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Nutrients at $1.44 a day would create a healthier U.S. population

Reducing four costly diseases

The Council for Responsible Nutrition Foundation, a non-profit educational foundation, commissioned a review of scientific studies on the quantifiable effects of eight nutrients on four common conditions: coronary heart disease (CHD), diabetes, age-related eye disease, and osteoporosis. Researchers measured the estimated health-care cost savings over 8 years if people aged 55 or older with these conditions—or with higher chances of them—took the nutrients at the recommended daily preventive doses. Here are the nutrients and their costs per day.

B vitamins and CHD

Three B vitamins: B6 2.5 mg, B12 400 mcg, and folic acid 1 mg per day. B vitamins metabolize homocysteine, a factor in hardening of the arteries, blood clotting, and heart disease. Taking these three B vitamin supplements daily at the preventive levels would reduce chances for CHD medical events by 3.3 percent over 8 years, at a cost of 11 cents per person per day.

Psyllium fiber, cholesterol and CHD

Taking 10 grams of psyllium fiber per day, at a cost of 30 cents per person, would help keep the intestine from absorbing bad cholesterol, and reduce chances for CHD medical events by 11.5 percent over 8 years.

Phytosterols and CHD

Phytosterols are plant compounds, similar to cholesterol, that slow absorption of cholesterol in the intestine, and prevent its buildup in the body. Taking 2 grams of phytosterols per day would reduce chances for CHD medical events by 11.2 percent over 8 years, at a cost of 15 cents per person.

Omega-3 and CHD

Omega-3s are good fats the body needs to maintain heart health, lower triglycerides, and support healthy blood flow. Taking 1,000 mg of omega-3 fish oil per day would reduce chances for CHD medical events by 6.9 percent over 8 years, at a cost of 25 cents per person.

Magnesium and bones

Bones contain over half the magnesium in the body, an essential mineral for keeping bones strong and avoiding osteoporosis and fracture. Taking 100 mg of magnesium per day would reduce osteoporosis medical events by 6 percent over 8 years, at a cost of 9 cents per person.

Lutein, zeaxanthin and age-related eye disease

Lutein and zeaxanthin are the brightly colored antioxidants that protect the eye by filtering out damaging light rays before they can reach the sensitive inner parts of the eye, such as the macula. Taking 10 mg of lutein plus 2 mg of zeaxanthin per day would reduce chances for cataract by 15.3 percent; and age-related macular degeneration by 23 percent over 8 years, at a cost of 29 cents per person per day.

Calcium, vitamin D, and bones

Bones depend on a steady stream of calcium and vitamin D, which work together to maintain bone mineral density and strength. Taking 1,000 mg of calcium plus 800 IU of vitamin D per day would reduce osteoporosis medical events by 18.6 percent over 8 years, at a cost of 16 cents per person per day.

Chromium picolinate and diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes do not use insulin efficiently, creating chronically elevated blood sugar levels and raising chances for coronary heart disease (CHD). Chromium picolinate helps maintain healthy blood sugar and insulin levels, and lowers cholesterol and triglycerides. Taking 400 mcg of chromium picolinate per day would reduce chances for diabetes/CHD medical events by 10.2 percent over 8 years at a cost of 9 cents per person.

Reference: Smart Prevention – Health Care Cost Savings Resulting from the Targeted Use of Dietary Supplements; Frost & Sullivan Economic Report for the Council for Responsible Nutrition Foundation

Betsy’s Note: Most of the supplements mentioned in this article also thin blood.  It is always a good idea to check with your healthcare provider and/or pharmacist before beginning a new supplement, especially if you take prescription medications.  This article is intended for educational purposes only.  It is not meant to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose any disease.

Article copyright 2015 by Natural Insights for Well-Being. All rights reserved.  Used with permission.