Re: Quackwatch Update ~ off topic

[Guest guest]

Hi Russ,

Thanks for writing the info on Quackwatch. How long have you been on LDN? I

did not notice a link to LDN on your site. When I go to the links to

spirituality they aren't currently leading to the sites.

Kind regards

Aletha

[low dose naltrexone] " Quackwatch Update " ~ off topic

> Hey good buddies

>

> In response to my recent health improvements, and the source of such,

> I have published a brief (450 word) free reprint ezine article, which

> might be of interest to some of you? It is a " Quackwatch Update " lol

>

> http://milesbooks.com/wb/pages/quackwatch-update.php

>

> ~Hugs~ Russ:))

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am glad quackwatch is out there. I have had some dubious health

claims verified. It's not just Barrett himself making the

claims. Listed are law suits by various people/patients/ and

companys. If you read the first article its not Barrett

making the claim but people who have had problems with a product, in

this case zinc nasal spray by Matrixx Initiatives.

I have seen time and time again good articles written at quackwatch

that have saved lives. Children and adults.

I'm not trying to cause any problems I just wanted to point out that

Barrett is doing a good thing. At least in my opinion.

Take Care

Consumer Health Digest is a free weekly e-mail newsletter edited by

Barrett, M.D., and cosponsored by NCAHF and Quackwatch. It

summarizes scientific reports; legislative developments; enforcement

actions; news reports; Web site evaluations; recommended and

nonrecommended books; and other information relevant to consumer

protection and consumer decision-making.

###

Zinc nasal spray marketers settle class-action lawsuit.

Matrixx Initiatives Inc., of Phoenix, Arizona has agreed to settle a

consolidated product liability suit by people who alleged that its

Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Spray, which contains zinc gluconate, had

caused loss or decrease of their senses of smell and taste. (As of

January 18th there were 49 different lawsuits pending that involved

about 400 individuals.) The agreement called for payment of $12

million to fund awards to about 340 of the plaintiffs. The company

said that it expected that about 40% of the settlement will be

covered by insurance. The settlement does not include 22 plaintiffs

who used Zicam's nasal swab product and 39 plaintiffs in 32 of the

suits pending in courts outside of Arizona. The company denies being

at fault and does not mention any risk in the product information on

http://www.zicam.com/. The settlement agreement is posted at

http://www.casewatch.org/civil/zicam/azsettlement.shtml

###

Eight people indicted in diploma mill scheme.

Dixie Ellen Randock, Karl Randock, Sr., Blake Allan Carlson,

Heidi Kae Lorhan, Amy Leann Hensley, a Lynn Markishtum, and

Wade Pearson are facing charges of conspiracy to commit mail

fraud and wire fraud. The 40-page indictment states that they used

the Internet to market thousands of bogus high-school diplomas,

college and graduate-level degrees, and related documents that

purchasers could use to seek employment and/or H1B Visas to enter the

United States. http://www.casewatch.org/doj/st_regis/indictment.pdf

The fictitious " schools " included " Saint Regis University, "

" town University, " " Monroe University, " Monroe

University High School, " and Trinity Christian School, " none of which

had a legitimate faculty, offered legitimate academic services,

required course work, or were accredited by a recognized agency. The

documents cost from $399 to $2,454. The Randocks are also charged

with conspiring to launder $1,026,874.80 as a result of the diploma

mill scheme. Pearson was subsequently indicted on child p ornography

charges. [Diploma mill webmaster indicted. . . . Associated Press,

Jan 25, 2006]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420AP_WA_Diploma_Mill_Pornography

..html

###

Trudeau company has unsatisfactory BBB rating.

The Chicago Better Business Bureau

http://www.chicago.bbb.org/commonreport.html?bid=73001973 has given

Trudeau's Shop America an " unsatisfactory " rating based on its

failure to resolve or respond to about 70 consumer complaints. The

BBB report also states:

" Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record . . .

due to a pattern of complaints. Consumers allege dissatisfaction with

the Natural Cures book and/or being solicited to purchase information

from the company website that is not included in the book as

advertised. The Bureau processed a total of 441 complaints about this

company in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period. Of the

total, 283 were closed in the last year. "

The book to which this refers, " Natural Cures 'They' Don't Want You

to Know About, " is being marketed with false claims that (a) drugs do

not cure any disease, ( there are natural cures for virtually every

disease, and © drug companies and the government are conspiring to

keep this information from the public.

###

Illinois stops dubious heart screenings of student athletes.

