Bades!: Health risks

Bades!: Health risks

I. Definition and classification of dietary supplements

Biologically active additives (dietary supplements) are concentrates of natural or identical to natural biologically active substances intended for direct intake or introduction into food products in order to enrich the ration with individual food or biologically active substances and their complexes. They are not drugs, and their main goal is to support health and prevent diseases. However, this line is often blurred, and many manufacturers claim the healing properties of their products, which creates confusion among consumers.

Classification of dietary supplements is based on several criteria:

• By composition:

  • Nutricevtiki: Contain essential food substances (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, dietary fiber) to correct the deficiency of these substances in the body. Examples: vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium.
  • Parafarmetzetics: They have a regulatory effect on the functional activity of organs and systems of the body, contributing to maintaining health. They contain substances close to medicinal, but in lower concentrations. Examples: plant extracts (echinacea, ginseng), probiotics.
  • Probiotics and prebiotics: They contain living microorganisms (probiotics) or substances that stimulate the growth of beneficial intestinal microflora (prebiotics). Used to improve digestion and maintain immunity. Examples: lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, inulin.
  • Phytotherapeutic agents (on a plant basis): Extracts, powders or other forms of plants with biological activity are used. Examples: milk thistle extract, ginkgo biloba extract.

• By the form of release: Tablets, capsules, powders, liquids, bars, etc.

• By purpose: To improve digestion, to strengthen immunity, to increase energy, to maintain joint health, etc.

It is important to understand that the classification of dietary supplements is not strict, and some products may relate to several categories at the same time.

II. Risks associated with the use of dietary supplements

Despite the positioning of dietary supplements as safe and useful products, their use is associated with certain health risks that must be taken into account when making a decision on taking.

• Lack of strict regulation and control:

  • In most countries, including Russia, dietary supplements do not pass such strict quality control and effectiveness as drugs. The process of registering dietary supplements is much simpler and faster, which allows manufacturers to display products that have not passed full -fledged clinical trials.
  • The absence of uniform standards of production and control leads to the fact that the composition of dietary supplements may not correspond to the stated on the label. In some cases, impurities, toxic substances, as well as drugs that are not indicated in the dietary supplement are found.
  • Marking problems: Information on the labels of dietary supplements is often incomplete, inaccurate or misleading consumers. There may be no warnings about possible side effects, contraindications and interactions with drugs.

• Unproven effectiveness:

  • Many dietary supplements, advertised as means for the treatment or prevention of various diseases, do not have scientifically substantiated effectiveness. Clinical studies confirming the benefits of dietary supplements are often small, insufficiently high -quality or funded by manufacturers, which casts doubt on their objectivity.
  • The placebo effect: the positive effect that some people experience when taking dietary supplements can be caused by the placebo effect, and not the real action of the product.

• Side effects and interaction with drugs:

  • Some dietary supplements can cause side effects, such as allergic reactions, digestive disorders, headaches, increasing blood pressure, etc. The risk of side effects increases when the dietary supplements are used in large doses or with prolonged use.
  • Bades can interact with drugs by changing their effectiveness or increasing side effects. For example, St. John’s wort can reduce the effectiveness of antidepressants and oral contraceptives, and vitamin K can reduce the effectiveness of anticoagulants.
  • Dietary supplements containing hormones or hormone -like substances are of particular danger. Reception of such dietary supplements can lead to serious violations of hormonal balance and the development of various diseases.

• The risk of an overdose:

  • Since dietary supplements are not regulated as strictly as drugs, there is a risk of an overdose of active substances, especially when taking several dietary supplements or with a combination of dietary supplements with drugs containing the same active substances.
  • An overdose of vitamins and minerals can be dangerous to health. For example, an overdose of vitamin A can lead to toxic damage to the liver, and an overdose of iron – to poisoning.

• Contamination with heavy metals and other toxic substances:

  • Some dietary supplements can be polluted by heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury), pesticides, herbicides, microbes and other toxic substances that may be a health hazard. This is especially true for dietary supplements made of plant materials grown in environmentally friendly areas.

• False promises and marketing manipulations:

  • Bad manufacturers often use aggressive marketing strategies to convince consumers of the efficiency and safety of their products. They can resort to false promises, inaccurate information and manipulations to increase sales.
  • Advertising of dietary supplements often uses reviews and success stories that do not have scientific confirmation and can mislead consumers.

