ODS Digest

July 2, 2026

CONTENTS

ODS Activities

This month, our nation recognizes its 250th birthday. Many of us will gather with family, friends, and our communities to celebrate. It is also a good time to pause and take stock of our health routines, including the foods we eat and any dietary supplements we take.

Summer brings an abundance of fresh fruits such as berries, citrus fruits, and melons that can add important nutrients to our diets. Many of these foods provide vitamin C, which supports our immune health and helps our body make collagen. Collagen is an important protein that supports our skin, bones, joints, and muscles. Enjoying a variety of colorful, fresh fruits is a simple way to support health during the summer months.

In this issue, we announce our Supplement Facts First Challenge Phase I winners, highlight our participation at the premier U.S. conference on nutrition, and spotlight our fact sheets on nutrients such as vitamin C and beta-carotene in the Supplement Corner.

Wishing you a safe and healthy summer!

Drew Bremer
Acting Director, ODS

Recently Published
ODS Research

Science Spotlight

The Scoop on Supplement Science

ODS Events

Funding

The Vitamin Verdict

Supplements In the News

Supplement Corner

Supplements, Facts First Challenge

Phase I: Eight Challenge Winners Announced!

We are happy to announce the Phase I winners of the Supplements Facts First Challenge! These teams are turning trusted dietary supplement information into practical digital tools that help people make safer, more confident decisions.

The eight winners are SupplementWise, AI Supplement Liver‑Risk Checker, SupplementSmart, Nourish Notebook, LuciVida, Resin Health, SupplementQuest, and Nutrition Mission. These teams focused on populations that often face barriers to clear, accurate, and usable supplement information. Five submissions serve older adults and caregivers who help manage medications. Four support prenatal, pregnant, lactating, and postpartum women. Four are designed for Spanish-speaking and bilingual families; four for rural, low-income, or safety-net patients; and four for teens and young adults. Several submissions also address adults who are managing multiple medications and supplements at once.

Maternal health emerged as a major focus. Supplement use during pregnancy and lactation is common, and questions about their use or risks often arise during prenatal and postpartum periods. The winning solutions are designed to meet those moments with trusted, plain-language support.

Across the full set of winners, teams show how ODS information can reach people where decisions happen: at home, in clinics, in pharmacies, in schools, and on mobile phones. Their approaches include label scanning, AI tools that are trained on information from ODS fact sheets, voice input, gamified learning, short videos, and SMS coaching. Together, they help people identify supplements, understand evidence, prepare for conversations with health professionals, and receive timely follow-up support.

In Phase II, teams will build working prototypes, conduct user studies, and gather feedback from named community partners. Up to five finalists will advance to Phase III.

To learn more, visit Supplements, Facts First Challenge | HeroX.

ODS at Nutrition 2026

The American Society for Nutrition (ASN) annual flagship meeting, Nutrition 2026, will be held in Washington, D.C. from July 25 28. ODS staff will present oral and poster presentations on a variety of dietary supplement research topics.

Oral Presentations

Sunday, July 26, 12:30 2:00 pm ET
Leveraging Momentum in Nutrition and Diet Research: Aligning Research Questions with Current Priorities in Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Health to Maximize Relevance and Opportunity (Without Compromising Integrity and Rigor)
Edwina Wambogo, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.S., R.D.

Sunday, July 26, 4:50 5:00 pm ET
Leveraging NHANES to Advance Nutrition and Health Research
Jaime J. Gahche, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Session: The Nutritional Status of Americans Monitored Over Nearly 25 Years in NHANES

Poster Presentations

Saturday, July 25, 11:30 am 12:30 pm ET
Population-Based Serum Magnesium Reference Intervals for U.S. Adolescents and Adults: NHANES 2021 2023. Taylor C. Wallace, Ph.D., C.F.S., F.A.S.N., F.A.N.D., F.A.C.N., Keyi Jiao, B.S., Rebecca B. Costello, Ph.D., Jaime J. Gahche, Ph.D., M.P.H., Andrea Rosanoff, Ph.D.

Sunday, July 26, 9:30 10:30 am ET
Prevalence of Use of Select Botanicals in Dietary Supplements Marketed for Sleep Support, NHANES August 2021 August 2023. Jasmine M. Hayes, Ph.D., Jaime J. Gahche, Ph.D., M.P.H., Edwina Wambogo, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.S., R.D., Maria C. Canino, Ph.D.

