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Dietary Supplements: Health or Hoax?

Volume 2, Number 2 - February, 1998

Editors: Carol A. Rice, Ph.D., RN, Professor and Extension Health Specialist, and Janet M. Pollard, MPH, Extension Associate-Health

Inside HealthHints....

Dietary Supplements: Health or Hoax?

Dietary supplements, such as vitamins and minerals, are a hot topic! We hear about them on TV and radio and are bombarded by articles in magazines and newspapers. Can dietary supplements slow aging, stop cancer, prevent hot flashes, make your skin look younger, prevent heart disease?

Is the vitamin and mineral hype good for our health, or is it all just a hoax?

What is a Vitamin?

"Vitamins are the tools used by your body to process foods (Pruitt, 1994)." Vitamins do not supply energy to the body because they contain no calories. Vitamins, however, do help release the energy contained in carbohydrates, proteins, and fat in your body. Our bodies cannot manufacture vitamins, therefore, we must obtain the energy through food (Clarke, 1997). The best sources of vitamins are found in foods, not in vitamin supplements found in a bottle (Pruitt, 1994). The body uses vitamins better in the presence of co-factors in foods.

Fat-soluble vs. Water-soluble

Vitamins in foods are either fat-soluble vitamins or water-soluble vitamins.

What Vitamins are NOT: Common Myths

Myth: Vitamins give you energy.
Fact: Calories are what give you energy, and vitamins have no calories. Thus, vitamins won't give you more "pep" or make you gain fat.

Myth: Natural or organic vitamins are better than synthetic vitamins.
Fact: Synthetic vitamins are identical to natural vitamins. Claims that "nature cannot be imitated, " or "natural is better" are just advertising tactics.

Myth: Individuals with poor diets should take vitamin supplements.
Fact: Eating a variety of foods is essential to supplying the body with the needed nutrients. Vitamins cannot make up for a poor diet. Vitamin supplements only supply some of the nutrients needed by the body (even supplements with a long list of ingredients).

Myth: Vitamins are like over-the-counter medicines.
Fact: Though vitamins are often sold in drug stores and can be prescribed, "the only illness that vitamins cure is the lack of vitamins." The myth of vitamins' "miraculous qualities" probably began because they have worked well in vitamin deficiency diseases, such as scurvy and beriberi (Vitamin Basics).

Myth: When it comes to vitamins, more is better.
Fact: Vitamins are essential compounds that your body needs to function. As long as you have these vitamins present in your body, there is no advantage gained from extra vitamins. Extra water-soluble vitamins tend to be flushed out of your system, and extra fat-soluble vitamins can be stored in the liver and become toxic in large amounts.

Myth: Athletes and people who work out need extra vitamins for better performance.
Fact: Athletes tend to eat more food, therefore they get more vitamins. There is no evidence, however, that any vitamin (or mineral) will improve athletic performance.

Myth: Eating today's processed and fast foods makes it impossible to get enough vitamins in your diet.
Fact: A variety of foods is necessary to supply you the vitamins you need. Processed and fast foods can supply vitamins along with a variety of whole foods (i.e., single ingredient foods: whole grains, meats, vegetables, fruits).

Myth: If you are under a lot of stress, you should take a specially formulated vitamin to fight stress.
Fact: Normal stress does not increase your need for vitamins. Only under extreme physical stress, such as severe illness or surgery, might extra vitamins be required.

Myth: Vitamin B12 supplements help prevent you from feeling "run down."
Fact: There is no scientific proof that B12 can prevent fatigue, except in severe cases of pernicious anemia. Most people store many years worth of B12 in their livers, so additional supplements are unnecessary.

Myth: If you eat poorly for a couple of days or miss a meal, you should take vitamin supplements.
Fact: If you eat poorly for a couple of days or miss a meal, you do not need to take vitamin supplements. Most vitamins stay in your system for a long time and can be consumed in your next days meals. A vitamin deprivation will normally not show up for about eight weeks.

Vitamin Supplements: Who Needs Them?

Although TV, radio, news and magazine articles often announce that the majority of Americans are not meeting the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA's) for vitamins and minerals, it is important to realize that the RDA's are set high. Because the RDA's are not the "minimum standard," even if you fall 20-30% below them, you are probably getting plenty of vitamins and minerals (Vitamin Basics**).

If you do think you may be lacking in vitamins and minerals, however, turn to food sources rather than vitamin supplement pills.

