Multivitamin-mineral supplements in the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program: not a one-size-fits-all quick fix.
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.
National Resource Center on Nutrition, Physical Activity & Aging, Stempel School of Public Health, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA. melissa marra@comcast.net
Melissa Ventura
MV
Marra
Nancy S
NS
Wellman
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005522:Food Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014481:United States; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014131:Trace Elements; D014815:Vitamins