In June, the New England Journal of Medicine published their perspective on front-of-package nutrition labeling. The authors (Kelly D. Brownell, PhD, and Jeffrey P. Koplan, MD, MPH) expressed their frustration that the sample front-of-package label system developed by the Grocery Manufacturers of America and the Food Marketing Institute (see sample) is much more confusing than the simple traffic-light system (green, yellow, red light) labeling concept used in Britain (see sample).
Reading the perspective, I started thinking about vitamin and supplement labels, and how confusing they are too! For starters, FDA guidelines, in place for our protection as consumers, don’t allow supplement companies to simply “list” on the bottle the benefits of a particular ingredient or formula. Some retailers make the process a little bit easier by organizing supplements by problem (i.e., joint health; digestion; cholesterol), but there’s still plenty of room for improvement. For example, the bottles of omega-3s you find on the shelf aren’t going to tell you how good they are for heart and brain health, as well as being overall inflammation fighters. And, once you’ve figured out that omega-3’s are beneficial, they aren’t going to tell you how much science says we need to consume.
Here are our steps for decoding the front package of a bottle of Omega-3:
• Do not assume that the “1,000 mg” or “1 gram” notation on the front label is relevant – this notation is a marketing notation, and typically means that the capsule size is 1,000 mg – not that the product provides 1,000 mg EPA, DHA and/or ALA. It’s entirely possible that a 1,000 mg capsule may contain as few as 300 mg EPA and DHA, combined.
• Omega-3 fatty acids encompass EPA, DHA and ALA. EPA and DHA are marine based, while ALA is plant based. ALA can’t be directly used by the body, so it is converted into EPA and DHA.
The vast majority of research has been conducted studying the impact of EPA and DHA.
• To compare products and brands, refer to the ingredient panel and add together the amount of EPA, DHA and ALA documented on the ingredient panel. The “ingredient panel” (or nutrition facts panel) is regulated by the FDA – so these are the only numbers that count. This instruction applies to both nutritional supplements and fortified foods. For example, some egg brands with omega-3 simply say there are omega-3’s in the egg, while others will list a specific level for EPA/DHA provided.
The Institute of Medicine recommends that adult women consume 1,100 mg of EPA/DHA (total combined) per day, while men should consume 1,600 mg EPA/DHA. Because ALA doesn’t convert in the body easily, women consuming omega-3 fatty acids in the plant-based ALA form should consume 1,300 mg daily, while men should consume 2,700 mg.
Cooper Complete Advanced Omega-3 contains 1,200 mg EPA/DHA in each two softgel serving.
To purchase Cooper Complete multivitamins and supplements, visit the Cooper Store.
References
Front-of-Package Nutrition Labeling – An Abuse of Trust by the Food Industry?
Sample front-of-package label from the traffic-light system used in Britain
Sample front-of-package label adhering to the Nutrition Keys System Developed by the Grocery Manufacturers of America and the Food Marketing Institute
Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Good Fat, Bad Fat: The Facts about Omega-3
#533 The Lambert Report for 06/23/2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Are you getting the most out of your Flexible Spending Account Plan?
Did you know that Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) funds can be used to purchase multivitamins and dietary supplements? Beginning January 1, 2011, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and drugs, including multivitamins and supplements, now require a prescription to be reimbursed by a FSA. (Other OTC medicines and drugs that now require a prescription include allergy prevention and treatment, analgesics, antacids, cold and flu remedies, migraine relief, skin care and sleeping aids.) In previous years, the prescription from the physician was simply mailed to the FSA plan administrator. Beginning this year, the prescription must be filled by a pharmacy and contain the same information as a prescription for a prescription-only medicine. Here’s how the process works:
1. Prior to the purchase of the multivitamin and/or supplements, the prescription for the item must be presented to the pharmacist.
2. The multivitamin and/or supplement must be dispensed by the pharmacist in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations pertaining to the practice of pharmacy.
3. An Rx number must be assigned.
In Texas and Louisiana, the entire line of Cooper Complete® nutritional supplements is available in all Albertson’s stores, and can be found directly in front of the pharmacy.
For Cooper Complete customers who don’t live near an Albertson’s, we also have a relationship set-up with the independent pharmacy Dougherty’s to fill the prescription and ship the items to you. To make the process as easy as possible, once you have the prescription from your physician please contact me at 800.980.6311 or jsturner@cooperwellness.com and I will coordinate the details of getting the prescription filled. If you are a Cooper Clinic patient, you can also use the coupon you receive during your physical for the purchase.
Thank you.
Jill Turner
VP of Operations
Cooper Concepts, Inc.
800.980.6311 - direct
972.560.3267 - fax
jsturner@cooperwellness.com
Reference
Dougherty’s Pharmacy
Albertson’s LLC
Texas Stores
Louisiana Stores
1. Prior to the purchase of the multivitamin and/or supplements, the prescription for the item must be presented to the pharmacist.
