Key Takeaways
- Landmark omega-3 trial delivers 43% cardiovascular risk reduction — The PISCES trial, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, found that four grams of daily fish oil dramatically cut heart attacks, strokes, and cardiac deaths in dialysis patients across 26 sites in Australia and Canada.
- Daily multivitamin slows biological aging by up to five months — The COSMOS trial, published in Nature Medicine, demonstrated that a daily multivitamin slowed two epigenetic aging clocks in older adults, with the greatest benefits seen in those already experiencing accelerated aging.
- Expo West 2026 signals major industry shifts — GLP-1 support nutrition, women's health, functional mushrooms, and alternative delivery formats emerged as the dominant trends at the supplement industry's largest annual trade show.
- Kedaara Capital prepares $360 million nutraceutical exit — The private equity firm is preparing to sell Universal NutriScience, reflecting surging investor interest in India's fast-growing $8 billion nutraceutical market.
- Sleep-support market projected to nearly double to $16.7 billion by 2033 — Rising global sleep deprivation is driving explosive demand for functional foods and supplements containing magnesium, GABA, L-theanine, and chamomile.
Top Stories
Omega-3 fish oil supplements slash cardiovascular events by 43% in landmark dialysis trial. The PISCES trial, one of the largest randomised controlled studies of its kind, has delivered a breakthrough finding for high-risk kidney patients. Published in The New England Journal of Medicine and led jointly by Monash University and the University Health Network in Toronto, the trial enrolled 1,228 haemodialysis patients across 26 sites in Australia and Canada. Participants who took four grams of fish oil daily — containing the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA — experienced a 43 percent reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke, cardiac death, and vascular-related amputations. "Patients on dialysis have extremely high cardiovascular risk, and very few therapies have been shown to reduce that risk," said Adjunct Professor Kevan Polkinghorne, a nephrologist at Monash Health. The results are particularly notable because dialysis patients typically have much lower circulating levels of EPA and DHA than the general population. For those interested in supporting their cardiovascular health with high-quality omega-3 supplementation, this trial adds significant weight to the evidence base. Source: ScienceDaily / NEJM
Daily multivitamin shown to slow biological aging by up to five months in major clinical trial. Results from the COcoa Supplement Multivitamins Outcomes Study (COSMOS), published in Nature Medicine, have found that taking a daily multivitamin may help decelerate biological aging in older adults. The large-scale randomised trial tracked participants over two years and measured changes across five epigenetic clocks — molecular biomarkers that estimate biological age based on DNA methylation patterns. Researchers found that the multivitamin group experienced significantly slower progression on two second-generation clocks, PCGrimAge and PCPhenoAge, translating to approximately 2.7 to 5.1 months of slowed aging. Crucially, participants who were biologically older than their chronological age at baseline benefited the most. "This finding supports multivitamin use to improve biological aging in older adults," said Howard Sesso, ScD, MPH, the study's lead investigator. The multivitamin used in the trial contained vitamins A, C, D3, E, K, B-complex, and minerals including magnesium, zinc, and calcium. Source: Medical News Today / Nature Medicine
Natural Products Expo West 2026 reveals industry's direction: GLP-1 support, women's health, and functional mushrooms dominate. The supplement and natural products industry gathered in Anaheim, California, for Natural Products Expo West 2026 (March 3–6), and the show floor painted a clear picture of where the market is heading. GLP-1 support nutrition emerged as a major new category, with companies like ADM, Nexira, and Beneo showcasing ingredients and formulations designed to complement the growing population of GLP-1 medication users. Women's health took centre stage, with brands including Gnosis by Lesaffre, O Positiv Health, and Kerry launching products targeting menopause, hormonal balance, and beauty-from-within. Protein fortification appeared in everything from sparkling drinks to ramen, while functional mushrooms continued their ascent — Host Defense Mushrooms launched Grateful Dead Gummies, the first collaboration between a band and a supplement brand, and M2 Ingredients debuted M2Brew, a functional mushroom ingredient engineered specifically for brewed coffee. Source: Nutrition Insight | Source: New Hope
Business and Investment
