There are many types of alternative medicine available to people today. The most popular by far is the use of vitamins and supplements. It was reported that between 2007 and 2008 showed an increase of 7 . According to knowable observers this trend is expected to continue for the next several years. The largest increases came in areas such as probiotics, certified organic cosmetic, and home and pet care. Some of these have shown increases in the 20 to 40 area. According to Nancy White, Director of Marketing at the National Marketing Institute (NMI) in Harleysville, PA, consumer interest in the use of dietary supplements for healthcare is growing stronger in a number of segments. A 2007 NMI Health and Wellness Trends Survey found that the top categories for supplements are weight loss, heart problems, digestion, arthritis and joint pain, seasonal allergies, vision and eye care and diabetes.
Prior to this increase, sales of vitamins and supplements had been declining for several years. So what is behind this sudden turnaround? Some believe the economic meltdown was a contributing factor. This has forced consumers to move away from more expensive prescription drugs to less expensive natural solutions to address their health concerns. It may also have something to do with concerns that consumers have with prescription drugs and the harsh side effects which often are associated with them. They are starting to view natural products as a safer alternative. Vitamins and supplements are also very accessible. We can find them in drugstores, supermarkets and over the internet. And there is also a growing concern that prescription drugs are not delivering on the promises that they are making.
Consumers are using vitamins and supplements for a growing number of health concerns. Some are turning to them to reduce cholesterol, reduce the duration of colds, to boost their immune systems to combat the flu, increase energy and memory levels, pain reduction, and to loose weight and protect eyesight as they age. Others are turning to vitamins and supplements for heart health, to combat digestive problems and control diabetes.
There was a recent study done by the Council for Responsible Nutrition in Washington D.C., which found that 68 of all Americans are users of vitamins and supplements. While this was only a modest increase over the previous year it is interesting to note that the number of adults which considered themselves regular users of vitamins and supplements rose from 46 to 52 .
Consumers also have more reinforcement in their interest in dietary supplements than they had in the past. Over three quarters of doctors (79 ) and 82 of nurses recommend to their patients the use of vitamins and supplements. As more and more clinical trials are completed experts feel this number will rise.
There is also the belief among consumers that the quality of dietary supplements that are available to them is safe. We have recently seen the steroid scandal in Major League Baseball and a growing concern over counterfeit products, especially coming from China. The vitamin and supplement industry has looked at this as a wake up call. They now realize that they have to take a pro active approach to managing their suppliers, both domestically and internationally.
Two very significant pieces of legislation were passed recently to strengthen the quality of dietary supplements. The first was the U.S. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s) for dietary supplements and the second was the Adverse Event Reporting Law (AER). GMP standards provide traceability and verification that certain defined procedures in manufacturing are adhered to. These standards will have to be adopted by both domestic and international suppliers if they want to do business with an ever growing U.S. global supplement industry.
In conclusion, the trend toward vitamins and supplements is expected to increase as more people are becoming involved in the health decisions of themselves and their families. Over time this interest will manifest itself in a better understanding about the benefits of vitamins and supplements and their potential to improve our overall health.
Author Resource:
John Bradstreet is an experienced Biochemist with extensive knowledge in nutritional supplementation. He is committed to a healthy lifestyle through natural means. To learn more about our line of Vitamins and Supplements you can visit ’ http://worldvitaminsonline.com/ You can also follow our Vitamin and Supplement Information Blog at ’ http://worldvitaminsonline.blogspot.com/
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