Congress Says Multivitamins are Effective for Addressing Nutrient Gaps in Elderly Populations

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. (November 3, 2006) — Pharmavite LLC, maker of Nature Made vitamins, commends the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives for their approval of the Older Americans Act Amendment of 2006 (HR 6197). The law, signed by President Bush on October 17, is a 5-year reauthorization, addressing social service programs for low-income senior citizens. This legislation marks the first time Congress has recognized the benefits of multivitamin use in a statute, and encourages all seniors and service providers to consider a multivitamin supplement that is in compliance with government quality standards.

“This legislation is a tremendous step in the right direction,” said Connie Barry, president and co-chief executive officer, Pharmavite. “Many older Americans are nutrient deficient, and we encourage Congress to continue its efforts to find ways to improve the health of seniors.”

The Committee reports state that the American Academy of Family Physicians estimates approximately 40 percent of healthy seniors have inadequate nutrient intakes. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, shows that nine out of 10 Americans don’t obtain the daily recommended amounts of vitamin E and one in three are vitamin C deficient. Moreover, nearly 60 percent of adults are vitamin D deficient. Older Americans are susceptible to nutrient deficiencies due to a reduced capacity to absorb nutrients.

Section 318 of the Amendment states “While diet is the preferred source of nutrition, evidence suggests that the use of a single daily multivitamin-mineral supplement may be an effective way to address nutritional gaps that exist among the elderly population, especially the poor; and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans state that multivitamin-mineral supplements may be useful when they fill a specific identified nutrient gap that cannot be or is not otherwise being met by the individual’s intake of food.”

The entire bill can be accessed at the Library of Congress’ Thomas website at http://thomas.loc.gov.

About Pharmavite For more than 30 years, Pharmavite has earned and maintained the trust of pharmacists, consumers, and retailers by manufacturing high-quality vitamins, minerals, herbs and other dietary supplements that are safe, effective and science-based. As an industry leader, Pharmavite adheres to manufacturing standards recommended by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), a not-for-profit organization that has set pharmaceutical and dietary supplement quality standards since 1820. In addition, Pharmavite participates in USP’s Verification Program for dietary supplements.