Top Supplements on the Market

Industry by Rosemary Tambini on November 9, 2017

Thinking of starting a vitamin or supplement brand? There has never been a better time! Did you know that more than 170 million Americans will buy dietary supplements this year? According to Zion Market Research, the global dietary supplement market valued at $132.8 billion today, is expected to reach $220.3 billion by 2022, growing at a compound annual rate of 8.8% over the next few years (zionmarketresearch).

NOW are you interested? Makers Nutrition is a premier provider of services including manufacturing, graphic design, packaging, and order fulfillment. We would love to help you get started!

While we let that idea brew a while, here are some of the best-selling supplements on the market today:

1. BCAAs

Branched-Chain Amino Acids comprise isoleucine, leucine, and valine. Because the human body does not make these three essential amino acids on its own, food and supplements are our only sources (drweil, livestrong). Used by bodybuilders, BCAAs are extremely helpful for maintaining muscle mass while on a calorie-deficit diet. They both speed up and increase cells’ capacities for protein synthesis, and slow the rate of protein breakdown (bodybuilding).

During a workout, BCAA supplements reduce the amount of tryptophan that enters the brain, thereby lowering the amount of serotonin produced. Why is this good? We can then work out longer, and more strenuously. And because BCAAs bypass the liver and go directly into the blood stream, they may be used as an immediate energy booster during these workouts (bodybuilding).

Post workout, BCAAs can help reduce muscle soreness. According to a 2000 study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, BCAAs can lessen exercise-induced muscle damage. In 2008, the same journal unveiled that these amino acids can aid muscle recovery while regulating the immune system (livestrong).

Don’t be alarmed, BCAAs are not only for athletes. Though more research is needed, branched-chain amino acids are used to prevent fatigue in general, “reduce muscle wasting in people confined to bed,” restore cancer patients’ appetite, and improve focus (drweil).

2. Whey Protein

Whey protein is growing in popularity as it proves itself beneficial to our health. Whey protein is high-quality and compared to other proteins, is highly digestible (healthline). There are three main types of whey protein powder: isolate, concentrate, and hydrolysate. Whey protein isolate (WPI) is approximately 90% protein with no lactose or fat; whey protein concentrate (WPC) is usually 30% protein but no more than 90%, and contains low levels of carbs and fat; whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) is thought of as the “predigested” form of whey protein since it has already undergone partial hydrolysis—which is necessary for the body to absorb protein. Hydrolysate does not need as much digestion as concentrate and isolate. WPH is also “commonly used in medical protein supplements and infant formulas because of its improved digestibility and reduced allergen potential” (medicalnewstoday).

Weight loss and muscle gain are two major features of whey protein. Compared to other proteins, whey has been proven to have an upper hand on fat burning and satiety (healthline). As muscle declines with age, whey protein supplementation combined with resistance exercise works to improve muscle protein synthesis, while promoting lean tissue mass growth (medicalnewstoday). A high-carb meal with a whey protein supplement regulates blood sugar in people with and without type 2 diabetes, which thus points to the potential for the supplement’s use in type 2 diabetes treatment. It can moderate blood sugar, increasing insulin levels and sensitivity to its effects. Research has disclosed that a beverage consisting of whey protein considerably lowers blood pressure in people with hypertension, thereby lowering heart disease and stroke risks (medicalnewstoday). In addition, a large review study has discovered that whey protein supplements significantly reduced C-reactive protein, a key marker of inflammation in the body. Though more findings will come about, a number of studies have found that whey protein can reduce oxidative stress and raise levels of glutathione, which is one of the most important antioxidants in humans (healthline).

Top Supplements on the Market

3. Turmeric Curcumin

Available in powder, capsule, and tablet form, turmeric can be used to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may lower blood sugar levels, aid those with inflammatory bowel disease, and help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Much like whey protein, the curcumin in turmeric can also “prevent oxidation of cholesterol, reduce the progression of atherosclerosis (obstruction of blood flow), and protect against heart attack and stroke” (drweil).

