A growing number of consumers are turning to health supplements alternatively or addition to mainstream medicine. Today’s consumers are savvy and understand the benefits of the ingredients found in natural supplements for good health and well-being. While they’re apprehensive of nutritional products, they value brands that offer manufacturing credibility and prefer products formulated under doctor supervision.
As more consumers place priority on their health, health supplements are fast learning to be a popular choice.This focus is reflected in the booming growth of the U.S. dietary supplement market, presently estimated to be valued at $24-25 billion. Regardless of prevailing doubts about the integrity of health supplement manufacturers, the rising cost of raw materials and new regulations, the health supplement industry is projected to rise by 4-6% in the next year. By the entire year 2010 growth in the global nutraceuticals industry is projected to attain $187 billion.
According to NMI’s 2007 Health & Wellness Trends Survey, the most notable health categories for supplements are weight loss, cardiovascular support, digestion, arthritis or joint pain relief, seasonal allergy relief, vision and eye health, and diabetes.”Customers believe in the industry. A recent study found that 34% of consumers looking to shed weight first turn to a dietary supplement as their adjunct in the battle against obesity,” says Douglas S. Kalman, director of nutrition and applied clinical research at Miami Research Associates and chair of the Nutrition in Complementary Care Dietetic Practice Group (NCC-DPG).
According to an annual survey conducted by Ipsos-Public Affairs for the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), Washington, D.C. “Consumers’ usage of health supplements remained fairly consistent in 2007, with 68% of American adults saying they take dietary supplements.”Examine these statistics by the Office of Dietary Supplements:
* 31.8% of American children use health supplements (18 and younger).
* 47% of American men use dietary supplements.
* 57% of American women use dietary supplements.
The most commonly used health supplements are multivitamins and minerals (18.3%). A recently available study conducted by the NCAAM, shows a listing of why people use health supplements, the most typical reasons are general health, arthritis, memory improvement, to avoid osteoporosis, for energy, recommended by physician, friend, family or through media, for immune health, to avoid colds/influenza, so when sleep aids.Health supplements mostly purchased are:
* 40% vitamins
* 29% herbals & botanicals (ginkgo, echinacea, St. John’s Wort, ginseng, garlic)
* 10% sports nutrition
* 8% minerals
* 8% specialty supplements (melatonin, fish oil, amino acids, etc.)
(www.snac.ucla.edu)
The top supplements utilized by consumers in 2007, to be able of frequency are multivitamins, calcium, vitamin C, fish oil, vitamin e antioxidant, antioxidants, vitamin B/B complex and omega 3s. (NMI survey).Why are Health Supplements Gaining Credibility?
There are more than 20,000 products on the market. Many consumers believe that health supplements can support their health to fight disease or improve health. Exactly why are natural supplements gaining credibility?One of the reasons is the advances in science and technology. Most credible product manufacturers use strict manufacturing policies coupled with a professional team of researchers who develop products based on evidence based scientific research.
Through clinical studies and systematic reviews scientist measure the health advantages and safety risks of health supplements. It has built consumer confidence.A good example of that is omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. There is strong evidence from epidemiologic and clinical trials indicating the consumption of omega-3 fatty acid to be beneficial to individuals who are at risk of cardiovascular system disease. The American Heart Association validates this: “Omega-3 essential fatty acids benefit the heart of healthy people, and the ones at risky of – or who’ve – cardiovascular disease”Consumer interest in health supplements is currently reinforced by doctors and healthcare professionals.
best b12 vitamins written report from CRN’s Healthcare Professionals Impact Study states that “over three-quarters of U.S. physicians (79%) and nurses (82%) recommend dietary supplements with their patients.” As health supplements receive more support from clinical trials, you will see a rise in the amount of recommendations of health supplements by healthcare professionals to their patients.
Another factor that will boost future sales is the recent finalization of U.S. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) rules and requirements for the manufacture of health supplements and the brand new Adverse Event Reporting (AER) law. “The burden of compliance is really key for consumer confidence,” says Daniel Fabricant, vice president of scientific affairs, NATURAL BASIC PRODUCTS Association (NPA), Washington, D.C. Natural supplements are the future in preventive medicine. With DNA diagnostics becoming more prevalent, and the role of nutrition against disease gaining surer footing, medical supplement industry is poised to meet the challenges into the future health industry.
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