Rating of manufacturers of dietary supplements in the world. Dietary supplements approved by Rospotrebnadzor

BIO active additives: benefit or harm?

Black list of dietary supplements: hellebore and others
Linus Pauling victims and vitamin overdoses:
best the enemy of the good
"Placebo effect": the main thing is to believe
Disinformation costing lives
shark cartilage
Viturid - another panacea?

In recent years, bioactive supplements (BAA) have rapidly burst into our lives. On the shelves of pharmacies, they crowded out drugs, in the subway and underpasses they are offered by annoying distributors, couriers of TV shops bring them directly to your home. How safe are dietary supplements?

In the United States, the complications associated with taking dietary supplements are being studied very actively. Recently, one American agency published some rather gloomy data: more than 2.5 thousand cases of side effects caused by bioactive supplements were officially registered, as well as more than 100 deaths associated with them. But of course this is the tip of the iceberg, and no one knows the true number of complications from dietary supplements. The conditions for their sale and acceptance are such that it is very difficult to associate any incident with a bioadditive. Most of the victims on the conscience of dietary supplements with ephedrine - 900 reported complications and 44 deaths.

In second place in terms of the harvest of death are the so-called "diet teas" or "teas for weight loss", the hormonally similar substance DHEA (can be hidden under different names) and even vitamins in high doses.

Biosupplement manufacturers and traders were freed in 1994 when a new regulatory law was passed in the US. After that, a real boom began in the dietary supplements trade. The supplements generously promised to slow down aging, reduce weight, improve memory, detoxify the body, protect the heart, and even prevent cancer. In Russia, bioadditives promise even more, and cancer is offered not only to prevent, but also to cure.

The traditions of herbal medicine have deep roots, but we were still not ready for the advent of bioadditives. Sometimes exotic plants that are not familiar to our medicine are used as part of dietary supplements. And those herbs that our doctors know, as a rule, are indicated on packages under rare names that we do not use (after all, the more mysterious the composition of the dietary supplement, the higher its price).

And without knowing the composition of herbs, it is impossible to evaluate either the effectiveness of the additive or its danger. Sometimes the degree of misinformation reaches the point of absurdity. Just one example. A friend of one of my patients was advised to take "Gonseen" herbal tea, manufactured by "Doctor Nona" to cleanse the body. After two weeks of regular intake, his sleep was disturbed, and a strong diuretic effect developed. And it all started at a dose five times smaller than what was recommended. He turned to me for advice. But the composition of this tea was given in the Jesuit way: of the eight herbs, only four were familiar, two - perhaps familiar (assuming that their names are given with slight errors), and the last two did not help to identify either a search in my extensive library or in world wide web of the Internet. Known herbs were quite neutral, but what was hidden behind the rest, and how much they were responsible for the development of complications (after all, maybe it was just a coincidence), could not be established.

Of course, in the list of dietary supplements, as well as all other drugs and products, the Latin names of herbs accepted in the scientific world should be given. Only this will allow you to at least somehow navigate the world of bioadditives. But manufacturers prefer to let in the fog, hiding behind some "Ma Huang" the familiar and unsafe ephedra. And behind the Thai pills for weight loss - drugs.

By the way, if psychotropic drugs are officially found in Thai pills (although for some reason this does not interfere with their advertising in newspapers and direct sales), then one can only guess about an incomprehensible dependence on products like Herbalife. I will not share rumors, I will only tell you about one of my patients with severe neurosis, panic attacks and an accompanying bouquet of diseases of internal organs with severe weakness, two years as a "hooked" on Herbalife. At the very first appointment, when asked about taking conventional (certified) vitamins (for example, Undevit), the patient with a gleam in her eyes began to talk about the fact that she takes much better vitamins as part of Herbalife.

According to legend, these are the best purified vitamins. Although, from what they need to be so thoroughly cleaned - science does not know. Moreover, there are only a few pharmaceutical giants in the world - manufacturers of individual vitamins (located in "third world countries" due to environmental problems), from which all other pharmaceutical factories (small and not so) buy exactly the same vitamin raw materials and already produce various complexes (differing in the composition of the components, brand promotion and, accordingly, in price).

Herbalife is also a "cellular nutrition" from a long list of herbs (I already shared my doubts with you at the beginning of this book regarding the long-term use of any herbs). Distributors advise to take all this joy naturally in horse doses, (business is business). So, two years of taking the same herbs is a clear poisoning (taking into account her serious condition: physical and mental). But, here's a curious detail - praising the cleansing properties of Herbalife, the patient cited one example for persuasiveness. She recently ran out of her favorite drugs. And for ten days there was a forced break in their reception (monetary problems prevented). At the end of this break, all her illnesses became aggravated, and even new symptoms appeared (typical withdrawal, as when weaning from a drug). Moreover, she did not accept my doubts about this, completely convinced that her body was just so used to good expensive vitamins that it could not live without them. She even figuratively compared her habit of "cellular nutrition" with people's habit of a good Mercedes (as if they don't agree to anything less). But after all, I hope it is already obvious to you that this dependence is clearly not from vitamins.

