Table of Contents

Component Description

The Dietary Supplements section (DSQ) provides personal interview data on use of vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements. These questions were asked for all participants during the household interview. The questions in the NHANES 1999-2000 DSQ section are basically the same as in NHANES III (1988-94), however in NHANES 1999-2000, participants were asked about use of all types of dietary supplements, not just vitamin and mineral supplements.

The first release (June 2002): contained only preliminary, unedited data on whether a participant reported taking any dietary supplement (DSQ010), and the total number of supplements reported (DSDCOUNT). This second release contains edited data for DSD010 and DSDCOUNT, as well as data on the supplements themselves and details of the participant’s use of the supplement.

Eligible Sample

All ages.

Interview Setting and Mode of Administration

The DSQ was done before the physical examination, in the home, using the Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing-CAPI (interviewer-administered) system. Participants 16 years of age and over answered for themselves; A proxy provided information for survey participants who were under 16 years of age and for individuals who could not answer the questions themselves.

 

Data Processing and Editing

Participants are asked if they have taken a dietary supplement in the past month, and asked to include prescription and non-prescription supplements. They are shown a hand card that lists examples of dietary supplements (Appendix 1: Handcard DSQ1). Those who answer “yes” are asked to show the supplement containers to the interviewer. If no container is available, the interviewer asks the participant for as detailed a name as possible. For each supplement reported, the interviewer enters the supplement’s name and manufacturer into a computer. Recording the name can be a matter of judgment. A definitive name may not be obvious, as supplement labels may contain a variety of descriptive phrases, function claims, and quality claims, with wording in diverse places on the label and in various sizes and directions, including vertical. Interviewers are instructed to enter as complete a name as possible, including all qualifying words (such as “iron-free,” “high potency,” and “with lutein”).

The interviewer then views a list of supplements on her/his computer and selects one if it is judged to be an exact match for the supplement entered; otherwise, no match is made. No ingredient information is recorded by the interviewer. However, if the supplement is a single ingredient supplement, the interviewer records the strength. Participants are asked about their use of the supplement: how long they have been taking it; how often in the last month; and how much each time they took it. Up to 20 supplements can be recorded. The exact questions the interviewer asks, and a short description of the other data recorded, are included in the DSQ codebook.

Some prescription supplements are mistakenly recorded in the prescription medicine section rather than the dietary supplement section. Strength and details of the persons usage are missing for these supplements. All supplements, including prescription supplements are released in the DSQ section only, not in the medication (RXQ) section.

Information on use of non-prescription antacids was sometimes recorded in the dietary supplement section; other times in the antacid sub-section of the medication section (RXQ). Because of their nutrient content, antacids that contain calcium or magnesium are released with the DSQ data, irrespective of where they were reported. Only these antacids are reported; this is not a complete accounting of all antacids. Data users should also be aware that the section in which an antacid is recorded (e.g. DSQ or RXQ) may not accurately represent the usage of that antacid. For example, some antacids reported with the RXQ (medications) section may have been used as a dietary supplement or vice versa, and some antacids may be used as both medications and calcium supplements. Thus, users are cautioned that analyses of these data to estimate the percentage of antacids used as dietary supplements would not be appropriate.

Survey data collected by interviewers

• Taken any vitamin, mineral or other dietary supplements in past month?
• Supplement name entered and selected
• Supplement strength, if single ingredient
• Was the container was seen?
• Supplement manufacturer entered and selected
• How long supplement has been taken?
• How often supplement was taken in past month?
• How much was taken each time? 

Matching a reported supplement to known supplement

Trained nutritionists at NCHS match the product names entered or selected by the interviewer (including prescription supplements and antacids containing calcium or magnesium) to a known product when possible. These matches are made with varying degrees of precision, and a matching code (DSDMATCH) accompanies each match (Appendix 2: Matching Codes). Briefly, the codes are: 1) Exact or near exact match; 2) Probable match; 3) Generic match; 4); Reasonable match; and 5) Default match. In some cases no match can be made with any certainty. These products are coded 6) No match. Products whose names were reported as “Refused” (7777) or “Don’t know” (9999) have matching codes of 7 and 9, respectively.

NCHS communicates with many major manufacturing company representatives to determine when various product re-formulations become available. We match reported with known supplements based upon reported supplement name as entered by the interviewer and the product version on the market at that time, if known. Based upon manufacturer advice, we have used a lag time of 5 months after new product market entry in matching recorded products to these new products. Despite these precautions, there is no guarantee that the product taken was not an older or newer product than the one to which it was matched.

