Many patients say they are tired of being surrounded by advertisements for colostrum and miracle milk that exaggerate both quality and price.
Many patients are invited to buy milk and need to consult a specialist - Photo: DOAN NHAN
The "winged" advertisements about health benefits to sell milk at high prices not only affect the patient's economy, but in many cases also have a negative impact on the treatment and recovery process of the patient.
Milk is like... "miracle drug"
Mr. Truong Van Quy (70 years old, from Dak Lak) is being treated for cancer at Da Nang Oncology Hospital. He said he is using A. milk (abbreviated name) at a price of 1.2 million VND/450g can.
"I heard from the seller that this is colostrum imported from New Zealand, which has antibodies to increase resistance and fight cancer. But the doctor examined me and found that I was malnourished, and this milk did not have enough energy and very low protein, not meeting my nutritional needs," Mr. Quy said.
Some patients at this hospital also said that they were introduced to A. milk, which is colostrum with ingredients that help shrink cancer cells and eliminate toxins... However, after investigation, the milk company did not have any information about the uses as advertised by the seller.
Ms. Nguyen Ha Le Uyen (living in Lien Chieu District, Da Nang City) said that her mother, through a friend's recommendation, spent 3 million VND to buy 3 cans of E. nut milk (abbreviated name) to "prevent diseases of the elderly". When she saw that the name of this milk was similar to a famous milk, she looked up the information and found out that it was grass milk (unbranded milk).
Doctor Tran Thi My Linh, nutrition department, Da Nang C Hospital, consults with patients - Photo: NVCC
Need doctor's advice
MSc. Dr. Tran Thi Thanh - in charge of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Da Nang Oncology Hospital - said that most cancer patients are malnourished due to the effects of lack of energy, lack of protein in their diet and cachexia caused by tumors, leading to weight loss and muscle atrophy.
Meanwhile, many patients, believing in exaggerated advertisements about its benefits, have spent large sums of money to buy milk that is not suitable for cancer patients.
Dr. Thanh cited the case of A. milk that many patients bought, considering the milk's energy and protein content was very low, while patients spent too much money to buy it and had no money left to buy the type suitable for their illness. The malnutrition situation was therefore more serious.
Scientifically, experts recommend that cancer patients should choose the appropriate option depending on their nutritional status, treatment form, and associated chronic diseases.
If there is no accompanying chronic disease, you should choose milk lines with high energy (at least 1kcal/1ml) and high protein (over 4g/100ml); supplemented with some special substances such as EPA (one of the two components of omega-3) to maintain weight, improve muscle mass and improve appetite for the patient.
These are three recommendations with clear scientific basis, so buyers should look at the ingredients listed on the milk carton to choose the right type of milk.
In addition, Dr. Thanh also recommends that milk is only a small part of the nutritional regimen of cancer patients. Nutrition before, during and after cancer treatment plays an extremely important role in helping patients overcome treatment and adapt to life after treatment.
"It is best for patients and their families to consult a nutritionist or treating physician for advice appropriate to their condition because each stage of treatment is different, and different patients have different nutritional regimens.
If nutritional status does not improve, the patient may need to see a dietitian for medical nutritional interventions such as tube feeding or intravenous nutrition.
Not all cancer patients need milk supplements, but if they are sick and malnourished, they should choose milk products that are based on their medical condition and clearly state on the box "medical nutritional food" - meaning these are types of milk used in medicine and have clinical research to ensure safety" - Dr. Thanh said.
Doctor Tran Thi My Linh - Department of Nutrition, Da Nang C Hospital - said that in terms of nutrition, oral nutritional supplements (ONS) have clinical research and are used as prescribed by doctors to supplement nutritional deficiencies including energy, macronutrients or micronutrients.
However, ONS is just a supplement, the important thing is still a varied, balanced, energy-rich diet, combined with a suitable exercise regimen to achieve optimal nutritional results. Not all dairy products are ONS.
"Before using any milk or product, patients and their relatives need to clearly understand three issues. First, oral nutritional supplements also have indications and contraindications.
Second, it is necessary to consult a specialist to clearly understand the health condition and needs of the user's body before using. Third, choose products with clear origins. Read the nutritional ingredients on the product label, for example about energy, protein, sugar, fat, glycemic index... From there, choose the product that suits the body's needs," said Dr. Linh.
Dr. Linh also advised that there are many products on the market today, consumers need to be alert and wise to choose the right type, use the right dosage, thereby maximizing the benefits of oral nutritional products, without affecting the current health condition.
Questioning the concept of "colostrum"
Doctor Tran Thi Thanh said that currently the concept of "colostrum" is being strongly promoted by many milk companies and sellers, considered a "miracle drug" for patients with advertisements that it enhances immunity to help fight cancer.
"As far as I know, there is currently no scientific research proving that antibodies in bovine colostrum when taken orally increase human IgG antibodies, so there is not enough data to prove that it improves immunity for patients. When taken orally, those antibodies, like normal proteins, will be absorbed by the body's digestive system to produce energy," said Dr. Thanh.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/sua-non-than-ky-gia-tren-troi-bay-nguoi-benh-20250204231805185.htm
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