2024 content calendar
Digital magazines
SupplySide Supplement Journal (formerly Natural Products Insider) digital magazines deliver feature-style analysis, columns and in-depth stories in an always on, always accessible format. Since each issue is thematic, our audience — your customers — finds exactly what they need exactly when they need it to help them along their specific decision-making process.
February
High-intensity sports
Clubs and gyms are on the front lines of serving dedicated muscle-builders on the leading edge of ingredient innovations. Supercharge your hardcore supplement formulations by learning the latest science on pre-workout energy boosters and ingredients that promote muscle building, increase strength, speed recovery between workouts and reduce post-workout soreness.
Commitment deadline: February 1
Materials due: February 1
Go live: February 14
March
Biotics – Prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics
Bacterial cells outnumber human cells 10-to-1 in the body, making biotic formulations a tempting consumer product. Probiotics have long been category leaders when it comes to microbiome health, and sales of prebiotic fibers and the combination — called synbiotics — are also in play. Newer postbiotics also herald a rapidly evolving ingredient suite.
Commitment deadline: March 1
Materials due: March 1
Go live: March 14
April
Contract manufacturing: Delivery formats
Gummies might be the “it” technology today, but formulators understand the limitations to candyceuticals, even as the opportunity to develop consumer-resonant formats continues apace. Age-old tablets and powders still matter, and bioavailability-boosting softgels and liposomal technologies provide options. We will explore the pros and cons of these and emerging formats to meet consumers where they are on their health journeys.
Commitment deadline: March 29
Materials due: March 29
Go live: April 11
MAY
Women’s health
Formulating women’s products has moved beyond the quaint “pink it and shrink it” ethos of the ’90s. Growing categories for women include digestive health above all else, as well as reproductive health, bone health, collagen and hair/skin/nails. Importantly, when women hit menopause, they suddenly catch up to men vis-a-vis potential cardiovascular disease risk — making heart-health ingredients from vitamin K2 to omega-3s essential in any such formulation.
Commitment deadline: April 25
Materials due: April 25
Go live: May 8
June
Weight management
The post-pandemic weight gain is real, yet many brands are positioning the category around active nutrition or overall wellness rather than weight loss per se. We will dig into the market trends and strategies, as well as science behind leading ingredients like protein and fiber, caffeine sources, thermogenesis creators and other metabolism modifiers.
Commitment deadline: May 24
Materials due: May 24
Go live: June 6
Personalized aging
Aging gracefully is easier than ever, thanks to accessible blood tests and wearables to help consumers track health status and lead them to smart supplementation regimens. The spectrum of aging metrics continues to grow, from telomere and life span extension, to cellular health and mitochondrial activation, and the preservation of muscle and joint health. This category is here to stay.
Commitment deadline: June 13
Materials due: June 13
Go live: June 26
July
Pets and animal health
Ask any pet owner and they’ll tell you: Dogs and cats are people, too. They need all the nutritional support we can give them, whether it’s in straight-up supplemental wafers and liquids or healthier-for-you pet food containing functional ingredients like omega-3s, protein and probiotics. What’s more, nutritional ingredients are also big business in animal operations such as livestock and farming, offering healthier outcomes ranging from land to waters.
Commitment deadline: July 10
Materials due: July 10
Go live: July 23
August
Nutricosmetics
Beauty-from-within continues to gain consumer attention and acclaim. We dig into the ingredients that can plump the skin, minimize wrinkles, improve the health of hair and nails, and protect the eyes from computer and phone screen blue light. From still-booming collagen to emerging skinbiotics, learn how research is informing product positioning in the realm of aesthetic-focused nutrition.
Commitment deadline: August 9
Materials due: August 9
Go live: August 22
September
Esports
In the Venn diagram of nootropics and performance lies esports, which at its core is the new generation of ingredients including nonstimulant energy providers, and those helping support focus and concentration. The electronic gaming category is flourishing to the point where it is now an Olympic and collegiate sport.
Commitment deadline: September 6
Materials due: September 6
Go live: September 19
October
Cognition spectrum
Whether a formulation is geared toward stress, occasional anxiety or sleep issues, we’ll share insight on how mood-support ingredients like L-theanine, GABA, mushrooms and St. John’s wort play with each other, how they work for consumers, and what their stability and taste are like when formulated in the all-important gummies. We’ll also detail what’s new with adaptogenic herbs, and how much runway remains to develop supplements that work for addled consumers.
