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Dietary Supplements in Public Health: Benefits, Risks, and Emerging Gel/Hydrogel Delivery Systems
Anca Daniela Raiciu1,2,3, Georgeta Alexandru3, Cristina-Mihaela Luntraru3
1Department of Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, and Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Titu Maiorescu University, Gh. Şincai Street No. 16, District 4, 040314 Bucharest, Romania.
Gels (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 27, 2026
Summary
Dietary supplements offer benefits like improved well-being but pose risks such as toxicity and drug interactions. This review analyzes their pros and cons, especially for military populations, recommending evidence-based use.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Global surge in dietary supplement use for health and disease prevention.
- Supplements present both advantages (micronutrient support, performance enhancement) and risks (toxicity, drug interactions, lack of validation).
- Need for nuanced analysis, especially in general and military populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a nuanced analysis of the scientific literature on dietary supplements.
- To evaluate the advantages and drawbacks of supplement use.
- To provide recommendations for evidence-based use in civilian and military contexts.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of peer-reviewed studies.
- Analysis of regulatory documents and expert guidelines.
- Inclusion of emerging delivery systems like nutritional gels and hydrogels.
Main Results:
- Identified key benefits including addressing deficiencies and enhancing performance.
- Highlighted significant risks such as toxicity and potential drug interactions.
- Examined novel delivery systems for improved bioavailability and tolerability.
Conclusions:
- Dietary supplements require careful consideration due to their dual nature of benefits and risks.
- Evidence-based recommendations are crucial for safe and effective supplement utilization.
- Advanced technologies like hydrogels signal a move towards precision nutrition.
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