Recently, mental health researchers Dr. Bonnie Kaplan and Dr. Julia Rucklidge wrote an article over at Mad in America about pending legislation in New Zealand that could have huge implications on micronutrient research, especially EMPowerplus.
The New Zealand government has already held first and second reading on the Natural Health and Supplementary Products Bill, which will limit access to minerals and vitamins.
What’s the problem?
Here’s how Drs. Kaplan and Rucklidge sum up the issues in the bill related to comprehensive micronutrient formulas like Truehope’s EMPowerplus:
As part of the bill, the Ministry of Health has developed a “permitted ingredients” list of 5545 ingredients (like calcium, potassium and folic acid or less known ingredients like Bogbean leaf powder, Brassica juncea and pawpaw); however, all ingredients have a specified maximum daily dose for consumption. If you have been following our blog, you know that we both have studied the effect of micronutrients on psychiatric symptoms. And you also know that we have emphasized the importance of consuming all the essential nutrients, in proper amounts and in balance. Unfortunately, the NZ Ministry of Health has taken a ‘single ingredient approach’ to the development of the list, because the list does not reflect the fact that when one consumes ingredients together, one can tolerate different doses safely compared to when an ingredient is consumed alone.
How does this affect Truehope?
The University of Canterbury’s Mental Health and Nutrition Research Lab, where Dr. Rucklidge conducts her research, is responsible for more than half of the nearly 30 clinical trials studying the effects of the EMPowerplus formula on mental disorders. Plus, she has 3 new studies under publication review and 3 additional studies currently in progress.
While the Minister of Health in New Zealand has assured Dr. Rucklidge that she’ll be able to continue her research if the bill passes, there are logistical issues that have yet to be addressed to guarantee this:
How can it be illegal to sell the products in NZ and yet be legal to import them into the country for research and/or personal use? In addition, there is a risk that after someone finishes participating in one of Julia’s trials, they will not then be able to purchase the nutrients from a New Zealand supplier. Why then would anyone be willing to volunteer for the research? And if they feel a formula benefited them, how will they feel when they are told they cannot buy it in NZ, but will have to import it for personal use? And whether a product can be imported is unclear, as medicines cannot be imported. Recall, vitamin D over 25 µg is a medicine.
If Dr. Rucklidge’s fears bear fruit, this could drastically affect how research can be conducted on the EMPowerplus formula. While EMPowerplus is already the most researched micronutrient formula in the world, restricting research on it (even if indirectly) can impact public perception of Truehope and its product.
Our loudest critics accuse of us lacking legitimate research, so the risk of losing our greatest source of research (particularly the kind our critics demand) will be detrimental toward the widespread public acceptance of EMPowerplus as a significant solution in managing mental health challenges.
What can I do?
Drs. Kaplan and Rucklidge are asking people to spread the word of these legislative changes. They also ask people to email the NZ government (and CC julia.rucklidge@canterbury.ac.nz). The deadline for public submissions on the bill has been extended to 4 March 2016.
More resources
- “Mental health work could be undermined”, The Press, 14 November 2015
- Natural Health & Supplementary Products Bill – Health Freedom NZ Trust, Facebook page
- Keep access to nutrients in NZ that have a proven safety record and therapeutic benefit, Change.org petition