Beware of buying vitamin A on social networks

Recently, on social media platforms, there have been cases of vitamin A being openly sold, advertisements posted in groups, and orders received via text messages. What is worrying is that most of these products are of unknown origin, have not been quality tested by health authorities, and can be dangerous if used incorrectly, especially for young children.

Talking to reporters, Ms. Le Thi Thuy (Cam Le ward) shared: "Currently, buying vitamin A through social networks is popular but has many potential risks.

I see many parents buying what others are using without knowing what kind it is or whether it is suitable for their children. Vitamin A is not a supplement that can be taken arbitrarily, and if used in the wrong dosage, it can be very dangerous. Therefore, I am very concerned about this issue, especially for children."

Not only people have expressed concern, health experts have also repeatedly warned. According to Dr. Nguyen Dai Vinh, Director of the City Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vitamin A is not a medicine or a regular functional food. This is an important micronutrient for the development of vision, immunity and growth in children.

However, if used improperly, especially overdose, it can cause acute poisoning, liver damage, neurological disorders and long-term effects on the physical and mental development of young children.

Doctor Nguyen Dai Vinh said that currently, the high-dose vitamin A supplementation program is organized by the Ministry of Health twice a year in June and December, through the system of commune and ward health stations.

The doses of vitamin A in this program are strictly controlled in terms of quality, dosage, and users, to ensure absolute safety for children. Therefore, people should absolutely not arbitrarily buy vitamin A from unknown sources, especially through social networks.

Ms. Le Tuong Vy (Lien Chieu ward) said that taking advantage of media information about the importance of vitamin A as a miracle drug to help improve eyesight, increase height, and improve resistance, many people are selling vitamin A of unknown origin on social networks.

“Some people even give instructions on how to use high doses of 200,000 IU of vitamin A as follows: children from 6 months to 1 year old take half a pill, children from 1 to 6 years old take 1 pill, children from 7 to 15 years old take 2 pills, adults take 4 pills, taken every other day. However, I am really concerned, because if you overdose on vitamin A, it can cause serious poisoning,” said Ms. Vy.

Faced with the situation of selling vitamin A on social networks, doctors recommend that vitamin A supplementation must have clear instructions from medical staff, based on the age, nutritional status and physical condition of each child. Especially for children under 5 years old, who are susceptible to vitamin A deficiency, taking the wrong dose, overdose or at the wrong time is more dangerous than not supplementing.

To safely prevent vitamin A deficiency, parents should supplement with natural foods such as animal liver, carrots, pumpkin, green vegetables, eggs, milk, etc. At the same time, children should participate in all free vitamin A sessions at local health stations as recommended by the Ministry of Health.

In case the child has abnormal symptoms such as nausea, headache, dizziness, abdominal pain after taking vitamin A, especially when taking according to the "guided dose" on the internet, parents should absolutely not treat it at home. The child should be taken to the hospital as soon as possible for examination, monitoring and timely treatment to avoid dangerous complications due to vitamin A poisoning.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/canh-giac-voi-viec-mua-vitamin-a-tren-mang-xa-hoi-3265388.html