If the first episode of Dr. Labos’ and my new podcast, The Body of Evidence (also available on iTunes) failed to quench your thirst for knowledge on natural health products, I can now direct you to an article five months in the making that Dr. Labos finally managed to publish in The National Post:

“The response in Canada has been far more timid. Health Canada has a completely different approach to the regulation of natural health products. Unlike most countries, Canada has set up a process specifically to evaluate natural health products. Health Canada’s Natural Health and Non-Prescription Health Products Directorate has a mandate to check whether natural health products are safe and effective.

“In this respect, Canada is ahead of the curve, according to Jamie Williams, executive director of Bad Science Watch, a consumer protection and science advocacy organization. But, Williams says, ‘the approval process is laughable for the vast majority of products’.”

I encourage you to read the whole thing and see for yourself why we keep saying, “Who knows what’s inside if it’s natural?”

P.S.: Looking at the article on the National Post website, I’m feeling very uneasy about the Greeks all of a sudden. An article by a doctor of Greek descent, coupled with an ad for a Greek exhibition? The Greeks are invading! They’re everywhere! Hide the souvlaki!