Why Chae JungAn takes more than 10 nutritional supplements a day?

Recently, actress Chae Jungan appeared on MBC’s ‘Radio Star’ and talked about her strict health management routine. She mentioned that she takes more than 10 different dietary supplements every day and has different routines for managing her health at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She explained that her strict health habits are due to her health anxiety. Chae Jungan said, “Since I often work overnight, I’m afraid my immune system might weaken, and I think it could be a serious problem.”

Health Anxiety: Overthinking Health Issues

Health anxiety is a condition where a person worries excessively about their health. Even if they are not seriously ill, they may believe they have a severe disease. This psychological disorder can affect people of all ages, especially those who are very sensitive to physical sensations, have a low pain threshold, or have experienced severe illness or injury in the past.

People with health anxiety might show their concerns through behaviors like taking multiple health supplements, as Chae Jung-an does. While it's important to take an interest in health, if someone starts to suspect serious illnesses from minor symptoms or distrusts medical advice, they might be experiencing health anxiety.

Signs of Health Anxiety

If you find that you often avoid going out because you fear infections or similar issues, or if you regularly take four or more types of medication, you might be experiencing health anxiety. Similarly, if you tend to visit the doctor for every minor issue, frequently doubt the advice given by medical professionals, or feel worried and depressed about illnesses related to aging, these could also be signs of health anxiety. Additionally, if you experience changing symptoms and problems, lack confidence in your overall health, or feel pain but are unsure of its exact location, these factors might indicate that you are dealing with health anxiety.

Severe health anxiety can make daily life difficult and may increase the risk of death. A study from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, covering 4,129 people with health anxiety and 41,290 matched normal individuals from 1997 to 2020, found that those with health anxiety had an 84% higher risk of death from any cause. People with health anxiety tended to die younger, with average ages of 70 and 75, respectively.

Health anxiety can worsen over time and lead to other issues like obsessive-compulsive disorder or depression. Consulting a mental health professional can help, and antidepressants that reduce sensitivity to physical sensations are often prescribed.

Managing Health Anxiety

If health anxiety is not severe, changing lifestyle habits can help. It is beneficial to avoid caffeinated drinks like coffee, which can increase anxiety and restlessness. Avoid excessive internet searches about symptoms, as this can worsen health anxiety. Instead, engaging in hobbies or exercise can be helpful in diverting attention and managing anxiety.