Endocrinologists to Develop Guidelines, Education on Nutraceuticals – (06-28-00)

Endocrinologists to Develop Guidelines, Education on Nutraceuticals

Western medicine is finally starting to see the benefits of natural medicine, but the idea of having a class or a series of seminars to be “certified” is rather ridiculous. People who are knowledgeable in nutraceutical use spend many hours in education to get a foundation, and then countless hours, days, weeks and months continuing to educate themselves on just a small portion of what’s out there. Even a minute portion of what many natural medicine practioners know would be impossible to cram into a short certification program.

Nutraceuticals may have a role in a comprehensive nutritional program to optimize health, but much caution is needed, according to a report issued here at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists’ ninth annual meeting and clinical congress. Dr. Jeffrey I. Mechanick, of Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, reported that the AACE has initiated a program to educate endocrinologists on nutraceuticals and has appointed a nutrition Task Force which this summer will write recommended guidelines on the use of nutraceuticals in clinical medicine.