Nutrition21 has a portfolio of six science-backed functional ingredients. Can you talk us through the health effects of the range?
Our portfolio is designed to provide one-of-a-kind, science-backed ingredients that help consumers look, feel, and perform their best. This includes areas like beauty-from-within, active lifestyle nutrition, and healthy aging.
Among our six branded ingredients, some highlights are Chromax, which is our branded chromium picolinate. It supports weight management, craving control, and glucose metabolism. Then there is Lustriva, a beauty ingredient for hair growth and skin health, gaining popularity, especially in gummies. Nitrosigine is a nitric oxide booster, an important molecule inside us all that plays a vital role in cardiovascular health, sexual health, and active lifestyles. Lastly, nooLVL is our cognitive health ingredient that enhances focus and energy without caffeine.
Nutrition21 places significant emphasis on patenting its ingredients. How do you balance the lengthy patenting process with the need to commercialize quickly?
Patenting is indeed a lengthy process, but Nutrition21 has a more than 30-year history of taking a science-first, innovative approach. We focus on creating unique ingredients or improving versions of existing ingredients and securing patents to protect them. Today, our portfolio is supported by over 50 global patents, and we are constantly innovating, finding ways to extend the protection of our ingredients through improvements or new formulations. Even as older patents expire, we are committed to maintaining the value and uniqueness of our portfolio.
What creative applications for Nutrition21’s ingredients have you seen?
Historically, supplements came in tablet and capsule forms, but we are now seeing a shift due to “pill fatigue.” Consumers are exploring new formats like gummies and stick packs for convenience, along with on-the-go powder beverages to mix with water or smoothies. Liquid supplements are also emerging, offering a one-a-day option like a shot to replace traditional pills or gummies. These formats align with evolving consumer preferences for more enjoyable and convenient ways to take supplements.
One of Nutrition21’s headline ingredients is Nitrosigine, and the company just published a white paper - The ‘Magic’ Inside: The Power of Nitric Oxide – on its health benefits. Can you walk us through the science and the reception?
Nitrosigine is the superior nitric oxide boosting ingredient in our portfolio, initially used for sports performance and pre-workout products. The white paper aims to broaden its appeal by showcasing its relevance to healthy aging. As we age, nitric oxide production declines by as much as 50% when we reach our 40’s, impacting blood flow, cardiovascular health, and cognitive function. Nitrosigine provides a unique and bioavailable source of arginine, which helps to boost nitric oxide production quickly. The benefits of supporting nitric oxide are relevant to a range of consumers, from active lifestyle individuals to those focused on healthy aging. Today, consumers of all ages are focusing on healthy aging of their minds and bodies. Interest in supporting the body’s aging processes is prevalent even in younger consumers.
Our primary focus is the U.S. market, and we launched the white paper and new positioning for Nitrosigine at the SupplySide West ingredient trade show in 2024. The reception has been strong. Nitrosigine already has a solid history in sports nutrition, but there is excitement around its broader applications, such as cardiovascular health and blood flow enhancement. We are also seeing growing interest in its relevance to men’s sexual health, a topic gaining traction globally as awareness around aging populations and related concerns continues to rise.
What notable clinical trial results demonstrate the efficacy of Nutrition21’s products?
Two examples stand out. First, with Nitrosigine, we conducted a clinical study showing nearly a 25% improvement in flow-mediated dilation, which indicates enhanced blood flow due to increased nitric oxide production – after just 2 hours. This highlights its effectiveness as a nitric oxide booster. Second, with Lustriva, our Beauty-From-Within ingredient, clinical trials showed significant improvements in hair growth within three weeks and reductions in wrinkles over the study period. These results reflect our commitment to rigorous, pharma-like research, with over 80 published studies conducted across our portfolio.
Nutrition21 jumps through some of the same hoops as pharmaceutical companies in bringing products to market. What does this crossover between the nutrition and pharmaceutical industries mean for product innovation and commercialisation?
I would call it more of a push-pull dynamic. Pharmaceuticals, like the GLP-1 medications, have driven major shifts, and the nutrition industry is responding. Similarly, functional foods and beverages now deliver health benefits that were once exclusive to supplements like capsules and tablets.
Ultimately, the consumer dictates where the industry moves next, balancing between pharma-inspired innovation and broader accessibility.
What broad nutritional trends are on Nutrition21's radar for 2025 and beyond?
Weight management is a significant trend, especially with the introduction of GLP-1 medications reshaping how consumers approach metabolic health. These medications have spurred interest in complementary products, leading to a renewed focus on metabolism and weight loss. Chromax, our chromium ingredient, is uniquely positioned here. It has been studied for over 20 years for its ability to support weight management and maintain muscle mass during weight loss—an area of growing concern for consumers losing weight with or without GLP-1 usage. This presents an opportunity to address evolving consumer needs in a meaningful way.
