Some dietary supplements help seniors live longer
Taking certain dietary supplements could help seniors live independently longer, and offset
healthcare expenditures by billions of dollars, a new study by the Lewin Group finds. The
supplements studied — omega-3 fatty acids and lutein with zeaxanthin — have reported
savings of $3.1 billion and $2.5 billion respectively over five years, resulting from reduced
hospitalizations, physicians’ visits, and avoided transitions to dependency, the report shows.
Underscoring the important health and cost benefits of dietary supplements for the U.S.
seniors, members of Congress took one step closer to recognizing the role of dietary
supplements in the health regimen of Americans, when Congressman Chris Cannon (R-
Utah) announced the creation of a bipartisan caucus on dietary supplements, which he will
co-chair with Congressman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.). Cannon introduced H.R. 1545 earlier this
year, which would allow supplement costs to be paid by Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
The study’s key findings centered upon how omega-3 fatty acids and lutein with zeaxanthin
allow seniors to avoid common conditions such as coronary heart disease (CHD) and age-
related macular degeneration (AMD). The supplements help them live independently longer
and reduce the level of disability associated with these conditions.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a qualified health claim for omega-3
fatty acids and a qualified health claim is currently pending for lutein.
The FDA has acknowledged that consumers will benefit from more information on food
labels concerning diet and health and this, in turn, has prompted the agency to establish
interim procedures whereby “qualified” health claims can be made for dietary supplements.
Health claims characterize a relationship between a substance (specific food component or
a specific food) and a disease or health-related condition, and are supported by scientific
evidence. All health claims must undergo review by FDA through a petition process.
More information is available online at www.supplementinfo.org.
Source: Dietary Supplement Education Alliance, www.supplementinfo.org
Taking certain dietary supplements could help seniors live independently longer, and offset
healthcare expenditures by billions of dollars, a new study by the Lewin Group finds. The
supplements studied — omega-3 fatty acids and lutein with zeaxanthin — have reported
savings of $3.1 billion and $2.5 billion respectively over five years, resulting from reduced
hospitalizations, physicians’ visits, and avoided transitions to dependency, the report shows.
Underscoring the important health and cost benefits of dietary supplements for the U.S.
seniors, members of Congress took one step closer to recognizing the role of dietary
supplements in the health regimen of Americans, when Congressman Chris Cannon (R-
Utah) announced the creation of a bipartisan caucus on dietary supplements, which he will
co-chair with Congressman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.). Cannon introduced H.R. 1545 earlier this
year, which would allow supplement costs to be paid by Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
The study’s key findings centered upon how omega-3 fatty acids and lutein with zeaxanthin
allow seniors to avoid common conditions such as coronary heart disease (CHD) and age-
related macular degeneration (AMD). The supplements help them live independently longer
and reduce the level of disability associated with these conditions.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a qualified health claim for omega-3
fatty acids and a qualified health claim is currently pending for lutein.
The FDA has acknowledged that consumers will benefit from more information on food
labels concerning diet and health and this, in turn, has prompted the agency to establish
interim procedures whereby “qualified” health claims can be made for dietary supplements.
Health claims characterize a relationship between a substance (specific food component or
a specific food) and a disease or health-related condition, and are supported by scientific
evidence. All health claims must undergo review by FDA through a petition process.
More information is available online at www.supplementinfo.org.
Source: Dietary Supplement Education Alliance, www.supplementinfo.org
| Savannah Chiropractic Center |
| (912) 356-0031 |
| (912) 356-5471 |