Illinois authorities have sued a woman who sold heart screenings for

student athletes but lacked the medical background to interpret the

results. The action, filed in Cook County Court on December 20, 2005,

names Apostolas (a/k/a Lindsey Hecimovich and d/b/a Heart

Care Services, Inc.) and Heart Care Services, Inc. According to the

lawsuit:

**The defendants marketed echocardiogram screenings for hypertrophic

cardiomyography to elementary and high schools and parents in

Illinois and Indiana.

**Approximately 1,200 students at 26 different elementary and high

schools were tested at a cost of about $35 each.

**The defendants allegedly " diagnosed " the results of the

echocardiogram screenings, creating a significant risk to students

who might actually have heart problems that go undetected.

The complaint charges the defendants with one count of violating the

Illinois Medical Practice Act for the unauthorized practice of

medicine and one count of violating the Illinois Consumer Fraud and

Deceptive Business Practices Act for falsely representing that they

were qualified to diagnose the echocardiograms. The lawsuit seeks an

injunction, restitution to consumers, a civil penalty of $50,000, and

additional penalties of $50,000 for each violation found to have been

committed with the intent to defraud. [Madigan, ez act against

company peddling heart screenings to children, not licensed to read

results. Illinois Attorney General press release, Dec 23, 2005]

http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov//pressroom/2005_12/20051221b.ht

ml

The defendants' now-defunct Web site stated that the test would

reduce sudden death in young athletes. However, the prevailing

medical opinion is that screening people without symptoms has not led

to decreased risk of sudden death. [Population screening for

hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) - a review of the evidence.

National Screening Committee, UK, 2003]

http://libraries.nelh.nhs.uk/common/download.asp?resourceID=88281

###

Other issues of the Digest are accessible through

http://www.ncahf.org/digest05/index.html. For information about the

National Council Against Health Fraud, see

http://www.ncahf.org/about/mission.html. If you enjoy the newsletter,

please recommend it to your friends.

--

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Barrett, M.D.

Board Chairman, Quackwatch, Inc.

NCAHF Vice President and Director of Internet Operations

P.O. Box 1747, town, PA 18105

Telephone: (610) 437-1795

http://www.quackwatch.org (health fraud and quackery)

http://www.acuwatch.org (under construction)

http://www.autism-watch.org (guide to autism)

http://www.cancertreatmentwatch.org (under construction)

http://www.casewatch.org (legal archive)

http://www.chelationwatch.org (chelation therapy)

http://www.chirobase.org (guide to chiropractic)

http://www.credentialwatch.org (under construction)

http://www.dentalwatch.org (guide to dental care)

http://www.devicewatch.org (under construction)

http://www.dietscam.org (under construction)

http://www.homeowatch.org (guide to homeopathy)

http://www.ihealthpilot.org (guide to reliable information))

http://www.infomercialwatch.org (guide to infomercials)

http://www.mentalhealthwatch.org (under construction)

http://www.mlmwatch.org (multi-level marketing)

http://www.naturowatch.org (naturopathy)

http://www.nccamwatch.org (under construction)

http://www.nutriwatch.org (nutrition facts and fallacies)

http://www.pharmwatch.org (under construction)

http://www.ncahf.org (National Council Against Health Fraud)

http://www.chsourcebook.com (consumer health sourcebook)

Editor, Consumer Health Digest

http://www.quackwatch.org/00AboutQuackwatch/chd.html

>

> Hey good buddies

>

> In response to my recent health improvements, and the source of

such,

> I have published a brief (450 word) free reprint ezine article,

which

> might be of interest to some of you? It is a " Quackwatch Update " lol

>

> http://milesbooks.com/wb/pages/quackwatch-update.php

>

> ~Hugs~ Russ:))

>

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

If I had listened to Barrett’s

considerations for dealing with the terminal cancer I contracted, today I would

more than likely be dead, if not on dialysis for the balance of my life.

I am not arguing that as much as 2/3 of

what “alternative medicine” offers skates on the thin side of

bogus.

I am flatly and categorically stating that

Barrett has done much more harm than good. For anyone with a computer,

access to PUBMED ( http://pubmed.com )

and a modicum of perseverance, you can find studies on nearly everything used

as herbal remedies. If you establish simple rules to work with such as

having more than 20 or 30 reports to validate a claim, and having 75-80% of

them come back positive, it is relatively simple to establish the efficacy of a

viable treatment.

Barrett has not done anything of the sort

with anything he rails against. He simply takes the FDA’s position

that if it is not a synthetic drug, it cannot cure. That is a lie and a

fraud of the very first order. It is a disingenuous misrepresentation

that will cost people their lives.

