ODS Update - September 2009 Summary

ODS Update

The e-newsletter of the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)

September 2009

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News You Can Use

New Evidence-Based Review:
Health Outcomes Related to Vitamin D and Calcium

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has published Vitamin D and Calcium: Systematic Review of Health Outcomes, a summary of the evidence on the relationship between vitamin D, calcium, and a combination of both nutrients on a wide range of health outcomes. Full Story

Vitamin D Standard Reference Material Now Available
ODS and the National Institute of Standards and Technology announced in June the availability of a Standard Reference Material (SRM) for plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] that can be used to standardize the methodology for measuring vitamin D status. Full Story

Now Available:
Scientific Literature Search Results on Autism and Dietary Supplements

An ODS search of publications of studies evaluating dietary supplements and autism spectrum disorders is now available from IBIDS, the International Bibliographic Information on Dietary Supplements database maintained by ODS and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agriculture Library. Full Story

New Funding Opportunities for Research
ODS collaborates on funding initiatives across NIH and with other agencies through mechanisms such as Requests for Applications (RFAs), Program Announcements (PAs), and Notices. In the last three months, ODS has signed onto a number of RFAs, PAs, and Notices. Full Listing

ODS Programs and Activities

Expanded Web Coverage of Analytical Methods/Reference Materials Program
Information about the ODS Analytical Methods/Reference Materials (AMRM) Dietary Supplements Program has been restructured and expanded on the ODS Web site. Full Story

ODS Staff News

Sarah Peterson, BA, joined ODS in July as a part-time contractor to assist with various projects. Full Story

Recent ODS Staff Publications
Full Listing

Upcoming Events (October - November 2009)

American College of Nutrition 50th Annual Meeting
October 1-4: Orlando, FL

ODS is sponsoring the symposium, "Update on Nutrition Research Methodologies," on October 4. Dr. Rebecca Costello of ODS and Dr. Catherine Loria of NHLBI will be moderating. Visit the ODS booth #2.

American Dietetic Association Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo
October 17- 20: Denver, CO

Dr. Johanna Dwyer will be moderating a panel on "Funding Nutrition Research: Who Can You Trust?" on October 18. Visit the ODS booth #905.

AARP National Event & Expo
October 21-24: Las Vegas, NV

Visit the ODS booth #153.

SupplySide West
November 11-13: Las Vegas, NV

ODS is sponsoring the nutrition track of the meeting's education program. Dr. Joseph Betz will speak on dietary supplements methods validation, quality and compliance. Visit the ODS booth #16091.

Council for Responsible Nutrition: CRN's Day of Science
October 21: Rancho Palo Verdes, CA

Dr. Paul Coates is the chair for the session, "Different perspectives on nutritional supplement research." Dr. Joseph Betz will present, "Scientific and Methodological Issues in Dietary Supplement Research, during the session, "Unique Challenges and Possible Solutions for the Scientific Evaluation of Botanicals and Specialty Dietary Supplements."

4th International Symposium:
New Horizons in Chinese Medicines and Health Foods
October 29-30: Hong Kong

Dr. Joseph Betz will give a keynote lecture titled, "Scientific and Regulatory Challenges in Research on Dietary Supplements and Functional Foods," on October 30.

International Society for Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods Meeting
November 1-4: San Francisco, CA

Dr. Joseph Betz will chair a scientific session on analytical methods for nutraceuticals and functional foods and give a keynote lecture, "The ODS Analytical Methods and Reference Materials Program," on November 2. Dr. Betz is on the editorial board of the Journal of ISNFF which meets on November 3.

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ODS Update provides information on news, activities, and resources from the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS). ODS is a program office within the Office of the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The mission of ODS is to strengthen knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by evaluating scientific information, stimulating and supporting research, disseminating research results, and educating the public to foster an enhanced quality of life and health for the U.S. population.

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To contact the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), go to the "Contact Us" page of the ODS Web site: http://ods.od.nih.gov/Contact_Us.aspx.