Your Top 7 Evergreen Dietary Supplement Ingredients
Written by: Wan SofaSyifa
Reviewed by: Fenny Lim, BSc. (Hons) Nutrition, UKM
Since the pandemic outbreak, the market for dietary supplements has blown up and is going through unprecedented growth. Fortune Business Insights predicts that the global market for dietary supplements will grow from $71.81 billion (2021) to $128.64 billion (2028) [1].Â
As a result of this growth trajectory, dietary supplement trends tend to change over the year with the introduction of more new ingredients. However, even with the ever-changing trends, there are so-called “evergreen” ingredients that have been thoroughly researched and give you proven results.
According to our in-house nutrition experts, here are your top seven “evergreen” dietary supplement ingredients.
1. Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant that can be sourced from plants and animals. The richest source of astaxanthin for plants is the freshwater single-cell microalga, Haematococcus pluvialis [2], either in powder form or as an extract.Â
What are the benefits of astaxanthin? For one, as an antioxidant, it can slow or prevent free radical damage to the cells. Studies on astaxanthin have shown and proven that it can;
- Improve skin elasticity and tone
- Improve the immune system and reduce inflammation
- Improve cognitive function
- Relieve eye fatigue
You can find astaxanthin as a combination of productivity and beauty-based dietary supplements. It is also available on the market as an individual product because of its proven effectiveness.
2. Lycopene
Lycopene is a carotenoid that can be found in most fruits and vegetables, especially tomatoes [3]. Among its many benefits are its antioxidant properties that protect organisms from the harmful effects of light and oxygen. Lycopene may also inhibit a variety of degenerative diseases [4] and is known to help;
- Moisturize the skin
- Improve skin elasticity
- Reduce UV-light damage on the skin
- Regenerate the cells
- Improve the immune system
- Support cardiovascular health
- Reduce hypertension
- Inhibit “bad cholesterol” oxidation
Most dietary supplement brands would include lycopene in products targeting hypertension, cardiovascular health, and overall beauty.
3. Omega-3
Omega-3 fatty acid, or omega-3, is a natural oil found in seafood and certain mammals such as seals. It is high in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) [5]. Omega-3 is a popular item; you can see this ingredient in many dietary supplement combinations.
What are the health benefits of omega-3? According to research, omega-3 may [6];
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Reduce bad cholesterol
- Improve fertility
- Improve blood flow
- Improve memory and cognitive brain functions
Omega-3 supplements are touted as health supplements that can lower cholesterol, but in recent years, they have also been touted as fertility and productivity boosters. If you intend to take omega-3 as a medicinal supplement, you should always consult your doctor first.
4. Vitamin C
Ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods and added to others. Compared to the chemical components of other ingredients in this list, humans are incapable of synthesizing vitamin c, making it essential for us to receive it from external sources [7]. As a result, it is a hot commodity in the dietary supplement industry.
There have been numerous studies on the benefits of vitamin c since its first discovery in 1923. It is known to;
- Help improve immunityÂ
- Help with wound healing
- Help maintain healthy skin, blood vessels, bones, and cartilage
These benefits make vitamin C one of your must-have dietary supplements, either by itself or in combination. Even so, you need to remember that taking too much vitamin C can be harmful [8] – which is why you should always check your vitamin C supplement label for the correct daily intake.Â
5. Marine Collagen
Marine collagen is liquid collagen sourced from marine animals such as fish, jellyfish, sponges, and other marine vertebrates. Collagen is a protein consisting of the amino acid glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. Our body naturally produces collagen, but its production rate reduces once you reach your 20s [9].Â
Studies show that marine collagen may be able to support our body’s collagen deficiency [10] and also help;
- Support skin health
- Increase skin firmness (for anti-aging)
- Promote quality sleep (from glycine)
- Promote gut health
- Promote bone strength
- Support hair and nail growth
You can typically find marine collagen in beauty-based dietary supplements focusing on anti-aging.
6. Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is a byproduct of grapes, usually from winemaking. Studies show that grapeseed oil is typically high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as omega-6 [11]. There are debates [12] that grapeseed oil may help with;
- Skin moisturizing
- Skin lightening
- Pore tightening
- Acne healing
- Scar healing
The American Heart Association has also released an article on how PUFAs – a component of grapeseed oil, can help with heart disease [13]. As such, some experts believe that grape-seed oil can reduce cholesterol and the risk of heart disease.Â
You can find grape-seed oil as a beauty-based dietary supplement for oral intake, as part of beauty products, and even as cooking oil.
7. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a plant widely used in medicine for thousands of years and is the only edible aloe variant [14]. It contains antioxidants, vitamins C, A, and E, beta-carotene, folic acid, calcium, and magnesium. Some research [15] has shown that aloe vera used for oral consumption can;
- Promote weight loss
- Help with diabetes
- Help with hepatitis
- Improve inflammatory bowel diseases
- Boost the immune system
- Boost collagen production
- Encourage skin repair and wound healing
- Improve skin elasticity
Dietary supplements include aloe vera in powder form or as an extract. Asian countries also sell aloe vera in juice or jelly for commercial consumption.
The Takeaway
Understanding your daily supplement’s ingredients is vital to getting all the benefits you want. Our pharmaceutical industry is constantly evolving, and trying out new trends is fine, but be careful not to have high expectations. Dietary supplements are health support and not medicines on their own.
Still, there’s also no harm in going for these top seven “evergreen” ingredients – especially since these ingredients are more widely studied. Are there other ingredients you feel worth mentioning in this blog? Let us know and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest blog updates.
