Полезные пищевые добавки: Полезные пищевые добавки, которые нужно принимать

Каталог пищевых добавок, таблица E добавок в продуктах питания

Пищевые добавки: читаем состав продукта и не пугаемся

Что такое пищевые добавки и зачем они нужны

Пищевая добавка — это любое вещество, которое мы не едим как самостоятельное и которое специально добавляют к продуктам, чтобы добиться от них определённых свойств.

Пищевые добавки придумали, чтобы сделать еду лучше. Например, сохранить её на долгий срок, когда нужно запастись продуктами, или усилить вкус и сохранить текстуру еды.

Без добавок полки магазинов будут почти пустыми: без консервантов продукты быстро испортятся, без стабилизаторов и антиокислителей многие вообще не появятся.

Идея использовать некоторые вещества, чтобы улучшить еду, не новая, ведь специи, соль, крахмал и уксус — тоже пищевые добавки, пусть и известные много веков. Но пищевые добавки — это ещё и страшилка о вредной химии, от которой мы все болеем и умираем.

На самом деле все вещества, которые есть в природе, — это тоже химия, а пищевые добавки даже с «ужасным» индексом Е могут быть натуральными (и при этом куда более опасными, чем синтетические).

Попробуем разобраться, что означают коды и надписи на упаковках, и узнаем, можно ли есть продукты с добавками.

Вредные они или невредные?

Это, должно быть, самый важный вопрос, который волнует всех, кто рассматривает очередную упаковку с перечислением загустителей, красителей и консервантов.

Отвечаем: пищевые добавки не должны быть вредными. Все добавки, которые оказываются в нашей еде, должны соответствовать стандартам и нормативам. А если у добавки есть код, который начинается с буквы Е, то это ещё лучше. Код означает, что вещество соответствует Codex Alimentarius — документу, который регламентирует международные пищевые стандарты.

Если у добавки есть индекс Е, это значит, что вещество исследовали и проверили, а также высчитали дозу, при которой оно безопасно.

Опасным может быть любое вещество, даже чистая вода. Вопрос только в количестве. Самые полезные на свете витамины при передозировке превращаются в яды.

Добавки, которые используют в пищепроме, в этом смысле не отличаются от всех прочих веществ. У каждой есть норма допустимого ежедневного употребления (ADI). Это та доза вещества, которую можно получать без вреда для здоровья
каждый день ^.

Чтобы вычислить эту дозу, проводят эксперименты на животных. Находят самый высокий уровень потребления добавки, при котором ничего животному не будет, а потом делят на коэффициент безопасности, нужный для учёта различий между животным и человеком ^{. Полученную дозу записывают в миллиграммах (вещества) на килограмм (массы тела человека), при этом средний вес человека считается равным 60 кг .}

А уже из этого значения вычисляют, сколько и какой добавки можно положить в продукты. При этом учитывается масса факторов. Например, если исследования показывают, что по воскресеньям люди едят в три раза больше колбасы, чем в течение недели, то при расчёте ежедневной допустимой дозы это будут иметь в виду. Что это значит для нас?

Есть еду с пищевыми добавками можно, потому что их долго и упорно проверяли.

Но не всё, что разрешено, полезно. Добавки в тех количествах, которые есть в пище, не причиняют явного вреда, но и пользы могут никакой не нести. А могут вызывать индивидуальные реакции, ту же аллергию.

Кроме того, исследования продолжаются. Когда-то была разрешена косметика со свинцом, и некоторые пищевые добавки время от времени переходят в категорию «Они вреднее, чем мы думали», как синтетические красители или салициловая кислота. А ещё есть национальные стандарты, которые отличаются от рекомендованных кодексом. Например, добавки, запрещённые в одной стране, могут быть разрешены в другой, как подсластитель цикламат натрия (Е952), который исключили из нашего СанПиН в 2010 году ^.

Есть ещё два факта, которые заставляют сомневаться в пользе пищевых добавок:

1. Мы не можем проверить, соблюдал ли производитель все нормы и правила при изготовлении продукта.
2. Сама еда не всегда полезна. Если жить на лапше быстрого приготовления, то вам будет плохо. Но не из-за добавок, а из-за нехватки питательных веществ, витаминов, клетчатки и минералов.

Какими бывают пищевые добавки

Классификация пищевых добавок основана на их функциях: ароматизаторы — для запаха, красители — для внешнего вида, консерванты — для длительного хранения. Таких классов добавок больше 20, разберёмся с основными.

Некоторые добавки вреднее других, поэтому их содержание должно контролироваться особенными методами ^{. Это дело проверяющих органов и Роспотребнадзора, а мы, со своей стороны, можем только решать, стоит ли есть очередной продукт, у которого в составе подозрительная добавка. Такие добавки перечислены в отдельных рамках.}

Красители

Индексы: E100 — E182.

Красители усиливают или меняют цвет продукта. По нормам Таможенного союза, использовать их разрешается не везде. Необработанные продукты, например, должны выглядеть такими, какие они есть. Мясо, молоко, яйца, фрукты и овощи, чай и шоколад хороши и без красителей. Также нельзя подкрашивать питание для детей до 3 лет.

Красители бывают трёх типов:

1. Натуральные. Их получают из листьев, плодов или даже насекомых. Например, из моркови, куркумы, шпината. У них тоже есть свои индексы Е, то есть это натуральные добавки: каротины (Е160а), сахарный колер (Е150), хлорофиллы (Е140), кармины (Е120), производные паприки (Е160с), антоцианы (Е163), рибофлавин (Е101). Несмотря на всю их натуральность, у них есть нормы употребления.
2. Синтетические. Это органические красители, которые созданы человеком. Эти красители используют чаще натуральных, потому что они более устойчивые и яркие, дают более приятные цвета, ещё и стоят при этом дешевле. Но к ним и вопросов больше: некоторые могут накапливаться в организме, у некоторых есть токсическое действие. Их не должно быть в детских продуктах, а концентрация синтетических красителей в любой другой еде не должна превышать 0,01%.
3. Минеральные. Красители из минеральных веществ. Их обычно используют для окраски поверхностей.

Красители, содержание которых дополнительно контролируют: азорубин (Е122), жёлтый хинолиновый (E104), жёлтый «солнечный закат» (E110), зелёный прочный FCF (Е143), зелёный S (Е142), индигокармин (Е132), коричневый HT (Е155), красный очаровательный AC (E129), понсо 4R (E124), синий блестящий FCF (Е133), синий патентованный V (Е131), тартразин (E102), чёрный блестящий PN (Е151), аннато (Е160b), кармины (Е120), куркумин (Е100), лютеин (Е161b), ликопин (Е160d).

Консерванты

Индексы: Е200 — Е299.

Консерванты — соединения, которые должны сохранять продукт от порчи. Грубо говоря, они должны уничтожать бактерии, грибки (плесень) и все те микроорганизмы, которые хотят съесть этот продукт раньше, чем мы.

Консерванты воздействуют на живые микроорганизмы, в какой-то мере и на нас, так что их применение сильно ограничивают. Нельзя использовать консерванты при производстве молока, сливочного масла, муки, хлеба (если его не готовят для долгого хранения), мяса-сырья для производства пищевых продуктов.

Совсем без консервантов не прожить: вред от испорченного продукта куда больше, чем от тщательно выверенной дозы добавки.

Например, одна из главных пугалок — нитраты и нитриты (Е240 — Е259), которые одновременно и консерванты, и красители. Они сохраняют яркий цвет мясных продуктов и заодно спасают колбасу и сосиски от развития в них ботулиновой палочки ^{. Если кто не в курсе, она вызывает смертельно опасное заболевание, а внешне заражённый продукт ничем не отличается от чистого.}

Нитраты и нитриты повинны в том, что из них в организме образуются нитрозамины, которые уже вредны: у них есть канцерогенный эффект ^{, они влияют на артериальное давление. Да и в целом постоянное употребление красного мяса и солей азотной кислоты (нитратов и нитритов) не слишком полезно .}

Нюанс в том, что в принципе в мясе образование нитрозаминов — это естественный процесс. И в нашем организме они образуются, а нитриты, которые этому способствуют, проще получить из обычной свёклы, чем из колбасы.

А консервант диоксид серы (Е220) вообще можно не указывать на упаковке, если его мало (менее 10 мг/кг).

Нельзя просто так взять и сказать, какое количество консервантов должно содержаться в продукте, потому что одно и то же вещество в разных пищевых продуктах может иметь разную концентрацию.

Например, в напитках безалкогольных ароматизированных — в газировке или соке — бензойная кислота и её соли могут быть в количестве 120 мг/кг, а в обычной свёкле — 2 г на кг, в яйцах вообще до 5 г. Эти добавки вызывают аллергические реакции, но отреагировать на чернику человек может намного сильнее, чем на недорогую колбасу.

Опасные консерванты: бензойная кислота и её соли (Е210 — Е219), дегидрацетовая кислота (Е265) и её соль (Е266), дифенил (Е230), нитраты и нитриты (Е240 — Е259), парабены (Е214 — Е219), сернистая кислота и её соли (Е220 — Е228), сорбиновая кислота и её соли сорбаты (Е200 — Е209).

Антиокислители

Индексы: Е300 — Е399.

