A new study co-authored by Professor Regan Bailey, Ph.D., highlights key differences in how dietary supplement (DS) intake is measured using a 24-hour recall and a food frequency questionnaire (two common tools used in research). Information from multiple reports, over the course of a year, were evaluated among adults (n- 795 adults; 50–74 years) on dietary and supplemental intakes.

Findings show that estimates of supplement use and nutrient intake, particularly for calcium and vitamin D, varied significantly between the two methods. Vitamin D intake levels were notably inconsistent, suggesting that the method of assessment can impact research outcomes.

The study emphasizes the importance of choosing the right DS assessment tool depending on the specific nutrient or supplement being studied and suggests that relying solely on questionnaires may not always yield accurate estimates of nutrient intake.