Personalization, Phytonutrients and A.I. Among Themes for IPC 2026
International Probiotics Conference (IPC) 2026 will convene June 22‑24 in Kraków, Poland, featuring a scientific committee of over 20 global experts. The program spotlights emerging themes such as AI in probiotic production, personalized microbiome interventions, phytonutrients, virome research, and gut‑organ axes. With more than 850 abstracts reviewed from 200 universities and 60 research institutes, the event offers a platform for academia, industry, and clinical researchers to exchange evidence‑based findings. Abstract submissions remain open, with oral presentation deadlines on April 24, 2026.
Taurine and Heat Stress: The Missing Piece in Thermoregulation?
A 2026 Nutrients review examined taurine supplementation as an adjunct for human thermoregulation. Analyzing 28 human intervention studies, the authors found taurine can modestly reduce core temperature (≈0.3‑0.4 °C) by boosting sweat‑mediated heat loss. The amino acid also acts as an...
‘Industry Must Rethink Creatine Messaging for Women’: Dr. Sue Kleiner
Dr. Sue Kleiner warns the supplement industry of a missed opportunity by continuing to market creatine as a male‑centric performance aid. She argues that messaging should pivot to metabolic health, daily functional strength, and fertility benefits that resonate with women at...
Low-Dose Ashwagandha Effective for Exercise Endurance and Overall Performance: RCT
A double‑blind, eight‑week trial found that a low‑dose 30 mg Ashwa.30 supplement boosted VO₂ max by 10.1% and raised maximal heart rate in healthy adults, while significantly lowering lactic acid and creatine phosphokinase levels. Participants also reported reduced perceived exertion and fatigue,...
Art of You on Moving Personalized Nutrition Beyond ‘Guesswork Dressed in an Algorithm’
Herbalife Ltd. announced a $150 million acquisition of UK‑based personalized supplement firm Bioniq, aiming to broaden its tailored nutrition offerings. The deal arrives as research on digital “gut twins” advances, promising more accurate predictions of probiotic success. Over the past decade,...
Italian Coffee Consumption May Be Linked to Better Liver Health
Italian researchers examined coffee intake and brewing methods in 1,426 adults, finding that moderate consumption of unfiltered Italian‑style coffee was associated with a roughly 50% reduction in metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) risk. The protective effect grew modestly with...
CKD Bio on Respiratory Health: Underdeveloped but Holds Significant Growth Potential
CKD Bio has introduced CKDB-315, the first probiotic ingredient in South Korea to receive individual recognition from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for respiratory health. The formulation blends a kimchi‑derived Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain with Leonurus japonicus extract, targeting...
Vietnam’s Food Safety Overhaul Moves Forward After Months of Delay
Vietnam postponed the enforcement of Decree 46, its new food‑safety regulations, after chaotic port delays and testing bottlenecks stalled shipments. The Vietnamese Food Administration released a revised draft of the Food Safety Law on March 26 and opened a brief public comment...
Ginseng Adulteration Under the Microscope in New BAPP Bulletin
The Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP) released its latest bulletin highlighting widespread adulteration in the ginseng market, which generated roughly US $10.7 million in supplement sales in 2024. A scoping review cited in the bulletin estimates that about 25 % of commercial ginseng...
Thorne Targets Perimenopause and Libido Gaps with Latest Science-Led Campaign
Thorne announced two science‑led supplements—Perimenopause Complete and Women’s Libido Boost—to address fragmented women’s health categories. The launches respond to a 28.5% YoY surge in reproductive‑health supplement sales, while menopause products fell 2.5% over the same period. The formulations combine botanicals...
A Growing Problem: Lead Testing Uncovers ‘Deeply Concerning Issue’ in Spirulina Supply Chain
Cyanotech’s testing of 37 top‑selling spirulina and greens products found 18 samples—nearly half—exceed California’s Proposition 65 lead limits. Third‑party verification across multiple production lots confirmed the contamination is systemic, originating from offshore sourcing in the Asia‑Pacific region. The study also showed...
Brand New: BYHEALTH’s Protein Upgrade, MIRIQA’s Immunity Debut, Elevit and More
The Asian nutraceutical market is buzzing with product upgrades and new launches. BYHEALTH boosted its flagship protein powder to 90% protein for Chinese consumers, while Singapore’s MIRIQA entered the immunity segment with a family‑focused jelly supplement. In Inner Mongolia, pharmacy...
