By Ruth Kava, Ph.D., R.D.
Posted: Saturday, August 4, 2007

LETTER
Publication Date: August 4, 2007

This letter appeared in the August 4, 2007 Wall Street Journal:

Anecdotal evidence supporting "alternative" treatments of depression may sound encouraging, but the fact is that, natural or not, unexpected toxicity may also be a consequence of taking these unregulated and unapproved substances. For example, not only has the efficacy of St. John's Wort in treating depression not been established, but it can also adversely affect the way the body metabolizes a variety of prescription drugs, including oral contraceptives and immune-suppressive drugs. Some alternative treatments, natural or not, are likely to be more dangerous than any prescription antidepression medication.

Ruth Kava, Ph.D., R.D.
Director of Nutrition
American Council on Science and Health
New York

 

See also: ACSH's 2000 brochure What's the Story? Drug-Supplement Interaction.