NATIONAL GUARD January 2024

HOLISTIC WELLNESS CHALLENGE

CHALLENGE your Service members to adopt at least one of the 

recommended resources to better understand and safely use supplements.

Products, like bodybuilding, weight 

loss, and sexual performance 

supplements, are more likely 

than others to contain harmful or 

prohibited ingredients. It is up to you 

to be vigilant.

Review these marketing red flags2 to 

help spot supplements that might be 

unsafe:

Claims to prevent, treat, or cure a 

health condition or disease. 

Pledges to be all natural.

Promises a quick fix. 

Uses celebrity endorsements.

Offers a free trial or money back 

guarantee.

Before taking any supplement:

• Consult a healthcare provider.

• Check the DoD Prohibited List for a 

database of prohibited ingredients.

• Look for one of these third party 

certifications on the supplement 

label.

THIRD PARTY 

CERTIFICATION 

Third parties are independent 

organizations that verify the 

ingredients and amounts listed on the 

supplement facts label are accurate. 

Tests do not ensure safety or efficacy. 

Results are based solely on the 

product tested and are no guarantee 

that future batches of the same 

product, by the same company, will 

have comparable results. 

BE VIGILANT SUPPLEMENT 

SAFETY

FACTS & FIGURES: DID YOU KNOW?

About 70% of military personnel report supplement use, compared to 

approximately 50% of civilians in the U.S.1

Unlike food and medications, supplements are not approved by the Food and 

Drug Administration (FDA) before being sold to the public. 

Although a supplement facts label is required, it is not a guarantee of purity, 

potency, safety, or efficacy.

RECOGNIZE THE REASONS & RISKS OF SUPPLEMENT USE

Supplements are products used to help meet daily requirements of essential 

nutrients not adequately obtained from food. Supplements are not a 

replacement for a healthy diet, physical activity, or medication. 

Reasons for taking supplements can vary such as increasing overall 

health, boosting energy, building muscle, losing weight, improving sleep, and 

enhancing physical and sexual performance. 

Risks associated with supplements can range from mild to serious. Negative 

side effects include sleep problems, drug interactions, inaccurate test results, 

and health issues such as irregular heartbeat, tremors, headache, stroke, and 

even death.

CONTACT US

For more information on supplement safety 

or other wellness topics, email us at: 

ng.ncr.ngb.mbx.resiliency-branch@army.mil

REPORT ADVERSE REACTIONS

If you experience side effects (e.g., nausea, vomiting, chest pain), stop taking 

the supplement, contact a healthcare provider, and report the event to the 

FDA. www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov. Reporting helps the FDA take action against 

unsafe products and protect consumers.
The contents of this document are for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

REFERENCES:

1. Adverse Effects Associated with Multiple Categories of Dietary Supplements: The Military Dietary Supplement 

Use Study, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35123127

2.How To Tell If Your Supplement Might Be Unsafe, 

https://www.opss.org/article/how-tell-if-your-supplement-might-be-unsafe

What does it mean?

• Supplements are consumable products containing substances such as vitamins, 

minerals, herbs, botanicals, and amino acids that add to the overall diet. 

• Supplements come in a variety of forms such as capsules, tablets, liquids, and 

powders.

• The FDA is not authorized to test supplements before they are sold to the public. 

Why does it matter?

• Without laboratory testing, there is no way of knowing if a supplement contains 

prohibited ingredients. 

• Supplements containing prohibited ingredients could cause health issues or 

lead to a positive drug test. 

What can you do?

• Check the DoD Prohibited List, look for third party certifications, and consult a 

healthcare provider before taking a supplement.

• Keep this in mind: natural is not always safer, and if something sounds too good 

to be true, it is.

• Know that different batches of the same supplement, by the same company, 

do not always contain the same ingredients; also, different brands of the same 

supplement are not the same.

• Store supplements in a medication lockbox to protect against accidental or 

intentional misuse.

• Report adverse reactions to the FDA to help protect others from harm.

• Remember, there are no short cuts. Maintain mission readiness through diet, 

exercise, and medication as directed by a healthcare provider.

GET SUPPLEMENT SAVVY

The 2023 Defense 

Organizational Climate 

Survey (DEOCS) is officially 

closed. Thank you to all who 

participated. Your input is 

contributing to a deeper 

understanding of the National 

Guard’s command culture. 

Results are being reviewed and 

evaluated. Findings will inform 

the development of state-level 

Comprehensive Integrated 

Primary Prevention Plans that 

will protect Service members 

from harm. 

DEOCS UPDATE

RESOURCES TO RECOMMEND

Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 6130.06: Use of Dietary Supplements in the DoD. 

www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/613006p.PDF

DoD’s Operation Supplement Safety: One-stop-shop for evidence-based information on supplements. 

www.opss.org

• DoD Prohibited List: Searchable database of prohibited ingredients.

• Supplement Scorecard: Seven questions to quickly screen supplements for safety.

• Ask the Expert: Confidential portal to ask questions about a product, brand, ingredient, and more.

• Resources: Information on popular topics such as energy drinks, proprietary blends, and drug testing.

FDA’s Safety Reporting Portal: Submit supplement safety issues and adverse reactions. 

www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov

SPOTLIGHT: OPERATION SUPPLEMENT SAFETY

• Operation Supplement Safety (OPSS) is the DoD resource on supplements for Service members and leaders.

• In accordance with DoDI 6130.06, OPSS provides mandatory supplement education for all Service members.

• To schedule a training, email: OPSStraining@usuhs.edu