Considering the Scientific Reasoning for FDA's Guidance on Factors that Distinguish Liquid Dietary Supplements from Beverages

By now most, if not all, of you may have read the new FDA guidance published in December 2009 regarding the factors that distinguish liquid dietary supplements from beverages.  As manufacturers and marketers of these products, some of you may be frustrated at yet another hurdle the FDA presents to the successful marketing of dietary supplements.  Others may be greatly concerned about the extent to which the "new" FDA is exercising their regulatory authority over a relatively "free" natural products market.  A few of you may find the guidance's reasoning hard to grasp...But after having read the guidance and understanding the FDA's concerns, the reasoning for such guidance comes from a fundamental understanding of scientific principles.  In this article, we will attempt to rationalize the technical aspect of the guidance with these scientific principles.

 Conventional and Natural Approaches to Treating Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition with associated inflammation and dryness.  The resulting itch and general discomfort causes patients to scratch sometimes to the point of skin infections.  Scratching also leads to a scratch-itch cycle which lengthens recovery.  Atopic dermatitis appears to be allergy related, but is a treatable condition.  Several conventional approaches used to treat atopic dermatitis include antihistamines, coal tars, steriods, and other immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory drugs.  However, if recognized early, atopic dermatitis may be treatable with skin lotions and creams that contain natural products, moisturizers and other non-pharmaceutical products.