Why should we be using BAAs?

- due to stress, requirements of organism with respect to intake of vitamins of the В and С groups increase,
- air pollution in city agglomerations requires use of sufficient amount of vitamin E and other anti-oxidants,
- our soil is low in minerals (mineral substances); that is why we do not obtain them in sufficient amounts from food,
- insufficient intake of iodine with water and food is the cause for malfunction of the thyroid gland,
- people working in rooms with artificial lighting suffer from insufficiency of vitamin D and bad processing of calcium; this leads to occurrence of osteoporosis,
- unbalanced food invokes insufficiencies of vitamins and trace elements,
- sports increases consumption of vitamins from B and C groups, and the "sedentary" professions lead to malfunctioning metabolism – obesity and early aging,
- our food is polluted with radio-nuclides and pesticides that expel trace elements necessary for the organism (calcium, potassium, etc.),
- long-lasting heat processing of food liquidates А, В, С, and Е vitamins,
- constant consumption of coffee and teas in large quantities reduces synthesis of vitamins and acquisition of minerals from food,
- excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks negatively affects absorption of vitamins into the organism,
- smoking, active as well as passive, requires large amounts of vitamin С, Е and beta-carotene,
- women using hormonal contraception pills (contraceptives) need increased amounts of vitamins С, В6, В12, biotin, folio acid, and also trace elements (calcium and zinc),
- women suffering from pre-menstrual syndrome (1 to 2 days before menstruation, indisposition, pain in the abdomen, tiredness, nervousness occur), need to consume vitamins B6, E and minerals (calcium) in increased amounts,
- pregnancy requires increased content of fundamental elements in food (proteins, fat, sacharids, vitamins and mineral substances),
- medicament-based treatment leads to side effects of medicines (allergies, complications with kidneys and liver),
- use of antibiotics leads to liquidation of useful bacteria in the intestines and also reduces the level of vitamins В and K that are produced by synthesis in human organism,
- insufficient intake of fibre in food may lead to cancer of large intestines,
- at a higher age, organism suffers from lack of necessary vitamins and minerals due to worse absorption of food and malfunctioning of the hormonal systems.

The BAA concept is, in principle, synthesis of a number of medical doctrines. First it is a new stage of development of folk faith healing, production of preparations from plants (water forms – infusions, tinctures and alcohol forms – extracts and tinctures).
Second, the BAA concept also incorporates principles of diet counselling: vitamins and trace elements are used to treat diseases connected to deficit of these elements. In addition, many principles and concepts from pathological physiology, biochemistry, biophysics, pharmacology are used in it. All this relates to principles of regulation and optimum functioning of systems and organs in human organism. That is why BAAs are practical embodiment of the results of a new science interconnected with nutrition science and pharmacology. It is known as pharmacological nutritional science.

As many scientists anticipate, biologically active food additives will take up important place in the structure of human food in the 21st century that will comprise three-mutually supplementing components:
- traditional (natural) products,
- natural products of a given chemical composition,
- BAAs, nutriceutics.

Pursuant to statistical data, BAAs are used by 70% of population in developed countries. This is linked with passing fashion, aggressive advertising or massive fraud of naïve consumers. BAAs could not have emerged just like that. The main reason was "social demand" – efforts of people to lead a healthy lifestyle. Giving up smoking and "hard" alcohol consumption, mass sports, all this was actively stimulated and reasonably regulated until it became social policy. The main thing, however, is that indicators of health of the population indeed increased.

Special name for the products involved is biologically active food additives (BAA). They have nothing in common with food supplements (FS). FSs are natural or synthetically obtained substances specially added to foodstuff in order to supply the required properties, for example, organoleptic properties. FSs are not used as separate foodstuff or regular part of food. FSs include emulsifiers, colourings, aromatic and taste substances, preservatives, etc.

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