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16-January-2026 | Richard Ortega
Sparked by the surge in interest in solutions related to GLP-1, these are the trends, ingredients, and developments driving 2026.
For many, the start of the new year represents the best time to get serious about health and well-being. According to Statista, exercising more (48%), eating healthier (45%), and losing weight (31%) ranked amongst the top five resolutions for Americans as they head into 2026.
With a plethora of crash dieting trends on social media and the continued increase in popularity of weight loss medications like GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs (GLP-1s), consumers today can certainly feel overwhelmed when deciding how to approach their weight management journey over the next 12 months. To help guide your customers towards their healthiest path to success, we gathered insights from category experts to gain a deeper understanding of the trends, science, and innovative offerings that will be most in demand in the weight management category.
A Supplemental Assist
While GLP-1s stole the show in 2025, the microbiome also stepped into the spotlight. “The industry is moving beyond generic ’weight loss‘ messaging toward a more holistic focus on metabolic health and body composition,“ explains Jodi Riera Chief Business Officer, Kaneka Probiotics. “Much of this shift is being driven by microbiome science, particularly research linking gut dysbiosis to altered metabolic function. At the same time, the rise of GLP-1 therapies has created demand for complementary solutions that support nutrient absorption, digestive comfort, and healthy appetite signaling. With around a third of U.S. consumers already actively seeking out probiotics, this category is well-positioned to meet growing demand for natural, mechanism-based ingredients that improve metabolic efficiency, support satiety and help manage cravings without stimulants.”
One important point to keep in mind, not all prebiotic fibers are created equal—says Hannah Ackermann, RND, VP of Marketing & Nutrition Affairs at Comet. To that point, Comet provides a specific prebiotic that preserves its natural plant diversity and is extracted from wheat without the use of abrasive chemicals or processing. “As consumers grow more familiar with microbiome diversity, the language on packaging will evolve to include ‘multiple prebiotic fibers,’ similar to ‘billions of probiotics’ signaling more complete gut support. Not all prebiotic fibers are created equal. Many contain only a single type of dietary fiber, which limits the microbial communities they can nourish and the benefits they can unlock. Arrabina, on the other hand, is gently extracted from wheat without the use of harsh chemicals or processing. This allows us to preserve the ingredient’s natural plant diversity, including soluble arabinoxylan, polyphenols, XOS, lignin, and beta-glucan. This diverse composition matters: it enables Arrabina to feed a broader range of beneficial bacteria, rather than just one or two species.”
The new holistic approach in 2026 will combine metabolic health, aesthetics, and long-term wellness all into one, says Simo Echchafai, SVP Human Health Ingredients North America, Aker BioMarine. “Overall, the trend moving into the new year is a more holistic approach to weight management, one that integrates metabolic health, aesthetics, and long-term wellness. Companies are increasingly positioning products like krill oil as part of comprehensive GLP-1 support regimens to help consumers not only lose weight but feel confident and healthy throughout the journey.”
As Darrin Starkey, N.D., Director of Education of Trace Minerals, notes, GLP-1 medication and current trends in weight management have created an increased need for mineral supplementation. “Ultimately, sustainable weight management starts at the cellular level,” Dr. Starkey says. “The metabolism simply can’t function optimally without mineral balance. We now must pair whole-food nutrition with mineral supplementation to support the heart, brain, muscles, bones, and cells. Highly bioavailable ionic minerals, like those in ConcenTrace Trace Mineral Drops, help bridge the gap left by modern diets, soil depletion, and current weight-management trends. Electrolytes and trace minerals aren’t new—Mother Nature intended us to get them from whole foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains, and legumes. But even the healthiest plants can’t deliver what depleted soils no longer provide. And because GLP-1 users and reduced-meal eaters consume less overall food, their risk for mineral deficiency is even higher.”
Shaheen Majeed, Global CEO and Managing Director at Sabinsa, lists GLP-1 support products as one of the three defining trends: natural alternatives backed by pharmaceutical-grade clinical validation, complementary support for GLP-1 users, and ingredients that target root causes like insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, and inflammation. “Consumers have become increasingly sophisticated. They understand that sustainable weight management requires addressing metabolic dysfunction before it becomes a clinical condition. For those using GLP-1 medications, there’s growing demand for supplements that address nutrient deficiencies caused by reduced food intake and slowed gastrointestinal transit, support muscle preservation during rapid weight loss, and maintain broader metabolic health. Meanwhile, consumers seeking natural-first approaches want ingredients backed by rigorous clinical research—randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies published in peer-reviewed journals—the same standards applied to pharmaceuticals.”
