Forensic doctor Cristian Paparău draws attention to the abuse of nutritional supplements promoted on TV, where most spots present exaggerated pathologies followed by “miraculous” solutions. He also criticizes doctors who promote such products and urges discernment.
Cristian Paparău criticizes the excessive promotion of supplements – photo Archive
“If you make the imprudence to watch TV in the morning, you will notice that 7 or 8 commercials out of 10 are devoted to nutritional supplements. Basically, you are initially shown how sick you are, and later comes the solution. There is hardly any pathology for which there is no nutritional supplement «RIGHT».”, said the doctor Cristian Paparău in a video on Facebook.
In his statement, Paparău points out how the public is convinced that they suffer from various “exaggerated” pathologies, followed by quick solutions offered in the form of supplements. The doctor also criticizes the involvement of colleagues from various specialties, who started recommending such products, although they no longer actively practice medicine.
“Another trick I notice: many medical colleagues, some of them no longer practicing medicine, regardless of specialty, have started recommending, advertising such nutritional supplements“
He warns that many gullible people may turn to supplements as soon as they feel discomfort, without really evaluating the need for them.
“There are many people, weaker than angels or extremely gullible, who at the first pain, will consider that they have a pathology that was presented to them in a spot and start looking for themselves. First off, what can you do when you think you’re feeling sick? You call on such a supplement. Basically, you are presented with a much too serious pathology and later come up with the solution. I would ask you to be discerning, things are not quite like that, and what you are taking is not necessarily effective. Most of the time, it’s better if it doesn’t hurt you at least. If it can be good for you. I hope there are such solutions, although I doubt it“, also said forensic doctor Cristian Paparău.
For his part, Dr. Emilian Popovici, the vice-president of the Romanian Society of Epidemiology, drew attention, a few months ago, to food supplements intended for the liver, emphasizing that many of them are not properly regulated. This means they do not have to meet the same strict safety and efficacy standards as prescription drugs. The doctor recommends information from authorized sources and consultation with health professionals before choosing a supplement. Dr. Popovici also emphasizes that supplements should complement a healthy lifestyle and medical treatments, not replace them, and warns against fake reviews online.
