Don’t spend a lot of money on health supplements, herbal pastes, or tonics to “rebalance your body”
The agency responsible for regulating health foods mandates that packaging must carry a specific statement: these products are not medicines and cannot replace medical treatment. Even the regulators themselves do not believe they can cure diseases. The most common ingredients — multivitamins, fish oil, vitamin D, antioxidants, glucosamine, and vitamin C — have all been examined in the first six sections of this chapter, and none demonstrate any meaningful effect. Most of the money spent on these products isn’t aimed at any therapeutic benefit; it’s meant as a gift for parents or relatives. The intention behind such gifts is perfectly fine; the problem lies solely in the products themselves.
Prices range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of yu…
According to regulations set by the State Administration for Market Regulation, at least 20% of the front surf…
Prices range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of yuan. Once packaged as gifts, the price often multiplies several times over.
According to regulations set by the State Administration for Market Regulation, at least 20% of the front surface of health food packaging must display this exact statement: “Health foods are not medicines and cannot replace medicines in treating diseases.” Those same regulations further restrict the permitted uses of health foods to “supplementing dietary nutrients, maintaining or improving overall health, or reducing disease risk factors.” In other words, regulators themselves do not recognize any disease‑treating capability. The most common ingredients — multivitamins, fish oil, vitamin D, antioxidants, glucosamine, and vitamin C — have each been evaluated in randomized controlled trials as described in the first six sections. These products appear cost‑effective simply because the claim “they don’t cure disease, they only help rebalance the body” is technically true; no one can prove otherwise. Moreover, when bought as gifts, the expense is justified by social considerations rather than scientific evidence.
国家市场监督管理总局 (2019). 市场监管总局就《保健食品标注警示用语指南》和《保健食品原料目录与保健功能目录管理办法》有关情况举办专题新闻发布会. https://www.samr.gov.cn/tssps/sjdt/tpxw/art/2023/art_4b658b824b1b4b0ba57c09a56cc93aad.html
Open source linkThis rating means “insufficient evidence to support any benefit,” not “proven ineffective,” which is why it receives a C grade. For products whose ingredients are clearly listed, consult the corresponding studies referenced in the earlier sections. Individuals who truly lack certain nutrients or are undergoing medical treatment should follow their doctor’s advice. This recommendation applies to the products, not to the goodwill behind purchasing them. If an elderly person is already taking such supplements without substituting them for prescribed medications and shows no adverse effects, there’s no need to intervene; instead, prioritize getting recommended vaccines and screenings. The same amount of money can be better spent on other proven measures: annual flu shots for seniors (see Section 1, Item 20); shingles vaccine after age 50 (Section 1, Item 21); pneumococcal vaccine for those over 65 (Section 1, Item 22). Buying a blood pressure monitor and ensuring adherence to antihypertensive therapy (Section 1, Item 7) or making home modifications and encouraging balance‑training exercises (Section 1, Item 13) also yield clear benefits. Age‑appropriate cancer screenings should be arranged as well (Sections 1, Items 17‑19). For bedridden seniors, pressure‑ulcer prevention and long‑term care insurance are covered in Section 17, Items 7‑8. Delivering fresh fruit, rice, flour, or other favorite foods as gifts is far more practical than any herbal paste. Two types of products should be avoided: investment schemes marketed for elderly care and supplements that claim to replace prescribed medicines (see Section 17, Item 5).