Sabinsa’s weight management portfolio addresses multiple metabolic pathways with clinically validated botanicals, including Cirpusins from Cyperus rotundus, which demonstrated significant reductions in body weight, BMI, and waist circumference, plus improvements in lipid profiles including Apolipoprotein B in a 90-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled published study. This, Majeed says, exemplifies the natural-pharmaceutical rigor consumers now expect.
Additional study-backed ingredients from Sabinsa include ForsLean from Coleus forskohlii to support fat metabolism and thermogenesis; Citrin from Garcinia cambogia, standardized for hydroxycitric acid, to support appetite control and lipid management; Fabenol and Fabenol Max from white kidney bean to provide carbohydrate management through alpha-amylase inhibitory activity; and more ingredients for metabolic health support, which is critical both as a natural alternative and as complementary nutrition for GLP-1 users.
Also speaking to the needs of the GLP-1 user, Dr. Stephanie Redmond, PharmD, BC-ADM, CDCES, Founder Dr. Stephanie’s Supplements, advises focusing on:
- Natural appetite suppressants
- Natural GLP-1 boosters
- Fibermaxxing
- Supplements to support the GLP-1 journey
And take care not to focus too heavily on weight. “Support for the GLP-1 user encompasses so many things—including an all-in-one approach or really tailoring and personalizing therapies (like my own GLP-1 Buddy product) to whatever side effects an individual may be experiencing,” says Dr. Redmond. “The emphasis has been on lean muscle preservation (think protein and creatine) but, in my opinion, what really drives the consumer to purchase something is going to be heavily driven by what is ailing them such as hair loss or digestive upset. Yes, lean muscle is what all the podcasters and healthcare providers are preaching about, yet it’s the last thing on someone’s mind when they are losing copious amounts of weight (and excited by this!). However, when they are suffering regularly from nausea, burping, or clogging their shower drain with hair—they are going to be a high intent purchaser and looking for specific solutions tailored to their problem.”
Those gut issues, says Colindres, have led product developers to focus their attention on meeting consumer demand with science-backed prebiotics fiber offerings. “Prebiotic fibers inulin and oligofructose from chicory root belong to the most studied prebiotics. The highest level of robust scientific evidence confirms that chicory root fiber ingredients are prebiotics and belong to the very few proven prebiotics according to ISAPP’s (International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics) strict definition. Their benefits are well-documented across multiple clinical studies. For example, a recent systematic literature review with meta-analyses, conducted by Reimer et al, demonstrates that chicory root fiber intake promotes a significant reduction in body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, waist circumference, and, to a certain extent, body fat percentage.”
Comparably, Kaneka Probiotics has invested in its own gut health solution for individuals looking to take better control of their weight. “Our star solution for supporting weight management journeys is the patented postbiotic, LipiGo, containing a natural extract upcycled from brewery yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The ingredient’s active component is a β-glucan–chitin–chitosan complex (BGCC ) that acts in the gut without disturbing intestinal flora. Research suggests that LipiGo may work through two complementary pathways— promoting a feeling of fullness, and binding to dietary saturated fats in the intestine to facilitate their elimination from the body.”
As GLP-1 therapies continue picking up steam for their positive attributes, so do members of the supporting cast of interrelated nutraceuticals aimed at addressing the adverse consequences. Sea buckthorn is one helper, says Yuen. “As GLP‑1 therapies gain popularity for their effectiveness in weight management, the market is expanding to include complementary nutraceuticals aimed at maintaining metabolic health, filling nutrient gaps, and supporting long‑term weight maintenance. This evolution reflects a more sustainable and health‑focused strategy rather than short‑term weight loss solutions. GLP‑1 therapies have demonstrated success in improving insulin sensitivity and promoting weight loss by increasing fullness and reducing appetite. However, once treatment concludes, maintaining weight loss often becomes challenging due to natural metabolic adaptations that promote weight regain. Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) leaf powder offers a natural, science‑supported solution to help sustain metabolic benefits and prevent rebound weight gain after GLP‑1 therapy.”
Another negative effect from GLP-1 use that will continue to be addressed, reductions in skin elasticity and collagen due to rapid weight loss. “One of the most prominent emerging trends is a growing focus on beauty and skin health. Rapid weight loss can reduce skin elasticity and collagen, leading to sagging, hollowing, and what’s commonly referred to as “Ozempic Face.” Early research also suggests GLP-1 drugs may directly impact collagen production, further accelerating visible skin changes. As a result, brands are investing in early interventions and targeted formulations designed to preserve skin structure, volume, and hydration during weight loss,” says Echchafai.