WASHINGTON, D.C., June 24, 2002 — A sandwich isn’t just for lunch anymore. It’s also a term used to describe a growing segment of the American population–working adults responsible for the care of both children and aging parents. Nearly half of all baby boomers ages 45 to 55 are estimated to have both children at home and parents who are still living. And for the members of this "sandwich generation," negotiating hectic schedules and varying needs to ensure the health and well-being of the whole family is no picnic.

A comprehensive new report released by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) offers good news in one area of significant concern–proper nutrition. The report finds that consistent use of multivitamins and other key supplements can play a major role in promoting good health and helping prevent disease across all generations. It also underscores the importance of supplementation to bridging common "nutrition gaps" exacerbated by such factors as finicky eating habits, busy schedules where food is eaten "on the run" and the decrease in nutrient absorption that accompanies aging.

The 100-plus page report–titled The Benefits of Nutritional Supplements–reviewed more than a decade’s-worth of the most scientifically-significant studies measuring the health benefits of

multivitamins and other nutritional supplements, including antioxidants (vitamins C and E), calcium, long chain omega-3 fatty acids (fish oils), vitamin D, vitamins B-6 and B-12, and folic acid.

"We’re all familiar with the concept of a generation gap. But for multigenerational caregivers, nutrition gaps are a more pressing concern," said Annette Dickinson, Ph.D., the author of the report and CRN vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs. "Research has shown that most diets, even fairly healthy ones, fall well below the Recommended Dietary Allowance for many nutrients. This can become a particular problem in ‘sandwich generation’ households, where family members are on the go and everyone has distinct needs."

Dr. Dickinson noted that a growing body of scientific evidence may offer some peace of mind to "sandwich generation" caregivers. "Science is increasingly demonstrating that nutrition gaps can be addressed by establishing a simple nutritional supplementation regime. The easiest and most affordable way for most people to begin is by incorporating a multivitamin, preferably with minerals, into their daily routine. Once that foundation is in place, they should consider building on it with single-nutrient supplements like calcium, vitamin C and vitamin E," she said.

Highlights from the report include:

• Strong and accumulating scientific evidence shows a link between quantifiable health benefits and consistent, long-term use of nutritional supplements. This offers a compelling reason for parents to get children into the practice of incorporating a multivitamin into their daily routine at an early age.
• Another key supplement for kids is calcium. Studies show that the vast majority of growing children in the U.S. consume less calcium than they need to build strong bones. Supplements can help fill this urgent need. Researchers currently recommend that children ages 1 to 3 ingest 500 mg of calcium a day while children ages 4 to 8 need 800 mg a day. This target level shoots up to 1,300 mg a day as children reach the pre-teen and teenage years of 9 to 18, when the body is building bone mass at a great rate. The higher target is difficult to achieve through diet alone–making calcium supplementation even more important.
• Calcium and vitamin D supplements have been shown to protect and improve bone health in the elderly. These supplements could reduce the rate of hip fracture among older people by at least 20%–meaning 40,000 to 50,000 fewer hip fractures each year in the United States.

• Supplements can also strengthen disease resistance in the elderly. The routine use of multivitamin and mineral supplements could improve immune function and thus reduce infectious disease, potentially cutting in half the total number of days older Americans are sick.

"Sandwich generation" caregivers focused on the needs of family members should also be careful not to neglect their own nutrition. Supplements can help to bolster their immune systems and protect against the development of cataracts, as well as reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke.

Dr. Dickinson noted that both the convenience and affordability of supplements makes them particularly well-suited to the challenges of multigenerational households. "‘Sandwich generation’ households are often tight on both time and budget," she said. "Convenience has been shown to be a major factor in determining what we eat. So for families who turn to fast foods as a solution for their time crunch, nutritional supplements can offer a simple ‘bridge’ to help all members of a household reach an adequate level of daily nutrient intake. And because a multivitamin can be purchased for as little as a dime a day per family member, nutritional supplements are easy on the budget."

Dr. Dickinson is an expert on the benefits of vitamins and minerals who has worked in the field since 1973. In 1995, President Clinton appointed Dr. Dickinson to the Commission on Dietary Supplement Labels, and in 2002 she was named to the Food Advisory Committee of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). She is the author of numerous papers and is frequently asked to speak on the topic of dietary supplements to policy-making, scientific and other audiences.

The full report and additional press materials, including graphics and information on how to purchase a copy of The Benefits of Nutritional Supplements, are available on the CRN website at www.crnusa.org/benefits.html

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973, is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing ingredient suppliers and manufacturers in the dietary supplement industry. CRN members adhere to a strong code of ethics, comply with dosage limits and manufacture dietary supplements to high quality standards under good manufacturing practices. The dietary supplement industry is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission, as well as by government agencies in each of the 50 states.