Anyone in the dietary supplement industry can attest to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the dramatic sales increase of dietary supplements. Sales were $48 billion in 2019, then grew to $52 billion in 2020, and are projected to reach $58 billion this year (1). Among these increased sales, there are specific product categories with particularly promising sales trends. This includes collagen peptides, immune supplements, and stress supplements.

Collagen peptides

In 2019, the global collagen peptides market size was $3.2 billion, and it is expected to reach $4.3 billion by the end of 2026, with a CAGR of 4.4% during 2021-2026 (2).

Collagen is the main structural protein found in the skin and other connective tissues. This protein is vital to our good health. It makes up 25% to 35% of the whole-body protein content. Along with a couple of other key structural proteins, collagen is responsible for skin strength and elasticity. When collagen degrades, it leads to the wrinkles that accompany aging. Collagen peptides are small chains of collagen protein that have been broken down (hydrolyzed) from larger collagen protein chains. This smaller collagen peptide chain is better absorbed. For example, a collagen peptide called Verisol was shown to be particularly well-absorbed and detectable in several organs and tissues, including the skin (3). There are also other collagen peptide materials with solid human clinical research to support their efficacy. These materials include Naticol (4) and Biocell (5).

Immune supplements

The global immune supplements market size was $16.3 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach $29.4 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period (6).

Immune defenses may be divided into two broad categories: innate and adaptive. Innate immunity is the early phase of host response to infection, in which innate mechanisms recognize and respond to the presence of a pathogen. Innate immunity is present in all individuals at all times, does not increase with repeated exposure to a given pathogen, and discriminates between a group of related pathogens (7). Adaptive immunity is the response of antigen-specific lymphocytes to antigen, including the development of immunological memory (e.g. antibodies). Adaptive immune responses are generated by clonal selection of lymphocytes. Adaptive immune responses are distinct from innate and nonadaptive phases of immunity, which are not mediated by clonal selection of antigen-specific lymphocytes. Adaptive immune responses are also known as acquired immune responses (8).

Ideally, in promoting a strong, healthy immune system, the goal should be to support both innate and adaptive immunity. There are many nutraceuticals that can do that, including vitamin C (9-11), zinc (12,13), selenium (15,16), beta 1,3/1,6 glucan (17,18) and echinacea (19,20).

Stress supplements

According to SPINS data, U.S. stress supplement sales (including mood and sleep support) increased by 35% from 2019 to 2020. Specifically, U.S. mass and natural channel sales of these supplements reached almost $400 million from January to July 2020, compared with $294 million for the same previous period in 2019 (21).

There are a broad range of different nutraceuticals that can effectively address stress, mood, and sleep issues. Though there are far too many to address here, below are examples of nutraceuticals for each category.

The B-complex vitamins are intimately involved in the function of the nervous system (22), and so can play a role in helping to counter some of the negative effects of stress. In fact, the ability of humans to respond to stresses can be influenced by nutritional status—including the status of key B vitamins (23). In one study, vitamin B1 (thiamine) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) together were found to be especially necessary for workers whose activity is associated with nervous-emotional stress (24). Similar results were seen in a previous study (25).

As clinically demonstrated in multiple studies (26), the use of saffron stigma extract offers an effective approach to promoting a healthy mood. Saffron stigma extract’s multiple mechanisms of action (27-30) and demonstrated efficacy and safety make this herbal medicine an appealing option for this purpose.

Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland (31). Its primary role is regulation of the body’s circadian rhythm, endocrine secretions, and sleep patterns (32,33). Multiple studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of this nutraceutical in helping people fall asleep (34-37).

References

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2. Global Collagen Peptides Market Trend 2021-2026 With Top Countries Data Industry Size, Share, Business Growth, Revenue, Trends, Market Demand Penetration and Forecast | With Covid 19 Analysis. Tuesday, February 16th 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021 from https://www.ktvn.com/story/43361968/global-collagen-peptides-market-trend-2021-2026-with-top-countries-data-industry-size-share-business-growth-revenue-trends-market-demand-penetration.
3. Watanabe-Kamiyama M, et al. Absorption and effectiveness of orally administered low molecular weight collagen hydrolysate in rats. J Agric Food Chem 27-1-2010;58:835-41.
4. Dutein L, Roussel CQ, Bruno-Bonnet C, Lacour JP. Effect of Low Dose Type I Fish Collagen Peptides Combined or not with Silicon on Skin Aging Signs in Mature Women. JOJ Case Stud. 2018;6(4) ID.555692.
5. Schwartz SR1, Park J. Ingestion of BioCell Collagen(®), a novel hydrolyzed chicken sternal cartilage extract; enhanced blood microcirculation and reduced facial aging signs. Clin Interv Aging. 2012;7:267-73.
6. Immune Health Supplements Market Worth USD 29.40 Billion at 7.4% CAGR; Rapid Changes in Lifestyles to Bolster Growth, says Fortune Business Insights™. October 27, 2020. Fortune Business Insights. Retrieved April 26, 2021 from https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/10/27/2115103/0/en/Immune-Health-Supplements-Market-Worth-USD-29-40-Billion-at-7-4-CAGR-Rapid-Changes-in-Lifestyles-to-Bolster-Growth-says-Fortune-Business-Insights.html.
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18. McFarlin BK, Carpenter KC, Davidson T, McFarlin MA. Baker’s Yeast Beta Glucan Supplementation Increases Salivary IgA and Decreases Cold/Flu Symptomatic Days After Intense Exercise. Journal of Dietary Supplements. 2013; EarlyOnline:1–13.
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