ARS | Publication request: Measuring Vitamins and Minerals in Dietary Supplements

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: August 15, 2007
Publication Date: October 1, 2007
Citation: Dwyer, J., Piccian, M., Saldanha, L., Fisher, K., Yetley, E., Betz, J., Thomas, P., Coates, P., Holden, J.M., Andrews, K., Roseland, J.M., Zhao, C., Schweitzer, A., Harnly, J.M., Wolf, W.R., Perry, C., Milner, J., Whitted, J., Burt, V., Radimer, K., Wilger, J., Hardy, C., Sharpless, K. 2007. Measuring vitamins and minerals in dietary supplements. National Nutrient Databank Conference, April 27, 2007, Washington, DC.

Technical Abstract: Objective: Describe 1) why information on vitamin and mineral intakes from dietary supplements is needed for estimating total nutrient intakes in populations 2) the current status and challenges in developing an analytically validated dietary supplement ingredient database (DSID) 3) lessons from pilot studies analyzing multi-vitamin mineral supplements (MVMs) for the DSID and 4) related ODS programs Methods and Materials Because >30% of Americans take nutrient-containing dietary supplements it is difficult to link total nutrient exposures to health outcomes without estimates of total dietary intakes from all sources. Therefore, ODS established collaborations with the ARS/USDA, NCHS/CDC, FDA and NIST to develop analytically validated label databases for dietary supplements and use them in national surveys. Results: Analytical methods and appropriate reference materials are critical to developing a dietary supplement ingredient database. Laboratories and protocols that performed well in analyzing foods did not always do as well in dietary supplement analyses, so qualified laboratories were identified and revised methods were developed. The first priority for populating the DSID is nutrients of public health significance such as vitamins and minerals. A study of 35 popular adult MVM products revealed that composition and levels varied among products, and no standard compositional profile/formulation of MVM existed. Pilot studies of 35 popular adult MVM products included analyses of 22 vitamins and minerals and comparisons of % DV on labels with analytically determined values. These studies identified numerous challenges, including definition of products, product formulation, sampling preparation, analytical method identification and issues related to comparison of analytical data. Further studies are planned for prenatal MVMs, children's MVMs, and calcium products. ODS also collaborates in maintaining the NHANES dietary supplement label database and a database of all dietary supplement labels in the USA.Significance: The challenge is evident for developing analytically validated databases for dietary supplements. Funding Disclosure: ODS,NIH, ARS