Bad: when self -medication becomes dangerous
Section 1: What is dietary supplements and why are they so popular?
Biologically active additives (dietary supplements) are concentrates of natural or identical to natural biologically active substances designed for direct consumption with food or introduction into food products. They are not drugs and are not intended for the treatment of diseases. Their task is to replenish the deficiency of nutrients, support the body’s functions, increase resistance to adverse environmental factors and improve overall well -being.
The popularity of dietary supplements is growing from year to year. This is due to several factors:
- The desire for a healthy lifestyle: People care more about their health and are looking for ways to maintain it. Bades are perceived as a simple and affordable way to improve well -being and prevent the development of diseases.
- Advertising and marketing: Aggressive advertising of dietary supplements promises wonderful results – from getting rid of excess weight to increasing immunity and improving memory. These promises often do not correspond to reality, but have a strong influence on consumers.
- Distrust of traditional medicine: Some people are disappointed in traditional medicine and are looking for alternative methods of treatment and prevention. The dietary supplements seem to them more “natural” and “safe”.
- Easy acquisition: Bad can be bought in pharmacies, online stores, supermarkets and even through direct sales. Their availability makes them attractive for a wide range of consumers.
- Self -medication: Many people use dietary supplements for self -medication without seeing a doctor. They believe that they can independently choose additives that will help them cope with various problems.
However, such popularity of dietary supplements is also fraught with danger. Self -medication of dietary supplements can lead to negative health consequences, especially if you do not take into account contraindications, possible side effects and interaction with other drugs.
Section 2: The legal status of dietary supplements: between the medicine and the food product.
Unlike medicines, dietary supplements do not undergo clinical trials and are not subject to strict state registration. Their turnover is regulated by sanitary norms and rules, as well as food products. This means that dietary supplement manufacturers are not required to prove their effectiveness and safety to the same extent as manufacturers of drugs.
In Russia, the regulation of dietary supplements is carried out by the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor). Rospotrebnadzor registers dietary supplements on the basis of documents provided by the manufacturer confirming compliance with security requirements. However, checking the effectiveness of dietary supplements during registration is not carried out.
This creates a situation where dietary supplements appear on the market that do not correspond to the declared properties, contain harmful substances or do not have proven effectiveness. Consumers, buying such dietary supplements, risk not only not getting the expected effect, but also harm their health.
In addition, due to less rigid regulation, dietary supplement manufacturers often resort to marketing tricks and mislead consumers, promising unrealistic results. They use pseudo -scientific arguments and appeal to feelings to convince people of the need to purchase their products.
The fuzzy legal status of dietary supplements creates favorable soil for fraud and unfair competition. Therefore, when choosing and using dietary supplements, it is necessary to be especially attentive and critically evaluate the information provided by manufacturers.
Section 3: Dangers of self -medication of dietary supplements.
Self -medication of dietary supplements, without consulting a doctor, can be dangerous for several reasons:
- Incorrect diagnostics: Many people begin to accept dietary supplements, not knowing the exact cause of their poor health. They make a diagnosis on their own, based on symptoms that can be common to various diseases. As a result, they can miss a serious illness and do not seek medical help in time.
- Inefficiency of dietary supplements: Bades are not medicines and are not intended for the treatment of diseases. They can only maintain the body’s functions and make up for the deficiency of nutrients. If a person has a serious disease, dietary supplements will not be able to cure him. Moreover, their use can delay time and delay the beginning of the necessary treatment.
- Side effects: Bades, like drugs, can cause side effects. Some dietary supplements contain potent substances that can negatively affect the work of organs and systems of the body. For example, some dietary supplements for weight loss contain stimulants that can increase blood pressure, cause rapid heartbeat and insomnia.
- Interaction with drugs: Bades can interact with drugs, enhancing or weakening their effect. This can lead to undesirable health consequences. For example, dietary supplements containing St. John’s wort can reduce the effectiveness of some antidepressants and contraceptives.
- Overdose: With uncontrolled use of dietary supplements, it is easy to exceed the recommended dose. An overdose of vitamins and minerals can lead to serious poisoning and disorders in the body. For example, an overdose of vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia, which can lead to damage to the kidneys and bones.
- Downstable dietary supplements: There are many low -quality dietary supplements on the market that contain harmful substances, do not correspond to the declared composition or do not have proven effectiveness. The purchase of such dietary supplements can not only not be beneficial, but also harm health.
- Symptoms disguise: The use of dietary supplements can mask the symptoms of serious diseases, making it difficult to diagnose and postpone the beginning of the necessary treatment. For example, dietary supplements containing painkillers can relieve pain, but will not eliminate the cause of the disease.
Section 4: common misconceptions about dietary supplements.
There are many misconceptions about dietary supplements that are fed by advertising and misinformation:
- “Bades are natural products, so they are safe.” Naturalness does not always mean safety. Some natural substances can be toxic or allergic reactions. In addition, even natural dietary supplements can be polluted by harmful substances.
- “Bades are medicines, but softer.” Bades are not medicines and are not intended for the treatment of diseases. They can only maintain the body’s functions and make up for the deficiency of nutrients.
- “Bades help everyone.” The effect of dietary supplements is individual and depends on many factors, including the state of health, age, lifestyle and genetic characteristics. The dietary supplements that helped one person can be ineffective for another.
- “The more dietary supplements you accept, the better.” Reception of a large number of dietary supplements does not bring additional benefits, but on the contrary, can lead to an overdose and negative consequences for health.
