Category Spotlight: Supplements

Consumers around the world are becoming increasingly aware of the connection between their diets and their health. As a result, the global supplements market size was valued at USD 140.3 billion in 2020 and is expected to further expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6% from 2021 to 2028, according to Grand View Research. In North America, the Covid-19 pandemic has only added to the demand as many have looked to immune-boosting supplements for increased protection from infection and illness. 

What Are Nutritional Supplements? 

Nutritional supplements are manufactured products which usually come in the form of tablets, capsules, gummies, powders, energy bars, or liquids and which are taken by mouth for a range of purposes – from enriching a diet with additional nutrients to boosting energy and improving sleep. While some may look to supplements for relief from medical conditions, others consume them to promote healthy bodily functions in their day-to-day lives. 

Covid-19 and the Renaissance of Minerals 

Most nutritional supplements contain at least one nutrient, such as a vitamin, mineral, amino acid, fat, or dietary fiber. Data from the Council for Responsible Nutrition’s COVID-19 Consumer Survey shows that the Covid-19 pandemic has triggered a surge in demand for nutritional supplements in general, with multivitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin D unsurprisingly leading the charge. However, as overall health consciousness increases during these unprecedented times, the survey finds that consumption of mineral supplements has received a significant bump as well. While 91% of supplement users who had changed their supplement routines in 2020 reported an increase in consumption, the minerals zinc, calcium, iron, and magnesium all showed noteworthy boosts in intake at 17%, 16%, 15%, and 14%, respectively. Given this remarkable development, all four supplements are no doubt worthy of a closer look. 

Zinc Supplements  

Zinc is not only required for the proper functioning of over 300 different enzymes. It is also thought to support immune function, normal blood sugar levels, as well as skin, eye, and heart health. While zinc gluconate and zinc acetate are known to be used in cold remedies, other common zinc supplements include zinc sulfate, zinc picolinate, zinc orotate, and zinc citrate.  

Calcium Supplements 

The human body requires calcium to build and maintain healthy bones as well as for normal functioning of the heart, muscles, and nerves. Additionally, calcium – in conjunction with vitamin D – is a possible protector against cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Calcium deficiencies are most commonly linked with weak bones, osteoporosis, and failure of children to reach their full height potential. Since a large chunk of the US population does not get enough calcium, supplements can be a crucial way to close the gap. While calcium carbonate is both the cheapest and richest in elemental calcium, the other main form is calcium citrate, which contains the second highest percentage of elemental calcium. Other options include calcium gluconate and calcium lactate. 

Iron Supplements  

Without enough iron, the human body is unable to make hemoglobin, which may lead to anemia. Luckily iron supplements are readily available over the counter and can play a key role in the prevention or treatment of iron-deficiency anemia. While multivitamin-mineral supplements for women usually contain substantial amounts of iron, the same is often not true of multivitamin-mineral supplements for men, making specific iron supplements the safer choice in such cases.  

Iron in supplements frequently comes in the form of ferric and ferrous iron salts such as errous sulfate, ferrous gluconate, ferric citrate, and ferric sulfate. Because ferrous iron is more soluble than ferric iron, it tends to be more easily absorbed by the body. There are alternative forms of supplemental iron – such as heme iron polypeptides, carbonyl iron, iron amino-acid chelates, and polysaccharide-iron complexes – which may be preferred by consumers concerned about gastrointestinal side-effects.  

Magnesium Supplements  

Since most of the magnesium contained in food is not bioavailable to the human body, many consumers wonder which type of magnesium supplement might be best to fill in potential gaps. While magnesium orotate may have antioxidant-like properties, magnesium glycinate has been linked to improved sleep quality. Both are commonly chosen for their bioavailability, whereas magnesium malate is thought to boost energy. Magnesium chloride may help combat osteoporosis and is sold as an antacid but may have a mild laxative effect.

Several magnesium supplements are intended to relieve ailments such as constipation, indigestion, or heartburn. They include magnesium oxide, magnesium citrate, magnesium sulfate, and magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesia). Magnesium l-threonate has been subject to study for possible benefits in people with dementia. 

The Rise of Probiotic Supplements and Herbal Supplements 

Both probiotics and herbals seem to be buzzwords among many modern, health-conscious consumers – a perception that is affirmed by market trends. According to Grand View Research, the global probiotics market size was valued at USD 58.17 billion in 2021 and was projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5% from 2021 to 2030. Meanwhile, Vantage Market Research valued the global herbal supplements market size at USD 70 billion in 2020 and expected a CAGR of 6.2% from 2021 to 2028. Such impressive expected growth projections warrant shining a spotlight on both supplements categories. 

Probiotic Supplements 

Probiotics are a combination of live beneficial bacteria – or good bacteria – and/or yeasts which are naturally present in the human body and which help maintain good health by fighting off bad bacteria. The most common types of bacteria found in probiotic supplements are lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. The most common type of yeast contained is saccharomyces boulardii.  

In addition to supporting immune function and controlling inflammation, certain good bacteria can assist with food digestion, help create vitamins, break down and absorb medication, and support cells in a person’s gut which keep bad bacteria in food or drinks from entering the bloodstream. Increasing the amounts of probiotics in someone’s body may also be beneficial to a range of health conditions, such as diarrhea, constipation, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), yeast infections, urinary tract infections, gum disease, lactose intolerance, eczema, upper respiratory infections, and sepsis.  

Herbal Supplements 

In use for centuries past, herbal supplements can be derived from plants, their oils, roots, seeds, berries, or flowers. As the Cleveland Clinic points out, “herbal supplements are widely used in the United States. A study by the Centers for Disease Control states that more than half of the people in the country take a daily herbal supplement.”  

Some of the most common herbal supplements include aloe vera, black cohosh, chamomile, echinacea, flaxseed, ginkgo, peppermint oil, soy, St. John’s wort, and tea tree oil. In addition to some topical applications, they are used to help with a variety of ailments from cold and flu symptoms to digestive and gastrointestinal issues, sleep disorders, anxiety and depression, high cholesterol, memory issues, problems with sexuality, menopausal symptoms in women, and more.  

Herbal ingredients have also been prominent in supplements meant to support liver function. The three herbal ingredients commonly found in many liver supplements are artichoke leaf, dandelion root, and milk thistle with its active substance, silymarin. Milk thistle has been used as a remedy for liver disorders for over 2,000 years. 

Conclusion 

While dietary supplements can be powerful tools in living a happy, healthy life, it is important to note that they are not meant as substitutes for a varied, balanced diet or to treat, diagnose, cure, or alleviate the effects of disease. In order to ensure the safe consumption of any supplement, it should first be discussed with a health care professional. 

That said, there is clear evidence to suggest the Covid-19 pandemic has seen the emergence of an ever more health-conscious population and that the growing role of supplements in the ingredients industry will only continue to pick up steam. Consumers are increasingly aware that vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements are an easy, reliable way to get more of what is important to them. It is up to the makers of dietary products to seize this opportunity both for their own growth and in support of people’s wellbeing.