Those who actually need a vitamin supplement include the following:

"Supplements and 'health foods' have been recommended for virtually every ailment. However, there is little or no scientific evidence to support such recommendations. Megadoses of vitamins and minerals have few legitimate uses and should never be taken without competent medical advice (Barrett, 1977)."

What are Minerals?

Like vitamins, minerals are best found in foods, but can also be found in the form of supplements. "Minerals help form healthy bones and teeth, regulate body functioning, and help nerves and muscles react normally (Pruitt, 1994)." Minerals are divided into two categories as follows:

We need 100 milligrams or more per day of major minerals in our diet, while trace minerals are essential, but needed in smaller amounts. Milk and vegetables are important sources of minerals.

Mineral Supplements: Who Needs Them?

Although most of us get needed minerals in our diets, there are a few cases where an added supplement may be needed.

Children under age 4 and women up to age 50: Iron is often limited in children under 4 years old. Additionally, women lose iron during their normal monthly cycle and may not get enough in the foods they eat to replenish it. Consult with your care provider before adding an iron supplement to your diet. Supplements are often recommended in these instances, and particularly for women who are pregnant or breast feeding (Pruitt, 1994).

Minerals: Too Little or Too Much?

Too Little

Calcium is found in dairy foods as well as some green, leafy vegetables. Calcium is essential for building strong bones and teeth in children and maintaining them in adulthood. Yet, many diets are deficient in calcium. Osteoporosis, a condition in which bone density decreases, making bones easier to break, is a major problem related to calcium deficiency. Osteoporosis is more common among women than men, and women are at greater risk after menopause. Thus, adequate calcium in our diets is essential, and your care provider may suggest a supplement. Calcium is believed to help slow or prevent osteoporosis (Pruitt, 1994). Calcium supplements, however, can pose a problem, such as constipation, and impaired kidney function and iron absorption (Pruitt, 1994; Brody, 1997). Thus, getting calcium from the diet is preferred.

Too Much

Sodium (salt) is essential for our health, yet can also cause problems. Most Americans consume overly abundant amounts of sodium. Sodium draws water into our blood vessels, helping to maintain normal blood volume and blood pressure. It is also needed for normal muscle and nerve functioning. A healthy adult should consume 2,000 to 2,500 mg sodium. The average American consumes 5,000 to 7,000 mg.

"High sodium intake is of concern because it may be linked with hypertension (high blood pressure), a condition that affects about one quarter of the population and leads to higher risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure (Pruitt, 1994)."

Magnesium is found in all unprocessed foods, nuts, legumes, and unmilled grains. Magnesium helps with nerve signaling, bone building, and muscle contractions. Women need 320 mg per day; men need 420 mg per day. High doses accumulated in the system, however, can be fatal to people with impaired kidney function.

Iron is found in meat, poultry, fish, eggs, vegetables, tofu, and cereals. Women need 15 mg daily; men need 10 mg daily. Iron is important for oxygen transportation in the body. Iron overload, however, can increase risk for heart disease and other organ problems. Children can be poisoned by too much iron, sometimes fatally.

Zinc is found in meat, liver, eggs, seafood, and cereal. Women need 12 mg, while men need 10 mg per day. Zinc is involved in the function of enzymes and is a component of insulin. Zinc is also involved in our sense of taste. Excessive intake of zinc, however, can cause gastrointestinal irritation, impaired immune function, and copper deficiency.

Selenium is found in seafood, kidney, liver, other meats, and some seeds and grains. Women need 55 mcg, while men need 70 mcg per day. A deficiency in selenium has been linked to heart disease. Selenium is also a key component of enzymes. Too much exposure to selenium, however, may cause changes in hair and nails, gastrointestinal problems, and neurological problems (e.g., slower mental function) (Brody, 1997).

Vitamin E: Waiting for a Verdict

The Cambridge Heart Antioxidant Study (CHAOS) enrolled 2,002 patients with heart disease. The patients were randomly assigned to groups either taking vitamin E or a placebo. Of the non-fatal heart attacks occurring in 18 months, 25% were among the vitamin E groups, and 75% were among the placebo group. This resulted in an approximate 75% reduction in heart disease events.

The CHAOS study is particularly important because it is the first human study to compare a placebo with vitamin E and demonstrate a reduction in cardiovascular events. The investigators, however, do not recommend high doses of vitamin E for healthy people at this time. They do, however, acknowledge that vitamin E may have a strong role to play in preventing cardiovascular events (American College of Cardiology, 1996). (For more information on the CHOAS study, see the March 1996 edition of the journal Lancet.)

