• Component Description
• Data Processing and Editing
• Analytic Notes
• Codebook
  • DSDIID - INGREDIENT ID NUMBER
  • DSDINGR - INGREDIENT NAME
  • DSDBID - BLEND COMPONENT ID
  • DSDBCNAM - BLEND COMPONENT NAME
  • DSDBCCAT - BLEND COMPONENT CATEGORY
  • DSDBCID - BLEND COMPONENT ID - OLD VERSION
• Appendix 1: Rules for Classifying Ingredients
• Appendix 2: Conversion Factors for Supplement Nutrient Units to Food Units and for Nutrient Compounds to Elemental Nutrients
• Appendix 3: Proc Format

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

1999-2020 Data Documentation, Codebook, and Frequencies

Dietary Supplement Database - Blend Information (DSBI)

Data File: DSBI.xpt

First Published: June 2002

Last Revised: July 2022

Component Description

The NHANES Dietary Supplement Database (NHANES-DSD) contains detailed information on the dietary supplements (DS) and non-prescription antacids containing calcium and/or magnesium (antacids) reported by survey participants since NHANES 1999. The NHANES-DSD release consists of three datasets containing information on the following: Dietary Supplement Product Information (DSPI), Dietary Supplement Ingredient Information (DSII), and Dietary Supplement Blend Information (DSBI).

Dietary supplement information from the in-house NCHS Product Label Database (PLD) is publicly released in three files that make up the NHANES-DSD. These files incorporate all products that have been reported by respondents since 1999 from the PLD. With subsequent releases, new products reported will be appended to the NHANES-DSD files.

The in-house PLD database is maintained by NCHS nutritionists. NCHS attempts to obtain a product label for all dietary supplements or antacids reported by participants from sources such as the manufacturer or retailer, the Internet, company catalogs, and the Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR). Label information has also been obtained from the Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD), which is a joint project of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) and National Library of Medicine (NLM). The DSLD contains the full label contents from a sample of dietary supplement products marketed in the U.S. Selected label information is then entered into the PLD including, but not limited to: supplement name; manufacturer and/or distributor; serving size; form of serving size; and ingredients and amounts. The ingredient information entered into the database is taken directly from the supplement facts box on the label or carton. The PLD is used to assist with data editing and then publicly released in the data files (DSPI, DSII, and DSBI).

In addition to entering labels into the PLD database, NCHS created generic and default dietary supplements and antacids, which are also maintained in the database. Generics were created in the database when we had information about a reported supplement, such as the strength of all ingredients, but 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). When all ingredient strengths were unknown, a default supplement was created in the database. Defaults were created for single ingredient and multiple ingredient supplements based on our own data of most frequently reported supplements of that type, based on the survey cycle in which the data was collected. Created default products and the actual products or strengths that were assigned to these defaults are listed in the documentation for the files associated with participants’ use of dietary supplements, located on the NHANES website under the dietary data links.

In 2019, the application used to manage and access NHANES dietary supplement product database was updated to adapt to the .NET environment. This resulted in the new structure of dietary supplement identifiers. Variables DSDPID, DSDIID, DSDBID were added to indicate the updated supplement ID, ingredient ID, and blend component ID, respectively. The variables DSDSUPID, DSDINGID, and DSDBCID now indicate the old versions for supplement ID, ingredient ID, and blend component ID, respectively. In addition, six new variables were included to provide information on supplement reformulations: DSDPRDT, DSDPREID, DSDORGID, DSDSGPF, DSDSEQF, DSDLINRF to indicate the product type, previous product ID, original product ID, sequential group formulation, sequential formulation, and linear formulation, respectively.

Data Processing and Editing

The in-house PLD was used for processing and editing of the dietary supplement data since 1999.

Variables pulled directly from the in-house PLD

DSDSUPP: Name of Supplement
This is the name from the front of the product label. The brand name is generally entered first (i.e., Nature’s Way) and then the actual product name (i.e., lutein). Information such as the strength (i.e., 60 mg extract) of the product and other qualifiers that help distinguish a product from a similar product (i.e., mega, super, high potency, time release, chewable, extract) are also listed if they are on the front of the product label. Words like “dietary supplement” and “health claims” are not entered as part of the name.

DSDPID: Supplement ID Number
New Supplement ID is a unique number assigned to each product entered in the inhouse PLD.

DSDPRDT: Product Type
If the supplement was entered by NCHS as a regular product, it is equal to 1. If the supplement was created by NCHS as a generic product, it is equal to 2. Otherwise, if the supplement was created by NCHS as a default product, it is equal to 3. Previous Variable DSDGENRC was replaced by code “2” in DSDPRDT.

DSDSUPID: Supplement ID Number-Old version
Old Supplement ID is a 10-digit identifier assigned to each product entered into the in-house PLD. All identifiable products have a supplement ID beginning with the number “1”. The next 3 digits (positions 2-4) are “888” or “881” if the supplement was created by NCHS as a generic or default product; otherwise the digits in positions 2-4 are coded “000” or “001”. The next 4 digits (positions 5-8) are sequentially assigned by the system for each 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 of products (e.g., liquid vs. tablet, with iron vs. without iron, regular vs. high potency) are considered as different products thus have different 4-digit numbers in positions 5 to 8. When a product name was entered as "no product information available," "refused," or "don't know," its ID number starts with a string of 6s.

