Coronavirus Increased Demand for Food Supplements
There has been an increase in demand for dietary supplements to strengthen the immune system against the coronavirus. So, what are people choosing the most to protect themselves from the virus?
Samet Serttaş, President of the Food Supplement and Nutrition Association, stated that during the pandemic, the greatest demand was for vitamins C and D. He also noted that there was an average growth of over 50% in dietary supplements containing zinc and beta-glucan.
During this period, there was an increased demand for dietary supplements to strengthen the immune system against Covid-19. So, what are people choosing the most to protect themselves from the virus? Samet Serttaş, President of the Food Supplement and Nutrition Association, stated that during the pandemic, the greatest demand was for vitamins C and D. He also noted that there was an average growth of over 50% in dietary supplements containing zinc and beta-glucan.
Serttaş said, “The fastest growth in the market for other components was in the fish oil/omega-3 market. One of the most important product categories of 2020 was dietary supplements containing collagen, and the other was products supporting bone health.”
“FOLLOW THE USAGE AMOUNT OF THE PRODUCTS”
Emphasizing that dietary supplements should not be considered as drugs, Serttaş continued: “These products are foods presented in innovative forms. Just as we buy margarine enriched with omega-3, milk enriched with vitamin D, or a drink enriched with vitamin C from the market or other sales channels based on our own decision, we should think of these products in the same way. The limits of the components in these products are determined by a committee of expert academics at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The limits in Turkey are already very cautious compared to EU and US limits. However, just as too much of anything is harmful, we do not recommend consuming dietary supplements beyond the amount indicated. Dietary supplements are planned products to help maintain the health of healthy individuals, so users with any disease should consult a doctor for their nutrition plan.”
WHY SHOULD DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS BE USED?
“Due to incorrect and insufficient nutrition or the inability to obtain necessary vitamins and minerals from foods sufficiently for individuals to be healthy, the demand for dietary supplements has increased, especially with the impact of the pandemic,” said Samet Serttaş, President of the Food Supplement and Nutrition Association. “Dietary supplements, thanks to the natural foods they contain, adequately meet the need for vitamins and minerals and help support the immune system. Additionally, especially products with antioxidant properties can have positive effects on eliminating harmful toxins entering the body due to stress, environmental factors, and poor nutrition, as well as on sleep and active living. Those who cannot eat adequately and balanced, vegetarians and vegans, those with iron deficiency anemia, those with post-menopausal bone loss, especially babies and children of vegan or vegetarian mothers, those using long-term antibiotics and similar medications, those undergoing dialysis treatment, those who cannot consume certain foods due to allergies, those who do not get enough sunlight, and people over 50 who are found to need vitamin B12 as it decreases with age, can support their nutrition with dietary supplements by consulting experts.”
HERE’S WHAT TO PAY ATTENTION TO TO BE A CONSCIOUS CONSUMER
To be a conscious consumer, one should be wary of hearsay information or alarming statements about these product groups without presenting scientific data, said Serttaş, offering the following recommendations: “Dietary supplements can be legally sold through multiple sales channels worldwide, meaning they can be obtained from pharmacies, direct sellers, online sales channels, supermarkets, and similar channels. Ensure that the products are packaged and have an approval number from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, adhere to the recommended usage instructions on the label, avoid the excessive consumption of all the foods and dietary supplements we eat, and remember that not just nutrition but also active living, stress control, and sleep regulation are important for staying healthy. We must remember that no food or nutrient is miraculous and does not treat diseases. We should focus on maintaining our health while we are healthy.”
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