新奇事件簿 营养类药物禁止乱吃

Millions of people around the world take dietary supplements in the belief that they will boost their health. New research casts doubt on the benefits of these pills and tablets. A new report from the American organisation¹ Consumer Reports (CR) found serious health risks from supplements that included vitamins, probiotics, and weight loss pills. CR said the biggest problem with supplements is that they are largely unregulated. While medicinal drugs have to be tested for safety and effectiveness, dietary supplements need far less government approval in many countries. This means that consumers are largely in the dark regarding the ingredients of the supplements and how the body will react to them.

全球数百万人食用营养品，认为它有助身体健康。新研究对这些营养类药物疗效产生了怀疑。来自《美国消费者报告》研究发现，包括维他命、益生菌以及减肥类药物会造成严重健康问题。据该杂志表示，营养类药品的最大问题是不受管制。政府要对医用药物进行安全和有效性检测，但在许多国家，营养类药物无需国家审批。消费者对营养品成分，以及身体自身反应模糊不清。

Lisa Gill, an editor at CR, said the report showed how dangerous many supplements were. She said they could cause liver failure, kidney failure requiring kidney transplants, seizures², and heart problems. Gill added: "Just because it's not prescription³, you say, 'oh, it's safe,' but that's not necessarily true." Gill urges consumers to avoid 15 ingredients commonly found in supplements, including red yeast⁴ and caffeine powder. She warned: "There have been deaths associated with each of these." She told people to seek medical help before taking supplements. She said: "Tell your doctor and your pharmacist what you're taking. Treat it like a medication. It's that important. It's really about your health."

《美国消费者报告》杂志编辑丽莎·吉尔称，这份报告说明了某些营养药物的危险性。她称许多能导致肝功能衰竭、肾衰竭（需要肾移植）、癫痫以及心脏问题。吉尔还表示：“就是因为它不是处方药，所以人们会误认为它很安全，其实不都是如此。”吉尔呼吁消费者避免食用含有15种成分的营养药，包括红酵母和咖啡因粉。她警告称：“许多成分能造成死亡。”她告诫人们在服用前询问医生。她认为：“告诉医生你服用的营养品，像服药一样看待营养品。这点非常重要。它关乎你的健康。”

1 organisation   

n.组织，安排，团体，有机休

参考例句：

• The method of his organisation work is worth commending.他的组织工作的方法值得称道。
• His application for membership of the organisation was rejected.他想要加入该组织的申请遭到了拒绝。

2 seizures   

n.起获( seizure的名词复数 )；没收；充公；起获的赃物

参考例句：

• Seizures of illicit drugs have increased by 30% this year. 今年违禁药品的扣押增长了30%。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Other causes of unconsciousness predisposing to aspiration lung abscess are convulsive seizures. 造成吸入性肺脓肿昏迷的其他原因，有惊厥发作。 来自辞典例句

3 prescription   

n.处方，开药；指示，规定

参考例句：

• The physician made a prescription against sea- sickness for him.医生给他开了个治晕船的药方。
• The drug is available on prescription only.这种药只能凭处方购买。

4 yeast   

n.酵母；酵母片；泡沫；v.发酵；起泡沫

参考例句：

• Yeast can be used in making beer and bread.酵母可用于酿啤酒和发面包。
• The yeast began to work.酵母开始发酵。