BioGaia Seizing Oral Health Opportunities in China Through Cross-Border Trade
BioGaia launched its Prodentis Fresh Breath lozenge in China via cross‑border e‑commerce, marking the first APAC entry for the probiotic oral‑health supplement. The product combines two patented L. reuteri strains with zinc, xylitol and isomalt to combat halitosis and support...
Creating a Roadmap to Scale up Prenatal Supplementation Across Africa
Policymakers at the 2024 Africa Maternal Nutrition and MMS Technical Meeting outlined a unified framework to scale multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) for pregnant women across the continent. Evidence shows MMS reduces anemia‑related infant mortality by 29% and improves growth outcomes,...
Editor to Editor: Key Takeaways From Expo West 2026
Expo West 2026 highlighted a market shift from broad protein expansion to high‑intensity formulations, with products now delivering 40‑50 grams of protein per serving. Gummies are ceding ground to soft chews, gels and advanced encapsulation, turning delivery systems into a...
Resurrecting Bastyr and Preserving the Soul of the Natural Health Movement
Bastyr University, the nation’s first accredited naturopathic medical school, is confronting a severe financial crisis, having lost $14 million over three years and facing a $3.3 million budget deficit. Founder Joe Pizzorno returned in 2025 to steer a turnaround, leveraging alumni donations, salary...
NOW Testing of Oregano Oil Sold on Amazon Yields ‘Disappointing’ Results
NOW Foods tested 35 oregano‑oil supplements sold on Amazon and found that only 14 met their label claim for carvacrol, the active compound responsible for the oil’s health benefits. Six products showed no detectable carvacrol, and the remaining brands fell...
Review Explores Evidence for Folic Acid Supplementation to Prevent Neural Tube Defects
A new systematic review in Nutrients synthesizes evidence on folic acid supplementation to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs) in women of child‑bearing age. It highlights a global NTD prevalence of 18.6 per 10,000 live births and a 75% mortality rate...
Enbiosis Reveals 2.0 Platform: AI-Powered Nutraceutical Discovery
Enbiosis unveiled its AI‑driven 2.0 platform at Vitafoods Barcelona, employing a digital twin of the gut microbiome to craft food‑grade nutraceutical blends containing 12‑15 bioactives for specific health conditions. The system builds on a proprietary dataset of more than 200,000...
MyProtein Returns to Growth Despite Record-High Whey Prices
THG’s Nutrition division posted a 6.4% constant‑currency revenue increase, pushing MyProtein into its fifth straight quarter of growth despite record‑high whey prices. Operating profit swung to £8.1 million (≈$10.3 million) in 2025 from a £147.9 million loss (≈$188 million) the year before. The brand...
Postbiotic Supplement May Protect Against Childhood Dental Caries: RCT
A randomized pilot study in Kraków gave 72 preschoolers chewable tablets containing 20 mg of heat‑inactivated Lactobacillus salivarius HM‑6 Paradens for two weeks. Children receiving the postbiotic showed a marked drop in Streptococcus mutans and a rise in beneficial Lactobacillus spp.,...
Matters of the Heart: Aussie Cardiologist on the Role of Ubiquinol and Mitochondria
Australian cardiologist Dr. Ross Walker, a NutraChampion award winner, highlighted the central role of mitochondria in cardiac function, noting each heart cell houses 5,000‑8,000 mitochondria and that mitochondrial efficiency wanes with age. He emphasized ubiquinol, the reduced form of CoQ10,...
Novel Glutathione Formulation Increases Bioavailability of ‘Master’ Antioxidant
Researchers published a randomized crossover trial showing that LipoMicel, a micellar glutathione formulation, delivers substantially higher systemic exposure than standard oral glutathione, even at a lower 300 mg dose. Compared with a 500 mg standard supplement, LipoMicel increased incremental area under the...
NutraWomen Wednesday: Anna Harshman, VP of Impact and Development at WishGarden Herbs
Anna Harshman, VP of Impact and Development at WishGarden Herbs, steered the family‑run company through B Corp certification, cementing its sustainability and community‑focused ethos. Drawing on a childhood steeped in herbal tradition, she now blends cross‑functional experience with storytelling to...
Probiotics May Improve Metabolic Markers in Subthreshold Depression: Study
A 12‑week double‑blind trial found that a multi‑species probiotic lowered fasting glucose in adults with subthreshold depression, without raising insulin levels. The probiotic also reduced glucose‑dependent insulinotropic peptide, a marker linked to insulin resistance, while short‑chain fatty acid levels remained...
