a Beijing University of Chinese Medicine , Beijing , China.
Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2015;55(13):1836-59. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2011.654286.
Despite the advances in science and technology and wide use of chemical drugs, dietary intervention (or food therapy) remains useful in preventing or treating many human diseases. A huge body of evidence shows that the dietary pattern or habit is also an important contributing factor to the development of chronic diseases such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and cancers. In recent years, over-the-counter health foods, nutraceuticals, and plant-derived medicinal products have been gaining popularity all over the world, particularly in developed countries. Unfortunately, owing to the contamination with various harmful substances in foods and the presence of toxic food components, food-borne diseases have also become increasingly problematic. Incidents of food poisonings or tainted food have been increasing worldwide, particularly in China and other developing countries. Therefore, the government should put in a greater effort in enforcing food safety by improving the surveillance mechanism and exerting highest standards of quality control for foods.
尽管科学技术取得了进步，化学药物也得到了广泛应用，但饮食干预（或食疗）在预防和治疗许多人类疾病方面仍然有效。大量证据表明，饮食模式或习惯也是导致高血压、2 型糖尿病、高脂血症和癌症等慢性病发展的重要因素。近年来，非处方保健品、营养保健品和植物源性药物在全世界越来越受欢迎，特别是在发达国家。不幸的是，由于食物中各种有害物质的污染以及有毒食物成分的存在，食源性疾病也变得越来越成问题。食物中毒或受污染食物的事件在全球范围内不断增加，特别是在中国和其他发展中国家。因此，政府应通过改善监测机制和对食品施加最高质量控制标准来加大食品安全执法力度。
