One of the most important things for a person to maintain throughout life is their health. Good health gives you the power to do things that, with otherwise poor health, you would never be able to do. Running a marathon, taking a hike in the woods, and caring for your loved ones all require good health to perform.

This is paired with one of the most technologically advanced industries on the planet, which is the health industry. While very broad, it encompasses essential areas needed to sustain human life. Fields like healthcare, nutrition, exercise, medicine, etc. all are examples of this industry. 

A key player in the field of nutrition is supplements. The supplements industry has played an essential role for humans since the early 20th century and for good reason. They play a crucial role in maintaining the average human’s nutrition. 

But what are supplements and what role can they play in the modern world of nutrition? Here is where the supplements industry has been and where it is going in the foreseeable future. 

A Brief History of Supplements

Supplements are defined by the United States Department of Health & Human Services as being, “…substances you might use to add nutrients to your diet or to lower your risk of health problems”. These substances are carefully researched and tested substances that have the potential to drastically improve the quality of life based on the nutritional needs of an individual.

With this being known, it is also important to recognize the history of supplements to help better understand their potential in the future. The supplemental industry as we know it began in the early 20th century. With the synthesis and success of the early vitamins, the industry would further develop into creating what we know today as multivitamins. From the mid-twentieth century onwards, the use of supplements has been on the rise. 

Many cite the poorer health of the modern American back in the mid-1900s with the necessity of a balance in nutrition that was fulfilled through supplements. The passing of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act in 1994 was pivotal in helping define supplements in modern medicine. This act made it to where the law can differentiate between supplements and all of the various other things that we consume that are related to health.

The Food and Drug Administration or FDA serves as regulatory bodies for which supplements can enter the American market. A great deal of research is done by the FDA to ensure the safety of the product for all to use. On top of this, a supplement that uses new ingredients not previously approved by the FDA requires a NDI or new dietary ingredient to further ensure its safety.

The Future of the Supplements Industry

The future of the supplements industry is a hopeful one. With health and nutrition being an important part of daily life, supplements have the potential to make massive headway in the scientific and financial worlds. Research and development into new products, as well as the upside potential that the American and International markets can potentially see is a strong indicator of where the field is headed.

Products and compounds for use as supplements are constantly being researched and developed around the world. Take, for example, the recent research of DIM or diindolylmethane. The potential uses of DIM as a supplemental treatment for infections and inflammation is being researched by a team at the University of California at Berkeley. Products like DIM are essential for the human population to have a wide variety of options when it comes to individualized health.

These products serve as a rising pillar of modern healthcare as more and more Americans turn to alternative medicine/nutrition every year. The CDC reports that around 36% of America’s adult population utilizes some sort of alternative medicine. With this, it should also be known that this percentage is on the rise every year. Paired with this burgeoning demand, more products falling under this umbrella will see a rise in development and market price in the coming years.

It should also be known that the supplements market is expected to grow to around $272.4 billion by 2028. This prediction of growth compared with the increase of demand as mentioned above only confirms the consensus that the supplements industry has a bright future in not only the American market but the international market as a whole. Such growth would solidify the supplements industry as a rightful player among many other giants within the health industry.

It is important to note, however, that you should speak with a financial advisor before considering investing in the supplemental industry. This can help to ensure that you are making the best financial decision based on your individual portfolio.