March NPD Launchpad: Canned Creatine, Protein Partnership and Modernized Magnesium
The March NPD Launchpad highlights a wave of functional supplement innovations, from VitClear’s UK‑first creatine soda packed with nootropics and 400 mg electrolytes to Unfabled’s women‑focused Creatine Superblend that adds vegan collagen and electrolytes. Myprotein deepens its partnership with Mars Wrigley,...
Red Raspberries Linked to Better Blood Sugar Control and Memory in Older Adults
A randomized, single‑blinded crossover trial with 36 overweight or obese adults aged 55‑70 found that adding 25 g of freeze‑dried red raspberry powder to a high‑carb breakfast lowered peak postprandial glucose by about 8% and blunted early insulin spikes. The raspberry‑enriched...
Consolidation, Partnerships and Growth: Supplement Industry Deals of Q1 2026
In 2025 the supplement sector experienced a surge of consolidation, with numerous mergers, acquisitions, and strategic alliances reshaping the market. At the same time, consumer preferences shifted toward personalized, convenient self‑care products, prompting brands to launch targeted formulations and messaging....
Last Call for Microbiome Start-Ups and Research Abstracts for Probiota Americas
NutraIngredients is inviting consumer‑facing, science‑driven startups and researchers to submit entries for its Probiota Pioneers and Scientific Frontiers tracks, with winners presenting at Probiota Americas in Vancouver from June 8‑10, 2026. Startups must be Americas‑based, under 20 employees, founded within ten years...
March Launch Pad: Biotics, Hormonal Health and Cellular Energy Lead the Way
In March, a wave of clinically positioned, multi‑functional supplements hit the market, ranging from probiotic blends for gut, vaginal and pediatric health to mineral and NAD+ formulas aimed at cellular energy. Notable launches include O Positiv’s URO Colon Cleanse with...
Study Suggests Fermented Milk Protein May Support Young Athletes
Researchers conducted an eight‑week, double‑blind pilot trial with 44 pre‑pubertal boys, comparing daily fermented milk protein, regular milk protein, and placebo drinks each delivering 12 g protein per 200 ml. The fermented milk group showed modest but significant improvements in 10‑meter sprint...
Create Raises $20M in Series B to Expand Creatine Access and Innovation
Create Wellness announced a $20 million Series B round led by Alliance Consumer Growth and Impact Capital, adding to a $5 million Series A from Unilever Ventures. The capital will accelerate retail expansion, consumer education, product innovation and marketing to push creatine into mainstream...
Novella Taps New CEO and Bets on ‘Precision Botanicals’ for Consistent Ingredients
Novova has appointed Antonio Martínez Descalzo as CEO and is betting on its AuraCell precision‑cultivation platform to produce standardized, waste‑free phytonutrients. The technology grows plant cells in closed bioreactors, delivering pure bioactives without soil or climate constraints. Its first product,...
NutraCast: Making Fiber Sexy: Is It the Secret to Healthspan and Longevity?
Dr. Rajan argues that dietary fiber remains undervalued despite robust evidence linking higher intake to lower cardiovascular disease, type‑2 diabetes, and all‑cause mortality. He highlights fiber’s unique journey to the colon, where gut microbes ferment it into short‑chain fatty acids...
Regulatory Review: Health Foods Export, Magtein Approval and More
China’s customs authority now requires local authority recommendation letters for health foods imported via the general trade route, tightening controls against counterfeit products. In the United States, the FDA will hold a March 27 hearing to reinterpret the DSHEA definition of...
At the Intersection of Personalized Health and GLP-1s
A NutraIngredients webinar highlighted how GLP‑1 agonists, wearables, and at‑home diagnostics are reshaping personalized health. Over 25‑30 million people are currently on GLP‑1 drugs, a figure expected to double by 2030, while roughly 100 million U.S. consumers now wear devices that generate...
Study Explores Broccoli Powder Supplementation in Exercise
A recent Lithuanian Sports University study examined short‑term broccoli powder supplementation in 17 healthy men performing an incremental bike‑ergometer test. Participants consumed 10 g of broccoli powder (0.5 % mustard seed) for 14 days, which significantly increased urinary sulforaphane, confirming absorption. However,...