Monday, July 27, 9:30 10:30 am ET
A Scoping Review Protocol of Iron Homeostasis, Screening, and Supplementation in Pregnant Women and Young Children: An Update From the 2016 NIH Workshop. Arden McMath, Ph.D., R.D., C.S.C.S., Kara Beckman, Ph.D., Jaime J. Gahche, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Monday, July 27, 9:30 10:30 am ET
Trends and Gaps in Dietary and Botanical Supplement Research for Menopausal Health. Maria C. Canino, Ph.D., Barbara E. Cohen, Ph.D., Corett Byrd, M.S., R.N., Jaime J. Gahche, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Award Recipient

Sunday, July 26, 3:00 4:00 pm ET
Carol Haggans, M.S., R.D., an ICF contractor who prepares ODS dietary supplement fact sheets and other evidence-based resources, will receive the Sylvia Rowe Award for Excellence in Nutrition Science Communications.

Jiao K, Costello R, Gahche J, Rosanoff A, Wallace TC. Serum Magnesium Concentrations in the United States-An Updated Population Reference Interval in Children and Adults. J Nutr. 2026 Jun;156(6):101539.

Using data from over 6,000 U.S. adults and children who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), researchers identified typical blood levels of magnesium and determined that about two-thirds of adults may be at risk of magnesium deficiency. The researchers also found that adults with diabetes or high blood pressure had lower magnesium levels than those who did not, suggesting a potential link between blood magnesium levels and overall health.

Sassine AJ, Wambogo EA, Moshfegh A, Sahyoun NR. Dietary Patterns of U.S. Older Adults and Their Associations with Diet Quality, Health and Food Insecurity. Public Health Nutr. 2026 Apr 30;29(1):e109.

In this study, researchers examined the types of foods that U.S. adults consume and identified roughly five distinct patterns, including juices, smoothies, grain drinks, and soups and seafood and vegetables. The researchers found links between these patterns and the overall quality of the diet, certain health characteristics, and the risk of having unreliable access to food.

Platter H, O'Connor LE, Rauch C, Zimmer M, Wambogo E, Kaefer CM, Lerman JL, Herrick KA. User Testing of the NCI's ASA24 Respondent Nutrition Report for Total Nutrient Intake from Foods, Beverages, and Dietary Supplements: A Qualitative Study. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2026 May 21:156387.

In interviews with 50 U.S. adults who take dietary supplements, a team of researchers found that using a graphic to collect information on nutrient intakes from food, beverages, and dietary supplements is easier for the public to understand than using a table format. The researchers also incorporated feedback from the participants to improve the graphic for future use.

Dwyer JT, Gahche JJ, Arensberg MB, Borth L, Chao S, Simon J, McGrath L, Picard A. Undernutrition Risk in Community-Living Older Adults: Post-COVID-19 Results from the 2023 U.S. National Survey of Older Americans Act Participants. Nutrients. 2026 May 20;18(10):1619.

This study analyzed 2023 survey data from over 4,000 older adults who receive home-delivered meals, group-provided meals, or related services such as transportation to determine how many of them are at risk of poor nutrition. The results indicated that almost one in five older adults who participate in these types of programs are at risk of poor nutrition, particularly those who receive home-delivered meals or related services.

Visit the ODS website to view more publications by ODS staff.

Nutritional biomarkers provide objective measures of nutrient status and are used to evaluate whether nutrient intakes are sufficient to support health. These biomarkers help inform dietary guidance and public health efforts that are aimed at preventing nutrient deficiencies and their associated health consequences. A recent publication by scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and ODS who analyzed NHANES data revealed that dietary supplement use explained greater variance in nutritional biomarker concentrations than nutrient intake from foods alone [1]. Across nutrients, dietary supplement intake explained 3% (vitamin A) to 21% (folate) of biomarker variance, whereas nutrient intake from foods alone explained 1% (vitamin E) to 9% (vitamin C) of the variance.

In addition to examining dietary intake, the study expanded upon previous work that identified important sociodemographic, lifestyle, and physiological factors that are known to influence intake-biomarker relationships. These include age, sex, race/ethnicity, poverty, education, smoking status, alcohol intake, physical activity, inflammation, kidney function, and body mass index [2]. Even after accounting for these confounders, dietary supplement use remained an independent predictor of folate and vitamin B6, B12, C, D, and E biomarker concentrations. In other words, dietary supplement use was an important, irreplaceable piece of the puzzle when it came to understanding what influences nutrient biomarker status.

The findings from this study underscore the value of collecting comprehensive dietary supplement information alongside food and beverage intakes in dietary assessment tools such as those used by NHANES, the nation s premier survey for monitoring nutrition and health. By incorporating comprehensive dietary supplement use data into NHANES, estimates of total nutrient intake are more complete and better positioned to inform dietary guidance and public health initiatives.

