The article should delve into the various aspects of dietary supplements (БАДы) and their potential dangers in the Russian context.
Bades: a hidden threat
I. What are dietary supplements and how are they regulated in Russia?
Dietary additives (dietary supplements), unlike drugs, are not intended for the treatment of diseases. Their task is to supplement the diet with biologically active substances. Such substances include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, probiotics, prebiotics, dietary fiber, plant extracts and other components.
In Russia, the regulation of dietary supplements is significantly different from the regulation of drugs. The main regulatory act regulating the turnover of dietary supplements is the technical regulations of the Customs Union TR TS 021/2011 “On the safety of food products”. In accordance with this regulations, dietary supplements are classified as food products and are subject to state registration in Rospotrebnadzor.
The process of registering dietary supplements is much simpler and cheaper than the process of registering drugs. For registration of dietary supplements, clinical research is not required that prove its effectiveness and safety. It is enough to provide documents confirming the composition of the product, compliance with sanitary standards and hygienic requirements.
This simplified registration procedure creates loopholes for unscrupulous manufacturers who can produce dietary supplements to the market with unproven efficiency, unsafe composition or false information on the label.
II. Common types of dietary supplements and their declared properties
The market of dietary supplements in Russia is huge and diverse. Several basic categories of dietary supplements that are in greatest demand can be distinguished:
- Vitamin-mineral complexes: Designed to compensate for the deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the diet. Often are advertised as means to increase immunity, improve the general state of health and prevent various diseases.
- Dietary diets for weight loss: One of the most popular and risky categories. They promise a quick and easy weight loss without diets and physical exercises. Often contains dangerous ingredients, such as sibutramin, prohibited substances and psychotropic drugs.
- Dietary supplement to increase potency: Are advertised as natural substitutes for drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Often contain analogues of sildenafil and tadalafil, which can cause serious side effects.
- Bades to improve digestion: They contain probiotics, prebiotics and dietary fibers designed to normalize the intestinal microflora and improve digestion.
- Dietrs for the joints: Contain chondroitin and glucosamine, which are advertised as tools for restoring cartilage and relief of joint pain.
- Bades to improve memory and concentration: They are advertised as means to increase mental performance and improve cognitive functions.
- Bad for the beauty and health of the skin, hair and nails: They contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other substances that are advertised as means to improve the appearance and health of the skin, hair and nails.
The declared properties of dietary supplements are often exaggerated or do not have scientific confirmation. Marketing tricks, the use of pseudo -scientific terminology and playing on the fears of consumers are common methods for promoting dietary supplements.
III. Risks and side effects of dietary supplements
The intake of dietary supplements can be associated with various risks and side effects:
- Unproven effectiveness: Many dietary supplements do not have clinical studies confirming their effectiveness. Consumers spend money on products that do not bring any benefit.
- Unknown composition: Some dietary supplements contain ingredients not indicated on the label. These can be prohibited substances, drugs or toxic compounds.
- Overdose: Reception of dietary supplements in large quantities can lead to an overdose of vitamins and minerals, which can cause serious side effects. For example, an overdose of vitamin A can lead to damage to the liver, and an overdose of iron to poisoning.
- Interaction with drugs: Bades can interact with drugs by changing their effectiveness or enhancing their side effects. For example, St. John’s wort can reduce the effectiveness of antidepressants and oral contraceptives.
- Allergic reactions: Bades can cause allergic reactions in people with increased sensitivity to certain ingredients.
- Toxic effects on organs and systems: Some dietary supplements can have a toxic effect on the liver, kidneys, heart and other organs and systems.
- Masks of symptoms of serious diseases: Reception of dietary supplements can mask the symptoms of serious diseases, which complicates the timely diagnosis and treatment.
- Psychological dependence: Some people may experience psychological dependence on dietary supplements, considering them necessary to maintain health and well -being.
Dietary supplements purchased via the Internet or from non -automated sellers are of particular danger. These products can be fake, contain dangerous ingredients or be contaminated.
IV. Dietary diets for weight loss: special danger
Dietary dietary supplements are one of the most risky categories of dietary supplements. They often contain dangerous ingredients, such as:
- Sibutramine: A prohibited substance that affects the central nervous system and can cause serious side effects, including an increase in blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, insomnia, anxiety and depression. In some cases, sibuturine can lead to stroke and heart attack.
