Daily Archives: March 14, 2018

Supplements: Survey Says…

SurveyJacquie Eubanks RN BSN

Many high quality supplements and products are formulated to support good nutrition and overall health. Others are designed to help relieve symptoms of a particular issue such as dry eyes, poor sleep, chronic stress, or malabsorption of nutrients. Despite constant negative press, the 2017 Annual Survey on Dietary Supplements conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of the Counsel for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) revealed that 76 percent of American adults, or more than 170 million, take dietary supplements daily, up from 64 percent in 2008. Increases are seen amongst all ages from millennials to seniors. The largest increase was seen among those 55 and older, which rose from 74 percent to 80 percent in just two years. The large majority of those surveyed, nearly 87 percent, expressed overall confidence in the safety, quality and effectiveness of dietary supplements, while 76 percent perceived the dietary supplement industry as trustworthy, a number that is steadily rising.

Per CRN, “The survey is just another indicator of the important role dietary supplements play for men and women of all ages who are trying to achieve a lifestyle of wellness.”

Despite the fact that quality supplement manufacturers frequently employ researchers, scientists and physicians, participate in clinical trials, and partner with well-respected universities and hospitals, there are always naysayers who believe there’s never enough research to justify the use of supplements. We know for certain that there are whole food nutrients that support a healthy lifestyle, as well as specific bodily functions. Rest assured, that there are many trustworthy science and evidence-based supplement brands that are valued by the majority of Americans for their role in supporting health and wellness. Quality supplements and nutraceuticals are often manufactured under strict FDA guidelines, utilizing Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and ensuring efficacy and purity with third party testing.

Per a research article authored by researchers from Tufts University, Linus Pauling Institute, Purdue University and Oregon State University, and published by MDPI, a peer-reviewed publisher headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, “Adequate intake of micronutrients is required for nearly all metabolic and developmental processes and is necessary for overall health, growth, development, healthy aging and general wellbeing across one’s lifespan.” The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 recommend consuming nutrient dense foods, fortified foods, and dietary supplements to help achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, support nutrient adequacy and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

Yet many Americans have inadequate intakes of several essential nutrients, including vitamins A, C, D and E, as well as choline, calcium, magnesium, and fiber. The consumption of dietary supplements has been shown to increase overall nutrient sufficiency and decrease the prevalence of nutrient inadequacy among a diverse range of U.S. adults. The researchers noted that the use of dietary supplements is largely a health and lifestyle choice, and that the key motivators for consumers are to maintain or improve overall health, as well as to obtain specific health benefits. Research reported in JAMA concurred, and added the next most common reasons consumers cite for supplementing were to support immune, prostate, digestive, bone, heart, joint, skin, and eye health, as well as energy production, weight management, sports nutrition, restful sleep, and healthy aging. Multivitamins are by far the most popular supplements followed by vitamins C, D, and B complex, calcium, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, magnesium, vitamin E, fiber, and green tea.

Professional Supplement Center offers many high quality and practitioner brands in support of overall health, wellness, and healthy aging: 

Millennial MultiMillennial Multi by Professional Supplement Center: Formulated for adults, Millennial Multi provides a blend of 26 highly bioavailable nutrients in support of free radical protection, proper metabolic function and overall wellness. Gluten free, vegetarian formulation.

 

Immune Support...Immune Support™ Packets by Designs for Health®: One convenient daily packet provides nutrients selected to support overall immune defense. The formulas include botanicals, medicinal mushrooms, vitamins, minerals, colostrum and NAC.

 

Omega Pro-DOmega Pro-D by Professional Supplement Center: Sourced from wild caught fish, this molecularly distilled stable formula provides high potency, pure omega-3 essential fatty acids blended with highly bioavailable vitamin D3, as cholecalciferol. Natural lemon flavor. Naturally preserved with d-alpha tocopherol. Non- GMO, gluten and soy free formulation.

 

Sleep SolutionSleep Solution by Pure Encapsulations®: This single serve liquid formulation provides support for occasional sleeplessness. Sleep Solution provides nutrients designed to promote relaxation, sleep onset, and sleep quality, including magnesium, glycine, l-theanine, and melatonin.  Six servings per box. Natural raspberry-lemonade flavor. Hypoallergenic, Non-GMO vegetarian formulation.

 

Calcium...Calcium Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite 2000mg by Douglas Laboratories®: This product provides a highly beneficial source of dietary calcium together with naturally occurring phosphorus and boron that assist in the maintenance of heathy bone structure and function. Gluten, wheat, soy, dairy, yeast, sugar, preservative and artificial ingredient free, Non-GMO formulation.

 

Vitamin d3 5,000 IUVitamin D3 5000 IU by Professional Supplement Center: Each capsule provides 5000 IU of highly bioavailable vitamin D3 as cholecalciferol in support of healthy teeth and bones, as well as immune and nervous system function. Gluten free, Non-GMO formulation.

 

Eye and Body...Eye & Body Complete by BioSyntrx: This properly balanced potent formulation provides a full spectrum of superior active nutrients including minerals, vitamins, botanicals, and antioxidants, in support of whole body wellness and vision health and function.

 

References:
New Survey Reveals High Percentage of U.S. Population take Dietary Supplements—and with High Confidence. http://www.crnusa.org/node/320
Contribution of Dietary Supplements to Nutritional Adequacy by Socioeconomic Subgroups in Adults of the United States. http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/10/1/4/pdf
Why US Adults Use Dietary Supplements. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1568520
Dietary Supplement Usage Increases, Says New Survey. https://www.crnusa.org/newsroom/dietary-supplement-usage-increases-says-new-survey