'Tis the Season for Manufacturing Immune Support Supplements
According to Frost and Sullivan, the demand for immune health products is at an all-time high. 1 While immune-support supplements sales are typically the highest during the winter months, there are several other factors driving the industry's growth and pushing this market well beyond the winter seasonal boost.
Consumers are increasingly recognizing the importance of maintaining their health in an economy that is still recovering after a tough recession. Economic pressures, job insecurities and the high cost of healthcare are exerting a gravitational pull towards preventive healthcare systems. Lifestyle factors such as stress, nutritional deficiencies or even lack of a good night's sleep may additionally weaken the immune system, causing more consumers to turn to immune support products in an effort to support their overall health and wellness. 2
According to EcoHealth Alliance, a U.S. science-based nonprofit organization, more than two-thirds of Americans are fraught with fears of health concerns. 3 In recent years, schools have enforced stricter rules preventing children with health concerns from attending school, making immune health a high priority for all ages.
Growing Market for Immune Support Products 4
As a nation, 17 percent of the population suffers from respiratory health concerns at some time during the year according to Global Industry Analysts. 5 How do Americans deal with this?
- 45 percent take a fortified food or beverage
- 27 percent take a supplement; 34 percent take OTC medication
- 27 percent take an alternative remedy. 6
According to IRISymphony, eight in ten Americans plan to save on medical costs by trying to stay healthy. 7
The 2009 Gallup Study of Nutrient Knowledge and Composition reported 72 percent of American adults took a supplement to support their health; 61 percent took a multivitamin; 41 percent took an individual nutrient and 16 percent a combination product. Vitamin C sales increased by 8 percent in 2009; Echinacea jumped 7 percent according to the Nutrition Business Journal. 8
Parents are increasingly turning to herbal supplements to help support their children's health. According to a 2009 Mintel report, young people aged 18-24 and the over-55 age groups are the most concerned about immune health. 9-11
Immune-Support Ingredients
To promote a healthy immune system, supplement marketers can include a wide range of ingredients in their immune support products. Some of them inlclude:
Micronutrients such as vitamin A, beta-carotene, folic acid, vitamin B12 vitamin C, riboflavin, iron, zinc, and selenium, are known to have immune-supporting functions. Adequate intakes of these target nutrients are believed to support overall health. 12
Recently, vitamin D was also found to support immune health. Vitamin D was associated with improved immune health and overall wellness. 13
Probiotics, better known for its benefits on digestive health, can also help support immune health mainly because of the close interlinking between the digestive and immune health systems. Public awareness of the health benefits of probiotics in the United States has gradually increased giving a boost to the digestive-immune health market. 14
Green tea appears to have immune health benefits as well. According to MedlinePlus, green tea catechins seem to be able to support health, although scientists are yet not able to explain how this works. 15-16
Echinacea, a commonly used herb in herbal supplements has been shown to be effective in immune health support. 17
Boswellia extracts appear to have immune-supporting properties. 18
Curcumin, although studies are preliminary, curcumin shows benefit to the immune system. 19
Manufacturing Immune Support Products
Now is a good time to cash in on the heightened interest in immune support supplements. Submit your request to receive a free quote or call (855) 492-7388 to speak with one of our Production Specialists and learn how we can help you formulate your own line of products.
References:
1. http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/report-brochure.pag?id=N7CB-01-00-00-00
2. http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/press-release.pag?docid=238863274
4. http://beta.rodpub.com/uploads/Oct10.pdf
5. http://www.prweb.com/releases/nutraceuticals/dietary_supplements/prweb4563164.htm
6. Health Focus (2009)
7. IRISymphony (2010)
8. Gallup Study of Nutrient Knowledge and Composition (2009)
9. Health Focus (2009)
10. National Institutes of Health (2009)
11. Mintel (2009)
12. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC500310/
13. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20427238
14. Probiotics - citation needed
15. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/960.html
16. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17709148
17. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17597571
18. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20696559
19. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19821784
20. http://www.enfasis.com/Presentaciones/FTSARG/2011/Gratuitas/1_Tendencias_JorgeSarasqueta.pdf