Dr John Briffa is safe

Dr Crippen in a quandary

Thank God. Dr John Briffa is safe and so is his blog. For most of yesterday I was unable to access it. I assumed that meant it had gone but a little research with the help of those nice people at Holford Watch showed that it was only Dr Crippen who was unable to access “Dr Briffa : A good look at health”.

Today, as if by magic, my access has been restored. Which has enabled me to read Dr Briffa’s latest post.

Go to any medical educational meeting, and you’ll usually find individuals giving Powerpoint presentations that, when you boil down to it, sell the merits of a drug or device. Such presentations are usually delivered by doctors who are sometimes known as ‘key opinion leaders’ or ‘KOLs’. Being doctors, one might imagine that these doctors give their objective, independent view of the drug or device of which they speak. In reality, though, key opinion leaders are usually paid by pharmaceutical or medical device companies, and might just be viewed as ‘drug reps’ according to one industry insider. (Dr John Briffa)

I’m with Dr Briffa on this one. Indeed, regular readers will remember we looked at the problem in Mrs Crippen’s Vagina.

This process entails the drug company providing speaking opportunities for these doctors that helps raise their profile and help morph them into key opinion leaders and ‘product champions’.  (Dr John Briffa)

Dr Briffa’s main concern is that such doctors may be inclined to “toe the company line” rather than give a more independent opinion. He goes on to say:

...the internet now allows unparalleled opportunity…for the uncovering of information that isn’t the usual party line on a some drug or treatment. (Dr John Briffa)

And so it does too. Dr Crippen set off on a little internet research, and soon came up with:

BioCare SucroGuard (Blood Glucose Support)

Sounds interesting. And it is only £17.40 for ninety capsules. But what is in it?

INGREDIENTS FOR BioCare SucroGuard:
Typically per vegetable capsule of BioCare SucroGuard:

• Magnesium Ascorbate 250mg 

• Magnesium Malate 100mg

• Magnesium Fumerate 100mg

• Magnesium Panthothenate 50mg

• Vitamin B6 25mg

• Vitamin B3 25mg
• Vitamin B1 15mg

• Vitamin B2 15mg

• Manganese Ascorbate 8mg

• Chromium Polynicontinate 4mg


NON-ACTIVE INGREDIENTS:
Cellulose
Vegetable Magnesium Stearate


DIRECTIONS FOR USE OF BioCare SucroGuard:
Recommended Intake: One capsule taken daily with food or as professionally directed. 

CAPSULE: Cellulose & Water

CONTRA-INDICATIONS 
Individuals with diabetes should consult their GP before taking this product.
SUGGESTED COMBINATIONS 
• Mega GLA Complex
• Mega EPA 1000 & MicroCell® Vitamin E.

If a patient came to see me and asked if he should purchase some BioCare Sucroguard I would advise him not to waste his money. I was not taught about "blood glucose support" at medical school. I would say that taking this odd concatanation of vitamins and minerals had no underlying scientific basis of which I was aware. I would be uneasy about the four different kinds of magnesium that it contains. All in all, I would describe this preparation as wibble. I would suggest that blood glucose “support” could be better achieved with a cup of tea and a disgestive biscuit.

But, then, what do I know? I am merely a humble general practitioner. I am not a trained nutritionist. I have not even heard of “blood glucose support”. Maybe I should go on a course. Then I noticed the following in the small print

Product Description:
BioCare SucroGuard (Blood Glucose Support). Sucroguard® is specially formulated by John Briffa.

That changes everything. Dr John Briffa is a nutritionist, a leader in the field. He is key opinion leader on nutrition. I take it all back. BioCare SucroGuard is clearly a valuable preparation. I really do need to go on a course to learn more about it. So I did some more research and found a wonderful looking postgraduate medical course. The speaker? Dr John Briffa no less. Perfect.

Overcoming Tiredness:
Banish Fatigue and Boost Vitality with Nutrition and Self-Care  (Dr John Briffa)

Excellent. And only £25. That is very good value for post-graduate education. I wonder if a drug company was helping to reduce expenses. Why yes indeed. The course was being run by “Revital”.

Revital are delighted to welcome the hugely popular medical doctor and nutritionist, Dr John Briffa, award-winning health wrtier and columnist for the Observer, to give the low-down on how to best beat fatigue.

Revital make Biocare Sucroguard. John Briffa is speaking at a Revital education session. Revital's Biograde Sucroguard is designed by Dr John Briffa. That is so cosy. And there is an opportunity to purchase any of the Biocare Sucroguard products after the talk. What is more,

When you attend an event at the Revital Health Education Centre you will be given a name badge. During the day of the event the name badge entitles you to a discount on any items you may wish to purchase in the Revital Health Shop above the Education Centre.  (Revital)

Perfect. Except for one thing. The course was held last year, and I missed it. Maybe there will be another one this year, in which case I shall sign up for it. Until then, can anyone help advise me about “blood glucose support”? Maybe Dr John Briffa will publish some advice on his website. Thank goodness I am able to access it again. And now I confess I feel a little light headed. I must rush out and buy some Biocare Sucroguard.