Additionally, a study in the May 2, 1996 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine reports that "in post menopausal women, Vitamin E (in the diet, not by pills) is associated with lower heart disease death. This was not seen with vitamin E supplements....This study suggests that DIETS rich in vitamin E may reduce heart disease death by 50% (American College of Cardiology, 1996)." There are still unanswered questions, however, such as:

Although these questions remain, this study did not find similar benefits with dietary vitamin A or C (American College of Cardiology, 1996).

In a news release from the National Institutes of Health, a study at 23 Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS) sites reports that Selegiline (used to treat Parkinson's disease symptoms), and Vitamin E may slow functional signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease by about 7 months." The two drugs delayed important milestones, such as entry into nursing homes, for people with moderately severe Alzheimer's disease, and decreased their loss of daily activities, including bathing, dressing, and handling money, by about 25 percent (American College of Cardiology, 1996)."

While these findings are exciting, scientists are still cautious about recommending widespread use of these drugs, as these have been used with moderately severe cases of Alzheimer's disease, and little is known about effects at different stages of the disease. Alzheimer's patients and their families should consult with their care provider about what treatments are appropriate. (For more information on the ADCS study, see the April 24, 1997 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine.)

"...Vitamin E is well known to hinder oxidation of lipoproteins and by that mechanism may help prevent heart attacks (American College of Cardiology, 1996)."

Alternative Remedies

In addition to dietary supplements, there are many other "natural" and "alternative" remedies that are hot topics in our media. Some of these include:

Although there is research on many of these topics, the results of studies are often contradictory. This is not to say that some of the results are not true, but to say that much more study needs to be done to know how the remedies work, in what doses, what side effects may exist, and at what level toxicity may occur. It is important to be a smart consumer when considering such remedies. Don't be fooled by health fraud and quackery. Check with your health care provider for further information; and never mix these remedies with other medicines without talking to your doctor.

Homeopathy

If you walk down the aisle of any grocery store or pharmacy, you're bound to find remedies marked "homeopathic." Homeopathic remedies are based on the belief that "like cures like." (The word homeopathy comes from the Greek words meaning similar and suffering.) A homeopathic remedy is a substance that causes the same symptoms that a sick person has.

The idea of homeopathy is somewhat like immunotherapy used for allergies. In immunotherapy, an individual is given repeated injections of an allergy-causing substance to become desensitized to the substance. In homeopathy, however, the substances (usually derived from plants or minerals) are repeatedly diluted until it contains as little as one part per million of the active ingredient. Actually, the more diluted the homeopathic substance is, the more effective it is considered.

Homeopathy has been fairly well studied and the results are mixed. Some believe that the positive results could be attributed to a belief that the remedy will work. In other words, "mind over matter" -- if you believe it will work, you may experience positive results. Whether or not homeopathy has a role to play in relieving symptoms is an important question. If you are a believer, there is probably little harm in using these remedies, however, you may be wasting your money (Atkinson, 1997; Eisenhauer, 1998).

A word of caution: If you choose to use homeopathic remedies, and find that you experience worsening symptoms, it could be what homeopathic medicine terms a "healing crisis," or it could be something that needs immediate medical diagnosis and treatment. Always consult with your care provider if you have any questionable symptoms.

Herbal Medicine

It is important to understand that just because an herb is "natural," does not mean it is not harmful (Eisenhauer, 1998). For example, digitalis, a common drug used to treat heart disease, comes from a plant. Too much digitalis can result in toxicity and even death.

An herb is a plant, and plants have been and continue to be a source of conventional medicine. Many of our pharmaceutical drugs are purified from herbs, plants, and other substances found in nature. Such drugs are often discovered because of their adverse or toxic affects.

Until 1962, herbs were considered drugs. It then became required that herbs be evaluated for potency and safety. Herbs are now sold as food products, mostly in health food stores. "Only a few herbs (out of 1400), however, have been approved as being both safe and having therapeutic actions by the FDA (Eisenhauer, 1998)."

According to the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, labels on herbs can have information about the effects on the body structure and function, but must also state that the herb is not intended to be used as a drug, and that it has not been reviewed by the FDA (Eisenhauer, 1998).

One of the most commonly used forms of herbs are those found in herbal teas. Although most herbal teas are considered safe, and herbal tea companies work to avoid any herb which might be deemed dangerous, any herbal product can be a potential source of adverse effects if used repeatedly and in excess amounts (Eisenhauer, 1998, Barrett, 1997).

