The US dietary supplements market is estimated to reach $68.74 billion in 2025 and is projected to expand to more than $131 billion by 2033, reflecting continued growth in preventive health and wellness products, according to data by Grand View Research.
Demand for micronutrients like iron remains part of that expansion, and within this landscape, Cyvex Nutrition has recently announced the addition of a plant-based ferritin iron to its ingredient distribution portfolio through a partnership with SloIron, Inc.
The agreement brings SloIron ferritin iron to Cyvex’s U.S. distribution network, targeting applications such as women’s health, prenatal and sports nutrition, where gastrointestinal tolerance and long-term adherence to supplement regimens remain common challenges.
Ongoing challenges with conventional iron formats
Cyvex said persistent limitations with traditional iron ingredients were a key factor behind the decision.
“From our perspective, the biggest gap in the iron market centers around tolerability, consistency of absorption and real-world adherence,” Matthew Phillips, president of Cyvex Nutrition, told NutraIngredients. “Conventional iron salts and chelates remain standard in the market, but they come with well-documented GI side effects, metallic taste challenges and oxidation issues that complicate product development and ultimately limit long-term consumer use.”
Those challenges are magnified by the scale of iron deficiency in the United States: According to the CDC, the most recent data available reflects that between August 2021 and 2023, 9.3% of the U.S. population aged two and older were anemic.
In its Anemia Prevalence: United States, August 2021–August 2023 report, the CDC also noted the following:
- More women experienced anemia than men, 13% verses 5.5%, respectively.
- Rates of anemia were lowest in children ages 2 to 11 (4.7%) and highest in adults 60 and older (12.5%).
- “Anemia prevalence was highest in Black non-Hispanic females (31.4%) and Black non-Hispanic males (10.8%) age 2 and older compared with all other race and Hispanic-origin groups.”
- Anemia prevalence decreased with increasing family income overall across genders in those age 2 and older.
“These limitations are especially problematic given the scale of iron deficiency in the United States, where millions of Americans, particularly women, struggle to maintain healthy iron levels,” Phillips said.
According to Cyvex, ferritin iron presented a different approach compared to established formats.
“SloIron offered a clear solution to these challenges,” Phillips said. “The foundational research by SloIron, Inc.’s cofounder, Dr. Elizabeth C. Theil, demonstrated that ferritin iron uses a unique, regulated absorption pathway that delivers meaningful uptake at smaller, gentler doses.”
Positioning for sensitive populations and new formats
Cyvex is working to differentiate itself in the market by positioning SloIron around tolerance and physiological alignment rather than higher dosing, offering a solution and a “better alternative to traditional iron salts and chelates by focusing on its superior tolerability, physiological alignment and formulation flexibility,” Phillips said.
The ingredient works through “its unique absorption mechanism, [which] keeps the iron safely enclosed in a protein cage, preventing gut irritation and releasing iron slowly only as the body needs it,” he explained, adding that this is particularly relevant for categories where side effects can impact adherence to supplement regimens.
“This positioning is especially relevant for brands active in women’s health, prenatal, infant and sports nutrition, where the need for reliable iron support is high but tolerance for GI side effects is low,” he added.
Ferritin iron also creates opportunities for broader use across delivery formats.
“Its mild sensory profile and stability open the door to formats that are typically challenging for iron fortification, including gummies, powders, chews and functional foods,” Phillips said.
Early interest from brands and formulators
Although Cyvex is still in the early stages of distribution, the company is seeing interest from formulators.
“Feedback from brands and formulators has been very positive,” Phillips said, as “they’re particularly excited about having a plant-based iron option that offers both safety and formulation flexibility.”
Children’s and gummy applications have been a frequent topic in early discussions.
“We’re also hearing strong interest in the fact that SloIron maintains effective absorption in formats like kids’ gummies, which are often challenging for other iron forms because of low doses, food interactions and stability issues,” he added.
Clinical research plans
SloIron has completed one human clinical study alongside multiple preclinical and cellular studies, with additional research planned.
Vincent Hackel, MBA, president and CEO of SloIron, told NI that the company has recently completed a pharmacokinetic study in humans to be published later this year.
“We also have plans to conduct more clinical trials comparing SloIron to other iron supplement ingredients commonly found in the marketplace today,” he said.
There are other applications planned as the distribution partnership moves forward, he also shared. For example, “we are still in development of a water-soluble version for the beverage channel,” he said.