- “Bad can be taken without consulting a doctor.” Consultation with a doctor is necessary before taking any dietary supplements, especially if a person has any chronic diseases or he takes drugs.
- “Dietrs replace good nutrition.” Bades cannot replace good nutrition. They only complement the diet and replenish the deficiency of nutrients.
Section 5: Risk groups: who should be especially careful with dietary supplements.
Some categories of people should be especially careful when using dietary supplements:
- Pregnant and lactating women: Reception of dietary supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding should be agreed with a doctor. Some dietary supplements can be harmful to the fetus or child.
- Children: Children are not recommended to give dietary supplements without consulting a pediatrician. The children’s body is more sensitive to the effects of biologically active substances.
- Elderly people: Older people often take several drugs at the same time, which increases the risk of interaction between dietary supplements with medicines.
- People with chronic diseases: People with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart, liver and kidney disease, must be especially careful when using dietary supplements. Some dietary supplements can aggravate the course of the disease or interact with drugs.
- People with allergies: People with allergies need to carefully study the composition of dietary supplements and avoid the use of those that contain allergens.
Section 6: How to choose dietary supplements: tips and recommendations.
If you decide to take dietary supplements, follow these recommendations:
- Consult a doctor: Before you start taking any dietary supplements, consult your doctor. The doctor will help you determine which dietary supplements you really need, and select the right dosage.
- Study the composition: Carefully study the composition of the dietary supplement. Make sure that there are no harmful substances or allergens in it.
- Check the manufacturer: Choose dietary supplements from famous and reliable manufacturers who have a good reputation in the market.
- Check the certificate: Make sure the dietary supplement has a certificate of conformity with safety requirements.
- Do not believe advertising: Do not believe the promises of miraculous results. Remember that dietary supplements are not medicines and cannot cure diseases.
- Follow the reaction of the body: Carefully follow the reaction of your body to dietary supplements. If you notice any side effects, stop taking a dietary supplement and consult a doctor.
- Keep the dietary supplement correctly: Store dietary supplements in accordance with the instructions on the package.
- Do not exceed the recommended dose: Do not exceed the recommended dose of dietary supplements. An overdose can lead to poisoning and negative health consequences.
- Do not take dietary supplements with an expired expiration date: Do not take dietary supplements with an expired shelf life.
Section 7: Badam alternatives: a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition.
The best alternative to dietary supplements is a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition. A healthy lifestyle includes:
- Balanced nutrition: Eat a variety of foods rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Include fruits, vegetables, whole grain products, low -fat meat and fish in your diet.
- Regular physical activity: Do physical exercises for at least 30 minutes a day. Physical activity helps maintain heart health, strengthen bones and muscles, improve mood and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
- Sufficient sleep: Sleep at least 7-8 hours a day. The lack of sleep can lead to a deterioration in memory, a decrease in concentration of attention, increased irritability and weakening of immunity.
- Refusal of bad habits: Refuse smoking and alcohol abuse. Smoking and alcohol harm all organs and systems of the body.
- Stress management: Learn to manage stress. Chronic stress can lead to the development of various diseases, including heart disease, depression and anxiety.
- Regular medical examinations: Pass regular medical examinations to detect diseases in the early stages.
Full nutrition provides the body with all the necessary nutrients. If you eat correctly and lead a healthy lifestyle, you most likely do not need dietary supplements. However, in some cases, the doctor may recommend the intake of dietary supplements to replenish the deficiency of certain nutrients.
Section 8: Information resources about dietary supplements: where to look for reliable information.
When choosing and using dietary supplements, it is important to rely on reliable information. Avoid information from dubious sources, such as advertising and forums. Trust only proven sources, such as:
- Doctors and other medical specialists: Doctors and other medical specialists can provide you with a qualified advice on the use of dietary supplements.
- Scientific research: Read scientific research on dietary supplements. Scientific research provides objective information about the effectiveness and safety of dietary supplements.
- Official sites of state bodies: On the official websites of state bodies, such as Rospotrebnadzor and the Ministry of Health, you can find information about the legal status of dietary supplements, requirements for their security and registered dietary supplements.
- Medical sites and portals: On medical sites and portals, you can find information about dietary supplements written by doctors and other medical specialists.
- Libraries and scientific magazines: In libraries and scientific magazines can be found scientific articles about supplementary supplements.
Critically evaluate the information you get about dietary supplements. Do not believe the promises of miraculous results and do not hesitate to ask questions to the doctor or other medical specialists.
Section 9: Responsibility of the manufacturer and seller of dietary supplements.
Manufacturers and sellers of dietary supplements are responsible for the safety and quality of their products. They are obliged:
- Follow safety requirements: Manufacturers and sellers of dietary supplements must comply with safety requirements established by law.
- Provide reliable information: Manufacturers and sellers of dietary supplements must provide consumers with reliable information about the composition, properties and methods of using dietary supplements.
- Do not mislead consumers: Manufacturers and sellers of dietary supplements should not mislead consumers regarding the efficiency and safety of dietary supplements.
- Responsible for the harm caused: Manufacturers and sellers of dietary supplements are responsible for the harm caused to the health of consumers as a result of the use of their products.
Consumers whose rights were violated when buying dietary supplements have the right to apply to the court with a request to compensate for the damage.
Section 10: Conclusion (do not include – according to the assignment)
Section 11: Recommendations for further studying the topic of dietary supplements (not to include – according to the task)
Section 12: call to a conscious approach to the use of dietary supplements (do not include – according to the task)