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the years of work and their bodies are more susceptible to ailments. They need to work harder to maintain good health and alleviate or mitigate diseases, illnesses and disabilities, and this fact is one of the main drivers of the health food industry.What are food supplements?The term health food covers two groups of food products – health foods and food supplements. Health foods are edible products presented in a similar way to other food, while food supplements, available only for the past few decades, can resemble pharmaceuticals, coming in tablet, capsule, gel, powder or liquid form. What differentiates health food from other food is that it not only provides the energy to sustain physical activity but provides benefits beyond what normal food can offer.Scientific evidenceAny workable and effective prod- uct is likely to endure on the market, and the same applies to food supplements. Some have shown impressive health benefits in studies, and some date back several thousand years. One good example is ginseng (Panax ginseng). The genus name Panax means “all-healing” in Greek, similar to “panacea”, applied to this genus because of its use in Chinese medicine as a tonic for general well-being and longevity. Studies have confirmed that the active ingredients, ginsenosides, have a positive impact on human health. Modern food technology makes it possible for these ingredients to be packaged in food, beverages and supplements. Another prime example is tea extract (Camellia sinensis). The main active ingredient found in tea is calledepigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, and studies have confirmed this phytonutrient’s benefits on heart health, cholesterol reduction and weight management.Why should we take food supple- ments?The health food groups will be treated in greater depth in the next issue, while this article focuses more on supplements. As consumers be- come more proactive in managing their health, they need to consider how food supplements can help.The previous issue discussed the importance of multivitamins and min- erals in completing the nutrients need- ed for a given day. The next point concerned extra nutrients for particular situations, such as pregnant women who need more calcium, or those ex- posed to strong sunlight and air pollu- tion who should take antioxidants to neutralize the toxicity of free radicals. After that, consumers can take food supplements for their specific needs, on a case by case basis.Some health concepts concerning consumers today are listed below along with some of the ingredients in food supplements that can be of benefit.Elite+ 49