Summit on Human Performance and Dietary Supplements Summary Report

Abstract

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, heldAugust 9 to 10, 2012, in Bethesda, Maryland. Nutr Today. 2014;49(1):7Y15 The use of dietary supplements to enhance human performance among athletes, the military, and other tactical populations is an increasingly popular topic that often is not well understood. To review the evidence base and discuss key issues, the National Strength and Conditioning Association, National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, the American Society for Nutrition, and the EAS Academy hosted a Human Performance and Dietary Supplements Summit August 9 to 10, 2012, in Bethesda, Maryland (Table 1). More than 200 professionals from the medical, nutrition, and athletic performance fields, as well as the military, participated in the summit. This summary highlights the key topics covered, research needs, future study considerations, and discussion points as presented at the summit, without further elaboration. N T