How her love for "good" ended, I don't know. At the second appointment, three weeks later, she was with some improvement (panic attacks, which were resistant to tranquilizers and other chemicals in the past, disappeared from homeopathic preparations), but weakness (mainly from chronic intoxication) remained. She didn't write to me anymore. Apparently, financial difficulties affected - after all, her favorite herbalife is very expensive, (and the bolivar could not stand two).

Black list of dietary supplements (components of dietary supplements that are especially hazardous to health)

Hellebore

Recently, hellebore powder, a plant of the ranunculus family, has been very popular. Ladies sweep away a miracle cure in the hope of losing weight in record time, and at the same time “cleanse” their body of toxins. The fact that the weight remains in place is not so important. Worse, it can hurt.

In homeopathy, microdoses of hellebore (other names are hellebore black or helleborus - Helltborus niger) are used mainly in conditions close to prostration and in case of loss of consciousness. Such conditions are observed with severe infections (eg, meningitis), drug abuse, severe depression. Even in homeopathy, it is not recommended to take too weak dilutions of the drug (of course, prepared only in a homeopathic pharmacy) because of its toxicity. Even the name of the buttercup family indicates the poisonous, "fierce" effect of these plants. The extract from the root of black hellebore, when accumulated in the body, causes heaviness in the head, dizziness, a state of intoxication, sometimes nausea and vomiting (of central origin), and arrhythmia. When horses were poisoned with black hellebore leaves, they registered severe weakness, increased heart rate and respiration, diarrhea, and death by the end of the second day. Thank God, none of the people eat it with whole leaves. Usually, "healers" recommend taking hellebore "at the tip of a knife" (although everyone's knives are different, and gullible people often do not want to limit themselves to "useful weed").

ephedra

Often referred to as ma huang, epitonin, sida cordifolia. This plant contains ephedrine and related stimulants. Among the complications from ephedra are cardiac arrhythmias and psychoses, heart attacks and strokes. Some states in America, by the way, have already banned ephedrine supplements.

Chaparral or dwarf oak (Chaparral)

Bioadditives in the form of tea or tablets - promise to prevent the development of cancer, "purify the blood." They are associated with severe liver damage. There have been two deaths, dozens of cases of hepatitis and other liver diseases.

Comfrey (Comfrey)

Comfrey root has long been used externally to reduce swelling, but later began to be used internally. It contains alkaloids that are toxic to the liver, and animal studies have shown them to be carcinogenic. There has been one reported death from this supplement. It is banned in Canada and Germany.

DHEA (dehydroandroepisterone)

A hormone that is converted in the body into the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone. The labels of this supplement indicate that it can fight aging. There is no data to support this. But even when taken for a short time, the supplement can increase the risk of developing cancer or lead to liver damage. 31 cases of side effects were registered.

Diet teas

This is commonly referred to in the United States as herbal preparations containing components such as senna, aloe, rhubarb, buckthorn, joster, castor oil. All of them have a laxative effect and at the same time flush out potassium from the blood, contributing to arrhythmia. These types of tea are associated with side effects - diarrhea, nausea, and with prolonged use - liver damage, intestinal atrophy and chronic constipation.

Pennyroyal (Pennyroyal): sometimes leads to spontaneous abortions

Sassafras- formerly used as a flavoring agent in butter and beer production, but now banned in the US. However, it is still sold in various tonics and teas. There is evidence that it causes liver cancer.

Linus Paulling's victims and vitamin overdoses (perfect is the enemy of good)

Vitamin C

Thanks to the aggressive advertising of the American campaign "Irwin Naturels", in recent years the idea has become popular in Russia that almost all serious diseases, including cancer and atherosclerosis, can be cured with high doses of vitamin C. "Easy on the heart from clean vessels" - under such an advertising motto they push "Lyzivit-S". The company emphasizes that the discovery belongs to the winner of two Nobel Prizes L. Pauling. True, he does not specify that the famous physicist and chemist received awards for topics far from medicine, and his interest in medicines and vitamins arose only in his old age. However, large-scale clinical studies conducted by American doctors after the death of the laureate gave shocking results: shock doses of ascorbic acid do not prevent, but rather help to develop atherosclerosis and kidney stones. But the negative results of clinical trials did not lead to the cessation of its distribution, since "Lyzivit-S" is cleverly registered not as a medicine, but as a food supplement.

Vitamins A, E, D

Over the past few decades, medicine has placed great hopes on vitamin preparations (which also include trace elements) in terms of protection against various diseases and the suspension of premature aging caused by aggressive free radicals (formed in the body under the influence of poor ecology and smoking). Vitamin pills have become a hot commodity in pharmacies, bringing their manufacturers billions in profits. Vitamins A, C, E and beta-carotene (used by the body to synthesize vitamin A) were especially advertised as "anti-radicals". But can vitamins really work wonders? The optimism of past years is being replaced by sobering. "This is the biggest disappointment of my life," said Dr. Charles Hannekens of Harvard University, presenting the results of a study he led. Over the course of twelve years, 22,000 doctors drank beta-carotene pills or placebos (pacifiers). As a result, it became clear that the drug does not help either against cancer or against any other disease. In the course of other studies conducted in the USA and Finland on smokers, the result was even more deplorable. For example, in Finland, 30,000 smokers took beta-carotene, vitamin E, or a placebo for four years. The incidence of lung cancer among consumers of beta-carotene was 18% higher than other participants in the experiment. They are more likely to die from a heart attack. The highest life expectancy was observed in smokers who took placebo. After summing up such disappointing intermediate results, the experiment had to be stopped. It also turned out that in smokers, even a small overdose of vitamin A (or its predecessor, B-carotene), contributes to the development of cancer, since their highly carcinogenic compounds are formed inside the body. So smokers (even passive ones, that is, those who are regularly “smoked” by relatives) should not even get carried away with carrot juice.

