Health Savings Act can address nutrient deficiencies, suggests DS Caucus
WASHINGTON — Michael McBurney, VP science, communications and advocacy of DSM Nutritional Products last week addressed a crowd of more than 50 congressional staffers and guests on the prevalence of nutrient deficiencies in the United States as part of the Dietary Supplement Caucus luncheon briefing. He also introduced the idea of “hidden hunger,” the tendency of Americans to experience a lack of vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids, potentially leading to mental impairment, poor health and decreased productivity.
Roughly one-third of Americans experience at least one nutrient deficiency, McBurney said, especially iodine, vitamin B6 and vitamin D. However, taking dietary supplements, specifically a multivitamin, could help to bridge these nutrient gaps.
“[As many as] 40% of non-supplement users in the U.S. are clinically deficient in one, two or three nutrients,” McBurney said. “If you look at multivitamin supplement users, they are three times less likely to have nutrient deficiencies. Evidence supporting why it’s important to take a multivitamin supplement doesn’t get much stronger than this. It’s not a quick fix for perfect health, but it does address those hidden hunger concerns.”
McBurney noted that the Health Savings Act of 2017, S.403 in the Senate and H.R.1175 in the House, would positively impact the health of Americans if passed. Through this legislation, dietary supplements would be considered deductible medical expenses under Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts. “It’s the simplest and easiest way to empower people to take action and do what they need to do for their health,”McBurney said.
The educational event was the first Dietary Supplement Caucus briefing for the 115th Congress, the 29th since the Caucus was first registered in 2006, and was co-hosted by the leading trade associations representing the dietary supplement industry — 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.
Roughly one-third of Americans experience at least one nutrient deficiency, McBurney said, especially iodine, vitamin B6 and vitamin D. However, taking dietary supplements, specifically a multivitamin, could help to bridge these nutrient gaps.
“[As many as] 40% of non-supplement users in the U.S. are clinically deficient in one, two or three nutrients,” McBurney said. “If you look at multivitamin supplement users, they are three times less likely to have nutrient deficiencies. Evidence supporting why it’s important to take a multivitamin supplement doesn’t get much stronger than this. It’s not a quick fix for perfect health, but it does address those hidden hunger concerns.”McBurney noted that the Health Savings Act of 2017, S.403 in the Senate and H.R.1175 in the House, would positively impact the health of Americans if passed. Through this legislation, dietary supplements would be considered deductible medical expenses under Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts. “It’s the simplest and easiest way to empower people to take action and do what they need to do for their health,”McBurney said.
The educational event was the first Dietary Supplement Caucus briefing for the 115th Congress, the 29th since the Caucus was first registered in 2006, and was co-hosted by the leading trade associations representing the dietary supplement industry — 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.