Kedaara Capital is preparing to sell its majority stake in Universal NutriScience (UNS), one of India's fastest-growing nutraceutical companies, in a deal expected to value the business at approximately Rs 3,000 crore (around $360 million). The homegrown private equity firm, which manages about $5.5 billion in assets, appointed investment bank Rothschild to advise on the sale process. UNS was formed in 2021 through a strategic partnership between Kedaara and Universal Medicare, following the acquisition of 16 nutraceutical brands from Sanofi India for Rs 587 crore. The portfolio includes Seacod, one of India's top-selling cod liver oil capsule brands. The company's revenue has grown sharply, from approximately Rs 230 crore in FY25 to an estimated Rs 350–400 crore in FY26, with EBITDA reaching around Rs 100 crore. India's nutraceuticals sector is valued at approximately $8 billion and is projected to grow at about 11 percent CAGR through 2027. Source: The Economic Times
The vitamin, mineral, and supplement (VMS) category on Amazon across Europe's five largest markets reached an estimated €3.41 billion in 2025, marking a striking 30 percent year-over-year growth, according to a new report from Front Row Group. Germany led the market with €1.15 billion in sales (34 percent share), closely followed by the United Kingdom at €1.09 billion (32 percent). Spain emerged as the fastest-growing marketplace at 51 percent YoY growth. The data underscores the accelerating shift toward e-commerce as a primary distribution channel for supplements in Europe. Source: Front Row Group
Cosmos Health, through its subsidiary CosmoFarm, has signed a Letter of Intent to acquire a Greek pharmacy distribution network with annual revenues of approximately €10 million ($11.5 million). The acquisition is part of a broader strategy to expand the company's distribution footprint and is expected to enhance operational efficiencies through integration with CosmoFarm's automated logistics platform. Source: Yahoo Finance
Science and Research
The PISCES trial results represent one of the most significant omega-3 findings in recent years. The study's publication in The New England Journal of Medicine lends considerable weight to the evidence base for fish oil supplementation in specific clinical populations. While the researchers emphasised that the results apply specifically to haemodialysis patients and should not be generalised to healthy individuals, the 43 percent reduction in major cardiovascular events is among the largest effect sizes seen in any omega-3 trial to date. Source: ScienceDaily / NEJM
A new clinical trial published in BMC Immunology has found that a short four-day course of a mycelium-based supplement derived from Fomitopsis officinalis and Trametes versicolor (branded as FoTv) reduced common adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccination while sustaining antibody levels for up to six months in COVID-naïve participants. The findings suggest that fungal supplements could improve vaccine tolerability, with potential implications for addressing vaccine hesitancy and supporting pandemic preparedness strategies. Those interested in the immune-modulating properties of medicinal mushrooms may find value in exploring Lion's Mane supplementation, which has its own growing body of research supporting cognitive and immune health. Source: Pharmacy Times
Thorne has released results from a 28-day consumer perception study on its Magnesium Glycinate formula, reporting that 91 percent of participants experienced improved sleep quality, 94 percent felt calmer in stressful situations, and 84 percent reported improvements in stress levels, mood, or focus. Participants also noted faster sleep onset and improved morning refreshment. In a separate 30-day study of its Ginseng Plus formula involving 89 healthy adults, 85 percent reported improved energy and 72 percent reported reduced perceived stress and improved mental clarity. These results further validate the role of magnesium glycinate as a cornerstone supplement for sleep and stress management. Source: Nutraceutical Business Review
New Product Launches and Formulation
Otsuka Pharmaceutical, the Japanese company behind the electrolyte drink POCARI SWEAT, is entering the supplement market with /zeroz, a kaempferol-based tablet launching on March 17. The product contains 10 mg of kaempferol derived from horseradish leaves, an ingredient the company identified after assessing 341 types of high-altitude foods from around the world. Otsuka spent 13 years researching kaempferol's benefits, which centre on enhancing the body's effective use of oxygen. A pilot study published in the International Journal of Biometeorology last July found that daily kaempferol supplementation reduced the frequency, duration, and severity of weather-related symptoms including headaches and fatigue, with over 80 percent of participants reporting improvement. Source: NutraIngredients
Magtein (Magnesium L-threonate) has received UK authorisation, opening new frontiers for cognitive health formulations in the British market. Developed by MIT scientists, Magtein is a proprietary form of magnesium specifically designed to cross the blood-brain barrier, supporting synaptic density and cognitive function. Recent research presented at Expo West 2026 by ThreoTech indicated that the ingredient can reduce brain age by 7.5 years. The UK authorisation is expected to accelerate product development among supplement brands targeting the cognitive health and healthy aging categories. Source: Food and Drink Technology
