The National Health Institute’s Office of Dietary Supplements releases new strategic plan outlining goals for dietary supplement research

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The National Health Institute’s Office of Dietary Supplements has released its Strategic Plan for 2025-2029. According to a statement from ODS director, Stefan M. Pasiakos, PhD, the strategic plan outlines three primary goals: advance research, expand capacity, and foster stewardship.

“These goals and their interconnected objectives will enable ODS to develop new research opportunities and promote resources that build our understanding of how dietary supplements modulate resilience and health across the lifespan in diverse populations. This new strategic plan provides the foundation for the coordination of dietary supplement science and its translation to inform the public’s choices for the safe and effective use of dietary supplements,” said Pasiakos in the statement.

Each goal outlined it the plan has multiple objectives. In its goal to advance dietary supplement research, ODS has three objectives:

• “Advance the study of the biological effects of dietary supplements on resilience and health across the lifespan in diverse populations”
• “Advance the study of diverse population-based dietary supplement use, related nutrient intake, and their effects on resilience and health across the lifespan”
• “Advance the study of the composition, quality, stability, safety, and efficacy of dietary supplements”

In expanding its research capacity, ODS has two objectives:

• “Strengthen and harmonize methodological approaches and promote scientific best practices in the design, conduct, and reporting of dietary supplement research”
• “Identify and support innovative use of publicly available dietary supplement databases to inform and strengthen new research”

Finally, when it comes to its stewardship goals, ODS has four objectives:

• “Increase knowledge of and generate interest in dietary supplement research, ODS’ accomplishments and activities, and its capabilities as a DPCPSI coordinating office"
• "Develop information resources that translate dietary supplement research findings for ODS audiences"
• "Prioritize stewardship by conducting evaluations and other processes to ensure strategic alignment and measurable return on investment for all ODS activities"
• “Coordinate and support diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workforce and professional development opportunities”