But non-smoking citizens should not relax especially either. An overdose of vitamins A and D in any case causes intoxication and is dangerous for the liver and kidneys, and during pregnancy it can cause fetal defects.

To close the topic of vitamin overdose, we can also recall other vitamins - water-soluble - of group B. Their excessive intake as part of preparations (natural overdose, that is, with food, is practically excluded here) is also fraught with various complications on the weak spot of a particular person (according to the principle: where it is thin, it breaks there). But, fortunately, excess water-soluble vitamins usually do not accumulate and are well excreted by the kidneys (if they are in order). There is even such a joke that Americans (the most passionate fans of complex vitamins) have the most expensive urine in the world.

Not a single vitamin

How to explain the negative results of research?

It has long been known that the consumption of vitamin-rich vegetables and fruits is good for health, reduces the likelihood of cancer. But is it possible to reduce the protective effect of vegetables and fruits to the action of several vitamins? After all, even the group of carotenoids includes not only beta-carotene, but also more than a hundred other little-studied bioactive substances found in fruits and vegetables. You can also recall the fiber necessary for the prevention of cancer, the especially useful structure of water (similar to the structure of melt water) of the juice of raw vegetables and fruits, the bacteria in dairy products that normalize the intestinal flora. Replacing all this with only vitamins will not be enough.

Selenium

Recently, selenium (often included in a complex with vitamins) has been advertised as a powerful antioxidant that slows down aging. May be. But first, it should be noted that selenium, in principle, is not included in the metabolism of humans (and animals too). That is, this element is simply not found in the body of an ordinary healthy person (animal). Elemental selenium has low toxicity. All selenium compounds are highly toxic. Toxic selenium diseases in livestock (known as alkaline disease) have been described in various countries (in a number of areas in Canada, Columbia, Kansas, Nebraska and others). There soils contain selenium in life-threatening concentrations. Alkaline disease is manifested by severe weakness, anemia, liver pathology, convulsions. Selenium actively replaces the sulfur of proteins (more precisely, the amino acids methionine, cystine and cysteine), which leads to the destruction of keratins, and, as a result, to hair loss, stratification of nails. True, when taking selenium preparations, it does not come to such a nightmare, since it is dosed in micrograms. And thank God!

"Placebo effect": the main thing is to believe!

Although, many of our bioactive nutritional supplements sold in pharmacies or "green shops" do not face an overabundance of any vitamins. Whatever pharmacy dietary supplements you take, all of them, according to the advertisement, have been tested and approved by the Ministry of Health. The gullible buyer is unaware that the product was only tested for safety and the Ministry of Health guarantees that they will not poison you. And they are not officially tested for the usefulness and content of the declared vitamins in them (since these are not certified medicines). One of the unofficial checks (commissioned by the TV program "For the future") showed that when taking many well-advertised means (for example, "longevity"), one will only have to hope for a placebo effect (improvement of well-being only through faith and self-hypnosis). And to get a daily dose of the most common simple vitamins (C, group B), you need to drink about 40 tablets of this bioactive supplement, which is inconvenient and, of course, expensive.

Disinformation costing lives

shark cartilage

It is much more dangerous if the dummy is presented as a panacea for cancer. After all, the consequence of such a "treatment" is, at best, terribly neglected stages of the disease (at worst, poisoning).

Advertising drives an intelligible thought into people's heads: sharks do not get cancer - it's all about the special properties of their body. Shark cartilage is sold with a bang all over the world and in Russia, however, the number of cancer patients not only does not decrease, but is steadily growing. At a conference of the American Association for Cancer Research, it was found that sharks, like humans, are prone to cancer. According to the results of research by American oncologists, 23 forms of cancerous tumors have been found in sharks, including liver cancer, and the healing properties of shark cartilage preparations are simply a myth.

Viturid - another panacea?

Another "near-cancer" sensation was born in the city of Petrozavodsk. Appeared "viturid" - 0.003% solution of mercury dichloride or sublimate. Its author, biochemist T. Vorobieva, claims that it is highly effective in the treatment of cancer, AIDS and other viral and bacterial infections. Thus, viturid pulls on a panacea. After a successful advertising campaign, cancer patients from all over the country went to Petrozavodsk. True, there are no scientific data on cancer patients cured in this way. As always, there are only general phrases and thick noodles hanging on people's ears. There are also several well-known cases about the sad experience of using this course of treatment by some cancer patients. Complications from this treatment - mercury intoxication with its various manifestations (the very possibility of which for some reason is denied by the "inventor", although the doses there are clearly far from homeopathic), especially hitting the kidneys. But unlike official chemotherapy, such sacrifices were made absolutely in vain - the tumor did not shrink after these courses, on the contrary, it progressed.

