Alternative Medicine on the Web.

Claims for the benefits of vitamins and herbal supplements spill out of health-food stores and specialized publications. Today, people could literally wade in the flood of advertisements--on mainstream TV, in supermarket aisles, indeed, in all the major media. The National MS Society cautions people to assess the risks and benefits of any alternative regimen. But getting reputable information appropriate to a person with MS has never been easy, especially on the Internet. Until now.

A Web site devoted to "complementary and alternative medicine" or CAM--specifically for people with MS--has been established at <www.ms-cam.org>. Its aim is to provide unbiased up-to-date information on what is known and not known about the benefits and risks in MS, and thus help people make informed decisions. The Web site authors are Dr. Allen C. Bowling, associate medical director of the Rocky Mountain MS Center and a recognized expert on herb and vitamin use in MS, and Tom Stewart, a certified physician assistant at the Center.

In addition to providing information, the Web site is also a tool for learning from the collective experience of the MS community. Those who register are asked to fill out surveys and participate in the forum. Importantly, registration includes regular e-mail updates. Although a $30 donation is requested, registration is currently free. See National MS Society News on page 38. if you can't access the Web.