Dietary supplements market grows in spite of side-effects

Of the 30-odd patients that chief nutritionist of Yashodha Hospital, Dr Sujatha Stephen treats every day, almost 60 per cent take some form of dietary supplements on their own. Though there is no scientific proof of health benefits attributed to these, however people especially who frequent gyms gulp down protein shakes to build muscle and boost their power.

Protein Bomb
• Long term side-effects of dietary supplements include deterioration of kidney and blockage in arteries.
• Whey protein and colleen cleansers lead to a fall in sodium levels which result in improper functioning of organs
• Prolonged dosage of vitamin D and calcium triggers epileptic fits
• 80 per cent of people take supplements for quick results based on advertisements on the internet
• Majority of lowly priced supplements (Between Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000) are counterfeit, unregistered and unapproved which are harmful.

Contrary to popular perception, supplements have long-term side-effects on the body. Long duration usage of protein supplement leads to electrolyte imbalance, blockage in arteries and deterioration of kidney function. Pradeep Roy, chief trainer at Roy’s Dumbell & Dreams, a gym in the city says, “The chief reason for the popularity of protein shakes is due to present day lifestyle and the craze for a six-pack body. People do not have the time to cook food and they take a scoop of 25 gms of whey protein. We advice people to get the required protein from natural food.”

Whey protein, which is a mixture of proteins extracted from milk along with colleen cleansers, causes a fall in sodium levels and leads to improper functioning of organs. “American brands, such as Muscle Tech, Isopure and others cost anywhere between Rs 4,800 to Rs 6,000 but many opt for Indian brands that are available in the range of Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 which are not FDA or FSSAI approved,” says Pradeep.

“A number of people take creatine monohydrate before workout for muscle power,” says gym instructor Rahul Singh. “There are instances when we warn people about the side effects that include harm to the liver, kidney and even heart but the madness for a quick fix and instant results overpowers logic,” he says.

It may be noted that just a couple years back a Hyderabadi student Sarmad Alladin died after consuming a fat burner in UK. The mushrooming of gyms in the city has also increased sales of protein shakes. According to rough estimates there are more than 1,000 gyms in the city with more than 30 functional in Banjara Hills alone.

In India, the dietary supplements market is about Rs 13,400 crore and is growing at 16 per cent per year. Dr Laxmaiah, senior deputy director, Division of Community Studies, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) says, “Our digestive system is made to absorb nutrients from natural food and dietary supplements should be taken only under medical supervision.”

Nutritionist Radhika says that according to a University of Colorado study of 2015 revealed that individuals taking dietary supplements are more likely to suffer from health problems and even cancer. “With the absence of guidelines many dietary supplements sold across the counter are fake.

With foreign brands costing in the range of Rs 4,000 and above several fake Indian ones has flooded the market,” she says. The belief that Indian brands do not provide for nutrients and that vegetarians do not meet the nutritional requirements is also boosting the sales of dietary supplements.

By T P Venu