Supplements Can Save Billions in Health Care Costs

WASHINGTON--A study commissioned by the Dietary Supplement Education Alliance (DSEA) found use of dietary supplements such as calcium and folic acid could save billions of dollars in health care costs over the next five years. The study was unveiled at a Sept. 22 hearing of the House Subcommittee on Human Rights and Wellness, called by Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.). (For more information on the hearing, visit www.naturalproductsinsider.com/hotnews/49h2315146.html.)

Results show calcium supplements could prevent 734,000 hip fractures in the over-65 population, producing net savings of $13.9 billion in the next five years. Use of folic acid supplements for preventable neural tube birth defects (NTDs) could save $1.3 billion in lifetime costs by preventing approximately 3,000 of the birth defects over the next five years.

"We are very pleased to have a solid study prepared by well-respected researchers that documents the importance of supplements to health care cost management," stated Elliott Balbert, chief executive officer (CEO) of Natrol and DSEA president. "This clearly demonstrates to legislators and other decision-makers that supplements have the potential to save health care dollars."

Specific findings of the study include:

* Calcium: Using a Congressional Budget Office (CBO-type) cost accounting methodology, the estimate of the five-year (2005-2009) net savings in hospital, nursing facility and physician expenditures resulting from a reduction in the occurrence of hip fractures among the over-65 population through daily intake of 1,200 mg of calcium with vitamin D is $13.9 billion.

* Folic acid: The total lifetime cost of a baby with an NTD in 2004 is roughly $532,000. Of 64 million American women who are of childbearing age, if just 10.5 million additional women began taking 400 mcg/d of folic acid before conception, approximately 600 babies would be born without NTDs per year. Over five years, $1.3 billion in lifetime costs could be saved.

* Omega-3 fatty acids: Recent studies have suggested omega-3 fatty acids have beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD accounted for 38.5 percent of all deaths in the United States in 2001, including approximately 150,000 individuals under age 65. The cost of CVD in 2004 is estimated at $368.4 billion. Although the research literature is not yet fully developed to the point that it supports the development of cost savings estimates, it contains many promising studies concerning the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for a wide number of chronic conditions. The DSEA review found consistent evidence that omega-3 fatty acids help reduce deaths from CVD. In addition, there are studies demonstrating that omega-3s may help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of re-blockage after an angioplasty, increase exercise capacity in people with coronary atherosclerosis, and reduce the risk associated with irregular heartbeats.

* Glucosamine: This specialty nutrient has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and is believed to repair and maintain cartilage. In order to further advance the science, the National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), is now supporting two randomized, double blind studies of glucosamine.

* Saw Palmetto: Preliminary findings from a review of randomized clinical trials of the effects of saw palmetto for alleviating the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) indicate use of the herb yields slight to moderate improvement in symptoms for men with this chronic urinary syndrome. A recently released review of clinical trials of the herb also found that saw palmetto reduces the symptoms of BPH, increases urinary flow, improves the quality of life and is well tolerated, and may be considered a viable first-line therapy for treating lower urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH.

"Many industry experts have long believed access to supplements provides consumers with long-term health benefits by reducing the incidence of debilitating health problems," said David Seckman, CEO of the National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA) and a DSEA board member. "This study provides evidence to support both the health promotion and disease prevention benefits of selected supplements, as well as potential cost savings."

DSEA is promoting the study through a satellite media tour, video news B-roll made available to broadcast media, an audio news release, print ads in Capitol Hill newspapers, press releases and other public relations initiatives. More information and study results are available on the DSEA Web site (www.supplementinfo.org). DSEA is an industry-funded, not-for-profit organization with a mission to improve public health by communicating the benefits of dietary supplements.

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