Supplement facts

Lets take a  quick dive into the history of supplements.

The earliest known examples of dietary supplementation can be traced back to Egypt when the Ancient Egyptians used extracts from liver and fish oil to treat nightblindness a condition now known as Vitamin A deficiency.

Supplements have become an integral part of modern health and wellness practices, but their history is a fascinating tale of human ingenuity and a quest for better health that spans thousands of years.

During the Age of Exploration, when long sea voyages were common, sailors often suffered from scurvy due to vitamin C deficiency. The discovery that citrus fruits could prevent scurvy marked an important milestone in supplement history. 

As far back as the early 1920´s people developed increasing awareness of the role of vitamins and minerals in health . Scientist were able to extract and commercially produce vitamins and minerals to address nutritional deficiencies. Production of cod liver oil and multivitamins for dietary supplementation became popular during this period.

In the 1940´s and 1950´s , after World War II, multivitamins gained popularity as a convenient way to ensure adequate nutrition. Advances in manufacturing and marketing made supplements accessible to a broader audience, promoting general health and well-being.This was also the period where vitamin-enriched foods like fortified flour , rice , bread and the likes became popular.

In the 1960´s and 1970´s  , body building and fitness experienced a boom in popularity that influenced the growth of sports supplements now found in every serious fitness enthusiasts kitchen. Protein powders, creatine, and amino acids were recognised for their ability to enhance performance and recovery and help deliver nutition goals faster and easier than traditional foods.

Now in the 21st century, the supplements manufacturing industry is a global enterprise with strict quality control standards , standardized testing and regulations in place to ensure safety and efficacy of dietary supplements.  77% of people in the developed world take atleast one supplement a day , and advances in science and technology continue to drive innovation in the development and production of supplements making them more accessible and tailored to individual needs.