BOLAND CELL SUPPLEMENTS

Dangers to health and well-being

Understanding the importance of micronutrients, digestion, absorption and storage of food-stuffs is important. Throughout the world, people are taking more and more herbal medicines and supplements to combat the ravages of aging, and to enhance sports performance and recovery from exercise. Also people don't eat properly, and the manifestations are visible in the incidence of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, heart disease, cancer, obesity in the young, stroke, hypertension and ischaemic heart disease. The racks of super-stores, discount chemists and dispensaries are jammed packed with herbal supplements. Almost all not approved or tested by the regulatory processes of the FDA in America . The greatest dangers facing such persons is when they undergo anaesthesia for one or other condition. Powerful herbal remedies and supplements can affect heart rate, blood clotting, wound healing and the immune system. The negative affects on ex-vivo cell culture and cell proliferation have been confirmed by BOLAND CELL .

Because of these dangers , anaesthetists and surgeons must enquire if the patient is consuming Echinacea, garlic, ginko, ginseng, St Johns Wort, valeria, ephedra, kava, grapefruit juice, pomegranate, caffeine, chondroitin and ginger to name a few. These substances are considered to be " natural" products and can increase bleeding tendencies and have drug interactions. All herbal medicines and supplements should be stopped two weeks before any surgery. This should be placed on the labels of products and not only be left to specialists. Herbal medicines are also dangerous for children scheduled for ambulatory surgery ( see Paed Anaes 2004, 14: 11 , 916-919). Many native cultures are lost and the peoples are resorting to westernized diets including supplementation with herbal medicines. Sadly, plant-based diets are making way for more animal products. Other drawbacks of supplements and herbal medicines include a higher incidence of cancer, allergies, anaphylaxis and blood dyscrasias such as agranulocytosis. The greatest dangers during and shortly after surgery include, hypertensive crises, heart attack, tachycardia, rythymn disorders, bleeding and stroke.

Diets supplemented with recommended amounts of calcium, magnesium, multivitamins and iron, omega-3 fatty acids and ascorbic acid appear to be safe.