Revised Finnish dietary supplement database

Abstract

The aim of the project was to revise the Finnish dietary supplement database used for the purpose of estimating total dietary intakes in food consumption surveys, and as a valuable tool for dietary risk assessment. Data for the revised database were compiled from the relevant governmental agencies and from the dietary supplement database of the Type I Diabetes Prediction and Prevention Nutrition study. In addition, information on dietary supplements was obtained from product labels and manufacturers’ websites. The dietary supplement database thus compiled contained a total of 491 dietary supplements, including 154 vitamin and mineral products, 138 vitamin supplements, 106 mineral supplements, and 93 other dietary supplement products. The total number of nutrients per dietary supplement ranges from 1 to 36 (median 2). The dietary supplement database is now integrated into the national food composition database. In conclusion, for the purposes of estimating total dietary intakes, there is an increasing need to revise and update the dietary supplement database. The rapidly developing dietary supplement market makes the updating of the dietary supplement database a challenging and time-consuming task. Thus, a recommendation for the construction and compilation of dietary supplement databases, together with a standard for data transfer, is needed.