For Immediate Release	CONTACT:	Holly Anderson, ext. 114
December 9, 1997
		(202) 835-3323

WASHINGTON, D.C....Interest in alternative medicine is booming, but unfortunately, not all alternative health remedies are equal. The Food and Drug Administration, for example, estimates 38 million Americans have used a fraudulent health product or treatment spending billions of dollars a year.

"While some of the new alternative medicines have promise, consumers need to be wary of the pitfalls as well," said Linda F. Golodner, National Consumers League president. "The League is especially skeptical of weight-loss products, energy boosters, and body-building supplements that contain ephedrine alkaloids."

To help consumers better sort through the overwhelming and often conflicting information related to alternative medicine, the National Consumers League has published "Alternative Health Care: New Promise, New Pitfalls." The brochure, which is available for $1, guides consumers in the questions they need to ask when considering alternative treatments.

"As more people continue to turn toward alternative forms of health treatment, you can be sure that better information on what works and what doesn't will soon follow," Golodner said. "Until then, consumers need some simple tools to help them decide what is safest."

The brochure offers tips to help consumers navigate the alternative medicine maze, such as:

• beware of advice recommending megadoses of vitamins or minerals as part of treatment therapy.

• never be afraid to get a second opinion. Legitimate health care providers should never be offended by such a request.

• be skeptical of unproven alternative therapies and unrealistic claims.

• several examples of questionable diagnoses and treatments, including chelation therapy as a treatment for heart disease, multiple chemical sensitivity and supplements called ephedrine alkaloids.

To order a copy of NCL's brochure on alternative medicine, mail your request plus $1 for shipping and handling to: NCL, 1701 K Street, N.W., Suite 1200, Washington, D.C. 20006, or phone: (202) 835-3323. Bulk copies are available; please call for pricing information.

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America's pioneer consumer organization. NCL's three-pronged approach of research, education and advocacy has made it an effective representative and source of information for consumers and workers. NCL is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to representing consumers on issues of concern.