Food supplements: pros and cons. A decalogue for correct use

They are well 32 million Italians (65% of the adult population) to make use of food supplements, a market that at the end of 2019 reached a value of about 3.6 billion euros (retail price value), which grew by 3.6% in value compared to 2018. Very high numbers, so much so that in pharmacies, the main sales channel , the supplements confirm the second category after the prescription drug and make the greatest contribution to growth.

But What are food supplements? I’m really useful? And how to use them consciously? He answers our questions there Dr. Susanna Bramante, nutrition consultant.

What are

“Food supplements – explains the expert – are defined by the sector legislation (Directive 2002/46 / EC, implemented with the legislative decree 21 May 2004, n. 169) as food products intended for supplement the common diet and which constitute a concentrated source of nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, or of other substances having a nutritional or physiological effect, in particular, but not exclusively, amino acids, essential fatty acids, fibers and extracts of vegetable origin, both single and multi-compound, in pre-dosed forms “.

They are usually presented in small consumable units such as capsules, tablets, sachets, vials and the like, and they can contribute to well-being optimizing the state or favoring the normal functioning of the organism with the supply of nutrients or other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect. “Marketing – continues the nutritionist – is subject to the notification procedure of the label to Ministry of Health. DL21 May 2004 n169. Once the notification procedure has been successfully concluded, the supplements are included with a code in a publicly available register of supplements of the Ministry of Health ”.

What are they for

And we come to the age-old question: are they really useful? Experts agree that one healthy and balanced diet it alone is sufficient to ensure the correct intake of substances useful for our well-being. “Scientific evidence on the use of food supplements shows that in the vast majority of cases their use is not alone improper – as a balanced diet would be much more effective to “heal” any deficiencies in trace elements or vitamins – but that these products are often associated with side effects, both for the concomitance of pathologies or pharmacological treatments with which they can interfere, and for the potential adverse effects when trace elements and vitamins are taken in higher doses with respect to real needs ”, says Dr. Bramante.

It is therefore imperative that doctors and pharmacists inform their patients that supplements they do not replace never a healthy and balanced diet.

When to take them

“In general – recommends the nutritionist – a correct and balanced diet makes you safe from risks deficiency of water-soluble vitamins. Therefore, the use of food supplements is limited to the prevention of malnutrition by default. There are, however, cases in which to integrate is necessary, for example:

• deficiencies resulting from pathological states, such as impaired digestion / absorption, decreased intake or increased excretion, malnutrition; food disorders, He retched, hospital stay (lack of or reduced endogenous synthesis, alcoholic liver disease);
• deficiencies resulting from ethical choices (iron deficiency in vegetarians, deficiency of vit. B12 in vegans).

It must be emphasized that supplements are food products and as such cannot boast therapeutic properties nor ability to prevent and treatment of diseases “.

The Decalogue for a correct use

And to help consumers make informed choices, the Ministry of Health in 2019 he published a information booklet with 10 useful tips:

1. Remember that one varied and balanced diet it generally provides all the nutrients the body needs and which is essential to protect and promote your health and well-being in the context of a healthy and active lifestyle. Consequently, in order to obtain an overall advantage, the use of a dietary supplement due to its nutritional or physiological effects, it must take place in the context described above and must never be dictated by the mistaken belief that “compensate”The negative effects of improper behavior.
2. If you intend to use a supplement, make sure that the effects indicated on the label actually meet your specific needs for optimizing health and well-being and not exceed the quantities of intake indicated. Food supplements can claim on the label only the beneficial effects on health previously authorized by the European Commission for their constituents, after the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has ascertained the scientific basis.
3. Always read the entire label and pay particular attention to how to use, the methods of storage and the ingredients present, also in consideration of any allergies or intolerances, and all warnings. Different supplements, due to the presence of specific constituents, can report additional warnings for safe use. In the event that a supplement requires continuous use, for example to promote the normality of the level of cholesterol in the blood or blood pressure, periodically consult your doctor to evaluate the progress of the situation and the state of your general condition.
4. Ask for advice to your doctor for the use of a supplement if you are not healthy or are being treated with medication to make sure there are no contraindications to your condition. In any case, inform your doctor if you use supplements, especially when prescribing drugs.
5. For the administration of supplements to children hear the advice of the pediatrician; if you are pregnant or breastfeeding it is still good to hear the advice of your doctor.
6. Remember that a product is not safe just because it is “natural” but that, indeed, precisely due to its “physiological” activity profile, it could determine unexpected effects and unwanted under certain conditions. Therefore, if in conjunction with the intake of a supplement you detect something wrong, different from the expected effects, stop taking it and promptly inform your doctor or pharmacist (possibly bringing them the packaging used), who will be able to report the event to the phytovigilance system of the Higher Institute of Health (Vigierbe).
7. Remember that supplements are designed to contribute to well-being and not for the cure of pathological conditions, which must be treated with drugs. The use of supplements in quantities greater than those indicated on the label distorts their role without offering physiologically better results. On the contrary, it can become disadvantageous, especially if so extends over time.
8. Remember that for reduce overweight and to dispose of the excess fat you have to reduce your calorie intake with one diet nutritionally adequate and, at the same time, increase the body’s energy expenditure with a good level of physical activity. The use of any dietary supplement, for the purpose of weight reduction, can only have a secondary and accessory effect for the specific indications given on the label. Don’t follow low calorie diets for prolonged periods without hearing the doctor’s opinion to evaluate its adequacy according to your specific needs. Remember that in order to maintain the result achieved in terms of weight loss you must permanently change your eating habits and follow one active lifestyle, removing sedentary behaviors.
9. Even if you do sport, with a varied and balanced diet you can meet the body’s nutritional needs. The possible use of food supplements for the indications on the label that justify their use in sports field however, it must take into account the type of sport practiced, its intensity and duration, as well as the specific individual conditions.
10. Supplements, like many other products, are now also available outside the common commercial channels, such as for example Internet network. Be wary of supplements and products touted for amazing properties and effects or how “miraculous” solutions of your problems. On the portal of the Ministry of Health (www.salute.gov.it) you will find useful information on the constituents allowed for the use of supplements and the Register, which you can consult, in which the products regularly notified for placing on the Italian market.

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