SSE09:Dietary Supplement Ingredient Database Explained

SECAUCUS, N.J.—Government agencies are hard at work on various references for the natural products industry, compiling data on natural compounds from research, surveys and other sources. In fact, the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) partnered with USDA to fund the creation of the Dietary Supplement Ingredient Database (DSID), with help from collaborators including National Cancer Institute, National Center for Health Statistics and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST). SupplySide East education attendees learned about DSID and related projects from Janet Roseland, R.D., nutritionist and project coordinator, and Karen Andrews, R.D., senior research manager, both of the DSID at the Nutrient Data Laboratory (NDL) in USDA.

They first briefed the crowd on the USDA Nutrient Databank, a reference for food composition data and the foundation for most other databases in their nutritional arsenal. NDL sources its data from scientific literature, food industry data, analytical lab data, label info, standard reference database (USDA), dietary surveys and special releases. The Nutrient Databank is available online and links to other resources such as the Tufts University Nutrition Navigator. Overall, the databank covers traditional components such as amino acids, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids, as well as emerging components like carotenoids, isoflavones, flavonoids, choline and omega-3s.

The demand is increasing for emerging components, based on interest for new bioactive compounds, positive clinical study results and updated dietary reference intakes. New priorities were also a focus, with emphasis on special interest databases for certain emerging ingredients, and additions to the standard reference, such as vitamin K and trans fatty acids.

Andrews outlined the steps involved in developing DSID research, including prioritizing supplement products and ingredients, qualifying labs and methods, identifying a comprehensive list of supplements, assessing the quality of analytical results on samples, and evaluating results. Some of the studies in the DISD pipeline include a lab pilot study to analyze supplement nutrients, a percent daily value study to assess variability in adult multivitamin/minerals (MVMs), a caffeine study on products with various caffeine ingredients, and another adult MVM study to assess nutrient content and variability. Andrews detailed the protocol and nutrients involved in these studies, in addition to the sampling structures, quality control and the application and evaluation of the end data.

Nest, Roseland guided the audience through the DSID Web site, showing the Web site on the big screen and demonstrating the various navigational features, including data files, research summaries, FAQs, glossary and an adult MVM calculator. She also reprted on future areas of study such as children's MVMs, omega-3 products, prenatal MVMs and combination calcium/vitamin D supplements.