Антиокислители под чуть более красивым названием «антиоксиданты» усиленно хвалят сторонники здорового питания. Они есть в зелёном чае и фруктах. Это и аскорбиновая кислота (Е300), и лимонная (Е330), и ортофосфорная кислота (Е338), благодаря которой можно чистить чайники кока-колой и заработать проблемы с желудком, если переборщить с употреблением.

Антиоксиданты нужны, чтобы сохранять жиры и регулировать вкус продуктов. Например, токоферолы (Е306 — Е309) и так содержатся в некоторых жирных кислотах, обладают полезными свойствами ^{и, если их добавить в продукт в сочетании с другими антиоксидантами, долго сохраняют свежесть товара.}

Многие антиокислители получают из натурального сырья: гваяковой смолы (Е314), сои, овса — или изготавливают с точно такой же химической формулой, как аскорбинку.

Из синтетических антиоксидантов, содержание которых контролируют и ограничивают, распространены ионол (Е321), бутилоксианизол (Е320), трет-бутилгидрохинон (Е319), пропиловый, октиловый и додециловый эфиры галловой кислоты (Е310 — Е312), фосфаты (Е340 — Е349).

Стабилизаторы

Индексы: Е400 — Е499.

Это добавки, которые должны сделать консистенцию продукта лучше и сохранить её надолго. Как правило, эти вещества мало влияют на организм, потому что многие почти не всасываются в желудочно-кишечном тракте. Так что их редко можно встретить в списках «самых вредных на свете» добавок.

Впрочем, это не значит, что их можно есть в неограниченных количествах. Они могут, например, испортить пищеварение, потому что замедлят всасывание других веществ, а исследования их влияния на кишечник продолжаются ^.

Что относится к стабилизаторам:

1. Загустители. Они нужны, чтобы делать гели, желе, студни. В продукты разрешают добавлять либо натуральные загустители, либо полусинтетические. Натуральные добывают из растений: гуаровая камедь (Е412), агар (Е406), гуммиарабик (Е414), пектины (Е440). Полусинтетические тоже происходят из растений, но они модифицированы, чтобы добиться определённых свойств. Это метилцеллюлоза (Е461), модифицированные крахмалы (не генно-модифицированные, это другая технология), альгиновая кислота (Е400) и её соли (Е401 — Е405). Синтетические загустители тоже существуют, но их в продукты не добавляют.
2. Эмульгаторы и стабилизаторы. Они нужны, чтобы уже готовые смеси не распадались на соединения. Например, смешать масло с водой и надолго запечатать поможет эмульгатор. Благодаря стабилизаторам и эмульгаторам йогурт — это йогурт, а не слежавшаяся масса в луже воды. Эти вещества делают на основе жирных кислот (Е470 — Е489), эфиров.

Носители, которые должны контролироваться: пропиленгликоль (Е490), фосфаты (Е450 — Е459).

Регуляторы кислотности, улучшители

Индексы: Е500 — Е599.

Эта группа веществ чем-то похожа на предыдущую. Смысл регуляторов — сохранить консистенцию продукта. Например, сделать так, чтобы мука не слёживалась, с помощью сульфата аммония (Е517).

Ароматизаторы и усилители вкуса

Индексы: Е600 — Е699.

Под индексами в этом диапазоне скрыты по большей части усилители вкуса, потому что регламентировать таким способом ароматизаторы нереально. Ароматических веществ в мире не просто много, их невероятно много. Далеко не все ароматические вещества безвредны, поэтому их использование ограничивают и регламентируют отдельными приложениями, документами и списками.

В России можно использовать несколько тысяч веществ, из которых составляются ароматизаторы. Запахи, которые мы чувствуем, состоят из нескольких ароматических веществ, действующих на наши рецепторы.

Страшные химические названия в обозначениях ароматизаторов не означают, что всё плохо. Химики не называют земляничный запах «запахом земляники» хотя бы потому, что в землянике десятки ароматических веществ с жуткими наименованиями типа ноналактон или бензилацетат.

Разобраться без специального образования и опыта, что можно, а что нельзя, нереально, тем более что производители не обязаны указывать, какие именно ароматические вещества использовались в ароматизаторе.

Мы можем увидеть только, натуральный это ароматизатор или синтетический. Натуральный — это тот, в котором все составные части получены из природных источников. К синтетическим относятся все остальные.

Заметьте, теперь никаких «идентичных натуральному» ароматизаторов быть не должно, классификация изменилась.

На всякий случай запомните, что нельзя добавлять ароматизаторы, чтобы имитировать запах продукта. Например, ароматизатор «хлеб» в собственно хлеб или «молоко» в молоко. Зато в молочный продукт уже можно. Ещё нельзя ароматизировать продукты, чтобы спрятать запах порчи.

Усилители вкуса нужны, чтобы улучшить естественный вкус продукта и сделать его привлекательнее. Самый известный среди них — глутамат натрия (Е621). Вокруг него много споров: то ли считать, что он виноват во всех бедах от ожирения до головной боли, то ли признать его абсолютно безвредным.

Так или иначе, но наши законы рекомендуют относиться к глутаминовой, гуаниловой и инозиновой кислотам и заодно их солям (Е620 — Е633), а также к 5′- рибонуклеотидам (Е634 — Е635) с осторожностью.

Подсластители, дополнительные ингредиенты и пеногасители

Индексы: Е700 — Е900.

Все уже выяснили, что сахар — зло. Но в мире существуют природные (стевиозид, аминокислоты) и синтетические (сахарин, ксилит, цикламаты) вещества, которые намного слаще сахара, а вреда от них меньше. Подсластители нужны для диетического питания, их рекомендуют людям, больным диабетом. Правда, некоторые сладкие добавки имеют побочные эффекты. Цикламаты (Е952), например, исключили из списка разрешённых в России в 2010 году.

Помните, что если в составе продукта есть изомальтит (E953), ксилит (E967), лактит (E966), мальтит (E965), маннит (E421), сорбит (E420), эритрит (E968), то они могут оказывать послабляющее действие.

Подсластители, которые должны контролироваться: аспартам (Е951), ацесульфам (Е950), аспартам-ацесульфама соль (Е962), неогесперидин дигидрохалкон (Е959), сахарин (Е954), сукралоза (Е955), тауматин (Е957).

Дополнительные вещества

Индекс: Е900 — Е1999.

Это огромная группа веществ, которые не поместились в предыдущие разделы. Тут и добавки, которые нужны для упаковки продуктов, и стабилизаторы, и всё остальное.

Контролироваться должны: диацетин (Е1517), триацетин (Е1518), бензиловый спирт (Е1519), триэтилцитрат (Е1505).

Как понять, что продукт можно есть

Рассчитывать, что и в каких количествах положил производитель в продукт, дело неблагодарное. Понятно, что пищевые добавки — это способ сделать еду дешевле или превратить нечто условно съедобное во что-то аппетитное. Та же колбаса без мяса может быть безвредной. И абсолютно бесполезной.

Поэтому принцип «Чем меньше в продукте добавок, тем лучше» работает.

Но даже качественные и полезные продукты не обходятся без добавок, пусть их всего две, а не 20.

По нормам каждая добавка на упаковке должна быть подробно описана: зачем нужна (её функция), индекс (если есть) или название. По идее, честный производитель не станет писать «ароматизатор». Нужно указать, какой это ароматизатор, из чего состоит или как называется. А комплексные добавки должны расшифровываться.

Стоит ли отдельно записывать, какие добавки запрещены, и сверять с этим списком каждую коробку? Не стоит. Даже если кто-то из производителей решит каким-то образом раздобыть и применить запрещённый продукт, вряд ли он в здравом уме укажет это на упаковке. Если вы сомневаетесь, то проверку лучше проводить, сверяя упаковку с СанПиН или регламентами Таможенного союза.

К 2020 году EFSA должна переоценить все пищевые добавки, которые были разрешены в ЕС до 20 января 2009 года ^{. Это значит, что нас ещё может ждать масса новостей о том, что мы едим.}