I am not saying that anyone should accept

any claim made by any company marketing any product and I don’t care what

the product is, whether it be one of the MLM rages such as Transfer Factor, or

simply good old vitamin C. If you cannot substantiate the claims

made about the product with INDEPENDENT hard scientific research, you should

think long and before using it. Not one study pro. Not one study

con. LOTS OF STUDIES. THE MORE THE BETTER. But to simply

state that vitamin C can’t help colds or cancer and to state that using

beyond the RDA limit of C is dangerous is one of the greatest lies and

misstatements I have ever heard from anyone and Barrett has made that comment

more than once.

If you wish to believe that Barrett serves

the public good, you are indeed entitled to your opinion. But and this is

really a very large BUT, please do some research into what he has condemned before

you so blindly jump to his defense.

Regards,

Bruce Guilmette, PhD

Survive Cancer Foundation, Inc.

Http://survivecancer.net

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for

tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matt 6:34 (NIV)

From: low dose naltrexone [mailto:low dose naltrexone ] On Behalf Of

Sent: Friday, January 27, 2006

10:18 AM

low dose naltrexone

Subject: [low dose naltrexone] Re:

" Quackwatch Update " ~ off topic

I am glad quackwatch is out there. I have had some dubious health

claims verified. It's not just

Barrett himself making the

claims. Listed are law suits by various

people/patients/ and

companys. If you read the first article its

not Barrett

making the claim but people who have had problems

with a product, in

this case zinc nasal spray by Matrixx Initiatives.

I have seen time and time again good articles

written at quackwatch

that have saved lives. Children and adults.

I'm not trying to cause any problems I just wanted

to point out that

Barrett is doing a good thing. At

least in my opinion.

[Guest guest]

Hi Bruce,As I said earlier I'm not trying to cause trouble. It was just my opinion.I have not seen Barrets considerations for dealing with cancer. Truth be told when I was diagnosed, Barret was the farthest from my mind. As I am thinking was the case with many.I realize you can find pretty much what you want on the internet. It's a buyers beware world. If it were easy to validate the efficacy of a treatment then we wouldn't be here. Ldn would be prescribed as a viable treatnent for ms. ect...I did not say that Barret was always right. I would be lieing to myself if I did. In the same token I don't believe he is always wrong. I don't have the stamina nor the interest to look into everything he does. I'm not trying to debunk him. I read what interests me, form an opinion and move on. If that makes me someone who forms an opinion blindly then I guess I am one of many.Take Care low dose naltrexone , "Bruce Guilmette PhD" <bruce@s...> wrote:>> Dear , > > > > If I had listened to Barrett's considerations for dealing with the> terminal cancer I contracted, today I would more than likely be dead, if not> on dialysis for the balance of my life. > > > > I am not arguing that as much as 2/3 of what "alternative medicine" offers> skates on the thin side of bogus.> > > > I am flatly and categorically stating that Barrett has done much more harm> than good. For anyone with a computer, access to PUBMED (> http://pubmed.com <http://pubmed.com/> ) and a modicum of perseverance, you> can find studies on nearly everything used as herbal remedies. If you> establish simple rules to work with such as having more than 20 or 30> reports to validate a claim, and having 75-80% of them come back positive,> it is relatively simple to establish the efficacy of a viable treatment.> > > > Barrett has not done anything of the sort with anything he rails against.> He simply takes the FDA's position that if it is not a synthetic drug, it> cannot cure. That is a lie and a fraud of the very first order. It is a> disingenuous misrepresentation that will cost people their lives.> > > > I am not saying that anyone should accept any claim made by any company> marketing any product and I don't care what the product is, whether it be> one of the MLM rages such as Transfer Factor, or simply good old vitamin C.> If you cannot substantiate the claims made about the product with> INDEPENDENT hard scientific research, you should think long and before using> it. Not one study pro. Not one study con. LOTS OF STUDIES. THE MORE THE> BETTER. But to simply state that vitamin C can't help colds or cancer and> to state that using beyond the RDA limit of C is dangerous is one of the> greatest lies and misstatements I have ever heard from anyone and Barrett> has made that comment more than once.> > > > If you wish to believe that Barrett serves the public good, you are indeed> entitled to your opinion. But and this is really a very large BUT, please> do some research into what he has condemned before you so blindly jump to> his defense. > > > > Regards,> > > > Bruce Guilmette, PhD> > Survive Cancer Foundation, Inc.> > <http://survivecancer.net> Http://survivecancer.net > > Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.> Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matt 6:34 (NIV)> > > > _____ > > From: low dose naltrexone > [mailto:low dose naltrexone ] On Behalf Of > Sent: Friday, January 27, 2006 10:18 AM> low dose naltrexone > Subject: [low dose naltrexone] Re: "Quackwatch Update" ~ off topic> > > > I am glad quackwatch is out there. I have had some dubious health > claims verified. It's not just Barrett himself making the > claims. Listed are law suits by various people/patients/ and > companys. If you read the first article its not Barrett > making the claim but people who have had problems with a product, in > this case zinc nasal spray by Matrixx Initiatives.> I have seen time and time again good articles written at quackwatch > that have saved lives. Children and adults.> > I'm not trying to cause any problems I just wanted to point out that > Barrett is doing a good thing. At least in my opinion. > > > > > _____>

