Multivitamin–Mineral Supplements in the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program: Not a One-Size-Fits-All Quick Fix
- 1 July 2008
- journal article
- review article
- Published by American Public Health Association in American Journal of Public Health
- Vol. 98 (7), 1171-1176
- https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2007.122762
Abstract
We challenge the suggestion of Congress that the Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program should provide multivitamin-mineral supplements (MVMs) in addition to meals. MVMs are not a quick fix for poor diets. They do not contain calories, protein, essential fatty acids, or fiber, nor do they adequately address nutritional gaps of some vitamins and minerals. Older adults with chronic health conditions who take multiple medications are at greater risk than the general healthy population for nutrient-drug interactions and toxicity. The OAA Nutrition Program is not an appropriate venue to indiscriminately distribute MVMs, because there is insufficient evidence of their benefits and safety. The program's limited funds and efforts should instead be directed to nutrient-dense healthy meals, quality food service, and greater accessibility to individualized nutrition services.Keywords
This publication has 22 references indexed in Scilit:
- How do socio-economic status, perceived economic barriers and nutritional benefits affect quality of dietary intake among US adults?European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2007
- Sources of Folate and Serum Folate Levels in Older AdultsJournal of the American Dietetic Association, 2007
- Mortality in Randomized Trials of Antioxidant Supplements for Primary and Secondary PreventionJAMA, 2007
- Dietary Supplements in a National Survey: Prevalence of Use and Reports of Adverse EventsJournal of the American Dietetic Association, 2006
- National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference Statement: Multivitamin/Mineral Supplements and Chronic Disease PreventionAnnals of Internal Medicine, 2006
- Essential Nutrients: Food or Supplements?JAMA, 2005
- Role of multivitamins and mineral supplements in preventing infections in elderly people: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trialsBMJ, 2005
- Effect of Calcium Carbonate on the Absorption of LevothyroxineJAMA, 2000
- Motivations for Using Vitamin and Mineral SupplementsJournal of the American Dietetic Association, 1999
- Ferrous Sulfate Reduces Thyroxine Efficacy in Patients with HypothyroidismAnnals of Internal Medicine, 1992