Commitment deadline: October 4
Materials due: October 4
Go live: October 17
November
Active nutrition
Not everyone is playing competitive sports, but everyone wants to enjoy optimum mobility and feel vitality, which led to the booming active field. The performance nutrition category is experiencing double-digit growth, as are protein meal replacements and energy/sports drinks. Some ingredients and classes are up nearly 100%, including creatine and electrolytes.
Commitment deadline: October 31
Materials due: October 31
Go live: November 13
December
Vision health
From young to old, electronics have become an everyday obsession — making the potential dangers of blue light exposure and eye fatigue an increasing concern. This magazine will uncover the science-backed benefits, the role of macular carotenoids and other essential nutrients, and innovative formulations to help educate the market on what may be the most important health consideration of the current age. Industry experts will also share their perspectives on market trends, consumer preferences and regulatory considerations.
Commitment deadline: November 29
Materials due: November 29
Go live: December 12
Product development guides
Co-branded monthly content geared toward a formulator audience, featuring a quick category overview, and a sponsor Q&A and advertising section. These cover topics related to relevant conditions, ingredients and sourcing practices.
January
Healthy weight and metabolic support
The latest research reveals much about body composition, metabolism and the many factors of healthy weight management. Complex mechanisms surrounding food, calories and activity — as well as how hormones and other biochemicals impact metabolism (energy use and storage) — all play a role. Consumers now understand that variables like gut health and sleep quality can influence healthy weight management. The importance of taking a balanced approach informs what they are looking for in weight management supplements. Formulators and brand owners can serve consumers by developing innovative products powered by safe, scientifically validated natural ingredients from reputable suppliers. This guide will explore high-quality, research-backed weight management ingredients, including botanicals — such as berberine, forskolin, Garcinia cambogia, clean caffeine, cayenne and more — that address a range of functional mechanisms (thermogenic, lipotropic, satiety and metabolic support); plus, nutritional support needs from fiber to protein powders.
Commitment deadline: Dec. 12, 2023
Materials due: Dec. 21, 2023
Go live: Jan. 31, 2024
February
Sexual health: In the mood
A growing willingness among Millennials and Gen Zers to talk openly about sexual health is a welcome trend that could indicate growth potential for products in this category. Consumers across age ranges now see the link between healthy mood and libido, along with the need to support healthy hormone levels. They show that interest by purchasing combination herb formulations addressing a variety of contributing factors to a healthy sex drive. These may include ashwagandha, ginseng, L-arginine, gingko biloba, maca and tribulus, all with science supporting their ability to improve libido and sexual function. Brands are marketing more openly to these consumers, as they realize the growing need for supplements that address common conditions. Be bold and share your product offerings as part of this product development guide.
Commitment deadline: January 15
Materials due: January 18
Go live: February 28
March
Digestive health
Gut health continues to emerge as a complex health and wellness category. Our digestive system affects everything from our moods to our metabolism. Consumers are learning more about their microbiomes, and how what they eat, drink and supplement can bring health and wellness to their skin, brain, immune system and more. Prebiotic, probiotic, postbiotic and synbiotic supplement offerings that influence growth, replenishment and support of good gut bacteria appeal to consumers. This guide highlights the newest thinking as consumer knowledge increases over time and shows how brands can customize their ingredient offerings and formulations to address the complex gut microbiome.
Commitment deadline: February 7
Materials due: February 16
Go live: March 28
April
Heart health
The pandemic and its aftermath have been a mixed bag for the heart health category. While course correction after the pandemic spike meant lower numbers, steady growth continues as consumers gain awareness of the benefits of maintaining healthy cardiovascular health and wellness through all life stages. Research results continue to evolve regarding the multiple dietary supplement solutions that work in tandem for heart health, such as marine- and plant-based essential fatty acids, CoQ10, B vitamins, K2 and magnesium. Pandemic weight gain and other heart-related symptoms offer additional opportunities for cardiac support supplements to fill a gap. Be a part of this product development guide to ensure the market knows about your ingredient solutions.