Near-cancer sensations on the conveyor

The authors of "sensational" methods of treatment (by the way, often - not doctors, but biochemists, "food workers", apparently without the Hippocratic oath it is more convenient to engage in such a business) always use the same scheme. First, they formulate their idea of ​​the causes and mechanisms of the development of any disease, in which well-known facts are mixed with fiction (in the case of Viturid, this is the loss of some mysterious "polarization" by the cancer cell). Then they explain that their drug (or method) restores exactly what is damaged during the development of the disease, but they "forget" to indicate in which scientific studies this was established. And to consolidate the learned material, beautiful tales are told about thousands of patients whom they supposedly cured after they were abandoned by doctors. Such "noodles" are enough for a patient. And such well-known statistical data as the percentage of those cured, how long they are observed, what are the complications after treatment, what contraindications and restrictions on the use of this drug or method, history, as a rule, is silent.

It is unlikely that a drug will be discovered that can cure the entire population of the Earth with cancer, since tumors, a bunch of concomitant diseases, and the constitution of people are different, and there cannot be a single remedy in principle. Only the joint management of a cancer patient by a homeopath and oncologists can really save a person's life (or, at an advanced stage, at least make it as easy and prolong as possible).

http://www.homeopath.ru/2.shtml#4
homeopathic cabinet
Snezhinskaya M.Yu.

If a person cares about his health, then he will know the largest site that sells biologically active food supplements - Iherb. This online store is full of a variety of vitamins, prebiotics, pills with rare compositions that help maintain health and beauty.

It sells additives of high quality, corresponding to all international standards, without dyes and preservatives. Such dietary supplements have many certificates that confirm their action.

Various health associations officially sponsor the release of drugs and actively purchase finished products. Many dietary supplements are labeled as being suitable for fasting or vegans.

But it is impossible to select high-quality supplements based only on their appearance and instructions for use. No matter how the manufacturers boast, it is difficult to say how dietary supplements will actually interact with the body. Therefore, before using, do not forget to consult with your doctor!

Let's see what the reviews on the most popular products among the dietary supplements that the iHerb website is full of say.

Additives

ChildLife, Essentials, Liquid Calcium with Magnesium, Natural Orange Flavor

A remedy for parents who cannot force their child to drink another pharmacy medicine. Especially if you compare it not with calcium tablets, but with calcium gluconate.

Liquid calcium is similar to thick yogurt in texture and color, and tastes like a juicy, sweet-and-sour orange. Children ask their parents for it. The additive does not contain chemicals, dyes and flavors. In addition, calcium in the preparation is presented in citrate form - it will not be deposited in the form of stones.

While taking the drug, the teeth in children begin to erupt faster, these teeth are stronger and not prone to caries. Joints stop creaking, light hair in the form of fluff is quickly replaced by more rigid and straight ones, bald spots grow over. If the child is given the first stage of rickets, liquid calcium will help the bones recover, and the fontanel will overgrow.

Reviews of pediatricians on iherb recommend taking this drug in the treatment of eczema - in a week the child will get better, his skin will become clearer. The supplement is worth a try for those who suffer from respiratory diseases. But liquid calcium will be of particular benefit to people (not only children, but also adults) who have been treated with drugs that leach calcium from bones.

The only negative of this tool is that the nails grow too fast, they need to be cut often.

Nordic Naturals, Children's DHA with Vitamin D3

iherb reviews claim that this is another tool that will turn medication from an attraction into a pleasant procedure. Not all children are ready to take fish oil even in gelatin capsules, not to mention liquid fish oil. But this fat is available in liquid form, and yet it has a juicy strawberry taste, and only a slight smell of fish. Children drink it with pleasure and ask their parents for more.

The drug is made from the liver of Antarctic cod, it does not contain synthetic fats and subcutaneous fish oil, as in domestic counterparts. Each batch is carefully cleaned and processed, and then checked for the presence of heavy metal impurities.

A pipette is attached to the bottle, with which you can easily collect the required amount of the drug. It is convenient for her to add fish oil to food.

Moms from iHerb advise fish oil from this company for another reason - the bad is excellently washed from children's clothes.

Doctor's Best, Coenzyme Q-10, CoQ10, with BioPerine

The Iherb website is one of those rare places where Coenzyme Q-10 is on sale all the time. This is important, because residents of small towns can rarely find it in pharmacies, they can only order coenzyme on the Internet. At the same time, the cost of the drug on the iHerb website will be significantly lower than in pharmacy chains.

Coenzyme Q-10 is found in all body tissues. It supports the work of the heart, is involved in energy production. Coenzyme can not only prolong life, but also make it more joyful and happy. Its reception helps to cope with depression, fatigue and weakness.

Coenzyme helps with:

1. Inflammation of the gums;
2. Tremor or numbness of the limbs and fingers;
3. heart disease;
4. obesity;
5. migraines;
6. Hair loss.

The drug helps people with irregular working hours and those who do not know when they can sleep next time. In stressful situations, it is indispensable. According to iHerb reviews, after taking a course of this drug, young mothers not only manage to keep track of the baby, but also take care of themselves. Yes, dads will need it too. The drug saturates the body with energy so that people begin to get up for work before the alarm rings. If a person is hard to tolerate the change of time zones, then before the flight he should drink this supplement.

