CRN Addresses Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

WASHINGTONThe Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), a trade association representing the dietary supplement industry, provided oral testimony yesterday at the second meeting of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. Douglas MacKay, N.D., CRN's vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs, spoke on behalf of the association. MacKay addressed the committee on the benefits of filling nutrient gaps, that cannot be met through food, with multivitamins and multiminerals. 

"CRN believes that a healthy diet, including appropriate supplementation when warranted, and regular exercise, are key contributors to achieving good health. A fundamental premise of the dietary guidelines is that Americans should obtain nutrients primarily from foods, while balancing energy intake with energy expenditure.  Maximizing nutrient-dense foods is a shared public health goal, yet data consistently show that consumption of these foods is lower than recommended and major nutrient shortfalls still exist," MacKay said.

MacKay stated that many Americans do not get enough of certain nutrients including calcium, magnesium and vitamins A, C, D and E. Taking a multivitamin can fill these nutritional gaps and poses no harm to health.

The importance of using supplements as a part of a healthy lifestyle was also discussed.

"Dietary supplements are not used as a replacement for healthy habits. Research demonstrates that supplement users are less likely to be obese or to smoke. Furthermore, supplement users are more likely to have higher levels of physical activity, intake of fruits, and dietary fiber," MacKay said.

CRN is a trade association that represents more than 100 dietary supplement manufacturers, ingredient suppliers and companies providing services to those manufacturers and suppliers. CRN complies with federal and state regulations governing dietary supplements.