Momentous has launched Fiber+, a performance supplement formulated to support gut health, metabolic function, and whole-body wellness. The formula combines psyllium husk, rice bran, and potato starch in a triple-action fibre approach. For those looking to support their own gut health, a high-quality multispore probiotic can complement fibre intake by promoting a diverse and resilient microbiome. Source: Drug Store News
Wiley's Finest has introduced Omega-7 Skin, a new supplement designed to support skin hydration and elasticity from within. Derived from 100 percent Wild Alaska Pollock oil, each softgel delivers 500 mg of Omega-7 fatty acids. The launch taps into the growing beauty-from-within trend that was prominently on display at Expo West 2026. Source: Nutraceuticals World
Novella Innovative Technology is advancing its "precision botanical" platform, AuraCell, which grows high-potency botanical compounds in a controlled environment to stabilise supply and buffer prices from climate-driven crop volatility. The company has appointed a new CEO to lead the commercialisation of its first ingredient, Strawberry8, with a planned US launch in 2027. Source: Nutrition Insight
Regulations and Quality
The Natural Products Association (NPA) has outlined the supplement industry's most pressing policy challenges, highlighting the proliferation of state-level sales restrictions as a growing concern. The trade group is advocating for the Dietary Supplement Regulatory Uniformity Act, which would establish federal preemption to create a uniform regulatory framework and prevent a patchwork of state-by-state rules. The NPA is also seeking clarity from the FDA on the regulatory status of emerging ingredients, including peptides and compounds produced through precision fermentation, as well as potential changes to self-affirmed GRAS regulations. Source: NutraIngredients
The FDA has announced a public meeting scheduled for March 27, 2026, to explore the scope of dietary supplement ingredients and the impact of new production technologies. The Office of Dietary Supplement Programs (ODSP) is seeking stakeholder input to clarify the definition of a "dietary substance" under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), particularly as novel ingredients produced through precision fermentation and other advanced technologies blur traditional category boundaries. Source: WholeFoods Magazine
Vitaquest International has opened a new dedicated probiotics manufacturing facility in Parsippany, New Jersey, doubling the contract manufacturer's probiotic production capacity. The expansion includes enhanced quality control capabilities and the ability to formulate with additional probiotic strains, responding to surging consumer demand for probiotic supplements and fortified foods. Source: Parsippany Today
Marketing and Consumer Trends
The global sleep crisis is creating a multi-billion-dollar opportunity for the supplement and functional food industries. According to a new analysis by Food Navigator, the sleep-support market was valued at $9.4 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $16.7 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual rate of 8.6 percent. The report found that 80 percent of Hispanic consumers in the United States express interest in food and beverage products that promote better sleep, while 43 percent of Japanese consumers actively want to purchase sleep-support products. Key ingredients driving the category include GABA, L-theanine, magnesium, and chamomile. For those seeking a science-backed approach to better sleep and stress management, CALM by Love Life Supplements combines key relaxation-supporting ingredients in a single formula. Source: Food Navigator
The Thorne consumer study results on Magnesium Glycinate also carry significant marketing implications. The finding that 91 percent of users reported better sleep and 94 percent felt calmer positions magnesium glycinate as one of the most consumer-validated ingredients in the sleep and stress management space — a category that continues to see explosive growth.
The digestive health supplements market is also on a strong growth trajectory, with SNS Insider forecasting expansion from $12.22 billion in 2025 to $25.83 billion by 2035 at a CAGR of 7.77 percent. While supermarkets and hypermarkets remain the largest distribution channel, online pharmacies are projected to be the fastest-growing segment, reflecting the broader shift toward digital-first supplement purchasing. Source: SNS Insider
This briefing is compiled from trade and scientific sources including NutraIngredients, Nutraceuticals World, Food Navigator, Nutritional Outlook, Nutraceutical Business Review, ScienceDaily, The New England Journal of Medicine, Nature Medicine, The Economic Times, and others. It is intended for industry professionals and does not constitute investment or medical advice.
About the Author
Ben Law is the Founder of Love Life Supplements, a UK-based supplement company committed to delivering premium, science-backed nutritional products. With a deep passion for health, wellness, and the supplement industry, Ben curates this daily briefing to keep professionals and enthusiasts informed about the latest developments shaping the market. Learn more about Ben and his mission at lovelifesupplements.co.uk/pages/ben-law-founder.