The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) is a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, operating under the National Institutes of Health. ODS is dedicated to strengthening knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by providing comprehensive and valuable health information to the public.
ODS offers a wide array of informational resources including supplement fact sheets, frequently asked questions, videos, a dictionary of dietary supplement terms, and nutrient recommendations. Spanish language materials are also available for Spanish-speaking customers. In addition, ODS provides a consumer awareness and protection section which includes a 'My Dietary Supplement and Medicine Record' feature, facilitating the tracking of an individual's supplement and medication use.
Operating a multitude of programs and activities, ODS is heavily invested in research and development of dietary supplements. ODS's analytical methods and reference materials program, the NIH Consortium for Advancing Research on Botanical and Other Natural Products Program, and the Population Studies Program, contribute significantly to the body of scientific knowledge on dietary supplements. The ODS Co-funding Program provides monetary assistance to projects related to dietary supplements.
ODS maintains three separate databases pertaining to dietary supplements - the Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD), Dietary Supplement Ingredient Database (DSID), and the Computer Access to Research on Dietary Supplements (CARDS) Database. These databases serve as invaluable resources for researchers, healthcare providers, and consumers seeking trusted and reliable information on dietary supplements.
Furthermore, ODS offers an ODS Scholars Program and an annual Dietary Supplement Research Practicum. These provide unique opportunities for students and professionals in the health and science fields to further their understanding of dietary supplements.
In conclusion, the Office of Dietary Supplements is a dependable source of unbiased information regarding dietary supplements, consistently providing updated, scientifically-sound data and actively engaging in research to contribute to the body of knowledge in this field.
