Remember, red wine and dark chocolates are considered superfoods in many countries and by some Indians. In India, Curcumin has taken over garlic and ginger as important ingredients of health supplements. The fact is that the good old wooden spice box of our Nani was the storehouse of these superfoods. It also included pepper, clove, cardamom, cinnamon, and a few more. Traditional Indian food, per se, is considered to provide the most wholesome meal. Malnutrition in India was due to slavery of 500 years. Our green and the white revolution added to subsidized, fortified rations to the poor, and ‘meals-in-schools’ has ensured that the era of malnutrition is about to end.
The new millennium’s wellness trends brought in thousands of health and dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, and special foods. Even the newly set up FSSAI is hard-pressed in regulating this industry. Smartly packed, boldly endorsed by foreign authorities, and widely advertised in multimedia, these products are sold everywhere, right up to our paan wallah. From ginseng to giloy, from chondroitin (for joint pains) to curcumin, the takeover is complete. Weight gain or loss, joint pains or migraines, high or low blood pressure or high blood sugar, there are supplements for every health problem. I had written in detail about Supplements earlier; for a quick refresher please jump into my post from last week – Click Here.
The latest and the highest money spinner is of course the Immunity business. We, especially our younger generation have adopted the new ‘maida’ diet of burgers, pizza, and pasta. Cheese has already replaced paneer, yogurt has replaced dahi and now curcumin shakes are replacing good old haldi. The result is a high incidence of obesity, prediabetes, borderline hypertension, and fatty liver in the under-thirties.
DO HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS CAUSE ADVERSE EFFECTS?
75% of the US population takes health supplements. They have a system of reporting and investigating adverse effects of these supplements even those detected long after the product is on the market. Just as an example, one product’s story is narrated as to what they found. The product when introduced in the market was advertised as, ‘weight loss, muscle building and improved energy’ in persons under 20 years of age. Over a period of a year, the reported adverse effects were three times more than those reported for vitamins and minerals. 40% effects were severe enough for seeking medical attention and a few deaths were also reported. Is there a similar system in India? We hear of many Indian health supplements being rejected by the FDA of US or of other developed countries. The common reasons are that they contain heavy metals, or the herbal items contain pesticides or even steroids.
WHAT ARE THE COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF THESE SUPPLEMENTS REGISTERED WITH FSSAI?
Even though it is not possible to write about the thousands of registered health supplements, certain issues are highlighted. Many products have warnings written on their label that they should not be taken in excess or for long periods of time. Once famous supplements like ginseng, ginkgo biloba and garlic pearls are now out of favor for their long-term side effects. The latest to join them are Giloy and Kava against which allegations of liver damage have been found to be positive if these are taken for a longer period.
The common features of the patterns of adverse effects of health supplements are noted below :-
- ALLERGIC manifestations due to one or more ingredients. Common examples are peanuts, chitin of sea animals.
- STEROIDS or its derivatives are surreptitiously added in muscle-building protein powders.
- SOYA products having high proteins for vegetarians have been found to have oestrogenic properties. The same should be avoided in excess by males of reproductive age. PESTICIDES in high concentration are found in many herbal and other botanical supplements.
- HEAVY METALS are not normally added to supplements these days. Yet arsenic, aluminum, chromium, cadmium and mercury have been detected in specialized labs from supplements made in India.
- INTERACTIONS between two supplements or between a supplement and routine drugs taken by a person have also been reported.
- Some supplements can cause severe adverse reactions in people having a GENETIC DEFECT. Some genetic defects like G6PD deficiency are not even detected/ known to the affected person. Some supplements may cause disruption of red blood cells (hemolysis) and bleeding.
- Some supplements which may be safe in most people may have adverse effects on SPECIAL GROUPS of people. These groups are growing children, pregnant and lactating mothers and senior citizens.
DOES IT MEAN THAT WE DON’T NEED SUPPLEMENTS?
Normal, healthy adults who eat a balanced diet and exercise moderately do not need supplements. Supplements are required in many groups of people. However, a doctor should be consulted for selecting the type of supplement, its quantity, and its duration. The doctor should be aware of the medical history and the type of drugs being taken by the person. These groups who need supplements include children who are not growing properly, girls who have heavy periods, pregnant and lactating mothers, athletes, sportsmen and bodybuilders who do High-Intensity physical training, and some senior citizens with digestive issues. Of course, persons with diseases and those who are convalescing also need supplements.
WHAT PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE?
- As written earlier, take supplements selected by a doctor.
- Maintain a daily diary/ journal for noting body changes that occur due the supplements.
- Any allergic reaction is an emergency and hence the doctor should be consulted immediately.
- All adverse reactions should be informed to the doctor.
- National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad has been selected as the Nodal Centre for receiving, investigating and for further action with FSSAI any adverse reactions of these supplements.
Cock and Bull stories of Energy Drinks
- Fastest growing industry.
- The actual target is the teens and single males.
- Regulated by FSSAI as a caffeinated drink.
- Over a hundred different ingredients in many international brands.
- Labeled as non-alcoholic, energy drinks with artificial attractive colors.
- Common ingredients in a typical 250ml can:
- Caffeine – 75mg.
- Sugar – 27 grams.
- Vitamins, generally of B Complex group.
- Certain Amino acids which are building blocks of proteins.
- Some have herbs or botanicals labeled as mood elevators or antidepressants.
NOTE- As per the American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Sports medicine, “These drinks are dangerous to children under 16 years of age”. The number of ingredients is deemed safe for average Americans who weigh 70 kg.
DRINK ENERGY DRINKS SAFELY, IF YOU STILL FEEL LIKE IT!
BOTTOM LINE
There are no magical cures. No Ram Baan, it ended with Ram Rajya. In Kalyug, no supplement is a MIRACLE. Good health requires a balanced diet, moderate or strenuous exercise, and adequate sleep.
Maj Gen Krishan Chauhan is a second-generation army officer. He studied in Sainik School Kapurthala, graduated from IG Medical College, Shimla and did his MD from AFMC/Pune University. He has served in the Army Medical Corps for 36 years and retired as the Addl DGMS army. He is an avid marathon runner and a writer. He first wrote articles for children in The Young Chronicles. Later, he started writing his own blog as Genkris, on WordPress where over 25 articles on various subjects can be accessed.
