As more and more people purchase supplements from top brands like Designs for Health in Supplement First, it’s important to learn more about the vitamins and minerals you take. Here are interesting facts about supplements, ranging from their history up to surprising statistics.
- We’ve been using herbal medicine for centuries now!
Archaeological evidence suggests that we have been using plants as medicine for as long as the Paleolithic Period, which was about 60,000 years ago!
The Sumerians, a civilization that once lives on the banks of Euphates Rivers and Tigris (this is now Iraq), left the earliest written record on herbal medicine. They left 6,000 year old clay tablets that mentioned herbs like thyme, licorice, mustard plants, and poppy seeds for medicine.
Also, Asian cultures have long histories of using herbal remedies, which dates back to over 3,000 years!
- Dietary supplements aren’t just multivitamins
Today, our supplements from reputable stores like Supplement First don’t only include vitamins. You can find minerals, herbals, botanicals, enzymes, amino acids, and more healthy nutrients.
Plus, supplements don’t only come in capsule form anymore, you can find tablets, pills, drinks, energy bars, extracts, and other forms so you can take your supplements the way you prefer.
- Herbal supplements and remedies are extremely popular
According to Pharmacy Times, about 75% of the world used or have used a product made by supplements manufacturers.
Furthermore, the World Health Organization estimates that about 80% of populations in Asian and African countries would rely on traditional medicine, including herbal remedies, for primary care. They prefer such remedies as it’s more affordable compared to buying expensive prescription medication.
The annual revenue for herbal supplements in Western Europe reached a whopping $5 billion in 2003-2004! In China, it reached $14 billion in 2005!
- The USA is the growing consumer of supplements
The Centers for Disease Control reported that 40% of adults in the USA used supplements from 1988 to 1994, which increased to over 50% in 2003-2006. A 2012 survey conducted by the Council for Responsible Nutrition reported that 69% of US took dietary supplements.
In 2010 alone, Americans spent a staggering $28 billion on dietary supplements and vitamins, with that number continuing to increase.
- Americans don’t get enough Omega-3s
Omega-3 is a fatty acid you can find in fish oil, which helps various bodily systems, from our heart health to brain function. Unfortunately, Americans do not get enough of this nutrient.
While you can get Omega-3s from fatty fish, ground flaxseed, or walnuts, you can also take a supplement to meet your nutritional needs.
- Dietary supplements aren’t a one-size-fits-all
Remember that we all have different nutritional needs, which depend on our gender, age, and individual health condition. A 60-year-old man will have different requirements compared to a 21-year-old woman!
Individuals should talk with their doctors regarding their nutritional needs and what supplements they need to take based on deficiencies they have, if any.
Wrapping It Up
Now that you know more about supplements, please do diligent research and speak with your doctor before taking certain vitamins and minerals.