Consumer

The findings of a new study published in the March edition of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association that middle-aged and older U.S. populations are not receiving adequate daily nutrition corroborates an earlier study performed by The Lewin Group for a subsidiary of the Natural Products Foundation (NPF). Both studies found that, with age, adults have a tendency to reduce how much they eat. As a result, the basic needs for essential nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin C are not being met for many Americans, especially senior citizens.

This lack of sufficient levels of nutrients may lead to health complications. By the year 2030, more than 70 million Americans will be between 65 and 75 years old, and the estimated health care costs for those over 65 will reach $16 trillion.

The NPF study indicates that aging populations could be spared hospitalizations, loss of independence, and major medical problems by corrections in dietary intake. One phase of the study found that simply availing seniors of the proper levels of calcium with vitamin D through supplementation could save several hundred thousand hospitalizations every year, as well as billions of dollars annually, and this is just a single example.

"It is clear that the current nutritional well-being in this country is less than optimal," said Tracy Taylor, Executive Director of the Natural Products Foundation. "By addressing these deficiencies in nutrition, we can save ourselves a lot expense in the coming years as our senior population expands."

According to another NPF-sponsored study, the appropriate use of select dietary supplements would improve the health of key populations and save the nation more than $24 billion in health care costs over the next five years.

"The transition to greater dependency of our seniors, whether in terms of home and community care or transition to a nursing facility, places considerable financial burden on seniors, their families and the health care system," the study's authors conclude. "Daily supplementation [...] can decrease the risk of disease advancement in seniors and allow them to live longer healthier more independent lives. ...[S]upplements are an inexpensive and safe way to improve health status and reduce health care and other expenditures. In these cases, the role of public policy to support their use is unambiguous."

The Health Impact Study mentioned above is "An Evidence-Based Study of the Role of Dietary Supplements in Helping Seniors Maintain their Independence " by Joan E. DaVanzo, Ph.D., MSW, Allen Dobson, Ph.D., Myra Tannamor, M.Ph., Jeannine Dollard, M.P.A. This multiphasic study was conducted by the Lewin Group and Dobson/DaVanzo, and prepared for the Natural Products Foundation. The latest phase of the study can be seen in its entirety here: Effect of Selected Dietary Supplements on Health Care Reduction – Study Update

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nutrient Data Lab, collaborating with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements, has created an online database which aims to provide accurate estimates of nutrient intake from supplements. The organizations hope to create a better guide than databases which rely on labels alone. The first version of the database, the Dietary Supplement Ingredients Database (DSID-1), assesses nutrients in vitamins and minerals through chemical analysis of products in the marketplace. Additionally, the system can break vitamins and minerals categorizations down into the groups they are intended for by gender and age.

From the DSID site:

The Dietary Supplements Labels Database offers information about ingredients in more than three thousand selected brands of dietary supplements. It enables users to determine what ingredients are in specific brands and to compare ingredients in different brands. Information is also provided on the health benefits claimed by manufacturers.

To have look at the database, click here:

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has recently released a report on the oversight and regulation of dietary supplements, suggesting that the FDA take further steps to improve oversight of the supplements. David Seckman, Executive Director and CEO of the Natural Products Association, the nation’s largest and oldest non-profit organization dedicated to the natural products industry, released the following statement in response to the GAO's findings:

“The Natural Products Association appreciates having the opportunity to be included in the GAO’s review of dietary supplement regulation, particularly regarding the recent implementation of adverse event reporting and good manufacturing practices. Our initial impressions regarding the four key recommendations of the report are as follows.

“Contrary to opinions stated in the report, the FDA already has a great deal of information about individual dietary supplement products and their manufacturers. The dietary supplement industry has cooperated by registering all manufacturing facilities under bioterrorism regulations that went into effect more than five years ago. Additionally, the NPA is currently working with the government to create a database of all dietary supplement labels to augment this information.

“We also take issue with the implication that the FDA has limited power to remove products from the marketplace. In fact, although the agency has had scant reason to do so, it has exercised its ability to take products off the shelves it deemed a health risk.

“While we supported legislation to establish mandatory adverse event reporting for dietary supplements and over-the-counter drugs, we still believe that reporting should be limited to incidents that are serious. If the FDA’s resources are already stretched, as the report indicates, then adding to this burden by mandating that any complaint be dealt with by the agency does not make sense.