NCHS created generic and default dietary supplements and entered these into the supplement database. Reported supplements for which the strength of all ingredients were known were matched to a generic supplement, i.e. one which had no brand name. These were generally single ingredient supplements which included a strength (e.g. vitamin C 500 mg) or multiple vitamins and/or mineral supplements made by a private label manufacturer that was known to us and for which we had a label with identical ingredients and strengths (e.g. brand X all-purpose multivitamin was reported, and we had a label for brand Y, made by the same manufacturer). These matches are coded as 3. When all ingredient strengths were not known, the supplement was matched to a default supplement where possible. Defaults were created for single ingredient and multiple ingredient supplements where we had enough information from our own data or from sales data to be able to determine which was the best selling or most frequently reported supplement of that type. These matches were coded as 5. Created default and generic products and the actual products or strengths that were assigned to these defaults are listed in Appendix 3 (Assigned default supplements and antacids). 

Variable creation

DSDANTA: (antacid reported in DSQ section). This in an indicator variable coded 1 if an antacid was recorded in the dietary supplement (DSQ) section of the questionnaire, 2 if the antacid was recorded in the antacid (RXQ) section of the questionnaire, and 0 if the product was a dietary supplement that was not an antacid. For a few participants, the same antacid was recorded in both questionnaire sections. In these instances, the antacid was considered to be in the DSQ section and coded as 1.

DSDMTCH: (matching code). These codes (see Appendix 2 and above, Matching a reported product to a known product) describe the basis for the match of product entered or selected by the interviewer to a known product.

DSDCOUNT: (number of supplements taken). All supplements, whether reported in the DSQ or RXQ section, as well as the antacids recorded in the DSQ section of the interview (DSDANTA=1) count as 1 supplement in DSDCOUNT. Antacids that were not reported in the DSQ section of the interview (i.e. were reported as antacids in the RXQ section only; DSDANTA=2) do not count as supplements and are not included in this count. Non-supplements that were reported in the DSQ section do not count. Products whose names were entered as 7777 or 9999, that is, don’t know or refused, are counted as supplements, since there is no clear evidence that they are not and they were reported by the participant as a supplement.

DSDCNT variables give the number of ingredients of each type in the supplement, including in blends. The specific variables are DSDCNTV, DSDCNTM, DSDCNTA, DSDCNTB, DSDCNTO, which provide the number of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, botanicals, and other ingredients, respectively, in each supplement.

Data editing

As a result of data editing, the data in this second release for the variables DSD010 (indicator of any supplement use) and for DSD130 (number of supplements used), now called DSD010 and DSDCOUNT, may differ slightly from the data that were contained in the first DSQ release of the NHANES 1999-2000 data.

DSD010: Indicator of any dietary supplement use
Participants with a record of having taken a product determined to be a supplement in the last 30 days are coded 1. Some such products were mistakenly recorded in the RXQ section, either as antacids or prescription medicines. These data have been moved to the DSQ section and are counted as supplements for DSD010 and DSDCOUNT. Participants who reported taking an antacid containing calcium or magnesium in the last 30 days that was recorded only in the RXQ antacid section (DSDANTA=2), but did not take any dietary supplement are coded 2. Participants who did not take any product that was determined to be a dietary supplement in the last 30 days are also coded 2, even if they originally reported having taken a supplement. Examples of products that were determined not to be supplements included foods (garlic cloves, raisin bran cereal, PowerBar®), drinks (Ensure®, Gatorade®, tea), over the counter drugs (aspirin, laxatives, electrolyte replacement fluids), homeopathic medicines, and prescription medicines. Prescription medicines and analgesics were removed from DSQ to the appropriate RXQ section.

DSDSUPP: Name of supplement
The name that is assigned is the name of a known supplement for which ingredient information is available which was matched to the name that was keyed or selected by the interviewer, based upon the supplement label or, if no container was available, the supplement name given by the participant. As described above, these matches were made with varying degrees of certainty. When no match could be made, then the product was given a match of 6, “unknown.” For these matches, the 10 digit supplement ID begins with a 6 and the phrase “no product information” is assigned as the name. Products with brand names that are available only in a limited region of the country are released with a generic name, not a brand name, to ensure participant confidentiality. Product names that were entered as “refused” or “don’t know” are named “7777” and “9999”, respectively.

DSD090: How long has the supplement been taken? (days)
Responses were recorded in days, weeks, months, or years. To facilitate analysis, all answers are converted to days, using conversion factors of 365 days per year, 30.4 days per month, and 7 days per week, and rounded to the nearest integer. For two participants, the amount of time recorded was slightly longer (1-2 months) than a child had been alive so the data were adjusted to the length of the child’s life.

File 1: Supplement Counts
Variable Name Label
SEQN Respondent sequence number
DSD010 Any dietary supplements taken?
DSDCOUNT Total # of dietary supplements taken

This file includes variables that indicate whether a person took a dietary supplement and how many supplements were taken in the past month. They are edited versions of the DSQ data previously released.