Natrol Biotin Maximum Strength

Biotin is vitamin B7. Biotin helps existing bald patches grow with new hair. Hair grows faster and returns to its original color. Improves nail growth. After the first can has been drunk, many buyers notice how smooth and beautiful their skin has become.

But you should pay attention to the dosage. There is too much vitamin in the tablet. Tablets cannot be taken as a whole, they must be taken in half, or even in a quarter.

Jarrow Formulas, Jarro-Dophilus EPS

One of the best probiotics in the USA that contains several strains of microorganisms. This is necessary in order to establish the action of the gastrointestinal tract. Dietary supplement capsules are covered with a shell that protects the contents from stomach acid and delivers them further to their intended destination. Microorganisms have good survival in the intestine.

Probiotics help to cope with the results of taking antibiotics - bloating and pain in the abdomen. Capsules can be taken immediately before the feast and immediately after it, so that the next day a heavy meal does not cause heaviness in the abdomen and swelling. If nausea occurs, then you can also take the drug, and nausea will pass after half an hour. The skin condition is normalized, rashes disappear, fat content and dryness disappear. The drug can be given to children with colic.

But there may be side effects:

1. Bloating
2. Stitching pains;
3. Nausea;
4. Spasms.

In this case, you should stop taking dietary supplements for a week, wait until your own microflora “reconciles” with the new one, and try again.

ChildLife, Essentials, Liquid Vitamin C, Natural Orange Flavor

You don’t need to put up with the taste of domestic drugs, the iHerba drug has many advantages. And most importantly among them - it is convenient to give it to babies. The dietary supplement is not allergenic, so anyone can take it.

The packaging of the drug is a large bottle with orange syrup saturated with vitamin C. The syrup is very tasty, not cloying, but it is inconvenient to pour it from the bottle, it constantly tends to drain over its outer surface. It is better to pour the bad into another, more convenient container.

Every day you can take a teaspoon as a prophylaxis, if there is one patient in the family - two each. Liquid vitamins should be taken in increased doses during epidemics, in the off-season, before going to kindergarten and in elementary school. If you take it during an illness, you can not be afraid and drink a few tablespoons a day - the temperature will drop quickly.

Orange contains acids that corrode tooth enamel. Therefore, after drinking the syrup, it is recommended to rinse your mouth or drink water.

Reviews for these vitamins are extremely positive.

Nature's Way, Primadophilus, 2-12 Years, Cherry Flavored Chewable

Primadophilus occupies one of the leading positions among iherb dietary supplements for children. It is included in products that you don’t need to force to take - the child himself will say that it’s time to share with him.

This supplement helps to recover well after a course of antibiotics or with dysbacteriosis. Quickly improves digestion, removes rashes from the face, helps in the treatment of allergies.

Weak, short children with poor appetite are more likely to have problems with the digestive system, with the presence of microorganisms that help digest and assimilate food. If the necessary microorganisms are not in the required ratio, then an insignificant part of the nutrients is absorbed from the food. Therefore, after taking primadofilus, children quickly stretch in growth, become a little fuller and more fun.

Nature's Way, Alive Maximum Potency, Multi-Vitamin, No Iron Added

Another Nature's Way supplement distributed by iherb.

In addition to vitamins and minerals, the composition of multivitamins includes spirulina and Siberian eleutherococcus.

Those who take these dietary supplements stop losing their hair, strengthen their nails, and their skin returns to the state that it was several years ago. A person becomes so energetic that he gets up before the alarm clock, and cheerful, rested, he easily gets to work and sports.

The usual regimen with the stated three meals every day is great, it is suitable for highly active people in a stressful situation. Most people need to drink 2 capsules, and sometimes one at a time.

But you need to pay attention to some of the disadvantages of these multivitamins.

The tablets of this dietary supplement are quite large, it is not convenient for everyone to swallow them, and it is difficult to split it in half, it crumbles.

If you take vitamins before bed, it will be difficult to fall asleep. The treatment regimen provides for two doses, therefore it is best to drink them in the morning, and in the evening do not postpone taking them until later.

Hero Nutritional Products, Yummi Bears, Multivitamin, All Natural Fruit Flavors & Colors

Dietary supplements are active additives of directed action. With their help, you can restore the work of certain organs, health in general. Currently, a huge number of active additives are sold on the territory of the Russian Federation. But can all manufacturers be trusted? What dietary supplements are approved by Rospotrebnadzor?

Dietary supplements approved for sale by Rospotrebnadzor

All dietary supplements that are sold in the pharmacy chain have a certificate of conformity, therefore, they are approved by Rospotrebnadzor for distribution and sale on the territory of the Russian Federation. But the word “approved” only means that dietary supplements have been tested, they did not reveal the presence of psychoactive and psychotropic substances, salts of heavy metals, harmful ingredients that are hazardous to health. However, this does not mean that dietary supplements contain the claimed substances and they will have an active effect, strengthening and restoring health. The main slogan of Rospotrebnadzor and chief sanitary doctor Gennady Onishchenko is “Do no harm”, and the consumer would like to be sure that for a very large amount, and dietary supplements cost a lot of money, he will get the effect that is declared by the manufacturer of dietary supplements. What to do? Buy dietary supplements only from reliable manufacturers who value the reputation of their company.