- Fenfluramin and Dexfenfluramin: Forbidden substances that cause pulmonary hypertension and damage to the heart valves.
- Laxative and diuretics: They can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and problems with the intestines.
- Thyroid hormones: Can cause hyperthyroidism and serious cardiovascular complications.
- Stimulants: They can cause anxiety, insomnia, a rapid heartbeat and an increase in blood pressure.
- Unknown and unproven ingredients: Many dietary supplements for weight loss contain ingredients, the safety and efficiency of which has not been proven.
Advertising of dietary supplements for weight loss often promises a quick and easy weight loss without diets and physical exercises. This is a deception. The only safe and effective way to lose weight is a balanced diet and regular physical exercises.
V. Dietrs to increase potency: Analogs of Viagra under the guise of “natural” means
Dietary supplements to increase potency are often advertised as natural substitutes for drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. However, many of these dietary supplements contain analogues of sildenafil (Viagra) and Tadalafil (Cialis), which are prescription drugs.
Manufacturers of dietary supplements often do not indicate the presence of these substances on the label, which misleads consumers. The reception of such dietary supplements can be dangerous, especially for people with cardiovascular diseases, since sildenafil and tadalafil can cause a decrease in blood pressure and other side effects.
In addition, the dosage of sildenafil and tadalafil in dietary supplements often does not correspond to the declared, which can lead to unpredictable consequences.
VI. Checking of dietary supplements: how to identify a fake and a poor -quality product?
It can be difficult to identify a fake or a poor -quality dietary supplement, but you can take a few steps:
- Buy dietary supplements only in pharmacies or from trusted sellers. Avoid buying dietary supplements via the Internet or from non -authorized sellers.
- Pay attention to the packaging and label. The packaging should be whole, without damage. The label should contain complete information about the composition of the product, manufacturer, shelf life and storage conditions. Pay attention to the presence of a sign of conformity and state registration number.
- Check information about the manufacturer. Make sure that the manufacturer is indicated on the label and that it exists. You can look for information about the manufacturer on the Internet or contact Rospotrebnadzor.
- Compare the price of analogues. If the price of dietary supplements is much lower than for similar products, this may be a sign of fake.
- Pay attention to the smell and appearance of the product. If the product has an unusual smell or appearance, this can be a sign of a poor -quality product.
- Check the availability of state registration on the Rospotrebnadzor website. On the website of Rospotrebnadzor, you can check the presence of state registration of a BAD by the number of the certificate of state registration.
- Consult a doctor or pharmacist. If you have doubts about the quality or safety of Bad, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
VII. Responsibility for the distribution of poor -quality dietary supplements
The spread of poor -quality dietary supplements is a violation of the law and entails administrative and criminal liability.
In accordance with the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, for violation of the requirements of technical regulations, fines for legal entities in the amount of up to 600 thousand rubles with confiscation of products are provided.
In accordance with the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, for the production, storage, transportation of or marketing of goods and products that do not meet safety requirements, which, due to negligence, causing serious harm to health or the death of a person, it is provided for imprisonment for up to six years.
Rospotrebnadzor monitors the turnover of dietary supplements and takes measures to identify and withdraw from the appeal of poor -quality and unsafe products.
VIII. Myths and misconceptions about dietary supplements
There are many myths and misconceptions about dietary supplements that mislead consumers:
- Myth: Bades are natural and safe products. Reality: Bades may contain synthetic ingredients, as well as ingredients that can cause side effects and interact with drugs.
- Myth: Bades can replace medicines. Reality: Bades are not intended for the treatment of diseases. They can only be used as an addition to the diet.
- Myth: All dietary supplements undergo strict quality control. Reality: The procedure for registering dietary supplements is much simpler than the procedure for registering drugs, which creates loopholes for unscrupulous manufacturers.
- Myth: If dietary supplements are sold in a pharmacy, then it is safe. Reality: Pharmacies are liable only for compliance with the conditions of storage of dietary supplements. They do not check their quality and safety.
- Myth: The more vitamins, the better. Reality: An overdose of vitamins and minerals can be dangerous to health.
IX. Alternative ways to maintain health: a healthy lifestyle instead of dietary supplements
The best way to maintain health is a healthy lifestyle that includes:
- Balanced nutrition: Use a variety of products rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber and other beneficial substances.
- Regular physical exercises: Do sports or do physical exercises for at least 30 minutes a day.