File 2: Supplement Records
Variable Name Label
SEQN Respondent sequence number
DSDSUPID Supplement ID number
DSDSUPP Supplement name
DSD070 Was container seen?
DSDMTCH Matching code (Appendix 2)
DSD090 How long supplement taken (days)?
DSD100Q How often taken past month? (quantity)
DSD100U How often taken past month? (unit)
DSD120Q How much taken each time? (quantity)
DSD120U How much taken each time? (unit) (Appendix 8)
DSDANTA Antacid reported as a dietary supplement

This file includes variables with the name and ID number of the supplement that was assigned by NCHS, the matching code (see Appendix 2) assigned, whether the supplement container was seen, how long the person has been taking this supplement, how often in the last month, and how much was taken each time. There is a separate record for each supplement a person took as these data are supplement specific. 

 

NHANES Dietary Supplement Database(Files 3, 4 and 5)

Product information is released from the in-house PLD as the NHANES Dietary Supplement Database (NHANES-DSD) which contains detailed information on the dietary supplements and antacids reported by survey participants since NHANES 1999. The NHANES-DSD release consists of three datasets (DSQ3_E, DSQ4_E, and DSQ5_E) that contain information on products.  The supplement ID numbers  (DSDSUPID) located in file 2 (DSQ2_E) of this release can be used to merge with the NHANES-DSD files.  For more information on the NHANES-DSD, please refer to the documentation and release files located on the NHANES website:
https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/search/datapage.aspx?Component=Questionnaire&CycleBeginYear=2007.

 

 

Analytic Notes

Differences between this release and the first release
DSD010 and DSDCOUNT: These variable responses may differ from the last release as a result of the following determinations: a product was determined not to have been taken in the last 30 days; a product was determined not to be a supplement; a product recorded in the antacid section was a supplement; or a product reported in the prescription medicine section was a supplement.

Matching codes
These are described in the data processing section and Appendix 2. Analysts should be aware that for default matches and matches that chose between several similarly named supplements, there is less certainty that the ingredients and ingredient amounts in the supplement assigned exactly match those in the supplement actually taken. Additionally, NCHS cannot guarantee in any case that the matched product was the exact product taken or even that any product actually was taken, as these data are self-reported.

Entries of refused and don’t know
If a respondent “refused” or answered “don’t know” to DSQ010, the codes 7777 or 9999, respectively, are used in both DSD010 and DSDCOUNT and all other variables are coded as missing. If a respondent “refused” or answered “don’t know” to a supplement name, the name of the variable is 7777 or 9999 and matching codes are 7 and 9, respectively. Other information on use of the supplement given by the participant is retained.

DSD070: Was the container seen?
A more precise name for a supplement can be recorded by the interviewer, and thus a more precise match to a known supplement can be made, when the interviewer sees the supplement container rather than recording the participant’s report of the supplement name (for example, multivitamin/multiminerals are often reported as multivitamins). In general, this is reflected in the matching code, but analysts should be aware that precision is greater when a container is seen.

Supplement ID numbers
Supplement ID numbers are 10 digits long; all Supplement IDs begin with the number ‘1’. The next 3 digits (positions 2-4) are ‘888’ if the supplement was created by NCHS as a generic or default product; otherwise the digits in positions 2-4 are coded ‘000’. The next 4 digits (positions 5-8) are assigned by the database and do not indicate anything about the product. The last 2 digits (positions 9-10) indicate formulations of the same supplement: the first formulation entered into the database = 00, the first reformulation = 01, the next = 02, etc. Note that these are reformulations of the same product: different versions (e.g. liquid vs. tablet, with iron vs. without iron, regular vs. high potency) have different 4 digit numbers (positions 5-8). When a product name was entered as “refused” or “don’t know”, the ID number is a string of 7’s or 9’s.

Unidentifiable products
For some entries made by interviewers, no corresponding product label could be found nor could a reasonable default product be assigned. These entries are counted as supplements, since there is no evidence that they are not supplements, but only the words “no product information available” are used in place of a name in this public data release.

Using self-reported data
NHANES data are self-reported and recorded by interviewers, and thus may contain inconsistencies or errors. Unless a data entry is clearly mis-recorded and the correct response can be confidently identified, possible errors or inconsistencies are not edited. Users will note that some records may indicate a person had been taking a supplement for a short time, e.g. only one day (DSD090), but report a frequency of taking it that is longer (DSD100), e.g. twice a week. Such apparent inconsistencies are not edited, as there is no obvious basis for editing. Users are advised to assess the data and edit it as deemed appropriate for the analyses being undertaken.

Special notes on DSD090, 100, and 120
Before entering values for DSD100 (how often taken) and DSD120 (how much taken), interviewers first indicated whether they were a) going to enter a number, b) the amount varied, or c) the respondent didn’t know or refused to answer the question. Responses other than “enter a number” have missing values for DSD100Q, DSD100U, DSD120Q and DSD120U. Also, supplements recorded in the prescription medicine section have missing values for DSD100Q and DSD120Q, since these questions are not asked in this section. However, most of the missing values in these fields are because the person said that the amount they took or the frequency of taking it varied. Additionally, for variables DSD090, DSD100Q, and DSD120Q, zeros were sometimes entered. There was no information about why a zero was entered - for example whether the zero was an error, was meant to be a decimal, or that a participant decided that they had not taken the supplement at all. Since there is no additional information, these zeros are included in the data release, for the analyst to use as deemed appropriate.

