At this point, I think most of us are getting used to uncertainty. When I make plans these days it almost goes without saying that everything is pending and could change in an instant. So the idea of predicting the future seems somewhat of an exercise in futility. On the other hand, maybe we just need humility in assessing paths as possibilities instead of probabilities. What’s inside that crystal ball, besides crystal?

Health and Growth. People continue to seek out products they believe will support their health. The staples of the dietary supplement industry have grown in the past year, including sales of vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and major specialty ingredients like omega-3s and probiotics. Immune health and CBD sales declined, and we’ll explore why this year. Inflation is up and has been weighing on everyone’s mind. Where does it go from here?

Let’s Get Specific. Sales of condition-specific formulas grew about 12% last year, according to SPINS data. Given the stress on people over the past couple of years, it seems clear why formulas targeting sleep, mood, and cognitive health have seen significant growth. Will the concept of precision nutrition, and the ability to tailor products to consumers and need states, evolve in complexity? How, and when? That leads me to …

Science, Research, and Skepticism. The dietary supplement industry has its critics in the medical and media worlds, yet about 80% of consumers take supplements in some form and frequency. At the same time, nutrition research (like other disciplines) isn’t static. Continued investment into well-designed, unbiased studies is crucial to better understand how people and public health can benefit from products this industry produces. Is the microbiome the next frontier? It at least seems like territory worth continued exploration.

Tight Supply. An industry survey we conducted late last year reflected what everyone sees on the ground: supply chain bottlenecks are still tight, and there’s a scarcity of certain ingredients and components. Will that get better this year? What about labor issues? While we’re on the topic, is there a worker shortage or a shortage of decent work? I suppose that depends on the situation and personal perspective.