It is interesting, are such means really effective, can they be used, and can these products have side effects? How convincing are such advertisements?
Pediatrician Shalala Polukhova, answering the questions of AzEdu.az, noted that it is not right to give such means to a child without a doctor's advice, being deceived by advertisements that say “improves memory” for the child to succeed:
"Overall, I can say that, yes, although some advertisements state “not a medicine,” they create the impression that they are as effective as medicine, and this attracts both parents and young people. The products are actively advertised. Briefly, when we examine the composition of these products presented as food supplements, we see that they do not actually contain medicinal substances. It is simply a combination of certain substances thought to activate brain activity and improve memory.
But do they really have an effect? Looking at the research, we see that there is no serious scientific evidence proving the effectiveness of these products, especially among children under 18. Most of the studies conducted have been on older people, and those results are not sufficiently substantiated, “evidence-based.” That is, it is not possible to say that these products are one hundred percent effective."
Parents should mainly pay attention to the following points:
"On the other hand, these products can also be harmful. Some substances in their composition can cause side effects in children such as drowsiness, nausea, and headaches. Special care should be taken in children with chronic diseases or those taking other medications. Therefore, giving such products to a child with the thought of “another child used it and it had a good effect” is not the right approach.
Generally, the main contradiction here is that the product is not a medicine, but a food supplement and can be obtained freely, but at the same time, a strong effect like a medicine is promised. This raises the question: if it is not a medicine, how can it have an effect like a medicine?
The child's sleep regimen is also very important. The child should go to bed on time and wake up on time. It is not possible to expect high results from a child who stays awake until late hours and does not get enough sleep. Even if there are, other problems may emerge in the child after a certain period. Therefore, first of all, the sleep regimen should be regulated. Healthy and balanced nutrition is very important.
It is also important to reduce stress in children. It is not right to scare children about exam results, to keep them in a tense environment. In such conditions, it is not realistic to expect high results from children. Therefore, parents should focus more on the process, not the result, and support their children. At the same time, children spending time outdoors and physical activity are also very important. A passive lifestyle is not correct."
None of these types of products have any serious, proven effect:
"Another important issue is screen time. Especially in this period, staying in front of screens until late hours and being exposed to blue light is widespread among adolescents. This should not happen at all in infants. In older age groups, it should be limited to the maximum extent. It does not matter whether it is a tablet, phone, or television, screen time should be minimized.
In short, none of these types of products have any serious, proven effect. Yes, it is a food supplement and not a medicine, so the risks are relatively low, but this does not mean that it is completely harmless. If a child truly has attention deficit or memory problems, first of all, a specialist examination is important. If necessary, the child should be referred to a pediatrician, neuropathologist, and child psychiatrist."