Release and use of supplement brand names
NCHS collects brand name information on supplements whenever feasible, to ensure as much accuracy as possible in finding the label information for the exact product taken, and providing exact ingredient information for this product to data users. Products with very similar names but manufactured by different companies may contain different ingredient strengths. Brand names are released for supplements matched with a high degree of product or brand certainty, as this information may be useful in the design of other surveys. However matching of brand names to reported products may contain errors, and many matches are made to generic or default products, especially for private label brands. Thus, analyses of consumer usage by brand name using NHANES data may not be accurate and is not recommended. Brand names that are available in a limited geographic area of the U.S. are not released; generic names are used for these products.

Serving size
When calculating the amount of a nutrient consumed from supplements, it is important to take serving size into consideration. For some supplements, the serving size may be more than one tablet, drop, teaspoon, etc. In such cases, a person taking only one tablet, for example, would only be getting a percentage of the amount listed for that ingredient. In addition, the ingredient listed may be a compound (e.g. calcium carbonate), and the amount of elemental calcium needs to be calculated. Appendix 5 contains suggestions for conversions, but analysts are advised to confirm these.

Counts of ingredients in supplements
For each supplement, this is the number (count) of ingredients in each ingredient category (vitamin, mineral, amino acid, botanical, other) listed in the facts box on the label, including ingredients listed within blends. In a few products with blends, the same vitamin or mineral was listed as both an ingredient with an amount and as part of a blend. In these cases, only the vitamin or mineral was only counted as one.

Codebook and Frequencies

SEQN - Respondent sequence number

Variable Name:
SEQN
SAS Label:
Respondent sequence number
English Text:
Respondent sequence number.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS

DSD010 - Any Dietary Supplements Taken?

Variable Name:
DSD010
SAS Label:
Any Dietary Supplements Taken?
English Text:
The next questions are about {your/SP's} use of dietary supplements and medications during the past month. {Have you/Has SP} used or taken any vitamins, minerals or other dietary supplements in the past month? Include those products prescribed by a health professional such as a doctor or dentist, and those that do not require a prescription. This card lists some examples of different types of dietary supplements.
English Instructions:
HAND CARD DSQ1
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 3595 3595
2 No 6344 9939
7 Refused 14 9953
9 Don't know 10 9963
. Missing 2 9965

DSDCOUNT - Total # of Dietary Supplements Taken

Variable Name:
DSDCOUNT
SAS Label:
Total # of Dietary Supplements Taken
English Text:
Includes all supplements and the antacids reported with supplements, but not antacids reported with medications.
English Instructions:
< blank >
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
0 to 60
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 20 Range of Values 9939 9939
77 Refused 14 9953
99 Don't know 10 9963
. Missing 2 9965

APPENDIX 1: HANDCARD DSQ1

ANTACIDS TAKEN AS A CALCIUM SUPPLEMENT Tums Antacid/Calcium Supplement™, Tums E-X Antacid/Calcium Supplement™
BOTANICALS, HERBS, AND HERBAL MEDICINE PRODUCTS Echinacea, ginseng, gingko, St. John's Wort, kava kava, dong quai, saw palmetto
FIBER TAKEN AS A DIETARY SUPPLEMENT Fiberwafers™, Florafiber™, Herb-lax™, Psyllium™, Metamucil™, Fibercon™
INDIVIDUAL OR SINGLE VITAMINS Vitamin A, vitamin C, or vitamin E
MULTIPLE VITAMINS (2 OR MORE COMBINED) B-complex,Centrum™, Flintstones™, vitamins C and E
INDIVIDUAL OR SINGLE MINERALS Calcium, copper, iron, or zinc
MULTIPLE MINERALS (2 OR MORE COMBINED) Iron and zinc, or calcium and magnesium
VITAMIN AND MINERAL COMBINATIONS Centrum™ with minerals, Flintstones with iron™, Calcium plus Vitamin D
COMBINATIONS OF VITAMINS, MINERALS AND OTHER PRODUCTS One-a-Day™ with Ginkgo
AMINO ACIDS Lysine, methionine, and tryptophan
FISH OILS Omega-3 fatty acids
GLANDULARS Pancreas, liver, and organ extracts
ZINC LOZENGES Coldeeze™

