Dietary Supplements Resources
Helpful organizations, publications, and databases for learning about dietary supplements
These are helpful organizations, publications, and databases for learning about dietary supplements.
Resources
General Resources
Dietary Supplements: Red Flags: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe and Avoid Fraud [PDF]
For the Provider
Dietary Supplement Education for DoD Healthcare Providers [PDF]
Web-based Dietary Supplement Education Module [PDF Access Instructions]
Guidelines for Taking a Comprehensive Dietary Supplement History [PDF]
"How to Probe for Dietary Supplement Use and Report Adverse Events" [Video]
Reporting Adverse Events from Dietary Supplements [PDF]
Reporting Adverse Events from Dietary Supplements [Presentation]
For the Warfighter
Dietary Supplement Education for Warfighters [PDF]
Reporting Adverse Events from Dietary Supplements [PDF]
Reporting Adverse Events from Dietary Supplements [Presentation]
Organizations
ConsumerLab.com
A for-profit organization that provides independent testing and information on dietary supplements. Subscription is required.
Natural Products Association (NPA)
A non-profit organization that offers product testing of dietary supplement through it’s TruLabel and GMP certification programs. The Association was the first organization to offer a third-party GMP certification program specific to the manufacturing of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients.
The Navy/Marine Corps Public Health Center
The Navy/Marine Corps Public Health Center’s (NMCPHC) portal for information on dietary supplements.
NSF International
A non-profit organization that offers programs and services to augment and support the work of regulatory officials. One of its roles is to provide product testing and certification for dietary supplements.
Office of Dietary Supplements
The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides evidence-based information, guidelines, and resources on dietary supplements, supports research, and provides research results.
United States Army Public Health Command (Provisional)
The Army’s portal for providing information and resources on dietary supplements for service members, their families, and health care providers.
United States Pharmacopeias (USP)
A non–governmental company that sets standards for the quality, purity, strength, and consistency of dietary supplements. USP's standards are recognized and used in more than 130 countries around the globe. Click here for a list of USP verified supplements.
Databases
Computer Access to Research on Dietary Supplements (CARDS)
Information on federally funded dietary supplement research.
Dietary Supplements Ingredient Database
Estimates, based on chemical analysis, of the nutrient content of selected dietary supplement ingredients in multivitamin/multimineral dietary supplements, compared to ingredient content claimed on the label.
Dietary Supplements Labels Database
Information on the ingredients of over 4,000 products of dietary supplements sold in the United States. This site is designed for both researchers and consumers of dietary supplements.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database
A comprehensive listing of brand name product ingredients and examines natural medicines through the lens of evidence-based medicine.
Natural Standard Database
Objective, reliable information on complementary and alternative therapies such as dietary supplements, herbs, and foods. Subscription is required.
General Information
Dietary Supplements: What you need to know to stay safe and avoid fraud
Despite growing popularity among military personnel, many dietary supplements on the market are tainted and unsafe. If you are currently using or considering using a dietary supplement, ask yourself these red flag questions to minimize your risk of consuming harmful products.
Botanical dietary supplements: Background information
Overview of botanical dietary supplements, including how they are commonly prepared and sold, methods used to evaluate their health benefits and safety, and additional sources of information.
Dietary supplements: Background information
General information on dietary supplements, including how they are regulated, methods used to evaluate health benefits and safety, and many more frequently asked questions.
Full list of dietary supplement fact sheets
Alphabetical list of consumer and health professional dietary supplement fact sheets.
MedlinePlus: Drugs, herbs, and supplements
Provides a wide range of information on supplements and herbs for the average consumer.
Vitamin and mineral supplement fact sheets
Alphabetical list of vitamins and minerals fact sheets.