Dietary supplements of which manufacturers should be trusted?

1. Closed Joint Stock Company "Evalar" produces more than 120 types of dietary supplements. The declared characteristics of dietary supplements correspond to them in reality. The company "Evalar" grows on its own plantations environmentally friendly raw materials, from which dietary supplements are produced. In addition, all dietary supplements undergo strict international quality control.
2. Eco-food plant "Diod" produces a number of dietary supplements, including those known all over the world: "Oculist", "Calcium-Active", "Iodine-Active", "Selenium-Active", "Capilar", "Soul Tea".
3. CJSC "Akvion". This is a no less well-known enterprise specializing in the production of active substances and dietary supplements. The whole world knows effective dietary supplements under the trade names: Kudesan, Vetoron and the vitamin-mineral complex with a separate intake Alfavit.
4. "Natur Produkt" is a well-known manufacturer that produces more than 150 types of biologically active substances. The quality of additives meets all international quality standards.
5. Farm-Pro. It is mainly known for such an additive as "Russian Hematogen". But besides this, it has mastered the production of a number of no less high-quality products with an active effect.
6. The most reliable foreign manufacturers of dietary supplements are: Ferrosan - a Danish-Swedish company, PharmaMed - a Canadian pharmaceutical company, Nycomed - a company based in Norway, Vision - Cyprus.

Where to buy dietary supplements from the most reliable manufacturers

You can buy dietary supplements in a retail or wholesale network of pharmacies or in online pharmacies: IFC Pharmacy. All goods are certified, delivered on time.

What kind of dietary supplements are now offered to the consumer: for a healthy heart, and for blood vessels, and for bones, and for the brain, and for the liver. It is difficult to settle on just one, and it is just as difficult to find an organ that, according to the assurance of advertising, would not need support with the help of one or another supplement. Buy a supplement for beautiful hair - and then the dilemma "But what about the skin?" In fact, there is no need at all to take various dietary supplements in handfuls. It is quite possible to get by with the five most necessary and necessary supplements from the point of view of nutritionists.

1. Quality multivitamins.

Topping the list are good quality multivitamins. They are needed in order to fill the “gaps” in your diet that you may have for one reason or another (seasonal lack of vegetables and fruits, no access to fresh fish, monotonous diet, pregnancy, etc.). Periodic intake of vitamins is necessary so that there is no deficiency of one or another vitamin or mineral, and the body receives optimal support and can perform all its functions in the right amount.

Do not be afraid of an overdose, it practically does not threaten you. The content of elements in multivitamins is based on the so-called "Recommended Daily Intake", which is the minimum dose required to prevent diseases caused by vitamin deficiency: scurvy (lack of vitamin C), beriberi disease (lack of vitamin B1) and others.

2. Omega-3 supplement.

Today, fatty acid supplements are the most popular among dietary supplement consumers. And for good reason: these fatty acids, extracted from fish oil, have a truly miraculous effect on health. For example, omega-3 slows down the production of harmful triglycerides by the liver, significantly reducing the risks of cardiovascular disease and both degrees of diabetes. The drugs also successfully fight intracellular inflammation - one of the main reasons, as it is currently believed, the emergence of dangerous diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer's disease, as well as early aging. Omega-3 fatty acids help regulate immunity, brain function, joint health, blood pressure, blood circulation, blood sugar levels, and many other important bodily functions. The body itself does not produce omega-3 fats, so it remains either to get them from food, provided that a very large amount of fish and seafood is consumed, or to be taken as supplements.

3. Coenzyme Q-10.

Coenzyme Q-10, also known as ubikinol, is a substance produced in our cells' "energy factories" called mitochondria. Supplementation with Q-10 increases the production and use of energy by cells. Q-10 also helps the body burn fat, improves balance, thyroid and pancreatic activity. In addition, this coenzyme is believed to be essential for preventing early aging.

By the way, statins, which are now actively prescribed to normalize cholesterol levels, deprive the body of coenzyme Q-10. After all, statins block the formation of cholesterol in the liver, and it is there that Q-10 is produced. Without a sufficient presence of Q-10, statins can damage liver cells, as well as cause palpitations, muscle weakness, leg cramps, and even a heart attack or stroke, which is the exact opposite effect than what is expected from them! Other drugs can also interfere with the production of Q-10 - antidepressants, hypertension and diabetic drugs, hormone replacement therapy.

The recommended dose of Q-10 is 100 mg 2-3 times a day. I must say that such a division is justified, since the body cannot immediately metabolize high doses of Q-10, and a single dose of a large dose, say 300 mg, will not bring much benefit.

4. Magnesium nitrate or citrate.

You probably know about the relationship between calcium and healthy bones. But it is unlikely that you are sufficiently aware that calcium is practically useless without vitamin D. Without magnesium, calcium simply cannot be absorbed. According to recent studies, the daily dose of magnesium required by a person is twice as much as previously thought, and the ratio of magnesium and calcium for proper absorption of the latter should be 2:1.

