Nervonic acid, a biochemical and molecular biological term published in 2008, is scientifically known as 24-carbon-cis-15-enoic acid. It is a long-chain unsaturated fatty acid containing 24 carbon atoms and one double bond, with a melting point of 42°C. It is naturally found in nerve tissue and fish oil and is a key component of cerebrosides. Its chemical formula is C₂₄H₄₆O₂. As an important component of nerve tissue membranes, it is a marker substance of the medulla in cerebrosides. The human body cannot synthesize it and must obtain it through external intake.
Core Physiological Functions
Nervonic acid is currently recognized as the only natural substance that can repair and unblock damaged neural pathways (nerve fibers) in the brain and promote nerve cell regeneration. Its core functions are reflected in three main aspects: First, maintaining the integrity of the myelin sheath and ensuring efficient nerve impulse transmission; second, by penetrating the blood-brain barrier, repairing the detached myelin sheath, dissolving necrotic tissue within the pathways, inducing nerve fiber growth and division, and reshaping the neural network; and third, regulating inflammatory signaling pathways and improving lipid metabolism, playing a positive role in cardiovascular homeostasis and intervention for inflammatory diseases. A deficiency in nervonic acid may lead to various brain diseases such as post-stroke sequelae, Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, and memory loss.
Application of Nervonic Acid in Dietary Supplements
(I) Regulatory Basis for Application
In 2017, the National Health Commission of China listed nervonic acid as a new food ingredient, allowing its application in general food products. It stipulated that the purity of nervonic acid must be ≥85%, with a daily intake limit of ≤300 mg. The applicable scope includes edible oils, solid beverages, dairy products, and candies, but excludes infant formula. Labels must include a warning stating “Not suitable for infants and young children.” The newly revised “Catalogue of Raw Materials for Health Foods” in 2024 added nervonic acid as a functional ingredient, further promoting its standardized application in the field of dietary supplements.
(II) Common Product Forms and Formulation Design
Currently, the mainstream forms of nervonic acid dietary supplements are capsules (soft capsules, hard capsules), compressed tablets, and solid beverages. Capsule products dominate the market due to their high bioavailability and precise dosage. Formulation designs often utilize synergistic effects of multiple ingredients, commonly including DHA, ARA, probiotics, and B vitamins. For example, products combining nervonic acid with probiotics for gut-brain axis regulation have already captured 12% of the market share in 2025. In terms of production technology, the application of nanoemulsification and liposome encapsulation technologies has increased the bioavailability of nervonic acid from 32% in traditional preparations to 67%, promoting the diversification of product forms towards oral films and microencapsulated powders.
(III) Core Application Scenarios
Based on its physiological functions, nervonic acid dietary supplements have formed three core application scenarios: firstly, maintaining brain health in the elderly, developing targeted anti-aging supplements for memory decline and cognitive impairment; secondly, supporting brain development in adolescents, assisting in improving concentration and memory during the learning stage; and thirdly, combating fatigue in working professionals, alleviating symptoms such as insomnia and forgetfulness caused by mental exhaustion by improving neurological function. Furthermore, its application in the auxiliary intervention of neurodegenerative diseases is also gradually expanding.
Market Demand Analysis of Nervonic Acid Dietary Supplements
(I) Market Size and Growth Trend
The global nervonic acid market is experiencing rapid growth, with China, as a core producer and consumer, showing particularly significant market growth. Data shows that the Chinese nervonic acid industry market size reached 7.86 billion yuan in 2025 and is projected to increase to 21.45 billion yuan by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.3%. Dietary supplements contribute the main growth driver, with an average annual growth rate of 21%. In terms of production capacity, the total domestic nervonic acid production capacity was 850 tons in 2025, with an output of 680 tons, representing a capacity utilization rate of 80%. It is projected that by 2030, production capacity will reach 2,500 tons, and output will reach 2,000 tons to match the continuously expanding market demand.
(II) Core Drivers of Market Demand
1. Accelerated Population Aging: The annual consumption growth rate of nervonic acid health products among people aged 60 and above reached 27%, significantly higher than the average level across all age groups. The rising incidence of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease directly drives the demand for brain health supplements.
2. Increased Health Awareness: Consumers are increasingly focused on brain health and cognitive enhancement, making functional dietary supplements an important choice for daily health management and driving up the penetration rate of nervonic acid products.
3. Technological Breakthroughs Reduce Costs and Increase Efficiency: The application of technologies such as microbial fermentation and enzyme-catalyzed synthesis has reduced the production cost of nervonic acid by 62% compared to traditional processes, while increasing purity to 99.5%, laying the foundation for product widespread adoption.
4. Policy and Channel Support: The “Healthy China 2030” plan includes nervonic acid as a key supported bioactive substance, and cross-border e-commerce channels are driving product exports to exceed US$920 million by 2025, further expanding market space.
(III) Competitive Landscape and Development Trends
The market exhibits a leading concentration, with top companies such as Jiabiyou and Jindawei occupying over 43% of the market share through technological advantages. The industry’s CR5 (top five companies’ concentration) is projected to increase from 51% in 2025 to 68% in 2030. In terms of technological development, the share of production capacity using biosynthesis will increase from 18% in 2025 to 35% in 2030, with green production processes and intelligent equipment becoming the mainstream direction. In the international market, Chinese companies have obtained certifications such as EU Novel Food and FDA GRAS, and their exports primarily target high-net-worth individuals in North America and Southeast Asia, indicating significant potential for overseas market expansion.
