A Framework for Developing Intake and Use Guidance for Dietary Supplement Bioactives

Dietary bioactives, which are commonly found in food, beverages, and dietary supplements, include non-essential food components that can support health beyond preventing nutrient deficiencies. Despite their known health benefits and potential for adverse effects, there is limited guidance on appropriate intake levels, safety, and efficacy of these ingredients, particularly those present in dietary supplements. This lack of guidance can be challenging for individuals attempting to make informed decisions about products marketed for health benefits. A previously published perspective proposed a 4-step framework for developing quantitative intake recommendations for bioactive constituents in food. This framework addressed bioactive characterization, safety evaluation, efficacy assessment, and how to develop intake levels from foods. However, it did not account for the unique considerations of bioactives consumed in dietary supplement form. The current paper builds upon the original framework by addressing the specific factors that must be considered when developing intake guidance for bioactive constituents found in dietary supplements. These include differences in dose, matrix, purity, bioavailability, and intended use. In doing so, this paper aims to advance the development of evidence-based recommendations for supplements, while also highlighting the fundamental distinctions between bioactive constituents delivered through food and diet versus those delivered through dietary supplements.