APPENDIX 2: MATCHING CODES

1. Exact or near exact match; this is the only product that could match this entry.
2. Probable match; the match is not exact, but knowledge of the company’s products strongly suggests that this is the only possible match choice. For example the entry may not specify strength or include words such as timed release, but no other options are available for this brand according to manufacturer or retailer information.
3. Generic match; product has known strength for all ingredients, either a) as part of name (e.g. vitamin C 500 mg) or b) because the manufacturer is known and NCHS has an identical product made by this manufacturer for a different distributor or retailer. Thus the ingredients and amounts are considered to be accurate despite an exact brand match.
4. Reasonable match; the product name may be incomplete or could be complete but other products of this brand also start with these same words so this cannot be assured. In these cases, the entered name is matched to either: a) the most frequently reported of these products in the NHANES 1999-2000 data, if this could be determined; b) the best selling product by this company that matches the entered name; or c) the most basic product by this company, as assessed by label wording.
5. Default match; the exact product could not be obtained because the name was imprecise or the exact brand product could not be located and no generic could be assigned. In these cases, the entered product was matched to a created default product based upon: a) the most commonly reported strengths for single ingredients; b) the most commonly reported brands for major multiple ingredient products such as multivitamins and multivitamin/multiminerals for children, seniors, or adults, if available; or c) products manufactured by a large, private-label manufacturer. Because NHANES 1999-2000 data and sales data indicate that far more people take multivitamin/multiminerals rather than just multivitamins; that numerous supplement labels calling a product a multivitamin actually also contain minerals; and that products that only exist as multivitamin/minerals are often named by NHANES participants as multivitamins, supplements recorded as multivitamins without further identifying information are matched to multivitamin/multiminerals, not multivitamins.
6. No match; no product could be found and there was not enough detail in the name to assign a generic or default match with any confidence. The words “no product information available” are listed as the product name.

