Bades risks: when are they dangerous to health?
I. What are 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 intake with food or introduction into food products in order to enrich the ration with individual food or biologically active substances and their complexes, as well as to maintain normal or restore impaired body functions. They are produced in various forms, including tablets, capsules, powders, liquids and bars.
The popularity of dietary supplements is due to several factors:
- The desire to improve health and prevent diseases: Many people see in the dietary supplements a way to strengthen immunity, increase energy, improve digestion, or prevent the development of chronic diseases. Advertising often promises a quick and easy solution to health problems that does not require significant changes in lifestyle.
- Lack of nutrients in the diet: A modern diet is often not enough diverse and rich nutrients, especially in conditions of rapid rhythm of life and consumption of processed products. Bades are perceived as a way to compensate for these shortcomings.
- Accessibility and active marketing: Dietary supplements are widely available in pharmacies, healthy food stores, online stores and even supermarkets. Aggressive marketing based on promises of miraculous properties helps to increase sales.
- Self -medication: Some people resort to dietary supplements to avoid visiting a doctor, especially with insignificant health problems. They rely on information from advertising, reviews on the Internet or acquaintances.
- Faith in nature: Many consumers believe that natural products, including dietary supplements, are safer and effective than synthetic medicines. However, this belief is not always true.
II. The regulatory base of dietary supplements in Russia and other countries
In Russia, dietary supplements are regulated by the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor). The Bad registration procedure includes:
- Providing a package of documents: The manufacturer must provide information about the composition, properties, method of application, indications and contraindications of dietary supplements.
- Sanitary and epidemiological examination: An examination is being carried out to assess the safety and compliance of products with sanitary standards.
- State registration: In case of successfully undergoing examination, dietary supplements are registered and entered into the state register.
However, unlike drugs, dietary supplements do not undergo clinical trials confirming their effectiveness and safety. Responsibility for the reliability of information about the properties of Bad is borne by the manufacturer.
In other countries, such as the United States, dietary supplements are also different from the regulation of drugs. In the United States, dietary supplements are regulated by the Office for the Quality of Food and Medicines (FDA) in accordance with the Law on Food Addles, Health and Education of 1994 (DSHEA). DSHEA classifies dietary supplements as food, not medicines, which allows manufacturers to sell them without preliminary approval of FDA. FDA has the right to intervene only if the dietary supplement is recognized as dangerous after entering the market.
In the European Union (EU), the regulation of dietary supplements is carried out at the level of individual member states. There are general rules regarding food safety, but there is no single European legislation governing dietary supplements.
Differences in regulatory approaches between countries lead to the fact that dietary supplements available in one country can be prohibited or limited to another.
III. The main risks associated with the reception of dietary supplements
Despite the apparent harmlessness, the intake of dietary supplements can be associated with various health risks:
- The inconsistency of the composition of the declared: Studies show that many dietary supplements do not correspond to the declared composition. They may contain the ingredients in other dosages than indicated on the label, or not contain active substances at all.
- The presence of un -given ingredients: Some dietary supplements may contain un -blessed ingredients, such as medicinal substances, heavy metals, pesticides or other toxic substances. This can lead to serious side effects and interactions with drugs.
- Interaction with drugs: Bades can interact with drugs by changing their effectiveness or enhancing their side effects. For example, dietary supplements containing St. John’s wort can reduce the effectiveness of some antidepressants, contraceptives and anticoagulants.
- Side effects: Bades can cause various side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, headache, dizziness, allergic reactions and others. In some cases, side effects can be serious and require medical care.
- Inefficiency: Many dietary supplements do not have declared properties and do not have any positive effect on health. The money spent and lost time for treatment can lead to a deterioration in health.
- Masks of serious diseases: Reception of dietary supplements to relieve symptoms can disguise serious diseases and delay timely seeking a doctor.
- Toxic effects: A long -term use of high doses of some dietary supplements can have a toxic effect on the organs and systems of the body, especially on the liver and kidneys.
- Addiction: Some dietary supplements, especially those that contain stimulants or psychoactive substances, can cause addiction.
IV. Which dietary supplements are most dangerous?
Some groups of dietary supplements are associated with high health risk:
- Dietary diets for weight loss: They often contain stimulants such as sibutramin or ephedrine, which can cause cardiovascular complications, mental disorders and even death.
- Dietary supplement to increase potency: They may contain sildenafil (viagra) or its analogues that can cause a dangerous decrease in blood pressure, especially in people with cardiovascular diseases.
