Supplement industry experts gather to educate Congress on related issues

WASHINGTON The Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus, in cooperation with the two leading trade associations representing the dietary supplement industry — the Council for Responsible Nutrition and the Natural Products Association — recently hosted the first of a series of three lunch briefings aimed at educating congressional staffers on important issues related to the dietary supplement industry to be held this year.

William Cooper, medical director of Cardiovascular Surgery, Wellstar-Kennestone Hospital, spoke to more than 90 attendees on June 3 about the importance of using dietary supplements as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. Cooper also offered advice for how supplements can play an important role in prevention and healthcare reform.

“When you get to me, you really don’t want to buy what I’m selling,” Cooper said, referring to his heart surgery specialty. “As a nation, we are consistently inconsistent. But there are simple things that all of us can do every day to better our health — and that includes taking dietary supplements.”

Cooper reported he personally takes fiber, fish oil supplements and a multivitamin every day.

“Prevention is the most cost-effective initiative to contain costs in health care, and dietary supplements are an important part of prevention,” commented Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., a co-chair of the caucus.