The global health supplements industry is a booming business. In 2019, the market size for health supplements was estimated to be a whopping $123.28 billion and this figure is projected to grow rapidly in the next five years. The scenario in India is no different and the dietary supplements market here is expected to grow at a CAGR of about 20% by 2023. With market sizes this large, there is bound to be a ton of information about health supplements and very often, it gets hard to sift out facts from myths.
Below are the top 5 myths associated with health supplements.
1. Supplements are totally unnecessary
This is not true. Health supplements are beneficial for many people trying to manage certain health conditions. Take for example a person who is on a calorie-restricted diet due to obesity, this individual will be in need of certain multivitamins and minerals that cannot be consumed due to dietary restrictions. Another pertinent example would be that of pregnant women in need of folic acid supplements; lack of folic acid can often lead to serious complications such as spina bifida – a birth defect that occurs when a developing baby’s spinal cord fails to develop properly. Hence, health supplements do fulfill certain functions in the body and can be necessary for maintaining a healthy lifestyle for many.
2. Dietary supplements are dangerous for the body.
Dietary supplements do not harm the body when taken the right way. In fact, they help to fill in the gaps in our daily diet and when taken correctly, they can help people get complete nutrition. For example, a simple protein shake can help a person who is on a vegan diet and who may be in need of additional protein to meet their recommended daily intake. The important point here is not to consume an excess of supplements and remember that dietary supplements are meant to complement our meals, not replace them.
3. All supplements are safe because they are natural.
This is another common myth that is associated with health supplements. Not everything that is labeled natural is always good. It is important to be smart and read the actual nutritional contents on the product label. A lot of manufacturers label products as natural because it is trendy to label products that way, hence, it is important to research the brand and verify claims of these so-called natural products.
4. Supplements treat symptoms the way drugs do.
It is important to understand the difference between allopathic medication and health supplements. Health supplements do not work the way regular drugs do and are not meant to cure any disease or infection. Health supplements by their very definition are an additive to our daily diets that can help bolster nutrition.
5. You should take vitamins and other supplements on an empty stomach.
This is another myth that needs to be busted. Several vitamin supplements are water-soluble in nature, which means they easily dissolve in water and can be absorbed by the body no matter what is in the stomach. However, this is not true for all supplements. Fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E and K can only be absorbed with fat and hence need to be taken with some food. Taking supplements on empty stomachs may also cause nausea for many. Hence, it is important to read the instructions label and consult your doctor before taking any supplements.