Update 12/6/22. At one time, Anatabloc was a SUPER popular anti-inflammation supplement. It was sold online and at GNC and elsewhere. It was touted to help reduce pain, help joints and arthritis pain, and reduce chronic inflammation. Anatabloc was unique. It contained an ingredient not found in any other supplement I've EVER seen in over 20 years of investigation. This unique ingredient also contributed to its own downfall. In this unbiased, updated review, I reveal everything you need to know about Anatabloc, from its rise – and fall – to the research and proof and the company which made it. I'll also shed light on other anatabloc supplements too.
What Is Anatabloc
Before we talk about Anatabloc (sometimes misspelled Anatablock), I need to tell you about Anatabine (also called anatabine citrate). Anatabine is the active ingredient in Anatabloc. Anatabine is a chemical found in
- eggplants
- potatoes
- green tomatoes
as well as tobacco and tobacco smoke (remember this).
Chemically, anatabine “looks” like nicotine. Because of this, it was also used some anti-smoking supplements. Anatabine has a longer half life than nicotine, so it stays in the body longer. That's why it was thought it might help people quit smoking.
How Does Anatabloc Work?
Here is the way Anatabloc was supposed to reduce chronic inflammation:
1. Anatabine enters the cells of the body where it…
2. Deactivates a protein called NFkB.
3. When NFkB is deactivated, it can't enter the nucleus of the cell (the brain center of the cell) to cause excessive cellular inflammation.
Inflammation is thought to play a role in MANY diseases, such as:
and many others.
So, if Anabloc worked, it might have disease-modifying benefits. If you read the comments below, you will see some people have said some pretty amazing things too.
Anatabloc Ingredients
Anatabloc contains these ingredients
| Anatabine | 1 mg |
| Vitamin A | 500 IU |
| Vitamin D3 | 40 IU |
This review will focus only on Anatabine because this is “secret sauce” in Anatabloc.
Other Ingredients
These other ingredients are also found in this supplement: Mannitol, natural and artificial mint flavors, sucralose, silicon dioxide, stearic acid, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide (color), natural glaze, methylparaben, propylparaben, triethyl citrate, citric acid, BHT, mono and diglycerides, and polysorbate 80
These ingredients played no role in the results or benefits of Anatabloc.
Anatabloc Research
When this review was originally created, the proof for Anatabloc was mostly on lab animals. There is now human proof. This review will focus only on human research. Much of the research is on Anatabine, which is an active ingredient in Anatabloc. Still, proof for anatabine is proof for Antabloc.
Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals (more on them below) supports and plays a role in much of the research.
Studies On Anatabloc
In one report, researchers in the US gave Anatabloc or a placebo to 146 people with Hashimoto's disease – the most common form of hypothyroidism. People were given 9-24 mg of anatabine in the form of lozenges. Those taking Anatabloc saw a significant reduction in thyroid autoantibodies.
Some people saw over a 20% decrease in thyroid autoantibodies. This means better working thyroid glands.
One small study (10 people) noted a face cream containing anatabine improved skin appearance, reducing redness and blotchy skin appearance. This does make some sense. Niacin, which looks a little bit like anatabine has been used in skin creams for years.
Niacin is also VERY popular in the anti-aging world. See the Niagen review for more on this.
Anatabine cigarettes have been shown to reduce nicotine levels in smokers significantly. This study reflects the interest in using anatabine to help people quit smoking.
Because inflammation follows exercise, researchers were interested in seeing if anatabine would reduce inflammation after people worked out. In this study, 18 men were given either a placebo or 6-12 mg of anatabine per day for 10 days. They also performed an intense exercise program.
Unfortunately, this noted anatabine did not reduce pain, or swelling or help muscle strength. This is noteworthy, given TV commercials featuring pro golfers John Isner and Fred Couples.
In another exercise study, researchers gave Anatabloc or a placebo to 17 men. The dosage of Anatabloc used was 6-12 mg. While these researchers saw that Anatabloc did not reduce exercise-induced muscle damage, it did appear to reduce markers of inflammation such as C reactive protein (CRP). That is interesting.
Preliminary research suggests anatabine activates NFR2, a substance that raises naturally produced antioxidant defenses such as superoxide dismutase (SOD). This is at the heart of some proposed anti-aging supplements, such as Protandim and PB125.
There are also several lab animals and test-tube studies involving Anatabloc/anatabine. I won't cover them here because we are people and not mice, rats or test tubes.
Summary Of Anatabloc Research
Here is a summary of the Anatabloc human research:
- Anatabine reduced thyroid antibodies in people with hypothyroidism
- Anatabine lowers nicotine levels in smokers
- Anatibine did not reduce muscle damage, pain, or swelling but may lower CPR levels
Anatabloc Questions
Let's now answer some common questions people have asked me about this supplement.
Can Anatabloc help muscle soreness?
Muscle soreness after exercise (DOMS) is very common. Currently, the proof seems to show Anatabloc doesn't reduce muscle soreness, swelling or muscle damage. It may reduce a blood test marker of inflammation called CRP. I think we need more exercise research.
Can Anatabloc Help Concussions?
There is brain inflammation when someone gets a concussion. But there is no proof that taking Anatabloc:
- reduces the risk of getting a concussion
- improves recovery time after getting a concussion
- reduces brain damage from concussions
I cannot find any research involving anatabine and concussions.
In December 2013, the FDA sent a warning letter to Star Scientific – makers of Anatabloc – telling them to remove references on their websites which gave people the impression the supplement might help concussions and other forms of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
For more on concussions and TBI see these reviews:
Can Anatabloc Help Multiple Sclerosis?
The proof that Anatabloc can help MS is in its infancy. There is some mouse evidence it may help, but no human studies have been conducted yet.
What About Anataboc and Weight Loss?
Websites might discuss how anatabine/Anatabloc can help people lose weight or reduce weight gain, which sometimes happens when people quit smoking. But there is no good proof for this. No study has looked at reducing gaining weight after quitting smoking.
What is CigRx?
This is the anti-smoking product Star Scientific was developing before it began researching anatabine for arthritis pain and other health problems. CigRx contains anatabine too.
Anatabloc Dosage
The general recommendation is to take 2 lozenges per day. Do not use more than 6 lozenges per day. Another dosage recommendations= take your body weight into consideration. Here the Anatabloc dosages would be:
- 100-120 lbs: 2 lozenges 3x per day
- 121-170lbs: 2 lozenges 4x per day
- 171-220lbs: 2 lozenges 5x per day
- over 220lbs: 2 lozenges 6x per day
I've never seen this dosage regimen used in human studies. So, I'm not sure how accurate this is.
Who Makes Anatabloc?
Anatabloc is a product of a company called Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals. Another name for this company is Star Scientific. Star Scientific was the original name of the company. When the research changed directions from looking at Anatabine as a cure for smoking to helping arthritis pain, the company changed its name to Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals.
The phone number for the company was 800-778-2031. The company website was Anatabloc.com (the website no longer works). When this review was originally created, the Better Business Bureau listed the company address as 4470 Cox Rd Ste 110, Glen Allen, VA 23060.
