Key Takeaways
- FDA Targets GLP-1 Compounders: The agency issued 30 warning letters to telehealth platforms marketing compounded GLP-1 products, cracking down on misleading claims of equivalence to approved drugs.
- Lonza Divests Capsule Division: In a major industry shift, Lonza is selling its Capsules & Health Ingredients division to Lone Star Funds for $3 billion to focus on its core CDMO business.
- Vitamin D and Long COVID: A new clinical trial suggests high-dose vitamin D supplementation may slightly reduce the risk of developing long COVID symptoms, though it didn't lessen initial infection severity.
- Gut Health Expansion: Major brands like Nature Made are expanding their gut health portfolios with new greens powders and digestive enzyme formulations.
- Expo West Trends: Women's health, longevity ingredients (like NAD+), and adaptogenic mushrooms dominated the innovation spotlight at Natural Products Expo West 2026.
Top Stories
The FDA has issued 30 warning letters to telehealth companies marketing compounded GLP-1 products, signaling a significant crackdown on misleading claims and branding that obscure the actual compounder [1]. This action builds on previous enforcement and highlights the agency's growing concern over the safety and marketing of unapproved GLP-1 drugs, particularly online claims that present these compounded products as equivalent to FDA-approved drugs. This matters because it indicates a tightening regulatory environment for telehealth platforms and compounding pharmacies operating in the lucrative weight-management space.
Lonza has officially announced the divestiture of its Lonza Capsules & Health Ingredients division to Lone Star Funds for an enterprise value of $3 billion [2]. This strategic move allows Lonza to transition toward becoming a pure-play Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) while retaining a 40% stake in the divested business. The transition of majority control to a private equity giant signals a new chapter for the nutraceutical capsule and ingredients industry, potentially leading to shifts in market dynamics and manufacturing consolidation.
A major clinical trial conducted by Mass General Brigham found that while high-dose vitamin D did not make COVID-19 infections less severe, it may reduce the chances of developing long COVID [3]. Among participants taking vitamin D, 21% reported at least one lingering symptom, compared with 25% in the placebo group. This borderline statistically significant finding is crucial as it opens new avenues for research into accessible, low-cost interventions for managing the long-term impacts of COVID-19. For those looking to support their immune system and overall health, a high-quality Vitamin D3 + K2 supplement remains a foundational choice.
Business and Investment
Icelandirect, a portfolio company of New Heritage Capital, has acquired SOMA LABS, a New Jersey-based supplement manufacturer specializing in solid dosage form production [4]. The acquisition expands Icelandirect's manufacturing capabilities to include powder, tablet, capsule, and chewable production, complementing its existing lipid and softgel manufacturing. This allows the company to offer a comprehensive turnkey product offering to clients in both the human and animal supplement markets.
BioHarvest Sciences announced it will report its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results after the market close on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 [5]. The company will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the results and provide an update on business operations, which will provide key insights into the company's performance and future outlook in the botanical synthesis sector.
Science and Research
A meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials suggests that probiotic supplementation may moderately improve cognition in adults with neurological or psychiatric disorders [6]. The analysis included 386 participants with conditions such as fibromyalgia, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, or schizophrenia. While the findings are promising for the gut-brain axis, researchers noted that the certainty of the evidence remains low due to the small number of trials and variations in study design. Supporting a healthy microbiome with a robust Multispore Probiotic is increasingly recognized as important for both digestive and cognitive wellness.
Margarita Zhao, the founder of a pharmacy chain in Inner Mongolia, has launched Vavitas, a nutraceutical start-up in New Jersey focused on longevity and healthspan [7]. The company's initial product line includes NMN, fish oil, vitamin D3+K2, collagen peptides, and ubiquinol, formulated based on market needs and high-quality ingredients. Vavitas is initially launching in the U.S. with strategic plans to expand into the Chinese market.
New Product Launches and Formulation
Nature Made has introduced three new products to support gut health: SuperGreens Powder, SuperGreens Capsules, and Digestive Enzymes [8]. This expansion of their gut health portfolio reflects the increasing consumer interest in products that support digestive wellness and overall health, offering accessible formats for consumers looking to proactively manage their microbiome.
BYHEALTH has launched an upgraded protein powder, BYHEALTH Zhenzuan Protein Powder, featuring a higher protein content of 90%, up from its previous 80% formulation [9]. This new product is designed to meet the evolving demands of Chinese consumers, who are increasingly incorporating high-quality protein supplements into their diets for muscle building, immune support, and weight management.
Naturonel has launched a new line of plant-based dietary supplements that are manufactured in the USA [10]. The products are tested for purity and potency and are now available to consumers nationwide, catering to the growing consumer demand for locally sourced and transparently manufactured herbal supplements.
Regulations and Quality
The FDA has expanded its warning list to include another supplement product found to contain toxic yellow oleander, bringing the total to 29 [11]. These products, often mislabeled as tejocote root or Brazil seed, are sold online and pose a serious health risk, causing severe or even fatal adverse effects. The agency continues to urge consumers to stop using and dispose of these dangerous weight-loss products.
Pure Vitamins and Natural Supplements, LLC is voluntarily recalling several of its honey-based sexual enhancement products because they contain undeclared sildenafil and tadalafil [12]. These undeclared prescription ingredients can pose a significant health risk to consumers, especially those with underlying health conditions who may be taking nitrate medications, highlighting ongoing quality control issues in the sexual enhancement category.
Marketing and Consumer Trends
Natural Products Expo West 2026 showcased several key ingredient trends, with a major focus on women's health, including products for hormonal balance and cognitive health [13]. The event also highlighted the rise of longevity ingredients like nicotinamide riboside and NAD+, the continued popularity of adaptogens and nootropics such as mushrooms and magnesium, and a notable trend towards liquid supplements for vitamins and minerals. For those seeking cognitive support, functional mushrooms like Lion's Mane continue to be a top choice among consumers.
A recent report by Euromonitor highlights five key trends in the global consumer health industry, pointing to the mainstreaming of gut health as a primary driver of consumer behavior [14]. This aligns with broader market observations that consumers are increasingly seeking out proactive and personalized approaches to health and wellness, moving beyond basic nutrition to targeted functional benefits.
About the Author
Ben Law is the Founder of Love Life Supplements. He is passionate about health, fitness, and providing high-quality, clean nutritional products. Learn more about his journey and the philosophy behind LLS at Ben Law, Founder.
References
- Venable LLP: FDA's Latest GLP 1 Crackdown: What Compounders and Telehealth Platforms Need to Know
- LinkedIn: Lonza Divests Capsules & Health Ingredients Division to Lone Star Funds
- ScienceDaily: Scientists tested vitamin D for COVID and found an unexpected long COVID clue
- PetfoodIndustry.com: SOMA LABS acquisition expands Icelandirect's pet supplement capabilities
- Yahoo Finance: BioHarvest Sciences to Report Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results
- Examine.com: Probiotics may improve cognition in adults with neurological or psychiatric disorders
- NutraIngredients: Pharmacy chain founder sets up nutraceutical start-up with longevity focus
- Nutraceuticals World: Nature Made Expands Gut Health Portfolio with SuperGreens and Digestive Enzymes
- NutraIngredients: BYHEALTH targets changing consumer needs in China with new protein powder launch
- Yahoo Finance: Naturonel Launches Made-in-USA Herbal Supplements
- Food Safety News: FDA adds product to warning list of supplements with toxic yellow oleander
- FDA: Pure Vitamins and Natural Supplements, LLC Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall
- SupplySide Supplement Journal: Ingredient trendspotting: Top insights from Natural Products Expo West
- WARC: Top five trends in consumer health