Not all food supplements and herbal medicines being sold in the market are safe, local health experts warned during a recent forum.
But the experts added that taking other similar products that have been approved by regulators is “not bad” and “can really help” people.
Because the apparently unregulated food supplements and herbal medicines are within easy reach of ordinary Filipinos, Dr. Ludgerio Torres, the director of the Philippine Heart Center, and Perla Esguerra, the chief dietitian of the center, advised prospective customers to take extra care in choosing the products they want to buy.
Torres also warned against taking drugs that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States because, he said, these drugs could endanger one’s health.
He pointed out that the food supplements and herbal medicines from China being sold in the Philippines are unlikely to have been approved by the FDA.
To guard against such supplements and medicines, Torres also advised the public to look for the FDA seal of approval stamped on these products. If these supplements and medicines do not carry the seal, he said, it would be better not to buy them.
“Taking food supplements is not bad, as long as people are careful in choosing the right stuff for them and they make sure that what they are buying are FDA-approved,” Torres said.
What is risky in taking imported, apparently unregulated food supplements and herbal medicines, he added, is that people could opt to take them instead of the drugs prescribed to them by their doctors. For one with serious illness, Torres said, this option could be highly dangerous.
Esguerra also advised the public to see a doctor first before taking any food supplements or herbal medicines, especially those who already have health problems.
“These supplements can really help but people should consult a doctor first to make sure that there is no danger in taking them,” she said.
— Jefferson Antiporda, Manila Times
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
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September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
28 Sept – International Day for Universal Access to Information
29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
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