PREVENTION IS POWERFUL: WHY NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS BELONG IN SOUTH AFRICA’S HEALTHCARE STRATEGY
Poor diet and micronutrient insufficiency are increasingly recognised as major contributors to global disease burden. According to major global health analyses, inadequate nutrition is among the leading risk factors for illness and premature death worldwide.
As South Africa faces rising rates of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity, the Health Products Association (HPA) believes that prevention, including improved nutritional status, must play a greater role in the country’s healthcare strategy.
Responsible, science-based nutritional supplementation can help support this preventative approach.
The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study, published in The Lancet, found that dietary risks contribute to millions of deaths annually through conditions including cardiovascular disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes. 1
The study highlighted insufficient intake of several important nutrients, including whole grains, fruits, nuts and omega-3 fatty acids, as significant contributors to global health risk.
South Africa’s healthcare system is under increasing pressure from rising rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity. At the same time, micronutrient insufficiencies remain widespread across segments of the population.
Prevention Is Evidence-Based
A growing body of international research highlights the role of key micronutrients in supporting immune function, mental health and cognitive wellbeing.
For example:
- Vitamin C and immune function
Vitamin C plays a key role in immune defence by supporting both innate and adaptive immune responses, including the function of neutrophils, lymphocytes and other immune cells. 2
Clinical analyses and systematic reviews have found that vitamin C supplementation may reduce the duration and severity of respiratory infections, particularly in individuals exposed to physical stress or those with low baseline intake. 3
Research has also shown that micronutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc can influence the risk and duration of acute respiratory infections, Vitamin D and mental wellbeing 4
- Vitamin D and Mental Wellbeing
Vitamin D receptors are widely distributed throughout the brain, including regions involved in mood regulation. Low vitamin D levels have been associated with increased risk of depressive symptoms in observational studies.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials suggest that vitamin D supplementation may help reduce depressive symptoms in certain populations, although further high-quality studies are still needed to clarify the magnitude of the effect.5
- Omega-3 fatty acids and cognitive health
Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA and EPA, are structural components of the brain and have been widely studied for their role in neurological function. Observational studies and clinical trials have linked higher omega-3 status with improved cognitive performance and reduced risk of cognitive decline, particularly in ageing populations.
South Africa’s Prevention Opportunity
South Africa faces a dual burden of micronutrient deficiencies and rising chronic disease.
Research conducted through national nutrition surveys has identified several common nutrient concerns, including:
- Iron deficiency and anaemia, particularly among women and children
- Vitamin D insufficiency in several population groups
- Zinc deficiency, which can affect immune function and child development
- Iodine status variations affecting thyroid health
The South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES) has also highlighted persistent dietary imbalances across the population.
Improving overall nutrient intake — through better diets, fortification and appropriate supplementation — is increasingly recognised as an important public health priority.
Globally, healthcare systems are increasingly shifting toward prevention.
The World Health Organization has emphasised that responsible self-care, including nutrition, lifestyle interventions and appropriate supplementation, is an important component of sustainable healthcare systems.
“We must move from a treatment-dominant system to a prevention-focused one,” says Maria De Ascencao (HPA Chairperson). “Nutritional supplements, when responsibly manufactured and appropriately regulated, form part of that preventative ecosystem.”
A Complementary Role
The HPA emphasises that supplements are not medicines, nor are they intended to replace prescribed treatments. Rather, they complement healthcare by supporting nutritional status before illness develops.
In a healthcare system facing increasing pressure, prevention is not an alternative to healthcare. It is an investment in its sustainability.
References:
- Afshin A et al. Health effects of dietary risks in 195 countries, 1990–2017. The Lancet. 2019. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)30041-8/fulltext
- Carr AC, Maggini S. Vitamin C and immune function. 2017;9(11):1211. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/9/11/1211
- Hemilä H, Chalker E. Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000980.pub4/full
- Jolliffe DA et al. Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory infections: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Global Health. 2021;6:e003176. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1/e003176
- Vellekkatt F, Menon V. Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in major depression: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Postgraduate Medicine. 2019;65(2):74–80.
https://journals.lww.com/jopm/abstract/2019/65020/efficacy_of_vitamin_d_supplementation_in_major.4.aspx