Functional foods cannot prevent serious illness

Vitamin E and beta-carotene precursors are not able to prevent cardiovascular diseases as well as cancer.

The latest report by US scientists published in the Annals of Internal Medicine published on February 24 has raised a warning bell about the abuse of functional foods of the American people today.

Virginia Moyer, the leader of the research team, said it was understandable that Americans were trying to avoid the two most dangerous diseases in the United States. However, a comprehensive review of many scientific studies does not show clear evidence of the effect of vitamin supplements as well as functional foods in preventing cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

According to the study, vitamin E has no effect against the two diseases and when beta-carotene can even harm users, for example, increasing the risk of lung cancer in high-risk people. There are currently no specific conclusions about the effectiveness and harm of multivitamins supplementation.

However, the independent committee including many experts from many US research institutes also confirmed that vitamins can still be beneficial if used properly in some subjects who need vitamin supplements like pregnant women. or the elderly.

For adults without serious health problems, the report encourages natural vitamin supplementation through a healthy diet high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, low-fat dairy and seafood. .

The report published in the context of a series of Americans are choosing functional foods as "shields" to cope with serious diseases.

According to statistics, about 50% of adults in the US use functional foods and more than 30% regularly take multivitamins.

The American medical community assessed the newly published report as important, not only to help people save money but also promote further research on the harmful effects of functional foods.