As we enter 2024, here’s a roundup of some of the top stories of the past year. 

Trends from sales data 

In October, content director Todd Runestad took a look at seven trends revealed by SPINS sales data. The sleep, eye health and sports nutrition categories were all up. Protein sales continued to soar while there was a changing of the guard in the top-selling joint health ingredients. But immune health products continued their post-pandemic swoon, and it seemed as if it was time to start writing an obituary for the CBD category. 

Creatine dosing 

Speaking of sports nutrition, an article published last January showed that new indications for creatine monohydrate—from cognitive support to women’s health—has taken the ingredient far beyond the male-dominated strength athlete space. Along with that comes new ideas about dosing protocols. 

FDA reorganization 

Almost exactly a year ago, industry trade organizations met with FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf to discuss dietary supplement issues. Participants in the closed-door session said the meeting was welcome, but some questions, such as how the impending reorganization of the agency would affect supplements, went unanswered. Subsequent developments have cast additional light on the planned reorg. 

Herbalife rounds the corner 

In August, network marketing giant Herbalife announced it had slowed the momentum of its falling sales and aggressive cost-cutting would see the company—a bellwether for the industry given its size—return to a healthier balance sheet in 2024. 

SupplySide West favorite ingredients 

The annual SupplySide West trade show and convention once again put the newest and most innovative ingredients in the industry on display.  Here’s a roundup of a dozen ingredients that made a splash. 

NMN stays in FDA’s crosshairs 

FDA’s determination that beta-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is excluded from the definition of a dietary supplement garnered ample news coverage in 2023, including here. The issue has been a source of contention between industry and FDA, and in a recent development reported by Natural Products Insider, a pharma company investigating NMN as a new drug weighed in with comments to FDA. 

Vitamin D story just keeps getting better 

Vitamin D had a shining moment in the sun during the global pandemic. But as research on its various health benefits continues to pile up, it’s becoming almost a must-have ingredient in formulas for moms and children. 

Language loss threatens botanical ingredient discovery 

Indigenous languages are going extinct across the globe at an alarming rate. Along with that loss of cultural diversity is the loss of the knowledge of local medicinal plants. In many cases, this knowledge is passed down verbally within these languages and exists nowhere else. 

Climate change concerns 

Another trend that will be catalogued in the coming year is the ongoing effects of climate change on botanical ingredient supply. The world is changing, and the business must adapt along with it if it is to survive, experts say. 

The more things change . . .  

Finally, Natural Products Insider did significant reporting on problems with the quality of products sold on Amazon. There will surely be more to report on this subject in 2024. And speaking of Amazon, here’s a recent story on sales rebounding.