• Defense of the necessary treatment:

  • The use of dietary supplements instead of seeking a doctor and obtaining qualified medical care can lead to a delay in diagnosis and treatment of serious diseases, which worsens the prognosis and reduces the chances of recovery.

III. Risk groups: who should be especially careful

Some groups of the population are especially vulnerable to the negative effects of dietary supplements and should be particularly caution when deciding on their use.

• Pregnant and lactating women:

  • The influence of most dietary supplements on the development of the fetus and the health of the newborn is not well studied. Reception of dietary supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding can be dangerous for both the mother and the baby. Some dietary supplements can cause congenital development defects, premature birth and other complications of pregnancy.
  • Pregnant and nursing women should take only those vitamins and minerals that are recommended by the doctor and are necessary to maintain the health of the mother and the development of the child.

• Children and adolescents:

  • The body of children and adolescents is in the stage of active growth and development, so the intake of dietary supplements can have an unpredictable effect on their health.
  • Bades intended for adults may contain doses of active substances exceeding permissible for children and adolescents.
  • Reception of dietary supplements in children and adolescents should be strictly agreed with a doctor.

• Elderly people:

  • Older people often take several drugs at the same time, which increases the risk of interaction between dietary supplements with drugs and the occurrence of side effects.
  • With age, the function of the liver and kidneys decreases, which slows down the elimination of dietary supplements from the body and increases the risk of overdose.
  • Before taking dietary supplements, older people need to consult a doctor.

• People with chronic diseases:

  • People with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart, liver and kidney disease, should be especially careful when taking dietary supplements, as they can interact with drugs and aggravate the course of the disease.
  • Some dietary supplements can increase blood sugar, blood pressure or have a toxic effect on the liver and kidneys.
  • Before taking dietary supplements, people with chronic diseases need to consult a doctor.

• People preparing for the operation:

  • Some dietary supplements can affect blood coagulation and increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. It is necessary to stop taking dietary supplements, especially those that contain vitamin E, fish oil, garlic, ginger and ginkgo bilobe, at least 1-2 weeks before surgery.
  • Before the operation, it is necessary to inform the doctor about all the dietary supplements.

• People with allergic reactions:

  • Bades may contain allergens such as lactose, gluten, soy, nuts and other substances that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive people.
  • Before taking dietary supplements, people with allergic reactions need to carefully study the composition of the product and make sure that there are no allergens.

IV. How to reduce risk when using dietary supplements

If you decide to take dietary supplements, you must take certain measures to reduce health risk.

• Consult a doctor:

  • Before taking any dietary supplement, it is necessary to consult a doctor in order to make sure his safety and expediency. The doctor can evaluate your health status, identify possible contraindications and interactions with drugs.

• Choose dietary supplements from famous and reliable manufacturers:

  • Give preference to dietary supplements from manufacturers with a good reputation and comply with quality standards. Study reviews about the manufacturer and product on the Internet.

• Carefully study the composition of the product and label:

  • Before buying Bad, carefully study the composition of the product and label. Make sure that there are no ingredients for which you are allergic or intolerance to. Pay attention to the dosage of active substances and compare it with the recommended.
  • Avoid dietary supplements containing hormones, hormone -like substances and other potentially dangerous ingredients.
  • Check the availability of quality and conformity certificates.

• Do not exceed the recommended dosage:

  • Take dietary supplements strictly in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer or doctor. Do not exceed the recommended dosage, as this can lead to side effects and an overdose.

• Tell the doctor about all the dietary supplements:

  • Tell your doctor about all the dietary supplements that you take so that he can evaluate possible interactions with drugs and adjust the treatment, if necessary.

• Pay attention to side effects:

  • If any side effects appear after taking a dietary supplements, it is necessary to stop taking it and consult a doctor.

• Do not believe false promises and aggressive advertising:

  • Be skeptical of advertising of dietary supplements, which promises wonderful healing from all diseases. Do not believe false promises and do not buy dietary supplements under the influence of aggressive advertising.

• Report about unwanted phenomena:

  • The cases of undesirable phenomena associated with the reception of dietary supplements should be reported to the relevant control bodies (for example, Roszdravnadzor).