References

1.      Sternberg MR, Pfeiffer CM, Powers CD, Ahluwalia N, Hamner H, Wang A, Wambogo E, Gahche JJ, Juan W. Dietary Supplement Use Explains More Variance in Nutritional Biomarker Concentrations than 24-Hour Dietary Intake from Food Only: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Survey of the United States Population (NHANES 2003-2006). Curr Dev Nutr. 2026 Apr 14;10(5):107692.

2.      Sternberg MR, Schleicher RL, Pfeiffer CM. Regression Modeling Plan for 29 Biochemical Indicators of Diet and Nutrition Measured in NHANES 2003 2006. J Nutr. 2013 Jun;143(6): 948S-56S.

The Scoop on Supplement Science

How do researchers monitor dietary supplement use by the U.S. population to inform dietary guidelines and public health initiatives?

Methods for measuring dietary supplement intake have evolved since the start of NHANES in the 1960s. Earlier surveys simply asked people whether they used vitamins or minerals. By 1988, data collection expanded to include specific information, such as product manufacturer, duration, frequency, and amount taken. In 1999, the NHANES dietary supplement database was born, enabling researchers to identify the nutrient content of reported products. The survey was further improved in 2007 when researchers began asking participants why they took dietary supplements, and which supplements they had taken during the past 24 hours in addition to those that they had taken during the past 30 days. These improvements are critical to our ability to accurately estimate nutrient intakes in the United States.

ODS Events

The ODS 2025 2026 Seminar Series wrapped up on May 13 with an engaging panel presentation on the microbiome. Speakers described how the gut microbiome develops across the lifespan and interacts with the diet including dietary supplements to influence immune function, metabolism, and the gut-brain axis. They also highlighted current research findings, knowledge gaps, and future directions.

Missed the seminar? Catch up by exploring the speakers and viewing their slides.

Stay tuned for information about the ODS 2026 2027 Seminar Series. It kicks off in September!

Funding

CARBON Program Announces 2026 Award

The NIH Consortium for Advancing Research on Botanical and Other Natural Products (CARBON) Program announced an award on June 3 for Phase II of the Natural Products Magnetic Resonance Database (NP-MRD).

Launched in 2021, the NP-MRD has become the world s largest open repository of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data on natural products. Led by Principal Investigator John R. Cort, Ph.D., from Battelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Phase II will leverage the momentum generated during the first phase to further enhance operational efficiency and support the continued expansion of the database. Emphasis will be placed on streamlining NP-MRD operations to enhance efficiency, automation, utility, and value for the natural products community.

The 2026 award is jointly funded by ODS and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

Busting Common Misconceptions About Supplements

Misconception: Everyone needs electrolytes to stay properly hydrated.

Fact: Electrolytes (i.e., sodium, chloride, magnesium, calcium, potassium) help our bodies manage and maintain proper hydration and fluid balance. They are also involved with nerve signaling, muscle contraction, and acid-base balance. Everyone loses electrolytes through sweat and urine each day. Most healthy people can replenish these losses through food and water. However, if you engage in exercise or physical work for longer than 60 minutes or spend long periods outdoors in very hot or humid conditions, electrolyte drinks and mixes can help replace lost fluids and electrolytes.

To learn more, visit the ODS Fact Sheet on Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance.

Calcium and Vitamin D Supplements Offer Little to No Meaningful Benefit on Fracture and Fall Prevention | BMJ Group

Alert Update: Growing Number of Salmonella Illnesses and Outbreaks Linked to Moringa Leaf Products | CDC Newsroom

Related article FDA recall: Total Nutrition Inc. Expands Recall of TNVitamins and Doctor s Pride Ultra Potent Complete Green Superfood Moringa Capsules Because of Possible Health Risk Following Further Supply Chain Review | FDA

FTC Sues to Stop Amare Global Holdings from Misrepresenting the Health Benefits of Its Dietary Supplements for Children and Adults | Federal Trade Commission

Summer brings an abundance of fresh fruits many packed with vitamin C, beta-carotene, and potassium.

Learn more about these and other essential nutrients in the ODS vitamin and mineral supplement fact sheets. ODS fact sheets are available for consumers (in both English and Spanish) along with more detailed, in-depth versions for researchers and health professionals.

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Contact Us

The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the nation s medical research agency supporting scientific studies that turn discovery into health.

Office of Dietary Supplements
National Institutes of Health
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Bethesda, MD 20817
[email protected]
https://ods.od.nih.gov