What distinguishes medicine from poison is the dose (Getty)
Turkish doctor Professor Galip Eköklu warned that taking vitamins and nutritional supplements without medical advice may lead to health problems.
Speaking to Anadolu, Galip Eköklu, Head of the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine at Thrace University in the Turkish state of Edirne, said that following a balanced diet and regular sleep are sufficient to maintain the strength of the immune system.
Ecoklo added that people who do not suffer from a specific disease or disorder related to the absorption of vitamins can get all the vitamins they need from foods while following a healthy diet.
He said regarding combating infectious diseases during the winter months, we can focus on foods rich in vitamin C.
He continued: In addition, importance should be given to adequate fluid consumption and a balanced diet.
He stressed that we should not use any vitamin whose content we do not know, or buy from the Internet, and which is promoted as strengthening the immune system.
Ecoklo pointed out that uncontrolled use of vitamins to support health can cause more harm than good.
He stressed the need to use vitamins under the supervision of a doctor, like medications.
Buy nutritional supplements online
Ecoklo added that the most dangerous thing is to buy nutritional supplements online based on circulating rumours, without any medical advice.
He added, “This has become a global problem, as everything is sold on the Internet.”
He wondered if chewing a plant or using a product is beneficial for every problem, then why do so many people get sick and why is medicine trying to advance so much? If that were the case, he said, these products would be given to people, we would not get Covid, and there would be no cancer or other diseases.
He noted that these products are promoted with phrases full of praise and that they are a cure for every disease, adding that such a thing cannot be explained by reason.
The difference between medicine and poison is the dose
Ecoklo stated that complementary products with scientifically proven benefits can be used under medical supervision.
He explained: After every product eaten is absorbed in the stomach, it goes to the liver and kidneys and is excreted from there, and must be excreted. If it is not excreted, it accumulates in the body and this is a problem.
He pointed out that to get rid of these substances, they are mostly broken down by the liver.
He added that the liver and kidneys are directly exposed to these products, which harm the body’s organs, especially these two organs.
Regarding some of the potential harms, he said that they could include high blood pressure, and thinning the blood, which makes minor bleeding unstoppable.
Regarding some people’s justification for themselves by saying that plants are used to make medicine, he explained that these plants are used in a controlled manner and in specific doses in the manufacture of medicines.
What distinguishes medicine from poison is the dose. Substances used in medicine are given in specific doses to avoid toxic effects, adds the Turkish doctor.
He concluded by saying that even the simplest medicines will have negative effects if they are taken in doses that are too high, and that is why every medicine has a dose according to age groups.
Source: Al Jazeera + Anatolia