Encouraging seniors to supplement with omega-3 fatty acids and lutein with zeaxanthin could lead to Medicare cost savings of $5.6 bil., according to a Lewin Group study released Nov. 2.

The Dietary Supplement Education Alliance commissioned the Lewin Group consulting firm to investigate the role supplements can play in lowering healthcare costs for an aging population.

Lewin presented "An Evidence-based Study of the Role of Select Dietary Supplements in Helping Seniors Maintain Their Independence" on Capitol Hill, in conjunction with the formal announcement of a bipartisan dietary supplement caucus.

Reps. Chris Cannon (R-Utah) and Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) will co-chair the caucus.

"A lot of people don't know what we all know, about how dietary supplements benefit your health," Pallone said. "We have to look at preventative measures" to reduce growing healthcare costs.

The cost analysis study reviewed literature supporting the role omega-3 fatty acids and lutein with zeaxanthin play in reducing rates of coronary heart disease and age-related macular degeneration, respectively, in a senior population.

Both conditions can not only burden a healthcare system with costs related to hospitalization, physician fees and nursing facilities, DSEA noted, but can take a personal toll by eroding a senior's ability and health.

Researchers relied on "several hundred studies" conducted over the past 15 years, including data from FDA, the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality and NIH to come to their conclusions.

Using figures from a five-year period (2006-2010), Joan DaVanzo, PhD, et al. estimate that Americans could save $3.1 bil. in CHD-related healthcare costs if the over-65 population ingested 1800 mg of omega-3 fatty acids daily.

"Approximately 384,303 hospitalizations and physician fees due to CHD could be avoided," DaVanzo maintains.

The figure is based on a relative risk reduction of 15%, which the authors derived from an Italian fatty acids study published in the August 1999 Lancet.

The 15% figure is considered "conservative," according to a Lewin Group spokesperson.

Lewin looked at a projected number of Medicare beneficiaries in 2005 and assumed take-up rates of 12% in the first year and 25% in subsequent years.

Separately, a reduced risk of AMD through daily intake of 6-10 mg of lutein with zeaxanthin would result in cost savings of $2.5 bil., according to the study.

"Approximately 98,219 individuals could avoid the transition to dependence...that would accompany a loss of central vision resulting from advanced AMD," the authors claim.

The report incorporated the results of trials that found a link between lutein and reduced risk of progression to advanced AMD and then extrapolated "to arrive at an estimated number of people who could avoid...dependency through daily intake of lutein."

The authors then estimate the costs based on economic data reporting financial information for seniors related to the transition to dependency.

The Lewin study employed Congressional Budget Office cost accounting rules. DSEA characterized the five-year savings estimate as conservative.

DSEA also showcased results of the Barometer Study released Oct. 27.

The study, which was conducted online by the Natural Marketing Institute, surveyed 1,000 Americans over the age of 18 to track supplement use across the country.

The survey found 85% of Americans currently use some type of dietary supplement, and supplement users are more likely to be affluent, married and more highly educated than non-users.

Natrol CEO and DSEA President Eliot Balbert pointed to the study's results as indicative of a growing health trend.

"The consumer voice is loud and clear in this study," he said. "There is enormous opportunity to ensure that the overall improved health of Americans positively impacts the health care system through real and substantive cost savings."

- Melina Vissat

Lutein, Omega-3 Uptake Would Save Healthcare System Billions, DSEA Claims

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