There is also a connection to another company called the RosKamp Institute, located in Florida. Some of the research on Anatabloc has been conducted by this company too.
The company has since filed for bankruptcy and is no longer making Anatabloc supplements.
Should I Invest In Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals?
Star Scientific formally changed its name to Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals in 2014. Its stock symbol is RCPI. It's a publicly traded company. Regardless of what you invest in, do your homework.
Be careful with “gurus” who talk stocks up on websites, as you don't always know who you are dealing with. Sometimes unscrupulous people say things about a company to create interest so they can pump the stock price up so they can dump it for a profit. This trick is sometimes called “pump and dump.” Unless you’re an investing pro (think Warren Buffett), I recommend you talk to a financial advisor before risking any money.
Anatabloc And The FDA
Many people think the FDA does not regulate supplements. Anatabloc is proof it does. Almost from the start, the FDA claimed anatabine contained a new dietary ingredient (NDI). A new dietary ingredient is any substance that was not sold as a supplement before 1994.
Products containing new dietary ingredients need to prove to the FDA they are safe. There is also the issue that anatabine is found in tobacco. Tobacco cannot be called a dietary supplement. I think this may also have played a role in the demise of Anatabloc.
Rock Creek pharmaceuticals state that because anatabine is found in things like peppers and eggplants, it is not new and can be sold as a supplement. In the end, the FDA won, and Rock Creek stopped making Anatabloc.
Calls To Bring Back The Sale Of Anatabloc
Problems with the FDA have not stopped people from hoping for the return of Anatabloc.
This has not stopped people who loved Anatabloc from continuing to hold out hope. Former customers have launched a petition at Change.org to petition the FDA to reverse their decision and let Anatabloc be sold again.
They created the website BringBackAnatabloc.org where you can share your testimony of how the supplement helped you, sign an FDA petition to bring Anatabloc back, and read news about the supplement.
How To Buy Anatabloc: Can You Still Purchase It?
While this supplement was once VERY popular and sold at GNC and other stores, it is no longer permitted to be sold in the US. The FDA forced Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals to stop the production of Anatabloc.
Anatabloc Supplements
While Anatabloc is no longer able to be purchased in the US, I did notice other companies selling supplements said to contain anatabine.
One such company is HydraPharm (PredatorNutrition.com). They sell a supplement literally called “Anatablok” which they say contains “pure anatabine.” Predator Nutrition is not based in the US. I am not sure if they are allowed to ship their Anatablok supplement to the US.
The supplement is marked as an anti-inflammatory nootropic (brain enhancer) used to support memory and attention.
The Va Governor Controversy
As if things could not get worse, Rock Creek Pharm found itself at the center of a very public controversy involving the former Virginia governor, Robert McDonnell, and his wife. It's alleged Rock Creek gave $165,000 in gifts to the former Va governor and his wife in exchange for helping Rock Creek's development of Anatabloc.
Anatabloc Side Effects
Anatabloc is probably safe for healthy people, at least for short-term use. Human research shows no significant negative side effects. Mild to moderate side effects reported have included:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Tingling feelings
- Insomnia
In the comments section below, one person reported feelings of depression. This has not been observed in clinical studies.
Does Anatabloc Work?
Despite the problems with the FDA, several people swore Anatabloc worked. I never experimented with it when it was being sold and the only person I knew who did try it told me it did not reduce his pain. Pain is complicated and its possible others may have had better results.
Unfortunately, Anatabolc supplements are no longer available in the US. While, in the past, I have been rather hard on this supplement and Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, I was sad it was taken off the market. I am happy to see some human research on anatabine, look forward to more and hope one day to see it sold once again.
Nice article on this amazing natural homeopathic remedy. As a victim of progressive MS, I place an Antabloc lozenge under my toungue to calm inflammation behind my eyes. My only concern is that it’s getting near impossible to find since the VA tobacco scandal.
Jeremey, I understand. People have told me Anatablc was helping them. Where were you getting yours from? I still have a feeling it will be making a come back one day, in one form or another.
I have untreated ADD. Anatabloc allowed me to play beginner bridge and enjoy it, even in doses of one pill. The drug also reduced minor swelling of the knee which had been a minor annoyance since I played HS and college football in the 1970s. I have read that Anatabloc was available in UK.
Fred, yes Ive heard that a company called HydraPharm has started selling Anatabloc.
Here is Anatabloc on Ebay https://ebay.to/2YflKvk
I looked up HydraPharm online, and they do have Anatobloc available to buy in the UK, with free shipping if you buy over 135 pounds (as in money). However, they were sold out! I wasn’t planning to buy any, but I was interested in it and whether they would ship to the USA. They WILL ship to the USA. But it’s out of stock.
Roseann, I didn’t know HydroPharm ships to the US. Since companies in the US cant make Anatabloc any longer, that’s interesting a UK company can still ship it into the US. That’s a lot of money. 135 UK pounds is about $175 US dollars. Given what people here and elsewhere have said Id like to see it made in the US again. While I have been skepitcal in the past, Im still suprised at how Anatabloc was banned in the US.
I loved Anatabloc when it was on the market. It helped me a lot. I am so mad at the FDA for removing it. Do you have any idea when Anatabloc might be back?
Hi Mary Beth, you were not alone. If you read the comments (there are over 1000 comments here) you’ll see many others who loved Anatabloc too. I honestly do not know if or when Anatabloc will be back on the market and sold again.
If anyone knows or has an update on the status of Anatabloc please let me know.
Because the main ingredient, Anatabine Citrate, is not available in nature in large enough quantities to produce the quantity of Anatabloc that needed to be produced.
The solution was for Star Scientific to synthetically produce Anatabine Citrate and when you do that the FDA claims jurisdiction over that resulting product. IE: Not produced naturally.
Why does this “supplement” require all the trials in the first place…isn’t Anatabloc all FOODS….including tobacco. The whole Anatabloc was a mystery to me from day 1.
Could this be the latest on Anatabloc…will we be seeing once again in the U.S. market, the more improved version.
http://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/Rock+Creek+Pharma+(RCPI)+Completes+Anatabine+Citrate+Phase+1+Trial+in+U.K./10974813.html
Thanks Joy! 🙂
Does anyone have an update on getting Anatabloc back on the market? What is the status of Rock Creek? Any new information would be appreciated! Anatabloc really worked for me and my husband!
Hi Jane, I have not heard a peep out of them for a while. Has anyone else?
Hey Steve, I’m not saying it’s coming back. I’m asking if anyone heard it is….maybe it’s wishful thinking on my part as I did have some good results with it as did my daughter. I can’t find anything concrete….
Yeah cannot wait.
Hi Joe and everyone….I’m hearing rumbles…is Anatabloc coming back, minus Star?
Joy, thanks for the heads up. Keep me posted if you hear more 🙂
Hi Joe.
FYI. Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals’ presentation of anatabine citrate at the 2015 Biotech Showcase in San Francisco this Monday 1/12 4pm pst will be available live via webcast and can be accessed at the following URL: http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/763wjx9w
While Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals has suspended sales of Anatabloc, I thought perhaps you still may be interested to hear the latest on the science behind it’s small molecule alkaloid anatabine citrate.
