Box 2.
Classification system used to create dietary supplement categories, NHANES 2011–20141
| Mutually exclusive product category | Definition | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| MVM | Any product containing ≥3 vitamins and ≥1 mineral; may or may not contain herbals or botanicals. | Centrum Silver® |
| Multivitamin (MV) | Any product containing ≥2 vitamins without minerals; may or may not contain herbals or botanicals. | B-complex |
| Multimineral (MM) | Any product containing ≥2 minerals without vitamins; may or may not contain herbals or botanicals. | Magnesium and zinc |
| Calcium and vitamin D | Any product that contains both calcium and vitamin D as the primary ingredients, with or without other vitamins or minerals; not part of an MVM. | Caltrate Bone Health® |
| Riboflavin2 | Any product that contains a single vitamin count of riboflavin without other nutrients. | Riboflavin single-nutrient DS |
| Vitamin D2 | Any product that contains a single vitamin count of vitamin D without other nutrients. | Vitamin D single-nutrient DS |
| Folate2 | Any product that contains a single vitamin count of folate without other nutrients. | Folate single-nutrient DS |
| Magnesium2 | Any product that contains a single mineral count of magnesium without other nutrients. | Magnesium single-nutrient DS |
| Calcium2 | Any product that contains a single mineral count of calcium without other nutrients. | Calcium single-nutrient DS |
| Antacid3 | Any product containing an antacid with or without other minerals or vitamins; not an MVM. This category also includes antacid products with calcium as the primary ingredient and is identified by the NHANES variable “DSDSUPP” containing the terms: “ANTACID, MYLANTA, TUMS, or MAALOX.” | Mylanta®, Tums®, Maalox® |
1
Vitamin counts are identified by the NHANES variable “DSDCNTV.” Mineral counts are identified by the NHANES variable “DSDCNTM.” DS, dietary supplement; MVM, multivitamin-mineral.
2
Certain product categories included in this definition are not based on the NHANES ingredient count, but rather the NHANES variable “DSDSUPP,” nutrient content, and/or descriptive characteristics commonly used in marketing.
3
An antacid is classified as over-the-counter medication, rather than a DS, by US law.