To the Editor

Corrections or additions?

This column was published in U.S. 1 Newspaper on November 10, 1999. All rights reserved.

Between the Lines

When does U.S. 1 print articles about the personal problems

of the people in its readership area? Almost never. But an item on

page 53 of this issue is an exception to the rule, and an opportunity

to explain that rule in some detail.

In our view personal peccadilloes such as marijuana charges (the subject

of the aforementioned item), drunk driving (arguably more dangerous

than marijuana usage), and marital affairs should remain personal.

But when the charges change the face of the business landscape (such

as the current drug arrest that has led to a change in the executive

suite at MIIX, the medical malpractice insurance company), then our

attention is warranted.

Other types of stories that U.S. 1 does not normally cover include

tenant-landlord disputes (but we have made exceptions to report entire

neighborhoods going to court against their developer); employee complaints

(except those that trigger landmark legal cases); and divorce proceedings

(though we have covered some that involved important new case law

or celebrity partners). If that makes for boring reading, we can only

apologize — and refer you to the titillating content of network

television or to the true master of sleaze, Judge Kenneth Starr.

Top Of Page
To the Editor

YOUR BALANCED article (October 20) on NutRx Natural Therapies and

nutriceuticals (October 20) was a service to the reader in helping

make that "new" term more understood. Boomers are discovering

(or rediscovering) the idea of personal responsibility in many areas,

particularly health.

It can be difficult to obtain reliable information about the natural

products industry. The article described supplements as a $3.9 billion

business. The size of the natural products market for 1998, including

everything from organic foods to raw herbs to vitamin supplements,

is in excess of $25.8 billion, with the supplement segment estimated

at $13.9 billion, a 23 percent jump over 1997. Online sales of supplements

grew from $12 million in 1997 to $40 million in 1998. During the time

that the article was being drafted, NutRx introduced a direct-to-consumer

marketing program, starting with LipiChol, for patients with elevated

cholesterol levels.

The LipiChol 90-Day Challenge promises customers who take LipiChol

(according to directions) for 90 days a minimum 10 percent reduction

in total cholesterol — if not, customers receive a money-back

guarantee. LipiChol contains lipid lowering agents including red rice

yeast extract, tocotrienols (with all-natural Vitamin E), hexaniacinate

and the patented absorption-enhancer Bioperine.

By January 1, we will launch an E-Commerce component to this campaign

(http://www.YourDoctorKnows.com). This does not disengage

the physician, but enhances our ability to get information out regarding

treatment and prevention options. Moreover, it will allow NutRx to

capture a greater market share, enhancing our ability to fund educational

programs and web content for physicians and consumers.

Christian L. LeFer Jr.

CEO, NutRx Natural Therapies

Corrections or additions?

— the web site for U.S. 1 Newspaper in Princeton, New Jersey.