SFDA: Brain health food has never been ratified

 Updated: 2012-05-11    By Liu Zheng (chinadaily.com.cn) The Chinese government has never ratified any brain or IQ improvement health care products, Beijing Times reported, citing a statement issued by China State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) Thursday.    With the upcoming nationwide university entrance examinations, some illegal enterprises are claiming that their products can contribute to health care for the brain, IQ and other mental improvements.    In response to the product claims, the SFDA issued a health food consumer tips, noting that products approved by the State to improve memory, relieve physical fatigue, and enhance immune system functions are not used to nourish the brain, increase IQ, or alleviate mental fatigue.   The statement also points out that consumers should use the health food products rationally and pay attention to directions of use.   Some raw materials of the health foods may not be suitable for all consumers and the products should be consumed limitedly.   In addition, the products should not be taken in place of prescribed medication - exam candidates who feel ill should seek immediate medical advice.   The SFDA also noted that qualified health food products should be bought from a reputable brand and sold on an official site, as well as be certified.    Consumers should to keep proofs of purchase and look carefully at the packaging to check the brand name, factory address, expiration date, approval number and health food mark.              19 May 2012 Last updated at 11:56 GMT Share this pageEmail Print Share this page  27ShareFacebookTwitter.Allergies cut by friendly bacteria supplement, Swansea University study finds Mothers and newborn babies were both given the supplement as part of the trial Continue reading the main story  Related Stories Food allergy or lifestyle choice? Peanut allergy 'gene flaw' link Doubts over food allergy increase  Babies who take a "friendly" bacteria supplement are less likely to develop allergies when they grow up, according to a study by Swansea University.   When pregnant women and infants were given a probiotic in a test the babies were 57% less likely to develop eczema.  They were 44% less likely to develop reactions to common allergens such as pollen, cow's milk, egg and dust mites.   The results have been welcomed by academics and writers who say allergies appear to be on the increase.  More than 21m adults in the UK suffer some sort of allergic reaction according to a 2010 study by market researches Mintel, making the UK one of the top three countries in the world for allergy incidence.  Scientists have argued that increasingly hygienic surroundings and diets over the last 50 years have left people underexposed to friendly bacteria which can combat allergies.  The double-blind placebo controlled study was run by Professor Stephen Allen of Swansea University's College of Medicine.  It used a probiotic supplement manufactured by Cultech, based in Port Talbot.  The study involved 454 pairs of mothers and infants, who took a daily dose of the probiotic supplement from 36 weeks of pregnancy and during the first six months of life.    Milk is one of the most common allergens  When the babies were assessed at two years of age it was found that those taking the probiotic significantly reduced their chance of becoming allergic to common allergens such as pollen, cat dander (microscopic skin particles), house dust mites, cow's milk and egg by 44%.   The risk of the children developing atopic eczema was reduced by 57%.  Professor Glenn Gibson, head of food microbiology at the University of Reading, said the results were "exciting".  "This study in particular is a breakthrough in terms of its size, length and depth," he said.   "The results are extra exciting, when we consider the amount of money currently being spent to cope with allergies.  It was also welcomed by London-based GP and medical writer Dr Carol Cooper.  "There's no doubt that allergies are on the increase and doctors, like others, feel powerless to stop the rise," she said.   "This trial shows that the development of allergies could be tackled at a young age and this result is significant."  Prof Allen has submitted his research to the US-based Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and will also present the data in detail to healthcare professionals next week.