Vitamins B3 Plus B6 May Boost Muscle Repair After High Intensity Exercise: Nestlé Study
A Nestlé‑backed randomized trial gave healthy men 714 mg nicotinamide and 19 mg pyridoxine daily for nine days after intense eccentric exercise. The B‑vitamin combo boosted muscle stem cell numbers by 29% and accelerated differentiation markers—MyoD+ cells rose 67%, myogenin+ cells 34%,...
Menopause Claims Back Under the Spotlight Following ASA Review
The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has flagged three menopause‑focused supplement brands—Lunera, Minerva Wellness and Nova—for making unauthorized health claims in paid social media ads. The advertisements suggested the products could treat menopause symptoms such as weight gain, hot flushes,...
Probiotics Drink Reduces Loose Stools Tendency in Healthy Adults - Study
A randomized, double‑blind trial in Japan found that a daily 100 ml drink containing 10 billion CFU of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v reduced bowel‑movement frequency and days with defecation in healthy adults prone to loose stools. After eight weeks, the probiotic group averaged 6.7...
‘Exciting’: Multivitamin-Minerals Linked to Slower Aging
A two‑year, double‑blind COSMOS trial found that a daily multivitamin‑mineral (Centrum Silver) modestly slowed epigenetic aging, translating to roughly four months less biological age over the study period. Researchers measured reductions of 0.214 years in PhenoAge and 0.113 years in GrimAge among 958...
Can that First Cup of Coffee Boost Training?
Researchers found that a single 300 mg dose of caffeine taken an hour before a 7 a.m. workout significantly increased peak force and velocity in bench press and back squat, bringing morning strength measures up to typical evening levels. The study, involving...
China’s Retail Landscape Change: Douyin, Sam’s Club Driving Sales for Swisse
H&H Group reported that Douyin, China’s TikTok‑like platform, drove a 71.4% surge in Swisse sales last year, while new‑retail partners such as Sam’s Club added 29.7% growth. The company’s overall revenue rose 10% to RMB 14.3 bn ($2.08 bn) and net profit exploded...
Fighting Fake Imports? Health Foods Exported to China Still Need Local Authority Recommendation
China’s General Administration of Customs released the final “Catalogue of Foods that Require Official Recommendation Registration Letters” under Decree No. 280, which takes effect on June 1, 2026, replacing the 2021 Decree No. 248. The updated catalogue trims the list to 17 food categories...
WPC at Crossroads: How Demand Is Reshaping Protein Supply
The whey protein concentrate (WPC) market is splitting as performance‑nutrition demand fuels stable, premium‑priced WPC80 while broader human‑use WPC stocks tumble about 25% year‑on‑year. USDA data show inventory declines through December 2025 and January 2026, signaling constrained production and tightening...
SmartyPants Delivers New Prenatal Multivitamin, Expands Into Capsules
SmartyPants introduced Prenatal Plus Multivitamin Capsules, delivering 480 mg of choline per daily dose—about eight times the amount found in leading prenatal capsules. The formula uses highly bioavailable forms such as methylfolate, methylcobalamin, and DHA, and includes iron that’s gentle on...
Sirio Targets Taste and Efficacy with New Lipid-Friendly Chewable Supplement Format
Sirio Europe unveiled LifeChews, a plant‑based chewable jelly tablet that pre‑disperses lipid droplets to improve stability and dosing consistency. The format supports up to 55% lipid loading, allowing high‑dose oil‑soluble actives such as omega‑3s, CoQ10, and carotenoids in a single...
Sequential Raises $3.5M to Scale AI-Led Ingredient Discovery Across Skin and Ingestible Health
Sequential, a Cambridge‑based AI startup, secured $3.5 million to scale its platform that links ingredients to human skin microbiome and host biomarker changes. The firm’s large, multi‑omic dataset enables predictive modeling of ingredient combinations, aiming to replace iterative trial‑and‑error formulation with...
Is FDA Opening the Long‑shut DSHEA ‘Innovation Door’?
The FDA will convene a March 27 public meeting to revisit the DSHEA “innovation door,” specifically the phrase “dietary substance for use by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake.” Industry leaders from the Natural Products Association,...
How Microbiome Science Is Reshaping the Future of Beauty Innovation
Microbiome science is moving from academic labs into mainstream beauty, prompting giants like Unilever and L’Oréal to embed microbial insights across skin‑care, hair‑care, oral care and even textiles. Market‑intelligence data shows microbiota‑related product launches surged 68% annually between 2018 and...