Dietary Supplements: Types, Health Benefits, Industry and Regulation

Dietary supplements are products aimed at improving the health status and wellness of an individual, which can be taken during meal or at specific intervals to supplement the individual daily diet. Supplements are required when there is an imbalance in nutrient or absence of a particular nutrient. Global market for nutrition and supplements stood at over US$104 billion as at 2013, with global mineral supplement market increasing with demands across growing geriatric populations, pregnant women and the rising urban population. The high demand may result in consumer’s exposure to health risk due to excessive consumption of dietary supplements. Classes of dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, proteins, multivitamins, multiminerals, herbs, carbohydrates, hormone activators, and oil supplements.