Do Supplements Really Save Healthcare Billions of Dollars?

 

The US is an unhealthy nation according to healthcare statistics that show nearly half of all Americans suffer from at least one chronic disease or illness. Many of these diseases and illnesses can be attributed to poor diet and lifestyle habits. We know from numerous studies that the Western diet coupled with inadequate exercise can lead to health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

 

More than 75% of US healthcare dollars are spent on treating patients with chronic illness. Chronic diseases take their toll on healthcare workforce needs and hospital capacity costing the US millions, sometimes billions of dollars each year. With the cost of healthcare so high, it’s surprising to learn that only 3% of US healthcare costs are spent on prevention. 

 

Nutritional supplements have been studied extensively for their role in preventing disease and supporting a healthy body. Nutritional supplements provide your body with key vitamins and minerals that are often lacking in Western diets. Some research has shown that nutrition supplements can prevent and, in some cases, reverse certain diseases. 

Can Supplements Save Healthcare Billions of Dollars?

With healthcare costs so high in the US, the healthcare industry is now finally looking to implement more preventative measures. Hundreds of studies aimed at determining the cost savings of supplements as preventative care conducted by Frost and Sullivan, summarized their findings in a report titled Smart Prevention—Health Care Cost Savings Resulting from the Targeted Use of Dietary Supplements. 

 

The report found that the net health care cost savings of implementing nutritional supplement use in high-risk patients (adults over the age of 55) totaled anywhere from millions to billions per year depending on the supplement and disease. The study focused on prevention for certain diseases using a combination of certain supplements. The disease and supplement combinations are as follows:

 

●      Coronary heart disease (CHD): omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins (B6, B12, and folic acid), phytosterols and psyllium dietary fiber.

●      Diabetes-attributed CHD: Chromium picolinate

●      Age related eye-disease (ARED), specifically macular degeneration and cataracts: Lutein and zeaxanthin

●      Osteoporosis: Calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium

 

The findings suggest that targeted dietary supplement use can help control health care costs for high-risk patients while improving their quality of life living with chronic illness. The Frost and Sullivan report is big news for the healthcare industry as well as individuals. Dietary nutritional supplements are non-prescriptive, natural, generally free of adverse side effects when taken as directed, non-addictive, and far less expensive than going to the hospital. If there is a chance that taking your vitamins can prevent you from chronic illness, it makes sense for your health and your wallet to begin a supplement regimen. This is especially true if you are in the high-risk category for disease, or 55 and older. 

How Do Supplements Work? 

We get most of our nutrients from what we eat. For example, B vitamins, omega-3s, calcium, magnesium can be found in a variety of foods including leafy greens, fatty fish, nuts, dairy, and whole grains. Our body uses vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to help us perform bodily functions, rebuild, and heal damaged tissue, and protect our cells from damage.

 

Below are some ways in which some of the supplements in the study are used by our bodies to help prevent certain diseases and health conditions.

Vitamin D 

Vitamin D is mostly absorbed by our skin from the sun but can be found in some fortified grains and cereals. Vitamin D is a necessary nutrient for building and maintaining strong bones. It also strengthens the immune system, aids in cancer prevention, and can help prevent osteoporosis by slowing down bone mineral loss. 

Calcium

Like vitamin D, calcium is needed for building strong bones. In combination with vitamin D, it may also help prevent cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Deficiency in calcium can result in low bone mass, making you more susceptible to osteoporosis. 

Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential macromineral that is associated with a lower risk of osteoporosis in women post-menopause. It helps build stronger bones by regulating vitamin C and vitamin D levels in your body. Magnesium may also play a role in lowering your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart problems. 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids, or fish oil, has been shown to have many benefits on cardiovascular health including reducing risk of heart attack and stroke, lowering blood pressure, lowering triglycerides, and slowing down the development of plaque in your arteries. The best sources of omega-3s are in fatty fish such as tuna, mackerel, and sardines. 

B-Vitamins

B-vitamins are necessary for numerous cellular functions in your body, such as metabolizing carbohydrates. Vitamins B-6, B-12, and folic acid have been shown to be beneficial to heart health. Studies found that people who have higher intakes of B-vitamins are less at risk for heart disease and stroke. They are also less likely to die from heart related health conditions. 

 

Supplements Can Save Lives and Money

The studies conclude that older adults more at risk for chronic disease benefit from an aggressive supplement regimen. But taking your vitamins at any age may help improve your health and reduce your risk of developing a chronic disease later in life. Implementing supplement intake into your daily regimen may be a lifesaving routine as well as a smart financial move both individually and societally.

 

The Foster and Sullivan findings can change the way we approach health care across the board. There are now incentives for companies to include supplement regimens as part of their employee benefits to reduce absenteeism. Doctors and healthcare professionals should encourage their patients to take dietary supplements as part of their healthcare routine to reduce doctor’s visits and hospitalization. 

 

Dietary supplements may be the future of healthcare. If we want to transform our nation from chronically ill one to a healthy nation, preventative measures should be taken. Encouraging the widespread use of dietary supplements may be the first step.