Nancy, thanks for posting the links. In my opinion, this is part of an ongoing controversy that extends back at least a decade. Traditionally, some Ayurvedic herbal compounds have included, as part of their active ingredients, metals such as mercury. Ayurveda claims to have special knowledge and methods of preparation so that these metals bring therapeutic benefits without side effects. Of course the FDA doesn't buy that, so the FDA banned those specific Ayurvedic formulas with heavy metals. They are probably still available in India, but those exact formulations are not imported into the US. The Ayurvedic formulas that specify added heavy metals are relatively few (even in India). That gives you some background.
The reports you linked to are different, however. I read one of them and it sounds like the current issue is something common to almost every item in our food supply today: very low levels of heavy metals that result either from industrial pollution or, possibly, from naturally occuring levels. I suspect careful investigation would find similar levels of heavy metals in fresh fruits and vegetables as well as in non-Ayurvedic herbal formulas.
Generally, the levels of heavy metals found in the Ayurvedic products tested were below the allowable limits set by the World Health Organization according to the report I read. (Only two of the approximately 200 products tested had any metal that exceeded WHO specified safe levels. See next comment for a link with more info.)
I suspect they focused only on Ayurvedic products in this report because of the historical issues I described above. The researchers did seek out specific Ayurvedic products with added metals (such as mercury, lead, etc.), and that seems to confirm my opinion about why they focused only on Ayurvedic products.
The most reputable Ayurvedic herbal companies use organic herbs and ISO certified manufacturing plants. Here are some of the certifications of one top Ayurvedic herbal company. At least two of these certifications go beyond GMP.
ISO Certification
The stringent ISO criteria used in evaluating these top quality Ayurvedic
products are the same as those used to assess nuclear power
plants. The plant reviews have targeted up to twenty quality categories including design
control, production, storage, microbiological quality control, test
equipment, standardization and calibration, product identification and
handling, packaging, preservation, inspection and testing procedures.
HACCP Certification
HACCP
(Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) Certification requires a
close focus on achieving step-by-step process quality at all "critical
control points" of the production process, the objective being to
produce and deliver products that are free of health hazards.
GMP Certification
GMP certification is further independent authentication for achieving effective, safe and
reliable products batch after batch. The GMP (Good Manufacturing
Practices) certification is issued after an independent panel of
experts has done in-depth and intensive investigation to ratify that
the company has established manufacturing systems and practices that
ensure "fault-free, safe and consistent-quality" products.
Remember that many allopathic medicines are thought to contain toxic ingredients too. There is a controversy raging now over potentially toxic metals in vaccines, for example. If you really want a scare, check out the side effects of BAK, the common preservative used in glaucoma eye drops.
And many vitamin supplements have impurities. After all, "USP purity" only requires 98% purity. (That two percent impurity could be potentially devastating.) I remain concerned about the binders and fillers in many tablets, as well as with the gelatin capsules.
I recommend very minimal use of supplements. Super foods are a better bet in my opinion. Take a look at this blog post on supplements and super foods, for example.
I would prefer not to use glaucoma medications with BAK, but sometimes I have to. I would prefer not to use any medicine (other than food and consciousness), but sometimes I have to use various things. We all do at times. I guess all we can do is be aware of all the unwanted ingredients in those medicines and try to make the best choices.
Traditional Ayurvedic
herbal formulas with a balanced set of ingredients are still among my first
choices when I need medicines of any type. I have found these products to offer one of the safest
approaches to healing. However, I'll continue to keep an eye on these reports and I will make sure I purchase my Ayurvedic products only from the most reputable companies that have clear statements about heavy metal content.
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