Nutrition for Human Life - Essay Example

Humans have evolved a lot from the way they were during primitive times.

The advancements have made them reach new heights. However, along with such progress, comes their inability to live a healthy life. The fast-paced lifestyle that everyone follows now lands them on the path of self-destruction. People nowadays are so busy with work that they do not have time to focus on their food or nutrition. They eat according to different food fads that they acknowledge in their day-to-day lives. People just read the nutritional information given behind different cartons and packets and buy according to what they assume to be healthy. They do not know what is best for them and producers take advantage of this situation sometimes giving false data about ingredients as well as nutritional qualities. Manufacturers have now come up with “functional foods, which provide a health benefit beyond what is provided by the same food in its traditional form” (Vitamins: Micronutrients with Macro Powers pg 186). These types of food products, also known as “nutraceuticals” are the new trend now. Various commercials and other advertisements lure people into buying these things, which have been transformed into something healthier, as per the commercial. People ponder upon the new terms related to these new products and undergo the dilemma of whether or not to buy them. In the end, that small voice inside their heads tells them that they need “some extra vitamins, calcium-fortified juices, soy milk, multivitamins” and various other “vitamin-enhanced products” (Vitamins: Micronutrients with Macro Powers pg 186). When people come to know of water that has been filtered through reverse osmosis systems and undergone ozonization, they do not wait to think of another option. They think it is better to drink this water than the one they get from their taps. It is only obvious how much the world is concerned with nutrition now, or else water would taste best when it comes out of a natural spring, not some UV sterilizing machine.

Some various establishments and institutions have devoted themselves to providing the best healthcare and medicine for the people. One such organization is the United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP), “which sets standards for the identity, strength, quality, and purity of medicines, food ingredients, and dietary supplements manufactured, distributed and consumed worldwide” (About USP par.1). It is a non-profit institution, founded by an association of 11 physicians in 1820, who wanted to provide “a national lexicon of drug names and formulas” for the public (About USP par.1).  During the time, medicines, drugs and such things were not closely administered by any authority. Patients bought medicine and consumed them according to what they thought would help. Wrong dosage and wrong intake of medicines and drugs also caused serious setbacks in the lives of people. It was not until the formation of USP that the essentiality and importance of this problem was recognized. People then were mostly illiterate and did not know how to read the information given about any product or medicine. Thus, USP played a very important role during the time and since has been catering to the needs of people regarding medicine, drugs, and food. This organization follows the standards created and constantly amended by a team of 800 highly skillful people that includes international “scientists, practitioners and regulators” (About USP par.1). The organization is now emphasizing research and development in the fields of “medicine, pharmacy, patient care, and dietary supplements” not only in the US but throughout the world (About USP par.1).   

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of America imposes the standards regarding drugs mentioned by the USP. The citizens incur about “$21.3 billion” annually just for dietary supplements (Vitamins: Micronutrients with Macro Powers pg 186). So it becomes the duty of a highly authoritative establishment to take care of the needs of the people. The expenditure taken up on the part of the people should be compensated by providing them with quality products that are in reality healthy for them like labels suggest. According to the current regulations followed in America, functional foods are not strictly controlled or checked by the FDA. Manufacturers are on their own and can sell any products they want to, without any permission from the FDA. Although if a product is to be taken away from the market, FDA needs to prove that it is unsafe.

Conclusion:

People nowadays do not have time to scrutinize the food products they consume. Thus, it becomes the duty of various establishments to ensure the safety of the products. Only those products should be marketed which prove to be nutritional like they claim to be. The USP can help further by making available products that are tested and certified to be safe for use. Moreover, the FDA should start regulating functional foods. These institutions being set up to administer food and nutrition should focus on that and should not let any adulteries or hoax goods be sold in the market that may prove to be harmful to the people.