Supplement Savings

Postmenopausal women are at an increased risk for osteoporosis and related conditions, such as falls and fractures.  An abundance of published studies suggest the bone-building effects of dietary supplementation of calcium and vitamin D.  The Council for Responsible Nutrition released a commissioned report that analyzed the effects of a preventive level of supplementation: 1000 mg calcium and 800 IU vitamin D per day – which costs about 16 cents daily.  Among current users, such supplementation was calculated to save $1,5 billion by 2020; but if the 71% of postmenopausal women who do not currently take the vitamins began supplementation – as much as $12 billion savings could be achieved. The study submits that: “targeted dietary supplementation regimens are recommended as a means to help control rising societal health care costs, and as a means for high-risk individuals to minimize the chance of having to deal with potentially costly events and to invest in increased quality of life.”