Nutritional Supplements - A Growing Industry
The nutritional supplement industry has achieved
phenomenal growth in the last two decades. In
1994, the DSHEA law was passed. This new framework
for the regulation of dietary supplements is better
suited for nutraceuticals because it facilitates
increased product accessibility for Americans.
Since then, the nutritional supplement industry
has effectively grown due in a way mutually beneficial
to manufacturers and consumers. This phenomenal
growth is not only seen in the USA, but all around
the world, particularly in Europe.What's driving
the nutritional supplement industry? Let's take
a look at why nutritional supplements are in such
popular demand.
Worldwide Shift in Focus from Symptom-Relief
to Proactive Healthcare
Nutritional supplements are meeting the health
concerns of today forcing a shift in focus. The
focus is now on proactive healthcare rather than
symptom relief. People want to stay healthy.More
people want to take proactive measures for maintaining
good health. Most people who take nutritional
supplements believe that nutritional supplements
will help them to achieve optimal health over
longer periods of time.
Lifestyle and Environment Issues
Busy lifestyles, a lack of good dietary habits,
the strains of daily life and high pollution levels
can cause stress to the body. In order to relieve
the pressures of life, many people prefer nutritional
assistance to improve their situation.Nutritional
aids are formulated to help relieve anxiety, antioxidants
to help stress at the cellular level, even sleep
aids. This type of assistance is preferred since
it carries less harmful side effects, is non-addictive,
and gently works with the body's natural functions.
Educated Public
Eighty percent of illnesses are nutrition-related.
Consumer awareness is leading people to make nutritional
supplementation their first choice. Nutritional
assistance is available to support heart health,
eye health, digestive health, and many other health
concerns. It is also used in proactive health
measures to help prevent some types of health
conditions.All of these health benefits have been
validated by scientific research which gives them
more credibility. A wide amount of research is
available to the public through the Internet -
credible sources like PubMed and Medline and no
doubt such research has given nutritional supplements
a dynamic impetus.
Inadequacies of Conventional Treatments
Some conventional treatments have fallen short
of consumer expectations. Users of have communicated
their preference for less harmful methods of treatment,
unless pharmaceuticals are absolutely deemed necessary.
The Freedom to Control Your Own Healthcare
Consumers are happy to exercise their own healthcare
by means of nutritional supplementation. More
people are taking responsibility for their own
health as seen by the rise in the number of nutritional
supplements now available in the market. Using
education and their own discretion, consumers
are able to administer their own self-care regimen..
There is almost 100% consumer satisfaction leading
to a growing insatiable consumer demand for more
nutritional supplements!
Advancing Research and Variety of Products
The demand for more strategic nutritional supplements,
targeted for specific demographics and health
concerns are driving nutritional supplement manufacturers
back to the laboratory for innovative products
that can meet consumer demands. Research on nutrition
and herbs keeps advancing giving rise to more
products. There are now special products for adolescents,
working women, men and children. Nutritional supplementation
has become a specialized industry and products
that cater to specific health needs, in the right
packaging, can make the right impression amongst
consumers. Products for anti-aging, skin health,
cardiovascular health, antioxidants, hair care,
continue to be remain popular.
Wider Acceptance amongst the Medical Profession
There is a wider acceptance of nutritional supplementation
amongst the medical profession. More doctors are
recommending nutritional supplements to their
patients and many of them have begun to endorse
products they believe in. More products are developed
in collaboration with condition specific experts
and nutritional researchers and some are formulated
by well-known doctors. Famous athletes and celebrities
are endorsing nutritional products and this too
has added to the salability and credibility of
the nutritional product.The nutritional supplement
industry will continue to grow as breakthroughs
in research, new manufacturing technologies and
innovative products increasingly meet the health
needs of today's consumers.
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