Commitment deadline: March 5
Materials due: March 14
Go live: April 24
MAY
Women’s stages: Need through perimenopause, menopause and beyond
While perimenopause and menopause are a normal part of aging for women, the changes and challenges experienced rarely are openly discussed; women’s needs while managing these changes, while they vary by individual, are overlooked. According to Grandview Research, the global menopause market size was valued at $16.9 billion in 2022, and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.33% from 2023 to 2030. GenM, an organization devoted to menopause awareness, noted 48 symptoms are associated with menopause — yet most women can name only three. Dietary supplements that target these life-stage changes are emerging as vital strategic support. Key ingredients that may offer hope include targeted botanicals, like vitex/chasteberry, red clover, wild yam, black cohosh and more, plus essential fatty acids, prebiotics, probiotics, calcium, hyaluronic acid and so many others for hormonal shifts, joints, mood, hair/skin and more. This guide will explore ingredients and formulation options to address the complex needs through this life shift.
Commitment deadline: April 3
Materials due: April 12
Go live: May 23
June
Vision and eye health
Seeing is believing — and research shows vision is integrally connected to cognitive health. Eye health is relevant to our aging population, but our increasingly virtual lives and exposure to blue light mean challenges to vision and related cognitive health markers, like visual episodic memory and visual learning, are important for all ages. Science supports supplementation with ingredients like dietary carotenoids — a promising opportunity for manufacturers at a time of increased need. Many studies show a combination of ingredients, including lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids, bilberry, essential fatty acids and more, that can help take healthy eye support to new levels. We’ll review the ingredients, promising research and market numbers for this important segment.
Commitment deadline: May 8
Materials due: May 17
Go live: June 27
July
Developments in delivery systems
Powders, gummies and pills, oh my! With no shortage of format options populating supplement shelves, formulators must do research when deciding which delivery system makes sense. The delivery format picture is complex, and consumers don’t necessarily stick to one format for all their supplements — and why should they? Every delivery format from lollipops to liquids and shots to effervescents has its niche. Consumers want effective products in the formats that fit them best. Versatility, taste and flavor trends, efficacious doses, consumer pill fatigue and sustainability claims on certain packaging formats all play their roles. Within this guide, Natural Products Insider will share market insights and delivery system trends, as you share your innovations and solutions.
Commitment deadline: June 4
Materials due: June 13
Go live: July 24
August
Nutricosmetics: Beauty from within on the rise
Beauty from within has recently emerged as something consumers genuinely believe in. Buying behaviors are starting to reflect the knowledge that when the body is properly nourished and functioning at its peak, the result is often an outward radiance and vibrant glow that consumers want. Beyond a nutritious diet, proper hydration and regular exercise, consumers increasingly grasp that dietary supplements can play an integral role in beauty. They desire essential nutrients to support cellular health, promote optimal function and contribute to healthy hair, skin and nails. And they also seek high-quality, targeted nutricosmetics — bioactives like collagen, collagen peptides, ceramides and botanical extracts. Share your ingredients, formulations and delivery formats in this guide that will explore trends in the category.
Commitment deadline: July 10
Materials due: July 19
Go live: August 29
September
Healthy life span: Healthy aging
The “healthy life span” market is evolving. Long life is not the only goal — multigenerational consumers want excellent health throughout that life span to maintain their work, travel and fitness into those “golden” years. Many begin prevention regimens at younger ages. Desire for increased muscle strength and function, joint health and good energy guide consumers into active nutrition offerings. Immunity and gut health remain top concerns, as do condition-specific areas like heart and bone health. A rising number of consumers want to improve memory, focus and mental clarity. Unique products that address existing concerns and prevention are required to meet demand. This guide will cover healthy life span trends and formulation innovations, diving into the ingredients, including minerals, B vitamins, collagen, CoQ-10 and botanical strategies for joint health, all supporting what it means to age well.
