Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus advises use of supplements to address nutrient shortfall

WASHINGTON — Nationally recognized nutrition expert Danielle Omar told an audience of Capitol Hill staffers to take the government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans to heart, noting that eating a balanced diet requires a heightened level of planning, patience and know-how. She added that Americans rarely get all the nutrients they need from food alone, and that’s where supplementing smartly can play an important role. 

 

Omar was a guest of the Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus at a luncheon briefing held in cooperation with the leading trade associations representing the dietary supplement industry, including the American Herbal Products Association, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the Council for Responsible Nutrition, the Natural Products Association and the United Natural Products Alliance.

 

A fundamental premise of the Dietary Guidelines is that Americans should obtain nutrients primarily from food, while balancing energy intake with energy expenditure. Maximizing nutrient-dense foods is a shared public health goal, yet data consistently shows that consumption of these foods is lower than recommended and, consequently, major nutrient shortfalls still exist.

 

During the educational briefing, Omar expounded on the current Dietary Guidelines recommendations, outlined options to bridge nutritional gaps and provided helpful tips for better health-and-wellness. As a registered dietitian based in Northern Virginia, Omar shared her expertise on her functional nutrition approach to moving beyond the standard of calories and carbs, and toward tangible means of helping working Americans realize their health goals.

 

Omar is a nationally recognized speaker and author of “Skinny Juices, 101 Juicing Recipes for Detox and Weight Loss.” She is a Washingtonian Magazine Top Nutritionist, and a health contributor for several news outlets including ABC, the New York Times and the Washington Post. Omar also gives health and nutrition advice on her blog Food Confidence.

 

This was the DSC’s 7th educational briefing in the 113th Congress. DSC educational briefings are held throughout the year, featuring nationally recognized authors, lecturers and authorities on health-and-wellness who provide tips and insights for better nutrition, including how dietary supplements can contribute to a healthier lifestyle. These briefings also help to educate congressional staff about constituent access to safe and beneficial dietary supplements, and legislative and regulatory issues associated with these products. In addition, DSC members receive regular updates on any new and ongoing developments in the dietary supplement arena.