March in review: Gut microbiome advances, weight loss innovations & Expo West 2026

March saw developments in AI-driven microbiome testing, postbiotic developments, and nutraceutical solutions for GLP-1 nutrient gaps. Meanwhile, industry challenges in supply chain disruptions, growing labeling scrutiny, and a demand for transparency accelerated innovations in nutrient-dense formulations, from supplements to functional foods and ready meals. 

In our March review, Nutrition Insight dives into some of the month’s biggest stories, including our live coverage at the Natural Products Expo West 2026 trade show and how nutrition and supplements can solve nutritional gaps linked to GLP-1 use and rapid weight loss. 

We explored how nutrition can optimize women’s hormonal health with the creator of the Cycle Syncing Method while speaking with Greenpeace to determine how the ongoing Strait of Hormuz crisis may impact hunger and nutrition access. We also studied developments in pet nutrition, with brands targeting aging dogs with brain health supplements. 

In gut microbiome innovations, we examined the partnership between Cowellnex and Metagen to develop high-precision algorithms for gut microbiome tests, while Novonesis said it expects continued growth in its biosolutions division, betting on specialized ingredients and biosolutions. 

We also looked at developments in healthier, ready meals with Factor, a Hello Fresh company, while LabelBlind told us that India’s booming packaged food sector has a high rate of nutrition label noncompliance. In the US, David Protein responded to a lawsuit finding its protein bars contain more fat and calories than their labels claim. 

Expo West 2026: Gut health and weight management innovations in supplements and functional foods

Weight management, gut and women’s health, alongside nutrient-dense formulations, dominated innovation at Natural Products Expo West 2026 (Mar 3–6) in Anaheim, California, US. We examined new protein-forward concepts, combinations of probiotics and postbiotics, and clinically-backed ingredients with Saanroo, Kerry, Aker BioMarine, FrieslandCampina Ingredients, and ADM. We also spoke with Gnosis by Lesaffre about its women’s health supplements, and discussed fiber-rich ingredients with Beneo. Sirio Pharma launched a soft chew for eye health at the show, while mycologist Paul Stamets told us about mushroom mycelium’s health potential.Dr. Justin Green, senior scientist at Cargill, told us that consumers are “catching on” to postbiotics and highlighted their formulation potential.

World Obesity Day: Solving GLP-1 and weight management’s biggest challenges

The rise of GLP-1 medications associated with medications like semaglutide is creating a “nutritional gap” that pharmaceuticals alone cannot bridge. This shift offers an opportunity for nutraceuticals to pivot from standalone solutions to essential, science-backed companions. On World Obesity Day, we sat down with experts from Beneo, Gnosis by Lesaffre, and Sanroo to explore the future of weight management in the supplement and nutraceutical industry. We also explored new weight loss insights, such as a snake blood metabolite and Lallemand’s new Re-Vaya ingredient for metabolic health beyond weight loss. Also, research on the discontinuation of GLP-1s revealed mixed weight loss results. 

The Cycle Syncing Method’s creator explains how nutrition optimizes women’s hormonal health

Treating PMS symptoms with nutrition rather than pharmaceuticals is gaining traction, addressing the root cause with a safe and healthy approach instead of conventional synthetic treatments, such as oral contraceptives that disrupt the menstrual cycle. The creator of the Cycle Syncing Method, Alisa Vitti, told us how menstrual health can be optimized through nutrition. She explained what nutrients and diet plans are suitable for each phase, the role of omegas in menstrual cramps, and the health benefits of prioritizing overall nutrition over pharmaceuticals to balance women’s infradian rhythms. On International Women’s Day 2026, we also spoke with Women In Nutraceuticals about improving gender equity across the nutraceutical industry. 

Strait of Hormuz crisis: Impacts on hunger, grocery prices, and nutrition access

The ongoing naval standoff in the Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint for essential global trade — exposes a critical vulnerability for the nutrition industry: the global overreliance on synthetic fertilizers for raw materials like soy and grains. Experts are warning of knock-on inflation, not only in oil and staple foods, but also in the functional and fortified products that depend on these inputs. As the sea passage has been shut since the end of February, the crisis may threaten input costs for nutrition manufacturers. A Greenpeace expert told us how this crisis reveals weaknesses in food systems and potential impacts on the nutrition industry.We sat down with Dominik Mattern from Balchem to explore forces shaping the future of the nutrition industry.