2. The multivitamin and/or supplement must be dispensed by the pharmacist in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations pertaining to the practice of pharmacy.
3. An Rx number must be assigned.
In Texas and Louisiana, the entire line of Cooper Complete® nutritional supplements is available in all Albertson’s stores, and can be found directly in front of the pharmacy.
For Cooper Complete customers who don’t live near an Albertson’s, we also have a relationship set-up with the independent pharmacy Dougherty’s to fill the prescription and ship the items to you. To make the process as easy as possible, once you have the prescription from your physician please contact me at 800.980.6311 or jsturner@cooperwellness.com and I will coordinate the details of getting the prescription filled. If you are a Cooper Clinic patient, you can also use the coupon you receive during your physical for the purchase.
Thank you.
Jill Turner
VP of Operations
Cooper Concepts, Inc.
800.980.6311 - direct
972.560.3267 - fax
jsturner@cooperwellness.com
Reference
Dougherty’s Pharmacy
Albertson’s LLC
Texas Stores
Louisiana Stores
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Cooper Complete Chewable Calcium: This Chewable Is for Adults, Not Children
Calcium is needed by the body to maintain strong bones, along with a healthy heart, muscles and central nervous system. Calcium-rich foods include canned salmon, anchovies, dairy products, broccoli, spinach, kale and Brussels sprouts. Juices, bread, breakfast cereal and tofu are often fortified with calcium.
But most people, especially older adults, require supplements to ensure that they consume enough calcium. And for anyone with reduced stomach acid, taking chewable calcium with meals is recommended.
“Calcium carbonate, a calcium salt, is not well absorbed by people with reduced levels of stomach acid,” said Todd Whitthorne, President of Cooper Concepts, parent of Cooper Complete® in Dallas. “Taking this supplement in chewable form at mealtimes improves absorption because of the stomach acid that's generated to digest food.”
Calcium requirements depend on an individual's gender and age, Whitthorne says. For example, adult women under age 50 are advised to consume 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily, while women 50 to 65 require 1,200 to 1,500 mg per day. Women 50 to 65 who are taking estrogen need 1,200 mg of calcium, and those not using estrogen need 1,500 mg. All women 65 and older should consume 1,500 mg calcium on a daily basis.
Many people drink milk for its calcium, but since one 8-ounce glass typically contains about 300 mg of calcium, you would need to drink three to five cups daily to meet basic calcium requirements, Whitthorne states.
Cooper Complete Chewable Calcium with Vitamin D provides 333 mg calcium – from calcium carbonate – and 133 IU of vitamin D-3 or cholecalciferol. This orange-and-vanilla flavored, chewable tablet is designed to be taken in conjunction with Cooper Complete multivitamin formulations.
As a dietary supplement, adults are advised to take one tablet of Chewable Calcium with a meal or as directed by a physician. “But remember to chew it, rather than swallowing it whole, to ensure the tablet is absorbed,” Whitthorne says.
Chewable calcium carbonate also works as an antacid to relieve heartburn, acid indigestion and upset stomach.
Cooper Complete offers an alternative product that can be taken on an empty stomach. Two tablets of Cooper Complete Calcium Citrate has 500 mg of calcium citrate.
To purchase Cooper Complete supplements, visit the Cooper Store.
But most people, especially older adults, require supplements to ensure that they consume enough calcium. And for anyone with reduced stomach acid, taking chewable calcium with meals is recommended.
“Calcium carbonate, a calcium salt, is not well absorbed by people with reduced levels of stomach acid,” said Todd Whitthorne, President of Cooper Concepts, parent of Cooper Complete® in Dallas. “Taking this supplement in chewable form at mealtimes improves absorption because of the stomach acid that's generated to digest food.”
Calcium requirements depend on an individual's gender and age, Whitthorne says. For example, adult women under age 50 are advised to consume 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily, while women 50 to 65 require 1,200 to 1,500 mg per day. Women 50 to 65 who are taking estrogen need 1,200 mg of calcium, and those not using estrogen need 1,500 mg. All women 65 and older should consume 1,500 mg calcium on a daily basis.
Many people drink milk for its calcium, but since one 8-ounce glass typically contains about 300 mg of calcium, you would need to drink three to five cups daily to meet basic calcium requirements, Whitthorne states.
Cooper Complete Chewable Calcium with Vitamin D provides 333 mg calcium – from calcium carbonate – and 133 IU of vitamin D-3 or cholecalciferol. This orange-and-vanilla flavored, chewable tablet is designed to be taken in conjunction with Cooper Complete multivitamin formulations.
As a dietary supplement, adults are advised to take one tablet of Chewable Calcium with a meal or as directed by a physician. “But remember to chew it, rather than swallowing it whole, to ensure the tablet is absorbed,” Whitthorne says.
