Table 4 online.
Classification system used to create dietary supplement categories, NHANES 1999–2016
| Product Category | Definition | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin-mineral/micronutrient (VM) | Any product containing one or more vitamins and/or one or more minerals as a primary ingredient (or for primary use); may contain small amounts of non-vitamin, non-mineral compounds | Sundown Kids multivitamin, Nature’s Plus high potency chewable iron with vitamin C and herbs |
| Non-vitamin, non-mineral (NVNM) | Any product containing botanicals/herbs, omega-3 PUFAs,a probiotics, fiber, joint, phosphatidyl choline, protein/amino acids, enzymes, melatonin, red yeast, brewer’s yeast, lipoic acid, carnitine, DHEA, CLA, bee pollen, gelatin, colostrum, creatine, cartilage, SAME, HTP, hyaluronic acid, collagen, malic acid, GABA, DMAE, betaine, caffeine, or kelp as a primary ingredient (and for primary use); may contain small amounts of vitamins and/or minerals | Puritan’s Pride turmeric, Dolphin Pals DHA gummies for kids, Spring Valley probiotic acidophilus |
a
Omega-3 PUFAs, polyunsaturated fatty acids; includes omega-3–6-9 PUFA containing supplements in which omega-3 was in higher quantity than the others. Also includes cod liver oil supplements that did not list “omega” or “fat” in the Dietary Supplement Database: Ingredient Information. These inclusions increased omega-3 PUFA DS by n=14 across all 18 years.