HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS -- TO TAKE OR NOT TO TAKE.

(From Bernama The Malaysian National News Agency)

Byline: Santha Oorjitham

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- RM3 billion -- that's the amount of food supplements sold in Malaysia yearly, but are they really necessary and doing what they claim to do?

Doctors and nutritionists are worried that many Malaysians are paying high prices for health supplements which they may not need and which have unproven benefits.

And in some cases, medical experts warn, overdoses of such products may cause mild or serious side effects.

The Ministry of Health's Pharmaceutical Services Division director, Datuk Mohamed Zin Che Awang, said the consumer must be wise enough to make a choice on the products that they need.

"I don't think you need a supplement if you go on a normal routine of exercise and …