💊Why Utah’s the supplement capital

Driving down I-15, you’ve probably seen a cluster of billboards selling dietary supplements like electrolyte powders, protein powders, and vitamins. That’s not a coincidence. Utah isn’t just the supplement capital of the U.S., with a roughly $16 billion industry — we pioneered it.

• It started with an herbalist. In the late 1960s, John Christopher ran a natural healing school in Utah County where he taught the benefits of herbs. Many of his students later founded supplement companies, including Nature’s Way, Nature’s Sunshine Products, and Solaray. That created a domino effect eventually leading to more nutraceutical companies launching here. [NutraIngredients]
• We had the perfect sales force. Returning missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints already had built-in door-to-door sales skills, a network of customers through their congregations, and a need for cash — the ideal setup for building a marketing empire. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]
• Utah fought back against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration when it tried to crack down on supplements in the early ‘90s. Former Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch helped pass the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, or DSHEA, which is still considered the “Hail Mary” of the industry. [Salt Lake Tribune]
• Now Utah has over 300 nutraceutical companies. But as a University of Utah nutrition professor pointed out, most dietary supplements aren’t required to prove what they claim since companies — not the FDA — are on the hook for testing, thanks to DSHEA. Case in point: Utahns love electrolyte powders, like Liquid IV or SALTT, but doctors say a regular diet already covers our hydration needs, so save your money and skip the packets. [Utah Public Radio, Axios Salt Lake City]

Expect Road Delays Near Utah Capitol

A new trail being built near downtown Salt Lake City is anticipated to create traffic jams near the Utah State Capitol from Monday, Sept. 14 through the end of November. The Utah Department of Transportation will close State Street between North Temple and 300 North and is advising drivers to use Main Street as an alternate route. The new Pioneer Trail will connect historic sites on a 2-mile walking loop. [KSL]

Local Makers Wanted

Craft Lake City is looking for artisans for its eighth annual Holiday Market on Dec. 5 and 6. If that sounds like you, applications are open until Thursday, Sept. 17. Get in there. [Craft Lake City]

Utah’s Most Popular Dog Breed

A new TrustedHousesitters study on Utah’s most popular dog breed is raising our eyebrows. If you guessed doodle (like us), you’d be wrong. Apparently, the tiny but mighty chihuahua is favored here. [TrustedHousesitters]

Where To Dance on a Weekday

We got a question from a reader recently: Where are places to "dance like nobody's watching on a Tuesday night?" If your responsibilities or bedtime keep you from hitting the club at midnight on the weekends, here are some ideas to get you movin' and groovin'. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

• Customer Experience Guide at Patagonia | $21.05 - $23.05 per hour
• Ice Rink Assistant Manager at Gallivan Center | $18.00 - $20.00 per hour
• Associate Therapist (Pre-Licensed) at Encircle | $50 - $60 per clinical hour
• Part-Time Door Person/Barback at Thieves Guild Cidery
• Pastry Chef at Uchi | $75,000 - $80,000 per year
• Marketing Manager at A Line Boutique
• Case Manager at Salt Lake County Criminal Justice Services | $51,531 - $77,299 per year