Healthcare providers, commanders, and military service members looking for information on dietary supplements can now find evidence-based answers on a new Department of Defense (DoD) program website.
 
The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences’ (USU) Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP), a DoD Center of Excellence, recently launched the new Operation Supplement Safety (OPSS) website to promote awareness among DoD personnel and family members about dietary supplement safety.
 
The OPSS website includes articles, videos, downloadable resources, and educational materials related to dietary supplements. Visitors to the website can find a list of “ingredients” prohibited by DoD, a regularly updated list provided by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency of “high-risk” supplement products, and a list of commercial products containing ingredients known as “Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators.” 
 
In addition, the new website features information for service members and their families on different types of dietary supplements, including those for fitness, performance and general health. A special section for military leaders and healthcare providers offers informational materials and a portal to report adverse events. Other notable features include the Food and Drug Administration’s list of tainted products, a portal to “Rate Your Supplement,” and a way to directly “Ask The Expert” dietary-supplement-related questions that will be answered by CHAMP experts with tailored, science-based responses.
 
“The new OPSS website provides evidence-based resources and tools, as well as access to experts, to help service members, leaders and providers make informed decisions on selection of safe dietary supplements,” said Dr. Patricia Deuster, director of CHAMP.