The American Chemical Society is hosting a "master class" for reporters on Friday, August 18 at ACS headquarters in Washington on the chemistry of dietary supplements. Nearly half of Americans use some type of dietary supplement, from traditional multi-vitamins to new herbal treatments for serious disease.
The class will be on Friday, August 18, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the ACS offices, 1155 16th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. The ACS's 220th national meeting begins Sunday, August 20, and will run through August 24 at the Washington Convention Center.
ACS is hosting the class to shed light on the supplements which are the subject of a steady stream of new findings -- ranging from the curative properties of common herbs to the dangers from contaminated supplements to questionable promotional claims to new natural sources for healing compounds. Chemical analyses of these supplements can offer clues to understanding these popular, yet often-mysterious compounds.
Following are the speakers for the class:
The Promise of Dietary Supplements
The latest findings on conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) show exciting potential for weight control as well as protection from disease. (Preview of research to be presented at the ACS national meeting.)
Dr. Michael Pariza, Director of the Food Research Institute, University of Wisconsin
What's Really in the Bottle?
Analytical research on Ginkgo biloba products illustrates problems with quality control of dietary supplements.
Dr. Chen Wai, University of Idaho
Where Do We Find New Supplements?
Current research includes collaborations with native healers who can point to herbs used for centuries to cure disease and promote health.
Dr. Maurice Iwu, President of Bioresources Development and Conservation Programme and President of the International Society for Ethnobiology
What's the Government's Role?
The government is setting a course to support research and production while protecting consumers from fraudulent and unsafe supplements.
Dr. Lori A. Love, Director, Clinical Research and Review Staff, Office of Nutritional Products Labeling and Dietary Supplements, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration
To register, e-mail your name, phone, media organization, address and e-mail address to newsroom@acs.org. (Further information about the meeting is available at http://www.acs.org/meetings/washington2000). Contact Charmayne Marsh 202-872-4445 for additional information.