Growing Public Interest in Nutrition and Concern for Health - In a recent survey of Canadians, 46% of women and 33% of men reported using at least one natural health product. Of those taking a supplement, 38% took vitamin and mineral supplements while 15% used herbal products (Can J Public Health 93:426-30, 2002). The number of displays of botanicals and vitamin/mineral products in retail outlets speaks to this growing health interest among consumers. This attraction translates into questions directed towards dietitians and other health professionals - should I take dietary supplements to enhance my health, and if so, which ones? In addition, the sports supplement industry has grown into a billion dollar industry. Elite athletes, ‘weekend warriors’, active sports-minded teens and many others choose to use sports supplements because they are frequently touted as essential products athletes need to ‘get an edge’, often overlooking the power (and economy) of everyday wholesome foods.

Recent Science Supports the Complementary Role of Certain Supplements as an Adjunct to Healthy Eating - The release of the Dietary Reference Intakes reports, providing the most recent science on nutrition reference standards for healthy populations http://www.dieteticsatwork.com/coursedelivery/index.asp has been cause for many nutrition professionals to ask their own questions about whether the new recommended levels of some nutrients can be achieved by healthy eating alone, or whether there is a greater role for dietary supplements. Folic acid prepregnancy, vitamin D and calcium are just some of the examples where higher recommended nutrient intakes may be difficult to attain through diet alone (ADA, 2001).

Knowledge Gap Between Academic Training and Practice Needs Among Professionals - Undergraduate education in dietetics does not traditionally prepare graduates to answer many of the questions that the public raises about these dietary supplements, while busy practitioners may lack the time to devote to searching out reliable information on the issue to inform their practices. Consumers already turn to the Internet and other potentially unreliable sources of information to assist them in making decisions about dietary supplementation. Health professionals in a position to advise the public on healthy eating and dietary needs, must keep pace with this growing body of knowledge. Health professionals that will find this course relevant to their practice include:

Registered Dietitians Public Health Nutritionists Pharmacists

Primary Care Physicians Primary Care Nurses Fitness Professionals

Dietitians of Canada's Leadership Role in Nutrition and Health Promotion - Dietitians of Canada has as one of its main thrusts, the commitment to support evidence-based practice in nutrition and dietetics. DC works closely with many partners to provide access to trusted food and nutrition information in Canada. This online program on Dietary Supplements aims to bring evidence-based tools and resources to the desks of health professionals who provide nutrition advice to the public. Interactive quizzes and case scenarios help the learner translate the materials into practical recommendations they can use with their clients.