Pandemic stress causes “alarming” use of supplements and sleep deprivation, reveal surveys

22 Jul 2021 --- COVID-19 has had a major impact on consumer habits around supplementation, stress levels, sleep quality and overall well-being, according to two US surveys.

An investigation from Samueli Foundation, an organization that supports health and well-being, found that 29 percent of the 2000 surveyed US consumers began taking supplements after the COVID-19 pandemic began, adding to a total of 76 percent of supplement users.

Meanwhile, a survey conducted by Nature Made, a vitamins and supplements brand, found that 50 percent of US consumers consider sleep improvement a top 2021 goal for mental health.

Supplement concerns
However, Samueli Foundation is warning that many people are uninformed about the supplements they are taking.

“Fewer than half of the 76 percent who take supplements say they consulted with their health care provider before taking supplements,” Wayne Jonas, executive director of Samueli Foundation’s Integrative Health programs, tells NutritionInsight.US consumers are turning to supplements to reduce stress, aid sleep and boost their immune health.

“This is alarming, considering many people may be unaware of the risks associated with supplements. For instance, more than half of supplement users (52 percent) mistakenly believe that most supplements available for purchase have been declared safe and effective for use by the FDA.”

The foundation now aims to provide information that helps fix that communication gap between patients and health care providers.In light of this, four in five US consumers said they would be willing to discuss the supplements they use with their health provider. However, it had not occurred to 41 percent to discuss it with their health care provider.

Notably, 35 percent of all US consumers believe their health care provider is uninterested in knowing if they take supplements, and 32 percent do not think their advisor would know enough about the supplements.

Immunity holds strong
Innova Market Insights trend, “In-Tune with Immune,” shows that three in five global consumers are looking for food and beverage products that support their immune health.

In this space, the Harris Poll survey found that nearly two-thirds of individuals who increased supplement use (65 percent) did so to improve their overall immunity (57 percent) or to protect themselves from COVID-19 (36 percent).

Other reasons for increased supplement use included enhancing their sleep and improving their mental wellness, reported by 41 percent and 34 percent, respectively.

Nature Made’s survey also emphasized consumers’ focus on sleep. Nearly one in three people reported having difficulty falling asleep. An additional 26 percent (one in four people) stated that they wake up several times a night. Also, one in four reported that they wake up at night and do not fall asleep after.

According to the survey findings, seven out of ten US consumers would rather get a whole night’s sleep every night than have sex every night, while three out of four would prefer to wake up feeling well-rested every day than obtain a promotion at work.

Sleep takes toll on holistic health
As one of the key pillars of good health, it’s “highly concerning” to see so many US consumers continue to struggle with sleep, says Dr. Susan Hazels Mitmesser, vice president of science and technology at Nature Made.Less than half of US consumers who take supplements consulted their safety with a healthcare provider.

“We often take sleepiness, irritability and the inability to focus as the totality of issues related to poor sleep. The real impact is on a much larger scale and affects our emotional and physical health, including our immune system’s ability to protect us against infection and our ability to cope with stress.”

The company’s survey also found that 75 percent of US consumers are trying to improve overall health and wellness.

Impact of stress
Almost two-thirds of US consumers said they felt stressed on a typical day in the last year, which has a detrimental impact on their mental and physical health.

Half of those surveyed said stress has harmed their physical health, and it has caused side effects such as hair loss, acne, weight increase and weight reduction.

Additionally, the results showed that younger generations are more likely than older generations to seek out stress-relieving vitamins and supplements: three out of ten Gen Z and Millennials would take them, compared to only one out of five Gen X.

By Nicole Kerr