US Dietary Guidelines winners and losers

By Shane Starling

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Nutrition

Vitamin D, iron, calcium and folic acid win positive mentions in fresh draft guidelines for the American diet – as do omega-3 fatty acids – but dietary supplements use among the healthy is dismissed by the committee.

The 13-strong 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Committee (DGAC) handed in its findings on a range of foods and nutrients after two years of work, with only minor changes being made to the 2005 guidelines. The rising problem of obesity is the central theme of the document while supplementation is backed only in select cases.

“A daily multivitamin/mineral supplement does not offer health benefits to healthy Americans,”​ the executive summary of the report states.

Vitamins and minerals

Where there are shortfalls in essential nutrients such as vitamin D, calcium, potassium and dietary fiber, the Committee recommends, “nutrient-dense forms of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fluid milk and milk products”.

Supplement use is advised for select demographics. “Women of reproductive capacity should consume foods rich in folate and iron, and older individuals should consume fortified foods rich in vitamin B12 or B12 supplements, if needs cannot be met through whole foods. Nutritious breakfast consumption and in some cases nutrient-dense snacking may assist in meeting nutrient recommendations, especially in certain subgroups.”

Calcium and vitamin D supplements are singled out as being beneficial to reduce risk of osteoporosis as is iron for those with iron deficiencies.

But it adds the caveat: “However, in some settings, mineral/vitamin supplements have been associated with harmful effects and should be pursued cautiously.”

Omega-3s

The Committee advises that “moderate evidence”​ shows 250mg of long-chain fatty acids per day can reduce cardiac mortality from coronary heart disease or sudden death in persons with and without cardiovascular disease via consumption of 8oz of fish per week.

But again, supplementation is not mentioned as a means of delivery, rather the type of seafood and sustainability issues are emphasized.

“Increased consumption of seafood will require efficient and ecologically friendly strategies be developed to allow for greater consumption of seafood that is high in EPA and DHA, and low in environmental pollutants such as methyl mercury.”

Industry groups were in the process of preparing their responses to the recommendations at the time of publication.

But Adam Ismail, the executive director of the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s, said there was flexibility in the way the 250mg level would be interpreted by the HHS and USDA.

The DGAC stated that, “the USDA and HHS convene appropriate committees, potentially through the Institute of Medicine (IOM), to develop strategic plans focusing on the actions needed to successfully implement key 2010 DGAC recommendations. Separate committees may be necessary because the actions needed to implement key recommendations likely differ by goal.”

Eat less, exercise more

Generally, the report is based on the maxim of eating less and exercising more and advises: “On average, Americans of all ages consume too few vegetables, fruits, high-fiber whole grains, low-fat milk and milk products, and seafood and they eat too much added sugars, solid fats, refined grains, and sodium.”

“The macronutrient distribution of a person’s diet is not the driving force behind the current obesity epidemic. Rather, it is the over-consumption of total calories coupled with very low physical activity and too much sedentary time.”

The DGAC report and information on how to submit comments can be accessed here​ .

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