Chewable calcium carbonate also works as an antacid to relieve heartburn, acid indigestion and upset stomach.
Cooper Complete offers an alternative product that can be taken on an empty stomach. Two tablets of Cooper Complete Calcium Citrate has 500 mg of calcium citrate.
To purchase Cooper Complete supplements, visit the Cooper Store.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Getting your Vitamin D with Todd Whitthorne
Todd Whitthorne, President and CEO of Cooper Complete Nutritional Supplements discusses the health benefits of Vitamin D.
For more information on Cooper Complete Nutritional Supplements, visit coopercomplete.com or call 972.560.2707.
For more information on Cooper Complete Nutritional Supplements, visit coopercomplete.com or call 972.560.2707.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Benefits of Omega-3 with Todd Whitthorne
Todd Whitthorne, President and CEO of Cooper Complete Nutritional Supplements discusses the health benefits of Omega-3.
For more information on Cooper Complete Nutritional Supplements, visit coopercomplete.com or call 972.560.2707.
For more information on Cooper Complete Nutritional Supplements, visit coopercomplete.com or call 972.560.2707.
Friday, March 25, 2011
ABCs of Supplements with Todd Whitthorne
Todd Whitthorne, President and CEO of Cooper Complete Nutritional Supplements discusses the health benefits of taking vitamins and supplements daily.
For more information on Cooper Complete Nutritional Supplements, visit coopercomplete.com or call 972.560.2707.
For more information on Cooper Complete Nutritional Supplements, visit coopercomplete.com or call 972.560.2707.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Facts and Stats on Vitamin C
We received this question from one of our readers: “I have taken 1,000 mg time-released vitamin C every morning for many years. I used to be plagued with colds about twice a year and they always turned to bronchitis. A friend told me to take vitamin C, not as I'm starting to feel a cold coming on, but every single morning. I finally got into the habit. I have not had a cold for 3-4 years!! Because I have not had a cold, I also haven't come down with bronchitis and other respiratory ailments. Seriously - I feel the time-released vitamin C has kept me from getting sick! While others in my office are always sick - coughing, wheezing and snuffling, many times with colds and sinus infections, their germs never seem to infiltrate my system. “
“I was at the drugstore the other day picking up timed-released vitamin C and the pharmacist said there is some controversy on taking too much - that it can cause kidney damage. I have cut down to 500 mg but I would like to know what you think about this.”
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. Although our body is unable to manufacture vitamin C on its own, the vitamin helps our body form collagen in bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels. Vitamin C also helps our body absorb iron, which is why dietitians often suggest spinach salad with orange slices or strawberries on top.
Our body doesn’t make vitamin C, so we get vitamin C from food (mostly fresh fruits and vegetables) and supplements. The orange juice folks would like to have a monopoly on vitamin C, but grapefruit (fruit and juice), strawberries, cantaloupe, red bell peppers, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, turnip and collard greens, cauliflower, and the increasingly popular leafy kale all contain great levels of vitamin C.
The research on common cold prevention is interesting. More than 30 clinical trials including more than 10,000 participants examined the effects of taking daily vitamin C, and overall, a significant reduction in the risk of developing colds wasn’t seen. However, a subset of the studies looked at people living in extreme circumstances – including skiers and marathon runners, and found almost a 50 percent reduction in the risk of developing a cold! As the subset of elite athletes was small, more studies are needed, but it looks like vitamin C for cold prevention in this population may make great sense.
Many people grab their vitamin C supplements the second they start to feel a cold coming on in hopes that they can ward off the inevitable. Numerous studies have examined the effects of starting vitamin C after the onset of cold symptoms, and unfortunately supplementation doesn’t seem to lesson the symptoms, or the duration, of the cold. On the other hand, the science does show that people who take 1,000 mg of vitamin C daily throughout the cold season can modestly reduce the symptoms and duration of colds. Cooper Complete adult formulations contain vitamin C. Cooper Complete Elite Athlete, for marathoners and anyone exercising at 80 percent of predicted maximum heart rate for a minimum of five hours per week contains 2,000 mg vitamin C, while Cooper Complete original formulations (Iron Free and With Iron) contain 500 mg, and Basic One contains 150 mg.
The US recommendation for daily intake of vitamin C is 75 mg for adult women and 90 mg for adult men. As a water soluble vitamin, whatever our body doesn’t need immediately is eliminated. In an article published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers reported that when the daily dose of vitamin C was increased from 200 to 2,500 mg, the plasma concentration increased by only 12- to 15 mg/L, and renal clearance of vitamin C rose sharply. In addition, the digestive tract also stops absorbing vitamin C as well as these higher levels. So, the net effect is that after a certain level it doesn’t really matter our much vitamin C we take as our blood level concentration of vitamin C isn’t going to increase much more.