- Badibilding dietary supplements: Often contain anabolic steroids or their analogues that can cause serious side effects, such as impaired liver function, cardiovascular disease, infertility and aggressive behavior.
- Bad for cancer treatment: They do not have proven effectiveness and may be dangerous to health. The rejection of traditional methods of treating cancer in favor of dietary supplements can lead to a deterioration in the prognosis of the disease.
- Bades with unproven efficiency: Bades whose effectiveness is not confirmed by scientific research can be useless and even harmful to health.
V. Risk factors for the development of side effects from dietary supplement
Some people are more at risk of developing side effects from dietary supplements:
- Elderly people: In the elderly, the function of the liver and kidneys is often reduced, which can slow down the elimination of dietary supplements from the body and increase the risk of side effects.
- Pregnant and lactating women: Reception of dietary supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding can be dangerous for the baby.
- Children: Children are more susceptible to the toxic effects of dietary supplements than adults.
- People with chronic diseases: People with chronic diseases, such as liver, kidneys, heart or diabetes, should be careful about receiving dietary supplements.
- People taking drugs: Bades can interact with drugs and change their effectiveness or enhance their side effects.
- People with allergies: Bades can cause allergic reactions in people prone to allergies.
VI. How to minimize risks when taking dietary supplements?
If you decide to take dietary supplements, the following precautions must be observed:
- Consult a doctor: Before you start taking any dietary supplement, be sure to consult a doctor. The doctor will help you determine whether you need this dietary supplement, and evaluate possible risks and contraindications.
- Choose trusted manufacturers: Buy dietary supplements only from trusted manufacturers with a good reputation.
- Read the label carefully: Before taking Bad, carefully read the label and make sure that you understand the composition, method of application, dosage, readings and contraindications.
- Follow the recommended dosage: Do not exceed the recommended dosage of dietary supplements.
- Tell the doctor about the admission of dietary supplements: If you take any drugs, be sure to inform the doctor to avoid interaction with dietary supplements.
- Follow your condition: During the admission of Bad, carefully follow your condition and immediately consult a doctor if you have any side effects.
- Do not believe advertising: Do not believe an advertisement promising the miraculous properties of dietary supplements.
- Remember that dietary supplements are not a medicine: Bades are not intended for the treatment of serious diseases. If you have health problems, consult a doctor.
- Check the availability of state registration certificate (SGR): The presence of a SGR on the pack of Bad means that it has passed the sanitary and epidemiological examination and is registered in Russia. However, this does not guarantee its effectiveness.
- Study independent sources of information: Look for information about dietary supplements in independent sources, such as scientific articles, medical sites and organizations for the protection of consumer rights.
- Be especially careful with dietary supplements sold via the Internet: When buying dietary supplements via the Internet, be especially careful, as there is a high risk of acquiring a fake or low -quality products.
- Do not take dietary supplements with an expired expiration date: Reception of dietary supplements with an expired shelf life can be dangerous for health.
- Keep dietary supplements in no way for children: Bades should be stored inaccessible to children in order to avoid accidental poisoning.
VII. Alternatives to receive dietary supplements
Instead of taking dietary supplement to improve the health and prevention of diseases, the following alternatives can be considered:
- Balanced nutrition: A balanced diet, including a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grain products, low -fat meat and fish, can provide the body with all the necessary nutrients.
- Regular physical exercises: Regular physical exercises help strengthen health, improve mood and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
- Healthy sleep: Healthy sleep is necessary to restore the body and maintain the normal functioning of the immune system.
- Reducing stress: Reducing stress helps to improve the general state of health and reduce the risk of various diseases.
- Refusal of bad habits: Refusal of smoking and drinking alcohol helps to reduce the risk of developing many diseases.
- Regular medical examinations: Regular medical examinations help identify diseases at an early stage and start treatment in a timely manner.
- Consultation with a nutritionist or nutritionist: A nutritionist or nutriologist can help you develop an individual nutrition plan, taking into account your needs and health status.
VIII. Conclusion
Reception of dietary supplements can be associated with various risks for health. Before you start taking any dietary supplement, you need to consult a doctor and carefully weigh all possible risks and advantages. In most cases, a balanced diet, a healthy lifestyle and regular medical examinations are more effective and safe ways to maintain health than taking dietary supplements. The responsibility for health lies with each person, and it is important to make reasonable decisions based on scientific information and consultations with qualified specialists.