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Giving away health for Christmas? Experts warn
Surveys have shown that a majority of Germans want health at Christmas. Some people are also considering giving away something health-giving, such as nutritional supplements, for the festival. If you plan to do this, you should inform yourself well beforehand. Many of them are often rip off.
Dietary supplements for Christmas?
If you want to give something health-promoting to parents and grandparents for Christmas, you should inform yourself well beforehand. The Consumer Center Bavaria points this out in a message. Whether food supplements with fruit and vegetable extracts, ginkgo or ginseng - there is a wide range. Some providers not only promise well-being and vitality.
Often too much is promised
"Often the impression also arises that the products would help many people with old age zips, from knee problems to hair loss to forgetfulness," says Jutta Saumweber from the Bavarian Consumer Center.
She emphasizes that too much is often promised, especially with regard to health.
This has been shown by various market checks by the consumer advice centers, which took place on the information platform www.klartext-nahrungsergaenzung.de.
Health claims
So far, only certain health-related information on vitamins and minerals and on a few other substances has been checked and approved.
"This means that many of the advertising promises relating to herbal substances can still be used, although they have not been scientifically tested," says Jutta Saumweber.
Risk of overdoses
Consumers should note that, unlike medicinal products, dietary supplements are not intended to cure and relieve disease.
"These are foods that provide isolated nutrients such as vitamins, minerals or plant substances in a concentrated form," says Jutta Saumweber.
Those who take high-dose products run the risk of overdosing, even if they comply with the daily consumption recommended by the manufacturer.
A study also showed that some dietary supplements pose health risks even in conventional doses.
Get medical advice
Interactions with medicinal products cannot be excluded.
"Anyone who is chronically ill or has to take medication regularly should not use food supplements without prior medical advice," emphasizes Jutta Saumweber.
Otherwise a well-meant gift quickly becomes an unpleasant boomerang. (ad)
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