MikeL, thanks, Do let me know if Anatabloc comes back on the market but no need to post time sensitive stuff like this or stock-related info in the future.
Anything NEW on this issue? I see one can buy on ebay at gouged price. Petition(s) are going on but have no clue if anything positive is going on to bring “A” back to the people who had good results…
We are into our 6th week on Ligaplex II and will stay with it to help ligaments/tendons.
Hi, Joy. How is Ligaplex II working for you? I have never heard of it, so when I read your note, I googled it. My niece has a rare disease that causes her ligaments to stretch and cause terrible pain. She’s only in her 20’s and already needs to have surgery on two stretched ligaments in her hips! She is a Lieutenant (I’m sure I spelled that wrong) in the National Guard, and this will probably end her career there. I’ll have to look up the name of the disease again, but she had the hyper mobility type of it.
Also, for myself, I already know 3 of 4 rotator cuff tendons are torn in my right (dominant) shoulder, plus my biceps tendon is torn and frayed. I have to have surgery in January. I’d have it now except we are going on a 5-week long trip to visit family in WI. It could be the last of my traveling potentially because of all my joint and spine damage. But I’m 62, and my niece is only in her 20’s. Anything that could help, I’ll look into. Thanks.
Ligaplex II is for chronic issues and definitely WORTH a good trial 3 months at least….the main mineral in this product is Manganese and many many are deficient and it’s needed for bone health…..other ingredients are all food based as standard process makes all their products food based….. I’m not sure how it’s working but I’m into my 2nd month and will stay with it….last thing I want is a surgery, that hip replacement did me IN….that’s why everything is worse in my body.
Maybe finding a chiro in your area who sells it would be a good thing for you folks….call around.
I mentioned my daughter’s tendon foot collapse and she was getting HELP with Anatabloc and it’s no more….ebay has it for huge mark ups….what a mess that has been on anatabloc. Jen is on Ligaplex II….
A friend’s 50+ yr daughter just had foot reconstruction surgery and her daughter says it’s been the worst experience…..it’s a LONG LONG recovery and rehab and painful rehab. She often says she wishes she had not done it.
I’m back on glucosamine and sticking with it and just ordered a new systemic enzyme yesterday, Flavenzym which has same ingredients as Wobenzym but half the costs…..these enzymes work with controlling body inflammation. Vitacost sells Flavenzym and I read a lot of reviews on these two and ordered the Flavenzym….
Hope you all can get some help with what I’ve just put out…..I deal with a lot of pain and I’m much older and do not want to be on any operating table again.
Looking into Prolozone down here too for knee….some members here talked about it and I’m finding the best prices for my budget…..it’s oxygen therapy and vitamins added to solution. joy
Thanks, Joy. You, along with Joe and a couple other people have been a GREAT help to me. I’m still taking the collagen supplement from Great Lakes (did I get that right?) that you talked about. I’m definitely going to try Ligaplex II and recommend it to my niece.
Besides being in the National Guards, she is also a Physics major working on her Masters degree-on a full scholarship. A TENS unit could relieve some of her pain (while it’s on, at least), and she’s smart enough to figure out whether some of the stuff I take (and I take A LOT of what you’ve researched) will help her with her rare disease. I have to ask my sister what the name of the disease is, again. Then I can ask Joe what his recommendations are, too.
I TRULY and SINCERELY am grateful for all that you research and share. Joe Cannon’s site is such a HUGE blessing, because he does such in-depth, unbiased research; then he has fan/followers who share their own experiences and what helps them. This is a unique site that I’ve never seen the like before.
Roseann
Roseann, I really appreciate that, thanks 🙂
Roseann, I love to share what is helping me…..and RIGHT NOW, I’m working and research on Oxygen Therapy which I plan to have injection in my knee soon, this is called Prolozone…..there is so much info on the MERITS of oxygen therapy for so much healing that so many need and not getting with all the drugs that pharma pushes down our throats…and we get no healing from these drugs, just expensive bandaids that end up doing more damage to our bodies…..
There are at least 6 MD’s who do the Prolozone oxygen therapy injections close to me and I’ll probably go the the FIRST integrative MD I saw on my journey about 15 yrs ago or so……he does these oxygen injections and of course insurance does not pay, so it will be out of pocket, but if it saves my knee from invasive G.D. surgery, it’s worth every penny(s)….I’ll post a big article on Oxygen therapy soon. Joy
Here is what my Ohio friend sent me on Oxidative Therapy and YES, I’m going to do the Prolozone in my knee SOON.
WHOLE ARTICLE
By Dr. Mercola
Ebola is heavily featured in the news these days, bringing lots of fear and
concerns. Can anything be done to successfully treat or prevent this
horrific and highly lethal disease?
Dr. Robert Rowen who is a leading expert on oxidative therapy, offers an
intriguing answer in this interview. By invitation of the President of
Sierra Leone, he’s going there to teach health care workers how to treat
Ebola using ozone.
“I do ozone, ultraviolet blood irradiation therapy, and high-dose vitamin
C,” he explains. “All of these collectively belong to a family of therapies
called oxidative therapies.
In my opinion – and I’ve been doing them longer than any other living person
in North America; since 1986 – especially ozone and ultraviolet [therapies]
are among the most powerful therapies for healing across the board of
anything I’ve ever seen in my career… It does so by stimulating your own
body to heal.”
Ozone Effectively Inactivates Viruses
Ozone is quite versatile, as you can administer it in many different ways.
It’s extraordinary in terms of its anti-infective and antiviral action, and
it has virtually no toxicity, making it a prime candidate for both
prevention and treatment.
Dr. Rowen’s YouTube channel1 contains a number of videos demonstrating and
discussing what these therapies can do. With bacteria, ozone works by
puncturing the membrane of the bacteria, causing it to spill its contents
and die. It also inactivates viruses, and does so 10 times faster than
chlorine.
“I’ve told my patients and readers, please know where your closest oxidative
physician is, because your life might depend on it, and if you have the
wherewithal, to get an [ozone] machine to purify water.
It can be easily adapted in the privacy of your home, so that you can
administer it rectally for whatever condition you have,” Dr. Rowen says.
Ozone—The Most Powerful Natural Oxidant in the World
Chlorine is being used overseas right now for Ebola to disinfect clothes and
isolation suites, etc. But ozone actually disinfects 10 times faster than
chlorine. It’s the most powerful natural oxidant in the world.
Ozone also has the advantage of stimulating the immune system, and
modulating it—either up or down depending on what your system requires.
“Right now, we’re faced with probably one of the most horrific epidemics
human kind has ever known. That’s a virus called Ebola that is transmitted
by personal contact [through] bodily fluids and, actually, it may be also be
airborne,” Dr. Rowen says.
“What I don’t know – and I’m trying to investigate – is how easily it is
transmitted from person to person. I’m not sure that it’s easy to get,
because if it was, everybody should be dead by now in many of the villages,
and not everybody is dead.
