Prepared by the Council for Responsible Nutrition
Research confirms significant essential
nutrient gaps in low-income Americans and
the role that a multivitamin/mineral can play
to fill nutrient gaps
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Abstract
It is well established that Americans are falling 
short of key nutrients, but new research shows that low-income Americans are at greater risk for essential nutrient shortfalls than Americans from higher-income households. Dietary supplements, like the multivitamin/mineral (MVM), provide shortfall nutrients and have been shown to help fill nutrient gaps. Including MVMs in SNAP creates no additional program costs, but provides low-income consumers with a choice for better nutrition.
Nutrient shortfalls
Getting all essential nutrients from food is preferred, but data show that most Americans fall short in key nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, and vitamins A, D, E, and C.1 In fact, the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans identified that under-consumption of calcium, potassium, and vitamin D is of public health concern because low intakes are associated with particular health concerns.2 Additionally, under-consumption of iron in young women, women capable of becoming pregnant, and women who are pregnant is of public health concern.
Nutrient shortfalls are more prevalent in low-income Americans
New research using government data shows that low-income Americans are at greater risk for essential nutrient shortfalls than Americans from higher-income households. In a recent study conducted to examine shortfall nutrient intakes by poverty-to-income ratio (PIR), men and women in the lowest PIR category had significantly lower micronutrient intakes compared to those in the highest PIR category.3
Further, adults at the lowest adjusted household income had a significantly higher prevalence of inadequate nutrient intakes (calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, D, and E) compared to those at the highest adjusted income. 4 The percentage of men and women who had inadequate intakes of these shortfall nutrients was also significantly higher in the middle PIR category compared to the highest PIR category, showing that micronutrient inadequacy is widespread in adults with lower incomes.
These results are reinforced by a study in which biological measures of nutrient status were compared across household income categories.5 Individuals from low PIR households were more likely to be at risk of micronutrient deficiency or anemia (indicative of iron deficiency) than those from higher household income categories. Forty percent of individuals from low-income households were deficient in one or more micronutrients (vitamins B6, B12, C, and/or D) and/or anemic, compared to 32% and 23% of individuals from medium- and high-income households, respectively.
Inadequate nutrient intakes are of particular concern in women of childbearing age, because a mother’s nutrition before and during pregnancy, as well as during breastfeeding, impacts the baby’s health. Results of a recent study show that mean intakes of several shortfall nutrients, including potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron, were significantly lower in women of childbearing age living in low-income households compared to those in high-income households.6
A multivitamin/mineral helps to fill nutrient gaps
Taking an MVM can help fill essential nutrient gaps. New research demonstrates that users of MVMs have a lower risk of vitamin deficiency or anemia than those who do not take dietary supplements.7 Forty percent of individuals identified as non-users of dietary supplements were shown to be deficient in one or more vitamins and/or anemic, compared to 28% of users of other dietary supplements and only 14% of MVM users.8 Recent research also shows that MVM use is associated with a lower prevalence of inadequate nutrient intakes and decreased risk of nutrient deficiencies, with a more dramatic impact seen in those who take MVM frequently.9
Additionally, findings from several studies show that dietary supplement intake can help fill nutrient gaps. For some nutrients including vitamins C and D, dietary supplements provide a greater contribution to overall intake compared to intake from food.10, 11
Summary
New research shows that low-income Americans are more likely to fall short of their nutrient needs than Americans from higher-income households. Taking an MVM has been shown to help fill essential nutrient gaps; however, MVMs are currently not included in SNAP. By including MVM coverage in SNAP, program costs do not increase—it simply gives recipients the ability to make healthier nutrition decisions.
References
1 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2015 – 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 8th Edition. December 2015. Available at: http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/
2 Id.
3 Bailey RL, Akabas SR, Paxson EE, Thuppal SV, Saklani S, Tucker KL (2017) Total Usual Intake of Shortfall Nutrients Varies With Poverty Among US Adults. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. In press.
4 Id.
5 Bird JK, Murphy RA, Ciappio ED, McBurney MI (2017) Risk of deficiency in multiple concurrent
micronutrients in children and adults in the United States. Nutrients 9:655
6 Storey ML, Anderson PA (2016) Vegetable consumption and selected nutrient intakes of women
of childbearing age. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 48(10):691-696.
7 Bird JK, Murphy RA, Ciappio ED, McBurney MI (2017) Risk of deficiency in multiple concurrent
micronutrients in children and adults in the United States. Nutrients 9 (7): 655
8 Id.
9 Blumberg JB, Frei BB, Fulgoni VL III, Weaver CM, Zeisel SH. 2017. Impact of Frequency of
Multi-Vitamin/Multi-Mineral Supplement Intake on Nutritional Adequacy and Nutrient Deficiencies in U.S. Adults. Nutrients 9:849.
10 Bailey RL, Akabas SR, Paxson EE, Thuppal SV, Saklani S, Tucker KL (2017) Total Usual Intake of Shortfall Nutrients Varies With Poverty Among US Adults. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. In press.
11 Fulgoni VL, Keast DR, Bailey RL, Dwyer J. 2011. Foods, fortificants and supplements: Where do Americans get their nutrients? Journal of Nutrition 141:1847-1854.