Manufacturers of phytopreparations were caught by the hand again
Phytopreparations contain potentially dangerous impurities
They used DNA analysis to verify 44 products from plant components and 30 different plant species representing 12 global companies. They were compared with samples of plants collected in nature and came to the conclusion that most of the products supplied to the market are of poor quality. In industrially produced herbal collections, there are often replacements of some plants with other, cheaper ones, contamination with other plant species not provided for on the packaging, and various fillers are present. In total, the replacement of plant components was found in 30 types of products out of 44, and 59 percent of the samples contained impurities not described in the documents for this product.
According to the head of the study, Professor Steven Newmaster, the presence of impurities and other pollutants of herbal preparations is an unaccounted for, and at the same time a significant risk to the health of consumers. Among the substances not mentioned in the product documents, substances with known toxic characteristics, side effects and interacting in various ways with other substances, including medicines, were found. Thus, dried St. John's wort was mixed with Cassia holly, which has a pronounced laxative effect. With prolonged use, the use of this plant harms the liver and the immune system. Several analyzed product samples contained components of a plant called pyrethrum maiden (Parthenium hysterophorus). It causes ulcers, nausea, swelling of the tongue.
In addition to dangerous impurities, manufacturers do not always indicate additives with known properties, but potentially risky for certain categories of people, mainly with allergies. Among them are rice, soybeans and wheat. This is a fairly common practice, but one way or another, it is necessary to notify buyers about it. Newmaster notes that the control over the uniformity of products and the conformity of the contents to the declared is difficult for the competent authorities. The point is the lack of quality standards for such products. At the same time, the sale of plant products is a growing market with billions of turnover worldwide. 80 percent of people recognize the use of natural ingredients, including dietary supplements. Both consumers of products and honest manufacturers suffer from an unethical attitude to production, so it is necessary to restore order in this industry.
Article by Newmaster et al. DNA barcoding detects contamination and substitution in North American herbal products is published in the journal BMC Medicine.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru15.10.2013