- Sufficient sleep: Sleep at least 7-8 hours a day.
- Reducing stress: Find the ways to reduce stress, such as yoga, meditation or walking in the fresh air.
- Refusal of smoking and abuse of alcohol: Smoking and alcohol abuse negatively affect health.
- Regular medical examinations: Pass regular medical examinations to detect diseases at an early stage.
In most cases, a healthy lifestyle allows you to get all the necessary vitamins and minerals from food. If necessary, the doctor can prescribe vitamin-mineral complexes, but only after the examination and detect a deficiency of specific substances.
X. The role of Rospotrebnadzor in the control of dietary supplements
Rospotrebnadzor is the federal executive body, which exercises state sanitary and epidemiological supervision and supervision in the field of consumer protection.
Within the framework of his powers, Rospotrebnadzor monitors the turnover of dietary supplements, including:
- State registration of dietary supplements.
- Control over the compliance of dietary supplements with the requirements of technical regulations.
- Monitoring compliance with sanitary rules and norms in the production, storage, transportation and sale of dietary supplements.
- Identification and withdrawal from the circulation of poor -quality and unsafe products.
- Bringing to administrative responsibility of persons who violate the requirements of the law in the field of dietary supplement.
Rospotrebnadzor also conducts informational and educational work among the population on healthy diet and safety of dietary supplements.
XI. How to report a low -quality diet in Rospotrebnadzor
If you are faced with a poor -quality dietary supplement, you can report this to Rospotrebnadzor. For this you can:
- Submit a written appeal to the territorial body of Rospotrebnadzor.
- Contact Rospotrebnadzor by phone of a hot line.
- Send the appeal through the official website of Rospotrebnadzor.
The following information must be specified:
- Name and address of the organization that implements dietary supplements.
- The name of the dietary supplement.
- The number of the certificate of state registration of dietary supplements.
- The reasons why you consider the dietary supplement poor quality.
- Your contact details.
Rospotrebnadzor is obliged to consider your appeal and take measures to identify and withdraw from the appeal of low -quality products.
XII. Bad and children: special warnings
Dietary supplements should only be given as a doctor’s appointment. Uncontrolled intake of dietary supplements can be dangerous for the health of the child.
Particularly carefully should be treated with dietary supplements designed to increase immunity, improve appetite and growth. Many of these dietary supplements do not have clinical studies confirming their effectiveness and safety for children.
Parents should carefully study the composition of the dietary supplement and make sure that it does not contain ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or other side effects in the child.
Never exceed the recommended dosage of dietary supplements.
XIII. Bades and pregnancy: risks for mother and child
Reception of dietary supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding requires special caution. Many dietary supplements can be dangerous for the health of the mother and child.
Before taking any dietary supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding, you need to consult a doctor.
Especially carefully should be treated with dietary supplements containing herbs, vitamins in large doses and other biologically active substances. Some herbs can cause a miscarriage or premature birth. An overdose of vitamins can lead to congenital defects in a child.
In most cases, pregnant women can get all the necessary vitamins and minerals from food. If necessary, the doctor can prescribe special vitamin-mineral complexes for pregnant women, but only after the examination and detect a deficiency of specific substances.
XIV. Bades and elderly people: interaction with medicines and other risks
Older people often take several drugs at the same time. Bades can interact with these drugs by changing their effectiveness or increasing their side effects.
Therefore, before taking any dietary supplements, older people need to consult a doctor.
Particularly carefully should be treated with dietary supplements designed to improve memory, reduce blood pressure and treat joint diseases. Some of these dietary supplements may contain ingredients that are contraindicated in older people.
Older people are also more sensitive to side effects of dietary supplements. Therefore, it is necessary to start taking dietary supplements with a minimum dose and carefully monitor your condition.
XV. Conclusion: conscious choice and responsibility for your health
In conclusion, we can say that the market of dietary supplements is a complex and contradictory world. Many dietary supplements do not have proven effectiveness and safety, and some can even be dangerous to health.
Therefore, before taking any dietary supplements, it is necessary to carefully study the product about the product, consult a doctor and make a conscious decision.
Do not believe an advertisement promising miraculous healing and a quick solution to all problems. Health is the result of a healthy lifestyle, not a miraculous pill.
Responsibility for his health lies with every person. Be vigilant and do not allow yourself to deceive!