The efficacy of many health food products specially for women in menopause is in doubt.
A Consumer Council survey has shown many of these non-Chinese herbal products to commonly contain ingredients of: soy protein or isoflavone extract, black cohosh, royal jelly, evening primrose oil, collagen and vitamin and mineral supplements.
Of all these common ingredients, however, only the efficacy of soy protein and isoflavone is supported by proven scientific evidence on reduction of hot flushes and in the risk of cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis.
The North American Menopause Society has recommended taking whole soy food which is a better choice than isoflavone supplements or fortified foods as taking the latter may run the risk of isoflavone "overdose".
Also, the oestrogenicity effect of isoflavones taken over the long term, particularly to women who had or are at risk of breast cancer, remains to be determined.
The Council notes that there is no sufficient scientific evidence to support that the other ingredients (black cohosh, royal jelly, evening primrose oil, collagen and vitamin and mineral supplements) can also improve menopausal symptoms.
According to the US National Institute of Health, women with breast cancer are advised to avoid the ingredient black cohosh as its oestrogenicity and effect on breast cancer, is not known.
With regard to products of Chinese herbal formula, Chinese medicine professionals have advised that some of the products disclosed only part of the formula and dosage, it is therefore difficult to comment with any accuracy on their effects and indications.
Nonetheless, in practice, Chinese medicine is prescribed according to the diagnosis and physical condition of an individual, thus these products may have different effects on different women. While some may have positive effect but others may produce adverse effect if not taken according to the individual indication and physical condition of the women.
In Hong Kong, there is currently no specific regulation on health food products, which may come under the regulation of different ordinances such as Chinese Medicine Ordinance (CMO), Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (PPO), Undesirable Medical Advertisement Ordinance (UMAO) or Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance depending on their compositions and claims.
According to the Department of Health, products composed only of Chinese herbs are subject to registration control under the CMO; while products containing soy, royal jelly or evening primrose oil can be regarded as Chinese herbs and subject to registration control under the CMO if their use is supported under traditional Chinese medicine theory.
Some of the product labels bear medicinal claims, i.e. "reduce osteoporosis", "relief physiological changes during menopause", and they may be subject to registration control under the PPO.
Also, some products contain wordings on the product package such as "menopause syndrome", "tinnitus", "osteoporosis", which are suspected to have contravened the UMAO. The Council has referred the information of these products to the Department of Health for any follow-up action necessary.
Women are advised to consult the opinion of registered doctors, Chinese medicine practitioners, pharmacists or dietitians before they choose to take any health food product.
But it is worthwhile to bear in mind that menopause is not an illness but a temporary phase in a woman's life, which is normal and natural. Women are advised to follow a healthy life style, for example, keep your weight within a healthy range, maintain a balanced diet, stay stress free and happy, and increase the calcium intake from natural foods, in order to reduce discomfort and risk of chronic diseases.
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