The dietary supplement industry has recently experienced explosive growth. Herbal remedies, vitamins, weight loss aides, botanical products, and hormones are some of the most popular diet supplements. The “Nutrition Business Journal” has estimated that U.S. sales in this industry in 2006 totaled a staggering $22.1 billion. Major U.S. pharmaceutical companies such as American Home Products, Johnson and Johnson, and Bayer have even joined the bandwagon. These companies are selling supplements such as echinacea, St. John’s Wort, and ginseng.
What Are Dietary Supplements?
In the United States, diet supplements are defined by Congress as substances that you eat or drink. They are considered food rather than drugs. These may include herbs, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, or other substances such as enzymes, organ tissues, or metabolites. Diet supplements may be delivered in the form of capsules, pills, liquids, or tablets. They are designed to supplement the diet just as the name suggests. They are not considered a substitution for food.
Supplement Regulation
Diet supplements in the United States are not regulated rigorously in the same way that drugs are regulated. There is much controversy surrounding this issue. A supplement can actually be sold and marketed without research supporting the effectiveness of the supplement. Many supplements, however, have been used since ancient times and thus their effectiveness is believed by some to be validated by historical data and cultural belief systems.
Diet + Weight Loss Supplement Availability
Supplements are readily available at grocery stores, department stores, health food shops, and via the internet. There are also mail order companies that specialize in diet supplement supplies. Manufacturers of diet supplements are legally forbidden to make claims that their products can cure, treat, diagnose, or prevent disease. They are allowed, however, to assert that their supplements contribute to health-related well-being and maintenance.
Diet Safety
Individuals taking diet supplements should always advise their primary health care physician before beginning any new medication. There are many drug interactions that can occur between supplements and pharmaceuticals. Allergic reactions and side effects are also a concern that consumers should be aware of when using supplements. There are few standards in place in the manufacturing of diet supplements. Due to this fact, there may be significant differences in effectiveness of supplements between brands and lots. Consumers should be aware of this factor when choosing diet supplements.
Groups Who Most Need Dietary Supplements
There are several groups of individuals who may need additional supplements of vitamins or minerals because they are difficult to obtain from healthy eating alone. These groups of people include pregnant women, nursing mothers, elderly individuals, people with food allergies or intolerances, vegetarians, and those with serious diseases such as cancer or kidney disease. Those affected by heart or bone disease may also benefit from diet supplements.
Tips for Choosing Diet Supplements
It’s best to stick with brands of supplements that are respected and that have been on the market for some time. The supplement should be clearly labeled with precautions, ingredients, and directions. A toll-free number, address, or website should be included on the label so consumers can research additional information about the product. It’s also wise to consider health claims by manufacturers that appear to be too good to be true. These products should be avoided because the claims are likely untrue. Consumers need to pay close attention to recommended dosages of minerals and fat-soluble vitamins such as D, E, A, and K. These substances can accumulate in the body and actually reach toxic levels that can cause serious health problems.
Popular Supplements
Some of the most popular diet supplements include the following:
- Multi-vitamins with minerals – Many people feel that taking a daily multi-vitamin is beneficial if they have a diet lacking in nutritional balance. Most experts recommend well-balanced eating that meets dietary recommendations rather than the use of multi-vitamins. This is a huge portion of sales in the diet supplement market.
- Sports nutrition supplements – This group of diet supplements includes substances such as protein formulas, fat burners, creatine, and amino acids. These supplements are primarily used by athletes in their training regimens. This is a large niche market in the diet supplement industry.
- Glucosamine and chondroitin – These supplements are believed by many to aid in joint health. These diet supplements are commonly consumed by mouth. There are few side effects associated with this supplement but a primary health care physician should be consulted before beginning any use of supplements.
- Fish Oil – The American Heart Association currently recommends consuming fatty fish twice weekly for optimal heart health. Individuals who do not eat fish may find that using an omega 3-fatty acid supplement such as fish oil is a way to meet this dietary recommendation. It isn’t recommended that healthy individuals who do meet the twice weekly fish consumption recommendation supplement their diet with additional fish oil.
- Herbal diet supplements – There is a vast array of herbs and herbal extracts on the market believed by many to promote general well-being and seek some relief of various illnesses. Some of the most popular of these include ginseng for energy, ginkgo biloba for memory and concentration, St. John’s wort for depression, and Echinacea for improved immune system functioning.