Commitment deadline: August 7
Materials due: August 16
Go live: September 26
October
Contract manufacturing and product development services
Consumers’ trust in the brands they love is only as strong as the brands’ confidence in their contract manufacturing relationships. Choosing supportive co-manufacturers requires the forging of strategic partnerships that represent the brand’s value proposition and deliver consistency and quality. Evaluating co-manufacturing capabilities is as important as securing ingredient supply chains, and it’s often challenging to find the right fit. Get the word out to emerging brands about your capabilities in this product development guide. Let the market know about the services you offer for delivery systems to meet today’s consumer desires. Or, as a specialty service provider contracted for quality assurance, highlight how you ensure a brand’s products meet the trusted quality that regulators require — and consumers expect.
Commitment deadline: September 3
Materials Due: September 12
Go live: October 23
November
Active nutrition: Performance and recovery
The active nutrition market now tops $62.9 billion according to Nutrition Business Journal. People of all genders, ages and fitness levels who want to maintain an active lifestyle and healthy body composition want supplements that help optimize muscle function and recovery. Brands that offer safe, effective and clean-label products backed by research — and those innovating with delivery formats that are best suited to consumers’ preferences — are winning in this competitive category. Classic ingredients like protein and caffeine, as well as newer actors like digestive enzymes, collagen and nootropics are often combined into multiple function supplements. This guide features beneficial ingredients that supply fuel for muscle function and speed up recovery for the growing population of consumers prioritizing an active lifestyle at all ages.
Commitment deadline: October 2
Materials due: October 11
Go live: November 21
December
Nootropics: Cognitive performance
Today’s cognitive health market is evolving and expanding beyond the 65-and-older population. The cognitive demands of work, play and everything in between require new nutritional approaches and unique delivery systems. Dealing with mental fatigue and boosting focus and attention are critical for performance and achievement alike. Supplements for cognitive health include a range of ingredients, from adaptogens to mushrooms and branded specialty ingredients. Nootropic ingredients that offer effective, safe, clinically substantiated cognitive support — contributing to healthy mood, enhancing speed and alertness, assisting memory function and verbal recall, and reducing “brain fog” — have emerged to provide new market opportunities. This guide gives an overview of known and new ingredients being used to improve focus, clarity and memory. We’ll overview these diverse needs and look at market numbers for this growing category.
Commitment deadline: October 30
Materials due: November 8
Go live: December 19
SupplySide education series webinar
The SupplySide Education webinar series will feature a monthly webinar, each focused on a unique key topic (see below). Align your brand with innovation, best practices and need-to-know information by underwriting topics within this series.
February
Personalized aging
What if we took the same idea behind personalized nutrition and applied it to aging? A person’s telomere length, cellular health and genetic predispositions could all be assessed to determine the specific needs of that individual’s aging body and brain. The focus of this webinar will be to talk about the realities of that science, how it could work, and the products and ingredients that are best suited to promote healthy aging at an individual level.
Commitment deadline: January 25
Materials due: January 26
Live presentation: February 15
March
Microbiome: Beyond probiotics
The interest in the microbiome and how its health can impact the entire body has gotten more mainstream attention. But what are the gaps in consumer understanding, and where are the opportunities? In this Education Series webinar, we’ll discuss the market for biotics of all types, important and emerging ingredients, and how the microbiome could be the key to whole-body health.
Commitment deadline: February 22
Materials due: March 1
Live presentation: March 21
April
Esports
No matter your opinion on esports, in the nutritional supplement world, it’s big — and it’s not going away. So, grab your favorite console and join us for a rousing discussion of how the gaming community uses supplements. We’ll cover ingredients for brain performance and eye health, as well as the best sources of caffeine. We’ll also chat through delivery formats — energy drink, anyone?
Commitment deadline: March 21
Materials due: March 29
Live presentation: April 18
MAY
Women’s health: Whole body
For most of the last 20 years, women’s health products have centered around solutions for women’s reproductive health. Prenatal and postnatal, as well as premenopause, perimenopause and postmenopause products have done most of the work for women’s health. In this webinar, however, we’re going beyond the uterus to talk about the broader opportunities in women’s health. What products specific to women could be developed for brain, heart, bone, joint or other important health areas?
Commitment deadline: April 18
Materials due: April 26
Live presentation: May 16
July
Adaptogens
Herbs and botanicals have been used for thousands of years. Modern science, however, has taught us even more about the adaptogenic effects of plants such as ashwagandha, holy basil and ginseng. This webinar will include insights from experts in the science of plants, plus a discussion on ethical and sustainable farming practices.