Cowellnex and Metagen develop high-precision algorithms for gut microbiome tests

Health science company Cowellnex started working with gut health researcher Metagen to develop new wellness assays based on gut microbiome data from Japanese individuals. The partners are designing a new algorithm that proposes personalized foods to individuals based on these tests. This research will leverage “high‑precision” gut microbiota data obtained through Cowellnex’s MicroBio Me business. We connected with Kirin Holdings, which established the business, to discuss the commercial opportunities in personalized nutrition that may stem from this research. In other microbiome news, we met with Ingredion and Holobiome to discuss their newly formed partnership to map the microbiome and unlock targeted health benefits. 

Novonesis growth forecast: Biosolutions in HMOs, precision proteins & supplements

After strong 2025 financial results for the Novonesis Human Health division, the company believes it is on track for continued growth over the next five years. The biosolutions specialist is betting on ingredient categories like precision proteins, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), and solutions in women’s health, mental wellness, and metabolic health. We discussed how the division’s 2025 organic growth fits in Novonesis’ five-year strategy and larger market trends with its EVP of Human Health Biosolutions & Strategy. We also explored postbiotic developments and formulation potential, which ADM predicted will drive the next wave of innovations for the gut microbiome.

LabelBlind: India’s packaged foods hit by nutrition label noncompliance amid sector boom

LabelBlind Solutions found several instances of claims noncompliant with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India regulations across staple and new food categories in India. The nation’s first AI-led digital food labeling service flagged the trend, which increases the risk of consumer confusion about what is truly nutritious and healthy, especially regarding products made for children. We spoke with LabelBlind’s founder, who urged stricter governance, especially amid India’s long battle against undernutrition, while obesity, non-communicable diseases, and metabolic disorders are rising. Furthermore, the nation is experiencing “explosive” growth in the packaged food sector, radically transforming dietary habits.At Expo West 2026, we spoke with Gnosis by Lesaffre about its fermentation-based ingredients for women’s health and active nutrition.

Standard Process targets market gap with brain supplements for aging dogs

Standard Process highlighted cognitive health as an emerging target for supplements for aging dogs, saying that pet owners are increasingly wary of this area of well-being. The brand noted formulations mirror human brain health supplements, for example, featuring the same functional botanicals and nutrients people consume for mental clarity, resilience, and behavioral health. We spoke with a senior veterinary education specialist at the company about the current consumer awareness around canine brain health, the efficacy of certain performance ingredients for dogs, and what signals of cognitive challenges pet owners should look out for. Meanwhile, Spirited Paw also designed a pet brain health supplement for senior dogs, and ADM’s pet supplement Priome demonstrated metabolic health benefits in a trial with pet dogs. 

Rethinking ready-to-eat meals from ultra-processed to real and nutritious food

Ready-made meals have long been viewed as cheap in cost and poor in nutrients. However, product developments in this category are propelling quick solutions for busy lifestyles that deliver nutritious solutions while addressing consumers’ increasing demand for transparency and clean ingredients. We sat down with the managing director for Europe at Factor, a Hello Fresh company, to discuss how convenient meals have been made unnecessarily unhealthy and how nutrition and ready-made meals do not need to be mutually exclusive. In related news, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology Food told us that its research found that 51% of Europeans want to eat healthier, but that affordability and habits block sustainable choices. Other research found that food fortification prevents seven billion nutrient gaps globally, but that its impact could triple by improving compliance, aligning with WHO guidelines, and expanding programs to high-need regions. 

David Protein responds to calorie labeling lawsuit over its protein bars

US-based David Protein faced a lawsuit over the nutritional labels on its protein bars, as independent testing clinics found they do not align with the bars’ actual contents. The company responded to the lawsuit, maintaining that its content contains the advertised amount of fat and calories while claiming that the testing methods are outdated. The bars’ labels say each serving contains 28 g of protein, 150 calories, and 2.5 g of fat. However, the US FDA-accredited Anresco Laboratories, which conducted the testing, found it contains 78–83% more calories and 400% more fat than stated on the labels. The company’s CEO said that Anresco Laboratories’ allegations rest on a “flawed and misleading interpretation” of how calories are determined under US food labeling regulations. In related news, Danone expanded its functional nutrition portfolio by agreeing to acquire Huel, and MyProtein launched a Mars whey protein powder with the flavors of the classic candy bar, chocolate, caramel, and malt.