“We support further guidance clarifying how the FDA determines when an ingredient is considered ‘new’ to the marketplace and what evidence is needed to document safety. Likewise, we are in favor of the agency clarifying when it believes products should be marketed as conventional foods versus dietary supplements.

“One of the fundamental principles of DSHEA [Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994] is providing consumers with more information so that they can make informed decisions to maintain and improve their health. So we are in agreement that the FDA should work with stakeholder groups to educate consumers about the safety, efficacy and labeling of dietary supplements.

“Finally, there is little scientific data regarding underreporting of adverse events and the data that are cited are not specific to dietary supplements, but represent all FDA-regulated products, including pharmaceuticals, a category that accounts for more than 460,000 reports annually.”

To have a look at GAO report in its entirety, click here and let us know what you think by commenting below.

The Natural Products Association (NPA) applauds the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s ongoing investigation of weight loss products containing prescription medication and falsely marketed as dietary supplements. The association contends that products containing medications, even if they are labeled as “dietary supplements,” are illegal drugs masquerading as legitimate supplements in the face of sometimes lax enforcement. An estimated 70 percent of American consumers enjoy the health benefits of a wide array of herbal remedies and dietary supplements, manufactured by an industry that takes very seriously its commitment to the health of its customers and the quality of its products.

“There are four key points regarding the law that regulates dietary supplements, the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act [DSHEA],” said David Seckman, executive director and CEO of NPA. “One, dietary supplements are by definition not drugs, nor can they contain them. Period. Two, the law requires that what’s in the product must be listed on the label; no exceptions. Three, the FDA has the enforcement power it needs to ensure companies meet these standards and we encourage the agency’s continuing action against any brand that violates the law. Likewise, we encourage those companied identified as having contaminated product to willing and speedily comply with a recall. And four, the FDA’s recent actions prove that the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act is working to protect consumers against products illegally marketed as dietary supplements.”

Seckman went on to say that his industry is committed to ensuring products taken by anyone, whether those trying to lose weight or augment an inadequate diet, contain exactly what is listed on the label. He also added that the term “natural” is in most cases unregulated by government agencies allowing marketers to make this claim based on their own concept of natural.

“Unless the term ‘natural’ is tied to a transparent national standard, it’s difficult for consumers to distinguish what truly is and isn’t natural.” said Seckman. “Natural products retailers can be a big help in identifying truly natural products, whether dietary supplements, foods or cosmetics.”

To further help consumers discover truly natural products the association launched a natural certification and seal program so consumers can easily identify those personal care products that meet high standards for natural ingredients. Click here for more info: Certified Natural.

Vitamin makers are being strongly urged to use only potassium iodide and not other sources of iodide for their prenatal products. Boston University School of Medicine researchers have found that potassium iodide is the most efficient way for expectant mothers to receive iodine.

Researchers compared over 200 prescription and nonprescription prenatal multivitamins that are sold in the United States. Of these, over 100 contained iodine. The iodine content most often would come from one of two sources: kelp and potassium iodide. In tests that isolated the iodine content of the multivitamins, those that contained potassium iodide had approximately 75% of the amount as stated on the product’s label. While this is not exactly ideal, it is also in no way inconsistent. In contrast, the products using kelp for iodine had a very large range of actual iodine content, and the variation therein was much more unpredictable: researchers found levels ranging from 33 to 610 micrograms per daily dose. Iodine can degrade over time, and this can have some affect on quantities found in the study, but it is obvious that potassium iodide appears to be the more consistent of the two primary sources for iodine.

"The American Thyroid Associated has recommended that women receive prenatal vitamins containing 150µg of iodine daily during pregnancy and lactation. However, the iodine content of prenatal vitamins is not mandated in the United States," said Dr. Elizabeth Pearce, lead author of the study. While the ATA has recommended 150 micrograms a day, other sources have the amount at slightly elevated levels. The Institue of Medicine, for example, recommends that pregnant and nursing mothers receive 220 to 290 micrograms of iodine a day. Iodine itself is commonly added to table salt, and it can be found in dairy, seafood, and bread products.

The amount of iodine that a mother receives plays a crucial role in promoting correct thyroid function for fetuses and breastfed infants. Thyroid function is crucial for correct neurocognitive development, and iodine deficiency is the leading cause of preventable mental handicap. At present, more that 2.2 billion people worldwide are iodine deficient. Even slight iodine deficiency can cause problems in development, affecting hearing and speech, as well as mental development and growth.

DSIB: Iodine
Eureka Alert!: BUSM researchers encourage use of potassium iodide