Trend tracker: Probiotics use among HCPs, rise of hair nutrition in post-COVID era, and more

Evidence and education: Probiotics increasingly seen as valuable healthcare tools in South East Asia​

Probiotics are increasingly valuable components of treatment protocols in South East Asia (SEA), with growing clinical evidence and enhanced education playing pivotal roles.

This is according to healthcare professional community platform Docquity and pharmaceutical firm SIT Pharma which is behind the duo probiotics Infloran.

The two work together in boosting probiotics awareness and use among general practitioners, paediatricians, and neonatologists in Thailand. 

Healthy ageing in China: Rising demand for omega-3 targeted at blood, heart, and brain health – GNC​  

China's ageing population is fuelling demand for omega-3 products among consumers in their 30s to 60s, who are seeking to enhance their blood, heart, and brain health, says GNC China.

The company identified three groups that would benefit from omega-3 supplements – young working adults, middle-aged workers, and seniors above 60 who require geriatric care.

Young adults, for instance, would benefit from omega-3’s role in regulating blood lipids levels and enhancing memory.

Unexpectedly strong demand for hair nutrition among young women post-COVID – Haircarebear​​

There is an unexpectedly strong demand for dietary supplements that are said to address hair thinning among young women post-COVID-19, says Haircarebear.

According to Jimmy Seervai, director at Australian Health Vitality, the company which owns Haircarebear, annual sales growth of Hair Gummies, also the brand’s bestseller, remained in double digits, rising at an average of 60 per cent.

Main consumers of the product were women 18 to 45 years old.

Fatigue, anxiety, bad skin top health concerns among Japanese aged 18 to 34 – Suntory survey​​

A new consumer survey conducted by Suntory found that fatigue, anxiety, and bad skin conditions were the most common health issues for Japanese aged 18 to 34.

The online survey was conducted between May 31 and June 3, with responses collected from 423 men and 441 women.

Among men, the most common health issue raised was feelings of anxiousness and being easily depressed – which was the point brought up by 32.3 per cent of the respondents.

China’s liver health supplement market led by detox and skin brightening needs – JD report​​

China’s growing liver health supplement category is being driven by consumers seeking products for detoxification, skin brightening, and less so for anti-hangover.

This is according to a new report published by e-commerce firm JD and Nielsen. 

Titled “2024 White Paper on China Cross-Border Import Consumption Trends”, the report looks at how purchasing behaviour has changed in the past year.