Office of Dietary Supplements outlines five-year strategic plan

06-Jan-2017 - Last updated on 06-Jan-2017 at 15:13 GMT

Creating and disseminating analytic tools for biomarkers, seeking to better understand the microbiome, and enhancing consumer to the Dietary Supplement Label Database are just some of the new directions outlined by the Office of Dietary Supplements for 2017-2021.

The National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements released its 2017-21 strategic plan last month, and the document outlines some examples of new directions the office will take over the next five years, including:

1. Coordinating the creation and dissemination of analytical tools to expand beyond measuring nutrient ingredients in supplements to include the identification and measurement of biomarkers of nutrient exposure and status in blood and how these relate to chronic disease risk;

2. Seeking to understand how the microbiome changes or influences the effects of bioactives in food and dietary supplements;

3. Evaluating and developing tools to more precisely assess dietary supplement usage patterns, including large health surveys in specific populations;

4. Launching mobile versions of the Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) to enhance consumer access;

5. Expanding its research practicum to increase participation, possibly with a live webcast of future events; and

6. Exploring additional mechanisms to support postdoctoral research training.

“ODS’s prioritization of activities is an ongoing process, continuing beyond the strategic planning period, and is based on research opportunities and public health needs,” states the document.

To read the full document, please click HERE.