Introduction to Dietary Supplements: From Raw Ingredients to Clinical Practice
This FREE Accredited CE Course offers 4 CE credits and explores the complexities of sourcing raw ingredients and the challenges of the ingredient supply chain.
Course highlights include:
- Formulation considerations, including proprietary blends, excipients, and the advantages and disadvantages of various supplement forms
- Regulatory requirements for dietary supplements
- Guidance on how to read and interpret supplement labels
- The integration of dietary supplements into patient treatment plans in a way that meets patient and practitioner needs and preferences
- Strategies to improve patient adherence and guidance on how to address side effects and adverse events are also included.
Module One: The Dietary Supplement Landscape
The Dietary Supplement Landscape introduces the learner to dietary supplement development. This module begins with a review of common patient needs that can benefit from supplementation. It then shifts to a discussion of regulatory considerations for dietary supplements and how they differ from those of food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. The module then tackles the role of scientific research in dietary supplement development and how it differs from research commonly completed in the pharmaceutical industry.
Module Two: The Ingredient Journey
The Ingredient Journey introduces the learner to the acquisition, assessment, and use of raw ingredients in dietary supplements. The module begins with a discussion about ingredient sourcing with a focus on evaluating farm-derived ingredients. An exploration of global sourcing of medicinal herbs is included with the herb Kava highlighted as a specific example.
The concept of an ingredient supply chain is introduced along with the challenges faced by companies that are dependent on complex supply chains. Vertical integration and local sourcing of ingredients are introduced as ways to help mitigate supply chain issues. Ingredient processing, including extraction methods, are discussed. The module wraps up with a discussion of quality control standards, ingredient testing, and current Good Manufacturing Practices.
Module Three: What’s In the Bottle?
What’s In the Bottle? addresses the development of finished dietary supplements. Whether it’s a single ingredient or a proprietary blend, added excipients, or potential allergens, this module seeks to help the learner understand what’s in the bottle and why. Supplement forms like tablets, capsules, liquids, and powders are considered for their impact on efficacy and patient adherence.
This module also explores how packaging keeps supplements safe and effective and the importance of supplement labeling. Details about what information can and should appear on a label, acceptable health claims, and the importance of transparency and regulatory adherence by supplement companies are introduced. The module wraps up with tips on how to read and interpret a dietary supplement label.
Module Four: The Patient Experience
The Patient Experience provides practical guidance to the healthcare practitioner on the use of supplements with their patients. This module includes a discussion about the basics of setting up a treatment plan that integrates patient needs and preferences, supporting patient adherence, troubleshooting side effects, and addressing adverse events.
There is also a discussion about the challenge of integrating supplements with medications and the special case of herb-drug interactions. The module ends with some thoughts about how to meet patients’ supplement needs best while also meeting practitioner and practice goals.
Complete at your own pace
These courses are offered as self-paced, self-directed learning. Our learning platform keeps track of your progress should you need to complete a course over multiple sessions. After registering, you will receive a notification and link to the platform for access to an array of course offerings.
Your learning activity is monitored and reported, with the system keeping track of the total time you have a course open on your computer or mobile device. It can take up to a week for your courses to post to your CE transcript.
To receive credits you must:
- Engage with the course module open for a number of hours equivalent to the course credit hours (e.g. 3 hours for a 3 CE credit course)
- Achieve a 90% or greater on the Final Assessment
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License Renewal
While applications relating to credit hours for license renewal in selected states have been executed for these programs, it remains attendees’ responsibility to contact the state board(s) or organizations from whom they seek continuing education credits for purposes of ensuring said board(s) or organization approves both venue and content as they relate to any seminar/course/lecture/webinar/online presentation (event). Neither a speaker’s or exhibitor’s presence at said event, nor product mention or display, shall in any way constitute NCHS endorsement. NCHS’s role is strictly limited to processing, submitting, and archiving program documents on behalf of course sponsors.
CE Information
There are various course approvals for ND, DC, LAc, CNS, ACBN, BCHN, NTP, and California RN but please refer to this chart for information on specific approvals.
Disclaimer
The following states do not allow online CEUs: Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Wisconsin. At this time, online CEUs are not able to be processed for Florida.