Americans are spending more than $1.5 billion a year on herbal teas, bulk herbs, and other herbal products. "Although most of these items are consumed for their flavor, many are used for supposed medicinal purposes (Barrett, 1997)."

Here are some guidelines to help you make healthy decisions about herbs:

If you plan to use herbs for medicinal purposes, please consult with your care provider. There are some specific, researched, contraindications for use (e.g., licorice should not be used by people with hypertension; ginseng should not be used by people with high anxiety, tension, or restlessness, or when there is acute inflammation; etc. [Busby, 1996]).

Phytochemicals

The term phytochemicals (Phyto- meaning plant in Greek) refers to a wide variety of non-nutritive compounds produced by plants. "Foods such as tomatoes, oats, soy, oranges, and broccoli, to name just a few, contain hundreds of biologically active compounds, some of them thought to ward off disease (e.g., cancer, diabetes, menopausal symptoms, etc.) However, much more needs to be done before their true value can be determined and the validity of health claims assessed (Engel, 1996)."

Phytochemicals include compounds with complex names, such as organosulfides, found in garlic, onions, and leeks; monoterpenes, found in orange peel and cherries; flavanoids, found in soybeans; polyphenols, found in green tea; and indoles and isothiocyanates, found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and brussels sprouts (Messina, [on-line]). Despite the excitement surrounding these compounds and their potential benefits, there are many questions, such as appropriate dosage and which compound helps prevent which disease.

"Before jumping on the phytochemicals bandwagon and looking for wonder products from a bottle, remember that scientists must first demonstrate the true benefits of isolated plant compounds and prove they are not toxic. So far, the evidence for the disease preventing capacity of supplements is far less convincing than that for whole fresh fruit; grains and vegetables (Engel, 1996)."

St. John's Wort

St. John's wort is an herb that has recently been recurring in U.S. news media. St. John's wort, from the perennial herb Hypericum perforatum, gets its name from the Middle Ages. Christian sects often celebrated the birth of John the Baptist on June 24th, also the time around which the plant's golden, star-shaped flowers are at peak bloom.

In Germany and across Europe, St. John's wort has been promoted as a natural remedy for depression; and, proponents attest it has fewer side effects and less expense than conventional antidepressants. A meta-analysis of 23 studies (a review pooling several studies and then compiling new results) done by researchers in Munich and San Antonio found that 51% of patients taking St. John's wort demonstrated improvement, while only 22% using other antidepressant drugs showed improvement.

Still, there is much unknown about this herb. For example, there are no well-established doses, and there is little information on long-term effects (since most studies were no longer than 6 weeks). Additionally, lower than customary doses of the conventional antidepressants used for comparison were given. Thus, although there have been no disastrous effects reported in Germany, and dosages used in the studies probably do not present a high risk, you should consult your health care provider if you decide to take St. John's wort (Robb-Nicholson, 1997).

Self-treating depression can be dangerous and even lethal because of the potential for suicide. People taking an antidepressant prescribed by a physician should never stop or reduce their antidepressant and begin taking St. John's wort instead. Antidepressants need the careful supervision of a health care professional.

Avoiding Health Fraud and Quackery

Millions of people spend large amounts of money trying supposed health remedies with little change.

Doctors are not keeping these remedies secret from their patients for fear of losing fees from fewer patient visits. Any doctor having a true cure for a chronic disease such as arthritis or cancer could make a fortune very quickly -- a whole lot faster than just treating people's symptoms as they do now. So save your money, and avoid buying books or remedies that:

Just because something is in a book, or on the Internet, or being advertised on television does not mean it has received any testing at all.

For example, remedies sold as health foods (e.g., dietary supplements and herbs) are not studied or regulated by the Food and Drug Administration unless they can prove that a product is dangerous when used according to the label. Books written about remedies are very careful not to directly promise cures. They often cite research that has nothing to do with the proposed cure; citing legitimate research about something else is done to trick the reader into thinking research supports the "cure" being sold in the book.

In many ways, trying these "cures" makes the consumer a test-animal. What if the tea you are drinking or the cream you are rubbing on your skin to substitute for taking estrogen after menopause does not work? You may not know for 10 years, and by then it is too late to undo the damage to your bones or heart, for example.

So, be careful. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Before you decide to try a "natural" remedy or dietary supplement of any kind, especially if you are taking medications prescribed by a doctor, ask your health care provider. If you cannot talk to the health care provider, talk to your pharmacist.

