Nutritional supplements: Necessity versus widespread consumer use

Research and consumer reports highlight the widespread use of dietary supplements, particularly magnesium and vitamins, despite questions regarding their necessity for healthy individuals. In Germany, magnesium supplements are a major market, with approximately 37 million units sold annually. While magnesium is an essential mineral involved in over 600 enzymatic reactions—including energy metabolism, nerve impulse transmission, and muscle contraction—experts from the German Nutrition Society (DGE) and the German Association of Nutritionists suggest that deficiency is rare in people following a balanced diet.

Recommended daily intakes for adults in Germany and Austria are 350 mg for men and 300 mg for women through food. For the majority of the population, additional supplementation may offer no supplementary health benefits. Similarly, the supplement market in Italy is significant, part of a larger European market valued at approximately 13 billion euros, with the Italian sector reaching around 4 billion euros by 2025. While vitamins are essential coenzymes that the body often cannot synthesize on its own, their necessity depends on whether they are obtained sufficiently through regular nutrition.