APPENDIX 3: ASSIGNED DEFAULT SUPPLEMENTS AND ANTACIDS

Default Supplement Assigned Strength or Supplement
Alfalfa 500 mg
Aloe Vera Gel Carlson Golden Aloe Vera Gel Concentrate
Alpha-Lipoic Acid 50 mg
Antioxidant Vitamin and Mineral Formula Naturite Antioxidant Vitamin and Mineral Formula
Astragalus Extract 500 mg
B 50 B-Complex Vitasmart B 50 B-Complex
B-Complex with Vitamin C The Medicine Shoppe B-Complex with Vitamin C
Balanced B 100 B-Complex Vitasmart Balanced B 100 B-Complex
Bee Pollen 500 mg
Bee Propolis 500 mg
Beta Carotene 25,000 IU
Borage Oil Spectrum Essentials Organic Borage Oil (1000 mg)
Burdock Root Nature’s Way Burdock Root 540 mg
Calcium 500 mg
Calcium 600 mg with Vitamin D Calcium 600 mg, Vitamin D 200 mg
Calcium 600 with D and Zinc Spring Valley Calcium 600 with D and Zinc
Calcium 250 mg with vitamin D Calcium 250 mg, Vitamin D 125 mg
Calcium & Magnesium Calcium 334 mg, Magnesium 167 mg
Calcium with Vitamin D & Minerals Caltrate 600 Plus Calcium with Vitamin D & Minerals
Calcium Magnesium Phosphorus Liquid Nature’s Life Calcium Magnesium Phosphorus Liquid
Calcium Magnesium & Zinc Vitasmart Calcium Magnesium & Zinc
Calcium Citrate Citracal Calcium Citrate (Calcium 200 mg)
Calcium 500 mg with Vitamin D Calcium 500 mg, Vitamin D 200 mg
Cascara Sagrada 450 mg
Cat’s Claw (Una de Gato) 250 mg
Cayenne 25 mg
Chewable Multivitamin with Fluoride Copley Chewable Multivitamin with Fluoride (1mg)
Chewable Vitamin C Plus Echinacea Nutrition Now Chewy C Plus Echinacea Gummy Bears
Chewable Multivitamin with Fluoride (1 mg) and Iron Copley Chewable Multivitamin with Fluoride (1mg) and Iron
Chickweed 500 mg
Children’s Liquid Vitamin with Iron and Fluoride Enfamil Tri-Vi-Flor 0.25 mg with Iron
Children’s Multivitamin/Multimineral Vitasmart Children’s Multivitamin/Multimineral Complete
Children’s Multivitamins Plus Iron Vitasmart Children’s Multivitamins Plus Iron
Chondroitin Sulfate 250 mg
Chromium Picolinate Chromium 200 mcg
Cod Liver Oil Softgels Vitasmart Cod Liver Oil Softgels
Coenzyme Q-10 30 mg
Colostrum Symbiotics New Life Colostrum 480 mg
Cranberry 307 mg
Creatine Monohydrate 5000 mg (5 g)
Daily Multiple Vitamins Plus Iron The Medicine Shoppe Daily Multiple Vitamins Plus Iron
DHEA 25 mg
Echinacea Chewable Tablets Nutrition Now Rhino Echinacea Chewable Tablets
Echinacea 400 mg
Echinacea & Goldenseal Echinacea 113 mg, Goldenseal 25 mg
Ester-C Your Life Ester-C 500 mg with Bioflavonoids
Evening Primrose Oil 500 mg
Eye Multi-Vitamin and Mineral Alcon Icaps Original Icaps Plus Formula High Potency Antioxidant
Eyebright 454 mg
Ferrous Gluconate Ferrous Gluconate 240 mg (27 mg elemental iron)
Ferrous Sulfate Iron Tablets 325 mg (65 mg elemental Iron)
Fish Oil 1000 mg
Flax Seed Oil 1000 mg
Fluoride Tabs Sodium Fluoride 1.1 mg
Folic Acid 400 mcg
Garlic 500 mg
Garlic and Parsley Garlic 100 mg, Parsley 50 mg
Garlic Oil 2 mg
Gelatin Solgar Natural Gelatin with Calcium Lactate
Ginger Root 150 mg
Ginkgo Biloba 60 mg
Ginseng 500 mg
Glucomannan 665 mg
Glucosamine Vitasmart Glucosamine Sulfate Complex 500 mg
Glucosamine & MSM Glucosamine 250 mg, MSM 250 mg
Glucosamine Chondroitin CVS Regular Strength Glucosamine Chondroitin
Goldenseal Root 250 mg
Grapeseed Extract 60 mg
Hawthorn 450 mg
Iron 65 mg
Iron from Ferrous Fumarate Ferrous Fumarate 82 mg (elemental Iron 27 mg)
Iron Free Multi Super One Daily Vitamer Labs Iron Free Multi Super One Daily
Juniper Berry Nature’s Way Juniper Berries
Kava Kava (Root) 250 mg
Kelp GNC Natural Brand Kelp (Iodine 150 mcg)
Kelp, Lecithin and Vitamin B6 Nature Made Kelp, Lecithin and Vitamin B6 with Cider Vinegar
Korean Ginseng 100 mg
L-Carnitine 250 mg
Lactobacillus Acidophilus 10 mg
Lecithin 1200 mg
Licorice Root 396 mg
Liquid Colloidal Minerals GNC Liquid Multi Colloidal Minerals
Lysine 500 mg
Magnesium 250 mg
Manganese 10 mg
Men’s Multivitamin/Multimineral One A Day Men’s High Potency Multivitamin / Multimineral
Milk Thistle 140 mg
MSM 1000 mg
Multimineral Twinlab Multimineral Caps
Multivitamin Plus Iron The Medicine Shoppe Daily Multiple Vitamins Plus Iron
Multivitamin with Herbs Eckerd Daily Impact Multivitamin with Herbs
Multivitamin and Fluoride Drops Enfamil Poly-Vi-Flor 0.25 mg Multivitamin and Fluoride Drops
Multivitamin / Multimineral Centrum Advance Formula High Potency Multivitamin Multimineral
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) 600 mg
Natural B-Complex with Vitamin C The Medicine Shoppe Natural B-Complex with Vitamin C
Nettle 250 mg
Niacin (Vitamin B-3) 500 mg
Omega-3 Great Earth Cholesterol-Free Omega-3 625 mg
Oyster Shell Calcium + Vitamin D Calcium 500 mg, Vitamin D 200 mg
Oyster Shell Calcium 500 mg
Parsley 424 mg
Pediatric Iron Drops Fer-In-Sol Iron Drops
Poly-Vitamin Drops Enfamil Poly-Vi-Sol Vitamin Drops
Potassium 99 mg
Prenatal Vitamins Vitasmart Prenatal Vitamins
Psyllium Fiber Metamucil Powder Original Texture Regular Flavor Dietary Fiber
Saw Palmetto 160 mg
Scullcap 425 mg
Selenium 100 mcg
Senior Multivitamin / Multimineral Centrum Silver Multivitamin / Multimineral for Adults 50+ From A to Zinc
Shark Cartilage 500 mg
Siberian Ginseng 500 mg
Sodium Fluoride Drops Teva Sodium Fluoride Drops Rx Only (0.25 mg)
Soy Protein Shaklee Energizing Soy Protein
St. John’s Wort 300 mg
Stress Formula Daily Pak Your Life Stress Formula Daily Pak
Tri-Vitamin with Fluoride Drops Enfamil Tri-Vi-Flor 0.25 mg Vitamins A, D, C and Fluoride Drops
Tri-Vitamin Drops Enfamil Tri-Vi-Sol Vitamins A, D, & C Drops
Tribulus Terrestris Extract 625 mg
Uva Ursi 455 mg
Valerian Root 100 mg
Vitamin A & D Vitamin A 8000 IU, Vitamin D 400 IU
Vitamin A 8000 IU
Vitamin B-1 (Thiamin) 100 mg
Vitamin B-6 100 mg
Vitamin B-12 500 mcg
Vitamin B-Complex Your Life Vitamin B-Complex
Vitamin C 500 mg
Vitamin C Chewable Vitasmart Vitamin C Chewable 500 mg
Vitamin C with Rose Hips Vitasmart Vitamin C with Rose Hips 500 mg
Vitamin D 400 IU
Vitamin E 400 IU
Vitamin E 400 IU + Selenium Vitamin E 400 IU, Selenium 50 mcg
Vitamins C & E Vitamin C 500 mg, Vitamin E 400 IU
Whey Protein GNC Pro Performance 100% Whey Protein Instantized, Chocolate Powder
White Willow Bark Nature’s Way White Willow Bark 400 mg
Wild Yam 375 mg
Women’s Multivitamin / Multimineral One A Day Women’s High Potency Multivitamin / Multimineral
Women’s Ultra Multivitamin/Multimineral GNC Women’s Ultra Mega
Zinc 50 mg
Default Antacid Antacid assigned
Default Antacid Plus Tablets Maalox Plus Tablets
Default Antacid Plus Liquid Maalox Plus Liquid
Default Antacid Anti-gas Liquid Mylanta Regular Strength Antacid Anti-gas Liquid
Default Calcium Antacid Tums Regular Strength
Default Antacid Liquid Maalox Antacid Liquid

