Nutrition 21 Appoints Michael A. Zeher President & Chief Executive Officer

           Strong Domestic & International Management Experience



    PURCHASE, N.Y., July 15 /EMWNews-FirstCall/ -- Nutrition 21, Inc.

(Nasdaq: NXXI) announced today that the Board of Directors effective July

14, 2008 appointed Michael A. Zeher as President & Chief Executive Officer

and as a member of the Board.



    Michael A. Zeher comes to Nutrition 21 with a distinguished record of

consumer product success spanning more than 35 years in the health and

personal care sectors. Mr. Zeher most recently served as President and

Chief Executive Officer of Nutritional Laboratories International, Inc.,

recognized by Dun & Bradstreet and Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the

fastest growing privately-held companies in the U.S. Prior to joining

Nutritional Labs, Mr. Zeher was President and Chief Operating Officer of

Pharmaceutical Formulations, Inc., a publicly-traded contract manufacturer

of over 100 different types of solid-dose branded and private label

over-the-counter pharmaceutical products. He also led the integration and

growth of the company's branded division platform, Konsyl, Inc., a premium

marketer of OTC and nutraceutical products in the digestive health

category. He has also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of

Lander Co., Inc., a privately-held global manufacturer and marketer of

personal care products. Earlier in his career Mr. Zeher held various

management positions of increasing responsibility at industry leaders such

as Johnson & Johnson and Marion Merrill Dow. Mr. Zeher is a graduate of Old

Dominion University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business

Administration.



    "I am delighted to join the team at Nutrition 21," said Mr. Zeher. "I

believe this company is uniquely positioned to grow into a thriving and

profitable business providing products to support active, healthy lives and

improved cognitive function. Nutrition 21 has a history of developing

efficacious products by effectively combining research, biotechnology, and

strategic marketing partnerships. We will look to leverage that tradition

with a strong corporate structure, financial discipline, a vision dedicated

to taking this company to the next level of its development, and in

creating sustainable shareholder value."



    "Nutrition 21 is indeed fortunate to introduce Mike Zeher as its new

President and Chief Executive Officer," said John Gutfreund, Chairman of

the Board of Directors of Nutrition 21, Inc. "Mike's extensive experience

in the nutritional supplement industry will enable him to set a clear

course for the Company in the future. Mike also knows well how to manage

and motivate a small, entrepreneurial organization to get the maximum value

out of every employee. Under his leadership, the Board fully expects that

the Company will enjoy renewed growth, both in revenues and in profits."



    Peter Mann, a member of Nutrition 21's Board of Directors added, "I

would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Mike Fink and Gerry

Butler for the exceptional job they have done as interim Co-CEO's. Mike and

Gerry arrived on the job in late March 2008 and immediately set the Company

on a new and exciting path. Under their leadership, Nutrition 21 is now

focused on delivering positive EBITDA while continuing to grow top-line

revenues in its key business segments. We are all deeply grateful for their

contributions. Mike and Gerry will continue as executive officers in their

new positions as Co-COOs and will work closely with Mike Zeher in his new

position as President and CEO. I am also delighted that Mike Zeher is

joining NXXI. I have known Mike for many years, and he is an individual

with exceptional values and uniquely strong character."



    In connection with the Company's hiring of Mr. Zeher, he was awarded an

inducement grant of an option to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock

at $0.36 per share. The option vests (i) one-third on each of the first

three anniversaries of July 14, 2008 provided Mr. Zeher is then employed by

the Company, or (ii) if earlier, on his death or permanent disability while

employed. The option will expire on the earlier of 89 days after

termination of employment or July 13, 2018.

    About Nutrition 21



    Nutrition 21, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXXI), headquartered in Purchase, NY, is a

nutritional bioscience company and the maker of chromium picolinate-based

and omega-3 fish oil-based supplements with health benefits substantiated

by clinical research. Nutrition 21 holds more than 30 patents for nutrition

products and uses. Nutrition 21's portfolio of health and wellness brands

include: Chromax(R), Core4Life Advanced Memory Formula(TM), Diabetes

Essentials(TM), Iceland Health(R) Maximum Strength Omega-3 and Iceland

Health(R) Joint Relief. The company also manufactures private label

supplements and ingredients for third parties. Nutrition 21 distributes its

products nationally through more than 29,000 major food, drug and super

center retailers as well as internationally. For more information please

visit http://www.nutrition21.com.



    Safe Harbor Provision



    This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements. The

words "believe," "expect," "anticipate" and other similar expressions

generally identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to

place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only

as of their dates. These forward-looking statements are based largely on

the Company's current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and

uncertainties, including without limitation: the effect of the expiration

of patents; regulatory issues; uncertainty in the outcomes of clinical

trials; changes in external market factors; changes in the Company's

business or growth strategy or an inability to execute its strategy due to

changes in its industry or the economy generally; the emergence of new or

growing competitors; various other competitive factors; and other risks and

uncertainties indicated from time to time in the Company's filings with the

Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K/A for the year

ended June 30, 2007. Actual results could differ materially from the

results referred to in the forward-looking statements. In light of these

risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the results

referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this press

release will in fact occur. Additionally, the Company makes no commitment

to disclose any revisions to forward-looking statements, or any facts,

events or circumstances after the date hereof that may bear upon

forward-looking statements.






    Contact:  For Investor Inquiries:

              Joe Diaz

              Lytham Partners, LLC

              602-889-9700