90000 Nutritional Supplements Guide — Know Why You Need Supplements 90001 90002 Nutritional supplements are consumable health products that have one or more nutrients and ingredients found in the normal food. 90003 90002 People ask if they should take them. My answer is, Yes! 90003 90002 According to the 90007 Natural Institute of Health 90008, supplements can help you in getting enough quantities of essential nutrients. However they should never replace your daily diet, they only complement it.90009 90003 90002 90012 Just think about our current hectic lifestyles; 90013 90003 90002 We hardly consume the nutrients that our body needs. 90003 90002 Without even realizing it, this hectic lifestyle introduces us to fast and junk foods. 90003 90002 These have a lot of sugar, fat and sodium, which can leads to a heart disease, obesity, diabetes, arthritis and other lifestyle diseases. 90003 90002 Nowadays even if you are so health conscious, you are set to fail due to factors beyond your control.90003 90023 90024 Causes of Nutritional Deficiency 90025 90002 Nutritional deficiency is a state where your intake of nutrients is not enough for the normal functioning of the body. I have gathered real facts on several factors which causes a healthy diet not to provide sufficient nutrients. 90003 90002 90012 1) 90013 90012 Soil Depletion 90013 90009 90003 90002 In most parts of the world, soil has been depleted by overgrazing, over-farming 90009 and environmental degradation. As a result, our soils are of low quality and it is 90009 not easy to improve them.Thus the nutritional value is lost because our soil is depleted of essential nutrients. 90003 90002 90012 2) Food Processing and Preservation 90013 90009 Food processing and preservation takes away essential nutrients. For instance, 80% magnesium and 70-80% zinc is lost when refining wheat to white flour. In the same manner, 99% magnesium is lost when refining sugar cane to white sugar. These are just a few examples. 90003 90002 Am convinced that these figures just speaks about how much we need to supplement our diet.Freshly harvested food has very high level of nutrients. But how often do we get them? You will agree with me, very rare! 90003 90002 90012 3) Food Additives 90013 90009 Hundreds of artificial flavors, sweeteners, softeners and preservatives are added to most modern food. While some of these help in preserving the food, very few are harmless and many are toxic. Almost all of these food additives often deplete nutrients further. 90003 90002 Preservatives such as BHT and BHA are the worst that can be on your food.Aspartame-an artificial sweetener, and EDTA chelating agent remove vital nutrients from the surface of the foods they are applied on. 90003 90002 Other reasons include hurried lifestyles full of stress, poor eating habits and chemical toxins presents in the air and water that we take. 90009 90003 90024 Health Benefits of Nutritional Supplements 90025 90002 The nutrients included in these products include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids among other substances. People supplement their diet for reasons relating to boosting their diets.The main reasons are: 90003 90060 90061 To boost vitality 90062 90061 To limit or delay the signs of aging 90009 90062 90061 To reduce susceptibility to health problems (like cold) 90062 90061 To prevent heart attack 90062 90061 To prevent cancer 90062 90061 To reduce stress 90062 90074 90002 Therefore, 90007 90012 the main reason why people take nutritional supplements is for general health and well being 90013. 90009 90008 90003 90002 In other words, do not wait until a problem strikes; take responsibility and guard your heath! 90009 90003 90024 90012 Risks Associated with Nutritional Supplements 90013 90025 90002 Many of these products have active ingredients that cause biological effects in our bodies.Thus they may be unsafe in certain situations, and they can complicate and hurt your health. When taken in the following manner, they can lead to dangerous and life threatening consequences; 90003 90060 90061 Taking too much of them, like vitamin D, iron and vitamin A. 90062 90074 90060 90061 Taking a supplement instead of prescribed medicine. 90062 90074 90060 90061 Taking supplement products together with medication without your doctor’s advice. 90062 90074 90060 90061 Taking supplement products during and after surgery.90062 90074 90002 For these reasons, avoid taking more than the recommended amounts. Always seek the advice of your health care provider or pharmacist when you are in doubt. 90003 90024 90012 The Safety of Nutritional Supplements 90013 90025 90002 Supplement companies are not regulated by any government. Thus their products are not approved for safety before being marketed. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews the safety of any new ingredient in a product before marketing. The effectiveness of the new ingredient is not assessed and hence it is not known.90003 90002 It is the responsibility of manufacturers to ensure the safety of their products before selling them. They should ensure that their products are free from impurities and contaminants. They also ensure that minimum quality standards are met and that their products are labeled accurately. 90003 90002 These manufacturers should report any serious supplement effects or illness to FDA. FDA is responsible for withdrawing from the market any supplement that is unsafe, ineffective, and whose clams are false and misleading.90003 90024 90012 How can I Know More about the Supplement I am Taking? 90013 90025 90002 You can find out more about supplement products you are taking by contacting the manufacturer or distributor. Their contact information should be available on the product label. You can seek more about; 90003 90060 90061 The safety of the ingredients in the product and their effectiveness 90062 90074 90060 90061 Support information on the claims of the product 90062 90074 90060 90061 Reports on the use of the products such as adverse effects 90062 90074 90137 90012 What Should I do if I have a Reaction to a Supplement? 90013 90140 90002 You should seek advice from a physician on what to do.Otherwise you might do more harm than good to your body. 90003 90002 Serious problems resulting from the use of any supplement should be reported, either by yourself or your doctor, to FDA. FDA would like information on any nutritional supplement that causes adverse effects or illnesses. 90003 90024 90012 Choosing Nutritional Supplements 90009 90013 90025 90002 I will mention only the main facts here. For a detailed discussion go to how to choose nutritional supplements wisely. 90003 90002 Here is how to choose wisely; 90003 90060 90061 Buy only from renown companies — search for the websites of respected companies.90009 90062 90061 Check whether the product has clear labeling. Look out for words like ‘standardized’ on the label. 90062 90061 Look for the ‘certificate of analysis’. This confirms the purity of a product. 90009 90062 90074 90060 90061 Watch out for false statements such as, ‘can treat and cure all diseases’, ‘no side effects’. 90062 90074 90060 90061 Visit 90007 Health Fraud Scams 90008 to know the fraudulent nutritional products. 90062 90074 90060 90061 90007 FDA’s Tainted Supplement 90008 lists some of the dangerous supplement products in the market.90062 90074 90180 90181 And there is much more ….! 90009 90183 .90000 What Are Nutritional Supplements? Information You MUST Know! 90001 90002 90003 90004 90005 90006 Discover … 90006 90008 90009 90010 90011 90012 90004 90005 The Official Supplement Definition 90008 90009 90017 90005 90006 90012 90004 What The Function Of Supplements Is 90009 90017 90006 90012 90004 Who Takes Supplements … And Why 90009 90017 90006 90012 90004 Who’s (Not) Knowledgeable About Supplements & Nutrition 90009 90017 90008 90035 90002 90037 90004 90006 What Are Nutritional Supplements? 90009 90041 90042 90043 -Information On The Official Supplement Definition 90044 90045 90003 Nutritional supplements as information from the government authorities indicates are consumable health products that contain one or more ingredients, or nutrients, commonly found in food (Official US Government FDA website, accessed Sept.2010). 90010 90003 Furthermore, the substances used in nutritional supplements per information from the supplement definition, are usually delivered in the form of tablets, capsules, liquids, powders, or energy bars … 90010 90003 90005 «intended for ingestion by mouth» (Official US Government FDA website, accessed Sept. 2010). 90006 90008 90006 90005 However, by this terminology the FDA refers to a 90043 specific way 90044 of «ingestion by mouth»: 90043 swallowing 90044 the supplement products.90008 90010 90003 Because … 90010 90003 Another factoid that is good to know about food supplements is that there are some health supplements available which come in the forms of sprays and gels. Legally, those products are not deemed dietary supplements. As an example, in regard to spray supplements the FDA stated that: 90010 90003 90043 «[…] the Act [= the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act] defines the term» dietary supplement «[…] as a product that is «intended for ingestion.» Because oral spray products are intended to enter the body 90004 directly through the mucosal tissues at the back of the throat 90009, they are not dietary supplements and are not foods.»(FDA, 5-Feb-2019) [explanation & emphasis added] 90044 90010 90003 Therefore, such product items do not fall into the regulatory category of nutritional supplements and information about those types of nutritional supplements, as a consequence, can not contain any health claims pertaining to these products (FDA, 5-Feb-2019). 90010 90003 Other synonyms, or other equivalent or similar terms, commonly used for nutritional supplements (or certain types of nutritional supplements) are antioxidants, whole food supplements, natural health products, nutraceuticals, or vitamin supplements.90010 90037 90004 These Are The Most Common Ingredients Found In Health Supplements 90009 90041 90003 The official definition of nutritional supplements and information thereof that specifies what supplements usually contain, lists the following categories of nutrients: 90006 90010 90011 90012 vitamins 90017 90012 minerals 90017 90012 antioxidants 90017 90012 herbs 90017 90012 amino acids (building blocks of proteins) 90017 90012 enzymes (specific proteins regulating biochemical processes) 90017 90012 co-factors 90017 90012 botanicals and phytonutrients (plant substances) 90017 90012 fungi (such as medicinal fungal supplements -e.g., a Reishi mushroom supplement) 90006 90017 90012 glandular extracts / concentrates 90017 90035 90037 90004 Nutritional Supplements 90006 90109 90009 90041 90042 90004 90043 -Information On How Many 90044 90043 Products Are On The Market 90044 90009 90045 90003 You know now the answer to «what are supplements?». You know the official definition of nutritional supplements. But … do you have an idea of ​​just how many supplements are available? 