APPENDIX 4: CONVERIONS FACTORS FOR COMPOUNDS

INGREDIENT INGREDIENT_ID CONVERSION FACTOR
ALPHA CAROTENE 10000656 12 mcg= 1 RE Vitamin A
ASCORBYL PALMITATE 10001684 43% Vitamin C
BETA CAROTENE 10000433 6 mcg= 1 RE Vitamin A
CALCIUM CARBONATE 10000611 40% elemental calcium
CALCIUM CITRATE 10001394 21% elemental calcium
CALCIUM D-GLUCARATE 10001144 12.5% elemental calcium
CALCIUM GLUCONATE 10000584 9% elemental calcium
CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE 10000437 91.6% pantothenate
CALCIUM PHOSPHATE 10000795 30% elemental calcium
CHOLINE BITARTRATE 10000091 41% choline
CHROMIUM PICOLINATE 10000541 14.3% elemental chromium
CHROMIUM POLYNICOTINATE 10002091 14% elemental chromium
COPPER GLUCONATE 10000587 14% elemental copper
COPPER SULFATE 10001817 24.5% elemental copper
CREATINE MONOHYDRATE 10000533 88% creatine
D-CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE 10000521 91.6% pantothenate
D-GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE.2 10001109 31.3% glucosamine
DOCUSATE CALCIUM 10000757 4.6% elemental calcium
DOCUSATE SODIUM 10000122 5% sodium
DRY BETA-CAROTENE 10001772 6 mcg= 1 RE Vitamin A
FERRIC AMMONIUM CITRATE 10002217 17.5% elemental iron
FERROUS FUMARATE 10000863 33% elemental iron
FERROUS GLUCONATE 10000511 12.5 % elemental iron
FERROUS SULFATE 10000436 20% elemental iron
GLUCOSAMINE 10000453 83.0% glucosamine
GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE 10000157 65% glucosamine
GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE . 2 KCL 10000935 29.6% glucosamine
GLUTAMIC ACID 10000725 80.1% glutamic acid
L-ARGININE HCL 10000551 82.7% arginine
L-CARNITINE TARTRATE 10001014 68.2% carnitine
L-CYSTEINE HCL 10000542 69.0% cysteine
MAGNESIUM CARBONATE 10000625 28.9% elemental magnesium
MAGNESIUM GLUCONATE 10000585 5.8% elemental magnesium
MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE 10000612 41% elemental magnesium
MAGNESIUM OXIDE 10000641 60% elemental magnesium
MAGNESIUM PHOSPHATE 10000688 28% elemental magnesium
MAGNESIUM SULFATE 10000519 20% elemental magnesium
MANGANESE CHLORIDE 10000522 24.4% elemental manganese
MANGANESE GLUCONATE 10000513 12.2% elemental manganese
POTASSIUM CHLORIDE 10000305 52.45% elemental potassium
POTASSIUM GLUCONATE 10000306 16.7% elemental potassium
SODIUM CHLORIDE 10001659 40% sodium, 60% chlorine
SODIUM FLUORIDE 10002151 45.45% elemental fluoride
ZINC ACETATE 10001442 29.8% elemental zinc
ZINC GLUCONATE 10000586 14.3% elemental zinc
ZINC OXIDE 10001620 80.34% elemental zinc
ZINC SULFATE 10000518 25% elemental zinc

APPENDIX 5: RULES FOR CLASSIFYING INGREDIENTS

VITAMINS
An ingredient is classified as a vitamin if it is: 
    -a single vitamin listed by its name (e.g. vitamin A) 
    -a standard chemical form (synthetic or natural) of the vitamin (retinol, retinal, retinoic acid) 
    -a compound that is a source of a vitamin
An ingredient is not classified as a vitamin but as “Other” when it exists as: 
    -a precursor or provitamin to the active form of the vitamin (e.g. 7-dehydrocholesterol, a precursor to Vitamin D) 
    -a complex, since the ingredient content is unclear (e.g. B-complex)

