Supplement Manufacturing: Meeting the Growing Challenges of Common Digestive Disorders

Optimal digestive health is associated with mentalwell-being, good immunity and systemic health. It is also linked to theever-popular topic of weight management. Consumer awareness of these issues andthe easy availability of natural and herbal digestive health aids have led tothe growing expansion of the digestive health supplement industry.

It is believed that approximately 75 to 100 millionAmericans suffer from some sort of digestive ailment. Common digestive ailmentsinclude constipation, diarrhea, abdominal bloating and pain, nausea, loss ofappetite and inexplicable weight gain. Three major ingredients top the list ofdigestion supplements within the digestive health industry: prebiotics,probiotics and digestive enzymes.

The typical American diet lacks fiber content and is high infats, carbohydrates and refined and processed foods. This kind of dietgenerally promotes the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria which are harmfulfor the digestive system. The imbalance between probiotics and pathogenicbacteria can lead to under-absorption of nutrients, poor immunity andunnecessary weight gain. The ingestion of friendly bacteria, therefore, plays amajor role in supporting healthy digestion.

Certain strains of probiotics such as Acidophilus andBifidus help promote the absorption of minerals such as calcium, copper, ironand magnesium. An optimal intestinal microflora helps the body manufactureenzymes, vitamins A, certain B vitamins and vitamin K.

The sale of probiotics has risen dramatically since 2003when the concept of friendly bacteria was first introduced to the Americanpublic. In 2008, the Datamonitor valued the US market for probiotics at$1,526.7 million. This was an increase of 160 percent from 2003. As moreresearch throws light on the role of particular probiotics strains for specifichealth conditions, the probiotic supplement industry is predicted to boom.

Key consumer targets are aging baby boomers, though withrecent research on infants and probiotics, infants, too, are a high potentialmarket.

Prebiotics are soluble and insoluble fiber. A few examplesare psyllium husk, flax seeds and fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Prebiotics arenot only needed for adding bulk to waste matter for easier movement along thedigestive tract, but they also form food for probiotics. Probiotics acts uponprebiotics. This chemical reaction produces nutrients, such as short-chainfatty acid (SCFA), that are vital to health.SCFA help to regulate healthy cholesterol and glucose levels. The colonis the place where a balance between potassium-sodium levels is maintained.This, in turn, regulates healthy blood pressure. Research shows that prebioticsmay also play a role in healthy weight loss.

Synbiotic Supplements

More Americans are recognizing the role of probiotics andprebiotics as essential to digestive health. Since both complement each other,combination synbiotic supplements have begun to show popular consumer appeal.

SupplementingDigestion: Digestive Enzymes

Arising from the popularity of probiotics and prebiotics,digestive enzymes have become the newest addition to digestive supplements.Enzymes work as catalysts in the breaking down of food to smaller nutrientsthat the body can easily absorb. A diet based on refined and processed foodsnot only reduces daily nutritive value but also kills enzymes present in rawfoods. Overeating and a high intake of fats and calories can overburden thedigestive system. Stressful lifestyles add to gastrointestinal strain. In suchan environment, enzymes help to optimize digestion.

Enzyme supplements can be classified as digestive aids andsystemic aids. Some people are deficient in main digestive enzymes such aslactase, amylase, papain and bromelain. Deficiency of these enzymes can resultin bouts of constipation, diarrhea, abdominal bloating and discomfort aftereating food. Supplementing with the right digestive enzymes can help.

Enzymes for systemic health support the breakdown ofproteins and research indicates that they may prove useful in treatment ofgastrointestinal diseases such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Celiac disease.Research also suggests that protesases with fibrinolytic activity may helpsupport healthy blood pressure and cardiovascular health.

Market experts have noted a steady rise in enzymesupplements since 2001 and predict a continuing rise in the sale of digestivesupplements in the coming years.

Growing Consumer Needfor Digestive Aids

Stressful lifestyles and poor dietary habits have created alarge community of people who suffer from digestive problems. An awareness ofdigestive health and digestive health supplements is generating a highlyexplosive market potential. Increased promotional efforts and consumereducation still need to be engaged to further boost the consumption ofdigestive health aids.

Anexperienced supplementmanufacturer can guide you into the right formulations for prebiotics,probiotics and digestive enzymes or combination supplements. Manufacturers whohave a fully-equipped advanced lab setup offer an additional advantage that canhelp you quickly and efficiently produce a line of digestive health supplementsbased on reliable scientific data. Quality manufacturing is necessary asdelivery forms must contain activestrains at consumer end for maximizing health benefits.

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