90010 90003 By 2003 there were approximately 30,000 different dietary supplements available on the market, up from around 4,000 in 1994 according to data by the US Food and Drug Administration, also known as FDA (Taylor, 2004; Gibson & Taylor, 2005) .90010 90003 A statement published by the office of dietary supplements (ODS) which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a US government agency, divulged that there are 90005 «at least 50,000 dietary supplement products available» 90008 by the year 2011 року (ODS, 2011). 90010 90003 No doubt, the demand for vitamins and health supplements and information on what they are intended for, or what they do, has been growing steadily since the introduction of the currently valid set of policies on dietary supplement regulation (the DSHEA of 1994).90010 90037 90004 What Is The Function Of Vitamins And Dietary Supplements? 90009 90041 90003 Nutritional supplements per information from the official authorities are «additions» (an extra bonus if you will) to, hopefully, a balanced good diet: 90010 90003 90005 «Dietary supplements are 90004 intended to supplement the diets 90009 of some people, but 90004 not to replace 90009 the balance of the variety of foods important to a healthy diet. » (Official US Government FDA website, accessed Feb.2011) [emphasis added] 90008 90010 90003 The central idea of ​​not replacing a meal with vitamins and health supplements is that food is primarily composed of energy and structural nutrients (besides water), such as fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, also known as macronutrients. Your body needs these substances in relatively large quantities to function properly. 90010 90003 Ingredients found in supplements, on the other hand, are usually substances such as natural vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.They are also referred to as micronutrients because proportionally small amounts of them are required by the human organism for good health. 90010 90003 Most importantly, none of the micronutrients are a direct source of energy. 90010 90003 Furthermore, food items contain hundreds or thousands of substances and chemical elements (some of which may still not be known to science), making it unfeasible to put them all into nutritional supplements. Thus, eating a nutritious diet assures that you’re getting this vast plethora of nutrients, including potentially still undiscovered constituents, above and beyond what you’re getting with well-designed food supplements.90010 90003 Therefore, to re-emphasize one of the facts about vitamins and supplements because it is a vital concept to understand … 90010 90003 90004 Dietary supplements, such as vitamins and mineral supplements, are NOT … a replacement or substitute for healthy food, a meal, or for eating «junk food» (refined, highly processed food). 90009 90010 90003 However, nutritional supplements are intended to «supplement», or complement, a healthy diet. 90010 90037 90004 Are Orthodox Doctors And Consumers Knowledgeable About Supplements? 90009 90041 90003 90005 «I do know that most of my colleagues are still of the opinion that only a few rare health problems can be solved with proper nutrition or added vitamins and minerals.»(Jonathan V. Wright, MD, in 1979) 90008 90010 90003 Among the many facts about dietary supplements is that studies (eg, Ashar, et al., 2007 & 2008) show that both physicians and medical students are poorly educated about nutritional supplements and information on the regulations thereof. As a consequence, traditional physicians convey little meaningful information on the health risks of dietary supplements or vitamin benefits to their patients (Tarn, et al., 2013). 90010 90003 This suggests that a conventional doctor (or a medical student) is not a reliable source to go to for advice on supplements.(For supplement advice I propose you consult with a certified nutritionist or an orthomolecular practitioner, or closely scrutinize the scientific literature on your own to form reliable answers.) 90010 90003 But, ironically, the advice from US government authorities on where to look for reliable dietary supplement information is … 90010 90003 90005 «Your doctor is a good place to start.» (Official website of nutrition.gov, part of US Department of Agriculture (USDA), accessed July 2013) 90008 90010 90003 It is not… because what the official authorities suggest entirely contradicts what the scientific data indicate. 90010 90003 Trust facts, not authorities. 90010 90003 These research findings also makes sense when you examine the reasons why doctors do not have adequate knowledge about nutritional supplements and information on their regulations. 90010 90003 Here’s a clue … 90010 90003 90005 «[…] there are lots of data to show that doctors spend little time reading the original research in [medical] journals.»(Smith, 2006) [explanation added] 90008 90010 90003 But this is really just a» symptom «of a much more basic reality … 90010 90003 The core reason why doctors, in general, are not well informed about nutritional supplements and information closely related to them is because conventional physicians learn little about nutrition, supplements, and other non-orthodox treatments in medical school (Crayhon, 1994). 90010 90003 A circumstance, which in itself is a «symptom», or outcome, of an even broader reality (the hard truth)… that of an authoritarian, corporation-dominated, commercialized culture of corruption: 90010 90003 90043 Allopathic modern medicine is primarily a highly profitable 90004 business of sickness management 90009, preferentially over the long run (e.g., the lifespan of the patient). The commitment to proper nutrition, including the resort to nutritional medicine with food supplements, is primarily a 90004 lifestyle of health maintenance 90009. 90044 90010 90003 90043 Therefore, the nutritional orientation to life encroaches on the big profits of the medical «business with disease» (Rath, 1997. & 2003).Consequently, in one of their prime «milieus of control», such as medical schools, the unethical, criminal allopathic medical system (Carter, 1992; Walker 1993; Lanctôt, 2002; Angell 2009; Gøtzsche, 2013) has systematically and deliberately neglected the genuine education of their uncritical indoctrinatees (conventional doctors) with authentic nutritional information. 90044 90010 90003 In spite of the fact that most medical schools offer courses on alternative therapies, such as on nutrition, their emphasis is inconsistent, incoherent, and marginal within the full school curricula (Wetzel, et al., 1998; Berman, 2001; Adams, et al., 2006; Colquhoun & ten Bosch, 2008; Gramlich, et al., 2010 року; Frantz, et al., 2011). 90010 90003 This situation is reflected in the practically unchanged view of physicians, since the 1950s, that nutrition education in medical schools is inadequate (Frantz, et al., 2011). 90010 90003 It’s not by coincidence … 90010 90003 90043 «[The allopathic medical monopoly, aka conventional official medicine, or the colluding corporatist governments and corporate medicine] want to end any evident connection between nutrition and health so that in the public perception, health is dependent upon professional medicine and pharmaceutical products.»(Martin Walker, Independent English Health Researcher & Author [Mclean, 2004]) [explanation added] 90044 90010 90003 However, the steady growth of the health industry (alternative or natural medicine), particularly since around the 1960s, and the accompanying increase in the frequency and complexity of questions and concerns patients ask their doctors about nutrition and food supplements (Gramlich, et al., 2010), has ignited, or rather inevitably «enforced», more interest by the medical profession in nutritional supplements and information thereof (Dickinson, et al., 2011). Although some research (e.g., Frantz, et al., 2011) suggests that there is a decline in the number of physicians who pursue education about nutrition. 90010 90003 The reality is that it is not uncommon for patients to know more about nutritional supplements and information related to nutrition than their physicians. 90010 90003 Alan R. Gaby, MD, stated in an investigative report: 90010 90003 90005 «[…] most doctors know less about nutrition than do many of their patients.» (Gaby, 2003) 90008 90010 90003 In an editorial of a medical journal, physician Victor S.Sierpina, MD, wrote: 90010 90003 90005 «Many of us did not receive adequate training about supplements in either medical school or residency.» (Sierpina, 2008) 90008 90010 90003 In 2010 Carolyn Dean, MD, ND, a physician educated both in conventional medicine as in non-orthodox healing methods, explained: 90010 90003 90005 «There are no nutrition classes in [medical] school there is no nutrition training given to doctors. » (Dean, Feb. 2010) [explanation added] 90008 90010 90003 Another physician corroborates these statements: 90010 90003 90005 «Neither you nor your doctor are aware that the health benefits of vitamins are a non-issue during medical education and that natural therapies have been systematically removed from the teaching calendars at medical schools during the 20th century and replaced by lectures in «pharmacology».»(Matthias Rath, MD) 90008 90010 90003 A pro-supplement industry funded 2008 survey of 900 doctors revealed that most physicians did not receive any formal training or education about nutritional supplements (Dickinson, et al., 2011). 90010 90003 (More frightening, and revealing -and further corroborating- that the official, 90043 allegedly 90044 evidence- 90043 based 90044, medicine business is in fact a highly unethical evidence- 90043 b 90004 i 90009 ased 90044 medical business, is that allopaths get a 90043 smidgen 90044 of meaningful education in medical school about state-authorized toxic vaccines they go on peddling to unsuspecting customers to enrich themselves (Burrowes, 2019)).90010 90003 Unsurprisingly, because orthodox medical doctors generally have a lackluster understanding of natural food supplements a relatively small percentage of them recommend these health products to their patients (Bailey, et al., 2013). 