On the other hand, we know that there are aid workers who have gotten the
disease and died even though they were wearing full suits…
Anybody who works with Ebola are putting their lives on the line because
there are no conventional therapies for this; none, except getting
supportive care…”
How Ozone Works to Combat Infectious Disease
As noted by Dr. Rowen, Ebola hijacks your immune system and suppresses it.
Once your immune system realizes the virus is there, it launches a cytokine
storm, and it is this cytokine storm that leads to massive tissue
destruction and capillary leakage.
This is what causes the hemorrhaging associated with Ebola. Ozone modulates
the cytokine storm.
It’s anti-infective. It improves circulation and blood flow, oxygen
delivery, and likely upregulates mitochondrial respiration, thereby
generating more energy in your cells. Oxygen is one of the most important
things your body needs for tissue healing when you’re riddled with
infection.
There’s an experimental, still unapproved treatment for Ebola called ZMapp.
It offers passive immunity to the virus. This is not a vaccine but three
monoclonal antibodies that have been humanized by genetic engineering and
grown in tobacco plants. It’s very costly and time consuming to produce and
it’s not yet commercially available.
ZMapp works with your body’s immune system, slowing down the viral load to
give your body enough time to respond and not get killed by the cytokine
storm. It’s not really a drug in the conventional sense, as it acts simply
by slowing down the virus from reaching the cells.
This is similar to ozone’s action, but ozone could potentially be more
effective, as it works both indirectly and directly. It’s directly toxic to
the virus while being harmless to your body’s own cells, and also indirectly
enhances your immune system function. Regarding potential safety concerns of
ozone, Dr. Rowen says:
“Ozone is only hard on the lungs, but it can be given in other ways. It can
be given intravenously. It can be given in the bladder, in the vagina, in
the rectum, via injection – anywhere. It’s just [that] it can be tough on
the lungs. You don’t want to be breathing it…
Also, the way ozone can be done is dirt cheap. And in a place like Africa,
where there are thousands of people with this and there’s just no money, can
you imagine what it will mean to the planet if we can treat this disease
with a therapy that will cost probably less than 10 dollars per patient?”
Historical Use of Oxidation Therapy Has Proven Its Benefits
While in Sierra Leone, Dr. Rowen will use ozone on himself and his team
every single day to prevent contracting the disease, and will continue the
treatment for some time afterward.
“I have less fear about Ebola with [ozone therapy],” Dr. Rowen says.”I mean
this and I’m speaking honestly. Yes, Ebola is a fearsome disease. But I know
the power of ozone and oxidative therapies. I wouldn’t be doing this if I
didn’t have absolute confidence that we’re going to dramatically cut the
death rate.”
Oxidation therapy was actually discovered during the great influenza
outbreak of 1918—a time when people were dying like flies across the world.
A physician in India named Dr. Oliver was treating viral influenza—which has
no treatment even today—and when he administered intravenous hydrogen
peroxide, which costs a couple cents to do for materials, he cut the death
rate by 50 percent.
“His comment at the end of his article published in The Lancet, a major
medical journal, was, ‘This is more remarkable because we only treated the
worst cases.’” Dr. Rowen says.
According to Dr. Rowen, ozone therapy is also very beneficial for heart
disease, immune diseases, injuries, and chronic degenerative diseases such
as osteoarthritis. As an example, Dr. Rowen has found that ozone is about 85
percent effective in knees and only slightly less effective in hips, when
given as an injection.
“I’m actually injecting oxygen. One percent of it is ozone O3, 99 percent of
it is oxgen O2. They’re getting a blast of oxygen and they’re getting ozone.
There are two effects,” Dr. Rowen explains. “(1) They’re getting oxygen, the
most important thing those cells need to heal and (2) they’re getting ozone.
Ozone instantly modulates the inflammation. It knocks out the excessive
nitric oxide that’s in the joint. It increases other chemical mediators that
reduce inflammation.”
Other Oxidation Therapies
Aside from ozone, other oxidation therapies include hydrogen peroxide,
intravenous vitamin C, and ultraviolet light. Dr. Rowen has done intravenous
hydrogen peroxide since 1989, and it’s very inexpensive. One drawback is
that it’s hard on your veins, and can actually make your veins disappear.
Ozone doesn’t do that. Ultraviolet blood irradiation therapy is another
excellent modality, although it’s not quite as versatile as ozone. You can
find an article discussing ultraviolet blood irradiation therapy on Dr.
Rowen’s website.2, 3
“[The article] is called ‘Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation Therapy: The Cure
That Time Forgot’… [Ultraviolet blood irradiation therapy] was done
widespread in this country until the ‘60s. And then when you could take a
pill, it was wiped out. There are political reasons why it was wiped out,
too. I know that for sure. But it’s still being done,” he says.
Then there is high-dose intravenous vitamin C. While vitamin C is an
antioxidant, it also promotes the production of superoxide dismutase. Dr.
Rowen explains how:
“[W]hen you give high-dose vitamin C intravenously, the ascorbic acid leaves
the bloodstream and goes into the interstitial fluids where a series of
reactions occur that incite a greater production of superoxide dismutase,
which gets converted by the body into hydrogen peroxide. When you give
intravenous vitamin C, you are actually giving hydrogen peroxide.”
Ozone Therapy for Cancer
Still, ozone therapy is a superior approach to all these other alternatives.
Dr. Rowen has even used it for cancer, and while not a magic bullet, it has
successfully reversed some cases of cancer, including metastatic cancer. It’s
important to realize the outcome varies from individual to individual, and
most are also implementing dietary and supplement protocols. He notes:
“There are articles out there where ozone therapy is recommended now by many
people as a potential treatment for cancer. Why? Because tumors are hypoxic.
Hypoxic means low oxygen. The research is showing that the more enrichment
of oxygen you can get into the tumor, the better it’s going to behave. And
ozone increases oxygenation of the body.
If you get more oxygen into the tumor, you’re going to get a better-behaved
tumor aside from modulating your immune system. Hyperbaric oxygen is
probably really valuable. But it’s expensive. It’s time-consuming. And in my
experience – I’ve done both—I would take ozone any day over hyperbaric
oxygen.
With cancer, we do a combination approach: Intravenous—either ultraviolet
and/or ozone therapy. There was a monograph published 40 or 50 years ago by
a man named Olney… He had listed several patients with cancer who were
cured using ultraviolet blood irradiation therapy and cleaning themselves
up – detoxifying with certain supplements.
We also do what’s called minor autohemotherapy. In that, you take a small
amount of blood, about 5 or 6cc. You shake it up with ozone rather
vigorously, and then reinject it [intramuscularly] almost like an
autovaccine. I believe personally that that stimulates the immune system.
The third pillar of what I call ‘triple oxidation’ is giving a small amount
of gas intravenously… intravenous oxygen. This therapy has been around in
Europe for 60, 70, or 80 years… [I]t seems to stimulate other aspects of
the immune system, particularly an enzyme called 15-lipoxygenase-1
(15-LOX-1). That enzyme… has very strong anti-cancer properties.”
Treatment Plan for African Ebola Patients
The treatment method Dr. Rowen will implement in Africa is using direct
intravenous oxygen gas (99 percent oxygen, O2, and one percent ozone, O3)—a
therapy pioneered by Dr. Howard Robin who will accompany Dr. Rowen on this
trip. Again, this is NOT air. It’s a metabolically active gas that is
absorbed by your body.
