How to use functional foods without causing more harm than good? (Part 4)

(Dan Tri) - Nowadays, people's demand for functional foods is very high. However, not everyone knows how to use them properly and safely; instead of going to the doctor, they learn by themselves or listen to word of mouth.

Editorial: The functional food market in Vietnam is growing rapidly, but also has many potential risks regarding quality and origin. A series of cases of production and trading of fake and poor quality functional foods discovered recently have sounded the alarm about consumer health safety.

Dan Tri Newspaper carries out a series of articles "Functional foods: Understand correctly to use correctly" , to help readers clearly identify the difference between drugs and functional foods, and at the same time provide empirical information and recommendations from experts to avoid buying fake and counterfeit goods and use supplements properly and safely.

Dietary supplements are beneficial when used properly and appropriately.

The global functional food market is growing strongly, reflecting the increasing demand of people around the world for proactive health care.

In 2024, the market size is estimated to reach 189.23 billion USD. Experts predict that this figure will increase from 203.42 billion USD in 2025, to about 402.20 billion USD by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.87%.

Dr. Truong Hong Son, Director of the Vietnam Institute of Applied Medicine, Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam Medical Association, said that functional foods are defined as food products that support functions in the body, with or without nutritional effects, creating a comfortable state for the body, increasing resistance, reducing the risk and harm of diseases.

He affirmed that using functional foods brings many health benefits when used properly and appropriately.

For example, it can help supplement missing micronutrients, thereby supporting people with dietary deficiencies or poor absorption, such as the elderly, pregnant women, and vegetarians. Some have disease prevention and treatment effects, such as omega-3 from fish oil, which can help lower blood pressure and improve heart health. Vitamin D3 helps boost the immune system and bone health.

Popular functional food groups include:

- Vitamins and minerals: Supplement essential micronutrients for the body such as vitamins A, B12, C, D, E; minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium.

- Essential fatty acids: Omega-3 (EPA, DHA) from fish oil helps support heart and brain health.

- Protein and amino acids: Whey protein, creatine help strengthen muscles and recover after exercise.

- Herbs and plant extracts such as echinacea, ginkgo biloba, ashwagandha... have biological effects on mental health, digestion, endocrine..., support immunity and reduce stress.

- Probiotics and digestive enzymes: Support intestinal microflora and digestion.

- Natural biological compounds: Polyphenols, flavonoids, curcumin, resveratrol... have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties.

A qualified functional food needs to be fully evaluated for its properties, safety and effectiveness.

7 things to note when choosing and using functional foods

In a recent document responding to the petition of Da Nang City voters before the 9th session of the 15th National Assembly, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan admitted that in the context of international integration, like many other countries, Vietnam faces challenges in managing the quality of drugs and functional foods.

The Ministry of Health is well aware that this is an issue that directly affects people's health and potentially reduces trust in the health system.

Recently, authorities have discovered a series of fake functional food products (Photo: HD).

In addition to strengthening testing centers, the Ministry of Health is finalizing a draft Decree amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No. 15/2018 detailing the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Food Safety.

In order to ensure product quality, the Ministry proposed many new points such as regulations on the responsibilities of the agencies receiving self-declaration dossiers, registration dossiers, responsibilities of parties participating in advertising, etc.

To choose safe products, Dr. Son recommends that people pay attention to the following:

First, before buying functional foods, people need to consult a doctor. Especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have an underlying medical condition, or are taking medication, this is to avoid dangerous interactions.

Dietary supplements are very popular in the market. The worrying thing is that the stores or websites are just sellers without medical expertise to advise and guide customers.

Before buying functional foods, people need to consult a doctor.

Dr. Truong Hong Son , Director of Vietnam Institute of Applied Medicine, Deputy Secretary General of Vietnam Medical Association

In particular, very few people go to the doctor, check for any deficiencies and follow the doctor's instructions to supplement. Instead, they find out information themselves or hear about a product from word of mouth without knowing that they are directly affected.

Second, carefully check the origin and ingredients of functional foods. People should only buy at reputable pharmacies, large retail chains or genuine and reputable commercial sites. In particular, prioritize products with anti-counterfeit stamps and QR codes to trace their origin; avoid buying floating products, products sold on social networks, livestreams without clear addresses.

Third, pay attention to the dosage when using.

Fourth, pay attention to the duration of use of the product. There are products that can be used safely for a long time. However, there are some products that are recommended to be used for a short time, from a few weeks to a few months and then stopped for a while.

Fifth, compare diet and product use.

Sixth, never believe in exaggerated advertisements. In fact, functional foods cannot “cure diseases”, they can only help improve health.

People need to be careful with advertisements with content such as "Cures cancer, diabetes, bones and joints", "Recommended by doctors"... but do not cite authentic sources, have famous people livestream to introduce, especially when they do not cite specific scientific evidence.

Seventh, be careful when combining drugs with functional foods. Functional foods supplementing calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc can reduce the effectiveness of oral antibiotics.

When using functional foods, always prioritize safety first.

People should buy at reputable pharmacies, large retail chains or genuine e-commerce sites (Photo: LC).

Recently, authorities have continuously discovered fake drug and dietary supplement production lines. Notably, fake dietary supplements are often advertised on websites.

Therefore, experts advise people to only buy at reputable pharmacies, large retail chains or genuine and reputable commercial sites.

The Food Safety Department also noted that before purchasing the product, consumers should look up information related to the declaration and advertisement of health protection food products at https://congkhaiyte.moh.gov.vn/ and https://nghidinh15.vfa.gov.vn/.

At the same time, read the product label carefully, clearly see the ingredients and effects of the product to use it appropriately and ensure health; choose to buy health protection food products with the name and address of the responsible trader and the product manufacturer clearly; when buying products, there must be an invoice/order from the seller as evidence of the purchase of goods between the two parties.

At the standard pharmacy system, all products are imported from genuine distributors, with invoices, documents, and product declaration papers. QR codes or electronic stamps allow traceability of origin, expiry date, manufacturer, and batch. This helps consumers avoid counterfeit and poor quality products.

At the same time, these pharmacy systems all have professional pharmacists to advise. They are the bridge to help consumers choose products that suit their needs, use them correctly, ensure safety, do not cause side effects, drug interactions or seriously affect the health of customers. With the current trend of personalization, pharmacists will advise based on age, gender, health status, personal needs...

In addition, here, the products are stored in the right conditions (temperature, light, humidity). They also have a quality management system and customer feedback, helping people feel secure when buying and using the products. Some large chains today such as Long Chau also cooperate with doctors and clinics to provide more in-depth advice.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/dung-thuc-pham-chuc-nang-nhu-the-nao-de-khong-loi-bat-cap-hai-ky-4-20251009161639294.htm