How to take functional foods scientifically – Advice from experts!
As a non-prescription oral product, not everyone knows how to take functional foods (or health protection foods) correctly and scientifically. Taking the wrong way, at the wrong time, and in the wrong dosage not only reduces the effectiveness of the product but also affects the health of the user.
So what about functional foods – How to use them properly? The article below will give you the answer!
I. Need to have the right view on Functional Foods
Functional foods are NOT medicines. In essence, functional foods are preparations derived from foods whose ingredients have been changed through processing and supplementation to bring about physiological effects that are beneficial to the health of the user. They do not help the user cure diseases but only have the effect of SUPPORTING the treatment of diseases.
In fact, some lines of Functional Food products can still cause side effects in case the user is allergic to a certain ingredient or abuses it.
→ In general, when it comes to Functional Foods, you need to remember a few important points such as: Do not abuse, do not replace medicine, need to learn carefully.
II. 3 misconceptions about how to take dietary supplements
More than 80% of people using functional foods have had or still have the following 3 misconceptions about how to use functional foods:
1. Dietary supplements can replace regular meals
Many people have the misconception that dietary supplements can replace regular meals. – This is a misconception. They cannot completely replace the nutrients found in natural foods. Therefore, even when using dietary supplements, you still need to balance your diet properly and adequately.
2. Take dietary supplements continuously, every day, and use a lot to have benefits.
This is the second misconception! Not only is this costly, it also disrupts the body's metabolism, increases blood fat, increases fat tissue, blood sugar... We always encourage everyone: Do not abuse it. Abuse will make you "invite disease" into your body.
3. Functional foods can replace medicine
On the packaging of all functional foods there is the line: "The product is not a medicine and does not have the effect of replacing medicine". This proves: Using functional foods to replace medicine is a misconception.
In fact, the Ministry of Health has also banned the use of dietary supplements as a substitute for treatment or prescription drugs, and banned advertising effects that are exaggerated or misleading.
So how should you take functional foods? What is the scientific way to take functional foods? The following part of this article will give you the answer!
III. How to take functional foods scientifically – Advice from experts
About the time of taking functional foods
You must have heard some ways to use food every day such as "Eat fruit in the morning", "If you want to sleep well, drink warm milk before going to bed"... Functional foods are the same, there are also certain principles about the time to drink. Experts at the National Institute of Nutrition have given some advice as follows:
→ Magnesium supplements: should be taken at night
→ Product line containing Vitamin B and C: take in the morning on an empty stomach
→ Calcium-containing dietary supplements are good for bones and joints: under 10 years old - 2 times/day (morning and afternoon), over 10 years old - 3 times/day (morning, noon, afternoon).
→ Dietary supplements to support weight loss: about 30 minutes before meals
→ Health protection foods containing many fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, K, E: take during meals.
→ Dietary supplements containing B12, Calcium, Vitamin D: take 30 minutes before or after meals. Note, absolutely do not take immediately before or after meals.
Can I take western medicine with functional foods?
The answer is YES. The “supportive” effect of dietary supplements in treating diseases will help increase the effect of treatment drugs, improving the symptoms of the disease. However, experts also recommend:
“Parents should note that the metabolism of children at different ages is also very different. Therefore, using medicine mixed with functional foods can easily harm children.”
Therefore, we recommend that you still consult your doctor before taking a combination of functional foods and drugs.
Master the 3 principles of using functional foods
To protect your health, you should master the 3 "golden rules" when using functional foods below:
- Drink functional foods combined with filtered water
- Need to use continuously for the prescribed period of time, do not stop in between, combined with moderate activities.
- Use only a maximum of 3 types of dietary supplements at the same time.
Hopefully with the above information, you have grasped the scientific and healthy way to drink functional foods. Don't forget to regularly follow NanoFrance's Website to update more interesting information!