The upper intake level (UL) for vitamin C is 2,000 mg per day for men and women. Taking high levels of vitamin C can cause severe diarrhea, as well as kidney stones. And if the vitamin C of your choice is the chewable kind, too many of these tablets can wreck havoc on tooth enamel. Because vitamin C may increase adverse affects of acetaminophen and antacids, the supplement (or a multivitamin including vitamin C) shouldn’t be taken at the same time as these over-the-counter medications.
To purchase Cooper Complete supplements, visit the Cooper Store.
Reference
Blanchard J, Tozer TN, Rowland M. Pharmacokinetic perspective on megadoses of ascorbic acid. Am J Clin Nutr. 1997;66:1165-1171.
http://www.ajcn.org/content/66/5/1165.short
Micronutrient Information Center – Linus Pauling Institute
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminC/
The World’s Healthiest Foods
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=109
Jill Turner is VP Operations for Cooper Concepts, the company that markets Cooper Complete nutritional supplements. Email (jsturner@cooperwellness.com) or call 972-560-3262 with your questions and comments regarding supplements.
“I was at the drugstore the other day picking up timed-released vitamin C and the pharmacist said there is some controversy on taking too much - that it can cause kidney damage. I have cut down to 500 mg but I would like to know what you think about this.”
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. Although our body is unable to manufacture vitamin C on its own, the vitamin helps our body form collagen in bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels. Vitamin C also helps our body absorb iron, which is why dietitians often suggest spinach salad with orange slices or strawberries on top.
Our body doesn’t make vitamin C, so we get vitamin C from food (mostly fresh fruits and vegetables) and supplements. The orange juice folks would like to have a monopoly on vitamin C, but grapefruit (fruit and juice), strawberries, cantaloupe, red bell peppers, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, turnip and collard greens, cauliflower, and the increasingly popular leafy kale all contain great levels of vitamin C.
The research on common cold prevention is interesting. More than 30 clinical trials including more than 10,000 participants examined the effects of taking daily vitamin C, and overall, a significant reduction in the risk of developing colds wasn’t seen. However, a subset of the studies looked at people living in extreme circumstances – including skiers and marathon runners, and found almost a 50 percent reduction in the risk of developing a cold! As the subset of elite athletes was small, more studies are needed, but it looks like vitamin C for cold prevention in this population may make great sense.
Many people grab their vitamin C supplements the second they start to feel a cold coming on in hopes that they can ward off the inevitable. Numerous studies have examined the effects of starting vitamin C after the onset of cold symptoms, and unfortunately supplementation doesn’t seem to lesson the symptoms, or the duration, of the cold. On the other hand, the science does show that people who take 1,000 mg of vitamin C daily throughout the cold season can modestly reduce the symptoms and duration of colds. Cooper Complete adult formulations contain vitamin C. Cooper Complete Elite Athlete, for marathoners and anyone exercising at 80 percent of predicted maximum heart rate for a minimum of five hours per week contains 2,000 mg vitamin C, while Cooper Complete original formulations (Iron Free and With Iron) contain 500 mg, and Basic One contains 150 mg.
The US recommendation for daily intake of vitamin C is 75 mg for adult women and 90 mg for adult men. As a water soluble vitamin, whatever our body doesn’t need immediately is eliminated. In an article published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers reported that when the daily dose of vitamin C was increased from 200 to 2,500 mg, the plasma concentration increased by only 12- to 15 mg/L, and renal clearance of vitamin C rose sharply. In addition, the digestive tract also stops absorbing vitamin C as well as these higher levels. So, the net effect is that after a certain level it doesn’t really matter our much vitamin C we take as our blood level concentration of vitamin C isn’t going to increase much more.
The upper intake level (UL) for vitamin C is 2,000 mg per day for men and women. Taking high levels of vitamin C can cause severe diarrhea, as well as kidney stones. And if the vitamin C of your choice is the chewable kind, too many of these tablets can wreck havoc on tooth enamel. Because vitamin C may increase adverse affects of acetaminophen and antacids, the supplement (or a multivitamin including vitamin C) shouldn’t be taken at the same time as these over-the-counter medications.
To purchase Cooper Complete supplements, visit the Cooper Store.
Reference
Blanchard J, Tozer TN, Rowland M. Pharmacokinetic perspective on megadoses of ascorbic acid. Am J Clin Nutr. 1997;66:1165-1171.
http://www.ajcn.org/content/66/5/1165.short
Micronutrient Information Center – Linus Pauling Institute
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminC/
The World’s Healthiest Foods
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=109
Jill Turner is VP Operations for Cooper Concepts, the company that markets Cooper Complete nutritional supplements. Email (jsturner@cooperwellness.com) or call 972-560-3262 with your questions and comments regarding supplements.
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