But we need magnesium not only for the absorption of calcium, but also in itself, because it plays a key role in 300 functions of our body and is used by all organs. If you have problems with blood sugar levels, then you should definitely keep in mind that magnesium helps regulate insulin production and glucose levels. In addition, magnesium has the ability to relax muscles and nerves, making it your indispensable ally in the fight against hypertension, anxiety, stress, leg cramps, insomnia and cardiac arrhythmias. Magnesium also activates enzymes, promotes energy production, and helps the body metabolize vitamin D, calcium, potassium, and zinc. But if calcium and other elements can be sufficiently acquired with food, then with magnesium it is not so simple. Most people in developed countries are deficient in magnesium, mainly due to the consumption of fast food, canned and overly processed foods, as well as foods grown in depleted soils.

It is best to take magnesium supplements in the evening or at night, because, as already mentioned, magnesium has a relaxing effect. Start with the smallest dose, as the relaxing effects of magnesium can also extend to the intestines. Which, however, in many cases is a plus, not a minus. Interestingly, magnesium supplements are sometimes available as sprays and are designed to absorb magnesium through the skin! But it seems to me that the traditional method is still preferable.

5. Iodized salt.

If you do not live near the ocean, then iodized salt must be present in your diet. necessary for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland, the activity of which is reduced in a third of middle-aged women. Iodine intake in the diet is most easily provided by the consumption of iodized or so-called "sea" salt, and in addition, with the help of iodine-containing supplements or algae supplements. Recent studies have shown that thyroid function is further improved when iodine is taken in combination with another mineral, selenium. Therefore, make sure that selenium is part of the vitamin-mineral complex that you consume.

Here, in principle, are all the biologically active additives that our body needs. Of course, provided that you try to adhere to healthy eating habits. These supplements will cover all the daily needs of the body and ensure the proper functioning of its basic functions.

In the previous article, PhD, naturopath, osteopath Alexander Ivanov spoke about what biologically active additives are and how they are classified, and also touched upon the issues of legislative regulation of the production and sale of dietary supplements in our country. The new article will focus on common misconceptions about dietary supplements and their use. He also touched upon the criteria for choosing dietary supplements when buying.

Alexander Ivanov talks about common misconceptions about dietary supplements and their use Photo: Irina Erokhina

MYTH #1. BAD IS HOMEOPATHY

In the minds of many ordinary people, biologically active additives (BAA) and homeopathy are about the same thing. But dietary supplements are not homeopathic remedies!

Homeopathy is a branch of alternative medicine based on the principle of similarity, that is, treatment with microscopic doses of an active substance (literally a few molecules of a drug or poison), which, in a slightly larger dosage, can lead to illness or even death of the body. Homeopathy in our country is recognized as a pseudoscience.

At the heart of dietary supplements are concentrates of natural or identical to natural biological substances, which are intended for introduction into the composition of food products or directly into the diet in order to replenish vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other useful substances. In other words, dietary supplements are quite material, their use has a large evidence base.

MYTH #2. BAD IS A MEDICINE

Unfortunately, in my work I come across people who replace the intake of prescribed medications with dietary supplements. Remember that taking dietary supplements as a medicine or instead of a medicine is unacceptable! Any dietary supplement is, in fact, a food product, albeit concentrated in one capsule. Biologically active supplements can be used as a preventive measure in healthy people or as a complementary therapy (together with medications) as prescribed by a doctor, but they cannot be the main type of treatment! Sellers of dietary supplements who claim that their dietary supplement will cure you of all diseases are cunning and fraudulent.

In the previous article, we already talked about the difference between a dietary supplement and a drug, it is important to read the annotations (a small piece of paper in the package or a note on the package itself), what type of drug you are purchasing belongs to: “drug” or “biologically active additive".

MYTH #3. BAD IS ALWAYS BAD, YOU CAN DO WITHOUT THEM

A biased attitude towards supplements is formed due to the imperfection of legislation in terms of the production and sale of dietary supplements, as well as due to aggressive advertising of unscrupulous sellers.

There is also a category of people who believe that we can get everything we need from food. They are, of course, right. However, in this case, our diet should be optimally balanced in terms of nutrient composition. Are you sure that your diet is optimally balanced? Even professional athletes, whose nutrition is thoroughly dealt with by sports doctors and nutritionists, use dietary supplements.

Literature data and my own observations have shown that people, even with a varied diet, who do not deny themselves anything in terms of food, still suffer from a deficiency of certain components in the body (for example, vitamin D or magnesium). Hence the conclusion: our modern diet must be balanced with additives. But this must be done wisely, together with the doctor. It’s good if you are on a mixed diet and eat more or less varied, but there are special groups of people: exhausting themselves with diets, strict vegetarians (vegans), as well as pregnant and lactating. In such situations, taking supplements is simply necessary.

