Do We Need Dietary Supplements

by Jane Jackson, RN, CRC – 4/23/2026 – BHealthyRN.com

The dietary supplement market is highly profitable. Annual US sales in 2025 topped $68 billion with a projected market value expected to exceed $144 billion by 2034.  Worldwide the market is a staggering $209.5 billion with a projected increase to $393.5 billion by 2033.  Mind boggling – I know.

So — Do We Need Dietary Supplements?

According to WordStream

Some reasons for these numbers are

• Dietary supplements are marketed to support general wellness.
• Consumers spend money on products they believe will support their overall well-being.
• The supplement industry is not subject to the restrictions imposed on the prescription pharmaceutical market.
• Dietary supplements do not require a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional.
• Manufacturers are free to market products with minimal oversight.
• Supplements are only removed if proven unsafe for consumer consumption.
• Dietary supplements statistically have a high profit margin.

The high profit margin of the supplement market has unfortunately attracted some manufacturers valuing profit over quality. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was granted authority in 1994 to establish standardized practices for dietary supplements.  Manufacturers now had a list of regulatory guidelines to ensure products were manufactured safely and labeled accurately.

Some specifics of the 1994 regulations are

• Must have evidence supporting the safety of their ingredients.
• The FDA reviews notifications for new dietary ingredients.
• Manufacturers must report any adverse effects to the FDA.
• Labeling must include the ingredients, strength, nutritional value and directions for use.
• Claims made on the product label must be truthful and not misleading.
• Regulatory guidelines must be followed regarding quality and consistency.
• The FDA may take action when regulations are violated.

The FDA issued an update to the regulations in 2007 that included specific minimum requirements for the manufacturing, packaging, labeling and storage of dietary supplements.  The FDA regulatory guidelines have standardized the marketing of dietary supplements, improved the quality and safety of products, and improved consumer confidence in the dietary supplement market.

Many Americans find it challenging to meet recommended nutrient intakes.  The US Department of Agriculture estimates people in the US routinely consume only 60% of the recommended daily allowance of key essential nutrients. Certain farming and processing practices can affect nutrient levels.

Many modern farming practices, such as inconsistent crop rotations, can cause low selenium levels in the soil. Selenium is an essential antioxidant important in protecting the immune system. Fertilization is also a factor affecting nutrients developed during the growth cycle. High nitrogen levels in fertilizer reduce Vitamin C in fruits and vegetables. Some harvesting schedules are determined by market demand rather than nutritional considerations of the crops. Harvesting early in the growth cycle prevents crops from reaching their maximum nutritional value.

Excessive processing will degrade nutrients ultimately available to consumers. Examples of this include milling (removing fibrous husks), blanching (heating with steam or water), canning (heating inside a container), pasteurization (heating liquids to destroy micro-organisms), pressure cooking (elevated pressures without heat to kill micro-organisms), dehydration (drying foods out), and peeling/trimming (removing the skin and/or leaves).

Cooking causes changes in food to make them edible. Unfortunately, the heat used in preparing foods has good and bad effects. Good effects include taste, texture, and palatability. Bad effects are nutrients lost during cooking. The longer foods are cooked – the greater the nutrient loss. Baking, boiling, steaming, and microwaving are the most common cooking options. Microwaving minimizes cooking time the most, which reduces nutrient loss. For example, baking a potato in an oven may take 45 to 60 minutes, while microwaving takes only 5 to 8 minutes.

Severe nutrient deficiencies are known to cause specific health problems, and inadequate intake may impact various body functions.  There are over 50,000 dietary supplements marketed in the US – Vitamin A to zinc – as well as herbals, fish oils, and probiotics.  Researchers are continuously working to develop technology to extract essential nutrients and process them for consumer consumption.

Manufacturers are not required to prove the effectiveness of a supplement – only that it is safe for consumption. Many nutrients can be dangerous in excessive amounts. The most common vitamin and mineral supplements with an upper limit recommendation include calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamins A, B6, C, and D.

Herbals and botanicals are complicated supplements. They contain plant components that are often difficult to identify after being converted to the many forms available – capsules, dried teas, tablets, or liquids. Some botanicals are marketed with a wide range of claims – from the plausible to the outrageous.

A common misconception is that supplements can treat or prevent disease. It is essential to point out that dietary supplements are just that – a dietary supplement. According to the National Institute of Health, “If you are looking for a cure, you shouldn’t be looking in the supplement aisle.”