The following appear in supplements as a source of vitamins and are therefore classified as a vitamin:
Vitamin A 
    palmitate, vitamin A acetate, vitamin A palmitate,
Vitamin B-1/Thiamin 
    thiamin monophosphate or TMP, thiamin mononitrate, thiamin hydrochloride
Vitamin B-2/Riboflavin 
    riboflavin mononitrate, riboflavin-5-phosphate sodium
Vitamin B-3/Niacin
Vitamin B-5/Pantothenic Acid 
    pantothenate, calcium pantothenate
Vitamin B-6 
    pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B6 hydrochloride
Vitamin B-12/Cobalamin 
    cyanocobalamin, methyl cobalamin
Vitamin C/Ascorbic Acid 
    ascorbyl palmitate, sodium ascorbate
Vitamin D/Calciferol 
    cholecalciferol, ergocalciferol, calcitriol
Vitamin E/Tocopherol 
    d-alpha tocopheryl acid succinate, dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate, d-alpha tocopheryl acetate, d-alpha tocopherol, d-    alpha tocopheryl, tocopherols, mixed tocopherols, vitamin E acetate, tocotrienol
Vitamin K/Menadione 
    phytonadione, menadiol
Biotin 
    choline 
    choline bitartrate
Folic Acid/Folate

MINERALS
An ingredient is classified as a mineral if it is a macro or micromineral (trace element): 
    - in its elemental form (e.g. iron) 
    - that is the source of the mineral in a supplement (e.g. ferrous gluconate, potassium iodide, nickel chloride, selenium amino acid chelate).

An ingredient containing a mineral is not classified as a mineral but as “Other” when it is: 
    - an enzyme (e.g. boron protease) 
    - a complex, since the ingredient content is unclear (e.g. Trace Mineral Complex) 
    - used as an electrolyte (e.g. chloride, potassium, sodium) 

The following are classified as minerals:
Arsenic           Copper            Phosphorus
Barium           Fluoride           Selenium
Boron             Iodine             Silicon
Bromine         Iron                 Strontium
Cadmium       Magnesium       Sulfur
Calcium         Manganese        Tin
Chromium     Molybdenum       Vanadium
Cobalt           Nickel                Zinc

BOTANICALS
An ingredient is classified as a botanical if it is: 
    - part of a plant, tree, shrub, herb, etc. 
    - a component of a botanical that specifically names it as being from the plant (e.g. soy isoflavones, citrus bioflavonoids)

Botanicals may include the following words: Extract, Powder, Leaf, Root, Flower, Stem, Peel, Fruit

An ingredient is not classified as a botanical but as “Other” if: 
    - it is listed only as an unspecified blend 
    - it is a chemical structure derived originally from a botanical (e.g. bromelain, the enzyme found in pineapple; alliin, a phytochemical in garlic; apple cider vinegar)

AMINO ACIDS
An ingredient is classified as an amino acid if it is an essential or nonessential amino acid. It can exist in: 
    - its free form (e.g. lysine, glutamine) 
    - its post-translational form (cystine, hydroxylysine, hydroxyproline, and 3-methylhistidine) 
    - one of its isomeric forms (e.g. l-tyrosine) 
    - the source of an amino acid in a supplement (e.g. l-lysine monohydrochloride, glutamic acid hydrochloride)

An ingredient would not be classified as amino acid but as “Other” if it is: 
    - an alpha-keto acid (an amino acid with its amino group, NH3, replaced by a keto group) (e.g. ∀-ketoglutarate) 
    - a residue of an amino acid (e.g. (-carboxyglutamic acid also known as GLA) 
    - as a complex of amino acids (e.g. natural amino acid complex), since the ingredient content is unclear

The following are classified as amino acids:
Alanine                 Glycine             Proline       Carnitine
Arginine                Histidine           Serine        Citrulline
Asparagine            Isoleucine        Taurine       Ornithine
Aspartic Acid         Leucine            Threonine    Theanine
Cysteine               Lysine              Tryptophan  SAM-e
Glutamic Acid        Methionine        Tyrosine      N-acetyl-cysteine
Glutamine             Phenylalanine    Valine         Dimethylglycine

OTHER

The following are examples of ingredients that would be classified as other: 
    - an electrolyte (e.g. chloride, potassium, sodium) 
    - a hormone (e.g. DHEA, cholesterol), unless if it is the active form of a vitamin (calcitriol) 
    - an enzyme (e.g. cellulase, glucoamylase) 
    - complexes and blends (unless all components are of the same type ex. amino acid blend) 
    - bioflavonoids and isoflavones (if not associated with a plant, in which case it would be classified as a Botanical) 
    - vinegars 
    - phytochemicals (e.g. lutein, allin) 
    - vitamin precursors, e.g. some carotenoids

 

 

APPENDIX 6: DATA FILE STRUCTURE AND RELATIONSHIPS