DSDSRCE: Supplement Information Source
The source of each product label is recorded into the PLD. Generic and default products do not have a source code.

DSDTYPE: Supplement Type
The type of supplements is recorded into the database. The supplement types are: infant/pediatric, prenatal, mature, or standard . Products are coded as infant/pediatric when the product name states “infant, children, child, or kid/s” or has an indication in the title, label, or the form (e.g., animal shapes) of the supplement that it is intended for children. If this is not the case, but the suggested dose or directions indicate dosage for children only, then the code is infant/pediatric, but if dosages for adults are also included, then the product is coded as standard. Products are coded as “Prenatal” when the product name states prenatal or a derivative of this name or has an indication in the title or label that it is intended for pregnant women. If this is not the case, but the suggested dosage or directions indicate dosage for pregnant women only, the product is coded as a prenatal, but if dosages for non-pregnant adults are also included, the product is coded as standard. Products are coded as "mature" when the product name or label includes words such as "mature, senior, geriatric, post-menopausal, or silver" or indicates with other words that it is intended for individuals 50 years and over. All other products are coded as "standard".

DSDSERVQ: Serving Size Quantity
This is the “serving size quantity,” which is recorded from the product label’s supplement facts panel for which the nutrient amounts are based on.

DSDSERVU: Serving Size Unit
This is the “serving size unit,” which is recorded from the product label’s supplement facts panel.

DSDPREID: Previous product ID
This represents the parent product from which this current product was derived.

DSDORGID: Original product ID
This represents the original or root product from which this formulation or product was derived.

DSDSGPF: Sequential group formulation
This represents the sequential order of creation from the original product within the group of identical product types.

DSDSEQF: Sequential formulation
This represents the sequential order of creation from the original product.

DSDLINRF: Linear formulation
This represents the direct line of descendancy order of creation from the original product. For example- original product being level 1, a product derived from original level 1 product being level 2 and a product derived from the level 2 product being level 3, and so on.

DSDIID: Ingredient ID
This is the new unique ingredient ID created by the PLD for each ingredient recorded from the product label’s supplement facts panel.

DSDINGID: Ingredient ID-Old version
This is the old unique ingredient ID created by the PLD for each ingredient recorded from the product label’s supplement facts panel.

DSDINGR: Ingredient Name
Ingredient names are recorded from the product label’s supplement facts panel.

DSDOPER: Ingredient Operator
This is a symbol =, <, or > that comes from the product label’s supplement facts panel.

DSDQTY: Ingredient Quantity
Ingredient quantity is recorded for each ingredient listed from the product label’s supplement facts panel. Some nutrient amounts are for a nutrient compound (generally a foreign-made product or an antacid) and these must be converted to an elemental nutrient amount (See Appendix 2 for recommended conversions).

DSDUNIT: Ingredient Unit
Ingredient unit is recorded for each ingredient listed from the product label’s supplement facts panel.

NHANES dietary supplement files have vitamin A and E expressed in different units based on what was reported on the product label’s supplement facts panel. Vitamin E may be reported in International Units (IU) or micrograms (µg). Vitamin A may be reported as International Units (IU) or as micrograms (µg) of retinol activity equivalents (RAE). Users should be aware of changes in dietary supplement labeling and are advised to use appropriate unit conversions, Unit Conversions.

DSDCAT: Ingredient Category
There are ingredient categories: Vitamin, Mineral, Botanical, Others, Amino Acid. These are assigned by NCHS staff. (Please see Appendix 1: Rules for Classifying Ingredients.)

DSDBCNAM: Blend Component Name
These are the ingredient names found within a blend. Blends in products will not give the actual breakdown of ingredient quantities in the blend. The ingredients will usually just be listed, and most of the time a total blend amount is given. The blend ingredients are released in file DSBI.

DSDBID: Blend Component ID
These are new unique ingredient ID numbers for blend ingredients created by the PLD.

DSDBCLID: Blend Component ID-Old version
These are old unique ingredient ID numbers for blend ingredients created by the PLD.

DSDBCCAT: Blend Component Category
There are blend ingredient categories: Vitamin, Mineral, Botanical, Others, Amino Acid. These are assigned by NCHS staff. (Please see Appendix 1: Rules for Classifying Ingredients.)

Variables created for the NHANES-DSD public release files

DSDBLFLG: Blend Flag
This indicator variable denotes whether an ingredient is a blend or not a blend. If the ingredient is a blend, then blend ingredients are contained in file DSBI.

DSDCNTV: Number of Vitamin(s) in Supplement
This variable indicates the number of vitamins in the supplement, including in blends. All ingredients categorized as “vitamins” in variables DSDCAT and DSDBCCAT are added up to get the number of vitamins in the product. If a product has the same vitamin listed as an ingredient as well as a blend, this vitamin was only counted once. Ingredients that are categorized as a blend (DSDBLFLG=1) in file DSII are not included in this count, but the ingredients within the blend are counted (blend ingredients in file DSBI).