90010 90003 In a culture where the authorities of medical education decide it is rather unimportant for doctors to get exposed to scientific data on some rather basic modalities of health like nutritional supplements and information about nutrition, and other unconventional, non-patentable remedies and healing methods, it will virtually seamlessly install… 90010 90003 90043 … a bias in physicians 90004 towards 90009 the medical procedures of conventional, allopathic medicine, 90044 90010 90003 and, respectively … 90010 90003 90043 … a bias 90004 against 90009 any «alternative», non -orthodox medical approaches, leading to a neglect of involvement thereof on the part of traditional doctors. 90044 90010 90003 Marcia Angell, MD, former editor of 90005 The New England Journal of Medicine 90008, explained: 90010 90003 90005 «One result of the 90004 pervasive bias 90009 is that 90004 physicians learn to practice a very drug-intensive style of medicine 90009 .Even when changes in lifestyle would be more effective, doctors and their patients often believe that for every ailment and discontent there is a drug. » (Angell, 2009) [emphasis added] 90008 90010 90003 The biologist Dr. Raymond Peat referred to the deliberate one-sided indoctrination process in medical school when he said in an interview: 90010 90003 90005 «Doctors never have any idea about anything except 90004 what they’re told 90009 is good practice.» (Raymond Peat, PhD, in 2009) [emphasis added] 90008 90010 90003 Similarly, in an editorial the author stated: 90010 90003 90005 «The typical doctor is authoritarian.He or she, as a medical student or a qualified doctor, accepts what is imparted to her / him from the medical teachers, textbooks, and journals as gospel, «the revealed Truth», not to be questioned. «(Paterson, 2006) 90008 90010 90003 In view of these various scholarly statements and observations, suddenly a highly incriminating verdict such as that made decades ago by a conventional «heretical» doctor who had also been known as «The People’s Doctor», Robert Mendelsohn, MD, (1926 -1988), about his very own profession and professional colleagues appears much less inconceivable and outlandish but is reality-based in both yesterday’s and today’s times: 90010 90003 90043 «[…] doctors turn out to be dishonest, corrupt, unethical, sick, poorly educated, and downright stupid more often than the rest of society. […]. When 90004 I 90009 meet a doctor, I generally figure I’m meeting a person who is narrow minded, prejudiced, and fairly incapable of reasoning and deliberation. Few of the doctors I meet prove my prediction wrong. «(Mendelsohn, 1979) 90044 90010 90003 Of course, doctors are busy with keeping up on just the latest information in their specialized narrow field of medicine.Yet it is quite apparent that physicians, more often than not, do not (closely) examine anything outside what they learn in medical school because they feel it’s «politically incorrect». 90010 90003 Most disturbingly though … 90010 90003 It is not only information from «competing» or «outside» fields to orthodox medicine, such as alternative healing modalities (eg, nutritional supplement therapy, accupuncture), that is being disregarded but also 90004 within 90009 the arena of modern medicine itself there is an apathy present among many (and probably most) doctors against data that threaten or question the officially propagated ideology of organized medicine.90010 90003 A personal experience of mine corroborates this … 90010 90003 When I began to investigate mammograms, during 2010-2011 (by the way, the (e) book 90043 The Mammogram Myth 90044 is the culmination of that investigation -see Mammograms: Dangerous! mammography Risks, Myths & Breast Cancer Facts), I noticed huge differences among the magnitude of positive effects from screenings with mammography in the scientific literature. It did not make much sense to me. So I contacted some of the mammography scientists, among them Per-Henrik Zahl, MD, PhD, who had published many studies on the subject, hoping to get to the bottom of the matter.90010 90003 After numerous personal exchanges with Zahl, who had been extremely forthcoming, gracious, open, and very detailed in the information he shared with me, he made this comment to me (assuming that I’m a physician): 90010 90003 90005 » Most doctors do not try to understand the numbers in this discussion. I really appreciate your effort to understand why people publish very diverging results. «(Per-Henrik Zahl, MD, PhD, Personal Communication, Dec. 30th, 2011) 90008 90010 90003 A lot of laypeople are somewhat aware of the controversies about the merits of mammograms, which have been raised since the 1970s.Within orthodox medicine, however, remarkably conflicting, deviating, or opposing results, 90004 among the body of scientific-medical evidence 90009, is apparently of no (real) interest to «most doctors» for further investigation. Presumably, not even to radiologists who ought to be intimately familiar with all of the pertinent research data, particularly with the «very diverging results», regarding the benefits of screening with mammography. 90010 90003 Thomas E. Levy, MD, summed up the customary, «politically-correct» behavior of traditional physicians with an observation: 90010 90003 90005 «Doctors have a very strong herd mentality, […].»(Levy 2010 90008 90010 90003 Now, what about consumers of vitamins and supplements, are they knowledgeable about supplements? 90010 90003 Research investigations reveal that the majority of consumers are equally poorly informed about nutritional supplements and information pertaining to how they are regulated ( Dodge & Kaufman, 2007). 90010 90003 On the other hand, a study indicated consumers of vitamin supplements believe that traditional doctors are poorly educated about these types of health products (Blendon, et al., 2001). 90010 90003 Their perception confirms the empirical data on nutritional supplements and information relating to who is not knowledgeable about them. 90010 90003 Bottom line? 90010 90003 One of the major facts about dietary supplements is that both physicians 90004 and 90009 consumers alike are poorly educated about nutritional supplements. And information and knowledge on dietary supplement regulations are equally lacking among both of these groups. 90010 90037 90004 Who & How Many People Are Using Nutritional Supplements? 90009 90041 90003 Information retrieved from numerous studies found that approximately half the adult US population routinely takes supplements (Ervin, et al., 1999; Satia-Abouta, et al., 2003; Radimer, et al., 2004; Rock, 2007; Cohen, 2009 року; Gershwin, et al., 2010 року; The Washington Post, 2010 року; Bailey, et al., 2011). 90010 90003 One study claimed the figure is even over 70% (Sadovsky, et al., 2008). A survey (Daniells, March 2012) corroborates that the 70% mark seems to be the accurate figure around the first decade of the 21st century, while multivitamins remain the mostly used supplements. 90010 90003 Undoubtedly, the number of users has steadily increased since the 1970s (Bailey, et al., 2011). By the late 1970s / early 1980s, the figure was at 35% (Koplan, et al., 1986). It grew rapidly during the 1990s (largely enabled by new policies of dietary supplement regulation), but appears to have slowed down a bit at around the turn of the 21st century (Kelly, et al., 2005). 90010 90003 A number of studies on nutritional supplements found information which demonstrated that people who are obese are the least likely to consume all natural nutritional supplements. Well-educated, fit, older (45+) Caucasians (especially women) with higher incomes are the most likely to use vitamins and supplements (Eliason, et al., 1997; Satia-Abouta, et al., 2003; Yu, et al., 2003; Gunther, et al., 2004; Harrison, et al., 2004; Kennedy, 2005; Kelly, et al., 2006; Rock, 2007; Bailey, et al., 2011). 90010 90003 By the way, a large percentage of traditional physicians and nurses, closely matching the consumption figure of the general population, also appear to regularly take nutritional supplements as information, obtained from various research investigations, revealed (Gardiner, et al., 2006 ; Dickinson, et al., 2009 року; Dickinson, et al., 2011). 90010 90037 90004 Why Are People Taking Nutritional Supplements? 90009 90041 90003 Information and data gathered from extensive research (Eliason, et al., 1997; Hathcock, 2001; Kaufman, et al., 2002; Satia-Abouta, et al., 2003; Gunther, et al., 2004; Kennedy, 2005 ; Artz, et al., 2006; Gardiner, et al., 2007; Bailey, et al., 2013) show that the main reasons why people use nutritional supplements are … 90010 90003 90043 … to improve, protect, or preserve their health, 90044 90010 90003 and another vitamin use is… 90010 90003 90043 … to treat their specific health issues. 90044 90010 90003 (Originally published: ca. July-2012 | This is an updated version) 90006 90010 90002 90390 90004 =================== 90006 Recommended next page (s): 90006 =================== 90006 90009 90010 90003 «Exploring The Shady World Of Dietary 90006 Supplement Regulation «(-3-Part Article) 90010 90002 90006 90042 References 90045 90011 90012 Adams KM, Lindell KC, Kohlmeier M, Zeisel SH, «Status of nutrition education in medical schools», Am J Clin Nutr.2006 Apr; 83 (4): 941S-944S 90017 90012 Angell M, «Drug Companies & Doctors: A Story of Corruption», The New York Rev Books, January 15 2009 90017 90012 Artz MB, Harnack LJ, Duval SJ, Armstrong C, Arnett DK, Luepker RV, «Use of nonprescription medications for perceived cardiovascular health.», Am J Prev Med. 2006 Jan; 30 (1): 78-81. 90017 90012 Ashar BH, Rice TN, Sisson SD, «Physicians ‘understanding of the regulation of dietary supplements.», Arch Intern Med. 2007 May 14; 167 (9): 966-9. 90017 90012 Ashar BH, Rice TN, Sisson SD, «Medical residents ‘knowledge of dietary supplements.», South Med J. 2008 Oct; 101 (10): 996-1000. 90017 90012 Bailey RL, Gahche JJ, Lentino CV, Dwyer JT, Engel JS, Thomas PR, Betz JM, Sempos CT, Picciano MF, «Dietary supplement use in the United States, 2003 2006.», J Nutr. 2011 Feb; 141 (2): 261-6. 90017 90012 Bailey RL, Gahche JJ, Miller PE, Thomas PR, Dwyer JT, «Why US Adults Use Dietary Supplements «, JAMA Intern Med. 2013 Feb 4: 1-7. Doi: 10.1001 / jamainternmed.2013.2299. [Epub ahead of print] 90017 90012 Berman M, «Complementary medicine and medical education -Teaching complementary medicine offers a way of making teaching more holistic», BMJ 322: 121, Editorial, 20 January 2001 90017 90012 Blendon RJ, DesRoches CM, Benson JM, Brodie M, Altman DE, «Americans ‘views on the use and regulation of dietary supplements.», Arch Intern Med. 2001 Mar 26; 161 (6): 805-10. 