The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), Washington, D.C., and the Global Organization for EPA & DHA Omega 3s, Salt Lake City, UT, recently submitted their comments on the new dietary guidelines, urging in some cases that the committee take several changes into consideration.

 

Speaking out in defense of dietary supplements, CRN said the report takes a dismissive view of most nutrient shortfalls and adopts a generally negative view of dietary supplements. The 2010 Report echoes the same general advice on food choices that has been offered by six previous DGACs, even while recognizing that this advice has had ‘little or no demonstrable impact’ over the years,” the organization said. “Emphasizing that the American population is drowning in a sea of calorie-rich, nutrient-poor foods, the 2010 Report calls for development of a long-term comprehensive strategic plan for a major overhaul of U.S. food policy and the food supply.

 

“The overhaul is much needed,” CRN added, “but, in the meantime, consumers could use some practical guidance on avoiding nutrient shortfalls even while they work on improving their personal food habits.”

 

In the end, CRN feels that the final Guidelines should provide American consumers with a more balanced perspective on the scientific evidence relating to the benefits of the appropriate and rational use of dietary supplements.

 

GOED’s comments also touched on nutrient adequacy, as well as fatty acids and cholesterol, and food safety and technology.

 

As it applies to EPA and DHA, GOED disagrees that there is limited evidence to support a recommendation for the use of EPA and DHA supplements in the prevention of chronic disease (i.e. cardiovascular disease) in a general, healthy population.

 

GOED believes recommendations to include the use of supplements and “functional foods” with added EPA/DHA to achieve intake targets associated with EPA and DHA and reduced risk of chronic disease are supported by the evidence as reviewed by the Committee and would be useful guidance in the final 2010 Dietary Guidelines.

 

To that end, GOED strongly encourages USDA and HHS to consider recommending dietary supplements and EPA/DHA fortified foods in addition to fish as part of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines regarding EPA+DHA intake in an effort to ensure that consumers can practically meet the advice of the DGAC.

 

“The Dietary Guidelines are intended for healthy Americans first and foremost. If indeed, the threshold of cardiovascular benefit to be achieved from EPA+DHA consumption is higher than 250 mg/d in the general population, then final recommendations should reflect 250 mg/d as a minimum rather than an optimal intake recommendation,” the organization explained. “Furthermore, if intakes greater than 250 mg/d are associated with reduced risk of nonfatal events, then final recommendations should be broadened to reflect a range of benefits between 250-500 mg/d as suggested by the evidence available to the Committee.”

 

The final guidelines should also provide direction with regard to the amount of DHA that leads to improved infant health outcomes, GOED says, especially since not all women may elect to obtain their DHA from seafood.

 

Lastly, the organization added, it will be important to emphasize to consumers that MeHg levels are highly dependent upon the fish/seafood species and source. In addition, refined fish oil products, including dietary supplements and functional foods do not contain the levels of MeHg seen in fresh fish and seafood.