Author Archives: Dr Ken Harvey

About Dr Ken Harvey

Public Health Physician, Medical activitist

New WHO Guidelines on risk reduction of cognitive decline and dementia

Posted on May 16, 2019 by Dr Ken Harvey

https://www.who.int/mental_health/neurology/dementia/guidelines_risk_reduction/en/ Relevant to concerns about FSANZ Standard 2.6.5 which has allowed products such as Souvanaid® and Ceretain® to be self-assessed and promoted for the dietary management of Alzheimer’s dementia or related mild cognitive impairment. On supplements, WHO says: Vitamins B … Continue reading →

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A medical food for depression?

Posted on May 14, 2019 by Dr Ken Harvey

Neurofolin® (containing 15 mg of L-methylfolate calcium) is a self-declared food for special medical purposes promoted for dietary support of depression management. Advertisments claim that L-methylfolate is, “an active form of folate known to be deficient in individuals with depressive … Continue reading →

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March for Science Event, Melbourne 4 May 2019, Picnic and panel session

Posted on April 30, 2019 by Dr Ken Harvey

How Best Shall we Advocate for the Sciences? Join us for the Melbourne edition of this year’s global March for Science event. Bring a picnic lunch and a poster to celebrate science with us, and join in a panel discussion … Continue reading →

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MJA Insight: Two new articles on Food-Medicine regulation

Posted on April 23, 2019 by Dr Ken Harvey

Where food meets medicine: reform needed Junk food advertising to kids: the list of shame See also: FSANZ Sports Supplements Roundtable: Report on Discussions and Next Steps by

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Traditional Chinese Medicine in Australia: Yunnan Baiyao

Posted on April 7, 2019 by Dr Ken Harvey

An illustrative example of products available in Australia from local Chinese outlets. Illegally supplied (no ARTG number), a potentially dangerous ingredient (Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix), claims that breach numerous section of the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code (No.2) 2018 (including promoting for … Continue reading →

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TGA fails to act on illegal sports supplements

Posted on March 30, 2019 by Dr Ken Harvey

ABC story at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-30/canberra-fitness-community-not-fazed-by-sarms-health-risk/10930470 But, this problem was publicised last year and a complaint sent to the TGA And there are more complaints to the TGA that have not been dealt with: These are illegally supplied and promoted products by … Continue reading →

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SBS The Feed, Session 2019, Episode 7, Cure or Quack

Posted on March 29, 2019 by Dr Ken Harvey

A controversial government review that’s about to change what’s available for private health fund rebate. The program featured Naturopath Barbara O’Neil and her Misty Mountain Health Retreat, “where some people come with quite serious illness, like Lisa”. Lisa has gone … Continue reading →

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Food-medicine interface problems

Posted on March 28, 2019 by Dr Ken Harvey

FSANZ, Consumer and Public Health Dialogue, 27 March 2019, Canberra. I’ve now provided a report of my presentation and the discussion that ensured. Summary The regulation of health claims for foods and complementary medicines is inconsistent; complaint systems are problematic, … Continue reading →

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Lectures in Canberra; ANU & FSANZ

Posted on March 26, 2019 by Dr Ken Harvey

In Canberra from 25th-27th March 2019 staying at University House, a guest of the ANU. Two lectures to ANU BHSc students: Antibiotic Resistance: A Threat to Global Health Health Activism: A Case Study of Health Action International Asia Pacific One … Continue reading →

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SBS Insight – Vitamins: Sorting science from scam

Posted on March 13, 2019 by Dr Ken Harvey

The vitamins and dietary supplements industry has doubled over the last 10 years – we’re now spending an estimated $4.9bn each year on complementary medicines. But while some medical professionals say they work, others say the scientific evidence isn’t there, … Continue reading →

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