Research from Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ) suggests that the H1N1 virus has fueled supplement sales around the globe. NBJ research cited accounts from Australia to South Korea to Germany to the Philippines to South Africa which affirmed the view. The chief spike in sales is in immune-support supplements. Richard Henfrey, director of people and strategy at Blackmores, an Australia-based firm, is quoted as saying the “in recent months, global health concerns, including H1N1, have resulted in a high demand for general health and immunity products.” The NBJ reports that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have issued 147 warning letters since May 2009 to companies marketing products—from air filters and face masks to shampoos and supplements—for prevention or cure of H1N1 flu.



Steven Sonmore, LAc is a licensed acupuncturist in Minneapolis, Minnesota with over 20 years experience of health care and pain management.