Vitamin check:
Ensuring health supplements are what they are claim to be
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will conduct an exercise to verify the vitamin and mineral content in health supplements as claimed by manufacturers.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek told The Star that the assessment would take three months and would be carried out by its food quality and safety, and pharmaceutical services divisions.
“There are plenty of vitamins and minerals as claimed, but nobody knows whether this is true or not. It is a long-term continuous exercise,” he said.
He said that another reason for the study was because vitamins or minerals when consumed excessively can sometimes do “more harm than good.”
“A study indicates that 20% of Malaysians, mostly in urban areas, are fond of taking food supplements,” he said, adding that the ministry was increasingly concerned about food quality and safety.
According to the Malaysian Dietary Supplement Association, Malaysians spend between RM50 and RM100 a month on health supplements.
The association found that vitamins C, E, B complex, multivitamins, folic acid and calcium are among the more popular dietary supplements, while evening primrose oil, Omega 3 fish oil, gingko biloba, royal jelly and cod liver oil make up popular natural supplements.
So, how do we ensure of the quality of the health supplements? How about the efficacy? Who has the best interest in your health?Who is the best person to consult when you want to choose health supplements? Where do you find the non-biased most accurate informations regarding a health supplements?
Simplest way?
1) Ask the pharmacist!! Because they are the ONLY professionals trained in medicine and health supplements.
e.g. Evening Primrose Oil- Proven to be effective for Mastalgia, Osteoporosis.
How about other indications? If anybody claimed other health benefits, tell them: Let me see the prove (i.e. clinical studies)!!
You are welcome to post any supplement-related question in my shoutbox, i will try to answer it in my blog.
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