Ozone (O3) reacts immediately in your blood to stimulate a cascade of
reactions creating something called ozonized biochemical molecules, which
are highly metabolically active in the immune system and in blood
circulation. As noted by Dr. Rowen, it’s “extraordinarily effective” and
“dirt cheap to do.” Aside from the initial purchase of an oxygen tank and an
ozone machine, the cost of treatment is limited to the price of one syringe
per patient. Dr. Rowen explains the process as follows:
“You start slow with 20cc. [Dr. Robin] works up to a maximum of 120cc of
gas. He gradually increases the concentration. Now, there are two issues:
Initially, in the early stages of this treatment, you can get a cough and
some chest tightness, which eventually with further treatments modulates and
goes away. It doesn’t seem to be a big problem… [but] can be a little
uncomfortable, because it takes about five to 10 minutes for it to go away.
The other problem that concerns me a little bit more is if you do this
repeatedly over and over again, it can do to the vein what intravenous
hydrogen peroxide does – it can make it go away. I have not seen that with
major autohemotherapy, [in which you’re] taking the blood out, treating it
with ozone, and putting it back in… But if you give ozone gas
intravenously, yes, it’s going to act like hydrogen peroxide… Now, when
you’re dealing with something like Ebola, I would be happy to sacrifice a
couple of veins for a cheap, quick fix.”
Will Big Pharma Sacrifice Lives to Maintain Monopoly on Expensive Ebola
Treatments?
If direct intravenous oxygen turns out to be successful, we can expect the
government of Sierra Leone to announce to the world that it has a treatment
for Ebola, as Dr. Rowen and his team are going there at the invitation of
its President. That will make international news very quickly. On the other
hand, there are commercial interests that stand to make billions, maybe
trillions of dollars, on Ebola treatment drugs and/or vaccines, whether such
drugs are effective or not. So it would be naïve to think that they will not
make a sincere effort to suppress inexpensive oxidation therapies for the
treatment of Ebola and other potential pandemic diseases…
“Will it be suppressed? Probably yes,” Dr. Rowen says. “I’m not afraid to
tell you that my biggest concern in this is that we will be in greater
danger from those interests than we will be from the Ebola itself… But you
know, it’s something that I have to do. All of us who are going, we’re being
guided by something much higher. It’s something that I have to do no matter
the risk, because the risk is far greater if we don’t do it.”
Indeed, perhaps the greatest risk of all is that the therapy will be
unsuccessful for treating Ebola, and that the disease will keep spreading
unchecked around the world. As noted by Dr. Rowen, the Ebola pathogen is
unlike most other pathogens, and may not respond like other viruses.
“I can usually get rid of herpes zoster (shingles) in a couple of days with
ozone therapy, and we can cure a lot of these other acute conditions. But
Ebola is a pathogen unlike anything that we’ve ever seen before. I don’t
know what’s going to happen when we do this. Maybe the patients are just so
toxic that they’re going to be overcome by anything we do. I don’t know…
If it doesn’t work, I don’t want to see ozone discredited for all the other
miracles it does,” he says.
Why Ozone Therapy Stands a Good Chance of Working Against Ebola
Still, despite such cautious doubts, there are very positive indications
suggesting oxygen therapy might be the answer the world needs right now to
successfully respond to this situation. As mentioned earlier, ZMapp works by
slowing down the virus, allowing your immune system more time to kill off
the virus itself. Tests suggest ZMapp can be effective if given early
enough, and ozone is orders of magnitude more effective at boosting immune
function.
Moreover, ozone also inactivates viruses, which ZMapp does not do, which
actually allows you to build immunity against the pathogen. “Since we’re
neutralizing the virus, now you have viral particles that are still
antigenic – not infectious but antigenic – that can stimulate your immune
system, which in itself will make the antibodies,” Dr. Rowen explains.
Basically, that is an authentic “vaccine.” This is how you develop a natural
immunity to the virus. I for one eagerly await Dr. Rowen’s results, and will
hopefully have the opportunity to interview him again to learn about his
first-hand experiences treating Ebola in Africa.
“I wouldn’t go and put myself at risk if I didn’t think that what I’m taking
there to use to help these people wouldn’t also take care of myself,” Dr.
Rowen says. “I’m really excited about it. I’m really hopeful that this is
going to change the world… I pray about this every day. It’s my prayer
that the result we get in Sierra Leone is going to change the
disease-maintenance paradigm of the world. I call it ‘the sickness system.’
We need a paradigm shift.”
More Information
I strongly endorse Dr. Rowen’s recommendation to locate a clinician who can
administer the oxidative therapies discussed here, because they really can
be crucial—not just for virulent infectious diseases such as Ebola, but also
for a wide array of other chronic diseases, from heart disease and
degenerative joint disease to cancer.
To learn more about the general use of oxidative medicine, which include
ozone therapy, ultraviolet blood irradiation therapy, and intravenous
hydrogen peroxide therapy, please see my previous interview with Dr. Rowen.
Again, of the various oxidative therapies available, ozone appears to be the
best overall, as it’s the most versatile. It’s particularly beneficial for
blood treatments, infection, and chronic fatigue.
Oxidative therapies work by stimulating your immune system, enhancing
mitochondrial processes, and facilitating healing with virtually no side
effects, and can be used either as treatment or prevention. They can also be
used as a potent anti-aging health strategy for general wellness. I also
encourage you to look at Dr. Rowen’s channel on YouTube,4 where you can find
a number of examples of what oxidative therapies can be used for so that you
can avail yourself of this relatively inexpensive and incredibly safe
therapy.
To locate a clinician who can administer oxidative therapy you can try the
following sources:
Dr. Rowen’s website has a list of oxidation doctors, trained by Dr. Rowen
and his team
American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM.org)
International College of Integrative Medicine (ICIMED.org)
OxygenHealingTherapies.com also has a list of doctors trained in a variety
of oxidation therapies
American Academy of Ozonotherapy
Joy, Do investigate Dr. Mercola claims with others.
Oh, also I’ve been taking an enzymatic supplement called Pain 180 from biotree. I’m not quite sure why enzymatic treatment/supplements help with joint pain and inflammation. JOE, can you explain?? I don’t know where I ordered it, but I’ll probably try yours, since I know how you research things so well. I’m not doing very well in terms of joint pain and deterioration and inflammation. Thanks again, Joy, for sharing your research.
Roseann, Is Pain 180 helping you? if yes then that is what is most important. From a science perspective, enzyme supplements would need to make it into the blood stream intact if they were to do anything. Since enzymes are mostly protein, Im not sure how they could get past the digestion process. Id ask Biotree to show proof (studies) that the product reduces pain and/or studies showing that those who take it have higher levels of those enzymes in the blood after taking the product. As far as I can understand it, those are the best ways to know for sure if works.
As an aside, I looked up BioTreelabs.com. they didn’t tell me where they were located. That makes me wonder if there really is an actual location where laboratory work occurs. The website was created only this year and is registered to somebody in Texas
http://www.whois.com/whois/biotreelabs.com
TO JOE CANNON: Joe, how does enzymatic treatment help in reducing inflammation, joint pain and joint health?
