The Vital Nutrients Symposium serves as a dedicated industry platform that brings together leading professionals in supplements and functional foods, science and health. Its purpose is to drive innovation by embracing industry needs, market and consumer trends, and scientific updates across the dietary supplement, nutraceuticals and functional food sectors.

Participants will gain first-hand insights from renowned experts, discover emerging opportunities and trends, and acquire practical knowledge to support product development, strategic decision-making and successful commercialization.

Beyond knowledge sharing, the symposium offers valuable opportunities to connect with industry leaders, innovators and decision-makers, thus encouraging collaboration, future growth and innovation within the sector.

The symposium is designed for professionals across the dietary supplement, nutraceutical and functional food sectors, including manufacturers, brand owners, product developers, formulators, purchasing managers and distributors.

It is also highly relevant for healthcare professionals, nutrition experts, scientists, researchers, and other stakeholders seeking the latest insights into nutritional approaches and innovative solutions for supporting cognitive performance, mental well-being and long-term brain health.

The third Vital Nutrients Symposium is dedicated to Brain & Beyond: Optimizing Cognitive Health Across the Lifespan, exploring the growing role of nutrition and supplementation in supporting brain function, mental well-being and cognitive vitality at every stage of life.

The scientific programme will cover key areas such as cognitive performance, memory, emotional well-being, mental resilience, healthy brain ageing and brainspan. Further topics include evidence-based nutritional strategies to enhance redox balance, one-carbon metabolism, vascular health and overall brain resilience.

Cognitive and brain health has become one of the fastest-growing segments in the dietary supplement market, driven by increasing consumer interest in mental performance, stress management, healthy ageing and emotional well-being.

According to market research, the global brain health supplements market is expected to grow from approximately USD 14 billion in 2026 to more than USD 31 billion by 2033^[1], reflecting strong demand for science-backed solutions that support memory, focus, mood and long-term cognitive vitality. This makes cognitive health a key growth area for the supplement and functional food industries.

^[1] Brain Health Supplements Market Size Report, 2026-2033

The brainchild of Kaneka Nutrients Europe, the symposium is supported by leading suppliers of functional health ingredients, including Aker BioMarine, Alzchem Group, AstaReal and Gnosis by Lesaffre. Together, these companies have decades of expertise in nutritional science, ingredient innovation and product development.

As active players in the global dietary supplement and functional food sectors, they not only develop and supply science-backed ingredients but also make significant investment in clinical research and scientific collaboration. By bringing together experts from academia, healthcare and industry, they aim to facilitate knowledge exchange, share the latest scientific advances and support evidence-based innovation that translates research into successful health and nutrition products.

The first Vital Nutrients Symposium was held in 2025 and focused on Longevity, featuring expert presentations and discussions on healthy ageing, science and strategies to support long-term well-being.

The second edition in 2026 explored Women’s & Men’s Health, covering topics such as hormonal balance, fertility, menopause and andropause, as well as gender-specific approaches to vitality, mental health and stress resilience.

The 2027 symposium marks the third edition of the event and expands the platform internationally with a focus on Brain & Beyond: Optimizing Cognitive Health Across the Lifespan, bringing together a global audience for the very first time.

Participants will gain exclusive access to the latest scientific insights, market intelligence, expert presentations and emerging consumer trends shaping the dietary supplement and functional food industries. The symposium provides a unique opportunity to learn from leading researchers, healthcare professionals and industry experts while exploring innovative approaches to cognitive and brain health.

Whether attending on site or online, participants can engage in expert discussions, exchange ideas with peers, discover new product concepts and gain valuable inspiration for product development, positioning and commercialization.

In addition, the event offers excellent networking opportunities, enabling attendees to connect with industry leaders, innovators and decision-makers from across the global nutrition, supplement and functional food sectors.

Yes. The Vital Nutrients Symposium 2027 will be held in a hybrid format, allowing participants to choose between on-site attendance in Fulda, Germany, and virtual participation via live stream.

Both options provide access to the full conference programme, including expert presentations, scientific discussions and interactive Q&A sessions. Online participants can join from anywhere in the world and engage with speakers, and fellow attendees through dedicated digital networking and interaction features.

The ticket provides full access to all conference sessions across both days of the event. Participants can choose between on-site attendance and virtual participation, giving them maximum flexibility to join the event in the way that best suits their needs. The ticket price remains the same regardless of the participation format.

For on-site attendees, the registration fee includes refreshments, snacks and lunch on both conference days, as well as a networking dinner on the first evening. Please note that accommodation is not included.

Whether attending in person or virtually, participants will have access to the full scientific programme and the opportunity to engage with speakers and fellow professionals.

Fulda combines convenient accessibility with a compact and walkable city centre. Located roughly one hour from Frankfurt Airport by direct high-speed rail, the city is well connected to Germany's national ICE network, with regular services to major destinations including Berlin, Hamburg and Munich.

The symposium venue, hotels, restaurants and key attractions are located within a relatively small area, making it easy for participants to move around the city and make good use of their time. In addition to its practical advantages, Fulda offers a well-preserved baroque townscape featuring landmarks such as the cathedral, city palace and historic old town, providing a distinctive setting for the event.

This combination of accessibility, infrastructure and historic character makes Fulda an attractive location for international meetings and professional exchanges.