Biologically based practices use substances found in nature, such as herbs, foods, and vitamins. The best known example is dietary supplements that today represent an enormous market (as proved by the buyout of GNC in August 2007). 46% of Americans are taking at least one vitamin/dietary supplements in a month. In 2002, sales of dietary supplements increased to an estimated 18,7 billion USD per year, with herbs/botanical supplements accounting for an estimated 4,3 billion USD in sales. Dietary supplements are popular thanks to their reputation as:
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Performance enhancer
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Depression reliever
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Illness prevention
Vitamins have evolved into a major market in the US,,, almost a lifestyle for certain people
These products are furthermore labeled in almost all of the countries where they are marketed, raising the public’s awareness in terms of product quality (this is of a paramount importance when considering probiotic supplement (namely the nature of the bacteria)
Functional foods go beyond dietary supplements. In fact, functional foods are components of the usual diet that may have biologically active components (e.g., polyphenols, phytoestrogens, fish oils, carotenoids) that may provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Examples of functional foods include soy, nuts, chocolate, and cranberries. Glucosamine in dietary supplements is made in the laboratory or from the shells of shrimp, lobster, and crabs
Still biologically based practices can go further as to use some natural products to treat disease. Some examples includes (see www.treatsearch.com)
- Gingko for prevention of dementia
- Glucosamine hydrochloride and Chondroitin for osteoarthritis of the knee
- Saw Palmetto/African plum for benign prostatic hypertrophy (prevention of cancer of prostate)
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St John wort for major and minor depression. - Valerian to improve sleep
St John’s wort: an anxiety reliever
According to a study by Paula Gardiner, the most commonly used herbs in the
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