GLOSSARY
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ARS
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the chief scientific research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. DSID research is conducted at ARS.
Common Synonyms
Commonly used names for dietary ingredients found on different supplement labels to describe the same specific ingredient. For a list of ingredients and some common synonyms, click here for common synonym file (PDF - 10 KB).
Daily Value (DV)
Reference values used on labels for dietary supplements, based on a 2000 calorie intake for adults and children 4 or more years of age. The DV is expressed on labels as a percentage of the daily recommended amount per dietary ingredient per serving. It is based on Daily Reference Values that apply to fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, carbohydrate, protein, fiber, sodium, and potassium and Reference Daily Intakes for essential vitamins and minerals.
Dietary Supplement
Defined by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) as a product (other than tobacco) that is intended to supplement the diet which bears or contains one or more of the following dietary ingredients: a) a vitamin, b) a mineral, c) an herb or other botanical, d) an amino acid, e) a dietary substance for use by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total daily intake, or f) a concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract, or combination of any ingredient described in clause (a), (b), (c), (d), or (e).
DSHEA
The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) signed by President Clinton on October 25, 1994, which includes requirements for the definition, composition, labeling and manufacturers' claims for dietary supplement products.
DSID
The Dietary Supplement Ingredient Database, an initiative of the Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health. DSID research is conducted at the Nutrient Data Laboratory (NDL), Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, the nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.
IU
International Unit. In reference to supplement products containing vitamins, an IU is a unit of measurement of vitamin activity according to biological methods rather than by chemical analysis. The equivalency of one IU differs from substance to substance and is established by international agreement for each substance.
Market Share
Estimated proportion of reported consumer use of a dietary supplement product or product category according to data from surveys.
mcg
Abbreviation for microgram. One microgram is equal to one millionth of a gram and one thousandth of a milligram.
mg
Abbreviation for milligram. One milligram is equal to one thousandth of a gram.
Mineral
Naturally occurring, inorganic substance with a definite chemical composition and a crystalline structure. Minerals are generally classified into the following chemical classes: silicates, carbonates, sulfates, halides, oxides, sulfides, phosphates and metals.
Multivitamin/mineral (MVM)
A dietary supplement containing three or more vitamins, with or without minerals.
NDL
Nutrient Data Laboratory (NDL), at the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. DSID research is conducted at NDL.
NIH
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), one of the world's foremost medical research centers and the federal focal point for medical research in the United States. The NIH, comprising 27 separate Institutes and Centers, is one of eight health agencies of the Public Health Service which, in turn, is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
NLM®
The National Library of Medicine® (NLM) of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. NLM is the world's largest medical library. The Library collects materials and provides information and research services in all areas of biomedicine and health care. The web site for the Dietary Supplement Ingredient Database is supported by NLM.
ODS
The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) of the National Institutes of Health. ODS was established as a result of DSHEA 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.
Serving Size
Recommended quantity of a product used at one time. For dietary supplements, this amount is listed on the label with a unit, such as one tablet or two soft gels or one teaspoon per serving. Some dietary supplement labels, especially for children's supplements, may list more than one serving size for different age groups. Other than the manufacturer's responsibility to ensure safety, there are no rules that limit a serving size or the amount of an ingredient per serving in dietary supplements. This decision is made by the manufacturer and does not require FDA review or approval.
Supplement Facts
Names and quantities of dietary ingredients listed on a dietary supplement container.
Vitamin
An organic substance essential in small amounts to sustain growth and activity in a human body.