Roseann, the skeptic in me has some doubts but if it is working for you then that is more important to me.
Dear Joe, I’m not sure the enzymatic treatment IS working for me. It’s too early to tell because I just started taking it. But I’ve noticed more and more enzymatic supplements being advertised-maybe they were always around and I never noticed them.
My question was how they would help with joint problems- I can’t understand the rationale behind how they would work on joints or tendons or pain (which i notice they are advertised to help).
Joy does A LOT of research on whatever she takes, and we have somewhat similar problems, so I’m willing to try. I’ll let you know.
Thanks for the NIH article about supplements for EDS-I forwarded it to my niece.
Roseann
Roseann, enzyme supplements have been around a long time. Ive never understood how they can survive the digestion process. I touched on enzymes when I wrote the review on my new Breville Juicer. The good news is that they won’t hurt you so if you try them let me know what happens.
To Joe: I clicked on your site for Pain 180 by biotree, and it creeped me out. Godaddy sounds familiar, but my brain won’t access why it does, as yet.
To Joy and Joe- the oxidative (especially ozone) therapies in the study you sent and other studies like it always leave me wondering HOW and IF ozone or other oxidative treatments would work on AUTOIMMUNE diseases, where one’s own immune system attacks one’s own cells.
Would these therapies help, harm, or have no effect on autoimmune diseases? I don’t think ANYONE does these treatments in my area of northern CA-Stockton, known before Detroit as the largest US city to declare bankruptcy.
I’m sorry-I’m WAY off track from the subject of Anatabloc.
Roseann
Rosann, Godaddy is just a website hosting company. People who have websites pay hosting companies who let their websites be able to get on the internet. Hosting companies are like the “landlords” and websites are like the “tenants.” Godaddy is one of many hosting companies out there.
As for ozone therapy, its not something I know a lot of other than it creates free radicals. Here are a few things I found when I did a quick internet search that may help:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3312702/
http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/pharmacologicalandbiologicaltreatment/oxygen-therapy
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1233-ozone%20therapy.aspx?activeingredientid=1233&activeingredientname=ozone%20therapy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_therapy
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10394090/Ozone-therapy-endangered-patients-life-court-hears.html
Roseann, there is not much to say about Anatabloc anymore…..I’m close to going to Dr. Hans Gruenn here in West Los Angeles, he does Prolozone (oxygen) injections and it would be for my knee….I have many other parts but not a lot of money to do this…. There is an online list of ozone MD’s thru the US and you can find it online, Dr. Gruenn also has a site on the ozone work….Prolozone comes from Germany, Gruenn is originally from Germany but in our area for many years….I’ve seen him early on when he took Medicare and he also lectures on a variety of health issues at our local main library. There is a huge community of holistic healers down here and a lot of very interested people.
Ozone Practioners site:
http://www.oxygenhealingtherapies.com/my_ozone_doctor.com.html
This is an accurate list of Ozone Doctors, trained in Ozone Therapy Protocols. Ozone Course.com provides Ozone Therapy Courses and is an information …
Alberta – British Columbia – Manitoba – San Juan
Roseann, here are some Naturopaths in No Cal. (los gatos and los altos)
naturopaths.healthprofs.com › Start › California – CA
Los Altos California – Naturopath
HealthProfs.com: Find Ozone Therapy Naturopaths in California (CA), help … to cancer and medical conditions that other doctors have not been able to resolve.
Joy, where did you order Ligaplex II ? My husband is now semi-retired, so I have to stay within a budget. I know how well you research things, including costs. Thanks.
Hi Roseann, I buy mine from Santa Monica Homeopathic in person at standard process price….pure formulas sells it online with a slight mark up, Amazon a big mark up which is bad and MAYBE one can buy directly from standard process but I’m not sure…they sell to a lot of chiro’s around the country and selected stores…. I pay $26+calif sales tax… SM homeopathic ships from their location I believe…so you’d have to pay sales tax and shipping.
Hope you can get to work with it for your issues……joy
To Joe, Joy, and Everyone who sees this: My mid-20’s niece has a disease called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome; she has the hyper mobility type, with maybe another variant involved. Already she needs surgery to tighten the ligaments in her hips. Does anyone out there have or know someone who has this syndrome? If so, what natural Therapies or supplements have helped this?
PS: To Joy, I just ordered the Flavenzyme and Lifaplex II. I’ll tell my niece about them. Thank you!
Roseann, Ive heard of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. While Im not aware of any supplements that have been specificaly investigated to help EDS, I did find this study where the researchers speculated that these supplements might help
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15607555
you can show this study to your local library and they can likely order it for free so you can read the whole thing (they call this an inter-library loan). I did notice that the lead researcher of this study works at Pharma Nord, which is a dietary supplement maker in Europe. That may or may not mean a conflict of interest. I think the study I linked to is basically the researcher, taking a guess at what he thinks would help EDS.
It would appear ebay was the last chance.
Human trials under way in the UK. Should only take another 5-10 years before we have access. Thanks for nothing FDA and the leftists’ political machine that ruined the governor of Virginia and Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals.
I’m one who had 4 great months with Anatabloc Jan-April 2013 and YES it stopped working and I was not willing to up to 10-12 per day, 8 was doing it, plus the cost was tough for me.
My daughter deals with a ruptured tendon in her foot and Anatabloc helps her inflammation issues there, now she can’t buy it anymore….
We both are now on Standard Process Ligaplex II for our ligament/tendon tissue issues….Manganese is a main ingredient in Ligaplex II and managanese is a mineral needed for bone health….. Many, I believe are probably deficient in manganese, I was pretty low in 2005 when I had a mineral test done…..
So crossing everything I can that Ligaplex II will give us help we need.
My profound thanks to you Joe Cannon. Way back in January 2013 I believe I learned of Anatabloc from your website here. My 14 year-old daughter has autism and at the time was experiencing terrible behavioral problems. I’ve been closely following the research into potential treatments – I’m a PubMed junkie – and was looking for a safe anti-inflammatory for her. There’s a lot of sham charlatan doctors out there peddling “so called” treatments to “recover” your child – I DO NOT use them.
The effect of the Anatabloc on Rosie’s behavior was nothing short of incredible.
It’s sad and disturbing to read what people, in their ignorance have posted here. Dr. Michael Mullan, the scientist behind Anatabloc partnered with a businessman to help him launch a product that would help finance his research for a cure for Alzheimer’s. He is by NO MEANS a “snake oil” salesman! As I slowly titrated Rosie to a higher dose, I was able to eliminate the atypical anti-psychotic she was taking for aggression.
A-typical antipsychotics are one of the most PROFITABLE drug categories that big pharma has currently in their arsenal. Their long term use hold dangerous risks – and they’re being prescribed to kids with autism at the age of even 5 years-old!!! The entire category is considered one of the most “OVER-prescribed” out there.
It terrifies me to read here how the effectiveness of Anatabloc “wore-off” for some people. So far, knock on anything-you-want, this has not been the case in over a year on Anatabloc for Rosie. I’ve kept detailed charts to track her progress thus far.