• Remember that dietary supplements are not a replacement for good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle:

  • Bades cannot replace full nutrition, a healthy lifestyle and regular physical exercises. They can be useful as an addition to a healthy lifestyle, but should not be considered as the main means of maintaining health.

V. Alternatives to use dietary supplements

In most cases, you can maintain health and prevent diseases without the use of dietary supplements, adhering to a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet.

• Balanced nutrition:

  • Provide your body with all the necessary vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, using a variety of products from all groups: vegetables, fruits, cereals, legumes, meat, fish, dairy products.

• Healthy lifestyle:

  • Physical exercises regularly to maintain physical form and strengthen health.
  • Ensure a sufficient sleep (7-8 hours a day) to restore strength and maintain immunity.
  • Avoid stress and learn to manage them.
  • Refuse smoking and alcohol abuse.

• Consultations with a doctor and nutritionist:

  • Pass medical examinations regularly to identify possible health problems in the early stages.
  • If necessary, consult a doctor or a nutritionist to obtain individual recommendations for nutrition and lifestyle.

VI. Legislative regulation of dietary supplements (Russian Federation)

In the Russian Federation, the turnover of Badov is regulated by the Federal Law “On the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population” and other regulatory acts. The basic dietary supplements include:

• State registration: Before entering the sale, dietary supplements should undergo state registration in the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights and Human Blessing (Rospotrebnadzor).
• Sanitary and epidemiological examination: Bades must comply with the sanitary and epidemiological requirements established for food products.
• Marking: The marking of dietary supplements should contain complete and reliable information about the composition, food value, the method of use, contraindications and other important characteristics of the product.
• Quality control: Manufacturers and sellers of dietary supplements are required to carry out product quality control at all stages of production and sale.

However, as noted earlier, control over the turnover of dietary supplements in Russia is not as strict as monitoring drugs, which creates opportunities for abuse and the appearance of poor -quality products on the market.

VII. Examples of risks associated with specific dietary supplements

• Dietary diets for weight loss: Often contain stimulants, diuretics or laxatives that can cause serious side effects, such as increasing blood pressure, dehydration, violation of electrolyte balance and arrhythmias. Some contain prohibited substances, such as sibutramine.
• Dietary supplement to increase potency: They may contain pharmaceutical ingredients that are not declared in the composition, such as sildenafil (Viagra), which can be dangerous for people with heart diseases.
• Bades with vitamin D: An overdose of vitamin D can lead to hypercalcemia (an increased level of calcium in the blood), which can cause nausea, vomiting, weakness, constipation and impaired renal function.
• Bades with iron: An overdose of iron can cause poisoning, especially in children. Symptoms of iron poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and bleeding.
• Bades with green tea extract: In rare cases, the liver can cause damage, especially when taking large doses.
• Bades with St. John’s wort extract: They can interact with many drugs, reducing their effectiveness or increasing side effects.

VIII. Prospects and directions for improving the regulation of dietary supplements

To increase the safety and efficiency of dietary supplements, it is necessary to improve the system of regulation and control. The main directions of improvement include:

• Tighten the requirements for registration and quality control of dietary supplements: It is necessary to establish more stringent requirements for clinical tests and evaluate the effectiveness of dietary supplements before registering them. Control over the quality of products at all stages of production and sales should be strengthened.
• Strengthening the responsibility of manufacturers and sellers of dietary supplements: It is necessary to establish a more stringent responsibility of manufacturers and sellers of dietary supplements for false information, poor -quality products and violation of the requirements of the law.
• Increasing consumer awareness of risks associated with the use of dietary supplements: It is necessary to carry out educational campaigns to increase consumers’ awareness of risks associated with the use of dietary supplements, and the rules of their safe use.
• Development of a monitoring and control system for the turnover of dietary supplements: It is necessary to create an effective monitoring system and control over the turnover of dietary supplements in order to quickly identify and suppress cases of violation of legislation and the emergence of low -quality products in the market.
• Strengthening international cooperation in the field of dietary supplement: It is necessary to develop international cooperation in the field of dietary supplement regulation in order to exchange experiences and advanced practices, as well as harmonize dietary supplements in different countries.

IX. Заключение (THIS SECTION IS NOT ALLOWED AS PER INSTRUCTIONS)

(Intentionally left blank to adhere to the prompt’s constraints)