ODS Conferences and Workshops

Skip navigation links

2008:

ODS Dietary Supplement Research Practicum 2008, June 9 - 13 at NIH
June 9 - 13, 2008 (Workshop)
Microscopic Identification and Characterization of Botanicals and Plant Materials
March 10 - 14, 2008 (Workshop)
This is an intensive five day course with an approximately equal mixture of lecture and hands on training. At the end of the course the student should be able to write a brief monograph identifying the different cell types present in the sample and use the web to gather additional information on plant taxonomy.

2007:
The Science of Botanical Supplements for Human Health: A View from the NIH Botanical Research Center Program
April 28, 2007 (Workshop)
At this workshop taking place at the 2007 Experimental Biology Meeting, scientists from all six Botanical Research Centers funded by ODS and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), will discuss a spectrum of research activities ranging from plant identification to clinical investigation. Investigators will share strategies used in standardizing botanicals as research materials, applying newer technologies to botanicals research, and assessing efficacy of botanical preparations in early phase clinical trials. The goal of the centers is to advance the scientific base of knowledge about botanicals, including issues of their safety, efficacy, and biological action. Registration for the 2007 Experimental Biology Meeting is required for attendance at this workshop.

2006:
Zinc, Alcohol, and the Immune System
May 11, 2006 (Workshop)
The purpose of the workshop is to review the scientific evidence that 1.) Alcohol abuse and zinc depletion undermine the immune system thereby increasing susceptibility to infection, 2.) Alcohol abuse and zinc depletion increase oxidative stress, and in this way cause tissue injury, 3.) The mechanism of zinc action is through its possible restorative effects on the immune system and/or antioxidant pathways, 4.) Zinc deficiency is a risk factor for alcohol-induced liver injury, and 5.) Consumption of zinc is a safe and effective means of affording protection from alcohol-induced tissue injury. Based on an assessment of the state-of-the-science, the panel will identify gaps in our knowledge and make recommendations for targeted initiatives in basic and translational research.

2005:
Why, When, What, and How of Clinical Trials: Educational Sessions
November 9, 2005 (Workshop)
With growing recognition of the importance of conducting clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of dietary supplements, the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) was invited to organize three educational sessions at the November 2005 SupplySide West International Trade Show and Conference. The sessions featured scientists from academic and government who spoke on the value of conducting clinical trials, designing trials to test hypotheses, appropriate selection of test materials and study subjects, and interpreting study findings, and funding clinical trials.
Workshop on Diet, Nutrition, and Dietary Supplement Use in Autism: Evaluation of the Evidence
October 6, 2005 (Workshop)
The workshop will focus on providing NIH with an overview of the current state of the science on dietary supplements and related interventions in managing autism. In addition, the workshop will identify the specific scientific questions that can be addressed concerning research needs and opportunities and will provide NIH with examples of investigating the role of dietary supplements in management of ASD.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and their Role in Cardiac Arrhythmogenesis Workshop
August 29 - 30, 2005 (Workshop)
The major goals for this workshop are to: (1) review the epidemiological evidence and the data from randomized trials on the role of omega-3 fatty acids in susceptibility to arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death; (2) explore the basic mechanisms by which omega-3 fatty acids affect cardiac excitability at the cellular and organ level; (3) identify the gaps and barriers in our basic understanding of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on cardiac electrical activity at the cellular, tissue, and whole body levels; and (4) provide prioritized recommendations for additional research studies to (a) better understand the basic mechanisms coupling omega-3 fatty acids to cardiac electrical activity and (b) facilitate translation of this knowledge to the treatment and prevention of cardiac arrhythmias.
Conference Proceedings (PDF, 5.8MB)
Executive Summary (PDF, 32kB)
Use and Misuse of Biomarkers as Indicators of Cancer Risk Reduction Following Dietary Manipulation
July 12 - 13, 2005 (Workshop)
The purpose of this workshop is to provide the scientific community and the lay public a general background of what is ongoing in biomarker validation in general and to mention what is needed in particular. The conference goals are to review and discuss the criteria for surrogate endpoints for cancer risk, identify biomarkers that are influenced by diet and determine their relationship to cancer risk and tumor behavior, and explore emerging biomarkers for their relevance to nutrition and cancer prevention.
Assessing the Health Effects of Bioactive Food Components
April 1, 2005 (Workshop)
The Office of Dietary Supplements and other interested parties in the Federal Government are exploring approaches to evaluate the significance of bioactive food components in health promotion and disease prevention. Because the outcomes of these efforts could influence future research in this area, this symposium should attract the attention of researchers interested in examining the health effects of these substances.

2002:
Mechanistic Studies of Cardiovascular Effects of Botanicals
August 22 - 23, 2002 (Workshop)
Future Directions for the CSFII/NHANES Diet Nutrition Survey: What We Eat in America
June 20 - 21, 2002 (Workshop)
Special Issue on the Integrated CSFII-NHANES. J Nutr. 2003 Feb;133:575-634S.
Perspectives on Conjugated Linoleic Acid Research, Current Status and Future Directions
May 15 - 16, 2002 (Workshop)
Summary
Presentations
Dietary Supplements Analytical Methods Workshop
April 18, 2002 (Workshop)