But now the FDA has pressured Rock Creek to suspend sales and just the other day (9/12/2014) announced they consider anatabine citrate the main ingredient in Anatabloc to be a drug. This is VERY inconsistent.
Anatabine is a naturally occurring alkaloid – you can’t patent it! Now I need to find other families who have found success and ask them to send a letter or email to the FDA to ask them to give Anatabloc an IND – (Investigational New Drug) “Compassionate Use” label so we can have continued access to it. Any help anyone here can provide me to reach out to these families would be greatly appreciated.
Again, my profound thanks Joe!
p.s. just so we’re clear – Anatabloc is no miracle cure for autism, Rosie still has great challenges with anxiety, OCD and verbal communications.
Jeanne, you’re welcome and I’m glad anatabloc has helped your daughter. Thanks for updating me on the FDA classifying anatabine a drug also. I was not aware of that ruling.
The decision on classifying it still as a drug came only on September 12, 2014 in response to an appeal by Rock Creek Pharmaceutical. It’s very difficult to understand the inconsistency displayed by the FDA in this situation. There are far more dangerous supplements on the shelves of your local viatmin / homeopathic/health food store. When I learn how to / who to petition at the FDA I’ll post it here – would that be okay?
I think the idea about calling it a drug may be because even though it’s found in nature… Tobacco… It’s not usually consumed in the levels found in anatabloc. I believe that is a factor the FDA looks at.
Sadly, it is more likely the pressure of drug companies on FDA to put the hammer down on an all natural alternative which has been a war for decades as FDA has always been in the pocket of big drug companies. What doctor is going to write a prescription for a now new drug they never heard of.
Sadly, I agree that the FDA is in the pocket of large drug companies
Joe you make a good point. But anyone could overdose on a myriad of simple vitamin supplements available on the retail shelf. Those are commonly sold in quantities not found in nature. More than 60,000 instances of vitamin toxicity are reported annually to US poison control centers. (American Association of Poison Control Centers’ National Poison Data System. Annual Reports. Available at http://www.aapcc.org/annual-reports. Accessed Feb 1 2013. )
Many is the time I’ve seen doctors freak-out when they learn what’s available OTC – simply because they know the dangers they pose. Rosie’s doctor specifically mentioned N-acetyl cysteine to me the other day when we were discussing this. We plan to use this with her – but he believes it’s too dangerous for OTC sales. ( Want to talk about OTC testosterone?)
We are in a bizarre period of medicine, where otherwise very ethical learned medical professionals ( yes there are some out there) are taking their new-found remedies directly to consumers as “dietary supplements” because it’s become so difficult to get them through the FDA process for approval.
I find it peculiar how anatabine has been singled-out here. Anatabloc is not a “compounded” mix = drug, but now the FDA has decided that the anatabine as extracted by the makers of Anatabloc is. Weird.
No easy answers here. Perhaps the European way is best here – where you have to go through NOT a doctor ( $$) but a pharmacist to obtain these novel therapies.
Jeanne, yes there are no easy answers here. I can tell you that on other reviews on this site I have on more than one occasion read comments from people who’ve had some strange side effects from things and the thing they often say is something like “how did this happen if its natural?” Nobody here so far has said anatabloc had weird side effects that I recall. That said, it would have been nice if Rock Creek Pharm did some studies of side effects in people before they marketed the product. Even if they did, I don’t know if it would help given that anatabine isn’t normally found in the food supply in appreciable amounts and normally and thats a usually biggie stipulation for supplements. We’ll have to see what happens.
” it would have been nice if Rock Creek Pharm did some studies of side effects in people before they marketed the product.” Dear Joe, millions of people consumed vast quantities of anatabine for years before Anatabloc was put on the market. They were called “cigarette smokers.”
Do you know the story behind anatabine? Its anti-inflammatory properties were discovered by a scientist at Johns-Hopkins who was researching the affects of second-hand smoke. His sample group was Flight Attendants who had spent years in confined airplane cabins breathing smoke filled air. He discovered amongst this group a very low incidence of inflammatory diseases. From there he determined it was the anatabine in the tobacco that provided this resistance.
When I recognized that Anatabloc was really helping my 13 year-old daughter – it seemed too good to be true. So like a mad-woman I spent literally days trying to find ANY human risk involved with the consumption of anatabine. Most of the research focused on the impact of tobacco consumption, which was usually through smoking. Did I mention I was a “Pub Med Junkie”? But the noxious effects of tobacco were always from the tar, nicotine and the fact that it was being consumes through air-passages.
Mullan and his group at Roskamp were looking for a safe agent to ameliorate the inflammation found in Alzheimer’s patients and came upon the research published by the scientist at J-H’s.
Let’s see what happens with the application for “compassionate use” – and hope for the best.
Jeanne, as I understand the anatabloc story, it was star scientific, trying to find a healthier cigarette that noticed the effects and later attributed the effects to anatabine. How much anatabine is in a pack of cigarettes and how does that compare to what is in a pack of anatabloc? Are they the same or different? We also have to look at absorbption in the lungs vs absorption orally. They may or may not be the same. I looked at all the anatabloc studies and never saw these questions answered. I think these are some reasons for the FDA taking action.
As for Johns Hopkins, if you look through the comments you will see this mentioned previously. If I remember, Star Scientific (aka rock creek pharm) got into some trouble for associating itself with in press releases. Turns out Johns Hopkins did not study anatabloc. I believe it was a scientist who had some affiliation with Johns Hopkins but he did not do the research in association with Johns Hopkins.
Here is review of the story
http://www.thestreet.com/story/11820016/1/star-scientifics-made-up-misleading-relationship-with-johns-hopkins.html
Here is the star scientific press release that started the controversy
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/star-scientific-incrock-creek-pharmaceuticals-report-positive-initial-results-of-asap-human-thyroid-health-study-showing-benefits-in-immune-system-support-185958612.html
Pub med is a good source to get information from. You could call me a junkie in that way too. As for other websites, I know you likely know this – but I’ll say it anyway – investors in rock creek pharm stock are talking this stock up online. I believe they do this to raise the stock price to make them money. There are stock investors monitoring this conversation too. Just keep that in the back of your mind as you read websites. For the record, I do not own stock in rock creek pharm.
Joe thank you for your time in responding to my posts. Does everything HAVE to be posted? I read the articles on Johns-Hopkins and Anatabloc. Yes it’s true, J-H had nothing to do with studies of the effectiveness of Anatabloc on human inflammatory diseases.
But way back when, a scientist at J-H discovered the anti-inflammatory effect of the alkaloid “anatabine,” and from there Dr. Mullan decided to see if it could help people with Alzheimers. There were a lot of missteps in the public communications issued from Star / Rock Creek when they launched and continued to market to the public Anatabloc.
Jeannie, you’re welcome. BTW what was the name of the Johns Hopkins doctor who noted anatabine had anti-inflammatory properties? Was he/she working for/at Johns Hopkins when it occurred? If yes, this might explain the J-H controversy. Let me know.
