The use of dietary supplements to enhance human performance among active individuals, athletes, the military, and other tactical populations is an increasingly popular topic that often is not well understood. There are important differences in nutrient needs between the general public and active adults. The United States has an established regulatory framework for dietary supplements, and the safety and quality of dietary supplements can be strengthened through education, third-party certification programs, and increased attention to serious adverse event reporting. This summary highlights these key issues, as well as research needs, areas for future consideration, and other topics that were discussed during the Human Performance and Dietary Supplements Summit, held August 9 to 10, 2012, in Bethesda, Maryland.
Mary Elizabeth Arensberg, PhD, RD, LD, FADA, is director, Health Policy and Programs, Abbott Nutrition Products Division of Abbott, Columbus, Ohio.
Rebecca Costello, PhD, is scientific consultant, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements, Bethesda, Maryland.
Patricia A. Deuster, PhD, MPH, FACSM, is professor and scientific director, Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.
Donnamaria Jones, PharmD, is deputy director, Uniformed Services University Center Alliance for Dietary Supplement Research Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.
Gwen Twillman, is managing director, Education and Professional Development, American Society for Nutrition, Bethesda, Maryland.
This article is a summary report of the 2-day Human Performance and Dietary Supplements Summit held August 9 to 10, 2012, in Bethesda, Maryland.
Summit Planning Committee: M.E.A., Abbott Nutrition; R.C., NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; Cindy Davis, PhD, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements; P.A.D., Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Catherine Dratz, Abbott Nutrition; Steve Hertzler, PhD, RD, Abbott Nutrition; D.J., Uniformed Services University; Virginia Meier, National Strength and Conditioning Association; Torrey Smith, National Strength and Conditioning Association; Anne Thurn, PhD, NIH; G.T., American Society for Nutrition; and Keith Wheeler, PhD, FACSM, Abbott Nutrition.
Summit Faculty: Pamela A. Anderson, PhD, RD, Abbott Nutrition; Carmen Caraballo, MS, RD, US Military Academy; Amanda Carlson-Phillips, MS, RD, CSSD, Athletes’ Performance and Core Performance; Paul M. Coates, PhD, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements; Ellen Coleman, MA, MPH, RD, CSSD, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Sports and Cardiovascular Nutrition Practice Group; R.C., (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements; John E. Courtney, PhD, American Society for Nutrition; Kim Crawford, PhD, RD, CSSD, LDN, University of Pittsburgh; P.A.D., Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Johanna T. Dwyer, DSc, RD, NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; Dave Ellis, RD, CSCS Collegiate and Professional Sports Dietitians Association; Daniel Fabricant, PhD, Food and Drug Administration; Philip Gregory, PharmD, FACN, Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database and Creighton University; Travis Harvey, PhD, CSCS, 75th Ranger Regiment; Craig Horswil, PhD, University of Illinois Chicago, Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition; Rick Kingston, PharmD, SafetyCall International; Danny McMillian, PT, DSc, OCS, CSCS, University of Puget Sound; Stuart Meyers, OpTac International; CDR Rochelle Nolte, MD, US Public Health Service; Rob Skinner, MS, RD, CSSD, Skinner Consulting; Marie Spano, MS, RD, LD, CSCS, CSSD, Marie Spano Nutrition Consulting; Keith Wheeler, PhD, FACSM, Abbott Nutrition; and Ed Wyszumiala, NSF International.
The authors currently are employed or consulting for the organizations noted. The summit was developed and supported by the National Strength and Conditioning Association, the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements, and the American Society for Nutrition; it was sponsored in part by the EAS Academy of Abbott Nutrition.
Correspondence: Mary Elizabeth Arensberg, PhD, RD, LD, FADA, Health Policy and Programs, Abbott Nutrition Products Division of Abbott, Department 107740, 625 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, OH 43215 ( mary.arensberg@abbott.com).
