52 - North Shore News -— Sunday, February 13, 2000 aren Herbs are dru fieien Kelesi AS more and more peo- ple turn to herbs to treat what ails them, a University of Iowa pharmacist recommends that people use caution and smarts. “Satety is a big concern,” said Teresa Klepser, assistant professor of phat aacy. “People feel herbs are sale because they’re natural and available without a prescrip- tion. They have effects on the bady, so by definition they are drugs. People should treat OUT. REMAINING iS too them that way and let their physicians aud pharmacists know they are using then.” Klepser serves on an advi- sory panel, in her role, she advises patients about the use of herbal therapies, such as the popular tever tew, garlic, ginkgo, Asian ginseng, saw palmetto, St. John’s wort and valerian. All people need to know and understand the pros and cons of herbs. A recent articie in the American Journal of SPORTS Healrir-Systent Pharmacy enti- thed Unsate and Potenrally Safe Herbal Therapies offers some considerations for peo- ple who are aking, or think- ing of taking, herbal thera- pies: While it is true that herbs are less portent than traditional druys, they do have side effects and risks. People need to be aware of these factors and act accordingly. It is important that patients notify their doctors, preferably ALL REMAINING DEMOMODELS - SERVICE LOANERS HUGE ‘SAVINGS OW ALL USED: _SUPER LOW’ FINANCE = PACIFIC (W) Ei 725 Marine Drive, North Vancouver use with cauti before they begin raking the herbs. People on medications need to understand that herbs and traditional drugs could interact. For example, many older people take ginkgo to improve their memory. Many also take aspirin to reduce their chances of stroke. Combining aspirin and gink- go increases risks for bleeding. In the case of St. John’s wort, which individuals take to ward off mild depression, the herb can interact with antide- pressants, causing serotonin syndrome that can progress into cardiac arrest, coma, seizures or multiple organ failure. No agency in the North America regulates herbs and there are no formal standards. The amount of herb in one brand might not be the same as in another. As a good cule, opt for the more expensive brands. The cheaper versions mas not contain an effective amount of the herb, the herb may not be high quality, or the manufacturer may be putting the herbs into the pill haphazardly so that dosage varies from batch to batch or even from pill to pill. The more expensive a brand is, the more likely it is that the manufacturer is tak- ing steps to make the product more standardized and of higher quality. Because herbs are sold as “supplements” and not as medications, their claims are not subject to federal review and approval: There is no watchdog on duty to see that the advertised benefits of herbs are true. Many herbal preparations on te market have not been clinically test- ed; the “studies” mentioned in the ads are often little more than the manufacturer’s mother’s clains that the prod- uct does whatever the vendor says it dogs. Individuals’ reasons for taking herbal therapies vary, Klepser said. A majority of the patients opting for herbal therapies have chronic prob- lems, such as migraines or persistent back pain, and have exhausted traditional meth- ods. Also, there are those individuals who take herbs to promote healthy living, Klepser added. There is kind of a with-it-ness associated with taking them. “Patients like to take part in controlling their disease or health,” she said. “Taking herbs, which don’t require a prescription, allows that control. Some people believe that the use of herbs is just a phase, but sta- tistics show use is escalating. Hopetilly, there will be more acceptance and integration of alcernative and traditional medicines, but it will take a while. In the meantime, edu- cation, awareness and com- munication with one’s physi- cian are key.” Contact Helen Kelesi at . BOWLING Mixed Doubles Tournament Results Vanceuver 506 Club Feb. 6, Park Royal Lanes GAME NAMES 1 2 3 1. Sheri Smith 19% 164 160 Ray Lum 216 212 152 2. Sharia Lutz 125 133 127 Robert Kostiuk 128 154 221 3. Lois Bailey 170 165 187 Trevor Williams 137 179 «#44 (tie) “Shirley Lynas Whi «168 «(187 Bill Howard 18% 222 «143 *12. Bonnie Finch 151.119 174 Lee Finch 153 127)—«138 °31. Lyan Pasquali 145 156 157 Kent Major 206 239 164 *39. Linda Shiliabeer 124 140 131 Ron Shillabeer 135 182 172 “41. Juanita Torrebadeil107 121 312 Suan Benitez we 158 157 *=North Shore teams HANDI- GRAND CAP TOTAL _ PRIZE 1,895 $260.20 4_ TOT 175 690 896-249 145 726 151 536 241 744 1,641 $210.00 163 685 1,617 $172.50 184 644 163 685 169 715 128-572 735 553 133 591 183 797 1,617 $172.50 1,560 1.480 14° S06 1,413 153 642 117 457 119 S42 1,392 BASKETBALL AA SENIOR GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAM Windsor Collingwood Seycove Howe Sound St.Thomas Aquinas SENIOR BOYS Se SCHEDULE (ALL GAMES 8 P.M. Tue, Feb. 15 Handsworth @ Ar. Tue, Feb. 15. Carson Graham Tue, Feb. 15 Windsor @ Sutheriand Wed, Feb. 16 West Vancouver @ Arg’ Fri, Feb. 18 Sutherland @ Handswortl Sentinel yie Fri, Feb. 18 West Vancouver @ Windsor 1 eee Got a tournament coming un? Hey 5 Bob Mackin Speris EWitor Tel: 985-2131 Ext. 182 Fax: 885-2704 @: dmackin@nsnews.com