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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.