Vitamin 'cure' for bird flu
2006-03-31 19:53
Cape Town - Controversial vitamin salesman Matthias Rath, who has been punting his products as a treatment for Aids, now claims vitamins are effective as a "natural control" of birdflu too.
His website says his researchers have found that a mixture containing vitamin C, green tea extract, amino acids, selenium and other "essential natural components" can directly decrease viral multiplication in infected cells.
According to the website, this "low-cost" approach to birdflu was "particularly critical for developing regions such as Africa, Asia and South America".
"Public health officials and political leaders are encouraged to contact us directly for more information," it continued.
"Now, the governments of all nations, rich and poor, can improve the health of their citizens and develop public health strategies to fight influenza and birdflu."
Democratic Alliance health spokesperson Dianne Kohler Barnard, who is being sued for calling Rath a "charlatan" over his Aids claims, on Friday poured cold water on what she said was the German's assertion "that he is able to cure birdflu with vitamins".
She said there was no scientific evidence to support the claim about vitamin C and green tea.
The DA hoped Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang would not see this as a further opportunity to punt alternative therapies for diseases other than Aids.
"While birdflu is currently still a remote threat to South Africa, we do need a clear and coherent plan to manage it if it should arrive. The last thing we need is more chaos and confusion over... treatments."
Rath, a German national, has come under fire from South African doctors for urging people with Aids to abandon antiretroviral treatment and take his vitamin products instead.
He has also been criticised for promoting vitamins as a treatment for cancer.
- SAPA