As someone deeply involved in the functional food and health supplement industry, I'm delighted to be here to share my insights with you all. Today, I'd like to discuss a core issue with you, considering global market trends: Why do both humans and pets need supplements in addition to their regular diet?

For both humans and pets, the core goals of a daily diet are "eating enough" and "meeting basic nutritional needs." However, the fast pace of modern life, environmental changes, and individual physiological differences often make it difficult for a single diet to meet specific nutritional gaps. Health supplements are precisely the "precision nutrition supply station" that fills this gap.

Taking humans as an example, although we eat every day, high-pressure work, takeout habits, and refined food processing often lead to insufficient intake of B vitamins, calcium, iron, and other trace elements. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) assists member states in developing dietary guidelines that reflect their national health conditions, food supply, and culinary culture, based on existing scientific evidence. China uses the "Food Pyramid," the United States uses the "My Plate," and internationally, there are also dietary frameworks based on the latest evidence from public health and the global environment, the most representative of which is the "Planetary Health" diet. Dietary Therapy (PhD). According to the "Chinese Dietary Guidelines," the average person needs to consume at least 12 different foods daily to meet a balanced diet, but this is difficult to achieve in reality. Therefore, office workers who spend long hours in front of computers supplement with lutein to relieve eye fatigue; pregnant women and the elderly supplement with calcium and vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis; and fitness enthusiasts supplement with high-quality protein powder to repair muscles—all of these have become essential for "targeted strengthening." Health supplements are not a replacement for meals, but rather precise interventions targeting specific physiological stages or health goals.

Pets face similar health challenges. With the global trend of "pet anthropomorphism," pets' health needs are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Statistics show that pet supplement sales surged by 21% in 2020 alone. The US market is projected to exceed $1 billion by 2025. Many pets suffer from picky eating, sensitive stomachs, or monotonous diets. For example, puppies and kittens in their rapid growth phase require a large amount of calcium and high-quality protein for bone development, which may not be sufficient with regular staple food alone. Supplementing with pet-specific calcium powder or nutritional paste is crucial in this case. Senior pets often experience severe joint wear and tear, and supplementing with joint health products containing glucosamine and chondroitin can effectively relieve arthritis pain and improve their quality of life in their later years. For pets with sensitive skin and dry fur, fish oil or lecithin rich in Omega-3 is a "natural remedy" for restoring shine to their coat. In addition, probiotics have become a rapidly growing new demand for pets with sensitive stomachs in recent years.

It's important to emphasize that the core principle for both human and pet health supplements is "supplement what's lacking, but moderation is key." Natural foods remain the best source of nutrition, but supplements offer more efficient and precise targeted support.

As a merchant on Alibaba.com, we are committed to providing high-quality, scientifically formulated, safe, and compliant functional foods and health supplements. We look forward to working with global customers to deliver this precise health care to every family, enabling both humans and their furry friends to enjoy healthier and more vibrant lives!

About the Author:

Wang Wencheng | Senior Food Engineer, Senior Nutritionist of the Chinese Nutrition Society, Director of the Technology and R&D Center of Carassic (Xiamen) Technology Co., Ltd.(https://www.cazzicteca.com) & Xiamen Nandi Biotechnology Co., Ltd. He graduated from Nanchang University in 1995, ranked third in China for food science. He has been deeply involved in food research and development, food testing, and food safety. From 1995 to 2002, he worked at the Jiujiang Municipal Product Supervision and Inspection Institute in Jiangxi Province, serving successively as a food inspector, inspector, laboratory director, quality manager, and deputy director of the institute. He has also served as quality control director and technical manager in foreign-invested enterprises in Australia and France.

He has published over 10 papers in national core journals and provincial/ministerial-level journals, including the following representative works:

1. On the Importance of Food Testing to Food Safety - Published in *Scientific American* (Chinese Journal of Food Science and Technology), 2026

2. Analysis of Food Additives and Food Safety Issues - Published in *Scientific American* (Chinese Journal of Food Science and Technology), 2026

3. Analysis of Food Safety Testing of Genetically Modified Organisms - Published in *Chinese Journal of Food and Nutrition*, 2012, No. 2

4. Analysis of International Food Safety Testing of Genetically Modified Organisms - Published in *Grain Processing*, 2011, No. 5

5. Analysis of Interference Factors in the Determination of Tea Polyphenol Content - Published in *Grain Science and Technology and Economy*, 2011, No. 4

6. Inspection Services: Another Frontier for Quality Inspection Agencies - Published in *China Quality Supervision*, 2000, No. 8

Karasic (Xiamen) Technology Co., Ltd. (https://www.cazzicteca.com) and Xiamen Nandi Biotechnology Co., Ltd. are high-tech enterprises specializing in the development and production of traditional foods. Located in Xiamen Torch High-tech Zone, the company's core business includes producing high-quality fresh natto, freeze-dried natto, and freeze-dried natto powder, as well as collaborating with relevant companies on the extraction and production of nattomycin, and the production and sales of other nutritional and health supplement capsules and powders. The company employs advanced production processes and strict quality control standards to ensure that its natto is fresh, delicious, and nutritious, and that the active ingredients in its health supplements are authentic and reliable. From raw material selection to finished product packaging, every step is carefully controlled to meet consumer demand for high-quality natto and various health supplements.