MYTH №4. Supplements are useless because they are not absorbed by the body

There is an opinion that many vitamins and minerals are not absorbed by the body and this is a waste of money. However, a group of researchers published an article in the respected scientific journal Nutrients 2017/9 (12) titled "The contribution of dietary supplements to the nutritional value of the diet in adults." Scientists compared the level of vitamins (A, C, E, D, K, folic acid, group B) and minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron, selenium, zinc, phosphorus, copper) in people in different age groups, and in one group people did not use dietary supplements and received all the nutrients with food, and in the other they took dietary supplements except for food. The study covered 10,698 adults from 2009 to 2012, excluding pregnant and lactating adults. Participants were divided into three age groups: ages 19–50 ( P= 5793), 51–70 years old ( P= 3330) and ≥71 years ( P= 1575). As a result of re-examination in the second group, the content of 15-16 nutrients out of 19 studied in the body was higher than in the first group, and inadequacy for 10 out of 17, 6 out of 17 and 8 out of 17 nutrients among persons aged ≥71, 51–70 and 19–50 years old, respectively. Thus, the use of dietary supplements increased the content of useful nutrients in the body, which is important for the prevention of diseases and increasing life expectancy. Scientists noted that it is especially important to use dietary supplements in older age groups (over 70 years old), since their nutrient indicators are worse than in young and middle age.

MYTH #5. ALL SUPPLEMENTS ARE SYNTHETIC AND HARMFUL TO HEALTH

In the production of dietary supplements, various technological methods can be used: extraction, drying, fermentation, grinding, chemical synthesis, etc. Natural dietary supplements are absorbed better than chemically synthesized ones (for example, vitamin C), since a “natural” product may contain “ correct” molecules of the same vitamin C, and not its copies in the form of isomers that do not work under the conditions of the body. Therefore, preference should be given to dietary supplements of natural origin. The use of dietary supplements prescribed by a doctor in therapeutic dosages is safe for health, even if they are synthetic.

MYTH №6. BAA ARE "FUFLOMICINS" WHICH HAVE NO PROVEN EFFICIENCY

The use of many dietary supplements is clinically justified and proven by numerous studies. For example, take the same vitamin D. In one of the latest Cochrane reviews on the use of vitamin D, there is information that regular intake of vitamin D significantly reduces the risk of exacerbation of asthma attacks in children and adults.

For reference: Cochrane is an international non-profit organization that studies the effectiveness of medical technologies (health technologies) by critically evaluating, analyzing and synthesizing research results using a rigorous systematized methodology, which Collaboration is constantly improving. The results of these studies are published in the form of Cochrane Systematic Reviews in their database, the Cochrane Library. Cochrane Centers are located in the most respected academic centers - universities, ministries and agencies of health, education and science around the world, make a critical contribution to informing the development of evidence-based clinical guidelines/recommendations, health policy (Cochrane definition is taken from "Wikipedia").

MYTH №7. Supplements are harmless to the body in any dosage

Despite the fact that vitamins and minerals are vital for the body, their overabundance can also harm. Therefore, before using this or that dietary supplement, I always recommend consulting a competent doctor. Just like when using drugs, dosage, time of administration, course duration and compatibility are important when taking dietary supplements. It is important to know the compatibility of certain vitamins and minerals. For example, when taking large doses of vitamin E (1500–2000 IU per day), the level of triglycerides in the blood increases, which contributes to atherosclerosis of the vessels; in addition, the synthesis of vitamin K in the intestine is disrupted, platelet aggregation in the blood is disrupted, which can lead to bleeding.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN BUYING SUPPLEMENTS

The market is full of dietary supplements, in any pharmacy you will see dozens and even hundreds of drugs from different manufacturers and in different price ranges. What are the rules for choosing quality dietary supplements? We have already spoken about some criteria above, we will mention them here again, this is important.

Rule #1

Dietary supplements are sold in pharmacies and stores without a prescription, but when buying a drug or product, you should consult your doctor for contraindications. For example, some dietary supplements have a choleretic effect (milk thistle leaf extract), which is contraindicated in cholelithiasis. Supplements are not a means for self-treatment!

Rule #2

The packaging of the drug must have a GMP quality mark - this is a guarantee that the product was manufactured according to a strict recipe.

Rule #3

Any drug must have a certificate of conformity, and it must be registered in the Federal Register of Dietary Supplements. This can be checked on the relevant website.

Rule #4

Buy dietary supplements from large manufacturers with a good reputation, who have been on the market for a long time and have proven themselves.

Rule #5

Give preference to natural dietary supplements (extracts, extracts, lyophilisates, etc.), rather than synthetic preparations with a large list of improvers and preservatives.

Rule #6

Do not buy dietary supplements from your hands, do not agree to purchase a “miracle medicine” after some dubious examination in artisanal conditions.

HEALTH SYSTEM "7 D" ACCORDING TO IVANOV

In my system of recovery "7 D" I welcome reasonable "doping". What does it mean? As practice shows, the diet of most people is not ideal, and in order to harmonize nutrition, it is necessary to identify the deficit and make up for it. I recommend getting screened for macronutrient deficiencies (iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium) and micronutrient deficiencies (zinc, selenium, sulfur, chromium, copper, lithium, iodine), as well as checking the levels of vitamin D, B12, folic acid and, if the wallet allows, the omega-3 index. The detection of trace elements can be done on the Oligoscan apparatus or on the hair. Everything else looks like blood. A study on trace elements, vitamins is necessary for all those who experience constant fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression, are overweight or, conversely, underweight. And also to all those who are planning a pregnancy.

The topic of the use of bioadditives is quite extensive, in my article I tried to cover the main issues of their use as fully and reliably as possible. I think that we will touch on this topic in future publications, talking about vitamins and minerals in nutrition.