Commitment deadline: June 20
Materials due: June 29
Live presentation: July 18
August
Protein diversification
Whey protein might have the corner on the muscle-building market, but does using a single type of protein signal a missed opportunity for better health benefits? Diversifying protein sources (including the various types of collagen), provides an array of amino acids, vitamins and minerals — all of which contribute to a healthy body. Varying protein sources may also be an important part of creating a healthier planet.
Commitment deadline: July 18
Materials due: July 26
Live presentation: August 15
September
Sleep success
Most consumers want to sleep better and have more energy. And many look to supplements to help them do just that. Despite the negative press surrounding melatonin overuse in children, it’s still a big ingredient in the sleep category. In this Education Series webinar, we’ll talk about what’s happening with melatonin — along with other sleep-promoting ingredients from the plant kingdom like chamomile, valerian, hops, passionflower and hemp CBD. We’ll also discuss popular delivery systems and explore what’s new in the science of sleep.
Commitment deadline: August 15
Materials due: August 23
Live presentation: September 12
October
Active nutrition, the expanding category
Attend any industry conference and you’ll likely hear the news that “sports nutrition” is now “active nutrition,” and that more people are finding what they need for hydration, energy, weight management and even cognitive performance within the category. This webinar will cover the market: who is buying what, which products seem to have the most staying power, how much people are willing to spend, and what growth opportunities might show themselves in the coming years.
Commitment deadline: October 24
Materials due: November 1
Live presentation: November 21
SupplySide sponsored intensive webinar
A series of sponsored webinar events, with each month focused on a specific industry topic. This webinar offers attendees the opportunity to hear from up to four sponsoring companies in an intensive informational deep dive. Each sponsor will give a 10-minute live presentation, as well as participate in a 20-minute live Q&A at the end of the session.
February
Nootropics — Improving cognitive and mental performance
As the science on efficacy and safety of nootropics continues to build, consumers of all ages are turning to brain health supplements not only for their long-term protective value, but for the more immediate benefits of enhancing mental speed and alertness, memory function and reducing that ever-persistent “brain fog.” In this Natural Products Insider Intensive, we’ll dig into the latest clinical research on leading nootropic ingredients, such as clean caffeine, L-theanine, bacopa, rhodiola, ashwagandha and more, as well as discuss the mechanisms that provide benefits that consumers prefer.
Commitment deadline: January 17
Materials due: January 18
Live presentation: February 7
May
Healthy aging — women’s edition
Staying healthy through every stage of life is gaining interest among women at ever-younger ages, but it requires good planning on their parts . A comprehensive approach, for example, is required to maintain strong and flexible bones, joints and connective tissue. Supporting hormonal balance and a healthy inflammatory response may also be necessary and requires special attention through menopause and beyond. In this intensive, ingredient suppliers will highlight key holistic approaches and the latest science on specific ingredients designed specifically to support women as they move through maturing life stages.
Commitment deadline: April 10
Materials due: April 16
Live presentation: May 8
August
Nutricosmetics – Beauty from within
Beauty from within has long been a category that intuitively makes sense to many people. But recent years have brought that into focus as we get used to facing our on-camera appearance in daily Zoom meetings. Coupled with a growing interest in holistic wellness, the beauty-from-within category is seeing new momentum as consumers look to improve their lifestyle habits and nutrition to enhance their inner radiance. In this Natural Products Insider Intensive, ingredient experts will delve into the latest solutions for healthy skin, hair, nails and more, along with varied delivery formats that appeal to consumers seeking authentic inner beauty.
Commitment deadline: July 10
Materials due: July 16
Live presentation: August 7
November
Immune support – Year-round strategies
The Covid-19 pandemic shined a light on the fact that supporting immune health is not a seasonal practice – the immune system requires continued support to remain on-the ready year-round. Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, mushrooms, other specialty nutrients and botanical ingredients are helping to meet continued and expanding demand for comprehensive immune health in the post-pandemic era. This Natural Products Insider Intensive will showcase the latest research and innovations around supporting varied approaches to immune function.
Commitment deadline: October 9
Materials due: October 15
Live presentation: November 6