I used the FDA’s contact form to let them know how Anatabloc removed all chronic arthritis pain for both my wife and I. I hope and pray the FDA allows it to be sold OTC again.
The only supplement that actually works and it gets pulled. Go figure. I simply don’t trust my government anymore.
Mike L – Thank you so much for telling me about the FDA “Contact form”!! I’ve heard of many people who are likewise distraught over this situation. I’ll use the Contact form – but i do want to create a petition to the FDA. When it’s in place, I’ll send you a link. Thanks again!
Jeannie-Marie,
A petition is a great idea. Let me know when you have it done as I’d love to sign it. Have gone to the Credo site where you can start a petition on their site with their members? https://www.credomobilize.com
Jeanne-marie ———–
Thanks so much for posting your testimony of experience with your daughter taking Anatabloc. That is truly a heart felt story. Good luck with your daughter’s health and hopefully, someway, somehow we will have access to Anatabloc in the not to distant future. There are many, many people who’s health will suffer, including mine, if Anatabloc is not made available to the public soon.
I think that it couldn’t hurt if you wrote to Dr. Mullen at Rock Creek setting out your story for him and telling him how important it is for your daughter and your family to be able to get Anatabloc for your daughter’s health.
Good luck,
Thank-you so much Allan. Yes I’ve been in touch with Dr. Mullan at the Roskamp Institute. Poor fellow, he’s a medical doctor and research scientist – retail marketing is not something he’s accustomed to dealing with.
His team is now appealing to the FDA to allow Rock Creek to sell Anatabloc as an Investigational New Drug (IND) “compassionate use” label. This category was created by the AIDS activists who, back in the 80’s said “We’ll all be dead before a drug is approved in the standard 7 -8 FDA process. We have nothing to lose.”
Hopefully, now that it seems near impossible to have it approved as a dietary supplement, it will come back on the market in this reincarnation. BUT we might have to jump through some new hoop ( or doctor’s office) to buy it.
Rosie’s prior a-typical antipsychotic costs my insurance company $1000/mo. With Anatabloc they pay nothing. Can’t help but wonder what they think of these situations. Allan I never, ever give hope – and neither should you!
It would appear ‘Compassionate Use’ designation is not regulated by the Feds.
Newswise — NEW YORK, NY (September 16, 2014) – Patients facing death or irreversible disease progression – most of whom have exhausted all approved treatment options — sometimes seek access to unapproved and unproven interventions. This type of access, often referred to as “compassionate use,” is unregulated by federal authorities, subject to corporate pharmaceutical policies that change mid-stream, and could potentially adversely affect clinical care in the future, according to preliminary studies conducted by researchers and bioethicists at NYU Langone Medical Center (NYULMC).
Of particular concern, the researchers point out, is the escalating use of social media by patients and their representatives to pressure decision-makers into providing unapproved drugs, devices, or vaccines on the grounds of compassionate use. This shift, they say, highlights inequitable distribution of unapproved treatments: Those most capable of exploiting their social relationships (online or off-line) are more likely to gain access to unapproved treatments — and the possibility of medical benefit.
This has been demonstrated recently with scarce supplies of an experimental Ebola treatment being given first to American and European relief workers rather than to the West Africans impacted by the ongoing Ebola epidemic in that region.
“This is an enormously important, albeit inadequately studied, problem in research ethics,” said Arthur Caplan, PhD, director of the NYULMC Division of Medical Ethics and the founding member of an interdisciplinary group working on guidelines for more equitable access of compassionate use. “The need to provide access and a chance at rescue for those in desperate straits must be thoughtfully balanced against the reality that cure is a long shot and society is best served when drugs and vaccines are carefully tested.”
The researchers explored the primary factors contributing to the current inequities in compassionate use and similar protocols by analyzing what is available on the subject in published literature and on the internet. In addition, they scoured through resources on the subject provided by other experts in bioethics. “While we readily admit that this was an imperfect model for conclusive findings, it was more information, analyzed more systematically, than anything else done previously,” Dr. Caplan added. “A more systematic survey is planned when more funding is made available.”
Among their preliminary findings:
• Biotechnology companies have no legal or regulatory obligation to provide access to unapproved treatments on the grounds of compassionate use. Some companies allow access under the guidance of well thought out policies; some companies decline to allow access; some companies grant access but have no set guidelines; and some companies change their practices midstream as a result of public pressure. This lack of uniform policy is confusing to those seeking unapproved treatments.
• Contrary to widespread perception, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is not an obstacle to those seeking compassionate use. In fact, the FDA almost always defers to the company that is developing the unapproved treatment to decide whether to grant compassionate use access.
• The “human impulse” to help patients facing insurmountable odds motivates both the general public’s support for compassionate use and so-called “right to try” laws to help gain access to unapproved treatments. However, increasing access to unapproved therapies may prove detrimental in the long run to longstanding and effective research and clinical trial systems through which interventions are proven effective and safe, and given regulatory approval.
• Efforts to speed up the development of new therapies and to shorten the time it takes for a treatment to move from clinical testing to clinical use may result in unsafe treatments being approved. Likewise, efforts to facilitate the use of unapproved treatments in terminally ill patients or others who need immediate treatment may result in those individuals being at increased risk of harm. Furthermore, if very sick patients get worse after treatment with an unapproved intervention, that intervention may be (fairly or unfairly) tarnished by the adverse outcomes.
Researchers also point out that questions about who should receive access to unapproved treatments arise in both developed and less-developed nations. These treatment requests most often concern both infectious and chronic diseases, and both children and adults.
The researchers conclude that the issue of access to unapproved treatments demands both an analysis of what is happening domestically and globally, and a global response that is driven not by innuendo and outside pressures, but by solid data.
“Use of social media pressure to achieve goals of early access favor the savvy and the well-connected over the poor. Equity, always at risk in our health care system, will again be flaunted.” said working group member Nancy Dubler, LLB, faculty affiliate of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYULMC, consultant in Bioethics for the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation and founding director of the Montefiore Medical Center Division of Bioethics.
To accurately depict the current application of compassionate use, the researchers are continuing their work by conducting stakeholder interviews and surveys; and by examining relevant case studies from the United States and other nations. After reviewing all facets of this vexing issue, the group plans to author and disseminate clear recommendations for improving equitable access to unapproved treatments.
The Division of Medical Ethics at NYU Langone Medical Center enhances and integrates bioethics in the curriculum of the NYU medical school, professional schools, undergraduate programs, and graduate education; generates novel and useful research in core areas including mental health, vaccines, research ethics, rationing, end of life care, and sports and society; provides policy advice and guidance to NGOs, professional societies, industry, government, foundations, patient organizations, and other groups and institutions interested in bioethical issues; and fosters careers in bioethics. To learn more, please visit: http://pophealth.med.nyu.edu/divisions/medical-ethics.
The FDA in general is a very good idea but they have done some really awful things, like stating that they have never and will never agree to test anything offered to them except from LARGE corporations; they’ve tried to shut down some very good doctors like Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski, a cancer doctor with new approach to cancer spurred on by Big Pharma (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/01/19/cancer-doctor-burzynski.aspx)
and now this!