90017 90012 Burrowes B, «Vaxxed II: The People’s Truth», Film Documentary, www.vaxxed2.com, 2019 [https://is.gd/JlTzYQ | https://tinyurl.com/y84752w6 | http://archive.is/fxmxX; accessed 16-May-2020] 90017 90012 Carter JP, «Racketeering in Medicine: The Suppression of Alternatives», 1992 90017 90012 Cohen PA, «American roulette — contaminated dietary supplements.», N Engl J Med. 2009 Oct 15; 361 (16): 1523-5. Epub 2009 Oct 7. 90017 90012 Colquhoun J, ten Bosch L, «Foodmatters», Documentary, 2008 90017 90012 Crahyon R, «Nutrition Made Simple», 1994 90017 90012 Daniells S, «Supplement Use Up To 69% Of US Adults: CRN Survey», nutraingredients-usa.com, March 14 березня 2012 90017 90012 Dean C, «How I Almost Missed Going To Medical School», at NewsWithViews.com, February 28 2010 90017 90012 Dickinson A, Boyon N, Shao A, «Physicians and nurses use and recommend dietary supplements: report of a survey.», Nutr J. 2009 Jul 1; 8: 29. 90017 90012 Dickinson A, Shao A, Boyon N, Franco JC, «Use of dietary supplements by cardiologists, dermatologists and orthopedists: report of a survey.», Nutr J. 2011 Mar 3; 10: 20. 90017 90012 Dodge T, Kaufman A, «What makes consumers think dietary supplements are safe and effective? The role of disclaimers and FDA approval.», Health Psychol. 2007 Jul; 26 (4): 513-7. 90017 90012 Eliason BC, Kruger J, Mark D, Rasmann DN, «Dietary supplement users: demographics, product use, and medical system interaction.», J Am Board Fam Pract. 1997 Jul-Aug; 10 (4): 265-71. 90017 90012 Ervin RB, Wright JD, Kennedy-Stephenson J, «Use of dietary supplements in the United States, 1988-94.», Vital Health Stat 11. 1999 Jun; (244): i-iii, 1-14. 90017 90012 FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration), «Sovereign Laboratories, LLC 2/5/19», Warning Letter, www.fda.gov, 5-Feb-2019 [http://archive.is/854Bl | https://tinyurl.com/y3lw2vvp; accessed 14-Apr-2019] 90017 90012 Frantz DJ, Munroe C, McClave SA, Martindale R, «Current perception of nutrition education in U.S. medical schools «, Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2011 Aug; 13 (4): 376-9. 90017 90012 Gaby AR, «» Safe Upper Levels «for Nutritional Supplements: One Giant Step Backward», Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine Vol. 18, Nos. 3 & 4, 2003 90017 90012 Gardiner P, Woods C, Kemper KJ, «Dietary supplement use among health care professionals enrolled in an online curriculum on herbs and dietary supplements.», BMC Complement Altern Med. 2006 Jun 12; 6: 21. 90017 90012 Gardiner P, Graham R, Legedza AT, Ahn AC, Eisenberg DM, Phillips RS, «Factors associated with herbal therapy use by adults in the United States.», Altern Ther Health Med. 2007 Mar-Apr; 13 (2): 22-9. 90017 90012 Gershwin ME, Borchers AT, Keen CL, Hendler S, Hagie F, Greenwood MR, «Public safety and dietary supplementation.», Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010 Mar; 1 190 (1): 104-17. 90017 90012 Gibson JE, Taylor DA, «Can claims, misleading information, and manufacturing issues regarding dietary supplements be improved in the United States?», J Pharmacol Exp Ther.2005 Sep; 314 (3): 939-44. Epub 2005 Apr 15. 90017 90012 Gøtzsche PC, «Deadly Medicines And Organised Crime: How Big Pharma Has Corrupted Healthcare», 2013 90017 90012 Gramlich LM, Olstad DL, Nasser R, Goonewardene L, Raman M, Innis S, Wicklum S, Duerksen D, Rashid M, Heyland D, Armstrong D, Roy C, «Medical students ‘perceptions of nutrition education in Canadian universities», Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2010 Jun; 35 (3): 336-43. 90017 90012 Gunther S, Patterson RE, Kristal AR, Stratton KL, White E, «Demographic and health-related correlates of herbal and specialty supplement use.», J Am Diet Assoc. 2004 Jan; 104 (1): 27-34. 90017 90012 Harrison RA, Holt D, Pattison DJ, Elton PJ, «Who and how many people are taking herbal supplements? A survey of 21,923 adults. «, Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2004 May; 74 (3): 183-6. 90017 90012 Hathcock J, «Dietary supplements: how they are used and regulated.», J Nutr. 2001 Mar; 131 (3s): 1114S-7S. 90017 90012 Kaufman DW, Kelly JP, Rosenberg L, Anderson TE, Mitchell AA, «Recent patterns of medication use in the ambulatory adult population of the United States: the Slone survey.», JAMA. 2002 Jan 16; 287 (3): 337-44. 90017 90012 Kelly JP, Kaufman DW, Kelley K, Rosenberg L, Anderson TE, Mitchell AA, «Recent trends in use of herbal and other natural products.», Arch Intern Med. 2005 Feb 14; 165 (3): 281-6. 90017 90012 Kelly JP, Kaufman DW, Kelley K, Rosenberg L, Mitchell AA, «Use of herbal / natural supplements according to racial / ethnic group.», J Altern Complement Med. 2006 Jul-Aug; 12 (6): 555-61. 90017 90012 Kennedy J, «Herb and supplement use in the US adult population.», Clin Ther. 2005 Nov; 27 (11): 1847-58. 90017 90012 Koplan JP, Annest JL, Layde PM, Rubin GL, «Nutrient intake and supplementation in the United States (NHANES II) «, Am J Public Health. 1986 Mar; 76 (3): 287-9. 90017 90012 Lanctôt G, «The Medical Mafia», 2002 Edition 90017 90012 Levy TE, «Vitamin C And The Law», Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, November 11 2010 90017 90012 Mclean L, «Interview with Martin J. Walker», Positive Health Online, www.positivehealth.com, Issue 97, March 2004 [http: // archive.is / aoqid; accessed 5-Nov-2017] 90017 90012 Mendelsohn RS, «Confessions Of A Medical Heretic», 1979 90017 90012 Office Of Dietary Supplements (ODS), «Message From Director», http://ods.od.nih.gov, Accessed Sept. 2011 90017 90012 Official U.S Government FDA website, addressing supplements: http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements 90017 90012 Paterson ET, «Why Orthomolecular Medicine? A Personal Viewpoint «, Journal Of Orthomolecular Medicine, Volume 21, 1st Quarter 2006 90017 90012 Radimer K, Bindewald B, Hughes J, Ervin B, Swanson C, Picciano MF, «Dietary supplement use by US adults: data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2000.», Am J Epidemiol. 2004 Aug 15; 160 (4): 339- 49. 90017 90012 Rath M, «Why Animals Do not Get Heart Attacks -But People Do», 1997 90017 90012 Rath M, «The Pharmaceutical» Business with Disease «», Dr. Rath Health Foundation, www.dr-rath-foundation.org, 2003 [https://archive.fo/I7Jc7 | https://bit.ly/2NwC3yI; accessed 27-Feb-2019] 90017 90012 Rock CL, «Multivitamin-multimineral supplements: who uses them?», Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Jan; 85 (1): 277S-279S. 90017 90012 Sadovsky R, Collins N, Tighe AP, Brunton SA, Safeer R, «Patient use of dietary supplements: a clinician’s perspective.», Curr Med Res Opin. 2008 Apr; 24 (4): 1209-16. Epub 2008 Mar 17. 90017 90012 Satia-Abouta J, Kristal AR, Patterson RE, Littman AJ, Stratton KL, White E, «Dietary supplement use and medical conditions: the VITAL study.», Am J Prev Med. 2003 Jan; 24 (1): 43-51. 90017 90012 Sierpina VS, «Continuing medical education on nutritional supplements: breaking through ignorance and indifference.», South Med J. 2008 Oct; 101 (10): 981-2. 90017 90012 Smith R, «The trouble with medical journals», J R Soc Med., 2006 Mar; 99 (3): 115-9 90017 90012 Tarn DM, Paterniti DA, Good JS, Coulter ID, Galliher JM, Kravitz RL, Karlamangla AS, Wenger NS, «Physician-patient communication about dietary supplements», Patient Educ Couns. 2013 Jun; 91 (3): 287-94. doi: 10.1016 / j.pec.2013.01.021. Epub 2013 Mar 7. 90017 90012 Taylor DA, «Botanical supplements: weeding out the health risks.», Environ Health Perspect. 2004 Sep; 112 (13): A750-3. 90017 90012 The Washington Post, «Dietary supplements can be risky; Consumer Reports recommends avoiding some «, August 3 2010 90017 90012 Walker MJ, «Dirty Medicine: Science, Big Business and the Assault on Natural Health Care», 1993 90017 90012 Wetzel MS, Eisenberg DM, Kaptchuk TJ, «Courses involving complementary and alternative medicine at US medical schools», JAMA.1998; 280: 784-787. 90017 90012 Yu SM, Kogan MD, Huang ZJ, «Vitamin-mineral supplement use among US women, 2000.», J Am Med Womens Assoc. 2003 Summer; 58 (3): 157-64. 90017 90035 90006 90002 90526 90527 Home 90017 > 90527 Basics: What Are Supplements? 90017 90531 90003 Top 90010 .90000 The Truth About Nutritional Supplements -Both Good And Bad 90001 90002 90003 90004 Here is the main conclusion … 90005 90003 To get to the truth about nutritional supplements and health matters, above all: 90005 90008 90009 90010 Trust facts, not authorities. 90011 90005 90003 90004 After all, it was none other than Albert Einstein, PhD, (1879-1955) who warned: 90005 90003 «90017 Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth. 90018 «90005 90003 Because it is not uncommon, as Einstein was well aware of, for official authorities and acclaimed experts to omit, ignore, or even suppress facts (sound scientific evidence).90005 90003 Today, this is a familiar reality across virtually the entire field of science. Both modern medicine as well as non-orthodox alternative medicine with all its many sub divisions, 90023 such as the domain of nutritional supplements among the health industry 90024, are no exceptions to this routine practice. 90005 90003 Marcia Angell, MD, a former longtime editor of 90017 The New England Journal of Medicine 90018, one of the most prestigious medical journals in the world, concluded in sadness: 90005 90003 90017 «It is simply no longer possible to believe much of the clinical research that is published, or to rely on the judgment of trusted physicians or authoritative medical guidelines.»(Marcia Angell, MD, in 2009) 90018 90005 90003 Therefore, a proper understanding of nutrition, diets, nutritional supplements, modern medicine, and the so-called healthcare system is inextricably tied to having a good grasp of the political-social context -this includes 90023 especially a sound perception of politics 90024. This broader insight is the major reason why «macro-level» information, such as on socioeconomic and political processes, is rather generously included and discussed in this site’s content on «micro-level» topics, such the health benefits of vitamin supplements or vitamin toxicity.(Another chief aspect of this rationale is coming up below). 