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to throw my two cents in on this topic. I do read

quackwatch. I have also found it to have some helpful information

for me.

I don't think most people would be implying that Barret is

comlpetely right about everything. However, I do find his site to

be a good resource. Just like many others on the web. I would hope

that none of us just rely on one source on the internet to give us

information. But just because you had a different experience

regarding his information, does not mean it's not valid. I would

hope none of only rely on one source. Including this one. If I

convinced myself that everything I have read regarding my illness

(ALS) is true, I'm sure I might be dead already too.

I don't think we should be so quick to discredit someone just

because their information hasn't turned out to be the case for one

of us. Just my two cents.

> >

> > Dear ,

> >

> >

> >

> > If I had listened to Barrett's considerations for dealing

with the

> > terminal cancer I contracted, today I would more than likely be

dead, if not

> > on dialysis for the balance of my life.

> >

> >

> >

> > I am not arguing that as much as 2/3 of what " alternative

medicine " offers

> > skates on the thin side of bogus.

> >

> >

> >

> > I am flatly and categorically stating that Barrett has done much

more harm

> > than good. For anyone with a computer, access to PUBMED (

> > http://pubmed.com <http://pubmed.com/> ) and a modicum of

perseverance, you

> > can find studies on nearly everything used as herbal remedies.

If you

> > establish simple rules to work with such as having more than 20

or 30

> > reports to validate a claim, and having 75-80% of them come back

positive,

> > it is relatively simple to establish the efficacy of a viable

treatment.

> >

> >

> >

> > Barrett has not done anything of the sort with anything he rails

against.

> > He simply takes the FDA's position that if it is not a synthetic

drug, it

> > cannot cure. That is a lie and a fraud of the very first order.

It is a

> > disingenuous misrepresentation that will cost people their lives.

> >

> >

> >

> > I am not saying that anyone should accept any claim made by any

company

> > marketing any product and I don't care what the product is,

whether it be

> > one of the MLM rages such as Transfer Factor, or simply good old

vitamin C.

> > If you cannot substantiate the claims made about the product with

> > INDEPENDENT hard scientific research, you should think long and

before using

> > it. Not one study pro. Not one study con. LOTS OF STUDIES. THE

MORE THE

> > BETTER. But to simply state that vitamin C can't help colds or

cancer and

> > to state that using beyond the RDA limit of C is dangerous is

one of the

> > greatest lies and misstatements I have ever heard from anyone

and Barrett

> > has made that comment more than once.

> >

> >

> >

> > If you wish to believe that Barrett serves the public good, you

are indeed

> > entitled to your opinion. But and this is really a very large

BUT, please

> > do some research into what he has condemned before you so

blindly jump to

> > his defense.

> >

> >

> >

> > Regards,

> >

> >

> >

> > Bruce Guilmette, PhD

> >

> > Survive Cancer Foundation, Inc.

> >

> > <http://survivecancer.net> Http://survivecancer.net

> >

> > Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry

about itself.

> > Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matt 6:34 (NIV)

> >

> >

> >

> > _____

> >

> > From: low dose naltrexone

> > [mailto:low dose naltrexone ] On Behalf Of

> > Sent: Friday, January 27, 2006 10:18 AM

> > low dose naltrexone

> > Subject: [low dose naltrexone] Re: " Quackwatch Update " ~ off topic

> >

> >

> >

> > I am glad quackwatch is out there. I have had some dubious

health

> > claims verified. It's not just Barrett himself making

the

> > claims. Listed are law suits by various people/patients/ and

> > companys. If you read the first article its not Barrett

> > making the claim but people who have had problems with a

product, in

> > this case zinc nasal spray by Matrixx Initiatives.

> > I have seen time and time again good articles written at

quackwatch

> > that have saved lives. Children and adults.

> >

> > I'm not trying to cause any problems I just wanted to point out

that

> > Barrett is doing a good thing. At least in my opinion.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > _____

> >

>