you will vote them out if they vote for anything to restrict free OTC access to vitamin and mineral supplements!! Of course, I believe a minimum of 80% of the bums should be turned out EVERY ELECTION!

Youthful Aging By Norm Shealy