Specifically, curcumin’s antioxidant makeup produces healthy skin, as it hinders free radical growth. By limiting growth of pimple-causing bacteria and reducing the amount of oil secretion by sebaceous glands, turmeric curcumin can prevent pimples and clear acne scars (organicfacts). Turmeric has the ability to improve liver function and reduce levels of toxicity in the body by stimulating the lymphatic system and extracting toxins, making this supplement the ideal candidate for liver disorders. The curcumin in turmeric was shown to correct the protein-folding mutation that may cause the development of cystic fibrosis, a condition not often discussed (organicfacts). Turmeric also balances cholesterol levels by getting rid of excess LDL cholesterol (the bad kind), from the arteries and blood vessels, preventing atherosclerosis, keeping the heart healthy.

When it comes to cognitive health, this supplement can boost memory retention and protect against plaque build-up. Its antioxidant trait can stimulate neural activity and circumvent brain degradation such as Alzheimer’s disease. Healthy cognition links to curcumin’s effects on the brain, showing improved conditions in those who endure depression and experience mood swings. It has also been proven to help protect against certain cancers such as breast, prostate, and colon (cancerresearchuk). To delve deeper into the discussion about turmeric, visit us at http://www.makersnutrition.com/news/2017-10-05-dive-into-fall-with-tumeric/.

4. Ubiquinol CoQ10

One of the country’s most recognizable coenzymes, CoQ10, is a “vital participant in the chain of metabolic chemical reactions that generate energy within cells” (drweil). Ubiquinone is the conventional and most popular form of CoQ10 but the body must convert it into ubiquinol before the coenzyme can help make the cellular energy our organs need in order to function best. However, this conversion process weakens as we age, so physicians tend to encourage older adults who take CoQ10 supplements to take it as ubiquinol (ubiquinol). More and more studies are uncovering what ubiquinol Q10 can do. There is discussion about it reducing severity of migraines, and proof that it helps maintain a healthy heart muscle and maintain the normal oxidative state of LDL cholesterol (drweil). It is also being researched for improving the immune system of people living with HIV or AIDS. CoQ10 appears to better the exercise capacity of muscular dystrophy patients, along with their heart function and altogether quality of life. Similar to turmeric curcumin, coenzyme Q10 exhibits its power to impede the progression of dementia. Read more about CoQ10 at http://www.makersnutrition.com/news/2017-09-08-the-wonders-coq10-can-do-for-you/.

5. Creatine

At last, creatine. It is a nitrogenous organic acid that helps supply energy to cells throughout the body, making up around 1% of the total volume of our blood. Approximately 95% of it is stored in skeletal muscle, 5% in the brain, and 1.5-2% is converted every day for use by the kidneys, liver, and pancreas (medicalnewstoday). Aside from enhancing athletic performance by allowing the body to produce more energy, creatine can help treat depression and improve mental performance. There is a notion that it may also aid in treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease (medicalnewstoday). Creatine is believed to fortify the brain’s ability to survive the metabolic and physical trauma associated with such conditions. While more evidence is needed to make any conclusions, creatine has been found to have some weight in the treatment of, but not limited to, the following conditions: muscle atrophy, multiple sclerosis (MS), diabetes, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The supplement is available in several forms: creatine monohydrate, creatine phosphate, micronized creatine, creatine ethyl ester, creatine citrate and kre-alkalyn. Some are easier on the stomach, others absorb faster (bodybuilding). It all comes down to the consumer’s motives. Who would constitute these customers? Vegetarians tend to have lower levels of creatine, so they may be interested in taking supplements, while older adults may want to increase their creatine intake as it promotes bone healing, improves glucose tolerance, and boosts brain function (bodybuilding).

The supplements above indeed have momentum on the market. Makers Nutrition can make any of these supplements and thousands of others to get your company in the game or expand your current supplement line. Now that you know the dietary supplement industry is booming, give us a call at Makers Nutrition today! We make the process easy from manufacturing all the way to fulfillment.

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