DSDCNTM: Number of Mineral(s) in Supplement
This variable indicates the number of minerals in the supplement, including in blends. All ingredients categorized as “minerals” in variables DSDCAT and DSDBCCAT are added up to get the number of minerals in the product. If a product has the same mineral listed as an ingredient as well as a blend, this mineral was only counted once. Ingredients that are categorized as a blend (DSDBLFLG=1) in file DSII are not included in this count, but the ingredients within the blend are counted (blend ingredients in file DSBI).

DSDCNTA: Number of Amino Acid(s) in Supplement
This variable indicates the number of amino acids in the supplement, including in blends. All ingredients categorized as “amino acids” in variables DSDCAT and DSDBCCAT are added up to get the number of amino acids in the product. Ingredients that are categorized as a blend (DSDBLFLG=1) in file DSII are not included in this count, but the ingredients within the blend are counted (blend ingredients in file DSBI).

DSDCNTB: Number of Botanical(s) in Supplement
This variable indicates the number of botanicals in the supplement, including in blends. All ingredients categorized as “botanicals” in variables DSDCAT and DSDBCCAT are added up to get the number of botanicals in the product. Ingredients that are categorized as a blend (DSDBLFLG=1) in file DSII are not included in this count, but the ingredients within the blend are counted (blend ingredients in file DSBI).

DSDCNTO: Number of Other Ingredients in Supplement
This variable indicates the number of other ingredients in the supplement, including in blends. All ingredients categorized as “other” in variables DSDCAT and DSDBCCAT are added up to get the number of other ingredients in the product. Ingredients that are categorized as a blend (DSDBLFLG=1) in file DSII are not included in this count, but the ingredients within the blend are counted (blend ingredients in file DSBI).

The NCHS-DSD file may be linked to both the Household dietary supplement data use files and the 24-hour dietary recall interview dietary supplement files by the supplement ID number (DSDPID).

NCHS-DSD contains information on all DS and antacids reported from 1999-2020. New products will be appended as they are reported in future data releases. There are three files. The “Supplement Information” file (DSPI) and the “Ingredient Information” file (DSII) can be linked by supplement ID number (DSDPID), which is a unique product identifier. The “Ingredient Information” file (DSII) and the “Supplement Blend” file (DSBI) can then be linked by the ingredient ID number (DSDIID).

 Layout of DSQ_DSD

(DSPI): Supplement Product Information

Variable Name	Label
DSDPID	Supplement ID number
DSDPRDT	Product Type
DSDSUPP	Supplement Name
DSDSRCE	Supplement Information Source
DSDTYPE	Supplement Type
DSDSERVQ	Serving Size Quantity
DSDSERVU	Serving Size Unit
DSDPREID	Previous product ID
DSDORGID	Original product ID
DSDSGPF	Sequential group formulation
DSDSEQF	Sequential formulation
DSDLINRF	Linear formulation
DSDCNTV	Count of Vitamins in the Supplement
DSDCNTM	Count of Minerals in the Supplement
DSDCNTA	Count of Amino Acids in the Supplement
DSDCNTB	Count of Botanicals in the Supplement
DSDCNTO	Count of Other Ingredients in the Supplement
DSDSUPID	Supplement ID number-Old version

 

 

 

 

 

 

(DSII): Supplement Ingredient Information

Variable Name	Label
DSDPID	Supplement ID Number
DSDSUPP	Supplement Name
DSDIID	Ingredient ID Number
DSDINGR	Ingredient Name
DSDOPER	Ingredient Operator (<, =, >)
DSDQTY	Ingredient Quantity
DSDUNIT	Ingredient Unit
DSDCAT	Ingredient Category
DSDBLFLG	Blend Flag
DSDINGID	Ingredient ID Number- Old version

 

 

 

 

(DSBI): Supplement Blend Information

Variable Name	Label
DSDIID	Ingredient ID Number
DSDINGR	Ingredient Name
DSDBID	Blend Component ID Number
DSDBCNAM	Blend Component Name
DSDBCCAT	Blend Component Category
DSDBCID	Blend Component ID Number-Old version

 

 

 

Analytic Notes

Source of Product Information
The best source of product information is the label itself, but when this cannot be obtained, other sources are used. Information from other sources may not always be an accurate reflection of what is actually on the supplement label. This is true for the supplement’s apparent name as well as for the ingredients. The apparent name on the container is most important, since interviewers see the supplement container and record the name as it appears to them. Differences from what appears on the label are particularly noted for information from the Internet (name and ingredients), the PDR (name), and supplement carton (name). In addition, supplement companies may change the appearance of a label and thus the apparent name without changing the content or may change content with minimal change to the label, or may change both. NCHS attempts to obtain updated labels as they come onto the market, but cannot guarantee complete success. The source of the supplement information is included in the data release.

Using Self-Reported Data
NHANES data are self-reported and recorded by interviewers, and thus may contain inconsistencies or errors. Some inconsistencies have been edited; however, users may notice situations that still need editing. Users are advised to assess the data and edit it as deemed appropriate for the analyses being undertaken.

Codebook and Frequencies