Over the past two decades, dietary supplements have evolved from a niche product to a global mass market. Vitamins, minerals or multi-nutrient systems – such as products like FitLine – are often associated with better nutrient supply, increased performance or preventive health care. At the same time, the global market for such products is continuously growing. Scientific research assesses this trend in a differentiated manner: While nutritional supplements can be useful for certain deficiencies or special stress situations, a balanced diet is still considered the most important basis for the supply of micronutrients.
The economic size of this market is considerable. Analyzes by international market research institutes show that the global market for dietary supplements reached a volume of around 177 billion US dollars in 2023 and could grow to over 300 billion US dollars by 2030 (Grand View Research 2024). Scientific market analyzes also confirm that vitamins, minerals and sports nutrition products in particular are among the fastest-growing segments (Dwyer et al. 2018). This growth is mainly explained by increasing health awareness, an aging population and the increasing popularity of preventative health strategies.
The role of micronutrients in human metabolism
Vitamins and minerals fulfill a variety of vital functions in the human body. They act as cofactors of enzymatic processes, support energy metabolism, regulate the immune system and are essential for bone metabolism (Institute of Medicine 2006). Despite the generally good supply situation in industrialized countries, epidemiological studies show that individual micronutrient deficiencies can occur relatively frequently.
Vitamin D deficiency as an example of real supply gaps
A particularly frequently studied example is vitamin D. Unlike many other vitamins, it is synthesized primarily in the skin through exposure to sunlight. However, in countries with a temperate climate, this endogenous production may be limited, especially in the winter months. Data from the Robert Koch Institute’s health monitoring show that around 30 percent of adults in Germany have serum values ​​below 30 nmol/l and are therefore considered to be deficient in vitamin D (Rabenberg and Mensink 2016). At the same time, only around 38 percent of the population achieves values ​​in the range of adequate supply.
Vitamin D plays a central role in calcium metabolism and thus in the stability of the skeletal system. Long-term deficiency can lead to osteomalacia in adults or rickets in children (Holick 2007). In addition, numerous studies examine possible connections between vitamin D status and other health factors, such as immune function or muscle strength. Although many of these connections remain the subject of scientific debate, adequate vitamin D supply is considered an important component in the prevention of bone diseases.
Nutritional supplements in competitive and elite sports
In addition to the general population, the role of nutritional supplements has been intensively studied, particularly in sports. Numerous studies show that supplements are widely used in competitive and elite sports. An international study commissioned by the International Olympic Committee found that between 40 and 100 percent of competitive athletes regularly use nutritional supplements (Maughan et al. 2018). The aim of this intake is often to support regeneration, to stabilize performance or to compensate for increased nutrient requirements due to intensive physical exertion.
In certain cases, the benefits of individual supplements are relatively well scientifically proven. Creatine, for example, is one of the most studied dietary supplements in sports. Meta-analyses show that creatine supplementation can significantly improve performance during short-term, high-intensity exercise (Kreider et al. 2017). Iron or vitamin D supplements can also be medically useful if there are proven deficiencies in sports, as intensive training can increase the need for certain micronutrients.
At the same time, sports scientists and nutritionists emphasize that supplements only make sense if they are used specifically. The International Olympic Committee’s position makes it clear that dietary supplements can never replace a balanced diet and their use should ideally be based on scientific evidence and individual diagnostics (Maughan et al. 2018).
Scientific evaluation of multivitamin preparations
Overall, the scientific assessment of multivitamin and multinutrient preparations is differentiated. Some meta-analyses of randomized trials show that general use of multivitamin supplements in healthy people does not necessarily lead to a reduction in all-cause mortality or cardiovascular disease (Jenkins et al. 2018). However, other studies suggest that multivitamins may have potential benefits in individuals with inadequate diets or specific risk factors (Dwyer et al. 2018).
In addition to classic individual vitamins, so-called multinutrient systems have increasingly become established in recent years, which combine various micronutrients in complex formulations. One example is the FitLine brand, whose products are offered as structured supplement programs. The company behind these products, PM-International, refers to several research collaborations with universities and sports science institutions that deal with questions of nutrient supply and athletic performance.
Part of these research collaborations focuses on the investigation of micronutrients in the context of physical stress and on the interactions of various nutrients in metabolism. Such studies can help to better understand the physiological effects of individual ingredients. However, in the scientific evaluation of such products, the same criteria apply as for other dietary supplements: high-quality studies, ideally randomized controlled studies, that examine effects under realistic conditions are crucial.
Conclusion: Supplement instead of replacement
In summary, the scientific literature shows that dietary supplements cannot be considered either a universal health solution or fundamentally unnecessary. Rather, their usefulness depends heavily on the individual context. In cases of proven nutrient deficiencies, certain risk groups or in competitive sports, supplements can be a useful addition. At the same time, a balanced diet with a diverse selection of foods remains the most important basis for a long-term healthy supply of nutrients.
The central finding of the research is therefore: nutritional supplements can be helpful in certain situations, but their effect depends largely on individual needs, diet and lifestyle.
Sources
Dwyer JT, Coates PM, Smith MJ (2018). Dietary Supplements: Regulatory Challenges and Research Resources. Nutrients, 10(1), 41.
Grand View Research (2024). Dietary Supplements Market Size, Share and Trends Analysis Report.
Holick, M.F. (2007). Vitamin D deficiency. New England Journal of Medicine, 357(3), 266-281.
Institute of Medicine (2006). Dietary Reference Intakes: The Essential Guide to Nutrient Requirements. National Academies Press.
Jenkins DJA, Spence JD, Giovannucci EL et al. (2018). Supplemental vitamins and minerals for cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 71(22), 2570-2584.
Kreider RB, Kalman DS, Antonio J et al. (2017). International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 14(18).
Maughan RJ, Burke LM, Dvorak J, et al. (2018). IOC consensus statement: dietary supplements and the high-performance athlete. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(7), 439-455.
Rabenberg, M., Mensink, GBM (2016). Vitamin D status in Germany. Journal of Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute.