Supplements by now have become part of our daily life. Even in spas they are often recommended, so much so that, according to a study conducted by a major pharmaceutical company, the market is growing: there was an increase of over 7% in the first half of 2015 and Italy was the leader of sales in Western Europe with a turnover of 2.3 billion Euros.
No objections to this, if it weren't for that fact that these products do not always have a certified distribution, as often the sale takes place online. Only one in four Italians purchase them at the pharmacy (which is the channel specializing in the sales of nutraceuticals), 30% of them, instead, purchase them via the internet in order to save money and to have more choices.
The alarming fact is that often these products contain prohibited active ingredients, which are neither on the packaging or on the website through which you buy them. One should, rather, pay close attention: the product that you buy should always be quality tested and the manufacturing company be certified by the Ministry of Health. To protect oneself, therefore, it is necessary to read the label well, and to keep in mind that nutraceuticals are a supplement to the diet and, as such, should only be taken if there is a real need. Do not forget that they are drugs and, when taking them, you should rely on an expert, that is, a doctor or pharmacist.
For online shopping addicts, it is sufficient to follow some simple rules dictated by the manufacturers themselves: check that the ingredients are approved by European and Italian regulations by consulting the Ministry of Health website and searching for the manufacturer's mark on the national supplements register, which also includes the list of companies that have reported their products to the Italian Ministry.
