Is It Safe for People Under 18 To Use Dietary Supplements?

Who need them? That it addresses the stormy world of dietary supplements. Who does not take or have taken some product to maintain or improve your health? Is vitamin C useful to prevent infection? Is it really effective Ginseng to stop aging? Do they need athletes take protein supplements? And what about the publicized omega-3? Are these unnecessary products? Are they harmful? We will give you a brief overview of its content which is in English, of course. If anyone has a similar document in our beloved language or know of any similar initiative of our beloved health authorities, who now speaks or… We are very interested in meeting him.

1 Dietary or nutritional supplements are any product that is consumed to supplement the diet, providing nutrients that are lost during the preparation of food or are not taking in sufficient quantities.

2. In the report, refers to vitamins, weight loss products and supplements to prevent colds (vitamin C, Zinc, Echinacea) those commonly used by the elderly (Ginkgo biloba, Ginseng, glucosamine) fish (for children and adults) oils and products used in bodybuilding (protein supplements).

3. These products, sale on pharmacy, supermarket, dietary facilities and Internet offices, form a growing market that only in the United Kingdom moves more than 674 M pounds. In 2008, nearly a third of Britons took any dietary supplement, mainly women, elderly, and – very important – children.

4 Need 13 vitamins to live (A, C, D, E, K and 8 Group B). Although the Department of Health recommends supplements in certain risk groups, the majority of people can get necessary doses in a varied and balanced diet. In addition, a small amount of vitamin D is synthesized in the skin due to sunlight.

5 Current evidence has shown that supplements of vitamins and antioxidants decrease the mortality in healthy people. The results with vitamin A, E and beta carotene, suggest the opposite. In general, the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) accumulate in fatty tissue and liver, so excessive intake can lead to serious health problems.

6 There are plenty of products to lose weight. Many of them, with little evidence of their effectiveness, and some with adverse effects severe (see table 1). However, the worst is to buy products of unknown origin, outside channels controlled by health authorities: we can lose the money and putting our health at risk.

7. Among the products to prevent colds, the star is vitamin C, supported by a fragile evidence that only finds effectiveness in people subjected to great physical stress (for example, marathon runners). In addition, keep in mind that there are groups of patients, such as diabetics, which can have undesirable effects. Zinc already we’re talking about in a previous entry, because its use is based on trials of low methodological quality whose findings do not allow clear recommendations. In case outside little, this product is not exempt from reactions adverse. And exactly the same could be said for echinacea.

8. Nor do we have evidence which allow to recommend the use of Ginkgo biloba, Ginseng and Glucosamine in elderly. Regarding this, the NICE not recommended its use in osteoarthritis by uncredited its effectiveness, but only a slight analgesic activity.

9. The omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients, not synthesized by the body and found in foods like tuna or mackerel. Currently not recommended at cardiovascular primary prevention. In high school, however, they could be useful administered as a supplement. Nor is there evidence of its usefulness in children or elderly to boost brain power or increase memory. In addition, no interactions (antihypertensive) are not exempt from risk (pregnant women).

10. At present there is no evidence of quality that supports the use of protein supplements to gain muscle mass. The daily dose of protein recommended is about 55 g in males and 45 g in women, amounts that are possible with a normal diet. Excess can produce serious problems in the short term (diarrhea) and long (osteoporosis, kidney disorders). Protein supplements should not be administered to children under 18 years of age or pregnant women. Some products have been found traces of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic) or anabolic.

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