Activity Ideas

Vitamin Investigation

Suggested supplies:

Actions:

Using the table entitled "What vitamins do for you" provided in this newsletter, ask participants to find good sources of each of the vitamins listed. Time individuals or groups to see who can get the most accurate sources the fastest. If you have a tie, ask which group can tell you how a particular vitamin helps your body function or the recommended daily allowance for a vitamin.

Menu Madness

Suggested supplies:

Actions:

Have 5 to 7 small groups of participants (if possible) plan one day's menu with the goal of getting some of each vitamin in the "What Vitamins Do for You" table, as well as meeting the guidelines found in the Food Guide Pyramid. Use the cookbooks or have participants bring in their own recipes to form the daily menu. Share menu plans and write the recipes out so that participants can have a full week of vitamin rich menus.

What Vitamins Do for You

VITAMIN FUNCTION SOURCES RDAs (recommended daily allowances for women aged 25 to 50, weighing 138 lb and 5'4" tall)
A (retinol) Necessary for healthy eyes, skin, and linings of the digestive tract and nose; needed for normal growth of bones and teeth milk, liver, fish, eggs, butter, green and yellow vegetables, cheese 800 ug
B1 (thiamin) Helps transform carbohydrates into energy meat, whole-grain cereals, nuts, soybeans, peas, potatoes, and most vegetables and fruits 1.1 mg
B2 (riboflavin) Helps body cells use oxygen; necessary for energy release; necessary for healthy skin, mucous membranes, and nervous system; assists in the repair of tissue meat, cheese, liver, fish, poultry, yeast, fruits, lean meats 1.3 mg
B3 (niacin) Helps transform food into energy; necessary for growth and for the production of hormones; helps maintain healthy skin liver, yeast, lean meat, enriched breads and cereals 15 mg
B6 (pyridoxin) necessary for synthesis and breakdown of amino acids; aids in metabolism cereals, peanut butter, spinach, green and chick peas, lima beans, potatoes, poultry, bananas 1.6 mg
Folic acid (folate) Essential to red blood cell production; maintains a healthy nervous system green leafy vegetables, yeast, meat, liver 180 ug
B12 (cyanocobalamin) Essential to red blood cell development and red and white blood cell synthesis; helps with proper function of the nervous system; helps with metabolism of food eggs, meat, milk products 2.0 ug
C (ascorbic acid) Necessary for healthy connective tissue, bones, teeth, and cartilage; enhances immune system citrus fruits, tomatoes, raw cabbage, potatoes, strawberries, green peppers, cantaloupe, other vegetables 60 mg
D (cholecalcifrol) Essential for calcium and phosphorus metabolism; needed for healthy bones and teeth fish, liver oils, fortified milk, eggs, tuna, salmon, sunlight on the skin 5 ug
E (tocopherol) Helps maintain the heart and skeletal muscles; may help maintain the reproductive system; necessary for nourishing and strengthening cells whole-grain cereals, lettuce, vegetable oils 8 mg
K Necessary for blood clotting cabbage, spinach, kale, broccoli 65 ug

What Vitamins Do for You: Risk of High Doses

VITAMIN RISK OF HIGH DOSES
A (retinol) Dry skin, headaches, irritability, vomiting, bone pain, and vision problems, enlargement of liver and spleen, retarded growth in children, link to birth defects at 5 to 10 recommended levels.
B1 (thiamin) No cases of toxicity reported when taken orally.
B2 (riboflavin) No cases of toxicity reported.
B3 (niacin) Doses from 40 to 300 times RDA can cause itching, skin flushing, gastrointestinal distress, liver damage, gout, blood sugar disorders.
B6 (pyridoxin) Large doses (500 times the recommended level) can damage the sensory nervous system; very large doses (2000+ mg, 1000 times recommended levels) have caused symptoms resembling multiple sclerosis, including numbness and tingling of hands, difficulty walking, feeling of electric shock running down the spine.
Folic acid (folate) Can interfere with certain seizure and cancer drugs, otherwise, no direct toxicity reported.
B12 (cyanocobalamin) No direct toxicity reported
C (ascorbic acid) In amounts of 20+ times the RDA, can damage growing bone, produce diarrhea, cause adverse effects in pregnancy, produce kidney stones, and cause false urine tests for sugar in diabetics, and false tests for blood in stool (which could prevent early cancer detection or GI diseases).
D (cholecalciferol) Prolonged use in amounts of 5+ times the RDA can cause loss of appetite, nausea, weakness, excess urinary output, constipation, high blood pressure, tissue calcification, kidney stones, and kidney failure (which can result in death).
E (tocopherol) In amounts greater than 400 IU, can cause headaches, nausea, tiredness, inflammation of the mouth, gastrointestinal disturbances, muscle weakness, low blood-sugar levels, and increased bleeding tendency. Vitamin E high doses can interfere with anticoagulant drugs and absorption of vitamin K, which promotes blood clotting; should never be taken before surgery.
K Although toxic effects have not been observed with high doses, vitamin K should never be taken with blood thinners (anticoagulants), because part of its function is to help blood clot.