90004 90005 90003 Preceding Marcia Angell’s abovecited observation, Linus Pauling, PhD, (1901-1994), recipient of two Nobel Prizes, gave us this timeless advice in 1986, being fully cognizant of the deep presence of wicked politics in mainstream allopathic medicine and the political landscape: 90005 90003 90017 «Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians mislead you. Find out what the facts are, and make your own decisions about how to live a happy life and how to work for a better world.»90018 90005 90003 We live in an environment in which you are routinely presented with, and exposed to, many different and oftentimes conflicting 90017 opinions 90018, rather than facts, about health and nutritional supplements. Frequently, these eclectic opinions are dispensed by a variety of authorities and experts. 90005 90003 No surprise so many people are confused about food supplements. 90005 90003 Are you mystified about supplements? 90005 90053 Have You Ever Wondered … 90054 90003 90017 «In order to take care of one’s complex physical equipment, it is necessary, at least partially, to understand it.[…]. If one is not willing to learn, he or she must take the consequences. These may include living a life less rich in energy and satisfaction than it might have been. » (Roger J. Williams, PhD, 1893-1988, Trailblazer Of Nutritional Science) 90018 90005 90003 Have you ever asked yourself … 90004 90005 90062 90063 Who is lying, who is telling the facts about vitamins and health supplements? 90064 90063 Why take supplements? Is there any genuine science-based evidence in support of nutritional medicine? 90004 90064 90063 How do dietary supplements work? What are the vitamin benefits? What will supplements do for me, or my health issues? 90064 90063 Do I really need antioxidants and vitamin supplements for health or is a healthy diet (good nutrition) enough? 90064 90063 Are supplements necessary or do they just create «expensive urine»? 90064 90063 Are all nutritional supplements created equally? 90064 90063 How do I know if a natural health supplement works or if I simply waste my money? 90004 90064 90063 What are the side effects of dietary supplements? 90064 90063 Are «miracle» weight loss pills actually effective or safe? What are the best diet supplements? 90004 90064 90063 Dietary supplements and risks… real or exaggerated? 90064 90063 90023 W 90024 hat are the criteria I should look for when I buy dietary supplements? Should I take synthetic vitamin supplements or whole food vitamin supplements? 90064 90063 What are the best health supplements to take? 90064 90063 Who regulates nutritional supplements, and how? Do the policies of dietary supplement regulation give a guarantee for supplement quality? 90064 90063 What is the best time to take vitamins? 90064 90063 Why is it that 90017 only 90018 the allopathic medical profession (the business of conventional medicine) can legally claim to «treat, cure, or prevent diseases «with their treatments? And why are advocates of nutritional supplements, for example, not allowed to claim this about the use of supplements? 90064 90063 What are the biggest supplement myths and fallacies? 90064 90102 90003 This website addresses (or is going to) all of these issues about nutritional supplements.And much, much more. 90005 90053 In Case You’re NOT Confused Or Unsure About Nutritional Supplements … 90054 90003 90017 «Acquiring truth about health and biology is difficult at best, and acquiring falsehoods about health and biology seems to be inordinately easy.» (John W. Gofman, MD, PhD, 1918-2007) 90018 90005 90003 At this very moment, you’re either convinced that nutritional supplements are a total waste of money (and maybe even dangerous), or that they are extremely beneficial and necessary.Or, you likely hold a position that lays somewhere in-between these two points of view. 90005 90003 How did you arrive at your current conviction? Whose information helped you form your perspective? 90005 90003 Do you believe you most certainly know the facts about dietary supplements? 90005 90003 Are you dead set in your thinking, are your attitudes about health supplements «set in stone»? 90005 90003 The information on this website might challenge some (or many) of your perceptions about nutritional supplements, nutrition, health, natural medicine, prevailing «official medicine» (traditional allopathy), and the political culture.90005 90003 But challenges carry the seeds of new possibilities, progress, and growth. And oftentimes … a path to the true scientific facts. Because it is not uncommon to find the truth in the things that deeply disturb us, in things that make us uncomfortable. 90005 90003 And more often than not, the reason why something is challenging us and is making us uneasy is because it goes 90023 against 90024 «common knowledge», against the offical views advocated by public health authorities and the medical establishment.90005 90003 Thus, the exposure to «challenging information» -about nutritional supplements, for instance- may lead you (and leave you) onto the side of a rather unappreciated 90023 tiny 90024 minority. 90005 90003 A long time ago a very astute doctor, originally trained as a conventional MD but then became an «alternative» or holistic physician, noted: 90005 90003 90017 «The discovery and acceptance of truth are alike painful. It is a continual warfare with one’s self and the world: it is a fight in which defeat is moral death, and in which victory brings no ovation.»(William H. Holcombe, 1825-1893) 90018 90005 90003 A closely related observation had been spoken by a famous US politician in the 20th century: 90005 90003 90017″ Few men are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society. 90010 Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. 90011 Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change a world which yields most painfully to change.»(Robert F. Kennedy, 1925-1968, in his NUSAS» Day of Affirmation «Speech, University of Cape Town, South Africa, 6-June-1966) [emphasis added] 90018 90005 90003 A 21st century author expressed a similar notion : 90005 90003 90017 «[…] being a moral person requires taking on the personal responsibility of judging right from wrong and following one’s own conscience, the opposite of respecting and obeying» authority «.» (Larken Rose, in «The Most Dangerous Superstition «, 2011) 90004 90018 90004 Many dogmatic traditions and dominant organizations, which portray themselves largely as the sole and exclusive authoritative possessors of the truth (the facts) -as in the case of the prominent,» sacred «institution of conventional allopathic medicine (organized medicine) — are representations of culture-specific ideologies.90005 90003 Such ideological perspectives are a direct outcome of, and determined by, both authoritarian governments and other highly influential, rigid groups in positions of power whose origins and battles over turf may go back hundreds or even thousands of years. 90005 90003 By contemplating new data and by putting new information (or uncommon perspectives) about nutritional supplements, health, and modern medicine against this inflexible-dogmatic, cultural background, it might assist you in viewing knowledge that diverges or contradicts the established authoritarian paradigms, with renewed vigor and openness.90005 90003 As the biologist Raymond Peat, PhD, once told me: 90005 90003 90017 «[…] if nothing is taken as a final and completely adequate answer, then everything stimulates interest, […].» (Personal Communication, 20-May-2008) 90018 90005 90004 90053 Why Politics & Socioeconomics Are Inescapably Linked To Diet, Nutritional Medicine, And Your Own Personal Health 90004 90054 90003 90023 «[…] the whole economic structure of Western civilization is based on the production and distribution of goods and services that are contributing to poor health.These include chemicalized agriculture and food processing, the pharmaceutical industry, technological medicine and the petrochemical and plastics industries. The guiding motto for industry is ‘profit’, while for the consumer it is ‘convenience’. The price for all to pay is the loss of health. This situation is the natural outcome of a society based on selfish motivation. » (Walter Last, Independent Health Investigator, Author, and Former Biochemist & Toxicologist) 90004 90024 90004 When reading the writings on this site you will discover that it is not uncommon to find political elements and socioeconomic contexts discussed among information on nutritional supplements, health, and allied topics.90005 90003 The reasoning behind it is this: 90004 90005 90062 90063 the human body is made of nutrition (ie, the food, water, and the air we consume), and 90064 90102 90062 90063 the state or quality of nutrition is based on a varying combination of: the conditions of the environment and individual choice. 90064 90102 90003 Whether healthy nutrition or unhealthy nutrition, the foods we eat (our diet), the dietary supplements we take, the water or other beverages we drink, and the air we breathe are principally products of the conditions of the environment.90005 90003 This line of argumentation leads to the overarching recognition that … 90005 90003 90023 … the environment is a (extended) part of every person’s organism. 90024 90005 90003 Just like individual vitamins and minerals inside of you do not operate in a vacuum independent from your «personal body», your personal body does not operate in a vacuum independent from the «planetary body» (the environment). 90005 90003 Whatever affects the environment affects us. Whatever affects the «health» or conditions of the environment affects us.(Conversely, the health of people affect the health of the environment.) 90005 90003 The author and seminal culture critic Ivan Illich (1926-2002) wrote in his classic book «Medical Nemesis» of 1975: Додати 90005 90003 90023 «For more than a century, analysis of disease patterns has shown that the environment is the primary determinant of the state of general health of a population. «90024 90005 90003 Economic systems, the social milieu, and politics affect the conditions or quality of the environment in the most fundamental way possible.Therefore, social, economic, and political factors, conditions, and decisions that are impacting the environment (ecology), are integrally connected to one’s own personal health -and its closely associated fields of diet, nutrition, and nutritional supplements. 