No dietary supplements treat swine flu

WASHINGTON, May 1 (UPI) -- A U.S. coalition of the dietary supplement industry advises against attempting to use dietary supplements as a swine flu remedy.

The American Herbal Products Association, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the Council for Responsible Nutrition, the Natural Products Association and the United Natural Products Alliance said they are unaware of any scientific data supporting the use of dietary supplements to treat swine flu.

The groups are endorsing a unified advisory for marketers and retailers, as well as for consumers of dietary supplements that says:

-- Marketers and retailers of dietary supplements are urged to refuse to stock or sell any supplements that are presented as treating or curing swine flu.

-- Marketers and retailers should refrain from promoting any dietary supplement as a cure or treatment for swine flu.

-- There are dietary supplements that have much to offer in terms of enhancing general immune function but therapies for the treatment of swine flu should only be recommended by qualified healthcare professionals or public health authorities.

Each of the associations and its member companies remain committed to providing the American public with high quality products for supporting personal health and permitting "self-care" choices, the organization said.

The associations are committed to recognizing that there are some health conditions for which the choice of self-care should be actively discouraged and the current global outbreak of swine flu is such a condition, the statement said.