Sweets for Your Sweetheart

Though we all like to give and receive heart-shaped boxes of candy at Valentine's, we need to look out for the calories:

Try these lower calorie ideas that are sweeter to the heart and the waistline:

Extension Resources

Vitamins and Minerals

Leader Training Packets

The following fact sheets were distributed for each County Extension Agent-FCS at the January 1998 Staff Conference.

Fact Sheets

The following fact sheet series, entitled "Good Sources of Nutrients," will be available at the end of March, 1998. An e-mail will be sent from the Nutrition office informing County Agents how they can order each fact sheet. The Good Sources Series includes fact sheets on the following:

Upcoming Health Observances

February

American Heart Month
American Heart Association
(800) AHA-USA1
Contact American Heart Association locally or nationally for educational materials, media materials, English/Spanish posters, news releases, etc.

National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week (February 8-14)
Office of Occupant Protection
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration U.S. Department of Transportation
(202) 366-9550
Contact the Office of Public Affairs for more information.

March

National Nutrition Month
American Dietetic Association
(312) 899-0040 ext. 4653
Contact the National Center for Nutrition and Dietetics for posters, and fitness, personal, and culinary promotional items.

National Poison Prevention Week (March 15-21)
Poison Prevention Week Council
P.O. Box 1543
Washington, DC 20013
Send postcard to address above for a packet of publications.

American Diabetes Alert (March 17)
American Diabetes Association
(800) DIABETES
Contact your local affiliate for diabetes risk tests.

Resource Extras

For further information and resources on dietary supplements, you can order the following:

Lampasas County Makes Kids Matter

The Lampasas County Family and Consumer Sciences Committee, working with County Extension Agent Marilyn May and school faculty members, have created a program called "Kids Matter" to help at risk school children and their parents.

The group offers monthly meetings focused on school related topics, such as "Helping Your Child Do Better on the TAAS Test" or "Helping Your Child with Homework" for half of the program, and topics on parenting, nutrition and health for the other half. An average of 30 parents have been attending the sessions which are offered both in English and Spanish. These sessions are offered simultaneously so parents can choose which best fits their needs. Volunteers provide babysitting for children aged 5 and under. Local volunteers, including physical education teachers and school athletes, provide fun fitness activities for older children during the meeting times.

School officials report that many more parents are coming to school and participating more actively in their children's education since the program began in January 1997. They also credit Kids Matter with a 300% participation increase in the school's tutorial program this year.

The Family and Consumer Sciences Committee began in 1996 to develop strategies to reach families most in need of parenting, health, and nutritional education programs. Four programs were originally planned, targeted specifically to parents who are typically uninvolved in their children's educations and activities. Donna Garrett, HERO Specialist, assisted the committee in the initial development of a community survey to determine parents' interests as well as the best meeting times and locations. These surveys were sent home in the childrens' backpacks (the "Backpack Express") and local merchants provided coupon incentives for students returning the survey.

The positive response of parents to the first programs inspired the development of a bilingual newsletter reinforcing program topics. The programs were continued monthly and Kids Matter is now beginning its second year in Lampasas. The program has been so successful that plans are underway to replicate the program in Lometa. Donna is working with the group to develop a formal evaluation plan.

County Extension Agent Marilyn May commends the Family and Consumer Sciences Committee for their strong commitment to the program and their outstanding development of community support. "It takes a lot of dedicated people working together to produce monthly newsletters and programs in Spanish when no one on staff is bilingual," says May. "The committee, which is representative of clientele throughout the county, is determined to make a difference for our young people, because in Lampasas County, Kids Matter!"

Websites with Reliable Information

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the following individuals for their contributions to this newsletter.

Marilyn May, CEA-FCS, Lampasas County, for her contributions to Lampasas County Makes Kids Matter article.

Katheleen Ladewig, Extension Program Leader for Food and Nutrition, Professor and Extension Nutrition Specialist, for her contributions on vitamins and their risks.

Dymple Cooksey, Professor and Extension Nutrition Specialist, for reviewing the newsletter for its content and accuracy.

References

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