1. New definition of health: from disease treatment to active prevention
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a complete state of physical, mental and social adaptability and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. This change in concept marks a revolutionary progress in the concept of human health – from passive treatment to active prevention. In this transformation, health food plays an indispensable role.
Modern medical research shows that about 70% of chronic diseases (such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers) are directly related to bad eating habits. Health food fills the nutritional gap in the modern diet structure by providing nutrients that are difficult to be consumed in sufficient quantities from ordinary foods, and has become an important part of preventive medicine.
2. Scientific definition and classification of health food
Health food refers to food with specific health functions or for the purpose of supplementing vitamins and minerals. It is suitable for consumption by specific groups of people and has the function of regulating body functions, but is not intended to treat diseases. It can be mainly divided into:
Nutritional supplement type: such as vitamin D3, calcium magnesium tablets, multivitamins, etc., targeting the “hidden hunger” (micronutrient deficiency) common in modern people
Functional regulation type: such as probiotics, dietary fiber, plant sterols, etc., with specific functions such as regulating intestinal flora and lowering cholesterol
Traditional health type: health foods developed based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, such as Ganoderma lucidum spore powder, American ginseng extract, etc.
III. The key role of health foods in modern society
1. Make up for the nutritional gap in modern diet
Industrialized agricultural production has led to a decline in the nutritional value of food. Data show that the iron content in modern vegetables has dropped by an average of about 37% compared with 50 years ago, and the vitamin C content has dropped by 30%. Health foods use standardized extraction and concentration processes to ensure a stable intake of nutrients.
2. Respond to the needs of special physiological stages
Different life stages have special nutritional needs:
Pregnant women need additional folic acid and DHA
Middle-aged and elderly people need to increase calcium, vitamin D and protein intake
Athletes need to supplement branched-chain amino acids and electrolytes
Vegetarians need to pay attention to vitamin B12 and iron
3. Resist environmental stress and oxidative stress
Air pollution, ultraviolet radiation, psychological stress and other factors lead to an increase in free radicals in the human body. Health foods containing antioxidant ingredients (such as anthocyanins, astaxanthin, vitamin E) can help neutralize free radicals and delay cell aging.
4. Support chronic disease management
Under the guidance of doctors, specific health foods can assist in chronic disease management:
Diabetic patients can choose products containing chromium and α-lipoic acid
Hypertensive patients are suitable for products containing potassium, magnesium, and peptides
Those with dyslipidemia can choose products containing Omega-3 and red yeast rice
Fourth, five principles for scientific selection of health foods
Individualization principle: choose according to age, gender, health status and dietary characteristics
Evidence-based: give priority to ingredients and doses supported by clinical trials
Quality assurance: identify formal channels and certification marks (such as GMP, organic certification)
Moderation principle: avoid excessive supplementation leading to nutritional imbalance
Professional consultation: Special populations (such as pregnant women, chronic disease patients) should consult a doctor or nutritionist
Five, the essential difference between health foods and drugs
There are fundamental differences between health foods and drugs:
Comparison dimension Health foods Drugs
Purpose Regulate function/supplement nutrition Treatment/prevention of diseases
Ingredients Food-derived nutrients Chemical synthesis/high-purity extracts
Effect Slow and mild Rapid and significant
Dosage Wide safety range Strict dosage control
Approval Filing/registration system Strict clinical trials
VI. Global development trend of health food
Precision nutrition: personalized nutrition plan based on genetic testing
Functional food: daily food with clear health claims (such as sugar-lowering biscuits)
Microbiome products: a new generation of probiotics for intestinal flora regulation
Plant-based revolution: protein substitutes and nutrients from all plant sources
Technology integration: nanotechnology and sustained-release technology improve nutrient absorption rate
VII. Rational understanding of the limitations of health food
Health food is important, but it cannot replace:
A balanced and diverse daily diet
Regular exercise habits
Good mental state
Necessary medical intervention
Statistics from the US FDA show that about 90% of health food health claims lack sufficient scientific evidence. Consumers should be wary of exaggerated propaganda and understand that “health” does not mean “treatment”.
Conclusion: Building a scientific view of health
In the fast-paced modern life, health food has become an important tool for health management, but its value lies in scientific use rather than blind reliance. An ideal state of health requires the coordination of multiple factors: a reasonable diet is the basis, health food is a supplement, exercise is a boost, psychological balance is a guarantee, and regular physical examinations are monitoring. Only by establishing this systematic concept of health can we truly bring into play the positive role of health foods and achieve the transformation from passive medical treatment to active health.