90005 90003 Ultimately, having genuine knowledge about sociological forces and politics, especially in Big Business societies (e.g., the corporate-controlled Westernized nations), 90023 empowers you 90024. It allows you to (better) figure out whether the dominating authoritarian culture -with its particular system of economics and climate of politics, with its ideologies, regulations, and popular narratives- is 90023 actually 90024 constructive to your health or rather destructive (e.g., ponder the quote underneath the headline of this section and an earlier quote by Dr. Linus Pauling). 90005 90003 As touched on above, let’s not forget that personal responsibility is part of the nutrition equation because nutrition (and «lifestyle», in a broader sense) is in part directed by individual decision. 90005 90003 Carl Pfeiffer, PhD, MD, (1908-1988), a pioneer of nutritional supplementation ( «megavitamin therapy» or «orthomolecular medicine»), summed it all up neatly in 1975 when he stated: 90005 90003 90023 «Our economic policies , our political philosophies, our individual lifestyles all must change together in support of one principle -the preservation of the species and the good life on earth.»90024 90005 90053 The Probably Best Mindset To Have To Get To The Facts About Dietary Supplements & Everything Else 90004 90054 90003 90023 «Everyone must gain the truth in an active way. If you want to know something you must look at all the premises yourself, listen to all the arguments yourself, and then decide for yourself what seems to be the most likely answer. You may be easily led astray if you ask the authorities to do this work for you. » (Uffe Ravnskov, MD, PhD, Independent Medical Researcher, in 2000) 90024 90005 90003 An observation by Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626) indicates what might be conceivably the best frame of mind a person ought to entertain about nutritional supplements, and essentially about 90017 anything 90018, in order to arrive at the truth of things: 90005 90003 «90017 If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.90018 90005 90003 A similar insight came from someone from a more recent time period: 90005 90003 «90017 Do not believe anything. Regard things on a scale of probabilities. The things that seem most absurd, put under ‘Low Probability’, and the things that seem most plausible, you put under ‘High Probability’. Never believe anything. Once you believe anything, you stop thinking about it. » (Robert A. Wilson, 1931-2007) 90018 90005 90003 An open but critical, questioning, doubting state of mind practically guarantees that you’re always thinking about the things you’re exposed to (rather than «blindly» believing the declarations of authorities and experts).90005 90003 It’s the frame of mind with a «high probability» of leading you to the truth about nutritional supplements. And anything else for that matter. 90005 90003 It’s the frame of mind I humbly but strongly suggest you apply when reviewing the information on this website. And … 90023 any 90024 information on anything else, no matter where. 90005 90053 What Is My Intention As An Independent Researcher? 90054 90003 90017 «[…] independence […] is loyalty to one’s best self and principles, and this is often disloyalty to the general idols and fetishes.»(Mark Twain, 1835-1910, US Printer, Steamboat River Pilot, Miner, Journalist, And Author) 90018 90005 90003 Most importantly, my intention as an independent investigator is to provide you with the facts, always. I may, however, not always succeed in uncovering them. Attempting to reveal the truth about nutritional supplements is challenging in a maze of data, which oftentimes is contradictory. After all, alongside unacknowledged and suppressed factual data, there is a lot of information and misinformation -even hype- about supplements, nutrition, and health available.90005 90003 This is a symptom or manifestation of 90023 the big reality of modern times 90024 — 90023 we live in a propaganda age 90024 — as the exceptional independent journalist and filmmaker John Pilger had pointed out in 2014: 90005 90003 90023 «Today’s grand illusion is of an information age when, in truth, we live in a media age in which incessant corporate propaganda is insidious, contagious, effective and liberal. » 90024 90005 90003 But the true facts … 90005 90003 … this is my aim, my goal, my intent in my research about dietary supplements, health, and their related themes.90005 90003 90017 I’m dedicated to always seeking, and hopefully finding, the truth. 90018 90005 90003 Why? 90005 90003 Primarily because nutritional supplements, quintessentially, are all about health. Your health. And mine. Our most precious asset. 90005 90003 The best way to protect and maintain our health is with accurate information, the facts. With facts I can be of greatest value to you because by providing actual facts I can help you the most with making your life better. 90005 90003 Therefore, your health (and mine) deserves nothing but 90010 the truth about nutritional supplements, both good and bad 90011.90005 90283 Return to Top of nutritional 90010 Supplements & Health 90011 Home page 90005 90004 .90000 Is it better to get nutrients from food or supplements? 90001 90002 Researchers have found that nutrients from food may be linked to lower risks of death, while excess intake of certain supplements may have the opposite effect. 90003 90002 Taking supplements leads to an increased level of total nutrient intake. 90003 90002 Dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, and enzymes. 90003 90002 Suppliers sell them in different forms, including tablets, capsules, powders, and liquids.90003 90002 Common dietary supplements include calcium, fish oil, and vitamin D. 90003 90002 Dietary supplements should not replace complete meals, which are essential to nurturing the body. Talking to healthcare providers before making the decision about whether to take supplements is a good practice. Doctors can help people achieve a balance between nutrients from food and supplements. 90003 90002 Many supplements also contain active ingredients that may have strong biological effects. Any of the following actions could be harmful or even life-threatening: combining supplements, mixing supplements with medicines, or taking too much of some supplements, especially vitamin A, vitamin D, and iron.90003 90002 When buying supplements in the United States, it is important to read labels and get information about the manufacturer. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are responsible for taking action against any adulterated or misbranded supplements — but not before the products are available on the market. 90003 90002 According to the 2018 consumer survey conducted by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), consumer confidence in products and trust in the dietary supplement industry is strong among people in the U.S. 90003 90002 The survey found that 75 percent of U.S. individuals take dietary supplements, as opposed to just 65 percent in 2009. 90003 90002 «This year’s data provide further evidence that dietary supplements are mainstays in modern-day health and wellness regimens,» explains Brian Wommack, the senior vice president of communications at the CRN. 90003 90002 Vitamin and mineral supplements such as vitamin D and calcium remain the most popular types. However, the use of herbals and botanicals — especially turmeric — has significantly increased during the past 5 years.90003 90002 The main reason that U.S. individuals take dietary supplements is overall health and wellness, according to the survey. 90003 90002 Although many people use dietary supplements, a recent study found that multivitamins, vitamin D, calcium, and vitamin C showed no advantage or added risk in the prevention of cardiovascular disease or premature death. 90003 90002 However, folic acid alone and B vitamins with folic acid may reduce the risk of heart disease. 90003 90002 The team, from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University in Medford, MA, conducted a study to evaluate the association between dietary supplement use and all-cause mortality.The researchers have published their results in the journal 90033 Annals of Internal Medicine 90034. 90003 90002 «As potential benefits and harms of supplement use continue to be studied,» points out senior study author Fang Fang Zhang, Ph.D., an associate professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, «some studies have found associations between excess nutrient intake and adverse outcomes, including increased risk of certain cancers. » 90003 90002 The study used data from more than 27,000 U.S. adults and assessed whether adequate or excess nutrient intake was linked to all-cause mortality, and whether results changed if the nutrients came from supplements instead of food. 90003 90002 For each nutrient, the scientists calculated the daily supplement dose by «combining the frequency with the product information for ingredient, the amount of ingredient per serving, and ingredient unit.» 90003 90002 They assessed the participants ‘dietary intake of nutrients from foods using 24-hour dietary recalls and mortality outcomes through the National Death Index through December 31, 2011 року.90003 90002 There were several key findings: 90003 90046 90047 Adequate intakes of vitamin A, K, zinc, and magnesium — from food, not supplements — were linked to a lower risk of death. 90048 90047 Adequate intakes of vitamin A, vitamin K, and zinc — from foods, not supplements — were associated with a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease. 90048 90047 Excess intake of calcium was associated with a higher risk of dying from cancer. 90048 90047 Excess intake of calcium from supplements (at least 1,000 milligrams per day) was associated with an increased risk of death from cancer.90048 90055 90002 In addition to the harmful effects of excess calcium intake from supplements, the researchers found that people with no sign of vitamin D deficiency who use vitamin D supplements may have an increased risk of all-cause mortality. 90003 90002 Further research on this potential connection is necessary. 90003 90060 90002 «Our results support the idea that, while supplement use contributes to an increased level of total nutrient intake, there are beneficial associations with nutrients from foods that are not seen with supplements.»90003 90002 Fang Fang Zhang, Ph.D. 90003 90065 90002 Zhang adds that it is important to understand the effect that the nutrient and source might play on health and mortality outcomes — especially if not beneficial. 90003 90002 She also notes some limitations in the study, including the duration of dietary supplement use studied and the fact that dietary supplement use was subject to recall bias. 90003.